Applicable to: TS-2068, TS-1500, TS-1000
MEMORY: 16K, 32K, 48K, or 64K
TITLE: MAILING LIST
OFFERED BY: Heath Computer Services
950 East 52 South
Greentown, IN 46936
Heath advertises four versions of the “Mailing List” program; 16K, 48K, and 64K versions for the ZX-81/TS-1000, and a 48K version for the TS-2068.
PRICE: $9.95 (each)
I regularly use both the 48K ZX/TS and the 48K TS-2068 versions of “Mailing List” with my three systems.
All versions of this software are almost identical in program structure, screen prompts and operation. The difference is shorter STRING DIMENSION of the 16K program and “dressed up” color and sound for the TS-2068.
The “Mailing List” programs for both ZX/TS and for TS-2068 computers are rated “GOOD to EXCELLENT” for the advertised purposes, and there is a bonus that we will discuss later.
Following are the significant features of this program:
The program is written entirely in BASIC language. It stores from 100 to 425 NAMES, ADDRESSES, and PHONE NUMBERS; Lists all names; Searches by NAME, by CITY, by ZIP code, or by PHONE number. It allows changes to entered data, or deletions of data. It allows a print out of the complete listing, or a single entry, or a listing of names only. It automatically prints by name and address to the 2040 printer. Use this feature to print, on a single run, mailing labels for up to 425 customers, on a roll of 2040 mailing labels. And you can break the program, and adjust spacing of the print blocks to fit the spacing needed to print the labels. It sorts all listed data by Name, by City, or by ZIP CODE. It searches and displays data by Name, by City, by ZIP CODE, or by Phone number.
All of the above functions are accomplished quickly and efficiently except the SORT function, which is very slow. I do not consider slow sorting to be a real flaw, because one only needs to sort once after the listing data is entered.
I experienced easy loads of the cassettes in three computers. The program comes up running automatically, but is easily broken for user modification (The Bonus). Entry of data is smoothly accomplished, and screen prompts are so efficient that the one page of instructions is hardly needed at all to understand and begin using the software.
A 425 name listing is quite a large “computer phone book”. Many small towns, and some counties have fewer telephone subscribers. The size of your telephone list needs may be different and you may need to modify the program’s “STRING DIMENSIONS” to reduce memory requirements. This can easily be accomplished by breaking the program and changing the string dimensions to fit your requirements. I wanted to use the program with my TS-1500. I tagged on a 16K ram, and loaded the tape (a 48K version). It wouldn’t run (insufficient memory). I broke the program and reduced the dimensions of the string variables. Viola, a 32K version for the TS-1500! Next, I revised the program to an “Article Index”. Now, I have 300 magazine articles indexed by title, author, and publication/date/page. Now, isn’t this a good bonus?
“Mailing List” is a good bargain. Support your ZX/TS software industries. We need them, and they need us. We will all hang together, or each may be left hanging separately.