8-bit Software Disc Magazine (c) Duncan Webster 1991
7 Ashdale, Thringstone, Leics, LE6 4LW
Issue 12 May 1991
PROGRAMMERS RETURN - Number 5
As promised, here is another batch of programmers returns. I have
decided that, after this issue, I will no longer publish any returns
referring to issue 9 or before. See end of this report if you would
like copies of the origional manuscripts of past or present returns.
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PROGRAM: View Spellcheck
Issue: 9
User YJ2: This is a tremendously useful utility which I now use every
time I use View. What about a version for use with
INTERWORD or MINI OFFICE?
User 8CT: A very professional spelling checker. It is better than
some of the commercial ones I have seen. It is easy to use
and contains all the options you would ever need. It is
well documented as well as coming complete with a large
dictionary. I already have SPELLMASTER but I am very
impressed with this one, and I will be using your
spellchecker as I found it easier to use.
User 735: As I have view, I will try this soon, but other WP users
might be interested to know that you can save your file as
an ASCII TEXT file (using your wp's SPOOL TEXT option) and
then this View Spellchecker will work, as view files are
just saved as plain ASCII.
User 6EE: I used this for some time and found it very good, until the
following problem was encountered. After several hundred
words were ADDED to the dictionary, it became corrupted and
you had to start all over again. This happened several
times so I stopped using it - the author was informed but I
have not heard whether the problem has been resolved.
User 74Q: The Spellchecker is excellent. I am using it with interword
(it works after you have got rid of all the style codes),
but it apperas to cut the first letter off the first word of
each line. I am reasonable in BASIC and have looked at the
coding that deals with this area of the program.
User 14E: I tried this with a WORDWISE text file and it appered to
work OK, although it is a bit slow when adding words to the
dictionary.
User Y2J: Good, but very slow. Could you read the dictionary into SWR
or between &5000 and &7B00 to speed it up? Also the text
file has to be on the same surface as the dictionary
otherwise the program will crash. Couldn't you have an
INSERT DICTIONARY prompt or some other way to get round
this?
User 90E: Very Nice, cheap and FREE, and easy to use. I have had it
for months, and it seems not to like my beeb anymore. I
think the dictionary is too large - over 3000 words.
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PROGRAM: Test Cards
Issue: 9
User 8CT: Haven't used it but it sounds very useful. I will probably
use it for revision before my C and G exam later this year.
I have past papers that I can put on the program so it may
help.
User 4RR: A very good Idea, but to me the workings were too
complicated - with trying to remember the extra * calls.
Error trapping isn't very good and protection of the listing
just wouldn't allow any further investigation. Basically a
very sound idea, but if one should press the wrong keys,
there should be an easier way of returning to a menu rather
than having to "break out".
User 72B: Another program that did not work for me. This may be due
to the fact that I have the new master OS ROM fitted. Any
attempt to make up a card is frustrating because the screen
continually scrolls. Program seems to hang up at line 690.
I am also unable to get rid of the loud noise at the intro -
pressing Z or X has no effect.
User 709: Not enough instructions, but what about the CAPTAIN PUGWASH
tune - BRILLIANT. My first reaction was to chop up the
BASIC program (with the help of VDUcodes Killer) and just
set the tune on an endless loop.
User 4DO: Good for testing for a duff monitor or for getting the
contrast just right (which is what I used it for).
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PROGRAM: Lost Your Marbles
Issue: 9
User 8CT: At first this was splendid, I got to screen 2 then screen 3
but I couldn't get past screen 3. I think the game ranks
higher than some of the games the Micro user publishes, the
only problem is that the screens past number 2 are too
difficult.
User 4RR: Quite right, this is a good game and beats many of the
professional software houses. Based on one of my very first
games, MARS LANDER, this program has "one more go at
playability". Mind you it needs to as you only have one
life. Strategic planning and change of the gravity level
ensured professionalism through the numerous different
screens. However I am still to reach them all. Andy Nibbs
has produced some good work and this is no exception.
User 709: Good, I like the hi-res single colour games with good
graphics. A bit hard as the gravity seemed a little
intermittant. This is the stuff that PD is all about.
User 90E: Don't like it - bad colour and bad gameplay. Nice idea
however.
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PROGRAM: Crazy Balls
Issue: 10
User 994: This is probably the best game I have ever seen for the BBC.
Needs smoother animation of the characters as they tend to
go transparant. What is the point of the game - can I have
some background information ie. the story behind it? How do
you complete level 11? How about a cheat for the game? ie.
passwords & level jump.
User 1K1: This has to be one of the best PD games going. The graphics
are awesome and although the sound wasn't brilliant, overall
the game was fantastic. Sound 6/10 Graphics 9/10 Playability
8/10 Addictiveness 10/10 Overall 10/10
User 0E7: Very well named, and if I were ever to complete it I will be
crazy. Short and Sharp, just the right mixture for a game.
User Y2J: Good game, but the graphics need working on. The things
that kill you are not obvious as I would have hoped and the
start to level 2 is unconventional. Really just a life
waster unless you have played it a few times.
User 722: What a brilliant game. I like the option to continue after
you are dead.
User 6EE: Excellent game so far. I liked how you could view the
screens at the start of the game.
User 8CT: This looked like a great game, it took a bit to figure what
killed you and what you needed to collect, I just got past
the first screen and then I died on the next screen. I
figured out what was happening here and what I needed to do,
but it was too difficult and I soon gave up when I saw the
third screen a couple of times. The idea of the game is
very good, but it seemed a little too difficult to jump at
the right time and it became a little bit boring. The
graphics were pretty good as well and I think the option to
carry on from where you left off was useful.
User YR2: Brilliant effort, fun and addictive. The continue option is
a great help to check out later screens - 10/10
User 2GJ: Not bad at all for a FREEBIE. It certainly IS magazine
standard - beautiful front end screens too.
User 4RR: Another fine game from "swig". I was disappointed over the
lack of sound which only manifested as I lost a life.
Equally I missed not having some form of instructions
actually within the game. However on the plus side the
graphics were very good, simple keys and I did like the idea
of being able to start back at the latest screen. There's
nothing worse than having to re-trace one's steps over
previously conquered ground. Good game - pity about the
sound.
User 6JE: Good quality game. The graphics are excellent. The levels
are well structured and planned but some are very difficult
to complete.
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PROGRAM: Liverpool Manager
Issue: 10
User 6JE: Average game, no room error kept occurring whilst I was
playing several times.
User 72B: Although I am not interested in games, I thought this one
had the makings of an interesting one! It needs some sort
of graphics while the matches are being played; considerably
more logic in the match results (the theoretically better
and stronger team usually seemed to lose!); a league table,
and some expanation why the manager got the sack (I usually
get the push after losing 8 games in a season ... sob)
User 2GJ: Frustrating! This is bugged - make sure you have one gap in
the subs, and then keep swapping players, ie. 13 and 1, 13
and 2, 13 and 3 etc. You will get ALL players fully fit.
BUT can't get beyond game 30 - I go from 2 million+ in the
bank to 3 million - overnight!
User YR2: I found the Superior Soccer management game fun, and this is
probably better. It would be nice if you were able to
choose your team though.
User Y2J: Very good idea and written well too. This is the first text
only game I have really enjoyed - how about spending more
time on a startup screen and just saving it as a screen -
eg. *SAVE <filename> 3000 8000. Can you include an option
to see the league table? Very good game.
User 994: Great fun. Can spend hours playing this. I do have a
commercial version like this but non working so this was a
great surprise. My brother doesn't like it - he hates
Liverpool - how about a Man United Manager?
User YJ2: This is the best Football Manager game I have played in
ages. Just one problem, when I save a game to disc and then
load it, then try saving it again, the file is LOCKED and
the program stops. How about a fix for that?
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PROGRAM: <game cheats>
Issue: 10
User: Y2J (Citadel Cheat)
Have you got a cheat for the Play it again sam issue of Citadel?
User: 722 (Gisburns Castle)
It works, but I don't play GC anyway
User: 14E (Gisburns Castle)
Good cheat - worked perfectly.
User: 4RR (Gisburns Castle)
This is the first time I have seen a cheat mode for this game
and it is very well presented. It has rejuvernated my interest
in the game which had been stored away due to lack of interest.
The cheat provides the chance to progress further into the
adventure, which is what the origional writer of GC wanted. It
doesn't give all the answers - that's still left to the player -
but does bring together all the "ingredients" for further
progression.
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The programmers return is now up to date. If you would like
photocopies of the origional scripts (past or present), then please
send return postage and packing plus the sum of 1.00 to cover
photocopying costs (there are quite a few sheets). Not all of the
comments has been published by any means, but the comments that HAVE
been published cover most opinions. Please send a LARGE SAE and 40p
postage should you send off for the manuscripts - mark your envelopes
MENUSCRIPT ORDER.
Priority in publishing members comments has been given to the people
who keep in contact with myself on a regular basis. If you have
submitted a program that you wrote yourself, and would like the
manuscripts, then please write in (authors are exempt from the 1.00
charge, but must still provide the P and P.).