■■■ • ■-: ' '• •■ :.;,■ :■:•"'. MASS STC >RAGE 7 / *v' i4 £ ■HHHnBE^ How to buy a computer by the numbers. Introducing the Cromemco C-10 Personal Computer. Only $1785, including soft- ware, and you get more pro- fessional features and per- formance for the price than with any other personal com- puter on the market. We've jot the numbers to prove it. The C-10 starts with a high-resolution 12" CRT that displays 25 lines with a full 80 characters on each line. Inside is a high-speed Z-80A microprocessor and 64K bytes of on-board memory. Then there's a detached, easy-to-use keyboard and a 5 l A" disk drive with an excep- tionally large 390K capacity. That's the C-10, and you won't find another ready-to-use personal computer that of- fers you more. But hardware can't work alone. That's why every C-10 includes software— word processing, financial spread sheet, investment planning and BASIC. Hard-working, CP/M R -based software that meets your everyday needs. Software that could cost over $1000 somewhere else. FREE with the C-10. There's really nothing else to buy. But the C-10's numbers tell only part of the story. What they don't say is that Cromemco is already known for some of the most reliable business and scientific com- puters in the industry. And now for the first time, this technology is available in a personal computer. One last number. Call 800 538-8157x929 for the name of your nearest Cromemco dealer, or to re- quest literature. In California call 800 672-3470x929. Or write Cromemco, Inc., 280 Bernardo Avenue, P.O. Box 7400, Mountain View, CA 94039. In Europe, write Cromemco A/S, Vesterbro- gade 1C, 1620 Copenhagen, Denmark. CP/M R is a registered trademark of Digital Research, Inc. All Cromemco products are serviced by TRW. Cromemco Tomorrow's computers today Circle ; - inquiry card. MUlT{.PROCESSING/iNTEUiaENT I/O for 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 5-1 00 bus microcomputers. You can also assemble them into a custom system in convenient Cromemeo 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 quai ity broadcast-TV pictu res, You have an unprecedented selection of memory including our unusual 46K 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 ca n 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 V 12-, and 21-slot card cages. Our PS8 power supply makes it simple to get the system into operation. Finally, Cromemeo offers you the strongest software support in the industry with like FORTRAh COBOL, ASSEMBLER, LISP, BASK others. There is also a wide choice independ< To top it all off, you can draw substantia! array of peripherals: ter- minals, printers, color monitors and disk drives. The re is even more capa bi I ity tha we're able to describe here. NOW AT HALL-MARK ANDKIERULFF For your convenience Cromeme products are now available at Hall- Electronics and Kierulff Electronics tact these national distributors mediate product delivery. CROMEMCO COMPUTER CARC • PROCESSORS — 4 MHz Z-80 A CPU, Computer, I/O processor • MEMORY — up to t including special 48K and 16K two-port RAMS a our very well known BYTESAVERS® with PRC programming capability • HIGH RESOLUTK COLOR GRAPHICS — our SDI offers up t 482 pixel resolution, • GENERAL PURPC TERFACES— QUADART four-channel seri munications, TU-ART two-channef parallel an two-channel serial., 8PIO 8-port paralle 4-port isola I, D+ 7A 7-channel C A/D converter, printer interface, floppy < t roller with RS- 2 32 interface and syst< diagnostics, wire-wrap and extender cards for yo ■ v'.: development work. : i n c o r p o r a t e d 280 BERNARDO AVE., MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA 94040 « (415) 964-7400 Tomorrow's computers today Circle 128 on inquiry card. Bill Volume 8, Number 3 March 1 983 Features 26 Build the ECM-103, an Originate/Answer Modem by Steve Garcia / The Texas Instruments TMS99532 forms the heart of a Bell- 1 03-compatible modem. 34 The Enhanced VIC-20, Part 2: Adding a 3K-Byte Memory Board by Joel Swank / Supplement the VIC-20's standard 5K bytes of RAM and eliminate those annoying "out-of-memory" messages. 44- A User's View of COMDEX by Jerry Pournelle / An impressionistic report of one of the largest gatherings of computer dealers and manufacturers. 56 The Promise of Perpendicular Magnetic Recording by Clark E. Johnson Jr. / As the Japanese seem to have realized already, PMR represents the next level of recording technology. 68 New Developments In Floppy Disks by Tom Moran / New advances in floppy-disk-drive technology spurs intense competition. 86 Optical-Memory Media by Edward Rothchild / Some background on how optical disks work, who makes them, and how much data they can hold. 110 Will Removable Hard Disks Replace the Floppy? by Larry Sarisky / Improved data-storage technologies may eventually eliminate floppy disks. 122 The Winchester Odyssey, From Manufacturer to User by Jim Toreson / A look at drives, OEMs, and the cost of doing business. 1 30 Building a Hard-Disk Interface for an S-100 Bus System, Part 1 : Introduction by Andrew C. Cruce and Scott A. Alexander / The first in a series of articles on interfacing a Winchester disk drive to an S-100 bus CP/M microcomputer. 152 NAPLPS: A New Standard for Text and Graphics, Part 2: Basic Features by Jim Fleming / How to encode text and simple graphics elements in a standard and efficient manner. 218 User's Column: Sage In Bloom, Zeke II, CBIOS Traps, Language Debate Continues by Jerry Pournelle / The consummate computer user tackles his new writing machine. 262 A Faster Binary Search by Dr. L. E. Larson / Ah important technique results in faster-running applications programs and shorter response times. 295 Data Collection with a Microcomputer by Dr. Mahlon G. Kelly / Using a TRS-80 Model I for environ- mental research saves time and money. 310 Build This Memory, Part 1 : How to Construct a Low-Cost Memory with 41 16 Memory Devices by Cameron Spitzer / Take advantage of the low price of the 4 1 1 6-type memory. 331a Peek Into the IBM PC by Tim Field / An assembly-language program enables an Epson printer to display ail 256 characters used by the IBM PC. 389 Keywords In a Fuzzy Context by Thomas A. Smith / CBASIC programs for bibliographic search tell you the degree to which various articles meet your requirements. 418 ROTERP: An Interpretive Language for Robot Control by Gary Liming / High-level languages may help bridge the gap between artificial intelligence and the home experimenter's robot. 436 Using SOUND Arguments for High-Precision RTTY by Scott Persson / How to generate radioteletype audio frequencies from an Atari 800. 453 Binary-Format Number Storage on the Apple II Disk by David Eyes / A machine-language routine to read and write binary data to a text file. Reviews T 90 MP/M II by Stephen Schmitt 247, 248, 251 BYTE Game Grid: Project Nebula by Keith Carlson; Legionnaire by Gregg Williams; Omega Race for the VIC-20 by Stanley J. Wszola 256 Quickcode by Adam B. Green 282 Hayes's Stack Smartmodem by Norman C. McEntire Nucleus 14 22 307, 380, 474 478, 484 487 490 491 492 497 557 558 559 Editorial: The Software Revolution: Where Will We Store All Those Programs? Letters BYTE's Bugs 450 Programming Quickies: Add Dimensions to Your BASIC; Computing Telescope Parameters with the OSI Superboard 11 462 System Notes: Circles and Ellipses on the Apple II; Adding a Trace to North Star BASIC Event Queue 486 BYTE's Bits Software Received Ask BYTE Books Received Clubs and Newsletters BYTELINES What's New? Unclassified Ads BOMB, BOMB Results Reader Service Page 26 Page 44 Page 152 Page 247 m Managing Editor Mark Haas Technical Editors Gregg Williams, Senior Editor; Richard S. Shuford, Curtis P. Feigel, 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. Lock wood, Hilary Selby Polk, Elizabeth Kepner, Nancy Hayes, Cathryn Baskin, Tom McMillan; Margaret Cook, Junior Copy Editor Assistants Faith Kluntz, Beverly Jackson, Lisa Jo Steiner Production David R. Anderson, Assoc. Director; Patrice Scribner, Jan Muller, Virginia Reardon; Sherry McCarthy, Chief Typographer; Debi Fredericks, Donna Sweeney, Valerie Horn Advertising Deborah Porter, Supervisor; Marion Carlson, Rob Hannings, Vicki Reynolds, Cathy A. R. Drew, Lisa Wozmak; Patricia Akerley, 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 Controller's Office Kenneth A. King, Asst. Controller; Mary E. Fluhr, Acct. & D/P Mgr.; Karen Burgess, Jeanne Cilley, Linda Fluhr, Vicki Bennett, L. Bradley Browne, Vern Rockwell Business Manager Daniel Rodrigues 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: Kemp Anderson, Business Systems Development; Shel F. Asen, Manufacturing; Harry L. Brown, Special Markets; 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 Sophisticated new operating systems and multitasking software promise to alter significantly the way we use personal computers. Because of the large memory requirements of the new software, we're sure to see changes for the better in the nature of external storage devices. New technologies for mass storage will become even more critical as the software revolution continues to escalate. As Robert Tin ney's cover suggests, personal computers will need a large quantity of high-speed mass storage to hold all the software and other data that we'll generate. Our theme articles address the latest developments in mass storage. Clark E. Johnson Jr. discusses "The Promise of Perpendicular Magnetic Recording," Tom Moran looks at "New Developments in Floppy Disks," Edward Rothchild writes about "Optical-Memory Media," Larry Sarisky explores the question "Will Removable Hard Disks Replace the Flop- py?" Jim Toreson concentrates on "The Winchester Odyssey," and in the first of a three-part series Andrew C. Cruce and Scott A. Alexander discuss "Buifding a Hard-Disk Interface for an S- 1 CM} Bus System." Plus we have part 2 of "NAPLPS, A New Standard for Text and Graphics," the second installment in the VIC-20 series, "Adding a 3K-Byte Memory Board," a review of MP/M II from Digital Research, and BYTE's Game Grid. Steve Ciarcia tells you how to "Build the ECM-103, an Originate/Answer Modem," and more. BYTE is published monthly by McGraw-Hill, Inc., with offices at 70 Main St, Peterborough NH 03458, phone (603) 924-9281. 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 questions 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). Postage Paid at Winnipeg, Manitoba. Registration number 932 1 . Subscriptions are $21 for one year, $38 for two years, and $55 for three years in the USA and its possessions. In Canada and Mexico, $23 for one year, $42 for two years, $61 for three years. $53 for one year air delivery to Europe. $37 surface delivery elsewhere. Air delivery to selected areas at additional rates upon request. Single copy price is $2.95 in the USA and its possessions, $3.50 in Canada and Mexico, $4.50 in Europe, and $5.00 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 © 1 983 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 $ 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 01 970. 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® 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 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc *** at **URE 9m ^150 WILES. s&m HIUEX Add Multi- Transparency Color Graphics toYourS r 100 or Multibus* System The system builder's best choice for color graphics is a CS5000 color system from SCION. Its basic component is MicroAngelo , the single board graphics display computer that has revolutionized monochrome display capability with low cost 512x480 pixel graphics resolution and 40 line by 85 character text capacity. When MicroAngelo boards are combined, they create high resolution color graphics that have a unique ad- vantage. The displayed image is a combination of transparencies. So you can add, modify or delete images by transparency rather than as an entire image. SCION'S Series CS5000 builds an image with up to 8 bit planes, each generated by a MicroAngelo board. You select the assignment of those bit planes to transpar- encies. Each transparency can display 2 n -1 colors where n is the number of bit planes it uses ... 2 bit planes would make a three color transparency, 8 bit planes would make a 255 color transparency. Once each transparency has been defined, your host can work with it inde- pendently, generating and modifying its graphics and text without interacting with the others. The indepen- dent transparencies are combined by the Color Mixer board which also assigns one of 16.8 million possible colors to each color of each transparency. i I?- > Your computer talks to the SCION Color System in SCREENWARE™, SCION's high level display firm- ware language. SCREENWARE commands are used by the com- puter in each MicroAngelo bit plane to generate graphics and text primitives. User interface is made simple with prompted sys- tem set-up using SCION's ColorPak. MicroAngelo based color graphics systems are easy to use. Just plug the boards into your Multibus or S-100 host. Or use the freestanding work station configuration with its RS-232 interface. In each case, you get high reso- lution color graphics for such a low price you can't afford to design your own. Think SCION for your graphics display needs. Think MicroAngelo. Call us at (703) 476-6100. System shown is a Mode) CS5050S. *A trademark of Intel Corp. if the image is important. 12310 Pinecrest Rd./Reston, VA 22091 (703) 476-6100 TWX: 710-833-0684 For S-100 circle 476 on inquiry card, For Multibus circle 477 on inquiry card. Circle 146 on inquiry card. MILESTONE® WHEN TIME IS MONEY As a project manager, you know the value of meticulous plan- ning. Oversights and miscalcu- lations can cost you crucial time and money. Milestone is a project manage- ment and time scheduling pro- gram. It is a powerful "critical path" program for planning and analyzing virtually any project, from a cost estimate for a con- struction project to a schedule for installing a computer sys- tem. The applications are unlim- ited. Milestone uses PERT, Perfor- mance Evaluation and Review Technique, and CPM, Critical Path Method, to plan a project, yet Milestone is one of the easi- est software packages to use. The Milestone usercan change a variable and instantly Mile- stone will display the effect on the entire project. For instance, the estimated completion date of a particular time-crucial task may be changed. All schedul- ing, manpower costs and asso- ciated reports will be re-tabu- lated. TIME IS MONEY, SAVE BOTH WITH MILESTONE. The price is $295. CP/M® and CP/M~86 T " ver- sions require 64K and 128K RAM respec- tively. Manual alone is $30. For more information see your local compu- ter deafer or contact Digital Marketing directly. SOFTbWE SOFTL4^RE DIGIT/U. /MARKETING DIGITA/VWRKETING' M 7W- mm, ■ DIGITAL MARKETING CORPORATION 2670CHERRYLANE«WALNUTCPKK»CALIFORNIA«94596 (415) 938-2880 ♦ Telex 171 882 (DIGMKTG WNCK) D*ai* ifiQuine* !p*t«d DeoWrt cxrtitoe CoUtomw com (601)442-0844 initd«CoMtomiaco«(4i5) 10 MB disk expansion capability (Optional) # Microsoft Basic When you think about it price, performance, and the reputation of the manufacturer it's no wonder so many discriminating microcomputer users have become "personal" friends wit the industry's one ar microcomputer. sers have become v SuperBrain II ,M irsonable desktop ]\\^ INTERTEC DATA SYSTEMS . Microstuff's CROSSTALK $119 MICROPRO CALCSTAR $99.00 DATASTAR 194.00 DATASTAR 1 99.00 MAILMERGE 139.00 SPELLSTAR 174.00 SUPERSORT I 1 74.00 SUPERSORT II 1 74.00 WORDSTAR 279.00 WORDSTAR/ MAILMERGE 369.00 WORDSTAR TRAINING GUIDE 11.25 MICROSOFT 1 28K RAM FOR IBM PC $599.00 ALDS 105.00 BASIC 80 COMPILER 299.00 BASIC 80 INTERPRETER 279.00 BASIC COMPILER FOR APPLE II ..315.00 128K RAMCARD 599.00 1 92K RAMCARD 699.00 256K RAMCARD 799.00 64K RAMCARD 399.00 64K RAMCHIPS 175.00 TIME MANAGER 119.00 TYPING TUTOR 23.00 MICROSOFT Z80 PREMIUM PACK 619.75 MICROSOFT Z80 SOFTCARD 279.00 muLISP/ muSTAR 169.00 MULTIPLAN 229.00 muSIMP/ muMATH 199.00 TASC APPLESOFT COMPILER . . . .149.00 " MicroPro's INFOSTAR ASHTON TATE dBASE II $529.00 BOTTOM LINE STRATEGIST 279.00 C. ITOH PROWRITER PARALLEL $489.00 PROWRITER SERIAL 639.00 F-1055 1799.00 F-10 PARALLEL 1399.00 F-10 SERIAL 1449.00 GRAPPLER INTERFACE 1 40.50 PROWRITER II 789.00 TRACTOR FOR F10. . . . 229.00 CALIFORNIA COMPUTER SYSTEMS ASYNCHRONOUS INTERFACE ..$129.00 SYNCHRONOUS INTERFACE 149.00 CALENDAR CLOCK 105.00 RS232 INTERFACE 124.00 PROGRAMMABLE TIMER (for apple) 99.00 COMSHARE TARGET MARKETING PLANNER CALC $79.00 TARGET FINANCIAL MODELING. . 249.00 CONTINENTAL SOFTWARE HOME ACCOUNTANT FOR APPLE $69.00 HOME ACCOUNTANT FOR IBM ... 1 29.00 DICTRONICS, INC. RANDOM HS. ELE. THESAURUS. $129.00 PROOF READER 50.00 NORTH AMERICAN BUSINESS SYSTEMS THE ANSWER $249.00 NEC NEC 3550 LOP $2149.00 OASIS WORDPLUS $1 49.00 PEACHTREE ACCOUNTS PAYABLE $375.00 ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE 375.00 GENERAL LEDGER 375.00 INVENTORY 375.00 PAYROLL 187.50 SALES INVOICING 375.00 PERFECT SOFTWARE PERFECT CALC $1 39.00 PERFECT FILER 279.00 PERFECT SPELLER 1 39.00 PERFECT WRITER 239.00 QUADRAM 128K MEMORY EXPANSION. . . . $380.00 192K MEMORY EXPANSION 475.00 64K MEMORY EXPANSION 280.00 64K MEMORY UPGRADE 129.00 DUAL PORT EXPANSION KIT 49.00 MICROFAZERS ALL MODELS. CALLl MICROFAZER POWER SUPPLY . . . .17.00 OUADBOARD 64K . . 499.00 OUADBOARD 1 28K 649.00 OUADBOARD 192K 749.00 OUADBOARD 256K 829.00 RANA CONTROLLER FOR ELITE I $99.00 RANA ELITE 1 379.00 RANA ELITE II 559.00 RANA ELITE III 729.00 SMITH-CORONA SMITH-CORONA TP-1 $599.00 SORCIM PASCAL M $131.25 SUPERCALC BY SORCIM 209.00 SPELLGUARD 189.00 SUPERSOFT ADA $269.00 DIAGNOSTICS I 65.50 DIAGNOSTICS II 84.00 DISK DOCTOR BY SUPERSOFT 84.00 FORTRAN 279.00 PESONAL DATABASE 99.00 SCRATCHPAD 259.00 STACKWORKS FORTH 149.00 STATSGRAPHS 169.00 C COMPILER 175.00 SSS FORTRAN IV 218.75 SUPER M LIST 65.00 TERM I 131.00 TERM II... 150.00 TEXT FORMATTING 75.00 UTILITIES I . UTILITIES II 52.50 MONEY DECISIONS $119 00 FORCE II MATH* $99.00 FOX & GELLER dUTIL ....$68.00 OUICKSCREEN FOR dBASE II 129.00 OUICKCODE FOR dBASE II 249.00 INTEGRAL DATA SYSTEMS IDS MICROPRISM 480 PRINTER. $599.00 IDS PRISM 1 32 PRINTER 11 99.00 IDS PRISM 80 PRINTER 879.00 INTERACTIVE STRUCTURES PKASSO 145.00 INNOVATIVE SOFTWARE, INC. TIM III $369.00 GRAPHMAGIC 69.00 MATHEMAGIC 79.00 INFORMATION UNLIMITED SYSTEMS EASYFILER $349.00 EASYSPELLER 1 59.00 EASYWRITER II 279.00 MAXELL FD-1 or FH-1 -32 r siNCLE sided. ... $41 .50 FD-2 8" DOUBLE SIDED 48.95 MD-1 or MH-1 5 1 /4" SINGLE SIDED .... 31.25 MD-2 or MH-2 5V*" double sided . . . 47.10 SORENTO VALLEY ASSOCIATES 8" FLOPPY SYSTEM (1 MEG) . . $1995.00 8" FLOPPY SYSTEM (2 MEG). . . . 2599.00 10 MEG WINC. FOR APPLE 3399.00 1 28K RAM BOARD 649.00 1 92K RAM BOARD 845.00 256K RAM BOARD 949.00 T/ MAKER COMPANY T/MAKER III $249.00 VIDEX ENHANCER II $119.00 VIDEX KEYBOARD ENHANCER . . . 105.00 VIDEX VIDEOTERM FOR APPLE II. 299.00 VISICORP DESKTOP PLAN APPLE II $184.00 DESKTOP PLAN IBM 228.00 VISICALC 184.00 VISICALC ADVANCED VERSION . . 339.00 VISICALC BUSINESS FORECASTING 89.00 VISIDEX 184.00 VISIFILE APPLE II 184.00 VISIFILE IBM 228.00 VISILINK 184.00 VISIPACK 619.00 VISIPLOT FOR APPLE 1 59.00 VISISCHEDULE 228.00 VISITERM 80.00 VISITREND/VISIPLOT 228.00 we want you to know... MICROHOUSE, because we don't just answer phones, we answer questions. we want you to know... microhouse continues to feature great prices and quality softwares and hardware. we want you to know... MICROHOUSE introduces new products: THE ANSWER NORTH AMERICAN BUSINESS SYSTEMS, INC. now you can truly have Information at the touch of a button from the world's first self- teaching database system, the ANSWER uses "electronic cards" or computerized ver- sions of Index cards. These cards hold all your pertinent Information In the sequence you want It. With the answers report generation feature, you can also do mailings, business reports, math, and high level searching. LIST PRICE: $295.00 MICROHOUSE PRICE $249.00 FAST GRAPHS INNOVATIVE SOFTWARE FAST GRAPHS Is a complete graphics and plotting program designed for the IBM-PC with a color or high resolution black and white monitor, completely menu driven, FAST GRAPHS automatically scales axes, titles, and creates graph legends; using manual data Input or direct data Input from Vlslcalc, or most other spread sheet and database programs. Special draw mode with painting and erasing feature allows you to creatively edit your graphs and charts. List Price: $295.00 MICROHOUSE PRICE: $189.00 CALSTAR CALIFORNIA COMPUTER SYSTEMS, INC. CALSTAR Is a brand new, expandable, single board computer system which Is Ideally suited to business applications, it combines high priced benefits at a cost any business can afford. Calstar offers 2-8" double slded-double density disc drives (2 meg capacity!), software included In every calstar: cp/m, perfect writer, perfect speller, perfect calc, and perfect filer, call MICROHOUSE FOR DETAILS! List Price: $2995.00 MICROHOUSE PRICE: $2695.00 PRINTMASTER F-10 C. ITOH The PRINTMASTER is built on an aluminum base and uses high quality metal parts for reliability and dependability, it streams along at 55 LOcps (letter quality characters per second) with all the qualities of a starwriter. microhouse is an authorized c. itoh re- pair center. MICROHOUSE PRICE: $1749.00 we want you to know... MICROHOUSE has a 24 hour computerized order system called microline which enables you to access specific pro- duct information and place an order if you wish. MICROLINE can be reached at 1 -21 5-868-1 203. P.O. BOX 499/1444 LINDEN ST., DEPT. 201.. BETHLEHEM, PA 18016 IBM IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES. CP/M IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF DIGITAL RE- SEARCH, INC., APPLE IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF APPLE COMPUTERS, INC., PERFECT WRITER, PERFECT SPELLER, PERFECT CALC ARE TRADEMARKS OF PERFECT SOFTWARE, INC. THE ANSWER IS A TRADEMARK OF NORTH AMERICAN BUSINESS SYSTEMS. FAST GRAPH IS A TRADEMARK OF INNOVATIVE SOFTWARE MARKETING, INC. CROSSTALK IS A TRADEMARK OF MICROSTUFF. INFOSTAR IS A TRADEMARK OF MICROPRO. PRICES, SPECIFICATIONS AND AVAILIBILITY SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. NOT ALL PROGRAMS AVAILABLE IN ALL FORMATS. PLEASE CALL FOR ADDITIONAL PRODUCT INFORMATION. DEALER INQUIRIES WELCOME. WE WANT YOU TO KNOW... MICROHOUSE Circle 282 on Inquiry card YOUT MlCfO'COmpU ter PeOple Letters Misleading Advertising I read with great interest an advertise- ment for the AMI 11+ + Computer, manufactured by Apollo Computer Com- pany of Taiwan and distributed by Orien- tal Investments Limited of Switzerland (November 1982 BYTE, page 332). The computer is advertised as being "Apple II Plus Compatible" and appears nearly identical in its physical characteristics to the Apple II. The terms of sale for the computer, which is offered at an enor- mous price reduction over the usual dis- counted cost of an Apple II, require pre- payment by money order or by certified check. Because of recent articles concerning the potential infringement of copyrights owned by Apple, I contacted the U.S. Customs Service in Washington [(202) 566-5765] to inquire on the legality of im- porting the AMI II + + . I was told that all Apple II "look-alikes," specifically includ- ing those manufactured by Apollo Com- pany, will be seized by Customs upon im- port. In my opinion your magazine has done a great disservice to your readers in carry- ing the ad for the AMI II + + Computer. I hope that not many of your readers have responded to this alluring ad and sent in their prepayments only to have their purchased equipment impounded at the border. Richard L. Merriam 7 Thoreau Rd. Lexington, MA 02173 As is true of most publications, BYTE periodically receives complaints from one advertiser (or individual) about the activi- ties of another advertiser. As is also true of all magazines, it is quite impossible for us to act as judge and jury and arbitrate commercial disputes between advertisers. In addition to other problems, the cost of the technical and legal expertise that we would have to hire would put our maga- zine out of the price range of most of our readers and advertisers alike. Is there nothing, then, that a magazine like BYTE can or should do? Of course there is. Every advertisement from a new advertiser is reviewed both by an editor and a publisher in an attempt to spot problems and potential reader rip-off s before they occur. While this is not fool- proof, we are pleased that we have headed off several problems before they found their way into print. The other step we can take is to adhere rigorously to the rulings of government tribunals or agencies, who, after all, are the appropriate ones to respond to dis- putes between advertisers. Unfortunately, unless the prevailing advertiser or the tribunal itself thinks to inform us of a rul- ing, there is no automatic way we receive this information. Thus, it was somewhat fortuitous that we received a copy of a Customs Department Newsletter men- tioning the importation ban against some Apple II 'look-alikes." As soon as we received that notice, the ad in question was removed from all issues not yet printed. . . . Gordon R. Williamson Language Flexibility Jerry Pournelle's exposure of the high priests of computer software is long over- due (see "User's Column," October 1982 BYTE, page 254). Since the microcomputer revolution began, these high priests have stood by their "cure-all" languages and have had a put-down attitude toward us poor slobs using "nonstructured" code (anything with a GOTO statement). Fact is, it's easier to defend a familiar language than to tread on unfamiliar territory by trying to learn another. Let's get with it, gang! Every language on the market has its share of strengths and weaknesses. Just as a wood craftsman requires a variety of special tools to do the job right, the professional programmer needs to understand which software "tools" are available to get the job done. There is no "best" programming language, but given any particular problem, there are several languages that will do the job quite well. The software engineer needs to be able to select which language is suitable for the task at hand. That might involve breaking down a project into modules written in BASIC, FORTRAN, COBOL, and assem- bly language to capitalize on the strong points of each language. I admire Digital Research, Microsoft, and others for tak- ing steps in this direction to allow the pro- grammer to "link" modules written in dif- ferent languages into a single program. The hardware side of the computer rev- olution is leaps and bounds ahead of, and being held back by, the software develop- ment side. It's high time that we move software development from the mystical black art of the '60s into the rapidly changing environment of the '80s. The high priest stuck holding onto ALGOL/ Pascal /FORTRAN /whatever as the cure- all language will be much like the elec- trical engineer of the '50s left holding a vacuum tube, Robert S. Walden, President XL Computer Products POB805 Mesa, AZ 85202 Almost a Tlnkerer's Dream I just had to write and compliment you on the November 1982 BYTE. I am an electrical engineer and a hardware hacker from way back, and I was about ready to let my subscription to BYTE lapse. While hardware hackers are a dying breed, I had begun to think that we were entirely for- gotten. I realize that there aren't many left, but there are probably more of us than there are disabled microcomputer users (see the September 1982 BYTE on "Computers and the Disabled") or artist microcomputer users (July 1982 BYTE, "Computers in the Arts and Sciences") or even microcomputer users that program in Logo (August 1982 BYTE, "Logo"). While these are probably worthy causes to devote an issue of BYTE to, it seemed that the tinkerers were entirely left out. And then came the November 1982 issue. While not quite a tinkerer's dream, it is in the general direction of one. Steve Ciarcia's "Build the Circuit Cellar MPX-16 Computer System, Part 2" (page 78), Phil Lemmons's informative article "Victor Victorious: The Victor 9000 Computer" (page 216), a vector-graphics construction article (Billy Garrett's "Microvec: The Other Type of Video Display," page 508), and even Phil Lemmons's "An Interview with Chuck Peddle" (page 256) were all interesting. No long, boring articles about why this DBMS (database management system) is better than that (for a home computer?), no articles on a language that needs five full-time programmers and a mainframe computer to maintain it, and no one telling me to rush right out and plunk down $4000 for the latest do-every- thing-but-change-the-baby gizmo. While I am not advising that you change the editorial direction of BYTE, I 14 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc intd lligent bio* lf idP ift gro ■p> i«av' prints To put your micro computer on printing erms The Facit 45 10 Low Cost 80-column Serial Matrix Printer is a thoroughbred micro printer. Engineered for quality and professional computer outputs. Facit 4510 fully configured features most printer options as standard. State-of-the-art micro-pro- cessor concept and a 2K-work buffer accepts print- ing data as fast as your computer can send it. Versatility comes from industry compatible inter- faces - both parallel and serial RS-232-C Block graphics and pin graphics secure optimum system performance and give complete printing freedom. Emphasizing multifont and high resolution capabilities including 8 national character sets as standard. Fan fold tractor feed, single sheet and telex roll with friction feed completes your thoroughbred micro printer. The Facit 4510. Circle 486 on Inquiry card. 235 Main Dunstable Road P.O. Box 828 Nashua, N.H: 03061 Phone: (603) 883-4157. Europe: S-105 45 Stockholm, Sweden. Phone. (8) 7386000. Letters, am glad to see some articles of interest to people other than full-time data process- ing managers or game addicts . And besides, the November issue did not have one mention (that I could find) that "the uses of a computer are limited only by your imagination." If I ever see that trite, overworked, meaningless phrase in print again, I think that I will go into a homicidal rage. Oh yes, tell Jerry Pournelle that I enjoy his "User's Column." And his books are okay, too. Stuart Ball 1101 Dover St. NE Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 For the Record In the November 1982 BYTE, an er- roneous reference was made in Peter Sdrensen's article "Tronic Imagery" (page 48). On page 56 (in the paragraph continu- ing from page 55), Michael Fremer, music and sound design supervisor for Tron, was referred to as the sound effects creator. As the actual sound effects creator for Tron, I would like this point clarified. Frank Serafine Seraf ine FX 1861 South Bundy Dr. West Los Angeles, CA 90025 What Did He Say? BYTE magazine is used by a cross- section of people representing many dif- ferent levels of involvement with the ap- plications of computers. To serve and to maintain its readership, the magazine offers access to knowledge and access to tools. While access to knowledge is also catered to by the book market, access to tools is provided almost exclusively by periodical publications of this type, some with self-serving and others with public- serving interests. In this context, the word tool can be taken in its global meaning of "what is instrumental in the realization of something." The more useful BYTE magazine be- comes at providing both types of access, the more likely it is to become itself a tool and be used as such by its readers. Of all needs presented to the editors of the magazine by the readers, the key demand will always be for more usefulness, hence for more useful access. End of loop. The editor's job: define "access." The reader's job: define "useful." I am right now working on my own list of wishes. Readers, to your pens! Laurent Dube Green Island POB 3670 Prince Rupert, British Columbia Canada V8J 3W8 The Myth of Computer Literacy Yes, computer literacy is really a myth. There is no such thing. Many articles have been written decrying the lack of com- puter literacy in our society. Thousands of books and junior college courses have been devoted to this subject, but it really doesn't exist. Why not? Because com- puters are not literate. In fact, computer operators need not be literate either (al- though knowing how to read is advan- tageous). Like telephones, computers are ma- chines and are quite easy to operate. You just turn them on and follow the instruc- tions as they appear on the screen. You don't hear about telephone literacy. Com- puters are the same thing. No problem. A properly functioning computer with user-friendly software is a pleasure. Where we get into trouble is when we have software or hardware that malfunc- tions. Just like the early telephones, which had a lot of hardware and software prob- lems, computers (still in their evolution- ary infancy) have often given us interest- ing moments. As time goes on, this will straighten out and become a rare annoy- ance, as is now the case with the tele- phone. So why all the baloney about computer literacy? It is due to the desire of our news and education industries to increase their power. The news media tell us we are dumb, stupid, and will fall behind or lose a job if we are computer illiterate. This makes many people nervous and they buy more books, papers, and maga- zines in an effort to catch up. Educational institutions, suffering from the exit of all those baby-boom people, need more bodies to maintain income and justify their share of tax revenues. Certainly we need programmers and systems analysts who must be well trained in computer technology, just as all telephone repairmen and installers must be trained for their trade. But for the rest of us consumers, all we do is turn the computer on and use it, just like the tele- phone, and that requires very little "liter- acy." What we really need is to be digital- watch literate. I have a 45-f unction, $29 wrist watch with 4 buttons and I cannot make it stop beeping. . . . E. J. Neiburger DDS Dental Computer Newsletter 1000 North Ave. Waukegan, IL 60085 An Ounce of Preventive Maintenance We second Mr. Brady's motion (No- vember 1982 BYTE, "Letters," page 19) re- questing more BYTE articles concerning maintenance and repair. Computers may sometimes be astonish- ing in their capabilities but they're still machines, and machines break — some more frequently than others and some more mysteriously. Of course, thorough and regular main- tenance can help cut down on the number of breakdowns, but when the machine does go on the blink there's no reason why it can't be up and running quickly. To en- sure a minimum of downtime, every com- puter owner should establish a relation- ship with a reliable and efficient mainte- nance organization before any repairs are needed. In the world of microcomputers, the most likely and most reliable source of service is the computer distributor or dealer. In short, the person you buy it from. It is naive to expect prompt service from hardware makers. They are in the business of manufacturing, not servicing, microcomputers. So it behooves the microcomputer buyer to compare service capabilities as well as prices when shopping for a system. In fact, service should be a more crucial factor than price in the decision because the few dollars saved by buying from a mail-order house with no maintenance service will cost you dearly as time goes by and equipment fails. In order to evaluate the maintenance capabilities of computer dealers and to make sure you'll get prompt service if and when you need it, make sure they meet the following criteria. 16 March 1983 © BYTE Publications lnc s IF MetaCard DOESN'T IMPROVE YOUR WORKING CONDITIONS WE'LL GIVE YOU YOUR MONEY BACK. It's almost three in the morning. You knew just one more line of code and your program would be finished. That was seven hours ago. It's hard work developing good software. Writing it on the Apple II is no exception. Although we can't promise to get you to bed by eleven o'clock, we can make your job a lot easier. When we developed MetaCard, a co-processor system for the Apple II, we designed in 128K bytes of on-board memory with parity. Enough memory to run the most powerful development tools available. We included memory expansion capabilities beyond 128K. And we made sure it could run ail three operating systems for the IBM PC. MetaCard does more than make your job easier, it opens up new development areas. If you want to create or run more powerful applications software for the Apple, or for the IBM PC or other 8086/88-based systems, you should have a MetaCard in your Apple. MetaCard supports the most popular development languages available for MS-DOS, CP/M-86 and UCSD p-System Version IV Languages like Pascal, C, COBOL, FORTRAN, BASIC and almost all others operate at peak performance. MetaCard enables you to continue to use most of the popular peripherals for your Apple II, plus all of your existing software. And with many best selling applications for the IBM PC available soon, you can use your Apple in new and developing areas. MetaCard uses the Intel 8088 processor and operates at a full 5 Mhz. And MetaCard's real-time clock, external power supply, parity checking RAM, and power-up ROM diagnostics give you the features and reliability you demand. Satisfaction Guaranteed We know you'll still work through the night. But if MetaCard doesn't improve your working conditions, return it within 30 days, and we'll send your money back. No questions asked. MetaCard, complete with documentation, MS-DOS and UCSD p-System (CP/M-86 optional) and power supply, is available in both 64 and 128K configurations, priced at $980 and $1,150 respectively. The MetaCard System Operating Manual is available for only $25. For more information write us today, Metamorphic Systems, Inc., 8950 Villa La Jolla Drive, Suite 1200, La Jolia, CA 92037. Or call us today to order yours at 800/228-8088 In California call 619/457-3870. MetaCard is a trademark of Metamorphic Systems, Inc., Apple — Apple Computer Inc., Intel 8088 — Intel Corporation, CP/M-86 — Digital Research Corporation, MS-DOS — Microsoft, UCSD p-System — University of California, IBM PC — IBM. Circle 265 on inquiry card, MetaCard Letters ■ Proximity: Common sense tells you that you'll get better service from a com- pany close by than one far away. Also keep in mind that shipping charges are usually the responsibility of the customer. Longevity : We've been living in the age of computers long enough that you needn't deal with a company that doesn't have a substantial track record. (For in- stance, Tristar has been in business over 10 years.) Unless there's something very special about the company, don't deal with a brand-new business. The computer industry has seen too many casualties, and one thing you want is a company that will be around tomorrow. Legitimacy: It's easy to get into the computer business today. Deal with a real business, not an answering service. Ask for references. Adequate stock of replacement parts: Ask if the company has an inventory of replacement parts. Having the necessary parts on hand can mean the difference be- Excellence Acknowledged. Some people demand the best. Superior quality at superior value identifies the "best" products, and the best in Apple In- compatible drives is the Micro-Sci line of 5V4" floppy disk drives and subsystems. Business people needing storage, reliability and fast access have been impressed with Micro-Sci's A40 system since we introduced it back in 1979. For a lower list price than the Apple Disk H*'s, the A40 offers 20Kb more capacity, faster access time and greater data reliability. The Micro-Sci A70 drive combines quick access and high reliability with a full 286Kb storage capability. The newest member of Micro-Sci's Apple II- compatible family, the A2, is a direct replacement for the Disk II, //-SCI featuring total compatibility at a lower cost. Better still, you can mix our A2 drive and controller with their drive and controller for complete freedom of interchangeability. And Micro-Set's controller includes operating features like jumper-selectable 3.2 and 3.3 DOS. Give yourself the privilege. Micro-Sci delivers the most in quality, reliability and performance. So when you consider additional drives or a disk subsystem for your Apple II, indulge yourself in the Micro- Sci alternative. See our complete product line today at a dealer nearyou. (SPECIAL NOTE TO APPLE III 9 USERS: Micro-Sci also offers a full range of Apple Ill-compatible drives. Ask your local dealer for details.) MICRO-SCI Micro-Sci is a Division of Standun Controls, Inc. 2158 SOUTH HATHAWAY STREET * SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA 92705 • 714/662-2801 • TELEX: 910-346-6739 International Dealer Inquiries .. . IMC International Markets Corp. Telephone: 714/730-0963 • Telex: 277782-ROBY UR * Apple, Apple ll, Apple III and Disk II are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. 18 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc Circle 276 on inquiry card. tween hours and weeks of downtime. Tools and space for in-house repair: In order to provide good maintenance, ade- quate money must be allotted for a repair shop and sophisticated tools. Make sure that your dealer has done so. Trained people: Any reputable manu- facturer runs training sessions to teach people how to repair their equipment. Make sure one of your dealer's employees has gone to that school. Computer downtime means money and inconvenience and sometimes even hard- ship for anyone whose computer opera- tions are essential. For those reasons, all computer owners should be well versed in their equipment's proper care and feeding and should have a top-notch maintenance organization on call to fix things if they start going bad. Pete Morley Tristar Data Systems Cherry Hill Industrial Center 2 Keystone Ave. Cherry Hill, NJ 08003 Victor Club Phil Lemmons's article "Victor Vic- torious: The Victor 9000 Computer" (November 1982 BYTE, page 216) was in- deed impressive. The Andrews Group is heavily in- volved in the development end of CAD/CAM (computer-aided design/ computer-aided management) software for the Victor 9000 coupled with Houston Instrument plotters and digitizers. Over the last six months of develop- ment work we have had tremendous sup- port from the Victor Software Group in Chicago. We feel at this point, however, there should be some central point for in- formation exchange for the Victor. To this end we have set up the Victor User's Club and for the present time we will use the offices of the Andrews Group and its facilities. The club will be for the free exchange of information and will publish a monthly newsletter pertaining to new develop- ments and software ideas. The yearly fee is $35, which will cover publishing and mailing expenses. Mark W. Andrews The Andrews Group 310 SW 2nd St. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312 Circle 484 for dealers. Circle 485 for end users. ^-^ M ' you heavywei at a lo outweighs oking for erff i • n= competition, IBC MIDDI CADET 1 ALTOS™ ACS 8000-10 Maximum Users 4 Disk Storage 10 MB Memory 208 KB CPU Speed 4 MHz 3enChmark (Elapsed lime ) 5:03 Minutes* List Price $7995.00 Maximum Users 9 Maximum Users 4 Disk Storage 20 MB Disk Storage 10 MB Memory 256 KB * * Memory 208 KB CPU Speed 6 MHz CPU Speed 4 MHz Benchmark (Elapsed time) 1:44 Minutes* Benchmark (Elapsed time) 5:03 Minutes* List Price $7495.00 List Price $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 IV , Dynabyte ,M and others using CP/M fM 2.2, MP/M ,M II or OASIS'^ 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 ow< IBC. So remember! When you want a heavyweight performer at a low price, contact: — - IDE THE USA XflQ/i 21592 Manila Street 4185 Harrison Blvd . Suite 301 Chatsworth, CA 91311 Ogden, UTAH 84403 (213) 882 9007 TELEX NO 215349 (801) 621 2294 Letters The Real Bottleneck I take exception to a term which I fear is becoming widely accepted. I have recently seen it in BYTE and other publications. This term is Von Neumann bottleneck. The term is used because the concept of the stored program computer as we know it today is largely due to the work of John Von Neumann (1903-1957) in the early '40s and because in this concept instruc- tions are fetched and executed in a strictly linear fashion. I disagree with the popular use of the phrase for several reasons. First, in his in- novative work this genius broke the bot- tleneck of the day, which was the com- mon narrowmindedness that thought of computers in terms of single-use or hard- to-modify dedicated systems. Second, the term contains the pejora- tive connotation that if it were not for Von Neumann this bottleneck would not exist today. It certainly would because it is related to hardware technology more than to anything else. Third, if Von Neumann had lived longer, the state of computer theory would most likely be far more advanced than it is. Doubtless his theoretical con- tributions would have gone well beyond the advances in hardware that we have seen over the years, particularly in regard to the capability of true multi- and parallel-processing. So if there is a Von Neumann bottleneck, it is in the loss that the world of mathematics and computers suffered in his early death. The contributions Von Neumann made to mathematics are well known, from the founding of the theory of games, with its wide-reaching applications in areas like weather research and economics, to his work in set theory and theoretical physics and his work in the logical design of elec- tronic computers and a general theory of automata. These contributions, along with the many anecdotes still told today about the intellectual powers of the man, attest to his true genius in many areas of mathematics and computing theory. I strongly protest the use of the term I have been discussing— it is a manifest injustice to connect the name Von Neumann with this pseudo-problem. In a constructive vein, may I make two suggestions. First, that this phenomenon be more aptly named. Terms like unipro- cessing bottleneck, linear-processng bot- tleneck or sequential-processing bot- tleneck come to mind, but I will not presume to coin the definitive phrase here. Second, may I suggest the following definition of the term Von Neumann bot- tleneck: the fact that more than 95 percent of all people have less than 5 percent of the ability of John Von Neumann. Philip Mahler Instructor of Mathematics Middlesex Community College Springs Rd. Bedford, MA 01730 The Meaning of Oppression Just to set the record straight: I am the source of the "RESIST THE DRAFT" mes- sage that Dr. Kallend discovered assem- bled into Apple Logo (see the December 1982 BYTE "Letters" column, page 18). Neither Apple Computer Inc. (which dis- For An Orchestra. Our chief is perfect for a single user system. The same duet performs even better in a multi-user orchestra. 5-100 Single Board Computer Single or multi processor capability Pro- grammable master or slave selection Redundant pro- cessor manipulation m 4MHz Z80A or 6MHz Z80B CPU m 64K RAM and 2K EPROM with monitor m 2 serial, 2 parallel, 4 timer ports m Bi-directional inter- processor channel i Dual mode serial ports interface m Multi-layer PCB construction Circle 228 on inquiry card. DCAIiSOl $-100 Disk Controller Module 8" and/or 5%'* floppy disk controller ■* SASI (ANSI, SCSI) hard disk host adapter Single and double density, single and double side Software implementation on CP/M 1 2.2 and TurboDOS! 1 TM of Digital Research, Inc. 3 TM of Software 2000, Inc. JC SYSTEMS 1075 Hiawatha Ct. Fremont, CA 94538 (415) 657-4215 897 N.W. Grant Ave. • Corvallis, Oregon 97330 • 503/758-0521 TTnTFTTH T Expanding Horizons in Text Display Videoterm increases your Apple ][ r * J display to a full capacity 80 columns. Proofreading text problems are a thing of the past. With Videoterm your text is displayed in upper and lower case characters with true descenders utilizing a 7 by 9 character matrix. The time-tested Videoterm is compatible with most word processors and is available with alternate character fonts. Once you've explored the advantages of Videoterm, you'll discover a whole new world for you and your Apple ][. Suggested retail price: £345.00 ACCESSORIES Videoterm Utilities Disc includes: •Graphics Template System • Font Editor •Mid-Res Graphics • Applesoft Read Screen Utility •Top & Bottom Scrolling •Pascal Vidpatch Suggested price $37.00 VIDEO SWITCH ENHANCER ][ Videoterm Character Set EPROMs •French •N. European •German •Russian • Inverse •Spanish • Katakana [Japanese] 'Super & Subscript • Math & Greek Symbols Suggested price • Norsk $29.00 each. ^ Dvorak EPROM [Enhancer]— $29.00 Lower Case Chip [Rev 7 & up]— $29.00 The Soft Video Switch is an automatic ver- sion of the popular Switchplate. It knows whether it should display 40 or 80 columns or Apple graphics. It does the tedious work of switching video-out signals so you don't have to. The Soft Video Switch can be con- trolled by software. May be used with any Videoterm with Firmware 2.0 or greater. The single wire shift mod is also supported. I Package price is $35.00. Circle 443 on inquiry card. The Enhancer ][ features a typeahead buf- fer. Your keyboard has upper and lower case, and will auto repeat any key held down. A single keystroke can become a word or an entire sentence. Controlled by a powerful microprocessor, Enhancer ][ allows you to re-map your keyboard or add specialized features. Changing a chip creates a totally different keyboard. Enhancer ][ Utilities Disc included. Suggested retail price $149.00. PRINTER f nn I optimizer 1 -L-l- ® Why buy a mere "spooler" when you can have THE PRINTER OPTIMIZER? * 64k to 256k spooling buffer * adapts different brands - can mix Serial and Parallel * character conversion : 1 to 1 , 1 to many, many to 1/ ignore *. pushbutton automated access to your printer's various type styles and printing modes * several ways to PAUSE printing * access any character , graphic design or printer "trick" from any program at any time * special features for use as a MODEM buffer ^^_ I |m IStl El«ctro™c Tytwwrrtw Interlace I E 1 I® I '- r : I The cost effective alternative. Converts IBM, Adler /Royal, Olympia and other Electronic Typewriters into letter quality printers. 2K memory buffer access ail typewriter characters and automated features Serial or Parallel versions Many proprietary features and commands insure compatibility with your system and software Typesetting capability! PETI Super low cost adaptor for new inexpensive portable Electronic Typewriters can yield typewriter and letter quality printer com- bination for around $500 total ! * perfect for "personal use" * easy "plug- in" Parallel connection to most computers * compatible with popular word processing programs APPLIED CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY INC. 2723 Avenue E East, Suite 717 Arlington, Texas 76011 [817]~261-6905 [8Q0J-433-5373 Letters _— — — tributes the product) nor Logo Computer Systems (which manufactures it) knew of its inclusion. Dr. Kallend sees "an early start on 1984" in the dissemination of the message (which he regards as subversive) "into so many of our schools." This view is aston- ishingly upside down. In the nightmare world of George Orwell's novel 1984, the expression of "subversive" ideas was all but wiped out; thus was obedience to government authority assured. It's hard to imagine a clearer antithesis to the type of oppression depicted in 1984 than en- couraging defiance of the draft, in schools and elsewhere. Dr. Kallend seems to be telling us that resistance is oppression. Gary L. Drescher NE43-743 Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MA 02139 A Language Is Born November 1982 saw continued discus- sion of the QWERTY versus Dvorak key- boards in the "Letters" section of BYTE (page 16). I am a touch-typist, and al- though I did not relish the prospect of learning to type all over again, the bene- fits from Dvorak's "simpler keyboard" in- trigued me. As with many microcomputers, the key- board on my Osborne is not redefinable. This meant that I couldn't implement Dvorak's layout without first replacing my ROM. However, I found a solution: rather than redefining the keyboard into Dvorak's structure, I chose to redefine the alphabet. If the word to be typed is "letter" I mentally encode it and type the "Dvorak-English" word "pokkdo." "Dear Sir" becomes "Hdao :so" and "Having a wonderful time." equates to the seemingly nonsensical "Ja.gly a ,slhdotfp kgmdq." I find that I have sufficient time to think of (or read) what I wish to type, convert its spelling into Dvorak-English, and still retain the speed of a true Dvorak key- board. The one problem, that other peo- ple cannot read my text until it is decrypted, does not significantly subtract from the value I have gained. However, it is my intention to seek the removal of even this irritation. Dvorak-English as a second language, perhaps taught along- side French and Spanish in public schools, would do the trick. Chris Rudek 5975 Newman Court, #4 Sacramento, CA 95819 Warranty Pirates I thoroughly enjoy Jerry Pournelle's ar- ticles and find them informative and entertaining. However, I would like to take a good-natured poke at one of his commentaries in the November 1982 BYTE "User's Column" (page 394) regard- ing the warranty and license information included with the Soft-Link evaluation copy of Colortrol that Mr. Pournelle con- sidered reviewing. If Mr. Pournelle will reread the warran- ty and license information that he signed when he began running CP/M on his sys- tem, he will find that Soft-Link, as many other software vendors have done, has merely used wording similar to that used by Digital Research. These vendors ap- parently feel there's no point in arguing with success. Digital Research has a suc- cessful software package, has not been sued out of business, and has successfully sued against pirates, while other software companies have difficulty coming up with anything else as simple and as protective. In other words, most software houses have "pirated" Digital Research's warran- ty and license format, probably for good reason, and Soft-Link shouldn't be taken to task for doing the same. Actually, most software houses are willing to be less restrictive in practice, but with suits being brought for almost any reason, valid and otherwise, and with such suits being expensive to defend, with little or no compensation for the winning defense, software houses will probably continue to use similar wording in war- ranties and licenses, if for no other reason than to avoid attorney fees rather than re- sponsibility. R. David Otten, Owner/ President Signature Software Systems Inc. 5602 Stouder Place NW Pickerington, OH 43147 ■ BYTE's Bugs MARC This Correction In the textbox on the MARC operating system that accompanied Christopher O. Kern's article "Microshell and Unica: Unix-Style Enhancements for CP/M," an incorrect telephone number was listed for Vortex Technology. (See the December 1982 BYTE, page 206.) The correct num- ber is (213) 645-7200. ■ 22 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc o BOXED IN THE CORNER BY YOUR SMALL BUSINESS COMPUTER? The trouble with many of today's better known iall business computers is they box you into a single user system. So after your big initial investment, you still have a single user system. You always will. Now there's the Ze/ns 4 from OSM Computers. The Zefjs 4 is the first multi-user, multi-processor micro at single user prices. The Ze/iS 4 is less than one cubic foot and weighs 24.6 pounds. Yet it's like four separate, powerful small business computers in one. It allows up to four users to share a common data base or work independently. Each has his own CPU 64K of RAM and I/O ports. That means greater operator independence, more processor power and greater reliability. You needn't worry about running out of storage apacity either. The Ze/Lts 4 comes with a built-in hard disk, so users share up to 19MB of storage, about twice as luch as most other multi-user systems. You'll enjoy maximum flexibility in software appli- ations too, because Ze/us 4's MUSE operating system jns programs compatible with CP/M. Plus MUSE rovides extensive file management functions typically Dund only on mini computers. Here's another big advantage: The Ze/iS 4 is designed for low maintenance, low down-time. Its 1 modules snap in and out with a few minutes work. So if repairs are ever needed, modules are simply replaced through OSM's limited warranty prograr Maybe the best thing is that you can buy the powerful and expandable Zejus 4 for $4,595 ($6,595 fully configured for four users). The Ze^s 4 from OSM, the latest in a family of powerful, multi-user small business computers. It's t little box that lets you grow without boxing you in. To find out more, call (800) 538-5120 or (415) 961-8680 in California or write to OSM Computer Cor- poration, 665 Clyde Avenue, Mountain View, CA 94043. [■uinwim Computers. Your power to expand. CP. M is a registered trademark of Digital Research, Inc Ze^s 4 and MUSE are trademarks of OSM Computer Corporation. ©1983 OSM Computers. circle 329 on inquiry card. ARE YOU STILL LETTING YOUR PRINTER TIE UP YOUR COMPUTER? While your printer is running, your computer is tied up. You can't use it for processing, computing, data entry. Nothing. All you can do is twiddle your thumbs until the program is finished. Pretty ridiculous. MICROBUFFER ALLOWS YOU TO PRINT AND PROCESS SIMULTANEOUSLY. You just dump your printing data directly to Microbuffer, whoosh!, and continue processing. No waiting. Microbuffer accepts data as fast as your computer can send it. It stores the data in its own memory buffer then takes control of the printer. It's that easy. THERE IS A MICROBUFFER FOR ANY COMPUTER/PRINTER COMBINATION. Whatever your system, there is a specific Microbuffer designed to accommodate it. FOR APPLE II COMPUTERS, Mircobuffer II features on-board firmware for text formatting and advanced graphics dump routines. Both serial and parllel versions have a power-efficient low- consumption design. 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/ E comes in two serial versions — 8K or 16K (upgradable to 32K) — and two parallel versions — 16K or 32K (upgradable to 64K). The serial buffer supports both hard- ware handshaking and XON-XOFF software handshaking at baud rates up to 19,200. Both interfaces are compatible with standard Epson commands, including GRAFTRAX-80 and GRAFTRAX-80 + . Prices range from $159 to $279. ALL OTHER COMPUTER/PRINTER COMBINATIONS can be untied by the stand-alone Microbuffer In-line. The serial stand-alone will support different input and output baud rates and different hand- shake protocol. Both serial and parallel versions are available in a 32K model at $299 or 64K for $349. Either can be user-upgraded to a total of 256K with 64K add-ons — just $179 each. SIMPIE TO INSTALL Microbuffer II is slot-independent. It slips directly inside the Apple II in any slot except zero. Microbuffer/E mounts easily inside the existing auxiliary slot directly inside the Epson printer. The stand-alone Microbuffer is installed in-line between virtually any computer and any printer. MICROBUFFER FROM PRACTICAL PERIPHERALS. So what are you waiting for? Write to us for more information or ask your dealer for a demonstration. When you see how much freedom Microbuffer will allow, you'll understand why it's so silly to be without one. PRACTICAL PERIPHERALS, INC.™ 31245 LA BAYA DRIVE WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA 91362 (213) 991-8200 Ciarcia's Circuit Cellar Build the ECM-103, an Originate /Answer Modem The Texas Instruments TMS99532 component forms the heart of a Bell-103-compatible modem. Steve Ciarcia POB 582 Glastonbury, CT 06033 Back in the August 1980 BYTE, I presented an article on how to build an originate-only modem for under $50 (see reference 2). It must have been the right project at the right time; I know that several thousand of you ordered the kit version. Since then, however, technology has ad- vanced. The degree of functionality that took about a hundred com- ponents and a fair amount of con- struction complexity in 1980 can now be obtained with less effort and can offer even better performance. The limited originate-only design from 2Vi years ago may not be adequate for all applications. I believe a new design is warranted. This month's project is the con- struction of a reliable and versatile 300-bps (bit-per-second) data-com- munication device called the Circuit Cellar ECM-103 modem (see photo 1). It requires no calibration or critical adjustments, uses only 30 components, and operates in both originate and answer modes. I think you'll be intrigued with its simplicity. Copyright © 1983 by Steven A. Ciarcia. All rights reserved. Let's begin with a quick review of modems and data-communication techniques. What Is a Modem? The word modem is a contraction of the two words modulator and de- modulator. The modem converts dig- ital signals from the computer into analog signals, which can be trans- mitted via a telephone line. Various techniques can be employed in this conversion. Modems are generally categorized by the speed at which they transmit data. The data-transmission rates are properly expressed in bits per second (bps), although you often hear the term baud used. Strictly speaking, "baud" measures the number of tran- sitions in state of the communication link, rather than the amount of data represented by these transitions. A single change of state may in some cases represent multiple data bits, and therefore the data rate may not equal the baud rate. The difference can be important. Modems are commonly divided in- to four categories, based on their speed of transmission. The low-speed modems are those operating at speeds from to 600 bps. The medium-speed modems operate from 1200 to 2400 bps. From about 3600 bps to around 16,000 bps are a group of modems generally called high-speed, but still higher in speed are the wide-band modems, which work at speeds from 19,200 bps on up. The higher the data rate, the greater the price of the modem . Most low-speed (300-bps) modems are generally under $200, while most 1200-bps units are in the $700 to $1000 range. Low- and medium-speed modems generally use voice-grade telephone lines, but the higher-speed units require dedicated communica- tion-grade lines. And as the speed of data communication increases, the techniques required to ensure error- free reception become, by necessity, more sophisticated. How Modems Work The process of translating digital information into a form that can be sent through telephone lines is called modulation. Current practices in- clude several techniques. Low-speed modems generally em- ploy a technique called frequency-shift keying (FSK), which uses two distinct 26 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc Photo 1: Prototype of the Circuit Cellar ECM-103 300-bps modem. The TMS99532 is the chip on the left next to the crystal. The circuit can be directly attached to the telephone lines through a DAA or acoustically coupled through the coupler shown in photo 3. n I tones of different frequency to repre- sent logic 1 and 0. Data is sent by the modem's alternately transmitting the two frequencies (i.e., shifting the fre- quency of its transmitted carrier tone). The amount of information that can be sent using FSK in a given interval of time is limited by the fre- quency bandwidth of the telephone line: a transmitted data bit must con- sist of at least the number of cycles of a 1 or tone required for the receiver to recognize it, and the number of cycles of the transmitted tone taking place in a time interval is the same thing as its frequency. The frequen- cies used cannot exceed the capability of the line. Higher-speed modems use more complex and sophisticated transmis- sion techniques, all of which to some extent modulate not only the frequen- cies of the tones but their phase, and possibly amplitude, as well. These phase-shift keying (PSK) methods permit more compact data encoding, with more information transmitted in less time, by making a single change in the state of the physical communi- cation link communicate more than one data bit. (In such a technique, the data rate differs from the baud rate; see reference 1.) The most popular variation of PSK is called quadrature amplitude modu- lation, or QAM. Widely used in 1200- bps modems, QAM employs both amplitude and phase modulation to encode 2 bits of data in every state transition (see reference 4). The chief drawback of any PSK technique is the sophistication re- quired in the decoding mechanism of the receiving modem, which must sort out the information-bearing phase and amplitude variations in the received signal from the meaningless phase and amplitude distortions in- duced in the signal by the communi- cation link. Because this article is about build- ing a low-speed modem, I'll save the discussion of these more sophisticated encoding techniques for a more ap- propriate time in the future. How an FSK Modem Works In computer communication via modems, one of the two modems in- volved is called the originating modem because the communication link is established beginning with it. The other modem is called the answering modem. In the archetypal case, the originating modem is associated with a video-display ter- minal, and the answering modem is connected to a remote host computer. In frequency -shift-keyed communi- cation, a modem is said to operate in either originate or answer mode. Each of these modes has its own unique set March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc 27 Photo 2: Inside view of prototype modem. Box contains modem circuit (upper left), coupler, and power supply (lower right). GAIN LOW- BANDPASS RECEIVE FILTER LOGIC LOGIC 1 HIGH-BANDPASS RECEIVE FILTER LOGIC LOGIC 1 * i\ 2100 FREQUENCY RESPONSE OF TELEPHONE NETWORK 300 1070 *2100Hz -CCITT V. 25 ANSWER TONE 1270 2025 FREQUENCY R2 '10K TRANSMITTED DATA I o(T> £>>3 ft? ANSWER ° getner Decause the; y accepted operatin, >Hware products lik Duter models indue ou without smari CP/M eompatibl DIGITAL RESEARCH The creators of CP/M ,M on more than 600 Diesest name lent Software V eiKlors listed w CI YM can increase productivity in yoi 408)640-5500. % * I I 148 on inquiry card. **-■■■■ o, tagline and CP/M are either trademarks or ed trademarks of Digital Research Inc. Digital Research Inc. The Enhanced VIC-20 Part 2: Adding a 3K-Byte Memory Board Joel Swank 12550 SW Colony #3 Beaverton, OR 97005 OUT OF MEMORY is one of the most annoying error messages you can get. It usually happens just when you've almost finished writing that essential program. This article, the second in the Enhanced VIC-20 series, will show you how to prevent this problem by adding more memory to your microcomputer. Essentially, the addition of memory fills a ''gap" in the VIC's memory. The memory circuit is relatively simple, but building the board demands a certain amount of ex- perience with electronic components. As supplied by Commodore, the VIC-20 comes with 5K bytes of programmable RAM (random-access read/ write memory) which is logically divided into two sec- tions. One kilobyte (four pages) is located at the low end of the VIC memory space spanning addresses 0-1023 ($0-$3FF hexadecimal). This block of memory is used by the VIC control program (called the KERNAL) and is not available to BASIC programs. The 6502 microprocessor, which controls the VIC, requires that page zero (0-255 or $0-$FF) be used for direct-page machine instructions and that page one (256-511 or $100-$1FF) be used for the hardware stack. The KERNAL program uses pages two and three (512-1023 or $200-$3FF) to store such impor- tant VIC data as vectors, current color, and the screen buffer location. The keyboard input buffer and the tape buffer are also located there. Almost all of the first IK bytes of memory are dedicated to some use. The other 4K bytes of memory on the standard VIC are located at 4096-8191 ($1000-$1FFF). This RAM, which is used to hold the BASIC program and variables and the screen buffer, has a special use. It can be accessed by the 6560 video interface chip (hence VIC). The 6560 is the in- Editor's Note The VIC-20 is one of the new breed of low-cost computers that offer a surprising amount of computing power for the money. But its low cost also means that it lacks some of the features we've come to take for granted. In this series of articles, author Joel Swank will "enhance" the VIC-20 and in so doing increase the utility of this very interesting com- puter. . .S.j.W. tegrated circuit (IC) in the VIC that creates the color im- ages that are sent to the screen. Special circuitry allows both the microprocessor and the video interface chip to access this 4K-byte block of RAM, It is the only RAM in the system that can contain the screen buffer and alter- nate character sets. This block of RAM must occupy a 4K-byte boundary. That's why it's located at 4096 ($1000) instead of 1024 ($400), leaving a 3K-byte gap in RAM at 1024-4095 ($400-$FFF). Filling this memory gap with RAM will expand the VIC's memory to 8K bytes. Commodore offers two memory cartridges that fill this gap: the 3K-byte Memory Expander and the Super Expander. The KERNAL program checks for the presence of RAM at 1024 ($400) during power-up initialization. If RAM is present, it is used by BASIC. BASIC will then display the message 6655 BYTES FREE instead of the nor- mal 3583 BYTES FREE. That makes available 3072 more bytes for BASIC programs and variables. It also moves the start of BASIC to 1024 ($400), which frees the RAM in the special video block for use with special characters and lets you use full high-resolution graphics. (See the VIC users manual for information on high-resolution graphics.) The VIC LOAD command automatically relocates BASIC programs when they are loaded, so any programs you save on a 5K-byte VIC will also work on an 8K-byte VIC. Design A 3K-byte RAM board must be connected to the VIC via the expansion connector slot in the right rear of the case. Inside this slot is a standard 44-pin card-edge con- nector with contacts on 0.156-inch centers. This connec- tor will accept a standard industry card-edge plug. Com- modore cartridges consist of a printed circuit (PC) board to which a plastic case is bolted. The case helps to guide the edge of the PC board into the connector. You can also insert a board without a case if you carefully align the board and the connector. 34 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc Circle 239 on inquiry card. . -Y TRONIC POLISHES THE APPLE H* KEYBOARD Full Shifting Capability Numeric Pad Eleven Function Keys Streamline Multiple Key Operations Keys in Familiar Typewriter Locations Eight Single Key Cursor Movements Enhance your APPLE IF Computer System with a Key Tronic keyboard peripheral. This detached, low-profile keyboard is plug-compatible with the existing keyboard socket of the Apple n. It also features reliable microprocessor electronics, solid-state capacitance switches, and positive tactile feedback. key tronic Price: $298.00, includes shipping & handling. To Order Model KB-200 Call Toll Free 1-800-262-6006 (8 a.m.- 4 p.m. Pacific Standard Time). Come see us at Comdex, Booth #2256. THE RESPONSIVE KEYBOARD COMPANY DEPT. El • P.O. BOX 14687 • SPOKANE, WASHINGTON 99214 USA 'Apple II is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. VIC Expansion-bus Pin Assignments Pin # Use Pin # 1 GND A GND 2 CDO B CAO 3 CD1 C CA1 4 CD2 D CA2 5 CD3 E CA3 6 CD4 F CA4 7 CDS H CAS 8 CD6 J CA6 9 CD7 K L M N P R S T CA7 10 BLK1 CAS 11 BLK2 CA9 12 BLK3 CA10 13 BLK5 CA11 14 RAMI CA12 15 RAM2 CA13 16 RAM3 I/02 17 VR/W U 1703 18 CR/W V S02 19 IRQ" NC W X NMT 20 RESET 21 + 5VDC Y NC 22 GND Z GND Table 1: VIC expansion-bus pin assignments using the nomenclature in the VIC users manual. VIC Expansion-bus Select Lines Signal BLK1 BLK2 BLK3 BLK5 RAMT RAM2 RAM3 1702 1703 pace Addresses Intended Use 8K $2000-$3FFF RAM EXPANSION 8K $4000-$5FFF RAM EXPANSION 8K $6000-$7FFF RAM EXPANSION 8K $A000-$BFFF ROM CARTRIDGE 1K $400-$7FF RAM EXPANSION 1K $800-$BFF RAM EXPANSION 1K $COO-$FFF RAM EXPANSION 1K $9800-$9BFF I/O EXPANSION 1K $9C00-$9FFF I/O EXPANSION Table 2: VIC expansion-bus external select lines, their ad- dress ranges and intended use. Page 150 of the VIC users manual shows the signals on each pin of this connector. Table 1 lists the pin numbers and their signals. The 6502 microprocessor uses these signals, which are collectively called a bus, to com- municate with all parts of the system. The memory- expansion port is not the entire 6502 bus because the two high-order address lines are missing. But all standard 6502 control and data lines are present, along with nine select lines. A select line exists for each unused block of the VIC address space. Table 2 shows the select lines and their corresponding address ranges. (Note that there is an error on page 150 of the users manual. The two select lines 1/02 and 1/03 (pins T and U), like all the other select lines, are negative logic signals. They should be shown with a line or bar over them.) Figure 1 shows the schematic for a 3K-byte RAM board that will plug into the VIC expansion bus. Implementing a 3K-byte RAM board is very simple because no external decoding of the address lines is needed. The VIC provides a select line for each IK bytes of RAM in the range 1024-4095 ($400-$FFF). I chose 2114 static RAM ICs for my board, the same parts used for VIC's 5K bytes of memory. Each 2114 con- tains 4K bits organized as IK of half bytes or nybbles. Each IK bytes of RAM require a pair of 2114s. One 2114 contains the high-order nybble of each byte, and the other contains the low-order nybble. Six 2114s are need- ed for 3K bytes of RAM. Each pair is selected by one of the RAM select lines. Construction Although the logic of the 3K-byte board is simple, con- structing it is more complicated. The pin numbers shown in both the VIC users manual and table 1 do not use the standard industry nomenclature for the 44-pin card-edge connector. It's actually a mirror image of the industry standard. If you buy a plugboard or a connector whose pins are marked, they won't match the VIC pin numbers. (I almost wired my board wrong before I realized that.) I guess Commodore used this numbering scheme to be con- sistent with the rest of the connectors on the back of 'the VIC. Table 3 lists the VIC pin assignments in standard nomenclature. The dimensions of the expansion-interface slot also present a problem. A PC board plugged into the VIC ex- pansion connector has only 1/8-inch clearance below and 5/8-inch clearance above the edges of the slot. This clearance is no problem if you're using an etched printed- circuit board, but most people who build their own boards use one of the wire-wrapping methods of con- struction. Wire wrapping requires space below the board for wrap posts and wires. To work around the physical constraints, I built my board upside-down. That is, I built the board so that it would plug into the VIC with the components facing down and the wire-wrap pins facing up. To make the scheme work, I had to leave the first ZVi inches of the board bare, which brings all components and wiring out- side the VIC case (see photo 1). The 5/8-inch clearance above leaves room to install wires to bring the signals out to the components. It looks a little strange, but it works well. It also means you have to use a third pin-assignment nomenclature. Table 4 shows the VIC upside-down bus pin assignments. Once you have the pin assignment nomenclature down, constructing the board is fairly straightforward. I have used Vector Electronic Company's Slit-N-Wrap 36 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc Circle 352 on inquiry card. . High Resolution RGB Color Monitor Designed for the IBM Personal Computer FEATURES □ 80 characters x 25 lines □ 690 dots horizontal resolution □ 16 colors □ .31 mm dot pitch tube □ non-glare, black matrix □ plugs directly to IBM PC, cable supplied □ FCC Class B Approved Princeton Graphic Systems' new HX-1 2 high resolution color moni- tor is designed with an NEC.3T mm dot pitch CRT to give you up to 690 dots horizontal resolution. You need not compromise the display quality of your system with monitors rated at less than the 640 horizon- tal dots generated by your I BM PC. The PGS HX-1 2 delivers 1 6 super colors, 80 characters x 25 lines. It is the best price/performance PC direct drive monitor in the market today. Get the PGS HX-1 2 and discover for yourself how well it complements your IBM Personal Computer. WM phic Sgstens tews Sgstens phic Sgsteits .tens phis Systems High Resold i chare f Resolution 88 character Hx-12 RGB High Resolution 88 character HX-12 High Resolution 88 character HX-12 MS Sigh Resolution 88 character HX-12 RGB < 88 character HX-12 RGB Hiqh Resolution 88 character HX-12 RC8 80 character display Princeton Graphic Systems 11 01 -I State Road Princeton, New Jersey 08540 (609)6831660 □ TLX: 685 7009 PGS Prin. coo Figure Is Schematic diagram of the VIC 3K-byte RAM board. The connector numbers on the left match the VIC expansion-bus pinouts shown in both table 1 and the users manual Photo 1: A 3K-byte RAM board for the VIC-20 computer. This view shows the component side of the board and the parts layout. The circuit wiring, done with wirewrap technique, is on the opposite side. method of construction for years with good results. Stan- dard wire wrapping or the newer Just Wrap method from OK Machine and Tool Corp. should also produce good results. A variety of distributors sell wire-wrap sockets and individual wrap posts. I wrap all connections except the power and ground connections. For those I use point- to-point soldering so that I can use heavier gauge wire than the 28-gauge required for the Slit-N-Wrap method. It's a good policy to put a 10-/iF electrolytic capacitor across the power and ground lines near the edge connec- tor and to put a 0.1-^F ceramic-disk bypass capacitor next to each IC on the board from the power-supply line to ground. Whichever construction method and pin nomenclature you use, it's a good idea to mark the board and the VIC so that you never insert the board backward. Testing When you plug the 3K-byte RAM board into the VIC and turn it on, you should see the message 6655 BYTES FREE. If you don't, there's an error on the board. The VIC does a memory test at power-up. If it detects an er- ror, it fills the screen with a random pattern of characters and colors and refuses further communication. Even if you get the proper message, you can't be sure that the 38 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc GREAT IDEAS... Down to Earth ■ rod u c ts *****■**> . A***** (Available Soon) 4 RS232 Channels Full Duplex Real Time Clock SDS-HARD DISK INTERFACE MJcropolis 1220 Series or ST-506 Interface Adapter g Mew NEC-FLOPPY DISK DRIVE Double Sided Single Density/Double Density L - 2.4 Megabyte ? 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Digital Research *TurboDOS Registered trademark of Software 2000 VIC Expansion-bus Standard Nomenclature Pin # Use Pin # Use 1 GND A GND 2 +5VDC B NC 3 NC C RESET 4 IRQ" D NMT 5 CR/W E S02 6 VR/W F 1703 7 RAM3 H 17U2 8 RAM2 J CA13 9 RAMI K CA12 10 BLK5 L CA11 11 BLK3 M CA10 12 BLK2 N CA9 13 BLKT P CA8 14 CD7 R CA7 15 CD6 S CA6 16 CDS T CAS 17 CD4 'U CA4 18 CD3 V CA3 19 CD2 W CA2 20 CD1 X CA1 21 CDO Y CAO 22 GND Z GND Table 3: VIC expansion-bus pin assignments using standard industry nomenclature. Most numbered plugboards use this nomenclature. memory is working properly because the VICs memory test is not thorough. The next step is to load and run a BASIC program to see if it works. If it does, there's a good chance that the memory is okay. If you have any problems, there are a few things you should check. Look for broken wires and poor solder joints. Check all connections for proper pin numbers. Be sure not to pull wires tight across adjacent pins. Wrap posts have sharp corners that can pierce in- VIC Expansion-bus Upside-down Nomenclature Pin # Use Pin # Use 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 GND CAO CA1 CA2 CA3 CA4 CA5 CA6 CA7 CA8 CA9 CA10 CA11 CA12 CA13 1702 1703 S02 NMT RESET NC GND A B C D E F H J K L M N P R S T U V W X Y Z GND CDO CD1 CD2 CD3 CD4 CDS CD6 CD7 BLKT BLK2 BLK3 BLK5 RAMI RAM2 RAM3 VR/W CR/W IRQ" NC + 5VDC GND Table 4: VIC expansion-bus pin assignments using upside- down nomenclature. This is how the signals would appear on a standard numbered board when they are inserted upside- down into the VIC. sulation. Try reseating the ICs in their sockets. As a last resort, try replacing the ICs one at a time, with spares you know to be good. The most difficult part of expanding the VIC was figur- ing out the pin-assignment nomenclature and how to work around the board's physical limitations. After solv- ing those problems, I was able to add 3K bytes of RAM for about $30 in parts and four hours of construction time. ■ C compilers HOST 6809 TARGET PDP-11*/ LSI 11* TARGET 8080/(Z80) TARGET 8088/8086 TARGET FLEX7UNIFLEX* OS-9* $200.00 "uom ' $350.00 f u';;; 500.00 500.00 500.00 RT1I* RSX 11* PDP-11* 500.00 200.00 *™i ' 350.00 f tSX 500.00 500.00 CP/M* 8080/(Z80) 500.00 500.00 200.00 "hom ' 350.00 no", 500.00 PCDOSVMSDOS* 8088/8086 500.00 500.00 500.00 200.00 VV kom ' 350.00 ,;;:, *PCDOS is a trademark of IBM CORP. MSDOS is a trademark of MICROSOFT. UNIX is a trademark of BELL LABS. RT-ll/RSX-ll/PDP-H 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 40 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc Circle 421 on inquiry card. Circle 442 on inquiry card. ee Atoms" Courtesy of Greg "Aurora" By Richard Katz, Vectrix im, University of horth Carolina Corporation hapel Mill " ! "* ??rr?\ " *3&T ■ ■ v* 1 Bl . RES "/nregrared Circuit Design" Courtesy "/n The fleg^nntng* By Richard Kate, of ffoyd J. James, University of Horth Vectrin Corporation Carolina at Chapel Mill 1995 AMDTHE FIR 5T AFFORDABLE HIGH RESOLUTION COLOR GRAPHICS MACHINE IS YOURS VX128 •VERY HIGH RESOLUTION 672 by 480 pixels individually addressable • EIGHT COLORS PER PIXEL 3 bit planes of memory totalling 128K graphics RAM •ONBOARD 16 BIT MICRO- COMPUTER Intel 8088 microprocessor with additional PROM and RAM and built-in expansion capability • 3D GRAPHICS SOFTWARE PACK- AGE built-in command set includes: rotation, scaling, translation, perspec- tive clipping, viewport polygon, and filled polygon • HARDWARE LIHE AHD ARC GENERATION On board VLSI graphics dr^pMv i ontioller, 1600 nano- m\ o\k^ pixel drawing time • USER DEFINABLE CHARACTER GENERATION built-in character set includes zoom slant, and variable spacing or upload your own characte • SERIAL AND PARALLEL INTERFACE 300-19 ?K baud and 8 bit parallel port •USER FRIENDLY COMMAND FOR- MAT supports high level language and hexadecimal transmissions VX384 12 COLORS PER PIXEL 9 bit planes of memory with 384K graphics RAM • COLOR LOOKUP TABLE 8 bit dicjital-to-anaiog converters provide a 16 million color palate • INCLUDES ALL FEATURES of VM28 for total of $3995 •VXM HIGH RESOLUTION COLOR MONITOR RGB analog input with 24 Kilohertz scan rate, long persistence phosphor $1295 • COLOR GRAPHIC PRINTER th interface cable $1295 We just made owning an Atari computer a lot more logical. RanaSvstems iOC Introducing the Rana 1000 disk drive. Its a whole new game for Atari computers. This two digit LED readout displays a code that tells you everything you need to know. This beeping button tells you your write protect feature is keeping your information safe. When Rana Systems introduced the Elite Series of Apple* compatible disk drives, we didn't know what a tremendous impact they would make. It turned out to be a line so outstanding in perfor- mance, styling, capacity, and price, that it instan- taneously made us a major force in the market. Well, needless to say the response was so great that we were forced to create the same highly ad- vanced disk drive for Atari® A disk drive that when coupled with Atari's computer, could perform everything from accounting, financial planning, and stock charting, to word processing, business management, and letting you write your own pro- grams. Plus, we made it simple enough for a child to use, for learning anything from the alphabet to a foreign language. Working with a diskette versus playing with a cassette. Let's face it. The only reason Atari made a cassette option to their computer was to make it affordable. But now you don't have to settle for less. Because now you can get a diskette for your Atari computer which outperforms their cassette and costs 1 /3 less than their disk drive. With Atari's cas- sette you only get half the functions of a com- puter compared to what our floppy disk can give you. Their cassette is not only limited in the soft- ware available, but it also takes 20 times longer to get the information you need. And Rana's disk The remaining buttons beep when touched, and provide readouts on density storage, error status, and drive number. This button beeps when you touch it, and the LED readout tells you what track you're on. drive offers twice the storage capacity of either their cassette or disk drive. Why even stylewise our new low profile design not only looks 100 times more spectacular, but it occupies 3 times less space. And our new Rana 1000 also gives you a piece of its mind every time you use it, because our disk drive gives you informa- tion as well as takes it And we think that says a lot. The disk drive that has all the answers. Rana offers you a myriad of features Atari couldn't even conceive of. Like five electronic func- tions on the front panel that actually beep and give you a LED readout when touched. Our disk drive tells you what track you're on, and what density and how much information you're storing. It lets you switch from a single density of 90,000 letters to a double density of 180,000 letters, on a single diskette. And, we have a write protect feature which protects your diskette from being erased. In fact, no other disk drive can offer you that. As you can see, it was easy to build a disk drive superior to Atari's. Because for every reason you buy a disk drive, Rana has superior technology The Rana 1000 disk drive. It brings your Atari computer to a higher level of sophistication for a price one third lower than Atari's. So your choice shouldn't even be a matter of logic. Just common sense. K3ll3oySLGrT1S Always a step ahead of the originals. 20620 South Leapwood Avenue, Carson, CA 90746 213-538-2353. For dealer information call toll free: 1-800-421-2207 In California only call: 1-800-262-1221, Source Number: TCT-654 Available at all participating Computerland stores and other fine computer dealers. * Apple is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. ©Atari is a registered trademark of Atari, Inc., a Warner Communications Company. See us at the West Coast Computer Show. Circle 374 on inquiry card. A User's View of COMDEX The Industry Begins to Mature COMDEX is a big show put on mostly by manufacturers for dealers, and dealers definitely ought to at- tend. Users are another matter. COMDEX isn't set up for users, and paradoxically, there's too much to see. The most recent COMDEX, held in December in Las Vegas, had over a thousand exhibits and more than 40,000 attendees. For all that, COMDEX is impor- tant. It's here that suppliers convince dealers they should handle their hard- ware and software products. Because everyone wants to be first with new technology, a lot of new develop- ments are announced and shown at COMDEX. Some are the products of mature technologies, some are pro- totypes, and some are half-baked schemes that aren't going anywhere. For computer journalists, COMDEX is a good place to pick up background material. My first impression of COMDEX was lines. Lines for taxis at the air- port; a long and inexplicable check-in line at the Imperial Palace hotel; a About the Author Jerry Pournelle is a former aerospace engineer and current science-fiction writer who loves to play with computers, Jerry Pournelle c/o BYTE Publications POB 372 Hancock, NH 03449 line for a taxi to the Convention Center; long lines for badges; and long lines for taxis to get back to my hotel when the day was nearly over. As working press I didn't have to stand in the badge line, but that was the only one I missed. My second feeling was dismay: there's no way to cover a thousand exhibits in three days, nor is it much easier to characterize an entire in- dustry in a few sentences. (The Com- puter Dealer, a show newspaper pub- lished daily, ran to 168 pages!) Con- sequently this report will be highly personal. I saw as much as I could. I've consulted experts when possible. Still, there's much I missed, and if I've overlooked something significant, I can only apologize. One more warning: this is a show report. It is, therefore, much more impressionistic than my User's Col- umn. I can describe what I saw, and what I thought about it; but I am not making recommendations and won't until I can use some of this new stuff. I can remember when the micro- computer industry consisted of little more than MITS kits and some home- brew machines; one had to be a deter- mined hobbyist, or at least have a pioneer spirit, to become involved in "this crazy new game" back then. Now there are hundreds of computers and thousands of programs. As the market expands, vendors hope to sell to less sophisticated users. Thus have grown up the "system packagers," who combine hardware, software, and "teaching aids." I saw evidence of advances in hardware, software, and materials designed to show beginners how to use the stuff. Hardware The most significant hardware I saw was the Syquest "removable media Winchester." This is a 100-mm hard-disk drive that comes in a pack- age half the height of a thin SV^-inch floppy disk and has a removable disk cartridge called the Q-Pak. Each car- tridge holds 5 megabytes formatted. The drives have the same pinouts, timing, etc. as a standard SVi-inch Winchester and work with standard Winchester controllers, power sup- plies, and interfaces. The Syquest drives sell for $800 each; the Q-Paks are $50. A few sys- tems at the show already made use of Syquests; these typically sold a two- drive system with power supply and controller for $2500, about half again what you pay for a pair of 8-inch double-sided double-density floppies. Tecmar is offering a single-drive sys- 44 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc Photo 1: Neighbors at COMDEX Honeywell and Apple Computer. Photo 2: A sight we all thought we'd never see. A "foreigner" at the IBM dis- play booth. IBM now makes equipment that can be used by Apple computers. Photo 3: COMDEX is a wonderful place to meet people (left to right): Compupro President Mark Garetz; Tony Pietsch of Proteus Engineering (who builds and maintains all my computers); and BYTE's West Coast Editor Phil Lemmons. March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc 45 Hank: Here's the report you've been waiting for, Hope you put your system on automatic and didn't stay up, To all reps; Price changes on following -"mediately; 1Aj 10-AL. Take that, bud. (And retaliate fast. I know phone rates are low now, but game's cutting into sack time.) Sk m w\ jiILi JuLml "" Your computer's telephone. Whether they're getting the jump on the latest stock reports or waging galac- tic wars in the middle of the night, more and more personal computer users are communicating. With each other. With offices. With networks, utilities and mail services all over the country. W////////0 lllliiiiiiiili And Hayes is providing the commun- ications link: A first-rate telecomputing system that combines an intelligent RS-2 32 connect modem with a sophisticated, easy-to-use communications program. The Smartmodem 300. Think of it as your computer's telephone. Just plug it into any phone jack, and the Smart- modem 300 sends messages to and from your personal computer, at 300 bits per second, over ordinary phone lines. Goodbye isolation. Hello world. Your modem is the one peripheral that makes your computer a computer system , So it's only natural that you'd want the best modem for your money. (One that comes with a limited 2-year warranty.) The Smartmodem 300 is a wise choice. Far superior to acoustic coupler modems, which connect to the telephone receiver. And it's so easy to use. It dials, answers and disconnects calls automatically, operating with rotary dials, Touch-Tone* and key-set systems. Plus it works at full or naif duplex, which simply means that connecting to a time-sharing system, while it is a big deal, is no big deal to do. Indicator lights let you see what your Smartmodem is doing, while an audio speaker lets you hear it. (Is the remote system down, or was the line just busy? This way, you'll know,) Now all tnese extras aren't absolutely necessary. We could have gotten by without them. But at Hayes, we're not satisfied with just "getting by." That's why we made the Smartmodem 300 so- well, smart. You can even program it In fact, we've provided one for you. Announcing Smartcom II.™ The communications program designed by Hayes specifically for the Smartmodem. If ever there was friendly software, the Smartcom II is it! The first time out, you'll be creating messages, sending them, printing them and storing them to disk. Simultaneously. Likewise, when you're on the receiv- ing end. Only you really don't need to be. With Smartcom II and your Smart- modem 300, your computer does it all, completely unattended' That's especially helpful if you're sending work from home to the office, or vice versa. But it's just part of the story. For instance , before you communicate with another system, you need to "set up" your computer to match the way the remote system transmits data. With Smartcom II, you do this only once, the first time. After that, the information (called para- meters) is stored in a directory on the Smartcom II. Calling or answering a sys- tem listed in the directory requires just a few quick keystrokes. You can store lengthy log-on sequences ~ trie same way. *"** Press one key, and the Smartcom II automatically exe- cutes a whole string of numbers to connect you to a utility or information service. And if you need it, there's always "help." Even while you're on-line, the screen will display explanations about a mYou can store leng Hayes' 46 BYTE March 1983 prompt, message or parameter that will get you on your way in no time. Smartcom II also provides a directory of the files stored on your disk. You can create, display, list, name, re-name or erase any file right from the Smartcom II screen. And now Smartcom II is available for the IBM PC**and Xerox 820-IIf. Like all our products. Smartcom II and the Smartmodem 300 are backed by excellent documentation and full support from us to your dealer. So see him today Link up to the excit- ing world of telecomputing. Get a tele- phone for your computer. Hayes Microcomputer Products, Inc. 5923 Peachtree Industrial Blvd.. Norcross, Georgia 30092. 404/449-8791. Smartcom II is ^trademark of Hayes Microcomputer Products. Inc. •Trademark of American Telephone and Telegraph * *IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines. Corp. fXerox 820-11 is a trademark of Xerox Corporation ©1983 Hayes Microcomputer Products. Inc. Sold only in the U.S.A. Circle 196 on inquiry card. tern with controller for the IBM Per- sonal Computer for $1795. The second significant trend in disk technology was to microfloppy disks. Tandon, Tabor, Shugart, Sony, and others were pushing these "shirt- pocket" disks. I saw two sizes, 3Vi and 3V2 inches; each has vocal de- fenders. I'm told, however, that a number of major manufacturers are getting together to try to agree on a standard size and format, and I hope they do. A third trend in disk technology is the "enormous minifloppy." I saw several demonstrations of 2-mega- byte double-sided double-density SVi-inch floppy disks. Add to this the incremental devel- opments in the standard nonremov- able Winchester hard disks— up to 40 megabytes formatted on a drive that costs no more than a 5-megabyte drive cost a year or two ago — and you can see that system designers have some decisions to make. Bill Godbout of Compupro went about looking at all the new disk systems in hopes of getting some clues as to what the future standards will be. So did George Morrow of Morrow Designs, and I'm sure they weren't alone. I don't know what conclusions they came to. I can offer the opinion of Tony Pietsch of Proteus Engineering, the computer engineer who devel- oped my system and who tries very hard to stay current with the state of the art. "Flat prediction," Tony said. "Within two years, both 8-inch and SVi-inch disk systems will be obsolete and after that they'll rapidly die out. I don't know exactly what will replace them, but it will be a combination of hard disks and shirt-pocket floppies." Tony thinks the Syquest removable Winchester is an excellent idea, but he'd prefer to see the technology develop a bit before recommending the system to end users. Bill Godbout had the same view. Compupro will test the concept thoroughly before in- corporating it into systems. The com- pany is also working with shirt- pocket disks, and it has multimega- byte 5y4-inch systems working. The explosion in computer tech- nology continues. Some companies, like Altos, are moving to erase the distinction between the "big" mini- computer and the microcomputer. Altos President David Jackson is proud of his new single-board machines that offer all the power of a DEC PDP-11 for well under $20,000. Meanwhile, Compupro's Bill God- bout showed a whole line of expand- able S-100 equipment, including a working processor board based on the 68000 chip, another built on the 8086 with optional "math chip" aboard, and two prototypes based, respectively, on the National Semi- conductor 16-bit external, 32-bit in- ternal 16032, and Intel's iAPX 286. Tony Pietsch put it this way: "The 16032 is going to be a big machine. The internal chip architecture makes it equivalent in power to the IBM System 360 or 370. For that matter, it will be trivial to get it working like a LISP Machine." The IBM 370 is, as Tony says, big; the LISP Machine was developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, primarily by Marvin Minsky, and is very impor- tant in artificial-intelligence studies. It looks as if machines equivalent to both will be available at S-100 prices within a year. We also have the 68000 machines. Fortune was out in force. So was Sage. Both had working systems and an expanding line of software. The 8088 chips were not neglected either. Eagle Computers, with an IBM Personal Computer work-alike, at- tracted a lot of attention. My favorite of those, though, is the Zenith Z-100, which has an S-100 bus and runs PC programs without making you en- dure the PC's maldesigned keyboard. There was also the Basis, a Euro- pean machine (but which features an American-style keyboard) that has both a 6502 chip and a Z80. I was much impressed by the Basis, and I'd advise anyone contemplating an Apple acquisition to look it over first. And on, and on. . . Portables There are so many portable ma- chines now that I can't keep track of them. It seems a new one springs up every week, and all the manufac- turers of portables are trying to build March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc 47 dealer and repair networks to service them. There are flat-screen systems based on liquid-crystal displays, portable versions of the IBM Personal Com- puter, machines with plastic cases and machines with metal cases, ma- chines with tiny screens and machines with larger screens. Not only can't I keep up with them, I can't even list them all. Meanwhile, the "old" portables continue to improve. There's new software for the Kaypro. There's a new carrying case, a very nice new screen display, and new software for the Otrona. The Osborne 1 has both double-density disks and an 80-char- acter screen as an option. As well it has the most impressive package of software and "learning tools" I've seen for any entry-level computer. A few of the new ones I saw: the Hyperion, a somewhat portable IBM PC work-alike; the Zorba, a Z80-based machine that looks a bit like someone crossed the Osborne with the Kaypro and kept many of the best features of both; and Teleram's new true portable, which uses a liquid-crystal display and can run for several hours on its batteries. Anyone looking for a computer ought to look seriously at the port- ables. Software The exciting news in software is a new language by Niklaus Wirth, the creator of Pascal. The language is called Modula 2 and was first imple- mented on the Apple; we now have it for our Sage 68000 computer. Modula 2, from Volition Systems (POB 1236, Del Mar, CA 92014) has many simi- larities to Pascal, and Volition Sys- tems says that with its learning pack- age a Pascal programmer can learn Modula 2 in a few days. As implied by the name, Modula 2 is a modular language; each module is a collection of declarations that can be put together to make very struc- tured and readable programs. I'm much looking forward to playing with it on our Sage. Another interesting development came from Peachtree Software: it has developed a voice synthesizer that takes considerably less memory (or disk space) to store significant mes- sages, and it sounds human, complete with inflections and emphases. Peach- tree is using it to develop human- machine interfaces; this could become very significant. The other big news was Digital Research's GSX graphics-support package, Visi On from Visicorp, and Lotus's 1-2-3. These three companies all had dealers clustered at their booths. Unfortunately, I ran out of time and had no chance to see them. In addition to the new software, there were a lot of hefty im- provements. A score of companies have database management pro- grams; everyone wants to cut into the dBASE II sales. Altos President David Jackson told me he saw at least six database management programs that Altos wants to evaluate, and I noticed that Bill Godbout's people were col- lecting information too. Did You Hear the One About the Computer That Talks? It's no joke. With the ECHO speech synthesizer from Street Electronics whatever you type on the keyboard, your computer can say. The ECHO'S text-to-speech system gives your computer an unlimited vocabulary while using a minimum of memory. And now a diskette of fixed, natural sounding words is available to enhance the ECHO ][ 's voice output. Nearly 400 language rules are contained in the ECHO's text- to- speech algorithm. These rules enable the computer to pronounce most correctly spelled words. When in the text-to- speech mode the user can select any of 63 different pitch levels, and have words spoken either monotonically or with intonation by using simple control character sequences. The rate of speech can be fast or slow; words can be spoken in their entirety or spelled letter by letter. The ECHOs also pronounce punctuation and numbers. Words can be encoded using phonemes and diphthongs when the text-to-speech or fixed vocabulary is not required. 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 M, is priced at $149.95. 48 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc Street Electronics Corporation 1140 Mark Avenue, Carpinteria, CA 93013 Telephone (805) 684-4593 n Call toll free for demonstration (800) 221-0339 Circle 404 on inquiry card. With ASCOM... HnS i U< personal computer communication his never been this easy. That's why Bkj 8 accounting firms and Fortune 500 companies use ASCOM ASCOM is an interactive niicrocorn WESTKD ASCOM feature [timesharing ami data transfers it Is easy to use Imv.uiso it employ:; menus simple commands and features an on fine help facility, A typical use of ASCOM is to aCCeSS a data base to retrieve data fot storage and analysis on youi microcomputer It can also be used to transmit program Htea U) anothei machine running ascom. fins can be stone locally through direct connection, 01 ovei telephone lines by using a modem 25 Van Zant Street * Norwalk, CT 06855 (203) 85S-6880 • Telex 643*788 Dial up our 24-Hour Computer Hotline for 300 baud modems: (203) 853-0816 □ Please send me an ASCOM program & documentation: $175.00 * □ The ASCOM documentation only: $30.00* □ FREE: Catalog of over 250 available programs. C.O.D. Visa MasterCard H] ASCOM Model of Micro_ Name Automatic ASCOM works on IBM PC, MS-DOS, CP/M-86, and CP/M-80 compatible micros. ('Plus $3.00 shipping and handling in N. America. Ct. residents add 7 1 /2% sales tax.) ASCOM is a trademark of Dynamic Microprocessor Associates. CP/M is a trademark of Digital Research © Copyright 1983 Westico, Inc. a WA + 2 To order ASCOM, call or write today: WESTICO i Van Z.m( Street • Norwalk. CF 06855 (203) 853-6880 • Telex 643-788 UNIX, with change. Idris is a trademark of Whitesmiths, Ltd./ UNIX is a trademark of Bell Laboratories. Put off by the UNIX price tag and licensing restrictions? If you are, take a closer look at Idris. Idris gives you all the power of UNIX at a fraction of the cost— and they're highly compatible— even pin-for-pin in some cases. Upfront expenses are much lower, you only pay for the parts you ship, and the end-user licenses can be transferable. What's more, we wrote Idris ourselves —from the ground up— so you'll have fewer licensing hassles. We wrote it almost entirely in C, for maximum portability across a wide range of processors. And we kept it small. Idris can run comfortably where UNIX can't even fit: On an MC68000 with no memory management hardware, for example. On a bank-switched 8080 or Z80. Or on any LSI-11 or PDP-11 with memory management. A very big Idris plus. Find out how you can put Idris to work in your favorite con- figuration today Write Whitesmiths, Ltd., 97 Lowell Road, Concord, MA 01742. Or call (617) 369-8499, TLX 951708 SOFTWARE CNCM. With Idris, you pocket the change. Whitesmiths, Ltd* Crafting SoftwareTbols for your Trade* Distributors. Australia, Fawnray Pty. Ltd. P.O.B. 224 Hurstville NSW 2220 (612) 570-6100 Japan, Advanced Data Controls, Corp., Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo (03) 263-0383 United Kingdom, Real Time Systems, Newcastle upon Tyne 0632 733131 Spreadsheet programs were also popular. Sorcim announced a num- ber of improvements in Supercalc, as well as a new programming editor. There must have been 20 other spread- sheets and derivatives. Every one of them claims one or another unique feature, and without thorough tests and reviews there's no way I can tell them apart. There's now software for almost any "standard" machine and operat- ing system. CP/M and the 8-bit Z80 and 8085 are still the most commonly written for, but their popularity is be- ing strongly challenged by the IBM Personal Computer and its work- alikes. Because CP/M-86 is just com- ing out in a final and usable form — I saw it running only at Godbout's Compupro booth, although doubtless other exhibitors had it going — it's a bit early to tell how it will fare in competition with MS-DOS. Package Deals A lot of "business computers" are available. Some come from original manufacturers, but many are systems put together from other people's machines. Typically, there's a pack- age deal of software and hardware, along with introductory materials and manuals. Some of these packages are pretty good; but it is my impression that the best hardware has not yet got together with the best software, and neither has been put into a package with the best introductory and teach- ing materials combined with an ex- tensive dealer and service network. This doesn't mean that there aren't some pretty good packages available. The Altos line, for example, is quite good. It has reasonable to ex- cellent software, decent introductory manuals, reliable and handsome hardware, and support from a very good dealer network. The Altos can be configured to work with Ethernet and other communications networks. On the other hand, the Altos is a single-board computer. It's not easily expanded or upgraded. What you buy is what you'll have for a while, unless you trade it in on an entire new system. For many buyers that's good enough. 50 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc Circle 456 on inquiry card. Now Our Family Tree Is Complete ■"&bn wrJlisI ■IsPSil! SBC-1 (Above) A multiprocessing slave board computer with Z-80 CPU (4 or 6 MHz), 2 serial ports, 2 parallel ports, and up to 128K RAM. Provides unique 2K FIFO buffering for system block data transfers. When used with TurboDOS or MDZ/OS the results are phenomenal! Systemaster® (Right) The ultimate one board computer; use it as a complete single-user system or as the "master" in a multi-processing network environment. Complete with Z- 80A CPU, 2 serial and 2 parallel ports, floppy controller, DMA, real time clock, and Teletek's advanced CP/M BIOS. Also supports MP/M-II, MDZ/OS, and TurboDOS. HD/CTC (Left) A hard disk and cartridge tape controller combined together on one board! A Z-80 CPU (4 or 6 MHz); 16K ROM, and up to 8K RAM provide intelligence required to relieve disk I/O burden from host system CPU, Round out your multiprocessing system with an integrated mass storage/backup controller. TELETEK 9767F Business Park Drive Sacramento, CA 95827 (916) 361-1777 Telex #4991834 Answer back-Teletek Circle 422 on inquiry card. Your Single Source Family of S-100 Products. © Teletek 1983 BYTE March 1983 51 What if you want more assurance your valuable data wont fade away? Rely on SYNCOM diskettes with Ectype coating. Balanced coercivity means long-lasting signal life. Syncom diskettes assure excellent archival performance in the following ways. First, with calibrated coercivity -a precisely balanced blend of milled ferrous oxides that allows Ectype® coating to respond fully to "write" signals, for strong, permanent data retention. Then, a burnished coating surface to boost both signal strength and packing density. Carbon additives drain away static charge before it can alter data. And, finally, every Syncom diskette is write/read-back certified to be 100% error free. To see which Syncom diskette will replace the one you're using now, send for our free "Fiexi-Finder" selection guide — and the name of the supplier nearest you. Balanced coercivity of Ectype® coating allows write current to saturate fully. Syncom, Box 130, Mitchell, SD 57301 . 800-843-9862; 605-996-8200. SYNCOM Manufacturer of a full line of flexible media The Altos is the top end of the microcomputer line, and total pack- age costs tend to be high (although low compared to the minicomputers the Altos can replace). At the low end, the Osborne 1 is an excellent total package. I'm impressed with both the software and the introduc- tory materials that come with the ma- chine; I'm even more impressed with the dealer and service network that Osborne has built. I didn't see any other total pack- ages as impressive as those; but that was at COMDEX. I also saw hard- ware firms out looking at packaging. Compupro, Otrona, Zenith, Non- Linear Systems (Kaypro), Altos, and Morrow Designs were all buying rights to software, hiring writers, and building up their dealer networks. (I'm sure many others were also; these are the ones I talked to myself.) The Bottom Line Tony Pietsch, who knows what to look for, thought the most significant thing about this year's COMDEX was that of a dozen new terminals and small computers, just about every one of them offers ANSI-Standard X-3. 64-1979. That, he explains, is standard ASCII, which specifies how computers ought to communicate with each other and what the control characters ought to mean. This is what the big boys in mini- and main- frame computers conform to. This trend is significant because it means that the microcomputer in- dustry is moving that much closer to maturity. We now have microcom- puters that can hook into the com- munications networks used by the very large business systems, and that trend is strengthened by the adoption of ANSI (American National Stan- dards Institute) standards for com- munications. Microcomputers cost only a fraction of what the business community usually expects to pay. We've established a trend toward de- cent software at reasonable prices. New and better manuals, instruc- tional materials, and training systems are being developed all the time. Put it all together and there's no limit to the future of the microcom- puter industry. ■ 52 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc Circle 408 on inquiry card. A Oivijion of Schwan's Sales Enterprises Int Invest $129.95 in Zibg's Peripherals Kit and get what you paid for out of the 68000. So, you picked the 68000 for your new design only to dis- cover the manufacturer doesn't offer all the peripherals you need to back it up. What now? Order Zilog's handy new Z8500 Peripherals Evaluation Kit today to help bring your designs to reality. Only Zilog has the peripherals and fore- sight to develop this unique kit. And only Zilog can make you this special offer. You get the most advanced peripheral chips available to enhance the performance of your 68000 CPU in addition to interface applications notes and complete documentation— all for $129.95! Zilog peripherals feature 68000-compatible interrupts and software programmable operating modes to increase system performance and flexi- bility. All you supply is the 68000. You get faster answers, too. Follow the kit's easy instructions, and you can have results in a matter of hours, not weeks. The Z8500 Peripherals Evaluation Kit. The peripherals you need for the 68000 that you can't get from the manu- facturer. Kits are in stock at all Zilog distributors. For the phone number of the distributor nearest you, or for additional free information on the Z8500 peripherals call Zilog TOLL FREE (800) 272-6560. Z8530 SCC i One Megabit/second data transfer rate " Two full-duplex channels Asynchronous and synchronous data communications modes Z8030 FIO • 128-byte asynch bidirectional FIFO buffer • Mailbox registers • Pattern recognition logic ZS536 CIO • Three I/O ports • Four handshake modes • Three independent 16- bit counter/timers Pbneering the MkroworhL An affiliate of Ej&ON Corporation Our huge inventory will save you time. And money. Chances are, we have just what you want right in our warehouse. So we can ship it out right now. At the right price. 16K RAM KITS 13.95 Set of 8 NEC 4116 200 ns, Guaranteed one year. FOR IBM-PC, set of 9 15.75 DISKETTES ALPHA DISKS 21.95 Single sided, certified Double Density 40 Tracks, with Hub-ring. Box of 10. Guaranteed one year. SCOTCH 3M S.S.D.DEN 40 TRK 23.50 D.S.D.DEN 40 TRK 36.50 VERBATIM DATALIFE MD 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 FD 32 or 34-9000 36.00 FD 32 or 34-8000 45.60 FD 34-4001 48.60 DISKETTE STORAGE 5%" 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 for our low NEC prices. ALTOS COMPUTER SYSTEMS Call Alpha Byte for our low Altos prices. ATARI COMPUTERS SIGNALMAN MODEM 85.00 ATARI 800 659.00 ATARI 400 (16K) $CALL 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 32.00 MISSILE COMMAND 32.00 ASTERIODS 32.00 PACMAN 32.00 CENTIPEDE 32.00 PERC0M DISK DRIVE 684.00 See Apple- Atari Software. INTEC PERIPHERALS RAM MODULES 48K FOR ATARI 400 145.00 32K FOR ATARI 800 67.00 PRINTERS ANADEX WP 6000 P & S 2814.00 ANADEX 9501A 1390.00 STAR MICRONICS GEMINI 10 $CALL RIBBONS FOR MX-80 8.95 RIBBONS FOR MX-100 24.00 C-ITQ'H F-10 40 CPS PARALLEL 1390.00 C-IT0H F-10 40 CPS SERIAL 1390.00 C-ITOH PROWRITER PARALLEL 469.00 C-IT0H PROWRITER SERIAL 590.00 C-ITOH PROWRITER II PARALLEL 715.00 C-ITOH PROWRITER II SERIAL 767.00 EPSON MX-80 W/GRAFTRAX PLUS $CALL NEW! EPSON FX-80 $CALL EPSON MX-100 W/GRAFTRAX PLUS....$CALL EPSON GRAFTRAX PLUS 60.00 C0MREX CR-1 PARALLEL 839,00 C0MREX CR-1 SERIAL 859.00 C0MREX TRACTOR FEED 109.00 IDS PRISM 80 859.00 IDS PRISM 80 W/ COLOR/OPTIONS. ..1599. 00 NEC 8023A 485,00 NEC SPINWRITER 3530 P. RO 1995.00 NEC SPINWRITER 7710 S. RO 2545.00 NEC SPINWRITER 7730 P. RO 2545.00 NEC SPINWRITER 770Q D SELLUM....2795.00 NEC SPINWRITER 3500 SELLUM 2295.00 OKIDATA MICROLINE 80 389.00 OKIDATA MICROLINE 82A 460.00 OKIDATA MICROLINE 83A 700.00 OKIDATA MICROLINE 84 1170.00 OKIGRAPH 82 49.95 OKIGRAPH 83 49.95 MICROBUFFER IN-LINE 32K 299.00 MICROBUFFER IN-LINE 64K 349.00 MICROBUFFER 64K EXPANSION MOD.. 179. 00 BOOKS THE CUSTOM APPLE 24.95 BASIC BETTERS FASTER DEMO DISK. ..18.00 THE CUSTOM TRS-80 24.95 MICROSOFT BASIC FASTER & BETTER.. 24. 95 CUSTOM I/O MACHINE LANGUAGE 24.95 TRS-80 DISK & MYSTERIES 16.95 MICROSOFT BASIC & DECODED 24.95 APPLE HARDWARE OUENTIN APPLEMATE DRIVE 269.00 SUPER CLOCK II 129.00 VERSA WRITER DIGITIZER 259.00 ABT APPLE KEYPAD 119.00 SOFTCARD PREMIUM SYSTEM 569.00 MICROSOFT Z-80 SOFTCARD .249.00 MICROSOFT RAMCARD 79.00 VIDEX 80x24 VIDEO CARD 260.00 VIDEX KEYBOARD ENHANCER II 129.00 VIDEX FUNCTION STRIP 74.00 M & R SUPERTERM 80x24 VIDEO BO.. 315.00 M & R COOLING FAN 44.95 M & R UNIVERSAL MOD 54.95 T/G JOYSTICK 44.95 T/G PADDLE .....29.95 T/G SELECT-A-PORT 54.95 T/G TRACKBALL 47.50 KRAFT JOYSTICK 48.00 VERSA E-Z PORT 21.95 THE MILL-PASCAL SPEED UP 270.00 PROMETHEUS VERSACARD 165.00 MICROBUFFER \\% 16K W/GRAPHICS.. .259.00 MICROBUFFER II* 32K W/GRAPHICS. ..299.00 SUPERFAN II 62.00 SUPERFAN II W/ZENER 84.50 RANA CONTROLLER 104.00 RANA DRIVE ELITE 1 335.00 SNAPSHOT 119.00 GRAPPLER + 145.00 7710A ASYNCHRON. SER. INTERFACE.149.00 7712A SYNCHRON. SER. INTERFACE.. .159.00 7742A CALENDAR CLOCK 99.00 7728A CENTRONICS INTERFACE 105.00 VISTA VISION 80-80 COL CARD 259.00 VISTA 8" DISK DRIVE CONTROLLER... 549. 00 MONITORS USI AMBER 12" 160.00 NEC 12" GREEN MONITOR 169.00 NEC 12" COLOR MONITOR 399.00 BMC GREEN MONITOR 89.00 AMDEK COLOR 1 365.00 AMDEK RGB COLOR II 774.00 AMDEK RGB INTERFACE 169.00 TAXAN RGB 359.00 TAXAN 12" AMBER 125.00 MOUNTAIN HARDWARE CPS MULTIFUNCTION BOARD 154.00 ROMPLUS W/ KEYBOARD FILTER 165.00 ROMPLUS W/0 KEYBOARD FILTER 125.00 KEYBOARD FILTER ROM 49.00 COPYROM 49.00 MUSIC SYSTEM 369.00 ROMWRITER 149.00 EXPANSION CHASSIS 580.00 RAMPLUS 32K 160.00 S-100 HARDWARE CALIFORNIA COMPUTER SYSTEMS 2200A MAINFRAME 459.00 2065C 64K DYNAMIC RAM 539.00 2422 DISK CONT. & CP/M® 359.00 2710 4 SERIAL I/O 279.00 2718 2 SERIAL / 2 PARALLEL I/O 289.00 2720 4 PARLLEL I/O 219.00 2810 Z-80 CPU 259.00 COMREX "THE TIMEPIECE" S-100 CLOCK 125.00 MODEMS NOVATION J-CAT 125.00 NOVATION SMARTCAT 212 499.00 NOVATION SMARTCAT .209.00 NOVATION D-CAT (1200 Baud) 619.00 NOVATION APPLE-CAT (300 Baud). .....310.00 NOVATION APPLE-CAT (1200 Baud) 605.00 UDS 212 LP (1200 Baud) 429.00 UDS 103 JLP AUTO ANS 209.00 HAYES MICROMODEM II 289.00 MICROMODEM W/ TERMINAL PKG 309.00 HAYES 100 MODEM (S-100) 325.00 HAYES SMART MODEM (300 Baud). ...227.00 HAYES SMART MODEM (1200 Baud)... 540. 00 HAYES CHRONOGRAPH 199.00 SIGNALMAN MODEM W /RS-232C 85.00 TERMINALS TELEVIDEO 925C 810.00 ADDS-VIEWPOINT 599.00 HAZELTINE ESPRIT 510.00 VISUAL-50 GREEN 690.00 TRS-80 MOD I HARDWARE PERCOM DATA SEPARATOR PERCOM DOUBLER II W /DOS 3.4... ...159.00 4 DRIVE CONTROLLER P/S 259.00 TANDON 40 TRK DISK DRIVE W/P.S... 289.00 LNW DOUBLER W/DOSPLUS 3.3 138.00 LNW 5/8 DOUBLER W/DOSPLUS 3.4.. .181 .00 IBM HARDWARE SEATTLE 64K RAM + 355.00 QUADBOARD 64K 430.00 64K MEMORY UPGRADE 80.00 ALPHA BYTE IBM MEMORY EXPANSION BOARDS 256K W /RS-232C 349.00 256K W /RS-232C & SUPERCALC 529.00 512K W /RS-232C 579.00 512K W /RS-232C & SUPERCALC 749.00 IBM DISK DRIVES Alpha Byte's add-on drive kits for the IBM-PC — each kit includes installation instructions. 1 Tandon TM100-1 Single head 40 trk. 195.00 1 Tandon TM 100-2 Double head 40 trk. 262. 50 QUENTIN DOUBLE HEAD 40 TRK 289.00 HARD DISK DRIVE SPECIAL MEDIA DISTRIBUTORS bW' 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 self-installing software 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 49.95 ISO-2 6-SOCKET 49.95 BARE DRIVES TANDON 5 1 /4 INCH 100-1 SINGLE HEAD 40 TRK 195.00 100 2 DUAL HEAD 40 TRK 262.50 100-3 SINGLE HEAD 80 TRK 250.00 100-4 DUAL HEAD 80 TRK 369.00 TANDON THINLINE 8 INCH 848-1 SINGLE SIDE 379.00 848-2 DUAL SIDE 490.00 MICROSOFT APPLE FORTRAN* 150.00 BASIC COMPILER* 296.00 COBOL* 550.00 CP/M is a reg. trademark of Digital Research. 'Requires Z-80 Softcard. tReg. trademark of Micro Pro International Corp. {Trademark of Practical Peripherals, Inc. "Trademark of Software Dimensions, Inc. Z-80 SOFTCARD 249.00 RAMCARD 79.00 TYPING TUTOR It 17.95 OLYMPIC DECATHLON 24.95 TASC APPLESOFT COMPILER 125.00 ALDS 95.00 MULTIPLAN NATIVE OR CP/M 209.00 TIME MANAGER 11 7.00 MICRO PRO APPLE CP/M® WORDSTAR*! 279.00 SUPERSORT*f 179.00 MAILMERGE*! 174,00 DATASTAR*! .....207.00 SPELLSTAR*! 174.00 CALCSTAR * f 1 09 . 00 CP/M® SOFTWARE We carry CP/M ? software in all popular disk formats. Call for availability and price. Most soft- ware also available on IBM. THE WORD PLUS 117.00 d BASE II 429.00 QUiCKCODE 230.00 DUTIL 91.00 SUPERCALC 189.00 SPELLGUARD 230.00 P & T CP/M® MOD 2 & 16 TRS-80.... 175.00 PASCAL Z 349.00 PASCAL/M Z-80 OR 8080 295.00 CONDOR 1 579.00 CONDOR II 849.00 DIGITAL RESEARCH MAC 82.00 ZSID 92.00 PASCAL MT + W/ SSP 429.00 PL/ 1-80 439.00 C BASIC 2 109.00 SUPERSOFT DIAGNOSTIC 1 69.00 DIAGNOSTIC II ....89.00 XXOMPILER 179.00 UTILITIES I 59.00 UTILITIES II 59.00 RATFOR 89.00 FORTRAN 239.00 DISK DOCTOR 78.00 MICROPRO WORDSTAR 279.00 SUPERSORT 179.00 MAILMERGE 174.00 DATASTAR 207.00 SPELLSTAR 174.00 CALCSTAR 109.00 MICROSOFT MULTIPLAN 209.00 BASIC 80 249.00 BASIC COMPILER 299.00 FORTRAN 80 359.00 COBOL 80 585.00 MACRO 80 156.00 mu MATH/mu SIMP 200.00 mu LISP/mu STAR.... 165.00 IBM SOFTWARE VOLKSWRITER V 1.2 145.00 WRITE ON...., 90.00 EASYWRITER II 247.00 EASY SPELLER 149.00 EASY FILE 285,00 HOME ACCOUNTANT+ 105.00 FIRST CLASS MAIL 85.00 SUPERCALC 179.00 WORDSTAR 279.00 MAILMERGE 174.00 DATASTAR 207.00 SPELLSTAR 174.00 SUPERSORT 179.00 d BASE II......... 429.00 SPELLGUARD 145.00 CALCSTAR 199.00 THE WORD PLUS 117.00 T.I.M 379.00 JFORMAT 39.00 MOVE IT 109.00 THE TAX MANAGER 188.00 VISICALC / 256K 189.00 VISITREND / VISIPLOT 235.00 VISIDEX , 192.00 VISIFILE 249.00 VISISCHEDULE 229.00 VERSA WRITER GRAPHICS TABLETS. ...270.00 CONCURRENT CP/M 4 86 315.00 GRAPHICS HARD COPY SYSTEM 19.50 Call for additional IBM software prices. TRS-80 SOFTWARE NEWDOS/80 2.0 MOD I, III 139.00 LAZY WRITER MOO I, II 165,00 PROSOFT NEWSCRIPT MOD I. Ill w/labels1 09.00 SPECIAL DELIVERY MOD 1,111 119.00 WORD PROCESSOR SPECIAL {Limited Quantities) FRANKLIN ACE 1000 1395.00 FRANKLIN ACE SYSTEM DISK DRIVE W/CONT. . . .539.00 ACE WRITER WORD PROCESSOR 129.00 MICROBUFFER II 32K. . , .299.00 C.ITOH 8510 795.00 NEC HI RES GREEN 285.00 SCOTCH 3M DISKETTES. 44.00 STORAGE BOX 2.50 $348ST Now $2392 This system may be modified to your needs. Call for special price quote. IBM GAME SOFTWARE ZORK I, II, 111 28.00 STARCROSS 28.00 DEADLINE 35.00 GALAXY 19.50 MIDWAY CAMPAIGN 17.00 THE WARP FACTOR 31.16 LOST COLONY 23.36 CONQUEST 23.36 GALACTIC ATTACK 25.00 APPLE PANIC 23.61 TEMPLE OF ASPHAI 34.95 CROSSFIRE 24.95 FROGGER 27.26 M'SOFT FLIGHT SIMULATOR 38.95 If you don't see the software you want, call. Our software stock is constantly expanding. APPLE SOFTWARE MAGIC WINDOW II 117.00 MAGIC WINDOW 79.00 MAGIC WORDS 59.00 MAGIC MAILER 59.00 OB MASTER 169.00 OB MASTER UTILITY PACK I OR II 69.00 DATA CAPTURE 4.0/80 59.95 PFS: GRAPH 89.95 PFS: (NEW) PERSONAL FILING SYSTEM. 85. 00 PFS: REPORT 79.00 Z-TERM* 89.95 Z-TERM PRO* 129.95 ASCII EXPRESS PRO 98. 00 EASY WRITER-PRO 136.00 EASY MAILER-PRO 117.00 A-STAT COMP. STATISTICS PKG 99.00 BEAGLE BROTHERS UTILITY CITY 23.00 APPLE MECHANIC 23.00 TIP DESK #1 15.95 BEAGLE BAG 23.00 SUPER TEXT 40/56/77 97.50 LISA 2.5 59.95 TRANSCEND II 115.00 SCREENWRITER II 99. 00 DICTIONARY 79.00 GENERAL MANAGER 1 79.00 CONTINENTAL SOFTWARE G/L 165.00 A/R 165.00 A/P 165.00 PAYROLL 165.00 PROPERTY MGMT 325.00 THE HOME ACCOUNTANT ' 59.95 F.C.M, w/form letter 75.00 VISICORP DESKTOP PLAN II ....189.00 VISIPLOT 158.00 VISITREND/VISIPLOT 229.00 VISIDEX 189.00 VISITERM 79.00 VISICALC 189.00 VISIFILES 189.00 VISISCHEDULE 229.00 X-TRA SPECIAL DELIVERY MOD l.lll. ...199. 00 TRACKCESS MOD 1 24.95 OMNITERM SMART TERM. MOD I, III 89.95 MICROSOFT BASIC COMP. FOR MOD I. .165.00 LDOS 5.1 MOD I, III 119.00 TRS-80 GAMES SUPERNOVA 17.95 ROBOT ATTACK 17.95 MISSILE ATTACK 18.95 STAR FIGHTER 24.95 Call for more TRS-80 games. APPLE & ATARI GAMES Spinnaker in stock, call for prices. BRODERBUND APPLE PANIC 23.61 MIDNIGHT MAGIC 27.26 CHOPLIFTER 27.20 AUTOMATED SIMULATIONS I NVASION ORION 20.95 STAR WARRIOR 31.35 CRUSH.CRUMBLE AND CHOMP 24.95 TEMPLE OF APSHAI 31.35 HELLFIRE WARRIOR 31.35 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 ULYSSES & GOLDEN FLEECE 25.95 FROGGER... 24.50 INFOCOM ZORK I, II, III 28.00 STARCROSS 28.00 DEADLINE 35.00 EDU-WARE COMPU-READ 24.95 COMPU-MATH FRACTIONS 34.95 COMPU-MATH DECIMALS 34.95 MORE GREAT APPLE GAMES DARK CRYSTAL 31.61 TUBEWAY 27.26 ARCADE MACHINE 32.95 TUES. MORNING QUARTERBACK 25.95 THE SPACE VIKINGS 38.50 COMPUTER QUARTERBACK 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 SARGON II 28.95 00 PINBALL SUBLOGIC 24.50 SNACK ATTACK 23. 36 BUDGECO PINBALL CONST. SET 31.61 THIEF 24.95 THE WARP FACTOR 31.16 COSMO MISSION 23.36 WIZARDRY 37.95 NIGHT OF DIAMONDS 27.26 STARBLAZER 24.95 CRISIS MOUNTAIN 26.32 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 {REQ. DATA DISK) 24.95 COMPU-SPELL DATA DISKS 4-8, ea 17.95 RENDEZVOUS 28.50 ON-LINE SYSTEMS ULTIMA II 42 MISSILE DEFENSE 27.26 PEST PATROL 23.36 TIME ZONE 77.96 CRANSTON MANOR 25.95 CANNON BALL BLITZ 25.95 MUSE SOFTWARE ROBOT WARS 32.95 THREE MILE ISLAND 31.61 A.B.M 19,46 lb order or for information call InNewVbrk: (212)509-1923 In Los Angeles: (213)706-0333 In Dallas: (214)744-4251 By Modem: <2t3)991-J6Q4 ^CALL OUR MODEM LINE I FOR WEEKLY SPECIALS. L IPUTER PRODUCTS 31245 LA BAYA DRIVE WESTLAKE VILLAGE. CA 91362 Circle 14 on inquiry card. ..u ^ uu .w. .iww »■»;. y -«w uvu iv MI ly ICC QMU I MUSI WC OV.WI I IfJOl IICU Uy rutfin 3liy. I1U returns on game software, unless defective. We accept VISA and MasterCard on all orders; COD orders, up to $300. Shipping charges: S3 for all prepaid orders, actual shipping charges for non- prepaids; $3 for COD orders under 25lbs. {$6 for over) plus a $4 surcharge; add 15% for foreign, FPO and APO orders. Calif, add 6% sales tax. in L.A. County add SVz%. Prices quoted are for stock on hand and are subject to change without notice. The Promise of Perpendicular Magnetic Recording As the Japanese seem to have realized already, perpendicular magnetic recording represents the next level of recording technology. Clark E. Johnson Jr. Vertimag Systems Corp. 815 14th Ave. SE Minneapolis, MN 55414 Of the several new mass-storage technologies that promise greatly in- creased data densities, perpendicular magnetic recording is the one most likely to enjoy early widespread use. Perpendicular-magnetic-recording technology, even in its infancy, promises a tenfold improvement over conventional recording. The key to the new method lies in magnetizing the tape or disk surface material at right angles, i.e., at angles perpendicular to the surface. In con- trast, conventional longitudinal recording creates magnetized zones along the surface. With perpendicular recording, higher recording densities now squeeze the width rather than the length of these magnetized regions. Conventional Recording The digital Is and Os of a com- puter's binary language are recorded by magnetizing discrete regions of the magnetic material, usually an oxide of iron, that coats the surface of a About the Author Clark E. Johnson Jr. is the president of Ver- timag Systems Corporation, a company that was formed specifically to commercialize perpendicular magnetic recording. He began his involvement with magnetic-recording research and development with the 3M Com- pany in the 1950s. recording tape or disk. You can think of each computer bit (1 or 0) as a tiny permanent magnet within this mag- netizable surface layer. In conventional recording technol- ogy, the tiny permanent magnets rep- resenting digital Is might be recorded north-pole-first along the length of the recording track, while digital 0s would be recorded south-pole-first along the same track. Because the playback heads can detect only tran- sitions, the process of reading the recorded data actually involves de- tecting the change in polarity: a north-to-south transition may be ar- bitrarily defined as a digital 1, and a south-to-north change will then become a digital 0. The magnetized zones lie lengthwise, or end to end, along the recording track in conven- tional longitudinal recording. A nine-track digital tape recorder will encode Is and 0s in nine parallel rows or tracks along the length of the tape, with each track containing up to 6250 magnetic changes (called flux changes) per inch. The most ad- vanced magnetic memories can re- cord the equivalent of 15,000 ''tiny permanent magnets" per inch of re- cording track. Winchester disk mem- ories, using the most advanced head- positioning mechanisms, create up to 1000 circular recording tracks per inch of disk radius. Such advanced Winchester memories have storage capacities as high as 1.6 X 10 9 bits per disk. The Limiting Factor What limits recording density and therefore memory capacity? That is, what sets a ceiling on the number of tiny permanent magnets that can be created in each inch of the recording medium's magnetic coating? What are the sources of data-reading error that prohibit an indefinite increase in magnets-per-inch recording density? Computer memories must sustain error-free operation in the region of 1 bit in 10 12 bits. Otherwise, computer systems would provide unexpected payroll bonuses and guide astronauts to Hoboken instead of the moon. The stronger the recording equip- ment can make each tiny magnet that it creates in the medium's magnetic layer, the more accurately the equip- ment's read head will determine whether a magnet represents a 1 or a 0. Memory-system designers try to create circumstances that will sustain magnet strength as recording density (bits per inch) increases. From basic research on magnetism, it has long been understood that a permanent magnet should be long and thin; its length should be several times greater than its thickness. If for some reason a magnet must be short- ened, then the magnet's thickness must be proportionately reduced in 56 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc Circle 319 on inquiry card. ShareNet™ is Now Others Talk of Tomorrow The Only Complete Personal Computer Local Area Network Others are just talking about tomorrow's technology . . . ShareNet has it now! With power and capabilities found only in minicomputers and mainframes; Best of all it can be yours today. ShareNet Local Area Network gives you a true multi-user system enabling you to link up to 24 personal computers, five printers and use . . . Multiple Operating Systems Extensive Data Security Hierarchical Directory Default File Locking Concurrent File Sharing Print Spooling Redundant Directories Cartridge Disk Back-up Public & Private Directory Electronic Mail Network Interface Cards available for IBM/PC Soon available: APPLE, VICTOR, DEC RAINBOW, OSBORNE, & Others. For tomorrow's technology, today . . . call 1-800-453-1267. ShareNet. The Local Area Network of the Future Today TELEX: 669 401 AIR COURS PHX Novell Data Systems, Inc. 1170 N. Industrial Park Drive Orem, Utah 84057 Phone: 801-226-8202 order to maintain the magnet's strength. This need to make the magnet long relative to its "waistline" dimension stems from the self -demag- netization properties of all permanent magnets. The north and south poles tend to neutralize each other, with a net reduction in the magnet's overall effectiveness and resulting external field. Keeping the poles far apart and the ratio of length to thickness high reduces this self-demagnetization ef- fect. The length-to-thickness ratio suffers as longitudinal recording's data density increases, An examination of the factors de- termining the dimensions of these longitudinally recorded magnets will show why increased density adverse- ly affects the magnet's length-to- thickness ratio. Because they are re- corded end to end along the magnetic track, their length must decrease as recording density rises. One dimen- sion of the "waistline" is fixed, being set by the thickness of the tape or disk's magnetic coating. The other is determined by the across-the-track width of the recording head. Therefore, to maximize the mag- net's length-to-width ratio, recording- head designers strive to produce very narrow tracks, while manufacturers of tape and disk media offer products with remarkably thin magnetic layers. Both endeavors are aimed at creating magnetized regions with very narrow waistlines so that the reduced magnet length at high den- sities still preserves a reasonable length-to-thickness ratio. At densities above 15,000 magnets per inch, however, even these tactics reach a point of diminishing returns. Thinner coatings mean less magnetic material, hence weaker electrical out- put signals. Recording experts suggest that conventional longitudinal-re- cording technology has already pushed lineal recording density close to its ultimate ceiling. The only di- mension left open to improvement in raising memory capacity within this technology is the number of tracks per inch. Currently, the most ad- vanced head-positioning servomech- HIT** DAISY WHEEL PRINTER • Full Olivetti typewriter warranty • U.L. Listed $695 plus shipping FEATURES • Typewriter operation with nothing to disconnect • 10, 12 or 15 characters pet- 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. 125 NORTHVIEW RD., ITHACA, N.Y. (607) 272-1 132 14850 anism can advance the head in incre- ments of only 1/1000 of an inch, pro- ducing 1000 tracks per inch of disk diameter. It should ultimately be pos- sible, however, to record 10,000 magnetic zones per inch and, there- fore, something approaching 10,000 tracks per inch. That would yield a tenfold gain in memory capacity without need for further gains in along-the-track recording density. Improved head-positioning mechan- isms will doubtlessly raise the tracks- per-inch figure in the years ahead but perpendicular recording affords the possibility of major gains not only in tracks per inch but especially in bits per inch along each track. Perpendicular Recording Since conventional longitudinal- recording technology leads to in- creased self-demagnetization of the tiny recorded magnets as density is increased, is there some alternative approach that sidesteps the problem? The obvious way is to reorient the tiny magnets within the magnetizable layer on each disk or tape, so that their length-to-thickness ratio no longer deteriorates at higher densi- ties. While conventional recording re- duces the length dimension of the end-to-end magnets, perpendicular recording puts the squeeze on width rather than length at higher densities. The magnetized zones are turned 90 degrees, so that instead of lying along the tape's surface, the length dimen- sion of the zone now stands vertical- ly, perpendicular to the surface of the disk or tape. You might say that the magnets are recorded "into" the magnetic material rather than along it. Magnet length is now determined by the depth of the layer of magnetic material. One of the width dimen- sions is still set by recording-track width and the other by bits per inch along the track. Consequently, raising the record- ing density no longer worsens the de- magnetizing effect. In fact, the op- posite is true. Because the recorded magnetic zones are perpendicular to the disk or tape surface, higher densi- ties now squeeze their waistline di- mensions, rather than their length. The length-to-thickness ratio steadily 58 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc Circle 66 on inquiry card. Circle 20 on inquiry card. Go first class . . . with your peripherals, too! Your IBM personal computer deserves the finest, fully compatible peripherals, like Amdek's high resolution Color II Monitor . . . the new comfort-view Model "Video-310A" amber monitor ... or the new revolu- tionary AMDISK-3 Micro-Floppydisk Drive with up to 1 Megabyte storage! Just call, or write for full details on these high-performance Amdek peripherals. Color II Monitor, 13", 560(H) x 240(V) line resolu- tion, 80 x 24 character display. Model "Video-31 OA" amber phosphor screen with TTL video input. Connecting cable included. "AMDISK-3" Micro-Floppydisk Drive, 1 Megabyte (unformatted) storage, track-to-track compatible with 5 1 / 4 " drives, shirtpocket size Micro-Floppydisk Cartridge. 2201 Lively Blvd. Elk Grove Village, IL 60007 CORR (31 2) 364-1 1 80 TLX: 25-4786 Amdek. . . your guide to innovative computing! Versatility read and write read and write read only Areal Density 165 X 10 e flux reversals per square inch 10 10 flux reversals per square inch 6.25 x 10 8 impressions per square inch 10 8 bits per square inch Table 1: A comparison of the theoretical performance of four memory technologies. Perpendicular magnetics offers both read and write capabilities and the highest areal densities. The 64K-bit RAM is, of course, volatile and is included here only to put the density of the other technologies in perspective. Technology longitudinal recording perpendicular recording laser (optical) recording 64K-bit RAM Lineal Density 15,000 flux reversals per inch 100,000 flux reversals per inch 25,000 impressions per inch read and write NA improves as recording density is raised, and we have a condition, rare in science, in which pushing technol- ogy to higher limits actually enhances the phenomenon being pushed. Even though perpendicular-record- ing technology has yet to emerge from the research laboratory, scien- tists confidently predict that densities of 100,000 bits per inch will rapidly be realized in commercial hardware. Indeed, some experiments already suggest that a 440,000-bit-per-inch density will be possible. Further im- provements will be made in the years ahead, with an ultimate limit set by phenomena — perhaps at the atomic level — totally different from the self- demagnetization that limits the densi- ty attainable with longitudinal-re- cording technology. Areal Comparison with Other Technologies Recording media and technologies are best compared on the basis of bits per square inch rather than bits per inch. This is because you can increase memory capacity by raising both re- cording density and the number of recording tracks. Thus, areal compar- isons take both sources of improve- ment into account. On this basis, per- pendicular recording offers close to an immediate hundredfold improve- ment, at 10 10 (100,000 X 100,000) bits per square inch, over longitudi- nal recording's 10 8 (10,000 X 10,000) bits per square inch. True, these figures represent recording densities that may be attainable in the future rather than what can be achieved with today's hardware, but they pro- vide a useful basis for comparison. Laser Recording Laser memory techniques enjoy a "good press," probably owing to their space-age novelty. There are physical limitations, however, to the potential data densities achieved by laser tech- nology. Diffraction phenomena limit physical dimensions to about 1 micron when visible light is used. (The same limitation crops up in geo- metries of semiconductor layout.) Be- cause 1 micron is 1 millionth of a meter, and a meter is roughly 40 inches, this limiting resolution works out to 40/ 10 6 . At best, therefore, based on visible-light wavelengths, laser recording can achieve a max- imum density of 10V40 or 25,000 bits per inch. That compares to 100,000 magnets per inch for perpendicular recording, which also has no compar- able fundamental barrier to much higher densities. In terms of areal density, laser technology might attain a maximum of 25,000 X 25,000 or 6.25 X 10 9 bits per square inch. 64K-bit RAM The uses of RAM (random-access read /write memory) are, of course, different from those of nonvolatile memory devices such as floppy disks. It is worth noting, however, that the theoretical data density of perpen- dicular magnetic recording exceeds the density of today's RAM. A 64K- bit RAM chip measures about one- quarter inch on each side. Therefore, it would be theoretically feasible to produce 16 such 64K-bit RAMs from a square inch of silicon. Thus, using the same hypothetical areal basis for comparison, the memory chip offers a density of 16 X 64,000 or 1024 X 10 6 bits per square inch, much lower than laser or magnetic technology. Table 1 presents a brief comparison of the performance of four recording technologies as to versatility, lineal density, and areal density. The Problem of Media for Perpendicular Recording The limiting factor in the develop- ment of perpendicular recording tech- nology has been finding a magnetic material that lends itself to this re- cording process. Today's answer is an alloy of chromium and cobalt, which is placed on the recording medium's surface in the form of hexagonal crystals that can support magnetiza- tion perpendicularly. In other words, the CrCo crystal's magnetizable axis lies at right angles to the medium sur- face and parallel to its crystallo- graphic "C" axis. The process of depositing the CrCo crystals is very sophisticated, involv- ing the same sputtering techniques that are used in manufacturing semi- conductor integrated circuits. (Using sputtering techniques, manufacturers coat a surface by putting it in a vacuum chamber that has a cathode consisting of the substance to be used as a coating. When the cathode is bombarded by positive ions, atoms of the coating substance are transferred uniformly to the surface being coated.) This sputtering technology needs to be modified in order to deal with the requirement to coat acres of substrate rapidly and economically and realize reproducible results. While these techniques are being developed and undoubtedly will be commercialized, such mass produc- tion equipment and techniques do not exist at the moment. It will probably be a year to 18 months before produc- tion equipment becomes available to fabricate media in commerical quan- tities. The development of perpendic- 60 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc make your apple g° COMPATIBLE WITH: APPLE II™, APPLE III™, FRANKLIN™. ORANGE™, AND BASIS™. Supercharge your Apple to go 50 times faster. : or Apple Here's a whole new way to polish up your Apple II III™, RAMDISK 320™ from Axlon. Thousands of users are discovering right now how the RAMDISK 320™ can boost both memory and access speeds of their Apples. The ultrafast RAMDISK 320™ is up to 50 times faster than standard floppy drives, and 10 times faster than hard disk drives. You can easily sort two full disks in 15 seconds. Besides faster, error-free throughput, RAMDISK 320™ is designed to save wear and tear on your floppy drives. There are no moving parts. RAMDISK 320™ has its own power supply, plus three-hour battery backup. RAMDISK 320™ draws no power from your Apple, and it retains data even when the Apple is turned off. Your RAMDISK 320™ solid-state memory add-on system is fully compatible with Apple DOS 3.3, SOS, CP/M™, Apple Pascal 1.1 and Pascal 4.0. (In fact, we'll give you drivers with each RAMDISK 320™.) For even faster speeds, combine Axlon's RAMDISK 320™ with S&H PDE Software. RAMDISK 320™ can help you zoom through a wide variety of tasks in the real world — word processing, accounting, data base management, software development, educational and scientific data processing, or whenever speed is of the essence. RAMDISK 320™ comes with a plug-in, slot-independent inter- face card. And it includes a specially designed operating program, plus software for diagnostics, and fast-load copy routines. Axlon offers RAMDISK 320™ with a full one-year warranty. RAMDISK 320™ it s a great way to make your apple go zoom! Apple II and Apple III are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. CP/M is a trademark of Digital Research. Interested Distributors, Dealers, and OEMs call (408) 945-0500 for Information on national sales, support, and pricing program or write Axlon, Inc., 70 Daggett Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. For consumer information on ordering the RAMDISK 320™, call 800-227-6703. In Calif. 800-632-7979. AXLON National Distributors: • BYTE INDUSTRIES, INC. Hayward, California (415) 783-8272 • HIGH TECHNOLOGY Florissant, Missouri (314) 838-6502 • MARCEY INC. Van Nuys, California (213) 994-7602 • MICRO COMPUTER ELECTRONIC DIST. Reading, Pennsylvania (215) 929-9484 • MICRO D Fountain Valley, California (714) 641-0205 • NATIONAL MICRO WHOLESALE Medford, Oregon (503) 773-1169 • PMI MICRO WHOLESALERS Fairfield, New Jersey (201) 227-8411 • SKU Berkeley, California (415) 848-0802 • VIDEO THEATRE Rochester, New York (716) 621-2003 • COMPUTRAC New Orleans, Louisiana (504) 895-1474 Circle 41 on inquiry card. ular-recording technology may be media-limited for as many as 10 years due to cost. The first floppy disks for perpen- dicular recording will probably cost about $20 each, compared with $5 to $10 for conventional disks. In the future, fresh materials and fresh pro- cesses for placing the material on the medium will cut costs. These fresh approaches should lead to an econo- mical way to place the CrCo alloy, or some alternative material, on record- ing tape as well as disk. Hardware and Applications Floppy disks are expected to be the first commercial memory products to exploit the new perpendicular record- ing technology. They will offer 3 to 5 times the capacity of today's longi- tudinal floppy-disk systems and will be priced 30 to 70 percent higher. Later designs will push down the cost per bit even more. Vertimag Systems Corporation has demonstrated a pro- totype floppy-disk system that oper- ates at 36,000 flux reversals per inch and provides 5 megabytes of total storage capacity. The system will eventually sell for around $500, with production expected to begin in 1984. Following the market acceptance of floppy-disk memories based on per- pendicular recording, a number of manufacturers are likely to launch hard-disk data-storage systems that challenge present Winchester sys- tems. Because the Winchester disk is sealed in a clean-air environment, it lends itself to the meticulous mech- anical engineering necessary to in- crease the number of tracks per inch and also to the control of the "flying height" of the head relative to the magnetic recording surface. The potent combination of more tracks and perpendicular recording's tenfold increase in bits per track will give designers the headroom to con- tinue product evolution through the rest of this century. To date, SVi-inch Winchesters can accommodate more than 10 megabytes per disk. Memory designers have doubled capacity every two to three years for the past new WICAT 68000 products SYSTEM 160 This expanded MULTIBUS system is for those whose applications exceed the range of desktop computers, but whose budgets do not. The rack-mount configura- tion allows you to buy only what you need now and expand later. The 12 slot MULTIBUS chassis holds up to 4.5 MB of memory. A second drawer permits 4 10MB or 15MB Winchester disks with floppy and/or cartridge tape backup. Up to twelve terminals can be attached. High performance SMD disk and intelligent I/O ports will also be available. This is an ideal UNIX system. Pedestal mount 12 slot chassis, IEEE 796 MULTIBUS , CPU, memory management, calendar clock, 512KB mem- ory, 6 RS232C serial ports, 1 16-bit parallel port, MCS operating system, choice of one language $9390 DISK EXPANSION UNIT This unit provides for System 150 additional disk storage capacity for the desktop WICAT 150. Two 10MB or 15MB Winchesters can be included. The maximum configura- tion is two 15MB Winchester disk and cartridge tape backup for $10,170. integral™ database and Men uSy stem For the powerful WICAT 150, 160, and 200 computers, Concurrent provides application development tools to quickly develop your systems. MenuSystem allows you to define your screen by simply "painting" them on your terminal. Integral supports a network database that can directly model complex real world data structures. To discuss your application, please write us or call (513) 281-1270 MULTIBUS TM Intel; UNIX TM Bell Labs; integral and MenuSystem TM Concurrent Concurrent „*«*, 1870 Madison Road Cincinnati, Ohio 45206 HIGH PERFORMANCE MICROCOMPUTERS FOR SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY 25 years, and perpendicular recording provides the technological advance that can be expected to maintain this rate of progress for many years to come. Digital Audio/Video Market Current techniques for the digital recording of music consume memory capacity at a prodigious rate, and digital video applications consume recording surface area in amounts that are orders of magnitude greater than audio. This may serve as an in- centive to put perpendicular record- ing to work in the digital audio /video market. Digital-recording techniques first convert what the microphone "hears" into the binary language of com- puters. This is done by taking many instantaneous samples of the micro- phone's electrical output signal and converting these samples into their digital equivalents. It is these samples, which provide a digital replica of the original music, that are recorded for future playback. To preserve music fidelity, it is nec- essary to take many "instantaneous" samples. Typically, the microphone's electrical output is sampled approxi- mately 50,000 times per second. Moreover, because music spans a very wide range of loudness, from the nearly inaudible to the deafening, each of the 50,000 samples must be represented by a sizable digital word to accommodate the full dynamic range. The music industry has chosen to include 16 bits to allow a 64,000 : 1 range of loudness as the standard word "size" for music digitizing. Consequently, each of the samples taken 50,000 times per sec- ond produces 16 bits of digital infor- mation to be recorded for subsequent playback. Any magnetic memory systems de- signed to handle digital audio appli- cations must therefore accept data at the rate of 800,000 bits per second (50,000 X 16 = 800,000 bits per sec- ond). A conventional longitudinal-re- cording system capable of a 10,000- bit-per-inch recording density would therefore consume 80 (800,000/ 10,000) inches of tape per second. Perpendicular recording, at the prom- 62 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc Circle 117 on Inquiry card. VEDIT-THE CLEAR CHOICE FOR PROGRAMMING PLUS FEATURES FOR FAST, EFFICIENT WORD PROCESSING Increasing your productivity is what a good text editor is all about. VEDIT excels with a unique combination of powerful and easy to use editing features, customizability and complete hardware support Compare VEDIT - you'll find everything you expect in a good editor plus many time saving features which only VEDIT offers. VEDIT fully utilizes all function keys, or configures to any keyboard layout you are familiar with. VEDIT has helpful aids such as directory display, and you won't loosetextifyourunoutofdiskspace-you can delete files or change disks. Powerful TECO style command macros let you perform editing tasks you might otherwise not even attempt Nearly impossible tasks for other editors (such as translations or extensive search/ replace on many files), can be done automatically from a command file. For program development VEDIT surpasses any other editor - with more extensive file handling, powerful com- mand macro capability and special features for Pascal, PL/1, 'C, Cobol, Assembler and others. VEDIT reduces program editing time by 30% as compared to the best word processor. For word processing, VEDIT has word wrap, adjustable margins, paragraph reformatting, word and paragraph functions, simple printing and more. VEDIT supports practically every CRT terminal, video board, 8080, Z80 and 8086 computer. We have been con- sistently first to support new computers. And we support you with any technical assistance you need. Please specify your microcomputer, video board or the CRT terminal version, 8080, Z80, or 8086 code, operating system and disk format. IBM PC Dispiavwr iter ° Ze nith Z 1 0C ) and Z89 : \FC a DE C XT! g02 TRS-S0 1 , [1 and' 16 • ' \p Pie 1 SoftcaJ rd ° Super! 3ram ■' N oft h Star r Xerc MP W XP M- 86 a Cone : urrent CF ! 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MS-DOS and Softcard are trademarks of Microsoft TRS-80 is a trademark of Tandy Corporation. IBM is a trademark of International Business Machines. Circle 115 on inquiry card. CompuView PRODUCTS, INC. 1955 Pauline Blvd., Suite 200 ° Ann Arbor, Michigan 48103 ° (313) 996-1299 ised 100,000 bits per inch, would cut this profligate use of tape down to 8 inches per second. Future digital- signal manipulation and compression will probably condense the amount of music data that must be recorded to preserve music fidelity. For example, it might be possible to develop tech- niques for recording only the changes in the music rather than, for example, continuing to record all data for notes that persist unchanged for substantial fractions of a second. Why record all 800,000 bits of data for a soprano who sustains the same note for an en- tire second? Such digital trickery, coupled with perpendicular record- ing's storage density, should put true digital music in the home in much less than a decade. The Future Development of Perpendicular Recording The new perpendicular-recording technology is being developed mainly by an alliance of Japanese industry and universities. In America, only the Magnetics Research Laboratory at the University of Minnesota operates at the forefront of this new science. Reports from Japan provide evi- dence of perpendicular recording at 440,000 bits per inch. At this early stage of research, such density is probably accompanied by error rates that would be prohibitive in commer- cial applications. However, digital music recording is less critical in regard to data error, so such densities would represent another major step toward commercialization of digital audio systems. At a 440,000-bit-per- inch density, tape consumption for digital music would drop to around 2 inches per second. If the data can be distributed over several parallel tape tracks, tape consumption will be re- duced even further. The Japanese have a massive effort going on in perpendicular recording. On March 11 and 12, 1982, in Sendai, Japan, the first International Sym- posium on Perpendicular Recording was sponsored by Tohoku University and organized by the inventor of perpendicular recording, Professor TeleVideoT Users! NOW 92 WORDSTAR® COMMANDS The TV2000 is Designed for the 925,950, Intelligent I and 800 Through 816 Computers Features: • 46 single key stroke commands • 41 shifted commands • 5 MailMerge commands • Faster cursor and keyboarding • User-oriented command selection & location • Soft switch activates the enhance- ment with no loss of TeleVideo attributes. Custom keyboard layout available for special codes or formats Includes: 46 replacement key caps Replacement ROM SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE $220 WordTbchSystems 953 Mountain View Dr. Suite 114 Lafayette, California 94549 (415) 254-7747 Trademark Wordstar® MicroPro International— TeleVideo® TeleVideo Systems, Inc. MailMerge® MicroPro International Iwasaki. Some 320 people attended, and 23 papers were given at this meeting. Twenty of the papers were by Japanese authors; three by U.S. authors, all of them with Vertimag Systems Corporation. Only seven non-Japanese people participated : three from Vertimag and four from the rest of the world. Virtually every well-known Japan- ese electronics company is working on perpendicular recording. We estimate that at least 400 researchers are working in Japanese universities and companies on perpendicular recording technology. The companies include, but certainly are not limited to, Hitachi, Toshiba, Fujitsu, Nippon Electric Company (NEC), NTT, Sony, Matsushita, and a number of smaller companies. The recent Toshiba announcement of a 3V2-inch perpendicularly oriented floppy-disk system is a case in point. While this product is still two years or so from production, it represents Japan's level of achievement in this area. Initially, the Japanese activity will probably be aimed at the consumer electronics industry because the Jap- anese dominate this area. Ironically, many of the research managers of the Japanese companies were graduate students and post- graduate fellows under Professor Jack Judy, director of the Magnetics Research Laboratory at the Univer- sity of Minnesota and one of Ver- timag's founders. These graduate stu- dents, whose tuition and expenses were completely paid by their com- panies, are now the leaders of the Japanese technical thrust in perpen- dicular recording. This certainly does not speak well of the ability and awareness of American industrial management. Once a medium is available and the technology of perpendicular record- ing is well understood and dissemi- nated, there will be an urgent move- ment toward perpendicular-record- ing-based data-storage systems. Since "smaller is better," we may expect to see a continuing movement toward smaller drives, even more compact than the new 3V4- and 3 x /2-inch drives, perhaps down to something as tiny as a 1-inch floppy-disk system. ■ 64 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc Circle 460 on inquiry card. MBSM^BBEBj&mi * BJBflM | PW ■ ^ (Kk ^^r* ^^1 jv "5Jf 1 ^B % ^J ^^^^H <^ This Programming professional deserves a lot more from his personal computer. He's earned it. As a seasoned professional, he's learned to master some of the world's most advanced programming tools. Tools specially designed to meet the everyday demands of programming experts. But as the owner of a personal com- puter, he's come to expect less. Less Serformance. Less sophistication. And less exibility. Why should programming a personal computer be any different? Prior to the announcement of micro/ SPF™ development software, experienced programmers felt programming a personal computer was a lot like playing with a toy. You couldn't take it seriously But today, there's micro/SPF,™ a solution to elementary program editing tools now offered with most micro-computers. With micro/SPF™ you get the same procedures and commands experienced programmers are accustomed to using at work. By mimicking features found in Circle 346 on Inquiry card. standard SPF software, micro/SPF™ provides all the sophisticated utilities pro- gramming professionals expect. Programming experts can take advantage ofskills they've spent years perfecting. Now, for the first time, mainframe soft- ware is available for personal computers. SPF screens are fully reproduced in logical sequence and each screen is formatted identical to those found in the SPF system. In addition, micro/SPF™ comes equipped with the same primary and line commands, tutorial messages and program editor (with program function keys) experienced programmers are used to. Programming professionals who've spent years perfecting the art of writing sophisticated code deserve to work with state-of-the-art tools, not toys. Find out how micro/SPF™ can help you do work- compatible programming on your personal computer today! PH/I5ER PHASER SYSTEMS, INC 50 WEST BROKAW ROAD SAN JOSE, CA 95110 BYTE March 1983 65 If you write anything from a! p ser t*5 lavf <>^Wkamonth reading this could change your life The Wford Processing! Book ^ I ^ Short Course \ j In Computer Uteracy 'Vuta M t :Wil iiams ; "Oasis Systems' software - unquestionably the best" . . . Peter Mc Williams, author of the #\ best-selling book on word processing. * • ■ w, won Spelling Checker and Electronic Dictionary oasis SYSTEMS The WORD Plus is the standard by which other spelling checkers are measured. Here's why: • Real 45,000 word dictionary. • Shows errors "in-context." • Interactive word look-up finds correct spelling for you and corrects at the push of a button. • Hyphenates words automatically. • Solves crosswords, puzzles, and anagrams. • Works with almost any CP/M®, CP/M-86® or MS/DOS compatible word processing program (WordStar, Magic Wand, Spellbinder, Perfect Writer, Select, Final Word . . .and more!). Call or write for £. complete information: ^J OASIS SYSTEMS CP/M and CP/M-86 are registered trademarks of Digital Research, Inc. ' 'Punctuation" <0^^ Punctuation Checking and Writing Improvement Software 8MB Punctuation & Style takes the worry out of writing by automatically catching dozens of different punctuation errors, both common and obscure. In addition, P&S catches unpaired format commands (underline, boldface, etc.), doubled words, and more. P&S gives you a ' 'critique' ' of your writing, suggesting alternatives for commonly misused or over-worked phrases. It also shows where active voice can replace passive voice to add clarity and precision. Punctuation & Style is the perfect companion to The WORD Plus. It works easily with most CP/M word processors. (Available soon for CP/M-86 and MS/DOS.) 19-291-9489 2765 Reynard Way San Diego, CA 92103 Circle 320 on inquiry card. Deal^scontact: SOFTWARE DISTRIBUTORS 1-800-252-4024 (in California) 1-800-421-0814 (outside California) New Developments in Floppy Disks The marketplace for microfloppies is heating up. Tom Moran 3895 22nd St. San Francisco, CA 94114 The most popular method of re- cording and storing data for micro- computer systems is the ubiquitous floppy-disk drive, particularly in its SVi-inch incarnation. The floppy disk offers inexpensive archival storage and is the medium for many widely available software packages. To sur- vive in this large and robust market, manufacturers of floppy-disk drives are constantly trying to improve the price, capacity, size, and perfor- mance of their products. Some companies are pursuing new technologies while others are relying on enhancements of proven methods. Those who are working with new technologies feel that their innovative methods are necessary to maintain the constant increase of data storage capacity that has occurred up to now. Proven methods appeal to companies that feel that advances can be made without the risks inherent in using less well known procedures. Three different technologies that About the Author Tom Moran is a freelance technical writer living in San Francisco. He has written several articles for Electronics magazine. are most likely to influence floppy- disk products for computer systems and electronic typewriters are perpen- dicular magnetic recording (also called vertical recording, or VR), Ber- noulli technology, and the exciting but muddied world of sub-5Vi-inch floppy disks. Perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) is expected to increase the storage capacity of disk drives by re- aligning the magnetic material on the disk surface to achieve a higher den- sity of bits per inch on a disk. Ber- noulli technology is a noncontact method of recording data in which the read /write head flies in close proximity to the surface of the disk. This, in combination with other tech- niques, enables a floppy disk rotating at 1500 rpm (revolutions per minute) to perform very much like a Win- chester hard-disk drive. "Aflopalypse" Now The term "three-ring circus'' doesn't adequately describe the ef- forts on the part of manufacturers to make smaller floppy-disk drives for lighter, more portable systems (see photo 1). A number of companies are now making or are about to make 3-inch, 3Vi-inch, and at least three different, incompatible 3^2 -inch floppy-disk-drive systems. The situa- tion is like a tag-team wrestling match with six teams jumping into the ring at once. Each team is fighting for a different design. Alliances between the teams have been made and broken. However, everyone in the contest is striving for the same objec- tive — to have a product with the prestigious and lucrative title of 'In- dustry Standard" for the sub-SVi-inch market. Previously, every disk-drive stan- dard has ultimately been decided by the marketplace and never by a com- mittee. The advantage of being the first drive maker to ship significant quantities of a sub-SVi-inch floppy disk belongs to Sony, which makes a drive called the OA-D30V that stores 437K bytes on a 3V2-inch metal hub disk within a hard plastic cartridge. But an alliance of 19 companies has gone before the ANSI (American Na- tional Standards Institute) X3B8 Committee advocating substantially different specifications from those of the Sony microfloppy disk. The 68 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc Circle 105 on inquiry card. Fhputer, telex communication, nome computer, banking application, or medical product comes with both Seric RS232 Asynchronous and fi 3 4 56 709 II <•> ?8ABCDEFGHIJ*aWN : >01234S6789U<«>?'8ABCDEFGHI JKLriNO ~. *bia3456789i;<«^?»ABC0CFCHIJKLrt»0P ./•Bl23436789i;<*>?9ftBC0EFCHlJKLMK0M. <*0 133456789* »< »>->5«BCDEFCHI JKLPWOPQR 01234567891 ? <•> ?3ABCDEFGHI JKtKMOPCM 2£3456789U<*>?8ABC(>£FGrt; , -ORBT 2343ft789t'» <*>?»ABC«FCH:jt LMNG*QR3TU. 3456789iJ-<»y?$«»BC!>EFaH'iJKtHlil0P8R8TUy - 4367891 ;<»>?8ABCD£FGHXJKLrtNQPQRSTUVtt - 56789s J <«Ay^Birffcrcftfci| 1^-HftiOPQRaTUViaK. "~ *>?8Ai€JT^ >?8*' EFGHI^iCiHM «»CDEFOHIJKC«WOP SCDCFGWUKLMHO***"*-.' / ,h| jr w W»«0Paft6T.>./* OEFCM * JKtrf NO'PQRSTU VUX -fgh: ' BPORSTUVU GHIJI ,/RSTUVN switch • Graphic cnp.thility. P8U clril.s n< li()ht,wci(jh lunHXPO. Alii 1-1297 Telex: 1SKI5C loosely knit alliance, re- ferring to itself as the Microfloppy Standards Committee, includes media makers Verbatim Corporation, BASF Sys- tems Corporation, Xidex, Brown Disc, Memorex, and Dennison Kybe Cor- poration, and drive makers Shugart Associ- ates Inc., Micro Periph- erals Inc. (MPI), Olivetti Peripheral Equipment, Luctor Corporation, and the Remex Division of the Ex-Cell-O Corporation. The Microfloppy Stan- dards Committee invited Sony and the 3-inch- drive advocates, Hitachi, Matsushita, and Maxell Corporation of America, to make technical presen- tations to the committee, which they did. General agreement was reached on the need for a floppy- disk drive with disks small enough to fit into a shirt pocket. Everyone at- tending the meeting also thought that a hard shell would be preferable to the standard vinyl floppy -disk jacket. However, the Hitachi /Matsushita/ Maxell group thought that the drive should be as small as possible, while the Microfloppy Standards Commit- tee preferred not to push the tech- nology, opting instead for the larger 3V2-inch standard it considers more reliable. Amdek Corporation of Elk Grove Village, Illinois, is marketing the Hitachi /Matsushita /Maxell-type drive. Amdek is offering two of the 3-inch drives as a unit with a total unformatted capacity of 1 megabyte. The unit is compatible with the 5V4-inch industry -standard format and became available for end users in December 1982. The suggested retail price of the Amdisk-3 Micro-Floppy- disk Cartridge system is $799 for the two-drive unit and cables if an addi- tional controller card is not required. Presently Amdek expects to have controller cards for the Apple II and III and IBM PC. Micro Peripherals Inc. introduced its model 301F 3-inch design at Photo 1: "The Incredible Shrinking Floppy-Disk Drive." The Tandon TM35 3V2-inch microfloppy-disk drive is shown in com- parison with standard and half -height 8- and SVt-inch drives. Although occupying far less volume, the microfloppy has seven- eighths of the data storage capacity of the SVt-ineh drives and more than one-half of the capacity of the 8-inch drives. COMDEX. It was the first American firm to manufacture and market a 3-inch drive and endorse the Hitachi/ Matsushita/Maxell standard. Its drive has a capacity of 250K (unfor- matted) bytes per side with a "flippy" feature enabling both sides to be used for data storage. The drive features a band-type head positioner to achieve a 3-ms (millisecond) track-to-track Sony and the Microfloppy Standards Committee disagreed on many points, including the preferred disk rotation rate. seek time and uses standard SVi-inch specifications such as 300-rpm rota- tion, 40 tps, 100 tpi, and a 250K-bit- per-second transfer rate. Disks are provided by Maxell, TDK, and others. Sony and the Microfloppy Stan- dards Committee disagreed on many particulars. The most important is the committee's wish to make 3 x /2-inch drives that are plug-compatible with standard SVi-inch drives so that de- signers can use standard controllers and users can run stan- dard software, thus keep- ing redesign costs to a minimum. Sony stuck by its 600-rpm disk-rotation rate, while the committee chose 300 rpm. Sony's argument for the faster rotation is that, on smaller drives, the inner- most tracks pass under the read/write head too slowly and the data- transfer rate is impaired. The committee says that the slower rotation it pro- poses will keep the data rate compatible with 5V4-inch drives and that the high speed Sony ad- vocates would generate too much heat, causing reliability problems due to expansion and con- traction of the disks during use. Again for reasons of compatibility with extant SVi-inch drives, the com- mittee opted to widen the read /write window to allow more tracks without greater track density, recommending 40 or 80 tracks per side (tps) on either one or both sides of the disk. Current- ly, the highest capacity in this format would be 1 megabyte of unformatted storage. Most of the physical dimensions of the standard suggested by the Micro- floppy Standards Committee are the same as those of the Sony drive. However, the medium used by Sony is nominally 580 oersteds, 100 micro- inches thick, while the committee's standard would use a medium of 650 oersteds, 40 to 50 microinches thick. [Editor's note: An oersted is a unit of magnetic resistance used to quantify the performance of magnetic media. ] Members of the committee say that Sony's medium is unique, but a number of companies, including some that are not members of the committee, are developing new media similar to that specified by the com- mittee. Although the committee agrees with Sony's use of hard-shell cases for the media, it wants to add further protection in the form of an automatic shutter that will open the 70 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc ~rn.W OOnn multi-purpose i tZr\ C-C\J\J OSCILLOSCOPES THE PERFORMANCE/ PRICE STANDARD Tek's most successful scope series ever: At $1200-$1450, it's easy to see why! Wide-range verti- cal sensitivity: Scale factors from 100V/div(10X probe) to 2 mV div (1X probe). Accurate to ±3%. Acordc coupling. Two high-sensitivity channels: dc to 60 MHz bandwidth fromlO V/divto20 mV div: extended sensitivity of 2 mV/divat -50 MHz. Sweep speeds: from 0.5 s to 50 r Delayed sweep measurements: is div with X TO Accurate to ±3*3 magnificatior with single time- base 2213; to ±1.5% with dual time-base 2215. Complete trigger system. Includes TV field, normal, vertical mode, and automatic; internal, external and line sources; variable holdoff. Probes included. High-performance, positive attachment 10-14 pF and 60 MHz at the probe WIOKM «« « _ eft. Tfektronix 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 2215 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 eliminated the need for a 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. $1 450* 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 48 In Oregon call collect: (503) 627-9000 Ext. 48 * Price F.O.B. Beaverton, OR. Price subject to change. Tfektronix coMMrm=o to excellence Copyright ©1982. Tektronix, Inc. All rights reserved. TTA-338 CAST BETTER, FASTER SPELLS WITH OUR CI-C86 C COMPILER Weave a spell with the CI-C86 C Compiler, especially designed for use with: • CPM06 and MPM86 • DEC Rainbow • Zenith ZIOO • Seattle • MS-DOS • Victor 9000 • Lomas 8086 • Eagle • IBM Personal • Sirfus • Altos 8600 • Columbia 1600 • IBM Displaywriter • NEC A PC • Compupro 86/87 • And Many More CI puts all the magic of C at your finger- tips with all of K&R, a full support library, 8087 support and much more. Merlin would approve! Disk and documentation $395. Overseas airmail $20. For further information, please contact: Computer Innovations, Inc. 75 Pine Street Lincroft, New Jersey 07738 Telephone: (201) 530-0995 C86 and CI-C86 ore trodemarks of Computer Innovations. Inc CPM and MPM are trademarks of Digital Research MS-DOS is a trademark of Microsoft IBM is a trademark of international Business Machines D€C is a trademark of Digital Equipment Corp 72 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc head-access window when the disk is inserted into the drive and close it when the disk is removed. The major backers of the Micro- floppy Standards Committee are Shugart and Verbatim, which expect to have limited production quantities of drives and media available early in the third quarter of 1983. Industry analysts believe that 4 million sub- 5V4-inch drives will be produced by all manufacturers in 1983. According to Malcolm Northrup, president of Verbatim, in a few years shipments of all sub-5V4-inch systems may grow as large as 151 million units. Two years from now Toshiba Cor- poration of Tokyo expects to be in production of its recently announced PMR 3V2-inch 3-megabyte floppy- disk drive. Although a lot of develop- ment is left to be done, the company clearly hopes to get a jump on com- petitors by announcing its new tech- nology now. The drive's hard plastic cartridge with autoshutter contains a 75-micron-thick polyester disk that is sputter-coated on both sides with a 0.5-micron layer of cobalt chromium. The cartridge is 90 by 92 by 3 mm. The recording density will be 50,000 bits per inch (bpi) at 144 tracks per inch (tpi) compared to 5500 bpi at 48 tpi for conventional longitudinal data recording. This is 7 or 8 times the density of most longitudinal record- ing. The entire drive measures only 100 by 130 by 40 mm. In the 3V4-inch corner, two drop- outs from the Microfloppy Standards Committee who submitted their own proposal to the X3B8 committee, drive-maker Tabor and disk-maker Dysan, have recently been joined by Seagate Technology, which will become a second source for Tabor drives. Tabor calls its 3Vi-inch floppy-disk drive the Model TC 500 Drivette and says it's the first in a family of drives with different capacities. The single- sided drive uses a soft vinyl jacket and records in either FM or MFM (frequency modulation or modified frequency modulation) on 80 tracks at a density of 140 tpi. When record- ing is in FM, the bit density is 4625 bpi, and when in MFM, it is 9250 bpi. Data transfer is 250K bits per second Circle 102 on Inquiry card. TVS TIME KIDS STARTED USING STRONG LANGUAGE. We encourage it. Because now the most powerful educational language is available on the Apple Personal Computer. Presenting Apple Logo. It s not just a programming language for computers, but a learning language for people. Enough so that anyone, working with Apple Logo, can easily learn the program- ming principles once reserved for college courses. Apple Logo encourages you to break problems into small steps, and then shows you how to make those steps automatic. It does all this interactively. For instance, if you accidentally type "foreword',' instead of forward, Apple Logo responds with "I don't know how to foreword." There is no such thing as a mistake with Apple Logo, only logical state- ments telling you what needs to be done to make the program work. So the student programs the computer. Not the computer the student. And as you learn, Apple Logo learns with you. So whether you're a student of 5 or 55, you'll always be challenged— but not overwhelmed. Apple Logo runs on the Apple II with 64K. And it comes from Apple, the leading personal computer company in educa- tion—with the largest library of courseware at all levels. Apple Logo. It can make getting to know a computer the most positive of learning experiences. Your kids will swear by it. The personal computer. Tappkz For more information, call (800) 538-9696. In California, call (800) 662-9238. Or write: Apple Computer Inc., 20525 Marian! Avenue, Cupertino, CA 95014- Apple® Logo is a product of Logo Computer Systems, Inc., 222 Brunswick Boulevard, Point-Claire, Quebec, Canada H9R1A6. Circle 487 on inquiry card. BYTE March 1983 73 Photo 2: The Tandon TM35-2 microfloppy-disk drive, which is compatible with standard 5 l AAnch drive controllers, has a rigid car- tridge enclosing the magnetic medium. (FM). The 1.625- by 4- by 5.5-inch drive weighs 1.6 pounds and records 250K bytes (unformatted) per disk in FM and 500K bytes in MFM. The company, started in January 1982, is based in Westford, Massachusetts. Some units were in early evaluation in December, and volume production started in January of this year. According to Tabor, Seagate had previously agreed to make drives in the Sony format but decided not to when Sony would let it assemble only Sony components instead of making complete drives. Another problem was that Seagate thought that double- sided versions of the Sony drive would be unstable. However, Sony can take some comfort from a $30-million contract with Hewlett- Packard for drives to be integrated into HP's systems. Hewlett-Packard has indicated that it chose the Sony system because it is already in pro- duction and that HP will support the Sony system as the standard. Another disk-drive manufacturer, Tandon Corporation, has recently in- troduced its TM35 Microline 3V2-inch microfloppy in two models (see photo 2). The TM35-2 is compatible with the standard 5V4-inch interface, and the TM35-4 is compatible with the Sony OA-D30V microfloppy's inter- face, software, and disks, but it records data on both sides of its disk. Both models of the TM35 store 875K bytes using both sides of the disk. The TM35-4 has an average access time of 70 ms, and the TM35-2, 100 ms. The devices measure 1% by 4 by 6V2 inches. The TM35-4 records 7610 bpi at 135 tpi and 70 tps, while the TM35-2 records 3617/7610 bpi, 135 tpi, and 40 tps. The two models have an onboard Intel 8084 microprocessor to control spindle speed and head positioning, and a brushless direct- drive DC motor. Tandon is using the Sony-type disks for the drives and says that an automatic shutter is available for the rigid cartridge. Tandon says that it's not hedging bets, just providing products for dif- ferent markets. According to Tandon representative Al Erickson, Sony and Hewlett-Packard will be putting Sony-type drives into instruments and new office equipment that have nothing to do with the 5 ¥4 -inch -drive market. Tandon expects there will be more than one market and more than one application for both of these drive forms. In fact, Tandon with- drew from the standards committee because president Jugi Tandon felt that market acceptance will deter- mine the standard as it has done before. The company planned to deliver evaluation units in the first quarter of 1983 with high-volume production following later in the year. In large OEM (original-equip- ment-manufacturer) quantities, the TM35s will cost $200 to $250 each. Many companies don't seem ter- ribly worried about the eventual out- come in the sub-5V4-inch market. Most express confidence that the standards they are backing will do well and add that, even if the market goes against them, it won't take them more than six months to a year to retool to meet the new demand. Even if the magnetic dust clears up tomorrow and one microfloppy-drive format emerges victorious, it will still 74 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc ENCHMARK 2.2 3.0 DISC- LESS Write 100 files to disc 3.26 min. 2.22 min. 25 sec. General sort functions 5.25 min. 4.17 min. 15 sec. Search and replace 2.30 min. 1.45 min. 3 sec. Document recall 45 sec. 30 sec. 2 sec. Upgrade your existing S-100 system to disc-less • "Ram-Disc 256" • "Rom-Disc" with CP/M2.2inROM • All software included *1 295.00 Complete single-user disc-less Board Set with CP/M 2.2 In ROM • Z-80A CPU (SBC-200) • 256K bank select RAM (XRAM III) • Single board controller handles four 5V*" or 8" drives, any mix (Versaf loppy II) • "Ram-Disc 256" • "Rom-Disc" with CP/M 2.2 in ROM ♦2750.00 Now, add the disc-less network controller to existing S-1 00 systems and convert to network operation quickly and easily. • Base band coax • Broad band coax • 2 megabit/sec. • CSMA • Guaranteed message service • CP/M compatible • Turbodos compatible • S-100 single board design '950.00 Under disc-less operation networks use the "Ram-Disc" as local on-line cache storage for non-stop computing. CP/M 3.0 Single-User Board Set • SBC-200 • Bank select XRAM III 64K or 256K* • Versaf loppy II • CP/M 3.0 bank select with documentation *925.00 •Systems with 256K RAM. *1 295.00 - The DlSC- approach to S-1 00 architecture increases system performance so well that we guarantee satisfaction. Turbodos Single-User Board Set • SBC-200 • Bank select XRAM ill 64K • Versafloppy II • Turbodos with documentation •1 295.00 Versafloppy II Disc Controller • CP/M 3.0 bank select FREE Complete S-1 00 disc-less System • Low profile system design • CPU, 64K RAM, floppy controller • "Ram-Disc 256" • "Rom-Disc" with CP/M 2.2 in ROM • Qume Model 1 02 video tern • Single SW or 8" floppy drive •4950.00 Complete disc-less Word Processing System • Full disc-less system • "Wordstar" in ROM • Letter-quality printer, 25cps. '6999.00 i 1500 N.W. 62 STREET FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33309 1-800-327-5567 IN FLORIDA CALL: 305-776-7 at Sonics 'We are Technology 1 m Circle 400 on Inquiry card. have an inherent problem. The stan- dard microfloppy-to-be may well be compatible with SVi-inch controllers and software, but incompatibility between the 3V2-inch microfloppies and SVi-inch floppy disks will be ax- iomatic. Perpendicular Magnetic Recording Although a lot of room still exists to increase track densities and thus capacity, the limitations of conven- tional recording techniques are begin- ning to be reached, and perpendi- cular, or vertical, magnetic recording seems a likely next step (see also 'The Promise of Perpendicular Magnetic Recording" by Clark E. Johnson Jr., page 56). In media in use now, the magnetic particles are laid end to end along the direction of the media's tracks. PMR "stacks" the magnets side by side vertically. This not only increases the number of bits that can be stored in the same space, it reduces Soup to Nuts. have you think that a matrix printer is a mere side dish that comes with your computer Don't believe it. What you get out of your printer is what you get out of your computer. If your printer is small slow, noisy or unreliable, your computer will be limited, sluggish, irritating, or inoperable. Just telling it like it is. That's why Infoscribe has come up with a gourmet line of multifunction matrix printers specifically for business and professional users, You can switch from high-speed data processing to business letters, at will; handle up to 16-inch- wide paper; make up to five crisp carbons; gener- ate gorgeous graphics in up to eight colors; and enjoy truly elegant and incredibly quiet operation, day-in and day-out. Check the menu for the printer that meets your exact needs. Why go with the computer manufacturer's combo plate when the same money will let you buy Infoscribe, a la carte? Your favorite computer dealer or systems specialist will be delighted to arrange a demonstration for you. Or contact the matrixd': Infoscribe, 2720 South Croddy Way, Santa Ana, California 92704, USA, Phone (714) 641-8595, Telex 692422. PRINT WITH INFOSCRIBE the self-demagnetizing effect, which lessens as the length-to-thickness ratio of a magnet decreases. One way to keep a favorable length-to- thickness ratio is to decrease the thickness of the medium by develop- ing a thin-film disk. Unfortunately, although thin-film disks have been used in well-functioning prototypes many times, no one has been able to produce them economically and reliably in large quantities. In the words of one industry observer, "thin-film media have been just around the corner for nine years, and they're still not here. Something tells me they never will be." Because PMR records the bits "into" the medium rather than along it, the length is determined by the thickness of the substrate. And, as density increases along the track, the length-to-thickness ratio is actually improved, so that the self-demag- netizing effect approaches zero. However, this does not mean that there are no problems with this technology. In the past, prominent industry analysts have expressed skepticism about the possibility of recording vertically, saying that recording takes place not vertically or horizontally but somewhere in be- tween. In fact, the greatest need in working with PMR is to find a medium substrate that can be ver- tically oriented in a consistent pattern on the disk's surface. The best substrate candidate so far seems to be cobalt chromium, which can be deposited in hexagonal crystals on the disk's surface under carefully controlled conditions. The best method found so far for coating disks is vacuum sputtering, which, although slow, has been extensively perfected by the semiconductor in- dustry, which uses sputtering to coat silicon wafers. Vertimag Systems Corporation of Minneapolis, Minnesota, expects to start production of a SVi-inch floppy- disk drive using PMR in 1984. Al- ready demonstrated in prototype, its system will provide 5 megabytes of storage in a form compatible with the SA400 standard from Shugart. In fact, the drive will use Shugart's me- 76 March 1983 © BYTE Publications lnc Circle 210 on inquiry card. Circle 435 on Inquiry card. • the monitor that stands alone 3 "^- C;;7~9H £Xx /lfl*JL^J\I manufacturers a complete line of high quality monochrome (green and amber), as well as medium and high resolution RGB color monitors. Our monitors are in use around the world on IBM and Apple as well as most other personal computers. See your local ®"f\X>AI\l dealer, or call us for details. ^TAX/AIM TSK Electronics Corporation 18005 Cortney Court City of Industry, CA 91748 (213) 810-1291 Circle 34 on Inquiry card. 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 chanical components and Vertimag's own cobalt-chromium-sputtered disks. Data will be stored at 96 tpi, and up to 36,000 bpi will be recorded on the inner tracks using a form of MFM. According to Clark E. Johnson Jr., president of Vertimag, the drive will have a data transfer rate of 1.7 megabits per second and will sell for less than $500 in OEM quantities. Flying with Bernoulli Technology Another company that's using in- novative techniques is Iomega Cor- poration of Ogden, Utah, which is making a 10-megabyte 8-inch floppy- disk drive, the Alpha 10, using Ber- noulli technology. With this tech- nique, founded on principles dis- covered 200 years ago by Swiss physicist Daniel Bernoulli, the head "flies" less than 10 microinches above the surface of the medium. The drive uses a large flat surface called the Ber- noulli plate that is positioned 0.005 inch from the disk, which spins at 1500 rpm. The spinning of the disk creates an airflow moving from the middle of the disk radially outward to its circumference. This lowers the air pressure and pulls the medium evenly toward the Bernoulli plate. A hole in the plate allows the medium to be ac- cessed by the read /write head, which is hydrodynamically mounted. The airflow ensures that the disk is reli- ably positioned and that it does not touch the plate. This noncontact ar- rangement means less wear and greater reliability than is normally found, for example, in Winchester hard -disk drives. In fact, Iomega says that its 8-inch floppy disk has reliability advantages over Win- chesters because the design of the head assembly causes contaminants to be flushed out of the system away from the read /write area and because the airflow cushion damps shock and vibration of the disk and read/write head configuration, resulting in less chance of head crashes. Because the head and disk are brought together by the Bernoulli effect, not by springs, any shock to the system will act to decouple them, thus avoiding a collision and resulting in a soft data error instead of a catastrophic failure. When the passing contaminant has cleared the area, the head and disk recouple. Because the system's compliance is in the disk itself, no gimbal arrange- ment is necessary for the arm and read/write head. In fact, the drive has only two moving parts, the rotary head actuator and the spindle motor. The Alpha 10 has a closed-loop embedded servomechanism in each track, allowing 300 tpi recording. The present bit density is 24,000 bpi using run-length-limited code, and Iomega is looking closely at the possibility of increasing that with PMR. Data is transferred at 1.13 megabytes per sec- ond. Production of the Alpha 10 started in September 1982. Mean- while, Iomega is working on a SVi-inch drive called the Beta 5 that uses the same technology. The new drive will store 5 megabytes of for- matted data, and the disk will rotate at 1964 rpm. The Beta 5 will use 434 tpi and 17,000 bpi and have a stan- dard (Winchester) data-transfer rate of 5 megabits per second. Iomega says that the Bournelli technology translates well to a smaller size because smaller disks are easier to stabilize. Both the SV^-inch drive and the Alpha 10 use the industry- standard disk interface. Although Iomega is currently the only manufacturer shipping Bernoulli drives, the company believes Ber- noulli technology is the way of the future because of its inherent advan- tages of a cheap medium, Winchester- like performance and capacity, and extreme simplicity of design. Second sources of the Alpha 10 are expected to be announced soon, and Iomega says that IBM and others are working on similar systems. High Capacity with Proven Technology Drivetec Inc., of San Jose, Califor- nia, founded by Herb Thompson, one of the founders of Shugart Associ- ates, is a company that believes in fine-tuning proven technology. The year-old company's first product, an- nounced in November 1982, is called the Drivetec 320 Superminifloppy and offers 3.33 megabytes of unfor- matted storage in a half-height 78 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc ;^TiH£n:7 ; ,' • ■ ^ . . ■ ; ■ ... man^m ■ Ed* Introducing . . . The IS PipeLine* Random Access Printing Buffer. Insert pictures, graphics or spread-sheet data into reports. Duplicate form letters— automatically changing addresses on each. Now, all your programs can work together to produce printed output. For the first time ever, here is a buffer that not only frees your fast com- puter from your slow printer but also allows you to rearrange, compose and copy your data on its way to the printer. ■ Random Access Printing— stores paragraphs or pictures for printing in any order— any number of times. ■ FIFO Printing— conventional first-in first-out operation. ■ Compression of data for efficient utilization of memory space. ■ Ability to interrupt long-term buffer operations for straight-thru short- term printing. ■ Simple Erase feature to clear buffer. ■ Automatic duplication capability. ■ Easily expandable, by you, from 8K Bytes to 128K Bytes. The IS PipeLine is Universal— it works with any parallel (Centronics' — style) computer/printer combination. A special version is available for PKASO™ Printer Interfaces. The IS PipeLine is a self-contained unit with operating manual, cables and power supply included. For more information on the truly revolutionary IS PipeLine Random Access Printing Buffer, call us today. Interactive Structures Inc. 146 Montgomery Avenue Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004 T _ ■ .. _. l _ g*%. m r\ ##-■ a -^ a <*% Centronics is a trademark ol Centronics Data Computer Corp Telephone: (215) 667-1713 Circle 220 on inquiry card. The IS Pipeline™ Random Access Printing Buffer is patent pending. Photo 3: technology height 5V* SVi-inch drive. The Drivetec 320 has a pro- prietary track-following embedded servo system that allows recording of 192 tpi, and its linear recording density is ap- proximately 9908 bpi (see photo 3). A two- stepper system uses one stepper for large head movements and another for fine adjustments, so that the two recording heads can be moved in 200-microinch incre- ments. The medium is a special preformatted 50-microinch-thick oxide coating on a platter that allows much higher bit densities and track densities than conventional 100-microinch-thick media. The drive has an onboard microprocessor, a brushless DC motor, and buffered track seek and is designed to be downward compatible with 48-tpi disks. Data is transferred at 500K bits per second. Drivetec expects to ship evaluation units in the first quarter of 1983, with manufacturing start-up scheduled for ! the second quarter. The Drivetec 320 will cost less than $325 each in OEM quantities of 1000. Drivetec 's Herb Thompson believes that long-term trends will be the fine tuning of established technologies. "I built the first floppy disk at IBM in 1967," he says, "and it really hasn't changed a bit since then, except that performance has dramatically in- creased. It still has a long way to go, of course, but I don't want to argue with success. Why should I go off and start up with thin-film heads and ex- otic media when the chances of fail- ure are so high?" Thompson goes on to say that PMR is another buzzword like thin-film heads and bubble mem- ories. "I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for vertical recording because it requires thin-film heads and they're not cost-effective and I don't see them becoming so." He also doesn't think that cobalt chromium substrates will be the medium of the future unless there's a major breakthrough. "I saw Drivetec 320 Superminif loppy. Based on established , the Drivetec offers 3 megabytes of storage in a half- inch drive. plated media 20 years ago; IBM's done a huge amount of research on them and threw them out. I wouldn't risk my company on anything less than proven technology," Half-Height Floppy Disks Tandon, Shugart, and Qume are now offering half -height SVi-inch floppy-disk drives, the form that is the most serious threat to micro- floppies in the portable, low-cost, and small-computer-systems mar- Specially formulated disks from Verbatim Corporation will be used by Apple Computer and Amlyn in new drives. kets . Shugart is producing two models, the SA455 and the SA465. The SA455 uses 48 tpi and stores 250K or 500K bytes, while the SA465 has a 500K-byte single-density and 1 -megabyte double-density capacity with 96 tpi (all unformatted). Both double-sided drives are compatible with the standard floppy-disk inter- face and, like other half-height drives, use brushless direct-drive DC motors that reduce the size of the drives by eliminating belts, pulleys, and bearings used with AC motors. Evaluation-model shipping was due in the fourth quarter of 1982, with volume pro- duction to follow in the first quarter of 1983. In quantities of 5000, the SA455 is priced at $160 and the SA465 at $195. Average access time is about 94 ms, and data- transfer rate is 125K or 250K bits per second de- pending on whether single or dual density is used. Tandon's half-height SVi-inch drive is offered in two versions, one costing $100, and the other, a mechanism-only version, is $50 in very large OEM quantities. The TM50 uses double-density single-sided recording and 48 tpi to store 250K bytes in a 5.75- by 1.625- by 8-inch package. Average access time is 267 ms. Qume's half -height SVi-inch drive offering is the Qumetrak 142, a double-sided 48-tpi drive that stores 500K bytes unformatted. Its average access time is 175 ms. High-volume OEM prices are expected to be less than $150 each. NEC has introduced a half-height 8-inch floppy-disk drive, the FD 1165, with storage capacity of 1.6 megabytes using double density and both sides of the disk. The FD 1165 is priced at $525 each for quantities of 100; in quantities of 300 the cost is $395 each. Super Disks Specially formulated disks from Verbatim Corporation will be used in new drives from Apple Computer and Amlyn. The disks will have a 50-microinch coating of cobalt- impregnated gamma iron oxide with a magnetic resistance of 625 oersteds instead of the standard 300 oersteds and will have a 17-year warranty. Apple will use the disks in two new full-sized drives, the Apple Unifile and the Apple Duofile. The Unifile will store 871K bytes formatted on 62.5 tpi at 10,000 bpi. The Duofile will contain 1.7 megabytes format- ted. The Apple drives are designed 80 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc Chairman of the Boards 5 ■ . ■$-.£■' V::;i ¥^~. " ,,i, "" s »■ «hf*. Z«/£ 1 -u£«»« lBI< I/O Ports . =80A CPU, Floppy Disk Controller, 64K of Memory, Serial & Parallel all on a SINGLE S-100 BOARD! Advanced Digital is the leader in S-100 single board computers. Our attention to quality workmanship, our outstanding performance and proven reliability have made our SUPER QUAD "computer on a board" number one. Now SUPER QUAD® has been elected "Chairman of the Boards" in the expanding Multi- Processing marketplace. SUPER QUAD functions as the Bus Master and takes charge of many SUPER-SLAVE® processor boards. SUPER QUAD is so complete, it actually replaces the traditional 4-board S-100 computer and for only $875.00. CORPORATION/ Look at these features: • IEEE S-100 Standard • Z-80A CPU • 64K of Bank Select Memory as well as extended addressing • Double density floppy disk controller. Both 8" or 5-1/4" Disk Drives • 2 serial & 2 parallel I/O ports (RS-232 and intelligent hard disk interface). • 2K or 4K of monitor EPROM • Runs with CP/M® MP/M® and turbo-DOS™ Ask about our new HDC-1001 Hard Disk Controller for both 8" or 5-1/4" hard disk drives, only $500 retail. For more information, write or call: Sales Dept. • One year warranty. • Free copy of bios disk. Advanced Digital's SUPER- SLAVE processor boards are the ideal directors to work with the Chairman of the Boards and Turbo-DOS® operating system in a multi-user, multi-processor system. 12700-B Knott Street • Garden Grove, California 92641 • A Registered Trademark of Digital Research Corp. T " Registered Trademark of Software 2000 Inc. (714) 891-4004 TELEX 678401 tab irin • Copyright 1981 Advanced Digital Corp, Circle 413 on inquiry card. xuv\vw\ww^ wvvvv innovators in inchester bsystems! Tallgrass Technologies presents a family of Winchester HardFiles and removable cartridge media that has set the industry standard on performance and reliability. With integral tape backup and format- ted capacities from 6.25 Mb to 20 Mb, Tallgrass has a HardFile to answer the most serious data management problems. Let Tallgrass introduce you to our family of Winchester subsystems and watch your personal compu- ter transform into a powerful dat processing system. From $3095.00 suggested retail including integral backup. Tallgrass Technologies corporation 9207 Cody, Overland Park, Kansas 66214 (913) 492-6002 Available from COMPUTERLAND and other participating dealers. for the Apple III and for backup of the 5-megabyte Profile Winchester disk drive. The rigid jacket of the Verbatim disk will resist heat distor- tion up to 160 degrees F. Multicartridge Drives The Amlyn drive belongs to the multicartridge drive category. It uses five-disk Mini Pack cartridges, each storing 1.6 megabytes of unformatted data on one side using 170 tpi at 9500 bpi and 154 tracks. The unformatted capacity of each cartridge will be 8 megabytes, and the user will be able to remove one or all of the five SV^-inch disks at will. Another drive that uses multiple disks is the Mega -Mate, made by Mega -Data Computer Products Inc. of Overland Park, Kansas. The Mega -Mate contains an interchange- able 40-disk magazine that stores 5 formatted megabytes on one side of all the disks. The magazine can be reversed to provide an additional 5-megabyte capacity. The drive itself is priced at $695, and additional magazines are $70. Conclusion The current revolution in data- storage technology poses an interest- ing problem for end users. On one hand, the size reduction and in- creased storage of the new microflop- pies offers several advantages to small-computer-system designers. Drives could be incorporated into a handier, less conspicuous area on a computer. Two microfloppies could, for example, be placed underneath a standard-sized keyboard. On the other hand, with the pro- liferation of different formats and data-storage technologies, end users could find themselves stuck with an orphan disk-drive system. And the subsequent lack of inexpensive media and support could become very ex- pensive. Although microfloppies and im- proved data-storage technologies will have their market, there is a simpler method for increasing the transport- ability and convenience of existing 5V4-inch floppy disks. Just have all the shirt makers agree upon a stan- dard SV^-inch pocket. ■ BYTE's Bugs Gremlins Gobble Up-Arrows It looks like gremlins have struck once again. This time they invaded the program listing in "High-Speed Pascal Text File I/O" by K. Brook Richan and James S. Rosenvall (January 1983 BYTE, page 454). The program listing for FASTIODEMO (listing 1) should have up-arrows in several places but, unfortunately, doesn't. Anyone interested in obtain- ing a copy of the corrected listing may do so by sending a legal-size self- addressed envelope with $0.37 U.S. postage to: Pascal Listing Attn: Ms. Lisa Steiner BYTE POB 372 Hancock, NH 03449 Please allow 4 delivery. ■ to 6 weeks for 82 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc You cant buy an S- hard disk system for less. • • 5 MEGABYTES. 5 MEGABYTES, PLUS. $3,995 $4,400 That's the full price for the complete Decision r computer. Including an S-100, (IEEE-696) 14-slot motherboard, 64K of RAM, DMA floppy and hard disk con- trollers, a 5 Megabyte hard disk, a 200K floppy disk drive, one parallel and three serial ports. Plus, CP/M® 2.2 and Microsoft® BASIC-80. For another $405, you double your floppy capacity to 400K. And, you get over $1,200 worth of applications software: WordStar,® Correct-It™ spelling checker, the LogiCalc™ spreadsheet, and the Personal PEARL™ relational data base manager NOW, MULTI-USER. For an addi- tional $1,995, you get a package that allows you to add two more users to your system. Which makes the Decision I the lowest priced multi-user, multi-tasking system you can buy. The package adds an additional 192K of RAM, plus Micronix,™ Morrow's UNIX™-like operating system. The OS includes a CP/M emulator which allows you to use CP/M software in a multi-user environment. BUY IT YOUR WAY. Single user or multi-user/multi-tasking. Or, buy a single user system now and expand it later No matter how you buy it, you can't buy more performance for less. MORROW OE5IGN5 MORROW DESIGNS □ 600 McCormick St. □ San Leandro, CA 94577 □ (415) 430-1970 WordStar is a registered trademark of MicroPro, Inc., CP/M is a Personal PEARL is a trademark of Relational Systems, Inc. registered trademark of Digital Research, Inc. Decision I, Micronix, and Correct-It, are trademarks of Morrow Designs UNIX is a trademark of Bell Laboratories, Inc. LogiCaic is a trademark of Software Products International Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation Circle 295 on inquiry card. BYTE March 1983 83 Introducing die portable computer for professionals on the move. Hewlett-Packard's new HP-75. A decade ago, we introduced the world's first scientific pocket calculator and rendered the time-honored slide rule obsolete. Now we're introducing the HP-75 portable computer. And if press reaction is any indi- cation, history is about to repeat itself. As small as a book. As powerful as a personal. Desktop-computer power in a handsome 26-ounce package. That's the HP-75. It's just 10 inches by 5 inches by V/4 inches. But don't let the compactness fool you. Inside its rugged case lies a 48K-byte, ROM- based operating system. With a comprehen- sive, 147-command instruction set that helps you write hard-working / memory-efficient BASIC programs. Plug-in ROM ports let you add up to three 32K-byte software modules— modules that solve tough problems without sacrificing user memory. And that user memory gives you up to 24 K bytes of program and data storage. It all adds up. A fully loaded HP-75 is a 168K-byte computing powerhouse in calculator clothing. Want more? A built-in magnetic card reader provides a convenient, inexpensive way to store and retrieve programs or data. The HP-75 's typewriter-like keyboard means rapid, accurate entry of text or data. And when we say you can touch type on it, we mean you can touch type on it. Those keys, by the way, can be redefined with your favorite commands or programs. Up to 196 unique key combinations in all. Immediate, convenient access to your most frequently used programs. Thanks to the HP-75 's multiple-file structure, programs, data and text can be named, simultaneously stored in memory, and programmed to interact with each other. Add continuous memory, and you've got a computer that's designed to solve problems on the go. Simply load your favorite files and enjoy immediate access to any or all of them. The files are retained in memory until you decide to delete them— even when the machine is turned off. Time and appointments to keep you on schedule. The TIME key brings to display the day of the week/ date and time to the nearest second. The APPOINTMENT feature reminds you— an hour from now or a year from now- of things you have to do. You can have a silent message on the display, any one of six alarms, or a combination of both. Even if the machine is turned off, it will "wake up" and alert you of an appointment. Or it will execute programs or control periph- erals according to predetermined schedules. In an environmental test, for instance, where readings are taken every half hour, the HP-75 can make sure its owner gets the weekend off. Software tailored to solve your specific problems. HP-75 software is now available in areas such as math, engineering, finance, and statis- tics. With spreadsheet analysis* on the way. Our plug-in math module* for instance, solves polynomial roots, evaluates integrals, and performs finite Fourier transforms. With our text-formatter module,** you'll compose memos, letters, and short documents virtually anywhere; then print them out when you return to your home or office. In addition, our third-party software program assures you of ever-expanding software variety. If you're a volume purchaser or OEM, give us a call. We can help you create custom HP-75 systems with special plug-in modules, magnetic cards, digital cassettes, and key- board overlays. Peripherals for a total computing package. The HP-75 is equipped with the Hewlett- Packard Interface Loop, giving you a choice of 15 peripherals. (And that choice is expanding. The HP-75 can work simultane- ously with up to 30.) In a battery-powered briefcase system weighing about seven pounds, you might have the 24 -character printer, digital cassette drive and acoustic modem*** A desktop system might include the 80- column impact printer, full-color graphics plotter, and 12 -inch video monitor. And the HP-75 can "talk to" other computers, peripherals, and instruments with our HP-IB (IEEE-488),** RS-232*and GPIO interfaces. In summary, the HP-75 is the heart of an extremely versatile system, in addition to its stand-alone capabilities. Manuals to make sure you get the most from your machine. Chock-full of examples and helpful hints, our owner's manual will get you up and running in short order. And it's organized to help you access the information you need to get on with the job at hand. A supplementary reference guide provides a concise summary of the computer's operating protocol and instruction set. The value you're looking for. What is the price of all this power in this compact package? $995**** A lot less than you might pay for a personal computer you can't take with you. See the HP-75 today. It's the smart choice for professionals on the move. For the authorized HP dealer or HP sales office nearest you, call TOLL-FREE 800-547- 3400 (Oregon, Alaska, Hawaii: 503-758- 1010). TTY users with hearing or speech impairments, dial 503-758-5566. SERIES 10 Pmlsssional Calculators SERIES 80 PSfaonal Computes SERIES 70 Poriaan Campuiers f— i g Pmwt SERIES 100 m«10«ic«Com SERIES 200 Pfcraonai Technical Compulwa * Available May 1, 1983. ** Available March 1, 1983. ***Call our toll-free number for availability. ****Suggested retail price. May vary outside U.S. Peripherals and software not included. Circle 200 on Inquiry card. ■a HEWLETT PACKARD o R xcfc -a CO CO a 03 "5 a I? 2 fa 1 O as eo fell O WO Q-^O WO) IPilfP = 8a re in C ^ iS P ~o •= c *« X o>a>o 1- ^ • • • O C ^ E 08 a> o '111 c o q. ill Ni © o CD >*•*— - OICD co *"" 2-3? O = 5.-E lO O 3 Bf88 Si fill '.2ogo §251 c CD c !g # CO « CO I III EEo i Unlike other copiers it maki i nal and ttdoes 100% verification of copy. Doc -. 'xcellent." ♦ CENTRAL POINT. Copy II PC, Backup and Utility NEW! $ 40 $35 NORElt DATA, System Backup $ 50 $ 39 NORTON, Norton Utilities. 14 powerful programs, 3 disks $ 80 $65 HOME & EDUCATIONAL AUTOMATED SIMULATIONS, Temple of Apshai $ 40 * Oil Barons NEW $ 100 BR0DER8UND, Apple Panic * CONTINENTAL. The Home Accountant Plus DATAMOST, Pig Pen or Space Strike, each DAVIDSON, The Speed Reader INFOCOM. Deadline Zork I or Zork if or Zork III, each * INSOFT, WordTn* -NEW! QuoTrix ; NEW! ON-LINE, Golf Challenge NEW Ulysses & The Golden Fleece PBL CORP.. Personal Investor SENTIENT. Cyborg NEW $ SIRIUS. Conquest or Calf to Arms, each $ SPINNAKER, Snooper Troops. Si or #2, each :. $ Story Machine or Face Maker, each $ STRATEGIC, The Warp Factor y$ STR/ 30 150 30 75 50 40 35 35 25 35 $ 145 35 30 45 35 40 $ 29 $ 75 $ 22 $112 $ 22 $ 55 $ 39 $ 29 $ 29 $ 29 $ 19 $ 25 $ 99 $ 25 $ 23 $ 35 $ 25 $ 30 DISKETTES Control Data Corporation 12 for 10 Special. Limited Time! CDC, 120 each, 5'/« with ring, SS, SD (Apple, IBM. etc.) $ 450 $195 12 each, 5V«, with ring, SS SD (Apple, IBM, etc.) $ 40 $ 22 12 each 8". SS, SD $ 51 $ 28 10 each, 5'A. SS, DD (H/P, IBM, etc.) $ 65 $ 49 IBM. 10 each, 5*. SS, SD (Apple, IBM, etc ) $ 60 $ 45 10 each. 5% SS, DD (H/P, IBM, etc.) $ 65 $ 49 VERBATIM, 10 each 5H. with ring, SS, SD or SS, DD $ 50 $ 28 MAXELL, 10 each, 5 'A. SS, DO or SS. SD $ 55 $ 35 DYSAN, 10 each, 5K. SS, SD $ 55 $ 39 10 each, 5, DS, DD $ 65 $ 49 • Means a BEST buy. Ad #962 Hot Lm» For Information On Your Order (503) 7723803 IBM is a trademark of IBM Corporation. OUR ■ PRICC $419 $449 $265 $ 89 $ 89 $129 $189 $259 $129 $299 $369 $169 $220 $ 69 $395 $395 $189 $2*9 Call Call Call $335 $235 $ 35 $ 75 $189 $169 $ 99 $395 $239 $119 $179 $339 $199 $269 $139 $169 $179 $199 $219 $239 64K IBM-PC ^2850 System includes Two 320K Disk Drives 12" Green Amdek Monitor 90 Day Warranty Call For Details And Other Configurations HARDWARES LIST OUR PRICE PRICE MEMORY CHIP K I TS , 64K addon to your memory cards. 9 chips. 2 PO NS, tested and burned- iri 90 day warranty $ 150 $ 59 Combo Plus. 64K with async, port $ 495. $359 Combo Plus, 64K with parallel port. $ 495 $359 Combo Plus. 64K w /async & para $ 555 $395 Combo Plus, 64K w /async para & dock/cat $ 595 $429 For above Combo Pius of 128K add $85. lor 192K add $192. for 256K add $256 BUY VALUE of the YEAR: ComX RAM Cards come with Di SRAM software. Disk software that makes your RAM took like a disk. 64K RAM Card (192K when full) ♦2 year warranty 192K RAM Card ♦ 2 year warranty CURTIS. PC Pedestal* *•■ for Display on PC 9 foot Cable for IBM Keyboard {extends 3" to 9'} Mono, -Extension Cables, Power and Signal : f%JI!iJif , ^lkM" %, DS1 ; 501 • Meg U p W Vnim DS 1-501. 6 MB Hard Disk DS1-512, 12 MB Hard Disk DS1-519. 19 M8 Hard Disk MAYNARD, Floppy Drive Control Board, for up to 4 drives With Serial Port add $40. For Parallel Port add $70. MICROSOFT 64KBAMCar «* /p ^ $ 395 $ 675 $ 80 $ 50 $ 55 $1995 $1995 $2495 $2995 $195 $149 $249 $ 65 $ 35 $ 45 $1495 $1495 $1895 $2295 $165 QCS. #QUADRAMcc . ,r — AM ,v i , • . Big Blue $ 350 $259 $ 525 $395 $875 $659 $ 595 $449 :ORPORATlON Quadboard, 64K, expandable to 256K, 4 function board Quadboatd 128K. expandable te ■ >n board Quadboard, 19%; expandable te 256K, 4 function board J|L Quadboard. 256*. tour function board Mtcrofazer, w/Copy, Par /Par. 8K, #MP8 Microfajer,. w/Copy, Pat/Par, 64K, #MP64 Microfazer, w/Copy. Par /Par, 128K, #MP128 Mtcrofazer, Snap-on, 8K, Par/Par, Epson, #M£B, w/PSi Microfarer, Snap-on, 64K, Par/Par. Epson, #M£64, w/PSI $ 595 $ 775 $ 896 S 995 $ 159 $ 299 $445 $ 159 $ 299 All Mic«jf3;ers are expandable (Weepy to 512KJ {Snap-on to 64K}. $435 $565 $635 $670 $119 $235 $345 $145 $235 TO PRODUCTS. Joystick xEDEx>,!■■■(, - ^~r<" Hi>' '» m ■* - - ** /- XEftOX 820 Computer System, with tw«s Mortite ;» #$1,495 AHAOFx ■" , * *r , - < • HaLU iM The Leader hi Atari Add-on's m jjl R3~ System W± I' -JO) $475 $350 ./«? Ra Module Z-*^. (for 400} ATARI Rampower 32K . >' -JO or 800) $ 120 $ 89/ F?e< ■ ■ Diskette $ 185 $135 ORDER DESK TOLL FREE (800) 547-1289 All Other Orders Including Oregon: 772-3256 Circle 470 for IBM Peripherals Circle 471 for Apple Circle 472 for all others Will Removable Hard Disks Replace the Floppy? Improved datastorage technologies may eventually eliminate floppy disks. The floppy-disk drive has been the method of choice for data storage for several years now. But like all de facto standards, its dominance is be- ing challenged, in this case by the development of a new storage medium — the removable hard-disk cartridge. The cartridge appears to offer all the advantages of the floppy disk as well as increased storage capacity and access speed. But before describing this new method of data storage, let's take a look at how and why floppy disks were developed. When IBM introduced the System/ 360 computers, their low- level microcode programs were About the Author Larry Sarisky is the vice-president of sales and marketing for Syquest Technology. He has more than 12 years' experience in marketing data-storage products. Larry Sarisky Syquest Technology 47923 Warm Springs Blvd. Fremont, CA 94539 stored in read-only memory (ROM). By the time the IBM 370 was developed, however, semiconductor technology had advanced so far that microcode storage could be im- plemented in semiconductor memory. This memory was volatile, Newer microprocessors can make use of virtual storage only with the faster access speeds offered by hard disks. so a microcode loading-and-storage device was necessary. Magnetic tape was considered, but the need for loading diagnostic programs as well as microcode presented a problem. So in 1973, IBM developed a cheap disk and drive that provided the random- access speed needed for diagnostic- program loading. This low-cost, flex- ible disk gave IBM an economical random-access program-loading device. And once such a device was available, it was easy to add a write capability for data storage. Semicon- ductor technology and the IBM 370 had set the stage for the floppy disk, the data-storage medium that helped launch the small-computer revolu- tion. The revolution, however, was spearheaded not by IBM but by in- dependent manufacturers of floppy disks such as Shugart Associates and Memorex, who saw the value of low- cost, random-access storage for smaller computers. By 1975, 27 in- dependent suppliers were producing 8-inch floppy-disk drives. The new medium for storage offered potent advantages. As 110 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc PERFORMANCE ! NEW PRODUCTS (qty. 1-3 prices) STD801 and 811 Card Cages Black anodized aluminum card cages, with mother- board and card retainer bar for use in high vibration areas. Specify bottom mount (801) or back mount (81 1). $225 (8 slot motherboard), $265 (12 slots), $305 (16 slots). STD 881 "NEMA 1 2" Computer Enclosure Intended for unfriendly industrial environments. Splash-proof (oil and dust tight) box includes 8 slot motherboard, card cage, card retainer bar, switching power supply ( + 5V @ 6A, + 12V @ 1 A, - 12V 1/2A), 115V AC input. $595. Options: 12 and 16 slot motherboards, stainless steel enclosure, EMI/RFI shielding. Call for quote on options. S-1 OO/IEEE 696 ZIF Extender Board (#ZB-1) ero Insertion Force greatly simplifies board testing and substitution. 3000+ insertion/extraction cycles. Includes fuses on +8Vand ± 16V lines, ground post, 41 x 17 hole kluge area (0.1" grid), and power-tb-board switch with LED indicator. $159 ' STD BUS ■ COMPONENTS (qty. 1-3 prices) STD 001- Flat cable terminated prototyping board. $49 STD 002. Dual 18 edge connector terminated prototyping board. $54 STD 003. Terminal block terminated prototyping board. $59 STD 101. Extender board, 8.4" long. $59 STD 201. 8 channel TRIAC (4A/1 17V) output board. $229 STD 211. 8 channel opto-isolated line voltage input board. $194 STD 221. 8 channel SPST reed relay output board. $169 STD 231. 8 channel low voltage isolated input board. $194 STD MBD*. 8 slot ($135) or 16 slot ($175) high speed motherboard. w STD 1SK RAM*. 16K X 8 static memory card. $325 STD CPU Z*. 4 MHz Z80 CPU board with serial I/O and sockets for 8K of RAM/ROM. $335 Circle 299 on inquiry card. For more information, call Mullen Computer Products at (415) 783-2866 or write MCP Inc., Box 6214, Hayward, CA 94544. Photo 1: A size comparison of the 3.9-inch removable hard-disk cartridge drive with standard 5V4- and 8-inch floppy-disk drives. The cartridge drive is 1.625 by 4.8 by 8 inches. Business Week reported in a May 17, 1976, article, ''Each standard disk (floppy) has the data-storage capacity of 3000 punched cards. The disks are also reusable, easier to store and mail, and inexpensive." The article also predicted that "a new market segment is opening up thanks to the development of the cheapest of com- puters—the microprocessor or com- puter-on-a-chip , " As these prophetic words were written, Shugart Associates was developing a lower-cost SVi-inch flexible-disk drive. It was this drive that signaled the decline of cassette tape. The 5y4-inch floppy-disk drives and media cost less than comparable cassette-based storage. They offered an average access time of about half a second compared to the cassette's 20 seconds. And their error rate was two orders of magnitude better than that of cassettes. The Winchester Disk While lower-cost SVi-inch floppy disks gained most of the attention in 1976, Memorex saw another IBM- developed storage technology that could be used in small computers. Its Model 601 hard disk was the first small Winchester system to be available from a source other than IBM. By protecting the read/write heads and disk platters in a sealed en- vironment, the Winchester could deliver higher data-storage capacities, faster access, and greater reliability at a lower cost per byte. While the 601's disk diameter was a hefty 14 inches, successive Winchester-technology disk drives reduced it to 8 inches and then 5Va inches. The history of disk storage has been a tale of increasing compactness. The first 14-inch Winchester-type drives paralleled established storage- module devices. The 8-inch Win- chester followed the 8-inch floppy disk. The SVi-inch drive was com- patible in size with its corresponding It's not Magic, it's NEC. NEC distributors pull miracles out of a thimble. NEC Spinwriters. M Their supernatural reliability and versatility have made them the world's most popular letter-quality printers. Here are some of the miracles they can perform for you. The Spinwriters' rapidly growing catalog of print thimbles give you incredible versatility. One NEC thimble can print in 35 different languages. Another has complete technical and mathematical symbols Another a full scientific symbol font. The thimbles snap in and out in seconds. And they each last for more than 30 million impressions. Of all printer companies, only NEC designs and manufactures its own comprehensive family of forms handlers. We've got eight of them, enough to handle any form you can conjure up. They're all use changeable, too. Spinwriters have remarkable reliability, more than two years between failures in normal usage. And they need no preventive maintenance or routine lubrication. Ever. With only 3 major spares, mean time to repair is only 15 minutes. The NEC Spinwriters. Reliable, quiet, compact, flexible and easy to use. For more information on NEC Spin writers, or to find out how to become an NEC distributor yourself, contact the authorized NEC distributor nearest you. • NEC NEC Information Systems, Inc. floppy disk. And, finally, the 3.9-inch hard-disk cartridge (see photo 1) parallels the newer "microfloppies." The Need for Better Disks The development of 16-bit pro- cessors, more complex operating systems, and multiuser, multitasking configurations has increased the need for hard-disk capacity, reliability, and speed. Newer processors can make use of virtual storage only with the faster access speeds of hard disks. Operating systems such as Unix have a large assortment of utilities that won't fit on a floppy. To perform multiple tasks for multiple users, systems required the capacity and ac- cess speed available only from hard disks. Microcomputer applications are becoming far more sophisticated. A business accounting system can re- quire a box of 10 floppy disks. A high-resolution digitizing camera may need more than a megabyte of data storage for a single picture. Database-management systems, com- puter graphics, English-language- based programming, extensive menus, and broad-based application packages all require faster access to a larger amount of data than a single floppy disk can hold. If a fixed disk crashes, it can be replaced only by a factory technician. The Limitations of Fixed Disks While fixed-disk Winchester drives are suitable for many applications, they present severe integration prob- lems for smaller computer systems that now use one or two SVi-inch floppy-disk drives. The 14-inch drive is simply too big and too heavy to be integrated into many existing systems. It also requires a more sophisticated interface and both AC and DC power-supply voltages. The smaller 5Va- and 8-inch Win- chester drives have proved to be more practical for small systems, but they are no panacea. Although they're smaller than the 14-inch drives, they still may be too large for some systems. Why? Because most systems have required both removable and fixed media. If the current system has been designed for one or two 5y4-inch floppy disks, there may not be room to add a fixed-disk drive. The user must also worry about the possibility of a fixed-disk failure. If the fixed disk crashes, it can be replaced only by a trained technician. Even worse, data may be lost forever. For this reason, most users back up important programs and files on flop- py disks or tape. Unfortunately, the floppy disk is often inadequate for backup. Small Winchester drives have capacities that range from 5 to 80 megabytes. Backing up that much storage on floppy disks is inconve- nient and slow. And although tape can be used for backup, it lacks the random access, reliability, and ser- viceability of disk storage. ALABAMA W.A. Brown Instruments, Inc. (205) 883-8660 Hall-Mark Electronics Corp. (205) 837-8700 Huntsvifle, AL ALASKA Trans a la ska Data Sys., Inc. Anchorage, AK (907) 276-5616 ARIZONA Hall-Mark Electronics Corp. (602) 243-6601 International Data Systems (602) 231-0888 Phoenix, AZ Tile Phoenix Group, Inc. Tempe, A2 (602) 894-9247 Spirit Electronics Scottsdale, AZ (602)998-1533 CALIFORNIA Byte Industries (415) 783-8272 ComputerLand Corp. (415) 487-5000 Hay ward, CA Consolidated Data Terminals Oakland, CA (415) 638-1222 Data Systems Marketing San Diego, CA (619) 560-9222 Eakins Associates, Inc. Mountain View, CA (415)969-4533 Electronic Mktg. Specialists Tustin, CA (714) 832-9920 Electronic Mktg. Specialists Sunnyvale, CA (408) 245-9291 Electronic Mktg. Specialists Reseda, CA (213) 708-2055 Electronic Mktg. Specialists San Diego, CA (619)560-5133 Emerson Enterprises San Ramon, CA (415) 837-8728 Halt-Mark Electronics Corp. Sunnyvale, CA (408)773-9990 Hall-Mark Electronics Corp. San Diego, CA (619) 268-1201 Leasametric Foster City, CA (415) 574-4441 Leasametric Culver City, CA (213) 670-0461 Micro Business World Tarzana, CA (213)996-2252 RC Data, Inc. San Jose, CA (408)946-3800 Renaissance Tech. Corp. Concord, CA (415) 676-5757 Terminal Rentals, Inc. Tustin, CA (714)832-2414 Terminal Rentals, Inc. San Jose, CA (408)292-9915 United States Data Systems San Mateo, CA (415) 572-6600 Vitek San Marcos, CA (714)744-8305 Waybern Corp. Garden Grove, CA (714) 554-4520 Western Microtechnology Cupertino, CA (408) 725-1662 COLORADO Acorn Data Products Englewood, CO (303) 779-6644 Data Design & Development (303)296-3807 Hall-Mark Electronics Corp. (303) 934-3111 Denver, CO FLORIDA W.A. Brown Instruments, Inc. Orlando, FL (305)425-5505 W.A. Brown Instruments, Inc. Fort Lauderdale, FL (305) 776-4800 W.A. Brown Instruments, Inc. Melbourne, FL (305) 723-0766 W.A. Brown Instruments, Inc. Tampa, FL (813) 985-0394 Cain & Bultman, Inc. Jacksonville, FL (904) 356-4812 Hall-Mark Electronics Corp. Fort Lauderdale, FL (305) 971-9280 Hall-Mark Electronics Corp. Orlando, FL (305) 855-4020 Hall-Mark Electronics Corp. St. Petersburg, FL (813) 576-8691 GEORGIA W.A. Brown Instruments, Inc. Atlanta, GA (404) 455-1035 Digital Solutions, Inc. Marietta, GA (404)955-4488 Hall-Mark Electronics Corp. Norcross, GA (404) 447-8000 HAWAIt Gray Associates Kailua, HI (808)261-3751 ILLINOIS Dytec/Central, Inc. Arlington Heights, IL (312) 394-3380 Hall-Mark Electronics Corp. Bensenville, IL (312) 860-3800 Photo 2: Sy quest Technology SQ-306 removable-cartridge hard-disk drive. The car- tridge (shown at left) is inserted into the drive unit, shown with its top cover and drive door removed. In spite of these limitations, small hard-disk drives have become the hottest products in data storage. Almost every computer manufacturer now offers Winchester hard-disk storage, as either a standard system component or an option. Why, then, are floppy disks still needed? Because, until recently, they enjoyed two critical advantages over hard disks: they were removable and cheap. The Hard-Disk Cartridge Floppy disks can no longer in- herently claim those advantages over hard disks, following the develop- ment of a new generation of removable, pocket-sized hard-disk cartridges and drives such as the Sy- quest SQ-306. Cartridges can be replaced when they're full, and, like floppy disks, they can be transported from one computer to another (see photo 2). [Editor's NoteiThe Syquest removable-cartridge hard-disk drive is not a Winchester drive because the read/write heads are not permanently sealed with the disk, as is the case in true Winchester technology . . . R. S. S.] But not all hard-disk cartridges can compete with the floppy disk. Car- tridge drives are now available in three sizes: 3.9, 5 Vi, and 8 inches. All three sizes share the same basic tech- nology, but their prices differ sig- nificantly. Eight-inch cartridge drives cost $1500 or more. The smaller SVi-inch drives cost more than $1000. The still smaller 3.9-inch drives cost less than $800. Smaller cartridges also cost less. The 8-inch cartridge can cost more than $100, the SVi-inch about $50, and the 3.9-inch about $35. Although all three sizes are gaining acceptance, many industry analysts believe that only the 3.9-inch hard- disk cartridge is inexpensive enough to compete with floppy-disk drives Information Systems, Inc. Arlington Heights, IL (312) 228-5480 Kaitronics Northbrook, IL (312) 291-1220 Nabih's, Inc. Evanston, IL (312) 869-6140 Tele- Aids Industries, Inc. Arlington Heights, IL (312) 870-7400 INDIANA Dytec /Centra I, Inc. Indianapolis, IN (317) 247-1316 General Microcomputer South Bend, IN (219) 277-4972 Graham Elec. Supply, Inc. Indianapolis, IN (317) 634-8202 ¥\ Star-Tronic Distributor Co. Car me I, IN (317) 844-0102 IOWA Dytec/Centraf, Inc. (319) 363-9377 KANSAS Hall-Mark Electronics Corp. Lenexa, KS (913) 888-4747 Inland Associates, Inc. Olathe, KS (913) 764-7977 LOUISIANA W A Brown Instruments, Inc. Mandeville, LA (504) 626-9701 MARYLAND Bartlett Associates, Inc. Bethesda, MD (301) 656-3061 Hail-Mark Electronics Corp. Baltimore, MD (301)796-9300 M/A-Com Alanthus (301) 770-1150 Micro Distributors, Inc. (800) 638-6621 Rockviile, MD The Zamolski Co. Baltimore, MD (301) 644-2900 MASSACHUSETTS Bartlett Associates, Inc. Framingham, MA (617) 879-7530 The Computer Store, Inc. Sudbury, MA (617) 879-3700 Continental Resources, Inc. Bedford, MA (617) 275-0850 CPU Computer Corp. Chariestown, MA (617) 242-3350 Mlcroamerica Distr. Co., Inc. Needham, MA (617) 449-5807 Simsim, Inc. Natick, MA (617) 655-6415 MICHIGAN General Data Company, Inc. Brighton, Mi (313) 227-3046 Star-Tronic Distributor Co. Farmington Hills. Ml (313) 477-7586 WKM Associates. Inc. Madison Heights, Ml (313) 588-2300 MINNESOTA Hall-Mark Electronics Corp. Bloomington, MN (612) 854-3223 Inland Associates, Inc. Minneapolis, MN (612) 379-5354 Kaitronics Distributing, Inc. St. Paul, MN (612) 293-0385 Team Central, Inc. Minneapolis, MN (612) 623-3850 Tele-Terminals, Inc. Brooklyn Park, MN (612) 536-6000 MISSOURI Hall-Mark Electronics Corp. Maryland Heights, MO (314) 291-5350 Inland Associates. Inc. St. Louis, MO (314) 391-6901 NEW JERSEY Hall-Mark Electronics C Cherry Hill, NJ (609) 424-7300 Hall-Mark Electronics C Fairfield, NJ (201) 575-4415 Logon, Inc. Hackensack, NJ (201) 646-9222 TransNet Corporation Union, NJ (201) 688-7800 WP Peri ph. A Supply Co., Inc. Matawan, NJ (201) 946-4995 NEW YORK Arrow Electronics Farmingdaie, NY (516) 694-6800 Bartlett Associates, Inc. White Plains, NY (914) 949-6476 The Computer Factory New York, NY (212) 687-5000 Erin Computer Distr. Corp. Farmingdaie, NY (516) 293-4114 Ossmann Com outer Tech., East Syracuse, NY (315) 437-6666 Ossmann Computer Tech., Rochester. NY (716) 473-5720 Ossmann Computer Tech.. Vestal, NY (607) 785-9947 and media. The drive costs only slightly more than a floppy-disk drive. The cost of a cartridge is com- parable to the cost of a box of 10 flop- py disks. This comparison is even more favorable in terms of cost per byte because the hard-disk cartridge sup- plies far more capacity per unit. While floppy disks can hold up to 1 megabyte of storage before format- ting, the 3.9-inch hard disk has an un- formatted capacity of 6.38 mega- bytes. Not only does it carry from 6 to 15 times more data than a floppy disk, it carries it more safely, sealed in a protective cartridge. While floppy-disk technology has matured and offers few opportunities for enhancement, small hard disks are at the beginning of their product- technology cycle and will have their data storage capacity increased again and again. The cost per megabyte of storage is dropping rapidly. Like audio- and video-tape cas- settes, hard-disk cartridges will be available in a variety of capacities. Syquest, for example, is already developing a cartridge, compatible in size with existing cartridges, that will double capacity to 12.76 megabytes. Regardless of capacity, these car- tridges deliver better performance than floppy disks. Their average ac- cess time is 75 milliseconds, or from 1.5 to 3 times faster than floppy disks. The data- transfer rate is even more impressive. In one second, the cartridge drive can transfer 5 megabits, compared to the SVk-inch disk's Va of a megabit. That's 20 times faster. Cartridge models provide better in- terchangeability between drives than floppy dfsks. The cartridge is de- signed to provide for a minimum of 10,000 insertion/removal cycles (see figure 1). A closed-loop embedded digital servomechanism ensures car- tridge interchangeability while allow- ing variable sectoring. The embedded servo information is recorded on the disk and provides the sector-mark signals and timing information for all read/ write operations. The digital servo system locks the read/write heads over the centerline of the appropriate recording track. More practical than conventional track-following systems, the digital servo leaves both surfaces free for data and provides flexibility in sector formatting. This enables system builders to define the number of bytes per sector to match any format re- quirement. The digital servo, helped by on- board microprocessor control and a microstepping head positioner, also speeds data access and improves ac- curacy. The microstepping positioner steps in increments of 0.9 degrees rather than the conventional 1.8 degrees. The drive's microprocessor reads servo information, corrects for track alignment, and adjusts the step- per within 100 microinches, all at 60 times a second. The 3.9-inch disk drives mount almost anywhere — under a keyboard or in a terminal. Two hard-disk drives can occupy one conventional 5V4-inch floppy space. The drives are ORTH CAROLINA W.A. Brown Instruments, Inc. Durham, NC (919) 683^1580 Hill-Mark Electronics Corp. Raleigh, NC (919)832-4465 OHIO General Data Co., Inc. Cincinnati, OH (513) 851-2585 General Data Co., Inc. Lake wood, OH (216) 228-8833 General Data Co., Inc. Fostoria, OH (419) 435-1191 Hall-Mark Electronics Corp. Highland Heights, OH (216)473-2907 Hall-Mark Electronics Corp. Westerville, OH (614) 891-4555 Midwest Microcomputer Defiance, OH (419) 782-1115 WKM Associates Cleveland, OH (216) 524-5930 National instr. Dlstr. Inc. Dayton, OH (513)435-4503 Star-Tronic Distributor Co. Fairview Park, OH (216) 779-9660 Star-Tronic Distributor Co. Englewood, OH (513) 836-0951 OKLAHOMA Data Applications Corp. (918) 250-8686 Hall-Mark Electronics Corp. (918)665-3200 Tulsa. OK OREGON Mlcroware Distributing Aloha, OR (503) 642-7679 PENNSYLVANIA Bartlett Associates, Inc. Norristown, PA (215) 666-7100 General Data Company Pittsburgh, PA (412)788-4800 Star-Tronic Distributor Co. Monroeville, PA (412) 372-3340 WKM Associates Pittsburgh, PA (412)892-2953 SOUTH CAROLINA W.A. Brown Instruments, Inc. Columbia, SC (803) 798-8070 TENNESSEE W.A. Brown Instruments, inc. Oak Ridge, TN (615)482-5761 TEXAS Data Applications Addison, TX (214)931-1100 Data Applications Houston, TX (713) 686-8413 Data Applications San Antonio, TX (512) 732-7176 D&8 Data Systems Piano, TX (214) 422-7910 DAB Data Systems Houston, TX (713) 463-7561 Hall-Mark Electronics Corp. iS,TX (214)343-5000 Hall-Mark Electronics Corp. Austin, TX (512)258-8848 Hall-Mark Electronics Corp. Houston, TX (713)781-6100 Southern Micro Distributors Irving, TX (214)258-6636 UTAH Acorn Data Products Salt Lake City, UT (801) 973-7958 VIRGINIA Nine Associates Fairfax. VA (703) 273-1803 Terminals Unlimited Falls Church, VA (703) 237-8666 WASHINGTON Micro Technology, Inc. Tacoma, WA (206)272-3347 Sigma Distributing Bellevue, WA (206) 454-6307 WISCONSIN Hall-Mark Electronica^^H Oak Creek, Wi (414) 761-3000 / SIC NEC Information Systems, Inc. HEADS RETRACT TO TRACK OOO FOR CARTRIDGE INSERTION GRAPHITE, 4 ,iin. MAGNETIC FILM, 3 pin ELECTROLESS NICKEL, 800 ^ttn. -ALUMINUM SUBSTRATE DISK CROSS SECTION CHANNEL DOOR SLIDES TO LEFT FOR HEAD ACCESS TABS (NOT VISIBLE) PREVENT INCORRECT INSERTION MAGNETIC HUB DRIVE DOOR- REGISTRATION DIAMETER- LABYRINTH SEAL WRITE-PROTECT TAB Figure 1: As a cartridge is inserted into the hard-disk drive, the cartridge door slides open to allow access to the read/ write heads, which were previously retracted to track 000. The disk is seated onto the drive spindle by a metal scroll on the cartridge (not visi- ble in the figure) and then secured by a magnetic hub. Tabs on the drive base ensure that the cartridge is inserted correctly and that the cartridge door is open. A cross section of the hard disk illustrates the layers of materials on the disk (not drawn to scale). only 1.625 inches high, 4.8 inches wide, and 8 inches deep. Their rugged design enables them to be used in portable systems. Easy Integration The 3.9-inch cartridge has the same pinouts, timing, data-transfer rates, and track/sector formatting as industry-standard SVi-inch fixed-disk Winchester drives. This compatibility allows the use of standard Winchester controllers and interfacing pro- cedures, as well as standard SVi-inch floppy-disk DC power supplies. Convenience Convenience of use is an important factor in the success of the cartridge. The 3.9-inch cartridge is a more con- venient size than 8-inch floppy disks or larger cartridges. Just under 4 inches in length and width and less than Vi inch high, it fits in a coat pocket, purse, or briefcase. Its "unbendable" case is easy to handle and safer to mail. Perhaps more important is the con- venience of direct access to more data. The user can retrieve data from a larger online database without in- The thin-film-plating technique used on 3.9-inch hard disks eliminates the need for an initial purge cycle, which with conventional disks can take several minutes. serting and removing many floppy disks. This is especially important in such applications as accounting, in- ventory control, database searches, and so on. Thin-Film Plating The 3.9-inch hard-disk cartridge can store more data more reliably and in less room because it uses thin-film plating for the magnetic data- recording layer. While conventional Winchester technology must seal the disks away from dust, smoke, and other contaminants, the cartridge's graphite-coated thin-film metallic alloy needs less protection. This thin- film plating, with a lubricating coating that shields against dirt, allows denser packing of data and protects the disk from "head crashes." This plating also eliminates the need for an initializing purge cycle. Users do not have to suffer the in- convenience of long waits before beginning operation. (With conven- tional hard disks, filtered air is first blown over the surface of the disk to remove any possible contaminants. This purge cycle can take several minutes.) The thin-film recording medium provides greater data densi- ty, a more consistent recording sur- face, better magnetic resolution, less susceptibility to contamination, and greater durability than the conven- tional ferric-oxide recording medium. Let's take a closer look at these ad- vantages. Thin-film technology in- creases data density. It increases storage capacity beyond the current limitations of the standard Win- chester or floppy disk. While the con- ventional medium at 20 to 30 micro- inches of thickness has a maximum density of only 8000 flux reversals per inch, thin film is an order of magnitude thinner and can store more than 20,000 flux reversals per inch. This means simply that thin film can increase data density by 2.5 times. Thin film maintains a more consistent recording surface. The conventional medium is limited by its uneven thickness and a soft surface that can be damaged in the event of a head crash. Thin film offers higher resolution Expressed as a percentage, the typical disk recording medium has a resolu- tion of 65 percent. In contrast, the metal-film medium has a resolution of 80 percent. (Resolution is defined as the read-back voltage ratio of a signal recorded at twice the normal 116 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc Before you bet your software business on an OS, look who's betting on MS-DOS and XENIX. A waiting market. If you write and sell 16-bit software, MStm-DOS and XENIX™ give you the largest installed base. In fact over fifty 16-bit manufacturers offer their microcomputers with MS-DOS or XENIX. IBM, Victor Altos, Wang, Radio Shack, Zenith and Intel, to name just a few. And the list is growing. That means there's a ready and expanding market for your 16-bit applications software. The UNIX™ connection. XENIX is the multi- user, multi-tasking, UNIX-derived operating system for 16-bit microcomputers. MS-DOS 2.0 is Microsoft's single-user OS. MS-DOS and XENIX share hierarchical file structure and I/O redi- rection, including simple piping. MS-DOS 2.0 also provides XENIX-compatible system calls. That means there's a migration path for programs written to run under MS-DOS and XENIX. What's more, both MS-DOS and XENIX are supported by Microsoft® languages. Which means you can look to a single supplier for total support. Comprehensive support. Microsoft offers you a full product support program. Excellent doc- umentation. Plus continual enhancements to both languages and operating systems. Your appli- cations programs can even be listed in Microsoft's growing Source Directory of 16-bit applications packages. Contact us for current software offerings and vendors. Leadership. Microsoft led the world into the 8-bit micro- computer market- place with the first BASIC for microcomputers. Now, we're leading it into the 16-bit market with single and multi-user operating systems. Fully supported by Microsoft. Bet the winner. If you're writing and marketing software in the 16-bit marketplace, MS-DOS and XENIX are setting the standard. In fact, they're the standard operating systems for the world's largest selling 16-bit microcomputer systems. Which means your market is already there. . .and growing. Contact us for complete information. Before you bet your software on an operating sys- tem, look where your market is betting. BETTER TOOLS FOR MICROCOMPUTERS MICROSOFT MICROSOFT CORPORATION 10700 NORTHUP WAY BELLEVUE, WASHINGTON 98004 Microsoft is a registered trademark, and MS, XENIX and the Microsoft logo are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation UNIX ts a trademark of Belt Laboratories •^5. V msm* XEMK* ^ *<( .Mi ji*. *»*.** (&>&>*?* \ The Ever Expanding IMS Product Line © 5000SX systems computer; SI 00 based archival node to which six user terminals may be connected, each with its own processor and memory. © 8000SX systems computer; SI 00 based archival node with dual floppy, Winchester and tape back up capability. Six user terminals may be supported, each with its own processor and memory. © 5000IS stand alone intelligent node, SI 00 based. May support up to four users, with up to 25 MByte Winchester with dual floppies. © 8000S large system computer. SI 00 based. Can support up to 16 users with large disk and tape back up capability. =^. © Stand-alone intelligent CRT with high resolution monitor and removable typist keyboard. O Expanded CRT to be used as intelligent Note Processor. Includes Micro Processor, 64K 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. Circle 207 on inquiry card. the differences in these two products, you'll see how OEMs charge back for their costs. Xebec calls the UP-9705 "universal" because its design incorporates host adapter cards to allow you to operate it with a variety of microcomputers. (For an overview of the link between drive and computer, see "Building a Hard-Disk Interface for an S-100 Bus System" by Andrew C. Cruce and Scott A. Alexander on page 130 of this issue.) Currently these include products from Apple and IBM, along with S-100 bus, Multibus, and Q-bus compatible computers. The advan- tage of this approach is that it lets the OEM or dealer supply drives for a variety of computers simply by stock- ing a sufficient number of these universal drives and the adapter cards for each system. The advantage for the user is that once a Winchester system is bought, it can be made com- patible with several systems just by purchasing adapter cards. The design can save money for both the dealer and the user in the long run. To provide this flexibility, Xebec buys each type of computer and hires a programmer already familiar with that computer's operating system to design the adapter card. The comple- tion of the design and the ensuing production of the card does not mean an end to the company's use of the system and the programmer. To keep pace with software corrections and enhancements, Xebec retains both. The central concept of the Xebec /Apple kit is to reduce the ex- penses of software support. Although the components in the two drives are identical, Xebec offers this kit with only an Apple II adapter card sup- porting DOS, CP/M, or Pascal. This difference saves the company and the end user money. One expense common to both drives occurs during inspection for hard and soft errors at the OEM's facility. Because the bit error rate (or BER, a function of the average num- ber of bits transferred before an error occurs) is a crucial test, drives must be thoroughly use-tested before the COMPUTER GEAR— WHOLESALE! Purchase your Hardware and Software directly from an OEM /Systems Integrator. Take advantage of our buying power' We stock a full line of Board Level Components, Software, and Peripherals for all the Popular Machines in use today. These include: S-100, G0DB0UT, MORROW, APPLE, IBM PC, TRS80, OSBORNE, HP, NORTHSTAR. SUPERBRAIN, NEC, Z/H-89. XEROX, and many others. Call for your needs. We'll give you the Lowest Prices, and the Technical Support and Know-How we are quickly becoming well-known for. Satisfied Customers Nationwide! The Nation's Custom Systems House for Business. Education, Science SOME OF OUR CURRENT SPECIALS: MICROSOFT MBASIC 80 $199 • ASHTON-TATE dBASE II $459 • SYSTEMS PLUS FMS81 $299 MICROPRO: WORDSTAR $259, SPELLSTAR $159, MAILMERGE $99, PACKAGE-ALL THREE $489 COMPUPRO Z-80 CPU $219 INTERF 2 $189 8085/88 $319 INTERF 3 $445 DISK 1 $359 INTERF 4 $269 DISK 2 $599 ENCLOS 2 $669 RAM 16 $439 CP/M 2.2 $149 RAM 17 $399 CP/M 86 $269 INTERF 1 $189 MP/M 816 $769 SYS 81 6A: $4495 B $5675 C: $7299 AMD SIN.BD.COMP. $675 VI0-X2 VIDEO BD $319 SO SYS VDB-8024 $459 IBM PC/2DR/M0N $3749 SSM VB2 VIDEO $199 PERTEC 5V«" DSDD$125 MORROW MULTI/0 $279 MORROW DESIGNS NEW MiCRODECtSION COMPLETE COMPUTER {INCLUDES CP/M, WORDSTAR. MBASIC, DISK] 1 DRIVE $945 2 DRIVES $1219 NEW 12" GREEN TERMINAL $499 DJDMA W/CPVM $439 DJ2D W/CP/M $349 65K RAM $429 MULTI I/O $299 HARD DISK SUBSYSTEMS, DRIVES— CALL DECISION 1 MICROCOMPUTER— CALL SSM VB3A $399 QUICKCODE $219 QUICKSCREEN $129 SUPERCALC $225 TELEVIDEO TERMINAL SALE: 925 - $749 SANYO 12" GR(HI RES) $209 AMDEK 300G $159 LIMITED SPECIAL: USI 12" AMBER MONITOR-20MHZ {SHARPER THAN SANYO) $199 WE ARE THE LARGEST IN THE CUSTOM CONFIGUARTION OF COMPLETE STATE-OF-THE-ART S-100 SYSTEMS, AT PACKAGE PRICING, WITH INTEGRATION, BURN-IN, & PROGRAMMING. New CCT Disk Drive Subsystems. Industrial quality 5VV, 8", floppy and/or hard disk custom configurations. Strictly the highest quality. ONE 5V<" APPLE/IBM: $299 DUAL 8" SSOD: $799 DUAL 8" DSDD: $1199 HP SUPER SPECIAL: 8 QUME/5MEG SHUGART: S1550-W/DMA CONT&GP/M: S1999 Announcing the CCT SUPER SUPPLY: +8V@ 8 to 30A; ±16V to 3A+; +24 V to 10A+; +12V@ 2A+; -5V@ 2A + A wen-engineered, compact supply plugable to handle virtually any Mainframe/ Floppy/ Hard disk combo. Call us. WE HAVE A LARGE STOCK OF IBM PC SOFTWARE. Micropro— Microsoft— dBase 1 1 — Spellguard— Supercaic SPECIAL: MICROSOFT IBM PC 64K RAMCARD - $2991 Call for any CP/M Software— We stock all formats, at big discount 1 WOWlsi SPECIALS $$ GOOD THROUGH MONTH END. As supplies last. Rainchecks may be given if possible. Cash Sales Only 1 CUSTOM COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY 1 CRAFTSMAN COURT, BOX 4160, SED0NA, ARIZONA, 86340 (602) 282-6299 PRICES & AVAILABILITY SUBJECT TO CHANGE. ALL PRODUCTS NEW, AND CARRY FULL MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTEES. CALL FOR CATALOG. FREE TECHNICAL HELP TO ANYONE. WE CAN CONFIGURE BOARDS & SOFTWARE FOR YOUR SYSTEM. PLUG-IN & GO. AZ RESIDENTS ADD APPLICABLE SALES TAX. CP/M.TM DIGITAL RESEARCH company passes them. The drives must average 1 bit error or less for every million bits transferred, and it is apparent that checking this with a statistical sample large enough to en- sure validity would be very time con- suming. For example, at 5 megabytes per second, such a sample would re- quire nearly three hours of continu- ous read time for just one data track, not including seek and head-settling time. At that rate, complete testing of a typical drive would take more than 1600 hours or nearly 70 days. Xebec, however,^ uses phase margin analysis to reduce the testing time to under two minutes on one data track and to 48 hours on the entire drive (see the text box on page 128 for a descrip- tion). This analysis system reduces the company's overhead for this stage of the process, and the cost to the end user is also somewhat less than it would be if the drives were tested conventionally. In terms of packaging, the Xebec/ Apple kit and the UP-9705 differ greatly. The latter uses a compact, custom-made 115-volt/230-volt power supply, FCC- and UL-approved shielded connectors, and a custom- designed cabinet. Not only are the materials costly, but these drives are fully assembled. The kit, on the other hand, has a power supply (same volt- age, but not custom-made), cables, a crude cabinet that is packed in a box with the drive, controller, adapter card, accompanying software, and some instructions for assembly. Not only does the company avoid paying wages to an assembler, it also saves money in completely bypassing FCC and UL testing. Certification by these agencies is not possible and therefore not necessary for any device shipped in component parts. The cost of test- ing, engineering, and producing the additional shielded cables, connec- tors, and sheet-metal parts required for FCC and UL certification adds considerably to the price you pay for a packaged subsystem. The biggest difference between the package and the kit is the company's definition of support for each. The end user pays less for the kit because it is shipped directly from the factory and thus avoids the entire distri- 124 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc Circle 132 on inquiry card. THE COMPLETE COMPUTER. $4995. Our all-in-one BMC if 800 computer is easier for dealers to sell, customers to buy, and OEMs to use in their systems because everything is integrated into a 20-inch wide single desk top unit: computer, keyboard, color graphics, disk drives - even a dot matrix printer! » That's why the BMC 1/ 800 is the complete computer. The total system. Study the call-outs and you'll see why. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Our 8-bit CPU provides CP/M standard with MP/M with CP/NET as an option. Or you can upgrade to a 16 bit CPU which offers IBM PC compatible MS DOS* CP/M 86* and much more. Add to this, custom software, nationwide service and attractive lease flooring and you have a real winner - built by a billion dollar company that's been around for over 100 years. 14. Dual 500 Kbyte floppies. Dual 500 Kbyte floppies & 16 Mbyte hard disk (optional & integrated). Dual 500 Kbyte floppies & dual 6.3 Mbyte removable cartridge disks (optional & integrated) 13. 4 I/O slots for expansion 12. RS-232C port 4. Internal expansion slots. Built-in calendar clock. 4MHz Z80A microprocessor. Upto256KRAM 5. 120 cps bi-directional dot matrix printer with 80-132 columns *CP/Mand CP/NET are trademarks of Digital Research Distributed in Canada by Canada Computer (416) 677-7972 6. Separate cursor controls Z Screen dump anytime 8. ROM cartridge programming eBMC 1900 Avenue of the Stars. Centi 11. 3 accessory ports 10. Line print key 9. Full numeric keypad BMC SYSTEMS INC. 1900 Avenue of the Stars, Century City, CA 90067 (213) 557-9002 • 1-800-BMC-8003 Circle 59 on inquiry card. MFM READ DATA 1 1 1 NRZ DATA 1 1 I i 1 i (T) 1 1 1 i 1 i 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 NR2 CLOCK V->* J L 1. MFM read data is phase locked to the PLL clock. The rising edge of data is in phase with the rising edge of clock. 2. The PLL clock generates the data window. 3. If the MFM data pulse occurs in the zero half of the data cell, the NRZ data is zero (0). If the MFM data pulse occurs in the one half of the data cell, the NRZ data is one (1). 4. If no MFM data pulse occurs, the NRZ data is zero. 5. The NRZ clock is a constant-frequency clock generated from the PLL clock. On the rising edge of the NRZ clock, the state of the NRZ data line determines if the data bit is a one or a zero. 6. The NRZ data line changes states only on the trailing edge of the NRZ clock. Figure 1: Typical MFM-to-NRZ data recovery. For further information refer to chapter 5 of Computer Storage Systems and Technology by Richard E. Matick (Wiley-Interscience, 1977), The Data Separator: A Necessary Expense When 5V4-inch Winchester disk drive manufacturers decided to omit the data separator from their devices, the responsibility for that important piece of design fell to the designers of controllers. Let's now take a look at the role of the data separator in hard- disk data storage. Bit-shifting during data separation can seriously affect the read/write ac- curacy or bit error rate (BER) of a Win- chester drive that has been integrated with its controller. When data is mag- netically stored on the recording sur- face of the drive, it is translated from the host computer's non-return-to-zero (NRZ) code into modified frequency modulation (MFM) code. The data separator compresses the two channels of information that make up the NRZ code, data and clock, into one channel encoding both. This process is neces- sary because a magnetic disk stores data as a series of bar magnets along individual tracks in the substrate, thus leaving only a data channel available. When data is transferred from the disk back to the host computer, the read/write head reads transitions from one magnetic polarity to another. This series of pulses must be separated into the original data and clock channels. The clock is a series of cells with a square voltage peak, found before and after the window area. This area is where the read/ write head measures data voltage to determine if the bit is a one or a zero. It is understandably dif- ficult to match the two channels per- fectly against each other at five million cycles per second. However, this is ex- actly what must be done if the data is to be read. (See figure 1.) Because floppy disks transfer data at a much lower rate, a much larger amount of time is available to transfer each bit. With the increase in time comes an increase in the size of the window, and thus the system has a greater margin for error. Then con- sider what happens when the entire cell gets down to the 200-nanosecond range, as is the case with Winchester drives. The slightest mismatch of the two channels means that the bits liter- ally go out the data window and the data is unreadable. The Xebec controller solves this pro- blem by using a phase-locked loop (PLL) system that locks onto the MFM data pulses and recovers the bit timing from the disk by first picking off the data transitions and converting them into a voltage. Then a voltage con- troller oscillator uses that voltage to generate a clock frequency that direct- ly correlates to the data transfer rate. Because the clock is customized to fit the data, variations in the speed of movement of the data can be accom- modated. It should be obvious from this brief account that the design of the data separator is no small task, and for this reason it contributes considerably to the end cost of a disk drive subsystem. 126 March 1983 © BYTE Publications lnc VISUAL presents economic elegance and high performance in a low-cost terminal. ftm™ $695 list Man ■iEl\l FEATURE CO MPARiSO IN CHART FEATURE VISUAL 50 Hazeftine Esprit ADDS Viewpoint Lear Siegler ADM-5 TeleVideo 910 Tilt and Swivel YES NO NO NO NO Detached Keyboard YES m YES NO N N-Key Rollover YES NO YES NO NO Audible Key Click YES YES NO NO NO Menu Set-Up Mode YES NO NO NO NO Status Line YES NO NO NO NO Full 5 Attribute Selection YES NO NO NO YES Smooth Scroll YES no NO NO NO Line Drawing Character Set YES NO NO NO NO Block Mode YES YES NO NO YES Insert/Delete Line YES YES NO NO YES Bi-Directional Aux Port YES YES NO YES NO Columnar Tabbing YES YES NO NO YES Independent RCV/TX Rates YES N0 NO NO NO Answerback User Programmable YES NO NO NO The VISUAL 50 represents a new approach in low cost terminals. Although it costs drastically less, it offers the features you expect from the high priced units. For example, the VISUAL 50 enclosure is econom- ically designed in light weight plastic and can easily be swiveled and tilted for maximum operator comfort. A detached keyboard, smooth scroll, large 7x9 dot matrix characters and non-glare screen are a few of the many human engineering features normally offered only on much higher priced terminals. Another distinctive feature of the VISUAL 50 is its emulation capability. VISUAL 50 is code-for-code compatible with the Hazeltine Esprit,™ ADDS Viewpoint,™ Lear Siegler ADM-3A™ and DEC VT-52.' Menu driven set-up modes in non-volatile memory allow easy selection of terminal parameters. And you're not limited to mere emulation. As the chart shows, the VISUAL 50 has features and versatility the older, less power- ful low cost terminals simply cannot match. The price of the VISUAL 50? Only $695 list. Call or write for full details on the latest in the industry's finest line of video terminals. Service available in principal cities through Sorbus Service, Division of Management Assistance, Inc. LI M I M See for yourself Visual Technology Incorporated 540 Main Street, Tewksbury, MA 01876 Telephone (617) 851-5000. Telex 951-539 Circle 445 on inquiry card. butor/dealer network and its mark- ups. The kit comes with a standard 90-day warranty, and the user must return defective drives to the factory, where they are repaired and returned within 30 days. With the package, the user can opt for a maintenance con- tract that provides a replacement drive within 24 hours if a drive needs repair. Additionally, the buyer of the UP-9705 can take advantage of com- pany-provided training, full docu- mentation, manuals, and a phone ser- vice for questions. Direct sales staff and after-sale support are two other services that Xebec provides for the packaged system. To keep the expenses of the kit to a minimum, Xebec is experimenting with a variety of low-cost support ac- tivities. A newsletter will provide kit owners with a place to exchange in- formation, ideas, and solutions to problems. Company representatives will attend Apple trade shows not to answer questions but to encourage kit The Microcomputer Maze The Pragmatic Solution PROBLEM: Confusion caused by growing number of computer companies promising solutions to industrial and scientific problems. SOLUTION: since 1978 Pragmatic has integrated systems based on a powerful combination of hardware and software spanning from single to multi-user operation and running BOTH 8 and 16 bit software. RESULT: a solution that solves your problem NOW and anticipates your future computing requirements. The Pragmatic solution runs CP/M, CP/M 86, 26, and MP/M compatible software. All systems include Wordstar™ for word processing, SuperCalc-86™ for business and financial planning and Ashton-Tate's dBase II™ for data base management. The Pragmatic solution gets you through the microcomputing maze with complete solutions for today and tomorrow. Sound Good? Call Jerry Hall for the Pragmatic representative nearest you. praqmatic deaiqrp Pragmatic Designs, Inc. 950 Benicia Avenue Sunnyvale, CA, 94086 (408) 736-8670 TLX: 171627 (ompuPro* Pragmatic Designs is an authorized CompuPro Systems Center. Trademarks: Wordstar of MicroPro, SuperCalc of Sorcim. dBase II of Ashtorr Tate, CP/M of Digital Research, CompuPro of Godbout Electronics. owners to form users' groups. Where the kit is concerned, Xebec's goal is to avoid answering questions on the phone, debugging applications pro- grams, and holding the hands of inex- perienced users. If the company can avoid providing that support, the kit remains a less costly alternative for hobbyists and others who eschew the frills. As you can see, the cost of pro- viding the end user with a functioning drive is a factor of the cost incurred by the OEM. In our case, we have chosen to provide our customers with two options: a bare-bones kit with lit- tle in the way of after-sale support, and an assembled and tested package with several support services includ- ed. Which product the user buys will depend on his needs. The price dif- ference is substantial but is an ac- curate reflection of the differences in our costs for producing the two systems. ■ Testing the Bit Error Rate The difficulty facing anyone who wants to test a Winchester drive is that the bit error rate (BER) is so low that it is hard to determine what a valid sta- tistical sample size should be. Xebec uses a technique called phase margin analysis to handle this problem. The size of the data window and the position of the data in the window are important factors in the BER. Phase margin analysis artificially reduces the width of the data window and then counts the number of bits that fall out-* side this boundary. With this ap- proach, the BER climbs enough to make analysis of the drive's reliability easier and faster. The increased BER gives us a sample of significant events statistically large enough to make ac- curate predictions about the drive's reliability. By using this method, we measure both actual errors and near misses. We don't attempt to predict the BER from analog measurements of signal-to- noise ratio o r from maximum peak shift. Our experience shows that the artificially high BERs correlate reliably with actual BERs when the drive is in actual operation. By using this system, we also reduce the time needed to testa Winchester disk subsystem from 70 days to 48 hours. 128 March 1983 © BYTE Publications lnc Circle 351 on inquiry card. WOW! Look what Saturn Systems has come up with! A multi- function board for the IBM PC with everything but the kitchen sink. No need to clutter up all your slots with assorted boards — this one does it all! You get: 1. 64K bytes of RAM, with expan- sion sockets for up to 576K 2. Hard disk interface (SASl host adapter) 3. Two serial ports (COM1 and COM2) 4. Real time calendar/clock with battery back-up 5. Parallel printer port (LPT1, LPT2, or LPT3) And, as soon as you open the box you'll find everything you need to put your board to work immediately. Saturn's software packages include: 1 . Print spooler to let you keep using the computer while the printer is running. 2. Hard disk support for current level of PCDOS. 3. PSEUDO-DISK™ software to simulate a very fast disk drive (even faster than a hard disk!) 4. Real time clock support, so you never have to type in the date and time. All this for only $795! Get the most out of your IBM PC. Ask for the Saturn multi-function board at your local dealer. (Larger memory models also available.) *64K internal RAM and 1 disk drive required. SA'7'lCR.'n P.O. Box 8050 Ann Arbor, Ml 48107 (313) 973-8422 INC Circle 488 on inquiry card. Building a Hard-Disk Interface for an S-100 Bus System Part Is Introduction How a Winchester disk drive and disk controller work, and what is needed to connect them to the S-100 bus and the CP/M operating system. The development and availability of inexpensive, high-performance Winchester-technology disk drives offers us the opportunity to vastly ex- pand the capability of micropro- cessor-based systems. The fact that these disk systems are both inex- pensive and intrinsically highly reli- able makes them extremely attractive as add-on devices for existing sys- tems. Over the past several months we at ASC Associates have designed and constructed SVi-inch Winchester disk subsystems for several micropro- cessor systems. In this and two subse- About the Authors Andrew Cruce has a Ph.D. in Aeronautical Engineering and has recently received an S.M. degree in management as a Sloan Fellow at MIT. Scott Alexander has an M.S. in Electrical Engineering. Both have extensive design and implementation experience with small com- puters and are full partners in the firm of ASC Associates, which markets the hardware described in this series of articles. Andrew C. Cruce and Scott A. Alexander ASC Associates Inc. POB 615 Lexington Park, MD 20653 quent articles we will describe in detail all the hardware and software necessary to integrate a standard, commercially available Winchester disk with an existing S-100-bus, CP/M-based computer system. In terms of speed increase, a hard disk Is to a floppy disk roughly what a floppy disk Is to a cassette tape. This month well review the general background information required to understand the following articles. Next month we'll explain the design steps required to interface the disk hardware with the system. In part 3 we will cover the software necessary to make CP/M aware that the disk is on the system, and we will describe the initial integration and debugging process. We intend that at the conclu- sion of this series you will have suffi- cient background information to be able to construct and integrate the disk system described in these articles with an S-100, CP/M-based com- puter system. Why a Winchester? The first question you might ask is why go to all the trouble of putting a Winchester disk on a microprocessor system in the first place. The answer is twofold: increased storage capacity and speed. Current state-of-the-art 5V4-inch floppy-disk-drive systems are limited to about 1 megabyte of stor- age per drive. The smallest Winches- ter systems, SV^-inch drives, can to- day store over 10 megabytes per drive, and these storage capacities are only the beginning. The development of newer-technology thin-film read/ write heads is expected to increase capacity by factors of four and more 130 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc WHY A FORMS PROCESSING DATABASE? X., * C m £HA£t , ^&>P* WEAl -THJWsu RANC . £<: **** Ever since the introduction of tow-cost microcomputers, business professionals have asked for a system that lets office workers use the knowledge they have and the procedures they already understand. The solution has arrived. VersaForm now provides you and your staff with a natural way to use a computer — a forms processing database system. THE IDEAL WAY TO USE A COMPUTER Just about any form in your office can provide a familiar and easily mastered interface to a personal computer. Simply copy a form to the computer screen and you're set. ^m PAYROU BUILD YOUR DATABASE WITH ANY OF THESE FORMS • Bill of Materials • Client Billing • Freight Documentation • Insertion Orders • Insurance Claims • Inventory Ledgers • Invoices • Job Estimates • Medical Records • Personnel Histories • Project Scheduling • Purchase Orders that does decimal alignment, tax calcula- tions, subtotals, payments, running balances, and allows you to make changes at any time. Ordinary databases simply can't do it. All these features and more are yours with VersaForm. A spectacularly useful print formatting capability enhances professional forms management. The magic of print formatting is the ability to produce from a single form in your database, several completely different printed forms. For example, from a patient record you can produce a history chart, an insurance claim, a statement and standard dunning notice. Unlike any other system, VersaForm gets you started on a computer, working the way you're working now . . you can even use your existing paper forms. UNIQUELY DESIGNED TO YOUR OFFICE REQUIREMENTS Most forms have two parts. The form heading contains information that appears only once on each form, tike customer name or project number. The transaction region, below, has a variable number of line item entries which might contain quantities, descriptions, unit costs and extensions. These entries require a system '. EVERYDAY BUSINESS FORMS DEMAND A TWO-LEVEL RECORD STRUCTURE... ONLY VERSAFORM HAS IT. f NAM* MICHAEL . MOON . . . OATE , 6-31-82 '. ' .^ HEADING 1)1 0('"' 51 '0 WU ([ IS, 33 v '■"■ 0"~ ' • ' . Ci< 00 695.00 L 5S f "ij ■ In just minutes, a detail or summary report is automatically produced. What's more, you can run the report again and again without having to re-enter the instructions. APPLE 11////, HARD DISK, IBM PC DATABASE? VersaForm supports both floppy and hard disk sub-systems. You can swap data files between different systems through a hard disk-based network. From remote locations data disks can be consol- idated into company-wide reports. OPEN-ENDED SYSTEM. For special requirements, an optional OEM Pascal Interface provides sophisti- cated users and software developers with powerful VersaForm tools, allowing direct access to the B-tree indexed database. System integrators can add value by creating templates and writing custom interfaces. Users say VersaForm is the most power- ful and easy to use system around. That's because it's more than just a database; it's a true Business Form Processor. fi -n! 1 - PAPER FORMS COPY FORMAT ENTER DATA THE ONLY DATABASE THAT COMPLETELY PROCESSES FORMS FROM START TO FINISH. Dealer and OEM inquiries invited MANAGEMENT REPORTS IN A HURRY The real power of a forms processing database is evident with VersaForm's reporting facility. You need only point to the data items within a form you want queried, sorted, counted, subtotalled, and totalled. There's no complicated format to enter— VersaForm automatically produces columnar formats, titled, dated and page numbered. BUILD OVERPRINT PRODUCE ti£!? E DATABASE FORM REPORTS . AO ™?' L Circle 30 on inquiry card. BYTE March 1983 131 in the next several years. The other advantage of a Winches- ter disk drive is its rapid operation. In terms of speed, a hard disk is to a floppy disk roughly what a floppy disk is to a cassette tape. For a Win- chester disk system, maximum seek times (maximum time to find data on the disk) are on the order of 150 to 200 milliseconds (ms) rather than the several seconds associated with many floppy-disk systems. Also, once the data is located, it is transferred at 5 million bits per second, which is much faster than existing floppy-disk systems. At these rates a Winchester system can access data anywhere on the disk and load 64K bytes of infor- mation in under 1 second. The low access times, high data-transfer rates, and large storage capacities of Win- chester drives allow us to realize the full processing power that is inherent in current microprocessor systems. Winchester drives open new vistas for such applications as large inventory systems, database management sys- tems, and data analysis applications. What Is a Winchester? The term Winchester comes not from an inventor's name, but from the code name IBM assigned to the development of the Model 3340 disk memory, which was introduced in 1973. The industry as a whole has borrowed the Winchester name and now generally uses it to describe any disk drive using similar technology. The key element of the Winchester technology is that the head-to-disk assembly (HDA) is sealed from out- side air and the disk is generally non- removable. In some ways, the Winchester tech- nology is similar to conventional hard-disk drives. As with conven- tional hard disks, the read/ write head floats over the recording medium on an air cushion that keeps the head from contacting the disk. In the case of the Winchester, however, the sealed and extremely clean environ- ment of the HDA permits the disk de- signer to "fly" the read/write head closer to the disk surface. In typical removable-media hard-disk systems, INVESTMENT ANALYSIS FROM CENTENNIAL CENTENNIAL SOFTWARE/ 410 17TH ST. SUITE 1375 /DENVER, CO 80202/(303) 595-9193 STOCK-FOCUS Find out how low is low and how high is high. Using capital structure and performance data, Stock- focus objectively calculates the underlying value of a stock. The system was first developed by the manage- ment science department of a major money center bank, and is now in use by investment advisors, trust companies and brokerage houses. On your screen, Stock-focus will plot an estimate of lowest value, highest value and the current price. You then decide what to buy, sell or hold. REAL-FOCUS Exhaustively analyze potential real estate invest- ments using the Wharton School's approach to real estate analysis. In minutes you can project profit, costs, and IRR for any project over a 10 year period. Real- focus accounts for amortization, debt, income, operat- ing expenses, taxes, depreciation, and cash flows for both after -tax holding and the results of sale. With Real -focus you can analyze any potential investment from a single building project to a complex time -phased planned unit development. THE FOCUS TECHNIQUE FOCUS is CENTENNIAL SOFTWARE'S new approach to Program Architecture, providing a nat- ural interaction between microcomputers and users. It provides worksheet style input screens, free access to all program segments, and the ability to com- bine individual results files for portfolio analysis. You also receive a usable reference manual, menu helps, a program glossary, multiple report formats and spool- ing. With our FOCUS technique even the most com- plex programs are versatile and easy to use. COMPUTER IBM PC Apple (plus) II TRS-80 I TRS-80 II TRS-80 III MEMORY-K 64 48 48 64 48 REAL-FOCUS STOCK-FOCUS $179.00 $189.00 149.00 159.00 149.00 159.00 179.00 189.00 149.00 159.00 ALL PROGRAMS IN DISK BASIC IBM is a trademark of IBM, Apple is a trademark of Apple Computer Corp., TRS-80 is a trademark of Tandy Corporation. ORDER N0WI FILL IN OR CALL 800-525-2003 (Toll Free) PROGRAM NAME_ NAME ADDRESS . COMPUTER. . MEMORY. PHONE #. ACCOUNT #_ EXP. DATE the read/write head flies 60 to 70 microinches above the disk surface. The limitation on the distance the head flies above the disk is based on the minimum distance the head can fly safely above the disk and not risk contact with dust or any other con- taminant on the disk. Any contact of this type causes the head to stop fly- ing and crash on the disk surface. Such a crash normally ruins the read/ write head and the surface of the disk medium, results in a complete loss of data, and necessitates an expensive repair job. Sealing the HDA in a Win- chester drive provides a substantially cleaner environment than that of re- movable-media disks and allows the designer to fly the head about 20 microinches over the disk surface. This lower head altitude provides higher magnetic flux densities at the recording surface and thus higher re- cording densities on the disk. During read/write/seek opera- tions, the Winchester head flies above the surface of the disk on an air bear- ing, supported by carefully balanced aerodynamic forces. As the disk starts or stops, the head takes off or lands in a silicone-lubricated landing area. When the disk is not spinning, the head rests on and actually con- tacts the landing zone on the disk. Winchester drives have a number of advantages over conventional hard-disk drives. First, they are very low cost both in absolute terms and in terms of cost per bit of storage capaci- ty. In addition, the sealed environ- ment of the HDA produces extremely high reliability with MBTF (mean time between failure) figures quoted in excess of 8000 hours. Winchester disk drives also require no preventive maintenance such as changing air filters or cleaning and aligning heads. This is of particular importance to owners of small, inexpensive com- puter systems who wish to have the capability associated with removable- media hard disks without the atten- dant maintenance hassles and ex- pense. The primary disadvantage comes from the fact that the storage medium (the actual disk platter) is not removable. This prevents us from backing up data files in the conven- 132 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc Circle 75 on inquiry card. (SINKABLE PRICES One Hull of a Deal SYSCOM II Faithful to the Core $725 COMPUTERS Apple— New models. New prices SCALL Atari 800 48K $535 Chameiion. Compac. Columbia (PC emulators] SCALL Commodore 64 Ask for Packaged Franklin ACE 1000 $955 IBM PC-MANY SYSTEM CONFIGURATIONS SCALL Kaypro— portable, 9" CRT. 2 drives. software $1695 Osborne Double Density $1725 Slimline S 100 Z -80. CP/M. 64K. 2 MByte drives Under $2000 Syscom II— Apple II Plus emulator $725 Syscom II PKG: 48K. Drive w/Controller. 12" Hi-res Green CRT. 2-80 Card. 80 Column Video Card. 16K RAM Card $1650 kFOR APPLE & FRANKLIN SZ-Card .' $215 Corvus all items ... $BIG OISCOUNT dBase II [requires CP/M) $395 Z-BO Card— Applied engineering 1-9 pes $175 10+ pes $155 Universities, clubs, and dealers welcome. Fourth-0— parallel interface, cable $49 Grappier + {parallel, cable. graphics! $135 Hayes Mieromodem II $275 Microtek Dumpling OX— graphics, to 64K buffer $135 " Extra RAM- 16K sets $20 Hayes Micromodem II $275 Rana Elite I $285 Rana Elite 11-double $455 Rana Elite ID— quad $585 8" drive. 2MByte Floppy System . $1695 Omni vision 80 column, with software $165 Prometheus Expand-a-Ram, up to 128K $195 Videx Videoterm 80 cofumn $245 Vlsicalc 3.3 $179 Vista Quartet (2 drives, thin. 640K, controller) $655 "Vision-80 $219 " V- 1200. 6MB removable cartridge .. $1325 " 6MB extra cartridge $75 VB Data 5M8 Hard Disk with error correction $1575 FOR IBM PC There is no market more competitive than IBM- PC compatible cards. AST RESEARCH rightfully sells the most. IRONSIDES COMPUTER, recog- nizing functionality and design regardless of price, endorses AST RESEARCH products as BEST. Beyond all doubt. AST RESEARCH CARDS NOW INCLUDE SPOOLER AND DISK EMULATOR SOFTWARE NO EXTRA CHARGE AST ComboPlus 64K with Parallel. Serial. Clock $375 AST MegaPlus 64K. expandable to 512K. SPC $435 Corona 5MB Hard Disk $1495 Parallel cable $35 Serial cable $32 RAM sets, 64k with parity $65 Tandon TM 100-2 drive— with installation notes $237 TANDON ORIVES TM-100-2-5- 1 /*" DOUBLE SfOED $237 TM-60-2-5-%" THIN DOUBLE SIDED [STACKS INPC] SCALL TM-848-2-8" DOUBLE SIDED/DOUBLE DENSITY $435 hameleon "The Compatible Computer" • Runs IBM PC & 2-80 software • 128K RAM. expandable to 700K • Dual 320K drives • PC style keyboard • 9" green display. 80 * 25 with graphics • Software: DOS. Perfect Writer, Perfect Cafe. Basic • PORTABLES You must register your order now to receive the introductory price of $1995 JCS RGB-Ill VIDEO MONITORS • Industrial steel case • 13" CRT • 16 colors on IBM PC • Cable for IBM PC • 630 lines horizontal resolution • Made in Japan with industrial Hitachi CRT • High brightness phosphors • t year parts warranty CUSTOMERS: GET A $50 REBATE FOR BUYING AFTER ARRANGING A DEMO AT YOUR LOCAL COMPUTER STORE DEALERS: CALL FOR DETAILS ON DEMO PLAN. Suggested List $595 Amdek 300G 12" green $145 Amdek 300A amber $160 Amdek 310G for IBM $170 Amdek 310A amber $180 Amdek Color I $325 Amdek Color II $685 BMC 12" Green $80 Oynax 12" green. 20MHz $129 Oynax 12" amber. 2QMHz $145 JCS RGB-Ill (630 lines. 16 colors. PC cable} SDEMO REBATE Taxan/JCS 12" green $135 Taxan/JCS RGB-1 $345 STAR MICRONICS GEMINI 10 $365 *• .... PRINTERS __ Epson MX-80FT— w/Graphfrax Plus $485 Epson MX-100— w/Graahtrax Plus $645 Brother / Co mrex— 17 cps Daisy $745 HO Starwriter—emulates Diablo $1190 IDS Microprism llOcps. 80 cofumn, graphics $529 IDS Prism 80 $850 IDS Prism 132 $1025 NEC 7710-1 $2065 NEC 7730-1 tor IBM PC . $2095 Qkidata uses standard spool type ribbons u82A— 80 column. 120cps , $395 u83A— 132 column. 120cps $660 u84AP— 200cps. 132 column, parallel $935 u92A— 160cps, 80 column $525 Prowriter/PMC— 80 column, 120cps, proportional $435 ProwriJer tl— 132 column. 120cps $655 STAR MICRONICS Buns Epson software. lOQcps. f/t. graphics. Uses spool ribbons— a likely savings of $100+. Gemini 10—80 column. 2k expandable buffer $365 Gemini 15—132 column $475 ATARI Atari 800 48K $535 Microtek 32k RAM (AT 400/800)— list $139 $105 Percom RF040-S1 [176KJ — list $699 $545 fe " RFD44-S1 (352K}-list $845 $685 " 810 Disk $450 830 Modem $159 850 Printer Interface $165 Printer cable $35 Serial cable $35 ♦ 6 slot motherboard, cage ♦ Power for S-100 and 2 thinline 8" drives * Fan. EMI filter, con- nector cutouts + 12" wide * 19" deep * 9.8 " high 1-4 pes... $475 5-9 pes ... $450 10+ $425 CABLES Kaypro cabie. printer— 5ft $35 Osborne printer, parallel — 5ft , $35 Osborne serial, modem— 5lt $35 8" floppy, 6 ft. 50 conductor, for 2 drives $35 Also see Apple, IBM, and Atari SIERRA DATA SCIENCES • S-100 cards for single and multi-user systems • Multi-user systems need one mas- ter, one additional slave per user and TurboDOS software • Complete systems with drives and CRT terminal are available. Z-80 4MHz Master (64K/2 serial/floppy controller/hard disk port— SBC-100 $655 Z-80 4MHz Slave (2 serial/2 parallel/64K/ EPROM programmer)— SBC-100S . . . $565 4-Port serial communication board— ZSIO/4 , . $235 RS-232 Multiplexor board— SDS-MUX $235 Hard disk interface for Micropolis— SQS-HOI-M $129 CP/M for Master with BIOS— CPM/BfOS $150 Turbo-Dos for Master with Slaves— TURBO-DOS $645 MODEMS Anchor Automation— FREE SOURCE subscription WORTH $100 Marki.300baud $95 Mark II 300 baud. Atari $95 Mark III. 300 baud. Ti $115 Mark V. 300 baud. Osborne $115 Mark VI. 300 baud. IBM PC $235 Mark VII. 300 baud, auto answer/dial $135 Mark VIII. 1200/300 baud, auto answer/dial $435 9 Voit DC Adapter ..... ..... $10 Hayes Smartmodem 300 $215 Smartmodem 1200 $515 Novation Apple-cat II $269 212 Apple-cat $595 Beat $179 Auto-cat $215 212 Auto-cat $585 ALPHA SOFTWARE Software for IBM PC and Apple I! We recommend this software. The documenta- tion is excellent, and the prices are compara- tively very low. DATA BASE MANAGER-PC $229 MAILING LIST—PC ... $85 TYPEFACES-PC $105 TYPE PACES-APPLE $105 APPLE-IBM CONNECTION— transfers files between .;. $175 QUME DRIVES DT242. 8" thin, dsdd $485 DT842. 8" std. dsdd $495 DT542. 5%". dsdd. 48 tpi $295 DT592. 5 1 V. dsdd, 96 tpi $385 S-iOOO THINLINE COMPUTER SYSTEM • Z-80 4MHZ.64K. CP/M • 2 Thinline drives, 8", 2MByte • Mainframe • Add any standard video terminal and printer NOT $3500 NOT $2500 JUST $1895 ADD-ON DRIVES FOR ZENITH Z-100 COMPUTERS • 2 Thinline 6" drives, double sided, 2MByte • Thinline cabinet, vertical, power supply, fan, cable Just plug it in $1175 COMPUPRO (Godboutt Co-Processor 8086/8087 8 MHz $615 Ouaf Processor 8085/8088 6MHz .... $385 Disk 1. Floppy Controller $490 RAM 17. 64K CMOS. 12MHz $515 BAM 21. 128K Static. ?2MHz $1 155 M-Drive. 128K $1150 S-100 Mainframe. 20 slot, rack $795 S-100 Mainframe. 20 slot, desk $735 System Support 1,1/0 . $335 Interfaces 3, 8 serial $615 WABASH DISKETTES 5' V, Single Sided. Double Density with Hub Ring 5 boxes $17.50/box EPSON RIBBONS MX-80 black $25/3pcs. MX-10 black $39/3pes. TELEVIDEO TERMINALS Extra Memory Pages (kit) INCLUDED— No Charge TVI925-w/2nd page $745 TVI950-w/2nd. 3rd. 4th page $945 MEMORY NTs 4164 64K Dynamic 200ns $7.25 4164 64K Dynamic 150ns $7.95 4116 16K Dynamic 2Q0ns $2.00 2716 Eprom $4.00 2732Eprom $6.50 6116 2K*8 Static RAM, 200ns $5.00 6116MS0ns S5.50 Verify prices by phone. Add 2% for Visa or Mastercard. Add 6y?% tax on California orders. Shipping is extra except within the Continental US on prepaid orders. $3 sur- charge on orders under $25. IRONSIDES COMPUTER CORP (213) 344-3563 (800) 528-9537 18546 Sherman Way, Suite #110. Reseda, C4 91335 Circle 226 on inquiry card. WINCHESTER DRIVE DISK INTERFACE DISK CONTROLLER PROCESSOR MEMORY OTHER PERIPHERALS SASI INTERFACE HOST COMPUTER ADAPTER S-100 INTERFACE S-100 BUS Figure 1: A block diagram showing how a Winchester disk drive can be interfaced with an S-100~bus computer system. tional way (that is, by making and storing an exact copy of the disk to be backed up). However, this problem can be overcome in systems that have a floppy disk in addition to the Win- chester drive. If you are willing to take the trouble, important files can be periodically backed up on floppy disks and saved in the event that a Winchester disk malfunctions. This may not be as convenient as standard backup procedures, but it can pro- vide a large measure of data security. Which Winchester? During the design process of our system we first had to decide which of the available Winchester disk systems we should use. Currently, Winchester disks are available from a variety of manufacturers with disk platters in different sizes, the most common be- ing 14-, 8-, and SVi-inch diameters. We evaluated these three options by examining the requirements of a typi- cal microcomputer user. As storage densities have gone up, the 14-inch systems have grown to the point where they can store a staggering amount of data at a relatively low cost. Currently, 14-inch systems have storage capacities in the multiple hun- dreds of megabytes. Although this leads to a very attractive cost per bit of storage capacity, it also leads to a relatively high absolute cost for microprocessor applications. In our opinion this level of capacity far ex- ceeds the requirements of the typical microcomputer user. To a certain ex- tent, the same logic also applies to the 8-inch drive systems. They are too big and too expensive for the highly price-sensitive microcomputer mar- ket. As a result, we homed in on the more recently available SVi-inch drives as the best alternative. They are relatively inexpensive and are cur- rently available in models that can store over 10 megabytes of data. Ad- ditionally, expected technology im- provements in the near future will in- crease this storage capacity to over 40 megabytes. Thus the SVi-inch format will not only satisfy most of today's requirements but also will provide a large potential for growth. In addition to price and storage capacity there are a number of other features of the SVi-inch drives that make them particularly attractive. One asset is a standardized drive in- terface that allows complete flexibili- ty in switching from one manufac- turer's drive to another in a com- pleted system. This also allows com- panies to build standardized control- ler boards, which greatly ease the sys- tem integration problem. The major advantages of the 5Va -inch Win- chester drive for microprocessor system applications are: 1. low cost 2. large storage capacity 3. rapid access time 4. high reliability 5. no need for preventive mainte- nance 6. common interfaces 7. small and compact size 8. low power requirements and low heat generation 9. availability from multiple vendors with standard interfaces The Interface Problem The block diagram in figure 1 presents a common approach to inter- facing a Winchester disk with an existing computer system. The exist- ing system contains a micropro- cessor, memory, and one or more peripherals that are all running under control of the CP/M operating sys- tem. All this hardware is plugged into and communicates via the S-100 bus. To add the Winchester system, the designer must provide an HCA (host computer adapter) that allows com- munication between the existing system bus and the disk controller. In addition, there must be a disk con- troller that accepts commands from the system via the HCA and in turn commands the Winchester disk to perform the desired functions. Final- ly, the designer must add software to the CP/M system to receive disk I/O (input /output) requests from applica- tion programs, such as "read a file" or "write a file," and translate these re- quests into commands for the HCA. Now we'll discuss each of the elements in the Winchester system in more detail, concentrating on the operation of each element as well as the interfaces between the various elements. The Disk and Disk Interface A Winchester disk is similar to any other disk system in terms of opera- tion and organization. The disk can be considered to be composed of con- centric tracks of recorded informa- tion. Each track is further subdivided into sectors. A typical SVi-inch Win- chester drive system may contain up- wards of 40,000 individual sectors, 134 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc a *van> REFINED LUBRICANT *t*** THE ^ rf ,n,^» STANDARD You can wait for industry standards to mandate improved performance. Or you can have it now on Maxell. The Gold Standard. What distinguishes a Maxell floppy disk? Improvements great and small achieved in a decade of innovation. We developed unique, uniform crystals to assure dense oxide packing. Intensified the calendering process to minimize the need for abrasive burnishing. Created an improved binder and lubricant. And a new jacket design that leaves industry standards in our wake. It would require photomicrographs to make some of these improvements observable. On the job, the advan- tages become obvious. Resolution enhanced by 20% creates a cleaner signal output. And guarantees the read/write accuracy in double-density applications. New jacket construction, heat-resistant to 140°F, extends disk use without risk of mistracking. In effect, durability is re- defined. And in accelerated tests against the most respected names in the industry, Maxell sustained the highest and most consistent output over time. We applaud industry standards that aspire to dropout-free, reliable disk performance. The Gold Standard expresses a higher aim: perfection. maxell ITSWDRTHIT Computer Products Division, Maxell Corporation of America, 60 Oxford Drive, Moonachie, N J. 07074 201-440-8020 Circle 260 on Inquiry card. 5 1/4- INCH WINCHESTER r DRIVE SELECT (4 LINES) Jl CONNECTOR HEAD SELECT (3 LINES) STEP DIRECTION TRACK 000 SEEK COMPLETE INDEX TO CONTROLLER s READY OFF TRACK (OPTION) WRITE GATE WRITE FAULT MFM WRITE DATA it CONNECTOR MFM READ DATA DRIVE SELECTED + 5V J3 CONNECTOR TO +5V RETURN POWER I SUPPLY + 12V ^ +12V RETURN ^ FRAME GROUND J4 CONNECTOR Figure 2: The standard SVt-inch Winchester disk-drive interface. each containing its own sector address information and data-storage space. As the following discussion will show, the operation of a Win- chester disk is very similar to that of a standard floppy disk. The major dif- ference is the speed of operation and the amount of data that a Winchester can hold. The speed of operation also requires that we use a dedicated hard- ware disk controller rather than have the controller functions performed by software as in a floppy-disk system. Figure 2 illustrates the standard Sy^inch Winchester disk drive inter- face, which connects the disk drive to the disk controller. Signals in this in- terface are of three basic types. The first type provides power required for disk operation, in this case +12 and +5 volts DC. Signals of the second type are data signals that transfer data between the disk and the con- troller. The data is transmitted serial- ly at a 5-megabit-per-second rate in MFM (modified frequency modula- tion) format. The last type of signals are signals for control purposes that Now, here's a printer for you. The Silver-Reed EXP550 Electronic Bi-directional, Daisy Wheel Printer. The new Silver-Reed EXP550 is one of the finest machines for the money on the market today. For starters, the EXP550 offers carrier feed in units of 1/120 inch and forward/reverse paper feed in units of 1/48 inch. Other features include: 16 CPS Shannon text • Subscript • — Superscript • Bold • 17 inch paper capacity • 10, 12, 15, |§ PS pitch • and much more. The EXP550 will provide you with letter quality printing at a cost that will amaze you. For more information, call (800)4214191 and ask for printer sales division. o SILVER- REED AMERICA, INC. 8665 Hayden Place, Culver City, CA 90230 (213) 837-6104, Outside of California (800) 421-4191 OEM & DISTRIBUTOR INQUIRIES WELCOME. 136 March 1983 © BYTE Publications inc Circle 393 on inquiry card. GTCO DIGITIZERS MAKE YOU NUMBER ONE We're the largest producer of electro- magnetic digitizers. So we can deliver field proven tablets in the quantity you need... when you need them. Our Digi-Pad family uses new technology to provide unique digitizer features. ' PRESSURE PEN The pressure sensing pen option gives the operator a more natural input... perfect for the artist. i 4D The 4D option provides another indepei dent variable proportional to stylus tilt and direction . . . like a joy stick. i SELF DIAGNOSTICS A 4-tone alarm reports test results for al components including the tablet grid . . . insuring digitizer integrity. ■very Digi-Pad is compatible. So when you develop your software and interface around our smallest and least expensive Digi-Pad (under $1000), you can inter- change any other size Digi-Pad without redesign. Digi-Pad is also compliant with U.L, FCC and many other standards. Give your system an edge. Choose the number one digitizer from GTCO. Call us at (301 ) 279-9550 today. GTCO Corporation L__. Circle 193 on inquiry card. ROTATION Figure 3: Reading a sector on a hard disk. In figure 3a the read/ write head moves to the proper track. In 3b the read/write head is positioned and waiting for the index pulse. When the index position passes under the read/ write head (3c), the disk controller starts reading the first sector on the selected track and continues to read until the desired sec- tor is reached. In figure 3d the desired sector is under the read/write head and the con- troller begins transferring data. allow selection of a particular drive, stepping of the read /write head in the selected drive, and control of other primitive disk functions. Probably the easiest way to under- stand disk operation is to go through the steps involved in seeking and reading data on a particular sector of the disk. In our case, these are the functions performed by the con- troller. As the first step in the process, the controller moves the read/write head to the track containing the desired segment by sending control signals to the disk drive. When the read/write head is on the proper track, the controller then waits for a specific portion of the disk called the index position to pass under the head. This index position provides orienta- tion information which identifies the start of a track. The controller then begins reading the serial data coming from the disk, looking at the sector- address information for each sector until it locates the address indicating the desired sector. The data im- mediately following this address is then captured and the read is com- pleted. This sequence of events is shown diagrammatically in figure 3. A disk-write operation is per- formed similarly. The same sequence of events occurs until the controller locates the proper sector. At this point, instead of reading data from the disk, the controller sends new data to the disk for recording. The final point to be covered is how the sector-address information is put on the disk in the first place. This process is called formatting. When a disk is formatted, the controller starts on track and, following the index position, writes the sector-address in- formation for the first sector on the disk. It then fills the data area follow- ing the first address with nulls or other characters to reserve the data space for future use. As soon as it has filled the area, the controller begins the process over again for the next sector, writing the sector-address in- formation and then reserving the data area. This process continues until all the sectors on the first track of the disk are formatted. The controller then steps the read/write head to the next track and repeats the process until it has formatted all the sectors on all the tracks. Formatting is typically performed only once because creating the sector addresses and reserving the data areas would destroy any previously stored information on the disk. When for- matting, we generally have to define the size of the data area associated with each sector. The size of this area affects the total number of sectors on the disk and thus the fraction of the available disk space that the sector- address information occupies. Typi- cally, these data areas are set up to hold either 256 or 512 bytes of infor- mation, although special applications could require different allocations for optimum storage efficiency. For our case we will restrict consideration to the 256- or 512-byte cases. Because of the need for formatting (i.e., placing sector-address informa- tion on the disk) manufacturers quote two storage-capacity measures for disk systems. The unformatted num- ber refers to the total amount of data that can be stored on the disk. The formatted number refers to the total amount of data space that is available on the disk after it has been format- ted. In general, the latter measure is of more importance to disk users. The Controller and Controller Interfaces Working backward from the disk drive toward the S-100 bus, the next device in the disk-drive subsystem is the disk controller. We just discussed 138 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc text continued on page 142 computers wholesale 315-472 3055 Box 91 Brewerton,N.Y. 13029 Circle 114 on inquiry card. -SYSTEMS- ALTOS. ....... 20% OFF LIST ACS-8000 2 $2649 ACS-8000-10 6195 ACS-8000-12 7189 ACS-8000 14 8790 ACS 8000-15 3739 MTU-1 2000 MTU-2 2000 Series 5-15D 2285 Series 5-5D 4275 ATARI 800 (48K) $659 400 <16K) 259 810 Disk Drive 449 850 Interface 169 CROMEMCO CS-0 $1035 CS-1 3195 CS-1H 5595 CS2 3755 CS-3 5595 ZPU 315 64KZ 585 TuArt 249 16FDC 475 The complete CROMEMCO fine is available. INTERTEC Superbrain II Jr $1969 Superbrain II QD 2349 Superbrain II SD 2650 MORROW DESIGN Decision I $1335 Micro Decision w/Terminal 1 Drive Call 2 Drives Call Discus 2D 830 Dual Discus 2D 1385 Call us for prices on the full MORROW line. NORTHSTAR Advantage $2895 Horizon 2Q-64K 2655 HD 18 Mg. Disk 3879 G CP/M® for Advantage 119 We carry the complete North Star line— Call I TELEVIDEO TS-801 $2650 802 2755 802H 4755 ZENITH Z 89 80 CP/M®or H/DOS $2075 Z-89-82CP/M®or H/DOS 2115 Z 90-80 CP/M® or H/DOS 2115 Z-90-82 CP/M® or H/DOS 2299 Advertised prices reflect a cash discount on prepaid orders only. Most items are in stock for immediate delivery in factory sealed cart- ons with full factory warrantees. -TERMINALS- HAZELTINE Esprit 429 Esprit II 515 Esprit III 715 1420 589 1500 845 1520 1350 Executive 80-20 Save! 975 INTERTEC IntertubelH . .. 725 SOROC ....Call! TELEVIDEO 910 $559 912 659 920 719 925 719 950 899 X-tra Page Memory . 80 WYSE 100 $749 100, 2 Page 799 ZENITH Z-19 $639 ZT-1 549 -PRINTERS- ANADEX DP9500 , $1290 2K Buffer 80 9501 1290 9620 1475 CENTRONICS 704-9 Ser $1519 704-11 Par 1569 730-1 Ser. Savef 299 730-3 Ser 479 737-1 Par 689 C.ITOH Prpwriter8510A Par $425 Pro writer 8510 A Ser 595 Starwriter F10 Par 1370 Starwriter F10 Ser 1370 Printmaster F10 Par 1785 Printmaster F10 Ser 1785 C.ITOH Starwriter FIO-Tractor, 200 Prowriter II Call DIABLO 620RO25CPS $1275 630RO40CPS 1949 Tractor, (for 630 only) 275 EPSON MX-8G $440 MX80FT. 520 MX 100 715 Serial RS232 w/2K 120 INTEGRAL DATA SYSTEMS Prism 80 Basic. . $750 Prism 132 Basic 1075 Prism 80 Package. 1299 Prism 132 Package. 1465 Prism 80 AH but color 1065 Prism 132 All but color ... 1260 Paper Tiger 445G 599 Micro Prism 639 NEC 3510... $1515 3515 1540 3530 1650 7710 2295 7715 2395 8023 465 OKIDATA 80 $300 82A 395 83A 639 84S 1020 84P 989 Tractor for 80/82A 50 SMITH-CORONA TP 1 .... $629 TEXAS INSTRUMENTS Tl 810 Basic... , . $1289 TI-8IOVCO/F11II.. 1549 Tl 820 RO Basic 1545 Tl 820 KSR Package 1739 -MONITORS- AMDEK 100G.... 141 Color I 310 Color II 649 Color III 419 300G 149 BMC Green Phos $99 SANYO 9"Green Phos.. $159 12"Green Phos.. 209 13"Color 439 ZENITH Z-121 115 -HARD DISKS- CORVUS 5MB $2555 10MB 3995 20MB 4795 * Please specify what type of computer used Mirror Backup. 629 MAEZON 5Mg $2235 10 Mg 2760 15 Mg 3020 CP/M® S100 75 -MODEMS- HAYES Micro Modem 100 $279 Micro Modem II 279 Smartmodem 300 215 Smartmodem 1200 520 Chronograph 199 NOVATION 4102D $269 D-Cat 145 Apple Cat II 310 Nov-212 1200 Baud .549 SIGNALMAN MKI $79 MKII 79 MKIV 135 MKVII 125 -SOFTWARE- ASHTONTATE D Base II $593 COMPU View V-Edit 125 MICROAP Select III . 155 Selector IV 245 Selector V 455 Glector 245 MICAH CP/M®2.X 225 Expand 85 MICROPRO Supersort I 165 Supersort II 155 WordStar 295 Mailmerge 115 DataStar 245 CalcStar 225 MICROSOFT Z 80 Soft Card 295 Apple 16K RAM Card 165 Edit 80 85 Macro 80 165 Basic 80 275 Bascom 305 Fortran 80 335 Cobol 80 565 Softcard Premimum Pack 625 MICRO TECH CALL SORCIM Supercalc . . 225 BLANK DISKS-Call for prices -MEMOREX, MAXELL, SCOTCH, VERBATIM- If you can't find what you need listed here, just call for the best prices on the items you require. NY. residents, add appropriate sales tax. Shipping is not included (unless otherwise stated) C.O.D.s require a 25% deposit. All prices and offers may be changed or with- drawn without notice. i COMPLETELY REDESIGNED. NOW, THE GRAPPLER + . The original Grappler was the first graphics interface to give you hi-res screen dumps from your keyboard. The new Grappler + with Dual Hi-Res Graphics adds flexibility with a side-by-side graphics printout of page land page 2. The Grappler + can now be used with the Apple® Dot Matrix, the Okidata 84, and is Apple III compatible * In addition, the IDS Grappler + is currently available with color capability, including color graphics screen dumps. UP TO 64K BUFFER OPTION An optional Bufferboard can now be added to all existing Grappler and Grappler + interfaces. See your Apple Dealer for details. * Requires additional software driver. * Requires graphics upgrade. © Orange Micro, Inc. 1982 ACTUAL APPLE II PRINTOUT USING GRAPPLER AND EPSON MX100 WHhThe Grappler + I Printer Interface Circle 322 on inquiry card. CPM (s a registered trademark of Digital Research, Inc. Apple is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. THE GRAPPLER + FEATURES: • Dual Hi-Res Graphics • Printer Selector Dip Switch • Apple III Compatible* • Graphics Screen Dump • Inverse Graphics • Emphasized Graphics • Double Size Picture • 90° Rotation • Center Graphics • Chart Recorder Mode • Block Graphics • Bell Control • Skip-over-perf • Left and Right Margins • Variable Line Length • Text Screen Dumps • also works with Pascal and CPM. THE GRAPPLER + INTERFACES WITH THE FOLLOWING PRINTERS: • Anadex • Apple Dot Matrix » Centronics 122 • C. Itoh ProWriter • Epson MX-70,MX-80**, MX-80F/T* *, MX-100 • IDS 460, 560, Prism 80 and 132, Microprism • NEC 8023 • Okidata 82A* *, 83A* \ 84. SBOranqe micro IB ^ inc. 1400 N. Lake view Ave., Anaheim, CA 92807 U.S.A. (714) 779-2772 Telex: 183511 CSMA Foreign Dealer Inquiries Welcome If your printer uses your Apple more than you do, yoti need The Bufferboard. If your Apple is locked into the "PRINT" mode so much that you've taken up soli- taire to kill the boredom, you need a buffer. And if your computer is the Apple II or III, the only buffer for you is The Bufferboard. Expandable to 64K of stor- age, The Bufferboard stores an instantane- ous bucketful of print data from your computer. Then it feeds the data to your printer at its own printing rate. Your Apple is set free from driving your printer and is ready for more data from you. or expensive power supplies are needed because The Bufferboard fits right into your Apple — and docks onto your existing printer interface. The result is convenient Take your existing interface— and buffer it! Only The Bufferboard has a simple Interface-Docking System. No bulky boxes and economical buffering of most popu- lar printer interfaces, including the Grappler + ™ interface, Epson interface, and Apple printer interface. Thirty sec- onds and a single hook-up are all you need to end the printer waiting game forever. Up to 20 letter-size pages stored at a time. The Bufferboard comes standard with 16K, and is expandable to 32K or 64K of buffering capacity with the addition of memory chips. This "bucket" will hold up to 20 pages of a print job, allowing you freedom to use your Apple. The Bufferboard — designed exclusively for the Apple Computer. Specifications: • Versions for Grappler + interface, Epson interface, Apple interface, and other popu- lar printer interfaces • 16K buffer standard • Upgradeable to 32K or 64K • Automatic memory configuration • Automatic self test • Includes interface docking cable. The Bufferboard is made by Orange Micro, Inc.; the same people who brought you the popular Grappler + printer inter- face. Both the Grappler + and The Bufferboard are now available at your local Apple dealer. Apple is a registered trademark of Apple, Inc. Epson is a registered trademark of Epson America, Inc. ^Orange micro inc. 1400 N. Lakeview, Anaheim, CA 92807 U.S.A. (714) 779-2772 TELEX: TX 183511 CSMA For Apples and Printers Circle 323 on inquiry card. ©Orange Micro, Inc. 1982 sAsir dataV V PORT I SASI CONTROLS C PORT ^ *■ t- n* SASI INTERFACE SERIALIZER / DESERIALIZER ERROR COOE GENERATION AND CHECKING INTERNAL CONTROLLER BUS 8-BIT PROCESSOR SECTOR BUFFER DISK CONTROL DISCRETES INTERFACE MFM DATA "TO DISK DISCRETE CONTROL SIGNALS TO DISK Figure 4: A block diagram of the disk controller. the signals that the controller uses to access particular sectors on the disk. Now well discuss how these signals are generated and, in general, how a controller operates. The controllers we will address are characteristically known as "smart" controllers. This means that they have some internal processing capa- bility and use this capability to per- form many of the interfacing chores with the disk without intervention from the host computer. The speed of the Winchester disk drive necessitates a dedicated controller to effectively handle all disk control and timing. Figure 4 presents a conceptual block diagram of this type of controller. The disk-drive interface, which we have already discussed, is on the right, and the interface to the HCA is on the left. A common interface be- tween the controller and the HCA is based on that developed by Shugart Associates, known as the Shugart Associates System Interface (SASI). As shown, the SASI consists of two 8-bit connections. One set of 8 bits is for data and the other is for control signals. The control signals are split, with 5 bits used for controller-to- HCA signals and 3 bits for HCA-to- contr oiler signals. Internally, the controller is a bus- structured device with an 8-bit pro- cessor, a sector buffer, a serial- izer/ deserializer, the disk interface, and the SASI interface connected to the internal bus. Again, the easiest way to understand the operation of the controller is to go through a typical sequence of operations. In this case, the controller will perform a read operation from a particular sec- tor of the disk. The process starts when the host computer, using the HCA, generates a Select signal on the SASI interface. This alerts the con- troller that a command sequence will be coming in over the 8-bit data port. Through a series of handshakes, a command sequence consisting of 6 bytes of data is passed through the data port of the SASI. These 6 bytes contain the command to be executed by the controller— in this case, read data— and the sector address of the data to be read. With this information, the con- troller begins to execute the requested command using its internal pro- cessor. It sends commands to the disk to move the read/write head to the track that contains the desired sector. Once the head arrives at the right track, it waits for the index pulse and then starts reading the data coming from the disk to find the appropriate sector. The 8-bit processor reads the data from the disk after it has gone through the serializer/ deserializer. The deserializer portion of this device receives the MFM data directly from the disk, performs error checking and error correction on the data, and then passes the data to the 8-bit processor (via the internal controller bus) in parallel byte format. Once the con- troller locates the desired sector, it transfers the data from the disk into the sector buffer. This buffer is essen- tially a RAM (random-access read/ write memory) chip that is used to store the information retrieved from the disk until it is requested by the host processor. The controller in- forms the host system, through the SASI port, when it has completed the data transfer. At this point the host can read the retrieved data out of the controller and take any appropriate action with it. A write operation is performed in a similar manner. In this case, the host sends the Select command and the 6-byte command sequence to the con- troller that tells it to write data to a particular sector. The host then sends the controller the data to be written into the particular sector. The con- troller accepts this data and places it in the sector buffer. It then initiates the series of actions to find the sector to which the data is to be written. When the controller locates this sec- 142 March 1963 © BYTE Publications Inc TIME SPECTRUM Only the new TIME SPECTRUM brings you a galaxy of expansion options for your IBM-PC with the new VERSAPAK family of expansion modules. COMPAK SERIAL EXPANSION MODULE - Adds a second serial asynchronous port to the TIME SPECTRUM foundation module. SNAP ON STANDOFFS - For mounting VERSAPAK modules to foundation modules. SYNCPAK SYNCHRONOUS EXPANSION MODULE - Adds two serial synchronous ports to the foundation module. itf*** **t!£l%J RAMFAK MEMORY EXPANSION MODULE - Adds memory expansion to 512KB and an optional second serial asynchronous port to the foundation module. CLIFFHANGER - Proprietary connector mounting hardware simplifies installation of I/O lines. / s 475 64KB RAM, calendar j clock, 1 serial port installed. MtV ty <$ Watch for new VERSAPAK modules to be introduced soon. For more information on the revolutionary new TIME SPECTRUM and VERSAPAK expansion modules, see your nearest IBM-PC authorized dealer or contact: TIME SPECTRUM FOUNDATION MODULE - Contains a Real Time Clock, 64KB RAM (expandable to 256KB), serial asynchronous port optional parallel printer port, and interface connections for VERSAPAK modules. 15801 Rockfield, Ste. A, Irvine, CA 92714 714-859-8871 Circle 345 on inquiry card. IBM-PC is a trademark of International Business Machines Corp. s Copyright Personnel Systems Technology, Inc. 1982 tor, it passes the data from the sector buffer through the serializer, which adds error detection and correction bits to the data, and then sends the result to the disk in serial MFM form. In addition to the read and write functions, a smart controller can per- form a number of other functions, in- cluding formatting the disk, refor- matting a particular track on a disk, and a variety of built-in test and loop- back test functions. These functions are initiated exactly like the read and write functions but with a different set of commands passed to the con- troller. The Host Computer Adapter The last piece of hardware required to complete the Winchester system in- terface is the host computer adapter (HCA). As figure 1 indicates, this adapter allows communication be- tween the host computer S-100 bus and the SASI on the controller. A number of options are available in de- QUALITY COMPUTER FORMS AT PRICES YOU CAN AFFORD WE SUPPORT MORE SYSTEMS WITH FORMS THAN ANYONE ! 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SHEER CUT IS AVAILABLE ON A STOCK FORM BASIS IN FOUR "CLASSIC LAID" PAPERS, OR IN ANY TYPE PAPER ON A CUSTOM ORDER. EVERY OTHER FORM CAN BE IMPRINTED TO PRODUCE CONTINUOUS FIRST AND SECOND SHEETS. BLANK PRICES ARE $60 FOR 1,000, $235 FOR 5,000 AND $400 FOR 10,000, WITH IMPRINTING, DEALER, AND VOLUME PRICING AVAILABLE. >\ CONTINUOUS AND SNAP-OUT X' »\ N W2'S _• | AND OTHER CONTINUOUS I • ! TAX FORMS Checks To-Go CALL TOLL FREE NOW: (800) 854-2750 IN CA (800) 552-8817 (619)460-4975 8384 Hercules St. • P.O. Box 425 • La Mesa, CA 92041 Your Assurance of Value and Service signing an HCA, but basically they boil down to the degree of intelligence that is to be incorporated into the HCA. In more simple designs, the HCA consists of only a couple of out- put ports on the S-100 bus with the proper address-decode logic. In this case, the two output ports on the S-100 bus correspond to the two 8-bit ports of the SASI interface, and the HCA is essentially a buffer device. The disk-driver software then manip- ulates these two ports to perform any required function exactly as if the controller were part of the system. More complex designs would allow the HCA to perform some of the functions that would be performed by the host computer in the simpler de- sign. Again, an example will best il- lustrate the process. Assume that a host system wishes to transfer a sec- tor of 256 bytes from the host system to the disk. In the case of the simple HCA design, the driver software would be informed by the operating system of this required transfer and then would send the proper com- mands to the controller to initiate the transfer process. In addition, the driver software would sequentially fetch each of the 256 bytes of data to be transferred from the host memory and pass it through the SASI data port to the controller. An alternate, more complex design of the HCA would eliminate much of this processing burden from the host system's processor. If the HCA were given DMA (direct memory access) capability, all the host processor would have to do would be to tell the HCA what sector to read or write to, where in host memory the data trans- fer was to begin, and how many bytes of data to transfer. The HCA would then take over the entire process of fetching the data from host memory and passing it to the controller and would simply inform the host proces- sor when the process was complete. As the description implies, pro- viding the HCA with DMA capability increases the total system perfor- mance by reducing the load on the host processor. This increased perfor- mance carries with it a penalty in terms of increased cost and complexi- ty of the HCA. In the design of our 144 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc Circle 77 on inquiry card. Tie $1795- Personal Business Computer thatiscnanging the way people gotowork. Henry Ford revolutionized personal transportation. Adam Osborne has done the same for personal business computing. Virtually everything you need in a personal business computer to work faster and better with words, numbers, and ideas is included in a portable carrying case you can take anywhere. The Osborne is easy to learn, fun to use, and quickly becomes indispensable. One price, $1795, buys it all The Osborne is available from a computer retailer near you. And you can buy it in any color you want. As long as it is blue. Put away your buggywhips. $1795. Complete. Including Software. For your nearest dealer, call (in California) 800 772-3545 ext. 905; (outside California) call 800 227-1617 ext. 905. COMPUTER CORPORATION The $1795 suggested retail price tor the Osborne 1 (a trademark of Osborne Computer Corporation) includes a full business keyboard, built-in CRT display, two built-in floppy disk drives. CPU and 64 kilobytes of RAM memory, RS-232 and IEEE 488 interfaces, and the following software packages: WORDSTAR® word processing with MAILMERGE* (a trademark and a registered trademark of MicroPro International Corporation of San Rafael, California); SUPERCALC® electronic spreadsheet system (a trademark of Sorcim Corporation); CBASIC* (a registered trademark of Compiler Systems); M BASIC* (a registered trademark of Microsoft); and CP/M* (a registered trademark of Digital Research). ORIGINAL JMP TABLE - BDOS CCP- FLOPPY BIOS FLOPPY BIOS NEW WINCHESTER -BIOS 8 JMP TABLE •BDOS CCP CP/M PRIOR TO RECONFIGURATION CP/M AFTER RECONFIGURATION Figure 5: A block diagram showing how the BIOS for the Winchester disk drive is in- serted into the CP/M operating system. system, we considered this trade-off carefully. In next month's article on the hardware design, we will go through these trade-offs in detail and describe what system we chose and the reason for that choice. Variations Up to now, we have described a general Winchester interface system that consists of a drive, a controller, and an HCA. Any given system must contain all these components. How- ever, there is considerable latitude in how these components are packaged. One common packaging strategy is to put the controller and HCA functions on the same board. In this configura- tion, a single board plugs into the S-100 bus and a ribbon cable connects this board to the disk. In another strategy, the HCA is plugged into the There is a road Many cancer patients need transportation to and from treatments. That's why the American Cancer Society has formed groups of volunteers across the United States who give a few hours of their time each month to drive them. The road to recovery can be a long and difficult one. but it can be that much easier when there are friends who can help along the way. S-100 bus and a ribbon cable connects the HCA to the controller and anoth- er ribbon cable connects the con- troller to the disk. This second con- figuration is likely to be more com- mon because it allows builders of controllers to build one controller card that is applicable to many systems. In fact, as you will see next month, this is the configuration we chose. In the previous discussions, we have not mentioned the possibility of adding multiple Winchester drives to a system. This is certainly possible and can be done with very little design effort. In most cases, the in- cremental cost of the second drive amounts to only the cost of the drive itself and the interconnection hard- ware. We will cover this option in detail next month when we discuss the specifics of the hardware im- plementation we chose and the par- ticular controller hardware. Operating System Considerations The final step in integrating a Win- chester disk into an existing S-100 CP/M-based system is to somehow make the CP/M operating system aware that the disk is part of the system. This is done by expanding the existing CP/M BIOS (basic input/ output system) to include the new disk. The existing BIOS contains all the software necessary to run the cur- rent peripherals on the system. The modification we need would keep these existing routines and add the necessary routines to communicate with the new Winchester disk drive. The simplified memory map of CP/M both before and after the required modification, presented in figure 5, shows how this can be done. At the top of the existing BIOS is a jump table that points to the various primitive disk functions for an exist- ing system. These functions include set track, set sector, select disk, read sector, write sector, etc. In order to add these functions for the new disk, the CP/M system is moved using the MOVECPM utility, and a new jump table is installed that points to the new disk routines. This new code, in addition to performing the required 146 This space contributed as a public service. March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc Powerful CB'M Software. For Apple, Osborne, TRS-80, North Star, SuperBrain, Micropolis, Altos and others. Now only $ 29a95 each! NEVADA was $199.95 now only $29.95. When we introduced Nevada COBOL three years ago, it was loaded with innovations. Today's Edition 2 is even better! For example; □ It's 4 to 20 times faster than any other micro COBOL according to an independent study*. What's more, it's easier to use. □ Extremely Compact. You can compile and execute up to 2500 statements in 32K RAM, 4000 statements in 48K, etc. □ It's based upon the ANSI-74 standards with level 2 features such as compound conditionals and full CALL CANCEL. □ You get a diskette, 153-page manual with lots of examples and 16 complete COBOL source code programs. NEVADA • : THAN was $199.95 now only $29.95. □ IF . . THEN . . ELSE constructs. □ COPY statement. □ A very nice TRACE style debugging. □ 150 English language error messages. □ You get a diskette, 174 pages of Documentation and five sample programs. NEVADA PILOT was $149.95 now only $29.95. □ Perfect for industrial training, office training, drill and test- ing, virtually all programmed instruction, word puzzle games, and data entry facilitated by prompts. □ What's more, John Starkweather, Ph.D., the inventor of the PILOT language, has added many new features to Nevada PILOT There are commands to drive optional equipment such as Video Tape Recorders and Voice Response Units. There's a built-in full-screen text editor and much more. □ Meets all PILOT-73 standards for full compatibility with older versions. □ You get a diskette, 114-page manual and ten useful sample programs. NEVADA EDIT was $119.95 now only $29.95. □ A character-oriented full-screen video display text editor de- signed specifically to create COBOL, BASIC and FORTRAN programs. □ Completely customizable tab stops, default file type, key- board layout and CRT by menu selection. □ The diskette comes with an easy to read manual. To make our software available to even more micro users, we've slashed our prices. What's more, were offering a money back guarantee. If for any reason you're not completely satisfied, just return the package — in good condition with the sealed diskette unopened — within 30 days and we'll refund your money completely. This is a limited time offer, so order yours today! Shipping/handling fees. Add $4.00 for first package and $2.00 each additional package. OVERSEAS Add $15.00 for first package and $5.00 each additional package. Checks must be in U.S. funds and drawn on a U.S. bank! "A Compiler Benchmark: A Comparative Analysis of Four COBOL Compilers" by Stephen F Wheeler. Trademarks: CP/M, Digital Research; TRS-80, Tandy Corp.; Apple II, Apple Computer Inc.; Osborne 1, Osborne Computer Corp. © 1982 Ellis Computing. o ELLIS COMPUTING MAIL TODAY! To: Ellis Computing 3917 Noriega St San Francisco, CA 94122 (415)753-0186 The CP/M operating system and 32K RAM are required. Indicate diskette format: □ 8" SSSD 5W □ Apple CP/M D Osborne D N*SD □ N*DD a TRS-80 Mod I □ Micropolis Mod II □ TRS-80/mapper D Superbrain DD DOS 3.X Indicate software packages: □ COBOL D FORTRAN D PILOT □ EDIT Send my order for packages @ $29.95 each Total . In CA add sales tax . n Check enclosed □ COD Shipping/handling . □ MasterCard # □ VISA If COD add $4.00 . TOTAL . . Exp. Date . Signature . Ship to: Name .Phone #. Company- Street City/St/Zip . Country Offer expires 3/31/83 Circle 172 on inquiry card. BYTE March 1983 147 disk functions, keeps track of which disk is selected. If the Winchester is the selected disk, then these new routines perform any requested func- tions. On the other hand, if another disk or peripheral is selected, say the existing floppy disk, then the com- mands are passed directly to the old BIOS routines for that system. In this way, with a minimum of difficulty, the disk primitive routines for the new disk can be included in the CP/M system. We will cover the de- tails of the BIOS routines for the Win- chester system as well as the pro- cedures for reconfiguring the existing system in part 3. Summary So far we have covered, in a gen- eral way, all the components required to interface a Winchester disk with an existing S-100, CP/M-based system. You should now have a fairly com- plete understanding of what a Win- chester disk is, how it operates, and what some of the differences are be- tween Winchester disks. In addition, you should now have a general grasp of the SVWnch drive interface, the Shugart Associates Standard Inter- face, the functions of a smart con- troller, and the host computer adapter. In parts 2 and 3 we will cover a specific example of the inter- facing process in detail, using com- mercially available equipment: next month we will describe the hardware including the HCA, the controller, and a disk power supply; and in the final article we will describe the soft- ware aspects of writing new BIOS routines for CP/M and reconfiguring the system to include the new Win- chester disk drive. These articles will cover only the details of interfacing with S-100 CP/M-based systems. For interfacing with other computers and operating systems, however, the procedure is much the same. First, an HCA must be designed to allow communication between the host computer and the disk controller. Then the equivalent of the CP/M BIOS must be found in the operating system used, and new code must be generated to include the Winchester disk system. Depending on the availability of documentation on the hardware and operating sys- tem, this may or may not be an easy task. Hopefully, this series will pro- vide a reference point from which to proceed. ■ The Winchester disk drive subsys- tem described in this series of articles is available as a completely assembled unit from ASC Associates of Lexington Park, Maryland. In addition to the S-100 version discussed, versions are also available for TRS-80 and Apple computers. The disk-drive systems for these computers use the same drive and controller hardware as the S-100 ver- sion but use a different host computer adapter and interface software. Until a nationwide dealer distribution net- work is established, these systems will be available by mail order for $1995. To order or obtain further informa- tion, write to ASC Associates Inc., POB 615, Lexington Park, MD 20653, or phone (301) 863-6784. Serial 4 ■ ■ ■ l ' ■ ■ ■ ■ ¥ Parallel Printers! Plotters ! Punches! Robots! Convert What You Have To What You Want! • RS232 Serial • 8 Baud Rates • Latched Outputs • Centronics Parallel • Handshake Signals • Compact 3 1 A x 4% x 1% «89. 95 Connector Option $10.00 CA Residents 6% tax UPS Shipping $3.00 Specialties 1501-B Pine Street Post Office Box 2233 Oxnard, California 93030 nastercharge No longer will your peripheral choices be limited by the type of port you have available! Our new High Performance 700 Series Converters provide the missing link. Based on the latest in CMOS technology, these units feature full baud rate selection to 19.2K, with handshake signals to maximize transfer efficiency. 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All equipment is in factory cartons with manufac- turer warranty. Opened products not returnable. Restocking fee for returned merchandise. Equipment subject to price change and availability. Retail prices differ from mail order prices. $40.00 mm. purchase. *With prepaid cash orders *Exclude certain printers & monitors & foreign orders, Calif, residents add 6% State Tax For APO and F PO- add 10% ($25.00 min.foroostage. Calif. residents add6%SalesTax). Include phone number, credit cards not acceoted. Foreign Orders - include 3% handling, shipped air freight collect credit cards not accepted. "-W ^2-^^S _. ■*^2*^j COMPUTER SPECIALTIES (619) 579-0330 MAIL TO:i25i broadway EL CAJON, CA. 92021 The Panasonic portable computer We've improved the way Link , 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. * I 1 fl|r J 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. o Order Entry— A customized system for any sales order entry. 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Hardware Specifications — The Panasonic portable computer offers 6502 microprocessor (1 MHz) technology. a It offers 4K or 8K internal nonvolatile RAM o 48K internal ROM a Built-in Ni-Cad rechargeable battery pack o External AC adapter/recharger a 26-character liquid crystal display a 65-key completely redefinable keyboard Introducing Peripherals for Additional Solutions — Modular peripherals let you customize your system. n Multiple RS-232C serial interfaces a Asynchronous modem with cassette interface (110 or 300 baud) d 40-character microprinter (thermal dot matrix printing) a 8K or 16K RAM memory expansion packs a X-Y four-color plotter (up to 80 characters per line) o 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. Link 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 U Type of Business- Address _^_ City Phone Number ( . State . .Zip, Panasonic, just slightly ahead of our time. Circle 339 on inquiry card. NAPLPS: A New Standard for Text and Graphics Part 2: Basic Features How to encode text and simple graphics elements in a standard and efficient manner. Jim Fleming Unir Corporation Suite 106 5987 East 71st St. Indianapolis, IN 46220 Last month in part 1 of this series we introduced the North American Presentation-Level-Protocol Syntax (NAPLPS, or "nap-lips"), which is an ASCII-like standard that can be used to facilitate the interchange of both textual and graphical information. The graphical information is encoded in a very portable and resolution- independent form, which can be dis- played on a large number of suitably equipped display terminals, printers, or plotters. This month the basic features and specific coding formats of NAPLPS are introduced. The emphasis will be on the set of Picture-Description In- structions (PDIs), around which most of the important features of NAPLPS revolve. A Picture Is Worth 284 Bytes The easiest way to explain the detailed coding formats of NAPLPS is to use the simple picture (or frame) shown in figure 1 (on page 164), which illustrates many of the basic About the Author Jim Fleming was a member of the original small group of engineers at Bell Laboratories who developed PLP (Presentation-Level Proto- col). PLP was later standardized as NAPLPS by the ANSI X3L2.1 committee. He is now an independent consultant specializing in interac- tive computing systems. 152 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc NAPLPS features. Listing 1 (pages 154-163) is an annotated version of the NAPLPS codes used to produce this picture. As you can see, although the annotated listing is quite long, the actual coding consists of only 284 bytes. For the sake of simplicity, this pic- ture was created using the 7-bit form of NAPLPS. As you may remember from last month, NAPLPS can use either 7 or 8 bits. If we had used the 8-bit form, the coding would be even shorter. Op Codes and Operands As can be seen in listing 1, a Picture-Description Instruction usual- ly consists of an op code and an operand. The op code specifies a par- ticular function; the optional operand(s) specify the data needed by the function. Figure 2 (on page 166) il- lustrates the general op code /operand structure used in NAPLPS. In NAPLPS it is very easy to dis- tinguish between the op codes and the operands. As can be seen, bit 6 is a for an op code and a 1 for an operand. This distinction allows us to have variable-length operands, as long as each operand byte has bit 6 set to a 1. Another nice feature is that if the PDIs are presented in octal form as in listing 1, it is easy to distinguish the operands from the op codes. Oc- tal codes with a first digit of (e.g., 045) are op codes, while a first digit of 1 (e.g., 154) indicates an operand. Bit 5 will always be a 1 for an op code. This distinguishes op codes from the standard control codes in the CO set. The lower 5 bits of an op- code byte are used to indicate the par- ticular function. These 5 bits accom- modate 32 op codes, which are shown in figure 3. Most of these op codes will be covered in this article. The operand bytes shown in figure 3 all have bit 6 set to 1. The lower 6 bits (bits through 5) are thus avail- able to encode data, the format of which is dependent on the op code preceding the data. The 6 bits available in each operand byte can be formatted in a variety of ways. Figure 4 illustrates the four standard operand-encoding formats used in NAPLPS. The fixed format for operand en- coding is the simplest and most flexi- ble. (Isn't it interesting that something "fixed" can be "flexible"?) Fixed- format operands are used for small bit fields (6 bits or less) and often con- tain a few suboperands. For example, in the Text op code (see figure 7), a fixed operand is used to encode the Text Rotation (2 bits: 0, 90, 180, or 270 degrees), Character Path (2 bits: Right, Left, Up, or Down), and Char- acter Spacing (2 bits: 1, 1.25, 1.5, or Proportional). The fixed-format operands are used in most of the Text continued on page 164 F QUALIMETRIC™ FLEXYDI BUILT FOR ETERNITY-WARRANTED A LIFETIME. BASF Qualimetric FlexyDisks® offer you more... an extraordinary new lifetime warranty^ The BASF Quali- metric standard is a dramatic new international standard of quality in magnetic media. ..insurance that your most vital information will be secure for tomorrow when you enter it on BASF FlexyDisks today. We can offer this warranty with complete confidence because the Qualimetric standard reflects a con- tinuing BASF commitment to perfec- tion... a process which begins with materials selection and inspection, and continues through coating, pol- ishing, lubricating, testing, and 100% error-free certification. Built into our FlexyDisk jacket is a unique two-piece liner. This BASF feature traps damaging debris away from the media surface, and creates extra space in the head access area, insur- ing optimum media-to-head align- ment. The result is a lifetime of outstanding performance. When your information must be secure for the future, look for the distinctive BASF package with the Qualimetric seal. Call 800-343- 4600 for the name of your nearest supplier. Circle 44 on inquiry card. I K*T* ^»*a».» (96,64) (dx,dy) - (+.375,+.0) => (+96, +0) - (dx,dy) - (+.25, +.0625) -> (+64, +16) (dx,dy) = (+.0,-.3125) => (+0,-80) (dx,dy) = (-1.0,+.0) => (-256,+0) (dx,dy) - (+.0,+. 21484375) -> (+G,+55) Listing 1 continued on page 156 154 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc w SOFTWARE ASHTONTATE dBASE II . . . .call for price ($4??) ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE* Medical(PAS-3) $849 [Dental (PAS-3) $849 ASYST DESIGN®/ FRONTIER Prof Time Accounting $549 General Subroutine $269 Application Utilities $439 DIGITAL RESEARCH® CP/M 2.2* NorthStar $149 TRS-80 Model II (P+T) $159 Micropolis $175 CP/M-lntel MDS $135 ** PL/1-80 $449 BT-80 $179 MAC $ 85 RMAC $179 Sid $ 65 Z-Sid $ 90 Tex $ 90 DeSpool $ 49 CB-80 $459 CBasic-2 $ 98 Link-80 $ 90 FOX & GELLER Quickscreen $135 Quickcode $265 dutil .$ 65 MICRO-AP® S-Basic $269 Selector IV $295 Selector V $495 MICRO DATA BASE SYSTEMS® HDBS $269 MDBS $795 DRSorQRSorRTL $269 MDBS PKG.. $1999 MICROPRO® * WordStar $279 Customization Notes $449 Mail-Merge $ 99 WordStar/Mail-Merge $369 DataStar $249 WordMaster $119 SuperSort I $199 ^ Spell Star $139 CalcStar $259 MICROSOFT® ** Basic-80 $199 Basic Compiler $329 Fortran-80 $349 Cobol-80 $589 M-Sort $175 Macro-80 $144 Edit-80 $ 84 MuSimp/MuMath $224 MuLiSp-80 $174 FPL: Bus. Planner $595 ORGANIC SOFTWARE® TextWriter III $111 DateBook II $269 Milestone $269 OSBORNE® (McGraw/Hill) General Ledger $ 59 SAVE $255 ON PRODUCTIVITY PAC #3! Everything you need: a wordprocessor, spreadsheet and database. And a phenomenally low, low price! Final Word Plannercalc Condor I Retail Regular Discount $300 $ 99 $295 $694 $270 $ 50 $275 $595 SPECIAL COMBINATION PRICE: $439 Offer good to the end of the month of publication of this magazine. Call for our other PAC prices. Acct Rec/Acct Pay $ 59 Payroll w/Cost $ 59 All 3 $129 All 3 + CBASIC-2 $199 Enhanced Osborne (vandatta) [Includes CBasic) $269 PEACHTREE® General Ledger $399 Acct Receivable $399 Acct Payable $399 Payroll $399 Inventory $399 Surveyor $399 Property Mgt $799 CPA Client Write-up $799 P8 Version Add $234 MagiCalc $269 Other less 10% STAR COMPUTER SYSTEMS k* G/L, A/R, A/R Pay $ 349 All 4 $1129 Legal Time Billing $ 849 Property Mngmt $ 849 STRUCTURED SYSTEMS* Business Packages, Call for Price SORCIM® *" SuperCalc $249 Trans 86 $115 Act $157 SUPERSOFT® Ada $270 Diagnostic I $ 49 Diagnostic II $ 84 Disk Doctor $ 89 Forth (8080 or Z80) $149 Fortran $219 Fortran w/Ratfor $289 C Compiler $225 Star Edit $189 Scratch Pad $266 StatsGraph $174 Analiza II $ 45 Dataview $174 Disk Edit $ 89 Encode/Decode II $ 84 Optimizer , .$174 Super M List 68 Term II $179 ZapZ-8000 $450 Utilities I $ 54 Utilities II $ 54 ACCOUNTING PLUS 1 Module $385 4 Modules $1255 All 8. $4500 UNICORN® Mince $149 Scribble $149 Both $249 The Final Word $270 WHITESMITHS® "C" Compiler $600 Pascal (incl "C") $850 PASCAL S Pascal/MT-t- Pkg $429 Compiler $315 Sp Prog $175 Pascal/Z $349 Pascal/UCSD 4.0 $670 Pascal/M $355 Tiny Pascal $ 76 DATA BASE FMS-80 $894 dBASE II $595 •* Condor I. . . . $275 Condor II $535 FMS-81 $445 WORD PROCESSING WordSearch $179 •"SpellGuard $199 Peachtext $289 Magic Spell $269 Spell Binder $349 Select $495 The Word $ 65 The Word Plus $145 Palantier-I (WP) $385 "COMMUNICATIONS' Ascorn $149 BSTAM $149 BSTMS.. $149 Crosstalk $139 Move-it $ 89 OTHER GOODIES Micro Plan $419 Plan 80 $269 Target (Interchange) $125 Target (Planner) $189 Target (Task) $299 Plannercalc $ 50 Tiny "C" $ 89 Tiny X" Compiler $229 Nevada Coboi $179 MicroStat $224 Vedit $130 MiniModel $449 StatPak $449 Micro B+ $229 Raid $224 String/80 $ 84 String/80 (source) $279 ISIS CP/M Utility $199 Lynx $199 Supervyz $ 95 ATI Power $ 75 Mathe Magic $ 95 CIS COBOL $765 ZIPMBASICXBASIC $129 Real Estate Analysis $ 1 1 6 BRODERBUND G/L (with A/P) $444 Payroll $355 INFO UNLIMITED® EasyWriter (Prof) $155 Datadex $129 EasyMailer (Prof) $134 Other less 15% MICROSOFT® ^ Softcard (Z-80 CP/M) $239 Fortran $179 Cobol $499 Tasc $139 *> Premium Package $549 M* RAM Card $129 MICROPRO® ^Wordstar $199 MailMerge $ 99 Wordstar/MailMerge $349 SuperSort I $159 Spellstar $129 CalcStar $175 DataStar .$265 VISICORP® • Visica!c3.3 $189 Desktop/Plan II $219 Visiterm $ 90 Visidex $219 Visiplot $180 Visitrend/Visiplot $259 Visifile $219 Visischedule $259 PEACHTREE® G/L, A/R, A/R Pay or Inventory (each) $224 Peach Pack P40 $795 SOFTWARE DIMENSIONS, INC. Accounting Plus II, G/L,AR,ARor Inventory (each) $385 (Needs G/L to run) OTHER GOODIES Super-Text II $127 LOWER PRICES, COME HELL OR HIGH Data Factory .$134 DB Master $184 Versaform VS1 $350 VH1 $445 16-BIT SOFTWARE WORD PROCESSING IBM PC ^Wordstar $279 v* Spellstar $175 Mailmerge. $109 Easywriter $314 Easyspeller $159 Select/Superspell $535 Write On $116 Spellguard (also available for 8" 8086 systems) $229 SPLaw (for Spellguard) $115 Textwriterlll $189 Spellbinder $349 Final Word $270 LANGUAGE UTILITIES IBM PC Crosstalk $174 BSTAM $149 BSTMS $149 8" 16-BIT SYSTEMS •* Pascal MT+ /86, SSP $679 CBasic 86 $294 Pascal M/86 $445 Act 86 $157 Trans 86 $115 XLT86 $135 16-BIT 8" AND DISPLAYWRITER CP/M 86 $294 MP/M86 $585 OTHERS IBM PC SuperCalc $269 VisiCalc $219 Easyfiler $359 Mathemagic $ 89 CP/M Power $ 65 Condor 21 $265 Condor 22 $535 Condor 23 $895 Condor 20Q $175 Condor 20R $265 Statpak $449 Optimizer $174 Desktop Plan II $219 Desktop Plan III $259 Visidex $219 Visitrend $259 Many others available for use with the "Baby Blue Board®" 8" 16-BIT SOFTWARE SuperCalc $269 CP/M Power $ 65 FORMATS AVAILABLE: 8" single density 8" OS I Superbrain Micropolis/Vector Graphic NorthStar Horizon NorthStar Advantage Osborne Heath/Zenith Cromemco Televideo Xerox 820 Dynabyte Hewlett-Packard 125 NEC Eagle Apple ll/lll Otrona TRS-80 Model l/ll/lll DEC VT-180 Altos CP/M-86 IBM PC ORDERS ONLY • CALL TOLL FREE ■ VISA • MASTERCHARGE U.S. 1-800-421-4003 • CALIF. 1-800-252-4092 Outside Continental U.S.— add $10 plus Air Parcel Post • Add $3.50 postage and handling per each item • California residents add 6!^% sales tax • Allow 2 weeks on checks. COD. $3.00 extra • Pricessubjecttochange without notice. All items subject to availability • ® — Mfgs. Trademark. Blue Label $3.00 additional per item. CP/M is a registered trademark of DIGITAL RESEARCH, INC. THE DISCOUNT SOFTWARE GROUP 6520 Selma Ave. Suite 309 • Los Angeles, Ca. 90028 • (213) 837-5141 Int'l TELEX 499-0446 DISCSOFT LSA • USA TELEX 194-634 (Attn; 499-0446) TWX 910-321-3597 (Attn: 499-0446) Circle 152 on inquiry card. Circle 347 on inquiry card. _ ng 1 continued: P&TCP/M®2is. Listi GROWING A 30 31 152 140 } - (dx,dy) = ( + .171875, + .0625) => (+44, +16) } Change to RED v jA 0/F^ 32 074 SET Set Color 33 122 RED X10RO0R0 Make sure highlighting is on Fo»oo ex - . €%'* ^ A 34 043 TEX Texture JF* k %\tftA 35 104 Draw the house V ■■■■^7od^W vse t*> .^sSfr * m &*££&&&' ^ 36 044 SPA Point Set Absolute f ^e^oPP 011 ' ^ 37 110 } wiooe v 38 39 40 127 104 061 } - (X,y) = ( .3125, .234375) «> (80,60) } REF Rectangle Filled ^woy ■PKu^r MmB ■WS^tS' 41 42 43 100 174 100 } } - (dx,dy) = (+.21875,+. 125) => (+56, +32) } Draw the roof ^tif nA^Xfjfiv 44 045 SPR Point Set Relative ^G?u&2ri?x+jMim 45 170 } W^sP **»** A 46 104 } - (dx,dy) = (-.234375, +.125) => (-60, +32) tjSt _^.o ^ 47 140 } Gmm^^ 48 074 SET Set Color 49 50 100 065 BLK POF Polygon Filled 51 100 } ^^ ^]SH 52 141 } - (dx,dy) = (+.125, +.05859375) => (+32, +15) 53 107 } 54 107 } A^jlB ■ a\s* 55 146 } - (dx,dy) = (+.125, -.0625) => (+32,-16) 1 ^--^ (+20,-20) r«^° > ■ 60 144 ) ^flL^J^H ^T%^^^ 61 017 SI Select GO (ASCII Text) "House" 62 110 H Start with a Model II floppy system and 63 157 o grow into a hard disk. Since all P&T 64 165 CP/M 2 systems are fully compatible, u you will have no conversion worries. 65 163 s Special note: P&T hard disk systems 66 145 e allow you the user to configure logical ■ t drive assignments to yourspecifications. Write for more details. • Back to graphics Prepaid VISA, M/C, or COD orders accepted. All prices FOB Goleta and subject to change. 67 016 SO Select Gl (PDI Graphics) ^K CP/M is a registered trademark of Digital • ^^^ Research. TRS-80 is a trademark of Tandy Corp. A 68 69 074 155 Set color to CYAN (Light Blue) SET Set Color CYN X1G0BG0B PICKLES TlICKi^e & TROUT l£^*X Label "BIRDS" before drawing them P.O. BOX 1206 ^C^^^, GOLETA.CA 93116 TW^t'T (805)685-4641 1 ROU 1 ® Listing 1 continued on page 159 15< > March 1983 © I tYTE Publications Inc CP/M APPLE WordStar $299 dBASE II $489 SuperCalc $189 Multiplan $199 Perfect Writer $199 WordStar MailMerge $429 WordStar dBASE II $749 VisiCalc® $189 SuperWriter $249 InfoStar $299 ASPEN SOFTWARE™ Grammatik $ 60 Random House Proofreader $ 39 Random House Thesaurus $119 Univ. of Chicago Manual of Style $119 ASHTONTATE™ dBase II $489 CONTINENTAL SOFTWARE™ Home Accountant CALL DIGITAL RESEARCH™ CBASIC $ 99 FOX AND GELLER™ Quickcode $229 dUtil $ 69 IUS™ Easywriter II $239 Easyspeller II $139 Easyfiler $269 Financial Management Series CALL MICROPRO® WordStar $289 MailMerge $149 WordStar/ MailMerge $389 WordStar/ MailMerge/ SpellStar $529 WordStar/ InfoStar $549 InfoStar $299 CalcStar $ 89 DataStar $179 SuperSort $149 SpellStar $149 ReportStar $229 DataStar Update CALL MICROSOFT™ Multiplan $199 Soft card $259 Ram Card $ 89 All Three Above $509 Videoterm (Videx™) $269 Enhancer II (Videx™) $119 Basic 80 $275 Basic Compiler $295 MICROSTUF™ Crosstalk $135 PERFECT SOFTWARE™ Perfect Writer $199 Perfect Speller $129 Perfect Writer/Speller $309 Perfect Calc $139 Perfect File $249 All Four Perfect Products $649 PICKLES AND TROUT™ CP/M for TRS Model II $169 CP/M for TRS Model 16 $189 Hard Disk CALL OASIS™ The Word Plus $129 Punctuation and Style $109 SILICON VALLEY SYSTEMS™ Word Handler $149 List Handler $129 SOFTWARE PUBLISHING™ PFS: File CALL Other Products CALL SORCIM™ SuperCalc $189 SuperWriter $249 SpellGuard $129 TCS ACCOUNTING™ General Ledger $ 99 Accounts Payable $ 99 Accounts Receivable $ 99 Payroll $ 99 All Four Above $289 Inventory Management $ 99 VISICORP® VisiCalc $189 All Other VisiCorp Products CALL NOW, PAY LESS, AND GET GREAT SERVICE, TOO! If you're looking for rock-bottom prices and fast, personal service, take a close look at 800-SOFTWARE. Because we buy in volume, we're able to sell the products you want at prices that finally make some sense. But don't take our word for it. Compare prices and see for yourself! OUR SERVICE CAN'T BE BEAT. We taKe care of you like our business depends on it. Because it does. When you call 800-SOFTWARE, you get the fastest delivery available anywhere. Which means that every order is filled the day we get it. And that our unique Order Tracking System™ is on the job, keeping tabs on your order, every step of the way. Our giant inventory — one of the largest in the United States — also assures you of the fastest possible service. Everything's in stock so you don't have to wait. Technical support? Business software expertise? We've got it — and it's the best you'll find anywhere. But, put us to the test. Let us prove what we've proven to satisfied customers around the world. That our prices are lower. That our service is better. That there really and truly is a difference. We look forward to your call. FREE GIFT! GET 4 FLOPPY DISKETTES FREE WITH ANY PURCHASE, IF YOU ACT NOW! □ Your choice of 5!4" or 8" □ Brand new and brand name 0&A TO ORDER, CALL TOLL-FREE: 800-227-4587 In California, 800-622-0678 or 415-644-3611 CA residents add sales tax. OR WRITE: 800 SOFTWARE, INC. 3120 Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94705 Circle 2 on inquiry card. ^800-SOFTWARE) ■eteBEss D Purchase orders accepted □ Prompt UPS 3 day Blue Label service □ Call for shipping charges and our other low software prices. □ Now open Monday through Saturday. □ Dealer and quantity discounts available. □ Prices may change. ©Copyright 800-Software 1983 BYTE March 1983 157 ACE 1000 COLOR COMPUTER! SHARP COMPUTER List $1545 249 II II ■"■ m\ SUPERBRAIN II Double Density 1894 Quad Density 2274 Super Density SD 2649 COMPUSTARS TO DEALERS CALL & SAVE Advanced Micro Digital S-100 Super- Quad Single Board Computer. Z8064K RAM, Disk Controller, RS-232 Only 699 ALTOS — single and multi-user ACS-8000-15D List 5990 Only 4699 ATARI 400 289 800 655 PRINTERS OKIDATA82A 489 CENTRONICS 739-1 499 IDS PRISM 80 743 EPSON MX-80 FT 547 MX-80 459 MX-100 749 ANADEX9501A Silent Scribe 1345 NEC #3510 Letter Quality 1623 C. ITOH F10 Letter Quality .... 1399 Smith Corona TP-1 595 TRAXX 5V4" Add-on Drives 249 Memory Merchant 16K static . . . 159 Central Data RAM S-100 64K ... 299 Systems Group RAM S-100 64K 449 Microangelo Video Graphics .... 715 AMERICAN SQUARE COMPUTERS is organizing a World Wide Association of Computer Dealers. Open a Store or Start Work Out of Your Home! We Charge NO FRANCHISE FEE! (Our Competitors charge a FRANCHISE FEE of from $15,000.00 to $45,000.00.) Be a Winner! Let US help YOU get started MAKING MONEY by HELPING PEOPLE to put COMPUTERS to WORK. Write or Phone today. Which Computers are Best? . . . Insured Shipping at Low Rates. Free We Repair Computers TELEVIDEO Televideo 910+ 518 Televideo 925 718 Televideo 950 899 Televideo Computers Call ADDS VIEWPOINT A-1 B 469 ZENITH Z-19 Terminal 649 Z-89 48K Computer 2119 Z-90 64K DD 2399 ZVM-121 ZENITH Green Screen monitor 125 INTERTUBE III or EMULATOR $710 AMDEK Color Monitor $329 GODBOUT COMPUPRO Super Sixteen 8085/8088. The fastest 8-16 bit computer! Runs 8 and 16 bit code! 128K Static RAM, 6MHz CPU's LIST 3440 SPECIAL 2569 New: Systems 816/A, B, and C with enclosure and drives. 816/A .... List 5495 .... Only 4395 SEATTLE pure 16 bit computer is the fastest microcomputer by actual test! S-100, 128K Static RAM, 8 MHz 8086, 22 slot Mainframe Model #2 List 3785 Only $3028 #1 as above but64K List 2990 On!y$2392 IBM PC memory made by SEATTLE. Now with "Flash Disk," . . 192K = 697 64K = 427 CALIFORNIA COMPUTER 2210A List $1995 Only $1595 Z80, 64K, I/O, Disk controller + CPM. California main frame 484 SYSTEMS GROUP computers run FRIENDLY OASIS Call SAVE QUAY COMPUTER Two drives + CPM $1745 Four user MPM 208K + Hard Disk $5945 TARBELL'S Empire I & II have two 8" disk drives. The I is single sided, the II is double sided. FREE Business Software Empire I . . . List 4888 . . . Only 3495 Corvus Hard Disk SAVE SSM Video BRD VB3 kit 361 Spectrum Color ASM 223 One hour free troubleshooting on business systems. NORTH STAR ADVANTAGE 64K Green Phosphor. The Best Business Graphics, 2 Disks, Serial Port. Options CPM — Business programs $2894 MICRO DECISION "A DEAL YOU CAN'T REFUSE" 64K RAM, 280, 4MHz, 2 Serial Ports, Disk Controller. FREE SOFTWARE: CPM — Microsoft BASIC — BaZic — Wordstar— Logicalc— Correct-It. List Only with 1 5 1 /4" Disk . J $949 . . . $1049 with 2 5%" Disks . 1545 . . . 1400 NORTH STAR Horizon Powerful North Star BASIC Free Superb for Business & Science Free Secretary Word Processor Horizon Standard is now HRZ-2-64K Quad Factory Assembled & Tested Only Horizon-2-64K-Quad $2894 Horizon-1-64K-QHD 5 3999 Horizon RAM 64K 594 Big Sale on Multi-User Time-Sharing SAVE North Star Hard Disk 18Mb .... 4295 English to Basic Translator 75 Zbasic 2 to 5 times faster! 325 Secretary Word Processor 69 Wordstar Word Processor 278 Floating Point Board 699 Oasis 699 CPM for NT-Extra features 147 Micro Mike Software CALL MICROSTAT $355 Pascal-80 539 Extra Precision BASIC 49 Northword 179 Infomanager 329 General Ledger 399 Accounts Receivable 399 Accounts Payable 399 Inventory 399 Order Entry 399 PROPAC 1299 DOS + BASIC 5.2 28 INTEGRAND main frames S-100. Many models to choose from Only 200 & UP MODEMS DC HAYES — S-100 $329 POTOMAC MICRO MAGIC .... 369 SIGNALMAN 97 CAT NOVATION 159 AUTOCAT 215 Full Time Graduate Technician on Duty. DECISION I "The IBM-360 on the Z-80 & S-100 BUS!" Sixteen Programs running simultan- eously! Free CPM, Microsoft BASIC, and WORDSTAR with complete system! DECISION 1 * 65K Static + 8" Disks DMA 3403 DECISION 1 + 65K Static + 2 5%" Disks 2795 DECISION 1 +65K Static + 5" Disk + 5 Mb Hard Disk 4235 DECISION 1-2user 256K Static + 5" Disk + 5 Mb Hard Disk + MICRONIX 5830 DECISION 1 — Z-80 + I/O + 65K 1915 DECISION 1 — Rackmount + 20 Mb HD - 8" DRV Reg. 6235 Inventory Sale 5415 MORROW Hard Disks up to 26 MEGABYTES HDC-M26 $3333 HDC-M20 3333 HDC-M10 2955 DMA-M5 Reg. 1775 Inventory Sale 1400 DMA-M10 2235 DMA-M16 2795 MORROW 8' Disk Discus 2D + CPM 600K . . Only $834 Discus 2 + 2 + CPM 1.2 Mb 1068 Add Drives 2D = 599 2 + 2 - 1795 Discus 2D dual + CPM ... Only 1384 Free Microsoft BASIC from MORROW with Discus system or hard disk. FAST FIGURE — Most powerful spread sheet. 5Vi" or 8" 99 Wordstar 278 All MicroPro Software for IBM, Apple, North Star, Morrow, etc. SAVE! CALL Call for latest prices & availability AMERICAN iSQUARE 919-889-4577 158 BYTE March 1983 4167KivettDr. Factory Guarantees We Beat Prices COMPUTERS Jamestown N.C. 27282 919-883-1105 Circle 22 on Inquiry card. Listing I con tinued: 70 044 SPA Point Set Absolute 71 102 } 72 150 1 - (x,y) = ( .15625, .5 73 107 } 74 017 SI "BIRDS" Select GO (ASCII Text) 75 102 B 76 111 I 77 122 R 78 104 D 79 123 S 80 016 81 057 82 101 83 167 84 120 85 107 86 107 87 144 88 107 89 107 90 124 91 055 92 100 93 100 94 124 95 100 96 100 97 166 98 043 99 100 100 045 101 100 102 111 103 112 104 055 105 107 106 107 107 144 108 107 109 107 110 124 111 055 112 100 113 100 114 124 115 100 116 100 117 166 Back to Graphics SO Select Gl (PDI Graphics) Draw bird with black wing tips SAF Set Arc Filled ' (x,y) = ( .1953125, .46875) -=> (50,120) • (dx,dy) = (+.015625, -.015625) -> (+4,-4) - (dx,dy) = ( + .0078125, -.015625) =*> (+2,-4) ARF Arc Filled - (dx,dy) - ( + .0078125, + .015625) *=> (+2, +4) - (dx,dy) = (+.0234375, + .0234375) => ( +6 , +6 ) Draw bird without black wing tips TEX Texture SPR Point Set Relative - (dx,dy) = (+.03515625, +.0390625) => (+9, +10) Arc Filled (+4,-4) (dx,dy) = (+.0078125, -.015625) => (+2,-4) ARF Arc Filled (dx,dy) = (+.0078125 ,+.015625) => (+2, +4) (dx,dy) = (+. 0234375,+. 0234375 ) => (+6, +6) Listing 1 continued on page 161 Circle 303 on inquiry card. — ► HflHHHHffiHi Get the total picture. Improve your present computer system with a high-resolution color monitor from NEC. NEC's JC-1 203 gives you the highest resolution you can get in a color monitor And it can reproduce as many different colors and shades as the best microcom- puters can generate. Compatible with a wide variety of computers, including IBM;* Zenith," H-PT and others, including NEC's own PC-8000 and PC-8800. Compare these specs with your present monitor: 12-inch diagonal screen RGB input signal with TTL level Switchable Pos/Neg display characters SO-character, 25-line display 690 (H| x 230 (V| resolution 8x8 dots, 8mHz video bandwidth *Special interface required Productivity at your fingertips KFC NEC Home Electronics (U.S.A. ), Inc. Personal Computer Division 1401 Estes Avenue Elk Grove Village, IL 60007 (312J 228-5900 Nippon Electric Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan ■i ITS INCREDIBLE Hard Disk Portable With Software for the Price of Its 10MB Alone. No matter how you look at it, KAYPRO is the best value you'll see anywhere. You get a powerful computer — engineered and built in America with 10MB hard disk, 200K floppy disk, two RS-232C serial and one parallel port, 9" screen of 80 columns by 24 lines, and detachable keyboard with 10 key pad. Also included are CP/M 2.2, word processing, spread sheet and more. All for $2795. Backed by a 90 day warranty and supported nationally. Act now. Send coupon today. (800) 624-3089 outside ca Yes, I know a good deal when I see one. Send me the KAYPRO 10. My: □ check for $2795 is enclosed □ VISA DMC DAE TTTT Acct # AE valid. thru. VISA, MC expires . Name Address City State/Zip . Signature CONTINUUM. 21006 Devonshire St., Chatsworth, California 91311,(213)998-8766 (800) 624-3090 inside ca Circle 120 on inquiry card. Listing 1 continued: 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 044 122 160 074 177 055 170 170 146 100 110 133 055 100 110 107 107 107 165 055 100 121 111 107 105 104 055 177 157 133 170 150 173 065 100 101 171 100 110 164 107 126 115 Draw Cloud SPA Point Set Absolute } } - (x,y) w (.6875,. 5) => (176,128) SET Set color WHT X1GRBGRB ARF Arc Filled ■ (dx,dy) = (-. 015625, + . 0234375 ) => (-4, +6) ■ (dx,dy) = ( + . 04296875, + . 01171875 ) => (+11, +3) ire Filled - (dx,dy) - (+. 03125, + . 02734375 ) => (+8, +7) ■ (dx,dy) m (+.0234375, -.01171875) => (+6,-3) Arc Filled - (dx,dy) = (+.06640625,+. 03515625) => (+17, +9) - (dx,dy) = (+0.0, -.078125) => (+0,-20) Arc Filled (dx,dy) ■ (-.08203125, -.01953125) => (-21,-5) (dx,dy) = ( -.06640625, + . 01171875 ) => ( -q.7 , +3 ) POF Polygon Filled (dx,dy) ■ (+.02734375, + .03515625) => ( +7 , +9 ) (dX,dy) • (+. 0546875, + . 015625 ) => (+14, +4) (dx,dy) = (+.06640625, -.04296875) => (+17,-11) Label "CLOUD" 161 045 SPR Point Set Relative 162 170 } 163 142 } - (dx,dy) = (-.1171875, +.078125) => (-30, +20) 164 124 } 165 017 SI Select GO (ASCII Text) "CLOUD" 166 103 C 167 114 L Get the picture that's worth more than a thousand words. Make your present system easier to look at with a monitor from NEC. NEC's JB-1260 combines good looks and high quality with a very attractive price. Special dark bulb goes extra easy on your eyes. Use with Apple II, Apple II +, Apple III* Osborne, and many others, including NEC's own PC-8800, PC-8000, and NEC TREK (PC-6000). Compare these specs with your present monitor: 12-inch diagonal screen BxB dots 1 5mHz video bandwidth 80 character, 25-line display 90-degree deflection 600 (H J x 230 ( V) lines *Special interface required Productivity at your fingertips WFC Listing 1 continued on page 162 Circle 304 on inquiry card. > NEC Home Electronics (U.S.A.), Inc. Personal Computer Division 1401 Estes Avenue Elk Grove Village, IL 60007 (312)228-5900 Nippon Electric Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan Circle 227 on inquiry card. Opt for Quality High-Reliability Design Model HS-2900 Intelligent Buffer Standard $348.00 RS-232C Add $120.00 IEEE-488 Add $160.00 • 62KB STANDARD •Data compr essinon/copy mode •Self est mode • Centronics I/F standard • RS-232C, IEEE-488 .ptional • Low price »AC 100/11 7/220/240 V Model SBC-696 Single Board CorriDuter meeting IEEE- 636 (CP/M, SB -80) $999.00 • Z80A • 64K staic RAM ( ROM replacable ) »RS-232C 2port Centronics lport •Supports 5| 8," floppy by DMA •Meets IEEE S-100 bus »+5V only »4 layered PCB •Memory card piggy-back on main board •Include CP/M or SB-80 Model SBC-488 Single Board Computer (IEEE-488 etc) $488.00 10KB • IEEE-488 I/F (+5,-30) } Texture ) TEX LIR SPR TEX LIR TEX SPR LIR SPR Line Relative ) } ) (dx,dy) = (-.0390625 ,-.078125) => (-10,-20) Point Set Relative } } - (dx,dy) = (+.078125, +.0703125) => (+20, +18) } Texture } Line Relative } } } (dx,dy) = (-.0390625, -.078125) => (-10,-20) Texture } Point Set Relative } } - (dx,dy) = (+.078125, +.08984375) => (+20, +23) } Line Relative } } } (dx,dy) = (-.0390625, -.078125) -> (-10,-20) Point Set Relative } } - (dx,dy) } (+.078125, +,0625) => (+20, +16) Label the "RAIN" vertically TXT Text Char Path Down Select GO (ASCII Text) SI "RAIN" R A I N Back to Graphics 162 March 1983 © BYTE Publications lnc Listing 2 continued: 215 016 SO Select Gl (PDI Graphics) Reset to normal text ■ 1 ■ 216 042 TXT Text 217 100 Char Path Right Set color to BLACK 218 074 ( actually transparent ) SET Set Color ■^B _1 219 100 TRN X1000000 Draw the road 220 044 SPA Point Set Absolute Read the 221 100 mm m - 222 100 } - (x f y) - (0.0,0.0) => (0,0) fine nrint. 223 100 ■ ■■ IW Ml ■■ ■%■ 224 225 065 120 POF Polygon Filled Improve the output of your present 226 106 } - (dx,dy) = (+.5 ,+.1953125) => (+128, +50) system with a dot-matrix printer 227 102 from NEC. 228 100 For good-looking copy in a hurry it's 229 121 } - (dx,dy) = (+.078125, +.0546875) => (+20, +14) hard to beat NEC's hard-working 230 146 PC-8023A.This is a bi-directional 100 CPS, 80-column printer that can operate 231 100 in a compressed-print mode to yield 132 232 120 } - (dx,dy) = (+. 078125,+. 0) => (+20, +0) columns. Special 2I< buffer holds a page 233 140 of data, so the unit can print while you're typing in something else. Compatible 234 177 with a wide range of computers, from 235 155 } - (dx,dy) - (-.0703125, -.0703125) => (-18,-18) Apple to Zenith *. 236 166 Compare these features with your 237 167 present printer: 238 142 } - (dx,dy) = (-. 3515625,-. 1796875 ) => (-90,-46) Tractor and friction feed 239 162 Complete ASCII characters plus Greek, math, and graphic 240 044 Label the "ROAD" SPA Point Set Absolute characters Elite, pica, compressed print. 241 120 } proportional spacing, subscript 242 102 } - (X,y) = (.5,. 078125) => (128,20) and superscript 243 104 } Standard parallel Centronics 244 017 SI Select GO (ASCII Text) interface, serial optional Prints clear original and up to three "ROAD" copies simultaneously 245 122 R 'Special cables may be necessary. 246 117 Contact your local NEC Home 247 101 A Electronics dealer 248 104 D 249 016 SO Select Gl (PDI Graphics) Change Size of text *y n -- 250 042 TXT Text ■t< : ^r^Ktfflk. m ■ 251 100 -.■■ft ■ 252 253 254 100 100 112 ) - (dx,dy) = (+.046875, + . 078125 ) => (+12, +20) L Mm.'"-; M , f 255 144 Draw BLACK "Figure 1" Productivity at your fingertips as base for drop shadow NEC 256 044 SPA Point Set Absolute NEC Home Electronics (U.S.A.), Inc. 257 112 } Personal Computer Division 258 105 } ~ (X,y) = ( .25, .6859375 ) => (64,175) 1401 Estes Avenue 259 107 } Elk Grove Village, IL 60007 Listing 1 continued on page 164 (312)228-5900 Circle 305 on inquiry card. > Nippon Electric Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan Listing 1 continued: 260 017 SI Select GO (ASCII Text) "Figure 1" 261 106 F 262 151 i 263 147 g 264 165 u 265 162 r 266 145 e 267 040 space 268 061 1 269 Finish drop shadowing with yellow over black SO Select Gl (PDI Graphics) 270 074 SET Set Color 271 166 YEL X1GR0GR0 272 044 SPA Point Set Absolute 273 102 } 274 176 } " 1983 1984 Save the expense of a costly daisy wheel. Eliminate the limited capa- bility of cheap matrix printers. And get plotting in the process!! Get the all new, advanced MT 160 multi- functional micro printer. You'll be amazed that such a small printer can house so much horsepower Capability? You name it, this printer's got it. A resident Report Package puts you in the Word Processing world. . .letter quality characters, proportional spacing, margin justification, auto center- ing. A resident Graphics Package lets you plot whatever your micro wants to portray. The standard print mode lets you generate re- ports fast— speeds up to 200 lines per minute. Also, print eight diffe- rent resident character widths. There's more. Clip-on paper handling attachments let you use fan-fold forms, letterhead, cut sheets or continuous roll paper. The control panel has a "menu select" for machine configuration. When you look under the hood, youll see what is meant by "solid construction." And the MT 160 is plug compatible to your micro. In short, the MT 160 is the epitome of engineering excel- lence. And it should be. Afterall, Mannesmann Tally is the technol- ogy leader in matrix printing. MANNESMANN TALLY 8301 South 180th St. Kent, Washington 98032 Phone (206) 251-5524 IN DISTRIBUTION NOW! WEST Anacomp (206) 881-1113 Byte Industries (415) 783-8272 Kieruiff Electronics (213) 725-0325 Paragon Sales (408) 263-7955 PGI- Distribution (602)967-1421 Waybern (714) 554-4520 Western Micro Technology (408) 725-1660 Acorn Data Products (303) 779-6644 Sysprint (214) 669-3666 Tek-Aids CENTRAL (312) 870-7400 Hall-Mark Electronics (214) 343-5000 EAST Information Systems Computermaxx (312) 228-5480 (904) 878-4121 D.'.L MacNeit, Inc. Digital Solutions (312)952-8300 (404) 955-4488 Micro Distributors (301)468-6450 Hansen & Hughes (201) 652-7055 Tech Data (813) 577-2794 US Plus (203)234-0444 Mannesmann Tally Canada (416) 661-9783 Circle 256 on inquiry card. FIRST BYTE RECEIVED 7 6 5 4 3 2 10 uioi : : i :T1) op cooe mu _» i— j i i_ I x 1 1 [;;;;; ] ^ operands k L LAST BYTE I v I , | — ' — > — « — ' — ■ — I RECEIVED L1LLI — i_i — i_i — i — I fO-OPC \l- OPE CODE RAND Figure 2: The general structure for op codes and operands of the Picture- Description Instructions (PDIs) in NAPLPS. maximum color resolution, NAPLPS can support displays with 2 96 bits of display memory I At today's memory prices, such a display would cost $750 billion billion billion dollars. (No wonder semiconductor companies are interested in NAPLPS.) The final operand format is the string operand. This format is used when a long string of bits is needed that may require hundreds or thousands of bytes to encode. This format is used when sending high- resolution pictures and for encoding compressed chain-coded images. These techniques will be discussed in part 3 of this series. The operand /op code encoding structure of NAPLPS allows a variety of formats and subformats. Many of the op codes contain one or more of the operand types. For example, the Text op code, which will be described in detail later on, is followed by two fixed-format operands and a multi- value operand. The total number of operand bytes for this op code is variable, but the first 2 bytes will always be interpreted as fixed-format bytes and the remaining bytes will be considered as part of a multivalue format. Because of the variable- length nature of the operand encod- ing in NAPLPS, operands can be truncated and/or omitted with a con- sistent result dependent on the op code active at the time. Picture-Description Instructions The Picture-Description Instruc- tions (PDIs) are used to encode i b 2 bj b RESET DOMAIN TEXT TEXTURE POINT SET (ABS) POINT SET (RED POINT (ABS) POINT (RED LINE (ABS) LINE (RED SET a LINE (ABS) SET a LINE (RED ARC (OUT- LINED) ARC (FILLED) SET a ARC (OUT- LINED) SET a ARC (FILLED) RECT (OUT- LINED) RECT (FILLED) SET a RECT (OUT- LINED) set a RECT (FILLED) POLY (OUT- LINED) POLY (FILLED) SET POLY (OUT- LINED) SET a POLY (FILLED) FIELD INCR POINT INCR LINE INCR POLY (FILLED) SET COLOR WAIT SELECT COLOR BLINK NUMERIC DATA Figure 3: The complete set of Picture-Description Instruction op codes in NAPLPS. graphics images in NAPLPS. Codes from the PDI G-set and the ASCII- like text set can be intermixed on the same frame. Most of the common PDIs have been used to encode the image in figure 1. These PDIs are figure 5. It is used to clear the screen described here with references to the coding in listing 1. Reset The Reset PDI is illustrated in 166 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc text continued on page 170 The Apparat EPROM Blaster Now for the IBM/PC, Apple II and TRS-80. Apparat's EPROM Burner: It's new. It's more powerful and now available for all three of today's most popular personal computers. And the price has dropped by over 20%. Increased Capabilities The Apparat EPROM Burner (A.P.B.) programs most 24 pin 4, 8, 16 and 32k EPROMS, but now it can also program 64k devices. And with all personality modules and software included, Apparat's EPROM programmer is the most sophisticated system on the market. The A.P.B. system can verify, read, program and copy the EPROM; copy between different ROM types; read or save EPROM data on storage devices; program directly from computer memory and more. And a Lower Price Even with increased capabilities we've been able to lower the price 20% to $119.00 ($129.00 for the IBM/PC). This price includes all the personality modules, operating software and the instruction manual. If you're looking for a powerful, versatile and cost efficient EPROM burner, contact us today Apparat, Inc., 4401 S. T&marac Parkway, Denver, CO 80237, (303) 741-1778. Or to order call 800/525-7674 IBM/PC is a trademark of IBM TRS-80 Is a trademark of Tandy Corp. Apple II Is a trademark of Apple Computer Circle 25 on inquiry card. Apparat, Inc. s the same Apple IL old For years, people have been trying to build a better Apple® IL It finally happened. Meet the Apple He, an impressive new version of a most impressive machine. The "e" means enhanced. Which means a bundle of new features: A standard memory of 64K (versus 48K) that s easily expandable. So you can create fatter files and crunch larger numbers of numbers. A new, improved keyboard, with a complete set of ASCII standard characters. Plus full cursor controls, programmable function keys, and a rapid auto-repeat feature built into every key on the board. Both upper and lower case characters. (And if you want to see more of them on the screen at one time, a low cost 80-column text card is available.) Improved peripheral ports. Which make it a lot easier to connect and disconnect game controllers, printers and all those other wonderful things that go with an Apple Personal Computer. back and inside- mm .. zzw ■- 4,« i ■ IfiBfBSfmipyiffSfil 1 L- , .. , F -*:: * 4»A HJ *" :i. ' . •] KEYBOARD SbHRM:'^; flaml S iH ^jSM«S ~-afc^3EB?5iv.;rs.^-.* r «»i3 I OEaSsaeafe ffif < S£ j . *> -ffBBBB HERAL RDRT %Kw^9U9 -^— > • 1 , ! J H «£ S ? LJ 1 !gl .1 mC^r-, QWt OW»(IIjCJ/H * ! WL l; '■fy U j ' f 1 i 8 * r ' JS *Vp * IP^B » £K mm 11111 K^ ^S^l Self-diagnostics. That's a special feature that makes it easy to give your computer a thorough check-up. Plus an even more reliable design. Achieved by reducing the number of components— which is to say, the number of things that could go wrong. And bear in mind, the lie still has all those other virtues that made the Apple II so very popular. Including access to more accessories, peripheral devices and software than any other personal computer you can buy So visit any of our over 1300 authorized dealers, and see the newest Apple for yourself . Like the original, its rather extraordinary. But then some things never change. apple I (800) 538-9696 for the location of the authorized Apple dealer nearest you, or for information regarding corpc i California (800) 662-9238. Or write Apple Computer Inc., Advertising and Promotion Dept., 20525 Mariani Av The most personal computer. Circle 26 on inquiry card. >rate purchases through our National Account Program. Cupertino, CA 95014- £) 1983 Apple Computer Inc. 03 r~ MSB IxliJ 1 l*M 1 1-4 BYTES 2-BIT OPERAND 3-BIT OPERAND • 1 -BIT OPERAND z LSB a) FIXED 2 DIMENSIONS HIE b) SINGLE -VALUE 3 DIMENSIONS sir Mil X i l*hl X « ! c) MULTIVALUE Ixlil I « « B G « • 1-8 BYTES 1-N BYTES Figure 4: 77te various formats for the operands of the PDIs in NAPLPS. and initialize various attributes. Two fixed-format operand bytes contain nine suboperands. The second operand byte can be omitted when those operations are not needed. If both operand bytes are omitted, a complete Reset is performed. The screen is cleared based on the value in bits 4 to 6 of the first operand byte. The eight combinations are shown in figure 5. In the example frame (line 4), the screen is cleared once to establish the blue sky. The fixed-format operand (octal 120 at line 5) indicates that the screen should be cleared to the current in-use color (in this case, blue). Note that the sec- ond fixed-format operand byte is omitted. The op code at line 6 in- dicates that the previous operation and op code have ended. Domain The Domain PDI is used primarily to control the size of data operands for subsequent PDIs. As shown in figure 6, the Domain PDI is made up of a fixed-format operand followed by a multibyte operand. The fixed- format operand controls the size of single-value operands and multivalue operands as well as the dimensionali- ty of coordinates. The multivalue operand is used to control the size of the logical drawing point. Text The Text PDI controls attributes related to text and "text-like" sym- bols. As discussed in part 1, text sym- bols are unique in the sense that they are rectangular templates that contain a figure. When a text symbol is re- quested, the proper template is posi- tioned at the current drawing point, the template is scaled as specified by the text size, and the drawing is per- formed. Figure 7 illustrates the Text PDI and operands. Two fixed-format operand bytes contain six sub- operands. Each of the suboperands has four possible values. As can be RESET 7 6 5 4 3 2 10 OP CODE (2/0) | X | | 1 | | 1 1 | | OPERAND (SEE BELOW) |x | 1 ] B , S , B | C , C | p| OPERAND (SEE BELOW) [7\l | R | M | X ] U | F ] T | B B B Color No action 1 Physical display area to nominal black 1 Physical display area to cur- rent drawing color 1 1 Border area to nominal black 1 Border area to current drawing color 1 1 Physical display area and border area to current drawing color 1 1 Physical display area to cur- rent drawing color and border area to nominal black 1 1 1 Physical display area and border area to nominal black C C Color mode No action 1 Select color mode 0, set color map to default colors, and set the in-use drawing color to white 1 Select color mode 1 and set color map to default colors. If this is ex- ecuted while in color mode 0, it has the same effect as "11." 1 1 Select color mode 1, set color map to default colors, and set the in-use drawing color to white Miscellaneous Resets D Domain T Text F Blink U Unprotected (User) Fields X Texture M Macro PDIs R DRCS Figure 5: The operand structure for the Reset instruction. seen, these suboperands control at- tributes such as rotation, spacing, and cursor style. The multivalue operand following the two fixed-format operands is used to specify the size and orientation of the text template. The size is ex- pressed in terms of relative coor- dinates, which we will indicate by the notation {dx,dy) t This is to distinguish relative coordinates from absolute coordinates (x,y) that refer 170 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc Cdex ™ Training for VisiCale Makes VisiCale Easy. In an hour, Cdex Training for VisiCale can make you a VisiCale user. Or for the experi- enced VisiCale user Cdex Training for VisiCale acts as an instantaneous elec- tronic reference and review system. It's a computer-assisted training program that works. It's highly interactive. So it creates a dialogue with you and serves as your personal tutor. It's completely self- paced. So you set your own learning time. And it's graphically-oriented. So you see what you're learning. Remember, a picture is worth 1000 words. Cdex Training for VisiCale runs on the same Apple® II or IBM® Personal Computer as your VisiCale program. So see how easy VisiCale can be. See your nearest computer dealer for a demonstration. Cdex™ Training f or VisiCald* We don't make VisiCale. We just make it easy. Cdex Corporation 5050 El Camino Real Suite 200 Los Altos, CA 94022 VisiCale® is a registered trademark otVisiCorp7 M Circle 73 on Inquiry card. BYTE March 1983 171 DOMAIN 7 6 5 4 3 2 10 OP CODE (2/1) |x|0|l|0|0|0[0|l| OPERAND (see below) |x|i|d|m,M,M]S.S1 LOGICAL PEL SIZE firm nrrrr dy Dimensionality two-dimensional 1 three-dimensional Length of Multivaiue M M M Operands (Bytes) 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 3 (default) 1 1 4 5 1 6 7 1 8 Length of Single-Value S S Operands (Bytes) 1 (default) 1 2 1 3 1 1 4 Figure 6: The operand structure for the Domain instruction. The Logical Pel Size can be thought of as the size of the draw- ing pen. to specific points on the unit screen. In the example frame, text is used to label the objects as well as the en- tire figure. Most of the text is encoded in the standard manner and therefore no Text PDI is needed. The first Text PDI appears in line 208 and is used to change the Character Path from left- to-right to down. This allows the word "RAIN" (lines 211-214) to be sent without repositioning the draw- ing point. Note that the second fixed-format operand and the multivaiue size operand are omitted because only the Character Path is being changed. Also note that because the Character Path is being changed, the other two suboperands in that byte (Interchar- acter Spacing and Rotation) have to be restated or "refreshed." It is as- sumed that the NAPLPS code gen- TEXT 7 6 5 4 3 2 10 OP CODE (2/2) |X| 0] 1 1q[q| 0| 1 ]0| OPERAND ( see below ) |x|l | I , I | P ,P | R , R [ OPERAND (see below) |xjl |C ,C|m,m1 S,S| I I Intercharacter Spacing 1 (default value) 1 1.25 1.5 1 Proportional spacing P Character Path Right (default) Left Up Down Rotation (default) 90 180 270 C Cursor Style Underscore (default) 1 Block Cross-hair 1 Custom M M Move Attribute Move together (default) 1 Cursor leads Drawing point leads 1 Moving independently S Interrow Spacing 1 (default) 1.25 1.5 2 Figure 7: The operand structure for the Text instruction. erator will always have knowledge of the current settings of these suboperands so that such a refresh is easy to do. The Text PDI is used again in lines 250-255. The size of the text is changed to label the figure. The Character Path is also set to left-to- right. The (dx,dy) of ( + 0.046875, TEXTURE 7 6 5 4 3 2 10 OP CODE (2/3) | X [ 1 1 | 1 | | 1 | 1 | OPERAND (see below) |x|i|p.P.p1h|l.l! hie _i i i i_ MASK SIZE nrrrr d x d y P P P Texture Pattern Solid (default pattern) 1 Vertical hatching 1 Horizontal hatching 1 1 Vertical and horizontal crosshatching 1 Mask A 1 1 Mask B 1 1 Mask C 1 1 1 Mask D H Highlight Off 1 On L L Line Texture Solid (default) Dotted Dashed Dotted-dashed Figure 8: The operand structure for the Texture instruction. + 0.078125) results in a character twice as big in both dimensions as the default characters. If you want to find out how many of these characters could fit on a line, you could divide 1.0 by 0.046875, which results in 21.3 characters per line. It should be noted that no other Text PDIs appear after the one in line 250. At the end of the frame, the text size is still large. When the next frame is sent, the text size should be changed back to its default state. This is typically done with a global Reset at the beginning of the frame. Texture The Texture PDI applies to the tex- turing of filled areas and lines (see figure 8). Line texturing can be set so that dotted, dashed, or dotted-dashed lines will be drawn instead of the nor- 172 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc LET THE "ANGEL? DO THE WAITING Two RS-232C Connectors for serial in put and output 6 Leds to indicate power, transmission and reception status, buffer activities, page number, etc. SKIP and REPRINT provide independent page controls to reprint portions of documentation. 40 Pin Expansion Bus available for future expansion COPY provides convenient one key opera- tion for single copy or multi-copy of text ™ 3 externally accessible Dip Switches for baudrate, device type, and parallel and serial selections. Selections can be made „ without losing buffer Connect an "ANGEL" between your com- puter and your printer, and let the "ANGEL" do the waiting .... Your valuable computer spends 95% of its time waiting for the printer to catch up... and while the computer waits, the payroll con- tinues. The computer sends data to the "ANGEL" at speeds up to 19.2K baud. The "ANGEL" stores data and sends it to the printer at a speed the printer can handle, and your com- puter is free to continue working without in- terruption. A USER WRITES: "I tried the "ANGEL" with my Altos system connected to an Epson MX- 100, both set at 9600 baud. Without the "ANGEL" it takes 30 minutes to print 210 doctors' requisition forms, with the "ANGEL" installed, my computer is free after 90 seconds. " With "ANGEL'S" self diagnostics and memory test, the entire system thoroughly checks itself every time you power up. PAGE REPRINT is another unique feature. EXAMPLE: You are printing a 32 page report, and the paper jams at page 1 1 . Reset the printer to the top of the form, press PAGE REPRINT, and resume printing at the top of page 1 1 . Want to restart two pages back? Press PAGE REPRINT twice, ana you resume at page 10. Function keys extend the useful com- mands to more than 10. including: hex- dump, memory test, remote loading, etc. Independant PAUSE and HOLD con trols to suspend transmission and recep tion. 8 easy-tooperate membrane key switches. Two 20 Pin Edge Connectors for parallel input and output "ANGEL" is compatible with almost all Micro-Computers, including IBM, Apple, TRS-80, Vector Graphic, MorthStar, Altos, Xerox, Heath, Zenith, NEC, DEC, etc., with RS-232 serial, Hardware Handshaking, or Centronics compatible parallel interface. The manufacturer reserves the right to change the product specification. ...And think of these other possibilities: HEX DUMP. Display or printout every bit of data your computer sends out to the printer in an easy-to-read Hexidecimal and ASCII format. A must for your programmer. Pause and Hold for real time programs. Page skip for selective printing. What a waste to print the entire documentation if you only need part of it. Simple external switch settings, let the "ANGEL" accept either RS-232 serial or Centronics parallel data and can output either/or in any combination, (S-S,S-P,P-S,P-P). The "ANGEL" is com- patible with almost all Micro-Computers, and can be installed by anyone in minutes. Switches are clearly marked for ease of operation, and a concise, USER FRIENDLY operator reference card is included with each unit. The "ANGEL" has a full one year limited warranty. THE "ANGEL" WILL NEVER KEEP YOU WATTING! The chart shown here illustrates the features of the "ANGEL" compared to other buffer devices. When compared with the "ANGEL", the others just don't measure up. Sorry guys. Feature ANGEL MICRO F-AZER • • SPOOU64 MICRO BUFFTR in i in; SOOPER W-'OOLfR SHRIAL • • Price 295,00 330.00 319.00 w/o serial 349.00 603.00 Memory Size 64 K 64 K 64K 64K 62K Max Baud Rate 19.2K •} M/A 19.2k > Seriai-Parallei Yes * Mo * * Parallel-Serial Yes * Mo ■ * * Parallel-Parallel Yes * Yes * * Serial-Serial Yes Yes Mo Yes Yes Copy Yes Yes No Yes No Reset/Clear Yes Yes No Yes Yes Pause/Hold Yes Mo No Yes Mo Page Skip Yes Mo No No Mo Page Reprint Yea Mo No No Mo Continuous Copy ■> No ? No -. ii E irninnstn s ■? ? ? ? Hex-bump Yes Mo No No No * Can only be configurated for one of the four Modes: •'Information based on available specifications manufacturer's advertisement as of December, 1982 Micro-Fazer TM of Quadram Corp. Sooper Spooler TM of Compulink Corp. r PAGE REPRINT HEX DUMP LigO Research, Inc. • 396 E. 159* St. • Harvey, IL 60426 • 1-312-331-8797 • In Canada 1-416-859-0370 Circle 246 on Inquiry card. TO ORDER: CALL TOLL FREE 1-800-323-3304 OR SEND CHECK OR MONEY ORDER TO LIGO RESEARCH Please rush me ( ) "ANGELAS)" @ $295.00 each Sub total "only 8 Add 6% US. sales tax $4.00 Delivery charge TOTAL Charge my () VISA () MASTERCARD MY ACCT. # IS EXPIRATION DATE BYTE March 1983 173 POINT 7 6 5 4 3 2 10 Holilololilolol 1*M°. ■ I ■ ■ 1 |x|1 bJj-^J x y POINT SET (ABSOLUTE) 7 6 5 4 3 21 |x|o|i|o|o|i|i|o1 7 6 5 4 3 2 10 Ixlolilololilolil I'l'lt. . I . ~1 QK -I I I I- H'lo . I . . I dx dy POINT SET (RELATIVE ) 7 6 5 4 3 2 10 Holilololihlil l »hh . , I ■ ,1 dx dy POINT DRAW (RELATIVE) Figure 9: The Point instructions in NAPLPS. Point Set merely moves the "drawing point" to the desired position. Point Draw actually draws a point at that position. Coor- dinates can be either absolute (x,y) or relative (dx t dy). The first bit of each coordinate is a sign bit. The remaining bits are encoded as fixed-point binary numbers, with the "binary point" assumed to be just to the right of the sign bit. mal solid line. A variety of area tex- tures can be selected so that large ob- jects can have recognizable interiors. The area textures can be chosen from a "stock" set of patterns or "program- mable" patterns can be used. A "cartoon-like" highlighting feature is included. When enabled, filled areas are highlighted (usually in black) to accent the edges. This is especially useful in low-resolution video-display systems that have trou- ble making rapid color changes. The Texture PDI is used several times in the example frame (lines 8, 34, 98, 178, 188, and 194). The highlighting is turned off for the grass and on for the house. The highlighting is also used on the left bird to add a little diversity. The line textures are demonstrated in creating the rain (lines 171-203). Outlined Drawings The majority of drawings are created using the basic primitives Point, Line, Arc, Rectangle, and Polygon. All these primitives are sup- ported in NAPLPS with each one having several forms. Points Points can be drawn on the unit screen in a variety of ways. As shown in figure 9, four Point PDIs are pro- vided. Two of these commands are used to actually draw points (Point Draw), while the other two merely position the drawing point prior to drawing text or graphics (Point Set). The coordinates for both Point Draw and Point Set can be expressed in either absolute or relative terms. At this point (no pun intended), it is probably useful to distinguish be- tween the drawing point and the cur- sor. The drawing point is the imagi- nary pen point or brush tip that is used to draw graphics on the screen. The cursor is the typical block or underscore that marks the position where the next text entry will be made. The drawing point and cursor usually "track" each other, but this is not required. In other words, the cur- Johnny's Function Keys Can't Read Or write. Or move a paragraph. Johnny is not a programmer, so his function keys are nonfunctional. I fljjChANqEW : " For Johnny, and everyone else who wants the convenience of function keys, help is here. Keychanger™ replaces cumbersome multi-stroke control characters with individual function keys, thus saving keystrokes and time. No more "control P-S" - simply press the assigned function key. You may choose from four ready-made sets of functions, or create custom function keys with the aid of on-screen guidance. You can change instantly from one set of functions to another. Keychanger™ is CP/M compatible and presently supports Wordstar® , dBase II™, and BASIC (other selected programs are coming soon). To start your function keys working, send $29.95 to Computer Publishing Co., 1945 N. Fine #101, Fresno, CA 93727. For VISA/Mastercard orders, call 209-453- 0777. Wordstar is a registered trademark of MicroPro; dBase H is a trademark of Ashton-Tate. Supplied in many popular diskette formats. Compatible with virtually all terminals having function keys. California residents add sales tax. 174 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc Circle 11 on inquiry card. eggs ^**c»^c*:sP:£ o Purolator armored TDK Floppy Disks. Invaluable security for irreplaceable information. &V&L o** ll.-n iS &TDK Today, more and more companies are relying on convenient floppy disks to record, store and safeguard information. Irreplaceable information which is vital to their business interests. It is precisely the value placed on this information that makes the floppy disk an invaluable tool for storage and security. And this is where TDK floppy disks become invalu- able to you. TDK floppy disks are guaranteed 100% error-free at the time of manufacture and certified for double-density encoding. Furthermore, each track of every TDK floppy ililii ■■ ■ ■ m Vi- mi I, muni ■' ■•->'• disk is tested to exceed industry standards ... including those of IBM, Shugart, ANSI, ECMA, ISO and JIS. Once you insert a quality TDK floppy disk into your computer system, you're guaranteed highly reliable, ultra smooth perform- ance. This is due to TDK's proprietary disk-burnishing tech- nique that provides optimum head-to-disk contact. TDK floppy disks are available in 5V4 and 8-inch sizes in the most popular formats. Each disk comes in its own pro- tective Tyvek-type envelope. For a copy of our brochure, "Some Straight Talk About Floppy Disks," write to: TDK Elec- tronics Corp., Computer Products Marketing Dept., 12 Harbor Park Drive, Port Washington, NY 1 1050, or call 516-625-0100. fete 3«de0 / OOuOie Oemfty M2DX m 96TPJ ©1 982 TDK Electronics Corp. Circle 417 on Inquiry card. &TDK The heart of your system. BYTE March 1983 175 LINE 76543210 76543 2 10 sor can be positioned on the screen and the drawing point can be moved independently. The example frame uses the "Set" forms of the Point PDIs, but not the "Draw" forms. Line 36 is an example of a Set Point Absolute op code. This op code is used to position the draw- ing point to a specific place on the screen regardless of where the draw- ing point is currently located. This is in preparation for drawing the house. Line 44 is an example of a Set Point Relative op code. This op code is followed by a (dx,dy) operand that specifies a distance to move from the current position. This move is made in preparation for drawing the roof. Note that the relative form of the op code is useful because the roof should always be "tied" to the house. If a specific (absolute) screen coordinate had been specified, the roof would be fixed at a certain location. In this ex- ample, if the initial coordinate (lines |x|o|i|o|i|o|o|o| |x|o|i|o|i|o|o|i| i*mo. , 1 , , 1 UHJlt. , | , . | Ixin . . 1 . . I Mil . . I . . I x y dx dy LINE (ABSOLUTE) LINE (RELATIVE) 76543210 76543210 |X|0|1|0|1|0|1|0| |X|0|1|0|1|0|1|1| i*mo, . i . . i hhio, . i , . i i*m . . i . . i |xhi , , I , , I «1 *, x y |x|i|o, .1.1 |x|i| ..'K.I I#l , , 1 , , 1 M»t*. , 1 , . 1 x 2 y 2 dx dy SET S LINE (ABSOLUTE) SET a LINE (RELATIVE) Figure 10: The Line instructions. The Set & Line instructions move the drawing point to. a new position and draw a line from that position. The Line instructions draw a line from the present drawing point. IF YOUR COMPUTER'S IMPORTANT TO YOU Protect It! Without SAFEWARE,™ you could be uninsured. For as little as $35 a year, SAFEWARE provides complete protection for all hardware, media and purchased software. Both business and home application. Call toll free today for more information or immediate protection. Columbia National General Agency, 88 E. Broad, Columbus, Ohio 43215. (In Ohio call 1-800-848-2112) 1-800-848-0598 37-39) is changed, the roof will move with the house. Lines Lines are used in almost every graphics display. Four forms of the Line PDI are provided, as shown in figure 10. The major difference in the four op codes is that two of them draw a line from the present drawing point and the other two draw from a new set point. Also, two of the op codes involve relative positions and two involve absolute positions. Lines are used to create the rain in the example frame. The relative form of the Line PDIs is used in lines 180, 190, and 200. As mentioned, the lines are drawn using the current texture setting. Arcs The Arc PDIs are extremely power- ful, but may be confusing to the casual observer. Most people can eventually be convinced that only one circular arc can be drawn through three points if two of the points are known to form the end- points. In NAPLPS the three points on the arc are specified rather than the center and radius. The three points are specified just like other points in the unit screen. 176 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc Circle 83 on inquiry card. text continued on page 180 Mr. Dow and Mr. Jones introduce Dow Jones Software- Jones: "Mr. Dow, look what they're selling in that new store down the street: Dow Jones Software. You haven't gotten us into ladies' fashions, have you?" Dow: "No, Mr. Jones. That's a computer store, and our software products allow investors and business professionals to use a personal computer like this one here to easily manage financial information." Jones: "Just what can our software do?" Dow: "In a nutshell, Jones, with a personal computer, a tele- phone, a modem and Dow Jones Software, you can easily perform complex analyses on the information available from our information service, Dow Jones News/Retrieval®." Jones: "You mean all those calculations I've been doing by hand I could do in a fraction of the time with this software? That's great!" Dow: "It is, Mr. Jones. Just like The Wall Street Journal, Dow Jones Software is a resource you can bank on!" Available nationwide from these fine computer dealers . . • ALASKA ANCHORAGE Abacus North 511 West 4th Ave. (907) 276-7443 Rainbow Technics 4301 North Star (907) 278-3923 The Software Store 4600 Business Park Blvd. (907) 694-3044 ARIZONA PHOENIX Computerland of Phoenix 3152 E.Camelback Road (602) 956-5727 CALIFORNIA ANAHEIM Powers Computer Center 1295 N.Euclid St. (714)778-6021 ARCADIA Love Computers 7 East Foothill (213)447-0721 BAKERSFIELD Computer Basics 5600 California Ave. (805) 834-561 1 BREA Computer City 2700 E. Imperial Highway (714)996-0800 Computique 1080 E. Imperial Highway (714)990-6600 ELTORO Wabash Apple Computer SuiteC&D 23720 E! Toro Road (714)768-3236 ENCINO The Software Source 17905 Ventura Boulevard (213)705-4445 CAMARILLO Crawford Data Systems 350 N. LantanaAve.,#561 (805)484-4159 COSTA MESA Computer City 3941 S. Bristol (714)549-7749 Piatt Music/May Company 3333 S. Bristol {714)546-9321 FAIRFIELD Mark Anthony Computer 1972 I N.Texas (707) 426-4600 HUNTINGTON BEACH Gateway Computer Center 15201 Springdale (714)895-3931 The Software Store 16562 Gothard St. (714)842-0460 Sun Computers 17671 Beach Blvd. (714)848-5574 IRVINE Learning Shack 17981-J Sky Park Circle (714)966-6631 V.I. P. 14775 Jeffrey Road, J (714)752-6341 LA MESA Computerland 7200 Parkway Drive (619)464-5656 LAWNDALE Computer Stop 16811 Hawthorne Blvd. (213)371-4010 Computique 1611 Hawthorne Blvd. (213)370-5795 LONG BEACH A-Vidd Electronics 2210 Bellflower Blvd. (213)598-0444 continued on next page Dew Tones Software ...Bank on it. Dow Jones Software Dow Tones Software Dow Jones Software LOSALAMITOS Amis Desktop Computers 10512 Los Vaqueros Circle (714)952-4122 LOS ANGELES Compusystems (Downtown) 1050 West 6th Street (213)975-1220 ComputerLand 10600 W. Pico Blvd. (213)559-3353 Computique 1 1986 Wilshire Blvd. (213)820-0423 Computique 3285 Wilshire Blvd. (213)385-7777 Computique 435 West 7th Street (213)629-0121 LOS GATOS Idea Computer 301 N.Santa Cruz Ave. (408)354-1210 MODESTO Computerware 1031 15th Street (209) 578-9739 OAKLAND Softwaire Centre Int'l. 5269 Broadway (415)428-9333 ORANGE Computer City 1904Tustin Ave. (714)974-3082 PALO ALTO Mission Computers 550 University Ave. (415)326-9689 Softwaire Centre Int'l. 477 University Avenue (415)327-0520 PASADENA Computique 260 S. Lake Ave. (213)795-3007 The Softwaire Centre 548 S. Lake Avenue (213)793-4443 RIVERSIDE Computer Kingdom 5225 Canyon Crest Dr., #30 (714)787-1142 ROCKLIN Audio Video Computer Center 3111 Sunset Blvd. (916)988-6024 SACRAMENTO Capitol Computer System 1771 Tribute Road (916)483-7298 SANTA ANA Computique 3211 South Harbor Blvd. (714)549-7373 Softwaire Centre Int'l. 3821 S. Bristol (714)641-0332 SANTA BARBARA Computer Plaza 3313A State Street (805) 687-9391 SANTA MONICA The Computer Store 820 Broadway (213)451-0713 SAN DIEGO Computer City 4603 Mission Bay Drive (619)270-3100 The Computer Merchant 5107 ElCajohn Blvd. (619)583-3963 Softwaire Centre Int'l 41 70 Convoy St. (619)576-1424 Software Only 8199Clairemont Mesa Blvd. (619)569-1666 Wabash Apple 4636 Convoy Street (619)576-1604 SAN FRANCISCO Apex Information Systems, Inc. #1A Russian Hill Place (415)885-1633 Computer Connection 214 California Street (415)781-0200 Quest Computer Store 710 Montgomery Street (415)982-3753 Software Center 4720 Geary Blvd. (415)751-2231 SAN JOSE Businessland. Inc. 3610 Stevens Creek Blvd. (408) 554-9292 TARZANA Computique 18665 Ventura Blvd. (213)705-7507 VENTURA Computerland 3875 Telegraph, Suite E (805) 656-771 1 WEST LOS ANGELES The Software Spot 1977 Santa Monica Blvd. (213)477-7561 WOODLAND HILLS Software Etc. 19973 Ventura Blvd. (213)702-8918 COLORADO AURORA Compushop 3102 S. Parker Road (303) 337-5885 Micro Computer Center Suite F, 2680 S. Havana (303)751-0811 BOULDER Computer Connection Suite 101, 1600 38th Street (303) 449-8282 DENVER C W Electronics 800 Lincoln Street (303)832-1111 Idex Micro Systems 999 18th Street, Suite 225 (303) 293-2299 ENGLEWOOD Computers Etc., Inc. 8923 E. Union Ave. (303) 779-5256 FT. COLLINS Rocky Mountain Computers 2601 S. Lemay, #24 (303) 223-4000 CONNECTICUT WETHERSF1ELD Computer Resources, inc. 683 Silas Deane Highway (203) 563-9000 WESTPORT Computerworks 1439 Post Road East Liberty Plaza (203) 255-9096 DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA WASHINGTON, D.C. The Computer Store 1990 K Street (202) 466-3367 FLORIDA FT. LAUDERDALE The Computer Works 6221 N. Federal Highway (305)491-8600 NORTH PALM BEACH Computer Center of the Palm Beaches 751 Northlake Blvd. (305)848-3801 GEORGIA ATLANTA Compushop of Georgia The Prado 5600 Roswell Road (404)252-9611 Computer Center, Inc. 3623 Interstate 85 North (404) 457-8465 HAWAII HILO The Computer Store 291 Keawe Street (808)969-1166 HONOLULU Computer Market of Hawaii 578 Ala Moana Blvd. (808)521-7312 Memory Lane Computers 841 Bishop St. (808) 526-3232 IDAHO LEWISTON B & I Computer System 1824-B Main Street (208) 746-5980 Team Electronics 1920 -19th Avenue (208) 746-0086 ILLINOIS AURORA Farnsworth Computer Center 1891 N. Farnsworth Avenue (312)851-3888 BUFFALO GROVE Compushop 1363 W.Dundee Road (312)577-0600 CHICAGO Chicago Computer Company 222 West Adams, Suite 245 (312)372-7360 Compushop 180N.Wacker (312)726-7190 Computers Plus 5050 N. Cumberland Ave. (312)452-0066 Systems Source 131 W. Madison (312)726-7879 DEERFIELD Video Etc. 465 Lake Cook Road (312)498-9669 EVANSTON Nabih's 515 Davis St. (312)869-6140 LAKE FOREST Lake Shore Computers 1000 N. Western Avenue (312)234-1002 MIDLOTHIAN Compushop 14403 S. Cicero Ave. (312)396-1020 NILES Computerland 9511 N. Milwaukee Avenue (312)967-1714 NORTHBROOK Northbrook Computers 4113 Dundee Road (312)480-9190 OAKBROOK TERRACE Oakbrook Computer 17 West 426 -22nd Street (312)941-9005 ORLANDPARK Micro Age Computer Store 8752 W. 159th St. (312)349-8080 Video Etc. 9107 W. 151st Street (312)460-8980 PEORIA Wallace Micro Mart 2619 N. University (309) 685-7876 VILLA PARK Farnsworth Computer Center 383 E. North Avenue (312)833-7100 INDIANA INDIANAPOLIS Microage Computer Store 8615Allisonville Road (317)849-5161 LOUISIANA BATON ROUGE The Computer Place 5500 Florida Blvd. (504) 926-4630 SHREVEPORT Micro Business Systems 3823 Gilbert (318)226-8848 MAINE AUBURN Software Centers 95 Spring Street (207) 784-4330 MARYLAND BETHESDA Bethesda Computers 8020 Norfolk Avenue (301)657-1992 CUMBERLAND Miller & Miller 49 North Centre Street (301)777-1000 EASTON The Computer Shop lOWest Dover Street (301)995-1816 LAUREL The Communications Center 9624 Ft. Meade Road (301)953-9535 SALISBURY The Computer Shop 112 West Market Street (301)543-8200 MASSACHUSETTS BURLINGTON Computer City Vinebrook Plaza (617)273-3146 CAMBRIDGE Harvest Computers 1 18A Magazine Street (617)547-3289 Tech Computer Store 199 Alewife Brook Parkway (617)497-0395 CHARLESTOWN Computer City 420 Rutherford Avenue (617)242-3350 DANVERS Computer City 151 Endicott Street (617)774-7118 NEEDHAM New England Electronics (NEECO) 679 Highland Ave. (617)449-1760 WATERTOWN Micro Source Financial 23 Elm Street (617)924-5500 WORCHESTER Computer City 16 Front St (617)755-5464 MICHIGAN ANN ARBOR Complete Computer Center 413 East Huron (313)994-6344 BIRMINGHAM SIMTEC 4114W. Maple (313)855-3990 FARMINGTON HILLS Computer Connection 38437 Grand River (313)477-4470 GRAND BLANC Computer Contact 3017 E.Hill Road (313)694-3740 GROSS POINTE Computerland 22000 Greater Mack Ave. (313)772-6540 KALAMAZOO Computer Room 455 W. Michigan Ave. (616)343-4634 LIVONIA Computer Horizons 37099 Six Mile Road (313)464-6502 SAGINAW The Computer Mart 3580 Bay Road (517)790-1360 SOUTHFIELD Spectrum Computers 26618SouthfleldRoad (313)559-5252 TROY Computer Mart 1824 W, Maple Road (313)649-0910 Rainbow Computer 819 East Big Beaver Road (313)528-3535 WESTBLOOMFIELD Retail Computer Center 4381 Orchard Lake Rd. (313)855-4220 MINNESOTA BLOOMINGTON The Software Centry Southtown Center Penn Ave. South I-494 (612)881-4514 BURNSVILLE Computer Professionals 14322 Burnhaven Drive (612)435-8060 MISSISSIPPI JACKSON Programs Unlimited 4030 Metro Drive (601)969-6705 MISSOURI KANSAS CITY Computer ASP, Inc. 7115 N.W.Barry Road (816)741-8013 ST. CHARLES United Computer Center 4033S.CIoverleaf (314)928-1266 ST. LOUIS Computer Station 1 1610 Page Service Drive (314)432-7019 Forsythe Computers 11445 Olive Street (314)567-0450 NEBRASKA LINCOLN Micro Technologies 8200 N. 66th St. (402) 488-4543 OMAHA Software Source 8610 Cass Street (402) 397-4958 NEVADA LAS VEGAS Century 23 4530 Meadows Lane, #C1 (702)870-1534 Home Computers 1775 E. Tropicana (702)798-1022 RENO A + Computers/Byte Shop of Reno 4804 Kietzke Lane (702) 826-8080 NEW HAMPSHIRE HANOVER Chips Micro Center 3 South Street (603)643-5413 NASHUA Computer Mart of New Hampshire 170 Main Street (603) 883-2386 SALEM Computertown 304 South Broadway (603)893-8812 NEW JERSEY PRINCETON Clancy Paul Princeton Shopping Center N. Harrison St. (609) 683-0060 STANHOPE Computer Universe 23 Route 206 (201)347-7892 NEW YORK JERICHO Programs Unlimited 125 S. Service Road (516)997-8668 NEW HYDE PARK Berliner Computer Center 102 Jericho Turnpike (516) 775-4700 NEW YORK Computer Factory, Inc. 485 Lexington Avenue (212)687-5000 Datel Systems Corp. 121 1 Avenue of the Americas (212)921-0110 Dm Tones Software Dow Tones Software Dow Jones Software Future Data 95 Trinity Place (212)732-3905 Macy's Department Store Herald Square (212)560-4491 McGraw Hill Bookstore 1221 Avenue of the Americas (212)997-4100 Representative Systems 718 Broadway (212)477-3061 SYRACUSE Omnifax Computer Stores 3216 Eric Blvd. East (315)446-1284 YONKERS Investment Software Concepts 295 Jessamine Avenue (914)476-1280 NORTH CAROLINA GREENSBORO Byte Shop of Greensboro 218 N. Elm Street (919)275-2983 RALEIGH Computer Solutions 2840 S. Wilmington St. (919)755-1779 WINSTON-SALEM Computer South 801 3 Silas Creek (919) 748-8001 OHIO BAY VILLAGE Northcoast Computer 640 Dover Center Rd. (216)835-4345 CANTON Computerland 4106 Belden Village St., N.W. (216)493-7786 CINCINNATI Abacus Computer Store 225 E. Sixth Street (513)421-5900 The Future Now 7336 Kenwood Road (513)791-4700 CLEVELAND Computerland 2070 E. 9th St. (216)621-7262 COLUMBUS ADS Systems 642 W. Broad St. (614)224-8823 Microage Computer Store 2591 Hamilton Road (614)868-1550 Micro Electronics, Inc. Lane Ave. Shopping Center 1555 W. Lane Avenue (614)481-8041 GRANVILLE Strictly Software 1670 Columbus Road (614)587-2938 MAYFIELD HEIGHTS Computerland 1300 Som Center Road (216)461-1200 MENTOR Cleveland Computer Co. 7673 Mentor Avenue (216)946-1722 NORTH OLMSTEAD Computerland 4579 Great Northern Blvd. (216)777-1433 TOLEDO Abacus II Micro Computers 1417 Bernath Parkway (419)865-1009 Abacus II Micro Computers 4751 Monroe Street (419)471-0082 The High Tech Systems 4543 Monroe St. (419)472-1170 YOUNGSTOWN Computerland 813 Boardman Poland Rd. (216) 758-7569 OKLAHOMA OKLAHOMA CITY Computer Connections 12314 N. May Avenue (405) 755-9220 TULSA Computer Connections 8125A East 51st St. (51st & Memorial) (918)663-6342 OREGON BEAVERTON Byte Shop 3482 S.W.Cedar Hills Blvd. (503)644-2686 EUGENE Computer Solutions, Inc. 175 Silver Lane (503) 689-9677 GRANTS PASS Team Electronics 530 N.E."E" Street (503) 479-8723 PENDLETON F & H Sound 338 South Main (503) 276-3772 PORTLAND American Datastar Systems 430N.E. Glisan (503) 238-4605 Byte Shop 625 S.W. 10th Avenue (503) 223-3496 Computerland 327 S.W. Morrison (503)295-1928 Stereo Distributors, Inc. 955 N.E. Union Ave. (503)232-0915 SALEM Computerland 980 Lancaster Drive, N.E. (503)371-7070 Computer Specialties, Inc. 3390 S. Commercial (503) 399-0534 Team Electronics 395 Liberty N.E. (503)371-7406 TIGARD Computerland 12020 S.W. Main Street (503)620-6170 PENNSYLVANIA ALTOONA Mace Electronics 3225 Pleasant Valley Blvd. (814)942-5031 DOYLESTOWN Solution Computer Center 33 North Main Street (215)345-4411 ERIE Mace Electronics 2631 W. Eighth Street (814)838-3511 GREENSBURG Chariot Computers 245 S. Main St. (412)838-9560 PITTSBURGH Business Equipment Sales 5284 Steubenville Pike (412)923-2533 Computer Workshop 3848 William Penn Highway (412)823-6722 Pittsburgh Computer Store 612 Smithfield Street (412)391-8050 The Computer House 1000 Green tree Road (412)921-1333 TEXAS ARLINGTON Computer Port 2142 N.Collins (817)469-1502 BELLAIRE Compushop 5315 Bissonnet (713)661-2008 DALLAS COMPCO Suite 108 5519 Arapaho Road (214)386-6578 Computer Wares Suite 106 12300 tnwood (214)960-0800 SIMTEC 12801 Midway (214)484-3311 EL PASO RTR Software 444 Executive Center Blvd. (915)544-4397 FORT WORTH Compushop 6353 Camp Bowie Blvd. Ridglea Plaza (817)738-4442 Computer Co-op 3465 Bluebonnet Circle (817)926-7331 Computer Wares 4670S. Hulen (817)346-0446 HOUSTON Compushop 815 Milam (713)227-1523 Computercraft, inc. 5050 FM 1960 West (713)583-2032 Computercraft, Inc. 10165 Katy Freeway (713)827-1744 Computercraft, Inc. 2709 Chimney Road (713)840-9762 Computercraft, Inc. 3233 Fondren (713)977-0664 Computercraft, inc. 1958 West Gray (713)522-3130 Computercraft, Inc. 2200 Southwest Freeway Suite 150 (713)527-8088 Computercraft Software Store 2723 Chimney Rock (713)552-0880 Computercraft Software Store 2200 Southwest Freeway (713)521-3050 Computer Galleries 2493 S. Braeswood (713)661-0055 Computer Galleries 11538 Northwest Freeway (713)956-0900 Computronix 1536 Willowbrook Mall (713)890-5832 Computer General Store 5085Westheimer Galleriall#3590 (713)627-0455 SIMTEC 1990 E. Post Oak Blvd. (713)850-9797 Software Center of Houston 2200 Southwest Freeway (713)521-3050 IRVING Compushop Las Colinas Towers IV 125 Carpenter Freeway (214)556-2166 Computer Wares 2209 Story Road (214)258-0080 NORTH RICHLAND HILLS Compushop 8214 Bedford-Euless Road (214)498-8106 PLANO Compushop 3100 Independence Parkway (214)867-4595 Computer Wares 1915 Central Expressway Suite 130 (214)422-5584 SAN ANTONIO Computer Shop 5011 Walzem Road (512)657-7034 VICTORIA Computer Command Corp. 708 E. Goodwin (512)573-4305 UTAH SALT LAKE CITY Mnemonics 141 East 200 South (801)521-2168 Personal Business Computers 1879 S. Main Street (801)486-4839 VIRGINIA ALEXANDRIA Computers Plus 6120 Franconia Road (703) 922-7850 Universal Computers 1710 Fern Street (703) 379-0367 RESTON Universal Computers 2355-G Hunters Woods Plaza (703)620-6160 WASHINGTON BELLEVUE Bixby's Sight & Sound Center 11919 N.E. 8th (206) 454-5770 Online Computer Centers 13710 N.E. 20th Street (206) 644-2080 Swan Computer Store 1034 116th Ave, N.E. (206) 454-6272 ELLENSBURG Computer Craft 115 East 8th St. (509) 925-3755 LACEY Stolz's Computers 4106 Pacific Avenue, S.E. (206) 459-9595 SEATTLE Compu Lab 735N.NorthlakeWay (206) 633-5020 Computer Shop Business Center 110578th Ave., N.E. (206) 367-4747 SPOKANE Bits Bytes Nibbles, Inc. 209 Northtown Shopping Center (509)487-1601 Microspace S. 114 Madison (509) 624-3344 WISCONSIN MILWAUKEE North Shore Computers 5261 N. Port Washington Rd. (414)963-9700 WAUSAU Oryx Software 205 Scott St. (715)848-2322 INTERNATIONAL SWITZERLAND Dynatech Prodata Industriestrasse30 CH-8302 Kloten Dow Jones Market Analyzer™ A technical analysis product that allows private and profes- sional investors to automatically collect, store and update histor- ical and daily market quotes, and to construct technical analysis charts at the touch of a key. Dow Jones Market Microscope™ A fundamental analysis product that allows professional money managers to choose and follow indicators for extensive lists of stocks and industry groups, and to sort, rank, screen and set critical points for buying and selling. Dow Jones Market Manager™ A portfolio management product for private or profes- sional investors who desire immediate access to pricing and financial information, and who need an accounting and control system for their portfolios of securities. Dow Jones Connector™ A data retrieval product for the business or professional person who wants instant elec- tronic access to news, facts and vital data at the home or oflice, via personal computer, simple terminal, communicating word processor or teletypewriter. Dow Tones Software ...Bank on it. ARC 7 6 5 4 3 2 10 | X | | 1 |o|i | 1 | | | |x|l|±. . 1 . . 1 IXUI , . 1 . . 1 dxj dy 3 mn±. , i . . , i \*m , , l , . 1 dx2 dy£ ARC (OUTLINED) 7 6 5 4 3 2 10 |X|0|1|0|1|1|1|0| |x|i|o, , | , , | lx|i| , , | , , | x y Uhl*, . 1 , , 1 • • Mil . . 1 . . 1 dxj d>j |X|1|±. . I , . I l*hl , , 1 , , 1 dx2 dy2 SET 8 ARC (OUTLINED) Figure 11: The Arc instructions. 7 6 5 4 3 2 10 |X|0|1|0|1|1|0|1| |x|i|±. . I . . I |x|i| . . 1 . . 1 dxj dyj |x|i|±. . 1 . . 1 Ixlil . . 1 . . 1 dx 2 dy 2 ARC (FILLED) 7 6 5 4 3 2 10 |X|0|1|0|1|1|1|1| IXIMO. . I . . I Ixhl . . 1 . . 1 x » |x|i|±. . I . . I * Ixhl . . 1 . . 1 dx 2 dy } |x|i|±. . 1 . . 1 hhl , , 1 , , 1 dX2 dy 2 SET a ARC (FILLED ) 1 THE ANATOMY OF A CLOUD Figure 12: A diagram showing how the cloud in figure 1 was constructed from four filled arcs and a filled polygon. Four forms of the Arc PDIs are in- cluded in NAPLPS, as shown in figure 11. Two of the forms allow arcs to be filled so that solid areas with curved edges can be created. Arcs are used in the example frame to create the birds and the cloud. As shown in figure 12, the cloud is made up of four arcs and a polygon. The area between each arc and a line (or chord) connecting the endpoints of the arc is filled by the Arc (Filled) command. The Polygon (Filled) com- mand fills the middle area. Circles are a subset of the more general arc. If only two points are specified (instead of three), those points are assumed to form endpoints of a diameter of a circle. Circles can also be encoded using three points in the normal arc format, but the start- ing and ending points must be equal for a circle to be drawn. A "hook" has been provided in NAPLPS so that it might eventually support complex curves or splines. These curves cannot be described by using simple arcs of circles. But if more than three points are specified for an arc, it should be possible to draw a smooth curve connecting the points. Until algorithms are devel- oped that can efficiently draw a spline, lines can be used to connect the points. Rectangles Both filled and outlined rectangles are supported by NAPLPS. The four forms of the Rectangle PDI are shown in figure 13. Rectangles are described by specifying the opposite corner in terms of relative {dx,dy) coordinates. Negative values for dx or dy can be used to produce rectangles in various directions from the current drawing point. One difference that should be noted with Rectangles is the final destination of the drawing point. Most drawing commands cause the drawing point to be left at the last point involved in the figure. In the case of the Rectangle, only the x coor- dinate is modified so that the drawing point moves horizontally. This allows for histograms or bar charts to be generated in an efficient manner. A Rectangle is used to generate the 180 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc * mm V PI113 3,000 new applications into your Apple! THE CP/M Card™ plugs CP/M Plus™ into your Apple. The CP/M Card gives you the option of running your Apple II with the speed and capability of a professional Z-80 system with CP/M* -compatible software. You plug in the CP/M Card. Then choose CP/M or your standard Apple software at your option. Plug into a big, new world of software. The CP/M Card gives you instant access to the world's largest selection of microcomputer software— more than 3,000 CP/M-compatible applications, languages, and programming utilities. So, you, too can use pro- fessional business programs such as WordStar/* SuperCalc™ Condor,™ and other high-performance software from Day One. Yet, you still have access to your present library of Apple software. Plug into incredible performance. Together, the ultra-fast CP/M Card and CP/M Plus run applications up to 300% faster than your Apple system! The CP/M Card is the only Apple II performance package that offers the speed and efficiency of CP/M Plus. A plug about quality. The CP/M Card was designed and built by Digital Research, the creators of CP/M, and Advanced Logic Systems, the most respected manufacturer of Apple performance products. So you know the CP/M Card is the most perfectly integrated Apple performance package you can buy. Why just keep plugging along? The CP/M Card provides everything you need— including 64K of on-board memory, CP/M Plus, CBASICf GSX™-80 and full documentation— for just $399. Now available through the CP/M library. See your local microcomputer dealer today. Or contact Advanced Logic Systems, 1195 East A ^Jv ,*n*^s4 I *~\* c\ ,„+^~^ Arques Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94086 (800) Advanced Logic Systems 538-8177. (i n California (4os) 730-0306.) The CP/M Card for your Apple II. CP/M, CP/M Plus, the CP/M Card and CBASIC are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Digital Research Inc. Z-80 is a registered trademark of Zilog, Inc. WordStar is a registered trademark of MicroPro International Corporation. SuperCalc is a trademark of Sorcim Corporation. Condor is a trademark of Condor Computer Corporation. GSX-80 is a trademark of Graphics Software System. Apple is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. ©1982 Digital Research Inc. Circle 149 on inquiry card. RECTANGLE 7 6 5 4 3 2 10 | X|0| 1 | 1 | 0| 0| 0|0| mm: ; i ; , i I 'M , ' , 1 , , 1 dx dy RECTANGLE (OUTLINED) 7 6 5 4 3 2 10 |x|o|i|i|olo|i|ol n-TTT^T tun IM EEE J L_ dx dy SET a RECTANGLE (OUTLINED) 7 6 5 4 3 2 10 Ixlolihlolololil I 'M*; ; 1 ■ , I EB ■ I 1 , , I dx dy RECTANGLE (FILLED) 7 6 5 4 3 2 10 l * | oH' | o | o|' I O Ixlilo. . I \HL X 1 i. EEL dx dy SET S RECTANGLE (FILLED) Figure 13: The Rectangle instructions. Note that only one point is required to define a rectangle. house in the example frame. The op code at line 40 could have been a Set Rectangle Filled with the data from lines 37-39 moved into the operation. This would eliminate the need for the Point Set Absolute op code at line 36. Both encodings would yield the same result. Polygons The irregular Polygon is a very useful feature in NAPLPS. Many ob- jects can be broken down into multisided irregular objects. These objects can be encoded using the end- points of the lines forming the sides. Four forms of the Polygon op code are available, as shown in figure 14. The outlined polygons do not offer much more than an efficient way to send a lot of lines. It should be noted that the last line in a polygon is not explicitly sent. The polygon is auto- matically "closed" by an edge con- necting the last point sent and the starting point. The filled polygons offer the ability to define an entire object disregarding * m ii i When you're into heavyweight software development you need more operating system power than CP/M can offer. MICROSHELL builds up CP/M with UNIX features that really help you put out software. Just for starters: MICROSHELL crunches long CP/M dialogs into one-line commands. Puts muscle and flexibility into SUBMIT commands. Captures CRT jbutput and redirects it to CP/M files without retyping. Pulls programs from another disk drive or user number auto- matically (makes hard disk handling a snap). And it's ready for more work with no time-consuming warm-start after a program runs. MICROSHELL fits your system— uses just 7K of memory in any CP/M computer from Apple to Zenith. Check out MICROSHELL today and find out what a powerful partner it makes— at only $1 50. "*CP/M, Distal Research; UNIX, Bell Laboratories; Apple, Apple Computer, Inc. Order Toll Free: 800-368-3359 VISA, MasterCard accepted. Overseas add $20.00 for air mail. Manual only: $25. Circle 312 on Inquiry card. I NEW GENERATION SYSTEMS, inc. 2153 Golf Course Drive Reston, VA 22091 (703)476-9143 TTs new Compact Computer. It takes over your work, not your desk. The ordinary personal computer occupies too much of the ordinary desk. Now Texas Instruments brings you a cordless compact computer that solves the same sort of problems as the Apple™ or IBM™ personal computer It has enough memory and power for complex problems in business and science, yet the whole thing is smaller than a magazine page. Sophisticated software is available right now for finance, statistics, production planning, graphics— and spreadsheet and wordprocessing are just around the corner. For most personal computer tasks, its 6K RAM and 34K ROM are ample. The system is easily, economically expanded. The TI Compact Computer 40 has peripherals that make it even more useful: * Based on published manufacturer's suggested retail price. Apple is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corp. a 4-color printer/plotter; an RS-232 interface for talking with other computers or mnning a larger printer; and TI Wafertape™ drive for program or data storage. TI Solid State Software™ cartridges offer you a choice of convenient, foolproof programs. Its built-in language is TI Enhanced BASIC, which allows you to write programs in everyday words. The integrated liquid crystal display shows 31 characters, which can be scrolled to show up to 80 per line. It operates on four AA alkaline batteries that give up to 200 hours of service. The TI Compact Computer 40 offers solutions anywhere you go. Yet it retails for less than 1/3* the price of Apple™ or IBM™ personal computers. The TI Compact Computer— compact in price and size, but not in power. See it soon at your Texas Instruments retailer. Creating useful products if » and sendees for you. w(*v Texas Instruments Copyright © 1983 Texas Instruments Circle 425 on inquiry card. POLYGON 7 6 5 4 3 2 10 | X | | 1 |l | | 1 | | | Uhli. . I . . I |x|.| . . 1 . . 1 dxj dyj |x|i|*. . | . . | i*m . . i . . i 7 6 5 4 3 2 10 | X [ | 1 |] I I 1 | | 3 | ix.nn. , i . . i |x|i| j.l.l d M d *i |X|H±. , I , , I l x hl . 1 1 i — i — i — i — i — i — j — i i d *n dy n POLYGON (OUTLINED ) dx n dy„ POLYGON (FILLED ) 7 6 5 4 3 2 10 | x| o 1 1 [ 1 | o| 1 | 1 | | |x|i|o, . 1 . , 1 * lxhl . . 1 . . 1 x y kirn. I . . I |x| 1 | 1 1 dxj dyj |x|i|i. . 1 . . 1 |x|i| . . 1 . . 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 10 | X [ |l | 1 |o | 1 | 1 | 1 | | X ] 1 1 . | | . 1X1*1 . . 1 . . 1 x y |X|1|±, , I . . 1 |X|1| . . 1 . . 1 tip y o u : en o o se t J:? 45 mi ero- MJ software that's right for you. You can't go wrong with DigiSoft. We've taken all the surprises out of buying software. No guesswork. No regrets. We give you all the information you need to make the right choice. But we don't stop there. You get plenty of professional support after the sale. And we guarantee your full satisfaction. You'll get lots of help from our well- trained software consultants. They'll answer your questions, offer solutions and present several alternatives. DigiSoft has a comprehensive software inventory, tested and evaluated for top quality and performance. We've labeled our programs I, II and III, so you can select the features best-suited to your needs and budget. DMS is a totally relational database management program that can be part of an integrated financial system. It's compatible with a number of other DigiSoft programs including DCalc II, an electronic spreadsheet. Both can be easily mastered by anyone. If DMS or DCalc II is for you, be sure to take advantage of this special DigiSoft price. Try our software in your own office, on your own computer for thirty days. If you're not completely satisfied, you're welcome to return it. You have nothing at all to lose. To order, or reauest more information, call or send in the coupon today. Visa and Master Card accepted. "Offer expires 4/15/83. Off ff r □ Please rush □ DMS II @ $259.95 (reg. $324.95) D DCalc II @ $199.95 (reg. $249.95) D Check enclosed. Charge to □ VISA D MASTER CARD # Exp. Date Signature Send more information about these DigiSoft programs: □ DMS I Q DMS II D DMS III D Asset IH D GL III □ A/P III □ A/R III □ I/C nin DCalc II □ DCalc III D Medical III D Optimizer I, II, III Other: Name Title Company Computer Type Address City State Zip Mail to: DigiSoft, 10901 Red Circle Drive, Mpls.,MN 55343 Call 800/328-2777 c 1 144 on inquiry card, V MflpMK pR ODUCfP^ THf 1 TO 16 USERS TO GO Altos multi-user 8086 or 68000-based networking computers are chosen by more OEMs and Fortune 1000 companies. Here's why. . . ALTOS® 16-bit computer systems do more for more users. They give you more power. More features. And more reliability. For less money. You get a choice of 8086 or 68000-based family processors, memory management to one MB of RAM, an intelligent Z8CP I/O and disk controller, plus up to 160 megabytes of fast Winchester storage. A single Altos computer can serve up to 16 users. And every Altos 16-bit computer gives you INTER-ALTOS LOCAL NETWORK Series 586. ACS8600 and ACS68000 20-160 MByte Winchester 1-16 USERS with ALTOS-NET ETHERNET Series 586, ACS8600 and ACS68000 20-160 MByte Winchester 1-16 USERS with ALTOS- NET/UNET" REMOTE COMMUNICATIONS Series 586, ACS8600 and ACS68000 20-160 MByte Winchester 1-16 USERS with ALTOS-NET/UNET I 2780/3780 3270 X.25 SNA/SDLC added features like Multibus™ interfacing, real time clock, power fail detection and comprehensive diagnostics. But that's just the beginning. Link multiple Altos' together and communicate in the office of the future today. Serve hundreds of users with full Ethernet™ and ALTOS-NET™ hardware and soft- ware support. And save money with fewer interconnects. In addition, Altos supports remote communications protocols such as 2780/3780, 3270, X.25, and SNA/SDLC. Altos has all the 16-bit soft- ware you need, too. With popular operating systems like XENIX™ / UNIX™ (with a user-friendly "busi- ness command menu interface"), CP/M-86,™ MP/M-86,™ 0AS1S-16, MS™ -DOS and PICK for 8086-based systems; plus UNIX System III™ and RM/COS™ for 68000-based systems. Altos also has high-level lan- guages (BASIC, FORTRAN. COBOL and PASCAL), and applications software (ABS/86 and ABS/68 for general accounting, word process- ing and financial planning). Since 1977, Altos has delivered more than 30,000 highly reliable, fully socketed, proven single board microcomputers and peripherals built for business. If you've been looking to go with a more powerful computer that can serve from 1 to 16 users for less money, call or write us today. Altos Computer Systems 2360 Bering Drive San Jose, CA 95131 (408) 946-6700 Tielex 171562 ALTOS SNJ or 470642 ALTO UI Packed with fresh ideas for business ALEOJ COMPUTER SYSTEMS 800-538-7872 (In Calif. 800-662-6265) Circle 18 on Inquiry card. ALTOS is a registered trademark and ALTOS-NET is a trademark of Altos Computer Systems. Ethernet is a trademark of Xerox Corporation. CP/M-86 and MP/M-86 are trademarks of Digital Research, Inc. MS and XENIX are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. XENIX is a microcomputer implementation of the UNIX operating system. UNIX is a trademark of Bell Laboratories. UNIX System III is a trade- mark of Western Electric RM/COS is a trademark of Ryan-McFarland, Inc. OASIS-16 is a product of Phase One Systems. Inc. PICK is a product of Pick & Associates and Pick Computer Works. Multibus is a trademark and 8086 is a product of Intel Corporation. 68000 is a product of Motorola. Inc. UNET is a trademark of 3Com Corp. Z80 is a trademark and product of Zilog, Inc. ®1982 Altos Computer Systems. Software Review MP/M II The Multiuser, Multiprogramming Version of CP/M MP/M ft, the revised version of the Multiprogramming Monitor for Microcomputers from Digital Research, is a powerful combination of valuable operating-system features that could become a dominant force in the advanced microcomputer market. The operating system offers you significant advantages over conven- tional single-user, single-job systems: it makes more effective use of im- proved microprocessor technology, has a broader scope of applications, offers better programming and devel- opment facilities, and will even in- crease throughput for your system. The operating system supports real- time processing, timesharing, multi- programming, and multitasking. MP/M II even provides capabilities for memory management, interrupt handling, extended file operations, system security, and sequential pro- cess management that are usually found only on larger systems. Compatibility with CP/M software is assured because CP/M file struc- About the Author Stephen Schmitt has worked for Hewlett- Packard and taught at Michigan Technological University. He is now doing a review of a ver- sion of the Ada programming language for microcomputers. Stephen Schmitt 2892 Sandhill Rd. Mason, MI 48854 tures, system calls, and command processing are all supported by MP/M II. All programming lan- guages and software tools for CP/M should run on MP/M with little or no modification. Thus the available repertoire of CP/M applications and the large number of high-level languages that CP/M supports should provide MP/M II with a sub- stantial supply of software. Systems other than MP/M II are competing for prominence in the ex- panding microcomputer field. Unix or Unix-like systems and Oasis-16 from Phase One Systems are among its chief competitors. Currently, how- ever, no clear consensus exists in the market for rating the various sys- tems. In fact, many leading computer manufacturers are offering several operating systems as options to lure customers. In this review, I will describe the MP/M II system and its operation, outline an application of the system, and analyze its feasibility for general microcomputer operation. Some of the concepts I'll touch on require a rudimentary background in operat- ing-system fundamentals and a gen- eral knowledge of CP/M and related software. I've included a list of reference materials that will acquaint you with any unfamiliar subjects. Overview Briefly, MP/M II can be described as a multiple-user version of CP/M with enhanced processing capabili- ties. Each terminal presents its user with a CP/M-like environment that can manage more than one task at a time. The timesharing capability of MP/M II makes it seem as if the system is running several programs at once, thus allowing more than one user to operate the microcomputer at a time. This ability to run programs concurrently improves performance by using system resources more effi- ciently. Programs waiting for slow I/O (input /output) devices such as printers do not consume central pro- cessor processing time. Unlike some other timesharing systems, MP/M permits all active processes to reside in memory and thus a large amount of disk swapping is avoided. All this is handled by a real-time kernel pro- gram in MP/M II that supervises timesharing, handles requests as they happen, sets priorities for resource allocation, and coordinates the layered interrupt structure. MP/M uses a simple file-system design that allows the user to access a broad class of mass-storage devices. The user also has access to very large RAM (random-access read /write memory) areas, even in 8-bit pro- 190 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc The new COMPAQ Portable Computer. IBM compatibility to go. @ j imple, isn't it? The COMPAQ™ Portable Computer can do Iwhat the IBM® Personal Computer does. To go. It runs all the popular pro- grams written for the IBM. It works with the same printers and other peripherals. It even accepts the same optional expansion elec- tronics that give it additional capabilities and functionality. There's really only one big dif- ference. The COMPAQ Computer is designed to travel. Carry the COMPAQ Comput- er from office to office. Carry it home on the weekend. Or take it on business trips. If you're a consultant, take it to your client's office. If you use a portable type- writer, you can use the COMPAQ Computer as portable word processor instead. If your company already uses the IBM Personal Computer, add the COMPAQ you'd probably need to buy an additional display screen because the built-in screen is too small for certain tasks, like word process- ing. The COMPAQ Computer's display screen is nine inches diag- onally, big enough for any job, and it shows a full 80 characters across. And the built-in display offers high-resolution graphics and text characters on the same screen. The bottom line is this. The COMPAQ Computer is the first uncompromising portable computer. It delivers all the advantages of porta- bility In the standard configuration, the COMPAQ Computer has three open slots for functional expan- sion electronics as your needs and applications grow. It accepts standard network and commu- nications interfaces including ETHERNET™ and OMNINET™. If you're considering a per- sonal computer, there's a new question you need to ask your- self. Why buy a corn- Portable as a mobile unit that can use the same pro- grams, the same data disks, and even the same user manuals. There are more programs available for the COMPAQ Com- puter than for any other portable. More, in fact, than for most non- portables. You can buy them in hundreds of computer stores nationwide, and they run as is, right off the shelf. With most other portables without trad- ing off any com- puting power capability. And what do those advantages cost? Nothing. TheCOMPAQPor- table sells for hundreds less than a compara- bly equipped IBM or APPLE® III. Standard features include 128K bytes of internal memory and a 320K-byte disk drive, both of which are extra-cost options on the IBM, Memory and additional disk drive up- grades are available options to double those capacities. puter that isn't portable? For more information on the COMPAQ Portable Computer and the location of the Authorized Dealer nearest you, write us. COMPAQ Computer Corporation, 12330 Perry Road, Houston, Texas 77070. Or call 1-800-231-9966. © 1983 COMPAQ Computer Corporation IBM* is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation. ETHERNET" is a trademark of Xerox Corporation. OMNINET 1 * is a trademark of Corvus Systems. Apple* is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. COMPAQ™ is a trademark of COMPAQ Computer Corporation HHHTH T TrV T V [| r r i r r i : \ \ r i. r ta*T r i r r t i j i i ri Sr 1 f i i r i i i i t f comPAa wmmmmmmmmKmamm^^^^^mmm portable computer The most Computer yOU CQIl Carry. Circle 500 on inquiry card. cessor systems . File improvements such as separate user file areas, security options, and time-stamping features extend the standard CP/M file structure. Fortunately, all enhancements of MP/M over CP/M are totally trans- parent to CP/M application soft- ware. Potential applications for MP/M II include office automation, real-time process control, advanced personal computers, information management, and software-devel- opment systems. Two Versions MP/M II is currently available for two popular microprocessor families: the 8080 family and the 8086 family. The 8086 version, MP/M-86, differs in memory management, code file structure, and its ability to support shared-code segments . Fortunately, these variations seldom affect user software. You can run the same pro- gram written in a high-level lan- guage such as CBASIC on both systems easily. Digital Research also supports programming tools for Feature Multitasking Task Priority Queuing System Interrupts and Tinning Purpose Several processes (tasks) can be executed concurrently. Any console can initiate multiple tasks. Each task is memory resident. Tasks are assigned a ranking factor to ensure that critical tasks receive processor time. Process communication Synchronization Mutual exclusion Real-time control System clock Program scheduling Timesharing I/O device handling Delay and timing functions Compatible with CP/NET (local area network). Enables resource sharing with other microcomputers. 16 terminals or other character I/O devices can be simultaneously supported. Spooling and access to several printers is now possible. Printers can vary in type and speed (maximum printers: 16). Shared code allowed. Only one copy of code segment necessary for multiple invocations of a process. (MP/M-86: user programs and RSPs. MP/M-80: RSPs only.) Memory-management technique is dependent upon microprocessor family. Memory protection is also sup- ported (hardware-dependent). 8080 family: Bank-switching system 400K bytes total physical memory limit Maximum number of banks: 8 8086 family: Partition model technique Automatic allocation/deallocation Memory fragmentation recovery algorithm 1 megabyte total physical memory limit File locking to prevent unwanted concurrent access Shared-access methods for multiple users Security File creation or updating and accessing data are maintained to enhance file management. Individual records can be exclusively owned or shared in file- processing applications. A maximum of 16 logical disk drives with a total capacity of 8 gigabytes of online storage. (Maximum file size: 32 megabytes. Maximum drive size: 512 megabytes.) Table I: A summary of the features of MP/M II, These capabilities greatly expand the power of the standard CP/M 2.2 operating system. Network Capability Multiple-Console Environment Multiple Printers Reentrant Code Memory Management File Password Protection Time Stamping Record Locking and Sharing Increased Mass Storage transporting assembly code from 8080 to 8086 machines. To avoid con- fusion, I will discuss only the 8080 version of MP/M II in this article. Features The multitasking aspects of MP/M II significantly enrich the basic CP/M operating-system model, even though the user interface and the function of software utilities are virtually iden- tical to CP/M. Extensions can be divided into three subject areas: pro- cess management, resource sharing, and file-system improvements. Table 1 summarizes these additional capabilities. The command structure and sys- tem-entry points of MP/M II are a superset of those for CP/M. Old commands are virtually unchanged. This upward compatibility with CP/M was a prime objective in the design of MP/M. Also, many of the objections raised against CP/M and previous versions of MP/M have been addressed by MP/M II. Some rough spots still remain, however. System Design and Operation MP/M II is organized using a hierarchical approach. Figure 1 details the basic structure of the sys- tem and shows the relationships of the various system components. The layered structure permits successive levels of increasingly sophisticated functions. A component of one layer is logically dependent upon one or more underlying layer components. For instance, the user interface employs the TMP (terminal message process) to relay console data and the CLI (command line interpreter) to process user requests. TMP receives data from the console queues, which are in turn supplied with character in- put by a physical handler in the XIOS (extended input/output system). Ac- cess across more than one layer is per- mitted (e.g., direct XIOS calls) but not recommended. MP/M II is also divided into modules, and the layers do not always correspond to these modules. They are grouped according to func- tion and are distributed as separate software components. Briefly, the system modules are as follows: 192 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc A WORD TO THE WISE. No one gives you more in an economically engineered smart terminal than Wyse. These days there's little room for waste of the corporate dollar. And these days the WY-100 smart terminal looks even better when you compare it to the other guys. You definitely get more from Wyse — the leader in low-cost, high-per- formance, economically engineered smart terminals. To begin with, you get a great looking terminal that features die cast aluminum packaging and takes up a minimum of desktop space. You also get a terminal with an uncanny way of pleasing people. It comes with an easy-on-the-eyes green phosphor screen. And a fully tilting/rotating display and detached keyboard. (After all, one person's just-right-tilt is another's not-quite- right-tilt). When the workload seems impos- sible, horizontal and vertical split screen capabilities with independent scrolling allow you to be in two places at once. There's more. You get program- mable function keys and transparent print. Plus 128 characters with upper and lower case, line drawing and graphics, and a keyboard with 105 keys — including cursor pad, special mode and function keys. Of course, all of this wouldn't mean much if you couldn't count on Wyse quality. That's why each WY-100 is put through an extensive on/off testing program. On top of that, WordStar® and other emulations are now available from your distributor. Which means you can automatically get 32 of WordStar's most commonly used multi-key com- mands fully-implemented on our func- tion keys for faster, easier use. We think you'll be quite impressed when you compare the WY-100 to other terminals in its class. But don't take our word for it. Call or write us today. We'll send you detailed infor- mation on why the WY-100 smart terminal gives you more. A lot more. TTira T€CHNOLOGV 3040 North First St., San Jose, CA 95134 (408)946-3075 TLX 910-338-2251 In the East, call (516) 293-5563 Outside California, 800-538-8157 ext. 932 Inside California, 800-672-3470 ext. 932 WordStar is a registered trademark of MicroPro, Inc. UL and FCC approved. ®1982 Wyse Technology, Inc. Circle 465 on inquiry card. BYTE March 1983 193 FUNCTION xtos • I/O Primitives • Hardware Initialization • Hardware Control XDOS BDOS • Multiprogramming • Real-time support • Process management • Resource sharing • Protection • CP/M functions File primitives Device control OS ENTRY SYSTEM DATA POINTS QUEUES TABLES • Devices • File system • Synchronize •Configuration Data • Communication • User Data • Task primitives • Flags • System control • System lists • Ports • Buffers CLI TMP SPOOL RSP User Task System Task User Interface Application System Utility I LEVEL HARDWARE CONTROL LEVEL OS LEVEL INTERFACE LEVEL PROCESS LEVEL USER/PRO- GRAM LEVEL Figure 1: A logical representation of the MP/M II system. Functional capabilities are divided into successive layers of increasing sophistication. BDOS (basic disk operating sys- tem) is an upward-compatible version of the single-user CP/M BDOS. It supports standard CP/M BDOS calls and adds extensions for multiple con- sole and printer support. File-system enhancements are also included. XDOS (extended disk operating system) contains the real-time pro- gram nucleus that monitors processes and manages system resources. This module supports the multipro- gramming and memory-management capabilities of MP/M II. Included with it are the TMP and CLI for pro- cessing console input. The XDOS also contains other functions accessible by user programs. XIOS, like the CP/M BIOS, pro- vides the low-level hardware- dependent routines. This part of MP/M II must be customized for every computer system. By encap- sulating the system -dependent func- tions, MP/M II can be hosted by various hardware implementations . Functions include console drivers, printer drivers, mass-storage primitives, hardware-initialization code, physical interrupt handlers, memory-management primitives (e.g., bank select), timing, and other I/O routines. System Data Tables is a group of miscellaneous data tables containing global system parameters, informa- tion sets pertaining to each user, system stacks, active file lists, and system queues. RSP (resident system program) and OS (operating system) processes in- clude code, data, and process descrip- tors for system tasks. OS processes are differentiated from RSPs in that they must be included with MP/M II and are not system options. System Parameter Area is a com- mon memory area for communica- tion between executing programs and the operating system. It occupies low memory (0-100 hexadecimal) and is compatible with the CP/M memory organization. Memory layout plays a key role in the analysis of MP/M II's operation and programming. Figure 2 shows how memory is organized. Bank switching increases effective system At a Glance Name MP/M II (8080) MP/M-86 (8086) Type Microcomputer operating system Version 2.) (May 1982J Manufacturer Digital Research Inc. POB 579 . Pacific Grove, CA 93950 (408) 649-3896 Price MP/M II: $450 MP/M-86: $650 Format CP/M single-density 8-inch floppy disk; 5/4 -inch floppy-disk versions also available Language Digital Research PL/1 and 8080 or 8086 assembler Computer 8080-, Z80-, 8085-, 8086-, or 8088-based system with a minimum of 32K bytes of RAM Documentation 5 softbound books (8/2 by 1 1 inches): Users Guide, 1 76 pages; Programmer's Guide, 226 pages; System Guide, 1 6 1 pages; Link-80 Manual (for linker pro- gram, 8080 family only); RMAC Language Manual (for 8080 family) Audience Operating-system enthusiasts, CP/M users, microcomputer OEMs (original equipment manufacturers), hobbyists memory capacity. The total physical memory is divided into blocks termed banks (usually 48K bytes). The system can switch a portion of the logical address space from one physical bank to another. Thus, even though the 8080 family of central pro- cessors can address only 64K bytes directly, multiple memory banks can be placed into the logical 64K-byte ad- dress space, thus increasing memory size and multiprogramming capabili- ties. Part of the operating system is stored in a portion of memory that's always active (i.e., never switched). Make sure you don't confuse 194 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc Now for CP/M-86, MS DOS, and IBM PC DOS SuperSoft FORTRAN is the answer to the growing need for a high quality FORTRAN compiler running under CP/M-86 and IBM PC DOS. It has major advantages over other FORTRAN compilers for the 8086. For example, consider the benchmark program used to test the IBM FORTRAN in InfoWorld . p. 44, Oct. 25, 1982. (While the differential listed will not be the same for all benchmark programs, we feel it is a good indication of the quality of our compiler.) Results are as follows: IBM FORTRAN: 38 Seconds SuperSoft FORTRAN: 2.8 Seconds In its first release SuperSoft FORTRAN offers the following outstanding features: 1 . Full ANSI 66 standard FORTRAN with important extensions 2. Standard data types, double precision, varying string length, complex numbers 3. Free format input and free format string output 4. Compact object code and run time support 5. Special functions include string functions, dynamic allocation, time/date, and video access 6. Debug support: subscript checking, good runtime messages 7- Full IEEE floating point 8. Full 8087 support— available as option ($50.00). Program developers: SuperSoft's family of FORTRAN compilers means you can write your programs once and they will run under CP/M-80, CP/M-86, and MS DOS. This lets you get your applications running fast no matter what the environment. The current compiler allows 64K code space and 64K data space with expansion anticipated in future releases. "At last, a FORTRAN compiler that works great on my 8086, 8087, and 8088 based systems!" SuperSoft FORTRAN: available NOW and working great! Requires: 128K with CP/M-86® and MS DOS Price: $425 (in each environment) CP/M-80 version also available. In conjunction with SuperSoft, SuperSoft FORTRAN was developed by Small Systems Services, Urbana. IL. a leader in FORTRAN development. CP/M and CP/M-86 are registered trademarks of Digital Research. Japanese Distributor: ASR Corporation International, 3-23-8, Nishi-Shimbashi. Minato-Ku, Tokyo 105, Japan. Tel. (03H37571 Telex: 0242-2723. European Agent: Micro Technology Ltd., 51 The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England TN2 5TH TEL 0892-45433. Telex: 95441 Micro-G. Circle 407 on inquiry card. FIRST IN SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY P.O.Box1628 Champaign, IL61820 (217)359-2112 Telex 270365 Top of Memory Top of Banked Memory Start of Program Segments 100H OH MP/M II OS (Common) Segment MP/M II OS (Common) Segment MP/M Extension TPA System Parameter Area Relocatable Segment • • • Relocatable Segment TPA TPA System Parameter Area System Parameter Area BankO System Data Tables and Stacks Resident BDOS Resident XDOS RSPs ™*.S£? - Banked BDOS Banked XDOS Console tables, Files locks, and Sys. processes Bank 1 Top of Memory Bank N Low Common (usually C000H) End of Segment (program limit) Detailed view of Bank high memory Figure 2: (Top) MP/M II memory organization for the 8080 family of microprocessors. Note the flexibility for partitioning banks into segments. Transient-program area (TPA) segments are for CP/M programs. (Bottom) This figure details both the common seg- ment that includes the MP/M II OS and segment 0. Note that in MP/M systems without memory banking, the banked versions of XIOS, BDOS, and XDOS are not required, which saves memory space. space of each bank. Memory manage- ment is done automatically. Pro- grams are assigned to segments using a best-fit policy. Operation Operating MP/M II is straightfor- ward, especially if you have a good understanding of the fundamentals of CP/M (see references on CP/M). MP/M II can be loaded by a boot routine from mass storage or it can be initiated by executing a special CP/M utility. Once the system is initialized, every terminal console displays a sign-on message and the standard sys- tem prompt. The console works very much like a single-user CP/M system. The system prompt differs from CP/M in its inclusion of a user num- ber identifier; for example, "OA > " where is the user number and A is the default drive. User numbers iden- tify the file area associated with each console. As in CP/M, a command is noth- ing more than an order to load and execute a user-written or system-sup- plied program file. The uniform strategy achieves both simplicity and flexibility (i.e., you can define your own commands or change the names of system utilities supplied with MP/M II). Installation and System Generation MP/M II software is designed for adaptation to a broad range of micro- computer hardware environments. Hardware independence with MP/M II is attempted through a fourfold strategy: memory banks with memory seg- ments. Memory segments are parti- tions of memory where program code can be loaded. A memory bank may have several segments. Transient pro- grams must be loaded into segments for execution. For example, CP/M COM files must be loaded into the transient-program area (TPA) in low memory. Page-relocatable programs (PRLs) can run in any partition. The common area, which is used by all banks, is located in the upper part of logical memory and contains the operating-system software. Seg- ment is a special partition reserved for system modules and RSPs. The division between the common area and segment defines the top of banked memory. In banked MP/M II systems, XDOS, BDOS, and XIOS are broken into common modules and segment modules. Buffers, queues, process descriptors, and operating-system entry points must be kept in the common area. File functions and higher-level operations that are accessed through system en- try points can reside in segment and need not occupy the logical address •MP/M II is written in a transport- able high-level language. •Hardware-dependent functions are encapsulated in a user-defined inter- face module (XIOS). •Mass-storage functions are table- driven to simplify mapping physical disk systems to MP/M II's logical file system. • A system-generation utility is pro- vided to allow the user to specify the operating environment structure. The majority of MP/M II is written in a PL/I dialect. 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Central to the portability strategy is the hardware-interface module XIOS. The module is a superset of the functions defined for CP/M's BIOS (basic input /output system). Opera- tions found in the XIOS include inter- faces to printers, disk systems, ter- minals, and other system-specific devices. Physical interrupt handlers, system timers, and memory-manage- ment functions are also defined. The peripherals attached to MP/M II can be serviced via two methods: interrupts and polling. Polling is pro- vided for low-speed I/O, debugging, and multiple-device processing for systems that lack interrupt facilities. The XIOS is either written by a manufacturer distributing MP/M II with its computer system or it can be customized by an end user. Digital Research provides you with a skeleton XIOS module along with sample implementations for a few systems (e.g., Altos Computer Sys- tems). The documentation for gen- erating XIOS routines is clear and specific. XIOS is composed of ap- proximately 25 functions and usually requires 5K to 6K bytes of code in- cluding buffer space. Attributes of the mass-storage sys- tem easily map onto the logical file structure by use of parameter tables, which are called Disk Definition Tables. These tables define the characteristics of a particular disk system. Generation of the tables is done automatically by an MP/M utility. Disk systems ranging from simple floppy disks to the new Winchester-technology disks are ef- fectively supported. Digital Research also supplies a disk blocking /de- blocking procedure for increasing mass-storage performance. Blocking, a technique designed to improve ac- cess properties, allows a portion of disk storage to reside in main memory. Integration of MP/M II software into a custom operating system is per- How to make dBase II" work magic. It's a snap with Autocode. Finally, the first practical application of artificial intelligence in personal computer software. Autocode 1 is a powerful program generator for dBASE II. No prior knowledge of programming required. EaODTTfflESMS 1 B Automatic menus & sub menus • Automatic data entry screens • Automat ic data entry routi nes • String, numeric, date & calculated fields ^ '# Automatic multiple reports • Aut< p sin dBASE II codewi 1 nfer< ■■ teens m No prior knowledge of dBASE II required • CP/M & MS DOS operating systems • Handy pocket size manual • Average learning time only A hours STEMMOS LTD. 666 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94105 Just send the following to address above today. t Your diskette format & hardware % • Your name & complete address i How many Autocodes you want at $200 each* • A check or money order, ORDER TOLL FREE 800-227-1617 (Ext 417) IN CA CALL 800-772-3545 (Ext. 417) Credit card buyers may substitute their card number and expiration date for the check. Or call us toll free and save the trip to the mail box. U S Adaress: 666 Howard St, San Francisco CA 94105/ U, K, Address: 344 Kensington High Street, London W14 Tel: 01 602 6242 Tel: (4151 777-3800 dBASE IFAsnton Tate Dealer Inquiries invited "In California add 6% sales tax. Autocode 1 ,w Stemmos Ltd. formed by the system-generation util- ity GENSYS. The system-generation process consists of (1) specifying sys- tem options, (2) collecting optional and required code segments into a single code file, and (3) layout of memory segments. Customizing the operating system enables you to fine- tune system performance, better match applications, and increase the software's overall flexibility. The SYSGEN utility is simple, small, and easy to understand. It pro- vides the minimum set of options nec- essary for flexible system design but doesn't bog down programmers with extraneous specifications. For the most part, the generation process facilitates the integration of host-com- puter hardware with the MP/M II operating-system software. I found that developing MP/M II XIOS and configuring the software for my specific needs were not too dif- ficult. Most problems resulted from misunderstanding hardware opera- tion. The documentation on develop- ing XIOS occupies an entire manual. The material should be carefully covered to minimize problems. I recommend implementing CP/M as the first step in creating an MP/M II system. Without CP/M, the genera- tion procedure is not well document- ed and requires more effort. Programming Programming MP/M II software is a more difficult task than that for CP/M. In addition to the extra sys- tem functions offered by MP/M II, the multitasking features add an order of complexity. But with this extra sophistication you get a more powerful tool, and more work is possible per unit of computing equip- ment with shared access. Processes and Data Structures A process is an active program seg- ment ready for execution in memory. MP/M II controls processes through a data structure termed a process descriptor. Process descriptors con- tain such information as process name, priority, status, device associa- tions, file environment, and links to other processes in system queues. Process descriptors are created at the Text continued on page 202 198 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc Circle 403 on inquiry card. ■ THE G1AHT KILLER Vanquishes Tie High Cost 0f Plotters Small, smart #nd cost effective, the DMP-40 sihgie^pen plotter puts big- t plotter power at ttie command of the small-systeHi us£r. With this amiabRT and competent: lud i|t your side, you can create colorful Wi x IF ahd 11 n Y7" graphics^i^nages of professional quality for sta^ into reports o* as overhead traiip- parancies for group presentations; Circles, arcs^. ellipses and generjal curves are automatically generated by robust intef nal ^ni^rev freeing you and yQur computer ffcoiri wasteful ipw^ievel*busywbfk. / - J v By plotting in increiyient^ of <>nly 0,005", you are assured of virtually [;' step-free traces . The result is pjre- eisely defined graphics of hi I ^cur$cy^and iolid repeatability: Standard RS-232-G interfacing , matches the DAlPr40 to all current computers. -,/■-■ Multicolor piots|>n the DMP-40 ; are a siftiple iiiatter since built in firmware anti most commercial soft- war^ provide 'pause' commands for pen changing. These and more big-plotter capa- bilities are yours at small-plotter cost.* JFW the name and location of your nearest dislnbitfqr>call S12t83S-090Q or 1-800-531-5205 outsid^ tibusttmlm^^ Cam^onRdi], Austin, TexQs 78753. In Europe contact Bausc^& Eon%h NV.Rodtmerla 8240 Gistel T Belgium, Tel 059-27^74*45+ Itx 846-81399% "'"US. retail $995. BAUSCH&LOMB _. ;h q uston i n s tf ument d / wwon • Circle .45 for UteraUife. Cifcie 46 to, have repf^seTTtatjve caW. -# #?Q06 HOOSE THE SYSTEM BU I LT-1 N PERFORMANCE, CompuPro system components deliver results in the toughest business, scientific, and industrial computing environments. ..from IBM, to NASA, to the local pizza parlor. When you're integrating a high-level computing system, choose the same components chosen by the pros: IEEE 696/S-100 from CompuPro. CPU Boards CPU 68K. 68000 based board with sockets for memory management unit and up to 8K X 16 (16 Kbytes) EPROM, $695 (8 MHz), $850 CSC (10 MHz). CPU 86187. Includes sockets for 8087 math co-processor and 80130 firmware chips. $695 (8 MHz), $850 CSC (10 MHz). Add $300 for factory installed 8087 (limits clock speed to 5 MHz). CPU 8085/88. The original, much imitated dual processor board delivers 8 bit, 16 bit, or 8 and 16 bit computing. $425, $525 CSC. CPU Z. Includes all standard Z80A features; downward compatible with most older S-100 mainframes. $295, $395 CSC. CPU 16032. Features minicomputer-like, true 32 bit Internal architecture.* CPU 288. This iAPX 286-based board protects your software investment by running all existing 8086/8088 software, while creating new possibilities by combining an advanced instruction set with the use of four on- chip processors.* S^Kfj fnan. H085 mk processoi oil-loads the 68000 . )W !*?« MMirll II ii i-llll 1 '!■ lllllllllllllllllllll lllllllll imlXBlm PARALLEL PRINTER I/O. A 16 pin header on Quadboard is used for inserting a short cable containing a standard DB25 connector. The connector is then mounted in the knock-out hole located in the center of the PC back- plane. The parallel port can be switch disabled or addressed as Printer 1 or 2. No conflict exists with the standard parallel port on the Monochrome board. The internal cable, connector and hardware are all included. ASYNCHRONOUS (RS232) COMMUNICATION ADAPTER. Using the same chip as that on the IBM ASYNC board, the device is software INCREDIBLE PRICE! Priced at $595 with 64K installed, $775 with 128K, $895 with 192K and $995 with 256K. programmable for baud rate, character, ASK YOUR DEALER. stop, and parity bits. A male DB25 connector located on the back connector is identical to that on the IBM Async Adapter. The adapter is used for connecting modems, printers (many letter quality printers require RS232), and other serial devices. Switches allow the port to be configured as COM1 or COM2 and the board fully supports IBM Communications Software. All products are sold through local personal computer dealers. If yours does not stock Quadram, please ask him to call us at (404) 923-6666. QUADRAM 4357 Park Dr Circle 366 on User's Column Sage in Bloom, Zeke II, CBIOS Traps, Language Debate Continues The consummate computer user tackles his new writing machine, and other tales from Chaos Manor. Jerry Pournelle c/o BYTE Publications POB 372 Hancock, NH 03449 I have three pages of notes on what I should write about this month, and if I finish the list I'll double BYTE's already amazing thickness — and still not be caught up with either hard- ware developments or the flood of useful software that's pouring out for microcomputers. There was a time when I could pretend to be, if not familiar with, at least aware of nearly everything going on in the microcom- puter world. No longer. I hear about many developments, for which I thank my numerous correspondents, but there's no way anyone can keep up with the explosion. Meanwhile, we have two new systems at Chaos Manor: a new writing machine and a Sage II that runs UCSD Pascal for the fastest time yet in my benchmark. I can't keep up, but what the hell, it can't hurt to try . . . The Sage in Bloom I first saw the Sage 68000-based machine at the 1982 West Coast Computer Faire. Then at Wescon/ Mini /Micro I saw another and got to talking with Sage's president, Rod Coleman. About a week ago our Sage ar- rived. I'll be writing a lot about it as time goes on. My first impression is that I love it. The Sage is a working machine. Mine has a half megabyte of memory (some of which can be configured to be run as "RAM disk," that is, as a memory simulation of a disk, exactly like the Compupro M-Drive or Semidisk Systems' Semidisk). It has two double-sided double-density 5Vi-inch disk drives; those disk drives, I must confess, are part of the reason I'm changing my mind about small disks, because we've been working the dickens out of the Sage and we haven't had a disk glitch (or any other kind of glitch for that matter). It's a handsome machine. It is also quite small; the whole thing — disk drives, power supply, computer, and all — takes up considerably less space than one of the Compupro boxes, and in fact is smaller than the Televideo 925 terminal that came with the Sage. The Sage can be that small in part because it uses what's known as a switching power supply rather than the brute-force transformer, rectifier, and filter system in the Compupro. Switching power supplies rectify the 110-volt AC immediately, then they use electronic switching to eliminate the bulky low-frequency transform- ers of conventional power supplies. They are a lot more efficient than the old-fashioned kind; they're also trickier to design and use. While the Sage is really lovely hardware, there is a small problem: the operating system is UCSD Pascal. For many that's not a bug, it's a feature. Heaven knows, UCSD Pascal has its champions, including my friend Carl Helmers, the founding editor of BYTE. The UCSD system (now marketed by S of tech Microsys- tems) is a completely integrated 218 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc TheCtw A price/performance leader. Sharp 7x9 dot matrix characters Character highlighting Serial Auxiliary Port 15 independently selectable transmit/ receive speeds White, green or amber display Switch-selectable light or dark background Cursor Control Keys 10 Program Function Keys Detached typewriter style keyboard Copy Key The CHAT The NABU terminal that allows you to expand your system eco- nomically without sacrificing quality or performance. Features include switch- selectable Volker-Craig VC404 and Lear Siegler ADM-3A is a registered trademark of Lear Siegler Inc. 14-Key Numeric Keypad ADM-3A compatibility, 12" non-glare screen, character highlighting, detached key- board with 4-ft. coiled cord, cursor control keys, 10 pro- gram function keys, a bi- directional serial port, and a 1 6-key numeric keypad . . . all standard! All these features and more . . . and a truly economi- cal price tag. Get complete informa- tion today, and discover why the CHAT is the terminal that should cost more. L'Mrtll COMMERCIAL TERMINALS (FormertYUofker Craig) New York 333 Metro Park Rochester, N.Y 14623 Telephone (716)475-1221 California Telephone (213) 385-7239 Distributor Headquarters: California Kentucky Allen Edwards Associates Bolton & Westmeyer (213) 328-9770 (606) 331-9628 Florida Massachusetts Amerisoft Business Sys. Marketechs, Inc. (305) 442-8197 (617)237-4343 Illinois Minnesota Bexdata Ltd. Bexdata Ltd., (312) 895-3010 (612)835-5220 Motenaar, Inc. (612) 235-3000 New York City Pro-Corn p Systems (212) 246-0074 Upstate NY Data-Term (716) 381-7385 Ohio Comtel Instruments (216) 442-8080 Oregon Data Devices (503) 641-5500 Utah Raytel, Inc. (801)295-3963 Virginia, Washington DC Computerware, Inc. (703) 821-8220 package containing the Pascal com- piler, a text editor, disk-file system, and a bunch of utilities to format and copy disks and such like. One nice feature of the system is that when you try to compile a Pascal program, as the compiler finds your errors, it shows them to you in the editor; you can fix them on the spot and go on, or wait to see more. This takes a lot of the sting out of Pascal, The system is fast, too. It compiles Pascal programs with lightning speed. The programs are compiled to the UCSD Pascal p-code, which is an intermediate code that must be inter- preted at run-time. It is not machine code, but the 68000 chip is so fast that this turns out not to be a handicap either. My 20 by 20 matrix benchmark program (see the October 1982 BYTE) ran in 8.9 seconds on the Sage; the best time on the 8085/8088 dual pro- cessor was 19.2 seconds when com- piled by Pascal MT + (which com- piles to machine language). That's fast. The other drawback to the Sage is that the documents assume you know more than I do. Not a lot more; just more. Fortunately, there's a brief cookbook example of how to make copies of disks; I was able to back up the Sage operating system before try- ing to experiment, which is just as well. However, after that admirable step-by-step tutorial on formatting and duplicating disks, the documents lapse off into "documentese," with few to no examples and a nonlogical order of presentation. Rod Coleman tells me that by the time you read this the Sage will prob- ably have other operating systems, including some kind of CP/M. I hope so. Meanwhile, you can get from Softech a program called Xenofile that will translate CP/M text files in- to the UCSD format, so you can salvage ASCII (American National Standard Code for Information Inter- change) files from your CP/M system for use on the Sage if you like. Prob- ably the most useful thing you can bring over would be Pascal source programs. 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I wish I'd had the book when I first got the Sage; it would have saved a lot of time. Given that book, you can get a fairly good understanding of the UCSD system in a reasonable time. You may not like the system, but at least you'll know how to use it. Flash: the Grant and Butah book now comes standard with the Sage computer. We've sent the Sage off to a mad programmer associate of Alex's; he's putting it through strenuous tests, as well as writing considerable software for it. Much more on the Sage in later columns. Alas, Poor Ezekial We sent Ezekial, my old friend who happened to be a Cromemco Z-2, off to the organ banks; he has officially become spare parts for Larry Niven's machine. Like the wonderful one- horse shay, everything went at once. The final problem was the disk system, Zeke used old iCOM disks, the kind that had Percom drives with the controller on two boards in the box with the drives and their power supply; and they became unreliable. Spare parts are unobtainable: although those drives were the very best available when we got them, they're now from the Dark Ages. To update them would cost more than new Compupros, and they'd still be slow with very limited storage. Zeke's bus is too slow, and his old Industrial Micro Systems memory uses too much power. The bottom line, alas, is that it just wasn't worth fixing him up. Nor Singh swears he's going to get him running so that I can donate him to the Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society. The LASFS already owns Altair, the first Niven machine. (That's a little embarrass- ing, because Altair Niven was of- ficially accepted as a member of the club.) There's another possibility. Dan MacLean's widow donated Alice, Dan's old IMSAI, to the LASFS, and Nor Singh has been hired to get Alice running for the club; it may be that 220 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc Circle 103 on inquiry card. Zeke and Alice (who shamelessly car- ried on a long-distance affair for years) may yet be united into a single working entity . . . Zeke II Ezekial has departed, but I have consolation: as Nor Singh arrived to remove Zeke, Tony Pietsch delivered Zeke II, which is a state-of-the-art writing machine. That, of course, is the point of all this. I get lots of letters asking my recommendation for "the ideal word processor." My answer usually is, 'That depends." However, I've seen nothing better than Zeke II for creative writing. First: my "ideal" writing system is a computer, not a dedicated word pro- cessor. True, some excellent dedicated word processors are on the market, and it's a lot easier to learn to use them than it is to learn to write with a full microcomputer. However, in my judgment, the saving is il- lusory: it doesn't take that much longer to learn to use a real computer; and then you can tap the power of the software explosion. Most dedicated word processors leave you at the mer- cy of one company: you get only the software it thinks you should have. Consequently, I recommend CP/M systems. Second, iron is expensive but silicon is cheap: new computer boards are invented all the time. Get a good S-100 bus system and you can take advantage of the dozens — per- haps hundreds — of firms developing new capabilities for it. Third, deal with reliable companies with a good track record. In keeping with these views, Zeke II consists of a Compupro S-100 bus and power supply. My friend Bill Grieb continues to swear by the In- tegrand box that has bus, power sup- ply, disk power supply, and disk drives all built into a handsome wood-grain cabinet— and perhaps he's right. I can only say that the Compupro box has never disap- pointed me. It's built like a Mack truck, with .2 farads (none of this microfarad stuff 1) of power filtration. The only disadvantage is that it's big, but I don't mind that. The large size helps keep the components cool. Inside the box is a Compupro 6-MHz Z80 central processing unit, 64K bytes of memory (Compupro RAM-17), an Interfacer 4, and the Compupro Disk-1 disk controller. That drives a pair of Compupro 8-inch double-sided double-density drives at 1.2 megabytes per disk. The Interfacer 4 plus the new CBIOS (customized basic input/output system— the thing that tells CP/M about your particular hardware) written by Tony Pietsch allows a number of ways to talk to the system. Tony's CBIOS is now available from Compupro. The CBIOS allows you to use either 5Vi- or 8-inch disks. The Com- pupro controller supports either. It does not run both at once; if you want both on the same system, you will need two different controllers. That, however, is no problem: the Compupro box and CBIOS can han- dle the situation, so that you can transfer files from 8-inch to 5 V* -inch and vice versa. Some disk controllers will run both FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITIES. 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For detailed information about MicroAge "Franchise Opportunities" call (602) 968 3168 or write to: MicroAge Computer Stores inc. 1425 W. i2th Place Tempe, AZ 85281 MicroAge co/MPUTer srore "The Solution Store" M Circle 269 on inquiry card. March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc 221 8- and 5^4 -inch disk drives; I once asked Bill Godbout why his wouldn't. '1 don't make Muntz TVs, either/' he told me. Interpreted that means that it's tricky enough running at the speeds his direct-memory-access (I'll explain DMA below) systems use without trying to play games. Bill Godbout once told me, "If the error rate is measurable, it's too high." His stuff is designed to that philosophy. I still prefer 8-inch disk drives, although not as adamantly as I did last year. The SVk-inch systems are getting more reliable, and running double sided and double density they hold quite a bit of information. I do not believe the small disks are as reliable as the 8-inch, but many peo- ple for whom I have respect say they're reliable enough, so my preference is probably pure prejudice- unfortunate, but there it is. I can also hang a normal terminal on the system, and indeed the same Televideo 950 that drives the Com- pupro 8085/8088 dual processor can A ATARI 2723 W. Windrose Suite 3 Phoenix, Arizona 85029 1-800-528-8960 OKIDATA All Prices Subject To Change COMPUTERS ATARI 1 200 - $645 800-48 K - $499 410- $77 810- $429 830 -$155 850- $159 ALTOS 5-15D-$2120 5-5D- $4100 NORTHSTAR Advantage-$2600 Horizon 64QD-$2600 TELEVIDEO 802 - $2599 802H - $4450 806 - $4950 800A - $1 250 APPLE-LOOK-ALIKE CALL APPLE CARDS 16K RAM - $78 Z80 CARD - $245 Videx Card - $227 Smart Term - $279 Microsoft Prem. 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Customer Service 602-863-0759 run Zeke II. That, however, is not the normal mode, because we've set up Zeke II mostly as a writing machine. When he's powered up, he comes up in WRITE, my text editor; and when he's in WRITE mode, he talks to me through an Ithaca IA-1100 memory- mapped video board. (Memory- mapped video displays directly what's in a segment of memory; I tried to explain it in the November 1982 BYTE.) Tony has modified the Ithaca board to be 'write-only memory"; that is, you can't read the board's memory, you see only what's displayed on the monitor screen. The board is addressed to the top IK bytes of memory, and thus overlaps the RAM-17, but they can't interfere with each other. We took the video chips out of Ezekial and put them in the Ithaca board, so that the display on my big Hitachi 15-inch screen is identical to the old Zeke. I continue to use 16 lines of 64 characters to avoid eyestrain. Also, I'm used to it: after all, a standard manuscript has 60-character lines. A page is usually 25 or 26 lines, so I don't see a whole page at once; but I've noticed an unexpected benefit. Having only 16 lines on a screen tends to make me shorten my (usually too long) paragraphs. We wanted to put in a 24 by 80 "write-only memory" board, but we couldn't find one that would work at 6 MHz and had a nice (i.e., stable, legible, etc.) display; if anyone knows of such a beast for the S-100 system, I'd appreciate the information. Another really nice thing about Zeke II is the keyboard, which comes from an Archive computer. The Ar- chive, incidentally, is the machine Dr. Arthur C. Clarke settled on. His is named Archie. He got an Archive in part because he could get service for it in Sri Lanka. I'm sure, though, that he fell in love with the keyboard, and if I had to buy an Archive to get this keyboard I probably would. As it happens, Tony was able to obtain three or four of them. The Archive has great key feel, a good nonelectronic "click," and a really nice (Selectric-style) key 222 March 1983 © BYTE Publications lnc Circle 180 on inquiry card. If 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. 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The entire ASCII character set is on board along with arrows on the left side and a numeric key pad on the right. There aren't any extraneous keys in odd places; and a lot of special- purpose keys are put up where you can get at them without their being in the way. The special-purpose keys are really nice in that they make characters with the eighth bit set, so that we can make use of not only the entire range of control characters, but also more than a dozen additional one-stroke commands. The Archive comes with a printed strip that translates the special- function keys into Wordstar com- mands, and I suppose the Archive machine itself takes advantage of those. Because I don't use Wordstar, I had some work to do. Figuring out how to make good use of those keys was instructive; more below. The bottom line is that callous as it may seem, I don't really miss Zeke. This new keyboard is fast and conve- nient, and the Compupro disk drives are so much faster than the old iCOMs that I find myself saving my text far more often. Scrolling is smooth and lightning quick. I do hope that Nor Singh can make Zeke work again; he's still better than half the junk I see out on the market, and it would be nice if others could get some good from him. Meanwhile, Zeke II is as close to being the "ideal" writing machine as I've ever worked with. There are a few possible im- provements. For one, there's no hard disk; but that's merely a matter of time. Tony has one and is refur- bishing the software right now. A hard disk isn't strictly necessary anyway; with a DMA disk controller and double-density disks, saving your text doesn't take very long; and for a writing machine, safety is the number one goal, meaning that you want the machine to make it easy to save early and often. (That's one ma- jor advantage of the MIT EMACS full-screen editor and its descendants: it can be set to automagically save text even if you don't think of it.) DMA and high density speed up floppy-disk operations something wonderful. Direct memory access is literally just that: the disk controller has an on-board microprocessor that can get at your system's memory without going through the regular processor; that lets it do a faster job of getting stuff from memory and putting it on disk or vice versa. Whether or not there's a hard disk, the ideal writing machine will need fast and reliable floppies. I don't feel really safe until my text is saved on a disk and the disk has been removed from the machine. What do you do if you have several serial output devices but only one RS-232C output port? Enter the T-Switch. A second limitation to Zeke II is there's no RAM disk, i.e., memory that's set up like a disk for fast access. RAM disks are nice for checking spelling (as well as compiling and other computer operations). Of course, if you have a hard disk you might not want a RAM disk too. I do have Semidisk on my dual- processor machine, and that would work fine in Zeke II; but Compupro has announced that it's coming out with an M-Drive that will work with the Z80, and since almost everything else in Zeke II is Compupro, I thought I'd wait for Compupro's system. More on M-Drive and Semidisk below. Finally, the Z80 makes for a vanilla system; more advanced stuff is available. We have here an ex- perimental board from Compupro that runs at 12 MHz. That's fast! However, for a writing machine you don't really need that much speed, and the Z80 chip has been around long enough to have a track record. Zeke II is as near the state of the art as I'd now recommend for a system devoted mostly to text handling. Terminal Switching For a while it looked as if I'd be up to my clavicle in keyboards. Although it's possible to make Zeke II run with the 16 by 64 screen as his normal console (as well as when he's running the text editor), there are good reasons to want a 24 by 80 screen when you do programming. At the same time, I have the Televideo 950 nearby because that machine does nearly all our develop- ment work and is also useful for checking spelling and the like. I sure didn't want a second terminal for Zeke II, so I solved the problem with a T-Switch from Inmac. I sup- pose that requires a bit of explana- tion. Computers talk to the outside world in two basic ways: serial and parallel. Parallel communication sends all the data bits of a single character at the same time. Parallel communica- tion is inherently faster than serial; but it requires many wires (in an 8-bit machine at least 10 and generally many more). Parallel, which is often electrically noisy, is usually more subject to errors induced by stray radio noise. As an example, MacLean used parallel ports to connect his keyboard to Alice the IMSAI, and when he began he used a flat ribbon cable, He got a lot of extraneous garbage into his computer. Eventually he con- verted to a round shielded cable and most of the errors vanished. Centronics printers and other such devices generally use parallel com- munication. The distance they can be from the computer is limited — 15 feet maximum. With serial communication the bits are sent one after another; an 8-bit character thus takes at least 10 times as long to send in serial as it would in parallel. (That's not strictly true, but we'll ignore the fine details.) Your computer has I/O (input/out- put) ports built in as part of its basic structure. Those ports are parallel ports; it takes special hardware to convert from parallel to serial. Serial signals can be sent farther, however, with less noise and interference. Most letter-quality printers, like the Diablo, and all telephone or modem communications use the serial method. 224 March 1983 © BYTE Publications lnc «■■■■ Check The Chai Before You Choose Your New 16-Bit Computer System. ibia Data New Multi-Personal Computer, Featuring IBM-PC* Compatibility, Excels In Professional, Business And Industrial Applications. Check it out. Dlumbia Data Products* MULTI-PERSONAL® COMPUTER id hardware originally intende ' the IBM* Personal Computer . . . while enjoying the bility and expandability of all Columbia Data s com- puter systems Available operating system software includes single 3 " user MS-DOS® or CP/M 86* or multi-user, multi-tasking MP/M 86® or OASIS-16*. with XENIX® available soon, providing users with a host of compatible software pack- ages for personal and professional business and indus- trial applications. A large selection of higher level languages are also available, including BASIC, FORTRAN, COBOL, PASCAL and MACRO Assembler. Our standard 16-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? 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Box 1118 450 Moenchengladbach West Germany Telephone 02161-33159 Telex 852452 MS-DOS and XENIX i There's more than one serial system, but by far the most popular in the microcomputer world is called RS-232C. In theory there's an RS- 232C standard; in practice that's almost true but not quite. However, it's true enough for T-Switches to work. Suppose you have several serial output devices— say a printer and a modem for communications— and only one RS-232C output port on your computer. Enter the T-S witch, which lets you connect both to the port and switch between them. Ob- viously only one is active at any given time. It's true you could ac- complish the same result by physical- ly plugging and unplugging cables, but that's hard on the cables as well as darned inconvenient. I'd only seen the T-S witch in adver- tisements, but it seemed a good idea; meanwhile, Inmac sent me a catalog of its equipment for microcomputers. I've ordered stuff from Inmac before; although its equipment is high-priced, its service is speedy and reliable . Anyway, I bought a T-Switch, and the result is that the Televideo 950 can run both Zeke II and the dual- processor machine. Actually, things are better than that: Tony has in- geniously set up the BIOS so that even after exiting from WRITE the Archive keyboard is active. There- fore, I can run Zeke II on the Televideo 950 terminal but continue to type on my splendid Archive board. I love it. Changing the CBIOS The CP/M operating system has to be told about your hardware. That's done through a beast known as the CBIOS. CP/M, as modified by the CBIOS, resides on tracks and 1 of your floppy disk and is read in when the system is powered up. This is known as "cold booting" the system. Once CP/M is in memory, it can read in other files. In the early days you couldn't do many fancy tricks with the CP/M CBIOS because there just wasn't NEW LOW PRICE! 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Item Item No. per Ctn. Ship. Wt. per 1000 Price per 1-4 Ctn. 5+ Ctn. Forms M13581 2600 36.4 lbs. $ 42.25 ea. $ 35.75 ea. Envelopes M13136 1000 20.0 lbs 11 9.50 ea. 11 4.50 ea. LJ YES! I'd like to order. (Please complete the following:) YOUR NAME TITLE COMPANY NAME ADDRESS CITY ( ) STATE ZIP Total No. of Ctna. Price Forms-Mi 3581 Envelopes-M13136 BUSINESS PHONE Dept. 104311 COMPUTER MAKE AND MODEL Applicable sales tax must be added unless you enter your tax exempt code here ., . . Your first order will be shipped freight free. I I BILL ME (net 30 days). I am D & B rated room for a big program on two disk tracks. Now, however, with double- sided double-density disk systems, there's acres of space, and, if you have the source code to your CBIOS, there are all kinds of nifty things you might want to do. Tony does a lot of them in the CBIOS he put together for the Compupro systems. In my case, I wanted to make use of those special keys on the Archive keyboard. The usual microcomputer accepts only 7-bit characters from the keyboard. This is no problem because few keyboards can do anything with the eighth bit. As a practical matter, then, we are limited to 128 (2 7 ) unique characters in our communications with machines. Of these, the first 31, plus character 127 (delete), are re- served as "control" characters. These include Control-H, which is backspace; Control-M, which is car- riage return; and others, as well as the less familiar ones like Control- backslash. Most microcomputers do not display control characters; they've been programmed to treat them as orders to be executed rather than something to show to the operator. Thus, character 7, Control-G, rings the bell, but it doesn't print anything. Some programs, particularly text editors for word processing, have a lot of commands. You might want to move the cursor around; jump to the end of the text; save the text; display helpful information; delete words, lines, and characters; and such like. The problem, then, is how to com- municate your wishes to the com- puter. If you want to be really elegant about it, you can put extra keys on the keyboard and label them "Delete Word" or "Find" or whatever. This is fine for the first 32 commands; then what do you do? Each special key has to send something, and if you want to use the entire ASCII character set in- cluding curly braces and squiggle and such like, then you're stuck. After you run out of control characters, you can't have just one keystroke per command. Various programs use different ways around this. Some go to "com- 226 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc r BHRT Computers for: Business, Home Applications, Resource Management, Technology & Science NEW: 15-Day Exchange Privilege (See "TERMS" lor details) . . 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Electric Pencil did this: one control command put you in a special disk-operations command table, another into a print command table. WRITE follows this precedent, as does Select. Others use "escape sequences": the computer intercepts the special character Control-], called "Escape," and interprets the next thing it sees as a command. Wordstar does both: that is, you go Escape, then K, and you are in a special command block. Perfect Writer and the various EMACS-like editors do the same. One problem with all this is that as the number of commands increases they get harder to remember. Worse, though, it's distracting for creative writers, and many (including me) don't like it. Indeed, I like multistroke text commands (as opposed to disk and print operations) so little that I'd rather not have them than use Word- star and its relatives. I'll admit, however, that if there were dedicated keys that accomplished the results 228 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc quickly, I'd opt for more editing com- mands than I have at present. Ob- viously, then, what's needed is a way to send many more unique com- mands from the keyboard. One way to do that is to have pro- grammable keys that send sequences. The Otrona Attache computer does something like that. You can program the Televideo 950 to do it. Tony has a version of WRITE that works with the Heath/Zenith Z-19 terminal and makes use of the escape-sequence arrow and other special-function keys. Another way is to make a keyboard that sets the eighth bit. If you could do that, you'd have up to 128 additional "control characters." The Archive keyboard has a number of special keys that set the eighth bit. However, because CP/M wasn't designed to support 8-bit characters, the CBIOS in nearly every CP/M system resets that bit to before the program ever gets a chance to see it. Tony's CBIOS was no excep- tion, but with a difference: he left a place in the source code where you can intercept what's coming from the console and do whatever you like with it. Now the version of WRITE that I have doesn't accept eighth-bit com- mands, so even if my BIOS would pass them through I couldn't use them. On the other hand, I want to use the arrows, the Home key, the Delete Word key, and such like; they're easier to remember than con- trol characters. The permanent solution to that problem is to change my editor so that it accepts eighth-bit characters; that's being done. Meanwhile, a tem- porary solution is to intercept those special characters and interpret them. That is: the normal command to move the cursor up in WRITE is Control-W. The up-arrow key on the Archive keyboard makes the equivalent of Control-K but with the eighth bit set (decimal 139, or hexa- decimal 8B). I need something that sees that hexadecimal 8B, intercepts it, and sends character number 23 (hexadecimal 17), which is Control- W, to the text editor. That will cause the editor to lift the cursor one line when I hit the up-arrow key. BUT THEY DON'T MATCH OUR PRICES AND SERVICES. MONITORS APPLE and IBM SOFTWARE APPLE // IBM PC dSASE II DBMS 449 el 449" EasyWriter II 199" 269* 5 SORCIM SuperCalc 229" 229" WordStat MailMerge 179" 179" SpellStar 179" 179" SuperSort 179" 179" NEW! 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DEO 89.95 We carry Timex (Sinclair) accessories. <3©00gQ00OD@F G©D00[p]tfQffS Order Toll Free 8338 Center Drive La Mesa, California 92041 800-854-6654 Info & Calif 619—698-8088 We accept most major credit cards, bank wires, money orders, cashiers or certified checks and personal checks (10 days to clear). For shipping, handling and insurance add 3% it prepaid with a check and 5% it paid by credit card (min. $5.00). UPS Blue Label air-service is shipped F.O.B. CA residents add 6% sales tax. Foreign orders are shipped freight collect. AH equipment is new and complete with manufacturer's warranty. Send $1.00 for Catalog/Price List, credited to your next purchase. We have a customer satisfaction policy — contact us for details. That can be done. The interception takes place between the keyboard and CP/M as part of the Get Console In- put routine that's programmed into the CBIOS. It requires assembly- language programming, something I haven't done in a year or so, but it was all very easy: compare the in- coming character with 128 (which is delete plus one); if there's a carry, meaning that the character is smaller than 128, continue as before. If there's no carry, meaning that the in- coming character is 128 or larger, go to a special table, look up what I've got, see what I want sent instead of that, put it in the A register, and once again go on as before. You then have to assemble this with CP/M's RMAC (relocatable code macro assembler), patch it into the BIOS, and use the CP/M SYSGEN function to put the new ver- sion onto tracks and 1 of the WRITE system master disk. After that, any time I do a cold boot with that disk in the A drive, the inter- preter is operating. Obviously there can be more than one of these interpreter systems. For example, Micropro's Wordmaster, which we use for programming, wants Control-K as the up-cursor command. It was a trivial job to change the table in the CBIOS and have a new Wordmaster system master. Cold boot that, and the up- arrow key sends a Control-K. Of course, I have to remember not only to change system master disks, but to reset the computer when I change from using WRITE to using Word- master. The CP/M "warm boot" command (Control-C) won't do the job; warm booting causes CP/M to refresh its disk directories, but it doesn't read in the system track again. I realize this is complex. It's impor- tant for several reasons. First, unless you buy your system — CP/M — from an outfit that gives you the source code to your CBIOS, you won't be able to do anything like that; and while there's no temptation to play about like that when you first get a machine, it's surprising how quickly the urge can come upon you. After all, I swore to Tony and my mad friend that I would never, never be in- 118 < terested in understanding operating systems and all that arcane stuff that goes on inside the machine . . . Second, it shows just how com- plicated things can be just to get some convenient features. This is the ap- peal of the dedicated word processor: they've set up all this for you and put the dedicated keys on the console. All you have to do is read the labels. I agree that's tempting, too. The prob- lems come after you've learned your system and you want to do things that weren't designed into the dedicated machine. Third, there's a way out: fully reprogrammable keyboards. I'm told that the IBM keyboard is that way, which is why Jim Baen's Magic Keyboard program can reassign the various misplaced keys. I'm also told that the new Lobo Max-80's keyboard is completely under software control, so much so that it has to read in an assignment file when it does a cold boot. The Otrona Attache keyboard is much like that as well. Alas, neither IBM nor Otrona has given us the soft- ware and documentation to allow complete reassignment of keys. I March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc 229 don't know whether Lobo intends to or not. I wish everyone would, though. Then we could have truly customized text-editor programs. MorN? Mucking about with the CBIOS gave me the opportunity to check the timing on both the M-Drive and N-Drive. As most of you know, these are two similar schemes for fooling your computer into thinking that a big block of memory is a disk; pro- grams read and write on the "memory disk" rather than an actual disk device. This is very fast. Unless you have a battery backup, it is also very temporary. My Compupro 8085/8088 dual processor has both M-Drive (several of the new Compupro superfast RAM-21 boards) and N-Drive (Semidisk). Both have advantages: the M-Drive memory is available as regular memory when I run the machine as an 8088 (for instance with CP/M-86), but M-Drive can work only with the dual processor and a direct-memory-access disk controller. The Semidisk memory is not avail- able for any purpose other than as a pseudodisk, but Semidisk will work with any S-100 bus machine (and ver- sions are available for the IBM Per- sonal Computer and the TRS-80 Model II also). Whatever their relative advan- tages, they're nearly equal on speed. I used the RMAC assembler to assem- ble my CBIOS on M-Drive, then on N-Drive. The source code is 72K bytes long. Much of it is comments; Tony believes in well-annotated code. Still in all, it's a big enough job for a fair test. To make sure there were lots of disk operations, I had the assembler write both .PRN (printing) file and .SYM (symbol tables) onto the logged disk. The .PRN file is well over 100K bytes long. It assembled in one minute and nine seconds on M-Drive and one minute and eleven seconds on N-Drive. This is as near to equal as makes no never mind. For com- parison I then did the same job on the B-Drive. That took 2:49, more than twice as long. M-Drive and N-Drive are also about equal in speed when used for spelling checking. I now have a new version of The Word Plus that runs fine with either M-Drive or N-Drive; and because of the pseudodisk speeds, it's practical to use The Word's Lookup feature routinely. Now I have been accused of being a "typical academic snob." Lookup is a search through the dic- tionary for words similar to your misspelling; with normal disks, the computer's search takes about as long as it would for me to look up the word in Words Most Often Mis- spelled, but it's really nice with pseudodisks. More Benchmarks My "Benchmark of Sorts" as reported in the October 1982 BYTE must have been reasonably popular; at least it drew a lot of mail, almost all favorable. The program fills two 20 by 20 matrices, multiplies them, and sums all the elements in the answer, using REAL variables. (Someone wrote to tell me I needn't have used reals, because integers would do. Of course that's true, but the point of the benchmark was to test ability to handle real numbers.) John Aro of Caspar, Wyoming, used the matrix benchmark programs on a North Star Horizon Z80A (4 MHz); for the 20 by 20 matrices, he got two minutes and eight seconds (2:08) with North Star BASIC and 1:52 with FPBASIC; 1:10 with JRT (p-code) Pascal; 2:01 with CBASIC; and 0:24.6 with CB-80. These times seem reasonably comparable to those I got. Using FORTRAN, Harold Conrad of Taber, Alberta, Canada, got a time of 39.3 seconds for the 20 by 20 case on a 2-MHz 8080 A. This is again comparable but slightly faster than the MT + time obtained on my 8085. Another letter was from Professor Roger Kirchner of Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota (where the James and Dalton boys came to grief). Professor Kirchner ran my benchmark program on his TI-99, using the TI-99/4A p-code Pascal compiler. His time for the 20 by 20 was 75.7 seconds. By comparison, Pascal M, which also uses p-code, did the same program in 59 seconds on my Com- pupro dual processor. (And see above, 8.9 seconds for the Sage 68000.) Professor Kirchner, incidentally, argues in favor of Logo as the begin- ner's language of choice. More Things My Postman Brings Me This column generates a lot of mail. Most is favorable. I brood too much about the unfavorable mail, but there's not much to be done about that tendency; I don't know any writer who doesn't ignore 30 good let- ters to worry excessively about one poison-pen epistle. Sometimes, though, I just don't know what to do, as for example with the pair of letters I got concerning Edsger Dijkstra 's "unpleasant truths" (see the October 1982 BYTE). Pro- fessor Edward O'Connell Jr. of the Psychology Department of Syracuse University tells me "BASIC is indeed brain damaging," and I was far too unkind to Professor Dijkstra, who was essentially correct in his observa- tions. Meanwhile, John S. Harbaugh of the Diebold Company says he's been programming for 23 years, and that "Mr. Pournell [sic] and Professor Dijkstra are typical academic snobs"; he takes me to task for being too par- tial to Pascal and insufficiently ap- preciative of BASIC. In fairness to Mr. Harbaugh, it looks as if he'd read the quotes from Dijkstra and skimmed so fast he thought I agreed with them. Professor O'Connell's letter is another matter. I was going to let it go, but I've just read it again, and it needs a reply. He says, "I have been in the field since 1959, through FORTRAN, IPL- V, COBOL, GATE, PL/I, BASIC, APL, and Pascal. 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Enter Multiplan, the next generation electronic worksheet that's as easy to use as it is useful. Make comparisons. Compare Multiplan to any of the earlier electronic worksheets. We've given you some "prompts" above. Compare learning time. Multiplan's tutorial book brings you up to speed. Fast. But Multiplan doesn't stop there. Multiplan's On-line Reference Guide gives you instant help if you have questions. It knows where you are in Multiplan and offers information related to your problem, right on the screen. Compare ease of use. All Multiplan prompts are full length words or phrases. And Multiplan provides "naming," the ability to assign a plain English name to any 'Based on features in releases VC-202B0-AP2 and VC-156Y0-IBM of VisiCalc on the Apple M and IBM -PC respectively. cell or area. "Gross Profit - Sales— Cost" rather than "AA44-AZ23— BK154." Which means you can work more intuitively. And faster. Compare utility. Multiplan lets you link related work- sheets so that information is transferred between them automatically. For instance, you can keep regional sales forecasts on separate sheets but link them with your overall company forecast. Then, just change the forecast for any region, and the company forecast sheet is updated automatically. Something you can't do with first generation worksheets. Compare reports. Not just the work you can do, but the way you can present it. Multiplan's flexible formatting options allow you to produce presentation-quality reports. And its sorting capability lets you sort by either alpha- betic or numeric order. So a sales manager who normally lists sales regions alphabetically could sort by amount sold and conveniently rank by sales performance. The MULTIPLAN INTERACTIVE ELECTRONIC WORKSHEET YES ON-LINE REFERENCE GUIDE YES "NAMING" OF OR AREAS YES PLAIN ENGLISH PROMP YES INDIVIDUAL COLUMN WIDTHS YES YES YES MUL1IPI WORKS* Multiplan is for result is a more meaningful and useful presentation of data. Compare availability. With Multiplan, you're not limited to a single range of computers. Multiplan is avail- able for Apple® and for microcomputers that run MS™-DOS, XENIX,™ or CP/M-80® operating systems. Multiplan supports both 40- and 80- columns on the Apple II. Compare the source. Microsoft was the world's first microcomputer software company. Today, Microsoft software is running in well over a million installations, worldwide. Languages. Utilities. Business programs. All, maintained at the state-of-the-art. Compare for yourself. Drop into your computer store. Compare Multiplan's powerful, user-oriented features to any electronic worksheet on the market. If you've been using VisiCalc, Multiplan's ability to directly utilize your VisiCalc files lets you easily upgrade to Multiplan. And that's just another of the many features designed YES a great idea now. to make Multiplan the electronic worksheet for now. And years from now. BETTER TOOLS FOR MICROCOMPUTERS MICROSOFT. YES Microsoft is a regis- tered trademark, and Multiplan, XENIX, and MS are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation VisiCalc is a registered trademark of VisiCorp CP/M-80 is a registered trade- mark of Digital Research, Inc. Apple is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. Attention Dealers: General Accounting Programs Cougar Mountain's general ac- counting programs operate on CP/M, MP/M compatible sys- tems, including TurboDos and MmmOST. Designed to work on hard disk systems. Program Features: • Multi-User w/record & file lock • Multi-Company use w/con- solidation • Accounting Integrity w/an audit trail which offers data in- tegrity to CPA or Comptroller. • Outstanding Documenta- tion • Fully Integrated w/singie source entry or stand alone • C.A.T.S. Computer Assisted Tutorial Software w/3 levels of user help Plus can be real time or modified batching for users with larger volume of data input. Cougar Mountain Offers You: • Increased Sales • Complete Dealer Support through our excellent staff of Customer Service Representa- tives • Training Seminars • Assistance in system conver- sion and interfacing programs • No Risk! MONEY BACK GUARANTEE! Iw* *6ougar fftountain ^Software 10 S.Latah Box 6886 Boise, ID 83707 208-344-2540 TM: CP/M & MP/M - Digital Research; TurboDos - Software 2000; MmmOST - TeleVideo Pascal. . . . Diddling about with BASIC as a first language leads to in- fantile fixations, Pascal can be taught, is logical, and demands very little more than BASIC initially. (By the way, how many times do you want to write single-statement pro- grams of the form 'PRINT 2*2'?)" Now what is one to make of all this? According to Professor O'Con- nell's letter, he has been teaching for 18 years that which cannot be taught; for I doubt seriously that he has long been teaching Pascal. Has he really been taking money under false pretenses? FORTRAN and COBOL are not my favorite languages, but ye gods, useful computer programs didn't start with Pascal! It's certainly possible to rationally debate what is the best introductory teaching language. It's even possible that there is no "best" for all ages; that BASIC or Logo is "best" for young children, while older students might better start with Pascal or even LISP. One thing I am certain of is that letters that inform me that I am "in- fantile, naive, biased, and ignorant" are not likely to change my views, and I'd have thought a professor of psychology would realize that. He does say my columns are "always interesting" and that he likes my reviews of equipment and soft- ware. The Language Debate Continues Mr. Paul A. Sand in defense of Pascal says, "Pascal is primarily useful for composing large programs. Its advantages don't usually show up in benchmarks and tutorial texts. A good analogy is one I heard from an employee of Apple Computer: it is very impractical to use a Boeing 747 to run to the corner grocery store; it's equally impractical to walk from New Hampshire to California. Similarly, it is impractical to use Pascal for small programs, and BASIC — any version — is often hopelessly underpowered for larger programs." I agree with this except for the final sentence, which is ambiguous. If he is saying that no version of BASIC is useful for large programs, I think he may be wrong. SPP to the Rescue! One of my major dislikes of Pascal as it is normally implemented on microcomputers— I have no ex- perience with it on big machines, and anyway that's irrelevant since I'm writing for "the Small Systems Jour- nal"— is that Pascal tries to make me think like a computer. Indeed, Mike Lehman put it very well in the manual to his Speed Programming Package: The Speed Programming Package helps the user to remove all "dumb" errors prior to compilation. One of the limits to productivity is the human frustration threshold. One must experience first-hand reaching the end of a four thousand line source compilation only to find that a semicolon (or period) was missing to fully understand the situation. One must then re-edit and recompile only to find that it may still be wrong, leading to only more and more frustration. This tends to lead pro- grammers to become extremely careful and spend much time simulating the compiler in their heads to save time when the computer should be able to make the produc- tion of programs easier, not harder. That is precisely the point I have been trying to make about Pascal: that the implementations I have worked with seem well designed to drive you to either think like a com- puter or go quite mad. Perhaps Pro- fessor O'Connell and Mr. Nelson and my other detractors never leave out semicolons. Perhaps they are correct when they condescendingly tell me that if I had enough experience I wouldn't make syntax errors; but perhaps they are not. Mike Lehman has far more experience than I do; after all, he wrote the Pascal MT + compiler, first in UCSD Pascal, then in MT+ itself. I don't want to have to think like a computer. I want the computer to compute, leaving me to get my own work done. I don't much care whether my programs meet some out- side criterion of "elegance" or even "efficiency." ("After all," as Carl Helmers says, "if you define 'efficient' as 'using least memory,' then the old one-letter BASIC variables were effi- cient. . . .") I do care that my pro- grams are easy to work on at periodic 234 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc EXTRA S lOOMorld News MACROTECH International Corporation 22133 Cohasset Street, Canoga Park, California 91303 • 213-887-5737 Megabyte S-100 Memory Here Now Major breakthrough made by Macrotech International Corporation CANOGA PARK (MI)- January 20, 1983-Mike Peikey, president of Macrotech International Corporation, today announced a major technological breakthrough in S-100 dynamic memory board density. A full megabyte of high speed dynamic ram is contained on a single stan- dard size S-100 multilayer PC. board. The product, dubbed 'Max' meets all IEEE/696 mech- anical and electrical specifications and byte ^ __ _^_^_^_^^^_^_ Virtual Disk Flexibility Cited CANOGA PARK-January 20, 1983-Macro- tech reports their Multiuser I and Multiuser II S-100 ram memory boards can be used as both system memory and "virtual disk" stor- age in eight or sixteen-bit applications. Ad- dressing flexibility is the key. The Multiuser M 3 memory mapped addressing is guaranteed to allow memory partitioning to fit the exact requirements of your system without ever wasting a single byte. Today's trend in operating systems appears to include extended memory capabilities to allow for the recent technological advances in semiconductor memory A close look at Digital Research's new CP/M 3™ for example, would lead you to believe that it was especial- ly created to fit Macrotech's family of Multi- user memory boards. (It wasn't, but try to find one that fits better.) M 3 Family Growing Another product recently introduced by Macrotech is soaring to the top of the best- seller list. The Multiuser II is a 128 kbyte 70ns CMOS static ram memory board that is unquestionably without peer in the S-100 marketplace. It's a 6-layer board with blazing speed, 8/16 data transfer protocol, and ultra- low power external battery support. The same M 3 memory mapped addressing archi- tecture so in demand with system software professionals is now standard in the new Multiuser II. M 3 was first developed by Macro- tech for the popular Multiuser 1 256K dynam- ic ram board to meet the demanding require- ments of today's sophisticated systems. parity generation/checking is included as a standard feature. Max supports IEEE/ 696 24- bit addressing (selectable at any 128K boun- dary), 8/16 data transfer protocol, phantom line operation, and the same ultra low noise bus signal filtering provided on Macrotech's popular high performance 256K dynamic memory board. Max is in production now and shipping at the all-time low cost per bit list price of $1,983 in unit quantity. Bruce Kimmel, Macrotech's sales manager reports that customers are being served on a "first-in, first-out" basis and warns that due to a high incidence of graphics and similar memory-intensive applications, along with an unwillingness in the trade to pay exorbitant prices for memory, backlogs may occur for Max which could delay shipments against some late orders. With the improbability of second sourcing for some time, interested parties are urged to get orders in as soon as possible. Bruce can be contacted at 22133 Cohasset Street, Canoga Park, California 91303, or reached by telephone at (213) 887-5737. Macrotech's advanced memory mapping scheme allows each 4K block of the 16 bit (64K) logical addresses to be dynamically translated to any 4K block of the physical memory. Global memory can be configured to any size and located anywhere in the logi- cal address space. All remaining memory can be addressed through the remaining logical address space by simply reloading the map- ping registers to address the desired physical memory blocks. This scheme permits unlimit- ed use of all on-board physical memory Where it all started: pictured is the popular Multiuser Ij Macrotech's first product This widely used board provides 256 Kbytes of dynamic ram with UK page memory map- ping (called M 3 ), 8/16 bit operation, 24 bit addressing and byte parity checking. MACROTECH Announces Distribution Expansion CANOGA PARK-January 20, 1983-Macro- tech is now establishing domestic and inter- national dealer/representative networks. The California based firm is expanding it's cus- tomer support through these channels and in- vites inquiries. Volume users and retailers should contact the company for details. Macrotech's marketing director Bob Ryle states, "IEEE/696 has made S-100 legitimate. It is rapidly gaining acceptance due to its in- herently superior speed characteristics'.' Ryle attributes the growing demand for Macrotech memories to Macrotech's strict adherence to the IEEE standard. Circle 253 on Inquiry card. intervals. Let me praise Lehman's Speed Pro- gramming Package. When Mike first sent me Pascal MT-f , he sent along the SPP; but alas, he sent no documents for it, and I was never able to use it. Every now and again I got puzzled letters from readers who were using SPP, and who didn't understand some of my frustrations with Pascal. Why didn't I use SPP? Meanwhile, Digital Research was redoing the SPP documents, and they'd send them along Real Soon Now. Eventually they came. Put simply, SPP is indispensable. It's not wonderful. It could stand some improvements. Even so, it's vital that if you program in Pascal MT + , you must get SPP. SPP is a whole package of pro- gramming aids, including both editing and syntax-checking func- tions. As Paul Sand put it in his thoughtful letter, many of Pascal's deficiencies are disadvantages of compilers rather than interpreters; compilers are notoriously unfriendly. With SPP, though, some of those deficiencies are remedied. SPP contains a screen-oriented editor somewhat similar to Word- master. Some changes have been made to the Wordmaster command structure and not all have been well chosen; I particularly miss Word- master's little "QP" buffer, and I can't understand why Lehman made some of his other changes. No matter. You can always use Wordmaster to create most of your program, then go to SPP for the final touches; or, more likely, you can simply get used to SPP's quirks. Incidentally, I'm writing an SPP editor CBIOS to enable my Archive keyboard to work directly on SPP's editor. The SPP editor has some of the features of the UCSD Pascal editor. It aids in indentation, for one thing. There's also a "pretty print" reshuf- fler: once your program has been created, SPP will automagically reformat it with levels of indenta- tions. That by itself shows you many of your horrible mistakes, such as missing END statements. Finally, from within SPP you can do syntax checking. That goes fast on the M-Drive; and when a syntax error is detected, SPP puts you automatically in the text editor, with the cursor where the compiler thinks the error was. (The UCSD editor on the Sage 68000 system does this also.) There are more valuable features to SPP. It will check the spelling of your variables. If it finds a variable used precisely once, that's a pretty good candidate for a spelling error. It will log source-code modifications. It will even run special procedures you write yourself. In other words, I'm wild about SPP, and I think it's high time that everyone selling Pascal get busy to provide something similar; the effect on the national blood pressure will be dramatic. Database the Easy Way If I'm after a quick and easy way to store data, I generally use my own DECADES OF SERVICE Washington Computer Services 97 Spring St., NewYork, NY10012 -— f 2B£K£3K» *m TO ORDER: 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 The Professional's Workstation 8086. 16 bit processor; Two 8" DSDD disk drives; 128K RAM (to 640K); green or RGB perfect FOR: color screen. Word Processing CAD/CAM graphics (1024x1024 resolution) DataBase Management Accounting Chang Lab's Microplan IBM emulations CP/M-86, MSD0S, UCSD P. This new state-of-the-art work station out-performs tnonnr all others near its *OoUU. price range. NEC COMPUTERS AND MONITORS (One disk drive, green) On N.Y.S. Contract #P-07220 ni r A Q C I Do not confuse us with mail order dealers. We are a full service distributor r LEMQl! serving the data processing & installation needs of business & industry from micros to mainframes. System houses, educational institutions & governmental agen- cies given special consideration. Leasing available. N.Y. State agencies, municipalities, and schools— call us for information on our O.G.S. term contracts on hardware & software. Please call to make an appointment for demonstration of this extraordinary computer at our showroom. Prices subject to change without notice; call for latest prices. Prices include 3% cash discount. N.Y. residents add sales tax. CP/M° is a trademark of Digital Research. All sales subject to our standard sale conditions (available on request). Above prices do not include customization or installation. STEP UP! Quality Software for Apple II, Apple///, IBM PC. Medical, Dental, Office And Educational Software For further information call (619)365-6668 COMPUTER SERVICE Village Data Center - P.O. Box 603 Joshua Tree, California 92252 236 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc Circle 450 on inquiry card. Circle 255 on inquiry card. Printer Parallel Interface Plotter f Printer RS2 Async Seri Host Computer 2 ' Mass Storage Memory A multi-functional Octopus It's a printer buffer, a printer spooler, frees computer time and enables copying capability. A data protocol translator: parallel to parallel parallel to serial serial to parallel serial to serial A multitask data channel controller: • enables host computer to communicate to multiple peripherals simultaneously. • enables multiple computers to communicate with multiple peripherals simultaneously. • compatible to most interface protocols. All in one for only $197.50. Standard product includes: Z80 CPU One parallel input port [centronic printer and IBM PC compatible), one parallel output port (centronic printer and IBM PC compatible), two Serial RS232 Asynchronous ports, 8KB resident memory. Options include: Up to 256KB upgradable memory Graphic enhancements. Modem with Auto Dial capability. Two additional parallel ports Two additional Serial RS232 Asynchronous ports. Customized software enhancements. computer peripherals 1117 Venice Boulevard Los Rnqeies en sooi5 call collect C213) 29B-ias"7 Telex: iekisei lsr Circle 106 on inquiry card. BYTE March 1983 237 Circle 235 on inquiry card. Software Associates now introduces a new line of affordable quality software $35QQ DATABASE SYSTEM A user-friendly fife management system. Includes: - On-screen design of input and report formats - Multiple field keys with capability to search on any field - Query language included for easy retrieval of file information SORT PACKAGE A stand-alone, easy to use sorting package using fastheapsorting. Includes: - Sorting on up to 10 keys - May be parameter file driven - A separate file merge capability INDEX CARD FILE A computerized index card file with user designed format. Includes: - 60-column x 14-line size - Search for any keyword(s) within file - Sort "cards" into smaller categories - Perform mathematical functions on given portions of a card SOFTWARE ASSOCIATES 38A W. Oakland Avenue Oakland, NJ. 07421 (201) 337-2002 Formats: IBM PC (PC-DOS or CP/M-86); Osborne; NorthStar; Attos. Call about the availability of other formats. Requirements: CP/M-80, CP/M-86, IBM PC-DOS (MS-DOS); 64 K RAM; Addressable cursor terminal; Printer capable of 132 column. Terms: Money order, cashiers check, Visa, Master- Card, personal or company check (allow 14 days to clear), COD (add $4.00) - Include $5.00 for shipping and handling. N.J. residents add 6% sales tax. All soft- ware shipped UPS (ground). UPS Blue Label add $3.00 per item. Trademarks: Software Associates; IBM, IBM PC- DOS - International Business Machines, Inc.; CP/M-80, CP/ M-86 - Digital Research, Inc.; MS-DOS - Microsoft, Inc.; Osborne - Osborne Computer Corporation; North- Star - North Star Computers, Inc. ; Altos - Altos Compu- ter Systems. © 1983 SOFTWARE ASSOCIATES Minimum Data Base because it's sim- ple to use and understand, and so long as there aren't more than a hun- dred or so records of more than eight to ten items per record, MDB is more than adequate. More complex data storage and retrieval requires more sophisticated programs. One such I've long recom- mended is dBASE II. (I have several rivals of dBASE II here, and I hope some time to try them; the problem is that between MDB and dBASE II there's been no need for anything else.) The only real problem with dBASE II is the documentation; getting started with it from scratch can be a frustrating experience. It's not an im- possible task; a number of friends, some of whom have zero experience with computers, have taken dBASE II and created really sophisticated record-keeping structures with it with no help from anyone. Still, the in- troductory documents have not been its strongest point. Comes now Fox & Geller with its Quickcode program; and a good part of the problem of getting started with dBASE II is solved. The Quickcode programs and book will help you get set up with dBASE II and get you through the transition from "I just want to do my Christmas card list" to generating sophisticated ac- counting programs. It works by "screens"; that is, you can use Quickcode to set up the struc- ture of the database, one screen per record; after that, you enter data into the database by filling in the blanks, a screen at a time. Anyone starting out to learn to use dBASE II can save a good bit of time and frustration by getting the Fox & Geller Quickcode as well. Quickcode would also be useful for anyone using dBASE II as a pro- gramming language. (Many do; it's possible to write some very sophisticated programs in dBASE II.) Keyboard Companion One day there appeared via UPS five boxes, each about two feet long by half that high and wide. The only clue as to what they contained were the words "Keyboard Companion." When we opened them, we found 238 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc several copies of a device with that name. Each was slightly different. One was designed for use with a TRS-80, another for an Apple, the others for more general systems. The Keyboard Companion is a combination copyholder and tilted table. It consists of some metal box- like structures to elevate your monitor screen and an attractive nonmagnetic black Bakelite board with an aluminum edge holder at the bottom. A plastic line guide/paper holder fits onto one edge. The board attaches to your screen via Velcro strips; the bottom edge can rest on your keyboard or alternatively on the table that holds the keyboard. The result is that you've a table be- tween the keyboard and the monitor screen for notebooks, program copy, notepaper, or anything else you might want to be looking at while using the keyboard. Our Keyboard Companions sat unopened for months. Then Barry Workman took the TRS-80 away, and one of the students remembered we had a Companion for it and sent that along. Later we got the Apple, and out came another. They worked out very well; so well that I fished out yet another Companion and set it up as part of Zeke II's system. The Com- panion has proven to be a very useful addition to the system, and I am beginning to wonder how I got along without it for so long. When you're designing your com- puter setup, it couldn't hurt to look into the Keyboard Companion line; this might be just what you're looking for. They come in 16- and 20-inch widths, with screen holders designed for most popular monitors. New Operating Systems As I write this, they're arranging to get me a test copy of CP/M 3.0. I've just finished speaking with my col- league Mark Dahmke, who already has it; Mark likes it a lot. It has a number of attractive features — in- cluding no more Control-C every time you change disks. More on that next month. I'm also eagerly waiting for Tony to finish work on the CBIOS for CPM-86 to run on the Compupro Text continued on page 242 tiHDVs ®m mmm S-100 STATIC MEMORY BREAKTHROUGH Finally, you can buy state-of-the-art S-100/IEEE 696 static memory for your computer at an unprecedented savings. Memory Merchant's memory boards provide the advanced features, quality and reliability you need for the kind of operational performance demanded by new high-speed processors. Completely Assembled. 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Prices, terms, specifications subject to change without notice. *Cromix and CDOS are trademarks of CROMEMCO. 1 MP/M is a trademark of Digital Research Circle 264 on inquiry card. Number One Add-O Communications Printer—** Battery ^-- /•,...■- ..smatf: " Rdvonced Comm. Cord (CC-232) • Programmable to com- municate in Bisync, SDLC, HDLC, and Async protocols • Two Ports of RS 232 AST products are available from Computerland Entre", ComputerMart and selected dealers worldwide. For use with fiST-3780 • An IBM 2780/3780 RJE Emulator • Supports Bisync point- to- point communications protocol • Allows file transfer between Hosts IBM PC • Ideal for IBM System 34, 38, 4300 AST- SNA • Emulates IBM 3274 Model 51 C Control Unit • Emulates 3278 Display Sta- tion • Emulates 3287 Type Printer • Optional 3770 Emula- tion • Cluster Controller Operation • Protocol Con- verter Support 64-256K Memory * ^.miiiu^m"" ff #'";':;:.v S *J ! ! ! ! i ! 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AST Proprietory Connector Mounting Bracket (does not include cables shown in illustration) 64K-512K(with MegaPak) • Two IBM Compatible Async Ports (1 std., 1 opt.) • One IBM Parallel Printer Port (opt.) • One Battery Backed- up Clock Calendar std.) • Ideal for Concurrent CP/M, MBA, nquiry card. VISI Series software packaaes. ) II 2372 Morse Avenue >m >^u itij- lrvine ' Calif - 92714 RCSCAROHINC (714)5401333 Dealer Inquiries Welcome THE SBC8QA designed for multiprocessor /slave or 1/0 processor, has on board Z80A-CPU; DMA; 128K dual ported RAM, no wait state, byte/ word accessible ;Eprom sockets up to 32K; 2 RS232; 2 parallel ports ;Memory Map Prom; 3 counter/ timer; floppy controller; hard disk interface; math chip AM9511;20 bit Intel Multibus 21 vectored interrupts; auxiliary power input for stand alone. INNOVATIVE RESEARCH, INC. 17071 Kampen Ln, Huntington Bch,CA92647 714-842-0492. Multibus Intel trademark. Circle 501 on inquiry card. SPEECH SYNTHESIZER $50 Each ($40 in w*4*f*4444# hundreds) Order in Ones or Thousands The SC-01A Speech Synthesizer is a completely self-contained solid state device. This single chip phonetically synthesizes continuous speech of unlimited vocabulary. Computer interfaces and text-to-speech algorithms also available tor product development. Micromint is the largest U. S. distributor of the SC-01A. Caii us for a price quote. Call 1-800-645-3479, in NY. 1-516-374-6793 MICROMINT INC. 561 Willow Avenue Cedarhurst, NY 11516 j ^ Br C1 ^ y Add $2.00 for Jf / / / ^ shipping & handling. Circle 502 on inquiry card. ULTRA-RES GRAPHICS N.E.C. UPD7220 GRAPHICS PROCESSOR *S-100BUSB&W $995.00* -1024 x 1024 PIXEL PLANE -Up to 8 VIDEO PLANES *S-1 00 BUS COLOR 1250.00* -THREE 51 2 x 512 PLANES -8 COLORS RGE TTL, 2 BD SYSTEM * MULTIBUS 1995.00* -THREE 1024 x 1024 VIDEO PLANES -SINGLE BOARD *IBMPC 995.00* -1024 x 1024 PIXEL PLANE -UP TO 8 VIDEO PLANES SOFTWARE DRIVERS HARDWARE ZOOM 1 to 1 6 SELECTABLE DISPLAY RESOLUTION MULTI-GRAPHICS PROCESSORS AVAILABLE start at* C.S.D. INC. PO Box 253 Sudbury, MA 01776 617-443-2750 Items Reviewed Keyboard Companion PKAY Corporation POB 11463 Costa Mesa, CA 92627 (714) 548-2081 M-Drive Compupro Systems Oakland Airport, CA 94614-0355 {415} 562-0636 Quickcode Fox & Geller POB 1053 Teaneck, NJ 07666 (201) 837-0142 Sage II Computer Sage Computer Technology Suite 4 35 North Edison Way Reno, NV 89502 (702) 322-6868 Semidisk Semidisk Systems POB GG Beaverton, OR 97075 (503) 642-3100 Speed Programming Package Digital Research POB 579 Pacific Grove, CA 93950 (408)649-3896 T-Switch Inmac 2465 Augustine Dr. Santa Clara, CA 95051 (408) 727-1970 Book Reviewed Introduction to the UCSD p-System by Charles and Jon Butah, Berkeley, CA: Sybex, 1982, 300 (415) 848-8233 TRS-80II Apple II IBM PC 128K 256K $79.50 $77 $46 $1198 $2396 $29 $3600 512K $1995 1 megabyte $2995 CP/M-86 $250 $147 manual automatic $395 W. Grant pages, $14.95 ($1.50 handling) J dual processor. CP/M-86 will enable the Compupro to run a number of programs that run on the IBM Per- sonal Computer. On that score, Mark Dahmke has it running and says, "CP/M-86 makes the IBM PC a usable machine." I thought that a bit extreme; after all, a lot of people think the IBM PC is usable now. I'd probably have one if I hadn't become so furious over that horrid "European-standard" keyboard. Mark agreed he'd probably over- stated the case but added, "Going from MS-DOS to CP/M-86 is very much like going from TRS-DOS to CP/M. Once you've done it, you can never understand how you put up with the old system." I'll have to take his word for it, but not for long; one day I will get a PC, either by getting the right kind of S-100 video output Circle 503 on inquiry card. SOFTKITS BOOKS • with program listings in BASIC • theory, equations, full explanation of how programs work contain same programs as books unprotected and copyable use as building blocks for your own software Data Plotting Software for Micros This is a system of 1 8 programs which process and display data: pie charts, bar charts, stock market charts, histograms, 3D views of surfaces, log plots, curve fitting, data manage- ment, histograms and statistical analysis. Programs are modular, menu driven, written in BASIC, fully explained and keyed to theory. Use them as-is or modify for custom applications. Programs handle x, x-y, and x-y-z data files. Features include automatic scaling, axis marking and numbering, auto replot when data changes, and a special program called LABELER which places text and symbols over graphics using a moving cursor. □ Book $28.50 DApple disk $19.95 DIBMpc disk $19.95 Sinclair Graphics This self-teaching guide will show you how to write 2D and 3D graphics on the Sinclair 1000. Sinclair Graphics is unique in that the author teaches graphics while writing useful and fascinating programs that do charting, graphing, games, simulation and computer art. The level of mathematics is kept to a minimum yet most topics in computer graphics are* covered. Illustrative programs are applied to business, education, science, math and art. The presentation is light and informal while cleverly designed to teach graphics fast. □Book $14.95 Structural Analysis Software for Micros More than just a collection of stress programs, this package contains all the elements commonly found in sophisticated, modern CAD systems but on a scale more appropriate for micros. You will be able to create a finite element mesh on the screen of your micro, rotate it in 3 dimensions, and store it on disk. Then recall the mesh from disk, recall a file of material properties and carry out a 3d truss or frame analysis. Nonlinear and large deflection analyses is accomplished by an incremental solution strategy. Other programs calculate combined stresses, area properties and plot deflected shapes of structures. All program are modular, menu driven and written in BASIC. D Book $39.95 □ Apple disk $24.95 □ IBMpc disk $24.95 Graphic Software f or Microcomputers This self-teaching guide will show you how to write your own 2 and 3 dimensional graphic software. It contains 61 fully documented programs in BASIC that illustrate various graphics operations and programming techniques. Learn how to create 2 and 3 dimensional shapes, translate, rotate, scale, stretch, clip, remove hidden lines, shade, create perspective views, calculate and plot surface intersections, use a tablet to create 3 dimensional shapes and produce animation effects. Applications to science, engineering and business. Named "the best book available on microcomputer graphics" by Creative Computing in Feb, 1982. OBook $21 .95 DApple disk $1 9.95 DIBMpc disk $1 9.95 DTRS80 Color Tape $21 .95 I BMpc Graphics This self-teaching guide will show you how to write your own 2 and 3 dimensional graphic software on the IBMpc. This is a special version of the popular Graphic Software for Microcomputers but it has been written especially for the IBMpc. In addition to the topics covered in Graphic Software, this IBM version covers hardware requirements, separating text from graphics, and use of the pc's special graphics enhancements. All programs are written in BASIC A. □ Book $24 DIBMpc disk $21 Engineering Software for Micros This package of 25 programs will show you how to write modern CAD software and use your micro for professional engineering work. Emphasis is on combining computer graphics with engineer- ing problem solving. Programs are included to interactively create engineering drawings, store them on disk, recall, up- date, merge, add physical properties and rotate in 3 dimen- sions. Other programs operate on drawings and perform matrix operations, Fourier analysis (spectra displayed graphically), mechanisms simulation, and optimization. All programs are menu driven, written in BASIC and fully documented and keyed to theory and equations. DBook $28.50 DApple disk $19.95 DIBMpc disk $19.95 To order, send check drawn on US bank, money order in US funds, Visa or Mastercard number with expiration date to KERN PUBLICATIONS, 190 Duck Hill Road, P.O. Box 1029B, Duxbury, Massachusetts 02332. Add $2 per book 4th class postage in US and Canada, $4 1 st class or UPS in US; $4.50 1 st class Canada; $1 2 air Europe and Central America; $1 8 air elsewhere. Call (617)934-0445 for faster delivery. KERN PUBLICATIONS Circle 238 on inquiry card. BYTE March 1983 243 board for the Compupro; or by get- ting a Heath/Zenith Z-100, which seems to be a complete PC work- alike; or by getting the PC itself and installing Jim Baen's Magic Keyboard reprogrammer. I have too many friends who are too happy with the PC for me to be a holdout forever. Getting the PC won't solve my real problem, which was rather succinctly put by Professor Ben Singer of the University of Western Ontario. Pro- fessor Singer writes, "I am still look- ing for a metaprogram — one thing that you turn on — a giant file cum program that you can write with, retrieve, make notes, rewrite, find old things, but without menus, without leaving disks and programs and all of that." I know precisely what he means: I'm looking for that program too. Right now we have text editors, databases, calculator programs, filecard programs, scratchnote pro- grams, things to hold telephone numbers, spelling programs, etc., but they don't really work together. A few, like Wordstar with Spellstar and Datastar, try to work together, but they aren't really what we're looking for. A possible approach is multitask- ing. I've never thought highly of multiuser operating systems for microcomputers; the computers are cheap enough that I think the goal ought to be one user, one processor. However, that doesn't mean the pro- cessor can't be doing more than one thing at a time. After all, while it's waiting for me to type in more text, it can be checking the spelling of the text I've already written or doing something useful like that. In theory, that would be fine; in practice, I suspect it would have side effects suf- ficiently distracting that I'd never use the capability. On the other hand, I would greatly love to be able to access a desk calculator, retrieve telephone numbers and disk catalog informa- tion, see my calendar, and make log entries right from within my text editor without having to save my text and load a new program. I've even made notes on what I'd like such a program (or operating system) to do, and I've given it the name Executive Secretary. I'm told it wouldn't be all that difficult to write; that I can add some memory, and with a little hard work Executive Secretary can be made to run. I'll believe it when I see it. That may not be as long as I think. Tony has a whole mess of stuff from Com- pupro and has been making mysterious noises about new upgrades to the operating system; while I keep hearing rumors of similar activities elsewhere in computerland. After all, Compupro already has its MPM-8/16 multitasking multiuser system, and although it's not quite what I want it's a step in the right direction. My own bet is that by the time the West Coast Computer Faire comes along in 1984 someone will have my Executive Secretary. I sure hope so. Pascal Prime Project The Pascal Prime Project men- tioned last time continues. This is an attempt to get major compiler writers and publishers to agree on a set of "standard" extensions that fix Pascal's major defects. Carl Helmers will become chairman of the actual meeting to be held during the West Coast Computer Faire. We've heard from nearly all the major compiler writers and publishers, and they'll be there. Just how much agreement we'll get on Pascal extensions is still more guesswork than knowledge, but most of the compiler people seem anxious to cooperate. Meanwhile, I've got a copy of Niklaus Wirth's report on Modula-2, his candidate for the language to remedy Pascal's defects and take its place. I haven't had a chance to study the book yet, but I don't think there's a Modula-2 compiler running on any system I'm likely to have; until I can run Modula-2, then, I'll continue to work on fixing Pascal. Last-minute flash: we now have Modula-2 work- ing on the Sage. I like it a lot. The Pascal Prime meeting will be open to the public; the structure will be a panel discussion of the invited participants, after which we'll take suggestions and questions from the floor. Since we don't have a lot of time, and we do hope to get some agreement on required Pascal exten- sions, we hope the questions and comments can be both relevant and short. And this column has gone on long enough. Next month, I hope, we can look at some equipment using 8087 "math" chips, plus lots more on the Sage and the new Lobo Max-80, and perhaps the new Epson QX-10 machine, ■ • INTRO SPECIAL * BASIS 108 Computer w/choice of drives with controller Call Micro Sci or Fourth w/64K or 128K completely assembled, tested and configured • SPECIAL* MICROSOFT PREMIUM SYSTEM $599 • DISKETTE SPECIALS* Maxell MD-1 (Box of 10) $ 32 Maxell 8" (Box of 10) $ 41 MONITORS NEC Hi-Res 12" Green NEC RGB 12" Color Sanyo Monitors Amdek Monitors Electrohome USI Amber Televideo Terminals COMMUNICATIONS Hayes Micromodem II Hayes Smart Modem Hayes Modem 1200 Microcom $129 Call Call Call $169 Call $275 $235 Call s OMMUNI INC. 5B* L 1400 GRANT AVE. / NOVATO, CALIFORNIA 94947 IMMEDIATE DELIVERY A-| c QQO - H OQ CALL COLLECT 41 5-892-71 39 BUY COMPUTERS FROM PEOPLE WHO KNOW HOW TO USE THEM. SERVICES AVAILABLE: SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS • HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS COMPUTER SECURITY • TELECOMMUNICATIONS • BUSINESS • SCHOOLS CONSULTATION SERVICES. Ask about out clients. All equipment tested prior to shipment. If you don't see it, please ask us. APPLE PERIPHERALS Thunderclock $125 Mountain Computer Prod. Call Videx Products Microsoft Products Corvus Products TG Joysticks/Paddles ABT Keypads for Best Prices Call $ 99 System Saver Fan Saturn Systems Axlon Products Fourth Dimension Micro Sci Drives 16-Bit Apple Card SVA Products Peachtree Software $ 77 Call Call Call Minimum order S10G Cashiers checks and money orders accepted Add 3% lor VISA or MC Add 3% for stiipping/insurance/handling. UPS. No COO Prices subject to change. Call to verity Order hours 9-6 PST, Mon-Fri. Personal checks allow 20 days to clear All products with full manufacturer s war- ranty, factory sealed Calil. residents add 6% sales tax. Bank wires & P.O.'s accepted. Retail prices may vary Apple is a registered trademark of Apple Computer Inc. All brand names are registered trademarks. PRINTERS & INTERFACES NEC 8023 NEC Spinwriter Okidata Microline IDS & C. Itoh Anadex Products \ CCS Interface Cards Call Qume and Diablo I for EPSON w/Graftrax Plus/ Best Micro Buffer II I Prices Grappler ) IBM Software and Peripherals Techmar STB Products Atari Software COMPUTER SYSTEMS ALTOS Computers ATARI 400 & 800 Basis 108 Computers NEC PC8000 Computers Sanyo Computers T.I. Home Computer Xerox 820-II Computers APPLE BUSINESS SOFTWARE Versaform $299 SupercalcCP/M $210 DB Master VER 3 $169 The Last One Format II $275 Pro Easywriter Combo \ Accounting Plus Call INVOICE PLUS \ for FMS-80,81,82 ( Best dBASEII I Prices VISICORP Software / MICRO PRO Wordstar Supersort Mail Merge Data Star Sped Star Calc Star 244 March 1983 © BYTE Publications lnc Circle 84 on inquiry card. THE MICRO COMPUTER BUSINESS WILL GROW FROM $10 TO $100 BILLION IN THE NEXT EIGHT YEARS! ARE YOU READY TO CASH IN? The micro computer business is predicted to grow from its present $10 billion to $100 billion before 1990! Imagine the possibilities this opens for you! No matter where you live, if you're starting up or presently in business, no other industry offers you more opportunities! Now, finally, all the inside information you need to secure a prosperous future in this dynamic industry is available in one place - THE COMPUTER ENTREPRENEUR MANUAL! An immense information source, compiled by our inquisitive research team, aided by a panel of experts and business people from all areas of the computer industry! We present the inside story of more than 100 lucrative computer businesses you can enter, where you'll find the real opportunities for the eighties: from one man operations like Programming Author, Word Processing Center or Consulting, to Systems House, Service Bureau, Computer Store etc! Many at little or no investment! 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NAME: ADDRESS: CITY, STATE, ZIP: □ Check or M.O. enclosed Charge to [J VISA □ M C CARD# Exp, Date: - SIGNATURE: B0383 c N 1982, THE COMPUTER ENTREPRENEUR Circle 136 on inquiry card. .— « TRACK THE SPACE SHUTTLE ON AN APPLE? YES. WITH MICROSPEED! At the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, NASA scientists have discovered the power of MicroSPEED. Using this remarkable hardware/software system with an Apple II, they produced a continuous graphic display of the Columbia's position relative to the earth during the second Shuttle mission. This enabled the JPL team to accurately follow the spacecraft in real time, and to precisely control its powerful sensors at critical points along the flight path, Surprised that such a demanding project is possible on the Apple? So were JPL's engineers, and many others who have discovered . . . THE MICROSPEED DIFFERENCE This extraordinary Language System exploits the real potential of the microcomputer for the first time. The difference between MicroSPEED and other programming languages is that with MicroSPEED, there is virtually no limit to what you can achieve. It may well be the ultimate language for the Apple II and III (and soon the IBM Personal Computer). MicroSPEED literally combines the performance of a minicomputer with an exhaustive set of user-friendly capabilities: hardware math processing, fast hi-res graphics and text, turtle graphics, print formating, two text editors, unlimited data types, and incredible FORTH extensibility — all at speeds up to 100 times faster than Basic. USER-FRIENDLY, EASY-TO-LEARN Starting with simple commands that are comfortable even for non- programmers, MicroSPEED extends and builds, allowing you to create your own tailored application languages. The capability of your computer will grow exponentially, as you work in an active partnership with the machine, exploring and developing new problem-solving facilities — creating, correcting, refining your increasingly powerful system. DEMANDING JOBS AT LOW COST MicroSPEED has been put to the test in fields as diverse as medicine, the stock market, oceanography, and the arts. In even the most challenging applications, MicroSPEED users have been unanimous in their praise of the System and manual. Typical comments are: ". . . we are more than pleased with MicroSPEED . . . I can't imagine using BA SIC on any future applications. " Roger Guevremont, National Research Council of Canada. "I continue to marvel at its versatility and power. " Carl R. Schramm, USCG Base, Kodiak, Alaska. "Great! . . . A joy to use/' Henry Harris, Mission Design Manager Jet Propulsion Laboratory "If you plan to use a personal computer for any demanding task, then we built MicroSPEED for you. " Sam Cornell, President of Applied Analytics. MicroSPEED requires the Apple Computer with single disk. Micro- SPEED II includes 2 MHz math processor. MicroSPEED II + includes 4 MHz math processor. Applied Analytics Incorporated 8235 Penn-Randall Place Upper Marlboro, Maryland 20772 Please send me: MicroSPEED II, $495.00 MicroSPEED II +,$645.00 "1 (301) 420-0700 _ 160 Page Manual, $15.00 .Detailed Information Name: Company: Address: City .State, _Zip_ .Phone No, ( APPLE IS A TRADEMARK OF APPLE COMPUTER. INC. Circle 29 on Inquiry card. BYTE GAME GRID Project Nebula Keith Carlson 43 McDill Rd. Bedford, MA 01730 In light of the enor- mous popularity of video games, it's not unusual that imitations of the most popular ones should spring up. After all, consumers spend $10 billion a year on video arcades, and manufac- turers want a slice of the pie. So naturally I ex- pected Project Nebula to be Radio Shack's version of Atari's blockbuster, Star Raiders. Not so. The two games have similarities, but after a thorough investigation I found that Project Nebula's differences in terms of rules and play make it a true original. Actually, Project Nebula for the TRS-80 Color Com- puter includes four games. Each game offers you 10 levels that increase in difficulty. Target practice is the first game, and you'll need it. The joystick control is sluggish and difficult to use in the beginning, and practice will help you get comfortable using it. Whether the unusual feel of the joystick was intentional or not, it detracts from the game. Target practice will also introduce you to the short-range sensors (both front and rear views) in the lower corners of the screen. In my initial experience with this practice, I discovered one of Project Nebula's most interesting aspects: the program maintains depth of field. Photo 1: The forward view from upper section of the screen. Two your energy bolts (diagonal lines torn are your instruments showing In other words, if you have two enemy ships in your sights, you can only shoot the one in front. The second ship becomes vulnerable only when it is closer to you than the leftover debris from the enemy you just exploded. And the best part is that you gain all of this wonderful ex- perience under the most ideal conditions; you can shoot the Zykons, but they can't shoot back! Once you master the joysticks and the range sensors, you're ready for game two. It, too, is tar- get practice, but with a big difference: now the Zykons are shooting at you. But don't fret too much; your ship is still safe. When you get a direct hit from an enemy bolt, the screen briefly fills with red @ signs, and the game continues. During this game, your other joystick is activated and it controls the forward speed of your craft. That feature isn't particularly useful in the first two games, but it becomes quite significant in subse- quent games when you have to dock and refuel. In the third game, you apply what you've been practic- ing. Now you have an entire quadrant to patrol, and with a press of the Z key, you view a multicolored map. To travel between sectors, you choose a sector and, by press- your scout vessel is shown in the Zykon craft have dodged one of converging in center). At the hot- direction, energy units, and score. March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc 247 BYTE GAME GRID At a Glance Name Project Nebula Language 6809 machine language Type Game Manufacturer Computer Needed TRS-80 Color Computer {any configuration) Tandy Corporation I Tandy P\aza Fort Worth, TX 76102 Additional Equipment Two joysticks Documentation Price $39.95 8-page manual Audience Author Robert Arnstein Arcade game players and Star Wars fans Format ROM cartridge ing the H key, off you go into "hyperspace." When you move in hyperspace from one sector to another, the graphics resemble those in Star Wars. You will travel in hyperspace often. Every time the Zykons zap your ship, you lose energy units. To refuel, you must travel to a sec- tor with a base, dock your ship, and get recharged. Docking can be tricky. If you forget to reduce your speed at the right time, you will overshoot the base. You must set the ship's horizontal and vertical directions within a certain range, increase your speed until the base is in sight, and then decrease your speed to a specified point. When you are close enough to the base, you will receive a new power pack. Instructions for this procedure are included with the game, and with a little practice docking almost becomes easy. The fourth and final game of the series pulls out all of the stops. Not only do you lose energy units when your ship is hit, but the accumulated hits begin to take their toll on your vessel. The type and level of damage the hits inflict remains unpredictable. You must remember to check the damage status report, which is displayed to the right of the quadrant map. When it's time for repairs, you must travel to a base. At this point, finding a base can present quite a chal- lenge. If your long-range sensors are damaged, you'll still be able to display the quadrant map, but the sectors will be randomly filled, making it impossible for you to tell which sector contains what; in my opinion, false infor- mation is more frustrating than no information at all. If you didn't memorize which sector has your home base, your only recourse is to conduct a costly sector-by-sector search, consuming large amounts of time and fuel. Try- ing to use damaged warp engines lands you in a random sector, no matter where you want to go. I find this more maddening than nonfunctional warp engines. A few relatively minor things about Project Nebula bother me. Its terrible sound effects grated on my nerves and detracted from my ability to enjoy the game. As soon as I turned off the white noise, I had a much better time. Another quibble concerns the strategy for winning. If you're cautious, it's practically impossible to lose. An in- exhaustible supply of bases for fuel and repair keep you from serious trouble, provided you memorize the loca- tion of your base. My last objection concerns the ending of the game. When you manage to eliminate every last Zykon, all you get is a mere congratulations. A rating based on the number of times you refueled combined with your score would be more gratifying. These prob- lems, however, are trivial compared to Project Nebula's overall enjoyability.B Legionnaire Gregg Williams Senior Editor I have always had an extreme dislike for any game that reminds me of a legal contract. I've never liked war games for that reason. The rules always have the length, clarity, conciseness, and type size of the average in- surance policy. I have also never been able to deal with war game maps (which are often the size of movie posters) and the number of playing pieces (anywhere from fifty to hundreds of units); I much prefer the playability of simple game mechanisms to complex ones. Because of all this, I've never been comfortable with war games, even though I've spent considerable hours playing them. Avalon Hill's Legionnaire changes all that. The name of the game is misleading (for most people, it conjures up images of American Legion veterans trying to get to the Saturday night banquet alive) and the cover art is poor, but those are the only flaws in the presentation of an otherwise perfect solitaire game. 248 March 1983 © BYTE Publications lnc Legionnaire is the most recent game by Atari's Chris Crawford, easily the most innovative and talented person working on the Atari 400/800 computer today. Though his previous game, Eastern Front, solves many of the problems of war games, it retains several features that don't suit me — only one scenario with over 50 pieces on each side, a playing time of several hours, and a complex- ity that intimidates rather than challenges me. (Dyed-in- the-wool war gamers don't have these problems with the game, but I'm sure many feel as I do. I'm happy to report that Chris is working on an enhanced version of Eastern Front that has, among other things, various levels of complexity.) Legionnaire is Crawford's latest war game, and many of its features improve on Eastern Front. For example, you can play games of varying complexity and length (the shortest is perhaps 10 minutes), you command be- tween one and ten units, the computer automatically takes care of the enormous amount of calculation and record-keeping that conventional war games require, and— best of all— the game takes place in real time. In Legionnaire, you are Caesar, and you command a force of between one and nine Roman legions. You play on a scrolling topographical map several screens high and wide (see photo 1), and your task is to defeat two bar- barian tribes (played by the computer) that are challeng- ing your power. When the game starts, you are asked how many legions you want to play with. You can choose a force of between one and ten legions, the first of which represents Caesar. (As the number of units you possess increases, you receive successively weaker units; the game is easier with smaller forces. Choose five units the first time you play.) You then choose one of twelve barbarian infantry tribes (listed in order of increasing strength and skill) and one of twelve barbarian cavalry tribes. Because each tribe is the same size as your force, you are always outnumbered by two to one. Your force and the two barbarian groups are placed randomly on the map, and the game is ready to begin. When you press the Start button on the Atari key- board, the barbarian units begin to move toward you. This is a very unsettling sight, especially compared with Eastern Front, in which you had conventional game turns and combat takes place only when you are ready. Not so in Legionnaire — the game is in real time and you have no time to spare. You use the joystick and a hollow-square cursor to give each unit up to eight orders, and each unit begins moving as soon as you have finished. The amount of time you need to execute these orders depends on the type of unit, its current characteristics, and the terrain; of course, cavalry units are faster than infantry units, but infantry units are stronger and harder to destroy. In general, units move once every 4 to 30 seconds, which gives you an idea of the pace of the game. The Caesar Photo la-c: Legionnaire in action. In this sequence, the cursor (yellow box) moves to the top edge of the screen (la and lb). When it needs to move further up, the background scrolls down (1c). You can see this by noting the locations of Caesar (the eagle-shaped pink unit) in each photo. March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc 249 BYTE GAME GRID At a Glance Name Legionnaire Type Arcade-style real-time military-strategy game Manufacturer Avalon Hill Microcomputer Games Inc. 45 1 7 Harford Rd. Baltimore, MD 21214 Price $35 Computer Atari 400 or 800 with cassette recorder, joysticks, and 1 6K bytes of memory Author Chris Crawford Language 6502 machine language Documentation A 20-page manual with game instructions, strategy, an analysis of Roman and barbarian units, and some relevant history Audience Game players unit is both strong and fast, but it has a special liability: if you lose it, you lose the game. When enemy units are ad- jacent and trying to occupy the same square, they begin to fight each other. Depending on the circumstances, a unit may retreat and/or lose men and swords; if it loses all of its swords, the unit dies and is removed from play. The current status of each unit is indicated by the number of unwounded men in that unit and a number that reflects their combat strength at the moment due to fatigue and circumstances. In addition, the behavior of each Roman legion and each barbarian tribe is influenced by its overall temperament, which is described in the rulebook for Legionnaire. Such subtle information is of interest to only the experienced Legionnaire player, but it can mean the difference between defeat and victory when you are playing against the toughest opponents. Of course, there is a lot of strategy to Legionnaire. Beginners should take the Roman troops to the top of the nearest hill and wait for the attack; that way the tired barbarians will have to walk uphill to attack rested Romans. You should also keep the cavalry units from be- ing 'pinned"; they should be free to execute a flank (side) or rear attack. See "More Legionnaire Tactics" for more information; you may want to play the game for a while before reading this box. Conclusions Legionnaire is a wonderful game that, for me, com- bines the graphics and movement of arcade games with the depth of strategy games. It also performs the valuable service of making the war game accessible to people who don't like the complexity and tedium of paper-and-card- board war games. I also like the large number of grada- tions (in both playing time and skill level) it offers; Legionnaire has 1,440 variations (10 troop sizes times 12 cavalry opponents times 12 infantry opponents). Looking up combat results in a table (the procedure in most war games) has always struck me as a method of combat reso- lution that gives the players too much information on how combat is decided; seeing only the results of a battle, in real time, gives me a better simulation of war-making. Legionnaire has taught me more about military strategy and tactics than all the war games I've played to date. Avalon Hill should be congratulated on such a strong game that extends its leadership in the war-gaming field to the microcomputer arena. I only wish that Avalon Hill had given Chris Crawford more prominent credit — if they don't know it by now, Chris's name sells games, and Legionnaire is just one example why. ■ More Legionnaire Tactics • One tactic for winning Legionnaire is to send one of your cavalry units toward the slower barbarian infantry units. If you are careful, you can get the infantry units to chase your cavalry, thus drawing them away from your main group. The remaining units (mostly infantry) can usually overcome the isolated barbarian cavalry; once that's done, use your cavalry to draw the barbarian infantry back to your main group. It will take some practice to use this tactic successfully. • // you simply can't give your orders fast enough during a fierce battle, an undocumented feature of this game is to hit the Option key once (hitting it twice ends the game with your surrender). The game pauses (as with the Select key), but here you can give your units orders. Hit the Start key to con- tinue the game. This is, strictly speaking, cheating, and it should be used only when necessary. However, the Huns (the most powerful barbarian cavalry) are impossible to beat, I'm told, so any method of winning is permitted here. 250 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc Omega Race for the VIC-20 Stanley J. Wszola Technical Editor It isn't easy converting a well-known arcade game to the smaller screen and coarser graphics of a micro- computer. Invariably, the microcomputer display doesn't look as nice and the game's action isn't as fast as the ar- cade version. So I was pleasantly surprised when I saw Omega Race for the first time. The version for the Com- modore VIC-20 is fast paced, has colorful graphics, and features good sound effects. The game is relatively unchanged from the original Bally Midway version. At the start you are shown the race course, a rectangular-shaped field with a smaller rec- tangle in its middle. The smaller rectangle displays the number of ships you have left, your current score, and the previous high score. Populating the larger rectangle are a number of space mines and android-controlled ships. Each ship or mine is worth a certain number of points (see table 1). The object of the game is to maneuver your ship around the large rectangle and destroy the various space mines and android ships in your path. The course is bounded on all sides by energy fields. If any ship hits the fields, it will bounce off like a billiard ball. The behavior of the ships can be used to your ad- vantage in maneuvering around the course. There are three varieties of android ships, each with its own behavior. The Death ships look and act like whirling dervishes as they careen around the course laying mines, firing wildly, and attempting to crash into your ship. They are the most dangerous of all because their seeming- ly random behavior makes them difficult to destroy. The Command ships, which move at a slower pace, are more deliberate in their firing and mine laying. They can be outgunned and outmaneuvered. The Droid ships are slower still, so they present a tempting target. All the ships share one interesting characteristic: they can evolve into more advanced ships. A Droid ship can turn into a Command ship and a Command ship can become a Death ship. This metamorphosis usually occurs at the most inconvenient moment. All of the action on the screen is accompanied by ap- propriate sound effects. The sounds of laser fire, ex- ploding ships, and the victory fanfare at the end of a suc- cessful session add an interesting dimension to the game and reinforce its similarity to the arcade version. Object Point Value Photon Mine 350 Vapor Mine 500 Droid Ship 1000 Command Ship 1500 Death Ship 2500 5000 bonus points are awarded for each Droid force you destroy. You receive an additional ship for each 40,000 points you score. Table 1: Point values for mines and android ships. At a Glance Name Omega Race Type One-player arcade-style game Manufacturer Commodore Business Machines Inc. 487 Devon Park Dr. Wayne, PA J 9087 (215)687-9750 Price S39.95 Format Plug-in ROM cartridge Language 6502 assembly language Computer Needed Commodore VIC-20 with game paddle or joystick Documentation A one-page instruction sheet Audience Arcade-game players of all ages Game Controls You can control your ship by means of a game paddle or joystick. Using the joystick, you can fire your ship's engines by pushing forward. Pushing the stick right or left turns the ship clockwise or counterclockwise, respec- tively. The button will fire your laser cannon. If you use March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc 251 BYTE GAME GRID Photo 1: An Omega Race game display. The game is played on a course bounded on all sides by energy fields. Your ship, at the left of the course, must destroy the Droid ships, the circular ob- jects, and the mines (the single and double triangles). Key Function F1 Starts game, joystick, 3 ships F2 Starts game, joystick, 5 ships F3 Starts game, paddle, 3 ships F4 Starts game, paddle, 5 ships F5 Selects screen color, 8 choices F7 Selects ship color, 8 choices Table 2: Game controls. The special function keys are used to select the various game options. a paddle, continuously holding down the Fire button will fire your engines. Rotating the paddle turns the ship left or right. Tapping the Fire button fires your laser. The special function keys on the VIC-20 are used to select various game options (see table 2). You can select the background color, ship color, your choice of paddle or joystick, and the number of ships per turn. Game Strategy The fact that your ship will bounce off the energy fields surrounding the course can be used to your advantage. A good strategy is to position your ship at one end of the course. Point the ship straight up or down and fire your engines. The ship will bounce off the energy field at the top and bottom of the course. You can then pivot your ship to fire down the long axis of the course as you slowly drift from top to bottom. This gives you a clear shot at the approaching Droid ships, yet you can still duck around the corner of the small rectangle for cover. In evaluating the game, I used a number of different brands of joysticks and paddles. I found that the joysticks worked best and that the Atari type was the most respon- sive. That's because the game is very sensitive to user commands. The Atari joystick had just the right feel, whereas other more responsive joysticks caused over- control problems. I did develop one foolhardy method for increasing my score: letting the Droid ships evolve into Command ships, which are worth more points. However, this strategy could backfire because the Command ships also evolve into Death ships, which are much harder to hit. It's hard to adequately describe Omega Race in words alone. Essentially a visual game, it demands concentra- tion, fast reflexes, and a lot of body English. The use of the special function keys to select screen color, ship color, and choice of paddles or joystick is well thought out. This feature lets you modify the game according to your taste. Overall, Omega Race is a fun game that retains all the best characteristics of the arcade version. ■ Through the Trap Door March 1979—$35 Breaking the Sound Barrier September 1977— $35 BYTE COVERS The prints shown at left are beautiful Collector Edition Byte Covers, strictly limited to 750 prints each, and signed and numbered by the artist, Robert Tinney. Each print is 18 in. x 22 in., and is accompanied by its own Certificate of Authenticity. To order, use the coupon below. Visa and MasterCard orders may call 1-504-272-7266. Please send . Trap Door prints ($35),. Through the □ Visa Card No. . Breaking the Sound Barrier Expires: . prints ($35), or sets of both prints Name: ($55). I have included $3 per order shipping Address: and handling ($8 overseas). city: _ □ I have enclosed check or money order □ MasterCard State: _Zip: Robert Tinney Graphics • 1864N. Pamela Dr. • Baton Rouge, LA 7081 5 252 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc Circle 480 on inquiry card. Complete Integrated Accounting System Just plug it into your IBM and run your business! INTEGRATED ACCOUNTING SYSTEM GENERAL LEDGER ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE BILLING INVENTORY ACCOUNTS PAYABLE PAYROLL WORD PROCESSOR - Perfect Writer™ SPELLING CHECKER - Perfect Speller 1 File Management System - Perfect Filer TM Electronic Spreadsheet - Perfect Calc ™ The best business program package on the market . . . providing all the software and storage you ever wanted. • All programs self-prompting & menue driven • Completely integrated accounting system • General Ledger includes a chart of accounts develop- ed by a CPA • Has been in use for four years • High speed operation • All software p re-ins tailed on hard disk and ready to run. No more diskettes & tedious paper work • Self-explanatory . . . easy to use ft All software & hardware fully guaranteed & supported 5 MB WINCHESTER DISK plus ABOVE LISTED SOFTWARE in ONE INTEGRATED PACKAGE $2,995°-°* ♦Auxiliary Power Booster Required $195. ,i ; '"f IB Model so available Dealer Inquiries Invited k 1420 E. Edinger Ave., Suite 115, Santa Ana, CA 92705 (714)836-3569 Circle 63 on inquiry card. Monte Carlo Card THE DISTINGUISHABLE CARD FOR THE DISCERNING USER. FIVE FUNCTIONS ON A SINGLE BOARD • 64K to 1 Megabyte RAM Memory * ONE IBM Compatible Centronics Parallel Port * ONE IBM Compatible RS-232 Serial Port • Clock/Calendar (Perpetual Time Keeper) • Dual-Port Joystick Interface • Future Upgrade Option: Plug-On Direct Connect Modem • The Clock/Calendar has full alarm features and 1/100th second timing. This card is the Ultimate IBM Peripheral. See Your Local Dealer. Available NOW The Monte Carlo Card was ingeniously engineered to ensure that the maximum possible variety of the most sought-after features demanded by PC users was amassed upon a solitary board. Providing users with the best value for money, functionality, reliability, and flexibility, were our primary goals, which will enshrine the Monte Carlo Card as the premier expansion board for any PC user. See Your Local Dealer or Call l-C Magic + GRAPHICS SPOOLING TERMINAL • Full Color or B/W Tones • Selectable buffer • RS-232 Direct or • HIRES and Medium Res. 1 K to 64K Modem connection • 4-Dot Sizes for Blow-ups • Serial or Parallel • Full terminal capability on Reproduce Graphics • True Background a chip! Printer Hardcopy/ from Screen to Dot Matrix spooling at your fingertips Echo Printer, Full Screen or Sub-Section • Save processor time SAVE • Full input/output buffering • Background terminal • Rotation, Color Hue MONEY features Selection • Buffers all text • Easy for user • Shift PrtSc Graphic Dumps and graphics customization • Color on Prism 132/80 • Operates on EPSON/NEC/C-ITOH PRISM/OKIDATA FOR YOUR IBM PC IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines, Corp. MBI and l-C-Magic are trademarks of Microcomputer Business Industries, Corp. MIHROHOMPUTFR B U SI NE SS i^uiikMirJ =k ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES: 1019 8TH STREET, GOLDEN, COLORADO 80401 (U.S.A.) TELEPHONE: (303) 279-8438 Circle 279 on , nqulry card . TWX: 91 0-934-01 91 l*'.\iy>«\it 3lv*^ *'■''■■■■■ 7 f ; m' l -^l tp» llll llll llll ^m.'ViIIt •*y CO CD i C Q_ LU c > ° '0 ) CD Q_ £ co |; | O 05 <• * if- ■= i - f rEn o CL /TV E E ' J* E co CD o< - 05 CL co o o'=? : 1 O X3 ■* ■ r\ v> fl «••» CJ igabyte of Mem( ompatible Centr ompatible Asyn< dar (Battery Bac >ystick Interface ade Option: ect Plua-On IVfo CD f ^ l^s^H«a^ ^■5 S° W S^ ?£ ^^^^^r^^K^B^9iii»Vk^ ' co en O o — u o -^,o_ a>-H- . .llilu 0-=; 3 9, 4-i rc^ (dOOOQIlQ Software Review Quickcode Help arrives for users of dBASE II. Adam B. Green Softwarebanc Inc. 661 Massachusetts Ave. Arlington, MA 02174 Imagine sitting in front of your computer and saying, "One accounts receivable program please — and hold the invoicing." Well, the state of the art in software hasn't reached quite that point yet, but a new breed of program generators is certainly working in that direction. One of these program generators is Quickcode from Fox & Geller, which generates programs to be used with dBASE II, the popular database program from Ashton-Tate. Incorporating a database, query language, report writer, and full programming language into one package, dBASE II is an application-development program. It is used to perform information-processing tasks ranging from simple mailing lists to full accounting systems. The dBASE II language handles most of the "dirty work" of programming, such as disk-file and screen-handling operations. But even though it simplifies the job of writing custom programs, you need a general knowledge of programming techniques and syntax to make full use of the package. Quickcode was developed to help two types of dBASE II users: businesspeople who lack the required program- ming background and consultants under pressure to pro- duce programs in as short a time as possible. A Quick- code user with little computer background can describe a standard application, such as an inventory system, and Quickcode will produce a complete set of menu-driven About the Author Adam B. Green has written a book on dBASE II and teaches dBASE II classes around the country, Softwarebanc is a mail-order software com- pany that specializes in business software, programs in the dBASE II programming language. These programs are clearly written, well documented, and easi- ly modified. More knowledgeable users can incorporate parts of these programs into their own applications. And the programs that are created do not require Quickcode to be present when they are running. If changes are re- quired, Quickcode can be used to generate slightly dif- ferent versions of the same programs. I will analyze Quickcode with three criteria in mind: how easy it is for the user to describe the desired applica- tion, the length of computer time required for programs to be generated, and the quality of the generated pro- grams. The limitations of Quickcode will also be dis- cussed. Describing the Application How can a computer understand your billing problems when the salesperson who sold it to you couldn't? The answer is by using a special program. Some programmers call this the human interface, and it can be the most challenging aspect of writing a program generator. One commonly used technique is to engage the user in a long, tedious series of questions and answers. Quick- code takes an alternate approach of letting the user fill in screens and, in effect, "paint a picture" of the application. The first step is to use the Quickcode editor, which is similar to a limited word processor, to create a data-entry form. This screen mask is used for adding, displaying, and editing the data in generated programs. If you don't find the editor powerful enough, a word processor such as Wordstar can be used to create the screen mask. This 256 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc Introducing the world's smallest terminal with built-in modem. Put ^ the whole business world in your hand. -**, 4 o* Take life easier, Don't get trapped with an over-priced hand-held computer you really can't use or read. Or a 60-pound terminal in a briefcase that's only good for creating a hernia. Take hold of the entire business world with one hand. With the DATALINK lOOO™. The world's smallest and least expensive telecommunications terminal. DATALINK 1000 weighs less than a pound and it's the portable way to tap into limitless reservoirs of information — no matter where you are. DATALINK 1000™ brings massive computer power as close as your nearest telephone. Just unplug the cord from your telephone handset and plug it into the DATALINK 1000™. With non-modular phones, use the pocket-size acoustic coupler. What could be simpler? Use your fully portable DATALINK 1000™ to transmit or receive data from your personal or busi- ness computer and any one of 500 existing infor- mation sources (we'll even throw in two free hours of on-line access to the powerful CompuServe™ information service). DATALINK 1000™ is ready for action for stock quotes, airline schedules, electronic banking and mail, govern- ment and business reports, remote or- der entries, or a thousand-and-one other tasks. Technically, DATALINK 1000 TI is a miniscule marvel. It packs a built-in modem, a phone jack, a choice of AC or battery operation, an easy- to-read 16-character fluorescent display screen, a full 240- character memory, and keyboard selection of two differ- ent display speeds (110 baud for easy screen reading, and 300 baud for output to a TV screen or high-speed printer). Interested Distributors, Dealers and OEMs call: (408) 945-0500 for information on national sales, promotion, support, and pricing programs. Or write Axlon, Inc., 70 Daggett Drive, San Jose, CA 95134. For consumer information and ordering, call: 800-227-6703. in Calif: 800-632-7979. Because computers really should be called. Not carried. AXLON National Distributors: • B.A. PARGH CO. Nashville, Tennessee (615) 361-3600 • BYTE INDUSTRIES, INC. Hay ward, California (415) 783-8272 • HIGH TECHNOLOGY Florissant, Missouri (314) 838-6502 • MARCEY INC. Van Nuys, California (213) 994-7602 • MICRO COMPUTER ELECTRONIC DIST. Reading, Pennsylvania (215) 929-9484 • MICRO D Fountain Valley, California (714) 641-0205 » NATIONAL MICRO WHOLESALE Medford, Oregon (503) 773-1169 • PMI MICRO WHOLESALERS Fairfield, New Jersey (201) 227-8411 • SKU Berkeley, California (415) 848-0802 • VIDEO THEATRE Rochester, New York (716)621-2003 Circle 42 on inquiry card. BYTE March 1983 257 S FINALLY HAPPENED! cfln-Ao™ MICROPROCESSOR TRAINING KIT WITH EPROM PROGRAMMER :fln-flo -■ zsLSm cfln-Ao PERIPHERAL CARD t TRA INtNG KIT WITH EPR PROGRAMMER 2 POWER SUPPLY ? 3 8K RAM CARD 4 SOUND CARD 5 X'PRINTER CARD 6 27 xx TO 25xx ADAPTER t SPEECH CARD At last a microprocessor package designed to give you what you want most; combined power and versatility. CAM-80 opens up a whole new dimension in the world of microcomputers. Whether you are a hobbyist, teacher, student, or just plain like to dabbie in computers, the CAN-80 is right for you. But CAN-80 was also designed with the professional in mind. It has a built-in EPROM programmer for 2516, 2716, 2732, 2732A, 2764-also adaptable for 25xx series. Speech processors are of course built-in along with all the other features. Oh Yes, the CAN-80 is half the price of the so called competition PLUS & PLUS CO., LTD. USA HANDVVELL CORP. 9629265/6 CA. 94022 Telex: 1 71947 HANDWELL LTOS OTHERS PLUS & PLUS CO., LTD. 3 F, 271, Roosevelt Rd., Sec. 3, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C Cable: "SIGMALTD" Taipei Telex: 21 140 SIGMALTD Tel: (02) 396-9900 (5 Lines) Attention Overseas Buyers Other Than In The U.S.A. f Please make direct contact with our Taiwan Offices. At a Glance Name Quickcode Type Program generator for the dBASE II database language Manufacturer Fox & Geller POB 1053 Teaneck, NJ 07666 (201)837-0142 Price S295 Format 5- or 8-inch floppy disk; can use hard disk for storage Operating System CP/M 22. MP/M, Turbodos Computer System 8080, 8085, or Z80 com- puter with 48K bytes of usable RAM, a 24 by 80 cursor-addressable terminal, 1 80K bytes of disk storage, and the dBASE II database program Documentation 137 pages, perfect bound Audience Users of dBASE II who need to produce programs quickly and those without any pro- gramming knowledge can then be saved on a disk file in a nondocument mode (e.g., by using the "N" command in Wordstar), which can later be accessed by Quickcode to create the data- entry form. All variables that will be used in the data-entry form (e.g., name and address in a mailing list) are defined in a second Quickcode screen. In this screen, the user describes each variable in terms of the following at- tributes: type of variable, length, default value, mini- mum value, and maximum value. The user can designate an error message to be displayed if data is entered outside the minimum and maximum range. It is also possible to specify which variables are to be kept in a dBASE II index file. A third screen is used to specify which of the 12 possi- ble types of programs are to be created (see table 1). The dBASE II language encourages the use of small, single- function modules, in keeping with the philosophy of structured programming. Quickcode follows this practice and creates a separate module for each major application function, as listed in table 1. These three screens allow the user with little or no pro- gramming experience to describe an application and ac- tually "see" how the finished programs will appear. The primary disadvantage is that Quickcode makes certain assumptions on several factors, such as the type of menus to be used and the overall structure of the application system. Generating the Code This is an area in which Quickcode is far superior to other program generators. The user simply presses the Escape key, and Quickcode is off and running. For exam- ple, if the user wants to create one of every possible type of module, up to 34K bytes of dBASE II programs are written in less than two minutes, and an empty database file can be created at the same time. On my double- I Circle 348 on inquiry card. <30mPUTER WAREHOUSE CALL TOLL ATARI Special 800 System 800 w/48K, recorder, Pac Man or Star Raiders, joysticks Call Pac- Man Special 400 w/16K, 2 joysticks, Pac-Man Call 1200 Call 800 (48K) $525 400 Call 810 Disk Drive $440 850 Interface $170 410 Recorder $75 830 Modem $155 16K Memory $60 32K Memory $75 PRINTERS Anadex 9620 $1445 C-itoh F-10-Parallel $1350 F-10-Serial $1350 55CPS-Series Call 8510 Parallel $425 Computer International Daisywriter2000w/16K $1000 Daisy writer 2000 w/48K $1025 Comrex CFM-S $800 CR-1-P $775 Datasouth DS180 $1175 Diablo 620 RO wo/Tractors $920 630 RO wo/Tractors $2050 630KSR wo/Tractors $2435 IDS Microprism 480 $525 Epson All models Call NEC PC-8023A $465 3510 $1375 3550 ...$1835 7710 $2050 7720 $2425 Okidata All models Call PMC DMP-85 $410 Smith -Corona TP-1 $650 Star Micronics DP-8480S $300 DP-8480P $295 Gemini-10 Call Tally 1805/1802 $1455 MT160I w/tractors $630 MT160Lw/tractors $725 MT180 Call Texas Instruments 810 Basic $1260 1800 528 1054 T cneMAi e\K »■"«?»* -,,--,, ■ Maxell Diskettes 514" Sector ooo) . . . . . $235 SOFTWARE CP/M IBM CP/M IBM DBase II $450 $450 Sorcim Supercalc $225 $225 WordStar $285 $285 Innovative MailMerge $125 $125 Software T.I. M. $425 $350 SpellStar $195 $195 CBasic $100 NA Visi-Calc NA $ 1 95 Microsoft Basic 80 $265 NA Easywriter II NA $275 WordStar, MailMerge Spellguard $225 $225 Spell Checker $445 $445 PLEASE ADD S5 PER SOFTWARE ORDER FOR SHIPPING DISK DRIVES Percom Atari S/D 1st Drive Atari S/D 2nd Drive Atari D/D 1st Drive Atari D/D 2nd Drive Rana (Drives for Apple) Elite 1 Elite 2 , Elite 3 Controller (w/ Drive only) . MONITORS Zenith 12" Green Screen Amdek Video 300 Color I Color II Color III BMC 12" Green. 13" Color Comrex 13" Color Composite 13" RGB NEC JB1201 JB1260 USI 9" Amber 12" Amber $400 $300 $525 $330 $275 $360 $585 $75 VIDEO TERMINALS Televideo 910 910 Plus 920 925 950 Zenith Z-19 ZT-1 $570 $570 $735 $730 $915 $680 $550 $115 $145 $300 $645 $390 $85 $265 $290 $455 $155 $115 $130 $150 MODEMS Hayes S martmodem . Novation CAT D-CAT. . . Signalman Mark I . . . ^OmPUTER WAREHOUSE $210 $140 $155 $85 COMPUTERS Altos ACS 8000-15 Series 15D Series 5-5D Eagle NEC 8001 8012 8031 Northstar Advantage Advantage w/5MB . . . . Horizon II 64KQD Sanyo MBC-1000 w/ WordStar, CalcStar, S-Basic,CPM®..... Call Above w/2 Drives Call MBC-2000 Call Televideo Systems TS-802 $2599 TS-802H $4450 Zenith z-120 Call z-110 Call COMMODORE 64 $3742 $2125 $4240 $2350 $730 $470 $730 $2800 $3900 $2625 Call 2222 E. Indian School Rd. Phoenix, Arizona 85016 Order Line: 1-800-528-1054 Other Information: 602-954-6109 Order Line Hours: Mon.-Fri. 10-5 MST Saturday 9-1 MST Prices reflect 3% to 5% cash discount. Product shipped in factory cartons with manufacturer's warranty. Please add $8.00 per order for shipping. Prices & availability subject to Change without notice. Send cashiers check or money order all other checks will delay shipping two weeks. Circle 411 on inquiry card. Systems Strategies/Communications Division Specialists in Data Communications Software 225 West 34th Street New York, New York 10001 (212)279-8400 • Custom software to allow your product to interface networks and emulate other vendors equipment • SNA, X.25, BSC software to communications compatible product developers for a more timely and cost effective entry into the marketplace • Software that is utilized by computer and terminal manufacturers. Target processors have included Zilog Z-80, Z-8000, Intel 8086 • Close contact with your engineers to adapt our software to your hardware • Software in 'C, Pascal and Assembler • Microcomputer systems development A Complete Winchester/ Floppy Disk System. • Disk controller with 4 ports; supports wide range of drives; 5Va" and 8 'drives can be on same cable. • Z80 CPU includes 4MHz, 64KRAAA, 2 serial I/O, 1 parallel, CTG • Supports 10MB streaming tape. CP/AA® and BIOS included. • Package price: $1,195.00. May be purchased separately . Disk and streaming drives available. SIGEN Corporation 1800 Wyatt Dr., #6, Santa Clara, CA 95054 Contact: Allen Hauptman, 408/988-2527 CP/M is a trademark of Digital Research. -w- Programs: ADD Add records to a data file CMD Main menu program for entire system ED Edit an existing record FAU Store default values into data-entry variables GET Search for a record by index value GO Create index files for the database 10 Format information for the data-entry screen LBL Print mailing labels from the data file OUT Format information for printing a single data record RPT Run reports created with dBASE II report writer VAL Perform validation of data entered in ADD WS Transfer dBASE II data into Wordstar/ Mai Imerge format Data Files: DBF NDX Database file for storing information Index file for rapid retrieval and organizing data Table 1: A list of the various types of program modules that can be generated by Quickcode in the dBASE II program- ming language. density 8-inch floppy disks, the generation step is actual- ly performed in less time than it takes the CP/M utility program PIP to copy the same amount of code from one disk to another. Of course, this time might vary depend- ing on the hardware used. The speed of Quickcode should have a noticeable effect on the entire program-development process. The cycle of writing, testing, and modifying programs becomes a mat- ter of hours rather than days. If you don't like a par- ticular screen — or want to add another variable — simply start up Quickcode, and within minutes a new version of the system is created. The Quality of the Programs While program quality is often a matter of personal taste, some objective measurements are available. The factors considered in this review are modularity, stan- dard use of variable names, internal documentation, and performance. Because Quickcode writes all its code as small modules, the user can maintain control over the finished product by specifying which of these "building blocks" should be created. A nonprogrammer could generate a set of modules for a completely menu-driven application system, while a consultant might prefer to generate only a few functions and manually code the rest. To encourage the latter practice among professional programmers, Fox & Geller does not require any licensing fee for resale of its generated code. To ensure compatibility among all these modules, Quickcode uses standard naming conventions for its vari- ables. This allows modules created for separate applica- tions to be "hooked" together. For example, an inventory system might be added to an accounts receivable system created several months before. Use of standard naming conventions also simplifies the task of integrating Quick- 260 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc Circle 391 on inquiry card. code modules with handwritten code. The task of including internal documentation in pro- grams is the bane of all programmers. This mechanical task has now been taken over by Quickcode. The pro- grams it writes all contain detailed comments in English, which not only eases the job of modifying the generated code, but also assists the less-experienced user in learning the dBASE II language. Evaluating the performance of any written material often becomes the personal judgment of an individual's style. Two conflicting styles of programming are in com- mon practice. One style involves the use of all possible tricks and shortcuts in a language in order to optimize the speed of the running programs. Advocates of this method (often C and FORTH programmers) call it tight program- ming. Critics often refer to it as write-only code, because of the difficulty in reading it at a later date. Quickcode takes the opposite approach and generates clean, stan- dard code. The resulting programs could run faster if shortcuts were taken, and some programmers might prefer to modify the code to take advantage of a personal speedup technique. I prefer a slow program that I can later enhance, instead of a fast but cryptic mess. One area of performance where Quickcode clearly shines is in the elimination of programming bugs. A great deal of programming time is usually spent tracking down and removing these pesky critters. Because the code is be- ing generated from prewritten text stored within the Quickcode program, syntax errors and improper use of commands are eliminated. Overall, I would say that the quality of the programs produced by Quickcode is equal to that of a very methodical programmer with more than one year's ex- perience with dBASE II. Documentation The 130-page manual that accompanies Quickcode is fairly easy to follow. A preliminary tutorial section is designed for overly anxious users who need their applica- tions finished two weeks before buying the product. This is followed by detailed instructions on each section of the program. Although there is a table of contents, the manual lacks an index. I hope that Fox & Geller finds the time to add one, even though it might seem to fly in the face of tradi- tion. The manual also needs more detailed application ex- amples. Although the basic operation of Quickcode is clearly described, a sample inventory or accounts pay- able system would be helpful. Limitations While I am obviously pleased with most aspects of Quickcode, it has some limitations that should be made clear. A major weakness is the inability to create pro- grams that access more than one data file. Also, some Fox & Geller advertisements claim that a complete accounting system could be ''knocked out in a weekend." Typically, accounting systems consist of several modules that share data files. For example, a receivable module must be able to access the files of an inventory module. And although adequate inventory and receivable systems could be writ- ten with Quickcode, the necessary integration of the two systems would require a fair amount of programming knowledge. The other major weakness is the lack of any sophisticated report-writing facilities. I hope that Fox & Geller will be able to address these limitations in a later version. Conclusions Quickcode is a well-written, easy-to-use program generator for the dBASE II programming language, which allows the user to describe an application by sim- ply filling in screens. A large amount of code (more than 30K bytes) can be generated in less than two minutes. The code produced is modular, easily modified, and runs at an acceptable speed. The manual included with the program is clearly writ- ten, but lacks an index and sufficient application ex- amples. The limitations of Quickcode include the inabili- ty to access more than one data file and a weakness in the report-writing functions. The major audiences for Quickcode are dBASE II users with little programming background and programmers who need to produce large amounts of standard code quickly. ■ THE FRIENDLY COMMUNICATOR BRICKKR ASSOCIATES 1982 Circle 349 On inquiry Card. March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc 261 A Faster Binary Search An important technique results in faster-running applications programs and shorter response times. Most applications of computer pro- cessing involve searching data tables of one form or another. The process is used in compilers, language inter- preters, command processors, assem- blers, database processors, and word processors. The regularity with which table searching is used makes the choice of searching techniques vital. A reduction in search time usually results in faster-running applications programs and shorter response times. Dr. L. E. Larson General Technology Division IBM Corporation Endicott, NY 13760 Although many techniques exist for searching tables in storage and on external media, the three principal ones are linear, series, and binary. The linear search examines each item, starting with the first, and proceeds sequentially. The series search, based on a mathematical series such as the power series or the Fibonacci series, works by subdividing the table of data in accordance with successive smaller numbers in the series. The Glossary Field: a part of a record that holds a particular kind of data. Examples: name field, telephone number field, social-security number field, and zip code field. Hash duplication: the replacement of more than one unique original key by the same key after hashing. Example: in hashing by division, two different numbers divided by the same divisor may yield different quotients but the same remainder, hence the same key. Hashing: transforming a key field into a more compact and more easily manip- ulated form to increase the speed of sorting or searching. Example: if the social-security number is the original key field, a new key might be calcu- lated by dividing the social-security number in each record by 10,000 and using the remainder as the new key. Key: the field of a record that is com- pared to a test value in order to identi- fy or locate a record. Example: if records are searched for a name, the name field is the key: Record: a group of related data items that is treated as a unit; when there is more than one record, each record contains the same type of item at corre- sponding positions. Example: a record might contain someone's name, tele- phone number, social-security num- ber, and zip code, binary search divides the table of data into two parts, rejecting one part and repeating the process on the other part until the item in question is found. ("Hashing" can be used to search by address calculation, but it sometimes yields the same key for more than one different field, which often reduces it to one of the three principal techniques.) A discussion of a method of en- hancing the binary search would not be complete without some back- ground on the binary search itself. The binary search is appropriate for tables whose entries are in some order. Based on the concept of divid- ing a large problem into smaller parts, this technique involves divid- ing a list into two parts of equal size. None of the entries in one part meets the search criteria value (low), while an entry in the other part does meet that value (not low). The binary search divides the not-low part again, and the process of division continues until only one entry remains. The re- maining entry, of course, matches the search item. Usually, the midpoint of a table is computed by dividing the sum of the left and right indexes by two. Initial- 262 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc Circle 420 on inquiry card. complete with controller & car FIRST FROM TECMAR NEW REMOVABLE CARTRIDGE WINCHESTER Write for new Tecmar Information Kit. TECMAR il Computer Products Division 23600 Mercantile Road Cleveland, Ohio 44122 Phone 216-464-7410/Telex 241735 This is the breakthrough in storage that IBM PC people hav< T you moving aheacT 5 Megabyte removable cartridge Winchester disk drive complete, easily installed in IBM PC or available in IBM-compatible Tecmar expansion chassis - new Tecmar superspeed controller Tecmar disk sharing for up to 4 IBM PCs • your best solution for mass storage, and the most sensible back-up system available. We believe this is the future in storage because we have proved its reliability and its advantages. The new removable cartridge gives you unlimited memory at a lower price tag than the basic Winchester at comparable speed. Ai-7/vr complete with 1 / VD controller & cartridge AVAILABLE NOW AT YOUR TECMAR DEALER TECMAR COMPATIBILITY, VERSATILITY, RELIABILITY, AFFORDABILITY, RESPONDABILITY The first and only complete line of fully compatible expansion options for IBM PCs, including every type of disk drive NEW SHARED WINCHESTER PC-MATE Our new GT subsystem upgrades our original with 3 times faster speed, sharing for up to 4 IBM PCs . . Controller Board available for upgrade on trade-in. PC-MATE FLOPPY Controller Board will handle 5%" and I disks. Winchesters can be installed in c floppy subsystem cabinet. X X A A X X X X 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Figure 1: A search tree representing the binary-search process. The search begins at the top with the root node and proceeds down the tree to the leaf or terminal nodes. This process continues until the search argument is found or the table is exhausted. ly, the left and right indexes are the two extremes of the table. Comparing the search argument to the table entry at the midpoint determines whether the right or left index is replaced. The process continues until the matching entry is found or the table has been reduced to an empty state. In the quest for enhancement, many different techniques exist for analyzing the process time of an algorithm. In searching, for example, the usual technique is to examine the number of comparisons required to locate an item in a table. Because my enhancement of the binary-search algorithm involves moving a portion of the midpoint-calculation code after a comparison is made, the analysis that I will present focuses on the num- ber of comparisons and the number of required iterations of the midpoint- calculation code. The binary -search process I devised is a traversal of an implicitly defined binary-search tree that is a complete binary tree as well. Like all traversals, it begins with the root node and pro- ceeds down the tree to the leaf or ter- minal node. Figure 1 shows a repre- sentation of the search process as a search tree. In the binary-search process, if it takes one unit of time to locate the third element in a table of seven entries, then the computation time necessary to locate the third entry does not double until the table is ex- panded to 31 entries. In other words, the binary search resembles a loga- rithmic pattern despite the use of the division process. It is this logarithmic performance that has led to the false conclusion that little can be done to improve the binary search, A long-standing rule of thumb about random access to data files is that 80 percent of the activity is con- cerned with only 20 percent of the file. The implication is that after a data argument has been seen, the probability of seeing it on the next re- quest is 3.25 times that for the total random case. Files and tables share an important characteristic: both can be viewed as linear-ordered representations of the records to be inspected and retrieved. Extending the 80/20 rule to tables, then, suggests a means for improving the performance of a binary search. Analysis of Enhancement Figure 2 shows the implicit tree used for the enhanced-search process. In this example, a prior search re- turned the eighth entry of the table (P represents the node returned by a Text continued on page 268 Mu^am INDUSTRIES, INC. In Texas Orders Questions & Answers 1-713-392-0747 2251 1 Katy Freeway Katy (Houston) Texas 77450 To Order 1-800-231-3680 800-231-3681 SAVE BIG DOLLARS ON ALL TRS-80 HARDWARE & SOFTWARE TRS-80® BY RADIO SHACK. Brand new in cartons delivered. Save state sales Open Mon.-Fri. 9-6, Sat. 9- 1 . We pay freight and insurance. Come by and see us Ref: Farmers State Bank, Brookshire, Texas. WE OFFER ON REQUEST Federal Express (Overnight Delivery) Houston Intercontinental Airport Delivery (Same Day) U.P.S. BLUE (Every Day) References from people who have brought computers from us probably in your city. We have thousands of satisfied customers. WE WILL NOT BE UNDERSOLD! ED McMANUS tax. Texas residents add only 5% sales tax. . Call us for a reference in or near your city . WE ALWAYS OFFER NO extra charge for Master Card or Viaa. No Tax on Out of Texas Shipments I 10% 15% OR MORE Telex 77-4132 (ReksHou) 8 TRS-80 is a Registered Trademark of Tandy Corp We use Direct Freight Lines. No long waits. We always gay the freight and insurance Toll free order number Our capability to go to the giant TRS-80* Computer warehouse 5 hours away, in Ft. Worth, Texas, to keep you in stock. JOE McMANUS 264 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc Circle 259 on inquiry card. Quark turns your Apple III into an orchard. ■ ^ 'sL^.i&jmsmii wBmm &■•..*& &^ You can get the most out of your Apple* III with office automation software from Quark. In fact, our integrated line of technically advanced products can dramatically increase your system's capabilities. And all Quark programs combine this leading- edge technology with a singular innovation: sim- plicity of operation. Because we think software should present challenges to the developer, not to the user. This approach to product design is clearly evident in our Word Juggler™ word processor. And since you can enhance Word Juggler with special accessory programs, you'll have ample opportunities to discover that productivity is not merely a cliche. *Apple is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. Circle 368 on inquiry card. Just add our Lexicheck ™ spelling checker, for instance. Or our new Terminus ™ communica- tions program; ideal for interfacing Apple Ills. And perfect for electronic mail applications. Your dealer is waiting to give you a compre- hensive demonstration of our complete word processing system. Plus other Quark products, too, such as our Catalyst™ hard disk boot, Discourse ™ software spooler, and more. See him today. You'll quickly find that Quark really does turn your Apple III into an orchard. So all you'll have to do is shake the trees. INCORPORATED 2525 West Evans, Suite 220 Denver, CO 80219 BYTE March 1983 265 INTRODUCING 1-2-5 ITU HAVE TOUR IBM/PC JUMPING THROUGH HOOPS. Meet 1-2-3 - the remarkable new software package that puts more raw power at your finger- tips than anything yet created for the IBM PC. 1-2-3 actually combines information management, spreadsheet, and graphing in one program that can perform all three functions interchangeably and instantly at the touch of a key That's power. To explain: since 1-2-3 s information manage- ment, spreadsheet and graphing functions reside in memory simultaneously, you can go from retrieval to spreadsheet calculation to graphing instantly just by pressing a_ r^ \ C m on a limitless variety of topics and extract all or pieces of it for instant spreadsheet analysis. Unheard of before. Specific 1-2-3 information man- agement features include sorting with primary and secondary keys. Retrieval using up to 32 criteria. 1-2-3 performs statistical functions such as mean, count, standard deviation and variance. It can pro- duce histograms on part or all of the data base. 1-2-3 also allows for the maintenance of multiple data bases and multiple criteria. j > IsPReAOSMEETJ few keys. So now you can experiment and recalcu- late and look at data in an endless variety of ways. As fast as your mind can think up new possi- bilities. There's no lag between you and the computer. And that's a new kind of power - power that's greater than the sum of its programs. The spreadsheet function. If 1-2-3 were just a spread- sheet, you'd want it because it has the largest workspace on the mar- ket (2048 rows by 256 columns). To give you a quick idea of 1-2-3 s spreadsheet capabilities; VisiCalc's spreadsheet for the IBM PC offers 15 arithmetic, logical and relational operators, 28 functions and 32 spreadsheet-related commands. 1-2-3 has 15 operators, 41 functions and 66 commands. And if you include data base and graphing commands, it actually has 110! In addition, 1-2-3 is up to 50 times as fast as es- tablished spreadsheets. With all the features you've ever seen on spreadsheets. 1-2-3 also gives you the capability to develop customized applications (with 26 macro keys) and lets you perform repeti- tive tasks automatically with one keystroke. If 1-2-3 were just a spreadsheet, it would be a very power- ful tool. But it's much, much more. The information management function. Add to 1-2-3's spreadsheet a selective informa- tion management function, and the power curve rises at an awesome rate. Particularly since 1-2-3's information management capability reads files from other programs such as WordStar, VisiCalc and dBase II. So you can accumulate information - — \^ The graphing function. - - — - v^ 1-2-3 s sophisticated graphing commands YiATio Ml 7^^^^ enable you to create k graphs of up to six vari- ables using information already on the spread- sheet. And have it on screen in less than two seconds! Once you've made a graph, three keystrokes will display it in a different I form. If data on the spreadsheet \ changes, you can display a revised graph with one keystroke. This instant relationship of one format to another opens up a whole new application area. For the first time graphics can be used as a "what if" thinking tool! To fully understand just how much power 1-2-3 adds to the personal com- puter you'll want to go to your nearby 1-2-3 dealer for a full demonstration. For his name and address (and more information if you want it) call 1-800-343-5414. Spreadsheet, graphing, information management all-in-one. © Lotus Development Corporation; Cambridge, MA 02138, (617) 492-7171. All rights reserved. WordStar is a registered trademark of MicroPro Inc. VisiCalc is a registered trademark ofVisiCorp. dBase II is a registered trademark of Ashton-Tate. 1-2-3 and Lotus are trademarks of Lotus Development Corporation. Circle 491 on inquiry card. Figure 2: A search tree for the enhanced binary search representing a table of 11 elements, A prior search returned the ele- ment shown as node P. The subtrees branching down from P represent the search paths to be followed after compar- ing the search argument with P. Although the complete search tree extends to a depth of 4 f the enhanced binary search has two trees to consider: the tree shown on the left has a depth of 3, and the one on the right has a depth of 2, The reduction in depth indicates a reduction in the number of iterations required by the search. id) 2(3) 2(5) 3(8) 3(11) 3(14) 3(17) Figure 3: A search tree showing the ac- cumulated weight of iterations required to inspect every element in a binary search of seven elements. Numbers preceding parentheses identify the depth; numbers within parentheses show the cumulative inspections. If each of the seven elements is equally likely to match the search argu- ment, the binary search would require an average of 2.43 inspections to find the match. prior search). The subtrees to either side represent the search path used as a result of the first comparison. Al- though the table's 11 elements require a complete binary-search tree to a depth of 4, the enhanced search has two trees to consider, one to a depth of 2 and the other to a depth of 3. The resulting change in depth of the search tree translates to a reduction in the number of iterations required by the search. Figure 3 illustrates the depth of each node in a full binary-search tree Iterations by Element 12 3 4 Case 10 2 12 Case 2 10 12 Case 3 12 1 Case 4 2 12 Table 1: The number of possible comparisons and possible required iterations of the midpoint-calculation code for an enhanced binary search of a table of four elements. C 1 1 2 2 3 Dmparisons by Element 2 3 4 Case 1 Case 2 Case 3 Case 4 3 2 3 1 2 3 3 1 2 2 3 1 Table Subtables Subta ble Weight Entry Left Right Left Right 1 7 17 2 1 6 1 14 3 2 5 3 11 4 3 4 5 8 5 4 3 8 5 6 5 2 11 3 7 6 1 14 1 8 7 17 Table 2: A summary of the possible cases for an enhanced binary search of a table of eight elements. Assuming that the entry in the left-hand column matches the search argument, the next two columns indicate the number of subtables to the left and right of the entry. The two right-hand columns show the subtable weights, which reflect the number of iterations necessary to find the search argument in each case. and the total number of accesses re- quired to inspect every node in the tree. A binary search of a table of seven elements would require an average of 2.43 (17/7) accesses if the likelihood for all cases were equal. Table 1 illustrates all of the possible cases for a table of four elements. The left half of the table shows the num- ber of comparisons required for each element in each configuration. The right half of the table shows the num- ber of iterations through the mid- point-calculation code if the com- parison is moved to the beginning of the loop and the previous search in- formation is used. The average num- ber of comparisons in the example shown is 2.13 (34/16), but the num- ber of iterations is 1.13 (18/16). Traditional implementations would have required 2.00 iterations of the comparison code and the midpoint- calculation code. Table 2 summarizes "the possible cases for a table of eight elements and the number of table interrogations re- quired to inspect every entry in every subtable for every case. The subtable "weights" reflect the number of itera- tions required in each case. If the weights are added and the equal-like- lihood assumption is applied, the result is an average of 2.84 table ac- cesses and 1.84 iterations. For a full binary tree of depth D, there are 2 (D_!) nodes at that depth. In general, at depth K there are 2 ( *~ u nodes at the level of K in the tree. When the tree is full (meaning all nodes are present at a level), the average number of comparisons (C) to locate a node, assuming equal like- lihood, is the sum of the levels for each node divided by the number of nodes. Thus c = L 1(2") To extend to the case for the com- plete, but not full, binary tree, the average becomes I(2'- l )+R(D + l) c = L N 268 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc to** 256K RAM A 64K to 256K parity checking RAM is fully socketed for easy memory expansion. The memory address is switch selectable, using up only the required memory space. GAME I/O Interface consisting of two joy-sticks and four switch inputs are IBM BASIC compatible. A standard GAME I/O DB 15 connector provides connec- tion to the rear plate of the IBM computer. GOLD IBM INTERFACE Gold connectors as well as glass epoxy PCB will provide years of reliable service, with all hardware interface meeting the IBM specification. ASYNCHRONOUS COMMUNICATION A RS232 and 20Ma (TTYJ interface sup- ports software programable baud rates, parity, stop bits, and character. Modem and serial printer are fully supported by the IBM communica- tion software. A standard DB25 con- nector allows for the easy connec- tion to serial devices. Available At Compu Shack Stores OUTSTANDING QUALITY AT AFFORDABLE PRICES! For Further Information Contact: Tava Corp. 2630 Walnut Ave., Suite G Tustm, CA 92680 (714) 730-6772 Headquarters Telex: 18-3511 Answer Back CSMA * TRUMP CARD is a registered trademark of TAVA ( i *IBM is a registered trademark of IBM Corporation. Circle 357 on inquiry card. BYTE March 1983 269 APPLE • ALTOS • ATARI • MAXELL • DYSAN • EPSON • CCS • SHARP • CASIO • HP • VERBATIM • MEMOREX • SOROC • CORVUS • ADDS MICRO BUSINESS WORLD INC. Information Line (213) 996-2252 TOLL FREE MAIL ORDER LINES (800) 423-5886 Outside Calif SPECIAL OF THE MONTH PI DISK DRIVES FOR THE PC DOUBLE SIDED/DOUBLE DENSITY 320K MSL $650.00 OUR ONE YEAR WARRANTY PRICE $239.00 I APPLE II PLUS PLUG-COMPATIBLE DRIVES RANA ELITE I W/C0NTR0LLER W/0UT CONTROLLER MSL OUR PRICE 549.00 399.00 MSL 449.00 OUR PRICE 329.00 MICRO SCI A2 W/C0NTR0LLER W/0UT CONTROLLER MSL OUR PRICE! 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Phs EO L200SU NEC JB 12" Green JC 12" Color USI PI 2 12' Green PI-3 12" Amber AMOEK 300 12" Green Color I Color II RGB Highres ELECTROHOME ECM- 1302-1 13" RGB Hires ECM 1302-2 13" RGB Hires i Color Board for Apple II List 249.00 219.00 24900 495.00 249.00 289.00 19500 395.00 895.00 595.00 895.00 249 00 Our Price 179,00 149.00 175.00 345.00 155.00 185.00 145.00 325.00 695.00 395.00 595.00 195.00^ Dapple he* CALL FOR PRICE 'Subject to availability SYSCOM - THE APPLE II APPLE II 1430.00 WORK ALKE W/64 R AND COLOR SYSCOM II OUR PRICE 849.00 RADIO SHACK TRS 80 MOD III m wi48K TH.2 drive m RS232 OUR PRICE $1733.00 \m HEWLETT PACKARD HANDHELD CALCULATORS Our AND COMPUTERS* MSL Price HP IOC Slim-Line Prog Scientific 80.00 64.00 HP-UC Slimline Adv Prog Sci 100.00 79.00 HP-12C Slim-Line Adv Finan Prog 150.00 129.00 HP 15C Slimline Advanced Programmable Scientific w/Matnces 135.00 119.00 HP-16C Slim-Line Prog for Digital Electronics and Comput Science 150 00 129.00 HP-41CV Handheld Comp with 5X Memory 275.00 209.00 HP -9 7 Desktop Fully Prog Print 750.00 599.00 Card Reader for 4 1CV/C 215.00 162.00 Printer for 41CV/C 385.00 289.00 Optical Wand For 41 CV/C 125.00 97.00 Quad Ram Equals 4 Mem. Mods 95.00 81.00 S-100 PRODUCTS ALL BOARDS ASSEMBLED & TESTED! CALIFORNIA COMPUTER SYSTEMS Z 80 CPU Disk Controller/CPM 2.2 64K Static RAM (200 ns) Mainframe 110/60 HZ or 220V/50HZ 2 Serial Port+ 2 Parallel ^CP/M2.2 Our MSL Price 325.00 259.00 425.00 339.00 750.00 549.00 575.00 475.00 36000 289.00 150.00 119.00 THE APPLE COMPATIBLE ALTERNATIVE FRANKLIN BUSINESS SYSTEM Franklin Ace 1000 system • 64K • Disk Drive with controller card • green phs. video monitor. $1395.00 SAVE $1000 COMPARED TO APPLE SYSTEM fl* OSBORNE PERSONAL COMPUTER DOUBLE DENSITY INCLUDES SOFTWARE •CPM • MAIL MERGE • WORDSTAR • CB BASIC •SUPERCALC • M BASIC OUR PRICE 1795.00 PRINTERS Epson MX-80F/T Type I Epson MX 100 Type III* *w/g rap hies OKIDATA Okidata 82A w/tractor 80 col Okidata 83A W/tractor 132 col Okidata 84P 132 col. serial Okidata 84S 132 col. parallel C IT0H c'itoh F 10 40 cps i parallel! C. Itoh F 10 40 cps (serial) C. Itoh Prownter (parallel} C. Itoh Prowriter (serial) SMITH CORONA TP-1 Letter Quality Tractors STAR MICRONIC Gemini 10 645.00 CALL 745.00 CALL 995.00 CALL 549.00 409.00 89900 709.00 1395.00 1019.00 1495.00 1177.00 1795.00 1377.00 1895 00 1439.00 695.00 519.00 749.00 565.00 895.00 599.00 150 00 139.00 495.00 37900 MODEMS NOVATION Cat D-Cat Auto-Cat 212 Auto Cat Super Mike Apple Cat II 212 Apple Cat MSL 189.00 199.00 249.00 69500 1495 389.00 725.00 HAYS MICROCOMPUTER PRODUCTS Hays Stack Smartmodem Smart Modem 1200 Micromodem 100 ANCHOR AUTOMATION Signalman Modem MK I Mark VII (Auto Answer/Dial) 289 00 699.00 399.00 99.00 159.00 Our Price 149.00 159.00 209.00 629.00 12.95 289.00 619.00 229.00 529.00 299.00 A* Ji/lir^DflBUS'NESS WORLD SVTITWr-Il-J WAREHOUSE mw mm® 18720 Oxnard, #108 Tarzana. CA 91356 OUTSIDE CA CALL TOLL FREE 1 1800} 423-5886 IN CA (213) 996-2252 Name (Please print) Address _ _._.. City State Zip , Otv Make Model Description Price Total We reserve the right to correct typographical errors. This ad supercedes all previous ads Prices subject to change without notice. •California residents add 6'/2% sales tax. "Add 3% Shipping & Handling - Add 3% surcharge for credit cards. Order cannot be shipped unless accompanied by payment. including shipping, handling and tax where applicable. TOTAL ORDERS „_^_ TAX IF APPLICABLE* . SHIPPING & HANDLING" TOTAL ENCLOSED S Certified Check or M.O. Bank Wire Transfer CREDIT CARD # Exp Date Allow 2 weeks clearance for personal check Signature VISA MAXELL • DYSAN • EPSON • CCS • SHARP • CASIO • HP • VERBATIM • MEMOREX • SOROC • CORVUS • PERSONAL SOFTWARE • CCS 270 BYTE March 1983 Circle 270 on inquiry card. where N is the number of nodes in the tree satisfying the relation N = 2 D + R-l The solution for the general case be- comes r mi (D-1)(2 D ) + R(D + 1) N Although the formulas imply a method to calculate the average num- ber of comparisons as a function of N by solving for D and R, the round-off errors in the calculations of LOG(2,N) produce incorrect results. Thus the best way to calculate the average number of comparisons is through an iterative process that determines the depth of the complete tree and adds the remaining weights. When information from a prior search is available, you compute the average number of comparisons by examining each possible case, com- puting the sum, and dividing by the number of cases. Because the table has N elements, the number of cases is JV. For each case in which the equal- likelihood assumption applies, there is a probability that the argument is equal to a prior argument (1/N) and not equal ((N — 1)/N). Because the subtable weights represent the num- ber of comparisons for the nodes in the subtables, you can simply divide the sum by the number of cases (N-l). If Kis set to K = Tl subtable weight r the result after simplification is C = 1 + 2K N 2 The number of iterations of the mid- point-calculation code is 2K / = N 2 The above derivations apply to the case of equal likelihood; however, it is possible to have the case of never- equal likelihood. Changing the prob- abilities for the never-equal case pro- duces Cneve " 1 + N(N-1) The number of iterations of the mid- point-calculation code is h 2K N(JV-l) A general formula relating the prob- ability of a match with a prior search argument (M) and the size of the table (N)is c = * + 2K(1-M) JV(JV-l) and the number of iterations becomes / = 2KQ-M) N(N-l) The possibility of the 80/20 rule applying in an example requires that we compute the probability of the oc- currence of a duplicate argument. The rule divides the members of the table into two sets: high activity (H) and low activity (L). A duplicate oc- currence can exist only if the prior and current arguments are members of the same set. If X represents the prior argument and Y the current argument, the probability of duplica- tion can be computed by PQC**Y)*>*A*B*C*+D*E*F where A=P(X = Y\X,YinH) = l/(0.2N) B = P(XinH)=0.8 C=P( Y in H) =0.8 D=P(X= Y|X,Y in L)= 1/(0. SN) E=P(X in I) =0.2 and F=P(YinL)=0.2 The resulting simplifications produce P(X=Y) = 3.25/N and P(X*YH(N-3.25)/N Thus = 1 + 2K(A/-3.25) N 2 (N~1) As before, the number of iterations i the midpoint-calculation code is 2JC(N-3.25) Im N 2 (N-1) The results of these equations are shown in table 3, which compares a pure binary search for tables of dif- ENHANCE YOUR COLOR COMPUTER WITH THESE GREAT PRODUCTS! MACRO-80C DISK BASED EDITOR/ASSEMBLER This is a powerful macro assembler, screen oriented editor and machine language monitor. It features local labels, conditional assembly, printer formatting and cross reference listings. Assemble multiple files. Program comes on Radio Shack compatible disk with extensive documentation. Price: $99.95 MICROTEXT COMMUNICATIONS Make your computer an intelligent printing terminal with off-line storage 1 Use Microtext for timesharing interactions, printing what is received as it is received and saving text to cassette, and more! Price: $59.95 PI80C PARALLEL PRINTER INTERFACE Use a parallel printer with your Color Computer! Serial-Parallel converter plugs into the serial port and allows use of Centronics-compatible printers. You supply the printer cable. Price: $69.95 THE MICRO WORKS COLOR FORTH Color Forth is easier to learn than assembly language, executes in less time than Basic and is faster to program in than Basic. Rompack comes with 112-page manual containing glossary of system-specific words, full standard FIG glossary and complete source. A fascinating language designed for the Color Computer! Price: $109.95 SDS-SOC SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM SDS-80C is a Rompack containing a complete editor, assembler and monitor. It allows the user to write, assemble and debug assembly language programs with no reloading, object patching or other hassles. Supports full 6809 instruction set. Price: $89.95 80C DISASSEMBLER Runs on the Color Computer and generates your own source listing of the Basic interpreter ROM. Documentation includes useful ROM entry points, complete memory map, I/O hardware details and more. Cassette requires 16K system. Price: $49.95 GAMES: Star Blaster • Pac Attack • Berserk • Cave Hunter • Starfire • Astro Blast • Starship Chameleon • Adventure: Black Sanctum • Adventure: Calixto Island • 7&0©08@ ^©[^flgg 1 P.O. BOX 1110 DEL MAR, CA 99014 619-942-2400 Also Available: Machine Language Monitor [ i Books □ Memory Upgrade Kits Parts and Services . Call or write for more information California Residents add 6% Tax Master Charge/Visa and COD Accepted Circle 278 on inquiry card. March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc 271 ft ■-*.■ m w5 1 \ * 1 ; I- i # ^fl / ■ Hi \ The new TI Professional Computer* It makes you the one with the answers* System Unit 16-bit, 8088 microprocessor 64 K byte RAM, expandable to 256K bytes 4K byte graphics display memory 5-slot expansion bus Keyboard Specially designed low profile Popular typewriter layout 97 keys, including 12 function keys Separate numeric keypad and cursor control clusters Tactile response, for quick positive entry Upper- and lower-case letters Display Units 12-inch monochrome (green phosphor) or 13-inch full-color, 25 lines x 80 columns High resolution, 720 x 300 pixels Mass Storage Built-in 320Kbyte diskette standard Additional internal storage of 320K byte diskette, or 5 or 10 Mbyte Winchester disks optional Today's business executive is faced with a world of questions. Questions about productivity. Cost control. And the bottom line. To help you come up with the answers and alternatives, we introduce the newTexas Instruments Professional Computer; The one with the power, the expandability, the easiest-to-use keyboard, extremely high resolution graphics, and a broad array of software. SPECIFICATIONS - All the leading operating systems and programming languages are avail- able. You can use many popular applica- tion programs from the best software suppliers to help you create spread - sheets, do word processing, construct graphics, communicate with other data bases or create your own. All of which lets you control assets, manage your time, and make projections for tomorrow's performance — today. Communications Options 300 BPS or 300/1200 BPS internal modem TTY3780 3270 SNA stand-alone (Summer 1983) 3270 BSC and SNA cluster (Fall 1983) Operating Systems MS™-DOS, Digital Research™ CP/M-86®, and Concurrent CP/M-86 T \ UCSD p-System™ Languages BASIC, COBOL. FORTRAN, Pascal Applications Software Over 100 programs available from the most popular software vendors such as Micro- soft, Ashton-Tate, Micro-Pro, I US, Sorcim, Peachtree, BPI, Lifeboat and others. Printers (Available Spring 1983) 150-cps TI 850 Series for most applications FOOTNOTES: MS-DOS is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation. CP/M-86 and Concurrent CP/M-86 are trademarks of Digital Research, Inc. UCSD p-System is a trademark of the Regents of the University of California. And for a clear "hard copy" print- out of information, you can rely on the new 850 Series printers, made by Texas Instruments especially for the new TI Professional Computet In short, the TI Professional Com- puter helps you make better business decisions based on better information. With the performance and reliability you expect from TI. If you re on your way up, the new Texas Instruments Professional Com- puter can help. Because it makes you the one with the answers. For full information and a demon- stration, visit your local computer dealer, or write: Texas Instruments, Dept. 1A, EQ Box402430, Dallas, Texas 75240. Or call toll-free: 1-800-527-3500. Creating useful products £• and services for you. wt'm Texas Instruments Copyright © 1983 Texas Insmiments 291427 E Circle 382 on inquiry card. f jJL- k .l k Ai ' S " 1QQ " 7gKBBSV@V D.v of 696 Corp. COMPUTERS COLUMBIA (IBM-PC.) 1 28K RAM, 2 drives $2546.00 CROMEMCOCS10 Personnel Computer w/s.w. 1525.00 EAGLE II w/s.w. 2339.00 ITHACA INTERSYST. DPS-1 w/frt panel & MPU 1795.00 MORROW MICRODECISION II w/22 drives & s.w. 1295.00 BOARDS ADS Promblaster w/s.w. 298.00 ADVANCED DIGITAL Super- quad w/senal port (single card computer) 700.00 CCS 28 10 CPU 259.00 CCS 64K Dynamic RAM 299.00 CROMEMCO DPU 68000/Z80 839.00 COMPUPRO 8/16 bit 64K Static Ram (ASM) 488,00 NORTHSTAR ADV. 8/1E upgrade w/64K RAM 399.00 S-100's PRO-1 2 way Extender Card 33.00 SCION'S Microangelo Graphics Bd. (MA520) 986.00 SDSystems Versafloppy w/CP/M 3.0 350.00 SEATTLE IBM-PC 64K RAM+ 359.00 SSM 80 character Video Board 375.00 TARBELL DD FD Controller 396.00 MONITORS/TERMINALS KB-1 Keyboard by S-1 00 186.00 LIBERTY FREEDOM 100 w/detached KB 535.00 SANYO 1 5" Monitor 295.00 PERIPHERALS - ETC. EPSON MX 100 III 625.00 HAYES Smartmodem 1200 Baud 519.00 PARADYNAMICS 201 8R Mainframe 675.00 INTEGRAND 800 DB/2F w/options 497,00 OPEN SYSTEMS Inventory, Order Prod. etc. software 600.00 PLASTIC FILE CASE w/10 DS DD 5*' VERB/3M 40.00 TANDON TM 100-2 DS DD Drive for IBM PC, etc. 245.00 TEC MAR 5 Meg Winchester Cartridge for IBM-P.C. 1 ,525.00 VOTRAX Personal Speech System 275.00 ALL SALES BACKED BY FULL DEALER SUPPORT VISIT OUR SHOWROOM Hrs-900 AM -5:30 P.M. M-F Subject to Available Quantities • Prices Quoted Include Cash Discounts Shipping & Insurance Extra S-1 00 14425 North 79th Street, Suite B Scottsdale, Arizona 85260 SALES 800-528-3138 Table Binary Search Enhanced Search 80/20 Size Equal Never Likelihood Equal Rule 1.00 1.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2.00 1.50 0.50 1.00 0.00 3.00 1.67 0.89 1.33 0.00 4.00 2.00 1.13 1.50 0.28 5.00 2.20 1.36 1.70 0.60 6.00 2.33 1.56 1.87 0.86 7.00 2.43 1.71 2.00 1.07 8.00 2.63 1.84 2.11 1.25 9.00 2.78 1.98 2.22 1.42 10.00 2.90 2.10 2.33 1.58 30.00 4.13 3.44 3.56 3.18 50.00 4.86 4.12 4.20 3.93 100.00 5.80 5.06 5.11 4.95 300.00 7.33 6.59 6.61 6.54 500.00 8.00 7.32 7.34 7.29 1000.00 8.99 8.31 8.32 8.30 5000.00 11.36 10.62 10.62 10.62 10000.00 12.36 1 1 .62 11.62 11.62 Table 3: A comparison of the binary search and the enhanced binary search. The average number of iterations of the midpoint-calculation code that are required to find the search argument are given for different sizes of the table being searched. For the enhanced binary search, the number of iterations is given for three different assumptions about the table being searched: (1) that each element in the table is equally likely to match the search argument, (2) that no two elements in the table are equally likely to match the search argument, and (3) that after a data argument has been seen, the probability of seeing it again after the next iteration is 3.25 times greater than the probability for the random case (the 80/20 rule). ferent sizes to the enhanced binary search in the cases of equal likeli- hood, never-equal likelihood, and the 80/20 rule. While a binary search can be im- plemented in many ways, traditional implementations require the initial- ization of local variables (five PL/I statements) followed by a loop com- posed of the midpoint calculation (five PL /I statements) and a com- parison of the search argument with an entry in the table (three PL/I state- ments). The enhanced search is similar in structure, but its midpoint calculation follows the comparison. If the processor that executes the searches requires one instruction cycle per PL /I style statement, the binary-search time (BT) can be ex- pressed as BT = 5 + 8C and the enhanced-search time (ET) can be expressed as ET=5 + 3C + 5I = 8 + 8I in which C represents the number of comparisons and I represents the number of iterations needed to satisfy the search. If in the two preceding equations we substitute the number of com- parisons and the number of iterations indicated in table 3, a comparison of the data indicates that the enhanced search is usually better than a pure binary search. If the tables contain approximately 300 entries and an equal likelihood applies, the en- hanced search results in an advantage of approximately 6 percent. A higher probability of duplication increases the reduction-in-time advantage of the enhanced search. If your pro- cessor takes a long time to perform a divide or shift, the advantage ap- proaches 10 percent. A Description of the Process We can express the process for the improved binary search in several ways. Table 4 is an example of a deci- sion table that represents a looping process. The first row of entries 274 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc STATPRO The most comprehensive and sophisticated statistics and graphics database program ever developed for the personal computer. Years of research, development, and field testing have resulted in the most extensive statistics and graph- ics database program specifically designed for thepersonal computing environment. STATPRO™ provides the data analysis capabilities and flexibility previously available only on a large computer. Researchers, business professionals, and other data analysts will welcome the breadth yet simplicity of this pro- gram! STATPRO requires no pre- vious computer experience, no special command language. Single keystrokes access all of the data man- ipulation, statistics, and graphics power of STATPRO. STATPRO allows easy access to its extensive numerical data capabilities. The strength of STATPRO is found in the functions of its user friendly, menu-driven database. You can easily learn to enter and edit, manipulate, transform, and print out data. STATPRO's searching capabilities allow these functions to be performed on all your data or a user defined subset of your data. Over 600 transformations and con- versions are available. You can place the results of these transfor- mations into the same field or any other field in STATPRO's database. '-J-Jv-.,, wm\ innHiB in LM. ;W? Iiiiiiiiiillllfllliiiiiiiiiliiii STATPRO offers a comprehensive collection of statistical procedures. The statistics component of STATPRO contains a multitude of procedures, grouped into the fol- lowing modules: Descriptive: Contingency analysis, cross tabulation, normality tests; descriptive, comparative, range and non-parametric statistics. Regression: Linear, non-linear, stepwise, and multiple regressions; residual analysis and statistical matrices. Analysis of Variance: Single and nested classifications, two and three way equal and unequal sample size and non-parametric ANOVA. Time Series: Moving averages, multi-stage least squares, fitted polynomials and trig functions, additive and multiple forecasting. Multivariate: Principal components factor, orthogonal factor, oblique factor, pair-weighted cluster, dis- criminant function, multiple con- tingency, and canonical correlation analysis; positive definite inverse and determinant. STATPRO provides graphic representation of your data in minutes. STATPRO graphics plot all the results of your STATPRO statistical analyses including scatter, triangle, regression, and box plots; piecharts, histograms, and dendograms. Fur- ther, with STATPRO you can cus- tom edit with keyboard, paddles or graphics tablet. You can create characters and shapes and place them anywhere on a graph. Mix text with data fields. Place multiple plots on each screen. Define your axis limits. You can save your graphics on a disk for a multiple color ''slide show" presentation, or print them out through a variety of compatible printers. STATPRO documentation wraps up the package. Although STATPRO software is essentially self-documenting, com- plete print documentation is pro- vided. This includes walk-through tutorials, easy to understand pocket reference guides and comprehen- sive user's guides. STATPRO currently runs on the Apple* II and Apple III personal computers. It will soon oe available for the IBM* PC. Find out more about STATPRO: The Statistics and Graphics Database Program. Contact your local dealer, or call us toll-free at 800-322-2208 You can also call us toll-free for information on corporate purchase through our National Account Program. WADSWORTH Electronic Publishing Company, 20 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116. STATPRO is a trademark of Wadsworth Electronic Publishing Company. Apple is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. IBM is a registered trademark oflnternational Business Machines, Corp. Circle 449 on inquiry card. BYTE March 1983 275 Stub Decision Rules 12 3 4 5 6 Columns Tests to be performed M = ARG>=TABARG(M) ARG = TABARG(M) L=TABARG(M) THEN DO; IF ARG=TABARG(M) THEN DO; RETURN (M) ; END; ELSE DO; IF L Integral Data Systems, Inc. A Whole New Spectrum of Imaging ldea r Milford, New Hampshire 03055 Telex: 953032 \ Toll-free 1 (800) 258-1386 NH. Alaska and Hawaii. (603) 673-9100 H W$Mi ^^*%i ' « J-r^"^' ' J Wfedorftcare ^Hffi^l which computer you own. \WU help you get the most out of it. CompuServe puts a world of information, communications, and entertainment at your fingertips. CompuServe is the versatile, easy to use interactive videotex service designed especially for the personal computer user. It's dynamic, growing and changing daily to satisfy its subscribers' needs. It's an industry leader, created and managed by the same communications pro- fessionals who provide busi- ness information and network services to j» over one fourth of z-::j the FORTUNE 500 "- K^J 5 companies. From current events to current assets, CompuServe offers a wealth of useful, profitable *Mf i or just plain interesting information. ^ Electronic magazines and national news wires plus worldwide weather, current movie reviews, electronic banking and shop at home services, and some of the most sophisticated financial information available are all offered to current subscribers. From words to music. CompuServe offers a communications network that gives special Circle 94 on inquiry card. interest groups from hardware enthusiasts to computer composers a chance to get together. There's a bulletin board for selling, swapping, and personal notices and a CB simulator for real-time com- munications between sub- scribers. There's electronic mail, the fastest, surest, way to communicate with other users across the street or across the country, plus file retention and editing, and lots, lots more. Fun and games are expected whenever computer users interact, and CompuServe has the best. Games you can play alone or with other CompuServe subscribers anywhere in the country. Classic puzzlers, sports and adventure games, and fantastic space games featuring MegaWars, the "ultimate computer conflict." But, that's just the tip of the chip. CompuServe offers a menu of thousands of items that make subscribing edu- cational, fun and sometimes downright profitable. If you'd like to know more about CompuServe, call toll free, 800-848-8990 to receive an illus- trated guide to the CompuServe Information Service. A videotex service for you no matter which computer you own. CompuServe P.O. Box 20212 5000 Arlington Centre Blvd., Columbus, Ohio 43220 800-848-8990 In Ohto call 614-457-8650 An H&R Block Company BYTE March 1983 281 mm- Hardware Review Hayes's Stack Smartmodem Communicate at 300 or 1200 bps. Norman C. McEntire POB 21731 Columbia, SC 29221 Photo 1: The Smartmodem package includes the modem, a modular telephone cable, an AC line adapter, and an excellent manual. (Photo by Ed Crab tree.) At a Glance Name Hayes Stack Smartmodem 300 or Smartmodem J 200 Use Communication over normal (voice) telephone lines Manufacturer Hayes Microcomputer Products Inc. 5835 Peachtree Corners E. Norcross, GA 30092 (404) 449-879! Price Smartmodem 300 $289 Smartmodem 1 200 $699 Dimensions 1 .5 inches high by 5.5 inches wide by 9.6 inches long Features to 300 bps and 1 200 bps direct-con nect; accepts ASCII command strings Hardware needed RS-232C port and RS-232C cable I have always admired the Hayes Microcomputer Products' Micromodem II, available as a plug-in board for Apple II computers. The Micromodem II has ideal features: it can run at 300 bps (bits per second), can be connected directly to the telephone line, performs auto- dial and auto-answer functions, has excellent documenta- tion, and is reasonably priced. Because I own a TRS-80 Model I, however, I had to sit back and hope that Hayes would develop a general-purpose modem for use with RS-232C interfaces. My hopes came true when Hayes announced its Stack Smartmodem. Advertisements claimed that it contained all the desirable features mentioned above, including a unique feature that allowed the use of ASCII (American National Standard Code for Information Interchange) character strings to program the device. What's more, it was available in two versions: a 300-bps Bell 103-compatible unit and one that is also 1200-bps Bell 212 A compatible. With my spirits high, I rushed to the computer store and purchased the 300-bps model. I have not been disappointed. First Impressions The package contains the Smartmodem, a modular telephone cable, an AC line adapter, and the owner's manual. These items are shown in photo 1. The Smartmodem is attractively styled. Its dimensions of 1.5 by 5.5 by 9.6 inches ensure that it takes up little space. The design is such that either a regular telephone or another Hayes Stack product — such as the Hayes Chronograph clock/calendar— can be placed on top of it. With a color scheme of gray and black, the Smartmodem blends with almost any environment. 282 March 1983 © BYTE Publications lnc Find great bargains in this list and reap the rewards: immediate availability, 24-hour express delivery, toll-free technical support, and special volume discounts. DATABASE MANAGEMENT dBase II- Ashton-Tate $ 475 Condor II- Condor Computer Corp. $ 450 Data Star-MicroPro Call For Price Easy Filer- I.U.S. $ 280 VisiFile-VisiCorp $ 190 SPREADSHEETS/ CALCULATORS Super Calc - Sorcim Call For Price VisiCalc 256K- VisiCorp $ 195 Calc Star- MicroPro Call For Price Multiplan- Micro Soft $ 225 COMMUNICATIONS Emulink (IBM PC 3270) Micro Link Corp Emulink (Apple 3270) Micro Link Corp Crosstalk -Micro Stuf BSTAM-Byrom Software WANTED Help in reducing our inventory. Pick up one of these specials and take advantage of a great price! CROSSTALK MicroStuf dBASE II Ashton-Tkte SUPERCALC Sorcim $120 $475 Call For Price WORDMATE (IBM PC) From Softword Systems — the professional's choice in IBM PC word processing. $495 LANGUAGES/ UTILITIES C Basic - Digital Research $ 125 M Basic- Micro Soft $ 275 CB80- Digital Research $ 420 Basic Compiler- Micro Soft $ 310 Fortran 80- Micro Soft $ 395 Cobol 80- MicroSoft $ 575 Pascal MT+- Digital Research $ 425 PL-1 80- Digital Research $ 420 $ 995 $ 795 $ 120 $ 150 WORD PROCESSING/SPELLING Wordmate- Softword Systems $ 495 Wordstar -MicroPro Call For Price Mailmerge- MicroPro Call For Price Wor dstar/Mailmerge - MicroPro Call For Price Spellbinder- Lexisoft $ 295 Easywriterll-I.U.S. $ 265 The Final Word- Mark of the Unicorn $ 245 Select w/Superspell- Select Info. Sytems $ 395 MISCELLANEOUS Milestone- Organic Software StatPak-NW Analytical VisiSchedule - VisiCorp VisiTrend/Plot - Visi Corp Supersort - MicroPro Datebook- Organic Software MODEMS Hayes Micromodem II Hayes Smartmodem 300 PRINTERS Epson MX80 FT Epson MX100 FT IDS Prism 80 Okidata 82A Okidata 83A NEC 3550 33cps wp $ 245 $ 395 $ 245 $ 245 Call For Price $ 245 $ 275 $ 212 $ 555 $ 745 $1335 $ 439 $ 705 $1900 Call toll-free 800-328-2260 (In Minnesota, 612-544-3615) American Express • MasterCard • VISA 3. 5% surcharge on all credit orders. Purchase orders accepted from corporate accounts. All orders are shipped UPS. $3 shipping charge on software items. 2% shipping charge on hardware items. DA7ASOURCE DATASOURCE SYSTEMS MARKETING CORR 1660 South Highway 100, Minneapolis, MN 55416 Circle 139 on inquiry card. BYTE March 1983 283 '■ m: Save money Vbur firm name and address printed on standardized, continuous checks, invoices, statements, letterheads and labels. Designed to work with programs from over software sources ... or program to our attractive forms yourself with guides provided. Full color catalog also has stock tab paper, envelopes, diskettes, many other supplies and accessories. • Quality products at low prices • No "handling charges' 9 or hidden extras • Available in small quantities •— fast service . , . buy direct by mail or PHONE TOLL FREE 1+800-225-9550 (Mass. residents 1 * 8:00 A.M. to S:G0RM.,ET NAME PHONE COMPANY STREET CITY, STATE and ZtP Required to help us send you correct information: SOFTWARE BRAND PACKAGE* d Do own programming. COMPUTER MAKE MODEL* □ Have not purchased yet. YOUR LINE OF BUSINESS Number of employees. _ Nebs. „. Computer Forms ipi 1 2 South Street, Townsend, J NEBS i _ . 11103 [, Massachusetts 01469 A division of New England Business Service, Inc. Symbol Name AA Auto Answer CD Carrier Detect OH Off Hook RD Receive Data SD Send Data TR Terminal Ready MR Modem Ready Use When illuminated, signals that the Smartmodem is in auto answer mode. When the tele- phone rings, the AA LED blinks at the rate of the ringing signal. When this indicator is off, the Smartmodem does not auto- matically answer. Illuminates when the Smart- modem detects a carrier from a distant modem. If the "phone" is off-hook, this LED illuminates. The LED is always on when the Smart- modem is using the telephone line. This LED blinks while sending data or command results from the Smartmodem to the RS- 232C port. Blinks while data or commands are sent from the terminal to the Smartmodem. Indicates the status of the RS- 232C signal DTR (data terminal ready), pin 20 of the RS-232C connector. As shipped from the factory, the DTR signal is ignored and TR is always il- luminated; setting configura- tion switch S1 in the "up" posi- tion forces the Smartmodem to monitor the DTR signal. Indicates the Smartmodem is turned on. Table 1: Summary of the Smartmodem s status indicators. As shown in photo 2a, the front of the Smartmodem contains seven LED (light-emitting diode) status in- dicators. From left to right, they are: AA (auto-answer mode), CD (carrier detect), OH (off hook), RD (receive data), SD (send data), TR (terminal ready), and MR (modem ready). The LEDs allow the operator to visually monitor the operating status of the Smartmodem. The operation of each LED is explained in table 1. Also at the front, behind the front cover, are eight con- figuration switches that determine the power-up setting for some of the Smartmodem's operating parameters. These switches are explained in table 2. Most of the switch settings can be changed under software control. Photo 2b shows the back panel. From left to right are the power switch, power connector (for the AC line adapter), RS-232C connector (for connection to your computer system via a user-supplied RS-232C cable), telephone connector (for one end of the modular tele- phone cable), and the volume-control knob. The Smartmodem's RS-232C connector is wired for connection to DTE (data terminal equipment), which 284 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc Circle 302 on inquiry card. IBM, APPLE and ATARI USERS> CompuShack announces JOFTWARE FOR YOUR IBM PC inental - The Home Accou - Write On < Word Pr Denver Software' - Easy Effective'Accountmq Sy Zork I . . Zork. II , Deadline nformation Unlimited Easy Filer Accounts Payable -h - Galactic Attack SOFTWARE FOR YOUR ATARI 400/800 PERSONAL COMPUTER Blackjack Caverns of Mars APEX CASSETTE ware war V^V> CONTINENTAL SOFTWARE First Class Mail CPA I General Ledge CPA II Accounts Receivable CPA III Accounts Payable CPA IV Payroll CPA V Property Management . The Home Accountant The Home Accountant Plus ... DAKIN 5 CORPORATION Budget PI, Business booKKeeping system HAYDEN Applesoft Compiler IMS Graph Magic Math Magic LIGHTNING SOFTWARE Master Type (Hi-Res) MICRO PRO Word Star Customization Notes Wordstar ." Super Sort Mail Merge Data Star Spell Star Calc Star Word Star Training Guide Word Star Update , mm MICROSOFT 99.00 Time Manage Manager S129.00 an S1 59.00 ).S S99.00 : Compiler $2 ath'muSimp S185.00 OL S499.00 )RT S149.00 : S149.00 plan (Native Apple) S199.00 plan S199.00 SOFTWARE FOR YOUR APPLE II + ON-LINE SYSTEMS The General Manager . The Dictionary Speed-ASM , Expediter II Memory Management II . Lisa -2.5 .., Lisa Educational System PEECHTREE SOFTWARI General Ledger SOFTWARE PUBLISHING SORCIM CORPORATION STONEWARE Stat Pac .... SOFTWARE FOR YOUR APPLE II + ART-SCI INC. Telecommunications .... Spelling Proof Reader . . . Mailing. List Manager Peachtext SENSIBLE SOFTWARE Back It Up Disk Recovery Disk Organizer II Multidisk Catalog Super Disk Copy Sensible Speller Sensible Speller Supertext Processing rofessional system Protessic SYSTEMS PLUS VISI CORF Visifiles .. \SHTON-TATE Tbase II (Apple) . . . . J>base II (Apple 48K) WeAreThe CompuShrck Business Home Con 2630-H Walnut Avenue, Tustin, CA 92680 (714) 730-7207 Telex 18-3511 Ans Bck ESMA Switch Down Up S1 Ignores the RS-232C Monitors the RS-232C DTR signal. DTR signal. S2 Responds with number Responds with result codes. ASCII character- string result codes. S3 Sends result codes to Does not send result the terminal. codes to the terminal. S4 Does not echo com- Echoes command mand characters to characters to the the terminal. terminal. S5 Does not automatically Automatically answer the telephone. answers the telephone. S6 Does not monitor the Monitors the RS-232C RS-232C CD (carrier CD signal. detect) signal. S7 For use with RJ12 and For use with RJ11 RJ13 telephone jacks. telephone jacks. S8 Not used. Table 2: Summary of the Smartmodem's configuration switches. Boldfaced entries are default settings as shipped from the factory. All functions can be changed under soft- ware control DEVELOPMENT HARDWARE/SOFTWARE GTEK MODEL 7128 EPROM PROGRAMMER Microprocessor based intelligence for esse of use and interface. You send the data, the 7128 takes care of the rest. RS-232 interface and ASCII data formats make the 7128 compatible with virtually any computer with an RS-232 serial inter- face port. Auto-select baud rate. Use with or without handshaking. Bidirectional Xon/Xoff supported. CTS/DTR supported. Devices supported as of DEC 82. NMOS NMOS CMOS EEPROM MPU'S 2758 2508 27C16 5213 8748 2716 2516 27C32 X2816 8749 2732 2532 C6716 48016 8741 2732A 2564 27C64 8742 2764 68766 8751 27128 8755 8755 Read pin compatible ROMS also. Automatic use of proper program voltage based on type selected. Menu driven eprom type selection, no per- sonality modules required. (40 pin devices require adapter) INTEL, Motorola and MCS-86, Hex formats. Split facility for 16 bit data-paths. Read, pro- gram, and formatted list commands also. Interupt driven type ahead, program and verify real time while sending data. Program single byte, block, or whole eprom. Intelligent diagnostics discern between eprom which is bad and one which merely needs erasing. Gtek INC. • Verify erasure and compare commands. • Busy light indicates when power is being ap- plies to program socket. • Complete with TEXTOOL zero insertion force socket and integral 120 VAC power supply. (240 VAC/5QHZ available also) • High Performance/Cost ratio. • •• Model 7128 PRICE $389.00 ••■ MODEL 7128 SOCKET ADAPTERS MODEL 481 allows programming of 8748, 8749, 8741, 8742 single chip processors. Price $98.00 MODEL 511 allows programming the 8751, Intel's high powered single chip processor. Price $174.00 MODEL 755 allows programming the 8755 EPROM/IO chip Price $135.00 MODEL 7128/24 - budget version of the 7128. Supports 24 pin parts thru 32 K only. Upgradable to full 7128 capacity. Price $289.00 Non-expandable, very low cost models avail- able for specific devices. MODEL 7128-L1 for 2716 only $149.00 MODEL 7128-L2 for 2732 only $179.00 Also available from stock: Eprom Erasers UVP model DE-4 , . $78.00 Avocet Systems Cross Assemblers $200.00 RS-232 Cable Assemblies $25.00 Programmable Devices call Complete development systems , $3240.00 Post Office Box 289 Wave! and, Mississippi 39576 (601) 467-8048 (2b) Photo 2: Front and rear views of the Smartmodem. In photo 2a, the seven LED status indicators are visible; photo 2b shows the power control power connector, and RS-232C connector. works with 99 percent of terminals and RS-232C inter- faces; a slight wiring change allows the use of this modem with DCE (data communications equipment). The volume-control knob allows you to adjust the volume level of the audio monitor. The power connector is U. L. (Underwriters' Lab- oratories) listed at 120 volts (V) AC, 60 Hz, with a 13.5-V AC output. The supplied telephone cable is normally connected to an RJ11 modular telephone jack. Changing the setting of configuration switch 7, however, allows the use of either an RJ12 or RJ13 telephone jack. Documentation for the Smartmodem consists of a single owner's manual with fine-quality print. In addi- tion, it is a spiral-bound manual; this makes it easy to use while sitting at the computer. Installing the Smartmodem Connection of the Smartmodem is easy. Connect the AC line adapter, the telephone cable, and an RS-232C cable to their appropriate connectors. In my case, the RS- 232C cable connects the Smartmodem to the expansion interface of a TRS-80 Model I. The expansion interface 286 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc Circle 194 on inquiry card. SAGE TECHNICAL BRIEFING HH i r iK: SYSTEM DESIGN, SAGE IV sitsi computer Industr ' I % W'/f^ ? :lSi'iA ; J i The challenge was to create a computer having room for a megabyte of RAM, a built-in Winchester with floppy backup, and the ability to perform 2,000,000 instructions per second. A small miracle, in other words. And small is exactly what it turned out to be. In fact, the 16-bit Sage IV including all of the above attributes, takes up less than Vi cubic foot. What made such a break- through possible? System design. It took the latest in memory and processor technology plus Winchester technology And it took a highly integrated, closely packed, low power, high speed design incorporating a proprietary bus. Now the Sage IV is ready for you. Actually, you can choose from three different Sage IV models to meet your exact needs— configurations with a 5 megabyte Winchester plus 640K floppy right on up to a combina- tion of four fixed or removable Winchesters plus one or two floppies (200 megabytes of disk capacity in all). Because of the Sage IV's no- compromise system design you can load a 16K program in 1/10 second from Winchester disk. What's more, there are over 1 20 sources for existing popular programs for the Sage IV The incredible p-System operating system, standard on every Sage IV converts software that was originally written for 8-bit com- puters in Pascal, BASIC and Fortran. Optionally, CP/M, Modula, and Hyper-Forth are also available. Better yet our small miracles come with prices to match. So give us a call or write today for more Sage IV information and the name of your nearest dealer. Sage Computer Technology, 35 North Edison Way, #4, Reno, NV 89502 (702) 322-6868. In Europe: TDI LTD, 29 Alma Vale Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8-2HLTel: (0272) 742796. ASCII Command String Use A :Answer the telephone immediately. N :Redial the last number. Cn :Enable/Disable the transmitter carrier. , :Pause for a given amount of time. Ds :Dial a number. Fn :Set half or full duplex. Hn :Enable or disable switch hook. Mn :Enable or disable the audio monitor. :Return to the "on-line" state. P :Enable pulse dial. Qn :Enable or disable the return of result codes. R ;Enter answer mode after dialing a number. Sr? ;Read the value of register Sr. Sr=n :Assign the value n to register Sr. \ : Return to command state after dialing a number. T :Enable tone dialing. Vn :Select method of sending result codes. Z :Perform a software reset. Table 3: Summary of the Smartmodem's commands. contains the standard TRS-80 RS-232C board. After the connections are made, the Smartmodem is ready for use. Use of the Smartmodem As stated earlier, the Smartmodem can be used with any RS-232C interface. I use the standard TRS-80 setup with the TERM program. TERM is a Z80 machine- language program that transforms the Model I into a "dumb" terminal. Once the connections are correct and TERM is execut- ing, two LEDs on the Smartmodem will light: MR (modem ready) and TR (terminal ready). Proper opera- tion is assured by typing the following: < enter > AT < enter > (The AT stands for attention.) If all is well, the Smart- modem will respond with the ASCII string OK and will be ready to accept a command. The procedure just described demonstrates the most unique feature of the Smartmodem: you can immediately communicate with it without writing any special soft- ware! Because this modem accepts ASCII strings as com- mands, you can sit at your computer or terminal and issue one command after another. The Smartmodem takes each command and executes it. After each com- mand, it responds by sending back one of five possible ASCII strings: OK, CONNECT, RING, NO CARRIER, or ERROR. A brief description of the commands is given in table 3. To see how easy it is to operate the Smartmodem, let's try some examples. Suppose you want to use the auto-dial feature. To dial the number 960-1700, simply type 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 AT D T 960-1700 < enter > for tone dialers, or AT D P 960-1700 < enter > for pulse dialers. After you press < enter >, the Smart- modem proceeds to dial the number. After dialing, it waits for the other end to answer. When the other end answers, it detects the carrier and sends the ASCII string CONNECT back to the terminal. If the telephone is not answered or if no carrier is detected, the Smartmodem sends back the ASCII string NO CONNECT. The audio monitor is useful when dialing a number. Under normal operation, the audio monitor is enabled in the off-hook condition. This allows you to monitor the dial tone, ringing, busy tone, and carrier tone. After detecting the carrier, the Smartmodem normally disables the audio monitor; however, the monitor can be enabled or disabled by sending the M command AT Mjc < enter > where x is 0, which means speaker is off; x is 1, which means speaker off until carrier detect; or x is 2, which means speaker always on. Suppose you want the Smartmodem to answer the tele- phone on the fourth ring. The ASCII command string is AT SO = 4 < enter > 288 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc Circle 361 on inquiry card. 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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. ...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 5 compilers ... for aficionados of a useful BASIC. The software is available on a variety of industry-standard Operating Systems including CP/M 5 -MP/M 5 (both 30 & -86), OASIS 6 , PCDOS, and UNIX 7 . Inquire for specific details and prices. ■? Copyright 1982 by Cybernetics Inc. All rights reserved. " ;es and specifications subject to change without notice. M isixeis. Trademarks of: 1 Cybernetics. Inc 4 Mini-Computer Business Applications Inc 5 Digital P 2 ■ WyarvMcFariand Corp 3 Micro Business Software, inc search. Inc 6 Phase One Systems. Inc 7 - B* 11 Laboratory ei£ is crisis. is 8041 NEWMAN AVE., SUITE 208 HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA 92647 714/848-1922 This command results in the enabling of the AA (auto- answer-mode) LED. When the telephone rings, the AA LED blinks off at the rate of the ring. In addition, each ring sends the string RING to the terminal. On the fourth ring, the Smartmodem answers the telephone and enables the carrier signal. If the other modem does not respond in a given amount of time (the amount of time is program- mable), the Smartmodem hangs up and sends the NO CONNECT string to the terminal. Many other commands are available. Table 3 shows commands to set half or full duplex, to answer or to hang up, to redial, and to set the various status registers. In ad- dition, you can mix pulse and tone dialing, allowing use of the Smartmodem in certain PBX (private-branch- exchange) systems that use pulse dialing; after pulse dial- ing the PBX access code, tone dialing can be used: AT D P9, T960-1700 < enter > There is no explicit command for switching between 300 and 1200 bps; the Smartmodem recognizes the speed from your initial command and adjusts itself accordingly, even in auto-answer mode. Even with the many commands and options that are available, the Smartmodem is simple — even fun — to operate. The beginner can immediately control it using the simple commands; the experienced programmer will enjoy learning all the commands and options. Finally, programmers will find that the high-level commands available will simplify their applications programming tasks. Documentation The documentation consists of a single owner's manual, but what a manual it is! The manual is extremely well organized and easy to read. You can immediately use the Smartmodem by reading just the first few chap- ters. Indeed, you will probably get the modem operating 15 minutes after taking it out of the box! The first few chapters contain installation and command guidelines, while the later chapters contain in-depth information on commands and configuration switches. Also, the appen- dixes contain information such as RS-232C connections, telephone information, an ASCII code table, a block diagram, a quick reference card, and a warranty card (two-year warranty). Conclusions The Hayes Smartmodem is an excellent buy. It is nicely styled, has very good documentation, and provides dependable operation. Also, the ASCII-string program - mability of the Smartmodem gives easy control of its numerous features. If you are in the market for an RS- 232C-compatible modem, certainly give the Hayes Smartmodem consideration. After all, "smart" beats "dumb" any day. . . . ■ The AC1 ION Solution For Expanding Businesses. .. The DISCOVERY 500, a fully integrated desktop computer with 5 1 V hard and floppy disks, supports up to 7 users. It is the ideal, low cost turnkey business system. The full size DISCOVERY supports up to 1 6 users with a wide variety of disk and tape subsystems. And remember, all DISCOVERY users have their own dedicated memory and 8-bit or 1 6-bit CPU, running CP/M-80* or CP/M-86*. Action's own multiuser multiprocessor operating system, the dpc/os makes it easy. The dpc/net" low-cost local area networks of multiple DISCOVERYs provide the ultimate in performance. Up to 1 50 users in 10 DISCOVERY systems can be on-line simul- taneously with full resource sharing. For the first time, mainframe capability at micro prices. From single-user workstations to multiuser Systems & Networks, our DISCOVERY MULTIPROCESSOR is ^designed to grow by leaps and bounds. No more obsolete hardware or software. As your business expands... DISCOVERY expands with you! MULTIPROCESSOR ■ ESL= h^LA. Action Computer Enterprise, Inc. 55 West Del Mar Blvd. Pasadena CA 91 105 USA TWX 910-588-1 201 ACTION PSD O (213) 793-2440 Dealer, Distributor & OEM inquiries are invited. Step into the future.. .Take Action Today! Call (21 3) 793-2440 290 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc On the East Coast: Microsystems International O (617) 655-9595 In Canada: CESCO Electronique LTEE O Montreal, Canada O (514) 735-5511 In Asia: Pacific Trading & Agency Ltd. Hong Kong TWX 75332 PACIC HX Tel. 5-440071 Circle 482 on inquiry card. New Super Expander Plus ™ pre~boot for Ramex-128 ™ board upgrades any Apple IF 16-sector VisiCalc to look like the Advanced Version. SUPER EXPANDER PLUS keeps all your existing VisiCalc facilities, and adds variable column width, global formatting of numbers, negative numbers in brackets, password protection, new format commands, tabbed fields, the works. It even supports an 80-column card if one is present. If 136K is enough, you can get all these features with just one Ramex-128 board. But SUPER EXPANDER PLUS supports two Ramex-128K cards to give you an incredible 255K VisiCalc File, and dumps the whole model back and forth to floppies in less than 40 seconds. There's simply no other memory- expansion/software combination that even comes close. All the others give you less memory, take longer to load and save (as much as fifteen minutes longer) , and cost more for what you get. You've got to see it to believe it. Quick! Call your dealer. Ramex-128 card, just $499- SUPER EXPANDER PLUS, just $125. OAAEGA MICROWARE, ING 222 SO. RIVERSIDE PLAZA CHICAGO, IL 60606 312-648-4844 Following our long-established Omega MicroWare policy, present Super Expander-40 and -80 owners may upgrade for the price difference only. Phone our office tor details. Apple is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. VisiCalc is a registered trademark of VisiCorp, Inc. Super Expander Plus, Ramex-128, and Omega MicroWare are trademarks of Omega MicroWare, Inc. © 1983 Omega MicroWare, Inc. cle 321 on inquiry card. byte March 19; iiiiiiiMirimMrcinfflj AND SAME-DAY SHIPPING MAKE US COMPETITIVE. Red Baron. 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The Grappler*™ Apple® Graphics Interface • Graphic and text screen dumps • Dual Hi-Res Graphics • Printer selector dip switch • Apple III compatible* Inverse graphics • Emphasized graphics • Double size picture • 90° Rotation • Center graphics • Works with Pascal and CPM® * Optional buffer board available O 4 "7C Grappler + Q | / Jj " Requires software driver Apple is a registered Trademark of Apple, Inc. Customer Benefit Package 1. Free Expert Consultation. 2. Tech- nical Staff. Even your most involved questions get quick, helpful answers from our staff of printer technicians. 3. Free Catalog. Get your inform- ative catalog with printer compari- son chart and print samples today. 4. Warranty. The manufacturer's war- ranty where applicable. 5. Same-Day Shipping. 6. Free MasterCard and Visa. 7. We Stock What We Sell. We make every effort to keep a large stock of our advertised products. 8. APO/FPO Orders Welcome. The Buff erboard™ For Apples and Printers Take your existing printer interface— and buffer it! • Versions for Grappler + , Apple interface, Epson interface, and others • Comes standard with 16K buffer • Expandable to 32K and 64K • Includes interface docking cable TheBufferboard. $175 The Okidata Series Hi-Res or TRS 80 Block Graphics 120/200 CPS *9x9 Matrix • Bi-directional, logic- seeking printing • Lower case descenders • Four print stytes • Optional Hi-Res Graphics Okidata 82 A List $649 Okidata 83A (w/Tractor) .List $995 A f*#%ll Okidata 84 (Parallel). . .List$1395 Ol/dll IDS Microprism 480 Prints like a daisy, priced like a matrix! • Correspondence quality in a single pass • Dual speed 75, 110cps * Proportional spacing • Bi-directional, logic-seeking • Platen Pin or pressure feed • 24 x 9 dot matrix • 10, 12, 16.8 characters per inch • Double width characters IDS Microprism 480 List $799 SCall Other Quality Printers at Red Baron NECSpinwriterRO Serial Parallel 7700 $3055 $2500 Serial 3510 $1895 $1700 Interface Equipment Complete Stock of Options, Cables and Accessories CCS APPLE SERIAL Interface & Cable . .$150 SIGNALMAN MODEM $Call COMPLETE STOCK OF EPSON ACCESSORIES SCall CUSTOM PRINTER CABLES FOR Apple, Atari, IBM, TRS-80 (all models). $Call HAYES MICROMODEM II $300 PRINTER STANDS: Large $ 99 Small $ 25 PRINTER RIBBONS— Most Types . , $Call Here's How To Order; Phone orders are welcome; same-day ship- ment on orders placed before 11:00 a.m. Free use of MasterCard and Visa. COD's accepted. Personal checks require 2 weeks clearance. Manufacturer's warranty in- cluded on all equipment. Prices subject to Call For Free Catalog: (800) 854-8275 CA, AK, HI (714) 779-2779 revision. Red Baron COMPUTER PRODUCTS Circle 324 on inquiry card. 4501 E. Eisenhower Circle, Anaheim, CA 92807 BISON PRODUCTS, INC. HAS CONE WILD & WOOLY WITH LOW PRICES!!! PERIPHERALS Here are some of the products BISON carries for Apple Computers. if you don't see what you want here, give us a caii. Microtek I6K RAM Card for Apple II $65.00 Microsoft Premium Pack 479.50 BISON Add-on Disk Drive 260.00 (100% Apple Compatible) Apple Joystick 49.50 Parallel Printer Card with Cable 71.00 Kensington System Saver 75.00 DC Hayes Micromodem II 270.00 Microtek Apple Dumpling GX 118.00 (also available with buffer) Microtek Magnum 80 . . 249.00 Microsoft Z80 Soffcard with CP/M™ 239.00 Videx Enhancer. ..119.00 Videx Function Strip 59.00 Practical Peripherals 1 /^ Microbuffer II, 16K, Parallel 209.00 Microbuffer II, 32K, Parallel 239.00 Microbuffer II, 16K, Serial 209.00 Microbuffer II, 32K, Serial 259.00 Microbuffer 8K, Serial 125.00 Microbuffer 16K, Parallel 125.00 PRINTERS BISON carries all of the major brands of printers. If you need help choosing the proper printer for your needs, call and talk to one of our support technicians. NEC PC-8023A Fric. & Trac. w/Graph. . . $485.00 Okidata Microline 82A 80 Col. w/Trac 439.00 Okidata Microline 83 A w/Trac, 132 Col 639.00 Okidata Microline 84P, Parallel 925.00 Okidata Microline 84S, 200 cps/S 999.00 Star Micronics Gemini 10 Printer. . . Call For Price Star Micronics Gemini 15 Printer. . Best In Town C. Itoh Prowriter I, Parallel 485.00 C. Itoh Prowriter I, Parallel/Serial 575.00 C. Itoh Prowriter II, Parallel 625.00 C. Itoh Prowriter II, Parallel/Serial 685.00 C. Itoh F-10 Starwriter, Parallel 40 cps. . . 1225.00 C. Itoh F-10 Starwriter, Serial 40 cps 1225.00 C. Itoh F-10 Print master, Par. 55 cps 1495.00 C. 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QUANTITIES LIMITED ON SOME ITEMS — PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE For Further Information Please Circle Reader Service #54 Add 3% for credit card purchases. Send Mail Orders To: P.O. Box 9078-184 • Van Nuys, California 91409 For Questions or Phone Orders Call: (213) 994-2533 Data Collection with a Microcomputer Using a TRS-80 Model I for environmental research saves time and money. Dr. Mahlon G. Kelly Department of Environmental Sciences University of Virginia Charlottesville, VA 22903 A friend of mine who lives on the edge of a small lake spends every day watching the seasons change, study- ing the weather, and observing the effects of the creatures in the lake. My friend is particularly fascinated by the chemical, biological, and physical processes going on in the little pond, and like Thoreau beside Walden the fellow resides in a small cabin and has little contact with outsiders. Much to my advantage as a limnologist (a biologist who studies lakes), my friend has almost infinite patience as an observer and commentator and asks only for a continuous supply of electrical power and reliable maintenance for the various sensors, probes, and transducers that monitor the lake. My friend, as you may have guessed by now, is not a person but an old TRS-80 Model I. My colleagues and I have found this inexpensive computer very useful for scientific research. As a limnologist, I am interested in the conditions that control the rate of growth of the microscopic algae (phytoplankton) that are suspended in lake water. The variables that About the Author Dr. Kelly, an associate professor of environmental science at the University of Virginia, is involved in research into the character of lakes. Photo 1: The tower supports such meteorological sensors as anemometers and radiometers, and the raft supports such sensors in the lake water as oxygen and temperature probes. Signal- conditioning amplifiers are housed in the white box on the raft, and special equipment can be set up on the raft as well. influence their growth include light, physical mixing of the water (which is related to the temperature variation with depth in the water column), and available nutrients such as nitrate and phosphate. The release of oxygen and the uptake of carbon by photosynthesis reveal the algae's rate of growth. By measuring the change of oxygen and inorganic carbon concentrations in the water, we can estimate the rate of photosynthesis. We can then relate that rate to various environmental factors if we have measurements of light, temperature distribution, wind velocity, air temperature, relative humidity, and precipitation. But manually measuring and logging all of these variables is time consuming and produces only infrequent esti- mates of photosynthesis. If we could study daily variation by collecting data at least every half hour and collect that data day after day for periods of weeks, months, and seasons, we could produce a very sophisticated analysis of the factors that regulate the ecological quality of a lake. All of these variables can be measured by probes, sensors, and other transducers whose output can be converted to a voltage. In the past, we recorded the voltages on digital tape with a data logger. Then we fed the tape to a large computer to get actual values for light intensity, temperature, oxygen concentration, and so on, from which it calculated the rate of photosynthesis. The catch is that data loggers are expensive and data processing is tedious. March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc 295 Photo 2: The buoys leading to shore support the wires that send analog signals to the cabin. The wire for transmitting the signals would have been the most expensive item of the whole installation if we had not bought it as military surplus. The TRS-80 is housed in the hut along with other equipment for studying the lake. The hut is heated and air-conditioned because the graduate students operating the equipment argued that the TRS-80 couldn't withstand a wide temperature range. Personally, I think the students are more temperature sensitive than the TRS-80 is. That's where my friend the TRS-80 comes in. Our department has a 16K-byte Model I that includes an interface with an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter, a multiplexer, and a clock. The interface feeds 48 channels of data into the computer's bus and from there into memory. The A/D converter cost about $450 in parts and the TRS-80 about $650, making a total of $1100 for hardware. The least expensive data logger available would have cost more than $3000, and a specially designed data-logging computer to do the same job as the TRS-80 would have cost more than $10,000. Granted, a more expensive computer would have had additional capabilities, but we didn't need them. And we certainly didn't need the additional expense. The Data-Acquisition Problem Figure 1 shows the general data flow we needed for our research. This sort of data flow is common in many science and engineering applications: data is collected from a variety of sensors, recorded, and processed, then the results are displayed and stored. In the past, monitoring data from the field, which is common in meteorological and water-quality work, usually involved a "dumb" data logger. Figure 2 shows such a data flow. In this instance, the data is converted to raw digital values that are stored at some fixed-time interval on magnetic tape. Tapes from the A specially designed data-logging computer to do the same job would have cost more than $10,000. field recorder are then carried to the lab and processed through a tape-to- tape converter that makes standard 7- or 9-track tapes compatible with a mainframe computer. Then we carry these tapes to the computer, where the values are converted from voltages and transferred to hard disk. The data can be examined on a video display using an editor to eliminate obviously bad values. (Bad values are the result of anything from birds perching on anemometers to fishermen anchoring their boats on top of light sensors.) Once corrected, the voltage values are then usually stored on magnetic tape. The voltages are averaged using an appropriate scheme to remove spurious noise and then converted to true values, such as temperature, which are stored as another disk file and saved on tape. Then that file is processed to convert the data into the information needed for the research. In our case, rates of change of oxygen concentration are converted to photosynthetic rates, which are expressed as the rate of release of oxygen by plants in the water. These results are output to tape and printed. This scheme has several dis- advantages. The most obvious drawback is that the operator can't monitor what a dumb logger is doing. And data loggers (even dumb ones) are expensive . Moreover, it takes time and money to transfer tapes from the field to the lab and then to the computer, to pick up output (tapes and printout) from the computer, and so on. And, of course, processing time and disk storage on a mainframe computer are expensive. We needed to make at least five trips to and from a computer center and five program runs on the mainframe for the scheme shown in figure 2. Enter the Microcomputer Figure 3 shows the same data flow mediated by two TRS-80 micro- computers. An A/D converter still processes the voltage signals, but now they go directly to the memory in the microcomputer. The signals are then converted to voltages (in floating- point form), the values are averaged by whatever scheme is appropriate, and the results are recorded on an inexpensive cassette tape. The advantages of this method are clear. The operator can monitor what's happening on a video screen, and the voltages can be converted to preliminary true values. Out-of -range values can also be recognized and eliminated. Several steps usually done by a mainframe computer are now done in real time by the TRS-80 located in the field. After a few days, the tape is removed and taken to 296 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc another TRS-80 in the lab, where the data is transferred to disk. The data is then checked and changed with a text editor (we use Scripsit), and the voltages are converted to real data values. Archival data is stored on a SVi-inch floppy disk, which is much cheaper than a magnetic tape. At this point there are two options for further data analysis. One is to do simple data analysis using the TRS-80 in the lab. For example, if we only need averages of various parameters every six hours, they can be cal- culated, stored on disk, and printed out by the TRS-80. Usually, how- ever, the necessary calculations would take too much time and mem- ory, and the mainframe computer would better suit the task. For- tunately, several communications programs are available for the TRS-80 that enable disk files to be sent over the phone to other computers. Our files are sent to the university's computer for further processing, and results are returned to the TRS-80, where they are stored on disk and printed. By using the communications programs, we eliminated all of the trips to the computer center, cut the mainframe programs down to one, completely eliminated reel-to-reel data conversion, and made the system easier to use. The special hardware and software we needed to accomplish our task are described below. ANALOG INPUT SIGNALS 1 * * • • • 1 I * CONVERSION TO DIGITAL FORMAT ♦ RAW DATA TAPE TAPE STORAGE ♦ FILE OF ENGINEERING VALUES TAPE STORAGE STATISTICAL AND OTHER ANALYSES * FILE OF FINAL VALUES TAPE STORAGE PRINTOUT Figure 1: The data flow used in our research. ANALOG INPUT SIGNALS W i ••• * \ > * "DUMB" DATA LOGGER DIGITAL DATA CARTRIDGE STORAGE CONVERSION TO 9-TRACK ANSI STANDARD TAPE STORAGE The Hardware The A/D unit, designed by Jim Demas of the University of Virginia Chemistry Department, uses an interface from HUH Electronics (a company since acquired by California Computer Systems) to convert signals from the 40-line TRS-80 bus to an S-100 bus. The HUH interface has three cards: a multiplexer, an A/D card, and a Wameco RTC-1 clock board. Once the clock board is programmed by the TRS-80, it controls the multiplexer sampling and data transmission to the TRS-80. The multiplexer board, also designed by a faculty member, uses six Analog Devices chips (AD7507s), each of which controls eight input HARD DISK IN CYBER 172 NOTE: SIGNAL AVERAGING + ■ PROCESSED AT DATA COLLECTION SITE. # = PROCESSED IN THE LAB. * = PROCESSED AT MAINFRAME LOCATION. EDITING CONVERSION TO ENGINEERING VALUES ON DISK TAPE STORAGE STATISTICAL AND OTHER ANALYSES FINAL VALUES ON HARD DISK TAPE STORAGE PRINTOUT Figure 2: A typical scientific data flow using a data logger. March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc 297 ANALOG INPUT SIGNALS CLOCK AND CONTROL CIRCUIT + ♦ I ♦ + I MULTIPLEXER SEQUENTIAL DIGITAL SIGNALS RAM STORAGE (50-SECOND UPDATE) (" AVERAGING VIDEO DISPLAY CONVERSION TO ENGINEERING VALUES CASSETTE TAPE STORAGE TO FLOPPY DISK * EDITING VIDEO DISPLAY * FLOPPY DISK STORAGE j ( PHONE LINK) CYBER 172 DISK FILE NOTE: STATISTICAL AND OTHER ANALYSES + = PROCESSED AT DATA COLLECTION SITE. #= PROCESSED IN THE LAB. * = PROCESSED AT MAINFRAME LOCATION. CYBER 172 DISK FILE j ( PHONE LINK) TRS-80 DISK FILE VIDEO DISPLAY STORAGE Figure 3: A typical scientific data flow using two microcomputers. bytes, initializes and sets up the clock board. The second, which uses 154 bytes, is a driver that receives the inputs and places them in their memory locations. Those locations are then read by the BASIC program and the contents are converted into a millivolt value that is stored as an array variable. We use an x by y matrix for the input variables where x is the number of channels and y is the number of samples taken in the interval between outputs to the tape recorder. Thus, using a 5-minute recording interval and 15 channels, data is stored in a 15 by 6 array (5 channels with 50-second sampling results in 6 inputs per channel). Normally we average the inputs for 5 minutes before recording, then convert the averages of the input voltages to actual variable values (e.g., oxygen concentration in milligrams per liter or temperature in degrees Celsius). The time is also read from memory and recorded as decimal hours. We could process the inputs further by examining, for example, rates of change of the values. That would require only the addition of subroutines to the BASIC program. When the data is recorded to tape it is also placed in memory in an x by 48 matrix; here, x is the number of input channels. This matrix may be examined at any time by the operator, so if records are made every half hour, the previous 24 hours of data can be reviewed on the screen. Other information can be stored at the time of recording for future review by the operator. signals. The input signals go to an ICL 7109, 12-bit A/D converter chip and from there via the HUH converter as parallel input into the TRS-80 bus. The input ranges from — 4 to +4 volts (adjustable with a trimpot) with a resolution and accuracy of more than 1 millivolt. Each of the 48 channels can be examined at an interval of less than 10 ms (milliseconds), although we sample only at 50-second intervals. The sampling interval can be programmed by the TRS-80. Data-Acquisition Software Output from each channel is stored in 2 bytes of high memory and re- freshed at every sampling interval. The sampling is interrupt-driven. Another 2 bytes are used to store output from the clock, which is recorded as ''elapsed time since start." The software is a simple 154-line BASIC program that includes two machine-language programs that are put into a specific high-memory location. The first program, which uses 36 Using the System The operator needs to know little more about the computer than how to turn it on and load the program from tape; the program is self- prompting. First it asks for a header message that will be recorded on tape and will describe the particulars of the experiment. Another prompt asks how many channels are being used, what the sampling interval should be, how often the data should be re- corded and what the averaging period should be, what the start time is, and what variables are being input on 298 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Irtc Lowest Prices on Personal Computers | Apple IH-48K. 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Our solution was to convert each value to a string, concatenate the strings (with the time added on at the end), and record the single resulting string. This procedure makes it possible for one side of a 90-minute cassette to hold enough data for about 10 days. You may find the procedure useful if you want to store a lot of data on tape. Processing the Data Getting the data to the computer and then onto tape is only half the problem. The tape must be read and the data processed further, and in some cases we have to send it to the university's Cyber-173 computer for very detailed and time-consuming analysis. This additional work requires the use of a more sophisticated TRS-80 that has three double-density disk drives, a fast printer (Centronics 102A), 48K bytes of memory, and a modem. This TRS-80 is used as a text editor and teaching device as well as a smart terminal for our large computer. Two programs do all of the work with the field data. The first one reads the tape and makes an image on disk while (at the option of the operator) it sends a copy to the printer. Once the printout has been examined, any errors can be corrected using Scripsit. As a result, editing and modifying the data is very easy. The second program reads the disk image of the data and decomposes each data string into actual values. It also does any further conversion that is necessary. For example, if values were stored as voltages, the program will calculate true values. In the data string, a space is used as a value delimiter, and the string must be COMPLETE SUBSYSTEMS ■ The MD-10, an 11 MB formatted system for $2695. ■ The MD-20, a 22 MB formatted system for $3595. ■ The MD-44, a 44 MB formatted system for $4395. TO BUY ■ Interfaces with any Z-80, CP/M* system as well as 8085/8086 and IBM PC* ■ Software includes SOURCE CODE and enhanced utilities. ■ Simple installation. ■ Networking option; tape back-up option. 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The entire process for 5 days of 15 channels of data takes from one to two hours, depending on how much editing you must do. Because the TRS-80 is not always reliable when it comes to writing and reading from tape, some records are garbage. The second program detects garbage and dubs in interpolated values (we can get away with this because we are collecting more data than we really need). By using one of the commercially available units that improve tape read/write reliability, the garbage could be largely eliminated. The data must still be sent to the university's Cyber-173 computer. This is easily accomplished by using any of the communications programs designed for uploading and down- loading programs from computer bulletin boards, The Source, and so on. We use Lance Micklus's ST80-III. We load the data file into a memory buffer, dial the Cyber's user number, log on, and send the buffer to the CDC at 300 bits per second. The data is then stored on a disk at the Cyber, where we can do whatever analyses we like. Similar Applications We also use a TRS-80 for logging data in an analytical chemistry lab. It's connected to a spectrophotom- eter, an automated titrator, and an autoanalyzer to calculate chemical concentrations and other informa- tion. In fact, this TRS-80 has replaced many of the functions of a $40,000 Need to Measure Your Corporate Communications? Want to define your company's image? Measure competitive strengths? Determine the acceptance of your company publications? Gauge reactions to your annual report? Determine the effectiveness of your corporate advertising? Monitor the impact of important trends and developments on your company's business? Call McGraw-Hill Research Backed by 30 years of research experience covering scores of markets and fields, McGraw-Hill Research professionals design custom projects that can make a big difference in the success of your corporate communications efforts. The Corporate Commu- nications Research Center will meet your research needs promptly, at a reasonable price. Put McGraw-Hill Research to work for you. For a quote or proposal, call Joan Bullen, Director-Corporate Communications Research Center at (212) 997-3517 or Eleanor Nicoletti, Project Director, at (212) 997-3095. Or, write Corpo- rate Communications Research Center, 1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020 Hm If it's a communications problem, we probably pioneered the solution. LSI-11. We had been sending the chemical data over wires to a central LSI that serviced several labs, but using the TRS-80 for the same purpose was actually cheaper than buying and installing the cables to transmit the data. And it was more convenient. Microcomputer As Data Logger We chose the TRS-80 for its low cost and the plethora of software available for it. Having a low-cost field unit is very important to us. Last summer our installation was hit by lightning; traces were actually vaporized on the boards and the TRS-80 was ruined. Even after we replaced it, our total expenditure was much less than the price of one data logger. The software advantages are even more important. Using Scripsit to edit data files gives us flexibility that is not possible with the university's large computer, and ST80-III gives us data-transmission flexibility not available with most systems. I suppose we could have written software to do the same thing for another system, but that would have taken time away from the research itself. Saving Time and Money I think my TRS-80 is a good example of how useful small micro- computers can be to a scientist for operations previously done by much more expensive equipment. The TRS-80 in the chemistry lab pretty well eliminated a much larger minicomputer, and our TRS-80 completely eliminated a data-logging system that had been in use for six years. As a result, our charges from the university's computer center have decreased by about 30 percent during the past year, and I would guess that the hours spent on data processing have been cut in half. Field work that required two technicians is now done by one, and more quickly as well. Data collection, once a nuisance, is now much more fun. Perhaps most important is that we can now spot and correct problems in the field without bringing data tapes back to the lab to be processed. ■ 302 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc The Logical Alternative A 68000 or Z-8000 System With UNIX-Type Operating System Software and a 8 Meg. Winchester Disk Drive For $10,000 Since we ran our January Byte advertisement, we've been deluged with calls requesting information about our Motorola 68000 and Z-8000 super microcomputer systems. As many know, LMC is a builder of extremely reliable and expandable microcomputer systems im- plemented on the multibus (IEEE 796) thereby allowing use of virtually all peripheral devices. What many of our prospective customers dont know (until they write or call for our brochure and pric e list) is that our prices for 16-bit machines may well be the lowest in the industry. This month we present a description of one of our smaller systems — the LMC System 2. As you will see , System 2 is a terrific value — no one else gives you so much power, memory, software and expandability for $10,000, The value and performance built into System 2 are found in all LMC products. LMC System 2: ■ Your choice of Motorola 68000 or Zilog Z-8000 CPU with Monitor Program in ROM. ■ 128 K of RAM. ■ One 8-inch Double Density/Double Sided Floppy Disk Drive. ■ One 5 Meg. Winchester Disk Drive (removable cartridge type). « Two Serial and Four Parallel I/O Ports. ■ Disk Drive Controllers. ■ UNTX-type Operating System Software ■ With the MC68000 System, IDRIS (UNIX compatible by Whitesmiths). ■ With the Z-8000 System, ZENIX (UNIX compatible by Microsoft). ■ The C Programming Language. ■ Case, Power Supply and Chassis with 12 Additional Slots for more RAM, Controllers, etc. ■ Complete, ready to run. Typical of LMC's commitment to inno- vation and value is our development of mega- micro systems — true 32-bit microcomputers that implement hard- ware virtual memory. These machines represent the next generation of micro- computers and they provide super-mini or mainframe performance at micro- computer prices. For example, we've been developing a system built around the new National Semiconductor 16032 which is a 32-bit virtual memory pro- cessor that runs existing CP/M and MP/M software with a remarkable im- provement in performance. Because this advertisement goes to press early in January and because it is a corporate policy of LMC never to claim that a new product has "arrived" or is "available" until we've completely debugged it, fully tested it, and have it available for imme- diate delivery, we cannot announce our 16032 Systems. However, by the time you read this ad, we may well be deliver- ing 16032 systems and would be happy to discuss the next generation of mega-microcomputers with you. The Logical Microcomputer Company 140 South Dearborn, Chicago, Illinois 60603 USA, 312.580.0250, Telex: Lexecomp All of LMC's equipment is protected by a lim- ited one-year warranty. Service contracts are available as is factory service at an hourly rate. In fact, If a customer purchases our special-service feature, we will ship a re- placement system anywhere in the free world within 24 hours of a hardware failure (at our expense). This means that for most customers we can guarantee delivery of a replacement system within one day. Call or write us for detailed information. 249 on inquiry card. BYTE March 1983 "I built this 16-bit computer and saved money. Learned a lot, too." Save now by building the Heathkit H-100 yourself. Save later because your computer investment won't become obsolete for many years to come. Save by building it yourself. You can save hundreds of dollars over assembled prices when you choose the new H-100 16-Bit/8-Brt Computer Kit money you can use to buy the peripherals and software of your choice. H-100 SERIES COMPUTER SPECIFICATIONS: USER MEMORY: 128K-768K bytes MICROPROCESSORS: 16-bit: 8088 8-bit: 8085 DISK STORAGE: Built-in standard 5.25 disk drive, 320K bytes/disk KEYBOARD: Typewriter-style, 108 keys, 13 function keys, 18-key numeric pad GRAPHICS: Always in graphics mode. 640h/225v resolution; up to eight colors are available COMMUNICATIONS: Two RS-232C Serial Interface Ports and one parallel port 128K bytes standard. Optioi DIAGNOSTICS: Memory self-test on power-up AVAILABLE SOFTWARE: Z-DOS (MS-DOS) CP/M-85 Z-BASIC Language Microsoft BASIC Multiplan SuperCalc WordStar MailMerge Data Base Manager Most standard 8-bit CP/M Software The H-100 is easy to build - the step-by-step Heathkit manual shows you how. And every step of the way, you have our pledge "We won't let you fail." Help is as close as your phone, or the nearest Heathkit Electronic Center. And what better way to learn state-of-the-art computing techniques than to build the world's only 16-bit/8-bit computer kit? To run todays higher-speed, higher-per- formance 16-bit software, you need an H-100. It makes a significant difference by processing more information at faster speeds. Dual microprocessors for power and compatibility. The H-100 handles both high-performance 16-bit software and most current Heath/Zenith 8-bit software. Want room to grow? The H-100's standard 128K byte Random Access Memory complement can be expanded to 768K bytes compared to a 64K standard for many desktop computers. And the industry-standard S-100 card slots support memory expansion and additional peripheral devices, increasing future upgradability of the H-100. High-capacity disk storage, too. The H-100's5.25"floppy disk drive can store 320K bytes on a single disk. The computer also supports an optional second 5.25" and external 8" floppy disk drives. And an optional multi- megabyte internal Winchester disk drive will be available in the near future. The H-100 gives me the most for my computer dollar! Critical circuits are pre-assembied, making the H-100 easier and faster to build! Want beautiful high-resolution graphics? You can create extensive charts, drawings, graphs and symbols to meet your needs using the H-100's bit-mapped graphics and its 640 x 225 pixel video display. The H-100 gives you total communications flexibility. Three interface ports let you plug in dot-matrix and letter-quality printers, as well as other peripherals. Compare the H-100's exceptional capabilities with other desktop computers: IBM Heathkit Personal Apple COMPUTER: H-100 Computer III MICROPROCESSORS: 16-bit: 8088 8088 - 8-bit: 8085 - 6502 RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY: Minimum: 128KB 16KB 128KB Maximum: 768KB 576KB 256KB FLOPPY DISK STORAGE Per Diskette: 320KB 320KB 140KB Maximum Internal: 640KB 640KB 140KB 8 Floppy Support: Standard — — EXPANSION SLOTS: Five S 100 Five (three Eight (tour available) available) I/O PORTS: Parallel: 1 Optional - Serial: 2 Optional 1 VIDEO DISPLAY: Line Columns 25x80 25x80 24 x 80 Pixels Colors 640 x 225 640 x 200 560x192 (8 colors) (2 colors) 320 x 200 (4 colors) (16 colors; OPERATING SYSTEMS: CP M-85, CP M-86 Apple SOS Z-OOS (MS-DOS) PC-DOS (MS-DOS) UCSD P-System nformation current as o f 8 31 82. Ext ernal disk storaae .iv;i lable soon Learn from outstanding documentation. One of the most important parts of any computer system is documen- tation and Heathkit documentation is among the in- dustry's best. Our instruction and operating manuals are fully detailed, in the world-famous Heathkit tradition. Learn by doing. Many of our software programs come with a complete set-up and operating manual. More complete than most other software documentation, each manual not only tells you what the program will do - it shows you the easiest way to accomplish each task. We back you all the way. With Heathkit computer prod- ucts, technical assistance and expertise is as close as your telephone -or the nearest Heathkit Electronic Center." Complete technical assistance and service is available at over 60 locations nationwide. Buy from a leader. When you choose a Heathkit com- puter, you get the backing and reliability of the worlds leader in quality electronic kits for over 50 years! You can count on us for quality, service, reliability and value at kit prices that give you more computer for your dollar! See the H-100 in action. Visit your nearby Heathkit Elec- tronic Center, which has the world's first 16-bit 8-bit computer kit, peripherals and software programs on display. See your tele- phone white pages for the nearest store loca- tion. Or mail the cou- pon today for a FREE, full-color Heathkit Always in graphics mode, you rommjtpr rat alnn can control each of the H-100's com P uter catalog. 144,000 screen dots! (Color graphics optional) -. . „ n Circle 119 on inquiry card. CLIP COUPON AND MAIL TODAY TO: Heath Company, Dept. 334-994 Benton Harbor, Ml 49022 Please send my FREE Computer Catalog, with details on the new 16-bit/8-bit H-100 Computer Kit, today! Learn by building. When you build and operate the H-100, you learn more about this sophisticated computer sys- tem and its unique 1 6-bit 8-bit software capabilities. Heathkit COMPUTER SYSTEMS "Quality Throughout" 800-238-3100 O.T. Products Division COMPATIBLE COMPUTER CORP 3330 South Third St, West Salt Lake City, UT 84 1 1 5 ©(801)974-0999 O.T. Systems Division GOLDEN WEST COMPUTERS 60 North 300 West Provo, UT 84601 ©(801) 373-1467 NEW IMPROVED 198 J MODELS The entire Q.T. product line has been redesigned and improved using com- puter controlled manufacturing techniques to insure the highest quality. Many new features have been added to every item. The Q.T. 1983 models are among the best S- 1 00 products available on the market today. They are fully compatible with the latest 16/32 bit cpu's. Call (800) 238-3100 today for the location of your nearest dealer and/or to obtain the 1983 Q.T, catalog. Substantial dealer/OEM discount offered. Stocking dealers with retail showrooms and mail order facilities include: Priority One, Chatsworth, CA © 800-423-5922 Bison Products, Los Angeles, CA © 2 1 3-994-2533 Compatible Computer, New York City © 2 12-221-7900 NOTICE: CP/M is a trademark of Digital Research, Turbodos of Software 2000 and INF0WARE of Compatible Computer Corporation. The Q.T. products and systems above are produced and sold under license by Compatible Computer Corporation and Golden West Computers, Inc. The Q.T. trademark and product designs remain the property of the licensor, Q.T. Computer Systems, Inc. of Hawthorne, Calif. TERMS: Cash prepayment @ 2% discount, COD or net 30 days with prior credit approval. Initial dealer/OEM orders must be COD or prepaid {MC/Visa credit card OK). Purchase orders accepted from D&B rated firms. Shipping and handling charges estimated at $0.50/lb UPS ground and $1 .00/lb UPS Blue Label or airfreight. Minimum $3.00. Utah residents add sales tax Export orders welcomed— telex 426382 ITR Ul. Q.T. DISCOUNT MICRO-SYSTEMS PACKAGES Q.T. MAXI-SYSTEM PACKAGE -Model 800P Q.T. MINI-SYSTEM PACKAGE- Model 500P List $7,995.00- Save $1,600.00 — QT 8" Mainframe with 8 slot Motherboard — Televideo 925 Full Featured CRT —Choice of printer: C. Itoh F-10 daisy wheel or Oki data M84P high speed dot matrix (200 cps.) The Q.T. Maxi-System is an industry standard S-100 expandable microcomputer which is ideal for general business computing, word processing and data base management applications. CP/M operating system is standard, MP/M or Turbodos optional. Unique Infoware** utilities simplify operation and user training. • Electronics on Two Cards • 64K RAM Standard • Universal Disk Controller • 2 Megabytes on line • 4MZ Z80A CPU • Parallel Printer Port • 10-40 MB Hard Disk Option • Expandable to 256K RAM • Filtered Fan • Two A.C. Outlets • Key Lock Switch • Two Serial Ports Package Price Includes Cables, Documentation & Utility Programs. Model 800 alone $4,995 $6,395.00 $3,995.00 List $4,995.00-Save $1,000.00 -Q.T. 5V 4 " MINI-FRAME w/6 slot MB -Televideo 910 Green CRT —Dot Matrix printer (M82A) • CP/M standard. Turbodos optional. • Reliable Single Card Electronics • Z80 CPU/Universal DMA controller • Dual Double Sided/Density Drives • Memory: 64K RAM & 320K Disk Drive • Cables, manuals, Infoware^ Utilities Model 500 alone $3,495.00 Q.T. INDUSTRY STANDARD S-100 MAINFRAMES Q.T, MAXI- FRAME* Q.T. MICRO-FRAME -Series 600 Desk Top-Plain Front Panel • 6 to 22 slot Motherboard • Full I/O Cutout Array • Fused EMI/RFI Filter • Heavy Duty Power Supply ( + 8V@16A±16V@3A) QTC-MF + 1 No MB $499 QTC-MF + 6 6 slot MB $599 QTC-MF + 8 8 slot MB ....$649 QTC-MF + 12 12 slot MB ...$699 QTC-MF + 18 18 slot MB ...$799 QTC-MF + 22 22 slot MB ...$899 Q.T. PRO-FRAME® -Series 700 Rack Mount— Constant Voltage QTC-RM + 12 12 slot MB ...$799 QTC-RM + 18 18 slot MB... $899 QTC-RM + 22 22 slot MB ... $999 Q.T. MINI-FRAME -Series 500 Desk Top— Dual Mini Drives • Holds two 5 1 /4" Drives • Full Cutout Array •6, 8, or 12 slot MB. • Fused EMI/RFI Filter • Hard Disk Power Supply ( + 8V@16A,±16V@3A, ±12V@5A, + 5V@5A) QTC-MF + MD (No MB) ..$699 QTC-MF + MD6 6 slot MB .$799 QTC-MF + MD8 8 slot MB .$849 QTC-MF + MD12 12 slot MB $899 Q.T. MAXI- FRAME" -Series 800 Desk Top for Dual 8" Drives • 6, 8, 12 slot Motherboard • Universal Drive mounts • Key lock Power Switch • Heavy Duty Power supply ( + 8V@16A,±16V@3A, + 5V@5A, -5V@1A, + 24V@5A) QTC-MF + DD1 No MB $799 QTC-MF + DD6 w/6 s. MB ..$899 QTC-MF + DD8 w/8 s. MB ..$949 QTC-MF + DD12 w/12 s. MB .$999 Standard features & Options: All QT mainframes are built on a strong steel chassis with sturdy heavy gauge aluminum covers. Heavy duty power supplies have individually fused outputs and are shielded by an EMI/RFI filter & line surge protector. Standard I/O cutouts include provision for 16 DB 25's, 1 DC 37, 2 DA 15's, Centronics parallel, 1 34 pin and 250 pin IDC ribbon cable connectors. Filtered positive pressure cooling fan. Twin AC outlets provide convenient connection for and control over printer and terminal. Standard colors are charcoal/light grey to match Televideo terminals. Optional colors include brown/tan and federal spec, ivory at extra charge. Constant voltage power available on most models— add $100.00. EIA rack mount rails available on some units— add $95.00. Complete OEM customization available on orders of 10 or more units. Contact factory for details and pricing. Q.T. DISK DRIVE CABINETS AND SUBSYSTEMS Q.T.'s All in One® Universal Disk Drive Cabinet • Expandable • Accepts all 8 drives QT's unique new disk drive cabinet has been designed to accept virtually any 8" drive on the market today from Tandon Thinlines to 40 megabyte Quantums. Features include interchangeable face plates (Qume, Shugart, Tandon, etc.) and "electronics in a drawer" construction to simplify installation and maintenance. Heavy duty power supply will carry any combination of up to four Thinline, two standard, or one hard disk drive with floppy backup. + 5V@5A,-5V@1A, + 24V@5A. QTC-DDC8 8V-XX w/one faceplate $399.00 Replacement Faceplates (Specify type & number of drives) $25.00 Tandon 4-drive power cable $15.00 Data Cables available $20-50.00 DUAL 8" HORIZONTAL DRIVE CABINET SINGLE 8" VERTICAL CABINET Dimensions: 5"H 17"W 20"D Size: 11"H11"W18"D Designed to provide basic disk storage Perfect add-on disk drive for any capacity for S-100 and other computers, system. Accepts most brands. Low profile permits table top stacking. QTC-DDC8V $299 QTC-DDC + 88H $349 Q.T. "ALL IN ONE" EXPANDABLE DISK DRIVE SUBSYSTEM SPECIALS QTC-DDS + with two single sided Siemens Drive (0.5MB) $695 QTC-DDS + 1 with one double sided Mitsubishi Drive (1MB) $895 QTC-DDS + 2 with two DSDD Mitsubishi Drives (2MB) $1 ,495 Circle 365 on inquiry card. Programming Quickies Add Dimensions to Your BASIC Timothy G. Corrigan 4232 North Mulligan Chicago, IL 60634 If you have an application that requires more dimen- sions than your BASIC supports, or if you are an assembly-language wizard with a multidimension ap- plication, then have no fear. There is an easy solution to your problem. Listing 1 contains a program that uses an array with one dimension as if it had two dimensions. Line 130 defines the function used to calculate the single index value using two variables. Lines 140 and 150 define the maximum values for the two dimensions. The rest of the program builds a simple multiplication table. To alter the size of this two-dimensional array, just change the XM and YM values. You will also have to change the number of elements in the A array. Listing 2 contains a program that uses an array with one dimension as if it had three dimensions. The pro- grams in listings 1 and 2 are very similar. The difference in listing 2 occurs in line 130, which determines the func- tion that calculates the index value. To change the func- tion from two dimensions to three, a set of parentheses is placed around the function used for two dimensions. This value is then multiplied by the maximum value for the third dimension, and the third-dimension variable is added. The procedure can be repeated to give you an unlimited number of dimensions in your arrays. For ex- ample, the function for an array with four dimensions is I = ((X*YM + Y)*ZM + Z)*TM + T This addressing scheme will also allow you to create and randomly process disk arrays. Instead of using the calculated index as an array index, it may be used as the record number when reading or writing to a disk file. Listing 3 contains an assembly-language routine that will calculate the index value for any multidimensional array. The routine is written in IBM 360/370 assembler code. (The IBM 370 has 16 general-purpose registers. The registers all appear in the listing as "Rn".) Register 2 points to a series of 2-byte data items that define the ar- ray. Register 3 points to another series of 2-byte data areas that specify the values of the variables (i.e., the X, Y, and Z values from the BASIC programs) that will be used to calculate the index value. Register 4 is used as an index register. The rest of the program is explained in the B ASIC-like comments. ■ JAY WEINBERG: LIVING PROOF YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS COUNT. These days, Jay Weinberg's most difficult battles take place on the tennis court. Five years ago, he had a different kind of fight on his hands: against one of the toughest forms of cancer. Cancer research and treatment have made Jay's kind of recovery possible for almost 2 million people. Which means that your donations have helped buy Jay Weinberg a very beautiful gift: his life. * CANCER CAN BE BEAT. Gino^Sodrty % March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc 307 Programming Quickies. Listing 1: This simple BASIC program builds a multiplication table using an array with only one dimension. A PRINT statement can be added at line 195 to print the values of I, X, and Y. 100 REM 110 REM ACCESS SINGLE DI1 120 REM 130 DEF I=X*YM+Y s : REM 140 XM = 9 : ! REM 150 YK=4 i : REM 160 DIM A(49) : : REM 170 FOR X=0 TO m :REM 180 FOR Y=0 TO YM :REM 190 A(I)=X*Y : REM 200 NEXT Y : REM 210 NEXT X : REM 2 20 END t REM 1ENSION ARRAY WITH TWO INDICES DEFINE INDEX CALCULATION FUNCTION X DIM HAS 10 ELEMENTS 0-9 Y DIM HAS 5 ELEMENTS 0-5 ARRAY HAS 10*5 ELEMENTS 0-49 INIT X LOOP INIT Y LOOP BUILD A MULTIPLICATION TABLE LOOP FOR ALL Y VALUES LOOP FOR ALL X VALUES END OF PROGRAM Listing 2: A BASIC program that builds a three-dimensional table for the function X * Y + Z using an array with only one dimen- sion. A PRINT statement can be added at line 215 to print the values of I, X, Y, and Z. APPAY WITH THREE INDICES DEFINE INDEX CALCULATION FUNCTION X DIM HAS 8 ELEMENTS 0-7 Y DIM HAS 10 ELEMENTS 0-9 Z DIM HAS 10 ELEMENTS 0-9 ARRAY HAS 8*10*10 ELEMENTS 0-799 INIT X LOOP INIT Y LOOP INIT Z LOOP BUILD A TABLE FOR X*Y+Z FUNCTION LOOP FOR ALL Z VALUES LOOP FOR ALL Y VALUES LOOP FOR ALL X VALUES END OF PROGRAM 100 REM 110 REM ACCESS SINGLE DIMENSION 1 120 REM 130 DEF I=(X*YM+Y) *ZM+Z : REM I 140 XM=7 REM J 150 YM=9 REM * 160 ZM=9 REM : 170 DIM A(799) :REM i 180 FOR X=0 TO XM : REM 190 FOR Y=C TO YM t REM 2 00 FOR Z=0 TO ZM : REM 210 A(I)=X*Y+Z : REM 220 NEXT Z :REM 1 230 NEXT Y :REM ] 240 NEXT X :REM ] 250 END i REM ] Need More Serial Ports ? *>, .*-v> -smjuw *8 WM Xr Add a BTA smart multiport controller to your C.P.U. # The MODEL 524 expands a single RS232 port to four individual ports with port selection and baud rate controlled by user software. ~X~ Buffered inputs permit simultaneous operation in- creasing data exchange rate. "H" 62K spooler model also available. Price $249.00 Bay Technical Associates P. O. Box 387, Bay St. Louis, MS. 39520 601 -467-8231 308 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc Circle 47 on inquiry card. Listing 3: This IBM System 360/370 assembly-language, general-purpose program performs the same array index calculation used in the two BASIC programs, and it can be used with any size array. The routine requires one input area that describes the size of the ar- ray (the array control information) and another input area that indicates which element you wish to address (the requesting values), The output of this routine is the index or byte displacement of the element you have asked for. This value should be added to the beginning address of the array. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 0000 4862 0002 0004 8960 0001 0008 1B44 000A 1B55 OOOC 4814 3000 0010 1A15 0012 4140 4002 0016 1964 0018 47S0 F026 001C 4C14 2004 0020 1851 0022 47F0 FOOC 0026 4C12 0000 002A 07FE INPUT. . . R2 = POINTER TO FOLLOWING ARRAY CONTROL INFO 2 BYTE ELEMENT LENGTH 2 BYTE # ARRAY DIMENSIONS 2 BYTE MAX VALUE FOR DIMENSION 1 2 BYTE MAX VALUE FOR DIMENSION 2 * * * * 2 BYTE MAX VALUE FOR DIMENSION N R3 = POINTER TO FOLLOWING PARM LIST 2 BYTE REQUESTING VALUE FOR DIMENSION 1 2 BYTE REQUESTING VALUE FOP DIMENSION 2 * * * 2 BYTE REQUESTING VALUE FOR DIMENSION N OUTPUT, * PI m INDEX VALUE INTO A3 *RAY • LH K6,2(R2) R6 = # DIMENSIONS SLL R6, 1 R6 = R6 * 2 SR R4 , R4 R4 = SR R5,P5 R5 ■ ARRLOOP LH Rl, 0(R4,R3) Rl = VALUE FROM PARM LIST AR Rl, R5 Rl = Rl + R5 LA R4 , 2 ( , R4 ) R4 = R4 + 2 CR R6,R4 IF R6 = R4 THEN BE ARRDONE GOTO ARRDONE, ELSE MH R1,4(R4,R2) Rl ■ Rl * MAX FOR DIM N+l LR R5, Rl R5 = Rl B ARRLOOP GOTO ARRLOOP APRDONE MH Rl , 0(R2) RJ = Rl * ELEMENT LENGTH EP R14 RETURN Computer Solutions We sell Semi Disk for S-100 IBM Personal Computer TRS-80 Model 2 Computing has entered a new era: The SemiDisk era! No longer are you tied down by the speed of floppies or Winchesters. Your computer can operate many times faster with a SemiDisk. And with our self installing software it couldn't be easier. Just plug in and hold on! No kidding! Special pricing: $1595 for 51 2K Byte and $2495 for 1 meg Byte. Specifications: For information contact: TYPE: Semiconductor Disk Emulator Computer Solutions CAPACITY: 512k or 1Mb Robert Pinkham POWER REQUIREMENTS: 0.6A (512k) 0.9A (1Mb) P.O. Box 931 BATTERY BACKUP: 10-12V Unreg. (optional) Hillsboro, OR 97123 (503)640-5665 Dealers Wanted Circle 108 on inquiry card. March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc 309 Build This Memory, Part 1 How to construct a low-cost memory board with dynamic devices. Cameron Spitzer 3369 Vanderbilt Way Santa Clara, CA 95051 Many personal computer experi- menters want a lot of inexpensive memory to expand their computers. I'll explain how I built a 64K-byte memory card for my S-100 machine for less than $200, using the 4116 memory device. I'll also explain how the board works. This inexpensive circuit has been reliable for me and, if you build it carefully, will satisfy your memory needs for years. I limited the parts list to items I could buy from mail-order "hobby" dealers. The circuit was designed for easy expansion later on, as your needs grow. It will take few changes to switch to 4164s, if you wish. Plenty of room is left on the card (see photo la and b) for adding simple ac- cessories like write protection, over- laid pages, interrupt on a write or ad- dress violation, or whatever you like. The integrated circuits (ICs) most often used in S-100 memory systems are 2114L, 4K by 1-bit MOS (metal- oxide semiconductor) static devices, but the best-selling ICs are 4116 16K by 1-bit dynamic devices. Both are made by the same process, using n-channel metal-oxide silicon tran- sistors, but each takes a different circuit-design strategy (table 1 con- trasts the two types of circuits). The static version costs about five times as much per bit of storage as the dynamic and will occupy twice the space in your system. On the other hand, statics require far simpler sup- port circuitry. The circuit was designed for easy expansion later, as your needs grow. I chose the S-100 bus for my machine because it's the most widely supported modular computer. Every computer accessory you can name is probably available for the S-100. The bus first appeared in early 1975, and the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) has established it as a standard. For many years there were no standard signal definitions, pin numbers, or timing relationships, so there are several mutually incom- patible variations of the bus. I'll describe two: the IEEE-696 specifica- tion and the simplified Z80 version. For years S-100 owners have had to examine each product for compatibil- ity with their own bus versions, and I've approached the problem by showing jumper-selectable interface circuits for both versions. S-100 Signals First I'll describe the Z80 version of the S-100 bus, by giving a description of the signal on each pin used by my memory card. The status, or cycle-re- quest, bus consists of four lines that request bus cycles: sMEMR, MWRT, sIN, and sOUT. Figure 1 shows how the Z80 processor board in my system generates these. The other lines are mostly power and buffered Z80 signals. A H-8-volt (V) power supply is used to power the TTL (transistor- transistor logic) devices. A +16-V power supply powers the dynamic memory devices. The Z80 also re- quires a — 16- V power supply. (The supplies are regulated on the card, so 310 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc Photos la and lb: The wire-wrapped prototype memory board. Photo la shows the general layout used to minimize wire lengths. At left are the power supply and the bus terminations. Photo lb is the back of the board. S-100 lines are blue, and the power-supply lines are solid AWG 18 copper. To avoid loops, all grounds are connected at the S-100 ground pin only. these voltages can be slightly higher.) Sixteen address lines specify an address, which must be valid when a cycle is requested. The card places fetched data on eight DIN (data- input) lines and receives data to be written over eight DOUT (data- output) lines. (You may use the same eight wires for these two functions, if your other cards allow it.) The signal on line sMEMR rises when the address is stable and the bus wants data from memory. It falls when the bus has sampled the data. When MWRT rises and when ad- dress and data are stable, the memory should store data. It falls at least 200 nanoseconds (ns) later. The line pRDY is an input to the processor that any card may pull low. The signal on line pRDY indicates to the processor to slow down. The memory card pulls pRDY low when- ever the memory card may not be ready for the processor to proceed. In normal operation, the memory doesn't make the processor wait, but if cycle requests are piling up, pRDY can prevent the (disastrous) loss of a cycle. Those are all the signals I really need, but two others will improve the performance of the memory in a sys- tem. Ml indicates there will be an idle period of at least 400 ns after the cur- rent cycle is done. The memory board performs an internal cycle during that period. PHANTOM, when low, turns off the buffer that drives DIN. It 2114 (1K by 4-bit) static 4116 (16K by 1-bit) dynamic 128 32 $64 $12 5 to 10 20 to 30 $350 (two cards) $180 (do-it-yourself) 50 W 10 W very easy difficult Number of devices for 64K bytes Price of 16K bytes (memory devices only) Number of support devices required for S-100 interface Cost of 64K-byte S-100 board Power required for 64 K bytes Ease of interface design Table 1: A comparison of the most common static and dynamic memories. + 5V : ik prdyC^^ (-5V :ik holdO-o- 1 BUSRQ BUSAK 74S00 H> {^ -O SMEMR -Omwrt -t> SINP -O SOUT 4> -OpHLDA Figure 1: Developing S-100 bus signab from a Z80 microprocessor. March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc 311 60 Micro-Priced M PC Programs. We've got the widest selection of IBM PC software, at the lowest possible everyday prices. Micro-Pricing™ guarantees it. Plus, you'll get top notch, toll free, tech support to boot. IBM PC Micro- Software Price T Ashton Tate® dBASE II $479 Byrom Software BSTAM 179 BSTMS 179 Condor® Computer Condor 20-1 229 Condor 20-11 495 Condor 20-111 795 Condor 20-R ..... 249 Condor 20-Q 139 Digital Research Concurrent CP/M86 309 Level2Cobol86. 1,299 Pascal MT + 86 . . . 499 SPP 86 189 SID 86 129 Eagle Software Money Decisions . . 179 Tax Decisions .... 279 Information Unlimited Software® EasyWriter II . . . . $289 Easy Speller 139 Easy Filer 329 Innovative Software Applications® SP/LAW 99 Innovative Software Inc.® TIM III 399 International Software Marketing® MatheMagic 85 Lexis oft Spellbinder $279 Mark of the Unicorn Final Word 250 PC-InterComm 89 Metasoft Benchmark (Word Processor) 409 Benchmark (Maillist) 219 Microsoft® MultiPlan 239 Flight Simulator 41 64K RAMCard Board 289 128K RAMCard Board $429 192K RAMCard Board 609 256K RAMCard Board 699 64K RAMChips ... 139 Microstuf® Crosstalk 139 Transporter 219 Northwest Analytical® StatPak 399 Organic Software Datebook 329 Milestone 329 Testwriter HI 109 Sorcim® SuperCalc 199 SuperWriter 289 SpellGuard 239 SuperCalc Demo ... 75 SpellGuard Demo . . 55 VisiCorp® VisiCalc 199 Desktop Plan 249 VisiDex 199 VisiTrend 249 VisiFile 249 VisiSchedule 249 VisiTrend/Plot .... 249 Business Forecasting Models 89 Plus we have a full line of products from American Training International, MicroPro, and many other manufacturers. AND COUNTING We're adding the best of the PC programs all the time. If you don't see what you want, call us toll free. CORPORATION OF AMERICA 1-617-963-7220 • 1-800-343-0852 CO-RI Bldg. , Rt. 28, Avon, MA 02322 Telex No. 947802 Mon.-Fri., 8:00 A.M. -8:00 P.M. EST Sat. 10:00 A.M.-4:00 P.M. EST To order simply call Standard Software direct at 1-800-343-0852. In Massachusetts call 1-617-963-7220. Or mail to the address above. Payment: Orders may be prepaid bv VISA, MasterCard, American Express, check or money order. Orders prepaid by check or money orders may deduct 3^ from the price of software only. C.O.D. orders please add $1.50. Massachusetts residents must add 5% sales tax. Postage, handling and shipping charges will be added to orders as they apply. See below. Shipping is by UPS on all orders, unless specified. Emergency overnight shipping is available. Purchase orders are accepted from qualifying companies and institutions. All items subject to availability and price change without notice. allows you to map other devices inside an enabled 8K-byte block of memory. Usually these other devices are ROM (read-only memory), an d they are re - quired to pull down PHANTOM while they drive the DIN lines. Those are all the signals necessary to operate a high-performance (2-mil- lion-bytes-per-second) memory on the S-100 bus, Z80 version. The 8080 version of the bus, which is described in the IEEE-696 specifica- tion (see reference 4), is more com- plex. The lines sMEMR and MWRT contain nonsense most of the time because the 8080 does not syn- chronize its status lines with its bus cycle requests. The original S-100 machine (the MITS Altair) didn't pro- vide any correction of this nonlatched status on its processor board, and the processor instead produced a pulse (pSYNC and $1) to operate a latch on each of the other boards. Since no new machines are being built using the Intel 8080 microprocessor, I've shown the status latch as an option for users of the older equipment. This latch is required to meet the IEEE specification. Three extra signals, pSTVAL (also called *1), pSYNC, and pDBIN, are necessary. When pSTVAL goes low, status may be valid, and when pSYNC is high, pSTVAL is meaningful. The logical AND function is used to combine these two signals. Because sMEMR can't be used to gate data onto DIN, pDBIN is used instead. The line pDBIN is also active when the pro- cessor reads an I/O (input/ output) port. Sometimes, analogous lines are used to synchronize a write (pWR or sWO), but they are redundant with MWRT. To complete the introduction, I'll describe some of the things that may happen on the bus and that a memory must ignore. To achieve synchronization, many peripherals hold up the processor until they have data. These devices may hold pRDY low for a long time, while a disk rotates, or a printer prints, or a glacier approaches the sea. While pRDY is low, the bus is idle, but at the same time, memory needs the bus signals in order to re- tain data. The card doesn't depend on 312 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc Circle 473 on Inquiry card. ',, « ■■ »"'^>«fcSF > » ;' IV ^£^ "***&. End S100 Bus Single Board Comiuter aid Memory Confusion The S100 bus has come a long way. The old standards, 64, 8 or even 2K of memory, and separate boards for I/O, processing, floppy control and a host of other functions, are obsolete. If you use S100 boards, that's great news. And bad news. The great news is you can buy, off the shelf, incredibly sophisticated S100 single board computers and memories. Now the bad news. With different prices and features on dozens of available boards and the fact that some boards are still more sophisticated than others, it's getting tough to decide what boards to buy for particular applications. Intercontinental Micro Systems can help. Call or write today and we'll send you information defining the state of the art in S100 bus memories and SBCs. We'll explain DMA, memory management, vectored priority inter- rupt inputs, RAM disk, parity error detection, window deselection and a host of other newly available features. There is a catch. When you call or write, we'll tell you about our super-sophisticated CPZ-48000 single board computer, our 256KMB-100 bank selectable or linear memory and a complete line of personality boards that allow you to easily interface with anything from floppies to winnies, including printers and modems. Call or write today and find out how Intercontinental Micro Systems can solve your S100 bus SBC and memory problems. We think once you know state-of-the-art, you'll want Intercontinental Micro. Circle 222 on inquiry card. 1733 South Douglass Road, Suite E Anaheim, California 92806 (714)978-9758 Telex: 678401-TAB-IRIN bus activity for refreshing data, and I've held pRDY (also called WAIT) low for 72 hours with no data loss. Other peripherals work so fast they have to take control of the bus and use the memory themselves via DMA (direct memory access). In the Z80 version of the bus, there may be spikes (brief pulses) on the active- high signals MWRT and sMEMR when a transfer of control takes place. The memory must, therefore, ignore pulses of less than 100-ns dura- tion on these lines. Extra sMEMR sig- nals are all right, but an extra MWRT is a disaster. I've filtered MWRT to reject such pulses. Finally, many older machines use hardware front panels, on which the operator reads and writes with push buttons. To read memory at human speed, the output data must stay valid as long as sMEMR stays high. I've used an output latch that holds data until the next cycle. Some designs I've seen do not latch the data indefinitely, and they may not work with a bus controller as slow as a push button. Now that I've sketched the problem of using the S-100 bus, I'll summarize the requirements of the 4116 dynamic memory device and show how to build and use the card. 4116 Makes Demands To understand how the board works, you must first know what the bus provides and what the 4116 re- quires. I'll only abstract the 4116 specification sheet, so you should send for one if you want all the details (see table 2). For $48 you can fill this card with 4116s and your directly addressable Z80 memory space with thirty-two 16-pin DIPs (dual-inline packages). Each stores 16,384 bits as charges in a grid of 0.03-picofarad (pF) capacitors. Because the charges leak away, the cells must be refreshed (read into a latch and rewritten) at least 500 times per second. Any memory-access cycle refreshes 128 bits, so that they will last for another 2 milliseconds (ms). But that complication aside, the in- puts are practically TTL-compatible, and the DC (direct current) power drawn is very small. Current is drawn Vendor Vendor's number for 4116 Advanced Micro Devices 901 Thomson Place Sunnyvale, CA 94086 (408) 732-2400 Am9016E Hitachi America Ltd. 707 West Algonquin Rd. Arlington Heights, I L 60005 (312)593-7660 HM4716A Intel Corporation 3065 Bowers Ave. Santa Clara, CA 95051 (408)734-8102 2116 ITT Semiconductors 470 Broadway Lawrence, MA 01841 (617)688-1881 ITT 4116 Mostek Corporation 1215 West Crosby Rd, Carrollton, TX 75006 (214)323-6000 MK4116 NEC Electronics U.S.A. Inc Microcomputer Division One Natick Executive Park Natick, MA 01760 (617)655-8833 . ^PD416 Texas Instruments Semiconductor Group POB 225012 Mail Stop 308 Dallas, TX 75265 (214)238-6611 TMS4116 Toshiba America 2151 Michelson Dr. Suite 190 Irvine, CA 92715 (714)955-1155 TMM416 Zilog Inc. 315 Dell Ave. Campbell, CA 95008 (408) 370-8000 Z-6116 Table 2: Vendors that can supply specification sheets for 4116-type memories. If you send a self-addressed 9- by 12-inch envelope with 50 cents in stamps, you will usually receive a data sheet by return mail by 4116s in RF (radio-frequency) pulses, with a small DC bias added. The memory circuits can perform six kinds of cycles, but I use just the simplest three: read, write, and refresh-only. You could think of the general memory cycle as a string of five clock periods, as shown in figure 2a and b. The common 4116 with an access time of 200 ns would have periods of 67 ns. A memory-acce ss cy cle begins with the falling edge of RAS (Row Address Strobe), which makes the device sam- ple 7 bits of an address. This portion of the address controls which row of memory cells inside the device will be refreshed. As soon as the second 7-bit addres s val ue on the address pins is valid, CAS (Column Address Strobe) may go low. CAS's falling edge makes the 4116 sample its address, write- enable, and data-input pins. The other inputs must remain stable until the beginning of the third clock period. WR (write) can alter the data any time CAS is low. If CAS stays high (inactive), a RAS-only refresh occurs; the row of bits is rewritten, so they are recharged for another 2 ms. RAS must be low long enough for the refresh to work, an interval that coincides with the ICs' advertised access time (200 ns). After the third clock period, output data is ready, and you may let RAS and CAS rise. The output data be- comes invalid when CAS rises. After RAS rises, the 4116 must be left alone for two more clock periods. The whole cycle takes 375 ns. You may stretch any of the clock periods out to 5 microseconds (fis) or so, but each row must be refreshed every 2 ms. Figure 2b shows a cycle in time, drawn to scale. The 4116s require little DC (the whole card takes half an amp at + 12 V, running full tilt with a 4-MHz Z80), but they "drink" RF energy. The supply current is drawn in a burst after each strobe edge (when RAS or CAS changes). Capacitors must be mounted near each memory device for quick action. The + 12-V supply operates the circuitry of the 4116 and must be less than 10 percent noise. The — 5-V supply keeps inter- nal diodes cut off. A word of warn- ing: it must be more reliable than the other supplies. The presence of a +12 voltage without a —5 voltage will damage the memory with the very next strobe. The +5-V supply is used only by the memory to generate a logic 1 and thus makes far less noise. All the signal inputs of a single 4116 may be driven by LS (low- power Schottky) TTL levels. Unfortu- 314 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc IBM memory at realistic prices: 25fiKrfiT $ 34d 512K WITH AN RS-232C INTERFACE $529 WITH SUPERCALC $ 579 $749 WITH SUPERCALC Both of these fully-populated memory boards include parity checking and a standard RS-232C interface. They are compatible with all IBM software. You can expect these boards to meet the highest standards of design and manufacturing quality available — at any price. We are proud to guarantee them fully for a period of two years. IPUTER PRODUCTS 31245 LA BAYA DRIVE WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA 91362 To order or for information call In New\brk: (212)509-1923 In Lds Angeles: (213)706-0333 In Dallas: (214)744-4251 By Modem: (213)991-1604 We accept VISA and MasterCard on all orders; COD orders, up to $300. Shipping charges: $3 for all prepaid orders, actual shipping charges for non-prepaids; $3 for COD orders under 25lbs. {$6 for over) plus a $4 surcharge; add 15% for foreign, FP0 and AP0 orders. Calif, add 6% sales tax, L.A. County add 6V2%. Circle 15 on Inquiry card. BYTE March 1983 315 (2a) ras ~^~ "X T RAS V "X ADDRESS / ROW (7 LINES) X ADDRESS xxxxx COLUMN ADDRESS yxyyyyyxyyyxyxxxxxY) «™ SXXXXXXK xxxxxxxxxxxx. MUST NOT CHANGE o xxxyyy y xx^ ™ ^y xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxy IMAGINARY RAM CLOCKS fl *2 *3 4>4 4>s (2b) RAS \ MORE THAN 200 ns )r -120ns- 25ns 10ns ^. ^^ -55ns - ADDRESS \" (7 LINES) ^/ ^qwXXXX co L u MN xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> — xxxxxxx /// VALID Wfc XXVf- DATA OUT / /Y 0/50ns 200 ns ACCESS TIME - Figures 2a and 2b: Timing relationships of the 4116-type dynamic memory. Figure 2a shows how the cycle time of the memory can be considered as five imaginary periods. In this figure, t RAS is the advertised access time. Figure 2b is a read cycle drawn to scale. Valid data may terminate from ns to 50 ns after the trailing edge of WRITE. nately, when you tie 32 MOS inputs together in a grid, it works like a long piece of cable. When a fast pulse like RAS or CAS hits the open end of a cable, it bounces back, upside down. Since a — 3-V pulse may destroy the data in a 4116 and the bouncing reflections wreck the timing, any line to eight or more MOS inputs must be terminated to absorb falling edges. Clamping diodes and pullup resistors are used. Series resistors at the source work by slowing the fall time of the pulses. For more about transmission- line effects, see the references. Now you see how these popular de- vices got their reputation for interface complexity: they deserve it! Support Circuitry Now that the 4116s and the bus are less mysterious, you can follow the block diagram (figure 3) and the sche- matic diagram (figure 4) to under- stand how the board works. The functions of the support devices are given in table 3. The power supplies that regulate the voltages applied to the TTL and the memories deserve special atten- tion. Diodes ensure that the last sup- ply to quit after power is removed will be — 5 V. They also protect the memories if the — 16-V supply fails. Three separate grids of heavy wire (one for each supply) and thirty-two 316 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc ... <^#0C> /W*favtM£> ,.:JF*4 Y •TALK n 2 A13 _ 2 RFSH- BANK SELECT COLUMN BUFFER o ROW BUFFER RFSH COUNT ADDRESS BUFFER REGISTERS CAS- MEMORY S CYCLE Q REQUEST R 3D s REFRESH REQUEST TIME OUT 9 M s TIMER CLR PO ANY REQ CYCLE GENERATOR START CK1 CK2 CK3 CK4 BANK i i * 1 CONTROL LOGIC RFSH-*- ^|bank ♦PULLUP RESISTOR ON EACH LINE V 7 OR 8 32 4116-TYPE MEMORY ICs ADDRESS Cj RASO RAS1 RAS2 RAS3 CAS ►pRDY WRITE BUFFER READ BUFFER am ii DOUT c_ * TALK DIN Figure 3: A block diagram of the 64K~byte dynamic memory board. 0.1-microfarad (jiF) ceramic capaci- tors prevent the memories from in- jecting more than a volt of noise onto the supplies. Such noise would keep the sense amplifiers in the memory devices from working reliably. Inputs from the bus are translated into refresh-cycle requests by the block labeled Bus Logic in figure 3 (see figure 4, page 320, for the specific TTL involved) and into TALK, the signal that enables the output buffer (labeled Read Buffer in figure 3, IC24 in figure 4, page 323). Using the top three ad- dress bits, IC33 (see figure 4, page 321), a multiplexer selects one of the eight jumpers at Jl to see if the 8K-byte block addressed is enabled and gener- ates the signal MADDR. For IEEE-696 versions of the board, status of the bus is latched (see figure 4, page 320) to ward off extra cycles and MWRT is filtered to reject noise. The resulting status signals (Z80MEMR and 318 March 1983 © BYTE Publications lnc Now our $29.95 complete Pascal for CP/M is an even better bargain... WHAT THEY SAID ABOUT JRT PASCAL 2.0: CREATIVE COMPUTING, Nov. '82 "...While 'there is no such thing as a free lunch, ' JRT Pascal at $29.95 (which includes postage) certainly allows the user to experience champagne and caviar at cafeteria prices..." INTERFACE AGE, Oct. '82 "...JRT Pascal is following the example set by Software Toolworks (Sherman Oaks, CA) of offering quality software at extremely low price..." INFOWORLD, Aug. 16, '82 The magazine's 'Software Report Card' rated JRTs documentation 'good' and performance, ease of use and error handling 'excellent' -the highest rating. AND NOW: JRT PASCAL 3.0— with all the features that earned 2.0 so much praise — PLUS the many new features shown here. The price?— still just $29.95! This astonishing price includes the complete JRT Pascal system on diskettes and the new expanded user manual. Not a subset, it's a complete Pascal for CP/M.* Faster and more reliable than ever, for beginner or expert, engineer or busi- nessman, JRT Pascal 3.0 provides a set of features unequaled by any other Pascal... or any other language. OUR NO-RISK OFFER: When you receive JRT Pascal 3.0, look it over, check it out, compare it with similar systems costing ten times as much. If you're not completely satisfied, return it — with the sealed diskettes unopened — within 30 days, and your money will be refunded in full. That's right: satisfaction guaranteed or your money back! A JRT bonus: if you want to copy the diskettes or manual — so long as it's not for resale— that's o.k. with us. Pass it on to your friends. But don't delay Send the coupon or phone today and start enjoying the Pascal advantage; at $29.95, there's no reason to wait! announcing rewjffl: Separate compilation of auto-loading external procedures Extended CASE statement Fast one-step compiler; no link needed Efficient compiler needs only 85K diskette space NEW Full support for indexed files NEW CRT screen formatting and full cursor control NEW Facilities for formatting printed reports Graphing procedures Statistic procedures 14 digit BCD FLOATING POINT arithmetic True dynamic storage Advanced assembly interface NEW Dynamic arrays Random files to 8 megabytes with variable length records 64 K dynamic strings Activity analyzer prints program use histogram No limits on procedure size, nesting or recursion More than 200 verbal error messages Maximum program size: more than 200,000 lines JMT80\L30 $2995! Send or to JRT SYSTEMS phone 415/566-5100 550 Irving Street/ A11 San Francisco, CA 94122 Here's my $29.95; please send me JRT Pascal. I understand that if I'm not completely satisfied, I can return it within 30 days — with the sealed diskettes unopened — for a full refund. (Allow 2-3 weeks for shipping.) I need the 5-1/4" diskettes for D Apple CP/M; D Heath, Hard Sector; D Heath, Soft Sector; □ Northstar; □ Osborne; □ Superbrain; □ Tetevideo; □ Xerox 820. I need D 8" SSSD diskettes. Name Address City State Zip □ Check □ C.O.D. □ MasterCard □ VISA (CA residents add sales tax. Add $6 for shipping outside North America.) Card # Exp Signature "CP/M is a Digital Research TM. A 56K CP/M system is required. Circle 234 on inquiry card. BYTE March 1983 319 IC22 74LS10 ^ £»^ -i Jkg^i DESIGNATIONS NOT USED; IC5, IC7, IC8, IC14, IC16, IC23, IC30, IC31, IC32, IC34, IC35 HIGHEST DESIGNATION USED: IC36 3_ 4 b 5 9 10 11 IC15 74S '•• Y SMEMR [TP> f MWRT [?i^-» PSTVAL [25^>- PSYNC [7F^- PDBIN [7F>- PWR |77>~ M 1 |TT>- 14.5MHI CRYSTAL ^1 IC15 74S04 O.Ol^F 470H — ws. — 27pF IC15 74S04 470X1 — VSA* IC15 74S04 + 5V J CLOCK B A B 2 4 CLEAR IC6 2 * CLOCK A 74LS393 TIMER tC 15 74S04 ■H>*-i o IC12 74S00 Q2 Ql fiE> FC 28 74LS175 8080 STATUS LATCH PHANTOM fjT> o^V f C 12 74LS00 l~~ IC26 I I 74LS240 J-if I PHANTOM 14.5 MHl CLOCK IC1 c I 74S10 MCYRO SET D Q IClOa 74LS74 CLOCK Q CLR IC13a 74LS74 CLOCK Q CLR TTL CONSTANT MEMORY CYCLE REFRESH CYCLE REQUEST FLAG MADDR 1 12 TALK C22 74LS10 Figure 4: A schematic diagram of the 64K-byte dynamic memory board (continued on page 322). 320 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc I 22/iF 25V ELECTROLYTIC + 8V IN + 5V OUT IN4001 IN4001 -w— O.lfif 15V CERAMIC 5 PLACES + 3.4V 4 i O.lfiF JT IC33 74 LSI 51 2 3 4 5 6 7 A15 1 8 strap to ' i 4 4 A A A A A ENABLE l0 24 6 8ACEljl 8K BLOCKS I _° _ p. A A A A . ° - ° I | o— o— o — o — o— o— o— o— I 1 L ie_i5 14 _ 1 3_ 12 _ 11 _ 10 _ 9 j m f#/WM? IC27a 74LS74 CLOCK CLR IC27b 74LS74 CLOCK CLR BANK- SELECT REGISTER IDENTIFICATION IC26 74LS240 rr lC20b 74LS139 ADDRESS SELECTOR ENABLE T 10 REFRESH ADDR U COLUMN ADDR 12 ROW ADDR S-100 ADDR 13 BANK SELECT 2' BANK SELECT 2 U 14.5MHz CLOCK Dl IC4 CYCLE 74S175 GENERATOR 01 Ql D2 02 02 D3 Q3 03 D4 2 CK1 IC12 74S0O lC3b 74S74 CLOCK CLR SET D IC3a 74S74 CLOCK CLR -^ 7* io SET D Q IC13b 74LS74 CLOCK cTr SET D IClOb 74S74 CLOCK Q CLR WRITE STATUS FLAG TTL CONSTANT HIGH CK3 ^>oZ — m M F G IC21 H 74S65 IC26 74LS240 -|72> PRDY March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc 321 ►16v(T>- GROUND [50>- gg>- IN4001 -16 V (||> M ^ 22/iF 25V ELECTROLYTIC + 12V OUT GROUND o ^1^ 4 7 M F 25V ELECTROLYTIC REFRESH ADDR COLUMN ADDR S-100 ADDR 13 BANK SELECT 2' BANK SELECT 2° TTL CONSTANT HIGH + 12V 6 GROUND -15V IN -5V OUT iO.Ol^F Ai IN4001 lO.Ol/iF X IN4001 -±- J ^ F 0.1/*F 15V CERAMIC 16 PLACES (SEE TEXT) A, 5V CERAMIC 6 PLACES REFRESH ROW COUNTER " 5V *NO CONNECTION- RESERVED FOR FUTURE GROWTH (SEE TEXT) IC11 74LS393 CLOCKS 2' 2 2 2 3 2 4 2 5 2 6 2 T 2* 9 «t S3 2 S ID 2D 3D 4D 5D 6D 7D 8D CLOCK IC19 74LS374 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q 5Q 6Q 7Q 8Q ID 2D 3D 4D 5D 6D 7D 8D IC17 74LS374 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q 5Q 6Q 7Q 8Q ID 2D 3D 4D 5D 6D 7D 8D CLOCK OE IC18 74LS374 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q 5Q 6Q 7Q 8Q IC20a 74LS139 T IC2 74LS00 iC9 74LS00 ±^y E> *^ I S CK2 33XX -aw — rP^^fto^ t^jy ^E^ T^Vl i j ; 33X1 ■AW 33a -AW — 33H ■avk — 33ft ■AW — 33ft ■AW 33X1 -AW I C 12 74S00 it> -WV- AW 33X1 (TYPICAL FOR 8) ENABLE READ LATCH Figure 4 (continued from page 321): A schematic diagram of the 64K-byte dynamic memory board. 322 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc Unit Type Function 1 74S10 CAS gate, TALK gate 2 74LS00 RAS enable 3 74S74 CK5, MEM/RFSH arbitration and status flag 4 74S175 Cycle generator 6 74LS393 Refresh timer 9 74S00 RAS gates 10 74S74 Memory request, write status flags 11 74LS393 Refresh row counter 12 74S00 "Glue" 13 74LS74 Write, refresh request flags 15 74S04 Clock 17 74LS374 Column address buffer register 18 74LS374 Row address buffer register 19 74LS373 Refresh address buffer register 20 74LS139 Bank, cycle interval decoder 21 74S65 WAIT 24 74LS373 Read data buffer register 25 74LS374 Write data buffer register 26 74LS240 Line receiver, inverters 27 74LS74 Bank select buffer register 28 74LS74 Status latch (8080, IEEE only) 29 74LS02 Status gate (8080, IEEE only) 33 74LS151 Memory address decoder 36 74LS30 Clamping diodes — 4116 Dynamic memories — 7805 Logic supply 7812 RAM power supply 7905 RAM substrate bias supply Table 3: Functions of the various integrated circuits used on the memory board. Z80MWRT) are used to trigger the three re quest flags MCY RQ, MWRT B, a nd RFRQ. T ALK comes true when PHANTOM is false, MADDR is true, and Z80MEMR is true. TALK turns on the output bus driver. Each of the three request flags in- dicates that some memory cycle is pending, and each is cleared when its cycle is accomplished. MCYRQ demands a memory-access cycle, either read or write. MCYRQ triggers all the incoming-address buffers (la- beled Column Buffer and Row Buffer in figure 3; IC17 and IC18 in figure 4, page 322; and IC27 in figure 4, page 321) so that the bus need not remain stable until the end of an access cycle. MWRT B means the pending memory cycle is a write. It triggers the input- data buffer (labeled Write Buffer in figure 3, IC25 in figure 4, page 323) for the same reason. RFRQ means it's time to refresh a row in every memory on the board. RFRQ may be due to an op-code fetch or the 9-fis timer running out. (A careful examination of the timing of a 4-MHz Z80 PUSH LOWEST PRICED "PROFESSIONAL" MODEMS R103J@ 300 BAUD K Retail Value $199. - Save $40. • Compatible With Any Per- sonal Computer With 232C In- terface (such as: TRS-80, Apple, IBM, DEC, etc.) • 300 BAUD Full Duplex (R103J) • 1200 BAUD Full Duplex (PC1200) • Front Panel Light Emitting Diodes (LED's) Monitor: 232C Interface TERMS: Send check or money order. No cash please, if check is not certified shipment will be delayed. For Visa or Master Charge, include Card Number, Expiration Date, Interbank Number, In- terbank Initials (if any), and Name of Card Issuer. Sorry, No. COD. 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Box Number, local sales tax will be added if shipped to: CA, CO, Ft, IL, MD, MA, Ml, MN, NJ, NY, NC, PA, SC, TX, VA, or WA. © RIXON INC., 1982 3042 324 Please mail your orders to; Rixon Inc., ATT: R103J Offer, 2120 Industrial Parkway, Silver Spring, Maryland 20904 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc Circle 378 OH inquiry Card. WE'RE SMASHING THE PRICES ON X44*fttf* DIMENSION SYSTEMS DISK DRIVES APPLE COMPATIBLE DRIVES $2891 WITH CONTROLLER _.., ,,,. $379 EVERY DRIVE INCLUDES A FR EE BOX OF ELEPHANT DISKETTES AT NO EXTRA CHARGE «3& &-<%S6$°>$ ,^> 9 FOURTH DIMENSION features Siemens Drives with Specially Designed Electronics for Stepper Motor Control. The Motor Speed Control is easily accessible through a hole in the bottom of the case. Capacity: 140K, 35 Tracks. 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We accept no responsibility for any Prices quoted for stock on hand and subject tcchange without notice. Specialists in APO and international deliveries. Please add 2% (minimum $3,001 tor shipping. / (minimum S5.00). Please allow 10 working days plus m*H time (if an order is mailed in for receipt of all UPS delivered goods. All noods (other than APO or interna* Circle 110 on inquiry card. (5a) 14,5MHz MCYRQ OR RFRQ CK1 IDLE IDLE Ql Q2 Q3 Q4 \* 67ns *| Q5 ^~v \ ^~^^^v W } Z3Si ////// [' \\\\\\\\\\V\\\\\\\\\\\\V\\\\\\\\\mW^\ ./ /7777 7 CK2 / "m f "m CK4 CK5 f ^ JZT^ MUX IMAGINARY RAM CLOCKS 4>A $i *5 ♦ .1 4>2 105 i 169 r 233 e 42 * 106 j 170 ■» 234 n 43 + 107 k 171 k 235 5 44 t 108 1 172 1 236 00 45 — 109 m 173 i 237 46 . 110 n 174 « 238 ( 47 / 111 o 175 » 239 n 48 112 P 176 240 i 49 l 113 q 177 i 241 + 50 2 114 r 178 I 242 > 51 3 115 s 179 1 243 i 52 4 116 t 180 A 244 f 53 5 117 u 181 =1 245 J 54 6 118 V 182 41 246 T 55 7 119 w 183 -n 247 ^ 56 a 120 >; 184 1 248 57 9 121 y 185 4 249 * 58 ; 122 z 186 11 250 ♦ 59 ; 123 i 187 Tl 251 -f 60 < 124 ! 188 252 i| 61 = 125 y 189 J 253 2 62 y 126 -V 190 d 254 1 63 7 127 A 191 1 255 load into the IBM system whenever power is turned on and will reside in memory until power is turned off. Whenever a user program sends any characters to the Epson to be printed, PR-256 will wake up and cause the appropriate characters to be printed out. Whether you are running a BASIC program, a Pascal program, an assembly-language program, or even executing a Print Screen func- tion, PR-256 will automatically step in and cause the proper characters to be printed. PR-256 operates with a minimum of user intervention. Gen- erally, once it has been set up as described below, the user need not even know that it is there. PR-256 is an assembly-language program requiring the IBM Macro Assembler to assemble and link. It re- quires just over 2K bytes of RAM (random-access read/ write memory). It will load up in the lowest available area of memory automatically and will not affect DOS (disk operating system) operation. If your IBM has 64K bytes or less of RAM, PR-256 will take away from the amount of memory available to BASIC. But if you have more than 64K bytes, you will rarely (if ever) miss the memory occupied by PR-256. In that case, PR-256 will probably be stored out- side of the 64K bytes that are used for BASIC. For the remainder of this article I will be talking about PR-256 in detail. In order to understand how the pro- gram works within the IBM system, I must first discuss three different areas relating to the program interface. The first topic is the interrupt structure of the 8088 microprocessor and how the IBM BIOS (basic input/ output sys- tem) software uses this structure. Sec- ond, we will look at interfacing with DOS to set up PR-256. Finally, we will deal with the MX-100. (I will use the term MX-100 throughout the arti- cle to signify both the Epson MX-100 and either the IBM printer or the MX-80 with the graphics option.) After covering these peripheral topics (no pun intended), I shall delve into the inner workings of PR-256. 8088 Interrupt Structure The interrupt structure of the 8088 microprocessor is really the tie that binds the IBM system together. It is analogous to the human spinal col- umn in its function. Essentially, the system of hardware and software interrupts provides the mechanisms that are necessary to coordinate the various operations of the computer. An interrupt is an input into the processor that causes the current se- quence of operations to be momen- tarily broken and some special action to be taken. Generally, these have been hardware mechanisms that simply allow the execution flow of a processor to be temporarily "inter- rupted" so that some pressing matter can be attended to by the processor. Interrupts for microprocessors have been used primarily by hardware designers. An interrupt was signaled by "pulling" a pin on the micropro- cessor chip low (or high). This al- lowed various off-chip functions to be monitored and controlled by the processor. Intel designed into the 8088 a very flexible interrupt structure that the IBM computer puts to good use. Intel gave us 256 interrupts with which to work. And these are accessible through both hardware and software. Intel set aside some 32 of the 256 interrupts for predefined use (e.g., "Divide by Zero," "Nonmaskable Interrupt," etc.). But the remaining 224 interrupts are available to the system designer for software use. To invoke these software inter- rupts, the 8088 has a special INT in- struction in its repertoire. 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These 1024 bytes of memory are partitioned off into 4 bytes per inter- rupt type (i.e., 256 interrupt types X 4 = 1024 bytes). The 8088 hardware takes the interrupt value, multiplies it by 4, and accesses the 4-byte area reserved for this interrupt. In these 4 bytes, the 8088 expects to find the ad- dress of the appropriate interrupt- service routine. The address is stored in these 4 bytes in standard 8088 format. That is, the first 2 bytes of the 4-byte sec- tion must contain the program- counter address (IP register) for the interrupt-service routine, and the sec- ond 2 bytes must hold the new Code Segment register (CS register) ad- dress. From these two values, the 20-bit service-routine address is deter- mined and processor execution con- tinues at that location. All this work is done automatically by the 8088 hardware. Therefore, if you have previously set up the table of interrupt vectors (the to 1023 bytes containing the service-routine addresses) and you execute an INT in- struction, the next instruction that will occur is at the start of the service routine. This call is very similar to a normal subroutine call in that the CS and IP registers are saved on the sys- tem stack at the time of the INT call. In addition, for interrupts, the Flag register is also saved on the stack. After the interrupt routine has ex- ecuted, an IRET (Interrupt Return) command restores the proper IP, CS, and Flag registers, and returns control to the instruction following the INT call. At this point you are probably say- ing, "So what! What do I care about all of this?" The vital point is that the designers of the IBM system made ex- tensive use of this setup. Virtually all interaction between processes in the IBM are performed via interrupt calls. When BASIC executes a FILES in- struction to get a listing of the system disk, it sets up certain parameters in the 8088 internal registers and issues an appropriate interrupt to perform the requested function. Likewise, when DOS is requested to list the directory of a disk, it executes the same interrupt request as BASIC did. In either case, when the interrupt returns, the directory of the disk has been read and printed to the screen. IBM provides the assembly-lan- guage programmer many utilities through the use of the interrupt struc- ture. In its Technical Reference Manual, IBM states that "access to the BIOS function is through the 8088 software interrupts. Each BIOS entry point is available through its own interrupt, which can be found in the (supplied) interrupt vector listing." The BIOS routines are basically a group of utilities available to the user. Through BIOS, you can perform disk, cassette, video, keyboard, printer, and communications I/O operations in a standardized manner. Other system services available in- clude time-of-day and memory-size determination. IBM states, "the goal is to provide an operational interface to the system and relieve the pro- grammer from concern over hard- ware device characteristics." The extensive use of the interrupt structure gives us users of the IBM system another big benefit in addition to easy access to various utilities. Whereas the actual BIOS code resides in ROM (read-only memory), the interrupt vector table (remember, the memory locations to 1023 reserved for interrupt addresses) is in RAM. These addresses are initialized by the IBM bootstrap routine on each sys- tem reset or power-on. This means that the user can change the interrupt- service addresses stored in this table after the system initialization process has finished. How can we put this knowledge to good use? Well, there are many pos- sibilities. For example, suppose that we want to read and store data to a cassette using a different format than that defined by IBM. (Perhaps we would like to be able to read a format used by some other system.) The format is determined in soft- ware, and because all processes that access the cassette will use the CASSETTE IO routine supplied in the BIOS, we simply need to overlay or replace IBM's routine with one of our own. As we have just seen, re- placing the address in the interrupt vector table of a BIOS routine with the address of our own routine is ef- fectively the same as replacing the whole routine with our own. In order to accomplish this, we must do several things. First, we must determine the input and output parameters specified in IBM's BIOS cassette routine. In its Technical Reference Manual, IBM provides a complete listing (with excellent com- ments) of the 8K-byte BIOS. Looking over the BIOS listing for the CASSETTE IO routine, we can set up the appropriate interface with all calling routines. We can then rewrite the BIOS routine, making sure that all parameter inputs and outputs are the same as for the IBM version. We can then load our routine into RAM, change the interrupt- vector-table entry for the cassette routine so that it addresses our routine, and tell DOS to keep our program in RAM. From then on, as long as the system is not reset, any call from BASIC to save data or pro- grams to cassette, or read from cassette, goes through our routine rather than IBM's. We have managed to replace the ROM version with our own. The preceding example is exactly the method used by PR-256 to expand the character set on the MX-100 to the full 256 characters defined by the IBM computer. Whenever the IBM is powered on or reset, the program is automatically loaded into RAM and the BIOS PRINTER IO routine is virtually overlaid by changing the 334 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc Text continued on page 338 ITTT1 : 1 1 r a 1 J [ %m ■ WW. » m m i While new printers with impressive specifications are introduced on an almost daily basis, only time will tell the true quality of the product. Over the past 2 years our customers have continued to buy the DS180 printer, not only because of its impressive performance and competitive price, but also because of our outstanding track record for product reliability and customer support. We have continually improved on the performance of the DS180 by incorporating such enhancements as dot addressable graphics, 6 user-selectable print sizes and a 2000 character buffer. 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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. Only $ O Q QUE OO * '^^"^^z^^z:^^!^ c ° ; VL^B ^^^m ^^^P m^^m # Radio Shack is a registered trademark of Tandy Corpo ^^^ ^^ ^^ ^B^ Dysan is a registered trademark of Dysan Corp, COMPUTER CORPORATION 31125 Via Coiinas #908 • Westlake Village, CA 91362 • (213)991-6210 ;ie 188 on inquiry card. interrupt-vector-table address to ad- dress the new program. Because all output to the printer will probably be routed through the BIOS PRINTER IO routine, the new pro- gram has full control over each char- acter that is sent to be printed. DOS Notes In this section, I will discuss some basic principles of DOS that we will need to use in order for PR-256 to work correctly. DOS, the disk operating system for the IBM com- puter, is a collection of programs that interface the user to the system. For an in-depth discussion of DOS, IBM's DOS Manual provides all the neces- sary details, especially in the appen- dixes. PR-256 must handle three inter- faces to DOS. First, we would like DOS to automatically load the print program when the system is initially turned on or reset. Second, we need DOS to give the initialization code of PR-256 control to set up the printing program for execution. Third, during the initialization of PR-256, we need to tell DOS that the area in memory that the program occupies should not be overlaid during system operation. In order to understand how this is all accomplished, a short discussion of the inner workings of DOS is in order. Let's begin by looking at an over- view of what DOS must do when the system is initially powered on (or reset). DOS begins by executing a series of initialization routines that check the equipment status of the sys- tem (i.e., how much memory is in- stalled, how many drives, what type of monitor, etc.). This check is fol- lowed by an initialization of any at- tached devices, setting up the inter- rupt vector table, and an assortment of other jobs that are necessary to get the system ready for operation. After the initialization phase is completed, DOS loads a file from the system disk called COMMAND. COM. (A system disk is the one that has the proper files on it to permit you to load and start up DOS.) If you look at any of your system disks, you will find a file by that name. It is the code in this file that acts as a com- mand processor. Essentially, all com- munication with DOS will be handled by COMMAND. When COMMAND is executed, it does various and assorted tasks before issuing the first user prompt. One of these first tasks is to check for a file called AUTOEXEC.BAT on the system disk. This is a special file. The extension ".BAT" indicates that the file is a batch file, which means that its contents are read and executed as if a user were typing at a keyboard. Thus, if you include a line that says DIR in a batch file, a directory of the currently selected disk will be displayed on the screen just as if you had typed in the DIR command at the keyboard. The "AUTOEXEC" portion of the name indicates that this is a file that is to be automatically executed when- ever the system is started. With this facility, the user can cause programs or DOS commands to be executed im- 8 and /or 16 Bits. A CompuPro Systems Center is much more than a computer store: It is the first place to look for business, scientific, and industrial computing solutions. When you're ready for professional level, state-of-the-art microcomputing, turn to the professionals listed below . . . they're ready for you. 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If the file is not present, COMMAND continues on. If the file exists, however, COMMAND loads and processes the file as a normal batch file. The AUTOEXEC file is set up by the user. We will use this feature to load and initialize PR-256 every time the system is started. After COMMAND finishes its ini- tial tasks, it prompts the user with the familiar A> and then looks to the keyboard for user input. Let us take a closer look at how we can use AUTOEXEC. PR-256 needs to be loaded into RAM and then must do a little setup before it is ready to operate. Because PR-256 exists on the disk as an assembled and linked machine program, all that is required of AUTOEXEC is to request "PR-256." COMMAND will see this as it processes AUTOEXEC and will go to the default drive, where it will find the file called PR-256, load it, and initiate execution of the file. It appears that loading PR-256 and initializing it are fairly simple to do using DOS. However, we would like to return to DOS after PR-256 ini- tialization is finished. To accomplish this, we must work through a special area of memory called a Program Segment Prefix buffer or PSP. The PSP is a special data structure that COMMAND builds for any process before it loads and starts up that pro- cess. This is simply 256 bytes of RAM set aside for various communication protocols with DOS. For example, if you have a program that needs to do some disk I/O, portions of the PSP are set up to permit DOS to do the ac- tual I/O transfers. We need concern ourselves with the PSP for only two things. First, we need to realize that it is there. When DOS loads in PR-256, it will set up a PSP in the lowest available RAM space and will then load PR-256 in the RAM area immediately following the PSP. Thus, our program actually grows by 256 bytes in order to make room for the PSP. The second reason is as follows: When DOS loads in a program and gives it control to execute, DOS ex- pects to gain control back eventually. And it has to have a standard way to get this control. DOS expects the user program to issue a special interrupt call when it is ready for DOS to regain control of the system. Three different interrupts may be used to start up DOS again. An INT 20H is the normal way to exit from a program. An INT 27H is an "End but stay resident" command. This is what we shall use. It tells DOS that the pro- gram is to remain in the system and that DOS should take care not to move some other program on top of this one. The third interrupt is a special INT 21H that we will not be concerned with here. IBM warns in the DOS Manual that "every program must ensure that the CS register contains the seg- ment address of its Program Segment Prefix control block prior to issuing INT 20H (or INT 27H or INT 21H)." 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When the PSP is ini- tially built, COMMAND places an INT 20H instruction into the first 2 bytes of the PSP. In order for PR-256's initialization routine to return control to DOS, the user pro- gram can issue a jump instruction to the first byte of the PSP. We can con- struct the jump in such a way that it will replace the CS register with the proper segment address for the PSP. The resulting INT call has the proper CS value and DOS comes back online. The astute reader will have noticed that the PSP contains an INT 20H command and we need an INT 27H executed. We simply alter this in- struction during initialization of PR-256 and everything works great. PR-256 Initialization We have two fundamentally dif- ferent tasks for PR-256 to do. First, it must set up the interrupt vector table and return to DOS control. This task has to be done only once, when the program is initially given control by COMMAND. This is called the ini- tialization process or phase. The sec- ond task is to intercept all output data heading toward the printer and pro- cess it to effectively give the user the 256-character set desired. This is the run-time process. We have already discussed how to interface with DOS on system reset. I will now describe the complete ini- tialization process of PR-256. If you look at the PR-256 listing, you will notice that the first code encountered is the initialization code. It consists simply of a call to an initialization subroutine and a return. It is within this subroutine that the initial tasks are done, I could have just as easily put this code in the main program rather than make it a subroutine, but let me explain why I did not. When PR-256 returns control to DOS after initialization via the INT 27H command, DOS expects the in- ternal register DX to point to the last memory address plus one, after which it is okay for DOS to overlay. Because we execute the initialization code only once, we can let DOS over- lay that portion of PR-256 and we will miss nothing. Thus, by making the initialization code a subroutine, I was able to place it after all the run- time code. I could then set the DX to point to the last address of run-time code on the INT 27H call. The space occupied by the initialization subroutine is now available to DOS. This saves us a little more RAM for other uses. The initialization routine does several things. First, it simply changes the INT 20H command in the PSP to an INT 27H. Then it replaces the in- terrupt vector address for INT 17H with the start of the PR-256 run-time code, saves the old vector address (for reasons discussed later), and sets up a return to DOS to keep the run- time code resident. After DOS re- gains control, PR-256 just lies in hid- ing in the system. It is invoked by any process that wishes to send a char- acter to a printer. Printer Notes So far I have discussed the 8088 in- terrupt structure and IBM DOS inter- face as far as they affect PR-256. In this section, I will present a quick overview of the Epson MX-100 and MX-80 (with graphics option) printers. Again, all references to the MX-100 are also valid for the MX-80 or IBM printer with the required Graftrax graphics option. The Epson MX-100 printer is a dot- matrix printer loaded with features. In its normal operating mode, the MX-100 can print the standard ASCII (American National Standard Code for Information Interchange) char- acter set. This includes the entire uppercase and lowercase alphabet, the numerals, and other standard characters in the 96-character set. In addition, the MX-100 offers a small set of "international" characters. These are subdivided into characters associated with various countries: France, Germany, England, Den- mark, Sweden, Italy, and Spain. A total of 37 additional unique characters are available using these different international modes. Finally, the MX-100 provides the user the capability of a bit-image mode. To understand how this works, let's look at the Epson print head. It consists of nine "needles" or "wires" stacked vertically very close together. Each wire can be caused to impact with the ribbon by the elec- tronics in the printer. The stack of wires moves horizontally to the left or right. By causing specific wires to impact with the ribbon as the head moves along the width of the paper, the printer produces dots that form the shape of a character. By placing the printer in the bit- image mode, the user can gain direct access to the top eight of the nine wires. A single byte sent from the computer to the MX-100 in bit-image mode will cause a single column of dot wires to act and the print head to move one column to the right. Because a byte consists of 8 bits, each bit controls one wire. The most sig- nificant bit (bit 7) activates the upper- most wire. Bit activates the lowest wire. If a bit is "1," the print wire prints a dot. A "0" does not print. Sending a stream of bytes in the bit-image mode results in a pattern being printed across the page. When putting the printer in bit-image mode (as discussed below), the user must supply a count of the number of col- umns to be printed. After that many columns are received, the printer leaves the bit-image mode and returns to whatever mode it was previously in. How do we change modes in the MX-100? The user sends some non- printing ASCII code or escape se- quence to the printer. The processor in the MX-100 interprets it and then acts accordingly. An escape sequence is a multibyte command string that begins with an ESC character 340 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc WEIL GETCH A! If Esprit II™ didn't, the Esprit III™ will. Hazeltine's Esprit II™ gave you better cost/performance than any other budget terminal. Better than TVI-910. Better than Viewpoint. Better than ADM-3A. It got a lot of you. Now we're going to get the rest of you. The new Hazeltine Esprit III™ emulates TVI-950. The same features. The same keyboard layout. The same command set. Even the same user-PROM capability. The only difference is price. Esprit III costs $300 less. In fact, it costs $100 less than TeleVideo's far less capable TVI-925. So, now there isn't a terminal left with more performance for the money than a Hazeltine Esprit. Which is why you ought to get one. Or more. Got it? Hazeltine Corporation Computer Terminal Equipment Commack, NY 11725 (516) 462-5598 or call toll free: 800-645-4508 Hazeltine The new terminal technology ADM TV! Esprit View- Esprit TVI TVI Esprit 3A* 910* II point* HI 925* 950* Detached keyboard No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Buffered mode Yes No No No Yes No Yes Tilt screen No No Yes No Yes Yes Yes 22 Function keys 14 No 10 No No No No 1 ■ - ■ - No No 14 No No 22 22 Line graphics No Yes No Yes Page/line transmit Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Character/line editing Partial Yes No Yes Yes Split screen No No No No r No Yes Yes Yes Yes Smooth scrolling No No No No Yes No Yes Price (in quantity of one) $595 $595 $699 $645 $645 $895 $995 $1,195 * Trademarks respectively of Lear Siegler, Inc., TeleVideo Systems, Inc. and Applied Digital Data Systems, Inc. Circle 198 on inquiry card. BYTE March 1983 341 Control Code Hexadecimal Decimal Function NUL 00 NULL. Ends tab setting. Follows ESC B and ESCC. BEL 07 7 BELL. Sounds buzzer for about 1 second. BS 08 8 Backspace. Cancels a last character input. HT 09 9 Horizontal Tabulation. LF 0A 10 Linefeed. VT 0B 11 Vertical Tabulation. FF OC 12 Form Feed. Advances paper to next Top of Form. CR OD 13 Carriage Return, 50 OE 14 Shift Out. Turns on the enlarged-character printing mode. 51 OF 15 Shift In. Turns on the condensed-character printing mode. DC1 11 17 Device Control 1. Selects printer. Ready to receive data. DC2 12 18 Device Control 2. Turns off the condensed- character printing mode. DC3 13 19 Device Control 3. Deselects printer. Not ready to receive data. DC4 14 20 Device Control 4. Turns off the enlarged- character printing mode. ESC 1B 27 Escape. ASCII code for Escape. Precedes numbers and alphabets. ESC 30 48 Sets a line spacing to eight lines per inch. ESC 2 32 50 Sets a line spacing to six lines per inch. ESC 8 38 56 Deselects paper end detector. ESC 9 39 57 Selects paper end detector. ESC A 41 65 Sets a line spacing between a range from y 72 inch to % inch. ESC B 42 66 Sets VT up to eight positions. ESCC 43 67 Sets form length up to 127 lines or 22 inches. ESC D 44 68 Sets HT up to 12 positions. ESC E 45 69 Turns on the emphasized-character printing mode. ESC F 46 70 Turns off the emphasized-character printing mode. ESC K 4B 75 Turns on the normal-density bit-image mode. ESC L 4C 76 Turns on the dual-density bit-image mode. ESC N 4E 78 Sets skip-over perforation. ESC O 4F 79 Releases skip-over perforation. ESC Q 51 81 Sets a column length. ESC R 52 82 Selects an international character set from among eight languages. Table 1: Control codes for the Epson MX-100 printer (or the Epson MX-80 with graphics capability). (decimal 27 in ASCII) and is followed by a defined sequence of bytes. The printer's processor parses in the whole sequence of bytes and per- forms a mode change in response. For example, to tell the printer to turn on normal bit-density mode, the user program sends the ASCII char- acter 27 (Escape character) followed by a K. The K will not be printed. It merely tells the printer that the escape sequence is selecting the normal bit- image mode. For a summary of the control codes and escape sequences used by the MX-100, see table 1. As many different modes are avail- able (i.e., normal-density bit-image, dual-density bit-image, condensed- character, enlarged-character, normal-character, etc.), many dif- ferent escape sequences will be ac- cepted by the printer. Epson decided not to be modular and has designated some mode selectors to be set using other nonprinting ASCII characters rather than have all mode selection be done via escape sequences. Several standard ASCII printer commands are used by the Epson. These include Bell (ASCII 7), Back- space (ASCII 8), Carriage Return (ASCII 13), Linefeed (ASCII 10), and so on. As I will discuss below, these special characters present some big problems for PR-256. To summarize, the MX-100 simply looks to the computer for ASCII se- quences. Most of the bytes that the printer receives are associated with some character in the ASCII set, which is then printed. Some ASCII codes and sequences of codes are reserved by the MX-100 to allow the user to change modes of the printer. Thus, from BASIC at the IBM terminal, the user can send (using LPRINT) the proper com- mands to move the printer from enlarged-character mode to bit-image mode and then to normal print mode. This gives the user considerable power from software. It is just this power that PR-256 uses to enlarge the MX-100 character set to the full 256 characters used by the IBM system. How PR-256 Works I have now discussed the three ma- jor components that are necessary for understanding the PR-256 program. These are the 8088 interrupt structure (and its ties with the IBM BIOS routines), the DOS interfacing re- quired to load and initialize PR-256 at system start-up, and the MX-100 modes of operation. The remainder of this article is devoted to using this knowledge to see exactly how PR-256 operates. Numerous subtle touches are contained throughout PR-256, which I will explain as we proceed. First, let's look at how a process running on the IBM Personal Com- puter normally prints out text. Any routine that wishes to print out char- acters to a printer attached to the IBM PC will use the BIOS PRINTER_IO routine. The operation of this routine is very straightforward. The calling process will make one call to PRINTER^JO for each character to be printed out. The calling process must first move the character to be printed into the AL internal register of the 8088, clear the AH register, and indicate the printer number in the DX register. (Note: the IBM can be attached to as many as three parallel port printers at one time, and the user must specify which of the three printers the current character is to be directed to.) After setting these registers up, the 342 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc Expand your possibilities with Concurrent CP/M.™ If you have to wait impatiently for your personal computer to finish a job before moving on to another task, you need Concurrent CP/M. This new software tech- nology from Digital Research increases the productivity of your IBM PC by allowing you to do more with it. Using Concurrent CP/M, you can run several programs simultaneously, switching instantly from one program to another. For the first time you can write a letter while you do your financial planning. For the first time you can write text while printing other documents. For the first time you can edit programs while your program compiles. Concurrent CP/M is the best investment you can make in microcomputing because it multiplies the value of your hardware and lets you use all the CP/M compatible programs. And if you're developing software, it ensures that you're on the crest of the hottest new wave in the business. So quadruple the effectiveness of your IBM Per- sonal Computer with Concurrent CP/M. See your local microcomputer dealer. Clrde 1fiQ on (nqu|ry card Now your IBM PC can do more than one thing at a time 9 « - *» ttMftlf pf«jMt tUtm am- am twr mw*i« ] M l*wvl« J.t. tm Mrttai Uf fmiUm Preset** miu mm* >• » 1 1 [..■mil 1 1 nuwo in umsr - ihe logo, tagline and names of DRI products are eithe rademarks or registered trademarks of Digital IBM is a registered trademark of Intematk Machines. Corp. c Copyright IQ82 by Digital Research Inc (1 DIGITAL RESEARCH The creators of CP//Vr process executes an INT 17H inter- rupt request. This causes the BIOS print routine (PRINTER_IO) to send out the character to the printer. When it is done, the BIOS print routine ex- ecutes an IRET instruction to return control to the calling process. Instead of causing a character to be printed out, we can also use PRINTER_IO to initialize any of the printers or to check the current status of a printer. This is accomplished by placing a 1 or 2, respectively, into the AH register and executing an INT 17H call. All programs that output data through the parallel port to a printer are supposed to use this method. IBM's BASIC, DOS, the Print Screen function, Micropro's Wordstar, and so on, all comply with this standard method. Thus, if I wish to replace the PRINTER IO routine with my own, I had better be sure that, for any given input, PR-256 (the program scheduled to replace PRINTER^IO) will react in the same manner as PRINTER__IO would. With this understanding of PRINTER_IO, I can outline PR-256 operation. Whenever a process ex- ecutes an INT 17H instruction, PR-256 will receive control of the sys- tem. The input to the routine is iden- tical to the PRINTER_IO routine. If PR-256 sees that a character is to be printed out, it does some processing of the character (which will be described in a moment) and takes an appropriate action that results in the IBM-defined character being printed out on the MX-100. If the input to PR-256 indicates that a printer initialization or a status check is being requested, the re- quested function is carried out and the results returned to the calling pro- cess. That is all there is to PR-256. Everything else is implementation detail. Of course, the implementation details are extremely important and will be fully explored now. Using the PRINTER_IO Routine One of the tenets of good program- ming practice is that a programmer should not constantly be reinventing the wheel. If other programmers have already done the work that you need, 344 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc see if you can use their results. In the case of PR-256, it made sense to make as much use as possible of the 114-byte PRINTER_IO subroutine that IBM supplied in the BIOS. After processing a character, PR-256 at some point must interact with the printer. Most of the time, the printer output from PR-256 will be the same as that from the PRINTER_IO routine. PR-256 sim- ply provides some front-end work or preprocessing of certain characters. Thus, I decided early on that PR-256 would do whatever processing was required for a given character, but would use the PRINTER^JO code to do the actual data transmission to the printers. In order to do this, the PR-256 ini- tialization code must save the 4-byte address of PRINTER_IO that was originally stored in the interrupt vec- tor table. This saved address is later used by the main PR-256 process as a subroutine address for doing actual printer I/O. Note that instead of having PR-256 bother to look up and save the PRINTER IO address every time the system was initialized, I could have coded the address into the program as a constant. This would have saved a little code and storage space. How- ever, this would have made PR-256 more susceptible to failure if IBM made future changes in its BIOS chip. If IBM updates its BIOS routine in some later version of the Personal Computer, the base address of PRINTER_IO could be changed. This would not affect any code using PRINTER_IO, because DOS would be updated to initialize the interrupt vector table to the correct address. But if PR-256 had the original address for PRINTER IO coded in as a con- stant, it would not work on the new version. By always getting the ad- dress from the vector table, PR-256 is sure to have the correct address. Another item worthy of note is the way in which PR-256 calls the PRINTER_IO routine. This routine was designed to execute as an interrupt-service routine and returns to the calling process via an IRET in- struction. PR-256, however, cannot call PRINTER^JO as an interrupt, CALL YOUR LOCAL DYSAN OFFICE CA: Los Angeles (213)907-1803 Orange County (714)851-9462 Sacramento (916)966-8037 San Francisco/Sunnyvale (408) 727-9552 DC: Washington (703)356-6441 GA: Atlanta *(404) 952-09 19 !L: Chicago (312)882-8176 (800) 323-5609 MA: Boston (617)273-5955 *(6 17) 229-2800 Ml: Detroit (313)525-8240 MN: Minneapolis *(6 12) 8 14-7 199 MO: St. Louis (314)434-4011 NY: New York (212)687-7122 OH: Cleveland (216)333-3725 PA: Pittsburgh (412)261-0406 Philadelphia (609) 939-4762 TX: Dallas/Ft Worth *(817) 261-5312 WA: Seattle (206) 455-4725 ♦Includes OEM Sales Dysan Diskettes are also available from ail ComputerLand Stores, Sears Business Systems Centers, and many independent computer outlets nationwide. For the location of the Dysan sales outlet nearest you, contact Dysan at: (408) 988-3472 Toll Free: (800) 538-8133 Telex: 171551 DYSAN SNTA TWX: 9 10-338-2 144 O Dysan ^CORPORATION Circle 160 on inquiry card. WHAT IS THE TRUE COST OF A DISKETTE? If you said at least $186.50*, you're probably close. * Confused? It's simple. The minimum cost of a one-sided, single den- f******^ sity 8" diskette equals the purchase price plus the cost of the time l,,,, *** , * - * ,, *^^ to fully load the data onto the disc* The adjacent diagram tells the * ^"^S story As you can see, the purchase price of a diskette is a small * fraction of the total cost of ownership. So why not pay a / few cents more for the best diskette available? ^ That's where Dysan's quality comes in. Dysan disk- ettes and mini-diskettes are manufactured to the toughest quality standards in the industry Every diskette is tested between the tracks as well as on the tracks to insure you ]Q0% error-free recording over the entire disc surface. Dysan quality protects your investment of $186.50. You know how costly time and data losses can be should your "bargain" diskette be faulty Every penny you think you save on the purchase of magnetic media could cost you dearly Why take the risk when you can have Dysan? ■ Dysan ^CORPORATION Our Media Is Our Message 5201 Patrick Henry Drive Santa Clara, CA 95050 *$4.00 represents Dysan's suggested retail price for a one-sided, single density 8" diskette, packaged ten to a box. Minimum total cost of ownership = $186.50 * 5 182.50 represents the cost of data loading (approximately 22 hours at 1 1 , 106 keystrokes/hour at a labor cost of $8.23/hour), based on 1981 Data Entry Management Association (DEMA) National Averages. tg& 3*W Libraries everywhere have found the easy way to fill photocopy requests legally and instantly, without the need to seek permissions, from this and over 3000 other key publications in business, science, humanities, and social science. Participation in the Copyright Clearance Center (CCC) assures you of legal photocopying at the moment of need. You can: Fill requests for multiple copies, inter library loan (beyond the CONTU guidelines), and reserve desk without fear of copyright infringement. Supply copies simply and easily from registered publications. The CCC's flexible reporting system accepts photocopying reports and returns an itemized invoice. You need not keep any records, our computer will do it for you. The Copyright Clearance Center is your one-stop place for on-the-spot clearance to photocopy for internal use. You will never have to decline a photocopy request or wonder about compliance with the law for any publication registered with the CCC. For more information, just contact: r © Copyright Clearance Center 21 Congress Street Salem, Massachusetts 01970 (617) 744-3350 a not-for-profit corporation 1 L 346 NAME TITLE ORGANIZATION ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP COUNTRY TELEPHONE because it has already changed the in- terrupt vector table when it removed the address for PRINTER_IO. If we look at the difference between an interrupt-service subroutine call and a standard 8088 subroutine call, we see that for a subroutine call the hardware pushes the CS and IP reg- isters onto the system stack, while for an interrupt call it additionally pushes the Flag register onto the stack. Thus, on return from a normal call, the hardware will expect to pop off two values on a normal call, but will expect three values for an inter- rupt call. If we can just keep the system stack straight across the call to PRINTER IO, we can use it as a normal subroutine. The solution is simple. The 8088 hardware, on an in- terrupt call, pushes the Flag register onto the stack before CS and IP. This is great. All we have to do then is manually push the Flag register onto the stack ourselves (via a PUSHF in- struction). Then we can call the PRINTER IO routine as a normal subroutine. Upon execution comple- tion, PRINTER_IO does an IRET that will pop off the proper sequence of words and leave the stack in good shape. The last benefit that we get from using PRINTER IO as a subroutine of PR-256 is that PR-256 does not need to be concerned with initializa- tion of status checking of the printer. If PR-256 receives a request for either of these services, it immediately calls PRINTER_IO and then returns the results it receives. Character-Set Definition Let's now look at the character set of the IBM computer versus that of the Epson MX-100. A close com- parison study breaks the 256 char- acters into five categories that PR-256 must handle in different ways. I have designated these categories as Com- mon, International Graphics, Ex- tended, and Control. The following text describes each category and discusses the effect each had on the PR-256 design. Common Characters The first character category covers March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc ■■■■■■H^HHHI H^^HHHHHI \ £= wc The Well-Tempered Cross-Assembler Before Johann Sebastian Bach developed a new method of tuning, you had to change instruments practically every time you wanted to change keys. Very difficult. Before Avocet introduced its family of cross-assemblers, developing micro-pro- cessor software was much the same. You needed a separate development system for practically every type of processor. Very difficult and very expensive. But with Avocet's cross-assemblers, a single computer can develop software for virtually any microprocessor! Does that put us in a league with Bach? You decide Development Tools That Work Avocet cross-assemblers are fast, reliable and user-proven in over 3 years of actual use. Ask NASA, IBM, XEROX or the hun- dreds of other organizations that use them . Every time you see a new microprocessor- based product, there's a good chance it was developed with Avocet cross- assemblers. Avocet cross-assemblers are easy to use. They run on any computer with CP/M* and process assembly language for the most popular microprocessor families. XASM05 ., ..6805 V XASM09 .. .. 6809 \ XASM18 .. .. 1802 N XASM48 .. .. 8048/8041 XASM51 .. .. 8051 $200 XASM65 .. .. 6502 each XASM68 .. .. 6800/01 XASMF8 .. ..F8/3870 / XASMZ8 .. .. Z8 / XASM400.. .. 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Down -loads prograA^rgenerated by Avocet cross-asserfcb&e .. examine and modify memory 138 P2 = rt * PI + B 146 R = SQR <:: " 2 + •- 2> 156 HPLOT PI + R,159 - P2 166 FOR O w 8 TO 2 * P STEP P .•-' 36 176 X = R * COS <0> •+* Pl:V = 159 - R * SIN <0> - P2 1S8 IF X < 8 OR X > 279 OR V < 8 OR V > 159 THEN 288 198 HPLOT TO X,V 288 NEXT , . . . Listing 1 continued on page 384 382 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc Circle 6 on inquiry card. With Chart-Master, M creating quality graphics is as easy as apple pie. Administration Cost of Goods Marketing R&D matter how you slice them, pie ^ charts, bar charts and %^C^ * scatter diagrams are a lot I ^ ^ easier to read and understand than rows and columns of numbers. Now you can create colorful business graphics any- time you need them, with an easy-to-use Chart- Master graphics software program. 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That's why Chart- Master is in daily use at major corporations like GE, Eastman Kodak, Exxon, Union Carbide, GM, AT&T, DuPont, 3M, Citibank, Motorola, Proctor & Gamble and GTE. The retail price of Chart-Master is $375, For a complete information kit and name of your nearest dealer, contact Decision Resources, Inc., 21 Bridge Square, WestporVCT 06880. (203) 222-1974. DecisionResources Software Designed for Decision Makers Visicalc is a trademark of Visicorp. Apple is a trademark of Apple Computer Inc. IBM is a trademark of International Business Machines Corporation. Circle 142 on inquiry card. Circle 65 on inquiry card. MULTI-PROGRAMMER Features SYSTEM-10 > Dedicated keys and large display vocabulary for ease of use. I/O - 6 baud rates, 13 formats including Intel lee, Textronix and Motorola. EPROMs, E 2 PROMs and bipolars. PROGRAMS Gang option - programs eight at once. Remote control option. OVER 250 /, . 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Listing 1 continued: 210 END 220 REM INPUT FROM PADDLES 
'¥ 
260 RETURN 
270 X = INT •:: PDL <0> * 1.095XV 

= INT < PDL <1> * .625') 
280 HCOLOR- 3s HPLOT X>V: IF PEEK 

•:: - 162S7> > 127 THEN 38© 
290 HCOLOR= 0= HPLOT X,V: GOTO 2 

70 
300 IF PEEK < - I 6287 > > 127 THEN 

300 

310 V - -159'> ys RETURN 

Listing 2: The ellipse program. Enter the two foci and a point on 
the perimeter. The program will draw the ellipse based on the 
location of the points. 

10 HGR : HCOLOR= 3= GOSUB 160: p 

3- 14159265 
20 OK «  y 2 + XlsQV = 

V2 - VI > .-- 2 + VI 
30 N = SQR < '" 2 +  "• 2;:- + SQR < "> 
2 *  -■■ 2> 
46 A = N ■■ 2 
50 B = SQR -:;A " % 2 - < -'" 

2 + CV1 ~ OV> ■'"• 2>> 
60 Q = ATN < s  > ■ ■ 2 + < B * COS < > > • 2 > 
100 X « R * COS <0+Q>+OXsV= 

R * SIN <0 + Q> + OV 
110 IF X < OR X > 279 OR V < © 

OR V > 159 THEN 130 
120 HPLOT TO X, 159 - V 
130 NEXT 
140 END 

150 REM INPUT --FROM KEYBOARD > 
160 INPUT "FIRST FOCUS 8 M 5 XI* .Vl 
170 HPLOT XI, 159 - VI 
1 SO I NPUT " SECOND FOCUS s " 5 X2 * V2 
190 HPLOT X2, 159 - V2 
200 I NPUT " PO I NT s " 5 PX , P V 
210 HPLOT PX,159 - PV 
220 RETURN 



384 



March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc 



Circle 219 on inquiry card. 



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249. .DEF. 
The term < library > denotes a user- 
chosen name that applies to all files 
associated with a particular biblio- 
graphy; < library > . VOC, the second 
of three necessary files, contains the 
vocabulary of keywords and is built or 
modified by the program VOCBLD 
(see listing 3). After VOCBLD has exe- 
cuted, it automatically chains to the 
program VOCLST (see listing 4), 
which will list the keywords on the 
console or printer. VOCLST may also 
be called independently from the main 
menu. 

To increase the efficiency of search- 
ing the list of keywords, the file 
< library > .VOC is maintained in 
lexicographic order. BIBBLD (see list- 
ing 5) builds and modifies the file of 
articles, < library > .BIB. No ordering 
is maintained in this file; articles are 
added by appending them to the end 
of the file. The program deletes articles 
by serially reading and displaying 



390 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc 



records of articles from the 

< library > .BIB file, letting the user 
designate records for deletion, and 
substituting five Zs for the first five 
characters of the first field of the desig- 
nated records. Records so marked are 
ignored when the file is searched for 
articles. When enough records have 
been marked to make it wise to do so, 
the user runs CMPRBIB (see listing 6) 
to compress the < library > .BIB file. 
This program reads and rewrites the 

< library > .BIB file and eliminates all 
records marked for deletion, thus re- 
claiming wasted disk space. 

The heart of this system of pro- 
grams is the function that searches the 
bibliography file. This has been split 
into two programs, BIBSRCH (see 
listing 7) and BIBSR2 (see listing 8). 
BIBSR2, a continuation of BIBSRCH, 
has been split from it to conserve 
memory. The user initiates a search 
by entering an interrogation phrase 
that consists of one or more words 
(concepts) joined or modified by 
logical operators. Parentheses estab- 
lish precedence for the operations. 
Permissible operators are the fuzzy 
equivalents, defined in table 1, of the 
Boolean AND, OR, NOT, and IM- 
PLICATION operators. The user is 
then prompted to define each of the 
concepts he has entered in terms of 
keywords found in the keyword vo- 
cabulary for the library to be 
searched. Next, the search routine 
scans the < library > .BIB file of ar- 
ticles, calculating and recording the 
degree to which each article satisfies 
the interrogation phrase. Then the 
program displays the number of ar- 
ticles that meet or exceed each of the 
11 possible degrees of satisfaction 
(0.0, 0.1, 0.2 .. . 1.0). Next, the user 
is asked for a minimum satisfaction 
threshold; the program then retrieves 
and lists all articles that meet or ex- 
ceed this threshold. 

The system parameter file, 

< library > .DEF, is generated by the 
program PARMS and read by the in- 
itialization section of BIBLIO. Com- 
posed of numeric data only, it is read 
and written in serial fashion. Lines 
37-46 of listing 1 define the items in 
this file. The keyword vocabulary file, 

< library > .VOC, contains fixed- 
length records, each record holding 



Listing 1: BIBLIO, the driver routine for the bibliographic search system, initializes the 
system parameters, displays a menu of functions, and chains to the selected function. 



35 
4! 



b: 

91 

10 
1 1 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
IB 
19 
20 

2 :f. 

2 2 
23 
24 



28 
29 
30 
31 

32 
33 
34 

35 

36 
37 
38 

3? 

4e 

41 

42 
43 
44 

45 
46 
47 

48 
49 
50 
51 

53 
54 

55 
56 

57 

58 
59 

6 
61 
62 
63 
64 
65 
66 
67 
6B 
69 

7 
71 
72 
73 
74 
75 
76 
77 
78 



REM 
REM 
REM 

REM 
REM 



FILE BIBLIO *BAS 

x xx xx xx FUZZY BIBLIOGRAPHIC SEARCH ******* 

* Wr i 1 1 e r i b a ! T h a n a s A . S* i t h * 

x :1525 L v.rn..ihi..M*st Ave,, * 

* Ca«arillo* CA 9 3010 * 

* * x * x ******** x ******* x x x * * * * x x *********** * 



REM MAIN DRIVER AND MENU 

REM SET UP COMMON FOR CHAINING 

%CHAIN 40,40 ,0 ,600 

COMMON KEY WD* CI ) , LXBNAME* ,RLEN% , TRUE%, AUTH , LEN% , TIT! * LEN% 

COMMON MAXG:rB%,MAXDESC%,MAXDEF%,MAXKLYS%,MAXCON:w CONCEPT* ( 1 > 

COMMON ISS ♦ LEN% , CIS* » ERR% , JOUR ♦ L..ENZ ,KWD *I..EN% ,CMl>*< 1 > 

C M M N L F T % ( 1 > , R H T% i 1 > , C ON ♦ KE Y% <2 > * C N * R A T E ( 2 > \ -QU E R Y $ » I... % 

REM INITIALIZE 

IF LEN~() THEN \ 

LIBNAME$^COMMAND$ 
CLS*-CHR*(31) ! TRUE"/--! 
PRINT CLS$ 
IE LEN(LIBNAME$)-0 THEN \ 

INPUT "PLEASE ENTER LIBRARY 



name: "jlibname* 



REM IE NO DEFINITIONS ON FILE GO TO DEFINITION MODULE 

IF END *3 THEN 14 

OPEN LIBNAME$+" ♦DEE" AS 3 

IE SIZE 

REM DISPLAY MENU AND GET SELECTION 
PRINT CLS$ : PRINT 
TAB (12) \ 



PRINT 
PRINT 
PRINT 
PRINT 
PRINT 
PRINT 
PRINT 
PRINT 
0PT%-7 



B I E! L 1 G R A P H Y S E A R C H - 



"6 



B U I L D / M D I F Y B I B I 1 G R A P H Y " 
B U I L D / M D I F Y K E Y W R D V C A B U L , 
LIST KEYWORD VOCABULARY WORD: 
SEARCH BIBLIOGRAPHY FILE" 
C O M P R E S S B I B L 1 G R A P hi Y F I L E ' ' 
DONE- -EXIT TO SYSTEM- 
PRINT 

WHILE <0PTX>6> OR <0PTX<1) 

INPUT "PLEASE SELECT DESIRED FUNCTION BY NUMBER J 
IF (0PT%>6) OR <0PTX<1> THEN \ 

P R I NT ' ' I L I... E G A I. . F U N C T 1 N N U M B E R - - R E E N T E R " 
WEND 

R E M E X E C U T E S E L £ C T IE D F U N C T 1 N 



TAB (12) \ 

TAB( 12) J 
TAB( 12) J 
TAB( 12) j 
TAB (12) *, 

TAB(12) J 
PRINT 



1 JQPTX 



IF 
IF 
IF 
IF 
IF 

nop 



opjy.-- 

OPT%8 
OPT%a 

0PT%: 

0PT%= 
0PTX= 



THEN 
THEN 

THEN 
THEN 
THEN 
THEN 



STOP 
CHAIN 

CHAIN 
CHAIN 
CHAIN 

CHAIN 



"BIBBED" 
"VOCBLD" 
" VOCES T" 
"BIBSRCH" 
"CMPRBIB" 



Listing 2: PARMS, the system parameter definition program, is automatically called 
from BIBLIO when a new library is being established, PARMS interacts with the user to 
build a file containing the system file descriptions and other parameters. 



1 J REM F IFF I'rUvM- > . BAS 

31 RIM PROGRAM PARAMETER DEI- INI HON MODULE 



Listing 2 continued on page 392 



March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc 391 



Listing 2 continued: 

i: COMMON KEYWDfU ) ,LIBNAME* , PI. r N% t TPUE%, AU TTM...LNZ f rrfL.LEN* 
S : COMMON MAXBTF:".. , HAXDESCX » MAXDEFZ * MAXKEYS% » MAXCON% » CUNCF.P f* ( 1 ) 
COMMON ISS , LEN% , CLS* , E PP% , JOUR ♦ LF N7. t KWO . LEN% * CMI.)$ ( I. > 
COMMON LPT%( I, I ,RGHT%< i ) ,C0N»KEYX<2) *C0N*RATE(2) , QUERY* ,i % 
DIM SPARM%('*) 

SPACEX^FRE 
SF'ACE%«SPACEX-10a < > "C" T H E N S I OP 
PRINT \ 
'*** FIRST WE DEFINE THE ARTICLE RECORD FIELD SIZES **" 

12 PRINT \ 

"YOU HAVE A MAXIMUM OF 250 CHARACTERS THAT MAY BE ALLOCATED" 
PRINT \ 

"FOR EACH ARTICLE RECORD. EACH KEYWORD DESCRIPTOR ATT ACHED" 
PRINT \ 

"WILL CONSUME THREE OF THESE," 
INPUT \ 

"WHAT IS THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF DESCRIPTORS PER ARTICLE';' "JMAXDESCZ 
PRINT USING \ 
"YOU HAVE *#* CHARACTERS REMAINING."? 250- 3*MAXDESC7. 

13 PRINT \ 

" EN T E R MAXIM U M F I E L D L E N G T H S , I N R D E R » F R A U T H R , T I T L E ! , " 
PRINT \ 

"JOURNAL, AND ISSUE- ALL ON ONE LINE. SEPARATE ENTRIES BY" 

PRINT \ 

"ONE OR MORE SPACES AND FOLLOW LAST ENTRY WITH RETURN." 

GO SUB 100 

IF V%<>5 THEN \ 

PRINT "INCORRECT NUMBER OF ENTRIES RE-ENTER" t'\ 

GOTO 13 
AUTH . LEN%=SPARMX ( 1 ) ! TITL . LEN%= SRARM7. < 2 ) 
J0UR.LEN7^SPARM7.<3) ! ISS.LENX »SFARH%<4) 
R L EN%« AU T H . L E N X + T I T L . L E N % + J O U R . L E N % + 1 S S . L E N 7. 
R L E N % - R L E N 7. + 3 * ( M A X D E S C 7. * % ) + 2 
IF RLENZ>255 THEN \ 

PRINT USING "RECORD CONTAINS ***** CHARACTERS" J RLEN%-5 t\ 

PRINT "THE MAXIMUM IS 250 —PLEASE RE-DEFINE FIELDS" |.\ 

GOTO 12 

PRINT CLS* 

PRINT \ 

M ** NOW WE SET THE MAXIMUM SIZES OF OTHER PARAMETERS **" 

^0 PRINT \ 

"ENTER, IN ORDER, THE MAX TO BE ALLOWED FOR T" 

PRINT \ 

"CHARS PER KEYWORD, NO. OF KEYWORDS IN VOCABULARY (<256)" 

PRINT \ 

"NO. CONCEPTS PER INTERROGATION, NO. KEYWORDS PER CONCEPT." 

PRINT \ 

"SEPARATE ENTRIES BY SPACES AND FOLLOW LAST WITH RETURN." 

GO SUB 10 

IF V7.05 THEN \ 

PRINT "INCORRECT NUMBER OF ENTRIES -- RE-ENTER" :\ 

GOTO ^0 
KWCULENZ* SPARMZ(l) J MAXKEYSZ-SPARMZ C 2 ) 
MAXC0N7 =a SPARM7(3) : MAXDEF7 *SPARH%<*) 
IF MAXKEYS%>255 THEN MAXKEYS7=255 

INPUT " C A P A C I T Y O F O N E S % D E O F O N E D I S K ( K I L OB Y I E S ) t " | D , C A P 
K Y . FILX= >2*HAXKEYS&* ( KWD ♦ LEUZ*? ) 
K Y . F IL X ■ 1 24* < IN T % ( K Y , F I L %/i 6 24 > + 1 ) 
D . CAP* ( 1 *D ♦ CAP- 1 024-KY . FIT. % ) /RL.EN7. 
D.CAP^D.CAP-1 

RL%«B* (MAXC0N7+1 > *? "JANS^ 
IF yCASEH < LEFT* ( ANS* , 1 ) > ^"Y" THEN 1 () 
INPUT "MAXIMUM NO, OF ARTICLES DESIREDJ "tMAXF:IH7 
IF «AXBtB^>MSPACE THEN MAXFa P^ MSPACF 

CREATE LIBNAHE*+",DEF M AS 1 

PRINT *lj \ 

MAXKEYS";, . MAXDF SC% , MA/DI. F %,HAX€ON%, ' 

MAXBIB/S , A U'l "H .LF N% , T I H .. . LENX , ■ IOUR . LEN7 , S 

ISS.L..FN%, KUD J.. FN7 
CLDSE 1 

CHAIN "PIPLIO" 

10 INPUT " ■ " ; \>UH* I i ■>.-:!. J V% 1 
WHYL F. (1% 'I ENU')tlh'F 1 > ANT' (V%<5 - 

WHILE MIDI: (DUM* , 17, J ">■■■■" " J T7-™I7+1 I N 



Listing 2 continued on page 393 



one keyword; record length is the sys- 
tem parameter of line 46, listing 1. The 
maximum length of this file is defined 
in line 37 of listing 1 and cannot exceed 
255 keywords. 

The bibliography file, < library > 
.BIB, contains fixed-length records 
with five fields each. The first four 
fields contain the author's name, the 
article title, the journal name, and the 
journal issue. The system parameters 
in lines 42-45 of listing 1 specify the 
maximum number of characters that 
each of these fields can contain. The 
last of the five fields in an article 
record contains the keyword descrip- 
tor data, three characters per descrip- 
tor. The first two characters of each 
descriptor are the ASCII (American 
Standard Code for Information Inter- 
change) representation of the hexa- 
decimally encoded keyword index 
number; the third is the ASCII hexa- 
decimally encoded value of the article 
applicability rating for the keyword, 
scaled up by a factor of 10. 

The maximum record length for an 
article is 255 keywords; of these, two 
are required as record delimiters by 
CBASIC and three are used to flag the 
end of the keyword descriptor list. 
Thus the author, title, journal, and 
issue field lengths added to three 
times the number of keyword descrip- 
tors must not exceed 250. The maxi- 
mum number of keyword descriptors 
that may be attached to an article is 
defined by the parameter in line 38 of 
listing 1. 

Building a Library 

Let's walk through each of the pro- 
gram functions in the order you would 
follow to build a new library. By way 
of example, I will often refer to the 
representations of the video displays 
shown in listings 9-14. All user inputs 
in these display listings have been 
underlined for easy identification. 

First, we call up the program for 
our library named COMPJOUR with 
the CP/M command CRUN2 BIBLIO 
COMPJOUR. If we had not included 
the library name, the BIBLIO program 
would have asked for one. The library 
name may be preceded by a disk-drive 
specifier; if none is specified, the sys- 
tem will assume the files are assigned 
to the drive that was selected prior to 



392 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc 



the run command. Because we are 
building a new library, BIBLIO will 
not find any files called COMPJOUR 
and will immediately branch to the 
system parameter-definition program 
PARMS. Listing 9 represents the 
video screen as we define the contents 
of the system parameter file COMP- 
JOUR. DEF by responding to requests 
from PARMS. PARMS first gives us 
a chance to exit back to the operating 
system in case we have mistyped the 
library name. If the name is correct 
and we want to proceed, we enter a C 
and PARMS begins the first phase of 
the definition process. This phase sets 
up the field lengths for the article 
records and is completed as shown in 
listing 9. 

The second phase, shown in the 
screen copy in listing 10, completes 
the definition process by defining 
parameters for the keyword vocab- 
ulary file and setting the sizes of ar- 
rays. We are asked to state the capa- 
city of one disk surface so that the 
program can calculate an upper limit 
for the number of articles that can be 
stored. The number of K bytes 
entered should be the data storage 
capacity minus the combined size of 
all programs that must reside on the 
same disk. Because the bibliographic 
programs occupy 17K bytes and the 
CBASIC run-time interpreter requires 
17K bytes of disk space, we will enter 
a figure of 206K bytes, which is the 
maximum capacity left for data 
storage if we have one single-sided 
single-density 8-inch disk. After 
PARMS is given this number, it in- 
forms us of the maximum number of 
articles that can be accommodated in 
the available disk and memory space. 
The amount of memory stated in 
listing 10 (13,823) is for a 64K-byte 
system. A 48K-byte system would 
provide sufficient space for process- 
ing about 5600 articles. 

Before PARMS writes the COMP- 
JOUR. DEF file, it gives us a chance to 
change the definitions. We might 
want, for example, to increase the 
number of articles that the disk can 
accommodate at the expense of the 
article-record size. Once the param- 
eters file, the keyword vocabulary 
file, and the article file have been 
built, we can still redefine some of 



Listing 2 continued: 



,'nl. .. C ^ X G H T *< .OUM*, LFN'DUM* 



.1.01.: BF*ARfiX ■."■" " > and 

lii'i: X%**XX*l i WEND 

105 J M€ND 

106: RETURN 



XENXPUH*) ) 



Listing 3: VOCBLD, selected by menu item 2 from BIBLIO, lets the user build or 
modify the file containing the vocabulary of keywords. 



3: 
4: 

61 

71 

b: 

9 J 

10 { 
1. 1 ! 
1 Z : 
:t. 3 J 
14 1 
15! 
:l. 6 : 
:l. 7 1 
18 J 
l?i 
2 o ; 
21 J 
27 ♦ 
23 J 
2AX 

za: 

2.7 \ 
23 ? 

29: 

30 X 

3i: 

32 t 
331 

341 

351 

36: 
37: 
3a: 
39: 
40: 

42 J 

13: 

44? 

45: 
46 : 
47: 
48: 
49: 

50J 

si : 

521 

53: 
54: 

55: 
56 : 
57: 
58: 
59: 
60 : 
6 1 : 
62 : 
63: 
64: 
65: 
66: 
67: 
68: 
69: 
70: 
7i : 
72: 

731 

74: 
75: 
76: 

77\ 



Rj M 111! VOL LI D.RAB 

REM l-;tn.l D/i: Nl ARGI' KEYWORD VOCABULARY 

COMMON KEYWCHU > ,1 IBNAME* » RLENX, TRUEX* AUlH»LENX» T 'ITi*. AJEHX 

COMMON MAXBIBX , MAXDIv SCX t MAX DEE % > MAXKEYSX t MAXCONX » CONCEPT* i 1 > 

C M M N I B S ♦ L E N X , C L S * , E R R % , J U R . L. E N X , K WD , L. E NX t C M D * ( X > 

COMMON LET%( 1 > »RGHT%< 1) , CON . KEYX ( 2 ) ,CQN*RATE<2) , QUERY* » I. ..X 

DIM DREYX \ " KEYWORD VOCABULARY BUILD/MODIFY- - " 

PRINT 

BLANKS" 

ZE1 S< " z l l I l I \ l i i t ' i r ( f i ( j i r/rri/j x.i j i.j / / t li t ? XX2 ;/:r:/ / / / / " 

FOR IX- :1. TO MAXKEYSX t HOMEX^0 I VX»IX I NEXT IX 

DELX^O 

REM IF NO FILE THEN BUILD ONE 
IE END *:t. THEN 4.1C1 
OPEN LIBNAHEi+ ,, ,yOC H AS 1 
IF BIZE(LIBNAME*+" »MOC M >^(J THEN \ 
DELETE 1 : GOTO 4* IE 1 

REM OTHERWISE READ THE FILE 
IF END *1 THEN 4.2E1 
VOC.L.ENX-1 
WHILE TRUEX 

READ *1J LINE KEY WD* < VOC . LENX ) 

V C , L E N % • V C * L E N % * 1 

WEND 
4.2E1 CLOSE 1 
V C . L E: NX « V C * L E N X - 1 
NEMVQ 

OLD ♦NUM%«*V0C» LENX 

B%^RENAME? "JANS* 
ANS*=UCASE$ ( LEFT* ( ANS* , 1 > ) 
IF ANS*=="A" THEN 4,5E1 

REM DELETE KEYWORDS 
WHILE TRUEX 

INPUT "ENTER KEYWORD NUMBER: "J LINE TEMP* 

IF LEN(TEMP*)^0 THEN 4.4E1 

J%-VAL J DELX-DELX41 J DKEYX ( DELX ) - JX 

KEY WD* ( JX ) -LEFT* < ZEES* , KWD * LEN7. ) 

WEND 

4»5E1 REM GET A NEW KEYWORD 
WHILE TRUEX 

IF VOC,LENX>-MAXKEYSX THEN \ 

PRINT "KEYWORD VOCABULARY FULL" :\ 
GOTO 4*4E1 
4.SSE1 PRINT "ENTER KEYWORD *"J VOC . LENX+1 J " ! "I 
INPUT ""U-INE TEMP* 
IF LEN(TEMP*)-Q THEN 4*4E1 
TEMP*^UCASE* 
IX =0 

WHILE IX=" " THEN \ 

PRINT "KEYWORDS MAY NOT CONTAIN BLANKS RE-ENTER" t.\ 

GOTO 4»55E1 
WEND 
VOC « LENX = V0C . LENX+1 I KEY WD* ( VOC i LENX > ==LEFT* ( TEMP* ■* BLANK* , KWD . LEN"/ > 
WEND 

4*1E1 REM BUILD FROM SCRATCH 
CREATE LIBNAME*-+" .VOC" AS :l 
MOC»LENX-() 

NEWX^-1 
GOTO 4.5E1 

4.4E1 REM QUICKSORT ARRAY OF KEYWORDS, KEEPING TRACK OF MOVES 
PRINT "SORTING* 

Listing 3 continued on page 394 

March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc 393 



Listing 3 continued: 



7&i 
79 t 

80 : 

8i : 

82 I 

83: 
8'U 

85: 
86: 

a/: 

88: 

89: 

?o: 

9.1. : 

92: 

93: 

9't: 

95: 

96: 

97: 

98: 

99; 

i o o : 

.1 o :i ; 

iizi 

i o 3 : 

1. 1 ; 

I 5: 

i.o&: 
j. o 7 : 
108: 
1 09: 

I I o : 
i i i. : 
1 XZ I 

113: 

n^: 
lis: 
1 1* 3 

117: 
lis: 
1 1 9 : 

120: 
izi : 
122: 
123: 
12*: 
125: 
126: 
127: 
128: 
129: 
i30 : 
131 : 
132: 
133: 
134: 
135: 
136: 
137: 
138: 
139: 
140 : 
i 4 1 : 
i42: 
143: 
144: 
:i.45t 
146: 
147: 
148: 

H?i 

150 : 
151 : 
152: 
153: 
I5'i: 
155: 
156: 
157: 
158: 
159: 
1 6 o : 
i6i : 
162: 
163: 
164: 
165: 
166: 
\67\ 
168: 

169: 

! 7 o : 
:l. 7 1 i 
1.72: 
173: 
174: 



SX-1 : L.STKX<1)=1 J R.STKX(l)-VOC.LENX 

4. 41 Ell LX-L.STKX :\ 

y%*tei#H£ :\ 

I%«13£+1 : J3£»J%~1 

IF IXOJX THEN 4.43E1 
IF (JX-LX) >* = 



LX 



>TK%0 THEN 4*421 I 
FOR IX- 1 10 DEL* 

HOVE%. ?v<.> 

NEXT IX 

voe.L£N%~uoc . lfnx- ixlx 

4.42E1 REM WRITE KEYWDS ARRAY TO DISK 
IF END *1 THEN 4.6E1 
FOR IX =1 TO VOC.LENX 

PRINT USING "ik"l tlj KEYWD* :\ 



OPEN LIBNAME*+'VVTM" 

DELETE 1 
INPUT "PRESS RETURN TO 
4.9E1 CHAIN "BIBLIO" 



1 :\ 



GO BACK TO MENU 



LINE ANS* 



REM CONVERT TWO ASCII HEX TO INTEGER 

DEF FN.TWO.INT%(DUM*> 

TENX^ASC < MID* ( DUM* ,1,1)) 

IE TENX>64 THEN TENX=^T ENX-55 ELSE TENX^TENX-48 

ONEX--:=ASC ( MID* ( DUM* ,2,1)) 

IF 0NEX>64 THEN 0NEX^0NEX~55 ELSE QNEX-0NEX--48 

FN*TW0.INTX^16*TENX + ONEX 

RETURN 

FEND 

REM CONVERT INTEGER TO TWO ASCII HEX 

DEF FN . INT ♦ TWO* ( DUMX ) 

HIX^DUMX/16 : LOX^DUMX -16*HIX 

IF HIX<10 THEN HI%*MIX+48 ELSE HIX^HIX+55 

IF LC)X<10 THEN LOX^LOX+48 ELSE L0X^L0X+55 

FN . INT . TWO*=CHR* < HIX ) + CHR* ( LOX ) 

RETURN 

FEND 

5 El. REM ALTER KEYWORD NUMBERS IN BIBLIO FILE FOR NEW ORDERING 

REM IF THERE IS NO BIBLIO FILE WE ARE DONE 
IF END #2 THEN 5.5E1 

OPEN LIBNAMF*-*" ♦BIB" RECL RLENX AS 2 
I F S I Z E ( L I B N A M E * + " ♦ B I B " ) -■■ T H E N \ 
DELETE 2 ! RETURN 

REM OTHERWISE WE READ AND MODIFY 

PRINT "MODIFYING KEYWORD DESCRIPTORS IN BIBLIO. ..." 

IF END #2 THEN 5.4E1 

RNUK%*2 

READ #2,1J LINE TEMP* 

D E S C . B E G X ■ A U T H . L E N X + T I T L ♦ L E N X + J U R . L E N X + 1 S Q . L E N X * 1 

WHILE TRUEX 

READ *2,RNUMXJ LINE TEMP* 

I X - D E S C . B E G X : L 1 X ■ LEN < T E M P * ) 

WHILE TRUEX 

f.) U M * * M :i D * ( I E M P * , I X , 3 ) 

IF DUM*- "FEE" THEN 5. 3 El 



Listing 3 continued on page 395 



these parameters. This might be desir- 
able if changes have occurred in 
either our disk or memory capacity. 
None of the parameters entered in 
listing 9 can be altered, nor can the 
first parameter entered in listing 10, 
but any or all of the rest may be. The 
safest way to accomplish a redefini- 
tion is to rename the existing COMP- 
JOUR.DEF file to save it as a backup 
and then rerun BIBLIO, which will let 
us generate a new COMPJOUR.DEF 
file as described above. We can then 
display the contents of both files on 
the video screen by using the CP/M 
command TYPE in order to verify 
that the new file is correct. When the 
parameter definition is completed, 
the program displays the menu 
shown in listing 11 and asks us to 
make a selection. This menu reap- 
pears after completion of any of the 
six listed tasks — except the last, 
which exits to CP/M. Our next step is 
to build a vocabulary of keywords. 
Accordingly, we select menu item 2 
and branch to the program 
VOCBLD. 

Listing 12 represents the video dis- 
play as we use VOCBLD to add to an 
existing library of 110 words. The dis- 
play is the same for building a new 
vocabulary except that the query 
about adding or deleting is not pre- 
sent and the keyword numbers start 
with 1. Keyword entries may not con- 
tain spaces. To enter a multiple-word 
keyword, we hyphenate it as shown 
in the first keyword entry in listing 
12. We terminate the entry of key- 
words by pressing only the Return 
key in response to the keyword entry 
prompt. 

Once all the keywords have been 
entered, VOCBLD sorts them into 
alphabetic order and then notifies us 
of the total number contained in the 
file COMPJOUR.VOC after it has 
written or rewritten the file. If a file of 
articles, COMPJOUR.BIB, has al- 
ready been created, VOCBLD will 
next scan it and modify the keyword 
numbers attached to each article to 
reflect the reordered vocabulary of 
keywords. VOCBLD informs us that 
it is doing this in the last line of listing 
12. As its last step, VOCBLD calls up 
the vocabulary listing program 
VOCLST to give us an up-to-date 



394 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc 



printout of the vocabulary such as 
that shown in listing 13. We can exe- 
cute VOCLST at any time by select- 
ing menu item 3 and directing output 
to the printer or the video display. 
After the vocabulary is listed, the dis- 
play reverts to the main menu. 

To continue creating a new library, 
we select menu item 1, which causes 
BIBLD to execute. As shown in listing 

14, BIBLD prompts us to enter each 
item in an article record and to ter- 
minate data entry by responding to 
the AUTHOR prompt by pressing the 
Return key. The display in listing 14 
actually shows an addition to a file of 
articles that already existed; the only 
difference in the display is the ques- 
tion in the second line. When we enter 
the keywords and their ratings, we 
must separate them by spaces; we 
must also enter the keywords exactly 
as they appear in the vocabulary. 
When we finish entering articles, 
BIBLD updates the COMPJOUR.BIB 
file, informs us of the number of ar- 
ticles on file, and then transfers back 
to the menu display when we press 
Return. 

Searching the Library 

Now that we have built a library, 
we can search it. Selecting menu item 
4 calls BIBSRCFJ, which puts us in the 
search mode and, as shown in listing 

15, prompts us to enter the interroga- 
tion phrase. The phrase we have 
chosen, entered in the third line of the 
display, expresses interest in articles 
about graphics that use a plotter; in 
addition, the phrase states (through 
the # sign for implication) that if the 
article describes a program, the pro- 
gram should be in BASIC. Next, BIB- 
SRCH asks us to define each of the 
words, or concepts, used in our inter- 
rogation; recall that these concepts 
need not be keywords. The defini- 
tions entered tell BIBSRCH to inter- 
pret the concept GRAPHICS to mean - 
exactly what the keyword GRAPH- 
ICS means; to interpret PLOTTER as 
meaning either of the keywords 
PLOTTER or PRINTER but that we 
prefer PLOTTER; to interpret PRO- 
GRAM to mean either of the key- 
words PROGRAM or LISTING; and, 
finally, to interpret BASIC to mean 
the same as the keyword BASIC. 



Listing 

175: 

1761 

177 X 

i7a: 

J. 791 

ioo: 

181 X 

182 : 

1831 

184: 
185: 
186: 
is/: 
188: ; 
189: '■ 



3 continued: 

kz-fn.two.int%cdum*) 

IF ttOM£% :\ 

DUM2 * «F N . INT . T WO* C K X ) + R I OH T * < DUM* , 1 ) 
T E M P 1 * * L. E F T * < T E M P * 1 1 7. - - 1 ) + D U M 2 * * R I G H T * ( T E M P * , I... 1 7. • 1 7. ■■■■ 2 ) 
T E MP* - LEF T * < T E MP 1 * + " % L 1 7. ) 

IF LEN(DUM2*)>() THEN 17.-1% + 3 
WEND 
5.3E1 PRINT USING 
RNUM%^RNUM%+1 
WEND 
i.4El CLOSE 2 
i.5El RETURN 



#2>RNUH%J TEMP* 



Listing 4: VOCLST, called automatically from VOCBLD after any modifications to the 
keyword vocabulary, lists the vocabulary on the screen or printer, VOCLST can also be 
executed by selecting menu item 3 in BIBLIO. 



REM 



-FILE VOCE ST. PAS 



31 
4: 
'...' : 
6: 

7% 

8: 
9: 
10 : 
its 

121 

13: 
14: 
15: 

X6t 

1/ : 
is: 
1?: 
20: 

215 



26: 
27: 
28: 
29: 
30 : 
311 

33 : 
3^: 
35: 
36: 
37: 
38: 
39: 
40: 
4i : 
42: 
43: 
44: 
45: 
46: 
47: 
48: 
49: 
so: 
5i: 
52: 
53: 
54: 



REM VOCABULARY LIST TO CON SOLE /PR INTER 

COMMON K E Y W D * < 1 ) , L I B N A M E * , R L E N 7. , T R U E % , A U T H . I... E N % , T I T L . L E N % 
COMMON MAXBIB% , MAXDESC7„ , MAXDEF7. , MAXKEYSX , MAXC0N7. 1 CONCEPT* ( L ) 
COMMON ISS . LEN% » CLS* , ERR% , JOUR . L.EN% , KWD t KWD ♦ I..EN7. , CMD* ( 1 ) 
COMMON LFT% ( 1 ) , RGHTX ( 1 ) f CON . KEY% ( 2 ) , CON . RATE (2> f QUERY* , \_X 



PRINT CLS* J PRINT 

PRINT TAB (12) J" 

PRINT 

INPUT "DO YOU WISH A PRINTED 

IF UCASE*(LEFT* )-="Y" 
LPRINTER : COL%«4 \ 
ELSE PRINT CLS* J G0L7.-3 



K E Y W R D V C A E : : U L A R Y L I S 1 E R 



LISTING 
THEN \ 



• ;anb* 



REM IF NO VOCABULARY FILE RETURN TO MENU 
IF END #1 THEN 3.3E1 
OPEN LIBNAME**".VOC" AS 1 
IF SIZE(LIBNAME*+".VOC") «0 THEN \ 
DELETE 1 J GOTO 3.3E1 

REM OTHERWISE READ COMPLETE VOCABULARY 

IF END #1 THEN 3.1 El 

I%=1 

WHILE TRUEZ 

READ #1 J LINE KEYWD$(I7.) 

I%=IX+1 

WEND 
3.1E1 XX*X£-1 
CLOSE 1 

REM LIST IN FOUR COLUMNS FOR PRINTER, THREE FOR SCREEN 
IF COL%=4 THEN LPRINTER t\ 

FOR J%*1 TO 5 : PRINT : NEXT ,17. X\ 

PRINT TAB ( 23 ) JLIBNAME* J " KEYWORD VOCABULARY" J \ 

PRINT' T A B < 2 3 ) ; ' * •■•• ■• - -• - -■• - - ' ' 

N . R W %* INT 7. < 1% 7 CO L % ) 

IF I7.XN.ROW%3tcCOL%) THEN N . R0W7.-N ♦ ROWZ + 1 
FOR J%»| TO N.R0W7. 
FOR K%"0 TO COL%- 1 
INDJC=J?£ + K%kN.ROH% 
IF IND%; 1 7. THEN 3.2E1 
PRINT USING "##*": IND%: 
PRINT » "+KEYWD* ; 
:i. 6 i 
17 t 
181 
1 9 I 



28 : 

30 : 

3 1 : 
32 : 
33: 

3'K 
35 t 

36: 

37 1 

38 : 
39 : 
40: 
ii : 

421 

43t 
 MAXCON 
COMMON IBS . LEHZ, DI..S* * EER% , JOUR . LENZ t KWD ♦ LEN% , CM 
COMMON LFT% CD, RGHT% ( 1) , CON * KEY% ( 2> , CON ♦ RATE ( 2 ) 
GOSUF £E1 
CHAIN "BIELIO" 
STOP 

REM CONVERT INTEGER TO TWO ASCII HEX 

DEF FN*INTMWO*(OUM%) 

H I % * D M X 7 1 6 : L X ~ D U M % - 1 6 * H I % 

IE HI%<10 THEN HIX=HIX+48 ELSE HI%-HI%-*-55 

IF- 1.0% < 10 THEN L0%-L0Z-+-48 ELBE L0%-L0Z+53 

F N ♦ I N T . T N * « C H R $ ( H I 7. ) + C H R $ ( i... % ) 

RETURN 

FEND 

REM CONVERT ONE DIGIT REAL TO ASCII HEX 

DEF FH ♦ RE ALONE* ( DOM) 

ONE7-INT%(10*0*DOM) 

IF 0NE%<1C) THEN 0NE/^0NE%+48 ELSE 0NEZ-0NE% + 55 

F N . R E A L N E f « C HR $ i N E % ) 

RETURN 

FEND 

6 E 1 R E M B U 1 1... D / M D I F Y B X B L 1 G R A P H Y F I L E 
PRINT GLS* 

P R I N T T A B ( J. 2 > J * ' - - • - B I B L 1 B U I L D / M D I F Y - 

PRINT 

REM IF NO VOCABULARY FILE, EXIT TO MENU 

IF END #1 THEN 6*1E1 

P E N L I B N A M E * + ' ' . M C " A S 1 

IF SI ZE ( L IB N A ME * + " . VOC ' ' ) == T HE N \ 

DELETE 1 : GOTO 6.1E1 
V0C + LEN%^1 

REM OTHERWISE READ VOCABULARY 
IF END tl THEN 6*2E1 
WHILE TRUE7- 

READ *1 J KEYWD* ( VOC * LEN% ) 

VOC ♦ LEN%= VOC . LENX+ 1 

WEND 
6.2E1 CLOSE 1 
VOC .LEN%=VOC . LEN7„- 1 

REM IF NO BIBLIO FILE, GO BUILD ONE 

IF END *2 THEN 6.3E1 

OPEN LIBNAME*+",BIB" RECL RLEN% AS 2 

IF SIZE ( LI BN A ME * + ' ' ♦ BIB ' ' ) « THE N \ 
DELETE 2 J GOTO 6*3E1 



,TTTL.l 

%, c once; 

D*(l) 
,QUERY*,L% 



EN7„ 
ET*CL> 



REM OTHERWISE WE WANT TO ADD OR DELETE 



INPUT "DO YOU WISH TO ADD OR DELETE 
ANS*=UCASE$ ( LEFT* ( ANS* , 1 ) ) 
IF ANS*^"D" THEN 4E1 



ARTICLES ? "JANS* 



REM FIND LAST SECTOR AND READ BIBLIO TO EOF 

IF END #2 THEN A.37E1 

READ #2,11 LINE BUFF* 

BIB, LENX«VAL (BUFF*) 

READ *2,BIB + LENZ-2; 

WHILE TRUE"/ 

READ #2J BUFF* 

WEND 
GOTO 6.37E1 

6.3E1 REM BUILD IT 

BI6*LEN%=0 

CREATE LIBNAME* + '\BIB" RECL RLEN5S AS 2 

P R I N T USING " # # # ### " J # 2 , 1 ; BI B . L E N7. 

REM GET ENTRIES FOR BIBLIO AND WRITE TO FILE 

6.37E1 BLANK*-" 

PRINT "PRESSING RETURN 

PRINT "TERMINATES THIS 

PRINT 

WHILE TRUE7 

IE BIB.LEN%>-MAXBIB% THEN 6.34E1 

BUFF*-"" 

INPUT "AUTHOR J "J LINE AUTHOR* 

IF LEN( AUTHOR* )«0 THEN \ 



IN RESPONSE 
ROUTINE* " 



TO THE PROMPT 'AUTHOR' 



PRINT USING ' 

GOTO A.32E1 

INPUT "TITLE : 

INPUT "JOURNAL 

INPUT "ISSUE : 



#2 



CHR*<26) :\ 



I LINE TITLE* 

; LINE JOURNAL* 

f LINE ISSUE* 
A U I H R * « L E F T * < A U T H R * + B L A N K * , A U T H * L E N 7. ) 
T I T L £ * * L E F T * ( T I T L E * + B L A N K * , T I T L * L E N % ) 
J U R N A L * * L E F T * ( J URNAL* + BLANK*, J U R ♦ L E N % ) 
I S S U E * * L E F T * ( I S S U E * + B L A N K % , ISS ♦ L E N X ) 
6.33 E 1 B U F F * ^ A U T H R * + T I T L E * + J U R N A L * + 1 S S U E * 
PRINT "ENTER KEYWORDS AND RATINGS, !•£♦, KEYWORD! 



KEY WORD 2 0,6" 



REM GET KEYWORDS AND RATINGS- 
CMD*^"" : KEY7-0 : ERRZ^O 
TNPUI ">": LINE CMD* 



•CODE INTO ASCII HEX 



Listing 5 continued on page 397 



Before we continue, a few notes on 
the syntax of an interrogation phrase 
seem appropriate. Parentheses estab- 
lish the precedence of the operations; 
the complete phrase must be enclosed 
in parentheses and it may not contain 
spaces. The fuzzy-operator notation 
is defined in table 1; the NOT 
operator must be immediately 
preceded by a right parenthesis, 
marking the end of the expression to 
which the NOT applies. 

After BIBSRCH has parsed the in- 
terrogation phrase and defined the 
concepts according to our instruc- 
tions, the program chains to BIBSR2, 
the second half of the search pro- 
gram. BIBSR2 scans each article on 
file, calculating the degree to which 
each one satisfies our interrogation. 
The amount of time required for this 
search can be substantial for a large 
bibliography, but as long as we see 
that the disk is being accessed prop- 
erly, we can be sure the search is pro- 
ceeding normally. When this scan is 
over, the video display represented in 
listing 16 appears with a summary of 
the results of the search. We can then 
enter the rating level that we want ar- 
ticles to meet or exceed. Next we in- 
dicate whether we want printed out- 
put for the search report. When the 
program has this choice, it prints or 
displays the report as shown in listing 
17. The report begins with a section 
recounting the specifications for the 
search, which is followed by articles 
that meet those specifications. 

Some Notes and Cautions 

Three of the system's capabilities 
remain to be addressed. We can 
delete keywords from the vocabulary 
under menu item 2. The display is 
essentially the same as that for adding 
keywords (see listing 12), except that 
we are asked to enter the index 
number for the keyword rather than 
the keyword itself. Menu item 1 lets 
us delete articles from the biblio- 
graphy. This is a slow process 
because each article in the file is read 
and displayed, and we are asked to 
choose to keep or delete each article. 
Those we designate for deletion are 
flagged and then rewritten; those we 
designate for retention are rewritten 
unchanged. 



396 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc 



After enough records have been 
flagged for deletion to make it worth- 
while to recover their space, menu 
item 6 can compress the file. We can 
use an alternate method of deleting 
articles if enough disk space is 
available. The file of articles can be 
read by ED, the CP/M editor; 
because each article will appear to the 
editor as one line, the line positioning 
and kill commands can be used to 
delete articles. If we use this method, 
the total record count contained in 
the first record of the file must be 
changed to reflect the new total. 

You will need to change line 21 of 
the program BIBLIO to set the clear- 
screen command to that required by 
your terminal. The display and 
printer formatting in these programs 
assumes a line length of at least 64 
characters for the display and 80 for 
the printer. If your lines are shorter, 
you may wish to change the output 
formatting. 

Possible Extensions 

The programs I have described can 
be run on systems with at least 40K 
bytes of memory and one disk drive. 
As the examples illustrate, the use of 
fuzzy sets provides information on 
the degree to which articles meet cer- 
tain requirements. A traditional 
keyword search would not provide 
this information. 

Many businesses could take advan- 
tage of the application of fuzzy sets to 
the search process. The system could 
match customer preferences with 
product or service descriptions and 
rate each service or product for 
customer satisfaction. Real-estate and 
mail-order firms come readily to 
mind. You may devise other applica- 
tions to extend and improve the capa- 
bilities of the bibliographic search 
system. ■ 



References 

Yager, R. "A Logical On-Line 
Bibliographic Searcher: An Application of 
Fuzzy Sets." IEEE Transactions on 
Systems, Man, and Cybernetics, vol. 
SMC-10, no. 1, January 1980, p. 51. 
Watson, S. "Fuzzy Decision Analysis." 
IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and 
Cybernetics, vol. SMC-9, no. 1, January 
1979, p. 1. 



Listing 5 continued: 



101: 

102: 
1 3 t 
1 1 : 
:l. i) 5 ! 
1 o 6 : 
i o / : 

1 8 

1 9 

:l i 

1 I I 

l :L 2 
1 :L 3 
111 
1 .L 5 ! 
1 I 6 
II': 
I 1 8 : 

I I 9 : 

I 20 ; 

I -■ I : 
t. 2 2 : 
123 
12^ 

125 

126 
1.27 
128 

:l. 2 9 

l 3 U 



:i,3/: 
1381 

13?: 

1404 

141: 

112: 

143: 
114J 

145 J 

146 J 

147 J 
148S 
149 J 

150 ; 
lsi : 

153: 

154 1 

155: 
156: 
15/: 
15b: 
159: 
160: 
161 : 
162: 
163: 
164: 
165: 
166: 
167: 
168 : 

169: 
170: 

i7i : 

1721 

173: 
17^: 
175: 
17a: 

177: 

17 & I 

179: 
180 : 

181 J 

182: 
183: 
184: 
185: 
186: 
187: 
188: 
189: 

1 9 I 

1 9 1 ; 
192: 
193: 

1. 9 * ! 

195: 
196: 
197: 



6 » 31 El 



6»39E1 



ik (i. e:n~MAXDESC% THEN 
WHILE (MIDt TNI . TWO* < KB% ) 
SW%4*0 

GQT0 6*38E1 
6.36E1 CH*-LEF : f *CDUM*,1> 

IF "."> AND < (CH*<"0"> OR (CH$>"9">) THFN \ 

PRINT "KFY WORDS MAY NOT CONTAIN BLANKS RF -ENTER LINE" :\ 

GOTO 6.33EI. 
LI IM r*#UM*, 1 >-" i u THEN \ 

RA"^=VAL< "0"H)IJM*> \ 
ELSE RAT^VAL(DUM*) 
BUF E'L-EUTT '*+FN . REALONE* (RAT > 
~KEY2$+1 
- 1 
WHILE 



KEY% 

SWX ■-■■ 
6.3BE1 

WEND 
WEND 

6.31E1 BUFF*=BUFF*+ 
PRINT USING "K"; #2 
BT.B»LEN%*8IB.LEN%+1 
WEND 



MTD*(CMD*,I7. , I .: 



AND (1% I.ENCCMD* > ) 



, FFF . M 

BUFF"* 



133 

1 3 4 J 

L3SJ 4E1 REM READ AND DISPLAY ARTICLES 

136 1 R*REC%*2 : DEL. %•■==() 

READ #2,1 J LINE BUFF* 
PRINT "TO DELETE RESPOND 
PRINT "DEPRESSIONS OF LP 



SAVING OR DELETING AS WE GO 



ST 
NL Y 
RETURN TO SAVE, ENTER E THEN RETURN TO EXIT TO MENU" 



TO THE PROMPT ' > ' WITH AT LEAS 
SIGN *, THEN RETURN, DEPRESS ON 



TWO" 
THE 



PRINT 
PRINT 

IF END 1=2 THEN 4. 
WHILE TRUE*. 

READ *2,R,REC%: 



LINE BUFF* 



MID* (BUFF*, AUTH J. 
TAB< J0UR.LEN7. + 2) j 
MID* (BUFF*, AUTH. I. 
TAB (JOUR. LEN7. + 2) | 



PRINT 

PRINT 

PRINT 

PRINT 

PRINT 

INPUT "> "; LINE ANS* 

IF UCASE*(LEFT*(ANS*,1> )^"E" 

IF LEFT* CANS*, 2 >=="#*" THEN \ 
PRINT USING "R"; #2,R.REC%J 
DEL%-DEL%+1 

R,REC%=*R.RECX+1 

WEND 
4,4E1 PRINT DEL_%; 
CLOSE 2 
GOTO 6.7E1 



E N % ■*■ T I T L . L E N % + 1 1 JOU$ « L E N X ) J 
MID* ( BUFF* , AUTH . LEN% + % JUL . L.ENZ ) 

E N % + T I T L. , L E N % + JO U R . L E N X+X * IS8 ♦ L E N 7. ) 
L EF 1 * ( B U F F : * , AU I H . L EN '/. ) 



THEN 4.4E1 



'ZZZZZ"* RIGHT* ( BUFF* , RL EN% 7 ) J \ 



ARTICLES MARKED DELETED" 



6.34E1 PRINT 
6.32E1 PRINT 
PRINT USING 
CLOSE 2 
GOTO 6.7E1 



i .11 



"FILE 
BIB*LEN% 



L NO MORE ARTICLES CAN BE WRITTEN" 

" ARTICLES ON FILE" 
#2,U BIB.LEN% 



6« 1E1 
6.7E1 

RETURN 



PRINT 

INPUT 



"NO VOCABULARY FILE 
"PRESS RETURN TO GO 



NAMED "\ 
BACK TO 



LIBNAME* 
MENU " J LINE 



6.39E! REM TOO MANY KEYWORDS ENTERED 

KEY%*0 

BUFF*-LEFT* ( BUFF* , AUTH . LEN%+TITL . LEN%+ JOUR . LEN% + IS8 . L.EN7. ) 

PRINT "NO MORE THAN M }MAXDE8C£f " KEYWORDS PER ARTICLE CAN" 

PRINT "BE ENTERED, PLEASE SHORTEN LIST AND RE-ENTER" 

GOTO 6.33E1 

19 El REM BREAKOUT KEYWORD AND FIND ITS NUMBER 

X-R%«1 

WHILE MID*(DUM*,IR%,1)<>" " J IR%^IR%+1 : WEND 

WORD* -LEFT* ( DOM* , IR% 1 )+ BLANK* 

WORD* * I... E F T * < W R D * t 1 6 ) 

W R D * * U C A S E * ( W R D * ) 

REM BINARY SEARCH FOR WORD IN KEYWORD ARRAY 

IB%»1 : JBZ=VOC J...EN% 

1 9 . 1 E 1 K B "L ■ ( I B "/. + JB X ) / 2 

IF WORD*: KEYWD*(KB%> THEN \ 

IBX^KBZ*! \ 

ELSE JP%^KB%-1 
I. F < W R D * < > KE Y WD * ( KB X ) ) AND (I B % < == J B % ) T H E N 19,1 E 1 
II WORD*x>KEYWD*(KP%) THEN 19.3F1 
i X fe [ R % t I % I 
RETURN 

:I9,3E1 PRINT USING "CANNOT FIND KEYWORD \####"; W,NUM% 
INPUT "PRESS RETURN TO RE-ENTER COMPLETE LINE "J LINE ANS* 
ERRX--1 I RETURN 



Additional listing on page 400 
March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc $97 




64K Ram 
780 KB Disk Storage 

Word Processing, UltracalcCP/M 

C-Basic Software 

Smtth Corona TP 1 

Letter Quality Printer 

$2995.00 

EAGLE 1600 CALL 



TekVideo 




TERMINALS 

910 . $579.00 

91 2C $699.00 

920C $749.00 

925C $74900 

950 $950,00 

WYSE WY100 $749 00 

COMPUTERS 
800A $1299.00 

802 S2649 00 

802H $4695.00 

806 $499900 

8'i6 $8999 00 

303 CALL 

1602 1603 O'.L 



rm commodore 

8032 $1039.00 

4032 $749.00 

8096 Upgrade Kit $369 00 

Super Pet $1499.00 

2031 $469.00 

8250 Dbl.Sided Disk Drive ...$1699.00 
D9060 5 Meg. Hard Disk. . $2399.00 
D9060 7.5 Meg. Hard Disk . . . $2699.00 

8050 $1299.00 

4040 $969.00 

8300 (Letter Quality) $ 1 549.00 

8023 $599.00 

4022 $399.00 

New Z -Ram. Adds CP/M &64K. . $549.00 

The Manager $209.00 

Magis CALL 

Word Pro 5 Pius $31 9.00 

Word Pro 4 Pius $299.00 

Word Pro 3 Plus $ 1 99.00 

The Administrator $379.00 

Info Pro Plus $219.00 

Power $79.00 



Qz commodore 



VIC SO 
$143 

.' .yi'i ' i ' i ' i ' i ' w.i * / i h 
j igBBgF ™ = 

_ J 

VIC 20 Dust Cover $9.99 

VIC 1 530 Datassette $69.00 

VIC 1 54 1 (64K Disk Drive) , . $339.00 

VIC 1 525 Graphic Printer $339.00 

VIC 1210 3K Mem. Exp $32 00 

VIC 1 1 1 8K Mem. Exp $53.00 

VIC 1111 1 6K Mem. Exp $94 00 

VIC 101 1 RS232CTerm Interface. , $43.00 
VIC 1 1 1 2 IEEE-488 Interface , . , $86 00 

VIC 1211 Super Expander $53.00 

VIC Mother Board $99.00 



NEC 



COMPUTERS 

8001 A $71900 

8031 $719.00 

8012 $549 00 

PRINTERS 

8C23 $469.00 

77 10/730 $2399.00 

3510-3530 $1599.00 

MONITORS 

JB1260 Si 1900 

JB-'201 $14900 

JC-1212 S29900 

JC--203 S62900 



TIMEX SINCLAIR 
1000 

SBS. 




PC-1 500 

POCKET 

COMPUTER 



£ IE commodore 



1 6K Memory Module $44.95 

Vu-Calc $17 95 

Check Book Manager $13.95 

The Organizer $14.95 

The Budgeter $ 1 3.95 

Stock Option $14.95 

Loan & Mortgage Amortizer $12.95 

Mindware Printer $109.00 



$169 



UttUUUDQOUU. 

oouuuoooa i 
ooaeooaaa i 




CE 15C Printer Plotter and 

Cassette Interface Unit $1 72.00 

CE 1 52 Cassette Recorder ... $62.00 
CE 155 8K Ram 

Expansion Module $94.00 

CE1 25 Pnnter/Micro Cassette .. $129.00 



VIC 64 



PROFESSIONAL SOFTWARE 

Word Processing for VIC 64. . $79.95 



MONITORS 





AMOEK 




100 8 & W 




$7495 


300G 




$169 00 


300A 




$179 00 


Color 1 




$339 00 


Color II . 




S699 00 


Color II A 




$79900 


Color III 




$39900 


Color IV. 




CALL 



BMC 

12' Green ... $79.99 

13' Color 1401 (Mid Res.) $369 00 

9191U 13' $329.00 

TAXAN 

RGB 1 S3 2 9 00 

ZENITH 

ZVM 121 $99.00 

SHARP 

Sharp 13" Color TV $275 00 

PANASONIC 

TR-120MIPiHigh Res. Green) $159.00 



CT-160 Dual Mode Color 



$299.00 



PRINTERS 

SMITH CORONA 

TP 1 $599 00 

C. ITOH [TEC] 

Starwnter(F10-40CPS) . $1399.00 
Pnntmaster(Fl0-55CPS) . .... $1749.00 
Prownter 80 Col. (Parallel) $499.00 

Prownter 80 Col. (Serial) $629.00 

Prownter 2(132 Col.) $799.00 

OKIOATA 

82A $429.00 

83A $659.00 

84 (Parallel) $104900 

84 (Serial) $1 149 00 

IDS 

MtcroPrism $649.00 

132 (Fully Configured) $1599.00 

80 (Fully Configured) $1 399.00 

Call for other configurations. 

STAR 

Gemini 10 $379.00 

Gemini 15 $489.00 

DAISYWRITER 

Letter Quality 1049.00 

DIABLO 

620 $999.00 

630 . ....... $1769.00 



MODEMS 

HAYES 

Smart $229.00 

Smart 1200(1200 Baud) $549.00 

Chronograph $199.00 

Micromodem 1 00 $309.00 

Micromodem II $27900 

Micromodem II (with Terms) , $299.00 

NOVATION 

Cat $144.00 

D-Cat $159.00 

212 Auto Cat $589.00 

Apple Cat II $279.00 

212 Apple Cat II $609.00 

J-Cat $119.00 

Cat 103 $199.00 

Cat 103/212 $439.00 

ANCHOR 

Mark I (RS-232) $79.00 

Mark II (Atari) $79.00 

Mark III (TI-99) $109.00 

Mark IV (CBM/PET) $ 1 25.00 

Mark V (OSBORNE) $95.00 

Mark VI (IBM-PC) $179.00 

Mark VII (Auto Answer Call). . , $119.00 

TRS -80 Color Computer $99.00 

9 Volt Power Supply $9.00 




NEC 
3550 PRINTER. . . S2099 

PERCOM DRIVES 

5 V 1 60K Disk Drive $249.00 

5 V 320K Disk Drive $299.00 

AMOEK 

310A Amber Monitor $179.00 

310G $179.00 

Amdisk (3V Drive) $729.00 

DXY Plotter $759.00 

Color II $699,00 

SOFTWARE 

I. U.S. Easywriter II $249.00 

I. U.S. Easyspeller $1 29.00 

Peach Package (GL/AP/AR). .. $419.00 

PROFESSIONAL 
SOFTWARE 

IBM/PC Word Processing $319.00 

MICRO PRO 

Word Star/Mai! Merge $399.00 



Circle 104 on inquiry card. 



computer mail order east 



IN PA. CALL [71 7)327-35-75, 477 E. THIRD ST., WILLI AMBPORT, PA. 1 7701 

tn stock items shipped same day you call. No risk, no deposit on COD. orders. Pre-paid orders receive free shipping within the Continental United States with no waiting penodforcertified 
checks or money orders. Add 3% (minimum $3.00> shipping and handling on all C.O.D, and Credit Card orders, N V. and PA. residents add sales tax. All items subject to availability and price 
change note: We stock manufacturer's and third party software for most all computers on the market. Call today for our new catalogue. 



F 



FRANKLIN 




ACE 1000 

ACE 10 with Controller Card 
ACE Writer Word Processor 

CALL... 

FOR SYSTEM PRICE! 
Ace 1000 CALL 



SYSCOM II 

4BK Color Computer 

100% Apple Compatible 

Apple Soft Basic 

S769.QO 



VISICORP 

for Apple, IBM & Franklin 

Visidex $189.00 

Visifiie $189.00 

Visiplot $159,00 

Vistterm $89.00 

Visitrend/Plot $229.00 

VisiSchedule $229.00 

Desktop Plan $189.00 

VistcaMApplel!#,Atari,CBM.IBM). .. $1 79.00 
Visicorp pricesfoMBM may vary slightly. 

CONTINENTAL 

Home Accnt. (Apple/Franklin) . . $59.00 

Home Accountant (IBM) $1 19.00 

1st Class Mail (Apple/Franklin) . . . $59.00 

smius 

Free Fall $24.00 

Beer Run $24.00 

Snake Byte $24.00 

Space Eggs $24.00 

Sneakers $24.00 

Bandits $28.00 

BRODERBOUND 

Apple Panic $23.00 

David's Magic $27,00 

Star Blazer $25.00 

Arcade Machine $34.00 

Choplifter $27.00 

Serpentine $27.00 

INFOCOM 

Deadline $35.00 

Star Cross $29.00 

Zork I $29.00 

Zork II or III ..$29.00 

MPC 

Bubdisk ( 1 28K Ram) $71 9.00 

AXLON 

Apple/Franklin 1 28K Ram $399 00 

Apple/Franklin Ram Disk $999.00 

vu-rviAX 

80 Column Card $159.00 




DISK DRIVES 


FOR ATARI 


AT 88-S1 


$39900 | 


AT 88A1 


$28900 1 


RFD40-S1 


$539 00 I 


RFD40-A1 


$329 00 I 


RFD40S2 


$869 00 ™ 


RFD44-S1 


$659 00 


RFD44 S2 


$999 00 



JL HOMECOMPUTERS 
ATARI" 




RAIMA DISK DRIVES 

Call for price and availability on the 
new Rana Disk Drives for The Apple 
and Franklin Computer Systems. 



u-sa 




MICRO-SCI 

DISK DRIVES FOR 
APPLE & FRANKLIN 

A2 $299.00 

A40 $349.00 

A70 $459.00 

C2 Controller $79.00 

C47 Controller $89.00 



FLOPPY DISKS 

MAXELL 

MD I {Box of 10) $32.00 

MD II {Box of 10) $44.00 

FD I (8") $40.00 

FD II (8" DD) $50.00 

VERBATUM 

5VSS DD $26.00 

5V*' 1 DS DD $36.00 

ELEPHANT 

5 V SS SD $19.99 



HEWLETT 
PACKARD 



m 



<*1 cv 




HP41C $149.00 

HP 10C $59.00 

HP 1 1C $72.00 

HP 12C $99 00 

HP 15C $99.00 

HP 16C $99.00 

HPIL PERIPHERALS In Stock 
Call for 

CALCULATOR 

SPECIALS 




400 

16K $199 

32K $274- 

48K $359 :: 

*Non-Atan Ram 

410 Recorder $74.00 

810 Disk Drive $429.00 

822 Printer $269 00 

825 Printer $589.00 

830 Modem $15900 

820 Printer $259.00 

850 Interface $ 1 69.00 

CX40 Joy Sticks (pair) $18.00 

CX853 Atari 1 6K Ram $77.95 



BOO 

4BK $499 

Call for Price and 
Availability of the NEW 

64KATARI 1SOO 



Axfon 32K Ram 
Axlon 48K Ram 
£xlon 128K Ram 
Intec 48K Board 
Intec 32K Board 



$8900 
S 139 00 
$39900 
$159.00 
. $7400 



One YearExtended Warranty $70 00 

CX481 Entertainer Package $69 00 

CX482 Educator Package $130.00 

CX483 Programmer Package $54 00 

CX484 Communicator Package $344.00 



SOFTWARE 
ATARI 

Pac-Man $33.00 

Centipede $33.00 

Caverns of Mars $32.00 

Asteroids $29.00 

Missile Command $29.00 

Star Raiders $35.00 

Galaxian $33.00 

Defender. $33.00 

ON-LINE 

Jawbreaker $27.00 

Softporn $27.00 

Wizard and the Princess $29.00 

The Next Step . $34.00 

Mission Asteroid $22.00 

Mouskattack $3 1 .00 

Frogger $31.00 

Cross Fire (ROM) $36.00 

SYNAPSE 

File Manager 800 $69 00 

Chicken $26.00 

Dodge Racer $26.00 

Synassembler $30.00 

Page 6 $19.00 

Shamus $26.00 

Protector. . , $26 00 

Nautilus $26.00 

Slime $26.00 

Disk Manager $24.00 

□AT ABO FT 

Pacific Coast Highway $25.00 

Canyon Climber $25.00 

Tumble Bugs $25 00 

Shooting Arcade $25.00 

Ciowns and Balloons $25.00 

Graphic Master $3000 

Graphic Generator $13.00 

Micro Painter $25.00 

Text Wizard $79.00 

Spell Wizard $64 00 

Bishop's Square $25.00 

Sands of Egypt $25 00 



APX 




Text Formatter 


S18 50 


Fjm-iy Budgeter 


$18 50 


Eastern Front 


$24.00 


Family Cash 


. $18.50 


Jukebox 


$13 50 


Downhill 


$18.50 


Outlaw 


$18.50 


Holy Grail 


... $24.00 


Player Piano 


..$18.50 


Keyboard Organ 


..$18.50 


Number Blast 


$13.50 \ 


Frogmaster 


$1850 


747 Land Simulator 


. $1850 


Bumper Pool 


...$13.50 


CBS 




K-razy Shoot Out . 


$32.00 


K-razy Kritters 


. $3200 


K-razy Antics. 


. $32 00 


K-star Patrol 


$32.00 


EPYX 




Crush, Crumble & Chomp . . 


. $24,00 


Crypt of the Undead 


$24.00 


Curse of Ra 


.. $16.00 


Datestones & Ryn 


$16 00 


Invasion Onon 


$19.00 


King Arthur's Heir 


$24 00 


Morloc's Tower 


$16.00 


Rescue at Rigel 


$24 00 


Ricochet 


$16.00 


Star Warrior 


$29.00 


Temple of Asphai 


, $29.00 


Upper Reaches of Apshai . . 


...$16.00 


wico \\ 




Joy Sticks \ 


^A 


for Atari, Commodore. /^*^B 


Wb 


Apple & Franklin . . ^j^^^g 


CALL 


^y v 



computer mail order west 



Circle 104 on inquiry card. 



800-648-331 1 

IN NV. CALL (708)588-5664. P.O. BOX 668S, STATELINE, NV. 88449 

international orders: All shipments outside continental United States must be pre-paid by certified check only 1 Include 3%(mimmum $3.00) shipping and handling 
educational discounts: Additional discounts are available from both Computer Mail Order locations to qualified Educational Institutions. 
apo & FPO: Add minimum $5.00 sh.ppmg on all orders. CP/M ,s a registered trademark of Digital Research, inc 



Circle 433 on inquiry card. 




SUP€RBRRIN 

The super performing, super 
reliable microcomputer from 
Intertec Data Systems features 
twin double-density 5 1 A" drives 
with 350K or 700K of disk storage 
- expandable to 1 megabytes. 
A CP/M* Disk Operating System, 
64K of dynamic RAM and more. 

SSUP6R 
PRIC€ 

Because we're a nationwide 
distributor of SuperBrain, 
CompuStar, and the CompuStar 
10-Megabyte Disk Storage 
System, we can offer the 
absolute lowest prices in 
the business. 

fSUP€R 
S€RVIC€ 
Better yet, we offer you a 
great deal of service and support 
because we want your business 
tomorrow as well as today. 

• We'll burn-in your SuperBrain 
for 72 hours before 
we deliver it 

• We'll help with installation 
and configuration 

• We'll repair equipment at our 
service center and replace 
modules when necessary 

• We'll fill your software needs 
or help you develop your own 

• We'll match your SuperBrain 
with a super printer 

For more information call 609-424-4700 
or 2 1 5-629-1 289. To order call toll-free 
800-257-5217. In NJ call 609-424-4700. 




2 Keystone Avenue 
' Cherry Hill, NJ 08003 
* Registered trademark of Digital Research Inc. 
SuperBrain and CompuStar are trademarks 
of Intertec Data Systems. 



3 


r= INTERTEC 

Cdata 

5 SYSTEMS. 



Listing 6: CMPRBIB, called by menu selection 5, compresses the file of articles by 
removing all articles that have been marked for deletion by BIBLD. 



is 

2: 
3: 
4: 
5: 

6S 

7X 
81 

?: 

10; 

11: 

12: 

13: 

14: 

151 

16: 
17: 
ie: 
19: 
20: 
21: 
22: 
23: 
24: 
25: 
26: 
27: 
28: 
29: 
30: 
31: 
32: 
33: 
34: 
35: 
36: 
37: 
38: 
39: 
40: 
41: 



REM- 



-FILE CMPRBIB ,BAS 



REM COMPRESS BIBLIOGRAPHY FILE BY REMOVING MARKED ARTICLES 

COMMON KEYWD$ ( 1 > , LIBNAME* , RLENX , TRUE% , AUTH * LEN7. , TITL . LEN7- 
C0MM0N MAXBIB7. , MAXDESC7. , MAXDEFX , MAXKEYSX , MAXCONX , C0NCEPT$ ( 1 ) 
COMMON ISS . LENX , CLS* , ERR% , JOUR ♦ LEN7. , KWD . LEN% f CMD* ( 1 ) 
COMMON LFT7.C1) ,RGHTX<1) ,C0N.KEYX<2) ,C0N.RATE<2> .QUERY*, L% 



PRINT CLS* 
PRINT TAB(12)r 
PRINT 



-COMPRESS BIBLI0GRAPHY- 



REM IF NO BIBLI0 FILE THEN GO BACK TO MENU 
IF END #2 THEN 5.9E1 

OPEN LIBNAME*+".BIB" RECL RLENZ AS 2 
IF SIZE(LIBNAME*+".BIB")=0 THEN \ 
DELETE 2 : GOTO 5.9E1 

REM OTHERWISE SCAN AND DELETE 
R.RECX=1 : W.RECX=1 t DELX=0 
IF END *2 THEN 5.8E1 
READ *2,U LINE BUFF* 
WHILE TRUE* 

READ *2»R.REC%;LINE BUFF* 

IF LEFT* 

common iss * lenx , cls* , errz , jour ♦ len7. , kwd , len% , cmd* < 1 ) 

common lft% < 1 ) , rght7. ( 1 > , con . keyx ( 2 ) , con . rate ( 2 ) , query* , lz 

dim lftzcmaxconx) , concept* < maxconz) , con ,key% (maxc0nx,maxdef%+1 ) 

dim con.rate,rghtxcmaxcon;o,cmd*(maxcon%> 

CONSOLE 
ERR%«=0 
BLANK*=" 
PRINT CLS* 

PRINT TAB(12)J " -BIBLIOGRAPHY SEARCH " 

PRINT 

REM READ KEYWORD VOCABULARY 

REM IF NO VOCABULARY FILE EXIT TO SYSTEM 
IF END *1 THEN 34E1 
OPEN LIBNAME*+" .VOC" AS 1 
IF SIZE(LIBNAME*+".VOC" )=0 THEN \ 
DELETE 1 : GOTO 34E1 

REM OTHERWISE READ IT ALL 
IF END *1 THEN 33E1 
VOC.LENX^l 
WHILE TRUE* 

READ *i; LINE KEYWD*( VOC . LENX > 

VOC . LEN%=V0C ♦ LENX+1 

WEND 
33E1 CLOSE 1 
VOC • LENX=V0C . LENX-1 



REM IF NO BIBLIO FILE, EXIT TO SYSTEM 



Listing 7 continued on page 402 



400 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc 



Our Prices Will Get Your Attention. 
Our Service Will Keep It. 



ORDER NO. DESCRIPTION 



LIST AEI PRICE ORDER NO DESCRIPTION 



LIST AEI PRICE ORDER NO, DESCRIPTION 



LIST AEI PRICE 



| TELEVIDEO SYSTEMS | NEC PRINTERS 



I 



TS-802 Integrated Single User 

Computer 3295 2632 

TS-802H Integrated Hard Disk 

Computer 5995 Call 

TS-1602G 16 Bit 802 Type Computer 4495 Call 
TS-1602GH 16 Bit 802H Type 

Computer 6995 Call 

TS-806-20 Mufti-User Computer .... 7195 Call 

TS-816 Multi User Computer .... 8995 Call 

TV-910-P Televideo 910 Pius 699 573 

TV-910 Televideo 910 699 573 

TV-912 Televideo 91 2C 925 685 

TV-920 Televideo 920C ......... 995 737 

TV-925 Televideo 925 995 745 

TV-950 Televideo 950 1 195 921 

TV-9010 Second Page Option 

912/920 80 50 

TV-9050 One Additional Page for 

925/950 95 62 

TV-9051 Three Additional Pages 

for 950 120 95 

TV-MM ForAnyTelevideoTerminal 60 53 
TS-24-001 TeleSolutions WordStar 

* CalcStar 790 Call 

TS-100 WordStar 495 280 

TS-150 SpellStar ^ . . 250 154 

TS-200 MailMerge .... n ^^. . . 250 1 71 

TS-300 DataStar . . . . iP. 295 238 

TS-400 Supersort 250 1 64 

TS-1000 CalcStar 145 128 

TS-806H/20 20 MB Expansion for TS-806 3600 2948 

TS-TW Telewriter - NEC 3500 ... . 2195 1629 

NORTHSTAR 



NE-3510-1 


NEC 35 10 Spinwriter R/O 
Serial 35 CPS 


1895 

1925 
2190 

2350 
265 

3085 

3165 

3610 

3710 

3085 

695 


1500 


NE-3515-1 

NE-3530-1 
NE-3550-1 

NE-35-TRAC 
NE-7710-1 


NEC 35 15 Spinwriter R/O 
Serial Diablo Compatible 

NEC 3530 Spinwriter 

NEC 3550 Spinwriter R/O 
Parallel IBM Compatible. 

Bi-directional Tractor 

NEC 77 10 Spinwriter R/O 
Serial 55 CPS 


1594 
1764 

2065 
237 

2276 


NE-7715-1 
NE-7720-1 


NEC 771 5 Spinwriter R/O 

Serial Diablo Comp 

NEC 7 720 Spinwriter KSR 
Serial 55 CPS 


2600 
2917 


NE- 7725-1 NEC 7725 Spinwriter KSR 

Serial Diablo Comp, ..... 
NE-7730-1 NEC 7730 Spinwriter ..... 

NE-PC-8023 Parallel 

PLUS OTHER ACCESSORIES 

gSTAR MICRONICS 


3041 
2276 

506 



NS-94404 Adv-2G-64K Computer . . 3599 
NS-97404 Adv-1Q-64K-HD-5 

Computer 4999 

NS-94401 Hrz-2Q-a4K Horizon 3599 

NS-97401 Hrz-1G-64K-HD-5MB 4999 

PLUS OTHER NORTHSTAR PRODUCTS 

I ZENITH 



Call 

Call 
Call 
Call 



ZVM-121 


Green Screen Monitor . . . 


160 


99 


Z-19-CN 


Z-19 Terminal 


895 
699 


672 


7J-1-A 


Auto-Dial Terminal 


526 


Z-25-AA 


Z-25 Dot Matrix Printer . . . 


1499 


1198 


Z-89-81 


Z-89 Computer System . . 


2499 


1952 


Z-90-82 


Z-90 Computer System . . 


2799 


2176 


Z-89-X 


Z-89 w/o Integral Drive . . 


2495 


1749 


Z-90-80 


Z-90 w/o Integral Drive . . 


2895 


1950 


Z-37 


Z-37 Dual 5" Disk Drives.. 


1995 


1593 


Z-87-89 


Z87Dual 5" Disk Drives .. 


999 


898 


Z-87-90 


Same Disk add 400K 








to Z-90 


999 


898 


ZS-67 


Z-67 Winchester - 








Floppy Drive 


5995 


4747 


Z-^7-DA 


Z47 Dual 8" Disk Drives . . 


3695 


Call 


PLUS: 


MORROW . ALTOS 


-EAGLE. 


NEC PERSONAL . FRANKLIN ACE 


^—-r =^r 


'^^^Sfc^^^^ 


~^,~ 


— -\^— ■— 


Xfii 


^^Kft^R^;^RV 




H 



DP-8480-TP 80 Column Dot Matrix 

Printer - Parallel 449 Call 

DP-8480-TS 80 Column Dot Matrix 

Printer - Serial 464 Call 

Gemini-10 10" Carriage - Parallel ... 499 Call 

Gemini-15 15" Carriage - Parallel ... 649 Call 

Serial Interface Card 85 Call 

DP-8240 40 Column Dot Matrix - 

Parallel or Serial 250 Call 

| OKIDATA 

OK-82A Okidata Microline 82A 

with Tractor Feed 719 486 

OK-83A Okidata Microline 83A . . 1195 713 

OK-84A-P Okidata Microline 84A 

-Parallel 1395 Call 

OK-84A-S Okidata Microline 84A 

-Serial 1495 Call 

OK-G-82 Okigraph I for 82A 99 36 

OK-G-83 Okigraph I for 83A 99 36 

OK-2K 2K Buffer/Serial BD 

all Models 140 119 

jMANNESMANN TA LLY 

MT1605 Serial 200 CPS 1695 1441 

MT1602 Parallel 200 CPS 1695 1441 

MT1805 Serial -200 CPS or 50 CPS 1995 Call 
MT1802 Parallel - 200 CPS 

or 50 CPS 1995 Call 

MT160L S or P- 160 CPS 990 809 

PLUS: ANADEX - C-ITOH - DATA 
SOUTH • IT - DIABLO • COMREX 

ALSO AVAILABLE: 

MODEMS ■ DISKETTE STORAGE BOXES ■ 
DISKETTES ■ CLIPSTRIP • RIBBONS 



ISOFTWARE AVAILAB LE 

Aitos cp/m m* 

Apple CP/M 514" 

Apple DOS — Cassette 

Apple DOS - Diskette 

Atari 400/800 Diskette 

Atari Cartridge 

Atari Cassette 

Basic 4 CP/M 5W ' 

CP/M-86 Display Writer 

Cromemco CP/M SW 

DEC VT-180 CP/M SW 

Eagle CP/M 5Vi" 

Heath Z-90 CP/M 5!4" 

Heath Zenith CP/M 5V CALL 

Hewlett Packard 125 CP/M 5 1 // . . . *■***«« 
Hewlett Packard 87 CP/M 5W .... 

IBM PC. CP/M 86 FOR 

IBM PC DOS 

NEC CP/M 5V nTPBFWT 

Northstar Advantage CP/M b%" . . . ^w*""-* 1 * A 

Northstar Horizon CP/M 5%" 

Ohio Scientific C-3 CP/M 5%" PRICING 

Osborne CP/M 5%" 

Otrona CP/M 5V 4 " 

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• Dual LED Display 

• Shock Mounted 6 Slot 
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• PS-101 Power Supply 

• Power & Reset Switches, A/C Filter, 
Fan, Etc. 




SDS-S100-SL 

8" Floppy Drive Enclosure/System 
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This solid supply gives you the capability 
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as power a full SlOO-Buss 



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See our other ad on page 39 

402 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc 



Listing 7 continued: 



36: 
37: 
38: 
39: 
40: 
411 
42: 
43: 
44: 
45: 
46: 
47: 

481 

49: 
so: 
si : 
52: 
53: 
54: 

551 

56: 

571 

58: 
59: 
6o: 
611 

62: 
63: 
64: 
65: 
66: 
67: 
68: 
69: 
70: 
71: 

72t 

73: 
74: 

75: 
76: 

77X 

78: 
79: 

so : 
81 : 
82: 
83: 
84: 
85: 
86: 
87: 
88: 
89: 
90: 
91: 
92: 
93: 
94: 
95: 
96: 
97: 

981 

99: 

100: 

101: 

102: 

103: 

104: 

105: 

106: 

107: 

los: 

109: 

110: 

ill! 

112: 

113: 

114: 

115: 

116: 

117: 

lie: 

119: 

120: 

121: 

122: 

1231 

124: 
125: 
126: 
127: 
128: 
129: 
130: 
131: 



IF END *2 THEN 34E1 

OPEN LIBNAME*+".BIB" AS 2 

IF SIZE CLIBNAME*+". BIB") =0 THEN \ 

DELETE 2 : GOTO 34E1 
CLOSE 2 



REM OTHERWISE GET 
G0SUB 1E1 



A QUERY, CHECK SYNTAX AND PARSE 



REM THEN DEFINE QUERY IN TERMS OF KEYWORDS IN VOCABULARY 
GO SUB 18E1 

REM NOW TO THE REST OF SEARCH ROUTINE 

CHAIN "BIBSR2" 

STOP 

REM FUNCTION TO RECOGNIZE FUZZY OPERATORS AND PARENS 

DEF FNSPEC.CHX="'"> AND  M ; LINE QUERY* 

QUERY*=UCASE* < QUERY* ) 



REM ROUGH SYNTAX CHECK 

IX=1 

IF LEFT* < QUERY*, 1 )<>"(' 

ERRX«3 I G0SUB 9E1 : 
PARENX=0 
WHILE IXOL'ENC QUERY*) 

IF MID*CQUERY*,IX,1>* 

IF MID*=LEN< QUERY*) THEN RETURN 
L%=LX+1 

LFTX(LX)=PTR.0NEX 
PTR.TWOX^PTR.QNEX 
WHILE NOT FNSPEC.CHX( QUERY*, PTR. TWOX) 

PTR . TW0X=PTR . TW0X+ 1 

WEND 
RGHTX ( LX ) =PTR . TWOX 

CONCEPT* CLX)=MID*< QUERY*, LFTX(LX) , RGHTX (LX)-LFTX(LX) ) 
PTR . ONEX=PTR . TWOX 
GOTO 1.1E1 
RETURN 



9E1 REM ERROR COMMENTOR 

ON ERRX GOTO 9 . 1E1 , 9 .2E1 ,9 .4E1 , 9.5E1 , 9 . 6E1 

9.1E1 PRINT "AN ILLEGAL KEYWORD INPUT*-"; 



GOTO 9.3E1 
9.2E1 PRINT 
GOTO 9.3E1 
9.4E1 PRINT 
GOTO 9.3E1 
9.5E1 PRINT 
GOTO 9.3E1 
9.6E1 PRINT 
9.3E1 PRINT 
RETURN 



"RATINGS MUST BE IN RANGE , . . . 1 . G--" J 
"ENTIRE PHRASE MUST BE ENCLOSED IN PARENS- 



'RIGHT AND LEFT PARENS MUST BE BALANCED- 



'KEYWORDS MAY NOT 
'RE-ENTER PHRASE" 



CONTAIN BLANKS- 



18E1 REM DEFINE CONCEPTS IN TERMS OF KEYWORDS 

PRINT "PLEASE DEFINE EACH OF THE CONCEPTS YOU HAVE ENTERED 

PRINT "IN TERMS OF KEYWORDS AND THEIR APPLICABILITY" 

PRINT "EXAMPLE X THEORY 0.6 APPLICATIONS 0.8" 

PRINT 

FOR JX=1 TO LX 

18.3E1 KEYX=0 

PRINT CONCEPT*(JX); 

INPUT ": "J LINE CMD*(JX) 

CMD*< JX)=UCASE*(CMD*( JX) ) 

swx=-i : I%*1 

WHILE (IX)) AND (KEYX 
IF "."> AND <"9">) THEN \ 

ERRX-5 t GOSUB 9E1 5 ERRX<*0 5 GOTO 18.3E1 
IF CH*=". M THEN \ 

CON . RATE ( JX » KEYX ) =UAL ( " "+DUM* ) \ 
ELSE CON. RATE (JX, KEYX >=VAL(DUM*> 

IF < CON. RATE (JX, KEYX >>i.0> OR ( CON. RATE (JX, KEYX ><0 . ) THEN\ 
ERRX=2 I GOSUB 9E1 I\ 
ERRX=0 t GOTO 18.3E1 

5WX=-1 
18.8E1 WHILE (MID* ) 



132: 

133: 
134: 

135: 
136: 
137: 

1381 
1391 

140: 

1415 
142 5 
1435 
1445 

145: 
146: 
147: 
148: 
149: 
iso: 
i5i: 
152: 
153: 

1541 

155: 
156: 
157: 
lsa: 

1595 
1605 
1615 

162: 

1631 

164: 
165: 

166 5 

167: 
168: 
169: 
170: 
i7i: 
172: 
173: 



IX=IX+1 
WEND 
WEND 

CON. KEYX ="0 
NEXT JX 
RETURN 



CON . RATE < JX , KEYX+1 > =0 . 



8E1 REM BREAKOUT KEYWORD FROM INPUT STRING AND FIND NUMBER 

IRX=1 

WHILE MID*(DUM*,IRX,1)<>" " 5 IRX=IRX+1 5 WEND 

WORD*=LEFT* + BLANK* 

WORD*=LEFT* < WORD* , KWD . LENX ) 

REM BINARY SEARCH FOR WORD IN KEYWORD ARRAY 

IB%=1 5 JBX-VOC.LENX 

8.1E1 KBX==(JBX+IBX)/2 

IF WORD*>KEYWD*(KBX) THEN \ 

IBX=KBX+1 \ 

ELSE JBX=KBX-1 
IF (WORD*OKEYWD$(KBX) ) 
IF (WORD*OKEYWD* ( KBX ) ) 
ERRX-1 5 GOSUB 9E1 

GOTO 18.3E1 
IX=IRX+IX-1 
RETURN 



AND (IBXOJBX) THEN 8.1E1 
THEN \ 
ERRX=0 :\ 



REM NO FILES 

34E1 PRINT "NO LIBRARY FILE 

INPUT "PRESS RETURN TO EXIT 

STOP 



NAMED "J LIBNAME* 

TO SYSTEM "J LINE ANS* 



Listing 8: BIBSR2 is the second of the two portions of the search program. It scans the 
file of articles, calculating a satisfaction rating for each, summarizes the scan results, 
and lists those articles that meet your specifications. 



i: 
2: 

35 
45 
5 5 

6: 
75 

85 

95 

105 

115 

125 

13: 
14: 
15: 
16: 

175 
185 

19: 

205 
215 
225 
23 5 
245 
25 5 
265 
275 
28 5 

29: 
30: 
31: 

325 
33J 
34J 
35J 
36 5 
375 

38: 
39: 
40: 
41: 

42 5 

431 



REM 



-FILE BIBSR2.BAS 



REM SEGMENT TWO OF BIBLIOGRAPHY SEARCH PROGRAM 

COMMON KEYWD* < 1 ) , LIBNAME* , RLENX , TRUEX , AUTH ♦ LENX , TITL . LENX 

COMMON MAXBIBX , MAXDESCX , MAXDEFX » MAXKEYSX , MAXCONX , CONCEPT* < 1 ) 

COMMON ISS . LENX , CLS* , ERRX , JOUR . LENX , KWD . LENX , CMD* ( 1 ) 

COMMON LFTX ( 1 > , RGHTX ( 1 ) t CON . KEYX ( 2 ) t CON . RATE < 2 > , QUERY* , LX 

DIM OP.STK*(MAXCONX)» Y .STK ( MAXCONX > , ART .KEYX( MAXDESCX ) 

DIM RPTX (11), ART . VAL < MAXDESCX ) f V ( MAXCONX > f RATINGX ( MAXBIBX > 

GOSUB 19E1 

CHAIN "BIBLIO" 

STOP 

REM FUZZY LOGICAL FUNCTIONS 

DEF FN.ZADEH(A,B,CH*> 

ERRX=Q 

IF CH*="*" THEN 4E1 

IF CH*="+" THEN 4.1E1 

IF CH*<>"* U THEN FN.ZADEH=0: ERRX=3 : RETURN 

IF BX1.0-A) THEN FN.ZADEH=*B ELSE FN .ZADEH=1 . 0-A 

RETURN 

4E1 IF AB THEN FN.ZADEH^A ELSE FN.ZADEH=B 

RETURN 

FEND 

3E1 REM BUILD STRING Y* FROM QUERY* BY REPLACING CONCEPT 

REM NAMES WITH THEIR YALUES 

Y*=" M I Y*=LEFT*-1> 

LFTX (LX+1)=LEN( QUERY* )+l 

FOR IX=1 TO LX 

U*=STR*(V(IX) ) 

Y*s=Y*+V*+MID* < QUERY* t RGHTX C IX > , LFTX ( IX+ 1 > -RGHTX ( IX ) ) 

NEXT IX 
RETURN 



2E1 REM REDUCE Y* BY PERFORMING FUZZY LOGICAL 

JX=1 : L1X=LEN(Y*) 

IF LEFT*(Y*,1) <>"(*' THEN RETURN 

WHILE MID*(Y*, JX,DO")" 

JX=JX+1 5 WEND 
IX = JX 



OPS 



Listing 8 continued on page 406 



404 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc 



Scientific Applications Performed In: 

LIGHTNING 




FORTRAN PROGRAM 1 

A = 1.52 

Do 101 = 1, 100000 

B = A + 1.43 

10 Continue 

Execution time = 6.5 sec. 



FORTRAN PROGRAM 2 

A = 1.52 

Do 101 = 1, 100000 

B = A/1.43 

10 Continue 
Execution time = 8 sec. 



(WITH BENCH MARKS 
TO PROVE IT!) 

The above bench marks were run on our LDP2 
system, which includes: The Lightning One* 
CPU, LDP72 floppy disk controller, HAZITALL 
system support and RAM67, 128K Static RAM. 
The operating system is MS-DOS**. The For- 
tran Compiler is Microsoft's Fortran, Version 
3.01 . And, the Lightning One equipped with an 
8086 and 8087, runs at 8 MHz. 

If your computer, micro or mini, can't offer 
such high performance, it's time for you to call 
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* Trademark of Lomas Data Products, Inc. ** Trademark of Microsoft, Inc. 




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BYTE March 1983 



405 



Circle 287 on inquiry card. 



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Listing 8 continued: 

44 J WHILE MID*(Y* t IX,l)<>" <" 

45: IX=IX-1 : WEND 

46: ix=ix+i i 

47 J MX=IX 

48 t V.PTRX^MAXCONX t OP . PTRX^MAXCONX 

491 2.2E1 KX=MX 

50t WHILE (ASC(MID*(Y*,KX»1> )>=44> 

51 : KX=KX+1 : WEND 

52 ; V . STK ( V . PTRX ) =VAL ( MID* < Y* , MX , KX-MX ) ) 

53* V.PTRX=V.PTRX-1 

54: IF KX^JX THEN 2.1E1 

OP . STK* < OP . PTRX ) =MID* ( Y* , KX » 1 > 

QP.PTRX=0P.PTRX-1 



jj * 

s&: 
57: 
so: 
59: 
60: 
6i: 
62: 
63: 
64: 
65: 
66: 
67: 

681 

69: 
70: 

711 
721 

73: 
74: 
75: 

76: 

77% 

78: 

79: 

so: 

si : 

82: 

83: 

84: 

85: 

86: 

87: 

88: 

89: 

90: 

9i : 

92: 

93: 

94: 

95: 

96: 

97: 

98: 

99: 

100: 

101: 

102: 

103: 

104: 

105! 

106: 

1071 

los: 
109: 
110: 

111: 
112: 

113: 
114: 
us: 
116: 
117: 
lie: 
119: 
120: 
121: 
122: 
123: 
124: 

1251 
1261 

127: 

1281 
129: 
130t 
1311 

132: 
133: 
134: 
135: 

136! 

1371 

138: 
139: 

140: 



MX=KX+1 

GOTO 2.2E1 

2.1E1 WHILE QP.PTRX*=T : V.PTRX=V.PTRX~1 

WEND 
V.PTRX*V.PTRX+1 : V 1 =V. STK  -,omDilers 
Object code compatibility 
with IBM, Osborne, Tl, DEC 
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Listing 8 continued: 



141 : 
142: 
143: 
144: 
145: 
146: 
147: 

1481 
149: 

i5o: 

151 J 

152: 
153: 
154: 
155: 
156: 
157: 
158: 
is?: 
i6o: 

161! 

162: 
163: 
164: 
165: 
166: 
167: 
168: 
169: 
i7o: 
i7i: 
172: 

1731 

174: 

175; 
176: 

1771 
1781 

179: 
180: 
i8i: 

1821 

183; 
184; 
185; 
186: 
187: 
188: 
189; 
i9o: 
i9i: 
192; 
193; 
194: 
195: 
196: 
197: 
198; 

1991 

200 : 
201: 
202: 
203: 
204: 
205: 

206: 

207: 

208: 

209: 
210: 
211: 
212: 
213: 
214: 
215: 
216: 
217: 
218: 
219: 
220: 
221: 
222: 
223: 
224: 

225; 

226J 

227: 

228J 
2291 
230 : 
231: 
232; 
233: 

234: 

235: 

236J 



NEXT 1% 



FOR I%»1 TO 11 : RPTX(I%>«0 
FOR %%m\ TO BIB.LENX 

KX=RATINGX(IX) + 1 

RPTX(KX)=RPT7. 

NEXT 1% 
21.3E1 PRINT CLS* 

PRINT TABUl)? "NUMBER OF ARTICLES THAT MEET OR EXCEED RATINGS OF" 
PRINT TAB(28)J "0 . ♦ ♦ . . . 1 . 0" 
PRINT 
PRINT 
PRINT 
PRINT 
FOR IX=1 TO 6 

FOR KX»0 TO 1 
INDX«=IX+6*KX 
IF INDX>11 THEN 21.9E1 
PRINT USING "*.#";TAB(13+28*K%) ; 
PRINT USING "#**"; TAB(24+28*K%) 
NEXT KX 

21.9E1 PRINT 

NEXT 17. 
PRINT 



TAB ( 1 1 ) J "RATINGS" J TAB (22 > % "*ARTICLES" J 
TAB<39>; "RATINGS" JTAB(50> ;"#ARTICLES" 



 =" " : NEXT 1% 

RETURN 

22E1 PRINT "INUALID FUZZY OPERATOR IN INTERROGATION PHRASE" 
INPUT "PRESS RETURN TO RESTART SEARCH ROUTINE "J LINE ANS* 
CHAIN "BIBSRCH" 

24E1 REM PRINT OUTPUT HEADER INFO 

INPUT "DO YOU WISH A PRINTED OUTPUT (Y/N)? "J PRNT* 

INX=1 : LLENX=63 

IF UCASE*; CONCEPT* ( IPX) J " : "J 

PRINT CMD*(IPX> 

NEXT IPX 
PRINT TAB(INX); "Selection Level : "J 
PRINT USING "*♦*•*; MINRAT 
PRINT TAB(INX); 

FOR IPX = 1 TO 63 : PRINT "-"J : NEXT IPX : PRINT 
LCNTX=LX+13 
RETURN 

25E1 REM PRINT ARTICLE DATA 

SP%=INX+5 

IF J0UR.LENX>IS5.LENX THEN SPX=SPX+JOUR ,LENX \ 

ELSE SPX^SPX+ISS.LENX 
IF LCNTX>57 THEN \ 

FOR IPX=1 TO 71-LCNTX : PRINT : NEXT IPX ;LCNTX=LCNTX+5 
PRINT TAB(INX);"Record : "J 
PRINT USING "###*"; ix; 

IF (SPX+11)>LLENX THEN PRINT TAB(INX); *. LCNTX=LCNTX+1 :\ 

ELSE PRINT TAB(SPX) J 
PRINT "Level : M | 

PRINT USING "*♦*"; RATINGX(IX)/10.0 

PRINT TAB(INX); MID* ( BUFF* , AUTH.LENX+TITL . LENX+1 » JOUR*LENX) J 

IF >LLENX THEN PRINT TAB(INX)? : LCNTX^LCNTX+1 :\ 

ELSE PRINT TAB(SPX); 
PRINT MID* ( BUFF* , AUTH . LENX+1 1 TITL . LENX ) 

PRINT TAB(INX) J MID* < BUFF* , AUTH.LENX+TITL. LENX+JOUR* LENX+1, ISS.LENX) I 
IF (SPX+AUTH.LENX)>LLENX THEN PRINT TAB(INX)J : LCNTX=LCNTX+1 :\ 

ELSE PRINT TAB(SPX)? 
PRINT LEFT*(BUFF*, AUTH.LENX) 
PRINT 

LCNTX=LCNTX+4 
RETURN 

Additional listing on page 412 



410 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc 



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412 March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc 



Listing 9: A copy of the first screen displayed by PARMS during the definition of 
parameters for a new library called COMPJOUR. Entries made by the user are under- 
lined. 

p A R A M E T E R D E F I N I T 1 N F E COM P J U R ■•■■ - ■■■- 

THIS MODULE WILL DEFINE THE PARAMETERS FDR THE LIBRARY COMPJOUR 
tf YOU DO HOT WISH TO PROCEED ENTER S ELSE ENTER C _L_ 

*:* FIRST ME DEFINE THE ARTICLE RECORD FIELD SIZES ** 

YOU HAVE A MAXIMUM OF 250 CHARACTERS THAT MAY BE ALLOCATED 

FOR EACH ARTICLE RECORD* EACH KEYWORD DESCRIPTOR ATTACHED 

W r L L C ON SOME f H R EC OF 1 H F S \ , 

WHAT IS THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF DESCRIPTORS PLC ARTICLE? _8_ 

YOU HAVE 226 CHARACTERS REMAINING. 

ENTER MAXIMUM FIELD LENGTHS, IN ORDER- FOR AUTHOR, TITLE, 

JOURNAL, AND ISSUE ALT ON ONE LINE, SEPARATE ENTRIES FY 

ONE OR MORF SPACES AND FOLLOW FAS'l ENTRY WITH RETURN* 
1 7 5 i 6 1. 6 



Listing 10: A copy of the second screen displayed by PARMS, which completes the 
parameter definitions for COMPJOUR. 



x* NOW WE SET THE MAXIMUM SIZES OF OTHER PARAMETERS ** 
ENTER, IN ORDER, THE MAX TO BE ALLOWED FOR I 
CHARS PER KEYWORD, NO, OF KEYWORDS IN VOCABULARY <<256) 
NO. CONCEPTS PER INTERROGATION, NO, KEYWORDS PER CONCEPT. 
SEPARATE ENTRIES BY SPACES AND FOLLOW LAST WITH RETURN. 
> 16 150 8 g 

CAPACITY OF ONE SIDE OF ONE DISK (KILOBYTES)! 2 06 

YOO HAVE DISK SPACE FOR 1.552 ARTICLES. 
YOU HAVE MEMORY SPACE FOR 13823 ARTICLES. 

1552 ARTICLES IS THE MAXIMUM YOU MAY HAVE. 
DO YOU WISH TO RE- ALLOC ATE THE AVAILABLE SPACE (Y/N)'!' J^ 

MAXIMUM NO. OF ARTICLES DESIRED! .1.50 



Listing 11: The menu of system functions is redisplayed after a selected function has 
been completed. The second step in building a library is to select menu item 2 to 
build/modify the keyword vocabulary. 



- - E:: I B 1... I O G R A P H Y S E ARCH--- 

:l. BUILD /MODI FY BIBLIOGRAPHY 

2 BUILD/MODIFY KEYWORD VOCABULARY 

3 LIST KEYWORD VOCABULARY WORDS 

4 SEARCH BIBLIOGRAPHY FILE 

5 COMPRESS BIBLIOGRAPHY FILE 

6 DONE EXIT TO SYSTEM 

PLEASE SELECT DESIRED FUNCTION BY NUMBER I 2 



Listing 12: The screen display as you add three new keywords to the vocabulary. You 
signal the end of the sequence of entries by pressing the return key in response to the 
prompt for another keyword. 

— -'BYWORD VOCABULARY BUII D/MODTf r 

DO YOU WISH TO ADD OR DELETE CA/D>? _A_ 
ENTER KEYWORD t 110 ; FUZZY -SI ! 



ENTER KEYWORD # 1 I I 
ENTER KEYWORD # 1 12 
ENTER KEYWORD # I I 3 



CuEF 



SORTING * - , . 

:l 1.2 KEYWORD 
MODIFYING EF 



4 R 



I F N 1 
-A) DESCRIP 



Additional listing on page 414 




for a complete selection of microcomputer hardware, software and accessories. 



Apple/Franklin 



Hayes SmartModem, 
Dow Jones Analyzer 

Reg. 629 NOW $499 

BRODERBUND 

Apple Panic $ 25 

Choplifter 26 

Serpentine 26 

CONTINENTAL SOFTWARE 

Home Accountant . . .$129 

CHARLES MANN 

Basic Teacher $ 30 

Teacher Plus 32 

Medical II 879 

CD EX 

'Visicaic Training . . . .$ 39 

DENVER SOFTWARE 

# Easy (Exec. Att'g) . . . .$565 
Financial Partner .... 219 
Pascal Tutor 

or Programmer. ... 108 

HOWARD SOFTWARE 

Real Estate Analyzer . . $ 145 
Tax Preparer '83 .... 1 75 
Tax Preparer state: 

CA.NY.NJ.IL . . . .$Call 

KRELL CO. 
Logo $135 

LINK SYSTEMS 

Datafax $159 

Datalink 79 

MICROPRO 
Wordstar (Reg. CP/M) .$299 

Mailmerge 149 

CalcStar 99 

SpellStar 149 

SuperSort 159 

Data Pak (Special) ... 480 

MICROSOFT 

Basic Compiler $315 

Cobol-80 599 

Fortran-80 155 

Time Manager 125 

TASC Compiler 135 

A.L.D.S 99 

Multiplan(DOS) 199 

PENGUIN SOFTWARE 

Complete Graphics 

System $ 57 

Graphics Magician ... 48 

OMEGA 

Locksmith $ 79 

Inspector 47 

Watson 44 

GAMES 

HaydenSargonll . . . .$ 25 
Infocom Zork I, II or III . 32 



Infocom Deadline ... 42 

L&S Crossword Magic 38 

Sirlech Wizardry .... 39 
Sirtech Night of 

Diamonds 29 

MISC. 

ISM Mathemagic . . . .$ 80 

ISASpellguard 199 

LJK Edit 6502 82 

On-Line Screen Writer II 95 
PFS: Filing, Report 

or Graph 88 

PEACHTREE 

Series 40 

G/L, A/R, A/P ea. . . .$399 

Inventory 399 

G/L + A/R + A/P 

(Special). 397 

Series 9 

Peachcalc 279 

Telecommunications . 279 

SILICON VALLEY 

Wordhandler (Special) . $ 149 

Sensible Speller .... 99 



COMPUVIEW 
V-Edit 8080 Z80, IBM PCS 130 
V-Edit CP/M86. MS DOS 165 

DIGITAL RESEARCH 

Pascal Mt + $ 389 

MAC 85 

SID (8080 Debugger) . . 65 
ZSID(Z80 Debugger) . . 90 

CP/M 2.2 149 

C Basic 2 97 

PL/1-80 449 

FOXANDGELLER 

Quick Screen ..... .$125 

Quick Code 237 

D-Util 89 

MARK OF UNICORN 

'Final Word $250 

MICROPRO 

'WordStar (Special) . . .$299 

•MailMerge 149 

'CalcStar 99 

•SpellStar 149 

•SuperSort I 159 

•InfoStar 299 

3-Pack 480 

MICROSOFT 

Basic 80 $279 

Basic Compiler 289 

Fortran 80 345 

Cobol80 550 

Macro 80 140 

MuMath/MuSimp .... 199 

Multiplan 215 



OASIS 

•The Word Plus $120 

'Punctuation and Style . 99 

PEACHTREE 

General Ledger Series 4$ 399 
Accounts Receivable 

Series 4 399 

Accounts Payable 

Series 4 399 

Inventory Series 4 . . . 399 

CPA Client Write-up , . 799 

Series 8 Modules each 485 
•Peackpak 4 (G/L, A/R, 

AP)(Sp) ........ 397 

Peachtext 350 

PROrTEM SOFTWARE 
•Footnote $105 

STAR COMPUTER SYSTEM 

G/L. A/R, A/P or Pay . . $ 350 
Legal Time, Billing . . . 845 
Property Management . 845 

SORCIM 

Supercalc .$225 

Trans 86 115 

Act 155 

SUPERSOFT 

Diagnostic II $ 83 

Disk Doctor 84 

Fortran . . 299 

C-8086 400 

Lisp 120 

Tiny Pascal . 63 

Z8000 Assembler .... 400 

C Cross Assembler . . 400 

Fortran 8086 340 

'Scratchpad 219 

•Optimizer 159 

•Disk Edit 80 

ASHTONTATE 

•dBase II $450 

GAMES 

Infocom Zork I. II or III .$ 32 

Deadline 50 

Yahoo Catchum .... 32 

Supersoft Nemesis . . 37 
Supersoft Dungeon 

Master 34 

Supersoft Analyza II . . 39 



IBM PC 



'Please see CP/M listing for 
products with a "*". All pro- 
grams with a '** " will run on 
PCDOS. 
lUSEasiWriterll ... .$299 

lUSEasiSpeller 149 

IUS Accounting Module 460 
Alpha DataBase 

Manager 170 



Alpha Mailing List . 
Data Most Write-on 
Woolf Move It ... . 
ISASpellguard . . . 
Lifetree Volkswrtter 
Special Peachpak 

(GL.AR&AP) . . 
Ecosoft Microstaf . 
Northwest Statpak . 
Howard Software Tax 

Preparer '83. . . . 
Organic Software 

Milestone 

Datebook II 

•Microstuf Crosstalk 

GAMES 

Lost Colony .... 
Temple of Apshai . 

Galaxy 

Midway Campaign 

Frogger 

The Warp Factor . 



85 
110 
125 
247 
175 

399 
257 
397 

195 

$269 

269 

$139 

$ 25 
33 
22 
20 

30 
35 



Accessories/ 
Hardware 



BOARDS 

Apple/Franklin 
Coprocessors 88 card . $ 795 

Softcard(Z80CP/M) . . 245 
Applescope (your Apple 

as an Oscilloscope) . 595 

Videx 80 Col. Board . . 247 

Microsoft Premium Pak 599 

Videx Enhancer I .... 149 

K&D Enhancer 115 

Dan Paymar 

Lower Case 27 

ALSSmarterm 379 

ALS Z-card 269 

Versacard 160 

Bit 3 Dual Comrn-pkjs . 209 

16K RAM WIZARD ... 79 

Microsoft 16K RAM . . 89 
Echo II Speech 

Synthesizer 159 

IBM PC 
BYAD DS-1 

(64K, Z80. CP/M) ... $ 599 

Datamac64K 399 

Zedex Baby Blue .... 495 

Quad ram Quad Board . 445 

Quadram 128KRam .. 495 
AST Combo + 64K 

w/Par. Port 350 

Hercules Graphics 

Board 555 

Orchid Monochrome 

Grahic Adptr 432 

QuCeSBig Blue .... 499 

Vista Maxicard 64K . . 325 



MISCELLANEOUS 

Percom Doubter II ...$167 
Symtec Light Pen 

(IBM PC) 140 

Symtec Light Pen 

(API l/l 1 1) 200 

Microfazer BK Printer 

Buffer 135 

Maynard Floppy Drive 

Controller w/Par. Port 

(ICMPC) 229 

COMPUTERS 
Commodore/A tari 
Nee/Xerox — Call for 
Price Information 

MONITORS & TERMINALS 

Amdek Video 300. . . . $ 160 
Amdek RGB Color ... 699 
NEC 12" Hires Green . 159 
Sanyo 12" Hires Green 199 
US1 Hi-RLS 12" Amber. 199 
Zenith ZVM 12" Green . 115 
PGS RGB Color 599 

MODEMS 
Novation Apple-Cat II .$299 
Novation 21 2 Auto Cat 585 
Hayes Smartmodem . . 225 
Hayes Smart Modem 

1200 520 

Micromodem II 319 

Hayes Chronograph . . 199 
US Robotics: 
Auto-Dial (Full 

Auto300/1200) .... 459 
Auto-Line (Auto 

Answer300/1000) . . 399 

PRINTERS 

Epson $Call 

C. Itoh Starwriter .... 1450 
C. Itoh Prowriter .... 499 
Generic Prowriter . . . 425 

NEC 3530 1890 

NEC8123A 525 

OkidataMicroline82A . 460 
OkidataMicroline83A . 685 
Prism 80 (w/4 options) 

color 1399 

Prism 132 (w/4 options) 1547 
Smith-Corona TP-1 . . . 625 

DISK DRIVES 

Rana Elite I (AP II) 

(Special) $325 

Rana Elite II ....... $Call 

Rana Elite III SCall 

RanaController(APII) . 90 
MicroSciA35(APII) . . 399 
Tandon 100-2 274 

. . . and many more! 



ORDER TOLL FREE - Outside Wl - 1-800-826-1589 



Please: • Wisconsin residents — add 5% for sales tax 

• Add $3.50 for shipping per software and small 
items. Call regarding others. 

• Foreign - add 15% handling & shipping for 
small items & software. 



We welcome: • Visa, Mastercharge — (Add 4%) 

• Checks (Allow 1-2 weeks for clearing) 

• COD (Add $1.50 per shipment) 

For technical information & in Wisconsin: 715-848-2322 
Store prices differ from mail order. 



Oryx Software • 205ScottSt. • P.O. Box 1961 • Wausau, Wl 54401 



# 



Circle 327 on inquiry card. 



BYTE March 1983 413 



Listing 13: After any modifications to the keyword vocabulary, a listing of the complete vocabulary appears on either the display or 
the printer. The printed output is in four columns; the display output would be in three columns. 



COHPJOUR KEYWORD VOCABULARY 



1 


A- 1 


29 


CPM2 . 2 


57 


INTERPRETER 


85 


QUEUE 


2 


ACCOUNTING 


30 


CRT 


58 


INVENTORY 


86 


RANDOM 


3 


ALGORITHM 


31 


DATA 


59 


LANGUAGE 


87 


RECORDER 


4 


ANALOG 


32 


DEBUG 


60 


LAPLACE 


88 


REGRESSION 


5 


ANALYSIS 


33 


DECIMAL 


61 


LINEAR 


89 


REVIEW 


6 


APL 


31 


DECISIONS 


62 


LINKED-LIST 


90 


SCHEDULING 


7 


APPLICATIONS 


35 


DESIGN 


63 


LISTING 


91 


SEARCH 


8 


ASSEMBLER 


36 


DIFFERENTIAL 


64 


LISTS 


92 


SERIAL 


9 


ASSEMBLY 


37 


DIGITAL 


65 


LOGIC 


93 


SET 


10 


ASTRONAUTICS 


38 


DISASSEMBLER 


66 


MAILING 


94 


SIMULATION 


11 


BALLY 


39 


DISK 


67 


MANAGEMENT 


95 


SORT 


12 


BASIC 


%$ 


DRIVER 


68 


MATHEMATICS 


96 


SPACE 


13 


BOOLEAN 


41 


DUMP 


69 


MATRIX 


97 


STATISTICS 


|4 


BUDGET 


42 


EBASIC 


70 


MCOS 


98 


STRING 


15 


BUSBASIC 


43 


EDITOR 


71 


MERGE 


99 


STRUCTURED 


16 


BUSINESS 


44 


FILE 


72 


MODEM 


100 


STRUCTURED 


17 


CBASIC 


45 


FINANCIAL 


73 


MOTION 


101 


TERMINAL 


18 


CIRCUITS 


46 


FORMATTER 


74 


MSBASIC 


102 


TEST 


19 


CODE 


47 


FOURIER 


75 


NSBASIC 


103 


THEORY 


20 


COMMUNICATIONS 


48 


FUZZY-SET 


76 


PARALLEL 


104 


THREE-DIMENSIONS 


21 


COMPILER 


49 


GAME 


77 


PASCAL 


105 


TRANSCENDENTAL 


22 


COMPRESSION 


50 


GRAPHICS 


78 


PERSONAL 


106 


TRANSLATOR 


23 


CONSTRUCTION 


51 


HARDWARE 


79 


PERSPECTIVE 


107 


TREES 


24 


CONTROL 


52 


HASHING 


80 


PHYSICS 


108 


TRS-80 


25 


CONVERSION 


53 


HEXADECIMAL 


81 


PLOTTER 


109 


TUTORIAL 


26 


COPY 


54 


INPUT/OUTPUT 


82 


PRINTER 


110 


UTILITY 


27 


CORRELATION 


55 


INTEGRATION 


83 


PROGRAM 


111 


WARNIER-QRR 


28 


CP/M 


56 


INTERFACE 


84 


PSEUDORANDOM 


112 


Z-80 




www letters per hour 
via your personal computer 



ECOM postal charges paid 



ECOM 



delivered in 48 hours or sooner 
ot 264 o piece. 

Whether it's credit and collection applications, announcements to 
your customers, or sales promotions for new services, our MAIL- 
COM software turns your personal computer into a one-button mail- 
ing house of enormous power. All you need is a modem, a personal 
computer, and our MAIL-COM software. 

Our software allows you to link up with the U.S. Postal Service's new 
ECOM System. After receiving your letters via modem, the Postal Ser- 
vice will then print, stuff, seal and deliver the letters usually by the next 
day and guaranteed within 48 hours. 

MAI L-COM sof twa re is available now for the I BM PC ($ 1 95.00) and for 
the Alpha Micro ($495.00). Next month MAIL-COM software will be 
available for CP-M ($195.00) and for the Apple ($195.00). 



To order, call or write: 






Computers 



1501 Third Avenue 
New York, NY 10028 
(212)704-3675 



BREAKTHROUGH 




°^'VERY £ 



INCOMM AUTO DIAL 300/1200 

(21 2A) MODEM FOR $599.00 
INTRODUCTORY GET 
ACQUAINTED PRICE! 

(For A Limited Time Only!) 
FOR A AUTOMATIC DIALING 

300/1200 BAUD MODEM $ 495 00 

(Limit Two Per Customer) 'Compatible with Hayes 
YOU DO NOT NEED A TELEPHONE 

"To originate Of to receive a call" Simply hook up the modular jack (RJllC) directly to the phone line. 

then type the phone number in your terminal or Microcomputer and the INCOMM Auto Dial 
212A Modem will automatically dial the number and make the connection. It will then remember 
the number and will redia! by a simple command. The reliability of all INCOMM products is so high 
that we back our products with a full TWO YEAR WARRANTY! 



DEALER INQUIRIES INVITED! 

(Some selected territories are still available) 



CALL COLLECT TO ORDER DESK ONLY (312) 459-8874 

(Bank Cards Accepted) 
115 N. Wolf Road ' 1^1 w w IVI '»' Whee | ing | L 60090 

(312)459-8881 



414 



March 1983 © BYTE Publications Inc 



Circle 341 on inquiry card. 



Circle 208 on Inquiry card. 



Circle 267 on inquiry card. 



Listing 14: The screen display as an article is being added to the bibliography (using 
menu function 1). 

- •■ ~ - ■- B I ft L 1 ft U I L D /MOD I F Y - - - - 

DO YOU WISH TO ADD OR DELATE ARTICLES (A/&>? _A_ 

PRESSING RETURN IN RESPONSE TO THE PROMPT 'AUTHOR' 
T E R M I N A T E S T H I S R U T I N E * 



AUTHOR : 

TITLE : 
■JOURNAL 3 
ISSUE I 



w a t s a r i f S 



F u z t\s D e c i $ i a n A n a 1 y s i i 



IEEE Irac.5 SMC --9 



t pi 



ENTER KEYWORDS AND RATINGS, I*E»» KEYWORD! O.S KEYWORDS () ♦ 6 
> F U Z Z Y - S E T" 1 . f) D E C I S 1 N S 0.8 ANA L Y S I S . 8 A P P L I C A T 1 N S . 6 



62 ARTICLES ON FILE 
PRESS RETURN TO GO PACK TO MENU 



Listing 15: The display after selecting menu item 4 to search the bibliography file. After 
entering the interrogation phrase, you must define each concept in the phrase in terms 
of keywords thai are contained in the relevant vocabulary. 

- ~ ft I ft L I O G R A P H Y S E A R C H - - - ■ - 

ENTER INTERROGATION PHRASE 

> ( G R A P H I C S * P L T T E R * ( P RGGR6M* B A S I C ) ) 



PLEASE DEFINE EACH OF THE CONCEPTS YOU HAVE ENTERED 
IN TERMS OF KEYWORDS AND THEIR APPLICABILITY 
£ X A M P L E I T H E R Y 0.6 A P P L I C A T 1 N S . 8 

G R A P H I C S : GRAPHICS 1 . 

P L T T E R t PLOTTER 0.9 PRINTER jKjt 



P R G R A M J P R G R A M 1 . I... I S TING 1 . 



ft ASIC J BASIC 1.0 



Listing 16: After the search of the article file is completed, a summary of the results is 
displayed, and you enter the minimum rating for articles to be listed. 

NUMBER OF ARTICLES THAT MEET OR EXCEED RATINGS OF 



RATINGS 


u * u . ♦ . . 

♦ARTICLES 


♦ 1 . u 

RATINGS 


♦ARTICLES 


0. 


62 


0.6 


1 


.1 


2 


0.7 


I 


0.2 


'■> 


0.8 


I 


0.3 


2 


0.9 





,4 


2 


1.0 





0.5 


1. 







ENTER MINIMUM RATING DESIRED FOR ARTICLE PRINTOUT: 0.2 
DO YOU WISH A PRINTED OUTPUT '> X 

Listing 17: The report given at the conclusion of the search. The header summarizes the 
search specifications. The articles that meet the specifications follow. 

Fuzzy Search of Library CO MP JOUR 

I n t e r v a g a t i o n P h r a s e I 

( GRAPHICS*PLOTTER* ( PROGRAMtBASIC ) ) 
Inter rogat ion Phrase Definitions I 

GRAPHICS : GRAPHICS 1.0 

PLOTTER J PLOTTER 0.9 PRINTER . • J 

• Money back guarantee. 

*** MORE SUPER SPECIALS! *** 

Smrtn-Corana tp 1 $629 Televideo 925 $788 

TetetekSystemaster $792 Ariadex DP95Q0A $1388 
software, other products Call! star Printers Call! 

call our professionals for best service and price, 
we export to all countries. • 

J^m ^kiM ,PEX INTERNATIONAL, INC. 

^B^C^K 5115 Douglas Fir Road 

^i ^U^^ caiabasas.CA 91302 U.S.A. 

■■ ^"^ "™ Tetex/TWX 910-494-2100 

(213)710-1444 

IBM ana SELECTRtc are trademarks of IBM Corp. 




Screen Gen 

FULL SCREEN CONTROL 



An assembler subprogram you call from your 
BASIC or COBOL programs to handle screen 
input/output as IBM mainframes do. 
You just define a table/array in your program 
specifying screen formats, and call ScreenGen 
to do all the I/O for you. 

• Input or display a full screen with one single 
command 

• Use all of your CRT video attributes 

• Define up to 24 function keys 

• Define templates for display and input. 
Six standard editing templates built-in. 

• Validate input while keying. Insert and 
delete characters to correct fields 

• Tab fields forward and backward 

• Superfast screen operation 
Available now for 



BAStC-80 \ 
C0B0L-80 
CBASIC I 
RM/COBOL | 
BASIC I 

RS/COBOL / 
Source code included 
IBM PC available soon 



Microsoft 

Dig. Research 
Ryan McFarland 
Radio Shack 



CP/M 
TRS-80 
Appte II* 
Manual 
Only 



$99 
$75 
$75 

$25 



•requires softcard 



IflTERpora 



SYSTEMS INC. 



1051 Clinton St., Buffalo, N.Y. 14206 
(416) 493-8675 



MASTERCARD 



Circle 386 on Inquiry card. 



Circle 225 on inquiry card. 



Circle 223 on inquiry card. 



wabash 



for 
as 

low 
as 



diskettes 

$1.39 each! 

Now.. .Get High Quality at a Low Price 

Wabash means quality products that you can depend on. 
For over 1 6 years, Wabash has been making high quality 
computer products. Wabash diskettes are made to provide 
error-free performance on your computer system. Every 
Wabash diskette is individually tested and is 1 00% certified 
to insure premium performance. 

Why Wabash is Special 

The quality of Wabash diskettes is stressed throughout 
the entire manufacturing process. After coating, all Wabash 
diskettes go through a unique burnishing process that 
gives each diskette a mirror-smooth appearance. Wabash 
then carefully appiies a lubricant that is specially form- 
ulated to increase diskette life. This saves you money, 
since your discs may last longer. It also assists your disk 
drives in maintaining constant speed which can reduce 
read and write errors. 

Special Seal.. .Helps Prevent Contamination 

To keep out foreign particles, a unique heat seal bonds the 
jacket and liner together. A special thermal seal which 
avoids contamination from adhesives, is then used to fold 
and seal the jacket. This results in outstanding perfor- 
mance and true reliability. Wabash then packages each 
diskette, (except bulk pack) in a super strong and tear 
resistant Tyvek® evelope. The final Wabash product is 
then shrink-wrapped to insure cleanliness and reduce 
contamination during shipment. 

Each Diskette is 100% Critically Tested 

Since each step in the Wabash diskette manufacturing 
process is subject to strict quality control procedures, you 
can be sure Wabash diskettes will perform for you. And 
every Wabash diskette meets the ultra-high standards of 
ANSI, ECMA, IBM and ISO in addition to the many critical 
quality control tests performed by Wabash. Wabash does 
all of this testing to provide you with consistently high 
quality diskettes. Reliability and data integrity - that's 
what Wabash quality is all about. 

Flexible Disc Quantity Discounts Available 

Wabash diskettes are packed 1 discs to a carton and 1 
cartons to a case. The economy bulk pack is packaged 
100 discs to a case without envelopes or labels. Please 
order only in increments of 100 units for quantity 100 
pricing. With the exception of bulk pack, we are also 
willing to accommodate your smaller orders. Quantities 
less than 1 00 units are available in increments of 1 units 
at a 10% surcharge. Quantity discounts are also avail- 
able. Order 500 or more discs at the same time and deduct 
1 %; 1 ,000 or more saves you 2%; 2,000 or more saves you 
3%; 5,000 or more saves you 4%; 10,000 or more saves 
you 5%; 25,000 or more saves you 6%; 50,000 or more 
saves you 7% and 1 00,000 or more discs earns you an 8% 
discount off our super low quantity 100 price. Almost all 
Wabash diskettes are immediately available from CE. Our 
warehouse facilities are equipped to help us get you the 
quality product you need, when you need it. If you need 
further assistance to find the flexible disc that's right for 
you, call the Wabash diskette compatibility hotline. Dial 
toll-free 800-323-9868 and ask for your compatibility 
representative. In Illinois or outside the United States dial 
312-593-6363 between 9 AM to 4 PM Central Time. 

Circle 86 on inquiry card. 



Part# 


CE quant. 
100 price 

per disc ($) 


F111 


1.99 


F111B 


1.79 


F31A 


1.99 


F131 


2.49 


F14A 


3.19 


F144 


3.19 


F145 


3.19 


F147 


3.19 


M11A 


1.59 


M11AB 


1.39 


M41A 


1.59 


M51A 


1.59 


M51F 


2.99 


M13A 


1.89 


M13AB 


1.69 


M18A 


2.79 


M43A 


1.89 


M53A 


1.89 


M14A 


2.79 


M44A 


2.79 


M54A 


2.79 


M15A 


2.69 


M16A 


3.79 



SAVE ON WABASH DISKETTES 

Product Description 

8" SSSD IBM Compatible {128 B/S, 26 Sectors) 

8" Same as above, but bulk pack w/o envelope 

8" SSSD Shugart Compatible, 32 Hard Sector 

8" SSDD IBM Compatible (128 B/S, 26 Sectors) 

8" DSDD Soft Sector (Unformatted) 

8" DSDD Soft Sector (256 B/S, 26 Sectors) 

8" DSDD Soft Sector (512 B/S, 1 5 Sectors) 

8" DSDD Soft Sector (1024 B/S, 8 Sectors) 

5 1 A" SSSD Soft Sector w/Hub Ring 

5 1 A" Same as above, but bulk pack w/o envelope 

5V4" SSSD 10 Hard Sector w/Hub Ring 

5 1 A" SSSD 16 Hard Sector w/Hub Ring 

5 1 A" SSDD Lanier No-problem compatible 

5 1 A" SSDD Soft Sector w/Hub Ring 

5 1 /4" Same as above, but bulk pack w/o envelope 

5 1 /4" SSDD Soft Sector Flippy Disk (use both sides) 

5 1 /4" SSDD 10 Hard Sector w/Hub Ring 

5 1 /4" SSDD 16 Hard Sector w/Hub Ring 

5V4" DSDD Soft Sector w/Hub Ring 

5 1 /4" DSDD 10 Hard Sector w/Hub Ring 

5 1 /4" DSDD 16 Hard Sector w/Hub Ring 

5V4" SSQD Soft Sector w/Hub Ring (96 TPI) 

5 1 /4" DSQD Soft Sector w/Hub Ring (96 TPI) 

SSSD = Single Sided Single Density; SSDD = Single Sided Double Density; 
DSDD = Double Sided Double Density; SSQD = Single Sided Quad Density; 
DSQD = Double Sided Quad Density; TPI - Tracks per inch. 

Buy with Confidence 

To get the fastest delivery from CE of your Wabash computer 
products, send or phone your order directly to our Computer 
Products Division. Be sure to calculate your price using the CE 
prices in this ad. Michigan residents please add 4% sales tax or 
supply your tax I.D. number. Written purchase orders are accep- 
ted from approved government agencies and most well rated 
firms at a 30% surcharge for net 30 billing. All sales are subject to 
availability, acceptance and verification. All sales are final. Prices, 
terms and specifications are subject to change without notice. All 
prices are in U.S. dollars. Out of stock items will be placed on 
backorder automatically unless CE is instructed differently. Min- 
imum prepaid order $50.00. Minimum purchase order $200.00. 
International orders are invited with a $20.00 surcharge for 
special handling in addition to shipping charges. All shipments 
are F.O.B. Ann Arbor, Michigan. No COD's please. Non-certified 
and foreign checks require bank clearance. 

For shipping charges add $8.00 per case or partial-case of 
1 00 8-inch discs or $6.00 per case or partial-case of 1 00 5 1 /4-inch 
mini-discs for U.P.S. ground shipping and handling in the con- 
tinental United States. 

Mail orders to: Communications Electronics, Box 1002, 
Ann Arbor, Michigan 481 06 U.S.A. If you have a Master Card 
or Visa card, you may call and place a credit card order. Order 
toll-free in the U.S. Dial 800-521-441 4. Jf you are outside the 
U.S. or in Michigan, dial 313-994-4444. Order your Wabash 
diskettes from Communications Electronics today. 

Copyright ®1 982 Communications Electronics"* Ad # 11 0582 



(MasterCard 




AAEMBfcH mmm 



DIRECT MAIL 
MARKETING ASSOCIATION 




Order Toil-Free! wabash 

800-521-4414 error-free 



In Michigan 313-994-4444 



diskettes 




COMMUNICATIONS 
ELECTRONICS" 

Computer Products Division 

854 Phoenix D Box 1002 U Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106 U.S.A. 
Call TOLL-FREE (800) 521 -4414 or outside U.S.A. (31 3) 994-4444 

BYTE March 1983 525 



.•:* 



MEMI 

FLEXIBLE DISCS 

WE WILL NOT BE UNDER- 
SOLD!! Call Free (800)235-4137 

for prices and information. Dealer 
inquiries invited and C.O.D.'s 
accepted 




pacific 
exchanges 

100 Foothill Blvd. 
San Luis Obispo, CA 
93401. InCaL call 
(800)592-5935 or 
.(805)543-1037 



SPECIAL OFFER 




TURBO-MICRO COMPUTER 

Complete System With Networking Capability 

*1 to 16 independent users. 

*20 to 80 M. Byte hard disk 

*CP/M or TurboDos Operating System 

•100% CP/M Compatible 

*S-100 BUS Structure, master/slave concept 

3.2 M. Byte Desk Top Turbo-Micro 

Computer, 1 to 6 users $2349.00 

20 M. Byte Hard Disk Desk Top Turbo- 
Micro Computer, 1 to 6 users $3995.00 

20 M. Byte Hard Disk Stand-Alone Turbo- 
Micro Computer, 1 to 16 users $5595.00 

Write or call for complete information and price 
package. 

ADVANCED COMP. TECH. 

SAN DIEGO, CA (619) 571-2746 



ANUDATA 

COMPUTER PRODUCTS 



PRINCETON GRAPHIC HIGH RESOLUTION 

RGB COLOR MONITOR FOR IBM -PC CALL 

TANDON FLOPPY DRIVE TM 100-2 $255 

VERBATIM DISKETTES 1/4" SS DD $24.50/10 
DS DD $30/10 

FOR INFORMATION OR ORDERS CALL 

914-221-1560 



OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 

73 BRANDY LANE 
WAPPINGER FALLS, NY 12590 



Circle 331 on inquiry card. 



Circle 12 on inquiry card. 



Circle 23 on inquiry card. 



OLIVETTI M-20 
COMPUTERS 



COMPUTERS 

M-20 Computer, 128k, Single Disk 
M-20 Computer, 128k, Dual Disk 
32k Memory Expansion 
Color Monitor & 32k Memory 
11Mb Internal Hard Disk 
Eagle II Computer 
Eagle III Computer 

PRINTERS 

Dot Matrix Printers 
Letter Quality Printers 
Olivetti Thermal Graphics Printer 
Panasonic 6-Pen Plotter 

SOFTWARE 



SUGG. 


OUR 


LIST 


PRICE 


$3087 


$2469 


3682 


2945 


229 


180 


1700 


1360 


3782 


3025 


2995 


2595 


3995 


3495 


— Call — 


— Call — 


1100 


700 


1995 


1596 



CALL FOR GREAT DISCOUNTS 

on all Olivetti Computers, Software, Printers, etc. 

WE DEAL 



" TimeSaver Systems I 



206/927-9024 

15 Central Way, Suite 320, Kirkiand. WA 98033 



TAXMAN-83 

An interactive TAX MANagement Program for 

VisiCalc™& Super Calc™ Users 

TAXMAN-83 provides you with the capability to easily calculate your 1982 

taxes by using the already proven VisiCaic and SuperCalc™ electronic 



TAXMAN-83 prepares and prints 1982 individual income tax returns 
TAXMAI+JBconsiders ail tax alternatives, computes the lowest tax possible, 
tests reasonableness and tells you which forms are necessary for filing. 
TAXMAN-83 includes the following forms/schedules: Federal 1040; 
Schedules A, B. C, D, E, F, G, R, HP, SE, ES, U, W; Forms 1116, 2106, 
2119, 2210, 2440, 2441, 3468, 3903, 4136, 4137, 4255, 4562, 4563,4625, 
4684, 4797, 4798, 4835, 4952, 4970, 4972, 5329, 5544, 5695, 5884, 6249, 
6251 , 6252, 6478, 6765, 6781 ; Tax schedules X, YS, YJ, Z; Tax tables; 
Sales tax tables for all states. 

TAXMAN-83 is now available for most microcomputers utilizing 
VisiCaic™ or SuperCalc™. 

PRICED AT ONLY 

$95.00 

Call: 1-205-533-7590 



oei 



ATSUKO 

COMPUTING 

INTERNATIONAL 

303 Williams Avenue. Huntsville. AL 35801 



ONE BOARD CP/M® SYSTEM 
FOR NETWORKS 




• 8'/i x 12'/ 2 inches 

- 10 MHZ 8085 CPU 
' 64K RAM 

• 880 KBIT/SEC 
Network Port 



' CRT Controller 

i 8272 FD Controller 

1 Winchester Interface 

| 2 RS-232 Channels 



Documentation $20 

CP/M Floppy Disk Op. System S18i 

Check or Money Order 



autocontroll 



1 1400 Dorsett Rd. 

Maryland Heights, MO 63043 

(314)739-0055 



Circle 387 on inquiry card, 



Circle 37 on inquiry card. 



Circle 38 on inquiry card. 



CHIFS &DALE O 

THE INFLATION FIGHTERS! 

4116 250ns 8/89.50 100+ 1.05 ea. 

41 16 200ns 8/S 10.00 100+ $1.05 ea. 

4116 150ns 8/S1 1.50 100+ $1.25 ea. 

4116 120ns 8/$ 14.50 100+ $1.50 ea. 

4116 ] 20ns 8/S 15.50 100+ $1.50 ea. 

2114L 300ns 8/S10. 50 

2 114L 200ns 8/* 12.00 
•4164 200ns $4.65 ea. 
•4164 150ns $5.10 ea. 
•6116 1 50ns $4.00 ea. 
•61 16 200ns $3.85 ea. 
•6116LP 150ns $4.75 ea. 
* 1791 Disk Controller $20.00 

1777 Disk Controller $17.50 

Z80A. Z80ACTC, Z80A PIO $3.00 ea. 

8255 $4.25 

2716-1 5V 350ns 8/$4.25 ea.$5.00 ea. 

2716 5V 450ns $3.00 ea. 
•2732 5V 450ns $3.85 ea. 
•2532 5V 450ns $4.25 ea. 
•2764 5V 300ns 28 pin $9.00 ea. 
•2764 5V 24 pin CALL 
•2564 5V CALL 

••8087 CALL 

68000 CALL 

Allow up to 3 wks. for personal checks to clear. Please include 
phone number. Prices subject to change without notice. Shipping & 
Handling for Chips $3.50, FOB Belle vue, WA. for all else. Wash, 
residents add 6.5% Sales Tax. 

CHIPS & DALE 1-206-451-9770 

10655 N.E. 4th St., Suite 400 
Bellevue, WA 98004 



C LANGUAGE 
PROGRAMMERS 



Now with: 



c-systems 
C COMPILER 
c-window™ 



The first c language source level 

program testing and debugging tool. 

• Single step by c source line. 

• Set breakpoints at line numbers. 

• Display and alter variables by symbol 
name, using c expression syntax. 

• No more printf or assembler level 
debugging! 

c-window™ is a support package for 
the c-systems C COMPILER for 

8O86/8O88 based systems. 



Contact 
c-systems 

P.O. Box 3253 

TM c-systems 



Fullerton.CA 92634 
714-637-5362 



Maxell 
Diskettes 




The floppy disks that meet 
or exceed every standard 
of quality. Dealer inquiries 
invited. 

Call Toll Free N 
1-800-237-8931. 

In Florida, call 
813-577-2794, J 



v 



Tech • Data Corporation 

3251 Tech Drive North 
St. Petersburg, FL 33702 



Circle 78 on Inquiry card. 



Circle 67 on Inquiry card. 



Circle 419 on Inquiry card. 



DRIVES 



IBM • APPLE II • APPLE III 

QUENTIN 

OR 

MICRO-SCI 



APPLE II 5 1/4" 



269 



00 



TT^ F '■":■■ ■""'":: .. ^ 



OKIDATA | S BASIS 1 08 



82A83A 84 93 



CALL FOR LOWEST PRICES 



EPSON 



MX80 



FX80 



MX100 



CALL FOR LOWEST PRICES 



APPLE COMPATIBLE 

COMPUTER 

CALL FOR LOWEST PRICE 



SMITH-CORONA 




TP-I 



LETTER QUALITY 

DAISY WHEEL 

$57500 



SOFTWARE 



WE HAVE IT ALL! 
OVER 500 TITLES 

IBM • APPLE • CP/M 
PARTIAL LISTING 

ARCADE MACHINE $31.00 

BEAGLE BROS. $CALL 

BPI GL, AP, AR 299.00 

BRODERBUND $CALL 

DATAMOST $CALL 

EDU-WARE $CALL 

FROGGER 30.00 

HAYDEN PIE WRITER 119.00 

HOME ACCOUNTANT 59.00 

HOME ACCT + (IBM) 119.00 

INFO. UNLIMITED $CALL 

MICROPRO $CALL 

MICROSOFT $CALL 

MULTIPLAN (CP/M, IBM) 199.00 

PEACHTREE $CALL 

PERFECT SOFTWARE $CALL 

PFS $CALL 

SCREENWRITER II 99.00 

SIRIUS $CALL 

SUPERCALC 215.00 

TRANSEND 119.00 

WIZARDRY 35.00 

WORDHANDLER II 139.00 

ZORK I, II, III 27.00 



, KENSINGTON 
m MICROWARE 




SYSTEM SAVER 

Surge Suppression 
Dual Outlet 
U.L. Listed 
Fits Apple 
Stand 



«65 



HARDWARE 



WE CARRY MOST 
PRODUCTS. PLEASE 
CALL IF NOT LISTED 



PARTIAL LISTING 



DISK LIBRARY CASE 

FLIP FILE 

GRAPPLER 4 

HAYES MICROMODEM II 

JOYPORT 

KRAFT JOYSTICK 

M & R ENTERPRISES 

MX-80 PRINTER STAND 

MX-PLUS 

MICROBUFFER II 32K 

MICRO-SCI DRIVES 

MICROSOFT IBM RAMCD 

MICROSOFT SOFTCARD 

NOVATION PRODUCTS 

PAYMAR L/CASE, REV.7 

PKASO 

PRACTICAL PERIPHERALS $CALL 

SHIFT KEY MODIFICATION 12.00 

VISTA PRODUCTS $CALL 

WILDCARD 119.00 

WIZARD BPO 159.00 



2.50 

20.00 

139.00 

269.00 

49.00 

47.00 

$CALL 

19.00 

45.00 

239.00 

$CALL 

299.00 

239.00 

$CALL 

20.00 

159.00 




Paddles 


$29 00 


Joystick II 


40 00 


Select-A-Port 


4700 


All of Above 


1 09 oo 


Trakball 


$CALL 


Joystick III 


$CALL 


Joystick IBM 


4500 




IBM-APPLE II- APPLE 



Visilink (Apple) 179.00 

Visicalc (IBM or Apple) 179.00 

Desktop Plan II (Apple) 179.00 

Desktop Plan (IBM) 249.00 

Visidex (IBM or Apple) 179.00 

Visifile (Apple) 179.00 

Visifile (IBM) 249.00 

Visiplot (Apple) 145.00 

Visischedule (Apple) 229.00 

Visiterm (Apple) 75.00 

Visitrend/Plot (Apple) 229.00 



JJ Mountain Computer 



CPS Card 


159.00 


CPS Cable 


$CALL 


Ramplus+32K 


145.00 


Rom Writer 


145.00 


Clock 


195.00 


Music System 


299.00 


Super Talker 


149.00 


Expansion Chassis 


559.00 


Card Reader 


$CALL 


A/D-D/A 


269.00 


Visicalc Expander 


$CALL 



MONITORS 



BMC 12" Green Au 


88 00 


BMC 12" Green Eu 


129 00 


USI PI3-12" Amber 


16 goo 


USI PI4-9" Amber 


159 00 


NEC 12" Green 


179 00 


NEC 12" Color 


34900 


AMDEK 


$CALL 


SANYO 


$CALL 



16 RAM CARD 



Compatible with: 
DOS 3.3, CP/M, 
Visicalc, PASCAL 
2 YR. WARRANTY 



$ 59 



oo 




^Eegenh ^Jnimstrba 



64K (includes V-Cploaj $299 00 

1 28K <:7™: d e e X x P T" CALC 8 ° 479 00 
Pascal Super Systems $CALL 



\ferbatim. 



5 1/4" (100) 


$239 9S 


5 1/4" (10) 


2595 


8" (10) 


39 95 


Head Cleaning Kit 


750 




idex 



80 Column 
Enhancer II 
Softswitch 
Function Strip 
Inverse Video 
Applewriter Pre-Boot 
Visicalc 80 Software 
Visicalc 80 w/mem. exp. 



$239°° 
119 M 

25°° 
59 0D 
19 oc 
19 oc 
49 oc 



EPSON RIBBONS 



MX 80 
MX 100 



« 7 00 eaOr 3for20 00 
11 00 eaOr3for32 00 



DEALER 

INQUIRIES 

INVITED 



 



COMPUTER 

DISCOUNT 

PRODUCTS 



MAIL ORDERS & RETAIL STORE 

860 S. Winchester Blvd. 
San Jose, CA 95128 

(408) 985-0400 



HOURS: MON-F ' A - SAT & SUN 10AM - 4PM? 



PH.C » : i''* ' 



CHANGE B SAN JOSE 



Circle 97 on inquiry card. 



PARALLEL INTERFACE 
PROBLEM? 




PRINTER OR COMPUTER? 

The Detectabyte Model BD-1 

• Connects To Computer Parallel 
Output Port (36 Pin Connector) 

• Indicates If Preselected Character 

Was Sent 

• Complete With Power Supply And 
LED Display 

• Scope Sync Output 

• Minimizes Repair Costs & Turnaround 
Time 

PriCe $1 69.50 Plus $3.00 Shipping 
(California Orders Add 6% Sales Tax) 

The Partran Company 

2520 S. Fairview Avenue, Suite F 

Santa Ana, CA 92704 

(714)662-0709 



Circle 340 on inquiry card. 



WORD PROCESSING - PLUS 
SPELLBINDER 



A Word Processor for CP/M and MS-DOS Systems, 
with built-in mail list, sorts by zips, alpha and cues, 
forms generator, column addition and more. 



LIST 

$495 



PLANA 

$356 



PLAN-B 

$321 



PLANC 

$285 



Other CP/M, MS-DOS and Apple software available 
with same terms. Write or call for full spec sheets or 
further information. 

PLANS: 

A - Phone support, exchange privilege, 90 days 
B - Phone support, exchange privilege, 30 days 
C -Support limited to supplied documentation, no 
exchange except for bad disk replacement. 

Additional support available at $20/hour. 

TERMS: 

Prices include cash discount. Add 4% for charge or 
COD orders. Add $5 shipping and handling. 



Suite 14-04 
3322 Mem. 
Pkwy., S.W. 



iftaman 



(205)883-8113 

Hunstville, 
A L 35801 



Circle 135 on inquiry card. 



I WILL BEAT ANY COMPETITOR'S PRICE 

PROVIDED IT IS NOT BELOW MY COST. 

TRY TO BEAT THESE IC PRICES: 







DYNAMIC RAM 








64K 


200 ns 


$4.85 






64K 


150 ns 


5.10 






16K 


200 ns 
EPROM 


1.25 






2764 


300 ns 


$8.00 






2732 


450 ns 


4.15 






2716 


450 ns 


3.33 






2532 


450 ns 
STATIC RAM 


4.70 






6116P-3 150 ns 


$4.40 






2016 


100 ns 


4.00 






2114 


200 ns 
Z80A FAMILY 


1.60 






CPU, 


CTC, or PIO 


$3.39 






DART 




8.25 






L DMA 


Of SIO/0 


12.50 
















MasterCard VISA or UPS CASH COD 9 


I 


Factory New, Prime Parts m 


MICROPROCESSORS UNLIMITED f 


1 ' 




24,000 South Peoria Ave 




1 




BEGGS. OK. 74421 

(918)267-4961 




■ Prices s 


bject to change. Call for volume prices Subiect to available Quantities Bj 


■ Shipping 


& Insurance extra Cash discount prices she 





$99 TAX 

"iris" is less taxing to use 

1983 Returns on 1982 Income. Listable. 
Asks for Numbers, Yes/ No Answers 
Gives HELP. Picks, does forms itself. 
5V Disks 12) for CP/M™, MICROSOFT™ 
BASIC. Copyable for 10 users. Under $10 each. 

599 -PERSONAL-IRIS 1040/A,B,D,G,W 
common statements and forms, credits, + 1 

NO EXTRA COSTadds C,E,F,R,SE,ES 
• more forms,credits,+ 
Future update discounted to original 
Buyers. Return mail delivery with bank, 
Certified check.MASTERCARD, VISA. 
CP/M-Registered Trademark of Digital Research 
Microsoft-Reg. Trademark of Microsoft Corp. 

D.C POSTAGE, INC., 1309 4th St. SW 1 
Washington DC 20024 

202-484-1535 [messages only] 




SPECIAL OFFER! 

MEGAH 

IBM PERSONAL COMPUTER 
MEMORY EXPANSION BOARD 

FEATURES: 

Expansion capability from 64K to MByte, 
Memory boundaries selection flexibility, Pro- 
grammable memory banking capability, Pro- 
grammable memory write protect, Dual RS- 
232-C serial asynchronous ports, Program- 
mable RS-232-C address, "Key-lock" software 
protection logic, High quality four layer PC 
board, One year warranty. 

SPECIAL PRICE: 

64K RAM & two RS-232 serial ports— $299.95 

256K RAM & two RS-232 serial ports— $499.95 

! ~§^ "=£ T ESST**'* (71 4) 553-01 33 
= " ===^= tat.^rio-*! (619)727-0202 
P.O. Box 16115, Irvine CA 9271 3-61 1 5 



Circle 134 on inquiry card. 



ATDDfinn. THE DOUBLE DENSITY DISK 
M I M OUUU. INTERFACE FDR ATARI 600/400 

• Z80 4MHz controller with 64k 
RAM. 

• Comes with CP/M 2.2. Also runs 
ATARI DOS and OS/A+. 

• Runs four 5Va" or 8" drives. 

• Has a serial and a parallel port. 

• CO-POWER-88, and 8088 co- 
processor with up to 256k RAM 
is now available. Runs CP/M-86 
or MSDOS. 

64k ATR8000 $750.00 

5V*" Drive $399.95 

OS/A+, Vers. 4 $ 49.95 

CO-POWER-88 Choose from 

^^^^^^^^ several packages. 

SK^SB Call for pricing. 

Im software 
i.b publishers. 

Ill ■■■li 

****m 2500 E. Randol 
Mill Rd., Suite 125 
~ Ar-.ngton, TX 76011 
(817) 469-1181 



Circle 398 on inquiry card. 




E.Bi.B.B,BJ.B 




Z8 PROGRAMMABLE 
LOGIC CONTROLLER 

16K Static Memory(6116)/(2716) 
9 Parallel Ports (3-8255A) 

Bare Board $50.00 

Kit $224.00 

A. & T $274.00 

To Order (313) 425-1137 
MICROADE 

29554 Rosslyn 
Garden City, Ml 48135 



Circle 168 on inquiry card. 



a 




Cables 

EIA RS 232-C 



Quality cables with immediate 


delivery and low prices. 


Conductor 


Price 


1-4 


$12.00 + .18/ft 


5-7 


12.50 + .27/ft. 


8-12 


13.50 + .33/ft. 


13-16 


1 4.75 + .44/ft. 


1 7-25 


1 7.00 + .55/ft. 



Specify: Male or female connectors, length of 
cable and pins to be connected. OEM & quantity 
discounts available to qualified customers. On 
prepaid orders add $5.00 for shipping/handling. 
We also supply connector parts, bulk 
cable, IBM, DEC Compatable&Centronic 
cables. 

Communication 
Cable Company 

31 9 Lcruella Ave. Wayne, PA 1 9087 
V 215-964-9404 



Circle 85 on Inquiry card. 



J 



SAVE 507. 

on 

Scotch 

k Diskettes 



Dealer Inquiries invited 

E1X, " Specify Soft nrices/10 

3/4 10 or 16 Sector pneesno 
744D 1 side/dbl dens $22.30 

745 2 sides/dbi dens $31.00 

746 1 side/quad 96 tpi $33.80 

747 2 sides/quad 96 tpi $45.50 

S ' ' specify Soft or 32 Sector 

740 1 side sgl/dens $23.60 

741 1 side/dbl dens $29.00 

743 2 sides/dbi aens $37.80 

Checks-viSA-MC-C.O.D./Add S2 Shipping 

Call or write for our complete list. 

LYBEN COMPUTER SYSTEMS 

27204 Harper Ave., St. Clair Shores, mi 48081 
Phone- (313) 777-7780 



Authorized Distributor 



information Processing Product 



s3M 



Circle 284 on Inquiry card. 



Circle 268 on inquiry card. 



Circle 251 on inquiry card. 



SIEMENS 1 MEGABYTE 

8" Double Sided/Double Density 

l-$299.00 ea.* 
2-$289.00* 10-$269.00* 




FDD200-8 Floppy 

Disk Drive 
Shugart Compatible 



Shipping Wgt, 15 lbs. 
Factory New and Packaged 

Fully Guaranteed • 90 Day Warranty 
Service Contracts Available • Full Documentation 

We've been wholesalers to the industry for 10 years, but when these 2 
items became available at the same time, we decided to offer them directly 
to you. We know it will prove to be a good relationship and we'll be back 
next month with more incredible bargains. Hope to hear from you soon. 

Sincerely, 



Circle 478 on inquiry card. 



J** $$aJ 



'Orders accepted by Visa/MasterCharge (add 3%) Money Order or certified check. Price does 
not include shipping charges. Specify method of shipment desired and include approximate 
shipping charge. N.J, residents add 6% sales tax. 



OUME 55CPS— HIGH SPEED 

DAISEY WHEEL LETTER QUALITY PRINTERS 

$950.00 ea.* 



Quantity Pricing Available 



..-.• ..i .,-.•. ; 




Proportional Spacing 
2K Buffer 
RS-232 or 

Centronics Parallel 



Shipping Wgt. 46 lbs. 

The Qume Sprint 3-55 with Interface is Compatible with most Computers 
having RS-232 or Centronics Parallel A or B, such as Radio Shack, Apple, 
IBM, etc. Also works with most popular word processing programs like 
Micropro™ Wordstar. 

These Qume Printers were used by a major typesetting company under 
maintenance until replaced by laser printers on an exchange basis. We had 
their technicians refurbish and completely exercise them to give you many 
years of reliable service at a price you can live with. 



HOBB-Y-TRONIX, INC. 



Division of Tope Industries, Inc. 

951 Ball Ave., Union, N J. 07083 

(201) 687-1330 



Best Price • Good Quality • Swift Delivery • Export 

PRINTER IBM PC 



COMPUTER 

•The Best Graphic 
Personal Computer* $ 

LNW 80 I Z80A, 65K, 480 x 1 92 1 ,250 

II WCP/M board 1,500 

* Multiuser Business/Engineer* 
CROMEMCO Best Price Anywhere 

CSt 5% "floppy, 280 3,196 

CS1H W/5 MB hard disk 5,596 

CS 1 D2E 256K RAM, 68000 & Z80 

two 5y*" floppy 4,396 

CS1D2 no error correction 3,996 

CS3D5E 5 1 2K RAM, 6800 & Z80 

two 8" floppy 7,996 

CIO 64K, 12" monitor 

Z80A, keyboard 1 ,090 

•Professional/ Word Process* 

ZENITH Z90-S0, 64K , 2,050 

NORTH HORIZON, 1 

STAR quad drive, HD5 3,999 

ADVANTAGE, 2 

quad drives, 64K 2,999 

CROMEMCO 64K, 12" monitor, 390K 
CIO floppy, letter quality printer, 

CP/M type 0,S. + word processing 
+ spreadsheet 2,750 

Zenith 16-Bit 

Z-1 10 dual drives, 1 28K RAM color board, 
225x640 graphic, IBM PC 
compatible 3,099 

ZVM-134 superb color monitor 550 

*16-bit CPU* 
WICAT 256K RAM, CRT, 2 floppies. . . 7,520 

•68000* SI 50 WS 1-user 9,250 

256K RAM, 10MB hard disk, 
960KB floppy CRT, OS + 1 language 

S1 50-3 WS 3-users 1 0,800 

same as S150 WS 

S1 50-6 WS 6-users 1 2,800 

5 1 2K RAM same as SI 50 WS 

Graphics 300x400 900 

DUAL * 68000, 51 2K RAM, 20MB hard disk, 

IBM floppy, UNIX, S100 14,500 

ALTOS ACS8600-12 500K RAM 20MB 

hard disk 9,750 

Business System Software. . . . 1,995 
TERAK, SWTPC, DEC, NEC Call 



EPSON FX new product CALL 

Integral Data System 

MICROPRISM 75 cps excellent print/ 1 1 cps 
84 x84 graphic, RS232/parallel 
pin & friction feed 525 

PRISM 80 200 cps, 80 col 945 

w/graphics 84 x 84 1 ,025 

PRISM 132 200cps, 132 col 1,100 

w/graphics 84 x 84 , . 1 ,1 80 

graphic, color, friction 1,590 

Tl 810 Superb CALL 

OKIDATA MICROLINE 84 parallel 1,025 

PRINTEK 920 340cps, 144 x 144 2,450 

•Letter Quality * 

C.ITOH Starwrtter F-1 40 cps 1 ,395 

QUME 9/45 1,840 

DIABLO 620 1,288 

BROTHER HR-1 Parallel 950 

NEC 7710 2,299 

3510 1,520 

TERMINAL 

ZENITH Z29 smart terminal 655 

ZT-1 w/modem telecom 560 

HAZELTINE ESPRIT II 588 

III 788 

BEEHIVE DM5 A 995 

IBM 3101-10 1,295 

TELEVIDEO 970 1,119 

VISUAL 300 948 

MONITOR 

ZENITH 12" green 114 

AMDEK COLOR IV 720 x400 1 ,050 

COLOR II RGB 13" 725 

COLOR I 13" 340 

300 G 12" green 169 

SANYO 13" RGB. 800 

NEC 12" green 170 

1203 RGB 725 

Electrohome RGB 580 x 235 599 

MODEM 

D.C. Hayes Smartmodem 300 baud 230 

300/1 200 baud 570 

Novation CAT 300 baud 155 

1200 baud 590 



$ 

AMDEK 310 monitor 189 

IDS Microprism 480 525 

EPSON FX CALL 

NEC 3550 letter quality 1,918 

C.ITOH F-10 40cps 1 ,395 

Microsoft 1 28K RAM 360 

EASY WRITER II IUS 255 

CP AIDS Master Tax 1,195 

LEGAL TIMEKEEPING STAR 725 

Digital Research Pascal MT + 86 310 

Concurrent CP/M 86 299 

Peachtree GL, AR, AP 330 

Structured Systems Accounting 700 

DIGITIZER/PLOTTER 

HOUSTON INSTRUMENT DMP29 CALL 

HI PAD DIGITIZER DT-1 1 1 1 " x 1 1 " 725 

AMDEK AMPLOT 1 1 " x 1 4" 780 

WSKDWV^" 

Mitsubishi 8" DD, DS bare 410 

dual 8" subsystem 1 ,099 

Tandon 5% " DD, DS bare 280 

SOFTWARE 

dBASE II Ashton-Tate database 499 

CONDOR II 450 

MICROSOFT BASIC 80 285 

Micro Pro WORDSTAR 350 

MAILMERG 105 

Digital Research CPM 2.2 1 39 

Accounting Plus System Plus 399 

CALL (212) 937-6363 

free catalogue 

Prices subject to change. American Express, Visa/ 
Mastercard add 3%. F.O.B. point of shipment. 20% re- 
stocking fee for returned merchandise. Personal checks 
take 3 weeks to clear. COD on certified check only. N.Y. 
residents add sales tax. Manufacturers' warranty only. 
International customers, please confirm price before 
order. Accept P.O. from Fortune 500 & schools. 

Computer Channel TELEX: 

21-55 44th Road 429418 

Long Island City, NY 1 1 1 01 CSTNY 





Circle 96 on inquiry card. 



BYTE March 1983 529 



Circle 95 on Inquiry card. 



TRUE MAIL ORDER PRICES 

With so many so-called Mail Order establishments using "toll free" lines, and grandiose advertising, how 
can you, the customer, expect to receive true mail order savings? We have done away with large ads, 
and free phone lines to offer comparable service passing on the savings to you. 
THINK! You still SEND YOUR MONEY in the mail to an unknown untested party, and delivery is still 
often doubtful and certainly protracted in most cases. 



PRINTERS 

OKI DATA 

80 no tractot $ 319 

80 with tractor $ 369 

82A no tractor $ 419 

82A with tractor $ 459 

83A $ 669 

84A parallel $1009 

84A serial $1119 

2K Buffer $ 50 

Graphics 82A. 83A $ 73 

C-ITOH SPECIAL 

Comet II <125 cps) $ 499 

Full 15" width text printer 

C-ITOH PRINTERS 

80 col. parallel printer $ 449 

80 col. serial printer $ 589 

132 col. parallel printer $ 679 

132 col. serial printer $ 729 

Prac. Peripheral 8K Serial Buffer 

withXon/off Epson $111 

Graphics Prowriter(120 cps) $ 444 

STAR PRINTERS 

Gemini 10 and 15 Call for Pricing 



LETTER QUALITY 

serial or parallel 

C-ITOH F10 $1345 

Brother HRI $ 849 

Smith Corona TPI $ 569 

PRINTER 
CONNECTORS 

TRS-80 Cables only $ 22 

Apple Int. & Cable $ 79 

Atari-printer Cable $ 24 

IBM PC-printer Cable $ 24 

Male Centronics-printer Cable $ 24 

RS232 male-male $ 19 

"Configured for any computer, 
please specify your computer'' 

IDS Cable $ 33 

Apple Graphics Card with Cable 
to Epson/NEC/C-ITOH $ 89 

MONITORS 

Zenith ZVM-121 Green $ 90 

TECO ED 1200 line Hires Green ... $111 

NEC Anti Glare Green $1 55 

AMDEK300G $155 

AMDEK Color I $333 

AMDEK Color II (IBM Available) . $699 



IBM 



Monte Carlo Card 64K $ 399 

l-C Magic , $ 69 

VERBATIM 

5/4" SS/SD $22 50 

5 1 /4" SS/DD $24.00 

5 74" DS/DD $35.00 

8" DS/DD $39.00 

8" SS/DD $35 00 

Available in sort sector and hard sector 10/1 6 

IBM/APPLE DRIVES 

■ Tandon IMS- 100-1 $202 

TMS-100-2 $265 

TMS-100-4 $383 

• Software patch for IBM $ 66 

- RAN A Elite 1 Add on Drive . . $333 

Quad drive Apple controller $ 99 

For Elite 2/3/4 
write for price- availability $ 99 

• DAVONG (Apple and IBM) 

5 MB $1525 

10 MB $2025 

15 MB $2245 



NEC 
PERSONAL COMPUTER 



PC-8001 
PC-8012 
PC-8031 



COMING!— NEW NEC-APC 



$699 
$459 
$699 



GENERIC DISKETTES 

5 1 /4" SS/SD in plastic library case $2 



Library Cases Alone 



MODEMS 

Hayes Smart Modem 
Hayes Micro Modem 
Hayes Chronograph 

Apple - Cat II 

IBM - Smart Modem Cables 



$ 2.50 
$ 3 50 



$212 
$259 
$179 
$279 
$ 22 



RAM CARDS 

Apple 16K Card $ 66 

32KCard $125 

IBM 64K Quad Board $375 

Apple Vista Vision 80 $242 



Send orders and inquiries to: 



TM 



Computer Apparatus 

P.O. Box 32063 • Aurora, CO 80041 



TELEPHONE ORDER INQUIRIES: 
(303) 759-9251 

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mountain Time. Monday to Friday. 



We have access to a vast range of computer products from the many stocking distributors in Denver We cater for 

a range of brand name peripherals and software for TRS-80, Apple. IBM, Atari and CP M users SEND in a card 

stating your interests for our free catalog. 

DELIVERIES: 4-6 weeks at worst, all orders are fully dated. (Includes mail and shipping time) 

PERSONAL CHECKS: OKAV, but cashiers checks, money orders, etc.. will receive shipping preference 

VISA AND MASTERCARD: Add 4% to total we CHARGE only WHEN we SHIP. 

CATALOG: Descriptions charts pricing and availability on all our products. Prices subject to change wtthout notice 

SHIPPING: VIA UPS add $2 00 plus 1% of order total. 

Please Circle Inquiry Card to 
Receive Our Comprehensive Catalog 



DISK DRIVE For APPLE!! 

-»- metal cabinet j^ ^ 
-^35 track $279 - 95 
— w/ cable 



Computer Games: 

APPLE & ATARI (specify) 

Choplifter , 

Frogger>-^ 24 -»5ea. 

Apple Panic 

Crossfire — A. — »§21.95ea. 



Raster Blaster 



SUPER 3.5am P P0WER SUPPLY 
tor APPLE — » $ 105.00 ><- 



Diskette Storage BOX 

5l$in.v 5 : 8in. 5 

HbOe/ $10.00: *3.5 $399. 



Pwr. Supply 



Micros witch: Power Supply: APPLE 
Keyboard : w/ Purchase Reference Manl. 

$ 7500 : t 9500 • *18.oo 



*SPECIALS*| 

3inchMini FAN — ^*8.95 
2111 — - *245 

8155—1- $1150 
ER2501— *~HM 
AY51013A— *-*2.95 
8202 -— $29.95 
6522— $5.25 

e 2W - $ 4.50 

8748 • ^•3L0O 

Mceeoo— *775 
MC6802 - *1495 

MC6850 ^4.50 
MC6821 -^.95 

6331— *1.25 



CONCORD 




4116-2-^ 8/9.95 

2716(5v)^ 3.25ea 

2732(5v)— 5.25ea 

2532(5v)^ 875ea. 

Z80 A-OJK 525ea. 

1982 LC." 
(2vol.) Master 

*49.95 



2910 B E LA PALMA ' 
ANAHEIM CA 92806 - m ' 

714632-6790 KIT" 

10MlNO«U(R CARfSAODb ilj* 7 WKS OK T f 

Freight mm m * ' s sn " 

*1Q -43 ~*2°°|»2b0-499 -*9oq send*lOO 
W -99 *4*> MO-999 - 11°° for 
100-740 -8Oo|)000-UP -r " 



MONITORS ** 
ZENITH* ZVM-121 

I2.n 15MHz /GREEN Phos. 
, — *102.00# 

BMC#BM-1200SU 

12in. (8 MHz /GREEN Phos. 
Non- Glare Screen 

I— *128.00# 

BMC#BM1401RGB 

13in.*RGB» COLOR 
with Apple interface!! 

1^*425.00^ 



Diskette SALE!! 

a\*U "Wabash- 

SS/^D 18.50 
SS/DD 27.40 
DS/SD * 
DS/DD 32.40 



8nch 

21.50 

3040 

34.90 

37.40 



REAL-TIME CLOCK 
CALENDAR (MSM 5832) 

J6.25 /*l.25xtal. 



Syntron II 

Computer 

• 48K RAM 

*Runs Apple Software 

*649l00 



lap 

174LS14 



COMPONENTS 



74S SERIES 







STATtC RAMS 



2111 

2112 

2114 

2114L 200ns 

HM6116 150ns 8 25 

DYNAMIC 



2 85 
2 85 
2 00 
2 25 



8/2 50ea 
8/2 50ea 

8'14 00 
4/2 00ea 



RAMs 



4027 2 00 8'1 7 C 

4116 200 ns 1 50 

4164 200 ns 795 

MISC EPROMS 



1 20 

1 20 

2 75 

3 75 
10 50 

4 50 
1 45 
1 10 



1702 
2708 

2716<5V» 
TMS2716 
2732(5V» 
TMS2532 



4 25 
3 25 

3 95 
8 95 
8 95 
11 50 



8/ 3 95 ea 
8'2 99 ea 
8/3 65 ea 
8/8 00 ea 
8/7 75 ea 
8/10 25ea 



VOLTAGE 

HEGLRATOflS 

780$ 

7806 

7B08 \ 

7812 X 

7818 t>5 > 

7906 / 



MORE MISC 



9 96 
4 95 
3 25 



ZBO 

Z80A 

Z80A PIO 

6502 

6502A 

SOS5A 

MC68O0 



8 50 
6 00 
6 00 
600 
12 00 
8 50 
7 75 



Circle 116 on inquiry card. 




ADD ON DISK DRIVE for IBM PC- Tandon 

Single sided or double sided, double density disk drives for 
IBM PC, these are exactly the same disk drives used by IBM 
at half the price 

MSM-551001 TM100-1 single sided $219.95 

IWSM-551002 TM100-2 double sided $294.95 

SERIAL I/O for IBM PC - Profit Systems 

Two asynchronous serial RS-232C I/O ports, real time clock- 
calender, includes software 

IOI-8100A Card with 1 port $159.95 

101-81 01 A Card with 2 ports _ $199.95 



SERIAL/PARALLEL for IBM PC - Profit Sys 

Two asynchronous serial RS-232C I/O ports, one parallel 
printer I/O port, real time clock-calender, includes software 

IOI-8110A 1 serial & 1 parallel $199.95 

IOI-8111A 2 serial & 1 parallel $229.95 

EXTENDER CARD for IBM PC - Profit System 

All bus signals extended, signal names silk screened on top 

of board, gold-plated card edge, low noise 

TSX-300A IBM PC extender $45.00 

PROTOTYPING CARD for PC -Profit Systems 

Highly versatile wire-wrap or solder prototyping board for 
your IBM PC, large bread board area, power and ground 
planes to reduce noise, all holes are plated through, card is 
solder masked on both sides, all signals names are silk 
screened on both sides 
TSX-310A $59.95 



1/irten Monitors^ 



HI-RES 12" GREEN SCREEN - Zenith 

15 MHz bandwith 700 lines/ inch, P31 green phosphor, 
switchable 40 or 80 columns, small, light-weight & portable. 
VDM-201201 List price $189.95 $115.95 

HI-RES GREEN MONITORS - NEC 

20 MHz bandwidth, P31 phosphor ultra-high resolution 
video monitor, high quality, extremely reliable. 

VDM-651200 Deluxe 12" $199.95 

VDM-651260 Economy 12" $149.95 

VDM-65092 Deluxe 9" . $179.95 



12" COLOR MONITORS - Taxan 

18 MHz high resolution RGB color monitors fully compatible 

with Apple II and IBM PC, unlimited colors available. 
VDC-821210 RGBvision I, 380 lines $389.95 



VCD-821230 RGBvision III, 630 lines . 
VDA-821200 RGB card for Apple II 



. $689.95 
$99.95 



COLOR MONITORS - Amdek 

Reasonably priced color video monitors. 

VDC-80130 13" Color I 

VDC-801320 13" Color II 



IOV-2300A DVM board for Apple . 



$379.95 
$894.95 
$199.95 



AMBER or GREEN MONITORS - USI 

High resolution 18 MHz compact video monitors. 

VDM-751210 12" Amber phosphor $149.95 

VDM-751220 12" Green phosphor $139.95 

VDM-750910 9" Amber phosphor $149.95 

VDM-750920 9" Green phosphor . $139.95 




SUPERQUAD - Adv. Micro Digital 

Single board, standard size S-100 computer system, 4 MHz 
Z-8QA, single or double density disk controller for 5%" or 8" 
drives, 64K RAM, extended addressing, up to4Kof SPROM, 
2 serial & 2 parallel I/O ports, real time interrupt clock, CP/M 
compatible. 

CPC-30800A A & T $724.95 

IOX-4232A Serial I/O adapter $29.95 




Disk Sub-Systems - Jade 

Handsome metal cabinet with proportionally balanced air 
flow system, rugged dual drive power supply, power cable 
kit, power switch, line cord, fuse holder, cooling fan, never- 
mar rubber feet, all necessary hardware to mount 2-8" disk 
drives, power supply, and fan, does not include signal cable. 

Dual 8" Sub-Assembly Cabinet 

END-000420 Bare cabinet $49.95 

$199.95 

$249.95 

8" Sub-Systems - Single Sided, Double Density 

END-000423 Kit w/2 FDWO-SDs $650.00 

END-000424 A & T w/2 FD100-8DS $695.00 

END-000433 Kit w/2 SA-801RS 



END-000421 Cabinet kit 
END-000431 A & T 



END-000434 A & T w/2 SA-801 Rs _ 



$999.95 

$1195.00 

8" Sub-Systems - Double Sided, Double Density 

END-000426 Kit w/2 DT-8s $1224.95 

$1424.95 

$1274.95 

END-000437 A & T w/2 SA-851Rs $1474.95 



END-000427 A & T w/2 DT-8S . 
END-000436 Kit w/2 SA-851Rs 




Dual Slimline Sub-Systems - Jade 

Handsome vertical cabinet with scratch resistant baked 
enamel finish, proportionally balanced air flow system, quiet 
cooling fan, rugged dual drive power supply, power cables, 
power switch, line cord, fuse holder, cooling fan, all 
necessary hardware to mount 2-8" slimline disk drives, does 
not include signal cable. 

Dual 8" Slimline Cabinet 
END-000820 Bare cabinet $59.95 



END-000822 A & T w/o drives 

Dual 8" Slimline Sub-Systems 

END-000823 Kit w/2 TM848-1 

END-000824 A & T w/2 TM848-1 

END-000833 Kit w/2 TM848-2 _. 

END-000834 A & T w/2 TM848-2 



_ $179.95 

_ $919.95 
_ $949.95 
.$1149.95 
.$1179.95 



51/4" Disk Drives 



Tandon TM100-1 single-sided double-density 48 TPI 
MSM-551001 $219 95 ea 2 for $199.95 ea 

Shugart SA400L single-sided double-density 40 track 
MSM-1 04000 $234.95 ea 2 for $224.95 ea 

Shugart SA4SS half-size double-sided 48 TPI 

MSM-1 04550 $349.95 ea 2 for $329.95 ea 

Shugart SA46S half-size doule-sided 96 TPI 
MSM-104650 $399,95 ea 2 for $379.95 ea 

Tandon TM100-2 double-sided double-density 48 TPI 
MSM-551002 $294.95 ea 2 for $269.95 ea 

Shugart SA450 double-sided double-density 35 track 
MSM-1 04500 $349.95 ea 2 for $329.95 ea 

Tandon TM 100-3 single-sided double-density 96 TPI 
MSM-551003 $294.95 ea 2 for $269.95 ea 

Tandon TM 100-4 double-sided double-density 96 TPI 
MSM-551004 __ $394 95 ea 2 for $374.95 ea 

MPI B-51 single- sided double-density 40 track 
MSM-155100 $234 .95 ea 2 for $224.95 ea 

MPI B-52 double-sided double-density 40 track 
MSM-1 55200 $344.95 ea 2 for $334.95 ea 

5 1 / 4 " Cabinets with Power Supply 

END-000216 Single cab w/ power supply $69.95 

END-000226 Dual cab w/power supply $94,95 




PB-1 - SSM Microcomputer 

2708, 2716 EPROM board with on-board programmer. 

MEM-99510K Kit with manual $154.95 

MEM-99510A A & T with manual $219.95 

PROM-100 - SD Systems 

2708, 2716, 2732 EPROM programmer with software. 

MEM-99520K Kit with software $189.95 

MEM-99520A A & T with software $249.95 



Printers on Safe 



STARMICRONICS GEMENI 

High speed dot matrix printers with all the features of the 
higher-priced best-selling machines for a lot less money!!! 
100 CPS, 9 x 9 dot matrix with true tower case descenders, 
high-resolution bit image and block graphics, superscript & 
subscript, underlining, backspacing, double strike and 
emphasized print modes, proportional space font, friction 
feed, tractor feed , and roll paper, 5, 6, 8 1 / 2 , 10, 12, & 17 pitch, 
programable line spacing, FREE 2.3K buffer, Epson pin and 
plug compatible, user replaceable print head, extended 6 
month factory warranty. 

PRM-66010 10" wide carriage $399.95 

PR M -6601 5 15" wide carriage $529.95 

PRA-66200 Serial interface card $69.95 

HIGH-SPEED, HIGH QUALITY - Okidata 

Micro tine 82 A 80/132 column, 120 CPS, 9 x 9 dot matrix, 
friction feed, pin feed, adjustable tractor feed (optional), 
handles 4 part forms up to 9.5" wide, rear & bottom feed, 
paper tear bar, 100% duty cycle/200,000,000 character print 
head, bi-directional/logic seeking, both serial & parallel 
interfaces Included, front panel switch & program control of 
10 different form lengths, uses inexpensive spool type 
ribbons, double width & condensed characters, true lower 
case descenders & graphics 
PRM-43082 with FREE tractor CALL 

Microline 83 A 132/232 column, 120 CPS, forms up to 15" 
wide, removable tractor, plus all the features of the 82 A. 
PRM-43083 with FREE tractor CALL 

Microline 84 132/232 column, Hi-speed 200 CPS, full dot 
graphics built in, plus all the features of the 83 A. 

PRM-43084 Centronics parallel CALL 

PRM-43085 Serial with 2K buffer CALL 



IOP-2100A Apple card and cable . 
PRA-27087 TRS-80 cable 



. $69.95 



PRA-43081 2K hi speed serial card 

PRA-43082 Hi-res graphics ROMs 82A _ 

PRA-43083 Hi-graphics ROMs 83A ~ 

PRA-43088 Tractor option for 82A 



_ $24.95 
. $149.95 
_ $49.95 
_ $49.95 



. $49.95 



ULTRA-VIOLET EPROM ERASERS 

Inexpensive erasers for industry or home, 

XME-3100A Spectronics w/o timer $69.50 

XME-3101A Spectronics with timer $94.50 

XME-3200A Economy model $49.95 

, ^r duality Printer^ 



LETTER QUALITY PRINTER - COMREX 

Uses standard daisy wheels and ribbon cartridges, 16 CPS 
bi-directional printing, semi-automatic paper loader (single 
sheet or fan fold), 10/12/15 pitch, up to 16" paper, built-in 
noise suppression cover. 

PRD-11001 Centronics parallel $899.95 

PRD-11002 RS-232C serial model $969.95 

PRAHO00 Tractor Option $119.95 



STARWRITER F-10 - C. Itoh 

New 40 CPS daisy wheel printer with full 15" carriage, uses 
standard Diablo print wheels and ribbons, both parallel and 
serial interfaces included. 
PRD-22010 Starwriter F-10 $1495.95 




ISO-BUS - Jade 

Silent, simple, and on sale - a better motherboard 
6 Slot (5%" x 8ft") 

MBS-061B Bare board $22.95 

MBS-061K Kit $39.95 



MBS-061A A & T 

12 Slot (9W x 8%") 

M8S-121B Bare board 

MBS-121K Kit 



. $69.95 



$34.95 
$69.95 



MBS-121A A & T 

18 Slot (14y 2 " x 8%") 

MBS-181B Bare board 

MBS-181K Kit 

MBS-181A A & T ___ 



. $109.95 



. $54.95 



$99.95 



. $149.95 



Computer Products 



Place Orders Toll Free 



Inside California 
800-262-1710 



Continental U.S. 
800-421-5500 



Computer Products 

Circle 229 on inquiry card. 



NEW PRODUCTS 





APPLE H . _ _ 
ACCESSOR!^ 



APPLE DISK DRIVE - Apple Compatible 

Totally Apple compatible, 143,360 bytes per drive on DOS 
3.3, full one year factory warranty, half-track capability 
reads all Apple software, plugs right into Apple control/eras 
second drive, DOS 3.3, 3.2.1, Pascal, & CP/M compatible. 

MSM-123200 Add-on Apple Drive $269,95 

MSM-123100 Controller $99,95 

16K RAM CARD - for Apple II 

Expand your Apple II to 64 K, use as language card, full 1 year 

warranty. Why spend $175.00 ? 

MEX-16700A Save over $115.00 $59.95 

Z-CARD for Apple II - A.L.S. 

Two computers in one, Z-80 & 6502, more than doubles the 
power and potential of your Apple, includes Z-80 CPU card 
CP/M 2.2 and complete manual set, Pascal compatible, 
utilities are menu-driven, one year warranty. 
CPX-62800A A & T with CP/M 2.2 $159.95 

SMARTERM II - A.L.S. 

80 column x 24 line video card for Apple II, addressable 25th 
status line, normal/inverse or high/ low video, 128 ASCII 
characters, upper and lower case, 7x9 dot matrix with true 
descenders, standard Data Media terminal control codes, 
CP/M Pascal & Fortran compatible, 50/60 Hz, 40/80 column 
selection from keyboard. 
IOV-2500A ALS Smarterm II $169.95 

SERIAL I/O CARD -A.L.S. 

Full feature serial card for modems & printers, baud rates 
from 110 to 19,200, CTC/RTS & X-on/X-otf protocols, auto 
line feed, RS-232C cable interface included. 
IOI-1 000 A A & T "Dispatcher Card" $129.95 

CP/M 3.0 CARD for APPLE - A.L.S. 

The most powerful card availability for your Applet 

6 MHz, Z-80B, additional 64K of RAM, CP/M plus 3.0, 100% 
CP/M 2.2 compatibility, C basic, CP/M Graphics, 3005 faster 
than any other CP/M for Apple. One year warranty. 
CPX-62810A A.L.S. CP/M Card $349.95 



2 MEGABYTES for Apple II 

Complete package includes: Two 8" double-density disk 

drives, Vista double-density 8" disk controller, cabinet, 

power supply, & cables, DOS 3.2/3.3, CP/M 2.2, & Pascal 

compatible. 

1 MegaByte Package Kit $1495.00 

1 MegaByte Package A & T $1695.00 

2 MegaByte Package Kit $1795.00 

2 MegaByte Package A& T $1995.95 

MODEM CARD FOR APPLE - SSM 

Better than Hayes!! Better than Novation!! Direct connect 
ModemCard plugs directly into Apple - no external 
components, auto-dial, auto-answer, Bell 103 compatible, 
full and half duplex, touch-tone or pulse dialing generated 
on board, Micromodem II software compatible, displays 
modem information on screen, audio monitoring of phone 
line, no serial port required, two year factory warranty, FREE 
Source Subsription with purchase of Transend software. 

IOM-2430A ModemCard $289.95 

SFA-55770010M Transend 1 w! Source $79.95 

SFA-55770010M Transend 2 wl Source $129.95 

SFA-55770030M Transend 3 w/Source $239.95 




?__ „%v boards 



MEMORY 



64K STATIC RAM - Jade 

Uses new 2K x 8 static RAMs, fully supports IEEE 696 24 bit 
extended addressing, 200ns RAMs, lower 32K or entire 
board phantomable, 2716 EPROMs may be subbed for 
RAMs, any 2K segment of upper 8K may be disabled, low 
power typically less than 500ma. 

MEM-99152B Bare board $49.95 

MEM-99152K Kit less RAM $99.95 

MEM-32152K 32KM $199.95 

MEM-56152K 56K kit . $289.95 

MEM-64152K 64 K kit $299.95 

Assembled & Tested add $50.00 

256 RAMDISK - SD Systems 

ExpandoRAM III expandable from 64 K to 256 K using 64KX1 
RAM chips, compatible with CP/M, MPIM, Oasis, 
& most other Z-80 based systems, functions as ultra-high 
speed disk drive when used with optional RAMDISK 
software. 

MEM-65064A 64 K A & T 

MEM-65128A 128K A & T 

MEM-65192A 192K A & T 

MEM-65256A 256K A & T 



$474.95 
$574.95 
$674.95 
$774.95 

. $44.95 
. $24.95 



SFC-55009000F RAMDISK sftwr CP/M 2.2 

SFC-55009000F RAMDISK with EX RAM III _ 

64K RAM BOARD - CCS. 

IEEE S-100, supports front panels, bank select, fail-safe 
refresh 4 MHz, extended addressing, list price $575.00 - less 
than half price!!! 
MEM-64565A $199.95 



I'.lcn HOARDS 



MICROANGELO - Scion 

Ultra-high-resolution 512 x 480, 256 color or black & white S- 

100 video board 

IOV-1500A A & T $799.95 




l/OBOARDS 



THE BUS PROBE - Jade 

Inexpensive S-100 Diagnostic Analyzer 

So your computer is down. And you don't have an 
oscilloscope. And you don't have a front panel... You're not 
alone- most computers have their occasional bad days. But 
without diagnostic equipment such as an oscilloscope 
(expensive!) or a front panel (expensive!), it can be very 
difficult to pinpoint the problem. Even if you have an 
extender board with a superfast logic probe, you can't see 
more than one signal at a time. You're stuck, right? 

Not anymore; Jade is proud to offer our cost-effective 
solution to the problems mentioned above: THE BUS 
PROBE. 

Whether you're a hobbyist with a cantankerous kluge or a 
field technician with an anxious computer owner breathing 
down your neck, you'll find THE BUS PROBE speeds your 
repair time remarkably. Just plug in THE BUS PROBE and 
you'll be able to see all the IEEE S-100 signals in action. THE 
BUS PROBE allows you to see inputs, outputs, memory 
reads and writes, instruction fetches, DMA channels 
vectored interrupts, 8 or 16 bit wide data transfers, plus the 
three bus supply voltages. 

TSX-200B Bare board $59.95 

TSX -200K Kit 129.95 

TSX -200A A <_ T $159.95 

I/0-4 - SSM Microcomputer 

2 serial I/O ports plus 2 parallel I/O ports. 

IOI-1010B Bare board w/manual $35.95 

IOI-1 01 OK Kit with Manual __. $179.95 

IOI-1010A A & T $249.95 



t/O-5 - SSM Microcomputer 

Two serial & 3 parallel I/O ports, 110-19.2K Baud 
IOI-1015A A & T _. $289.95 

INTERFACER 4 - CompuPro 

3 serial, 1 parallel, 1 Centronics parallel. 

IOI-1840A A & T 

IOI-1840C CSC 



$314.95 
$414.95 



PLACE ORDERS TOLL FREE 



Continental U.S. 
800-421-5500 



Inside California 
800-262-1710 



For Technical Inquires 
or Customer Service call: 

213-973-7707 



We accept cash, checks, credit cards, or Purchase Orders from qualified firms and institutions. Circle 230 on inquiry card. 

Minimum prepaid order $15.00 California residents add 6y 2 % tax. Export customers outside the US or Canada please 
add 10% to all prices. Prices and avalllblllty subject to change without notice. Shipping and handling charges 
via UPS Ground 50C/lb. UPS Air $1.00/lb. minimum charge $3.00 



LOWER pfflCESiS 




s-100 

CPUBOARD^ 



SBC-200 - SD Systems 

4 MHz Z-80A CPU with serial & parallel I/O, 1K RAM, 8K 

ROM space, monitor PROM included. 

CPC-30200A A & T $329.95 

THE BIG Z - Jade 

2 or 4 MHz switchable Z-80 CPU board with serial I/O, 
accomodates 2708, 2716, or 2732 EPROM, baud rates from 
75 to 9600. 

CPU-30201B Bare board w/ manual __ - $35.00 

CPU-30201K Kit with Manual $149.95 



CPU-30201A A & T with Manual . 



. $199.95 



2810 Z-80 CPU - CCS. 

2 or 4 MHz Z-80 CPU with serial I/O port & on board monitor 

PROM, front panel compatible. 

CPU-30400A A & T with PROM __ - $289.95 

CPU -Z - CompuPro 

2/4 MHz Z80A CPU, 24 bit addressing. 

CPU-30500A 2/4 MHz A & T $279.95 

CPU-30500C 3/6 MHz CSC $374.95 



8085/8088 - CompuPro 

Both 8 & 16 bit CPUs, standard 8 bit S-100 bus, up to 8 MHz, 
accesses 16 Megabytes of memory. 

CPU-20510A 6 MHz A & T $398.95 

CPU-20510C 6/8 MHz CSC $497.95 




Siemens FDD 100-8 single-sided double-density 

MSF -201120 $274.95 ea 2 for $249.95 ea 

Shugart SA810 half -size single-sided double-density 
MSF-108100 $424 95 ea 2 for $394.95 ea 

Shugart SA860 half-size double-sided double-density 
MSF-108600 $574.95 ea 2 for $549.95 ea 

Shugart SA801R single-sided double-density 
MSF-10801R $394.95 ea 2 for $389.95 ea 

Shugart SA851R double-sided double-density 
MSF-10851R $554 95 ea 2 for $529.95 ea 

Tandon TM848-1 single sided double-den thin-line 
MSF-558481 $379.95 ea 2 for $369.95 ea 

Tandon TM848-2 double-sided double-den thin-line 
MSF-558482 $494 .95 ea 2 for $484.95 ea 

Qume DT-8 double-sided double-density 
MSF-750080 ___^^__ $524 95 ea 2 for $498.95 ea 




MODEMS 



SMART BUY In MODEMS - Signalman 

1200 and /or 300 baud, direct connect, automatic answer or 
orginate selection, auto-answer/auto-dial on deluxe models, 
IBM model plugs directly into an IBM option slot and does 
not require a serial port (a $300.00 savings!), 9v battery 
allows total portability, full one year warranty. 
IOM-5600A 300 baud direct connect $89.95 



IOM-5610A 300 baud Deluxe 

IOM-5620A 1200/300 baud Deluxe . 
IOM-5630A 300 baud for IBM PC _ 
IOM-5640A 300 baud for Tl 99/4 _ 
IOM-5650A 300 baud for Osborne . 

IOM-5660A 300 baud Atari 850 

IOM-5670A 300 baud PET/CBM _ 



. $149.95 
. $369.95 
. $269.95 
.$119.95 
.$119.95 
_ $99.95 
.$169.95 



1200 BAUD SMARTMODEM - Hayes 

1200 and 300 baud, all the features of the standard 

Smartmodem plus 1200 baud, 212 compatible, full or half 

duplex. 

IOM-5500A Smartmodem 1200 $599.95 

SMARTMODEM - Hayes 

Sophisticated direct-connect auto-answer/auto-dial 
modem, touch -tone or pulse dialing, RS-232C interface, 
programmable 

IOM-5400A Smartmodem ____________ 



I OK- 1500 A Hayes Chronograph 

IOM-2G10A Micromodem II w I Term prgm 
IOM -2012A Terminal program for MM! I _ 
IOM-1100A Micromodem 100 



_ $224.95 
. $218.95 
. $329.95 
_ $69.95 
. $368 95 



1200 BAUD SMART CAT - Novaton 

103/212 Smart Cat & 103 Smart Cat, 1200 & 300 baud, built-in 
dialer, auto re -dial if busy, auto answer/disconnect, direct 
connect, LED readout displays mode, analog/digital loop- 
back self tests, usable with multi-line phones. 

I0M-5241A 300 baud 103 Smart Cat $229.95 

IOM-5251A 1200 baud 212/103 Smart Cat $549.95 

IOM-5261A 300 baud 103 J-Cat - $129.95 

J-CAT™ MODEM - Novation 

1/5 the size of ordinary modems, Bell 103, manual or 
auto-answer, automatic answer/ originate, direct conect, 
built-in self-test, two LED's and audio "beeps" provide 
complete status information. 
IOM-5261A Novation $149.99 



s-ioo 



^CONTROLLERS 



DISK 1 - CompuPro 

8" or 5%" DMA disk controller, single or double density, 
single or double sided, 10 MHz. 

IOD-1810A4 & T $449.95 

IOD-1810C CSC $554.95 

VERSAFLOPPY II - SD Systems 

Double density disk controller for any combination of 5%" 
and 8" single or double sided, analog phase-locked loop 
data separator, vectored interrupts, CP/M 2.2 & Oasis 
compatible, control/diagnostic software PROM included. 
IOD-1160A A&T with PROM $359.95 



2242 DISK CONTROLLER - CCS. 

5y 4 " or 8" double density disk controller with on-board boot 

loader ROM, free CP/M 2.2 & manual set. 

IOD-1300A A&T with CP/M 2.2 $399.95 

DOUBLE D - Jade 

High reliablity double density disk controller with on-board 
Z-80 A, auxiliary printer port, IEEE S-100, can function in 
multi-user interrupt driven bus. 

IOD-1200B Bare board & hdwr man $59.95 

IOD-1200K Kit w/hdwr & sftwr man $299.95 

. $325.95 



. $99.95 



IOD-1200A A&T w/hdwr & sftwr man _ 
SFC-59002001f CP/M 2.2 with Double D . 

N JZ pi US 3.0, 



CP/M 3.0 is Digital Research's latest version of the industry 
standard disk operating system. It features many 
performance improvements such as intelligent record 
buffering, improved directory handling, "HELP" facility, 
time/ date stamping of files and many more improvements. 
AND A TREMENDOUS INCREASE IN SPEED !!!, it is fully 
CP/M 2.2 compatible and requires no changes to your 
existing application software. Available only to Versafloppy 
II owners with SBC-200 CPU'S 

• CP/M 2.2 compatible 

• Easily customized 

• Easier to learn and use 

• High performance tile system 

• Automatic disk log-In of removable media 

• Support for 1 to 16 banks of RAM 

• Supports up to 16 drives of 512 Megabytes each 

• Up to ten times faster than CP/M 2.2 

• Console I/O re-dlrectlon 

• Easy to use system utilities with HELP facility 

• Power batch facility 

• Designed for application programmers 

• Resident system extensions 

SFC-55009057F CP/M 3.0 8" with* manuals $200.00 

SFC-55009057M CP/M 3.0 Manual $30.00 



■ 
■ 
■ 
l 
■ 
■ 
l 
I 
I 
I 



THREE BOARD SET — SD Systems 



CP/M 3.0 

Save >800.°° 



S-100 board set with 4 MHz Z-80A, 64K of RAM 
expandable to 256 K, serial and parallel I/O ports, 
double-density disk controller for 5%" and 8" disk 
drives, new and improved CP/M 3.0 manual set, system 
monitor, control and diagnostic software. Includes SD 
Systems SBC-200, 64 K ExpandoRAM III, Versafloppy it, 
and FREE CP/M 3.0- all boards are assembled & tested. 



64K Board Set with FREE CP/M 3.0 . 
256K Board Set with FREE CP/M 3.0 



$1195.00 
$1395.00 



LIMITED QUANTITY 



■ 
i 

: 

i 
i 

■ 
i 
i 



SFC-55009047F CP/M 3.0 with VF II . 



$99.95 




Circle 230 on inquiry card. 



Computer Products 

4901 West Rosecrans, Hawthorne, California 90250 



DoKQU Computer 



EPROMS 



STATIC RAMS 




Products, 



VISIT OUR RETAIL STORE 
AND RECEIVE A 5% DISCOUNT' 

3250 KELLER STREET, #9 • SANTA CLARA. CA 95050 



16K APPLE*II 
RAM CARD 



BARE BOARD 

KIT 

ASSEMBLED 



14.00 
42.50 



INTERFACE 



8T26 

8T28 

8T95 

8T96 

8T97 

8T98 

DM8131 

DP8304 

DS8836 



1.6 5 

1.95 

.95 

.95 

.95 

.95 

2.90 

2.25 

1.25 



1702 

2708 

2758 

TMS 2516 

2716 

2716-1 

TMS 2716 

2532 

2732 

2764 

MC68764 



Ins 

450ns 

5V450ns 

5V450ns 

5V450ns 

5V 350ns 

450ns 

5V450ns 

5V450ns 

5V450ns 

5V450ns 

(24pin) 



2.95 
2.98 
9.70 
5.70 
3.44 
5.70 
8.70 
7.80 
4.15 
12,95 
39.00 



DYNAMIC RAMS 



TMS 4027 

MK4108 

MM 5298 

4116 

4116 

4116 

2118 

MK 4816 

4164-200 

4164-150 



250 


1.99 


200ns 


1.74 


250ns 


1,74 


150ns 


1.74 


200ns 


1.24 


250ns 


1.14 


5V 150ns 


4.90 


5V300ns 


5.25 


5V 200ns 


5.45 


5V150ns 


6.35 



2101 

2101-1 

2101L-2 

2112 

2112 

2114 

2114 L-3 

2114 L-2 

2147 

TMS 4044-4 

TMS 4044-3 

TMS 4044-2 

MK4118 

TMM2016 

TMM2016 

TMM2016 

HM6116-4 

HM6616-3 

HM6116-2 

Z-6132 



450ns 
450ns 
250ns LP 
450ns 
450ns 
450ns 
300ns LF 
200ns LF 

55ns 
450ns 
300ns 
200ns 
250ns 
200ns 
150ns 
100ns 
200ns 
150ns 
120ns 
300ns 



1.80 
.78 
1.54 
2.48 
2.68 
1.74 
1.84 
1.94 
8.90 
3.15 
3.45 
3.90 
9.70 
4.15 
5.44 
7.44 
4.90 
5.75 
6.95 
32.95 



LP * Low Power 



RESISTORS 

1/4 WATT 5% CARBON FILM 

ALL STANDARD VALUES 

FROM 1 OHM TO 10 MEG OHM 

50 PCS. SAME VALUE .0200 

100 PCS. SAME VALUE ' .0150 

1000 PCS. SAME VALUE .0125 



* Apple is  -28fte&. 

• 32K 4 MHz A&T • 339.00 

BARE BOARD 39.95 

Bare Bdw/all parts less mem. 99.95 



REPEAT OF SELLOUT 
58 Key Unencoded Keyboard 



This is a new 58 key terminal Keyboard 
manufactured by a major manufacturer. 
It is uncoded with SPST keys unat- 
tached to any PC board. Solid molded 
plastic 1 1" x 4" base. 



Unencoded 
Key Pad 

1 5 key Keypad with 
1-10 keys and tab, 
return, (— ), (;) and (.). 



% 



UV "EPROM" 

ERASER 

Model 

DE-4 

$89.95 




Model S-52T 



Holds 4 EPROM's 
at a time. 
$325.00 



16K Memory 
Expansion Kits 

for Apple/TRS-80 

$12.95 



64K CMOS 




Assm and Tested 



INTEL 4K rSKS lc 



Super Fast! 

Super 
Low Power! 



Part No. 2147 ... 



$1 .95 ea. 



STEPPER MOTOR 




Operates by applying 
12VDC in one direc- 
tion and then revers- 
al ing polarity (or square 
| wave). Uses 12VDC, 
Clock Wise Rotation, 
Rated 3 RPM at 4 
P.P.S, with a 5 degree 
stepping angle. 



10 for $34.95 



RS232 SIGNAL TESTER 

COEXRS232 
Line Tester 

I (7) LED Indicators 

only W 

Other Styles Also Available 



8 pes 41 1 6 1 6K 
200/250nS 
Specify computer 
CALL FOR VOLUME PRICING 



CORCOM FILTER 

# Popular 

^ CORCOM 
<93' # Filter 



i s 4 95 

■ 6 amps *T 
Compatible Line Cord Add ... $3.50 



Astec RF Modulator 

for 

COLOR 

& 

^JJ' B/W 

P/N 1 082 Channel 3 or 4 $6.95 



AMD MODEM IC 

^^j^^P/N AM7910 
^PP 11 " 5 Volts 



Special ACP Price 



sggoo 



INTEL CODEC IC 

P/N2910A 

For Digital 

Voice 

For Filter P/N 291 2A .. 





SURGE 
SUPPRESSOR 

"Surgeon ies" 
Power Sentry 

1 5 Amps 250 Volts 
transient suppression 

*39» 



ACP 
Low Price 



CONNECTORS 



DB25P (RS232) 

DB25S Female 

Hood 

Set with Hood, Sale 

22/44 S/T, KIM 

43/86 S/T, MOT 

50/100 S- 100 Connector W/W 

50/100 S- 100 Connector S/T 



$3.25 
3.75 
1.25 
7.50 
2.95 
6.50 



# PARALLEL ALPHA NUMERIC 
PRINTER 
19 Column Printer prints 16 numerical columns plus 3 
columns which have math, alpha and other notations. 
Each wheel has 1 2 positions with position 1 2 blank 
Position 1 1 on numerical columns have decimal point or #. Utilizes 2.75" 
wide adding machine tape and a dual color ink ribbon. Input data parallel 
with four bit BCD comparator circuit {schematic provided). Print rate, 3 lines 
per second. Operating voltage 22-28VDC with typical cycle time of 
340mS. Size 6WW x 3 1 / 8 "H x 5%"Dp. New. $9.95 ea. 3/$ 2 7 



MICROPROCESSORS 



Z80A 11.95 

F-8 (3850) 16.95 

3650 16.95 

1802 9.75 

8080A 4.75 

8085 14.95 



8008-1 $14.95 

2901 9.90 

2901 A 14.95 

9900JL 49,95 

8502 9.95 

6502A 18.95 
IM6100 29.95 

6800 1 1 .75 

6800B 19.95 



8035 14.95 

8039 12.95 

8073N 34.95 

8755 49.95 

8748 49.95 

6809 30.00 

8086 49.95 

68000 129.95 



78H05K 


$5.95 


78M06 


1.49 


78M.G. 


1.49 


LM108AH 


2.95 


LM300H 


.99 


LM301CN 


.35 


LM304H 


1.98 


LM305H 


1.89 


LM306H 


3.25 


LM307CN 


.29 


LM308CN 


.98 


LM309K 


1.49 


LM310CN 


1.25 


LM311D/CN 


.89 


LM312H 


1.75 


LM317T 


1.70 



_, L f0* hG LM318CN 
OT< P * LM319N/H 



61 16/201 6 $7.95 

8264-64K 5.95 

4116-2 1.99 

4116-2 8/12.95 

2101 

2102 

21L02-2 

21L02-4 

2111 

2112 

2114 

2114L-2 

2114L-4 

2125 




81 55 $9.95 

8156 9.95 
8202 29,95 
8205 2.69 
8212 2.75 
8214 4.95 
8216 2.75 
8224 2.95 
8226 2.95 
8228 3.95 
8243 9.50 

8250 14.95 

8251 6.50 
8253 1 1 .95 
8255 4.50 
8257 9.50 



8259 $8.95 
8275 19.95 
8279 9.50 
6810 4.75 

6820 6.50 

6821 6.50 
6828 10.50 
6834 16.95 
6845 22.95 
6847 27.95 
6850 5.25 
6852 5.25 
6860 10.95 
6862 10.95 
6875 5.95 
6880 2.49 



46505 



6522 

6530-X 

6532 

6551 

Z80-PIO 

Z80A-PIO 

Z80-CTC 

Z80A-CTC 

Z80-DMA 

Z80A-DMA 27.95 

Z80-SIO 24.95 

Z80A-S1O 29.95 



$22.95 
19.95 
22.95 
6.95 
9.95 
24.95 
17.95 
19.95 
6.50 
9.50 
6.50 
9.50 
19.95 



MOS PROMS 



2764 (8Kx8) TS 
2732 <4Kx8) TS 
2716/2516; 5V 
(2Kx8) TS 
TMS27 16,5V, 12V 
2758, 5V. <450nS) 



2708 (450nS) $5.75 
2708(650nS) 5.25 
1702A 5.75 

MM5203AQ 14.50 
MMS204Q 9.95 



lilJM^ ' . l 



2513-001 (5V) Upper $950 
2S13-005(5V)L«W 10.95 
2513-ADM3(5V) Lower 14.95 
MCM66710 ASCII Shifted 1Z95 
MCM66740 Math Symbol 13.95 
MCM66750 Alpha Control 13.45 
24.95 
29 95 
36 95 
44 95 
44.9i> 
b-;95 



$3.95 



1771-01 8"&k 
1781 Dual Floppy 
1791-01 Dual Floppy 
1 791 -02 Dual Floppy 
1793 DD, DS Floppy 
1 797 DD, DS Floppy 
1691 Data Separator 
2143 Clock Generator 

8700 8 bit Binary 

8701 1 bit Binary 
8703 8 bit TS 

9400 Volt to Freq Com 
8750 m Digit BCD 
1408L6 6 bit 
1408L8 8bit 
DACOIDtoA 



DAC08 

OAC100 9.95 

8038 Function Generator 4.50 

MC4024 VCO 2.95 

LM566VC0 1.95 

X822Q6 Function Generator 5.25 

TR1602B(5V.12V) 3.95 

AYS 101 3 (5V, 12V) 4.95 

AY51014A/1612(5-14V) 6.95 

AV51015A/1863(5V) 6.95 

IM6402 7.95 

IM6403 

2350 USRT 

1 671 B Astros 

MC14411 

4702 

WD1941 

C0M5016 

INS8250 

AY5-2376 

AV5-3600 

MM5740AAC 



H.9.S 



m 



LOW PROFILE 
SOCKETS (TIN) 



8 pin LP 
14 pin LP 
16 pin LP 
18 pin LP 
20 pin LP 
22 pin LP 
24 pin LP 
28 pin LP 
40 pin LP 



.27 

.37 



.43 
.58 



3L WIREWRAP 
SOCKETS (GOLD) 



8 pin WW 
10 pin WW (Tin) 
14 pin WW 
16 pin WW 
18 pin WW 
20 pin WW 
22 pin WW 
24 pin WW 
28 pin WW 
40 pin WW 



.80 
.95 
1.16 
1.45 

1.35 
1.60 
2.20 



.54 
.63 



1.08 
1.35 
1.26 
1.53 
2.09 



.70 
.81 
.99 
1.23 

1.14 
1.38 



LM320K-XX* 

LM320T-XX* 

LM320H-XX* 

LM323K 

LM324N 

LM337K 

LM338K 

LM339N 

LM340K-XX* 

LM340T-XX* 

LM340H-XX* 

LM344H 

LM348N 

LM350K 

LM358CN 

LM360N 

LM372N 

LM376N 

LM377N 

LM380CN/N 

LM381N 

LM383T 

LM386N 

LM387N 

LM390N 

NE531WT 

NE555V 

NE556N 

NE561 T 

NE565N/H 

NE566H/V 

NE567V/H 

NE592N 

LM702H 

LM709N/H 

LM710N/H 

LM711N/H 

LM715N 

LM723N/H 

LM733N/H 

LM739N 

LM741CN/H 

LM741CN-14 

LM747N/H 

LM748N/H 

LM760CN 

LM1310N 

MC1330 

MC1350 

MC1358 



74S00$ .39 

74502 .43 

74503 .45 

74504 .52 

74505 .52 

74508 .49 

74509 .49 

74510 .42 

7451 1 .42 
74S1 5 .42 
74S20 .42 
74S22 .42 
74S30 .42 
74S32 ,49 
74S38 1.19 
74340 .49 
74S51 ,42 

74564 46 

74565 .46 
74S74 .69 
74S86 .72 



1.25 
1.35 
1.39 
1.25 
4.95 



1.75 
1.25 



1.95 
3.75 
2.75 
1.25 
1.79 
1.95 
1.25 



3.75 
.39 
.98 
19.95 
1.25 
1.75 
1.50 
2.75 
1.99 
.29 



2.95 
1.90 



LM14I4N $1.90 

LM1458CN/N .49 

MC1488N .99 

MC1489N .99 

LM1496N 

LM1556N 

LM1820N 

LM1850N 

LM1889N 

LM2111N 

LM2900N 

LM2901N 

LM2917N 

CA3013T 

CA3018T 

CA3021T 

CA3023T 

CA3035T 

CA3039T 

CA3046N 

LM3053N 

CA3059N 

CA3060N 

CA3062N 

LM3065N 

CA3080T 

CA3081N 

CA3082N 

CA3083N 

CA3086N 

CA3089N 

CA3096N 

CA3097N 

CA3130T 

CA3140T 

CA3146N 

CA3160T 

CA3190N 

CA3410N 

MC3423N 

MC3460N 

SG3524N 

CA3600N 

LM3900N 

LM3905N 

LM3909N 

LM3914N 

LM3915N 

LM3916N 

RC4131N 

RC4136N 

RC4151N 

RC4194TK 

RC41 95TK 

ULN2001 

ULN2003 

SN75450N 

SN75451 N 

SN75452N 

SN75453N 

SN75454N 

SN75491N 

SN75492N 

SN75493N 

SN75494N 

TL494CN 

TL496CP 



1.50 
.95 
.95 
3.10 
1.75 
.99 
2.50 
2.95 
2.19 
1.99 
3.49 
2.99 
2.75 
1.29 
1.29 
1.49 
3.19 
3.19 
4.95 
1.49 



1.55 
.80 

2.99 
3.49 
1.99 
1.30 

1.19 
2.49 



3.95 
3.95 
3.39 



3.75 
3.95 
3.75 
2.95 
1.10 
3.70 
4.95 
5.40 
1.25 
1.50 



1.15 



1.29 



74S112 
74S113 
74S114 



.72 



m 

74S124 3.69 

74S133 

74S134 

74S135 

74S136 

74S138 

74S139 

74S140 

74S151 

74S153 1.29 

745157 1.29 

745158 1.29 
74S160 2.79 

745174 1.49 

745175 1.49 
74S188 2.69 

745194 1.89 

745195 1.89 

745196 1.89 

745240 2.75 

745241 2.75 

745242 2.99 

745243 2.99 



74S244 $2.99 

74S251 1 .35 

74S253 1 .35 

745257 1.29 

745258 1.29 
74S260 .75 
74S280 2.79 

745287 2.99 

745288 2.55 

745373 3.10 

745374 3.10 
74S387 2.75 

745471 7.95 

745472 7.95 

745473 7.95 

745474 9.95 

745475 9.95 

745570 5.75 

745571 5.75 

745572 8.95 

745573 8.95 

745940 2.90 

745941 2.90 



DIP 
SWITCHES 



2 Position 

4 Position 

5 Position 

6 Position 




MUFFIN® FAN 

The dependable, low 
cost, largest selling fan 
for commercial cooling 
applications. 

• 105cfm free air delivery 

• 4.68" sq. x 1 .50" deep. 
Weight- 17 oz. 

SPECIAL PURCHASE 

*6* $9.50«. 




SUPER IC CLOSEOUT SPECIALS 



14411 

74LS668 

74LS377 

74LS241 

8259 

6561 RAM 

LM733CN 

LM323K 



$7.95 

3/1.99 

2/1.99 

2/1 .99 

6.95 

2.95 

3/1.99 

3.95 



6571 A 
SIG 2652 
8253 

2758 EPROM 
1802 

Z80A CPU 
6522 
6502 CPU 



$6.95 
3.95 
6.95 
2.95 
8.95 
4.95 
6.95 
5.95 



8080A CPU 
2102 RAM 
4060 RAM 
2732 
UPD41 
UPD411 



1.40 

6.95 
2.98 
2.98 



2708 EPROM 8/29.95 
2114 8/14.50 



5027 CRT 
2901 

8039 
MM5320 
9131 RAM 
EMM4402 
10415 
8700 A/D 



$9.95 
3.95 
3.95 
5.99 
1.99 
1.99 
4.95 
2/1695 



TOLL FREE 

800-854-8230 

910-595-1565 



7402 
7403 
7404 
7405 
7406 
7407 
7408 
7409 
7410 
7411 
7412 
7413 
7414 
7416 
7417 
7420 
7421 
7422 
7423 
7425 
7426 
7427 
7429 
7430 
7432 
7437 
7438 
7439 
7440 
7441 
7442 
7443 
7444 
7445 
7446 
7447 
7448 
7450 
7451 
7453 
7454 
7459 
7460 
7470 
7472 
7473 
7474 



74LS00S .26 

74LS01 .28 

74LS02 .28 

74LS03 .28 

74LS04 .35 

74LS05 .28 

74LS08 .28 

74LS09 .35 

74LS10 .28 

74LS1 1 .39 
74LS12 
74LS13 

74LS14 .95 

74LS15 .33 

74LS20 .26 

74LS21 .33 

74LS22 .33 

74LS26 .33 

74LS27 .33 

74LS28 .33 

74LS30 ,26 

74LS32 .33 

74LS33 .55 

74LS37 .45 

74LS38 .39 

74LS40 .26 

74LS42 .79 

74LS47 .79 

74LS48 .95 

74LS51 .26 

74LS54 .29 

74LS55 .29 

74LS73 .45 

74LS74 .42 

74LS75 .59 

74LS76 .45 

74LS78 .45 

74LS83A .79 

74LS85 1.19 

74LS86 .45 

74LS90 .57 

74LS92 .75 

74LS93 .75 

74LS95 .88 

74LS96 .98 

74LS107 .45 

74LS109 .45 

74LS112 .43 



4000 $ .35 

4001 .35 

4002 .35 

4006 1 .05 

4007 .25 

4008 1.39 
4009 



7475 
7476 
7479 
7480 
7482 
7483 
7485 



.34 
4.60 



.65 
.35 
1.75 
.39 
.57 
.45 



74161 $ .88 

74162 .89 

74163 .87 

74164 .87 

74165 .87 

74166 1.20 

74167 1.95 
74170 1.69 

74172 4.75 

741 73 .79 

74174 .89 

74175 .85 

74176 .75 

74177 .75 

74179 1.34 

74180 ,75 

74181 1.75 

74182 .75 

74184 2.25 

74185 2.25 

74186 9.95 
74188 3.90 

74190 1.15 

74191 1.15 

74192 .85 

74193 .85 

74194 .85 

74195 .68 

74196 .85 

74197 .85 

74198 1.39 

74199 1.39 
74221 1.19 
74251 .95 
74273 1 .05 
74276 1 .89 
74279 .75 

74283 1 .40 

74284 3.90 

74285 3.90 
74290 1.25 
74298 .95 

74365 .68 

74366 .68 

74367 .68 

74368 .68 
74390 1 .45 
74393 1 .90 
74490 1 .90 



74LS113S .43 74LS245S2.20 



7490 

7491 

7492 

7493 

7494 

7495 

7496 

7497 

74100 2.90 

74107 .32 

74109 .37 

74116 1.95 

74121 .29 

74122 

74123 

74125 

74126 

74128 

74132 

74136 

74139 

74141 

74142 2.95 

74143 2.95 

74144 2.95 

74145 .62 
74147 1.95 
74148 
74150 
74151 
74152 
74153 

74154 1.19 

74155 .78 

74156 .78 

74157 .69 

74158 1.65 

74159 2.49 

74160 .88 



2.90 



.39 



.75 
.95 
.79 



1.20 



.67 



74LS114 
74LS122 
74LS123 1.1 



74LS247 1.10 
74LS248 1.10 
74LS249 1.19 



74LS124 1.35 74LS251 1.40 



.33 



74LS125 
74LS126 
74LS132 
74LS136 
74LS138 
74LS139 



74LS253 1.40 

.52 74LS257 .85 

.79 74LS258 .98 

.49 74LS259 2.95 

.85 74LS260 .65 

74LS261 2.49 



74LS145 1.25 74LS266 
74LS148 1.49 74LS273 1.75 



.79 74LS275 4.40 
74LS279 



74LS1 51 
74LS153 

74LS154 1.70 74LS283 

74LS155 1.19 74LS290 

74LS156 

74LS157 

74LS158 



74LS293 .99 

74LS295 1.10 

74LS298 1.19 

74LS160 1.05 74LS324 1.75 

74LS161 1.15 74LS347 1.95 



74LS164 1.19 74LS353 1.19 

74LS165 .89 74LS363 1.49 

74LS166 2.48 74LS365 .69 

74LS168 1.15 74LS366 .69 

74LS169 1.15 74LS367 .69 

74LS170 1.99 74LS368 .69 

74LS173 .89 74LS373 1.89 

74LS174 .89 74LS374 1.89 

74LS175 .89 74LS375 .69 

74LS181 2.20 74LS377 1.95 

74LS190 1.15 74LS385 1.95 

74LS191 1.15 74LS386 .65 

74LS192 .98 74LS390 1.95 

74LS193 .98 74LS393 1.95 

74LS194 1.15 74LS395 1.70 



74LS399 2.35 
74LS424 2.95 
1.75 



4010 
4011 
4012 
4013 



.45 
.35 
,25 
.45 

4014 1.39 

4015 1.15 

4016 .59 

4017 1.19 

4018 .89 

4019 .45 

4020 1.10 
4021 



74LS195 

74LS196 

74LS197 

74LS221 1.15 74LS670 2.29 

74LS240 1.69 81LS95 1.69 

74LS242 1.69 81LS96 1.69 

74LS243 1.69 81LS97 1.69 

74LS244 1.49 81LS98 1.69 

VOLUME PRICING 
CALL 
TOLL FREE 



4089 S2.95 

4093 .99 

4094 2.95 

4098 2.29 

4099 2.25 

14408 12.95 

14409 12.95 

14410 12.95 
14412 12.95 
14415 8.95 
14419 4.95 
4501 .39 



4022 
4023 
4024 
4025 
4027 
4028 



,15 
.29 
.75 
.25 
.65 
.85 

4029 1.29 

4030 .45 

4031 3.25 

4032 2.15 

4034 3.25 

4035 .95 



4043 .85 

4044 .85 

4046 1.75 

4047 1.25 

4048 .99 

4049 .45 

4050 .69 

4051 1.10 

4052 1.10 

4053 1.10 

4055 3.95 

4056 2.95 

4059 9.25 

4060 1 .39 
4066 ,75 

4069 .35 

4070 .49 

4071 .35 

4072 .35 

4073 .35 

4075 .35 

4076 1.29 



4077 
4078 
4081 
4082 



4502 
4503 
4505 
4506 
4507 
4508 
4510 
4511 
4512 
4515 
4516 
4518 
4520 
4555 
4556 



1 65 



3.75 
1.19 
1.19 
1.39 
2.75 
1.45 
1,39 
1.25 
4.95 
.99 
2.25 
80C95 1.50 
80C97 1.25 



Mailorder P.O. Box 17329 Irvine, CA 92713 

Retail: 131 OB E. Edinger, Santa Ana CA 92705 
(714) 558-8813 

542 IN. Trimble, San Jose, CA 95131 
(408) 946-7010 



TERMS: MO, Cashier's Check. Bankwire. Personal 
checks allow 2 weeks for processing. Include Drivers 
License and credit card #s Visa, AMEX, CB add 3% 
service charge. Add 3% shipping 4 handling or $2.50, 
whichever is greater. Add 10% for foreign orders of 
US Parcel Post. Include Telephone number. NO CODs. 
Prices subject to change without notice. Some items 
subject to prior sale. We reserve the right to substitute 
manufacturer. Retail prices may vary. 



Circle 8 on inquiry card. 



V-/IAPISVNCED 
X ^-COMPUTER 

"siEMEN'S SALE 






HARDWARE 



You can now purchase Shugart compatible 
8" Disk Drives below your existing 
factory direct pricing! 




Also, with purchase ot Disk Drives you can buy the 
Vista V-1 000 Dual Case with Power Supply and Cable 
for only $375.00 Regular Price $495.00 

OFFER LIMITED! 

FACTORY 

WARRANTY 90 DAYS! 



SHIPPED IMMEDIATELY 
FROM STOCK! 
•OEM QUANTITIES 




S-100 64K c M0S RAMCARD 

Unbelieveable 
Price! 

$29900 

Assembled and Tested 

□ ACP has sold over 1000 of these IEEE 
compatible, low-priced, high-reliability 
64K Static RAM Cards. 

□ Single 5- Volt operation. 






Light Pen System for 
Apple II Computers 



IBM LOW COST 
MEMORY 

MEMORY PLUS AT LOW PRICES! 

Now! "Multicard" expandable 

from 64 - 256K with 

(1) PARALLEL (1) SERIAL 

(1) CLOCK/CALENDAR 

P/N V-064PSC $1 QQOO 
with 64K I 99 

*335°° 




P/N V-2S6PSC 
with256K - 



Best of all, the price 

$0000 

only 

Optional COEX Interface Card 
to Apple $39.95 



SIGNALMAN Mark I (RS232) 
HAYES 

Smartmodem (RS232) 
Smartmodem 1 200 
IBM PC to Modem Cable 



FLOPPY DISK DRIVES 

SINGLE-SIDED 8 



DOUBLE-SIDED 8 
519 495 469 Siemens Ft 
515 490 465 Tandon 8* 
559 539 519 

SINGLE-SIDED 5YV 



DOUBLE-SIDED 3" 



WINCHESTERS 5V 

) 679 599 Seagate I 



SPECIAL LIQUIDATION - SMALL QTY 
_ SHUGART 4004 

14 WINCHESTER 

Only 10 Available —So Hurr 
}> 14.5 MEGABYTES 



Special Sale Pri 



$995.00 



ABM List 

BSR-X 10 Interface $95 

Color to Mono I/O Module 95 

Telephone Receptionist adapt 995 
PS3276/Bisyn Emulator 1295 

AMDEK 

Dual 3" Amdisk 
(2) Hitachi DS (250K) 899 

AST Megaplus ~ Card 
P/N MG-064, 64K, Ser, Clk 595 
P/N MG-064SP, add'l Ser, Par 695 
P/N MG-256, 256K, Ser, Clk 995 
P/N MG-256SPadd'ISer, Par 1 095 

AST I/O Plus 1 * Card 
P/N l/O-SP, Clk, (2) Ser, Par 265 

AST Combo Plus™ Card 
P/N MC256S PC 256 K, clk, P/S 995 

AST PC Dlsk++'- Card 
P/N MD-064, 64K. Host, Par 655 

CACTUS TECHNOLOGY 
200 Baud Direct Modum 349 

COEX 
Extender Card 40 

Prototype Card 69 

37 Pin "D" Connector 1 9 

Snap-in Card Guides (5) 8 

CORONA Hard Disk System 

CORVUS Hard Disk System 

DAVONG 

5Mb Hard Disk V 

12Mb Hard Disk 2 

MAYNARD Disk Drive Card 
Floppy Card w/Parallel 
Floppy Card w/Serial 

ORCHID 
Hi-Res Graphics Adapter 

PERSYST Spectrum {64-256 K) 
P/N SP64-CCP, 64K, S. S, P 
P/NSP64, 64 K 
64K Upgrade Kit (9 chips) 1 30 

OUADRAM Quad board (64-256K) 
P/N Q64, 64K w/4 functions 595 

TANDON 
TM 100-1 (160K) 295 

TM 100-2 (320K) 395 

TG PRODUCTS 

Joystick 65 

Track Ball 65 

VISTA "Multicard™" (exp. 64-256K) 
P/N V-064, 64 K 295 

P/N V-064PSC 256K w/PSC 495 
64K Upgrade Kit (9 chips) 
"MAXICARD'""576K 1295 

"PC MASTER™" 7 l/O's 669 

"8" Disk Controller" 

XEDEX 
Baby Blue CP/M 600 



ACP 
$85 

85 
875 
1150 



449 
499 
695 
749 



Call 
Call 



1490 
2295 



499 
375 
SO 



999 

495 
Call 



PRINTERS 



COEX 80F/T 80cps 
STAR MICRONICS- NEW 

Gemini 10 100cps 

Gemini 15 15" 
EPSON 

MX80HI 

MX80F/TIII 

MX100III 
INTEGRAL DATA 

Microprism 480 

Prism 80 Color (all) 

Prism 132 Color (all) 
BROTHER HR-1 

Daisywriter 
IBM PC to EPSON Cable 
OKIDATA 

Microline82A 

Microline83A 

Microline84AP 



645 429 

745 499 

995 679 

799 689 

1795 1495 

1995 1685 

1195 895 

1495 1295 



60 



45 



599 489 
899 729 
1399 1099 



MONITORS 



AMDEK CORP 

300 Green 1 2" 

310 Amber 12" 

Color I Composite 

Color II RGB Hi-Res 

Color III RGBComm'l 

Color IV RGB Analog 
NEC 12" Green -NEW 

12" RGB (690x230) 
SONY Profeel 19" Color RGB 
PRINCETON GRAPHICS 

RGB IBM Lookalike 



DISKETTES 



DYSAN 5V«" SS SO 
DYSAN 5'/«" DS SD 
IBM 5W SS SD 
IBM 514" SS DD 
VERBATIM 525-01 SS 
VERBATIM 550-01 DS 
MAXELL MD1 SS 
MAXELL MD2DS 
AMDEK Hitachi 3"DS Micro 
BULK SPECIAL SS 
With Sleeve and Box 1 



1 0/S55 
10/65 
10/60 
10/65 
10/45 
10/55 
10/50 
10/60 
5/99 
10/25 

00/195 



MORE IBM GOODIES 



CURTIS PC Pedestal 

Extension Cable 
INTEL 8087 IC 
RAM EXPANSION 

16K Motherboard (1 6 IC's) 
64 K Memory Exp. {9 IC's) 
KRAFT IBM Joystick 
IBM Paddles 



APPLE System Saver FAN 



Surge Suppressor Faa $ "I Q95 ] 

Double Outlet Receptacle I w 



NOW AVAILABLE 

FREE 

IBM PC Catalog 



^jjy^ Computer Co, , ., 



"SOLO" 
Apple li/lle 

Compatible 
Disk Drive 

Totally compatible to Apple Drives. 




only 



$ 



249 



Controller $99.00 

Just plug in and run. 

Vista Quartet 

Equivalent 



onlv...^ i VD, 



$ 



699 



Apple 
rives 

00 



Add 8" 

IJf\ Disk 

y^y -..7- Drives 
■■■ To Your 
Apple li/lle 
Up To 2.4 Megabyte! 

Now'TRIMUNE V1 100" with 
Tandon Thinline DS DD Drives. 

Tandon Dual DS DD $1 895.00 

Qume Dual DS DD 1699. oo 

Shugart Dual 801 R 1 295.00 



SPECIAL 
OFFER 

(2) Siemen's 8" Disk Drives 
(1 ) Vista V-1 000 Enclosure 
(1 ) Power Supply w/Fan, w/Cable 





$155 I 
175 


$199 


210 


399 


339 


899 


790 


499 


445 


1299 


1059 


199 


155 


895 


799 


895 


819 


700 


599 



ACP 
Low Price 



s 699 



00 



Apple Compatible Software 



SAVE 


UP TO 40% 


BUSINESS 




HOBBY 




Screen Writer 


$29 


Bag of Tricks 


$32 


Word Handler 


149 


Graphics Magic' n 


45 


BD Master 


155 


DOS Boss 


19 


Visicalc™ 3.3 


185 


Zoom Graphics 


32 


Master Type 


29 


Utility City 


22 


Desk Top Plan II 


179 


Locksmith 4.0 


90 


Desk Top Plan III 


225 


Compl Graph Sys 


55 


Visiplot 


159 


Apple Mechanic 


24 


PFS, File II 


115 


Nibbles Away II 


35 


FPS, File til 


155 


GAMES 




Visitrend/Visiplot 


25 


The Missing Ring 


29 


PFS. Graph II 


115 


Choplifter 


26 


PFS, Graph III 


155 


Frogger 


24 


Multiplan 


199 


Wizardy 


39 


Versaform 
Wordstar 


279 
365 


Snack Attack 


24 






Format II 


179 


Arcade Machine 


44 


dBASE II 


439 


Canyon Climber 


24 


Su percale 


169 


Aztec 


29 


PFS, Report II 


95 


Mask of the Sun 


29 


PFS, Report III 


115 


Cannonball Blitz 


26 


Acct Plus G/L 


299 


Knight Diamonds 


26 


G/L, A/P, A/R 


599 


Zorkl 


29 


Above+lnventory 


799 


Zork III 


29 


Magic Window 


115 


Starcross 


29 


HOME 




Serpentine 


25 


HomeAccountent 5! 


Star Blazer 


25 


Transend 1 


76 


Deadline 


39 


Transend II 


119 


Tubeway 


25 


Data Capture 4.0 


49 


Flight Simulator 


25 


Visiterm 


69 


Space Vikings 


25 


Per. Finance Mgr 


85 


Sargon II 


29 


ASCII Exprs, Prof 


99 


Spitfire Simulator 


29 


Electronic Duet 


25 


Apple Panic 


22 


Tax Prep. 1 983 


149 


Olympic Decath 


23 




UST 

Apple II Rus w/48K $1 530.00 

Apple II Plus W/64K 1 729.00 

Apple II System Special W/64K, 

Z80 Card, Vision 80 251 9.00 

Apple III W/128K 
Apple III W/256K 
ProFile Hard Disk Drive 
Vista Apple III Timecard 



ACP 
$999.00 
1O49.0O 



1499.00 
349500 2695.00 



195.00 169.00 
"Apple Products Available In- store Only" 




MICROSOFT 

Z80 Softcard 
16K Ramcard 
The Premium Package 

AtO-ll 4 Function Serial/ 
Parallel 

AIO Serial/Parallel 
KEYBOARD COMPANY 

Numeric Keypad 

Apple li Joystick 

Apple II Handcontrollers 
KRAFT 

Joystick 

Hand Controller 
PROMETHEUS 

VERSAbox Spool/Bufr 

VERSAcard Four-in-1 

AUTO- DOC diagnostics 
VISTA COMPUTER CO. 

Vision 80 80x24 Card 

Vision 40 40 col. 
enhance 

Vision 20 Lo case ROM 

A800 8" DS, DD 

Quartet Disk Drive 

Duet Disk Drive 

Solo Disk Drive 

40 Char Type-ahead 

Wild Card 
VIDEX 

Videoterm 80x24 Card 

Keyboard Enhancer II 

Soft Switch 

Function Strip Keys 



149.95 
49.95 
29.95 



249.00 
199.00 
99.00 



199.00 
29.95 
595.00 



345.00 
149.00 
35.00 
79.00 



PRACTICAL PERIPHERALS 

16KMicrobuffer 259.00 

32K Microbufter 299.00 

Snapshot Option 149.00 

VOTRAX 

Type n' Talk Speech 375.00 

SCOTT INSTRUMENTS 

Voice Recognif n VET80 799.00 

CORVUS 

5 Mb Hard Disk 3750.00 

1 Mb Hard Disk 5350.00 

20 Mb Hard Disk 6450,00 

ORANGE MICRO 

The Grappler I/O (Plus) 195.00 

SATURN SYSTEMS 

32K RAM Card 239.00 

64K RAM Card 425.00 

128K RAM Card 599.00 

NOVATION 

Apple-Cat II 389.00 

Apple-Cat 212 625.00 

HAYES MICROCOMPUTER 

Hayes Chronograph 249.00 

Micromodem II 349.00 

Smartmodem 299,00 

MOUNTAIN COMPUTER 

CPS Multifunction 239.00 

Music System 395.00 

A/D plus D/A 350.00 

Supertalker 199,00 

Introl X- 1 Controller 200.00 

ROM Rus 155.00 

Keyboard Filter ROM 55.00 

Copy ROM 55.00 

ROM Writer 175.00 

M&R ENTERPRISES 

Sup'rterm 60x24 Card 395.00 
Sup'rSwitcher 6 Amp 

Power Supply 295,00 
Sup'rMod II RF 

Modulator 69.00 

Apple Fan 55.00 

ALS 

The CP/M Rus Z80 card 399.00 

Smarterm 80x24 Card 349.00 

The Synetgizer Package 699.00 



ACP 
$i!49.00 
89.00 
579.0O 



49.00 
40.00 

199.00 

166.00 
82. OO 

269.00 

149.00 
25.00 

399.O0 
699.00 
499. OO 
269.00 
35.00 
115.00 

279.00 
129.00 
30.00 
69.00 

220.00 
253.00 
109.00 



2495,00 
2895,00 
3995.00 



189.00 
355.00 
505.00 



229,00 
289. OO 

229.00 

169.00 
335, OO 
299.00 
189.00 
17S.OO 
129.0O 
44.00 
44.00 
159.00 

279.00 

239.00 



16K RAM CARD 



Apple II 16K 

Compatible with 

Z80 SoftcartT ... PASCAL CP/M 

Full 1 year Warranty. Top Quality by COEX 

low" $CQ95 

PRICE *J ^ 
Also from COEX N EW EPSON 
Parallel Interface for Apple. 
With cable $39.95 



TOLL FREE 

800-854-8230 

TWX 

910-595-1565 



mill Order P.O. Bex 17320 Irvine, CA 92713 



Retail: 1 31 OB E. Edlnger, Santa Ana CA 92705 
(714) 559-8013 
542 W. Trimble, San Jose, CA 95131 
(408) 949-7010 



TERMS: MO. Cashier's Check. Bank Wire Personal 
checks allow 2 week*. f> i" > . i, in kideDnws 
License and credit card #s Visa. AMEX, CB add 3% 
service charge. Add 3% shipping & handling or $2.50, 
whichever is greater. Add 1 0% for foreign orders or 
US Parcel Post. Include Telephone number. NOCOOs. 
Prices subiect to change without notice. Some items 
subject to prior sale. We reserve the r, 

43/86 Moto. 6800 W/W 7,00 6.1 

INTEGRATED CIRCUIT SOCKETS 

Low Profile Wire Wrap 

each 1TG+ each 100+ 

8 pin $.10 $.09 $.41 



DB25P 

Jlflftllnflftlftflnn 

$2.50 

>' Type each 10-24 25+ 

;UP mail- $1.60 $1.40 $1.30 



UB25Pmale 2 
UB 25S female 3 
DB hood 2/P 1 



RIBSON CABLE CONNECTORS 
17/34 5" disk 4.85 4.15 3.5)5 
20/40 TRS-80 5.65 5.05 4.70 




(deal monitor 

for classroom 

demonstrations. 



Ever try gathering a classroom ot students around a 12 " monitor? Here is your opportunity to 
purchase a 23" high resolution monitor at a reasonable price. 

These units accept standard composit video signals generated by most personal computers including 
the Apple and IBM Attach it your computer and in second you are shooting down Klingons tn wide 
screen video 



Eight Inch Single Sided 

One Two 


Ten 


SHUGART SA801R 


s 395 


385 


375 


SIEMENS FDD 100-8 


259 


259 


225 


TAKD0N 848-1 SLIMLINE 


379 


369 


359 


Eight Inch Double Sided 


SHUGART SA851R 


525 


495 


475 


QUME DATA TRACK 8 


525 


495 


475 


MITSUBISHI M2894-63 


485 


475 


469 


OLIVETTI 802/851 


369 


359 


349 


TANDON 848-2 SLIMLINE 


495 


485 


475 


SHUGART 860 THINLINE 


569 


549 


539 


Five Inch Single Sided 


SHUGART SA400 


215 


209 


199 


TANDON TM 100-1 


209 


199 


195 


Five Inch Double Sided 


SHUGART SA450 


349 


329 


315 


TANDON TM 100-2 


295 


269 


259 


TANDON 96TPITM1Q0-4 


369 


355 


350 


OLIVETTI 502 2 A height 


239 


225 


215 


Three Inch Rigid Floppy 


HITACHI-AMDEK 


call for pricing 


Five Inch Winchesters 


SEAGATE 506 6 Megabyte 


759 


725 


695 


SEAGATE 512 12 Megabyte 


995 


960 


960 


TANDON 603SE14 Megabyte 


995 


960 


895 


WESTERN DYNAX removable 


995 


960 


950 


Upon request, all drives are supplied 
with power connectors and manual 



$ 



75i 



Eight Inch Subsystem 

Two Siemens FDD100-8 disk drives with power supply, 
4" exhaust fan complete with al necessary power cables. 

Same as above but with: 
ShugartSOIR MS02S01 '1195 Olivetti 802 CAL280L s 1250 

Shugart851R MSD2B51 1450 QumeDTS MSD8DT 1450 



ECLIPSi 
100 

$ 695< 






INDUSTRIAL S-lOO MAINFRAfi 

Suitable for hospital and industrial applications. Constructed from 304 
brushed stainless steel. Modualar 500 watt toroid power supply provides 
+ 8 volts at 30 Amps and i_1 6 volts at 4 Amps. Supplied with standard 1 8 slot 
Faraday mother board. Auxitary switched AC receptacles. The Eclipse 100 
can be either table or rack mounted. Provisions for internally mounting a ten 
megabyte Winchester disk drive. 

The Eclipse 100 is the perfect mainframe to fill the void left by the 
now defunct TEI Corporation. EPS- 100 50 lbs. 



TOLL FREE ORDER LINE 

800421-5041 

TECHNICAL & CALIFORNIA 

213)679-9001 



CaIiFornIa DiqiTAl 

Post Office Box 3097 B • Torrance, California 90503 



uper Buy *239 



SIEMENS 

FDD 100-8 
8" DISK DRIVE 



10 Drives s 209 



100 Drives s 175 



California Digital has recently participated in the purchase of several thousand Siemens FDD 1 00-8 floppy disk drives. 
These units are electronically and physically similar to that of the Shugart 801 R. Any application that will accept the 
Shugart witl work with the Siemens FDD 100-8. 

All units are new and shipped in factory sealed boxes. Because of the extremely tow price we expect a quick sell out. 
SEA-F1008 17 lbs. Manual and power connectors supplied free upon request Also available: Two drive subsystem 
supplied in metal enclosure with power supply and exhaust fan $750 00 CAL-2F1008 



MORROW 
OE5IGN5 

MICRO DECISIO 

'1195 

Buy before month end and California Digital 
will supply, free of any additional cost, 50 
Diskettes and a 5%" Flip & File. 




Includes $1800 worth of free software: 

• Digital Research 2.2 CP/M • NorthStar Bazic 

• MicroPro Wordstar • Spelling Checker 

• Electronic Spreadsheet • Microsoft Basic 80 



The Morrow Micro Decision offers one of the best values in small business computers. Standard 
features include 64K of RAM, 4MHz Z 80 CPU, two RS232 serial ports, dual density floppy disk 
controller capable of supporting four disk drives, and a 200 Kilobyte BVa" disk drive. The unit is 
powered by a low noise switching power supply. 

The low profile enclosure should blend in to most any office environment. The Micro Decision is 
delivered complete with CP/M 2.2 as well as Basic 80 and Wordstar. Available options include a 
second disk drive and a video terminal. MDS-MD1 18 lbs. 




eclipse 

*297\ 



MATRIX PRINTERS 



Star Gemini- 10 friction A tractor 100 char/sec parallel 

Star Eclipse 80FT friction & tractor 

Okidata 82 A serial & parallel 9Vj" paper 

Okidata 83 A serial & parallel 15" paper 

Okidata 84 A serial & parallel 15 paper 

Okidata 2350 (new) 350 char.' sec 

EpsonMXBOFT with graphtrax. friction & tractor feed 

EpsonMXI 00 with graphtrax, 1 5 paper 

NEC8023A parallel 9' ? paper, graphics 

Anadex 9500 A htgh speed 1 5 paper 

Anadex 9501 A high speed with graphics 

Datasouth 1 R0 high speed 1 80 eps 1 5 

Quantex 7030 corpspondence quality 1 B0 char/sec 



STR-G10 

STR-E80FT 

OKI-82A 

OK1-83A 

OKI-84A 

OKI 2350 

EPSMX80FT 

EPS- MX 100 

NEC-8023A 

ADX-9500A 

ADX-9501A 

DSI-180 

QTX-7030 

MHn B510P 

PRO-8510S 

PRO-2P 

PTX-P300 

PTX-P600 

MAN- 1 BOS 



.:,,.■,;... 

Prownter 85 1 serial 9 ! i paper 

Prownter II 15" paper 

Prifitromx P300 high speed printer 300 Imps per minute. 

Pnrrtronix P600 ultra high speed 600 lines per minute. 

Mannesmann Talty 1805 2O0 char/sec serial 

WORD PROCESSING PRINTERS 

NEC7710 55char/second. serial interface NEC-7710 

NEC773Q same as above only parellet interface NEC-7730 

NEC35 1 1 5 "serial NEC -35 1 

Diablo 630 40 char/sec serial DBL-630 

Brother HR1 1 daisey wheel BTH-HR1S 

Brother HR11 serial interlace BTH-HR1S 

Smith Corona TP-1 daisy wheel printer serial SCM-TP1S 

Slarwnter F10 serial PRO-Fi 



StarwnterF10 parallel 



PROF 1 0P 



297.00 
459.00 
695 00 
1079 00 
1995 00 
519 00 
695 00 
485 00 
1279 00 
1279 00 
1295 00 
1 535 00 
495 00 
639 00 
750.00 
4500 00 
6150 00 
1650 00 



237tt.O0 

2379 00 
1775 00 
2250 00 
855 00 
895 00 
659 00 
1475 00 
1475 00 



EPSON MX80 

RIBBONS *6.95 

MONITORS 



Zenith Z121 green phosphor 12 40/80 column switch ITH-m. 

BMC 12A green phosphor 15 Mhz compostt video BMC-12A 

6MC 12EN green phosphor 20 Mhz h "16 hit 

7 Godboui Ram 17 6tK memory 8 bit 

24 bit add 
[I Godbout Ram ?0 33k static niemoiy JK 

Godboui Ram ?1 I28K 8/ 16 bil JttttC 

California Comnlei 21 16 16K static 



memory 

DYNAMIC MEMORY BOARDS 

CM D356 California Diqitai ?56K dynamic memory 

8 bit 

DSystetwE«pawtaamW258i;dynamte i 
CCS 2065 California Compuiex, 2065 MK dynamic i 

MSM [)MRM Mms iiKin 'v v ,i,.,„^ nMBMOO Iflfpria 

MiCiOl i 

INTERFACE BOARDS 





Gorltiflni '■ 


riRt tSOA 


Gootwui r'i.'' 


CIU l.&A 


fiOilhr- 11 1 1 ■ 1 .-■ ' i - '1 


1 ,11' 1.W 




C$1 WA 




i 


Catilmraa Computet 4 c 


f'CS 27JQ 


California Compuiei 2 


' 


California Compuiei 4 



58500 
795 00 
295O0 
29500 
21900 



SPECIAL FUNCTION BOARDS 

111(10 DC Hayes Mirromnrlem S-100 FCC 



399 00 
485 or 
350 M 



53&G0 

7900 
17900 

wa as 




I mi'.: riiyi ouraged. 



256K DYNAMIC 

MEMOSY BOARD 

*495 

• Z56 kilobytM of msmory using 64K dynamic RAM, 

• Ovtr one megabyte ol memory irting the new 
256K dynamic RAM chipt. 

• Error detection- trap capability 

• Individual 1SK block can be relocated to any 
boundry wiBiift a megabyte ol RAM 

• 24 bit addresjrng and phantom mod* capability 

The California Digital 256K RAM board represents an outstanding value in S-100 memory technology Priced siigfity 

above earlier generation 64K dynamic ram boards it gives you these additional features 256K of memory with parity 

Parity error feature can be jumpered to any of the interrupt lines, a status port. ERROR LED, or IEEE-696 'ERROR 

L.Kjn-ni 24 or 16 bit addressing with memory management 

Proper operation wttti front panel equipped systems. DMA disk controllers, and IEEE-696 Temporary Buss Masters 

assured with an on the board M1 generator lor memory refresh timing. CAS and RAS timing is controlled with tapped 

digital delay lines lor proper operation over the entire operating temperature range 

The board is very recent in design using the National Semiconductor DP-8409 RAM Controller chip Split term 

networks are used on all address tines . CAS line, and RAS lines eliminating the last traces of nnging The board u: 

separate voltage regulators. One for the ORAMs and one for the interface logic increasing the noise immunity 

of the ram array Typical power dissipation is 8 watts 

Documentation includes theory of operation, configuration guide, a schematic, and applies 

use of the memory management options CAL-256K 2 Lbs. 



TOLL FREE ORDER LINE 

800)421-5041 

TECHNICAL & CALIFORNIA 

213 679-9001 



MICROPROCESSOR COMPONENTS K*l Digitaiker 




DT1050 — Applications: Teaching aids, 
appliances, clocks, automotive, telecommunica- 
tions, language translations, etc. 

The DT1050 is a standard DIGITALKER kit encoded with 137 separate 
and useful words, 2 tones, and 5 different silence durations. The 
words and tones have been assigned discrete addresses, making it 
possible to output single words or words concatenated Into phrases 
or even sentences. The "voice" output of the DT105O is a highly in- 
telligible male voice. Female and children's voices can be synthesiz- 
ed. The vocabulary is chosen so that It is applicable to many pro- 
ducts and markets. 

The DTI 050 consists of a Speech Professor Chip, MM 541 04 (40- pin) 
and two (2) Speech ROMs MM52164SSR1 and MM52164SSR2 (24-pin) 
along with a Master Word list and a recommended schematic 
diagram on the application sheet. 

DT1050 Digitaiker™ .... $34.95 ea. 



DT1057 — Expands the DT1050 vocabulary 
from 1 37 to over 260 words. Incl. 2 ROMs and specs. 
DT1057 $24.95 ea. 




RADIO CONTROL CIRCUITS 

Ideal to use for 

• Toys, hobby crafts, robots, trains 

• Burglar alarms • IR data link 

• Remote slide projector control 

• Consumer remote data links 

• Energy-saving, remotely switched lighting systems 
A complete 6-cnannel digital encoder and RF transmitter; low power, 
at frequency of 27MHz or 49MHz, a field strength of 10,0O0uV meter 
at 3 meters. 9V operation on chip RF oscillator/transmitter, on chip 
4.6 regulator. Up to 80MHz carrier frequency operation. 
LM1871N RC Encoder/Transmitter Chip . ..$1.95 

A complete RF receiver/decoder, used at either 27MHz, 49MHz or 
72MHz. It provides 4 independent channels when used with LM1871 
(2 analog. 2 dig.) operates from four 1.5V cells. Crystal controlled. 

LM1872N RC Receiver/Decoder Chip $2.49 



CMOS Precision Timer 
Stopwatch Chip, XTL 
3Vi Digit A/D (LCD Drive) 
IC, Circuit Board. Display 
3% Digit A/D (LED Drive) 
IC, Circuit Board, Display 
3'/! Digit A/D LCD DisHLD. 
Vh Digit A/D LED Dis. HLD 
Low Battery Volt Indicator 
CMOS LED Stopwatch /Timer 
Stopwatch Chip, XTL 
Tone Generator 
Tone Generator Chip. XTL 
Oscillator Controller 

Freq. Counter Chip, XTL 

Seven Decade Counter 

Clock Generator 

4 Func CMOS Stopwatch CKT 

4 Func. Stopwatch Chip, XTL 

8 Digit Univ. Counter C. A, 

8 Digit Freq. Counter C. A 

3 Digit Freq. Counter CC 

4 Digit LED Up/Down Counter C.A. 

4 Digit LED Up/Oown Counter CC 
LCD 4% Dtgil Up Counler DRI 

8 Digit Univ. Counter 

5 Function Counter Chip, XTL 
CMOS Bin Prog. Timer/Counter 
CMOS Divide-by-256 RC Timer 
CMOS BCD Prog Timer/Counter 
CMOS BCD Prog. Timer/Counter 
CMOS 555 Timer 

CMOS 556 Timer 
CMOS Op Amp Comparator 
CMOS Op Amp Ext Cmvr 
CMOS Dual Op Amp Comp. 
CMOSTriOpAmpComp. 
CMOS Quad Op Amp Comp 
CMOS Quad Op Amp Comp 
Voltage Converter 
Waveform Generator 
Monolithic Logarithmic Amp 
50ppm Band-GAPVolt Ret Diode 

Volt Ret/Indicator 

Volt Ref/ indicator . . 



29.95 
24.95 
19.95 
1095 
11.95 
10.95 
29.95 
74.95 
4 95 



5.25 
1.45 
2.20 

5MV 2 25 

5MV 295 

5MV 3,95 

10MV 5.35 

10MV 7.50 

10MV 7.50 

2 95 

3.95 

16 95 

2.50 

2 95 



130009 1983 INTERSIL Data Book (1356 P .) $9.95 I 



74C00 


14 


35 




w 




74C221 


16 


1.95 


74C02 


14 


35 






AIM 


74C240 


M 


1.95 


74CQ4 


14 


.29 


74C95 


14 


1.39 


74C244 


2(J 


1.95 


74C08 


14 


.35 


74C107 


14 


.89 


74C373 


2U 


249 


74C10 


14 


35 


74C151 


16 


2.49 


74C374 


2U 


2.49 


74C14 


14 


.59 


74C154 


24 


349 


74C901 


14 


59 


74C20 


14 


.35 


74C157 


1fi 


2 25 


74C903 


14 


.59 


74C30 


14 


.35 


74C160 


1fi 


1.19 


74C906 


14 


59 


74C32 


14 


.39 


74C161 


IC 


1 19 


74C911 


28 


8.95 


74C42 


If. 


1.39 


74C162 


1fi 


1 19 


74C912 


2B 


8.95 


74C48 


M 


1.95 


74C163 


16 


1,19 


74C915 


18 


1.19 


74C73 


14 


.79 


74C164 


14 


1.49 


74C917 


2H 


8.95 


74C74 


14 


.69 


74C173 


1H 


79 


74C922 


18 


4.49 


74C85 


11 


1.95 


74C174 


II 


1 19 


74C923 


n 


4.95 


74C86 


14 


.39 


74C175 


16 


1.19 


74C925 


ib 


5.95 


74C89 


rl 


5 95 


74C192 


1H 


1.49 


74C926 


ia 


5.95 


74C90 


14 


1.19 


74C193 


16 


1.69 


80C95 


tb 


.39 


74C93 


14 


1 19 


74C195 


16 


1 39 


80C97 


16 


.39 



| 30001 1983 Nat. CMOS Book (62B P g) $6^95 



CD4000 14 

CD4001 14 

CD4002 14 

CD40O6 14 

CD4O07 14 

CD4009 16 

CD4010 16 

C04011 14 

CD4012 14 

CD4013 14 

CD4014 16 

CD4015 16 

C04016 14 

CD4017 16 

CD4018 16 

CD4019 16 

CD4020 16 

CD4021 16 

CD4022 16 

CD4023 14 

CD4024 14 

CD4025 14 

C04026 16 

CD4027 16 

CD4028 16 

CD4029 16 

CD4030 14 

CD4034 24 

L CD4035 16 
^^ (Mora 



* Call ^T 
Quantity 
Discounts 

1355 SHOREWAY ROAD, BELMONT, CA 94002 
3/83 PHONE ORDERS WELCOME — (415) 592-8097 Telex: f 76043 



LM340K-15 

LM340T-5 

LM340T-12 

LM340T-15 

LM348N 

LM350K 

LF355N 

LF356N 

LM370N 

LM373N 

LM377N 

LM380N 

LM381N 

LM382N 

LM384N 

LM386N-3 

TL494CN 

TL496CP 

NE510A 

NE529A 

NE531V 

NE536H 

NE540H 

F4E544N 

NE550A 

NE555V 

LM556N 

NE564N 

LM565N 

LM566CN 

LM567V 



14 1.79 
14 1.39 
14 1.79 



NE570N 1 

LM703CN 

LM709N 1 

LM710N 1 

LM711N 1 

LM723N 1 

LM733N 1 

LM739M 1 

LM741CN 

LM747N 

I.M748N 

LM1310M 

LM1458CN 

LM14S8N 

LM1489N 

LM1496N 

LM1800N 

LM1889N 

LM1896M 

LM2002T 1.49 

LM3189N 16 159 

LM3900N 14 .59 

LM3905CM B 1.19 

LM3909N I .99 

LM3914N IB 3 49 

LM3915N IB 3 49 

LM3916N 18 3 49 

RC4136N 14 1.25 

RC4151NB 8 195 

ICL8038B 14 3.95 

LM13060M 8 1.19 

LWI136Q0N 16 1.19 

MOflE AVAILABLE 



1.49 

18 195 



1 30003 1 982 Nat. Linear Data Book - ; pp | ,$11.95y 



542 BYTE March 1983 



Circle 231 on inquiry card. 



2& 

JOYSTICKS 

JSA (2)...$6.95/palr 



it 



PADDLES 

JSP (2).. .$4.95/pair 



TV GAME SWITCH 

Switches TV to video game 
or computer operation. 
Used on Atari. 

TGS-1 . . . $2.95 ea. 



VIDEO GAME CHIPS 

Pull-outs from hand-held 
video games. AP2000 
consists of one MM2716Q 
EPROM and one 74LS04. 
AP2002 consists of two 
MM2716 EPROMs and one 
74LS04. These EPROMs are 
mounted on a circuit board 
with a 12-pin edge card 
connection. EPROMs can 
be reprogrammed for other 
applications. 

. $2.49 ea. or 2 for $3.95 
. $3.49 ea. or 2 for $6.49 





JOYSTICKS 

5K Linear 

Taper Pots $5.25 



t 100K Linear 

) Taper Pots $4.95 



f 150K Linear 

^ Taper Pots $4.75 



JVC 4D 40K < 2 ' Video Corv 
js-sk (Pictured) troller in Case $4.95 

JS KNOB Knob for JS5K,100K,150K $.99 ea. 

JVC KNOB Knobror JVC-40 $.99 ea. 



Digital Thermometer Kit 

Dual sensors — switch 
controls for indoor/outdoor 
or dual monitoring — can be 
extended to 500 feet. Con- 
tinuous LED .8" ht. display. 
Range: -40 *F to 199 "F, -40 'C 
to 100 °C, Accuracy ± 1 " 
nominal. Calibrate for 
Fahrenheit/ Celsius. 
„^ j '-?' '■.:"" Simulated walnut case. AC 

,___-. ""'*' An a #%■- wall adapter included. Size: 

JE300. $39.95 6 % lx3. hx^d 




BOOKS 

NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR - INTERSIL - INTEL 

30001 National CMOS Data Book (1981) $6.95 

(640 pages) 74C, CD4000, and A/D Converters 

30002 National Interface Data Book (1980) $6.95 
(704 pages) DP. DS8000, DS3600, DS5700, etc. 

30003 National Linear Data Book (1982) $11.95 

(1376 pages) LM, LF, ADC, DAC. LH Series 

30004 National Series 80 — Board Level Computer (1980) $4.95 
(224 pages) 

30005 National TTL Logic Data Book (1981) $9.95 

(624 pages) 740O,LS,L,H,S, and DM8000 Series 



KEYBOARDS — POWER SUPPLIES 



DATANETICS 73-KEY KEYBOARD Apple Compatible 

Data Entry Keyboard uses MMS740 BEE/N encoder chip (included) 73-Key Keyboard features 
11-kay numeric keypad. SPST switching, 24-pin edge card connection. Includes pin-out. 
Part No. KB261 (Fits dte-zo Enclosure) $43.95 each 



16V'LxSV."Wx 1%"H 



23"Lx5 3 /."Wx1-3/8"H 



i8 , /«"Lx5 a / 4 i, wx nr; 



9VLx4V'Wx iy* 



• 



MICRO SWITCH 69-KEY KEYBOARD 

Data Entry Keyboard, Encoded Output: B-bit Parallel EBC DIC Switching: Hall Effect, 24-pin Edge 
Card Connection. Complete w/Pin Connection. Can easily be modified to ASCII code. 
PartNo.KB69SD12-2 (Fits into DTE-20 Enclosure) $19. 95 each 



MICRO SWITCH 85-KEY KEYBOARD 

Word Processing: Keyboard. 26 Pin Edge Card Connection Supply Voltage +5V0C. Main Keyboard 
is QWERTY. Additional Key Pads for Cursor and word processing functions. 

Part No. 85SD18-1... S29.95 each 



MICRO SWITCH 88-KEY KEYBOARD (PARALLEL 

Data Entry Keyboard used in a Diablo 1640 Terminal. Supply Voltage: +5V, -12V Switching: Hall 
Effect - 10-pin Edge Card Connection. Schematic Included. Uses B048 Encode* Chip. 

Part No. 88SD22 (Fits into DTE-20 Enclosure) $49.95 each 



HI-TEK 58-KEY KEYBOARD 

SPST switching, mechanical, monolithic housing, charcoal grey keycaps. Keyhoard is not mounted 
on circuit board leach key is Individually accessible). Used to replace touch-membrane found on 

!RS-80 computers. 
Part NO. K-5B (Fits 0TE-14 Enclosure) $19-95 83Ch 



ALPS 29-KEY CALCULATOR KEYBOARD 

Features one 8-positton decimal select switch, one 3-position switch, and two 2-posttlon switches, 

mechanical SPST switching, 22-pin edge card connection. Pin-out included. 

Part No. KB297040 (Fits ote-h Enclosure) $4.95 each 



POWER SUPPLY + 5VDC @ 1 AMP REGULATED Transaction Tech 

Output +5VDC @ 1A (also +3OV0C) reg. Input 115V AC 60Hz. 2-tone (black/beige) sell-enclosed 
case. 6 ft., 3 cond black power cord. 6VW x 7"D x 2V«"H. Wt. 3 lbs. Data sheet incl. 

Part No. PS51194 $19-95 each 



POWER SUPPLY +5VDC @ 3 AMP REGULATED Daiuon 

Input: 115VAC. 47-440HZ. Output: 5VDC Adjustable ® 3 amp, 6VDC @ Z,f> amp. Adjustable cur- 
rent limit, Hippie* Noise: 1MV rms, 5MV p-p - 2 mounting surfaces. UL recognized. Size: 4"W> 
•-Inr ,j - 



x 2-7/16 "H - wt. 2 lbs. Data sheet Included. 



Part No. QPS-1 . 



$29.95 each 



POWER SUPPLY +5V0C @ 7.5 AMP, 12VDC @ 1.5 AMP SWITCHING 

Input: 116V AC, 50-6CH? @ 3 amp/ 230 VAC, SOHi ffi 1.6 amp. Fan volt. /power supply select swit- 
ches (115/230V? ! 6amp. BH. blk. pow. C0rd.11¥!'*Wx 

Part No. PS94V0 $49.95 each 



POWER SUPPLY 4-Channel Switching Power Supply 

Microprocessor, mini-computer, terminal, medical equipment and process control applications. In- 
put: 9Q-130VAC 47-440H/ SA, -5VDC (§ 1A: +12VDC @ 1A, -12VDC @ 1A. 
Line ran.: ±0.2%. Ripple: 30mV p-p. Load reg.: ±1%. Overcurrent protection. Adj: 5V main out- 
put* 10%. 6-3/8"L x 1-7/8"W x 4-15/1 6"H. Wt. IVi lbs. 

Part No. FCS-604A $69.95 each 



POWER SUPPLY Adjustable Switching 4-24VDC to 5 Amps 

Adj. 4- 24V DC: 5. -• 4.8A, 9VDC @ 4 1A, 12V DC & 3.3A, 1BVDC @ 1.9A, 24V0C 

@ .SA. Overvoltage Protection Input: 115VAC 50/60H;. Output variations within 20mV. 8,25"L x 
4".25"W x Z.25"H. Wt. 3.25 lbs. 

JE224 Kit $79.95 each 

JE224A Assembled & Tested , $99.95 Bach 



84-Key Keyboard 



CA153A $69.95 



95-Key Keyboard 



30006 Above (3) 30001 ,3,5 a sset . . $2 4.95 

30008 National Memory Data Book (1980) $6.95 

(464 pages) RAMs, ROMs, PROMs, EPROMs Series 

30009 Intersil Data Etook(1983) $9.95 

(1356 pages) Complete line. 

30010 National Audio/ Radio Handbook (1960) $5.95 

(240 pages) Pre-Amps, AM, FM & FM Stereo, Power Amps 

30011 National Linear Application Handbook (1980) $15.95 

(736 pages) Application Notes, Linear Briefs, etc. 

30012 National PAL Data Book (1982) $5.95 

(176 pages) Data Sheet, PAL Design 

30013 Zilog Data Book (1983) $'-95 

(641 pages) Microprocessors and Support Chips 

010400 Intel Component Data Book (1982) $14.95 

(1405 pg.) Full data sheets for Intel's products incl. mem. 

devices, microproc, periph. & ind./mil. products 
205610 Intel Peripheral Design Handbook (1981) $9.95 

(828 pages) Full data sheets, application notes for Intel 

peripheral device components 



Universal 



Computer Keyboard Enclosures 

"DTE" Blank Desk-Top Enclosures 
are designed for easy modifica- 
tion. High strength epoxy molded 
end pieces in mocha brown finish 
Sliding rear/ bottom panel for service/ 
-*r component acces s' T op /bolt panels . 080" 
thick alum, alodine tw 
color) lor best paint adhesion alts' m 
Vented top f.- 1.:-' i anelsl 'Ohng efficiency. 
Rigid construction provides unlimited applicalions. 
- a. so — ■»/ Assembly instructions included. 

DTE-8 Panel Width 7.5" $24.95 

DTE-11 Panel Width 10,13" $27.95 

DTE-14 Panel Width 13.5" $29.95 

DTE-20 Panel Width 19.25" $34.95 




Mostek DC/DC Converter 
+ 5 VOLTS TO -9 VOLTS 

Input: +5V. Output: -9V (regulated) @ 30mA. 
Printed circuit mounting. Specifications incl. 

DC 10 $2.95 ea. or 2/ $4.95 




Battery Checker 

Easy-to-use hand-held battery 
checker tests AA, AAA, C, D, and 216 
batteries. A multi-colored meter 
shows if battery is good, weak or 
needs replacing. Size: 6Va "L x 2 V* "W 
x 1-7/8 "H. 

BC-1 $6.95 ea. 



CA154A $79.95 



CONTROL 
DATA 

Data Entry 
Keyboards 

RS232Jnterface 

FT2 Shielded Base 

SPST Switching 

Momentary 

Contact 

Keysvvrtches 

30" Interface 

Cable 

Attractive 



104- Key Keyboard 



CA148 $99.95 



80- Key Keyboard 




CA150C ...$89,95 



Color; keycaps: black, blue, red ■ cover: black w/beige base. 21 V; "x9"x3Va ". 6 lbs. 



BUG BOX™ — 30 individual compartments 

• Stores 60 8-pin or 30 14- or 16-pin DIPS • Bug rugs 
not included • Clear plastic cover slides & locks 

• Cover marked w/numbers 1-30 •Compartment 
size: 1"x3.75"x .5" deep* Box size: 4.9" x 3.3" x .6" 

• Weight: 1.75 oz. 

BUG BOXTM 
Please specify color code: (B) Blue, (R) Red, (W) 
White, (Y) Yellow 
Part No./Color Code OTY PRICE 



BUG BOX™ 

STORAGE 

SYSTEMS 




BUG CAGE'" 1 (8GC-001- ) with Bug Boxes 



)• 



ANTI-STATIC 



10 



26.69 



BUG CAGE™ — 12 locations store Bug Boxes, 
Big Bug Boxes or Bug Trays • Modular and in- 
terlocking • Heavy duty injection molded plastic 
• Each cage has 6 siip-on locations • 2 cages per 
pkg. 'Cage size: 5-1/8" x 5" x 3-7/8" «4 colors 
available — please specify color code: (B) Blue, (Ft) 
Red, (WJ White, (Y) Yellow 
Part N o.J Color Code Price 



BGC-OOH ) 2 Cages (6 loo ea.) .$11 ,95/pkg. 



BUG TRAY™ — Stores in Bug Cage • Molded 
plastic • Three styles: Open (1 compartment 3,05" x 
4,6" x .6"); Vertical (5 compartments .5" x 4.6" x .6"); 
and Horizontal (8 compartments .4" x 3,95" x .6") 
• Ideal for tools, hardware, components, etc. • Tray 
size: 3.55" x 5.05" x .6" • Black color only 
PART NO. DESCRIPTION PRIC E 



BTH-001 Horizontal Bug Tray $1.95 

BTV-001 Vertical Bug Tray . 1.95 

BTO-001 Open Bug Tray 1-95 

BTX-003 1 of each Bug Tray (3) 4.98 



BUG RUG™ — Static discharge protection for 
CMOS and MOSFET devices ■ Pre-cut to dimen- 
sions of BUG BOX (1 • x .35") 

Part No. Description Price 

30 foam rectangles tor Bug Box S1.9S 
6 foam rec, for LSI Big Bug Box . 1.98 



CAGE KEEPER™ — Pins column of Bug 
Boxes in Bug Cage Price 



5 inch $4.98/pkg. 

10 inch 6.96/pkg. 



LSI BIG BUG BOXTM _ Designed to store 
large ICs, Resistors, Capacitors and Diodes • Divid- 
ed into three compartments measuring 1 * x 4.15" x 
.5" deep "Three vertical and three horizontal 
dividers included • Bug Rugs not included • Box 
size: 4.9" x 3.3" x .6" • Weight: 1.75 oz. 

LSI BIG BUG BOX™ 

Please specify color code: (B) Blue, (R) Red, (W) 

White, (Y) Yellow 

PART NO.fCOLOR CODE QTY PRICE 



BLX-001-( 


) 


1 


$ 3.29 


BLX-010-< 


) 

ANTI-STATIC 


. 10 


28.79 


BLX-001-( 


}AS 


1 


S 4.29 


BLX-010-( 


)AS 


10 


37.89 



BACK PACK™ — Self-adhesive labels tor the 
back of ICs • Shows exact internal logic in relation 
to IC pins • 532 labels in each package (including 
several blank labels) • Each package for 8, 14, 16, 
24, 28 and 40-pin ICs • Combo package includes 
1,068 labels for TTL and CMOS ICs 
• Microprocessor package contains 744 labels 
Part No. Description Price 



BPT-012 TTL S7.95 

BPC-012 CMOS 8.95 

BPM-012 Combo 14,95 

BPU-012 Microprocessor 9.95 



BUG TAGS™ — Self-adhesive, easy-to-read 
labels for marking Bug Box and LSI Big Bug Box 
• Most popular components 
PART NO. DESCRIPTION QTY. PRICE 



BTT-200 


TTL 


200 


$4.98 


BTC-200 


CMOS 


200 


4.98 


BTK-200 


LS Schottky 


200 


4.98 


BTS200 


Special 


200 


4.96 


BTM-800 


Mixer 


800 


13.S5 



MORE BUG TAGS AVAILABLE! 



• * • BUG BOX SYSTEMS INTRODUCTORY SPECIAL • • • 

v ur choice: regular or anti-static. Includes 2-8ug Cages (12 locations); 6-Bug Boxes; 3-LSI Big Bug Boxes; 1 -horizontal Bug Tray; 
1-open Bug Tray; 1 -vertical Bug Tray; 1 package Bug Bug for regular Bug Boxes; 1 package Bug Rug lor LSI Big Bug Boxes; 1 
package Mixer Labels (800 each). Color: Bug Boxes and Cages - Blue, Bug Trays - Black. 

SP-BUG Regular (Retail value $59.45) Sale Price $49.95 

SP-BUG-AS Anti-Static (Retail value $67.45) Sale Price $59.95 



$10.00 Minimum Order — U.S. Funds Only 
California Residents Add 6Vz % Saies Tax 
Shipping — Add 5% plus $1.50 Insurance 
Send S.A.S.E. tor Monthly Sales Flyer! 



Spec Sheets — 30c each 
Send $1.00 Postage for your 
FREE 1983 JAMECO CATALOG 
Prices Subject to Change 




EXPAND YOUR MEMORY 



TRS-80 to 16K, 32K, or 48K 

Model 1 = From 4K to 16K Requires (1) One Kit 
Model 3 = From 4K to 48K Requires (3) Three Kits 
Color = From 4K to 16K Requires (1) One Kit 

"Model 1 eguipped with Expansion Board up to 48K Two Kits Required 
- One Kit Required for each 16K ef Expansion - 

TRS-16K3 *200ns for Color & Model III $12.95 

TRS-16K4 *250ns for Model I $10.95 



TRS-80 Color 32K or 64K Conversion Kit 



Kit comes complete with 8 each 4164-2 (200ns) 64K dynamic RAMs 
and conversion documentation. Converts TRS-80 color computers 
with D and E circuit boards, and all new color computers to 32K. 
Minor modifications of 32K memory will allow trie use of all 64K of 
the dynamic RAM. 

TRS-64K2 ■ $54.95 



5 1 A" Mini-Floppy Disk Drive 

FOR TRS-80 MODEL i (Industry Standard) 

Features single or double density. Recording 
mode: FM single, MFM double density. Power: 
+ 12VDC (±0.6V) 1.6A max.. +5VDC(±0,25V) 
0.8A max. Unit as pic. at left (does not incl. 
case, power supply, cables). 30-pg. data book 
incl. Wt. 3 'A lbs. Size: 5% "W x 8"0 x 3% "H. 
Part No. Limited Quantity! Price 

FD200 $179.95 

Single-sided, 40 tracks, 250K bytes capacity 

FD250 $199.95 

Double-sided, 35 tracks, 438K bytes capacity 





2222 q» Floppy Disk Drive 

m * - Shugart 801 R 

a \ compatible 

• Single-Sided 

• 77 Tracks 

• 400/800K Bytes 
Capacity 

< • Industry Standard 

The FDD100-8 8" Floppy Disk Drive (Industry Standard) features 
single or double density. Recording mode: FM single, MFM double 
density. Transfer rate: 250K bits/sec. single density; 500K bits/sec. 
double density. The FDD10O-8 is designed to work with the single- 
sided soft sectored IBM Diskette I, or eq. disk cartridge. Hard- 
sectored option avails ■>'230VAC ® 50-60HZ, + 24VDC 
@ 1.7 amps max , + 5VDC m 1-2 amps max. Unit as pictured above 
(does not include case, power supply, or cables). Size: 8.55"W x 14 "L 
x 4.5"H. Weighs 12 lbs. Incl. 96-pg. manual. 
Part No. Price 

FDD100-8 Buy 1 for $269.95 each 

FDD100-8 Buy 2 for $259.95 each 

FDD100-8 Buy 10 for $249.95 each 

2708,2716,2732 & 2764 EPROM Programmer 

JE664 EPROM PROGRAMMER 

8K TO 64K EPROMS - 24 AND 28 PIN PACKAGES 

Selt-Contained — Requires No Additional Systems for Operation 

N££l 

ii'g' ■ 

• Programs, validates, and checks for properly erased EPROMs * Emulates PROMs 
or EPROMs • RS232C Computer Interlace lor editing/ program loading • Loads data 
into RAM by keyboard • Changes data in RAM by keyboard • Loads RAM from an 
EPROM • Compares EPROMs for content differences • Copies EPROMs * Power In- 
put: 115VAC, 60Rz, ■< 10W power consumption * Enclosure: Color-coordinated, 
" *n panels ml molded mocha brown end pieces • Size: 15-S/8"L x 8VD x 



I - 



> Wt.; 5% lbs. 



JE664-A EPROM Programmer $995.00 

Assembled & Tested ( Includes JM16A Module) 

JE665 — RS232C INTERFACE OPTION — The JE665RS232C Interface 
Option imp e ". ' ■ S to the JE654's RAM. Sample software written in 

BASIC provtmx EM I, Level II Computer. Baud rate: 9600. Word 

Lgtri: 8 bits ■ odd parity Stop bits: 2. Option may be adapted to other computers. 

JE664-ARS EPROM Prog. W/JE665 Option $1195.00 

Assembled and Tested (Includes JM16A Module) 



EPROM JUMPER MODULES — The JE664's JUMPER MODULE (Personali- 
ty Module) is a plug-in Module that presets JES64 for proper programming pulses to 
the EPROM & configures EPftOM socket connections for thai particular EPROM. 

Part 

No. EPROM EPROM MANUFACTURER PRICE 



JMOSA 
JM16A 

JM16B 
JM32A 
JM32B 
JM64A 



2 70S 

2716.TMS2516 

TMS2716 

TMS2532 

2732 

MCM687S4, 

MCM68L764 

2764 

TMS2564 



AMD, Motorola. National, Intel. Tl . 
Intel, Motorola, National, NEC, Tl . 
Motorola, Tl (+5,-12, +12) 

Motorola, Tl 

AMD, Fujitsu. NEC. Hitachi, Intel . 



..$14.95 
..$14.95 



..$14.95 
.$14.95 
..$14,95 



UV-EPROM Eraser 



8 Chips — 51 Minutes | 



I 1 Chip — 37 Minutes 



Erases 2706, 2716, 2732, 2764, 2516, 2532, 2564. Erases up to 6 chips 
within 51 minutes (1 chip in 37 minutes). Maintains constant exposure 
distance of one inch. Special conductive (oam liner eliminates static 
build-up. Built-in safety lock to prevent U V exposure. Compact — only 
9.00" x 3.70" x 2.60". Complete with holding tray for 8 chips. 

UVS-11EL Replacement Bulb M6.95 



DE-4 



UV-EPROM Eraser . 



s 79.95 



D 



Sprite-style Fan 

• 36cfm free air delivery jvvwi— 

• 3.125" sq. x 1.665" depth >*Metai? 

• 10 yrs. cont. duty at 20 °C $****»*? 

• 115V 50/60H2 "WW* 

$ 9.95 ea. 
. $14.95 ea. 



* f 



Muffin-style Fan 

• 105cfm free air delivery < ^iMo^ 

• 4.68" Sq. X 1.50" depth. 7 Frame 

• 10 yrs. cont, duty at 20 D C H^v 

• Impedance protected, ambients to 70°C 

• 115V 50/60Hz 14W Wt. 17 oz. 



1355 SHORE WAY ROAD, BELMONT, CA 94002 
3/63 PHONE ORDERS WELCOME — (415) 592-8097 Telex: 176043 \ 



MU2A1-U SSSff-JU- 
♦MU2A-1N Ne*,.. ... 



. $9.95 ea. 
$14.95 63., 



Circle 231 on Inquiry card. 



BYTE March 1983 



543 



PRIORITY ONE ELECTRONICS 



THERE ARE NO BETTER DOARDS - THERE ARE NO DETTER PRICES! 

[ ompuPro from priority one electronics 




CPU DOARDS 

CO-PROCESSOR 8086/8087 

16 bit 8 or 10 MHz 8086 CPU with sockets 
for 8087 and 80130 



Part No. 



Description 



List Price Our Price 



B06BTTB6A A&T 8MHz 8086 only $695,00 $624.89 
B0G8T186C CSC 10MHz 8086 onty$850.00 $764.89 
B0GBTT86A87 A&T with 8087 option $995.00 $925.00 
B06BT186C87 CSC with 8087 opiion*$1 150.00 $1065.00 
*8087 Limits clock speed to 5MHz 

® DUAL PROCESSOR 8085-8088 

6 or 8 MHz provides true 16 Bit Power with a standard 

8 bit S-100 bus 
B0GBT1612A A&T 6MHz $425.00 $398.89 

B0GBT1612C CSC 6/8 MHz $525.00 $497.89 

66 K- 68000 16 DiT CPU 

7 6 bit 8 or 10 MHz on-board sockets for 2716, 2732, 

or 2764 EPROMs for up to 8K x 16 of memory 
B06BT184A A&T 8MHz $695.00 $625.00 

B0GBT184C CSC 10MHz $850.00 $765.00 

FORTH OPERATING SYSTEM FOR 66K CPU 

Requires a DISK 1, 64 K of CompuPro memory, 

and an INTERFACER 3 or 4. 

B0GBT68K0S FORTH operating system $200.00 

CPUZ - Z80D CPU NOW 6MHz! 

3/6 MHz Z80B CPU with 24 Bit Addressing. 

FASTEST Z80 CPU AVAILABLE! 

B0GBT160A 3/6 MHz A&T $295.00 $279.89 

B08BT16QC 3/6 MHz CSC $395.00 $374.89 




CMOS RAM SALE! 
RAM 17 - 64K CMOS STATIC RAM 

12 MHz, RAM 1 7, 2 Watt, DMA Compatible 24 Bit Addressing 



Part No. 



Description 



List Price Our Price 



B0GBTRAM17 64KA&T 10MHz 
B0GBT175A64 64KA&T 12MHz 
B0GBT175C64 64 K CSC 12MHz 



$319.00 

$499.00 $460.00 
$599.00 $550.00 



RAM 16 - 02K x 16 DIT CMOS STATIC RAM 

8 and/or 16 Bit 

® 12 MHz, RAM 16, 32K x 16 or 64K x 8 

IEEE/696 16 Bit 2 Watt, 24 Bit Addressing 

B0GBTRAM1 6 64 K A&T 1 0MHz $349.00 

B0GBT180A 64KA&T 12MHz $550.00 $510.00 

B0GBT180C 64 K CSC 12MHz $650.00 $610.00 




NEW! RAM 21 - 126K STATIC RAM 



816 RAM 21 12MHz, 128K x 8 or 64K x 16 

IEEE/696 8 or 16 Bit, 1 2 Amps, 24 Bit Addressing 

B0GBT190A 128KA&T ^r^ $1095.00 $ 995.00 

B0GBT190C 128KCSC { $l3) $1245.00 $1125.00 




* When 2 or more 8" disk drives are purchased with Disk 
1 Controller. 

DISK CONTROLLERS 

DISK 1 FLOPPY CONTROLLER - OUR DEST! 

Fast DMA, Soft Sector, Controls Up to Four 8" or 5/4" 

Single or Double Density Drives. 

A&T w/CPM 2.2 & BIOS $670.00 $495.00 

•When purchased with two 8" $450.00 

disk drives only. 

CSCw/CP/M 2.2 & BIOS $770.00 $595.00 

Disk 1 Controller A&T $495.00 $449.89 

Disk 1 Controller CSC $595.00 $550.00 

CP/M 2.2 tor Z80/8085 w/manual $174.89 

& BIOS 8" S/D disk 

CP/M 2.2 for 8086 w/manuals $299.89 

& BIOS 8" S/D disk. 

DISK 2/SELECTOR CHANNEL 
HARD DISK CONTROLLER 

Fast DMA 2 board set. controls 4 Shugart 4000 series 

or Fujitsu 2300 type drives. Includes CP/M 2.2' 
BOGBT177A Assembled & Tested $795.00 $750.00 
B0GBT177C CSC $895.00 $850.00 



B0PDB171ACPM 



B0PDB171CCPM 
B0GBT171A 
B0GBT171C 
B0GBTCPM80 




M-DRJVE SOLID STATE DISK DRIVE, 
3500% FASTER!! 

Not really, but the next best thing tor CompuPro 8085/88 

Users. Call for Details on M-Drive. 
M-Drive requires a 6MHz CPU 8085/88 dual processor, Disk 
1 DMA disk controller and System Support 
1 Multifunction Board. 
B0GBTMD128KA 1 28 K of A&T memory & M-Drive Software $11 98.00 
B0GBTMD!2BKC 128K of CSC memory & M-Drive Software $1398.00 
B0GBTMD256KA 256K of A&T memory & M-Drive Software $2395.00 
B0SBTM0256KC 256 K of CSC memory & M-Drive Software $2795.00 

M-DRIVE/ H HARDWARE LOGICAL DISK SYSTEM 

Interfaces through two I/O ports, and runs at 10MHz. 
IEEE 696 compatible. Requires any CompuPro CPU 
and a Disk 1. Each board contains 51 2K of fast, low 

power (900mA) RAM, with parity checking. 
06GBT197A M-DRIVE/H w/software, A&T $1895.00 $1775.00 
066BT197C M-DRIVE/H w/software. CSC $2095,00 $1950.00 



i 




I/O DOARDS 
SYSTEM SUPPORT 1 MULTIFUNCTION BOARD 

Serial port (software prog, baud), 4K EPROM or RAM 

provision, 15 levels of interrupt, real time clock, 
optional math processor 



Description 



Uttl 



B06BT162A Assembled & Tested $395.00 $359.89 

B0GBT162C CSC $495.00 $459.89 

B06BT8231 Math Chip $195.00 

B0GBT8232 Math Chip $195.00 

B0GBT1 62AM1 A& T w/823 1 Math Chip $490.00 

B0GBT162CM1 CSC w/823 1 Math Chip $654.89 

B06BT162AM2 A&T w/8232 Math Chip $490.00 

B0GBT162CM2 CSC w/8232 Math Chip $654.89 

MPX CHANNEL DOARDS 

I/O Multiplexer, using 808 5 A- 2 CPU on board w/4K RAM 



B0GBT166A4 Assembled & Tested 
B0GBT166C4 CSC 

With 16K RAM 
B0GBT166A16 Assembled & Tested 
B0GBT166C16 CSC 



$495.00 
$595.00 



$649.00 
$749.00 



$444.89 
$534.89 

$584.89 

$674.89 



INTERFACER 1 

Two Serial I/O 
B0GBTT33A Assembled & Tested $249.00 $218.89 
B0GBT133C CSC $324.00 $289.89 

INTERFACER 2 

Three parallel, one serial I/O board 
B0GBT150A Assembled & Tested $249.00 $218.89 
B06BT150C CSC $324.00 $289.00 

INTERFACER 3 

Eight-channel multi-user serial I/O board 
B0GBT1748A Assembled & Tested $699.00 $628.89 
B0GBT1748C CSC 200 hr. 8 port $849.00 $748.89 
B0GBT1745A Assembled & Tested $599.00 $558.89 
B0GBT1745C CSC 200 hr. 5 port $699.00 $628.89 




S-100 MAINFRAME 

110V 60 Hz CVT Mainframe uses famous 20 slot 

CompuPro Motherboard f55 lbs.) 

B0GBTENC20RM 20 Slot Rackmount $895.00 $825.00 

B0GBTENC200K 20 Slot Desk Top $825.00 $760.00 



INTERFACER 4 

Three Serial, 1 Parallel, 1 Centronics Parallel 
B06BT187A Assembled & Tested $395.00 $314.89 
B0GBT187C CSC $495.00 $414.89 

SPECTRUM COLOR GRAPHICS 

Color Graphics board with Parallel I/O 
B0GBT144A Assembled & Tested $299.00 $285.00 
B0GBT144C CSC $395.00 $375.00 

* S-100 MOTHERBOARDS 

Active termination, 6-12-20 Slot 



B0GBT153A 
B0GBT153C 
B0GBT154A 
B0GBT154C 
B0GBT155A 
B0GBT155C 



A&T 6 slot, 2 lbs. 
CSC 6 slot, 2 lbs. 
A&T 12 slot, 3 lbs. 
CSC 12 slot, 3 lbs. 
A&T 20 slot, 4 lbs. 
CSC 20 slot, 4 lbs. 



$140.00 
$190.00 
$ 1 75.00 
$240.00 
$265.00 
$340.00 



$125.00 

$155.00 

$155.00 

$220.00 

$235.00 

$310.00 



Circle 354 on inquiry card. 



PRIORITY ONE ELECTRONICS 



k ompuPro 10 MHz 64KDyfes 

S-100 STATIC RAM - ULTRA LOW POWER - ONLY 2 WATTS 
ASSEMBLED & TESTED - ONE YEAR WARRANTY 



UNBELIEVABLE! While the rest 
power consumption (400mA; 2 
the remainder of CompuPros 



• Extremely low power consumption (2 watts 
typical) 

• Flawlessly handles any DMA device per IEEE 
696 specifications 

• Single +5 Volt operation (requires no other 
supply voltages) 

• Switch-Selectable choice of 24 address lines 
conforming to IEEE 696/S-100 extended 
addressing 

• 2K windows, individually selectable at EOOO, 
E800, FOOO, and F800 permits use with older 
memory- mapped disk controllers or ROM 
(i.e., Morrow, NorthStar) 

• Any 16K block may be disabled; dip switch 
selectable 2 K disable from XX EOOO - FFFF in 
2K increments 

• Switch Selectable PHANTOM disable 



of the industry struggles to attain 6MHz, CompuPro has effortlessly jumped from 10 to 12MHz. The 
Watts) is still the lowest in spite of running nearly twice as fast. Priority One Electronics has purchased 
10MHz boards and are offering them at these unprecedented prices. 



RAM 17 




$319.00 ea. 

! Price: $599.00 

$299.00 ea. 



SALE 
PRICE: 

List Price: $599.00 
*2or 
More: 
BO 6BTRAM 1 7 Assembled & Tested 



• Board addressable as one 64 K x 8 or 32 K x 1 6 

block; DIP switch selectable on any 64 K 
boundary 

• Extremely low power consumption (2 watts 
typica!) 

• Meets or exceeds all IEEE 696/S-100 speci- 
fications 

• Flawlessly handles any DMA device per IEEE 
696 specifications 

• Single +5 Volt operation (requires no other 
supply voltages) 

• 24 bit addressing; conforms to IEEE 696 
specifications 

• 8 or 1 6 bit data transfer dependant on SXTRQ. 

Conforms with IEEE 696 timing requirements 
for XTRQ and SIXTN 



©RAM 16 




$349.00 ea. 

I Price: $650.00 

$325.00 ea. 



SALE 
PRICE: 

List Price: $650.00 
2 or 
More: 
B0GBTRAM1B Assembled & Tested 



ompuPro SYSTEM 816 



FOR THOSE WHO DEMAND EXCELLENCE 



MINICOMPUTER REGULATORS 




The CompuPro family of system packages excel in high level business, 
industrial, and scientific computing environments. 
Each package includes a unique combination of CompuPro system 
components, optimized for common single and multi-user applications. 
All systems run 8 and 1 6 bit software, and all single-user systems may 
be easily upgraded to multi-user opertion. The result is a computer 
which can grow as your computing requirements grow. 

SYSTEM 816 BASIC COMPONENTS 



• Desktop enclosure with 20 slot motherboard 

• Dual QUME DT8 floppy drives in a cabinet with power supply 

• Dual CPU 8085/8088 

• Memory is comprised of multiples of RAM 17 64K static memory 
boards 

• High speed Disk 1 DMA floppy disk controller board 

• System Support One board; Clock/calendar, RAM/ROM/Math 
processor options, RS-232 serial port, dual interrupt controllers, 
3 interval timers 

• All internal cables 
SOFTWARE: 

• CP/M 2.2™ and CP/M 86'" operating systems 

• CompuPro M-DRIVE™ for solid state disk drive 

• SuperCalc-SO™ spreadsheet program by Sorcim 

• dBase MP data base software by Ashton Tate 

SYSTEM 816/A" 

System 81 8/ A gives superb computing today with an option for future 
expansion - all the way up to sophisticated multi-user operation. 

SYSTEM 8 16/ A BASIC SPECIFICATIONS 

8 bit processor: 6MHz 8085 16 bit processor: 8MHz 8088 
Disk storage: Up to 2.4 Megabytes. Single or double sided, single or 
double density, expandable to 4.8 Megabytes. 
Main memory: 128K - expandable to: 1 Megabyte 
Serial ports: 4 Parallel ports: 1 
Centronics/Epson ports: 1 

Software: CP/M 2.2, CP/M-86, M-Drive, SuperCalc-86, dBase. 
Convenience features: Clock/calendar, interrupt controllers, interval 
timers, and math processor option 

Save over $1000.00 compared to all components pur- 
chased separately. 



SYSTEM 816/B™ 

System 81 8/ B delivers state-of-the-art single user computing today, 
with an option for future expansion to multi-user operation. 

SYSTEM 816/B Basic Specifications: 

8 bit processor: 6MHz 8085 - 16 bit processor 8MHz 8088 
Disk storage: Up to 2.4 Megabytes. Single or double sided, single or 
double density, expandable to 4.8 Megabytes. 
Main memory: 256 K - expandable to: 1 Megabyte 
Serial ports: 6 

Software: CP/M 2.2, CP/M-86, M-Drive, SuperCalc-86, dBase II 
Convenience features: Clock/calendar, interrupt controllers, interval 
timers, and math processor option. 

Save over $1800.00 compared to all components pur- 
chased separately. 

B868TSYS816BDA Single user system desk top, A&T $6895.08 
B0G8TSYS81 BBQC Single user system desk top. CSC $7795.08 

SYSTEM 816/C 

System 81 8/ C is the system of choice for firms which need superior 
computing power now, with the option to expand into an even more 
powerful system in the future. System 81 6/C supports up to three users 
simply by adding appropriate terminals: for more users, just add more 
CompuPro RAM and terminals. 

SYSTEM 816/C BASIC SPECIFICATIONS 

8 bit processor 6 MHz 8085 - 16 bit processor: 8 MHz 8088 

Disk storage: Up to 24 Megabytes. Single or double sided, single or 

double density, expandable to 4.8 Megabytes. 

Main memory: 384 K - expandable to 1 Megabyte 

Serial ports 9 

Software: CP/M 2 2, CP/M-86, MP/M 8-16, M-Drive, SuperCalc-86, 

dBase II 

Convenience features: Clock/calendar, interrupt controllers, interval 

timers, and math processor option. 

Save over $2300.00 compared to all components pur- 

chased separate I v 

B0GBTSYS816CDA Mult i- user system desk top, A&T $8995.08 

B0GBTSYS816C0C Multi-user system desk top, CSC $9995.00 




B06BTSYS816ADA 
B0GBTSTS816ADC 



Single user system desk top, A&T $5495.09 
Single user system desk top, CSC $6045.00 



(All Systems shipped Freight Collect) 



HOW CLEAN IS 
YOUR POWER? 



«5 




SOLA ELECTRIC 



The Sola Micro/ Mini Computer Ultra Isolated Regulator provides 
instantaneous voltage regulation, and ultra isolation from both trans- 
verse and common mode noise for any type of load. It also suppresses 
transients, protects against overloads and serves as a portable dedi- 
cated line. It is the ultimate in AC line conditioning equipment 
PORTABLE 120 VAC 60 Hz SINGLE PHASE 



Maximum Dimensions ftpprox. 

Output LxWxD 
W Ritfwg [Appro*.) 






SALE 



B0SLA6313070 70 12 x 6x 6 

BBSLA6313114 140 12 x fix 6 

B0SLA63T312S 250 14 x 8 x 8 

B0SLA8313150 500 17 x 9x 9 

B0SLA8313175 750 17 x 9 x 9 

B0SLAB313210 1000 17 x 9x 9 

B0SU6313220 2000* 17x11 x 11 



10 lbs. $196.20 $158.00 

18 $257.15 

31 $305.55 

47 $424.40 

60 1 $541.40 

75t $627.10 

108f $1066.40 



i 208.40 
248.05 
: 344.00 
: 438.80 
508.25 
864.35 



Output voltage is 1 20VAC ±3% for an input voltage of 95-1 30VAC 

*Unit has 30 Amp twist receptacle. 

Also available are Hard Wired and 50 Hz models 

t Shipped Freight Collect 



DIRECT CONNECT MODEM 



$79.00 



- 300 BA0D 
MORA MM- 100 

1 0-300 baud 

1 RS232C interface 

i Full duplex 

1 Carrier detect indicator 

i Bell 103 compatible 

1 Low voltage 

1 Originate/Answer switch selectable 



W 



X 



List Price SALE 



B0MURMM100 - 300 baud modem $99.95 $79.00 

(Shipping Weight: 2 lbs.) 

B0CNBRS2328F RS232 cable $19.95 

Cables also available for Atari, Tl, Vic 20, & Timex 



PRIORITY ONE ELECTRONICS 

9161 DEERING AVE CHATSWORTH, CA 9 1 3 1 1 
ORDER TOLL FREE (600) 423-5922 - CA, AK, HI CALL (210) 709-51 1 1 

Terms. U.S. VISA. MC. BAG. Check. Money Order, U.S. Funds Only. CA residents add 6 Y 2 % Sales Tax. MINIMUM PRE PAID ROE R$1 5.00. Include MINIMUM 
SHIPPING & HANDLING of $3.00 for the first 3 lbs. plus 40$ for each additional pound Orders over 50 lbs. sent freight collect Just in case, please include your 
phone number. Prices subject to change without notice. We will do our best to maintain prices through March, 1 983. Credit Card orders will be charged approp- 
riate freight. If you haven't received your Winter '83 Engineering Selection guide, send $1.00 for your copy today! Sale prices for prepaid orders only. 



RETAIL STORE PHONE NUMDERS: (Chatsworth:) (210) 709-5464 - (Irvine:) (714) 660-1411 

Circle 354 on inquiry card. 



PRIORITY ONE ELECTRONICS 



SIEMENS FDD100-6 

6" FLOPBY DISK DRIVE 



90 DAY WARRANTY! 
ONCE AGAIN YOU 



RECEIVE THE 
BENEFIT OF OUR 
UNEQUALLED PUR- 
CHASING POWERI 






$ 



ORDER NOW AND SAVE! 



ude $7.00 peridrive fomhippingr 

B0SIEFDD10O8 f 



S-100 DUAL 6 SUBSYSTEM 



B0CCS2422A S-100 Disk Controller with CP/M 2.2 

80SIEFDDT008 Siemens Double Density 8" drive 

80IIIFDE002 Dual Horizontal Cabinet 

with Power Supply 

and Data Cable 

SAVE $212.00!! 

$995.00 

■ (Inr.iuriei $30 00 tnr shinninn) 



$399.00 
$478.00 
$295.00 



1 $ 35.00 
$1207.00 




(Include $30.00 for shipping) 



DON'T 
MISS OUT! 

Order No. 
B0PDBSIESUB1 




m 



International 

Instrumentation 

Incorporated 




DUAL 8 CABINET POWER SUPPLY 
AND INTERNAL POWER CABLES 

IF BOUGHT SEPARATELY; $890.00 



PRICED AT: 



$695.00 



B0PDBII1SIE 



Positive Pressure Filter Cooling 
Power Supply:4A@+5V,3A@+24V 

1A@-5V 
Each output is individually fused 



• Hinged top for easy access 

> Heavy non-flex ,090 alumin- 
um base 

► Modular power connectors 



ENVIRONMENT MONITOR PANEL 

Temperature and voltage monitor with visual and audible alarm for 
overtemp condition. Direct Digital Readout of Internal temperature in 

C on standard DVM 
B0IIIFDE002 CABINET ONLY (Sh. WL 38 lbs.) $295.00 

BOPDBIIISIEEM 2- Drives, Cabinet & disk environment monitor $775.00 
B0IIIFOEO02EM Cabinet only with disk environment monitor $375.00 
B0PBB5OM18E18E Dual Data Cable $31.15 

B0PGC5QS60S External Data Cable $ 19.77 



64K IEEE/S-100 DYNAMIC RAM 



41 



California 
Computer 
Systems 



2 or 4MHz BANK SELECTABLE 

• 2 or 4 MHz operation • Designed to IEEE proposed S-t 00 bus stand- 
ard • Supports IMSAI-type front panels • Operates with either an 8080 
or Z-80 based S-100 system providing processor transparent refreshes 
with both • Bank-setect system allows system memory expansion • 
Bank-select port's address is jumer selectable • Any 16K block can be 
made bank- independent • Ail 64 K can be made bank-enabled on power- 
on and reset • Fully buffered address and data lines • Configuration as a 
16K, 32 K or 48K board without the removal of RAMs • Fail-safe refresh 
circuitry for extended Wait States • Board configuration with reliable, 
easy to configure Berg jumpers • Supports DMA • Jumper-selectable 
Phantom input • Assembled & Tested • All ICs in sockets • Uses 
Popular 4116 RAMs • Full factory warranty. 

REGULAR LIST PRICE IS $375.00 

YOU SAVE AN 
INCREDIBLE $176.00!! 




$199.00 

B0CCS20653 (Sh. wt. 2 lbs.) 



BUY DRIVE AND CABINET TOGETHER AND SAVE! 

DUAL 8 SIEMENS FDD1 008, 



(TlPiS 







5'A" DISK DRIVES 

B0MPI51* Single-Sided Double-Density 48 TPI $200.00 

H0MPI52* Double-Sided Double- Density 48 TPI $270.00 

B0MPI91* Single-Sided Double- Density 96 TPI $275.00 

B0MPI92* Double-Sided Double- Density 96 TPI $400.00 

* Replace "*" when ordering, with "m" for M PI style bezel, 
or "3" for Shugart style bezel. (Shipping Weight 5 lbs.) 

2" HIGH 8 DISK DRIVES 




The first 2" high 8" disk drive allows for mounting under 

the keyboard on CRT, etc. 

NO AC Required +5V +24VDC only 

FAST 3 msec track to track! 

V 2 High 1 side double-density $380.00 

Vz High 2 side double-density $460.00 



B0MPI4IM 
B0MPI42M 
B0MPI4IS 
B0MPI42S 
B0MPI41D 
B0MP142D 



Full height 1 side single drive, dble.-density $380.00 

Full height 2 sided single drive, dble-density $460.00 

Full height 1 side dual drive, dble.-density $760.00 

Full height 2 side dual drive, dble.-density $920.00 
(Shipping Weight: 1 1 lbs, per drive) 



landon 




8-INCH 
THIN LINE 



\ 



Exactly one-half the height of any other model 

Proprietary, high-resolution, read-write heads patented 

by Tandon 

D.C. only operation - no AC. required 

Industry standard interface 

Three millisecond frack-to-track access time (9 lbs.) 

B0TNDTM8481 Single Sided $380.00 2 or more: $370.00 ea. 

BBTNDTM8482 Double Sided $495.00 2 or more: $485.00 ea. 

TANDON 5 V4" DRIVES 
B0TNDTM1001 Single Sided, 250KB (5 lbs.) $220.00 ea. 

2 or More: $200.00 each 

B0TNDTM10O2 Double Sided, 500KB $295.00 ea. 

2 or More: $270.00 each 

B0TNDTM1OO3 Single Sided, 500 KB $295.00 ea. 

2 or More: $270.00 each 

mi 004 Double Sided, 1000 KB $395.00 ea. 

2 or More: $375.00 each 



DUAL 8 HALF HEIGHT 
FLOPPY CABINET 

• 24V @ 4A 5V @ 3A 

-5V@ 800 ma Cm international | 

JK OUU ° rrM INSTRUMENTATION 

• Fan cooled LUJ mc 

• Socketed power connections 

• All supplies regulated Uif Price SALE 

B0IIIDTL002 Dual Thin Line Cabinet (12 lbs.) $225.00 $165,00 

BUY THE CABINET G DRIVES AND SAVE! 

_^ With 2 Tandon Thinlines 

B0PDBIIITND1 Cabinet w/2 TNDTM8481 -1 sided (30 lbs.)$885.00 
B0PDBIIITND2 Cabinet w/2 TNDTM8482 -2 sided (30 lbs) $11 15.00 

With 2 MPI Slimlines 



B0PDBIIIMPI1 Cabinet w/2 MPI41M 
B0PDBIIIMPI2 Cabinet w/2 MPI42M 



■ 1 sided (30 lbs.) $920.00 

■ 2 sided (30 lbs.) $1080.00 



; Options 

BOIHDTLMPIKIT MPI drive adaptor mounting kit (2 lbs} $24.95 

BOIIIDCCSHU Shugart / AC/DC power connector kit (2 lbs.) $14.95 

(For full size single SA801 or compatible drives) 



Circle 355 on inquiry card. 



PRIORITY ONE ELECTRONICS 



LOWEST COST 
PRINTERS AVAILABLE 

$299.00 $229.00 

THI? IS NOT A TYPOGRAHICAL ERROR!! 



1200 BAUD AUTO-DIAL 

HAYES SMARTM0DEM COMPATIBLE 



MODEMS 




$495.00 



• 80 cps • 10, 12 or 16.5 cpi • 3 selectable line spacing • Vertical 
format control • Centronics parallel or RS232 serial interface • Uses 
a standard Underwood spooled ribbon • Friction and tractor feed 

List Pries Our Price 

B0C0X80FT Parallel int. $399.00 $329.00 

BOCOXMFTSER Serial int. $399 00 $329.00 
(Shipping Weight: 21 lbs.) 



• 5 x 7 Dot Matrix • Parallel Interface (Centronics) • 
Tractor Feed • Dot Addressable Graphics • Upto3-Part 
Paper • Self Test • One Year Warranty • 30 CPS 80 
Column Unidirectional • Uses Regular Paper 
B0AXMGP100A (Shipping Weight 11 lbs.) 

List Price: $389.00 $229.00 



(O) 



HITACHI 

Hitachi DentW America. Ltd 




DUAL TRACE 
OSCILLOSCOPES 

All HITACHI DUAL TRACE SCOPES ARE SHIPPED COMPLETE 
WITH 2 PROBES AHO INSTRUCTION MANUAL 

V-350F 35 MHz 

DELAYED SWEEP 

• Single time base delay sweep • 
rectangular CRT with internal graticule 

• High sensitivity 1 mv/div (7MHz) • 
Large dynamic range of 8 div to full band- 
width • CH1 output • Built-in signal 
delay line 
B0HJTY353F List: $949.00 

immmmmmmm * sale: $799.00 
V-352F 35 MHz DUAL TRACE 

Same as 1353 F except without delayed sweep. 
B0H ITV352F List: $895.00 SALE: $7 49.00 

V-200F 20 MHz 

DELAYED SWEEP 

• Single time base delay sweep • High 
k sensitivity 1 mv/div (5 MHz) • Full TV 
1 triggering • X-Y operation • CH1 

Output • High reliability, MTBF 20,000 
hours 

^mmmmmm^ , bohitcosf List: $749.00 

— — — — - r SALE: $625.00 

V-202F 20 MHz DUAL TRACE 

Same as ¥203 F except without delayed sweep. 

List: $6 9500 SALE: $57 5.00 



ffi 



DATAGARD 

SGLWABER 

; I LINE MONITOR POWER 
CONDITIONERS 



The AUTO DIAL 2I2A Modem is a direct connect 0-300 or 1200 baud 
modem capable of dialing and calling for you The AUTO DIAL 21 2A is 

c ompatible in function to the DC Hayes SMAHTMODEW ". 

Pirt No. Description Ust SALE Price 



EIA/RS202 WALL PLATES 



(Does not include connectors) 
B0IIIWPDB251 Single punched 



4/$10.00 



Dual Punched 



4/$12.00 
RS-202 




SUD-MINIATURE 
CONNEaORS 

1-9 10-24 2549 100-UP 




B0CNDDB2SP 25 Pin Male 
B0CNDOB2SS 25 Pin Female 
B0CNDDBS12I2 1 Pc Grey Hood 
B0CNDP2SH 2 Pc. Grey Hood 
B0CNDDB51226 2 Pc. Black Hood 
B0CNDD2O418 Hardware set 2/Pr. 



$2.75 $2.50 $2.25 $1.95 

$4.00 $3.50 $3.25 $3.00 

$1.05 $1.40 $1.25 $1.15 

$1.50 $1.25 $1.10 $1.00 

$1.75 $1.50 $1.35 $1.20 

$1.00 $ .80 $ .70 $ .00 



Before you plug in your computer, you'd better consider how you are 
going to insure or protect your investment from unwanted electrical 
pollution. 

DG1 15 SERIES 
SINGLE STAGE SPIKE PROTECTION 



Pari No. 



Description 



Ust 



SALE 



B0WBRDG115P Wall unit plug in 2 lbs. 

B0WBR0B115S 6 outlet strip w/SW< 3 lbs. 



$49.95 
$61.95 



$34.95 
$42.00 



D6015 SERIES 
3 STAGE SPIKE FILTER & FOUR STAGE NOISE FILTER 

B0WBRDG315P5Wall unit pig in 2 lbs. $153.95 $ 99.95 

B0WBRD631SS 6 outlet strip w/SW< 3 lbs. $193.95 $119.95 
B0WBRDG315R 6 outlet racks w/SW< 8 lbs. $193.00 $119.95 



iff 



f 




BOHITV202F 



V-002F 



30 MHz 




V-152F 

Same as V302F 
B0HITV152F 



• High sensitivity 1 mv/div (5 MHz) • 
Full TV Triggering • X-Y operation • 
CH 1 Output • Built-in signal delay line 

• High reliability, MTBF 20,000 hours 

60HITV302F List: $799.00 

SALE: $699.00 



15 MHz DUAL TRACE 

except without delay line and only 15MHz 

List $59500 SALE: $495.00 



5 Texas Instruments 
16 PIN GOLD AND TIN 
DIP SOLDERTAIL SOCKETS 
TIN GOLD 

QTY B0TIS16LP B0TIG16LP 

50$ 8.00 $ 10.00 
iooo $ 00.00 $ 00.00 
45oo $225.00 $315.00 



SEND $1.00 TODAY 
FOB THE NEW, FULL COLOR 
WINTER 1983 ENGINEERING 

SELECTION GUIDE!! 



DISKETTES 

SOFT SECTOR 

40 TRACK SINGLE SIDED 

DODBLE DENSITY WITH 

HDD REINFORCING RINGS 

Package of 10: $1 9.95 

BONUS!! ai 

FREE!! KASSETTE 10 
LIBRARY CASE WITH 
PACKAGE OF 10 DISKETTES 

A $4.25 YALUEI! BOPP'SSDD (Shipping Weight 2 lbs.) 

B0PR1580 package of 80, less Library Case $120.00 



Color Display Monitors 






1 3" Screen 
NTSC or 
RGB Inputs 



High Impact Plastic 
Cabinet (Silver Grey) 



B0HITCM1481 
B0HITCM1472 



Comp. video 1vp-p (28 lbs. 
RGB 16 colors, (35 lbs.) 



List Price SALE 
$47995 $339.00 
$1029.95 $749.00 



ELECTRONICS 



! EQ 



9161 DEERING AVE. CHATSWORTH, CA 91 31 1 1 11 
ORDER TOLL FREE (800) 423-5922 - CA, AK, HI CALL (213) 709-51 1 1 

Terms. US VISA. MC. BAC. Check. Money Order, U.& Funds Only. CA residents add 6V2% Sales Tax. MINIMUM PREPAID ORDER $15.00. Include MINIMUM 
SHIPPING & HANDLING of $3.00 lor the "first 3 lbs. plus 40c for each additional pound. Orders over 50 lbs. sent freight collect. Just in case, please include your 
phone number. Prices subject to change without notice. We will do our best to maintain prices through March, 1 983. Credit Card orders will be charged approp- 
riate freight. If you haven't received your Winter '83 Engineering Selection guide, send $1.00 for your copy today! Sale prices for prepaid orders only. 



RETAIL STORE PHONE NUMDERS: (Chotsworth:) (210) 709-5464 

Circle 355 on inquiry card. 



(Irvine:) (714) 660-1411 



PRIORITY ONE ELECTRONICS 



WE ARE OPEN IN IRVINE, CA! 

That's Right! Priority One Electornics 
proudly announces the February 1983 
Opening of its 10,000 square-foot SYS- 
TEM CENTER/RETAIL SHOWROOM in the 
heart of Orange County, California! 

18241 McDurmott Irvine, CA 92714 

(714)660-1411 




DUAL QUME 6" FLOPPY DRIVE, 
CABINET, DMA S-100 *i cnc nil 
CONTROLLED ? ' 08DUU 

AND CP/M S 
FROM 



B0P08GBT206SYS 



ompuPro 



ARS0LUTELY THE MOST COST EFFECTIVE 
DISK SU8SYSTEM EVER OFFERED 
BY PRIORITY ONE ELECTRONICS!! 



YOU SAVE 
$1419.77!! 



2 Double sided 8" QUME DT8 disk drives 
DMA Floppy Controller (controls up to 4 drives) 
CP/M" 2.2 w/bios written for the Disk 1 Control 
Cabinet includes power supply & internal data a 
External data cable included 



List Price 

1 GBT206SP $2325.00 

r I 6BT171A $495.00 

)le 1 6BTCPM80 $175.00 

1 P6C5QS60S $ 19.77 

$3014.77 



CABINET AND 2 QUME DT6 DOUBLE SIDED DRIVES (1295.00 
PROVIDE 2.4 MBYTES OF MASS STORAGE!! """232500 »«*.«•.■•. Lmz** 



sierra nam 

SCIENCES 



& MiCROPOLIS 



DEST OF DOTH WORLDS! 
PERFORMANCE & LOW COST!! 



■*mmm ■■■ m * 

• Z80A 4MHz CPU • 64K RAM • 2 Serial RS-232 Ports • 
Floppy Disk Interface Controls Four 8" or 5Vt" Drives • 35 Mbytes 
of mass storage • CP/M 2.2 with the Sierra Data Menu Driven BIOS 

• Winchester Hard Disk Adaptor • Disk Drive Power Supply and 
Cabinet • Drive Data Cable • S-100 IEEE Compatible 

PACKAGE 
CONTAINS: 
B0S0SSBC SBC Computer $850.00 
B0SDSHD1 Hard Dis Cont. $150.00 
BOSDSWNMCP Disk Cab & PS $495.00 
B0MCP12231 35 Mbyte 

Hard Disk $3595.00 
B0NS0SCPM CP/M 2 2 w/BI OS $150.00 

$5240.00 SAVE $445.00!! 

(Shipped in 5 boxes, total Sh. Wt: 81 lbs.) BOPDBSDSMCP 



TOTAL 

PACKAGE 

PRICE: 

i $4795.00 



S-100 BOARDS 



SSM 



Part No. 



list Price Our Price 



B0SSMPB1 A 2 708/2 7 1 6 Programmer & F PROMS265.00 
B0SSMI05A 105 Input/Output $32900 

B0SSMI08A 108 Fight Serial I/O $550.00 

B0SSMI04A 2 Parallel. 2 Serial I/O $290 00 

B0SSMVB3A2480 x 24 Video Board $499 00 

DUAL 

BODOLCPU60000 68000 S-100 CPU $895 00 

BODULDMERTCHiX ??hHK Dynamic Memory Raid $t;"IMHl 



11218.89 

$289 89 
! 489.89 

$249 89 
$440 00 



B0D0LCMEM32 
80DULEPH0M32 
B00ULSI04DMA 

B0CCS2810A 
B0CCS271DO1 
B0CCS271901 
BOCCS272001 
B0CCS273OO1 
B0CCS2422A 



32 K CMOS Memory Card $695 00 
2716 FPROM Board $295 00 

SI04 DMA $695 00 

CALIFORNIA COMPUTER 



Z80A CPU W/RS232 
4 Port Serial I/O 
2 Serial, ? Centronics Pa 
4 Port Parallel I/O 

6 Port Serial I/O 



$325 00 
$325 00 

$:i60 00 

$275 00 
$550 00 



Floppy disk u)nUollt;i w/CP/M$425 00 



$850.00 

SI 230.00 

5660.00 
280.00 
650.00 

$289 89 
$310 00 
$345.00 
1285 00 
$525 00 
$375.00 



2 QUME DT8s 8 DOUBLE SIDED 
DISK DRIVE AND A CCS2422A 
FLOPPY DISK CONTROLLER 
WITH CP/M 2.2®!!! 

• 2 double sided 8" QUME DT8s 

• CCS2422A Flopy Disk Controller w/CP/IVT 

• Controls up to tour 8" and/or 5 1 /V' drives simultaneously 

• CompuPro cabinet with power supply and internal data 
cable 

• External data cable included 



SAVE 
$1274.771! 



$1495.00 



LIST PRICE; 
$2769.88 



B0PD6GBTCCS 

(Shipping Charge $22.20: shipped in two boxes) 



PRIORITY ONE ELECTRONICS 

9161 I )l I KIN( - AVI ( HATSWORTH, CA 9 1 3 1 I 
ORDER TOLL FREE (800) 423-5922 - CA, AK. HI CALL (210) 709-51 1 1 

Terms U S VISA, MC liAC. Clink Money Onln II S hunts Only CA residents «fd 6%% Sales Tax MINIMUM PREPAID ORDERStS.OO. Include MINIMUM 
SHIPPING 8- HANOI INii ol S3 0(i im tliHir.i ;t His plus -IOC tut e,«:li additional pound Orders over 50 lbs. sent freight collect. Just in case, please include your 
phone number Pricfts Kubjwjl l(1 tfwiajB wiIIhjuI itttlice Wt; will du m hest to maintain prices through March, 1983 Credit Card orders will be charged approp- 
riate freight II you haven't iccewwl yom Wintii H.'i t ihjiikhiiumi SHertion guide send $1 00 lor your copy today' Sate prices for prepaid orders only. 



RETAIL STORE PHONE NUMBERS: (Chats worth:) (210) 709-5464 - (Irvine:) (714) 660-1411 

Circle 356 on inquiry card. 



[Micromint will put both a compute 
evelopment system and an OEM dedicate* 
controller in the palm of your hand 
for as little as $127. 



The Z8 Basic Computer/Controller 
represents a milestone in microcompu- 
ter price-performance. The entire 
computer is 4" by W and includes a 
tiny BASIC interpreter, 4K bytes of pro- 
gram memory, one RS-232 serial port 
and two parallel ports plus a variety of 
other features. The Z8 microcomputer 
board is completely self-contained and 
optimized for use as a dedicated con- 
troller. Can be battery operated. Comes 
with over 200 pages of documentation . 



28 BASIC COMPUTER/CONTROLLER 







Uses Zitog Z8671 single chip mic- 
rocomputer 

On board tiny BASIC interpreter 
2 parallel ports plus serial I/O port. 
Just connect a CRT terminal and 
write control programs in BASIC 
4K bytes of RAM. EPROM pin com- 
patible 

Baud rates 1 10-9600 BPS 
Data and address buses available for 
124K memory and I/O expansion 
Consumes only 1.5 watts at 4-5, +12 
&-12v. 

BCC01 Z8 Basic Computer 

Assembled & Tested . . $199.00 * 
BCC02 Z8 Basic Computer 

Kit $169.00 



COMING SOON 

A/D Converters Channel 8 Bit 

AC I/O Board 

• 4 Channel 115Vac inputs 

4 Channel 115Vac outputs 

"W ADAPTER 



Z8 MEMORY. I/O EXPANSION & 
CASSETTE INTERFACE 




The Z8 Memory, I/O Expansion & 
Cassette Interface Board (28 Expan- 
sion Board for short) allows you to add 
up to 8K of additional memory plus 
three 8-bit parallel ports to your Z8 
Basic Computer/Controller. The mem- 
ory expansion will support any com- 
bination of byte wide RAM memory 
chips or 2716 or 2732 EPROM. The 
cassette interface is 300 baud Kansas 
City Standard (2400Hz/1200Hz). 
BCC03 Z8 Expansion Board 

w/4K memory $140.00 

BCC04 Z8 Expansion Board 

W/8K memory .. $170.00 



Z8 EPROM PROGRAMMER 




The EPROM Programmer board 
allows you to transfer application pro- 
grams in BASIC or Assembly language 
directly from RAM to either 2716 or 
2732 EPROMS. Requires Z8 Basic 
Expansion Board for operation. 
NOTE: We recommend the higher cur- 
rent UPS03 or UPS04 power supply 
when using the EPROM Programmer: 

BCC07 Z8 EPROM Programmer 

Assembled & Tested 

, . . $145.00 



Z8 SERIAL EXPANSION BOARD 




As featured in Ciarcia's Circuit Cellar, 
Byte Magazine, July, August, 1981 




The Serial Expansion Board adds an 
additional RS-232C serial port to the Z8 
system, it runs at 75 to 19,200 baud in 
ail standard protocols. The 20 ma. cur- 
rent loop. is opto-isolated for reliability 
and protection. 

BCC08 Z8 Serial Board 
Assembled & Tested ...$180.00 

MOTHER- BOARO 
MB02Z8 Mother Board 

with 5 connectors (Gold) 

Assembled & Tested ... $81 .00 

UNIVERSAL POWER SUPPLY 

+5@3QQ ma. +12 & -12V @ 50 ma. 
UPS01 Assembled and 
Tested ..............$ 35.00 

UPSQ2 Kit ..,$27.00 

+5 @ 1 amp. .+1'2 & -12V @ 50 ma. 
UPS03 Assembled and 

Tested $ 60.00 

UPS04Kit $ 50.00 



Z8 CROSS ASSEMBLERS 

FROM ALLEN ASHLEY 
XAS01 For TRS-80 Modi $ 75.00 
XAS02 For TRS-80 Mod HIS 75.00 
XAS03 For CP/M-8" . . . . $150.00 

FROM MICRO RESOURCES 

MR01 CP/M-8" Diskette . $ 75.00 

MR02 APPLE II CP/M 5W$ 75.00 



I 



MJCROMtNTINC. 

561 Willow Avenue 
Cedarhurst, NY 11516 

To Order : 

Call Toil Free 
1-800-645-3479 
For Information Call: 

1-516-374-6793 

Circle 481 on inquiry card. 



ZB is a trademark of Zilog Inc. 



CP/M is a trademark of Digital Resea 



« 



*ln quantities of 100 



flAfxA 64K DYNAMIC 
*t I W*t 200 NS 

ALL MERCHANDISE 100% GUARANTEED! 



TMM2016 



2KX8 STATIC 
200 NS 



CALL US FOR VOLUME QUOTES 



STATIC RAMS 




' DISC ■■ 
CONTROLLERS 1 


Z-80 


2101 


256 x 4 (450ns) 


1-95 1 


1771 16.95 1 


2.5 Mhz 


5101 


256 x 4 (450ns) (cmos) 


3.95 ■ 


1791 29.95 I 


Z80-CPU 3.95 


2102-1 
2102L-4 


1024 x 1 (450ns) 
1024 x 1 (450ns) (LP) 


.89 ■ 
1.29 ■ 


1793 38.95 I 
1795 54.95 I 


Z80-CTC 5.95 


2102L-2 


1024 x 1 (250ns) (LP) 


1.69 ■ 


1797 54.95 I 


Z80-DART 15.25 


2111 


256x4 (450ns) 


2.99 ■ 


6843 34.95 I 


Z80-DMA 17.50 


2112 


256 X 4 (450ns) 


2,99 ■ 


8272 39.95 ■ 


Z80-PIO 5.75 


2114 


1024x4 (450ns) 


8/14.95 ■ 


UPD765 39.95 I 


Z80-SIO/0 18.50 


2114L-4 


1024 x 4 (450ns) (LP) 


8/15.25 ■ 


1691 18.95 I 


Z80-SIO/1 18.50 


2114L-3 


1024x4 (300ns) (LP) 


8/15.45 ■ 


2143 18.95 1 


Z80-SIO/2 18.50 


2114L-2 


1024 x 4 (200ns) (LP) 


8/15.95 ■ 


INTERFACE ^H 


Z80-SIO/9 16.95 


2147 


4096 x 1 (55ns) 


4.95 ■ 


8T26 1.69 I 




TMS4044-4 


4096 x 1 (450ns) 


3.49 ■ 


8T28 2.49 ■ 


4.0 Mhz 


TMS4044-3 
TMS4044-2 
MK4118 


4096 x 1 (300ns) 
4096 x 1 (200ns) 
1024 x 8 (250ns) 


3.99 ■ 
4.49 ■ 
9.95 ■ 


8T95 .99 ■ 
8T96 .99 I 
8T97 .99 I 


Z80A-CPU 6.00 
Z80A-CTC 8.65 


TMM2016-200 


2048 x 8 (200ns) 


4.15 ■ 


8T98 .99 ■ 


Z80A-DART 18.75 


TMM2016-150 


2048 x 8 (150ns) 


4.95 ■ 


DM8131 2.95 I 


Z60A-DMA 27.50 


TMM2016-100 


2048 x 8 (100ns) 


6.15 ■ 


DP8304 2.29 1 


Z80A-PIO 6.00 


HM6116-4 


2048 x 8 (200ns) (cmos) 


4.95 ■ 


DS8835 1.99 1 
DS8836 .99 ■ 

MISC. ^B 


Z80A-SIO/0 22.50 


HM6116-3 


2048 x 8 (150ns) (cmos) 


5.95 ■ 


Z80A-SIO/1 22.50 


HM6116-2 


2048x8 (120ns) (cmos) 


8.95 ■ 


Z80A-SIO/2 22.50 


HM6116LP-4 


2048 x 8 (200ns) (cmos)(LP) 


6.95 ■ 


3242 7.95 1 
3341 4.95 I 
MC3470 4.95 1 


Z80A-SIO/9 19.95 


HM6116LP-3 


2048 x 8 (150ns) (cmos)(LP) 


8.95 ■ 




HM6116LP-2 


2048 x 8 (120ns) (cmos)(LP) 


10.95 ■ 


MC3480 9 00 1 


6.0 Mhz 


Z-6132 


4096 x 8 (300ns) (Qstat) 


34.95 ■ 


11C90 13.95 1 


Z80B-CPU 17.95 


LP Low Power Qstat = Quasi-Static ^H 


95H90 7.95 I 


Z80B-CTC 15.50 








2513-001 UP 9.95 I 
2513-002 LOW 9.95 I 

SOUND CHIPS 1 

76477 3.95 1 


Z80B-PIO 15.50 


DYNAMIC RAMS ^M 


ZILOG 


TMS4027 


4096 x 1 (250ns) 


1.99 I 


76489 8.95 1 


Z6132 34.95 


UPD411 


4096 x 1 (300ns) 


3.00 1 


AY3-8910 12.95 1 


l Z8671 39.95 


MM5280 


4096 x 1 (300ns) 
8192 x 1 (200ns) 


3.00 1 
1.95 1 


MC3340 1.49 1 




MK4108 




MM5298 


8192x1 (250ns) 


1.85 1 


CRT ^M 


CRYSTALS^ 


4116-300 


16384 x 1 (300ns) 


8/11.75 1 


CONTROLLERS 1 


32.768 khz 1.95 


4116-250 


16384 x 1 (250ns) 


8/11.95 1 


6645 14.95 1 


4116-200 


16384x1 (200ns) 


8/13.95 1 


68B45 35.95 1 


1.0 mhz 4.95 


4116-150 


16384x1 (150ns) 


8/15.95 1 


HD46505SP 15.95 1 


1.8432 4.95 


4116-120 


16384x1 (120ns) 


8/29.95 1 


6847 12.25 1 


2.0 3.95 


2118 


16384 x 1 (150ns) (5v) 


4.95 1 


MC1372 6.95 I 


2.097152 3.95 


4164-200 


65536 x 1 (200ns) (5v) 


6.25 1 


68047 24.95 I 


2.4576 3.95 


4164-150 


65536 x 1 (150ns) (5v) 


7.25 1 


8275 29.95 I 


3.2768 3.95 




5V = single 5 volt supply 




7220 99.95 1 
CRT5027 39.95 I 
CRT5037 49.95 I 
TMS9918A 39.95 1 
DP8350 49.95 I 


3.579535 3.95 
4.0 3.95 




EPROMS 




5.0 3.95 
5.0688 3.95 


1702 


256x8 (1us) 


4.50 1 


BIT-RATE ^| 


5.185 3.95 


2708 


1024 x 8 (450ns) 


3.95 I 


GENERATORS 1 


5.7143 3.95 


2758 


1024 x 8 (450ns)(5v) 


5.95 I 


MC14411 11.95 I 


6.0 3.95 


2716 


2048x8 (450ns)(5v) 


3.95 I 


BR1941 11.95 I 


6.144 3.95 


2716-1 


2048x8 (350ns)(5v) 


6.25 ■ 


4702 12.95 I 


6.5536 3.95 


TMS2516 


2048x8 (450ns)(5v) 


5.50 ■ 


COM5016 16.95 1 


8.0 3.95 


TMS2716 


2048 x 8 (450ns) 


7.95 I 


COM8116 10.95 1 


10.738635 3.95 


TMS2532 


4096 x 8 (450ns)(5v) 


7.95 I 


MM5307 10.95 1 


14.31818 3.95 


2732 


4096 x 8 (450ns)(5v) 


4.95 I 


UARTS ^M 


15.0 3.95 


2732-250 


4096x8 (250ns)(5v) 


12.95 I 


AY3-1014 6.95 1 


16.0 3.95 


2732-200 


4096x8 (200ns)(Sv) 


16.95 I 


AY5-1013 3.95 1 


17.430 3.95 


2764 


8192x8 (450ns)(5v) 


16.95 I 


AY3-1Q15 6.95 1 


18.0 3.95 


2764-250 


8192x8 (250ns)(5v) 


.18.95 I 


PT1472 9.95 1 


18.432 3.95 


2764-200 


8192x8 (200ns)(5v) 


24.95 I 


TR1602 3.95 1 


TMS2564 


8192x8 (450ns)(5v) 


24.95 I 


2350 9.95 1 


20.0 3.95 


MC68764 


8192x8 <450ns)(5v){24 pin) 
5v = Single 5 Volt Supply 


39.95 I 


2651 8.95 1 
TMS6011 5.95 1 
IM6402 7.95 1 
IM6403 8.95 1 


22.1184 3.95 

^32.0 3.95^ 


EPROM ERASERS ■ 


INS8250 14.95 1 

KEYBOARD H| 
CHIPS ^H 


' DATA 
ACQUISITION 

ADC0800 15.55 




Capacity Intensity 
Timer Chip (uW/Cm ! ) 




AY5-2376 11.95 1 
AY5-3600 11.95 1 


ADC0804 3.49 
ADC0809 4.49 


PE-14 


6 5,200 


83.00 1 


CLOCK ^H 
CIRCUITS ^H 


ADC0817 9.95 


PE-14T 


X 6 5,200 


119.00 1 


DAC0800 4.95 
DAC0806 1.95 


PE-24T 


X 9 6,700 


175.00 1 


MM5314 4.95 1 


DAC0808 2.95 


PL-265T 
PR-125T 


X 20 6,700 
X 16 15,000 


255.00 1 
349.00 1 


MM5369 3.95 1 
MM5375 4.95 1 
MM58167 8.95 1 


DAC1020 8.25 
DAC1022 5.95 
MC1408L6 1.95 


.PR-320 


X 32 15,000 


595.00 M 


MM58174 11.95 1 
, MSM5832 6.95 ^1 


.MC1408L8 2.95 



8000 



8035 5.95 

8039 6.95 

INS-8060 17.95 

INS-8073 24.95 
8080 3.95 

8085 5.95 
8085A-2 11.95 

8086 29.95 

8087 CALL 

8088 39.95 

8089 89.95 

8155 7.95 

8156 8.95 
8185 29.95 
8185-2 39.95 j 
8741 39.95 | 
8748 29.95 

L 8755 32.00 J 



6800 



8200 



8202 


29.95 


8203 


39.95 


8205 


3.50 


8212 


1.60 


8214 


3.85 


8216 


1.75 


8224 


2.25 


8226 


1.80 


8228 


3,49 


8237 


19.95 


8238 


4.49 


8243 


4.45 


8250 


10.95 


8251 


4.49 


8253 


6.95 


8253-5 


7.95 


8255 


4.49 


8255-5 


5.25 


8257 


7.95 


8257-5 


8.95 


8259 


6.90 


8259-5 


7.50 


8271 


39.95 


8272 


39.95 


8275 


29.95 


8279 


8.95 


8279-5 


10.00 


8282 


6.50 


8283 


6.50 


8284 


5.50 


8286 


6.50 


8287 


6.50 


8288 


25.00 


8289 


49.95 




FUNCTION 


GENERATORS 


MC4024 


3.95 


LM566 


1.49 


XR2206 


3.75 


8038 


3.95^ 




INTERSIL 


ICL7103 


9.50 


ICL7106 


9.95 


ICL7107 


12.95 


ICL7660 


2.95 


ICL8038 


3.95 


ICM7207A 


5.59 


ICM7208 


15.95 



68000 59.95 
6800 4.95 

6802 7.95 

6808 13.90 
6809E 19.95 

6809 12.95 

6810 2.95 

6820 4.95 

6821 3.25 
6828 14.95 
6840 12.95 

6843 34.95 

6844 25.95 

6845 14.95 
6847 12.25 
6850 3.45 
6852 5.75 

I 6860 9.95 

6862 11.95 

! 6875 6.95 

6880 2.25 

6883 24.95 

68047 24.95 

68488 19.95 

6800 1MHZ 

68B00 10.95 

68B02 22.25 

68B09E 29.95 

68B09 29.95', 
68B10 7.95 

68B21 12.95 

68B45 35.95 

68B50 12.95 
68B00 2 MHZ 



6500 



6502 


5.95 


6504 


6.95 


6505 


8.95 


6507 


9.95 


6520 


4.35 


6522 


8.75 


6532 


11.25 


6545 


22.50 


6551 


11.85 


2 MHZ 




6502A 


9.95 


6522A 


11.70 


6532A 


12.40 


6545A 


28.50 


6551A 


12.95 



EXAR 

XR 2206 3.75 

XR 2207 3.85 

XR 2208 3.90 

XR 2211 5.25 

XR 2240 3.25 j 



9000 SERIES 

9316 1.00 

9334 2.50 

9368 3.95 

9401 9.95 

9601 .75 

9602 1.50 
96S02 1.95 



JDR MICRODEVICES, INC. 

1224 S. Bascom Avenue 

San Jose, CA 95128 

800-538-5000 • 800-662-6279 (CA) 

(408) 995-5430 t Telex 171-110 

©1982 JDR MICRODEVICES, INC. 



VISIT OUR 
RETAIL STORE 



— NEW HOURS — 

M-W-F, 9-5 

T-Th.,9-9 Sat. 11-3 



PLEASE USE YOUR CUSTOMER NUMBER WHEN ORDERING 

TERMS: For shipping include $2 (or UPS Ground or S3 for UPS Blue 
Label Air. Items over 5 pounds require additional shipping charges. 
Foreign orders, include sufficient amount tor shipping. There is a $10 
minimum order. Bay Area and Los Angeles Counties add 6 Vo Sales 
Tax. Other California residents add 6% Sales Tax. We reserve the 
right to substitute manufacturer. Not responsible for typographical 
«rrors. Prices are subject to change without notice. We will match or 
_eat any competitor's price provided it is not below our cost. 



550 BYTE March 1983 



Circle 232 on inquiry card. 



2716 



16K EPROMS 



2732 



32K EPROMS 



ALL MERCHANDISE 100% GUARANTEED! 



CALL US FOR VOLUME QUOTES 



74LS00 



IC SOCKETS 



74LS00 


.24 


74LS86 


.39 


74LS169 


1.75 


74LS323 


3.50 


74LS01 


.25 


74LS90 


.55 


74LS170 


1.49 


74LS324 


1.75 


74LS02 


.25 


74LS91 


.89 


74LS173 


.69 


74LS352 


1.29 


74LS03 


.25 


74LS92 


.55 


74LS174 


.55 


74LS353 


1.29 


74LS04 


.24 


74LS93 


.55 


74LS175 


.55 


74LS363 


1.35 


74LS05 


.25 


74LS95 


.75 


74LS181 


2.15 


74LS364 


1.95 


74LS08 


.28 


74LS96 


.89 


74LS189 


8.95 


74LS365 


.49 


74LS09 


.29 


74LS107 


.39 


74LS190 


.89 


74LS366 


.49 


74LS10 


.25 


74LS109 


.39 


74LS191 


.89 


74LS367 


.45 


74LS11 


.35 


74LS112 


.39 


74LS192 


.79 


74LS368 


.45 


74LS12 


.35 


74LS113 


.39 


74LS193 


.79 


74LS373 


.99 


74LS13 


.45 


74LS114 


.39 


74LS194 


.69 


74LS374 


.99 


74LS14 


.59 


74LS122 


.45 


74LS195 


.69 


74LS377 


1.39 


74LS15 


.35 


74LS123 


.79 


74LS196 


.79 


74LS378 


1.18 


74LS20 


.25 


74LS124 


2.90 


74LS197 


.79 


74LS379 


1.35 


74LS21 


.29 


74LS125 


.49 


74LS221 


.89 


74LS385 


1.90 


74LS22 


.25 


74LS126 


.49 


74LS240 


.95 


74LS386 


.45 


74LS26 


.29 


74LS132 


.59 


74LS241 


.99 


74LS390 


1.19 


74LS27 


.29 


74LS133 


.59 


74LS242 


.99 


74LS393 


1.19 


74LS28 


.35 


74LS136 


.39 


74LS243 


.99 


74LS395 


1.19 


74LS30 


.25 


74LS137 


.99 


74LS244 


.99 


74LS399 


1.49 


74LS32 


.29 


74LS138 


.55 


74LS245 


1.49 


74LS424 


2.95 


74LS33 


.55 


74LS139 


.55 


74LS247 


.75 


74LS447 


.37 


74LS37 


.35 


74LS145 


1.20 


74LS248 


.99 


74LS490 


1.95 


74LS38 


.35 


74LS147 


2.49 


74LS249 


.99 


74LS624 


3.99 


74LS40 


.25 


74LS148 


1.35 


74LS251 


.59 


74LS668 


1.69 


74LS42 


.49 


74LS151 


.55 


74LS253 


.59 


74LS669 


1.89 


74LS47 


.75 


74LS153 


.55 


74LS257 


.59 


74LS670 


1.49 


74LS48 


.75 


74LS154 


1.90 


74LS258 


.59 


74LS674 


9.65 


74LS49 


.75 


74LS155 


69 


74LS259 


2.75 


74LS682 


3.20 


74LS51 


.25 


74LS156 


.69 


74LS260 


.59 


74LS683 


3.20 


74LS54 


.29 


74LS157 


.65 


74LS266 


.55 


74LS684 


3.20 


74LS55 


.29 


74LS158 


,59 


74LS273 


1.49 


74LS685 


3.20 


74LS63 


1.25 


74LS160 


.69 


74LS275 


3.35 


74LS688 


2.40 


74LS73 


.39 


74LS161 


.65 


74LS279 


.49 


74LS689 


3.20 


74LS74 


.35 


74LS162 


.69 


74LS280 


1.98 


74LS783 


24.95 


74LS75 


.39 


74LS163 


.65 


74LS283 


.69 


81LS95 


1.49 


74LS76 


.39 


74LS164 


.69 


74LS290 


.89 


81LS96 


1.49 


74LS78 


.49 


74LS165 


.95 


74LS293 


.89 


81LS97 


1.49 


74LS83 


.60 


74LS166 


1.95 


74LS295 


.99 


81LS98 


1.49 


74LS85 


.69 


74LS168 


1.75 


74LS298 


.89 


25LS2521 


2.80 










74LS299 


1.75 


25LS2569 


4.25 





1-99 


100 


8 pin ST 


.13 


.11 


14 pin ST 


.15 


.12 


16 pin ST 


.17 


.13 


18 pin ST 


.20 


.18 


20 pin ST 


.29 


.27 


22 pin ST 


.30 


.27 


24 pin ST 


.30 


.27 


28 pin ST 


.40 


.32 


40 pin ST 


.49 


.39 


64 pin ST 


4.25 


call 


ST SOLDERTAiL 


Spin WW 


.59 


.49 


14 pin WW 


.69 


.52 


16 pin WW 


.69 


.58 


18 pin WW 


.99 


.90 


20 pin WW 


1.09 


.98 


22 pin WW 


1.39 


1.28 


24 pin WW 


1.49 


1.35 


28 pin WW 


1.69 


1.49 


40 pin WW 


1.99 


1.80 



7400 



CMOS 



WW = WIREWRAP 
16 pin ZIP 6.75 call 
24 pin ZIF 9.95 call 
28pinZJF 10.95 call 

ZIF= TEXTOOL 
(Zero Insertion Force) 



CONNECTORS 



Prices Slashed! 
74S00 



RS232 MALE 


2.95 


RS232 FEMALE 


3.50 


RS232 FEMALE 




RIGHT ANGLE 


5.25 


RS232 HOOD 


1.25 


S-100 ST 


3.95 


S-100 WW 


4.95 




~ DIP 




SWITCHES 


4 POSITION 


.85 


5 POSITION 


.90 


6 POSITION 


.90 


7 POSITION 


.95 


JR POSITION 


.95 



74S00 

74S02 

74S03 

74S04 

74S05 

74S08 

74S09 

74S10 

74S11 

74S15 

74S20 

74S22 

74S30 

74S32 

74S37 

74S38 

74S40 

74S51 

74S64 

74S65 

74S74 

74S85 

74S86 

74S112 

74S113 

74S114 

74 S 124 

74S132 

74S133 

74S134 

74S135 

74S138 

74S139 

74S140 

74S151 

74S153 

74S157 

74 S 158 

74S161 

74S162 



.32 
.35 
.35 
.35 
.35 
.35 
.40 
.35 
.35 
.35 
.35 
.35 
.35 
,40 
.88 
.85 
.35 
.35 
.40 
.40 
.50 
1.99 
.50 
.50 
.50 
.55 
2.75 
1.24 
.45 
.50 
.89 
.85 
.85 
.55 
.95 
.95 
.95 
.95 
1.95 
1.95 



74S163 
74S168 
74S169 
74S174 
74S175 
74S181 
74S182 
74S188 
74S189 
74 S 194 
74S195 
74S196 
74S197 
74S201 
74S225 
74S240 
74S241 
74S244 
74S251 
74S253 
74S257 
74S258 
74S260 
74S274 
74S275 
74S280 
74S287 
74S288 
74S289 
74S301 
74S373 
74S374 
74S381 
74S387 
74S412 
74S471 
74S472 
74S474 
74S482 
74S570 
74S571 



1.95 

3.95 

3.95 

.95 

.95 

3.95 

2.95 

1.95 

6.95 

1.49 

1.49 

1.49 

1.49 

6.95 

7.95 

2.20 

2.20 

2.20 

.95 

.95 

.95 

.95 

.79 

19.95 

19.95 

1.95 I 

1.90 

1.90 

6.89 

6.95 

2.45 ! 

2.45 

7.95 

1.95 

2.98 

4.95 

4.95 

4.95 

15.25 

2.95 

2.95 




MasterCard 



ORDER TOLL FREE 

800-538-5000 
800-662-6279 

(CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS) 

IF YOU CAN FIND A PRICE LOWER 

ELSEWHERE, LET US KNOW AND 

WE'LL MEET OR BE A T THEIR PRICE* 

(SEE TERMS BELOW} 

• Computer managed inventory-^- 
virtually no back orders! 

• Very competitive prices! 

• Friendly staff! 

• Fast service — most orders 
shipped within 24 hours! 



7400 

7401 

7402 

7403 

7404 

7405 

7406 

7407 

7408 

7409 

7410 

7411 

7412 

7413 

7414 

7416 

7417 

7420 

7421 

7422 

7423 

7425 

7426 

7427 

7428 

7430 

7432 

7433 

7437 

7438 

7440 

7442 

7443 

7444 

7445 

7446 

7447 

7448 

7450 

7451 

7453 

7454 

7460 

7470 

7472 

7473 

7474 

7475 

7476 

7480 

7481 

7482 

7483 

7485 

7486 

7489 

7490 

7491 

7492 

7493 

7494 

7495 

7496 

7497 

74100 

74107 

74109 

74110 

74111 

74116 

74120 

74121 

74122 

74123 

74125 

74126 

74128 



.19 
.19 
.19 
.19 
.19 
.25 
.29 
.29 
.24 
.19 
.19 
.25 
.30 
.35 
.49 
.25 
.25 
.19 
.35 
.35 
.29 
.29 
.29 
.29 
.45 
.19 
.29 
.45 
.29 
.29 
.19 
.49 
.65 
.69 
.69 
.69 
.69 
.69 
.19 
.23 
.23 
.23 
.23 
.35 
.29 
.34 
.33 
.45 
.35 
.59 
1.10 
.95 
.50 
.59 
.35 
2.15 
.35 
.40 
.50 
.35 
.65 
.55 
.70 
2.75 
1.75 
.30 
.45 
.45 
.55 
1.55 
1.20 
.29 
.45 
.49 
.45 
.45 
.55 



74132 
74136 
74141 
74142 
74143 
74145 
74147 
74148 
74150 
74151 
74152 
74153 
74154 
74155 
74156 
74157 
74159 
74160 
74161 
74162 
74163 
74164 
74165 
74166 
74167 
74170 
74172 
74173 
74174 
74175 
74176 
74177 
74178 
74179 
74180 
74181 
74182 
74184 
74185 
74186 
74190 
74191 
74192 
74193 
74194 
74195 
74196 
74197 
74198 
74199 
74221 
74246 
74247 
74248 
74249 
74251 
74259 
74265 
74273 
74276 
74279 
74283 
74284 
74285 
74290 
74293 
74298 
74351 
74365 
74366 
74367 
74368 
74376 
74390 
74393 
74425 
74426 
74490 



.45 

.50 

.65 

2.95 

2.95 

.60 

1.75 

1.20 

1.35 

.55 

.65 

.55 

1.25 

.75 

.65 

.55 

1.65 

.85 

.69 



.85 

.85 

1.00 

2.95 

1.65 

5.95 

.75 

.89 

.89 

.89 

.75 

1.15 

1.75 I 

.75 

2.25 

.75 

2.00 

2.00 

18.50 

1.15 

1.15 

.79 

.79 

.85 

.85 

.79 

.75 

1.35 

1.35 

1.35 

1.35 

1.25 

1.85 

1.95 

.75 

2.25 

1.35 

1.95 

1.25 

.75 

2.00 

3.75 

3.75 

.95 

.75 

.85 

2.25 

.65 

.65 

.65 

.65 

2.20 

1.75 

1.35 

3.15 

.85 

2.55 A 



4000 


.29 


4527 


1.95 


4001 


.25 


4528 


1.19 


4002 


.25 


4531 


.95 


4006 


.89 


4532 


1.95 


4007 


.29 


4538 


1.95 


4008 


.95 


4539 


1.95 


4009 


.39 


4541 


2.64 


4010 


.45 


4543 


1.19 


4011 


.25 


4553 


5.79 


4012 


.25 


4555 


.95 


4013 


.38 


4556 


.95 


4014 


.79 


4581 


1.95 


4015 


.39 


4582 


1.95 


4016 


.39 


4584 


.75 


4017 


.69 


4585 


.75 


4018 


.79 


4702 


12.95 


4019 


.39 


74C00 


.35 


4020 


.75 


74C02 


.35 


4021 


.79 


74C04 


.35 


4022 


.79 


74C08 


.35 


4023 


.29 


74C10 


.35 


4024 


.65 


74C14 


.59 


4025 


.29 


74C20 


.35 


4026 


1.65 


74C30 


.35 


4027 


.45 


74C32 


.39 


4028 


.69 


74C42 


1.29 


4029 


.79 


74C48 


1.99 


4030 


.39 


74C73 


.65 


4034 


1.95 


74C74 


.65 


4035 


.85 


74C76 


.80 


4040 


.75 


74C83 


1.95 


4041 


.75 


74C85 


1.95 


4042 


.69 


74C86 


.39 


4043 


.85 


74C89 


4.50 


4044 


.79 


74C90 


1.19 


4046 


.85 


74C93 


1.75 


4047 


.95 


74C95 


.99 


4049 


.35 


74C107 


.89 


4050 


.35 


74C150 


5.75 


4051 


.79 


74C151 


2.25 


4053 


.79 


74C154 


3.25 


4060 


.89 


74C157 


1.75 


4066 


.39 


74C160 


1.19 


4068 


.39 


74C161 


1.19 


4069 


.29 


74C162 


1.19 


4070 


.35 


74C163 


1.19 


4071 


.29 


74 C 164 


1.39 


4072 


.29 


74C165 


2.00 


4073 


.29 


74C173 


.79 


4075 


.29 


74C174 


1.19 


4076 


.79 


74C175 


1.19 


4078 


.29 


74C192 


1.49 


4081 


.29 


74C193 


1.49 


4082 


.29 


74C195 


1.39 


4085 


.95 


74C200 


5.75 


4086 


.95 


74C221 


1.75 


4093 


.49 


74C373 


2.45 


4098 


2.49 


74C374 


2.45 


4099 


1.95 


74C901 


.39 


14409 


12.95 


74C902 


.85 


14410 


12.95 


74C903 


.85 


14411 


11.95 


74C905 


10.95 


14412 


12.95 


74C906 


.95 


14419 


7.95 


74C907 


1.00 


14433 


4.18 


74C908 


2.00 


4502 


.95 


74C909 


2.75 


4503 


.65 


74C911 


8.95 


4508 


1.95 


74C912 


8.95 


4510 


.85 


74C914 


1.95 


4511 


.85 


74C915 


1.19 


4512 


.85 


74C918 


2.75 


4514 


1.25 


74C920 


17.95 


4515 


1.79 


74C921 


15.95 


4516 


1.55 


74C922 


4.49 


4518 


.89 


74C923 


4.95 


4519 


.39 


74C925 


5.95 


4520 


.79 


74C926 


7.95 


4522 


1.25 


74C928 


7.95 


4526 


1.25 


74C929 


19.95 






TRANSISTORS DIODES 





PN2222 

PN2907 


NPN SWITCH 
PNP SWITCH 


TO-92 
TO-92 


10/1.00 
10/1.25 


100/8.99 












100/10.99 


LED DIS> I 


Jled lamf m 


2N2222 


NPN SWITCH 


TO-18 


.25 


50/10.99 






1 


S 1 -" 


100-up 1 


2N2907 


PNP SWITCH 


TO-18 


.25 


50/10.99 


HP 5082-7760 


.6" CC 


1.29 1 


I Jumbo 




2N3055 


NPN POWER 


TO-3 


.79 


10/6.99 


MAN 72 


.3" CA 


.99 1 


1 Red .10 


■09 p§jj 


3055T 


NPN POWER 


TO-220 


.69 


10/5.99 


MAN 74 


.3" CC 


.99 1 


1 Jumbo 




2N3904 


NPN SWITCH 


TO-92 


10/1.00 


100/8.99 


FND-357 (359) 


.375" CC 


1.25 1 


fe Green .18 


15 IP 


2 N 3906 


NPN SWITCH 


TO-92 


10/1.00 


100/8.99 


FND-500 (503) 


.5" CC 


1.49 1 


I Jumbo 




IN4148(IN914) 


SWITCHING 




25/1.00 


1000/35.00 


FND-507 (510) 


.5" CA 


1.49 J 


g Yellow .18 


15 ^fl 


^IN4004 


RECTIFIER 




10/1.00 


100/8.99 



: 1982 JDR MICRODE VICES. INC. 



Circle 232 on inquiry card. 



BYTE March 1983 



LINEAR 



LM301 

LM301H 

LM307 

LM308 

LM308H 

LM309H 

LM309K 

LM310 

LM3T1 

LM311H 

LM312H 

LM317K 

LM317T 

LM318 

LM318H 

LM319H 

LM319 

LM320($c 

LM322 

LM323K 

LM324 

LM329 

LM331 

LM334 

L.M335 

LM336 

LM337K 

LM337T 

LM338K 

LM339 

LM340(* 



.34 

.79 

.45 

.69 

1.15 

1.95 

1.25 

1.75 

.64 

.89 

1.75 

3.95 

1.19 

1.49 

1.59 

1.90 

1.25 

;7900) 

1.65 

4.95 

.59 

.65 

3.95 

1.19 

1.40 

1.75 

3.95 

1.95 

6.95 

.99 

3 7600) 



LM348 

LM350K 

LM350T 

LM358 

LM359 

LM376 

LM377 

LM378 

LM379 

LM380 

LM380N-8 

LM361 

LM362 

LM383 

LM384 

LM386 

LM387 

LM389 

LM390 

LM392 

LM394H 

LM399H 

NE531 

NE536 

NE555 

NE556 

NE558 

NE555 

NE556 

NE558 

NE561 



.99 
4.95 
4.60 

.69 
1.79 
&75 
1.95 
2.50 
4.50 

.89 
1.10 
1.60 
1.60 
1.95 
1.95 

.89 
1.40 
1.35 
1.95 

.69 
4.60 
5.00 
2.95 
6.00 

.34 

.65 
1.50 

.34 

.65 

1.50 

24.95 



NE564 

LM565 

LM566 

LM567 

NE570 

NE571 

NE592 

LM703 

LM709 

LM710 

LM711 

LM723 

LM723H 

LM733 

LM741 

LM741N- 

LM741H 

LM747 

LM748 

LM1014 

LM1303 

LM1310 

MC1330 

MC1349 

MC1350 

MC1358 

MC1372 

LM1414 

LM1458 

LM1488 

LM1489 



2.95 

.99 

1.49 

.89 

3.95 

2.95 

2.75 

.89 

.59 

.75 

.79 

.49 

.55 

.98 

.35 

14 .35 

.40 

.69 

.59 

1.19 

1.95 

1.49 

1.69 

1.89 

1.19 

1.69 

6.95 

1.59 

.59 

.69 

.69 



LM1496 

LM1558H 

LM1800 

LM1812 

LM1830 

LM1871 

LM1872 

LM1877 

LM1889 

LM1896 

LM2877 

LM2878 

LM2900 

LM2901 

LM3900 

LM3905 

LM3909 

LM3911 

LM3914 

LM3915 

LM3916 

MC4024 

MC4044 

RC4136 

RC4151 

LM4250 

LM4500 

LM 13080 

LM 13600 

LM13700 



H = TO-5 CAN 



K = TO-3 



RIBBON CABLE 



CONTACTS 


SINGLE COLOR 


COLOR CODED 


r 


10' 


r 


10' 


10 


.50 


4.40 


.83 


7.30 


20 


.65 


5.70 


1.25 


1 1 .00 


26 


.75 


6.60 


1.32 


11.60 


34 


.98 


8.60 


1.65 


14.50 


40 


1.32 


11.60 


1.92 


16.80 


50 


1.38 


12.10 


2.50 


22.00 



WIREWRAP CARDS 

FR-4 Epoxy Glass Laminate 
With Gold Plated Contact Fingers 

S-100BUSS 

P100-1 Bare — No Foil Pads 15.95 

P100-2 Horizontal BUSS 22.95 

P100-3 Vertical BUSS 22.95 

P100-4 Single Foil Pads Per Hole .... 23.95 

APPLE 

P500-1 Bare — No Foil Pads 15.95 

P500-3 Horizontal BUSS 22.95 

P500-4 Single Foil Pads Per Hole .... 23.95 

IBM 

IBM-PR BUSS Lines + Pads 55.00 

GENERAL PURPOSE 

22/44 PIN ( .156" SPACING) 

P441-3 Vertical BUSS, 4.5" x 6" 13.95 

P442-3 Vertical BUSS, 4.5" x 9" 14.95 

36/72 PIN ( .1" SPACING) 

P721-3 Vertical BUSS, 4.5" x 6" 13.95 

P722-3 Vertical BUSS, 4.5" x 9" 14.95, 



.85 
3.10 
2.37 
8.25 
3.50 
5.49 
5.49 
3.25 
1.95 
1.75 
2.05 
2.25 

.85 
1.00 

.59 
1.25 

.98 
2.25 
3.95 
3.95 
3.95 
3.95 
4.50 
1.25 
3.95 
1.75 
3.25 
1.29 
1.49 
1.49 



RCA 



CA 3023 
CA 3039 
CA 3046 
CA 3059 
CA 3060 
CA 3065 
CA 3080 
CA 3081 



2.75 
1.29 
1.25 
2.90 
2.90 
1.75 
1.10 
1.65 



CA 3082 
CA 3083 
CA 3086 
CA 3089 
CA 3096 
CA 3130 
CA 3140 
CA3146 
CA 3160 



Tl 



TL494 


4.20 


TL496 


1.65 


TL497 


3.25 


75107 


1.49 


75110 


1.95 


75150 


1.95 


75154 


1.95 


75188 


1.25 


75189 


1.25 



75365 
75450 
75451 
75452 
75453 
75454 
75491 
75492 
75493 
75494 



1.65 
1.55 
.80 
2.99 
3.49 
1.30 i 
1.15 
1.85 
1.19 



1.95 
.59 
.39 
.39 
.39 
.39 
.79 
.79 
.89 
.89 



VOLTAGE 
REGULATORS 



Bl FET 



TL071 


.79 


TL084 


2.19 


TL072 


1.19 


LF347 


2.19 


TL074 


2.19 


LF351 


.60 


TL081 


.79 


LF353 


1.00 


TL082 


1.19 


LF355 


1.10 


TL083 


1.19 


LF356 


1.10 






LF357 


1.40 



WE HAVE THE 
COMPLETE LINE 

OF IDC AND 

D-SUBMINIATURE 

CONNECTORS 



BEST SELLING 
BOOKS 

OSBORNE/MC GRAW-HILL 

Apple II User's Guide 16.95 

CRT Controller's Handbook 9.95 j 

68000 Assembly Language 

Programming 16.99 

CBASIC User Guide 15.00 

SYBEX 

Your Your First Computer ........ 8.95 

The CP/M Handbook 14.95 

The PASCAL Handbook 18.95 

Microprocessor Interfacing 

Techniques 17.95 A 

MICROCOMPUTER 
HARDWARE HANDBOOK 

FROM ELCOMP — $14.95 

[ Over 800 pages of manufacturers data | 
sheets on most commonly used IC's. 

Includes: 

• TTL — 74/74LS and 74F 

• CMOS 

• Voltage Regulators 

i • Memory — RAM, ROM, EPROM 
j • CPU's — 6800, 6500, Z80, 8080, 

8085, 8086/8 
I • MPU support & interface — 6800, 

6500, Z80, 8200, etc. 



7805T 
7808T 
I 781 2T 
781 5T 
7824T 

7805K 
7812K 
7815K 
7824K 

78L05 
78L12 
78L15 

78H05K 
78H12K 



.89 
.89 
.89 
.89 
.89 

1.39 
1.39 
1.39 
1.39 

.69 
.69 
.69 

9.95 
9.95 



L f TO-92 



7905T 
7908T 
791 2T 
791 5T 
7924T 

7905K 
7912K 
791 5K 
7924K 

79L05 
79L12 
79L15 

LM323K 
UA78S40 

K = TO-3 



.99 
.99 
.99 
.99 
.99 

1.49 
1.49 
1.49 
1.49 

.79 
.79 
.79 

4.95 
1.95 



DISK DRIVES 



TANDON 

| TM100-1 5V«" (FOR IBM) SS/DD 
| TM100-2 5%" (FOR IBM) DS/DD 

SHUGART 

SA 400L 5% (40 TRACK) SS/DD 199.95 

SIEMENS 
FD100-8 e ss/dd 

(801 REPLACEMENT) 

PERTEC 

FD-200 5% ss/dd 
FN-250 5% DS/DD 



229.00 
295.00 



259.00 

179.95 | 
199.95 J 



CABINET FOR 5 1 / 4 " 
DISK DRIVE 

• COLOR MATCHES APPLE 

• FITS SHUGART 

SPECIAL — $ 29.95 



BYPASS CAPS 

.01 UFDISC 100/6.00 

.1 UFDISC 100/8.00 

.1 UF MONOLITHIC 100/15.00 



WE NOW STOCK A 

COMPLETE LINE OF 

DISC, ELECTROLYTIC, 

MONOLITHIC AND 

TANTALUM CAPACITORS 



RESISTORS 

Va WATT 5% CARBON FILM ALL 

STANDARD VALUES 
FROM 1 OHM TO 10 MEG OHM 
50 PCS. SAME VALUE .025 EA. 

100 PCS. SAME VALUE .02 EA. 

. 1000 PCS. SAME VALUE .015 EA. 



JDR MICRODEVICES, INC. 

1224 S. Bascom Avenue 

San Jose, CA 95128 

800-538-5000 • 800-662-6279 (CA) 

(408) 995-5430 • Telex 171-110 

©1982 JDR MICRODEVICES, INC. 



VISIT OUR ~ NEW hours - 

RETAILSTORE j.j^™ % a t.l1-3 

PLEASE USE YOUR CUSTOMER NUMBER WHEN ORDERING 



TERMS: For shipping include S2 for UPS Ground or $3 tor UPS Blue 
Label Air. Items over 5 pounds require additional shipping charges 
Foreign orders, include sutltcient amount for shipping. There is a $10 
rea and Los Angeles Counties add 6' /*' Sales 
Tax. Other Calilornia residents add 6" Sales Tax We reserve the 
right to substitute manutacturer. Not responstble for typographical 
errors. Prices are subject to change without notice We will match or 
at any competitor s price provided it is not below our cost. 



552 BYTE March 1983 



Circle 233 on inquiry card. 



41 16 16K DYNAMIC RAMS 250NS 8/ $ 1 I 9 s 5 e 



ALL MERCHANDISE 100% GUARANTEED! 



CALL US FOR VOLUME QUOTES 



V^ VIEWMAX80WJ DISK DRIVE 



A Full Function 80 column card 
for Apple II* — Compare these 
features with any other: 

• 7x9 dot matrix; Upper and 
lower case with true 
descenders 

• Soft Video switch 

• Inverse video characters 

• Shift key support 

• Fully compatible with Apple* 
DOS, CP/M*, PASCAL, and 
most popular word 
processors 

• 2 YEAR WARRANTY 



$219 



95 



JDR COOLING FAN' 

FOR YOUR APPLE II 

• Easy installation — no 
modification of Apple 
required 

• Eliminates overheating 
problems 

• Switch on front controls fan, 
Apple, and extra outlet 

• Rotron whisper fan is the 
quietest, most reliable on the 
market 

195 



$ 69 J 



• Fully Apple* compatible 

• 35 Track — Will read half 
tracks! 

• Use with our controller 
(call for price) or with 
your Apple controller 

• Price includes case and 
cable — ready to plug in 

• Attractive cabinet 
matches Apple drive 

• 90-Day Warranty 



*299 



95 



ORDER TOLL FREE 

800-538-5000 
800-662-6279 

(CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS) 

IF YOU CAN FIND A PRICE LOWER 

ELSEWHERE, LET US KNOW AND 

WE'LL MEE T OR BE A T THEIR PRICE! 

(SEE TERMS BELOW! 

* Computer managed inventory- 
virtually no back orders! 

• Very competitive prices! 

* Friendly staff! 

• Fast service — most orders 
shipped within 24 hours! 



JDR16KRAMCARD 1 

For Apple II* 

• Expand your 48K Apple to 64K 

• Fully compatible with Apple 
Language System — Use in 
place of Apple Language card 

• Provides extra memory for 
Visicalc™ 

• Run PASCAL, FORTRAN, 
Integer Basic with appropriate 
software 

• Highest quality card features: 
gold edge connector, sockets 
for all IC's 

NOW WITH 2 YEAR WARRANTY I 



ASSEMBLED & TESTED 
WITH WARRANTY 



KIT — INCLUDES ALL 
PARTS & INSTRUCTIONS. . 

BARE PC CARD 
i WITH INSTRUCTIONS 



$4495 

$40951 
$J495 



MONITORS 

green phosphor 

NECjbi 201M *169 00 

ZENITH zvn-121 $ 119 00 

COLOR 

JtMDEK color 1 *335 00 



OKIDATA PRINTERS W5 1 /i" DISKETTES 



• 120 cps, 9x9 Dot Matrix 

• 50% faster than EPSON 

• Parallel and Serial interfaces 
are standard 

ML-82A *479 50 

ML-83A *699 95 

ML-84 PARALLEL... *1059 00 
CALL FOR PRICES ON 82A TRACTOR OPTION 
AND 82A, 83A GRAPHICS OPTION. CABLES 
AND INTERFACE CARDS AVAILABLE 



ATHANA ss sd soft . . . 24.95 
MEMOREX SS SD SOFT 26.95 
VERBATIM ss dd soft 29.95 
VERBATIM 10 SECT hard 29.95 

NASHUA 

TOP QUALITY — LOW PRICE! 

Single Sided, Single Density 
Soft Sectored with Hub Ring 

$19.95 box of 10 



NEWPORT 
PROSTICK 

Professional Quality 
Atari-Type Joystick 
Extremely Rugged — Actual 
Arcade game Joystick 
All parts are replaceable 
6 Month Warranty 



$31 



00 



EA 



$5095 



PR 




POWER SUPPLY $ 39 95 

MOUNTED ON PC BOARD 

MANUFACTURED BY CONVER 

+5 VOLT 4 AMP 

±12 VOLT 1 AMP 



SPECIAL THANKS TO 
MARC AND AL FOR 
THEIR HARD WORK 
AND DEDICATION 



•APPLE IS A TRADEMARK OF APPLE COMPUTER. INC. 



1982 JDR MICROOEVICES. INC. 



Circle 233 on inquiry card. 



BYTE March 1983 553 



Y ff ffi MICRO 
SALES 



" ' ; : : . ' 



• MADE IN U.S.A. BY AMERICANS • 



S-1 00-4 MINI'S 

Choose the System that fits your needs! 

A complete computer system ready to add 
on a terminal and printer. All Systems in- 
clude CP/M® software and system manual 
set. Full six-month parts and labor warranty 
excluding drives which carry the full O.E.M. 
manufacturers warranty. All S-1 00-4 Sys- 
tems advertised are in stockassembled and 
tested available for immediate delivery. 

MINI FLOPPY 

Only $1395.00 

COMPLETE 

* with 48 TPI single sided 
double density m" . $1 395.00 

I • with 48 TPI double sided 

double density 5W . .$1495.00 

• with 96 TPI double sided 
double density 5V . $1 650.00 

An inexpensive but powerful system featuring a 
4 slot S-1 00 bus chassis with the XOR S-1 00 
board set; 4-MHZ Z-80 CPU • 64K dynamic 
memory* multi-sector mixed density diskcon- 
troller • 2-RS232 output ports in the rear for 
your terminal and printer • 3 eight-bit parallel 
ports on the CPU ready to add a cable and 
interface to your printer * All above systems 
are in stock • Includes CP/M® 2.2. 

CP/M is a trademark of Digital Research 




DUAL DRIVE SUBSYSTEMS 

f IT; ' 

HORIZONTAL OR VERTICAL 

Fully Assembled and Tested Units 

w/two Shugart 801 R SS/DD $ 975.00 

w/two Shugart 851 R DS/DD 1225.00 

w/two Siemans 120-8 SS/DD 675.00 

w/two Qume DT-8 DS/DD 1 250.00 

w/two Tandon 848-1 SS/DD 995.00 

w/two Tandon 848-2 DS/DD 11 95.00 

Cabinet A & T w/Power Supply and Aces. 235 .00 
Cabinet Top and Bottom Only— 69.50 



California flHP 

Computer ff j&S iir 

Systems U[ 

SPECIAL! WB 

CCS SYSTEM 2410 . . $1995.00 

• Includes CP/M® 2.2 • 2-Serial/1 -Parallel Port 

• DMA Disk Controller • Hardware Vectored Interrupts 

• 2-Real Time Clocks • Supports CP/M®,MP/M® OASIS 

CCS 2300 System, A &T.. 1695.00 

• 2810 CPU Only— 255.00 

• 2422 Disk Controller Only— 330.00 

• 2066 64K Only— 360.00 

• 2300A Mainframe N EW! . . . Only— 455.00 

• CCS Apple Boards . . . Call Toll Free For Prices 




HARD DISK 






I Only $2995.00 

COMPLETE 
These S-1 00-4 Systems may 
be very small in size (9"H x 
9Y2"W x 1 8Va"L) but look at the 
size of the ATASI* 5V 4 " Win- 
chester hard disks we offer! 



4 models to choose from 

• Seagate 5 Megabyte System $2995.00 

• #3020 1 5.6 Megabyte* System $3495.00 

• #3033 26 Megabyte* System $3995.00 

• #3046 36 Megabyte* System $4495.00 

The above systems include a 96 TP! double sided double density 5Vk" 
floppy as standard. The hard disk is controlled via Western Digital's 
controller for hard disks. Other features are the same as system at left. 

• Megabyte sizes mentioned above are the available storage space after 
formatting. 



TAPE BACKUP 

with hard Only $4250.00 

DISK COMPLETE 

■ Now available through 

U.$ Micro Sales, the 
XOR IRWIN 510 S- 
1 00-4 tape backup sys- 
l tem with 1 megabytes 
of hard disk storage. 
Back up your hard disk 
on a mini-tape (we're talking 10 meg.) in 
less than 3 1 /2 minutes! The above system 
includes a 96 TPI DS/DD floppy drive and 
this system's modular design allows you 
to add a second floppy for only $395.00. 



*** XOR COMPATIBLE SOFTWARE ••• 



f WORD PROCESSING 
&TEXT EDITING 

I WordStar $275.00 

I MailMerge 1 00.00 

I SpellStar 175.00 

I Random House Thesaurus . . 1 35.00 

1 TEX (Text Formatter) 90.00 

Mince (Text Editor) 1 45.00 



SpellStar. 

Random House Thesaurus 
TEX (Text Formatter) 
Mince (Text Editor). 

Scribble (Formatter) 

(Both Mince & Scribble) 

Final Word (Word Processor) .... 

Peach Pack (4 Programs) 

Spell Guard 

Word Master (Text Editor) 

The Word Plus (Spelling Checker) 



175.00 
1 35.00 
90.00 
145.00 
145.00 
245.00 
265.00 
450.00 
225.00 
115.00 
1 30.00 



DATA APPLICATIONS 

dBASE II $595.00 

Quickcode (Program Generator, Screen 

Builder for dBASE II 250.00 

FMS-80 890.00 

FMS-80-11 440.00 

DataStar (Data Entry & Ret.) 245.00 

CalcStar (Elec. Spreadsheet) 145.00 

BT-80 (Rec. Retreival) 1 75.00 

Access Manager (For B-Tree) 250.00 

SuperCalc 265.00 

Mailman (M/L Manager) 11 9.00 

NAD (M/L Manager) 90.00 

Recover (Lost Data Recovery) 65.00 



LANGUAGES 



MBasic-80 

MBasic Compiler. ....... 

CBasic 2 

CB-80 (Compiler) 

Fortran-80. 

PL/l-80 (Language) 

Pascal MT+ (Language). 
Pascal MT+ (Compiler) . 

Cobol-80 (Language) 

C Compiler (Language) . . 

ADA (Compiler) 

MAC (Macro Assem.) . . . 



Macro-80 (Macro Assem.) 



$290.00 
325.00 
100.00 
455.00 
375.00 
450.00 
445.00 
310.00 
585.00 
215.00 
265.00 
85.00 
150.00 



Formats for XOR, NORTHST AR, ALT OS, VEC TOR GRAPHICS, Etc . 

■ \ / \ r~ -~~~ ~™~~ — — 



COMMUNICATIONS 






Move-it. . . 
Crosstalk. 
BSTAM . . 
BSTMS . . 
Term II . . 



$ 80.00 
160.00 
149.00 
149.00 
150.00 



CP/M® HELPS 

ATI-CP/M Power 2.2 (Training) 75.00 

Supervyz 95.00 

CP+ (English Language Menus) 1 25.00 

Smart Key 50.00 

Smart Print 30.00 

ISIS (CP/M ) (Translator) 1 99.00 

Disk-Edit 90.00 



ACCOUNTING 



Peachtree - Series 4 
General Ledger 
Accounts Receivable. 
Accounts Payable . . . 
Inventory 



$395.00 
395.00 

395.00 

395.00 

Payroll 395.00 

Peach Pak (G/L, A/R, A/P) 900.00 

Accounting Plus CALL 

Structured Systems CALL 

Medical 845.00 

Dental 845.00 

Master Tax (Prof 1040) 1 500.00 

Standard Tax (A 1040) 550.00 



OTHER APPLICATIONS 

SuperSort $1 90.00 



M-Sort 

G-Sort 

Disk Doctor 

Pearl 1 (Entry Lev. Prg. Gen.) 

Pearl 2 (Int. Prog. Gen) 

Pearl 3 (Advanced) 

ATI D.B. Power (dBase II Training). 

ATI SuperCalc (Training) 

ATI MBasic (Training) 

ATI WordStar (Training) 

DeSpool (Background Print Utility). 
ZSID (Debugger) 



170.00 
89.00 
89.00 
45.00 
250.00 
450.00 
75.00 
75.00 
75.00 
75.00 
45.00 
89.00 



Circle 437 on inquiry card 




UW® tknxsargiioQOS G® ©©[fW® V®ao 
# EAST Coast Call (81 5) 485-4002 
ft WESTCoast Call (714) 891-2677 

OUT ®»HK Y©ML \FmM 
state 1] = ®@® - ^3i=®3i^ 





m MICRO 



MADE IN U.S.A. BY AMERICANS * 



TERMS. '. .- -' '^ . „ ' •• - ■ . ... ■» . ,v v - ,-..,. 

Handling charge on ail orders under $50.00. 1 5% Restocks 

on '. , , :;vw ' i i . , ■ Chiefs -> > * . „ , • *-„ . , , , 6 --mm -u , a • , > i 

drives, printers and terminals writers carry the futt O.E w 



* EAST • 7 7 Ed/son Drive, New Lenox, Illinois 60451 

• -WEST.it 6182 Garden Grove Blvd., Westminster, CA 92683 




UNIVERSAL POWER SUPPLY 

For Big Board, Apple or Aim 65 

+5VDC @ 3 Amps 

+12VDC @ .750 Amps 

-12VDC @ .750Amps 

-5VDC @ .500 Amps 

$69 95 Dimensions: 4"x4"x1 1" 

DISK DRIVE POWER SUPPLY 

For 2 - 8" or 5" Drives 
+ 5VDC @ 4 Amps 
+24VDC @ 3 Amps 
- 5VDC @ 1 Amp 

AC Cables for 2 Drives $7.50 
Dimensions: 4" x 4" x 11" 







$59.95 



S-100 POWER SUPPLY 

+8VDC @ 30 Amps 
+16VDC @ 6 Amps 
-16VDC @ 6 Amps 

PC Board Design 
Dimensions: 5" x 6" x 11" 




$89.50 



TERMINALS 

Televideo 910+ with green screen. . 
T.V. 925... 739.00 TV. 950. . 

Adds Viewpoint Model 3A+ 

Zenith Z-1 9 



$575.00 
945.00 
519.00 
740.00 



PRINTERS 

Gemini Star 10 

Epson MX-80FT 

Epson MX-100FT 

Okidata 82A 80 Column 

Okidata 83A 132 Column 

C-ITOH Prowriter I 

I.D.S. Microprism Model 480 



$ CALL 
$549.00 
699.00 
465.00 
745.00 
525.00 
565.00 



8" DISK DRIVES 

SA801R $388.00ea. Twofor$379.00ea. 

SA851R. ... 535.00ea. Twofor 529.00ea. 
QUME DT-8 . . . 540.00ea. Twofor 529.00ea. 
Tandon 848-1 . . . 395. OOea. Twofor 388. OOea. 
Tandon 848-2... 525.00ea. Twofor 519.00ea. 

BLOWOUT SPECIAL 
Siemans 1 20-8 SS/DD (full 90 day warranty) . . . 235.00 Jj 



-1] 



mm 

byXO 



GOT 





For test or systems applications } 
Complete S-100 12 Slot Main- 
frame with Disk Drive Power Supply 
for 4 Drives. 

SPECIFICATIONS 

Unregulated ^"j** 

+8V @ 30A + 8 X a «A 

±16V @ 6A + _2