Pro/File 2068 Plug-In Cartridge Almost Finished

I do not want to make it a habit of filling the pages of Computer Updates with a lot of hype for new products, but in this instance, I am so happy with the way a new cartridge version of Pro/File 2068 is turning out, I simply can’t resist telling you about it. With a lot of help from my old pal, P.H. Skipper who has pioneered the use of “cartridge Basic” on the TS2068, and also from another good friend, Bob Fischer, whose “Extensions Newsletter” has given me much food for thought on ideas for improving Pro/File 2068, I have been working for the past few months on a dramatic upgrade of our favorite data base program.

The biggest upgrade is that the program comes on a plug in cartridge which fits under the door in front of the computer. You turn the computer on, and

the program comes up running automatically. Because of the nature of cartridge type programs, memory available for data is greatly increased: 37,000 bytes for files!

But that’s not all. Every enhancement given in the Pro/File book has been added. The fast machine code sort improvement (from the BREAKTHROUGH addendum) is incorporated. The SAVE and LOAD commands work on just the data you have added to decrease cassette time to a minimum. A new MERGE command lets you combine two sets of files into one big one.

Printer software is built-in, and you can choose between any of the commercially available interfaces, or the TS2040. If you use a big printer, you can set DEFP to LPRINT several file lines on just one line of paper (the TV display is still 32 columns however). You can set your TV picture to color, black letters on white paper, or white letters on black paper.

A DUPLICATE feature is added which can make copies of records you store. This saves typing time, and provides for the use of FIELD LABELS in a free form data structure. You can have as many different Field Label formats as you wish in the same file.

Searching has been greatly expanded so as to include OR and NOT separators in addition to the original AND function. Now you can search for Word-1 AND Word-2 NOT Word-3 OR Word 4 AND etc. Even though this program is burned into a chip, you can still add your own Basic or machine code enhancements into RAM. You can flip to your custom mods at will. This includes saving or loading to disk or microdrive.

The TALLY feature which performs arithmetic on numbers stored in files has been expanded so as to allow tallys on any desired file line, not just the first line like the original.

When adding or editing data, you can LPRINT the file you’re working on without leaving the edit mode.

Software has been added which will let you use any IBM compatible keyboard interfaced through the Experimenter’s I/O Port if you ever wish to upgrade to a nice keyboard. This software is completely invisible, meaning there are no Pokes, Users, or Gotos necessary to turn the keyboard on or off. The 2068 keyboard works just fine all the time, but if you ever decide to upgrade to an IBM keyboard, all you need to do is connect the keyboard to the port, plug it in, and type! Once its connected, you are not restricted to using the big keyboard only with Pro/File. You can use the IBM keyboard in your own basic programs as well. This is done by setting up a new keyboard channel so any INPUT #4 or INKEYS#4 command will read the IBM keyboard.

There is still time to add new features, so if you have any ideas for making it even better, please send them in. I want to make the program as complete as I possibly can. I anticipate that by the end of June, I will be ready to ship the cartridge Pro/File 2068. The price is set at $59.95 which includes additional instructions for all the new features. I am taking orders now, and to encourage you to order early, I am offering a special “pre-publication sale” which is $20.00 off the regular price. The sale will extend until the finished cartridges are shipped. So if you want to get the new cartridge, and you want to save $20 off the regular price, send me $39.95 plus $1.50 postage right away. I am sure you will be just as pleased with it as I am.