Micropendium Volume 1 Number 4
We've changed our name
 May 1984 Micropendium (Home Computer Compendium) Front Cover | |
| Editor | Laura Burns |
|---|---|
| Categories | Home Computers, TI-99/4A |
| Publisher | John Koloen |
| Country | USA |
| Based in | Round Rock, Texas |
| Language | English |
Contents
What is MICROpendium?
I hope not to meander with this month's commentary, but you must understand that we've had a difficult time getting this edition of the magazine out. Producing even a small publication is fraught with peril.
For one thing, we've been threatened with a lawsuit by another company because of our use of the name Home Computer Compendium." You will probably have noticed that we're using a different name on our mast. We're now calling ourselves MICROpendium.
I could care less what we call the magazine, since our focus will remain on the Tl99/ 4A home computer and we will do everything just as we have done since we started this venture.
But things are tough all over. Elsewhere in this issue you'll find a brief article about the end of software distribution by TI. There'll be no more cartridges or anything else going to vendors from Texas Instruments, which may leave some home computer users in a quandary. Check out our lengthy piece on retailers. Some vendors have stocked up on TI products and expect to have quite a bit on hand, enough to last for months. However, if you plan to stay with the TI, my advice is to buy whatever TI software that you've been wanting because days of scarcity may lie ahead, particularly for some of the application programs. From now on, there is no tomorrow as far as TI is concerned.
FIRST-CLASS VERSUS THIRD-CLASS
Some readers have found that delivery of this publication is a bit on the tardy side. We sympathize with them but there's not much we can do about it because the U.S. Postal Service will not provide timely delivery of third- or second-class material mailed nationally on a monthly basis. Those who want to be assured of receiving their copies within five days of the pressrun have no alternative but to pay first-class delivery rates. This will amount to about 30 cents more per issue than the base subscription price, which includes third-class delivery. Although it means more work for us, we encourage our readers to pay the first-class postage rate because it is the only means we have of insuring timely delivery, particularly on the east and west coasts.
To determine how much this will cost, based on the number of issues remaining on your subscription, simply examine the mailing label on the front 'page of this edition. You will see a series of numbers and letters at the left-hand corner. It should begin with the letter "A" followed by four digits, the letter "S" and another number. This last number represents the month of the year your subscription started. The number 2 stands for February, 3 for March, etc. Since each subscription is for 12 months, simply count the number of months remaining on your subscription and multiply this number by 30 cents. The total is the amount needed to pay for first-class delivery for the remaining issues on your subscription. Send a check or money order for the amount and we will start your first class delivery with the next edition.
I wish there was a better way of doing this, but there isn't.
SOMETIMES WE'LL WAIT FOR THE NEWS
Just so you know, our policy is to hold the magazine for a week if need be in order to get late-breaking stories in. I warn you of this so as to forestall some of the disappointment that may come when your edition hasn't arrived by the usual date. However, we think that most readers would rather have the news as soon as possible, rather than having to wait a month because of inflexible deadlines. Again, if this is not to your liking, let us know.
RUMORS AND RUMBLINGS
Here are a few rumors picked up over the past several weeks that seem worth repeating:
There's supposed to be a third-party spelling checker coming out for the TI-Writer cartridge. The rumor has it that it will include 20,000 words and operate out of the Utility section of the program. We're looking into it.
Programmers who work in console BASIC may be able to protect their programs from being listed or edited. A new program may become available soon that is designed to prevent BASIC programs from being copied by users. It is said to require the Mini-Memory cartridge for programs less than 4K in length and the Mini-Memory and 32K memory expansion for longer programs. It is said that the programs that are protected will run in console BASIC only. However, orders are not being taken at this time. That's it for now.
— JK
Debugged
Tunnel problem
A reader has reported that a tip published in the March issue about using the Tunnels of Doom cartridge to transfer Scott Adams adventure games from cassette to diskette doesn't work for all of the games. We tested it on for Pirate Adventure game and it worked. However, he encountered some difficulty in trying to transfer other games, noting that they didn't play properly after the transfer.
Tips such as these cannot be tested thoroughly under all conditions. We publish them to help other TI users or to give them ideas of ways to better use their systems. We hope this is an acceptable policy to you. If not, please let us know.
Meanwhile, anyone have any suggestions about why the transfer works qith some games but not others?
Feedback
More solutions
The solution offered by Chuck Moats (March 1984) to the GROM problems was very helpful.
Another common problem is a key which prints two or more letters instead of one. The solution to this came off of the Source. Lift off the plastic key with a pair of pliers, shoot in some contact (TV tuner) cleaner onto the switch and press the keyh back into place. Sometimes part of the switch comes up with the key, but this is no problem if you are gentle. You need small slip-joint pliers to get a grip on the keys.
Bob Stephenson
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Faster entry
Your comment in your new magazine about slow entry into JUG (International Tl99 Users Group) Database 300/500 was true. If you inquire of IUG they will advise you of a minor correction that corrects the very slow data entry.
Also-I have provided them with a single disk (single-sided) version called Database 250 which does not require swapping disks, etc. Full featured-but only uses one disk for a 250-entry database. The database uses two disks for 300 entries.
New, how about an article on how to use TEii and modem with Compuserve. I can't get it all together: best way to save to disk, etc.
Help!
John Topham
Prospect Heights, Illinois
Ed: Any readers have advice on using Compuserve? We'd like to hear from you.
In agreement
I saw the first issue of Compendium at the Northern New Jersey 99er Users meeting. It is certainly the most informative magazine I've seen published for the 99 computer.
Your review of Database 500 was a copy of my impressions. After spending several frustrating evenings I came to the conclusion that it was a good program, but needed editing to a one line entry. After another week of decoding and learning much about files, I now have a much faster entry and search with four times the storage capacity. If you have a need, I will send you a copy, though I have personalized it for two disk drives and default prompts.
If you have an opportunity to review the Companion word processor, I believe you will also find it to be one of the best utility programs for this computer.
Robert Wolf
Bound Brook, New Jersey
Ed: We'd appreciate your suggestions on improving Database 500, and so would our readers. Also, elsewhere in this issue you will find a review of Companion.
For members only
The article in your magazine (February 1984) indicated the program (Database 500) is available as a nonexchange item. Evidently the person wishing to order the program must be a member of the "International Users Group," otherwise the order is turned down (a fact which is not mentioned in your article). This is aggravating to say the least (how would you feel after waiting two weeks to find that you did not rate the program due to being a "Non-Member")?
It was not indicated in the article that one had to be a member of any group to be entitled to buy the software. Perhaps the reviewer did not think to ask if this was the case, or the users group left the impression that the software would be available to anyone willing to purchase it.
Whatever the case, it is a pain to order something only to find later that it is unavailable to "Non-Members." Please state in future articles and or reviews if this is the case!
M.D. Gorman
Gardena, California
Ed: We did not know that International 99/4 User Group software is available only to members. We did provide them with a pre-publication copy of the review but received no comment from the IUG. We regret the inconvenience this has caused you ond possibly other readers.
| The Feedback column is for readers. It is a forum to communicate with other readers. The editor will condense excessively lengthy submissions where necessary. Contributors should restrict themselves to one subject for the sake of simplicity. Mail Feedback to: MICROpendium, P.O. Box 1343, Round Rock, TX 78680. |
CorCo mp introduces double-density card, 2 expansion systems
CorComp's new peripheral expansion system, the 9900 Micro-Expansion System for the TI home computer, has arrived.
And so has the company's first component of its 99000 Expansion System.
The hardware available with the 9900 Micro-Expansion System includes an RS232 card, 32K memory card and disk controller card. This unit is about the size of two TI speech synthesizers placed side by side. The cards may be purchased separately or as a package. The RS232 card offers serial and parallel ports. The 32K card is compatible with all TI cartridges. The company says all hardware will include extensive documentation.
Prices on the 9900 Micro-Expansion System are: RS232 stand-alone unit (1 serial and l parallel port), $149.95; RS232 stand-alone unit with 32K RAM and disk controller card, $399.95; upgrade kit for second RS232 port, $14.95; and upgrade kit for 32K RAM and disk controller, $289.45. Prices on the 9900 expansion cards for use with the TI Peripheral Expansion Box are: 32K RAM card, $135.95; RS232 card (2 serial and l parallel port), $117.95; disk controller card with disk manager software, $199.95; and cable assembly for internal drive, $18.85.
The disk controller card promises to be the greatest asset for those who already have a TI peripheral expansion box. The card is capable of handling up to four double-sided, double-density 5.25-inch floppy disk drives. The TI card was designed for use with up to three drives.
Included with the CorComp card is a disk-based formatter than will do what Tl's disk manager cartridge does and more, according to CorComp. The formatter will let TI users utilize double-density disks for the first time (provided they have double-density drives), essentially doubling the amount of storage they have had available to them using Tl's disk controller card, which is designed for single-density use. A CorComp spokeswoman said the card will fit in any TI peripheral expansion box.
The CorComp disk manager program will permit users to load and run assembly language programs, such as TI Forth, without using the TI Editor/ Assembler cartridge, the company says.
The disk controller card also provides several new commands not available previously on the TI card. CorComp says the card will allow users to peek and poke into CPU and VDP RAM, among other things.
The disk controller card also allows the user to set the head seek times for all four drives, permitting use of newer, faster drives with the system.
The company says the disk controller loads files 2-4 times faster than the TI disk controller.
The 99000 Expansion System is designed to be compatible with the TI99/4A and CorComp's own new computer when it is ready for the market. It is priced at $549.95. It is about one-half the size of Tl's peripheral expansion box and utilizes a system motherboard. Two half-height drives can be installed in it or one full height drive. It features a flexible cable to link the expansion system to the TI99/4A, eliminating the bulky TI cable that links the TI PEB with the console.
Included with the CorComp 99000 Expansion System are an RS232 card with two TI-compatible serial ports and one Centronics parallel port, 32K memory card and a double-sided, double-density disk controller card. The controller has the same features as the card already described.
The motherboard provides locations for future auxiliary cards, the company says.
The new hardware products are being shipped to dealers during April, CorComp says.
The company is offering TI user groups a special price on a single CorComp product through its User Group Product Review Program. User groups are asked to provide a review of the product to CorComp in exchange for the price break.
For more information, write: CorComp Inc., 23461 Ridge Route Dr., Suite H, Laguna Hills, CA 92653.
