Changes

Such formatting commands asparagraphing, line spacing, horizontaltabs, underlining and graphics areexecuted vi<;1 via the use of Control keys.Control G followed by the ASCIInumber, for example, is used to print agraphics character. Control H will tabthe text to a tab location that you set inthe tab setup mode. Virtually' all suchcommands are easy to use since theyare based on the first letter of the functionthey represent. I found no problemin using the Control key to_ initiatethese functions. The purge command deletes the textthat is in memory. The directorycommand will list ony only those filescreated by Companion. There is a secondary menu in thisprogram that appears by selecting"Other" on the main menu. This menuincludes: Save before cursor<br>Save from cursor<br>Purge before cursor<br>Purge from cursor<br>Set tabs<br>Print disk file<br>Batch processing<br>Other. The first four selections allow theuser to save or purge data based on thelocation of the cursor. The print filecommand loads a file out of disk andimmediately begins printing it. Batchprocessing is a feature not availableon TI-Writer that emphasizes theessential difference between the twoprograms. Batch processing allowsthe user to enter the file names ofnumerous diskette files so that theywill be printed out in sequence. As theCompanion manual notes, this allowsthose involved in writing lengthy documentsor books to print out chapterafter chapter. The emphasis in TIWriteris on the repetitious printing ofform letters in which the names,addresses and other items arechanged via mail-merge files. The cursor plays an important rolein any text -processing program. TheCompanion cursor appears in severalforms, depending on the function it isbeing used for. It appears as a simpleunderline when writing. Moving itback over a word or character transformsit into a solid white block. Enteringthe insert mode transforms it into ahollow block. The cursor can be movedto the beginning of the text by pressingthe Function BEG IN key and to theend of the text by pressing the FunctionREDO key. The cursor will alsomove up and down 12 lines at a time bypressing the Function PROC'D orCLEAR keys. The cursor may also bemoved by pressing the space bar. Thelonger you hold the space bar down,the faster the cursor moves. Inserting printer commands is easywith Companion. Simply press ControlA (for ASCII) and then enter thenumber or numbers corresponding tothe task you want performed. ControlA27 Control A80, for example, puts theprinter into the proportional mode.Unlike TI-Writer, which will not printboldface using the proportional characterset, Companion will. Unlike TI-Writer, Companion operatesfully in a wrap-around mode duringthe editing process. TI-Writer doesnot truncate words at the point atwhich one line ends and another begins.This is more a matter of taste thananything else. Although neither programoffers the user the option of seeingwhat the document will look like onthe screen, this option would be uselessanyway since the screen width islimited to 40 characters in bothprograms. Companion also allows the user theoption to customize the default values,such as the printer description, tabs,printout parameters (there are 11 ofthem) and such system defaults aswhich disk drive to write files to (it isset up to use one drive) as well as theASCII default (which can be of benefitto someone who uses a lot of underlingunderlying and boldfacing and other specialfunctions.) ==Ease of Use: == Considering its flexibilityand power, Companion is relativelysimple to use. Someone with only apassing interest in programming butan abiding interest in writing shouldbe able to put this program to good usewith a minimum of wasted effort.Those with an interest in both willappreciate the ease with which formattingcan be done and the naturalnesswith which writing takes place.The first-time user can start writingwith it from the start, even withoutreading the manual. Learning to useall of its capabilities will take considerablylonger, but that's to beexpected with any word -processingsoftware. ==Documentation: == Companion comeswith an excellent 142-page manual. Itincludes a very good table of contents.The manual seems to be somewhatwordy, considering how simple theprogram it describes is to understand.I think it addresses virtually any questionthe user may have regarding theprogram. ==Value: == When I started to examineCompanion I did not think it would be aserious contender against TI-Writer.The more I used it, however, the moreit became apparent that I was mistaken.As a writer who also understandsBASIC, I am more comfortableusing this program and its ASCIIcommands than using TI-Writer andtrying to "transliterate" the ASCIIcharacters codes to suit my purpose.(Transliterate is Tl's term to describethe function of redefining charactersso that they will represent somethingelse, such as ASCII code.) If my intention in buying a word processingprogram is to handle form letters,I would choose TI-Writer. If Iwant to use it to write, whether termpapers, short stories, books or correspondence,I'd choose Companion. I amimpressed.