8-bit Software Disc Magazine (c) Duncan Webster DEC 1991
Issue 17 December 1991
PROGRAMMERS RETURN ISSUE 17
72B: Address Book
This is a big improvement on the previous version and I only have
three comments to make:-
1. I could not find how to enter an address that did not have a house
number - the cursor would not move off this field without an entry
of some kind, but by no means all addresses include a house number,
particularly in small villages. I have a daughter living in a
little village in Cumbria, and her address begins simply, 'Hill
House' - no number of any kind. All the other fields, such as
house name, can be by-passed by entering a space, followed by
RETURN, but not the house number field.
2. Changing a complete address is very cumbersome, and people do move
from time to time. The current process requires a return to the
menu after a change to each field. It would be better to be able
to change as many fields in each record as required before
returning to a menu. An associated comment is that deleting an
address totally is similarly laborious.
3. A PRINT facility for one or more names and addresses would be a
very useful addition.
K1P: Address Book
This seems to work a lot better than the old one, but how about some
sort of search facility for the different fields? I don't think I'd
fancy wading through 50ish address' to find what I was looking for.
Also, how about improving the layout of the displayed address' by
tabulating it so looks a bit neater and easier to read off. Finally,
the pcode procedure for changing the postcode doesn't seems to have
been included!
K1P: STD Code System Demo
The demo looks good and would be very usefull, pity most numbers I
know weren't included in it! Just wondering how long the searches
would take with the full version? How about including some sort of
facility to see if the number is local/long distance etc in relation
to another exchange, but I suppose that would take up another disk or
two!
275: Address Book
I must say the new address book is very easy to use I have been unable
to find any faults so far. If no faults are found by other members
would it be possible to put this program in the SYSTEM DATA BASE
system.
275: Cassette Inlay
I must say that this program is very usefull utility, very simple and
clear instructions for the program. Nice clear layout on the screen,
the print out is good, what more can be said about the program that
dose what it is in tended for.
275: STD Code System Demo
This is another good data base program, I was unable to get the search
by name to work. But the rest of the demo seem to work all right. The
only bad fault I have to say is that on the print out, a lot of paper
is used to give the information required, ie. details search for at
top of the page then on next page the screen layout for next request
is printed and this is repeated every time (see print out). It seems
as if the printer is not closed down after each print out.
L1L: Address Book
This is probably the most extensive implementation of this idea that I
have seen. It is a comprehensive program that does itself justice.
For some reason having all the options on screen is slightly off
putting, but I believe that this has been overcome by limiting the
menu to two readily interchangeable screens. One feature which I
would have liked to see would have been the ability to search for
entries. Also, why is the maximum number of entries limited to 50?
Is this due to memory? If so, one could customise the amount of
information per entry (ie. make it briefer) in order to increase the
number of entries possible. Also it would be nice to input user
entered filenames for the address book to be stored under. That way
the 50 entry limit could also be overcome. That is one filename could
be called "COMMON" and would store all phone numbers used regularly,
and another colud be called "B.USINESS" containing all commonly used
business phone numbers. This idea is not actually my own but was
suggested when using the Systems server. It is also the actual
system I use to store phone numbers in my Sharp personal organiser
which has three separate sections of memory set aside for phone
numbers and addresses - each of which can have its own 'directory'
name. Anyway, a great program. The above suggestions are probably
only applicable to a few who like to customise everything anyway.
L1L: Cassette Inlay.
At last. No not at last such a program, as these have been numerous
in magazines etc, but at last one that works first go, without
alteration, on my printer setup (a Super 5 - CPA80 ie. an Epson
'compatible'). Most programs of this sort that I have tried have
used a reverse paper feed (reverse line feed) command which my printer
does not support. Hence the relief when on first go, this one worked
perfectly. This sort of program holds a genuine appeal in its own
right. That is, it is a genuinely useful program, and made even
better when it works hassle free. (Widespread compatibility is a huge
plus..!)
483: Archiver Program
The program assumes that you are already in DFS which is annoying if
your computer is normally configured for ADFS. The insertion of line
205 *DISC would solve this problem. It would also be helpful if the
program displayed a catalogue before asking which file to
compress/decompress.
0E7: Mastermind
Nicely done. I have a similar programme from AB Computing from some
years back but I think this is the better presentation of the two.
I have the same trouble with it and that is not being able to solve
it.
0E7: Chemistry Test / Database
I think that more time should be given to the displayed answers.
These disappear at a rate of knots before one has time to read them.
BUG - In search for atomic mass I receive the message NO SUCH VARIABLE
1040. Would it not be better if when searching for matches that they
were not all displayed on the screen during the search. I know it
shows the computer is working but it does appear a bit distracting
rather like watching a fruit machine at play.
0E7: Slatter
I found myself searching in vain for a SOUND OFF key. I find control
of the slates rather eratic. They never quite seem to go where one
expects. The response from the key board seems a bit delayed. A pity
that the colours overlap.
0E7: Sorting Article
When this excellent article is concluded next month may I have a
full copy of all the articles on one disc please which I believe
is promised?