Sorcerers_Apprentice_V3N8_Dec1981 Sorcerers Apprentice V3N8 Dec1981

User Manual: Pdf Sorcerers_Apprentice_V3N8_Dec1981

Open the PDF directly: View PDF .
Page Count: 24

Download
Open PDF In Browser	View PDF

PAGE 153
VOLUME 3

NUMBER 8
Dec. 1, 1981

INTERNATIONAL COMPUTER USERS GROUP/NEWSLETTER

- Copyright (C) 1981 by Sorcerer's Apprentice
IN THIS ISSUE roDS & ENDS................ 1 5 3
DISK NarES ••••••••••••••••• 155
POWER-ON INDlCATOR ••••••••• 155
BITS & BYTES ••••••••••••••• 157
OFFICE SORCERER •••••••••••• 159
EVALUATIONS •••••••••••••••• 160
PASCAL PORT •••••••••••••••• 169

DUSTINGS ••••••••••••••••••• 169
WORD PROCESSING CORNER ••••• 170
INVERSE FONT ••••••••••••••• 171
HI NT S & KI NKS •••••••••••••• 17 1
SAVING ML PROGRAMS W/MDOS •• 172
HARDWARE NarES ••••••••••••• 172
MEMBERSHIP FORM •••••••••••• 174

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------ODDS

(

,j
",,

a ENDS

by Ralph LaFlamme, Editor
Well I finally got my computer back after being without it for about 4- 5 weeks.
The charge for repairs was not too bad, but I never did get a full explanation of
what was wrong with it. I would hate to have to rely on Exidy Systems Inc. (ESI)
for repairs on my unit if I was using it to keep uack of my business. Considering
that ESI is trying to cater to the small business commumty, it is pitifully poor
service to expect a businessperson to put up with. If this is ESI's idea of support, I
would suggest they cater to the 'computer game/hobbiest' market where downtime with
a computer is not as critical (but
I know, not liked any better).
,
-"
.
The tardiness of the iast issue put: us behind schedule with this one. I spent most
of my Thanksgiving holidays putting it together. (I just finished it today, Nov.
29th, and it goes to the printer tomorrow.) This issue is 24 pages long but really
would have required 28 pages to include all the articles and columns that. we had
wante(1 to include. The Apllrentice Port and 4th Tip return in the next issue.
Unfortunately, Rudy Vener will not be able to act as co~ordinator for SAMMs
(Sorcerer's Apprentice MicroNET Meeting). He's busy with his studies at Rochester
Institute of Technology, and his disk system is with Jack MacGrath for repairs. If
anyone else is intetested in. acting as co-ordinator, please contact me.
Kim Gr ation of Melbourne, Austr alia has contacted me on the Source. He would
like to join the Sorcerer's Apprentice and would like to communicate with other
members. If you are interested, you may contact- him at TCU703.
Once we have the renewals in for next year, I would like to publish the account
number.s of members who are on the Source or CompuServe (MicroNET). Please don't
forget to fill out this information on the membership form found on page 174.
I had wanted to implement a new logo for the Newsletter .before the end of the
year. However, we have not had enough time to come up with a satisfactory one.
So, I'm announcing a BIG contest with BIG money I We'll give a whole _25 to
someone who can design an acceptable new logo for the SORCERER'S APPRENTICE.
Contest closes March 15, 1982. The new logo will be chosen by the SA board of
directors and should appear in issue 4.3. Their choice will be final.
Due to the tardiness of the last issue, Northamerican Software has extended the
deadline on their Special Offers. See their add on page 154.
Triangle Systems has moved. Their new address and phone number is: 1690 W.
Lane Ave., Columbus, OH 43221 - tel. (614) 486-3527.
Don Gottwald's phone number, as a contact person at SA, was inadvertently left
out of the last issue. His number is (313) 286-9265 • •

Northamerican Software - Limited Time Offer
This offer is only valid on orders postmarked on or before December 31, 1981
when all item s marked 'SPECIAL OFFER' will te\'ert back to regular pric es.

,.---

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------:'
GOLF - Anybody for a round? Play 18 holes of GOLF (fully graphic) and complete with all.the usual things, such a~'-
sand traps, trees, rough ground, streams, lakes and greens with close-up view. Better be prepared to get thrown off the
course if you're not good enough or if you hack up the greens with anything but the putter. A single player game in BASIC
and machine language. (BASIC & ML)
.
SPECIAL OFFER $19.95 u.s.

NEW GAMES WITH SOUND EFFECTS
ECHO -Can you remember sequences of sight and sound? Enhance your ability to remember and train your mind.
Master this skill with ECHO. Just a few minutes a day will improve and sharpen your mind. Four levels of difficulty. (ML)
SPIDER - WHO'S AFRAID OF SPIDERS? Imagine yourself in a very large room with Obstacles all around you. Your
objective is to reach the opposite corner and retrieve some money and get back again. Sounds simple enough, doesn't
it? Well, you might just get eaten or surrounded. These spiders come out of the woodwork like ants. No matter how many
you destroy, they just keep on coming. Fully graphic and with sound. (ML) .
Both the above games come complete with a digital-to-analog sound generator (printed circuit board assembled) that
plugs directly into the Sorcerer Parallel Port. All that is required is an audio amplifier and you're away to the races. Fully
compatible with other software being currently sold. There is also provision to hook TWO joysticks for game input control.
NOTE: The two programs supplied do not utilize joysticks.
.
TOTAL PACKAGE PRICE which includes the two programs ................... SPECIAL OFFER $39.95 u.s.

DISK EXTENDED BASIC 'EXBASIC' ON-SCREEN VISUAL EDITOR
This is the EDITOR that you have been waiting for. This program will modify your EXBASIC and do away with the
cumbersome Microsoft editor. You can modify your BASIC programs to your heart's content, just like on some of the
other computers. The only pre-requisites are that you have CP/M and are running a 48K or larger system and have of
course EXBASIC Ver. 5+. The program comes with full instructions in cassette fashion so that it can be loaded by
any disk user. NOT compatible with MBASIC Ver. 5. (ML)
SPECIAL OFFER $49.95 u.s.

EDOS - MICRO POLIS OPERATING SYSTEM
This system will enhance and allow you full use of Exidy ROM PAC BASIC with disk R/W routines. Are you doing it thf"~
old way? Very cumbersome to save BASIC programs. Well, at least you now can update and do it the easy way. EDO~_
comes on 5!4 inch disk (16-sectored Micropolis). (ML)
.
$59.95 u.s.

ZETU - CASSETTE-BASED Z80 ASSEMBLER
Look, an easy-to-use Z80 assembler for the thrifty-minded individual who can't afford thOSe biggies. It will do what
the big ones can, and guess what, it does it all in memory. No more two passes to the cassette. A very powerful little guy.
Fully documented manual. With on-screen editor. Disk drives not required. (ML)
SPECIAL OFFER $29.95 u.s.

EXBASIC - Full disk-extend~d BASIC ..................................... ~ .... DP 7310
$325.00 u,s.
Z80 Oisk Development System .; ........................... ; ...... ' ....... DP 7260
125.00 u.s.
Exidy precision P~INT driver routines .. '.............................. :.... DP 7221
125.00 u.s.
WPP PAC to disk ~onversions .................................... '. . . . . . . . DP 7220_
99.00 u.s.
Exidy ROM PAC BASIC to Extended 19K B'ASIC ............. : . . . . . .. . . . . .. DP 7272
49.00 u.s.
Exidy 19K BASIC to EXBASIC disk BASIC .......... : ....... '............... DP 7271
99.00 u.s.
MICROHOME programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . • . . .. . . . . .. . . . DP 7100
30.00 u.s.
SORCERY cassette programs ................................ '. . . . . . . . . . ... DP 3003
50.00 u.s.
SPELLBINDER - Word Processor· ... '....... j • ~ •••••••••••••••••••••••• ; • • • • •
375.00 u.s.
TOOLKIT for Sorcer~r ROM PAC BASIC (2.3K ML) ........................... SPECIAL OFFER 29.95 u,s.
SWORD - Sorc~rer Word Processor (4KML) ................................. SPECIAL OFFER 29.95 u.s.
SUPER GRAPHIC SCRATCH PAD Ver. 2.2 (BASIC & ML) ................... SPECIAL OFFER 19.95 u.s,
KNOW YOURSORCERERI, II, 111- For beginners (BASIC & ML) ............. SPECIAL OFFER 19.95 u.s.
BRICKS - Block your opponent and wall him In (BASIC & ML) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9.95 u.s.
GALAXIANS - A favorite withall (4K ML) ..... : . : . ~.......................... SPECIAL OFFER 18.95 u.s.
MACHINE CODE TUTORIAL PACKAGE ~ 8 exercise programs (ML) ......... SPECIAL OFFER 24.95 u.s.
SOUND GENERATOR & JOYSTICK CARD by Northamerican Software ........ SPECIAL OFFER 19.95 u.s.
(ASsembled and tested)

DELIVERY: Software sent out within 10 days from receipt of your order.
TERMS:
Orders are payable in U.S. funds by certified cheque or money order.
C.O.D. orders are not possible. VISA and MasterCard accepted.
NOTE:
North America only: Postage & Handling minimum $1.50 (up to 3 items)
Each additional item $0.50 extra.
DEALER ENQUIRIES WELCOME
Overseas only: $5.00 inclusive of Registrationllnsurance
154
SORCERER'S APPRENTICE, De(-ember 1,1981

SEND TO:

(~
\""..

Northamerican Software
P.O. Box 1173, Station 'B'
Downsview, Ontario
Canada
M3H 5V6

)

;~
I:

DISK NOTES
by Bryan Lewis, CP/M Editor

For this month's column I'll again use the answer to a
reader's question. Kenneth Gray requested a recommendation
on floppy disk systems for the Sorcerer. In particular he
wanted to know which systems do not require the S-100
box, since he has upgraded his Sorcerer I to 48K RAM
without the box. Here's a summary of the information I
dug up by calling Exidy, Vista, and Morrow Designs. All
of these are complete systems: drive(s), controller, cables,
and operating system.
Manufacturer

Model

Capacity LIST Price
per Drive

------------------------- --------------------1000 K
~1495 one,

Morrow Designs Discus 2+2
(dual sided) for
Eddy (with CP/M
and MBASIC)
Vista V200 double-sided
(with CP/M)
Micropolis 1053 Mod II
Dual-S ided (with
NDCS, Micrps. Basic)
Morrow Designs Discus 2D
for Eddy (w. CP/M
and MBASIC)
. Exidy Floppy Disk System
(with CP/M)
Vista V200 for Exidy
(with CP/M)
Micropol is 1053 Mod II
(wi th NDCS 1 Micropol is Baslc)

C.·,

Needs
Box?
Yes

2575 both
400 K

~1495

both

630 K

~1888

both

Yes

500 K

~1095

305 K

for one, Yes
1875 for two

200 K

995 for 1st No
795 for 2nd
No
~1l95 both

315K

939 for one, Yes
1534 for two

Now back to my comments.]
The CP/M supplied with Discus isn't very well tailored to
the Sorcerer; I've been told by Ed Mentzer that screen
listings are slow. That can be fixed by patching in my
BIOS (available free on the Sorcerer Bulletin Board) if
you're somewhat experienced in assemblf language. I believe
that the source code of the mos 15 supplied with the
Discus, which makes patching much easier.
The Vista system uses the most nonstandard disk format:
five-inch soft-sectored. That might cause you future
inconveniences in swapping your progr ams with other
Sorcerer owners, or buying software from any but the
largest vendors. The Vista CP/M is well tailored to the
Sorcerer, and th~ source code, is provided. Vista drives
appear to require more maintenance than others.
The Micropolis system is a workhorse: sturdy, reliable,
but not real speedy. The disk format is slightly
nonstandard in the CP/M world, but it's the most common
among Sorcerer owners. A disadvantage is that CP/M is not
supplied, which is something you will want if you want to
buy almost any commercial software. I myself have two
Micropolis drives, and have had no problems (other than
those caused by my own heavy-handed soldering on the
controller board).

The list prices can be deceiving. I've found disagreement
between suppliers. Anyway, you can get much better prices
if you're willing to buy mail-order. Priority One
Electronics (look for their ad in BYTE magazine) sells the
Micropolis systems for 26 to 35% off, and the Discus
systems for about 15% off. The 'disadvantages of mailorder buying are lack of service (you can send back a
defective system, but you may wait weeks for replacement),
total lack of installation help, and a tendency to rack up
phone bills for those of us outside California.

I don't know much about the Exidf system; I've seen it
once in a store. The drives are flYe-inch soft -sectored
(made by MPI, I think) which is again a comvatibility
problem. The CP/M BIOS is good, but Exidy didn t supply
the source code the last time I heard. There are some extra
utilities supplied, for saving cassette progr ama on disk and
linking the Word Processor Pac to the disk. The Exidy
system is expensive, any way you look at it.O

I ranked the systems in the above table by the price/size
ratio, which I defined as the total price (adding in CP/M
or the S-100 box when necessary), divided by storage
capacity of a two -drive system. It surprises me to see the
Micropolis 1053 on the bottom of that ranking, since it's a
very popular drive among Sorcerer owners. The killer is the
cost of the S-100 box. Another reason is that the ranking
system is biased in favor of the larger-capacity drives.

POWER ON AND CASSETTE LOADING INDICATOR

!: EQJ

';Ktiybrd inp. routine.
;Mon. warm start entry.

OE009H
OE003H

; •••••••••••••• END Of

PROG~

••••••••••••••

Now that we have entered all 'the source code, we ar'e
ready to assemble it into OBJECT CODE. Press the
ESCAPE key, and the EDITOR prompt character (.) will
retUIn~ To exit the EDITOR
type 'E' and press the
RETURN key. This will 'End' the edit session by typing
out the source file through the SO: vector (SOURCE OUT),
which in our case is the SORCERER VIDEO (:SV).

And again we
we are going to
Set vector :CI
Set vector :00
Set vector :00
Set vector lSI
Set vec tor ISO

must reset the I/O vectors for the utility
now use, called the ASSEMBLER.
(Console inp.) to :SK (Sorc'r keybrd)
(Console outp.) to :SV (Sorc'r video)
(Cbject outp.) to :AI (lnp. to A buf.)
to :00 (Qltp fran B buf)
(Source inp.)
(Source outp.) to :SV (Sorc'r video)

The assembler now takes over, and processes the source
code file by passing through it twice. The first pass, will
create a symbolic table of all 1 abels and their relative
addresses. The second pass will resolve the jumps and calls
to these labels using the table. In addition, the source
code is checked for syntax errors, and flagged with the
appropriate elIor code. If a statement is error free, then it
is converted into obj ect code, where at the end of the
assembly, a message will indicate the number of errors (if
any), were found.
NOTE: A problem with the EXIDY assembler, particularly with programs of a length greater than 20 lines, is that
the assembly listing, showing the source code along with the
assembled obj ect code and any error codes, is scrolled off
the video screen, generally faster than you can catch the
errors. Unless you have a printer, you'll find this causes
you a serious problem. One temporary aid you might find
useful, is to put a low value into the send delay byte of
the MONITOR work area. It can be found by adding 3F
hex to the start of the monitor stack address. It
ordinarily contains 00 hex, for no delay. The larger the
value, the greater the delay. Now when the assembler
scrolls the listing, it can be slowed enough to copy the
errors by hand.
Now it needs to be understood that the OBJECT code file
just aeated is not executable yet. This is because this
assembler is actually a 'RELOCATING ASSEMBLER', which
requires the use of another utility called the 'LINKING
LOADER'. The object code file contains additional
information statements to aid the LOADER routines to
RELOCATE the object code to any location you desire.
Again we must set the I/O vectors to use the LOADER
utility.
Set vector :CI (Console inp.) to :SK (Sorc'r keybrd)
Set vector :00 (Console outp.) to :SV (Sorc'r video)
Set vector :01 (Cbject inp.)
to:AD (Gutp fran A buf)
Now we enter the command: L O,FF [CR]
This causes the LOADER to relocate and load the object
file starting at address 0000 hex, and to build a symbol
table starting at address OOFF hex. This table is used by
the LOADER to correctly adjust the addresses found in
CALL and JUMP statements, and to resolve any labels
marked as GLOBAL. When it has done so, an asterisk (110)
will appear signifying that the load is complete. In
addition it will report the starting and ending addresses for
the now relocated object code, which we now refer to as a
'LOAD module'. Now press the PERIOD key (.) to return
'Control to the MONITOR so you can dump it to tape or
test execute it. Provided that it does not disturb the other
buffets, your original SOURCE and OBJECT code will, still
be available.
You ,might find it convenient to use the vectors I have
given in the above ex amples as you become familiar with the
PAC. As you will come to realize, the DEVELOPMENT PAC
book, does not provide everything you need to know in any
one place. So to assist myself I have constructed a table
of all the settings necessary to use the routines in the' PAC,
when using the RAM-BASED development configuration, as
'
described above.
LQ\DER
ASSIM3LER
IDI'KR
I/O
VECKRS
VECKR
OiANNELS
VECIa
:SK
15K
:SK
CI:
:&1
:SV
00:
:SV
:AD
n/a
01:
n/a
:AI
n/a
00:
n/a
:00
:BI
n/a
51:
:&1
n/a
SO:
:&1
If you haven't already come to this conclusion, you will
shortly ..... IT GENERALL Y IS A LOT OF TROUBLE TO
GET FROM ONE ROUTINE TO ANOTHERIII There is also
the added risk, that if you don't properly set the vectors,
you can destroy the source code buffer. Mildly upsetting to
say the least!
Before dispaiting, and resolving to
help is on the HORIZONIII or more
issue. In it we will discuss a short
simplify your life (or at least the
immensely I

make due with BASIC,
precisely in the next
Z80 routine that will
coding aspects of it)

Until then, have funl •

SORCERER'S APPRENTICE, December 1, 1981

157

ASTRONOMY PROGRAMS
JSATS- Displays configurations of Jupiter's satellites for any date and time or
series of datES and times, N or S at top. $10
ECLIP- Gives date and magnitude of next umbral eclipse of Moon, starting any year
and continuing for as long as requested. $5
PLTTN - Ask for any planet or Sun on any date and progrnm selects and displays a
star map and plots planet plus any others and Moon if in same region.
With or without RA and Dec grid, and plots a seriES for selected time
. intervals. Identifies stars. IndicatES phase of Moon. $20
RADEC- Gives RA and DEC for planets, any date. $15
RADCM for Moon. $10
SKYPN- Plots stars, planets, Sun, and Moon visible above horizon at any time and
date in Northern or Southern Hemisphere to 85 deg. lat. $25
BOOK of listings of 20 astronomical programs with photos of screen displays $25
plus $3.50 postage and handling ($7 overseas).
(A self-addressed envelope for details. Available for Astrologers also.)
Eric Burgess FRAS, 13361 Frati Lane, Sebastopol, CA 945'12 ('10'1) 8'14-2352

\"'_./'

STALEY SORCERER SOFTWARE
SORCERER'S SPELL, the spell-correcting pro~ram, is now available on tape and has
been modified so that it is compatible With SPELLBINDER. Now you can use
SORCERER'S SPELL with any CP/M to find misspelled words in Word Processor files
createa by the Word Processor ROMPAC, SPELLBINDER, or any word processing
program. Feature for feature, SORCERER'S SPELL rivals SPELLGUARD or
SPELLCHECK but is much less expensive. And now, for a limited time, the price is
reduced from $100 to $50.
We are also extending our offer of any 15 of our 27 game, statistics, or educational
programs for $100. That includES our acclaimed SORCERER ASTEROIDS that sells
alone for $19.95. See previous Newsletters for descriptions and reviews or send for
a catalog.
STALEY'S SORCEREIi SOFTWARE
3497 School Road, Murrysville, PA 15668

C/80 Supports:

FOR YOUR

SORCERER
Based on Ron Cain's
small-C, C/80 was written
by Walt BiZofsky of the
Software Toolworks.
Triangle Systems distributes
C/80 for the Sorc erer with
an enhanced tutorial
introduction to C/BO. C/BO
needs at least 40K of RAM
.and either Exidy or
MicropOzis C/PM.

C/80 gives you the power
and efficiency of structured
programming. Programs
writtm in C/BO run up to 10
times faster than BASIC and
require less del1lgging.

$ 49DO

Character and integer types
Pointers and arrays
String constants
All C math and logic
Full function recursion
All C control statements
I/O redirection
Standard C I/O library
Dynamic storage allocation
C preprocessor statements

C/80 includes:
C/80: compiler and library
CASM: absolute assembler
Sample C/80 programs:
file compression utility
file comparison utility
WP Pac file conversion

o
158

SORCERER'S APPRENTICE, December 1, 1981

)

------------ - - -

THE OFFJlCE SORCERER
by Roger Hagan, Business Editor
I have a small business in which I
sell and use the Exidy line as business
equipment. Because of this, Ralph
LaFlamme suggested that I act as
Editor of a column on the Sorc erer as
a business machine. I have consented
to do so and will try to restrict my
contribution to solid news, reviews,
actual programs and macros. Initially, I wish to give my perspective.
I am primarily a writer, secondarily
a pr oduc er, and thirdly, a businessm an.
I first bought a Sorc erer for its Word
Processor Pac, then taught myself
Basic to do a business accounting
program for my company, and finally
taught myself assembly language to
create a sort program that would work
with Word Processor Pac files. I
needed this a lot but nobody had one
available so I had to do it myself.
I have now started another company
with a new partner to deal in
microcomputers for
business, for
writers, and for self-employed professionals. This has pr ovid ed me with
the opportunity to work on several
systems and compare features. We
sell S-100 based systems with 8" disk
drives
and
Televideo
and
Adds
terminals, and we are getting into the
Zenith line as well. With all these
other systems available, why do I still
like the Sorc er er?
Familiarity may be a large factor in
why I like this system, but I still work
on the Sorc erer by preference. The
keyboard is ideal for Word Processing,
the Monitor has excellent subroutines
which can be accessed both directly
and from programs, and the Word
Processor Pac is a bargain which
outclasses software on any other home
micro, especially if PPRINT is added.
Spellbinder finds probably its best
home on the Sorcerer, with the keypad
carrying the editing com m ands rather
than function keys arrayed across the
top of the keyboard. The Arkay
key tops make it very easy to master,
without the help of screen messages,
which I hate in all WP system s: Spellbinder, Word Star, and Magic Wand.
The Pac Basic is applic able to
cassette based business programs for a
sm all offic e grossing up to a million
dollars
a
year
if
whole-dollar
accounting suffices. It does suffice
for tax I?urposes. The ROM graphics,
along With USR subroutines which
have come out in the newsletters,
allow sophistic ated cursor addressing
and
screen formatting
for
such
software. The Exidy disk system is
capacious, at 296K per side formatted,
and well thought-out, allowing Rom
Basic programs to be saved and run
from disk. And, EXBASIC on disk, or
its cassette version, ue full Microsoft
implementations
allowing
higherprecision math and the use of
powerful
business
programs
with
minim al m odific ations.
But best of all, there's no fan. The
S-100 systems with their big fans are
noisy. And, the monitor can be set at
any distance from the keyboard. The
fatigue factor of being jammed up
against the monitor is documented.
For this reason, with the exception of
the Zenith, we show only monitors
with separable keyboards on the larger
systems.
Although it seems that many
readers of the Apprentic e have moved

to disk, the g eni.us of the Exidy
system remains 10 how well it
functions as a cassette based system.
I c an provide a writer with a fully
professional capacity word processor,
with more output formatting power
than Magic Wand, and a Daisy Wheel
printer, for less than $4000j with a
rebuilt Wang-Selectric terminal (not a
typewriter conversion), or a dot
matrix draft printer, for less than
$3000, if he can forego disk. I know
that users with Sorcerer Ones have
troublesome cassette interfaces, but
the fixes are now well known, and
Twos are relatively dependable. I've
used one on cassette for two years of
word processing.
For the cost of one standard small
business micro, I c an provide an offic e
disk based system and a machine to
keep at home to work with, and a
method (cassette) of transporting
drafts between the two systems.
And, those of us with different disk
system scan
exchange
progr am s
nonetheless with cassettes. It rem ains our universal language. With
cassette Extended Basic, I can also
save a disk Basic program with the
",A" option for an Ascii version,
rename it to a Word Processor file,
load it in Word Processor, and save it
on cassette to take home for more
work, in either Word Processor or in
Cassette Basic. (For the latter, and
for getting the program back into disk
Basic at the office, the trick is to get
the resident Basic to read the Ascii
file in RAM as if it were being input
from the keyboard. The program to
achieve this will appear in the next
issue.
So, to summarize the attitude
behind this column, I believe that as
much work as possible should be
gotten out of the Word Processor Pac
and/or Spellbinder. Because Steve
Guralnick does a column on the latter,
I will pay some attention to useful
macros for the Word Processor Pac,
and later to Spellbinder if he tires. I
have created macros for the WP Pac
which duplicate the functions of those
on the Spellbinder demo disk. The
Pac
can
work
hard
for
you.
(Spellbinder is being expanded by its
creators into a total office system.)
Second, the most useful business
programs for imm ediate use on the
Sorcerer are those in Microsoft Basic.
Exidy's EXBASIC, which is a superset
of Microsoft Basic v.5, EXBASIC can
handle direct cursor addressing on the
Sorcerer very simply. The CP/M 2.2
now released by Exidy promises to
solve cursor addressing problems for
other software, so the picture may
change, but for the moment the
programs easiest to customiz e to your
applic ations will be those compatible
with the Basic you get with Exidy disk
drives. [Ed Mentzer is now implementing direct cursor addressing in his
CP/M 2.2. - RL]
Off-the-shelf
business
programs
alm ost universally call for two drives,
but I will be discussing methods of
adapting them to single drive systems.
Many call for 80 character screens and
are not adaptable to the Sorcerer.
Others provide a 64 character option,
or are of a nature that the occasional
wraparound is not troublesome, and
do es not 0 c cur in prin tou ts. I w ill try
to solve this problem insofar as
--possible.
I

will

also

discussing

viable

SORCERER'S APPRENTICE, December 1, 1981

cassette based equivalents wherever I
can find them or create them.
Incidentally, in such progr ams, it is
often desirable to save string an ays.
My cassette business programs were
made possible by the solution to this
problem by the founder of The
Apprentice, Dave Bristor. He came
up with his solution two y.:ars ago.
(Our Australian friends were still
struggling with the problem a year
lat er.) But, in business applic ations,
even for the one-person office, the
presence of at least one disk drive is
what makes the daily use of a business
program truly practical. A cassettebased business program for incometracking and accounts receivable takes
5 minutes to load at 1200 baud! So
you tend not to load it, and soon the
c ash is moving around untracked.
I will review any program sent to
me which has a business or professional applic ation, and I hope som e of
these will be generated by readers.
As a dealer, I will try to arrange sales
and demos for such products, if they
show promise, but will share code only
on some of my own software, and pass
along none as favors.
Now for a quick review of what is
now available for use on the Sorcerer.
All of these will be discussed in the
future.
1. The Compumax business package
"Microbiz", fully adapted to the
Sorc erer, is the system Exidr sells.
It receives fair to good reViews in
professional public ations, but gets high
marks
for
adaptability
and
for
providing sourc e code. It consists of
seven integrated modules at $350
each. Many small businesses would
not need the inventory or payroll
modules, and order entry might not be
needed either.
2. Exidy says Supercalc is available.
A spreadsheet program for such
IF=fHEN exercises as cash flow
projections is one of the most useful
things a micro can do, which is why
Visic alc is one of the most successful
sellers in micro history. But none is
yet on the Sorcerer. And Exidy's
version does not work with less than
56K RAM, so it's intended for their
new Multi-N et 80 system based on the
White computer, not the Sorcerer.
System Software is reported to be
working on a Supercalc implementationj I hope so. Meanwhile, I need~d
one NOW, so I wrote one 10
EXBASIC. I'll publish the code in a
future issue of the Apprentice, but I'll
sell it on disk. I think, from the way
it is going, that a Basic Rom Pac
version will be possible too, using
Paul Grimshaw's ingenious
cursor
addressing program which requires
only "OUT col, row" to place the
cursor. [In a future issue. - RL]
3. Guralnick and Rubin have produced a powerful set of macros for
Spellbinder to make it take over a lot
of work in a law office. A review on
this is forthcoming. Price not setded.
4. Lexisoft has released SPELLCHECK,
their
version
of
the
SPELLGUARD dictionary. It works
on any Ascii disk file, so you do not
need Spellbinder to run it. It can be
used with Word Processor Pac disk
files. It lists for $295, but will be
discounted to Apprentice members.
5. Exidy
in. co-operation
with
Chicago Systems Inc., has released
two sets of programs in the field of

159

banking and loan processing, called
Genual Banking and Installment
Lending.
The
programs
are
in
Microsoft Basic and provide a useful
set of calculations and quick. printouts.
6. Exidy has also shown dealers a
Legal Billing demo program
in
Microsoft Basic, but has not yet
released details on a full, saleable
rogram. Exidy seems to be targeting
aw cffices in much of its advertising,
so more of this type of software can
be expected.
7. Ledsoft· has agreed to provide
sufficient source details to enable us
to adapt WSORT to Spellbinder, but
those details have not· yet arrived at
our office.
8. dBASE II, one of the bestreviewed data base
management
systems, has been implemented on
Eddy equipment, but we have yet to
see it. It i8 a 1anguag e in itself,
allowing an office to customize it to
its forms and requirements. It takes
some time to learn. It lists for
around ~700. We can review it based
on other cystems in our office, but we
will wait ,until we see it behaving on
our 64 column screen and memory
mapped video, which will necessitate
our acquiring E:ddy's new CP/M 2.2.
9. CADAS, the Cassette Database
System by R.J.V. Stafford, allows a
good-sized membership lin, inventory
or payable file to be set up, sorted,
tot lIed, and printed out in a flexible
format. It 1S column oriented and
limited to 9 lines of 56 characters.
10. The newly advertised cassette
"General Business System" by Lee
Anderll, issued by Quality Software,
appean to be another database
system, at $99.95. We will seek a
review copy and report.
11 •. Triangle Systems of Columbus,
Ohio, has been advertising a math
extension for the Word Processor Pac,
and had agreed to exchange a preview
coPy for a copy of WSORT1 but since
bemg
sent
WSORT,
has
been
incommunicado for over two months
and doeo not retum phone calls.
Probably bugs. We still have high
hopeD for Mr. Wim Piatt'll promised
augmentation' of the Pac, and for that
rcaGon have refrained from undertaking a math and decimal tabulation
program for it ourselves. [A call to
Wim Plaat confirmed that bugs have
been a problem in integrating the WP
extension with WSORT. - RLl
12. The same lack of response has
been found from Staley Software, who·
briefly advertised a Sorc erer's Spell
dictionary for a very reaaonable puce.
Weare anxious to analyze that
program and report to you, but our
mail to them has been unanswered for
two months.
[See Staley Software's
Spell dictionary ad on page 158. - RLJ
I hope to be able to expand this list
of Sorcerer work programs every
month, as well as provide useful
details and reviews••

<<<

$1/line

CLASSIFIED ADS>>>
$l/line

========================~====

FOR SALE

SRent Printer: Trendcom 200, 8.5",
Parallel, ASCII at graphics. Cable.
extra or make your own. Includes
progr am to dump screen to printer.
'UO + shipping and insurance.
LoM. Zatz, 959 Mears Ct., Stanford,
CA 94305. (415) 49.3-0692, eves.

160
I

ADVERTISEMENT IANNOUNCEMENT

EVALUATIONS

MAKE THE SORCERER

by Emiliano De Laurentiis

DO REAL WORK WITH:

WSORT, a program by Roger Hagan
Associates, costs ~47.50, and is worth
every penny. If you need a fast, no
fuss, reliable and inexpensive sort,
then this is 'the one.

WSORT, The Word Processor Sort.

This Z-80 utility can now be
loaded warm or cold from tape or
disk, without destroying anything in
RAM. 'It becomes a new WP command,
sorting records of any length and
shape very quickly. Specify your
equipment and disk' operatint!' system.
On tape, $47.50. On disk with
related utilities for Exidy CPM (or
on cassette with the utilities ready to
transfer to disk for another CPM),
$75.

("-----:
\

'.-.-~'

It took me less than two hours to
learn how to use it, and I probably
would have learned it faster if I had
bothered to read all eight pages of
instructions.
The progr am LOG's
into memory and can be called from
the WP Pac using a new command,
GIS. If you have disks, then it uses
your disk drive routines such as Exidy
Systems' DISKDRIV, for saving and
loading sorted files.

HAGMf SPREADSHEET

Despairing of finding Visicalc
adapted to a Sorcerer, and knowing
that Supercalc takes 56K RAM, we
wrote our own. Now it's in all three
Exidy Basics. Up to: 13 columns, 40
rows, 20 in-column relational formulae, 5 steps per formula, 3 subtotals
per column which may be independent
sootions, 10 lines excluded from
addition. Formulae entered as responses to queries, before, during, or
after data entry. Full or empty
sheets may be saved with their labels
and formulae to tape or disk, ready
to re-use. A set of these can be
developed. for various uses.
Your screen is a four-by-twenty
window on any part of the sheet. A
total-of-rows column can be temporarily placed anywhere on the sheet
to show intermediate or year row
totals. Help menu available at all
times; fully self-documented, but
comes with short manual and sample
file.
Never did the Sorcercer seem more
justified than when we first ran a
twelve month cash flow projection
and showed that the lease we were
about to sign would be a disaster
seven months down the road. Includes a graph module, so even my
partners could see where the bank
balance was headed. Change some
input values, run the sheet calculation, and print a new graph to show
an alternative future. Up to six
selectable rows of values are plotted
against the compressed column grid;
self -ranging.
Spreadsheet and graph values are
standard Basic arrays and can be
created or aroessed by other Basic
programs. Source is not protected
and is modifiable. Instructions show
how to expand the resident operator
set. Commented source is available
to purchasers for a small surcharge.
Maximum 13X40 size is set by RAM
available; therefore, the RomPac version can be modified to create a much
larger sheet in 48K. Use for cash
.flow projection, performance summaries, test data tabulation, ecological models. Specify your Basic.
The most useful program we have
tried. On cassette, $4'1.50. Exidy
Disk Basic version $75 with all
modules chained and sharing data.
ROGER BAGAN ASSOCIATES

1019 Belmont Pl. E
Seattle, WA 98102
SORCERER'S APPRENTICE, December 1, 1981

Sorting is fast because WSORT sets
up an index of the file and sous the

index, rather than the actual file.
This technique reduces the amount of
blocks of text that the program
would otherwise have to slmffle if
indexing were not used.
The program sorts by words, not
characters or column spaces, so that
one may have words of different
length ad have it sorted just as
easily. Similarly, the records, or the
blocks of text that are to be sorted
(eg. mailing labels) may vary in
length; also, the field which is used
for sorting may occur anywhere in the
record. A field may be the last name
of aJstomers, for ex ample, OI the Zip
code.
You may also store both, a sorted
version of a file, and the unsorted
version in memory (assuming that
each file takes up only half the
memory space) so that the same file
can be sorted for different fields.
And, of course, if an error is made in
setung up the file,· it is a simple
matter to return to the WP Pac to
make the corrections.
When setting up records, different
char acters may be used to delimit the
records. I discovered, in fact, that
graphic
char acters will
also be
accepted as a delimiter. This may
prove useful for files which may
include just about any ASCII character and an unused delimiter would be
hard to find.
Despite it being such a well written
progr am, there are suggestions that
could be made for, its improvement.
For one thing, when inputting values
in the menu, the value that is entered
does not show on the screen until
one presses return. This can be more
than a simple nuisance for a novice,
computer userl Similarly, in order to
make a change to any value, it is
necessary to restart the menu. You
cannot simply backspace to erase a
character. The documentation (l had
a preliminary draft) is gener ally very
complete except for one glaring
omission, there were
no
specific
instructions for how to load the
progr am flom cassette. Is it LO? OI
LOG? etc. Some polishing, and this
will classify as some of the best
documentation I have read.
WSORT is well worth the price.
When Roger Hagan releases another
version of WSORT with disk 1/0 fOI
sOIting larger than memory files,
then the proglam will easily be worth
twice the amount! e

(

AR RINGTON SOFTWARE SERVICE
9522 Linstock
Boise, IDAHO

83704

U.S.A •

••••••••••••••••••••••••••
< < < < < 1981

CHRISlMAS CATALOG> > > > >

.*.* •••••• *••••••• *•••• *.*
Arlington Software Service is pleased to present its 1981 Christmas catalog. This eight
page colored section lists the products we have to offer to help make this an enjoyable
and pleasant season of gift giving. Just fill out the order form on the reverse side and
return it, as soon as possible, to receive your order in time for Christmas.
An item not listed, is the new Votr:u speech synthesizer at $370. Just give us a call
to hear how it sounds. (See phone number on reverse side.> A program that you should
pay particular attention to is our newest release called CHOMP.
CHOMP IS A CHAMP
by Ralph LaFlamme, Editor
Do you remember Christmas when you were little? The antiCipation of opening a gift?
The excitement of playing with a new toy? Well get ready to be young again! CHOMP,
a game fashioned after the very popular Pac-Man video arcade game, is just the thing to
bring out the kid in any adult I (I suspect real kids would be more than a little
int er es ted also!)
.
In this game, you control a little fellow who is all mouth. He goes around chomping
up the dots in a maze of alleys. You get points for each dot that he eats. When he's
eaten up all the dots, 'you get another 'plate full'. Sound exciting? No? Well it is
because you are constantly being chased down by four hood-like characters with big eyes.
Get in theiJ: way and you get chomped.
These 'villains', however, have their weakness. They become vulnerable to being
chomped up when you eat one of the four large dots in the alleys. They become 'ghosts'
of their former selves. But hold onl You only have a short time to take out your
revenge. Get them quick I They will return to their villainous ways very soon. You get
200 points for your first one and multiples of this for each additional one so it's
worthwhile taking the chancel

If dodging the 'hoods' and being chased away from chomping up all the dots were not
enough to be concerned about,
also have a bunch of cherlies that keeps appearing at
random times. Chomp these, i you can get near them, they are worth a lot of points I
Makes for quite a fast action 'juggling act'.

IOU

You get three chomps to play.
13,000 and I'm just limbering upl

Make the most of them.

I've already gotten over

This game has action. It has excitement. It has suspense. It requires strategy.
it has superb graphics. Isn't that why you bought your Sorcerer?

And,

Howard Arrington compares this game to Galaxians in excitement and graphics
resolution. I find it a cut above. It is more challenging and exciting and better sustains
my interest. I would rate this game a definite must to any video arcade aficionado.
This is a very well written machine language progr am that I'm told took over a year to
wlitel The only negative I find is that use of the four keypad arrow keys gets somewhat
awkward after a while. Use of a joystick, and the addition of sound, would improve the
enjoyment still further.
I used the method outlined in this issue's article, Saving ML Programs On Micropolis
Disk, to transfer this program to disk for a simple load/run capability.
SORCERER'S APPRENTICE, December 1, 1981

161

ARRINGTON SOFTWARE SERVICE
9522 Linstock, Boise, IDAHO

83704

Software makes an appreciated gift. If we could be Santa's
CHRISTMAS SHOPPING?
helper we would have Santa fill the stockings with some of the great products from this
catalog. Everyone enjoys our Music System and Piano Player. Be sure you have all of the
following highly recommended items under the tree this year:
[] MUSIC SYSTEM I and PIANO PLAYER, OR MUSIC SYSTEM II
[J MOZART RONDO, THE STING, AND MAPLE LEAF RAG SONG FILES
[J SORCERY BREWS MANUAL
[J DATABASE SYSTEM II
[J GALAXIANS GAME
[J CHOMP GAME
[J GRAPHICS PACKAGE I, OR GRAPHICS PACKAGE II
All orders are in the return mail within 3 days. Software is recorded at both 300 and
1200 baud and is guaranteed. We seek to have your approval and satisfaction. We will
try to answer questions and be of service in every possible way.
We thank our patronage for a very successful two years. Next year promises to be even
better as we continue to grow in staff and product offerings. Our formula for success has
been: Customer Satisfaction. We want to bring you the very best software for the
Sorcerer, and support it with the service that has made us unique. Again, thank you very
much.
See the next six pages for details on all the items we are offering this Christmas
Season.
KEY: B-Basic M-Machine code U-Utility
H-Hardware E-Education F-Music File
HaVARD ARRINGIm
9522 LINSlOCK
BOISE, IDAHO 83704

[ J MUS IC SYSTEM I
[
[
[
[
[
[
[

]
]
]
]
]
]
]

[ J
[ ]
[ ]
[ ]

[ J
[ ]

[ J

[ ]
[ ]

[ 1
[ 1
[ ]

[ 1

[ ]

[ 1
[ ]
[ ]

162

G-Game

S-Sound

J-Joystick

keyboard

(208) 377-1938 After 6 p.m.
Moun t a inS t and a r d Time.
Checks O.K. - No credit cards.

$40.00
PIANO PLAYER
$15.00
MUS IC SYSTEM II
~ 59 • 9 5
FINLANDIA FANTASIA $10.00
~10.00
BOOGIE & ELEANOR
'JESU' & ODE ~ JOY $10.00
STRAUSS WALTZES
~ 5.00
~T RONDO
$10.00
WILLIAM TELL OVERT .~ 5.00
MOCKINGBIRD
$ 5.00
~10.00
STING & MAPLE RAG
BACH'S BOUREE IN C $ 5.00
CHESS 'BRUCE'
~17.95
GRAPHICS PACK I
$25.95
GRAPHICS PACK II
$25.95
DISASSEMBLER
~ 17 .95
CROSS REFERENCE
~ 14 • 95
MUSI~L HORSERACE
~10 .00
JAIL BREAKaJf
$10.00
IDIIDR FOR BASIC
$10.00
<:pICK EDIT
$10.00
MIT ITARY ENCDlNTER ~ 1 5 • 95
2716 EPROM BURNER
$49.95
IXUBLE PCRT BOARD
~ 7.95
DOUBLE pan a:MPLETE~24.95
CHARACTER GENERATOR $10.00
GALAXIANS
~19.95
JOYSTICK PAIR
$39.95
(+~5 OVERSEAS POST)

BMUSHEF
MF
BMUSHEF
FF
FF
FF
F
F
F
F
FF
F
MG
BMU
BMU
MU
MU
BMiS
MGS
MU
MU
BMi
MUH
H
H
BU
1~SJ

BMUH

SORCERER SIZE»>
RETURN ADDRESS:

16K

32K

[ J CH::MP
~19.95
[ ] JUKEBOX a::MPLETE ~40 .00
[ ] JUKEBOX {no board)~21.95
[ J ARTILLERY
$10.00
[ ] CUBES
~15.95
[ J DATABASE SYS II
~29.95
[ J M.aDE TlJIORIAL
~25.95
[ 1 SCREEN GENIE
$14.95
[ ] CASSETTE FILES
~14.95
[ ] SPACETREK 32K
$14.95
[ ] BLACKJACK
$10.00
[ 1 <:PBIC
$10.00
[ 1 ~LLO
$10.00
[ 1 CCNCENTRATION
$10.00
[ J CIRCUS
$17.95
[ J MISSILE DEFENSE
$17.95
[ ] SUPERX EDITOR
$21.95
[ ] DYBUG TOOL
~14.95
[ ] SCREEN SYSTEM
$25 .95
[ J SPACE INVADERS
~17.95
[ 1 SCRCERY BREWS
~14.95
(+$4 OVERSEAS POST)

SORCERER'S APPRENTICE, December 1, 1981

48K

MG
MUEFHS
MUEFS
BMG
MG
MU
ME
BMU
MU
BGS
BG
BG
MG
BG
MGS]
MGJ
MU
MU
MU
BMGSJ
E

c
I

ARRINGTON SOFTWARE SERVICE
9522

Linstoc~

Boise, IDAHO

83704

!JPGRADES. of our pro~ucts occur fr?m time to time as new features are added. Our policy
IS to provide you the Improved versIon at the cost of the postage, packaging, tape and
labor. We will provide upgrades at these prices only to those for whom we have a record
of your previous purchase.
[
[
[
[

] ~ 5.00
] ~ 5.00
] $ 6.00
] ~ 8.00

[

]

[

] ~ 5.00

~22.00

INVADERS with sound and joystick control.
GALAXIANS with sound and joystick control.
DATABASE S YS II with both cassette and CP 1M storage routines.
MUSIC II with cassette and CP1M storage routines IF you also already
own PIANO PLAYER.
MUSIC II with cass ette and CP 1M storage routines IF you do not own
PIANO PLAYER.
CASSETTE FILES with separate read and write buffers for two recorders.

CIRCUS is another great game by Martin Sevior, the author of Invaders and Galaxians.
A clown jumps off a platform onto a tr ampoline which you move back and forth. The
clown bounces high to pop balloons that move across the top of the screen. He then falls
back to the trampoline that you were supposed to move underneath him. If you misjudge
the placement of the trampoline the clown splats on the ground, and another clown jumps
from the platform. Each game lasts until three clowns have met with ill fortune. Scoring
is according to how many balloons were popped, plus a few bonus situations. The game is
complete with sound, keyboard or joystick control. Sevior's graphics are excellent. '17.9S
CASSETTE FILES gives your Basic programs filing capabilities using two cassette
recorders. Basic programs have complete control of both tape recorders. The READ and the
WRITE functions operate from separate buffers which allow you to intermix READ and
WRITE operations via two recorders. This will greatly simplify your business programs by
reading from one recorder, processing data, and writing a new file to the second recorder.
USR(O)
~.

USR(C)
USR(W)
USR(R)
USR(S)
USR(F)
USR(P),
USR(D)

OPEN file. Put the file name in TP~. Always use a 5 letter name.
Files
are written and read by this name.
CLOSE file. Always the last statement when finished writing a file. Empties
buffer onto tape.
WRITE TP~ string into buffer. When the buffer is full it is automatically
wIltten to tape.
READ next string from buffer and place in TP~. A file is read from tape
when the buffer is emptied.
Connects output to 300 baud serial printer.
Connects output to 1200 baud serial printer.
Connects output to centronics parallel printer.
Disconnects printer.

Passing a parameter value of 2 in the READ, WRITE, and CLOSE commands controls the
motor control of unit #2. Unit #1 is controlled by a parameter of 1. Example:
R=2:Z=USR(R):W=1:Z=USR(W):C=1:Z=USR(C):REM Read from #2, Write to #1 and then
Close the write file on unit #1. Data strings are written to and read from the buffers
using a certain string variable. '14.95
CROSS REFERENCE prints a complete variable and line number cross reference for Basic
programs. Reference statements such as: GOTO, GOSUB, THEN, RESTORE, ON-GOTO,
ON -GOSUB, FNxx 0, are also cross referenced. Having an alphabetized cross reference
listing with line numbers is a great document ation and debug aid. ~14.9'

SCREEN GENIE gives your Basic programs the following impressive capabilities:
> It directs PRINT statements to any row and column on the screen. Just specify ROW #
and COL UMN #.
> Selectively erase any row or set of rows. Does not affect graphics, whereas CLEAR does.
> Inverted printing can be turned on or off to highlight text. Prints black letters on
white background.
> Auto indentation to redefined left margin.
> Selectively suppress any character on output. Suppress 'space' to print strings and
numbers adj acent, etc.
> Scroll a windowed set of rows instead of the whole screen.
Saeen Genie includes a demonstr ation progr am that illustr ates every feature. It shows
how to imitate 'PRINT USING' for formatted numeric printing. By adding only a few poke
statements, these features are added to your existing progr ams. '14.95
SORCERER'S APPRENTICE, December 1, 1981

163

ARRINGTON SOFTWARE SERVICE
9522 Linstock, Boise, IDAHO

83704

GRAPHICS PACKAGE I is a powerful set of line drawing and screen motion routines
accessed from your basic programs via the USRO function. The s'r~en is organized as 128
columns by 90 rows with each dot individually addressable. The demonstration program has
dozens of sup'erb figures, bar charts, circles, stars, X-Y -Z function plots, and screen
motion. This software really shows off the Sorcerer's graphic capabilities. _2~.9~
GRAPHICS PACKAGE II is a set of machine language routines that manage all 128 gr aphic
characters to give the programmer ultimate flexibility· in plotting in high resolution of
512 x240. You pass to the routines the coordinates of the lines or points to plot, and the
routines do the rest with graphic characters until all 128 are used. As characters are freed
up, they rejoin the pool of available characters, all of which is transparent to the user.
If an existing character pattern matches the one needed, it is reused rather than defining a
redundant character cell. The mileage one can get out of 128 characters is amazing.
Coordinates are passed in Xl, Y1 variables fot plotting or erasing both points and lines.
Documentation is thorough. Use the routines with ROMPAC Basic or other languages.
Includes excellent demonstration. How can you enjoy the Sorcerer's powerful graphics
without this? _Z5.9~
2716 EPROM BURNER uses parallel port to program +5V 2716 EPROMS. This system
includes assembled hardware, software and documentation~ It turns your Sorcerer into a
powerful 2716 EPROM burner. '49.9~
DATABASE SYSTEM II
is a RAM-based general purpose database system for handling
alphanumeric data. It is written in Z-80 machine language and is suitable for use in 32K
or 48K Sorcerer microcomputers. Files may be stored on. cassette or on disk under the
CP/M 1.4 or later operating system. This database is useable by both cassette based
systemS- and/or disk based systems.
Commands avail able in functional groupings are:
A:File Definition:
B:File Input/OUtput:
C:File Alteration:
D: F i1 eLi s t i ng :
E:System Parmneters:
F:Program Exit:

CREATE
LOAD, MERGE, SAVB
AID, DELETE, IDIT, satT
L I Sf, REPORT, 10TAL
PRINI'ER, SPACE, TABSIrr
CPM, ~I'I'C1t@C

Allowance is made for up to 750 records which may consist of 1-9 fields. Each field is
given a name by the user when creating the database and this is used as an aid in
manipulating the file. The space avail able for record storage is approximately 9K less
than the available RAM in cassette mode and 14K less than CP/M system size in disk mode.
A field may contain up to 56 characters. It is best to divide the record into small fields
which are useful for sorting and searching. For ex ample, a file of names and addresses,
could have the fields:
NAME, STREET, CITY, and PHONE.
The software is sent on cassette tape, but is easily transferred to your CP/M disk. Use
the Monitor >LO command, boot your disk, and then type A>SAVE 27 DATABASE.COM.
_29.9~

CUBES is a graphical RUBIK (TM) cube puzzle. The sides of the cube are unfolded on
the screen, and you have control to rotate the faces of the cube both clockwise and
counter-clockwise. The puzzle is solved when all of the symbols on each cube face are the
same. You can begin with a solved cube and jumble it up for either yourself or a friend
to resolve, or you can select any of 5 pre-programmed puzzles whose solutions the Sorcerer
will show upon request. This is a very challenging mental activity, which may be the
reason for the surge of popularity for this cube puzzle. RUBIK is a trademark of the
IDEAL TOY Corpor ation which is not associated with this progr am. _1~.95

164

SORCERER'S APPRENTICE, December 1, 1981

ARRINGTON SOFTWARE SERVICE
9522 Linstock, Boise, IDAHO

83704

SUPERX EDITOR is the best editing tool for Basic programs for the price anywhere. It
includes such powerful features as revive a lost program, block listing, block deletion, block
renumbering, merge, string search, compact program, pause listing and resume, and execute
Monitor comm ands from- Basic mode. One can edit any line shown on the screen by moving
the cursor to the edit location. Edit features include insert, delete, tab, truncate, copy
and auto-line number generation. As a professional programmer, this program has saved
me countless hours in editing. Customers who have used both SYSTEM III and SUPERX
say they prefer the ease-of -use of SUPERX. I do toolll _21.95
MACHINE CODE TUTORIAL Many have requested additional knowledge about the Sorcerer
and help in learning to program in machine language. This package will help you
understand video and keyboard routines, Z80 registers, instructions and flags, Monitor and
Basic work areas and useful routines in ROM, and sound generation. I particularly like
the interactive environment where one can immediately try the exercise ideas being
presented. The eight programs that you load into the Sorcerer lead you step-by-step in
your development. _25.95
SORCERY BREWS is a manual of programming tricks specific to the Sorcerer. This ready
reference of valuable ex amples simplifies progr amming efforts and improves both
professional appearance and performance. The manual has chapters on Programming Tips,
Basic's Commands and Functions, Keyboard, Video, Joysticks, Sound, the Monitor, Machine
Language Interfacing and Routines, I/O Drivers, Cassette Tape, a source listing of an
Editor for Basic, CP/M, Word Processor, Development PAC, Plotting, tables and forms. Best
of all, we are very proud of the extensive Basic ROMPAC Map which identifies dozens of
useful ROMPAC routines and how they work. Customers have been hungry to have this kind
of information collected together and concisely presented in a single manual. I've gleaned
my mind of every clever and useful piece of information I know about the Sorcerer.
Everyone is sure to discover something they will treasure. Believe me, YOU'll USE THIS
MANUAL I It's over 100 pages long and stuffed with hundreds of 'brews'. _14.95 (+$4
overseas postage)

SORCERER INVADERS is a fast action game similar to the popular arcade version. Rows
of marching invaders continue their advance while you dodge back and forth avoiding the
falling phasers. The bunkers under which you may hide only provide temporary protection.
The only hope for you is skill in shooting down the advancing party, each !lnd everyone
of them. Then to your horror another screen full of ·invaders appear to continue their
march back and forth and downward. The superb graphics and the fast-paced action make
the excitement very real. The game is addictive because it is so fun. Invaders comes with
both j oy~tick or keyboard control, and sound. _17.95
SORCERER GALAXIANS has been raved about in the reviews. Don't you think it's time
you i oined in the excitement? Galaxian spaceships peel out of formation at the top of the
screen, and fire at you as they dive and zip across the screen. You constantly dodge them
and their fire while trying to shoot down the darting ships. The graphics are superb and
the excitement very addictive. Galaxians uses either joystick or keyboard control, and
comes with spaced-out soundl Use our music system interface board for all of our software
which offers sound. _19.95
DISASSEMBLER is a Z-80 machine language two-pass disassembler whose output format is
directly compatible with the Development Pac. The Z-80 assembly language source (input
to assembler) listing can be sent to Video, Cassette or Printer. The cassette file produced
is a source file for the Editor/Assembler and can be read directly into the editor of the
Development Pac. The disassembler has a displacement function which allows any program
residing anywhere in memory to be decoded, whether it is at it's normal address or has been
moved to be decoded. "17.95
SAMPLE PRINIUJf

E993
E994
E997
E999
E99B
E99C

F5
Q)

lB EO

FE OA
29 14
F5
DB FF

LE993

PUSH

CALL

(note use of ';' to give
multiple answers ••• more on this later). CBBS responds with;
MSG assigned number: 123
ENTER THE LINES. 60 Chars/line max. (Bell dngs at 55).
-----> When done, enter a blank line (C/R alone)
-----> To abort, enter: ABORT
01 ?[---- message may be entered at 60 characters per line

i·6.. ?[---------

----]

message may contain a total of. ·16 lines ---------]

When we have entered oUt sixteenth line, or when we enter a blank line, the
program responds with:
ENTER A LETTER:
A=Abort, C=Cont. input, E=Edit, L=List, R=R etype line,
S=Save <--- (DO THIS WHEN YOU HAVE FINISHED)
A,C,E,L,R,S:?
This is where you may begin editing your message. The functions behave in
the following ways;
A=Abort
- throw the message way, do not add to the files
C=Cont. input - continue entering on the next blank line
E=Edit
- run the search and replace message altering routine
L=List
- display the message beginning with some line number
R=R etype line - bring line to entry buffer and display, line may be retyped but
need not be
S=Save
- write message to disk
I usually find myself beginning with the 'L' command and I always use 'L;I' to
have the message listed from line 1. After- finding the eItors or rough spots I
wish to correct or alter, the 'E' or 'R' commands are useful. If the problem is
in a very short line, 'R' is quite handy for Ietyping the whole line. However,
if the line is more than a few words long, 'E' is better suited with it's seard
and replace function. Both commands will display the line as it is presently
formatted and give you the choice of changing it or keeping it as is. With th'!
'R' command the only choice is either retype the entire line or leave it alone.
'The 'E' comm and allows you to specify. a string to be searched for and a strin~
to replace the search string,e.g. /sorcerr/Sorcerer/ will replace 'sorcerr
with 'Sorcerer' and then display the corrected line. You may continue the
search and substitute procedure until the line is correct at which time you enter
a lone carriage return to return to the menu.
When you have entered the message you want, then use the'S' command to
save it to the disk file. There is really no reason for sloppy or difficult to read
messages, when the tools are there to edit out the rough spots.
As I've said before, the best way to become familiar with these commands is
to call- the system and u.se the program.
My secomi topic for this issue, concerns the CPIM communication programs:
MBOOT3, MODEM, PLINK, SETMODEM, SETTAPE, and DIAL.
MBOOT3 is a special ,receive only version of MODEM. It is meant to be
picked up by something like Q.S. Smart Terminal for transfer into the CP/M
environment.
MODEM is the CP 1M smart terminal program. It allows the user to both
upload to and download from RCPM systems. It is compatible with XMODEM
(the remote modem program on RCPMs).
PLINK is the ASCII capture and transmit program. It is capable of
'capturing' a TYPEd file and writing the file to disk. It is also able to
llick-up a copy of the remote system's directory and is capable of sending a
preformatted message to MINICBBS. SETMODEM and SETTAPE are the UART control programs for setting the
serial port status to either RS232 or tape output. With these programs,
there is no need to ENter the Monitor to set this port prior to booting
CP/M. They set the UART directly from CPIM's command level without
(continued on page 170)
SORCERER'S APPRENTICE, December 1, 1981

169

(continued itom page 169)

THE WOIID PROCESSING CORNER

having to exit CP/M. They are meant to be used with MODEM and PLINK
as assembled for a serial port modem.
DIAL is for S-100 modem ,boards capable of dialing the phone under software
control.
MODEMxJ:ll:.ASM is the file name which you will find on RCPMs when you are
ready to get serious about CP/M communications. (xxx is a number indicating
some revision of the original program which may be a version number or part of
the date of that revision.) Smce MODEM.ASM 18 between 36K and ~8K in size!
not many people will be able to receive that file with their smart terminal
program. which is why MBOOT3.ASM was written. MBOOT3 is about 10K in size
and most new CP/M users have sufficient memory to use a smart terminal
program to capture a TYPEd MBOOT3.ASM from a RCPM.
When you have a good copy of MBOOT3. you need to edit the assembly
equates which are hardware dependent. These equates allow assembly for a
number of modem devices. S-100 boards or serial modems. If you are planning
on wing a SBRIAL modem. PLEASE NOTE: you need either MONITOR 1.1
PROMS. a HARDWIRED RS232 PORT. or a KEYBOARD DRIVER IN YOUR
BIOS. Exidy',s Monitor 1.0 keyboard driver will reset your computer's UART and
blow you off line (end communic ation).
'Wh~ you have either fixed the serial port or are operating an S-100 modem
board. you begin by finding the following lines from Mboot ASM file or the
equivalent in Modem or Plink ASM files. (That's right. they also have to be
edited aftet you've picked them up).
;
STDCPM BQU TRUE ;TRUE. IS SfANDARD CP/M <---for Sorcerer. this is
TRUB
ALTCPM EQU FALSE ;TRUE. IS ALTERNATE CP/M FOR H8 OR TRS80
;

FASI'CLK EQU FALSE ;TRUE FOR 4 MHZ CLOCK <---FALSE for Sorcerer. we
have 2 MHz
;

PMMI EQU FALSE ;TRUE. IS PMMI MODEM <---If this is true you're very
lucky
DCH EQU FALSE ;TRUE. IS D.C. HAYES MODEM <---Likewise if this is true
If both the above are FALSE for your system. don't WOrIY. you are in good
company. That will be the case for ALL serial modem users.
;

;IF YOU ARE USING AN EXTERNAL MODEM (NOT S-100 PLUG-IN)
;CHANGE THESE EQUATES FOR YOUR MODEM PORT REQUIREMENTS
;

INITREQ BQU FALSE ;TRUE. IF MODEM PORT INIT. REQ'D <--I believe this
is the case for serial modems. Ple,ase write to us if you know otherwise.
INITC1 EC,p OAAH ;lSf INIT CHAR 10 CfL PCRT FOR USART
INITC2 BC,p ~OH ;2N:> "
INITC3 EC,p 4BH ,3RD "
INITC4 EC,p 37H ;4'Di "
;

IF, Nor PMMI AN:> Nor DCH:
MDcrLP EQJ OFDH ;pur YOUR MCDIM CDNTRCL PCRT HERB <---POIt ID for
Sorcerer
MB EQJ 01H ;YaJR BIT 10 TEST FOR SEND <---Bit 0
MCD;lIDR B~ 01H ;YaJR VALUE WiEN READY
MCDRCVB EC,p 02H ;YOUR BIT 10 TEST FOR RECEIVE <---Bit 1
MCDRCVR EQ.1 02H ;YClJR VALUE WiEN READY

'*'

MJDATP EQJ OFOi ;YaJR MCDIM DATA PCRT <---PoIt FC for Sorcerer
BN:>I F ; EN)
EXTERNAL MCDIM EC,pATES
Once you have Mboot assembled you USe it oncel Mboot is only used to
receive the Modem assembly file (Mboot operates as receive only while Modem is
both send and receive). Using Mboot is very easy, simply follow the directions
in the ASM file. REMEMBER, until you have the -SET programs, you have to
let up the serial port from the Monitor befm:e entering CP/M.
, (The following is excerpted itom MBOOT3.ASM and shows the commands you
use to activate Mboot to receive a file. What it does not show is that you must
tell the RCPM to: XMODEM S FILENAME.FILETYPE. and wait for that program
to tell you the file has been opened before you give Mboot the ctrl-[.)
A simple terminal routine, at the start of the I?rogram, allows the user to
communicate with a remote system pdor to receiving a file. This makes it
pouible to down-load a file without intervention on the part of the host
system's operator.
cn.MAN>S: MBOOI' FILENAME.FILETYPE
or MBCXJI' A: FILENAME .FILETYPE
or MBOOf B:FILENAME.FILETYPE
The program will operate as a dumb terminal until an 'ESC' key is typed
(ctrl-[). It then branches to the receive routine. The user may also exit to
CP/M without opening the receive file by typing ctd-E from the terminal. The
values for the escape and exit keys may be changed in accordance with the
need; iii the user - some keyboards do not have the '·ESC' key and/or provision
for control characters.
We will cover this topic furthet in the next issue••

170

SORCERER'S APPRENTICE, December 1, 1981

#17 - by Steven Gutalnick
When you install a word processor
such as SPELLBINDER, one of the
problems you can run into, as we
have, is keeping track of all the files
created
with
that
program. We
presently have a little over 1000 files
spread out over about 100 disks. The
trick is to find the one you want
when you want it.
To make that possible. we are using
a
program
called
CATALOG. I
recommend it highly.
The program will keep track of all
files and the disk(s) on which each
file is located. In addition, on
command. the program will tell you
how much space is occupied by each
file and by each disk. The command
"DIS KS". will list all disk I.D.
numbers in use, tell you when the
disk was last updated, and how much
space is in use on each disk.
It is possible to search for a
filename by use of the usual CP/M
conventions and wildcards, such as
• .ASM or FILENAME.· or ???ENAME •• , or whatever. In addition,
there is a "FIND" command which
allows you to search for a string and
if that string is anywhere in a
filname (not an extender). it will
find it. For example. a file called
DOEWILL.WPF can be located by the
command "FIND DOE" or "FIND
WILL" ot even "FIND D". Thus. it
is not necessary to know the I?recise
way the filename was originally
written, just as long ,as you know a
few sequential characters of the name.
Outputs are a pleasure. You can
get a hst of what is on each disk or
a list of filenames. Output is to the
screen or to your list device. at your
option.
The really unique thing about this
program is that you can annotate
any
given
file with an
alpha
description of the file, up to 63
characters in length. It makes it
easy to figure out what a given file
is all about. The annotation shows
up on screen print or hardcopy.
Ed Mentzer is selling the program
in
a variety
of
configur ations,
including eight inch, with manual, for
~75.

To save space in the Newsletter. I
am not including any ex amples. 1£
you will send me a self-addtessed.
stamped envelope (#10 size), I will
be happy to send along copies ••
Steve Gut alnick, 375 Mayfair Ave.,
Daly City, CA 94015
<<< ClASSIFIED ADS
~ l/line

»>
~ 1/line

=============================
FOR SALE - BBST OFFER
1 56K Exidy Sorcerer II. 2 years old
1 S-100 Box w/16K & 4K boards
2 Shugart 5 1/4" Drives w/controller
card. lots of disks & software
1 Sanyo Monitor
1 Anadex DP-800 Printer
1 Novation Cat modem
Call Henu- Deutsch at: (5l3) 5417770 coUecr -during the week; (513)
489-0053 after 6 :00 pm during the
week and weekends

-----~--~

ADDING INVERSE FONT

by Burke Wilson
By adding the following subroutine to your programs, you can print using the
inverse font anytime you want. The only requirements are to set "TB=TAB" and
"I~=" to the text you want printed in inverse font before branching to the "PRINT
INVERSE FONT SUB". Note that a short assembly program must also be added to
your program. Its purpose is to build the inverse characters and to restore them if
they are reset by a CLEAR SCREEN command.
10000
10010
10020
10030
10040
10050
10060
10070
1008u
10090
10100
10110
10120
10130
10140
10150
10160
1017u
10180
1019 u
10200
10210
10220
1U230
10240
10250
10260
10270
1028u

REM ***** INVERSE FONT DEMO *****
REM
CLEAR 250:PRINT CHR~(12):PRINT CHR~(l);
REM
REM ***** POKE FONT OONV OODE *****
RPM
FOR 1=0 ~ 20:READ X:PCKE I,X:NEXT I
DATA 1,0,4,17,0,252,33,0,248,62,255,150
DATA 18,19,35,11,120,177,32,245,201
POKE 260,0:POKE 261,0
RPM
REM ***** ENTER TEXT *****
RPM
TB=19: I~="== INVERSE FCNf DEMO ==" :GCSUB10220 :PRINT:PRINT
FOR 1=1 ~ 10:PRINT CHR~(19);:NEXT I:PRINT TAB(54):PRINT
PRINT CHR~(23);:INPur "TAB, TEXT";T~,I~:TB=VAL(T~)
PRINT:PRINT TAB(64);:PRINT:PRINT TAB(64);:PRINT
PRINT CHR~(23);CHR$(23);CHR$(1);:GCSUB 10220
PRINT CHR~(17):FOR 1=1 ~ 4:PRINT:NEXT I:GQmD 10140
RPM
REM ***** PRINT INVERSE FONT SUB *****
RPM
IF PEEK(-1024)=0 THEN 10240
A=USR(O):FOR 1=-1024 TO 1+6:PCKE I,O:NEXT I
T~="" :B~="" : FOR 1=1 TO LENn~) :T~=T$+CHR~ (128)
B$=B$+CHR$(ASC(MID~(I~,1,1»+128):NEXT I
PRINT TAB(TB) ;T~:PRINT TAB(TB) ;B$:REWRN
RPM
REM ***** END *****
Burke L. Wilson, 320 N. Anton Dr., Montgomery, AL 36105
HINTS AND KINKS
by Don Myklebust

Recovering your Word Processor file from a reset (just happened to me when the
printer got a headache and had to be turned on and off).
The uncorrupted file begins at 080EH with a 02H and ends wherever with a 03H.
Reset inserts a 03H at 080FH, and a stack (garbage to you) from 0820H to 08CEH.
Because of the stack, you can't save it all, but you'll get most of it back.
1. Type 'x' to go to the Monitor.
2. Run the cursor to about 6 lines from the top with the keypad arrows.
3. Use the MO command to display 256 byte pages on the screen. For example, this
point is line 44 and I would estimate its address to be somewhere around OFOOH
to 1000H page. So, type MO OFOO OFFF F080. If it's not there, try the next
page and so on. When you find the last thing you typed, you'll see what looks
like a backward L. That's the 03H.

4. >MO 08CF OF08 080F
5. 'pp' gets you back to the WP Pac and maybe next time you start yanking on the
PG&E pipe, you'll save your file first!
Donald Myklebust, 19710 Guthrie, Strathmore, CA 93267
SORCERER'S APPRENTICE, December 1, 1981

171

SAVING MACHINB LANGUAGB PROGRAMS ON MICROPOLIS DISK
by Bryan Lewis
A way to save BASIC programs onto Micropolis Disk was described in the
Sorcerer User'. Newsletter of I anuary 1980. Here is a method of saving machine
language programs (such ali Fastgammon or Adventures). Saving ML programs is
a little more complicated since the starting address and the execution address are
not always the same.
The following method moves the program up in memory to keep it from being
overwdtten by the disk operating system, then saves the relocated block of memory
on disk. A short move routine is attached at the head of the program, so that
when ~t. is recalled from disk, the program will relocate itself to the proper
execution addre... Here are the steps to follow:
>GO lIlIOO
Boot the disk.
>~ "SAVBML"
Retrieve the relocating progrmn
(given below).
>BXBC B003
Return to the Moni tor.
>1.0
Load progrmn hun cassette.
Take note of the BLCK, ADDR, and ~RS.
Calculate END = ADDR + BLCK.
"EN:>LL" means the low byte
>I!N 7805
of END, "ENDHi" the high
7B05: BLCa.L. BLCIIfl/
byte, and so forth.
>I!N 78Z1
7B21: AIDRLL AIDlHi/
>I!N 7834
7B34: GCWDRLL GCWDIHI/
>I!N 780Z
Modify the relocation program
7B02': IH>LL 1MlHI/
with proper addresses.
>GO 1801
This moves it up.
>GO x:OO
Boot the disk again.
~TIH 7800 BLCK
Use Micropolis' hex math
xxxx START xxxx xxxx xxxx
command to calculate start of
the moved image -- the second
answer equals START.
>SAW EINMIB" Sl"ART 7840 18 7B16
Once you've done that, you only have to type in the NAMB to reload, relocate,
and run the progr am in one easy step••.
SAY,BIIL
by Bryan Lewis (disassembly by Bob·Hageman)
Enter and save hex code under MOOS, xx should be replaced with 00. This is
for a 32K systeml for other sizes, change all 7B's to 3B's or' BB's.
NOP
7BOO 00
DE,END
7B01 11 xx xx
10
lEND = ADDR + BLCK
10
BC,BLCK
7B04 01 xx xx
(7B3B) ,BC
ID
ISave BLCK for move back
7B07 ED 4.3 3B 7B
7BOB 03
INC
BC
DE,HL
EX
7BOC' EB
DE,7BOO
7BOD 11 00 7B
10
IMove progrmn to below
UDR
7B10 ED B8
SAVEML
IGo back to Monitor
7B12 C9
RET
7B13 00
NOP
ISave theprogrmn with move
NOP
7B14 00
I rout.ine
NOP
7B15 00
HL,7BOO
7B16 21 00 7B
10
BC, (7B3B)
IGet BLCK for move back
7B19 ED 4B 3B 7B
ID
ICalculate low address of
7BID AF
xm A
saved
lpr'ogr mn
SBC
HL,BC
7B1E ED 42
DE,AIDR
10
7B20 11 xx xx
;Move prgm baCk to proper
IDIR
7B23 8) BO
loc' n '.
IDo short version of GETIY
IY, (FOOO)
ID
7B25 PO 2A 00 FO
BC,FF92
ID
7B29 01 92 FF
AID
IY,BC
7B2C PO 09
PO'F9
SP,IY
,Save in stack~ointer
7B2E
ID
,Have Monitor lnit. video
E9B1
CALL
7B30 CD B1 E9
board
,Set Go Address
10
HL,~R
7B33 21 xx xx
(HL)
;Go do itl
7B36 E9
IP

HARDWARB NOTBS
by Russell Ftew, Hardware Editor
In my lut column, I discussed the makeup al;1d use of video RAM. We looked at
how the ASCII code points to PROM locations and how the 8 bytes needed for
each chatacterare shifted out of the character generator to the screen. Before any
character can be written on the screen, however, it. must go through one' more
transformation. Our digital signal of l's and O's must be changed into an
analog signal that the monitor can use with its electron gun.

172

As our data arrives at the output
shift register (74166), it is prepared
to be clocked out of the computer
along with other video information
that is invisible to the user but
required by the monitor. BeCause the
picture you see on your screen is
dynamic, it is constantly being
redt awn by the monitor's electron
gun. At a rate of 60 frames per
second, you get flicker free displays.
Each of these frames is made up of
two scans. The first scan does pixel
line 1,3,5 •• 525. The second raster
scan does 0,2,4,••• 524. Because this
happens so fast, your eye sees only
the static, interlaced frame. The
electron gun, however, needs to know
when it has reached the end of a
vertical line so that it can shut down
and swing back to the left side to'
start the next line. Likewise, when
the gun reaches the lower dght corner
it must again shut down and retrace
to the upper left for the next scan.
The two signals .needed for these
actions are called horizontal and
vertical blankin,. They are generated
by the Sorcerer s video timing circuit
and arrive at an OR g ate near the
shift register for final integration
into the data stream.
Now we have the data in a serial
bit stream waiting to be docked out
of the shift register and the video
sync signals waiting to be integrated
with our data at the dght moment.
The combination is done in a Digital
to Analog Converter (DAC) formed
out of a good old 2N2222 transistor
and a handful of resistors and cap's.
As the data is shifted out of the
register by the video clock, the 1 's
and O's turn the transistor on and
off. The output is shaped by the RC
network tied to the transistor's
output and an analog signal results
that can be used to drive the monitor.
The horizontal and vertical sync
are also
added to
this
pulses
information by the computer. When
the counters indicate that the end of
the line has been reached, the shift
register is inhibited and the negative
going HSYNC pulse is inverted to
turn off all the transistor's output
so we never see the horizontal retrace
to the next line. The same happens
when the counters say that the scan
has finished the 1 ast line. As simple
as it may sound, the timing is done
at 6MHz and that leaves no margin
for errors.
The Sorcerer is the only personal
computer that utilizes this sophisticated system which is why we can do so
many great hi-res things on our
system. It also makes things like
integrating light pens very easy
bec.ause the computer always knows
where it is on the screen. Next time
one of your TRS - 80 or Apple friends
is giving you the party line, ask him
how his video system works and judge
for yourself who has the more
sophisticated systeml
Please note the following errors in
the Sorcerer I Technical Manual:
On page 39 under Horizontal Sync
Generator; 7B-6 shuts off video not
7B-5 as stated; under Vertical Sync
Generator note that lB-9 not 5A-9
works . similarly to 3A,4A. •• etc. Also
note that be testing bit 5 of port FE
you can tel when the computer issues
a vertical sync pulse. This can be
useful for many applications such as
. light pens and sublnninal experiments
and other exotic applications ••

SORCERER'S APPRENTICE, December 1, 1981

-------------_.-

EXIDY SORCERER USERS
1- ATTENTION -I
We have molded and custom engraved key tops for Spellbinder and Exidy's Word
Processing ROM Pac.
Spellbinder set consists of the following:

B8rnw
Word processing ROM Pac consists of the following:

EXPAND

BEJmITJ
Sets are available in * Red, Blue, Black, Beige and Charcoal, with or without front
engraving of symbols originally on the top of the key top (no graphic symbols
replaced).

Pricing:

Spellbinder

ROM Pac

$15.00

$11.00

25.00

1-6.00

No front engraving
With front engraving

Sets shipped UPS COD unless accompanied by check or money order.

Also available for Spellbinder are the Y and U keytops (exchange basis only), that
are engraved ENTER and IENHANCEI respectively. (engraving on front face)
ENHAN
_
_ (1.00 each)
We also stock keytops for Cherry and Keytronic Corp. keyboards and other video
data terminals and computers.
SPELLBINDER KEYTOP SETS
also available for:
• SUPERBRAIN • TELEVIDEO • ZENITH • GNAT 0

IARKAY ENGRAVERS, INCal

2073 Newbridge Road • P.O. Box 916
Bellmore, New York 11 71 0
(516) 781-9859
::aD
); IDealer Inquiries Invitedl....cl~~-4I_1III
* We recommend RED for maximum visibility.

SORCERER'S APPRENTICE, D('c('mb(,T 1, 19111

173

SORCERER'S APPRENTICE
P.O. Box 33
Madison HeightS, MI 48071
JOIN NOW

III

PERSONAL:Age: ____________________
Occupation: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

!!!

How do you rate yourself as a computerist?

To become a 1982 meniber of the SOMel'el"'S Apprentice User's
Group and receive Vol. IV of -the SORCERER'S
APPBEHTICE Newsletter, return this completed application
along with payment.
NAME I

>HARD WARE:

Beginner

Intermediate

Ex~rt

>SOFTWARE:

Beginner

Intermediate

Expert

Is your interest:

Title: Mr. Miss Mrs. Ms Dr. or _ _ _ __
First name: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

Hardware

Both

Personal

Both

Is your application;

Middle'initiab _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

Business

Last namel _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

Use a separate sheet of paper, if you don't have enough
room to comment below.
PLEASE USE SEPARATE PAPER FOR YOUR QUESTIONS.

Business Name (if a business):
ADDRESS:
Number, Street and Apt. No.
Ci~I

Software

EXIDY:

If you have had any dealings with Exidy
Systems, describe their nature and outcome:

____________________________

State or Province: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
Zip/Postal code I _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

FEEDBACK:
What types of software interest you most?

CountrYI ________--'_ _ _ _ _ __
PHONEI

Home: (_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
Business: -(_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

If you

NOT wish

the

above released, sign

List the columns or articles you like the most.

here:
List she columns or articles you like the least.

NETWORKS:

So~ID:

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

MicroNET ID: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
The following information will be held in confidence:
Which of the following do you have?
(circle where applicable):
SORCERER:
, Number of units (if more than one) I _ _ _ __
Model:

>48K
No

Other expansion unit: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
Eddy expansion cable:

Ye;

Cards used in expansion unit:
PRINTER:

Type: _______~---------DISK SYSTEM:
Type: _________________________
Eddy

1.4

2.2

Lifeboat 1.4
Mentzer
2.2
Other DOS: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
BASIC: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
MODEM:

Ty~:

PERIPHERALS:

174

What comments have you about the Newsletter?

RAM memory:
8K
16K 32K
48K
EXPANSION.
Ye;
Eddy S-100 Expansion Unitz

CP/M:

What topics/articles would you most like covered?

~--

_ _ ___

BACK ISSUBS:
ARESCO Source (issue; 1 - 5 ) @ $ 8 : $ ,_ __
S.U.N. Volume I I @ $ 1 0 : $ ,_ __
Sorcerer's Apprentice Vol I
(1-7) @ $10:
$_ __
Sorcerer's Apprentice Vol II (1-5) @ $10:
$_ __
$_ __
Sorcerer's Apprentice Vol III (1-8) @ $12:
Sorcerer's Apprentice Vol I-III @ $2 per issue:
$_ __
OVerseas orders add $l/issue or $4/Vo!:
$_ __
1982 MEMBERSHIP - VOLUME IV:
U.S.A. - Third Class postage @ $18:
$_ __
U.s.A. - First Class (in an envelope)@$24:$,_ __
Canada & Mexico - First Class@$24:$,_ __
All others - Airmail @ $32:
$_ __
$_~=
Single issue - USA, Canada & Mexico @ $3:
- All others airmail @ $4:
_$_ __

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

TOTAL

$_ __

(::ik'SinAPPRENTICE.
US funds drawn

Make checks or money orders
a US bank) payable to: SORC
SORCERER'S APPRENTICE, December 1, 1981

I
/-----1

\, --I

50RCERER
COMPETITION
SUPER ASTEROIDS

S~STEm SCFTWar~

1 KENT STREET, BICTON
WESTERN AUSTRALIA 6157
TELEPHONE: ISD (619) STD (09) 339 3842
Sunday through to Friday.
Ask for Richard Swannelf for personal service.

ZAPBO ISecret Code Disassembler',

by Apollo

'A new era in real time graphic arcade games'.

by Ian Robinson

Never has there been such a captivating and superbly written arcade game for the
Sorcerer. Styled after the well known and very popular ASTEROI[) OELUXE arcade
game, SUPER ASTEROI[)S is destined to become the most' popular piece of
demonstration software used by dealers and users alike. Perhaps it is the outstanding
use of fine line graphics or the silky smooth moveme~t., Maybe it is the breathtaki,ng
speed, dazzling explosions, gripping sound effects or simply the challenge of avoiding
those lire balls from that persistent flying saucer that insidiously follows you across the
screen. Whatever it is, we warn you NOT to purchase this game for fear that you may
join the ranks of hundreds of other ASTEROIO Addicts who, square and bleary eyed at 3
am, just MUST have ONE more go at trying to beat that Hi9h Score.

This is far from your average run· of· the· mill disassembler I Other than being a mere 4r.
long, able to disassemble at the speed of light and packed with opti~ns, ZAPBO will
display before your very eyes all those unknown instructions ZILOG nevel talk about! Ian
has been doing extensive research into the actions of the ZBO processor when
confronted with the 700 or so undocumented (and so called 'illegan code sequences,
Over 100 of these are VERY useful! Did you know you have extra B bit registers and a
complete set of instructions to manipulate them? Oid you know about extra rotate
instructions?

The object is to guide a small space ship across the screen avoiding but shooting
asteroids as they glide past. When an asteroid is hit, it will break up into many smaller
pieces. By repeatedly hitting the pieces they will soon disintergrate and disappear. If you
crash your ship into an asteroid it will break into pieces and splinter across the screen in
a shower of sparks! However, if you manage to stay in one piece, chances are you'll
soon be pursued by a flying saucer that shoots balls of fire! Best that you treat him wit~
care, else you may make his friends VERY aggressive.

ZAPBO will disassemble ANY code sequence. Nothing is illegal! It will allow YOLI to
pnigram with codes that no other disassembler can decipher! Think about thai
ZAP80 comes with documentation and explanation of all new mnemonics used, Three
versions are supplied that reside in low, mid and high memory. Options include ASCII
output, screen ,pause and customised pri'nter control.
Whether you are a serious programmer, a beginner or simply curious, ZAP8[J is a piece
of software you must have. Come and play a REAL adventure game!

Apollo has used a novel but ingenius method of continualiy reprogramming graphics
characters and has obtained stunning results! All movement i~ done pixel by pixel but
without speed loss. Numbers of asteroids, directions, speeds and such like are all totally
unpredictable. If you can show us a piece of software that has, finer, smoother and
faster graphics than SUPER ASTEROI!)S. we guarantee to refund your money in full!
Cassette $29.95

COMPETITION
We are running a programming competItIon and encourage anyone with time and
enthusiasm to enter. Prizes will total over $2,500.00! One prize of $500.00 will be
awaided'to'eai:h'winNing"entry'in all £''Sec-tions"with the cha,nce of more than one
winning entry per section if the standard is particularly high.
SECTION 1: Games - Any type of game will be accepted although we recommend the
arcade styles such as Asteroids or Adventure games.
SECTION 2: Utilities - Here a wide range of options is available including Graphic~,
Plotting, Assemblers, Mini Compilers, Printer Drivers and Disk Utilities.
SECTION 3: Educational - Anything from child education in Maths and Spelling to
computing such as the Machine Code tutorials.

Cassette $24.95

~~
'T
)k~"'--

....

We are a dynamic Western I
'
Australian enterprise whose
~
sole aim is to bring you the
best in Sorcerer software.
A catalogue such as this is produced
regularly and sent to approximately
2000 interested Sorcerer users in all
parts of the world. Let us know if I
you wish to be included on our ~'
mailing list.
, \\

HOW TO ORDER:
ALL PRICES ARE IN AUSTRALIAN DOLLARS.
One Australian dollar equals 1.16 American and 1.4 Canadian.
All programs come standard on cassette but some may be requested on either
Micropolis" Quad density or VISTA 5\4" diskettes for an additional cost of
$5.00 per diskette. Note that more than one program will fit on a diskette.
Programs available or diskette include CIRCUS, GALAXIANS, GROTNIK
WARS and ZAP80.
$2 discount if this form is used. (Photostat will suffice!.
PROGRAM

PRICE

SECTION 4: Serious Applications - This may include Data Base programs, Accounting
Systems (both cassette and disk basedl, Maths and Scientific packages, Astronomy and
other special purpose applications.
SECTION 5: Miscellaneous - Anything not covered above such as Novelty Programs,
Hardware/Software combinations, Sound Generation and Wordprocessor programs
would come under this section.

Postage within Australia is $1 for initial item and 50c
for each additional. Outside Australia is $2 and 5Oc.

Less $2 Discount

$2.00

TOTAL

CONDITIONS OF ENTRY

All applications must be lodged at System Software on Dr before the 31st December, 1981.
Entries should be submitted on casselle at both 1200 and 300 baud twice each. " the soi1ware is
to be run on disk, instructions should be included on uploading.
No entry will be returned unless specifically requested and return postage forwarded.
Entries will be judged according to: 111 Pr09ramming technique. 121 Reliability. (31 Usefulness. (4}
Creativity. (51 Originality. (61 Marketability and (71 Documentation.
Atleast one (I} winning entry will be taken from each section.
The Judges' decisions will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.
A prize of $500.00 will be awarded to each winning entry.
Only wllllling entries will become the property of System Software.
The ~ames of all programmers submitting winning entries will be published in a subsequent
catalogue unless otherwise requested.

I enclose,
(a) Cheque or money order for the above amount, or
(b) My credit card, expiry date ....................... .
(Master Charge, Visa, Bankcard, American Express, Diners Club}

No ............................................... .
My name and address:
NAME: ........................................... .
STREET: ......................................... .
TOWN/CITY: ..................................... .
POSTCODE: . .. . .. .. .. .. .

SORCERER'S APPRENTICE, Den'mber 1,1981

COUNTRY: ........... ..

175

Members of the Sorcerer's Apprentice User's Group are entitled to 8 issues of the
group's Newsletter, the SORCERER'S APPRENTICE; the services of the library; access
to its on-line CP/M based Computer Bulletin Board Service; other services as they
become available.
MEMBERSHIP BATES for 1982: USA - bulk post8§1:e - $18, 1st class postage in an
- $24; Canada &. Mexico - $24; single ISSUes $3; all others - air mail $32, smgle issues $4.

enve1o~

B&CK ISSUES:

ARESOO Source (issues 1-5)
S.U.N. Volume I
S.U.N. Volume II
Sorcerer's Apprentice
Sor.cerer's Apprentice
Sorcerer's Apprentice
S.A. Vol's I thru II I

$ 8
SOID OUT
$10
Vol I
(1-7~ $10
$10
Vol II (1-5
Vol III (1-8) $12
(per issue)
$ 2

i
I,

,J
.,

OVersees orders for back issues add $4 per volume or $1 per issue to cover additional

air mail postage and handling.

Make checks or money orders (only in US funds drawn on a US bank) payable to:
SORCERER'S .APPRENTICE.
Commereial adwa1:isers, please contact us for advertising rates. Non-commereial
classified ads are accepted at the rate of $1 per 35-column line or part-line.
Newswortb.y itans may be submitted via the MiniCBBS on the Sorcerer-based RCPM at
(313) 535"-9186, the SOURCE (TCF656), or MicroNET (70150,365), on Word
Processor cassettes or CP/M Word Processor/Editor files on Micropolis Mod II hard~tored diskettes (any of these preferred) or har¢opy. Magnetic media returned
upon request. Hardcopy will be returned if requested and accompanied by SASE.
SEND ALL COBRESPONDENCE TO:
SORCERER'S APPRENTICE
P.O. Box 33
Madison Heights, Michigan 48071
U.S.A.
RETURN AND FORWARDING POSTAGE GUARANTEED

,ii
" \

'-.

FIRST CLASS
I

i
J.

Source Exif Data:

File Type                       : PDF
File Type Extension             : pdf
MIME Type                       : application/pdf
PDF Version                     : 1.3
Linearized                      : No
XMP Toolkit                     : Adobe XMP Core 4.2.1-c041 52.342996, 2008/05/07-21:37:19
Create Date                     : 2018:08:21 17:36:27-08:00
Modify Date                     : 2018:08:21 17:43:55-07:00
Metadata Date                   : 2018:08:21 17:43:55-07:00
Producer                        : Adobe Acrobat 9.0 Paper Capture Plug-in
Format                          : application/pdf
Document ID                     : uuid:2394da23-fee0-4440-898a-8392a7d1d0b4
Instance ID                     : uuid:6243c78a-38a3-ee4a-9953-286b8034b61a
Page Layout                     : SinglePage
Page Mode                       : UseNone
Page Count                      : 24

EXIF Metadata provided by EXIF.tools

Sorcerers_Apprentice_V3N8_Dec1981 Sorcerers Apprentice V3N8 Dec1981

Navigation menu

Versions of this User Manual:

Views

Navigation