PCGs Desk-Top Publishing Software

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After a number of promises, I have finally sat down to doing a full review of WordMaster and the associated programs Typeliner & Headliner from PCG Software, formally Cardex. I am looking at the version for the Spectrum+3 but PCG produce versions for any 48K or 128K Spectrum, and also support microdrives, MGTs Plus D or Sixwords Swiftdisc interfaces, and the Opus Discovery. The +3 version fully supports the extra facilities of the +3 - except that no version uses the extra memory of the 128K machines.

WordMaster is a powerful word-processor program with a number of unusual facilities. When first loaded, a menu at the bottom of the screen gives options to LOAD/SAVE files or CATalogue the disk. When a file is LOADed, its contents appear in a 'memory buffer' area - pressing Q gives a list of what has been LOADed.

WordMaster has the capability to 'link' files together, so that they are SAVEd/LOADed 'en masse'. For example, game reviews in Crash could each be separately edited, but stored on disk in one file - this makes organisation of large writing projects much easier. Files can also include 'graphics' which can be created by 'clipping' SCREEN$ files, or even utility programs which give extra functions to WordMaster - such as Typeliner & Headliner.

A text file can be edited (once it has been LOADed into the memory buffer) by Getting it - a new menu appears, giving options to find a particular page, print the text, alter the page width (normally 64 characters) or carry out editing. Editing is of the 'full-screen' style, rather than by line numbers - the cursor keys position you within the text and you can overtype or insert. Sub-menus allow blocks of text to be copied or moved, and search/replace functions to be carried out.

WordMaster allows 'command lines' to be inserted into the text - these give access to the many powerful print commands. The printed character style (elite, pica, condensed, etc) can be set, control codes sent direct to the printer, headers & footers defined (these are separate - linkable - files, so can be as long as necessary) and graphics can be included for printing along with the text. The printed text can also be justified (so that left & right margins align) though this does not occur on screen.

WordMasters problem is that it is too powerful. The key combinations used to do things are sometimes difficult to remember, especially on +2 & +3 computers - the menu displays use keywords like DRAW & REM as reminders, which are not shown on the keyboard! The way that selections are cancelled is inconsistent, too - sometimes INVERSE VIDEO, or SPACE or Q are used.

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One 'file type' that WordMaster supports is a utility - when 'got', the utility is executed rather then edited (or displayed, like graphics). Headliner & Typeline are two such utilities which give WordMaster all the functions needed for complete DeskTop Publishing on the Spectrum.

Headliner allows manipulations the the graphics files that WordMaster supports - you can create or edit graphics in a similar manner to 'art programs' like Artist II. Functions offered include the drawing of boxes, circles & arcs, and area fills with (user-definable) patterns. An enlarge function allows detailed work at *16 magnification.

Headliner is supplied with a number of giant fonts, suitable for newspaper headlines (surprise, surprise!) including Bold, Data and Roman, and a utility to convert normal Spectrum-sized fonts into a usable form.

The Typeline utility allows a printed A4 page to be created using text & graphic files created using WordMaster & Headliner. Very good results are possible if you plan ahead. When Typeliner is run (by 'getting' it from the memory buffer of WordMaster), you are presented with a large white square (the A4 page) on which is a solid box (the first outline) and a dotted box (in which text is put). Outline boxes can be any of 6 styles - including vertical & horizontal lines & 'shadow boxes' which appear to stand off the page. Up to 24 outlines can be defined on one page. Similarly, up to 24 areas for text can be defined, which allows simple setting up of column text, or laying of text around a graphic.

Once the text columns have been set up (my advice is to lay the graphics down first, otherwise the text columns are bound to be wrong!) the text of the selected file can be 'flowed' into them - a preview function gives a good idea of how the text will appear on the printed page. The text can be printed in any of a number of fonts, which can be changed even in a single sentence.

Graphics can be placed anywhere on the page, and scaled by twice the height and up to four times the width if required. When the dotted text boxes are placed around a graphic, the text is flowed into them in the order that they were created - a renumber function allows the box order to be changed, so that the text flows logically on the page.

Once you have laid out the page and done a final preview to check it, an actual print can be done in draft or NLQ mode. The results are impressive - even on my old Epson MX80 which did not understand all the commands that Typeliner sent to it - but don't expect the printing to finish too quickly as the Spectrum has to do a lot of work! To make full use of Typeliner, your printer MUST be fully compatible - PCG state that Epson FX or LX printers as well as the Amstrad range are OK. There are special versions for IBM compatible printers, and even the Brother HR5 (for which results are not so good, apparently).

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In summary, WordMaster is a powerful word processor, which can do incredible things when combined with Headliner & Typeliner. It takes a little while to get used to some key combinations, and the 64 column screen (M & W are very oddly shaped) but the effort is well worth it if you are interested in printing magazines, fanzines or even manuals on your Spectrum - you could even write to the bank manager, including computer-drawn pictures of what you want the overdraft for!

Prices are from #11.90 for WordMaster alone, to #37.80 for the complete suite. Disk versions are #1.50 extra, except the +3 disk, which is #2.50 extra. PCG are also developing additional fonts, such as Gothic. Call PCG on 0229 36957, or write to 61 School St., Barrow in Furness, Cumbria LA14 1EW.

Alternative Reading

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I am continuing to receive copies of Chezron Softwares OUTLET tape/disk based magazine; and INDUGs printed Format for Plus D interface users. OUTLET issue 18 includes details of the Spectrums system flags, an extended disk catalogue for Opus Discovery users and a program to 'wrap' a SCREEN$ around a sphere; the example produces a globe of the world from any viewpoint. Issue 19 includes MULTIBASIC which allows you to set up 2*10K or 3*8K Basic programs in a single Spectrum, and switch between them by making a USR call - the program is like 3-in-one which used to be available on the Crash Tech Tape, but does not require a Multiface to work. Also in issue 19 is JUMBOCHARS, a program which displays 2inch high characters. Finally, Witchwood 3D is a 3D Knightlore-style game, sent in from Denmark. OUTCLASS, the machine code course in OUTLET written by Nick Lewis, has details of scanning the Spectrum keyboard & printing sprite graphics.

Februarys Format has a useful (?) Kitchen Planner program which works out a cooking timetable given ingredients & cooking times. There are also details of the (many) Spectrum ROM bugs. Aprils issue (there was no March one due to renumbering) has a history of the 'Classic Adventure' game and internal details of MGTs Plus D DOS, including all its system variables.

For OUTLET, write to Chezron Software, 605 Loughborough Rd, Birstall, Leicester LE4 4NJ. A sample disk (for Plus D or Opus Discovery), microdrive or cassette is available for around #2.

For Format, call the INDUG hotline on 0452 412572. There is a trial subscription offer available for around #3.

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<<<

<<< Comment to Editor:

<<< I have received some letters from Lloyd Mangram which are

<<< covered here - I suggest a note in Forum directing readers

<<< to Tech Niche for technical answers ...

<<<

Allan Hern is having difficulties will obtaining supplies of thermal paper rolls for his Alphacom 32 printer - I can recommend the fast & courteous service of Microsnips (051 630 3013). Alphacom 32 rolls are #9.95 for 5; and they also sell ZX printer rolls for #14.95 for 5. Post & Packing is an extra #2.

Daniel Blunden has a +2A, and is getting confused over the alterations made by Sinclair for 128Basic. If he keys in the line 10 SPECTRUM then RUNs it, he ends up with the line 10 T. This is a side-effect of Sinclair needing two extra keywords for 128Basic - SPECTRUM & PLAY. The user-defined graphics T & U are 'stolen' from 128Basic to represent the keywords. In 48Basic (entered by running the SPECTRUM keyword), the graphics revert to their normal functions (and are initially defined to look like the letters T & U). The T is not the same as the keyboard T, however - try POKE 23676,0 to see what I mean!

Jamie Stone wants to print digitised pictures on his Spectrum - a borrowed ZX-type printer is not good enough! Your best bet is to buy a cheap Epson-compatible printer (MGT, on 0792 791100, sell Citizen models like the 120D) and buy a parallel printer interface (Romantic Robot, on 01 200 8870, make MULTIPRINT which also has a Magic Button and can print screenshots at any time). The total price of printer and interface should be #150-#200.

Philip Walker also wants to buy a Citizen 120D printer, for use with a 48K Spectrum and a Commodore computer - the Spectrum is easy as Parallel interfaces like MULTIPRINT are readily available. The Commie, however, uses a non-standard printer interface ... As for your old telephone jacks, you MUST have them replaced by BT (at a price!) before you can legally plug a Modem in.

Colin Macdonald writes to say that his Spectrum+ keeps blowing up and he suspects his Multiface. Sounds very unlikely, but you don't say what fault your Spectrum has! What do the repair company say that they had to fix?

M.Paulson wants to know which is the better joystick interface of a Ram Turbo and a Comcon Twin. Firstly, the Comcon Twin is not compatible with the +3 or +2A (I am carrying out tests to try and discover why). If you don't have one of those computers, then either interface will work. The Ram Turbo will not work with a few games (those that don't have joystick options, for example) whereas the Comcon Twin will work with any game, since it simulates and keypress - however, the Comcon needs a few seconds of connecting up to set it up for different keyboard controls.

Tim Pearson asks for my views on the Clive Drive, recently advertised in Crash - various attempts to get a review kit have so far failed, so 'no comment'! Keep watching Video Vaults ads, though, as they are rumoured to be bringing out the product.

+3 Letters

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David Hoolahan has written in with a suggestion for FORMATting disks which give CRC or UNRECOGNISED FORMAT errors when a format is attempted (I have never met one of these, and would probably throw it away as it is likely to be suspect) - he suggests you put in a formatted disk, then when the A TO ABANDON message comes up, swap disks to the dodgy one before pressing A. Make sure that you don't format the wrong disk - write-protect it first!

David Alcock wants a good Assembler/Disassembler for his Spectrum+3 - I have and recommend Hisofts DEVPAC+3 (#19.95 on disk from Hisoft, The Old School, Greenfield, Bedford MK45 5DE). The assembler is almost a Spectrum standard and has a readable 51 column screen (but editing is line-based, not full-screen). The Disassembler/Monitor fully supports the four +3 ROMs and can be installed to occupy only 160 bytes of the normal 48K memory space.

Michael Watts writes to complain that Ocean are not releasing all their games on +3 Disk - write to them, or they will never know that there is a demand! Borrowing a friends tape & copying it to disk is totally ILLEGAL, Michael. You are, however, allowed to buy your own tape copy and transfer it for personal use ONLY - you must keep the original. Romantic Robots Multiface 3 is the most reliable way to transfer programs to disk, but beware that not every program will run on a +3 due to Amstrads modifications - it is also possible for programs to be written to block the functioning of Multiface 3 ...

Machine Code, Hacking and other Meaningless Phrases

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A number of people are writing in expressing confusion over the above subjects; typically is something like 'Basic is no problem, but how do I learn machine code - I want to hack pokes in my games'. Well, learning to read machine code is not really any more difficult than learning Basic, it is just that Basic sounds like English so seems easier. 'PRINT"A";' is a lot easier to understand than 'LD A,#3E RST#10' or even '3E 3E D7'. Machine code programs need a lot of steps to do very simple tasks, and so can be difficult to follow until you are used to them, and experience is what counts - try and try again and you will get better.

The Spectrum Character Set table in the manual gives all the codes possible in one memory byte, and what they mean in machine code - a machine code program simply consists of many of these values. It is very unlikely that you could look at a list of bytes and work out what the program does simply using the table! There are three types of program available which make understaning machine code much easier - Assemblers, Disassemblers and Monitors.

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An Assembler takes program lists that are as readable as Basic once you are used to them (the 'LD A,#3E' type) and produces lists of bytes which are the machine code that the Spectrum really understands - without an Assembler, programming in machine code is like making models with matchsticks!

A Disassembler (surprise ...) does the opposite, converting lists of bytes into a form that is quite readable. With a disassembler, you can take read (and maybe even understand) any program, once you can get at the bytes that make it up. A Monitor is really a very clever disassembler, that understands the machine code rather than just decoding it into a readable form. A monitor can actually run the machine code one step at a time, showing you exactly what each step does.

As I have already said, machine code is quite easy to understand once it has been disassembled - some people could buy a disassembler, and learn machine code with no extra help! But most people need a little extra assistance, normally in the form of a book or machine code course. There are many books that try to teach machine code - you would need to buy one specifically for the 'Z80 microprocessor' (that is the chip in the heart of your Spectrum that actually does all the work). A book specifically for the ZX Spectrum is much more useful, as it will give details of how the Spectrum can be programmed in machine code, rather than just general details on programming. One famous book is 'Mastering Machine Code on your ZX Spectrum' by Toni Baker - ISBN 0-907563-23-6. You may be able to get hold of it via your library, or try writing to INTERFACE Publications, 9-11 Kensington High Street, London W8.

An alternative is to subscribe to a machine code course. There are benefits to this, in that you can normally request additional assistance if you are unsure of something. Nicholas Lewis (52 Kyle Crescent, Whitchurch, Cardiff CF4 1SU) has written two courses on machine code - a beginners and an advanced version. He also appears regularly in OUTLET (the disk/tape-based magazine). Prices are from 50p per month.

Once you start to learn machine code, you will need a disassembler or monitor to take apart other peoples programs, and an assembler if you wish to try writing your own. My personal preference is Hisofts DEVPAC (details elsewhere) but this is a powerful package of assembler & monitor, and is little complex for beginners. Lerm Software produce an assembler and debugger called Z80 Toolkit (see Crash issue 55 or write to 11 Beaconsfield Close, Whitley Bay, Tyne & Wear NE25 9UW). Back issues of OUTLET offer an assembler & disassembler, at a somewhat lower price - write to Chezron Software for details.

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The best disassembler program is Romantic Robots GENIE disassembler, which runs 'inside' the Multiface & Multiprint interfaces (but not the Multiface+3). If you already have a Multiface then Genie is definitely worth looking at - it allows any program to be halted at any time using the Magic Button, and disassembled or altered. Alterations to games (infinite lives, for example) can be tried immediately. It also takes up NO space in the Spectrums memory, so cannot get in the way of the machine code.

If you only want to learn machine code so that you can hack games and find infinite life pokes, then there is an alternative (other than looking in Nick Roberts Playing Tips!). Romantic Robot also produce Lifeguard, which runs inside ANY Multiface - it is a program which can automatically find infinite life pokes for (in theory) any game. The procedure is a little trial-and-error but is extremely simple. However, there is no guarantee that a poke can be found - the programmer can write very contorted code that even an experienced hacker can find difficult to decode. A Mr. Kenneth Hood has, however, written in to say that he purchased Lifeguard and has not got on too well with it - I will be trying it out soon ...

Next Month

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Tech Niche will will continue with the delights of machine code and hacking - learning machine code and disassembling games should teach you a lot about your Spectrum; perhaps you will be able to write a Crash Smash yourself ... Or at least you may be able to contribute to Nick Roberts section.

Also next month, a look at ways to write machine code programs without having to learn about assemblers etc - using compilers. Mr R.G.Hills of Havant should keep reading ...

<<< Please print up a Voucher in Tech Niche along the following

<<< lines. It might be worth you checking these prices with

<<< RomRob as they are offering #5 off at the moment, but are

<<< unlikely to offer Lifeguard free as well ?!?

<<< FREE with orders for any version of Multiface from Romantic

<<< Robot during June 1989 - a copy of Lifeguard, the automatic

<<< infinite-life-poke finder for any Spectrum. Send this

<<< voucher with your order & payment (#39.95 for 48K version,

<<< #44.95 for 128K or +2A/+3 version).

<<< Stuart - please try to send 'early copy' of this for my

<<< reference writing next months piece.

<<< Also, please return my screenshot cassettes, or

<<< send some more 'blank' ones ...