Compute_Gazette_Issue_68_1989_Feb

Page 53

tion, which must be specified during

Compatibility with QBB software,

initialization, permits the programmer

which uses its own wedge to access car

to store updates quickly and easily. Pro

tridge files, is spotty. While DolphinDOS sports about 90-percent compati bility, JiffyDOS is mostly incompatible.

grams saved in this way are immune to system crashes.

With ramdisk, you can save pro grams directly to QBB. (An optional

Wedge coexistence is important be cause of the lack of disk support within

SAVE/REPLACE feature adds further

QBB Managers. Managers do not in

convenience.) If you do not specify

clude options such as scratch, format, and validate. Without this support,

ramdisk, you must first save your file to disk and then load it to the QBB with a separate Manager program.

Quick Brown Box is particularly useful with productivity software— word processors, databases, and

some kind of DOS wedge is virtually essential. I am happy to report that the QBB programmer is currently working on a fix for the JiffyDOS incompatibility

GOAHliAD...TKYMi:!

I'll give you $250,1)00 and we'll «e

spreadsheets. My review cartridge was

problem. The QBB directory is quite different

loaded with a copy of SpecdScript. It is

from a disk directory. One idiosyncrasy

if you're giKKl enough lu Bain entrance

in die Financial Wizards Club.

tempting to imagine a QBB loaded with

is that deleted files cannot be replaced

available SpeedScript utilities and the

in the same directory position. When a

upper 16K as a ramdisk for the most re

program is deleted, ail other directory

cent versions of current text files. File

entries move up one position. Anything

buy & sell «i your discretion. You

updates could easily be saved with a

added always goes to the bottom. As noted, QBB's documentation, though often technical, is excellent and

can graph your IIDCkS. Dividends arc

few keystrokes, protecting text from

possible system failure.

thorough. (Contents need updating, however, since the autostart code is no

-

Here's a natural and welcome extension to the

Hi

64 and 128.

longer as described.) Extensive instruc tions are given for advanced users on how to program the cartridge directly in either 64 or 128 mode. If you have ever

Choose from over 250 slocks, then

paid. Companies yu bankrupi. Slocks

will split, and MUCH MORE! Bui. lei me warn you...lhf lightning

won't necessarily Strike on Oct. iy! SO GO AHEAP! IKY ME! Send S2y.« (U .S.) Check or MoneyOrder {Sorry. NoCOlVi) to:

wished to program your own autostart

SOFT LORE

cartridge, this is your chance. For 64 users, QBB software in

P.O. l)ox 131, Depl.CC

Once saved to disk, entire boxes can

cludes a version of Jim Butterfield's

be reloaded easily. The contents of a box

"Supermon + ." The QBB is compatible with RAM-expansion units as well as

take only a minute or so to reload since

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an efficient turbo is embedded in the load er routine. Loading is also compatible with serial and parallel ROM-replacement accelerators—not cartridges,

cartridge expanders. (The documenta tion covers both of these, and it also offers a welcome section on trouble

But TAX MASTER will help you compute inem more

shooting.) A checksum program is in

FfldflMi income Tanas Tar the C64/C12& wilh singln.

Programs for the 64 and 128 can not be mixed in the same box; a box is either a 64 box or a 128 box. Although a

cluded to guarantee the integrity of box contents. This program should be nan

Twin, ur dual disk dnvo and optional printer

immediately upon receipt of the Box to

• PERFORMS all arithmetic CORRECTLY.

single 64 loader program replaces box contents, each mode has its own Man

ensure the RAM contents are un changed from the factory.

ager program. Managers are the heart

Quick Brown Box represents a whole new way of working with Com modore 64s and 128s. If you intend to work more than casually with it, you'll want to obtain the separate utility disk, which contains a variety of very useful public domain programs. Contents in clude updated 64 and 128 Managers, UNNEW and KILL commands, Basic Aid programs, copying and typewriter routines, screen dumps, fast load, save,

of QBB software and the means to cre ating and altering box contents. This is where you initialize boxes, set aside ramdisk space, load and delete program files, assign two-letter box directory IDs, and designate programs to auto

start. You may also partition QBB for special applications. Partitioning sets

aside a portion of the box for direct pro

gramming by the user. This advanced option is explained in considerable de

tail in the manual.

For reasons of compatibility, the Managers themselves do not contain

and format routines, a terminal pro gram, and CP/M RAMDOS utilities. Also included is a well-designed Rolo

such as JiffyDOS and DolphinDOS. While the QBB box loader program su persedes the ROM fast load, all other turbo functions of these ROMs work normally. DOS wedges that typically accompany these ROM replacements

dex/memo-book file program. In regard to additional productivity software designed for QBB, I should mention two packages. First is the 128 CP/M ramdisk application QDisk, from Herne Data Systems of Toronto, which sells for $9.95. QDisk turns QBB into the equivalent of one or two CP/M drives in either 64 or 128 mode. At power fail ure or computer shutdown, the QDisk/ QBB combination doesn't lose its con

are another matter.

tents, unlike the 1700/1750 RAM ex-

fast-load and fast-save routines. (Boxes

can take from two to three minutes to save.) QBB software is compatible with accelerator ROM replacement systems,

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