One of the most prolific producers of ST
software is Michtron of the U.S.A. whose products are distributed
here by Microdeal. Mark Hutchinson looks at the latest batch of
releases. Are they good or bad?
Microdeal
Mono/Med
Res.
£29.95.
This is a desktop accessory file, automatically loaded when the
computer is switched on and which sets up a digital clock in the top
right hand corner. It takes up 200K of memory, so is best used when
you have TOS in ROM. As usual, Microdeal parcel this up in a neat
two ring binder with a slot for the disk. The pages are well printed
and readable although some details are missing. The booklet also
contains explanations of some common error messages. The ten
utilities can be called by using the function keys or from a menu
with the mouse.
The utilities are:
| ASCII TABLE. |
ASCII characters with their DEC/
HEX equivalents. |
| CALCULATOR. |
16 digit, scientific calculator. |
| NOTEPAD. |
Seven lines of 32 characters for
small notes. |
| DIALER. |
Saves names, addresses and dials
telephone numbers. |
| PHONE LOG. |
Keeps track of telephone calls
& their results. |
| FIFTEEN. |
Small game to pass the time. |
| CLOCK. |
Analog clock with privacy
feature. |
| SETUP. |
Changes default values. |
| PRINT. |
Prints from the CORNERMAN data
files. |
| DOS WINDOW. |
Allows exit from GEM to run a TOS
or TTP program. |
The ASCII TABLE is very handy when writing a
program although the editor must be in GEM to allow entry to
CORNERMAN. Much better than hunting through a reference book and
neater than having photocopied lists lying around.
The CALCULATOR is one of the best of its
kind that I have seen. It allows DEC/OCTAL/HEX/BINARY calculations
(e.g. AND, OR etc.) and conversion up to 16 digit precision, all the
usual functions plus modular division, three memories, etc. The
input can be by mouse or keyboard and a chime is sounded if the
function is not valid. The functions change according to the
operating mode and the display shows a 'paper roll' with the last
four entries and the last four functions printed. You can use it to
work with dollars and cents (or pounds and pennies) as it is set up
to use only two digits to the right of the decimal point. I found
that my copy would not accept two figure cents. I also found that
the square root took ages to calculate, obviously a wrongly chosen
algorithm. No mention is given about choosing the memories - it is
done with the view key - nor are the T+ and T- keys mentioned. I
think they should step the 'paper roll' memory backwards and
forwards, but they operate a printer. Perhaps an update is due.
Although I have a couple of public domain calculators, this is by
far the best and almost worth the price of the disk alone.
NOTEPAD will store 32767 notes of 7 lines
by 32 characters in a data file. All notes are editable. A handy
thing to have once you get into the practice of using it, and it
saves you having all those little bits of paper lying around that
you can never find when you need to.
The DIALER is somewhat similar to NOTEPAD,
with 32767 pages of information that stores names, addresses and
telephone numbers. When the PHONE log is opened, the result of your
call is stored. Again the files are fully editable and you can scan
the files for a name starting with a given letter. The dialer is
Hayes compatible and can be formatted for tone or pulse dialling, or
a mixture.
The PHONE LOG holds the results of any
calls made with the DIALER, e.g. line busy, wrong person, no answer
etc. Very handy for those of you who make a lot of calls and have a
bad memory.
FIFTEEN is a game of sixteen squares, one
of which is empty, and you must arrange the fifteen numbers into
their proper order. I have a couple of these on public domain
accessories. A time passing puzzle well programmed, but it should be
kept public domain rather than be on this disk.
The CLOCK is an analog clock that can be
opened up to the full extent of the screen. It has a security code
that must be entered before the clock returns to GEM (optional). I
have no idea why you would want this, unless you need to leave the
computer for a while without clearing down some private screen.
SETUP allows setup of the accessories
(along with an RS232), including their position on the screen.
PRINT allows you to print from the data
files, either all, current or before or after a given date.
Finally DOS WINDOW allows entry to programs
with PRG,.TOS, or .TTP extenders but is not useful if you have
several such programs on the one disk.
As a package the whole thing is well put together
and will be particularly useful to someone with a modem. Although
this applies mostly to American ST owners, due to the lack of modems
in the U.K., it does not detract from the value of this package. I
feel that some items should have been left off. If you do not use
this accessory with a specific program such as a word processor or
spreadsheet then you will not need the DOS WINDOW nor do you require
FIFTEEN, there are enough on public domain disks. I think the
package is a good idea, but I am not so sure about the price. This
may come down as user groups start adding their own routines to the
public domain network. One good feature is that it can be copied
over to a hard disk - should you own one.
_____________
NEXT ISSUE - A Review feature on ANTIC'S ST
programs including CAD 3-D and Maps and Legends.
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