ATR8000/8500 Sig Column for Sep 1986
by Bernie Bennett

     This month some CPM and MSDOS software and tidbits from a new
catalog I've just seen.  Also, some questions about your modem setup,
problem software which requires special treatment to boot on your ATR,
or worse won't boot at all.   Also if you've used a full-sized plotter
(color or b/w) with your ATARI see my  separate request for information
at then end of this column.

     ATR columns have been few and far between, maybe I just take my
ATR for  granted.  It is a real workhorse and has been my disk
controller for coming up  on three years now.  I have not branched out
into any exotic areas of computing. Word processing and spreadsheets,
all in ATARI mode, have been the mainstay of  my existence.
     My wife recently showed me a catalog from Spite Software (yes,
Spite) "A  Guide to Products and Services for IBM-PC, XT, AT and
compatible computers".   It's a co-op catalog of small companies,
published by a small company, Spite  Software, 4875 S.W. 19th,
Portland, OR 97201.  The title is misleading as they  support CPM-80,
which many of us purchased with our ATR's.
     Some highlights,  Spite's own product, Thoughtline(TM) an
outline processor,  many features for a good price. 
     Writers' Aide, Biz Letters, MM-Sort, Spell, Footnote, and Number
are programs  which work together to make up a powerful document
processing system.  No they are  not integrated, but, then you don't
need to buy pieces you don't need.
     Touch 'N Go is a typing tutor.  The Reading Professor has tailor
made libraries  for Jr. High, College, and professional levels. 
MyChess is available; but, there are  many good chess programs in ATARI
mode.   
     The Toolworks C Compiler ver. 3.1 for CPM is available.  Also,
Computer Chef and  Printmaster (copy protected) (A Print Shop clone,
which is available for the Atari  ST also).
     The above are all available for CPM & MSDOS.  In addition, there
are a large  number of MSDOS programs, word processors, a CPM emulator,
Modula-2/86, and a CAD  system available.
     Two of the MSDOS programs Media Master and Uniform-PC will allow
CPM disks to  be used on IBM's & clones.  Using one of these, could
provide you a direct link up  from your ATARI's data and text files to
some MSDOS word processors, using Simon  Yam's  routine available in
the club library to copy from ATARI format to CPM, then  using the CPM
disk in your MSDOS machine.
     The above are summaries of ads, not recommendations based on
use.  The catalog  also contains co-op ads for other products, two
sideways programs for example, one  $34 and one $18.  Guess which one
supports more printers!  Lots more goodies,  reasonable prices, write
and order a copy of the catalog.
     One last question, are any ATR owners using Electronic Arts'
"Music  Construction Set"?  If so have you had success printing the
music to your  printer?

          PLOTTER INFORMATION NEEDED
     Are you using a full sized plotter, color or othewise?  I'd like
to know  what folks are doing- I would really like to write some C
routines for the 8-bit  ATARI's to do color screen 'dumps' of pictures,
text, etc.
     NUMERIC KEYPAD DRIVER FOR Syncalc-Super Reevekey is advertised
on page 98 of  the September 86 ANTIC magazine.  Anyone know if it
really works?

Write to me in care of this newsletter, or call at the number above.

That's all this time.