Word-Master

Word processor with graphics capabilities, and with optional graphic designer, LQ fonts and desktop publisher. Optional featured required an Epson-type dot matrix printer.

Word-Master was written for the Spectrum by Paul Sneesby and Barry Parkinson, of PCG Software in England. Jack Dohany customised, sold and supported it in the US.

Word-Master was a full-featured “extendable” word processor, written in machine code, with provision for Basic disk access. The program used a 64-column display.

Word-Master could load many files in memory. Files may be text, graphics, fonts, extension programs, or “page layouts”.

Word-Master could load a screen and “capture” all or part of it, converting it into a “graphic file” suitable for inclusion by name in a text file. When the text file is printed, the named graphic is accessed from memory and printed. Graphics were positioned and sized via commands embedded in the text.

Extension programs added capabilities to the core word processor. Several small utilities are included in the package. Large utilities included HEADLINER (a graphics processor) and TYPELINER (a desktop publisher). Both include a number of special fonts. TYPELINER fonts were complex proportional “printer oriented” letter quality fonts.

Dohany’s version required a Spectrum emulator and printer interface. Versions were available for tape, Aerco, Larken, Oliger and Zebra disk systems.