Technically speaking, the A PERSONAL to its logical extreme.

System 325 is the most advanced COMPUTER THAT'S For example, it runs either
386'" computer we've ever built. REALLY PERSONAL. MS-DOS~ OS/2, or our own
And, according to PC Magazine, Of the more than 150,000 Dell UNIX®System V.\Vhich is
it's one of the most advanced 386 personal computers we've sold to compatible with AT&T's System
computers they've ever tested. date, each one's been individually V Interface Definition. And the
In benchmark after configured to fit the needs of world of XENIX®applications.
benchmark, the Dell System 325 its owner. If speed is of the essence, we
25 MHz ran circles around a field The System 325 takes that idea can include an optional Intel A

of 386-based systems. A 80387 or WEITEK 3167

field that included the math coprocessor. And
CompaqA386/25. since nothing about this
A show of prowess system is lightweight, the
that earned the System standard mass storage is
325 PC Magazine's a 90 MB ESDI disk drive.
Editor's Choice award. Or we can configure it
It was a goal we set for with a !50or 322 MB unit.
ourselves from the very As you might expect,
beginning. And an the output is just as
objective anyone with a intense. You can choose
penchant for power and between VGA mono
performance can with paperwhite screen,
appreciate. or VGA Color

-
j
Plus, for high resolution colors from other computers is not just MAYBE YOU
displayed on a larger screen. how they're sold, but how they're SHOULDN'T BUY
Even though the 325 gives you supported. ONE AnER ALL.
all this perfonnance, it still leaves Overkill was one description No matter how many reasons
you six open slots for whatever used in a recent PC \\eek article. we give you to buy a Dell system,
else you might want to add. Perhaps. sometimes it makes more sense to
And once you've told us what But then, we think you'll lease one instead.
you want, we'll make sure what agree, when something goes Whether you need a single
you want works-by burning-in wrong, you want as much help as computer, or an entire office full,
the entire system unit.

COMPUTER
RETAILERS ARE
NOKHOWS.
In all probability, the
average computer retailer
won't have any under­
standing what makes the
System 325 go.
He will, however, be
quite aware of the fact that
he could add a 35% markup
ifhe could sell it in his store.
Which he can't.
Because we sell direct.
Meaning you now have
the unique opportunity
to talk directly with a computer possible, right? our leasing plan is just like 100%
expert. And ask things like, Which is why every Dell system financing. So you don't tie up
"What's the difference between comes with a toll-free technical working capital. Or credit lines.
IDE and ESDI ?"Or, "How much support line and self-diagnostic Of course, there can be ta . l

SIMM RAM should I add?" software. We're able to solve 90% advantages as well.
In other words, the kinds of of all problems right over the And just as we can custom ·
::iuestions you should be able to phone. The other 10% receive configure your computers, we c
ask a retailer, but usually can't. next-day, deskside service. fit a lease plan to the exact need~
So as you might suspect, And you get all this help for a your business. A fact that has r
dealing direct not only saves you full year-whenever you need it­ gone unnoticed. Especially by tl
the 35% markup, but 100% of the at no extra charge!' Fortune 500. Over half of when
aggravation. As you've probably guessed, now own or lease Dell systems
one of the things that drives us We welcome your business.
most is customer satisfaction. too.Just call us, toll-free. Anc..1
So we'd like to give you the don't be afraid to ask us the tough
ultimate guarantee: Try a questions.
System 325 in your office for a That's the part we like best . .
month. Run your toughest ------
applications. Put it through its
paces, at your pace. If you're ------
WECOMEWHEN not completely satisfied, send it ------
WE'RE CALLED. backanytimewithin30days. And
1D ORDER, CALL
One of the things that very we'll refund your money.
800-426-5150
clearly sets a Dell system apart No questions asked. IN CANADA, CALL 800-387-5752

IN GERMANY, CALL 06I03/70l 100

INTHE UK., CALL08004I4535

Circle 77 on Reader Service Card AD COili'. :'\ll. llED9

 DOT MATRIX PRINTERS.
LASER PRINTERS.

Printer System 800: $699.95

Our highest resolution text and graphics, 24-pin dot matrix printer. Draft quality
at 200 cps. Letter quality at 66 cps. Parallel and serial interfaces.Wide carriage .
Printer System 600: $499. 95
9-pin dot matrix. Draft quality at 240 cps. Near- letter quality at 60 cps. Parallel
interface. Wide carriage.

Printer System 300: $199.95

9-pin dot matrix. Draft quality at I44 cps. Near-letter quality at 36 cps. Fuur
standard fonts. Parallel interface . Narrow carriage.

THE DELL SYSTEM 325 25 MHz 386

. ..'
STANDARD FEATURES:

--- -
I w
I 'f •Intel 80386 microprocessor nmning at 25 MHz.
I i m I I
•Choice of I MB or 4 MB of RAM*" expandable to 16 MB using a
I I L-.1
I !
I
I
'!
r-1
I
dedicated high speed 32-hit memory slot.
•Advanced Intel 82385 Cache Memory Controller with 32 KB of
I
I .....'
!!!!..
high speed static RAM cache.
h~~~!mt~m~ • Page mode interleaved memory architecture.
EDITOR'S •VG.'\ systems include a high perfo1rnance 16-bit video adapter.
CHOICE •Socket for 25 MHz Intel 80387 or 25 MHz WEITEK 3167 math
coprocessor.
''The new
cop-of-the-line • 5. 25" 1.2 MB or 3. 5" 1.44 MB diskette drive.
DeU System 325 •Dual diskette and hard disk drive controller.

is a flagship •Enhanced IOI-key keyh:iard.

umchpuning • I parallel and 2 serial ports.

out in from
• 200-watt power supply.
of the fleet." • 8 industry standard expansion slots.
Fe&o.rry /4, 1989

OPTIONS:

• 25 MHz Intel 80387 math coprocessor.

• 25 MHz WEITEK 3167 math cop rocessor
• 1 MB or 4 MB RAM upgrade kit.
• 2 MB or 8 MB memory expansion board kit.
**Lease for as low as $228/Monch.

System 325 With Monitor&Ada tcr

VGA Mono VGA Color Plus

Hard Disk Drives

!MB 4MB !MB 4MB
RAM RAM RAM RAM
90 MB-18 ms ESDl $6,299 $ 7,599 $6,599 $ 7,899
I50 MB-18 ms ESDl $6,799 $ 8,099 $7,099 $ 8,399
322 MB-18 ms ESDl $8, 799 $10,099 $9,099 $10,399
Di.sdaimer: AU s~·sfem'l ure phorogr~d '4.Uli opciurllll exrm.s, U'hich S<nne crnnpuri..'I' r<.'[{ii/t.-r.1
u..vn't eumrecognize.
Laser System 150, 15 pages per minute: $5.995 .
Laser System 80, S pages per minute: $3,295.
Laser System 60, 6 pages per minute: $2,195.
A ll De ll laser printers come with
1.5 MB RAM, fu ll -page 300
DP! graph ics, and have 31
standard fonts (7 resident and
24 down loadable from diskette)
De ll laser printers also provide THE DELL SYSTEM 220
Hew lett-Packard LaserJet Plus~ 20 MHz 286.
Thebcsrrnmbin<1rionofperform­ It's fosr ;i:; mosr 386 compur~rs. This full-fearureJ 286 computer
Epson/FX~ IBM Proprinter'and <1nce ;rnJ Vil Im: av!lilC1blc. Bur at less rh;in h;-il( rhc rricc. run s nr 12. 5 MHz. anJ is com·
Diablo 630'emulations. The fontrrint is sm;i l\, mo. plcrely Microsoir MS-•OS anJ
STANDARD FEATURES: MS OS/2 comrarib\c.
•Intel 80386 microprocessor STANDARD FEATURES:
running <H 20 M H:. • 80286 microprocessor running STANDARD FEATURES
•Choice of I MB or 4 MB of at 20MHz. • 80286 microprocessor running
RAM:!< expanJable rn 16 MB •!MB of RAM"' expa nJ;ible to ar l2.5MHr.
using i1 Jc:JicnreJ high Spl!eJ 16MB (8 MB on sysrcm bo<1rJ). • 640 KB of RAM <xpanJable to
32-bit memory slot. • l';ige moJe interli:aveJ memnry 16 MB (4.6 rvtB on systt.!m
• AJvanceJ Intel 82385 C<1che architecrure. boC1rJ).
Memory Control ler with 32 KB •LIM 4.0 surrorr for memory • Sncket f~x lnrel 80287 marh
ofhighspeeJsr;itic RAM cichc. o\·crl MB. cnproccssnr.
• Page moJe interleawJ memory • lnrcgrarcJ Jiskene <1nJ VGA • 5. 2)' 1.2 MB or 3.5'' 1.44 MB
archirccrure. viJco conrrolle r on sys tern Jiskl'nc Jriw.
•VOA systems incluJc ;i high per· boarJ. • Dunl Ji:ikcrre anJ hnrJ Jisk
form<1nce 16-bit viJeo ;iJ<1pter. • Soc kc r for lntcl 80287 m;irh Jri,·c conrrolll'r.
• Socker fnr 20 MH: lnrel 80387 coprocessor. • EnhanceJ 101- key keyhoarJ.
or 20 MHz \X/EITEK 3167 1mrh •One 3.5'' 1.44 MBJiskcccc • ! parallel and 2 serial pons.
coproci.:ssor. Jrivc. • 200 -warr power supp ly.
• 5.2 5" 1.2 MB or 3.5" 1.44 MB • !nrcgrareJ high pcr(orm:rnce • 6 inJustry srnnJnrJ expC1nsion
Jiskerre Jrive. hC1rJ Jisk inrerfocc on sysrem slors.
• • ua IJ iskem.: anJ h;i rJJ i skJ rive b0C1rJ.
control ler. • EnhC1nceJ 101- kq keyboC1 rJ. OPTIONS:
• Enh11no.:J 101-b:y kcyho11rJ. •I pilrnllel ;mJ 2 se riill ports • Jnrcl 80287 math coproccssnr.
•I pilrnllel ;mJ 2 ~e ri<1l porrs. (inregrareJ on sysrern boarJ). • 512 KB RAM up~raJe kir.
• 200-w;m power supply. • 3 (ult-si:eJ inJu sr ry sranJa rJ • 2 MB RAM up_!!raJc.: kiL
• 8 inJus rry sranJa rJ expansion exp;m sion slots C1vaibble. **Lease for as lou· as $9311\.lonch.
slors.
OPTIONS: System With Moniror
OPTIONS: •Externa l 5.25" I. 2 MB Jiskerrc 200 &A.Japtl·r
• 20 MH: Intel 80387 moth Jri\·e. H;ir,!Dbk VGA VGA
corroccssor. • 3.5'' 1.44 MB Jiskcnc Jrive. Ori\·.: !vlonn c,)lur Plu~
• 20 MHz \X/EITEK 3167 marh • lnrel 80287 rnarh corrocessor. 40:-.m.·toms 52.499 52.799
cormccssor. •I MB or 4 MB RAM upgraJe kit. 40MB-28ms $2,699 $2,999
•IMB or4MBRAM **Leme for a$ low m $86/Monrh. 9~, MB.18 ms
ESDI
S3,499 SJ.799
urgr<1Jc ki1.
• 2 MB nr 8 MB memory exr<m· Sysrc.:m 110/\.1".ISms $3,999
LSD! $4.299
sion boa rJ kic. 220 \Vith Monitor
122MB-lSms $5,999 $6.29~
**Lrnseforas lowm $141 IMonih. 1-brJDi~k VGA VGA ESDI
System Drin:s M.,nu C,ilorP!us
J 10 Wirh ~lt1nirt1r & AJapter Onl'Disk· $2,299 .$2,599 *Perfonnance enhancemenrs
t'tt·:Driw (Sy.mm1s 325, 310 and 220):
40~.m-29ms
VGA VGA H~u,l D1~k
.$2,999 .$ ~.299 Within rhe first megabyle of
Mnr111 Culur Plus memory, 384 KB of memory is
IOO MB-29 m~
.$3,799 H.099
I MA 4 MB I MB 4 MB H,m\ Dbk resert•edfor use by the sys rem to
RAM RAM RAM RAM enhance fierfonnance.
40MB·
28 rm 53 .699 s;,!99 54.199 s;,499
90MB­
lll111 ~ $4,699 $5.999 $4,999 $6,299
ESDI
1;0 MB·

!W i8 ms
ESDI
322 MB·
IS ms
ESDI
$5,199 .$6,499 $5,499$6.799

"$7.!99 $8.499 57 .49958,799

APPLICATION SOFTWARE.
We offer a complete line of software. Everything from complex
CAD/CAM applications to fun flight simu lator programs . All at
extremely com petitive prices.

OPERATING SYSTEM SOFTWARE.

De ll Enhanced Microsoft®MS-DOS®3. 3: $99.95

Dell Enhanced Microsoft MS-DOS 4. 0: $119.95

( Both MS-DOS versions with d isk cac he and ot her utilities. )

De ll En hanced MS®OS/2 Standard Edit ion 1.0: $324. 95

Dell UNIX®System V/386, Relense 3. 2:

Available 3/31/89. Call for deta ils.

All priCc5 :tnJ spi:cific;uiuns :lfcsubjccr c1.1 ch;mgl' withom notict' . Dell c:um,it be Tt'>!'l'nsihk tor l'lr1.11sin l ff~'l!r:irhy ix
phutligraphy. • • P.iym~nts basi:Joo a36·mornh 111,....n.,:nJ l.:.'.lSt'. In Cm:JJ.'l, c.mligur;itiuns :ind prices will \~1.-.·. Micnio;,:1i1.
MS. MS-[XJS and XENIX arc rc~istC'r1.•J u;1Jt"n1:1rks ,1wnd \,y Micn)!'.l1ft Ci11p. ]86 isa naJi.:m;uk 1•f Imel C0Tf't1r:1·
rion. UN IX is a regisrcrd rraJt"mark of AT&T r..Signifil'SrrnJt"marb uf l'ntitil' ~ Ofhcr rh:in 0.: 11 Cumpur.:r C.u rnra·
rion.L'..Ser\'icc in r~m1.11t' lv;;mion.s will incur ;iJJirional mwd chari..>t:~. © 1989 DELL COMPUTER CORPORATION .
 11\ITE

APRIL 1989 VOL. 14/NO. 4

PRODUCTS IN PERSPECTIVE 179 High-Tech Computing,

Cafeteria Style
65 What's New by Mark L. Van Name
Wells American's CompuStar
97 Short Takes offers performance in a
SideKick for Presentation custom-ordered tower design.
Manager, Borland's program is
more than just a pretty face 189 Full-Spectrum Scanners
PhotoMac, industrial-strength by Tom Thompson
color processing The Sharp JX-450 and the
from Data Translation Howtek Scanmaster let you
Wizard, import color images quickly,
Sharp's electronic organizer easily, and affordably.
Discus Rewritable,
Advanced Graphics Applications' 197 Extend
new optical disk drive by Ray Valdes
DOSTALK, a natural-language An object-oriented simulation
interface for MS-DOS COVER STORY toolkit for the Mac
from SAK Technologies from Imagine That!.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
203 Mac Desktop
REVIEWS 32.5 MHz and Climbing Presentation Software
by Lawrence Stevens
170 Product Focus: by Steve Apiki . Cricket Software's Cricket
Curing the Brownout Blues page 106 Presents, Letraset' s Stand Out!,
by Steve Apiki, Stanford Diehl, and Microsoft's PowerPoint
and Rick Grehan help you create
A look at uninterruptible
Rated for 33MHz and winning presentations.
power systems that running at 32.5 MHz,
will help you sleep better
at night.
SIA's 386/32 defines a
new plateau.

EXPERT ADVICE ­

111 Computing at Chaos Manor: 141 Macinations:

Language Sojurn Smalltalk Can Be Cheap
by Jerry Poumelle by Don Crabb
Jerry explores the highways A new version of Smalltalk/V
and byways of programming forthe Mac
choices. could give Smalltalk-80
a run for its money.
129 Applications Plus:
Answers to My Mac Mess 151 COMl:
by Ezra Shapiro E-Mail Economics
Readers rise to defend by Brock N. Meeks
the Mac and offer solutions Don't measure E-mail
to system snafus. services by their costs alone.

135 Down to Business: 157 OS/2 Notebook:

Groping for Groupware OS/2 for Cheap
by Wayne Rash Jr. by Mark Minasi
These packages of group Mark presents part 2
productivity software of the inexpensive
might make life OS/2 workstation project.
a bit less complicated.

2 BYTE • APRIL 1989 COVER PHOTOGRAPHY : PAUL AVIS© 1989

 <1111 SPECIAL SECTION:
Graphics Supplement/249

IN DEPTH HANDS ON

206 Introduction: 303 Under the Hood:

CASE The IBM PC BIOS
by Brett Glass
209 The CASE Philosophy Knowing what goes on inside
by Michael Lucas Gibson the BIOS is the key to making
The whole picture involves a system IBM PC-compatible.
integrating corporate plans,
systems design, and 311 Some Assembly Required:
systems development into Floating-Point Revisited
one system. by Rick Grehan
A floating-point package
221 Methodology: that' s well suited
The Experts Speak to business applications.
by Ken Orr, Chris Gane,
Edward Yourdon, Peter P. Chen,
and Larry L. Constantine
Noted software engineers DEPARTMENTS
discuss the methodologies
they helped develop. 6
Editorial:
Open Everything
235 The CASE Experience 11 Microbytes
by Carma McClure 24 Letters and Ask BYTE
CASE work s. But do you need

45 Chaos Manor Mail

a tool, a toolkit,

or a workbench?
51 Book Reviews
And how do you begin?
356 Coming Up in BYTE
CASE/206
246 A CASE Workshop
by Carma McClure READER SERVICE
A sampling of the many 355 Editorial Index by Company
fine CASE tools that are 357 Alphabetical Index to Advertisers
available today. 359 Index to Advertisers
by Product Category
Inquiry Reply Cards: after 360

292 The TRON Project PROGRAM LISTINGS

by Ken Sakamura
From BIX: see 290
and Richard Sprague From BYTEnet:
Will a unique operating system,
call ( 617) 861-9764
chips, and software change
On disk or in print:

the way we use computers?

see card after 304

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APRIL 1989 • B Y T E 3
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El\JTE
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4 BYTE • APRIL 1989

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Circle 300 on Reader Service Card A PRIL1989 •BYTE 5

 EDITORIAL • Fred Langa

OPEN EVERYTHING

GUls, grails, overshadowed by the many similarities. A new openness. In fact, an astonish­
In some very real ways, today's best ing openness. Some of it is so blatant that
embedded processors, GUls have attained the long-sought grail: it hits you over the head: Open Token,
They are alike enough to be generally fa­ Open Look, Open View, Open Link,
and one-station radios miliar, even at first sight. Most people Open Software Foundation, and Open
(certainly most BYTE readers) can sit Systems Interconnect; Open this and
down and start poking their way around Open that.
one ofthese advanced GUis without a lot A bit more subtly, there are hardware
e frequently get visitors here of trouble. No, these GUis aren't per­ developments like EISA (Extended In­

W at BYTE. People come to

demonstrate new products,
to find out more about our
editorial content and policies, and some­
times just to meet the folks who put out
fect, but they've gone a long way toward
knocking down the walls separating dif­
ferent machines and operating systems.
This breaking down of walls has pro­
found implications for the hardware and
dustry Standard Architecture), which
will try to keep at least a piece of the 32­
bit bus market open; and software devel­
opments like the wide acceptance of
XWindows, SQL (Structured Query
the magazine. It's always a pleasure to software we'll be using in the future. Language), RenderMan, and PostScript
talk to the visitors, and it's always good Even so, it's only part of an even larger and its clones-which, while not fully
to exchange information and gain insights trend toward openness. To continue the open, serve somewhat the same purpose
on what's happening in the industry. analogy, just as the walls are breaking by being linguafrancas of the microcom­
Sometimes, these insights arrive in down, so are the ceilings. puting software world.
unexpected ways. The old distinctions between worksta­ The trend to extreme openness in offi­
For example, after a tour of our Lab tions and microcomputers have totally cial and de facto standards is happening
and editorial facilities, one recent visitor vanished. You can't tell the difference faster and spreading far more widely
was puzzled at the large number of dif­ anymore between a high-end microcom­ than most people predicted. And there's
ferent computing environments he'd puter and a low-end workstation because no slowdown in sight-standards them­
seen: SunView, Windows, the Macin­ there is no difference, as our 50-page selves are starting to merge.
tosh's Desktop, OS/2's Presentation supplement on personal workstations last For example, XWindows is gaining
Manager, Open Look, Next Step, and February indicated. three-dimensional graphics by merging
Open Software Foundation's Motif all And, just as the walls and ceilings are with PHIGS-the Programmer's Hierar­
were either up and running, or had been breaking down, so are the floors: A com­ chical Interactive Graphics System, it­
running and were now visible as slides puter is no longer just the box on your self an internationally accepted standard
and screen shots lying around various desk. Computers are also powerful pro­ for three-dimensional graphics. This hy­
offices. cessors invisibly embedded in numerous brid of the two separate standards will be
"They all look the same," the visitor products, from laser printers to network bundled, along with other extensions to
said. "It's getting hard to tell them apart." controllers and beyond. Our fundamen­ XWindows, in a package called PEX.
Indeed. Oh, there are real, substantive tal definition of "what is a computer" So, the trend is crystal clear: Nowa­
differences among these environments. will soon have to change. days, the old, easy, one-brand or one­
The internal variances are enough to turn I'm not talking about the glorified dig­ standard solutions to microcomputing
a systems programmer prematurely gray. ital clock mounted in a Mr. Coffee: Intel problems make about as much sense as
And as for on-screen differences, well, says that as recently as last year, 30 per­ one-station radios: You may get that one
these three interfaces have three-dimen­ cent of all top-of-the-line 80386 chips station very well, but you'll be missing a
sional highlighting of the user-selectable were installed in products not tradition­ world of other, possibly better, options.
buttons, this one has tear-off menus, that ally thought of as "computers." (Motor­ To master today's mixed microcomput­
one has virtual push pins .... ola tells a similar story.) The demand ing environment, you need information
But focusing on these differences is was so strong that Intel designed a vari­ on the full spectrum of possibilities­
equivalent to "looking at the trees," ant of the 80386 just for embedded appli­ and that's what BYTE is all about.
while our visitor was commenting on a cations; it's called the 80376 and is a There's no room for closed minds in to­
forest of remarkably uniform vegetation. close cousin to the 80386SX. day's open environments.
From an end user's perspective, the dif­ So, the walls, the ceilings, and the -FredLanga
ferences among the top-of-the-line floors of computing are all vanishing. Editor in Chief
graphical user interfaces (GUls) are What's left? (BIX name "flanga ")

6 B YT E • APRILI989
 ION

9 8 8

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A w A R D OF

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party library for help. Only to run into menus, forms, fields, and to keys, you're prehensive Pop-Up Reference1M. You'll
restrictions, limitations, and dead ends. always in control. have immediate, on-line access to func­
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IO BYTE • APRIL 1989

 MICROBYTES

Staffwritten highlights ofdevelopments in technology and the microcomputer industry,

compiled from Microbytes Daily and BYTEweek reports

Intel's New 80860 CPU Aims to Be a Cray on a Chip ,.. ~.

mid a 11 the speculation

A overl ntel 's forthcoming
80486 chip were rumors
second, far faster than is
possible with external cache
chips. And the three sepa­
hardware for Gouraud and
Phong shading . It's as a
graphics coprocessor that
• Mach Three: Unix
software house Mt Xinu
that it was powerful enough rate FPUs can work in paral­ Intel will initially market the (Berkeley, CA) plans to
to become the heart of a lel, meaning as many as chip, and the company ex­ develop versions of Car­
minicomputer or even a fu­ 120 million operations per pects to see it appearing by negie-Mellon Univer­
ture mainframe. Now it second at 40 MHz. late this year on add-in sity's Mach multipro­
looks as though the subject of Still more interesting, ac­ boards for graphics work­ cessing operating
those rumors wasn't the cording to members of the stations. system for three worksta­
80486 after all, but another 80860 design team, is the Fabrication on the 80860 tion environments: Sun­
new Intel CPU-one that's fact that the FPUs are mod­ is I-micron static CMOS, 3, DEC VAX, and IBM
designed to be a micropro­ eled after Cray ' s pipelined which means you can stop RT PC. Mt Xinu says
cessor version of a Cray vestor architecture. When a the clock without losing any­ its versions will be
supercomputer. series of identical floating­ thing. Intel already has binary-compatible with
The new 80860 (or i860) point operations is performed FORTRAN-77 and C com­ Berkeley Unix 4 .3, will
came out from under wraps on a collection of data, the pilers for the chip, and adhere to "standard in­
at the end of February, but chip doesn't have to wait for Unix version 4 is supposed to terfaces such as Posix,
engineers at the IEEE Inter­ the first calculation to fin­ be ready by the end of the and will also incorpo­
national Solid-State Cir­ ish before beginning work on year. When we spoke with rate Carnegie-Mellon's
cuits Conference in New the second calculation. The Intel right before press Andrew software and
York got a sneak preview FPUs are designed to work in time, the company was quot­ MIT's X Window sys­
two weeks before the official stages, so they perform ing quantity prices of $750 tem." Releases are
debut. Code-named "N­ each part of a lengthy float­ for end-of-the-year delivery. slated to start early next
10" while under develop­ ing-point operation sepa­ Does the introduction of year, the company says.
ment, the 80860 is a 64-bit rately and then send the re­ the 80860 mean that Intel is Mach acquired some
RISC CPU containing one sult down the pipeline to abandoning the world of commercial glamour last
million transistors and run­ the next stage. (The separate 80x86 processors? Hardly. October when Steve
ning at up to 50 MHz. adder and multiplier can Ti1e 80486 is scheduled to Jobs introduced the
Most current RISC pro­ even be configured to auto­ be out by the end of this year, NeXT computer, which
cessors use several chips; matically send the results of and Intel officials believe incorporates the Mach
SPARC CPUs, for example, one FPU to the other for that the IBM PC-compatible kernel. (For more on
use five different chips, and· more processing.) That line still has plenty of life in Mach, see the November
Motorola's 88000 consists translates into extraordinari­ it. The 80860's future may 1988 BYTE cover story
of a three-chip set, including ly fast vector processing. be as part of a supermini­ on ·the NeXT system.)
instruction and data caches. Intel claims that the 80860 computer, with multiple • The jaded ones who
But the 80860 has them all on runs at better than 85 ,000 80860 CPUs running Unix; said they saw nothing
a single chip. One-third of Dhrystones per second, such a machine could show new at the recent Mac­
the CPU consists of the data which would be about twice up sometime next year. But World Expo in San Fran­
and instruction caches; an­ as fast as the next quickest that doesn't mean the new cisco must have missed
other third handles integer RISC chip available (one chip couldn't show up in the WristMac, a Seiko­
instructions; and a final company's 33-MHz version personal computers, as well; built digital watch that
third comprises the floating­ of Sun's SPARC chip has an 80860 and 8 megabytes connects directly to a
point adder and multiplier been clocked at 40,000 of RAM would easily fit on Mac serial port via a
units. Intel says the on-chip Dhrystones per second). an IBM PC AT-style plug- special cable for upload­
caches allow a data transfer The chip also includes in card. Cray-in-a-box, ing or downloading
rate of nearly I gigabyte per three-dimensional graphics anyone? information.
The watch holds up to
80 two-line displays of 12
characters each, which
New "Mainstream" Mac II: Three NuBus Slots, Less Filling you can edit on either the
Mac or the watch. Push

L ast month, Apple Com­

puter introduced yet an­
other member of its grow­
John Sculley described as the
"mainstream" machine of
the Macintosh II "modular
least that's how Sculley re­
ferred to it when Apple gave
us an early look), features
a button, and the Wrist­
Mac will cycle through
up to a dozen files you've
ing family of Macintosh II product line ." This one, three NuBus expansion slots continued
systems, a model that CEO called the Macintosh IICx (at continued

APRIL 1989 • BYTE 11

 MICROBYTES

instead of the six slots strength plastic, so you can Sculley said it's roughly an
available in the Mac II and disassemble the entire ma­ equal trade-off to swap
created. Each file can Mac Ilx. The Mac IICx has chine in a few minutes. The three slots and a small box
contain up to 79 entries. the same 16-MHz Motorola machine has a quiet 90-watt for the six slots and larger
Files can be timed 68030 processor as the Mac power supply (in contrast to footprint of the Mac Ilx.
alarms that display a Ilx; and we found no differ­ the 220-W power supply of Apple also brought out a
message, names or ence in performance be­ the Mac II and Ilx) and two new 15-inch portrait-oriented
phone numbers, or any tween it and the Mac Ilx. 3 'h-inch bays for a floppy gray-scale monitor with
other text the user en­ However, the new system disk drive and a hard disk 640- by 870-pixel resolution,
ters or downloads. It's comes in a smaller box-the drive (the Mac II and Ilx and a 21-inch gray-scale
$225 for the standard footprint is about 12 by 15 have 5 1A-inch bays that can monitor offering 1152- by
black WristMac. A $295 inches. Although it's more also be used for 3 V2-inch 870-pixel resolution. Both
"executive version" compact, the Mac IICx's drives). Other changes in- come with a Mac II video
comes with a water- logic board has the same cir­ elude an external DB-19 card that can be configured
resistant metal case, cuitry as the Mac IIx, in- serial port for connecting with either 2-bit or 4-bit pixel
gold buttons, and a one- eluding the 256K-byte single an external floppy disk drive depth (allowing display of 4
piece metal wristband; in-line memory module and an auto-restart capabil­ or 16 shades of gray, respec­
it's glitzy, but no one will ROM and the Floppy Disk ity so that the machine auto­ tively).
mistake it for a Rolex. High Density internal flop­ matically reboots in the Apple also announced a
From Ex Machina, of py disk drive controller, event of a power outage. 160-megabyte 5 1A-inch hard
New York City. which can read and write At press time, Apple had disk drive (Model l60SC)
• Hitachi Ltd. of Japan MS-DOS, OS/2, and Apple not yet specified prices or for the Mac II and Ilx. The
has developed a semicon­ II 3 'h-inch floppy disks. configuration options for l 60SC does not fit into the
ductor laser that acts as The newest Mac features the Mac IICx. However, new Mac IICx's hard disk
I a light source for "very a modular design reminiscent Sculley said the Mac IICx bay.
high-speed optical of the IBM PS/2 series. The would cost roughly the same We'll have more details
communications sys- cover, power supply, and as the Mac IIx (basic unit, and photographs of the
terns." The laser has a drive housings have snap $6969; with an 80-megabyte newest Mac in the May
proprietary new structure fittings made of high- hard disk drive, $7869). issue of BYTE.
that comprises an "or­
ganic insulating film em­
bedded in the semicon­
ductor element," a "Location Transparency" Next Hurdle
spokesperson said in an for Database Technology
interview with Micro-
bytes Daily. They don'tcare where it OS/2, and IBM's mainframe says, will be the standard­
The semiconductor is; they just want to get VM operating system. An ization of Structured Query
laser operates on a single there. Database users say engineer at an airplane Language. The current
line spectrum that their biggest concern is ac­ manufacturer working on chaos in SQL standards will
allows it to transmit 16 cess to data-data scattered an AIX-based CAD worksta­ change in the next few
gigabits of information across several computers that tion, for example, would be years, he says. "Right now,
per second over long dis­ don't talk to each other. A able to transparently call up SQL usually means you
tances "without wave­ few computer companies are some data from an IBM have a SELECT statement in
form distortion," the firing up their efforts to 370-based mainframe run­ your database language."
spokesperson said. The make access an easy, invisi­ ning VM. However, Rubinson predicts
laser is seen as a key ble process. Most of these The basis for location that a standard for SQL will
component in the devel­ companies are focusing on transparency is the idea of emerge by 199 l.
opment of a high-speed the mainframe level, but the distributed database, Performance is the least
optical transmission sys- many of the techniques they which is finally starting to concern of database software
tern to link geographi­ develop will wind up on become a real technology. buyers, according to ven­
cally distributed com­ microcomputers within the The client/server model is dors, corporate planners, and
puters. The new next few years. IBM, for "old hat," according to consultants at the recent
semiconductor also has example, is working on the DEC product architecture DB/Expo in San Francisco.
its place in the ongoing concept of "location trans­ manager Barry Rubinson. What buyers are most con­
development of video parency" for its DB2 rela­ Rubinson says "inter­ cerned with is the ability to
phones and high-defini­ tional database system, says operation" in a "mixed work transparently with di­
tion TV (HDTV) image Jnan Dash, manager of Data vendor shop" will become verse and remote systems and
transmission systems . Systems Strategy at IBM. the standard environment in to have a data typing
• Microtec Research Location transparency the next few years and that scheme that is fluid enough
(Santa Clara, CA) has a would mean that an end user database vendors will have to handle complex objects
new high-level debug­ could access data without to provide the tools that allow like airplane diagrams, digi­
ger for the Zilog Z80 knowing where the data re­ their products to trans par­ tized photos, and recorded
processor. The sides on the database net­ ently access data stored speech.
continued work, which could include under other vendors' data­ "Mixed environments
machines running AIX, base products. The key, he continued

12 BY TE •APRIL 1989
 \6u'll never know

howquick it is until

you OJ}en it up and see

~~Itcando.
All thehorsepower in theworld
is useless until you can get at it.
futroducing new Microsoft®
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For starters, thereS QC Advisor
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you on screen. It even lets you cut
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can learn Cthe easy way.
By example. New Microsoft QuickC 2.0. Zero to expert in record time.
And "C ForYourself," our detailed book Andspeakingofdevelopment, its in-line
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in-depth programming lessons.You'll find within your C code for more efficient pro­
one in every box. grams. Plus it's the only integrated debug­
With Microsoft QuickC, you can ease ger that lets you simultaneously debug C
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trademarks and Making it all make sense isa trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
APRI L 1989 • BY T E 13
 'I' iJ
j ~ r,
''Editars'clwice" a
PCW¥RLD
...PCMagazine l!JI
"Upqradeprcdu tojtltey a'f.'
... PCWorld

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You can use your present 16-bit peripherals. (If you've 16 MHz with zero wait state access. Up to 8expansion slots
looked at PC "add-on" cards, you already know your old equip­ are provided depending on your computer configuration.
ment would be useless.) Your "new" computer also will now have 1Megabyte
But with Renegade 386™ you'll have to find some other of lOOns RAM. This is not a naked board. And it also includes
excuse to throw away your current modem, network card, a 32-bit high-speed RAM expansion slot which you can popu­
late with up to 15MfJytes ofsystem memory.
14 BY TE • APRIL J 989
 In practical terms thatsimply means thatprograms like
Lotus 1-2-3 or new products like Foxbase 386, and almostany­
thing else, will runfaster than anything y(JU have ever~
Which is a minor problem for some folks who are playmg
computer games on company time. Renegade 386TM may run
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with newest software releases. program we can't run graphics, make masfilve and inst.ant spreadsheetrecal­
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expansion modules that plug right into your Renegade 386TM dollar, and feature for feature, with the best on the ,
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-something no IBM or Compaq model can match. After30days,ifitisn'tforyou,forangreason,
There's a lot ofconfusion in computerclaims, but the we'll take it back. and writeyou a check immediately
fact is that with zero wait state, our 16 MHz is effectively the for your full purchase price.
same as those highly touted machines running at 20 MHz The risk is all ours. Butwe urge you not to watt.
with one wait state. RAM chip prices are going up every day due to world­
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Parado~ 386, ~Maker, l ·2·3, Novell Network,Ventura Publisher, EGA, Intel,
Hauppauge, Compaq and other brands and products are trademarks or
reg!Stered trademarl<s oftheir respective holders.

Circle 247 on Reader Service Card APRIL 1989 • BYTE IS

 MICROBYTES

NANOBYTES are the real environments," the database" that can be company will be releasing
~~~~~~~~~~-

says Martin SprinzerofRe­ used in read-only mode while products over the next two
XRAYZ80 package in­ lational Technology. "We other users can continue years that will let users
cludes a compiler, an must get to data no matter using the database. Snap­ "write an application once
assembler, a software where it resides ," and this shots might be promising, on VMS and then access it
simulator, and a debug­ process should be transpar­ Date says, because they offer transparently on Unix."
ger. In addition to the ent to the user. For corporate "some of the functionality Oracle's Ken Jacobs said his
vendor's own simulator database users, that means of replication but without company wants to "make
package, the debugger transparent no matter what some of the headaches ." GUis [graphical user inter­
supports in-circuit emu­ the location, data format, Another important ad­ faces] invisible. We're
lators from Hewlett-Pack­ operating system, or user vance we heard forecast at working very hard to make a
ard, Applied Microsys­ interface. DB/Expo involves exten­ product look like Presenta­
tems, and ZAX. The Distributed databases sions to the relational data­ tion Manager, the Mac inter­
IBM PC version starts and gateways are seen as part base model, which will face, or Open Look." Ex­
at $3500; the solo debug­ of the answer. But as data­ allow for object-oriented pect announcements "very
ger starts at $1750. base guru C. J. Date puts it, data, such as a document soon," he said, that point
• NEC (Tokyo) plans to there are some very diffi­ data type or a drawing or toward the "integration of
start offering samples of cult problems associated with image data type. Experts at data dictionaries and com­
a 33-MHz ,iPD70632 distributed systems. To the conference also said 1/0 puter-aided software engi­
MPU this fall and a ­ maintain data integrity in a performance of transaction neering tools into one
MHz model next year. distributed system, for in­ proc~ssing is speeding up thing." _
A 45-MHz version has stance, various data replica­ considerably, approaching Most vendors and consul­
been tested, and the tion schemes have evolved. 2.51/0 cycles per transaction tants agree that the database
company hopes to develop All of them require a trade­ (the rate has traditionally environment isn't all that
50- and 60-MHz ver­ off, said Date, between been 10 to 20 1/0 cycles per mixed at the top. IBM has the
sions next. data protection (during re­ transaction, according to mainframe world sewn up
• Guides to Words and trievals or updates) and Rubinson). Relational Tech­ with DB2. "Anybody who'd
Street Corners: High­ performance. An emerging nology redid the architec­ compete against DB2 is
lighted Data (Washing­ technique called snapshots ture on its DBMS this past nuts," said one panelist at
ton, DC) has put out two essentially takes a "picture of year, says Sprinzer, and the DB/Expo.
of the more helpful
CD-ROM products
we've seen yet. The
first is a version of Web­ Superconductivity Still a Cool Proposition
ster's Ninth New Col­
legiate Dictionary, which
not only includes all the
text and diagrams in the
S uperconductor research
in the past year has ad­
vanced incrementally, but
reproduced.
Conference keynote
speaker Dr. Simon Foner,
sistance and high magnetic
shielding. Both U.S. and
Japanese researchers are
hard-copy version, but researchers have made no chief scientist at the Francis working on developing new
also talks. The disk con­ major breakthroughs, ac­ Bitter National Magnet Lab­ materials and production
tains recorded pronunci­ cording to the evidence at the oratory, warned against the methods for superconduc­
ations of each word in the second annual International "overhype" of the media re­ tivity applications.
dictionary. The second Superconductor Applications garding superconductivity A major problem in­
CD-ROM can generate Convention, held recently breakthroughs and called for volves increasing the thermal
almost any street map in San Francisco. more "truth in advertis­ and structural stability of
of the U.S., the vendor Although one young ing." Foner said that high­ very thin films used in su­
says. The company company called Magnetic temperature (77° Kelvin) perconductivity applica­
claims that the Electronic Power, Inc. (Sebastopol, superconductive materials tions. Because of the sensi­
Map Cabinet disk in­ CA), claimed to have devel­ still are not practical for tivity to temperature and
cludes every street comer oped a bismuth thin film most commercial applica­ the large energy density re­
in the country. Both with superconducting proper­ tions. But Foner also cau­ quired in superconductive
disks cost $200. ties at room temperature, tioned against the pessimistic materials, thermal stability
• Farallon Computing
the claim has not been veri­ fears that the U.S. "will and high yield strength are
(Berkeley, CA) plans to
fied or reproduced in other lose to Japan" in the race to crucial properties. Some of
extend its reach into
laboratories. Another re­ produce commercial super­ the research going on at
high-speed Ethernet sys­
searcher, Dr. Brian Ahern conductivity applications. companies like General Elec­
tems, company officials
of the Rome Air Develop­ Most of the research pre­ tric and IBM involves de­
say. Due for a midyear
ment Center at Hanscom sented at the conference is veloping high-strength sub­
release, Farallon's
Air Force Base in Massachu­ still focused on a transition strates, such as graphite, on
EtherTalk is an imple­
setts, claimed to be close to temperature range-of 4 ° to which the superconducting
mentation of Ethernet
verifying room-temperature 120° Kelvin. The transition film is mounted.
protocols for AppleTalk
superconductivity using ti­ temperature is the maximum According to some
networks. Like Local-
tanium boride. However, the at which the material exhib­ sources, financiers are keep­
continued evidence was still prelimi­ its the superconducting prop­ ing a cool eye on the super­
nary and has not been erties of virtually zero re­ continued

16 B Y T E • APRIL 1989
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Circle 271 on Reader Service Card APRIL 1989 • BYTE 16A

 ow

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16B B YT E • APRIL 1989

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Circle 322 on Reader Service Card (DEALERS: 323) APRIL 1989 • BYTE 16C
 MICROBYTES

- - - -- -
conductor industry. Although commercial development is said an adequate return on
- - NANOBYTES. •
~ ,-
the government and some too far away. In a survey by investment would not be
Talk, EtherTalk will use venture capitalists are willing . Coopers & Lybrand's High possible in the 10-year span
the twisted-pair wiring to take the risk of funding Technology Industries of a limited partnership; 29
of telephone lines. Faral­ something so abstract, many Group in Boston, 60 percent percent said the technologi­
lon plans to provide all would-be backers think ofthe capitalists questioned cal risk is too high.
the "in-building plumb­
ing" for EtherTalk, said
company president Reese
Jones, including connec­ CEBus Chip Provides Brains for Jetsonesque Smarthome
tors that attach to a stan­
dard Ethernet AUi port ou're on the couch, Consumer Electronic Bus panies are all EIA mem­
("all IEEE 802.3 de­
vices") and a StarCon­
Y watching television. The
turkey is done roasting, so,
(CEBus), proposed as a stan­
dard by which home appli­
bers). At the heart, or brain,
of the demonstration was
troller to build and con­ using your TV remote con­ ances can communicate with AISI Research's "Spirit"
trol topology. Phone­ trol, you shut off the oven. each other. Some heavy­ technology, the first imple­
NET with EtherTalk will Then you realize how cold it weights of home electronics mentation of the CEBus ar­
run about $1000 per is inside the house, so, demonstrated this LAN for chitecture in a silicon chip.
machine, Jones said. using the same remote con­ dishwashers, VCRs, micro­ CEBus is a set of specifi­
• Publishing with Iris: trol, you close the curtains wave ovens, and entertain­ cations for encoding and
Full Color Computing and tum up the thermostat. ment systems at the Winter transmitting information
(Danbury, CT) now has . Then it's back to Big Time Consumer Electronics over almost any medium, in­
versions of its Full Color Wrestling. Show in Las Vegas. cluding twisted-pair wires,
Publisher desktop-pub­ That's part of the prom­ The CEBus "Smart­ coaxial cable, infrared sig­
lishing-and-more pro­ ise of "home automation" as home" exhibit at CES fea­ nals, radio waves, and fiber
gram for Silicon Graph­ promoted by the Electronic tured 17 appliances, includ­ optics. But the focus of AISI
ics's three-dimensional Industries Association. The ing a Sony television, an RCA and the EIA is to use a
continued EIA wants the backbone of VCR, and a Johnson Con­ house 's existing AC power
Jetsonesque abodes to be the trols thermostat (those com- , cominued

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160 BYTE • APRIL 1989 Circle 284 on Reader Service Card

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Software Development

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APRIL 1989 • BYTE 17

 MICROBYTES

NANO BYTES
lines for transmitting data, AISI Research admits processor coupled with ana­
~~~~~~~~~~

since they're found in practi­ that the technology hasn't log circuitry to provide full
workstations, including cally every house today. been perfected. Most home implementation of CEBus.
the mighty Personal Iris. Not only would you be able to power wiring isn't designed The Spirit chip incorpo­
Full Color Publisher program appliances from, to carry data, so there's a rates all the functions of the
goes beyond page layout; say, your cellular car phone, tendency for home systems to much larger brick, while
it also has tools for but your appliances could have "white noise"-back­ improving performance and
painting, retouching also communicate with each ground interference caused signal quality, according to
photos, and manipulat­ other. With CEBus, manu­ by the system. AISI Research. The com­
ing images. The package facturers could create a re­ The Spirit chip evolved pany, based in Vancouver,
that runs on SG's Per­ mote control that handles from the AISI "brick," a de­ BC, is marketing the chips
sonal Iris sells for $8995. any number of appliances. vice containing a micro­ for about $5.
• How do you pro­
nounce "loquitur"? The
Franklin Language
Master-4000 can tell you. Insignia Sees Unix Market as Biggest Opportunity
It's a hand-held elec­ for DOS Emulator
tronic talking dictio­
nary capable of speak­ !though Insignia Solu­ Intel-based instruction to a
ing 83,000 words . You
simply type in the word
A tions introduced a new
version of its SoftPC MS­
the emulator can access a
much larger memory space
than it can on the Macintosh,
set of instructions execut­
able by the host machine's
you'd like pronounced. DOS emulation program for and therefore it can perform processor, which can be a
The product, by Berke­ the Mac II at January's better and run MS- DOS pro­ Motorola, as in the case of
ley Speech Technology Mac World Expo, the com­ grams using EGA and VGA the Mac, or other RISC
(Berkeley, CA) and pany's bigger target market graphics standards, says In­ processors supported on vari­
Franklin Computer for SoftPC is the Unix envi­ signia CEO Nick Samuel. ous Unix platforms. How­
(Mt. Holly, NJ), uses ronment. Be ca use of the The whole trick to the ever, the translation is not
continued virtual memory capabilities SoftPC emulation technology one-for-one. On the Macin­
of Unix-based machines, is translating the MS-DOS continued

Food For Thought!

Distributors Welcome!
•Computer IC
- 82C11
- 16C452
- ·16C4.50
- 83C747*
- MGA/CGA/HCGA
- Character ROM
•Memory IC
32K/64K/128K/256K
512K/1 M/2M * /4M *
CMOS MASK ROM
• Consumer IC
- Speech
- Melody
~ * * Under-Development

11F, No, 56, Sec. 4, Nan-King E. Rd.

Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.

TEL: sa&-2-nssno FAX:1l86-2-m3109

18 BYTE • APRIL 1989 Circle 261 on Reader Service Card

Advertisement DESKTOP MAPPING

MAPPLICATIONS • Sean O'Sullivan

Recent developments by
Maplnfo in linking
graphics with
traditional database
information results in new
ways to visualize data

arely has a new software tech­

R nology burst into the market­

place with the excitement and
high potential of desktop map­
ping. More than 100 specific applications
for desktop mapping technology have al­
ready emerged, and current estimates sug­
gest that over 80 percent of PC users could
make immediate use of this new tool.
Desktop mapping has little to do with
the making of maps - the job of cartogra­ Database Information Merged With Maps Maplnfo ' s desktop mapping package is the only
phers. Rather, it involves the use of maps to software designed to directly tie dBASEjlles with maps. The parcels shown here were auto­
get more meaning and knowledge out of matically shaded based on the data about each. A window is displayed that reveals the actual data
databases - particularly if they have some behind a particular parcel.
type oflocational field, such as a street name
and number, city, ZIP code, county or state. end packages at a price and ease of use that Already, thousands of people across the
A lot of software products out there are competes with the low end. nation are using Maplnfo to gain more
putting themselves (or are being put) into On the low end, there are products that knowledge from their databases. Synthes
the desktop mapping category, which runs sell for $350 to $1000 and which are just Corp. is using Maplnfo to do new market
the spectrum of functionality, ease of use, specialized graphics programs. These pro­ research in Paoli, PA. The Syracuse, NY
and price. grams allow you to take a map, such as one police department is using Maplnfo to visu­
One product-Maplnfo, from Maplnfo of the United States, decide what colors ally compile crime statistics. And, in San
Corp.-has emerged in the past year, offer­ each state should be, and then overlay text
ing the performance and capabilities of high for titles, legends, and captions. However, "One product-Maplnfo, from
they cannot interact directly with your data­ Maplnfo Corp.-has emerged
base, and do not have the intelligence to find in the past year, offering the
specific addresses at the street map level.
On the high end, there are expensive
performance and capabilities of
software products that are typically called high end packages at a price
Geographic Information Systems (GIS). and ease of use that competes
These products will let you combine your with the low end."
databases with maps in an interactive fash­
ion. Even when converted for use on a PC, Francisco, Maplnfo is being used to com­
however, they are still expensive, starting at pare locations of AIDS cases with educa­
$5,000 for the software alone. tional outreach efforts.
But for $750 you can buy the powerful Maplnfo Corp. has established a special
Maplnfo engine, which reads your dBASE toll free hot line to answer your questions
Find Addresses Maplnfo Corp.'s street maps
files and lets them interact with an incredi­ about this exciting new technology. For
come with every address already in place, ac­
curate to the correct block and side of street. ble range of computer maps. The maps, more information, call 1-800-F ASTMAP or
Simply type an address and Maplnfo locates it including street maps for most metropolitan 518-274-8673, or write to them at 200
for you. Or, automatically plot existing data on areas, county maps, state maps, and so forth, Broadway, Troy, NY 12180.
the map for "what-if' analyses. are available separately fromMaplnfo Corp.

Circle 163 on Reader Service Card

 MICROBYTES

tosh, for example, SoftPC signia had SoftPC with EGA it is "premature" to talk
executes from 8 to 10 native support running on Inter­ about these discussions . It re­
Berkeley ' s Bestspeech Motorola 68000 instructions graph workstations with the quires a major investment
text-to-speech (T-T-S) for every DOS instruction. Fairchild Clipper proces­ to port SoftPC to a new hard­
conversion technology, This ratio determines the sor. A version without EGA ware platform-in the
which previously has performance of the DOS support is available on HP "high six figures ," he said.
been available only at emulation. On a 68020, DOS 68000-based workstations. Insignia Solutions also
high prices for personal programs running under Insignia plans to have this has a SoftPC version ready
computers and main­ SoftPC perform approxi­ high-performance version for Apple's A/UX version
frames. Speech quality mately equivalently to an running soon on other Unix of Unix, but, according to
and pronunciation accu­ Intel 8088-based personal systems and on DEC VAX Samuel, there has been
racy are on par with computer. On a 33-MHz minicomputers. very little demand for it.
Berkeley Speech Tech­ 68030-based machine, Sam­ Samuel says Insignia has Contact: Insignia Solu­
nology's most expensive uel said, SoftPC runs like a discussed with NeXT a possi­ tions, 787 Lucerne Dr., Sun­
speech-to-text systems, 6-MHz IBM PC AT. ble port of SoftPC to the nyvale, CA 94086, (408)
the company claims. At Mac World Expo, In­ NeXT computer. But he said 522-7600.
The Franklin Language
Master-4000 retails for
about $300. Berkeley
Speech Technology has C&T's New Cache Controllers Compete with Intel's
also licensed Bestspeech
T-T-S to Hewlett-Pack­
ard and Personal Data
Systems. Possible future
C hips & Technologies'
new set of cache control­
ler chips suitable for 20­
on the same chip. This inte­
grated chip eliminates the
need for a discrete DRAM
controllers (called the
82C307 and the 82C327)
will result in OEM system
applications, besides talk­ and 25-MHz 80386-based controller, which is re­ cost savings of up to $94 in
ing dictionaries, include systems is entering a mar­ quired with the Intel chip, comparison to the cost of im­
talking translators, word ket currently dominated by according to Chips & Tech­ plementing the Intel cache
processors, and talking the Intel 82385 cache con­ nologies product manager controller design.
toys with mega­ troller, which is used in the Nelson Chan. Possible customers for
vocabularies. IBM PS/2 Models 70 and Chan said the company's the Chips cache controllers
• ROMmed DOS: 80 and in the Compaq Desk­ integrated design also mini­ include Zenith, Tandy,
Award Software (Los pro 386. The company mizes cache "misses" and Texas Instruments, and Dell
Gatos, CA) has started hopes to compete with the thus makes possible better Computer, though none of
shipping a ROMmed ver­ Intel device by offering a performance than the Intel these companies have offi­
sion of Digital Re­ unique design that integrates 82385. Chips & Technol­ cially confirmed that they
search's DR DOS, an memory and cache control ogies claims that its cache will use the controllers.
MS-DOS 3 .3-compat­
ible operating system.
The Award ROS is
available in a "hard" ver­ Graphics Hardware Designers Like Mac SE/30's Slot
sion on four 64K-byte
chips (on a $250 plug-in
board) or as modules of
object code that can be li­
A !though the Mac
SE/30's 030 Direct Slot
is incompatible with the
MHz clock speed of the Nu­
Bus. In interviews with
Microbytes Daily at Mac­
by 896 pixels with 256
colors. Its Virtual Desktop
feature lets you work with a
censed to system devel­ NuBus and the standard World Expo, designers larger desktop than the actual
opers. Developers can Macintosh SE expansion agreed that the 030 Direct size of the monitor. (The
pick from modules that slot, designers of graphics Slot is a nice piece of actual size depends on the
perform parts of DOS equipment are very pleased engineering. graphics mode; in black
and then burn those with it. Why? The 030 slot SuperMac quickly intro­ and white, the Virtual Desk­
modules into ROM chips offers faster video perfor­ duced its Spectrum/8 Series top is 4096 by 1792 pixels .)
to be installed on the mance than the NuBus, since II card right after the offi­ E-Machines has intro­
system baseboard. For there's no need to worry cial debut of the SE/30. This duced a 21-inch monochrome
diskless workstations about bus arbitration or syn­ 8-bit color display card sup­ display for the Mac SE/30.
and smart terminals, chronizing with the 10­ ports displays of up to 1024 The Big Picture Z21 SE/30
Award claims ROS will has a two-million-pixel
allow faster, more intelli­ video memory and can sup­
gent, and more flexible TECHNOLOGY NEWS WANTED. The news staffat BYTE is port screen sizes up to 2048
designs. "With key parts interested in hearing about new technological and scientific de­ by 1024 pixels.
of the OS at the work­ velopments that might have an impact on microcomputers and RasterOps doesn't have
station, you don't have to the people who use them. If you know of advances or projects anything for the Mac SE/30
go back to the server to relevant to microcomputing, please contact the Microbytes staff yet, but vice president Da­
get every command, " at (603) 924-9281, send mail on BIX to Microbytes, or write to vid Smith says it will offer all
said Award president us at One Phoenix Mill Lane, Peterborough, NH 03458. An its color boards and aver­
Rene Vishney. electronic version ofMicrobytes, which offers a wider variety of sion of its new accelerator
-·
computer-related news on a daily basis, is available on BIX. board on the Mac SE/30.

20 B YT E • APRIL 1989
 SEE THE FULL SPECTRUM

SOTA VGA/16 Delivers It.

SOTA lechnology- apioneer in accelerator board SITTAVGA/16 has two output connectors for full analog and
technology- now brings high-speed, high-resolution digital monitor support-not just analog, as some manufactur­
graphics to your PC. ers offer. And, since many of today's programs require a mouse,
SITTA built this option right on the board. No longer do you
SITTA VGA I 16 is designed to optimize the performance of all
have to compromise an extra slot or sacrifice one of your COM
popular software. Its' industry leading 16-bit memory and BIOS
ports to install a mouse. Simply plug it into SOTAVGA I 16.
interface, is designed to take advantage of the extra performance
offered by 286 I 386 machines. In fact, speed increases of up to So whether you want to add pizazz to your business
400 % faster than the IBM VGA are realized. presentation graphics or view your spreadsheet in
132 columns, SOTAVGA/16 is the right choice.
In addition to being faster, SOTAVGA/ 16 also gives you more
colors and resolution than IBM VGA. Base configuration in­ After all, everything looks better in VGA.
cludes 256 Kof video memory, enough memory for 800 X600 For more information on the
resolution with 16 colors. Plus, it's upgradeable to 512 K­ SOTA VGA/16 please call 800-237-1713.
simply plug in the extra memory chips. With 512 Kyou get In CA 408-245-3366
1024 x 768 resolution in 16 colors or 800 x 6oO in 256 colors.
Software drivers are included for all your popular programs.
The SOTAVGA/16is100 % VGA hardware compatible and
runs current programs such as Windows 386 and OS/2 flaw­
lessly. It is also hardware compatible down to register level with
all pre-VGA standards such as EGA, CGA, MDA and Hercules.
This means that virtually all existing software will run with the
SITTA VGA/16-and it insures compatibility with future
software.

S ffA
ST.An OF THE ART TECHNOWGYT"'

SOTA Technology, Inc.

657 N. Pastoria Ave.
SITTAVGA/16 is atrademark ofSITTA Technology.
All other products mentioned are trademarks of their respective manufactures. Sunnyvale, CA 94086

Circle 263 on Reader Service Card APRIL 1989 • B YT E 21

 DESQview 2.2 and DESQview 386. The

multitasking, windowing environments

that work with your favorite software.

DESQviewN is the operating environment windows and in the background. Run 32­
that brings 03/2N power to Oa3. And it bit 386 programs, like Paradox 386, and
lets you, with your trusty 8088, 8086, IBM Interleaf simultaneously with your
80286, or 80386 PC, leap into the next favorite Da3 programs. All with the
generation in PC productivity. For not speed and performance you expect out of
much money. And without throwing your 386.And with protection against
away your favorite software. 'misbehaved' programs.
Introducing DESQview 2.2 Promise and performance
And now, DESQview 2.2 adds capabilities, And, of course, both DESQviews have all
performance, and compatibility the features that made prior versions the
enhancements you've been asking for: popular choice in operating environments.
The ability to multitask in 640K and
Like being able to fine tune DESQview
beyond. View programs in windows or
performance "on the fly." Run Lotus Express DESQview lets you run your favorite programs in windows side-by-side. full screen. Transfer data. Access O(J3 via
and Metro. And the Intel Connection Co
Processor. Even use the Da3 4.0 shell with PS/2s. For example, DESQview overhead on menus. Dial your phone. And create key­
DESQview.Have DESQview automatically install EMS 4.0 and 386 PCs can be as low as lOK on stroke macros within and between programs.
Quattro, Sprint, Aldus PageMaker, Microsoft EGA/VGA PCs. And DESQview actually Our story gets better and better
Excel, Word Perfect, Dataease and as many as 80 increases memory 30K on CGA PCs; 20K on
other programs.And using the DESQview AP!, monochrome and Hercules PCs. That's good If there's any doubt about our commitment to
be able to dynamically link them. news for users of big desktop publishing, CAD your PC and PS/2 productivity, just look at our
and database programs. accomplishments over the years.We think you
More bang; less bytes will understand why GE, Ford, Aetna, Monsanto,
While other programs get bigger, we've worked
Introducing DESQview 386 and so many other major corporations use
DESQview.
to make DESQview smaller. And we've Forusers of 80386PCsandPS/2s(or PCs with
succeeded in a big way on PCs and PS/2'"s with 80386 add-in boards, such as the Intel Inboard And why PC Magazine gave DESQview its
extended, EMS 3.2 (AboveBoard), EEMS and 386), there's DESQview 386 (a combination of Editor's Choice Award for "The Best Alternative
EMS 4.0 memory-as well as on 386 PCs and DESQview 2.2 and the new QEMM-386 to 03/2," why readers of InfoWorld twice voted
Quarterdeck Expanded DESQview "Product of the Year," why, by
_ INF0_1986 Memory Manager, version 4.2). popular vote at Comdex Fall for two years in a
WORLD
row, DESQview was chosen "Best PC Environ­
PRODUCT ss DESQview 386 gives you ment" in PC Tech Journal's Systems Builder
0 FT HE extraordinary power. Run text, Contest.
YEAR CGA, EGA, VGA, and
Hercules programs in DESQview lets you have it all now.

22 BYTE • APRIL 1989

 QEMM.
DESQview API Toolkit.

Break the
New Cand Pascal
640K barrier
Libraries, Debugger. ·
for$59.95
Panel Designer. And mo
Your 80386 PC, IBM Personal System/2 Model API Reference Manual bolically along with the program counter,
80, PC or ATwith 80386 add-in board, as well as registers, and stack at the time of the call Trace
your IBM Personal System/2 Models 50 or 60 The key to the power of the DESQview AP!, our conditions can be specified so that only calls of
can all break through the DOS 640K barrier. Now Reference Manual contains all you need to know interest are reported.
you can have maximum use of your to write Assembly Language programs that take
memory-whether you have one megabyte or full advantage of DESQview's capabilities. And API Panel Designer
32-with the Quarterdeck Expanded Memory there's an 'include' file with symbols and macros This interactive tool helps you design windows,
Manager.All without having to purchase special to aid you in development. menus, help screens, error messages, and forms.
expanded memory boards. API CLibrary It includes an editor that lets you construct an
image of your panel using simple commands to
QEMM uses hidden Here are Clanguage interfaces for the entire set enter, edit, copy, and move text, as well as draw
features within your of API functions. It supports the Lattice"' C, lines and boxes. You can then define the charac­
existing memory to make Metaware" C, Microsoft@ C, and Turbo C teristics of the window that will contain the
it compatible with the compilers for all memory models. Included with panel, such as its position, size, and title. Finall)\
Lotus-Intel-Microsoft the CLibrary package is the AP! Reference you can specify the locations and types of fields
Expanded Memory Manual and source code for the library in the panel.
Specification (EMS) version 4.0.
API Pascal Library l1iJrr,,,,__ The Panel Designer automatically generates
Nowyoucan run colossal spreadsheets, The Pascal library provides interfaces for~ all the DESQview AP! data streams necessary to
databases, and CAD models designed for entire set of AP! functions. It supports Turbo display and take input from your panel. These
expanded memory, using Lotus 1-2-3, Symphony, Pascal V4.0 and VS.O compilers. Included are the data streams may be grouped into panel libraries
Framework, Paradox, AutoCAD, Excel and AP! Reference Manual, source code for the library, and stored on disk or as part of your program.
more. and example programs.
And if you'd like to use these programs all
More Tools are Coming
together -multitasking beyond 640K-QEMM API Debugger Quarterdeck is committed to adding tools as
works with our popular DESQview multitasking The DESQview AP! Debugger is an interactive needed by our users.To that end we have been
environment. tool enabling the AP! programmer to trace and working with Ashton Tate and Buzzwords
single step through AP! calls from several · International on dBASE III and dBASEIV
If you are one of the 12 million or so 8088, concurrently running DESQview-specific translators. And in the works, we have BASIC
8086 or 80286 PC users who feel left out, don't programs. Trace information is reported sym­ and OOS Extender libraries.
despair.We have options that let you keep your
computer and favorite programs and give you
today what the newest PCs and operating
systems are promising for the future.
Visit your dealer for more information on
barrier-breaking Quarterdeck products. Quarterdeck Office Systems, 150 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90405 (213) 392-9851

FAX: (213) 399-3802

For additional information, please use the following Reader Service numbers: DESQview: #234 QEMM: #235 API Tools:# 236 API Conference :# 237

APRIL 1989 • BYTE 23

Circle 178 on Reader Service Card (DEALERS: 179)

Just Because

You Change

Your Mind...

£61'
LETTERS

and Ask BYTE

PC Power true power-line conditioner and a stand­

Congratulations on the much-needed ar­ by power system. This is fine. But the
ticle "PC Power" Parts I and 2 by Mark recommendation to put the transformer­
Waller (October and November 1988). based power conditioner on the output of
There is altogether too much misinfor­ an SPS needs to include one important
mation being cast about by those who caveat-you shouldn't drive a trans­
pretend to. know. Specifications that may former with a square wave, or even a
sound impressive in a peddling contest pseudosquare wave.
often have little to do with the real issues. AC power is a very complex phenome­
The problem is confounded by oft-quoted non. But, like music, it has been made so

Doesn't Mean
mavens and other self-proclaimed pundits
who still speak from the "landmark"
studies of the seventies that have long
readily available that nearly everyone
takes it for granted.
David Fencl

You Change
since been determined to be invalid.
Some seem to think, however, that it is
enough just to know studies were done.
Oneac Corp.
Libertyville, IL

Your Monitor.
Waller describes many of the short­
comings of surge suppressors and ferro­
I do not agree that the MOV and filter
must be on the primary side ofthe trans­
resonant transformers with respect to the former. Although Oneac puts them there,
needs of modern electronic loads. All I other manufacturers put them on the sec­
would add to his already good comments ondary side. I'm not sure it makes much
is that not only are these approaches not d(fference except that the components
as good as alternatives, but they are actu­ tend to be protected by the transformer if
ally harmful when misapplied. This they are on the secondary side.
point could have been made stronger, I I did not raise the issue of reliability
think. All in all, though, Waller's article because establishing it from one product
should go a long way toward broadening to the next is extremely difficult, and I
the respect for the subject, if not the thought a discussion ofit was beyond the
understanding. scope of the article. Implicitly we all
Auto-Sync by Microvitec.
Having said all that, there are two
technical points that should be corrected
want the most reliable product. I'm not
sure I understand if you are referring to
20" Big.
or clarified. In Part l on page 280, under components, design, or one manufac­
$2395 Small.
the heading "A Better Solution," the text
reads, " .. . a couple of capacitors and a
turer against another.
I do not agree with you that "you
Big differences in graphics standards MOV across the secondary . ... " In actu­ shouldn't drive a transformer with a
aren't big problems for you because ality, the clamping circuit (MOV or square wave, or even a pseudosquare
Auto-Sync adjusts automatically to a
otherwise) belongs on the primary side wave. " I know of no compelling reason
large number of graphics cards. Its 20"
(19" V) color display gives your graphics ofthe transformer. for this except that if the filter elements
the big treatment they deserve. And A second point concerns Waller's sug­ are on the primary side of the trans­
Auto-Sync's quality is backed by the most gestion in Part 2 of a marriage between a former, they might heat up and fail han­
comprehensive service plan in the indus­ dling the noise and harmonics from the
try. Auto-Sync lets you change your mind WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU . Please wave shape, remembering that this oc­
in a big way so call Microvitec and double-space your letter on one side of the curs only when utility power fails. This
change for the better. page and include your name and address. We further implies that the personal com­
can print listings and rabies along with a puter can handle this better than a trans­

-
lerrer if they are short and legible. Address former. Again, I don't agree. The whole
correspondence to Lerrers Editor, BYTE,
point of the article was to urge people to
One Phoenix Mill Lane, Peterborough,
NH03458.
buy products with a clean sine wave out­
MICROVITEC
COLOR MONITORS Because of space limitations, we reserve put so that these concerns are eliminated.
LOOKING GOOO"'
the right to edit /errers. Generally, it rakes The isolation transformer should always
1943 Providence Court, College Park, GA 30337 four months from the rime we receive a /errer be the last line of defense-the closer to
404-991-2246 until we publish it. the computer, the better.-Mark Waller
All trade marks gratefully a cknowledged.
continued

24 BYTE • APRIL 1989

 Who Says FoxBASE+

is Better than dBASE"?

Po• Software
,,,., ,.1- uw 11·..

The Experts!
The Best just Got Better-Now Shipping New FoxBASE+ Version 2.10!

Nicholas Petreley, Info Review Board: Adam Green, Contributing Editor, Data Based Advisor,
"FoxBASE+ has outdone itself. Once again, FoxBASE+ earns dBASE Author:
an "excellent" in performance, with kudos for responding to "For the PC, FoxBASE+ has consistently set the performance
user suggestions. For sheer productivity, there is no other standard for dBASE compatible languages. For the Macintosh,
choice." InfoWorld "Editor's Choice" for 1987 and 1988! FoxBASE+ /Mac will set standards for innovation and leader­
P.L. OI: ?under & President, National Dbase Users ship in a new dBASE implementation."
Group I Computer Don Crabb, Contributing Editor, Info World:
"FoxBASE+ is a supercharged dBASE, with all the features
''You can expect blazing speed on the Mac. FoxBASE+/Mac
Ashton-Tate forgot. If you're into serious dBASE development
breezes past tests that have proven stumbling blocks for
and have not tried FoxBASE+, you are living in the dark ages
Macintosh databases in the past. FoxBASE+/Mac combines
and wasting your company's money."
complete dBASE compatibility with a genuine Macintosh
George F. Goley Iv, Cont. Editor, Data Based Advisor:
user interface."
"The product is fast, very compatible, fast, easy to use, fast,
This is what they said about Version 2.00 of FoxBASE +.
relatively inexpensive, and very fast. In every test, FoxBASE+
Imagine what The Experts will say about New Version
outperformed the other products. And people who answer the
2.10 with these added features: Menu-Driven Interface, Pro­
phone at Fox know what they are talking about."
gram Documentor, Screen Painter and Template-Based
David Irwin, Former President/CEO, Data Based Advisor:
Application Generator ... and Version 2.10 is even faster
"From the dBASE compatibility standpoint, FoxBASE+ is flaw­
than 2.00!
less. From the speed standpoint, FoxBASE+ is unbelievable.
Join The Experts. Get your copy of the New FoxBASE + Ver­
From the "lazy factor" standpoint, FoxBASE+ is perfect."
sion 2.10 today! Now available at your nearest, quality soft­
Glenn Hart, Contributing Editor, PC Magazine:
ware retailer, or directly from us by calling ( 419) 87 4-0162
"Initial tests of FoxBASE+ were simply stunning. In many
Ext. 320.
ways, FoxBASE+ gives you the best of both worlds: all the ben­
Because, when it comes to speed, compatibility and value,
efits of interactive development and debugging, plus the speed
nothing runs like the New FOX- Version 2.10!
and code protection of a compiler."

See us at COMDEX/Spring '89, Booth #7830

~~~~~~§§§§§§§§ Fax Software ~~~
Nothing Runs Like a Fox.
Circle 104 on Reader Service Card Fox Software (419) 874-0162 Ext. 320.
FoxBASE and FoxBASE+ are trademarks of Fox Software. 118 W. South Boundary FAX: (419) 874-8678

dBASE and dBASE Ill PLUS are trademarks of Ashton-Tate.

Macintosh is a trademark of Apple Computers 1 Inc. Perrysburg, OH 43551 TELEX: 6503040827 FOX

 LETTERS

Whenyou create PC database Ethical Medicine

Many people are alarmed about com­

applications without Clipper,® puter viruses. The final solution to these

viruses involves more than technology.

Writing a program that disrupts and

you place unnecessary destroys computer activity is an expres­
sion of immaturity, economic pressure,
restrictions onyourself or the fear of military systems. Usually,
the motivation is to magnify one's ego or
to get revenge on an employer. Sabotag­
ing a competitor's products and mucking
the military are distinct possibilities as
well.
The final solution to this sickness in­
cludes a vision that can excite our imagi­
nations along more positive paths. It is a
vision of making all human knowledge
immediately accessible to any person,
anywhere on planet earth. It is a vision of
enabling each individual to live to the
fullest of his or her potential. It is a vi­
sion of well-being and wholeness in
which a healthy information system is an
essential part.
John Baltzer
S pecifically designed for creating sophisticated applications,
Clipper"' takes you far beyond the limitations of other PC
database development systems. Your Check Is in the Mail
St. Louis, MO

Clipper's open architecture, for example, allows user-defined Although I am not new to computers, I
functions as well as outside routines written in Assembler, C and have been away from them for eight years
due to my career studies. My love for
many other languages, to be easily integrated into one seamless computers began about 14 years ago,
application. when the Z80 chip, CP/M, and BASIC
In addition to its ability to work with the dBASE"' language, were the ruling clan of the microcom­
Clipper provides new language extensions and enhanced com­ puter world.
This world has changed for the better.
mands for creating menus, screens, windows, arrays and input Now we have the Intel 80386 chip, OS/2,
validation. All saving hours of coding tim e. and C, the ruling clan of this modern era.
It offers a full-featured Debugger. A customizable error system Things that we could only dream of then
to create your own error recovery strategy. Sophisticated record are second nature for Those Software
Packages and Their Magnificent Com­
and Hie locking capabilities that make networking applications puting Machines.
easier to create. And runs applications up to 20 tim es faster Today's computer world could have
than dBASE. been very intimidating for a neophyte
What's mo re, Clipper produces .EXE flies which free you from like me. But not anymore, thanks to
BYTE and its knowledgeable staff.
runtime modules, licensing costs, royalty fees, and additional Thanks for giving me the best source of
software require m e nts. information month after month to keep
Clipper. my long-enduring love for those amazing
Everything you've been asking for in a database development silicon wonders strong and growing.
I Carlos A Arche
system. With a degree of freedom you've never experienced. Caguas, Puerto Rico
The question now is, just how locked into your
old ways are you? We Are Not Amused
So the Russians are coming, are they?
For a free demo diskette and booklet, Developing
and Compiling with Clipper,
call (213) 390-7923.
czz;hher®
r I' I
(Editorial, October 1988). After reading
editor in chief Fred Langa's report about
the software demonstrated by the Soviet
delegation, we were anxious to download
Nancuc kc::t Corporation, 12 555 Wcsc Jefferson Houlcvard. Los Angeles, CA 90066. f.:ix: (2 13) )97-5469, tdc.l : 650·257412 5
the programs from BYTEnet (a process
Copyright© 1989 Na ntuck e1Co rp .All rights reserved.

Clipper, Nanruckct and the Nantucket logo ;ire registered trademarks of N.:mruckct Corp. Other brand .:md product n.:imcs
that took a very long time at 1200 bps­
arc used for idencilica tin n purpose s only anO may be trademarks or registered tr.ldt':muks of rhcir res pe ctin; holdcr s.

please note that the price of 2400-bps

modems in your advertisements has
come down considerably) and run them .
continued

26 B Y T E • APRIL 1989 Circle 195 on Reader Service Card

 PC EXPERTS AGREE:

Proteus® offers the fastest for the

least, and supports them the most.

Proteus® sells the fastest personal computers "You get . . . fifteen months of service coverage­
you'll find. But as experts from BYTE, InfoWorld, and onsite at that. Even without the warranty, we
Personal Computing, and others have discovered, highly recommend this machine."
our computers are more than just fast. Computer Buyers Guide
''A remarkable range of performance and opera­
"The Proteus is an excellent value for the perform­ tional capabilities?'
ance it offers potential buyers. Its speed, expan­ Ed McNierney, BYTE Magazine 8/88
sion capability, and service contract put it in a
class with the big boys." For the fastest, most economical, best supported
Personal Computing Magazine computers available, follow the experts to Proteus.

"Proteus is '' ... a complete

markedly faster multi-user
than any other solution that
personal arrives with all
computer we've peripherals and
worked with, operathul systems
including installed and
Deskpro tested . .. a veey
386/20." powerful machfue
that does what
Personal Computing Magazine
it claims."
Computer Shopper Magazine
PROTEUS 386/16
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• Intel 80286-12 CPU ZERO WAIT SfATE •Intel 80386 CPU at 25MHz MULTIUSER SYSTEM
• 640K RAM expandable to 16MB •Intel 80386 CPU at 16 MHz • lMB RAM expandable to 32MB • 80386-20MHz, optional 25MHz
• 32KB cache memory • Optional 80386-20MHz • Int.el 82385EE cache ctlr • 2MB 32­bit RAM, Exp to 32MB
• 8 expansion slots • lMB RAM-Expandable to 16MB • 32K fast cache • BOMB 28ms HD, up to 4.5 GB
• 2 serial & 1 parallel port • Intel 82385 EE cache ctlr • 387 coprocessor support • Opt Yzms instant disk access
• 1.2MB floppy drive or 3.5" • 32K fast cache • 2 serial & 1 parallel port • 40MB tape streamer, opt 150MB
microfloppy • 2 serial & 1 parallel port • Dual HD & floppy controller • 8 terminal support, exp to 32
• Dual HD & floppy controller • l .2MB floppy drive • 200W powersupply, 110/220V •PC-MOS, Xenix or Unix loaded
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Circle 227 on Reader Service Canl APRIL1989•BYTE 27

 "We created a
monste1:"
Apparently, we
have surprised a
few people. It's not
every day that
someone builds
the world's fastest
386/20.
Our marketing
people call the con­
"If this is a race, we cept AMM A-for
are out in front:' Advanced Mem­
ory Management
Steve Hui, President Architecture.
Everex Systems, Inc.
I don't care what
you call it. This is
IBM PS/2 Model 80 (20 MHz)----------<! 3.52 MIPS
the computer that
Compaq OeskPro 386/20 4.59 MIPS has left everybody
Everex Step 386/20 - - - - - - - - 4.91 MIPS behind, including
Compaq.
Power Meter MIPS Version 1.2.The Database Group.
For the moment, we
are overjoyed.
But this is a game
ofleapfrog and
we do not intend
to rest.
The Step 386/20
fromEverex
is a monster of
a machine.
For price and
performance facts,
callEverex
Computer Systems
Division at 1-800­
356-4283. Everex,
48431Milmont
Drive, Fremont,
CA 94538.

Cii!le 93 on lleathr !Service Card (DEALERS: 94)

 LETTERS

While the software was entertaining and other authors make-that is, to confuse a thrust of the programs themselves. We
unusual, we found three areas worthy of flashy interface with a user-friendly should be flattered that the Soviets think
comment. interface. that the general intellectual level of the
The first thing we noticed was the While the screen layout was very good American public is so high, but the truth
flashy interface complete with startling and the exploding windows fit in very is that the programs will have limited ap­
sound effects. In fact, the sounds bore an well, the actual text was anything but peal in the general market, aside from
uncanny resemblance to the sounds that user-friendly, and the sound effects were the ivory-tower crowd.
can be heard emanating from the com­ distracting, even annoying, in this con­ Finally, we were interested in the So­
puter room when our sons are down there text. (Besides, we kept wondering wheth­ viets' use of the English language. We
playing. er they were lifted directly from the code are impressed with their command of
The authors of the software seem to of some commercially available games.) English but surprised that they didn't at
have made the same mistake that a lot of The second area we noted was the least go the additional step of hiring
someone to check spelling, syntax, and
idioms. While Americans put up with
manuals that are written in some oriental
language and then translated into English
because the hardware works, when the
use of the product itself is impaired be­
cause of the language problem, we doubt
Americans will be so tolerant.
Overall, we give the Soviets a good
grade for a first effort at competing in
the U.S. market, but we still don't think
they're here yet. We also doubt their
claim that, "Without any exaggeration,
the NeMo-Tec can be considered as an
example of the software technology of
the next decade-or even of the next
century."
Chris Bidstrup
Idaho Falls, ID
Kent Howcroft
American Fork, UT

Intuition and Theory

I would like to add to R. N. Bracewell's
terse dismissal (Letters, November
1988) of the point made in John C. Pola­
sek's letter (August 1988). Polasek's
point is born of good intuition and has
NetSel" 286
also been put forward by some of my col­
NF.Al', low 3" profile,
leagues in the past. This being the case, I
10, 12, 16, 20 MHZ 16, 20, 25, 33 MHZ.

thought it might be useful to offer what

When you buy any Fortran 286 or 386-based IBM-Compatible, one full might constitute a reconciliation of intu­
year of service at your si~ is part of the package. Just call the service hot line, ition with theory.
and we'll take care of you from a network of 300 service locations throughout On the surface it would appear, from a
functional analysis point of view, that
the country. the function set (cos(wt)+sin(wt)) does
Because we build our sys~ms right here, you always know exactly who not form a complete basis set, even for
to call for any kind of support you need . And you'll get it, Fast, with no real functions. In other words, the null
hidden cost. space of the Hartley mapping is by no
Here's your chance to be your own PC dealer by dealing directly with means empty, and while it is true that
neither of the basis functions represented
Fortton, service and savings, that's the Fortran Difference. by the complex Fourier kernel is orthog­
To Order Call Toll Free onal to the "cas" kernel, many functions
formed by linear combinations of them
800-821-9771
seem to be. For example, one might ask,
What is the Hartley transform of the set
(cos(ut)-sin(ut)), which is orthogonal to
the "cas" kernel ... or is it?
This valid question, on further exami­
nation, leads to a very simple reconcilia­
tion: The Hartley transform and its in­
verse are mapped into ± frequency and
continued

30 BYTE • APRIL 1989 Circle 102 on Reader Service Card (DEALERS: 103)
 111111111111111111111
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 LETTERS

± time. The "negative frequency" com­ C1 = + 1.5707 9631 847 (BYTE Books, McGraw-Hill, 1981) pre­
ponent of the transform does contain the C2 = - 0.6459 6371 106 sents a least-squares analysis program
information represented by the basis set C3 = 0.0796 8967 928 and uses it to generate an approximating
(cos(ut)-sin(ut)). That is, (cos( -wt)+ C4 = - 0.0046 7376 557 polynomial for sine(x) good to an accu­
sin(-wt)) is identical to (cos(wt)­ Cs = + 0.00015148419 racy of about 10- 14 • The results are
sin(wt)). Thus, the seemingly missing, shown in table 2. Keep in mind that,
orthogonal component of the Hartley This approximation has an error of when working with series approximations
kernel is represented by the mapping into ±0.0000 0000 5, which translates into like this, you should construct your algo­
a "negative frequency" range, with the eight-decimal-place accuracy. I coded rithm so that the higher-order terms are
phase information preserved in the rela­ this function on my Apple Lisa and ob­ accumulated into the result first so that
tive positive and negative components at tained the comparison (f (x) is the ap­ you avoid errors generated by adding
each frequency. proximation) in table 1. small numbers to large numbers.
Though, in this case, you find an intu­ For a very good list of function ap­ Also, I don't think your definition of
itive oversight, I think it illustrates the proximations, I recommend Approxima­ radians is quite right, since 1 radian is
importance of submitting a formal proof tions for Digital Computers by Cecil 57° and sine(7rl2 radians) = 1.0.
to the acid test of good scientific intuition Hastings Jr. (Princeton University Press, -Rick Grehan
and resolving any apparent contradic­ 1955).
tions. All too often, only the reverse is David Craig Impressive Workstation
done. Wichita, KS Thanks for an foterestlng ,_ look at the
Ron G. Walters NeXT workstation. The system is im­
Cleveland, OH You are correct in that the Taylor-series pressive in all respects except for the
expansion I gave (actually, it should be slow access time of its primary storage
No Coprocessor called a McLaurin series, since that's the device. I wonder whether common sense
In "Floating-Point without a Copro­ term used for a Taylor series expanded was overridden by the call of the wild,
cessor, Part 2" (October 1988), Rick around x = OJ for sine(x) isn't the best especially since Unix performance is di­
Grehan says to use Taylor-series expan­ for digital computer use. Though it might rectly related to disk performance.
sions for the implementation of the trigo­ be passable for some computations as I don't wish to belittle the importance
nometric functions. I disagree. Taylor long as the argument is restricted to the of the new optical drive. The removable
functions have terrible convergence first quadrant, a truncated McLaurin high-capacity read/write optical disk is
when high decimal-point accuracy is de­ series with accuracy on the order ofyour truly revolutionary, particularly in its
sired. Instead, I recommend the follow­ example's 10-s would require two addi­ implications for data backup and securi­
ing approximation for the sine function tional terms beyond the series I showed. ty. A drive failure means that you could
(xis in radians): There are a number of techniques for swap out the bad hardware, slide in the
deriving an approximating polynomial's backup media, and boot back up, drasti­
Sin(x X + c2x 3 + c3x 5 + c4 x 1
7r/2) = c 1x coefficients, ranging from least-squares cally cutting downtime. Sensitive data
+ CsX9 regression to minimax polynomial ap­ can now be physically removed from the
proximations. F. R. Ruckdeschel, in system (not just erased) and locked up 11t
where BASIC Scientific Subroutines, Vol. 1 night. The 60-megabyte streaming·fape
drive would no longer be the standard
backup device since the backup could be
Table 1: Coefficients for sine(x) accurate to eight decimal places. from disk to disk. Sounds great.
I hope NeXT decides to give the mar­
x f(x) Sin(x x 71"/2) Delta ketplace a break and offer a more con­
ventional high-performance (5-millisec­
0.000 0.00000000000 0.00000000000 O.OOOe+ 0 ond?) hard disk drive as the primary
0.200 0.30901699496 0.30901699437 -5.813e-10 drive. Nowhere is it written that you can­
0.400 0.58778525441 0.58778525229 -2.1173­ 9
0.600 0.80901699004 0.80901699437 4.333e­ 9
not be radical and open-minded at the
0.800 0.95105652100 0.95105651630 -4.707e­ 9 same time.
1.000 1.00000000531 1.00000000000 -5.310e­ 9 Peter Matsunaga
Aiea, Hawaii

Where to NeXT?
Thank you for your complete report on
Table 2: Power series approximation for sine(x) accurate to approximately NeXT's cube computer ("The NeXT
10- 14 over the range -7rl2 < =x < = 7r/2. Computer" by Tom Thompson and Nick
Baran, November 1988). I am a com­
Coefficient Value puter engineer at the University of Okla­
homa, and the machine sounded perfect
c1 - 0. 1666666666671 334 for me, so I immediately set out to buy
c, 0.00833333333809067 one.
c, -0.000198412715551283
c, 0.0000027557589759762 I asked the people at our purchasing
c, - 0.00000002507059876207 office about the machine, and they said
c, 0.000000000164105986683 they had not been contacted by NeXT
and would not carry the company's ma­
cominued

32 BYTE • APRIL 1989

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Circle 74 on Reader Service Canl APRILI989 •BYTE 33
Circle 129 on Reader Service Card

ChiWriter LETTERS

Powerful Sclentlflc/Multlfont Word

Processing at a Reasonable Price chines unless approached. I could under­ name of the publisher was listed, no city
How are you currently producing your scll8ntlfic stand that, so I called NeXT to get the or mailing address was included. For
documents? Are y~ Using a "golf balr' style ball rolling. When I finally got a repre­ those readers who would like to buy a
typewriter? A regular word processor, hand let~
tering the special symbols? Are you fighting
sentative, I told her that I was interested copy, it's available for $24.95 plus $3
against a "what-you-see-ls-definitely-not-what· in purchasing one of NeXT's machines shipping from Peachpit Press, 1085
you-get" system with a special command but that the university's purchasing Keith Ave., Berkeley, CA 94708, (415)
language? Or are you using one of our com­ office had not yet been contacted. To my 527-8555.
petitors' expensive and Inflexible programs? Find
out how ChiWriter can solve your scientific word
dismay, the representative told me that Ted Nace
processing problems. the university must contact NeXT to start Berkeley, CA
any student purchases. That was my first
• -<x-µ)z
catch-22. An Orphan Variable
NeXT's purpose was to sell to univer­ While discussing the creation of contour
- 1- Je~dx sities and major research institutions. plots in the computational statistics class
;-?;; _,,
Oklahoma University is a major univer­ I'm teaching this semester, my class and
sity, and I still can't get a NeXT com­ I tried to duplicate figure la in Paul D.
puter. I asked NeXT if there was any Bourke's June 1987 article entitled "A
other way I could purchase its machine. I Contouring Subroutine." The article
was told that I could try purchasing one claims that the figure is a contour map of
from another university. Great! Except the function
the person I spoke with wouldn't tell me
From an actual C/IJWritar scrsen display the name of any university that was sell­ f(x,y) = sin((x2+y2) 112)
ChlWrlter Is a complete word processor, designed ing NeXT machines. Another catch-22.
especiaUy for scientific and foreign language text. I started out really wanting this com­ + --;=====·5==­
2
Its featl.fes include: intuitive formula editing com­ puter. It still is an incredible piece of
.,J(x+ 3.05)2+y
mands, automatic pagination, variable headers
and footers, footnotes, box draw mode, a notepad
hardware, but until NeXT changes its -27r S x,y S 271'.
window, and an integrated spelling check~r. policies, I would not recommend anyone
Best of all, ChlWriter is completely "what-you-see­
buying one. When we were unsuccessful in produc­
is-what-you-get." Even complicated formulas can Scott Fields ing a plot similar to the one in the article,
be entered easly because the screen display cor­ Norman, OK a careful inspection of its listing 2 re­
responds exactly to the printout. vealed the line
ChiWrlter runs on IBM PC compatibles with 2 flop­ One Year Later
py dsks or a hard disk, 384K RAM and CGA, Her· In the April 1988 issue of BYTE, you d( i,j) =SIN(r )+. 5 / SQR( ( ix+J .05) A2
cules, EGA.VGA or AT&T graphics. Support for +iyA2)
aD popular dot-matrix printers is included. The
published a letter of mine suggesting the
Laser Printer Support Is required for HP Laser­ use of the work by Michael F. Barnsley
Jet, DeskJet and Postscript printers .. and Alan D. Sloan ("A Better Way to Unfortunately, the variable iy is never
"Ch/Writer Is a niftyproduct with a price I defy you Compress Images," January 1988) for defined in the program (presumably
to beat and petformance I defy you to snub ... I the compression of databases. Bourke intended to type jy instead of iy).
know of several $500 programs that wt11 do the job, The method did indeed compress the This has the effect of leaving out the y2 in
but for the same money you could buy Ch/Writer databases about 100 to 1 in most cases . the second term of the function, which
and a vacation. "
Phil Wiswell, PC Magazine However, Barnsley and Sloan's method has a drastic effect on the function . I do
'D Chiwnter Progr;- - - - • $m9S1 is lousy, and as a result the data when de­ not consider myself a programming pur­
I D Laser Printer Support
0 WordStar/WordPerfect Converter
$74.95
$59.95
compressed was not exactly the same as ist, but an experience such as this goes a
the data before decompression. How­ Jong way toward making me want to use
I D Chemistry Font Set
o Russian Font Set
$59.95
$29.95 ever, the method did discover underlying languages that require all variables to be
I O ChiWriter Deluxe (all of the above)
D Conographic Font Set
$299.95
$149.95
patterns in the data. declared before they can be used.
I o MergeChi Mail Merge Program $29.95
The discovery of these patterns al­ H. Joseph Newton
l D lndexChi Index Generator $59.95 lowed the development of a better access Professor ofstatistics
o Check here for 2011/a educational discount
I O Shipping
(school and university teachers and students only)
& handling $_ _ __
system to the data, sometimes increasing
access to connected pieces of data by 50
Texas A&M University

I $5 U.S. & Canada, $10 Europe, $15 elsewhere to 1. More important, it allowed the dis­ Time-slicing
I Name _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ covery of connections within the data I am writing with regard to Mark Mina­
I Address _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ structure that were not thought to exist. si's "OS/2's Multitasking Dashboard"
The ability to discover connections (OS/2 Notebook, November 1988). Min­
I City_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ within a database does have interesting asi is unable to explain why background
I State _ _ Zip _ _ _ Country _ _ __ implications for expert systems and ra­ processes get proportionately more CPU
tional database structures. time as the time slice is increased (table 3
I Phone ( )
Robert McLaughlin in the article). As far as I can work out, it
Payment by o Check o Purchase Order o VISA o MC
Arlington, J1,4 is because when you increase the time
I Card # Exp. _ / _
slice, the ration of maxwai t to time­
L - -----~....!Y~,J Buy the Book slice decreases.
Horsbnann Software Dalgn Corporation I greatly appreciated Jerry Pournelle's As an example, say there is one fore­
140 E. San Carlos SI.IP.0. Box 5038 generous comments in his December ground and one background process run­
San Jo11, CA 85160·5038, USA 1988 Computing at Chaos Manor about ning with maxwai t=l (second) and
(408) 2811-0828, FAX (408) 288·&157 our new book, LaserJet Unlimited, Edi­ priority=dynamic. If the time slice is
tion II. Unfortunately, although the continued

34 BYTE • APRIL 1989

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Mr . J\rno\d R. lto~:~te %45

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san ftanc1sco.

ocar p.cadct: cd tc:itt and graphics t~:::;.

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around so eas1~~h
11 ri.nt c rw ot \tsw1u
ackascs. So YO .
~he pc. with ~;
ptitl\ it out qui r

We ca\1 ita~'
smal\ pticc.f

THE TIGER

Ti9er! Ti9e:r! burnin .

ifere you Jllade b 9 brJ.gh t
Ho, 11 ll tel1 Y:u l:::r light?

A DeskJet pri t t made me __

(With a . n er from HP!

/11,\an G rube .Palagi.es to William Blake)

You may not believe your For just $995, you get 300 dpi So don't settle for a noisy
eyes, ,either. The HP DeskJet in a trim 15-pound package dot matrix printer. Instead,
printer gives you the same that sits easily on your desk. call 1-800-752-0900, Ext.
crisp, black lettering. It has four built-in fonts, and 296J for a brochure and
And clean, sharp graphics. over 100 optional fonts avail­ your nearest authorized HP
But it uses advanced ink­ able in plug-in cartridges. dealer. Thenjudge the HP
jet technology to give you With a 20,000-hour MTBF; DeskJet printer for yourself.
these laser-like qualities it will keep working away for
for the price of a 24-wire a long, long time. And it will F//'PW HEWLETT
printer. do it all in blissful quiet ~~ PACKARD

Documents created us ing Wordpe rfect 5.0 and Harvard Graphics software. © 1989 Hewlett-Packard Company PE12903

Circle 122 on Reader Service Card A PRI L 1989 • B Y T E 37

 LETTERS

set to 512 milliseconds, the foreground t imeslice and maxwai t should be in­ arises when you also try to use OS/2.
process will get two time slices before creased in proportion. OS/2 does not support the 3363, and
the background process receives a prior­ An OS/2 problem that I have is with IBM has no plans to release a device
ity boost and runs a time slice. So the IBM's 3363 Optical WORM (write once, driver for it (as far as I have been able to
processor is split 2 to 1. When the time read many times) drive. The application find out) . You cannot run the 3363 in the
slice is increased to 1024 ms, the fore­ that we at my university are developing DOS box because it is a direct-access de­
ground process · will now get one time uses an IBM PS/2 Model 80 for imaging vice driver, and these have to be written
slice before the background is boosted work, and we required a removable mass under OS/2 device driver rules.
and gets a time slice. Now the processor storage medium. Floppy disks have too IBM's suggestion to me (after many
is split 1 to 1. A similar thing will hap­ small a capacity (about five images). The inquiries and much waiting) was to re­
pen with more background processes. To 3363 is the only such device that IBM boot the system into DOS after image ac­
show the task switch overhead, both supports for the PS/2 range. The trouble quisition and back up the images from
the hard disk drive, then reboot back to
OS/2-hardly idiot-proof, and it doesn't
let you browse through the 3363 drive
when using the system. Do you know of
any other Micro Channel removable
media that are large enough to hold many
images (256K bytes each) and have an
OS/2 device driver rather than· a DOS
driver? If there are no others, publicizing
this deficiency may at least shake Big
Blue up a bit.
Nathan Sidwell
Bristol, U.K

The Akerman Function

Christopher Greaves (Letters, November
1988) challenges the readers of BYTE to
deliver to him the value of Acker­
man(5,5). The answer to this is simply
Ack(5,5).
More seriously, Ackerman's function
can be viewed as a definition of general­
ized arithmetic functions where the first
argument is constant (value 2), the other
has an offset of + 3, and the value is off­
set by -3.
Thus, if opm denotes function number
m, where op 0 is the successor function
(first argument ignored), op1 is addition ,
op 2 is multiplication, op 3 is the "power
of" function, and so on, then

Ack ( m1 n) = ( 2 opm ( n + 3) ) - 3.

For the first four familiar functions:

Ack(O, n) = (2 OPo (n + 3)) -3

=s(n+3)-3

=n+l

Ack(l, n) = (2 op, (n + 3)) -3

=(2+(n+3))-3

=2+n

Ack(2, n) = (2 OP2 (n + 3)) -3

= (2*(n+3) ) -3

= 2n+ 3

Ack ( 3, n) = ( 2 op3 ( n + 3) ) - 3

=2n+3 - 3

For op 4 I'm not sure of the standard nota­

continued

38 BYTE • APRIL 1989 Circle 262 on Reader Service Canl

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Circle 213 on Reader Service Card

ASK BYTE

CALL OR WRITE FOR OUR COMPLETE

SOFT WARE CATALOG

~J - ARCADE GAMES:
Crossfire. Bug~, PacMan. Frogger. CGA
C#19 - PINBALL GAMES I: tion, but I think Donald Knuth has used they had been "filtered." I won't show
TwilighlZone. Pinball , Wizard. Rain CGA
C_t.26 - COMPUTER SOLITAIRE :
ii; that is, anyone the kludge I came up with, but
Klondike, Spider and Canfield CGA with Dick Pountain's Before() and
\;_t.31 -SCRABBLE
Just like the board game! CGA req 'd . After () from "Untangling Pascal
~2 - JEOPARDVI
The tamous TV game comes to lhe PC! CGA Strings" (December 1988), the whole
MC# 1 - MONO ARCADE GAMES: wherextty is partially defined by mess reduced to only a few lines of code.
PitFall. Bugs! , Pac-Man. Starship
M.Q.!J~ - LOVE FIRE
Although, as Pountain correctly
Romance TextadventureWherewill love lead?
MC#22 - SLEUTH
xii2 =xx, states, the Turbo Val() function is
A murder has been commi!IE!d and you solve II!
xtly = x<• 11 rl)>. happy accepting leading blanks, the
l!!l;_t.43 - BASEBALL 20

Greal baseball simulation fOf mono sets.

same is not true when assigning file­
The function op 5 is defined in the same names for Reset () and Rewrite (). For
way in terms of op 4 ; that is, the general example, opening the file' IN.DAT' is
relationship is not the same as opening 'IN.DAT'. If a
user decides to separate the files by two
XOP1 y = x + y, or more spaces, the After ( ) function no
x op.. 2 = xop..- 1 x, longer works as desired. Instead of call­
xop.. y=xop..- 1 (xop .. (y- l)), ing Noblanks () for each filename with­
in my string array, I added another func­
for m > l. An alternative answer, in tion, DoubleCheck(). This function (see
EDUCATION terms of the more familiar arithmetic listing l) need only be called once to re­
ED#JC - AMY'S FI RST PRI MER· 6 wonderful Kindergarten programs functions, is therefore move all multiple separators from the in­
on arithmetic, spelling, color and shape recognition. CGA reqd.
ED 3E - PLAY 'N ' LE · Alphabel game for 1B months & up plus 6 put string.
Areqd._
ED G ED: Add, Subtract, Divide, Multiply, Kid 's Ack ( 5, 5) ( 2 OPs ( 5 + 3) ) - 3 S.Balch
Giant Lener WordProcessor. Funnels & Buckels Math Arcade Game.

E0#3K - KID'S STUFF : Hangman Word Game. Mosaic design game.

(2op 5 8)-3 Lucan, Ontario, Canada

Shooting Gallery game. CGA reqd.

EOt4 - GEOG RAPHY 1· WorldMap, Geochron. States & Capital

games. CGA reqd.

E0#8 - WORLD ATLAS 12 DISK SEn Instant reference lo

but that would be a matter of taste.

geographic stal istics. CGA, 2 floppy drives req'd .
E0 #6 - BOOK REPORT & 1001 TOPICS Helps studenls pick topics

'
It is worth noting that this number is so ASK BYTE

and do !heir book reports.

large that, for example, conversion to
E0 # 140 - HIGHSCHOOL VOCABULARY: MulUple choice word drills

with re· 1es1ing on missed words, and detailed delinillons.

binary form is impossible.
ED #22 - PRE CALCULUS TUTOR : Trig/Algebra tor Cale I & Bus Cate

ED,!32 - PROFESSOR WEISSMAN'S ALGEBRA TUTOR 15

Alf P. Steinbach Disappointing Hard Drive

lnlegrated programs teach algebra with lull explanaUons. tests. etc.

ED#S- NATIONAL GEOGRAPHI C INDEX For 1957 lo 1987.

Ringstad, Norway I wonder if you could advise me on avail­

ED#34 - XV-SEE f2 DISK sen lnleracllve algebra/lrig/geometrylulor.

WP1tJO - THESAUR V3.5 . Excellent on·line. easy 10 use Thesaurus.

able hard disk drive upgrades for my IBM

Kludge Reduction Exercises PS/2 Model 50, which came with a dis­
Recently, I wrote a parsing function that appointing CMS 20-megabyte 80-milli­
would accept up to eight filenames from second unit using an ST506 interface.
within my program, storing each file­ Antony Perakis
name within an array of a string (i.e., New York, NY
PERSONAL FINANCE Array [1..8] of string). I opened the
PF#l - AM TAX '88 Complete tax preparalion for 1040 and al
Schedules (A tlYu SE) . Prints lorms acceptable to the IRS. files ( {$I - } ) and examined them to Unfortunately, independent companies
PF#26 - CHECKBOOK ASSISTANT Maintains personal checking
and credit card accounts. see if they existed. I tossed out incorrect have yet to penetrate the Micro Channel
B#1 14 - PROPMAN (2 DISK SET) Comprehensive rental property
management. accounting & reporting system. Hard Disk req'd filenames. I processed the remaining market. This is no accident. IBM has
SP ECIALI NTER EST files and gave the processed files new made it difficult for other vendors to sup­
WP #1 - PC-WRITE v3.02 (3 DISK SET) Excellent word processor
with spell check. math & foreign characlers. column formalting. and
names ending in . FIL to indicate that port Micro Channel appl.ications. The
mQfe Over300 enhancements have been made since v2 7t !
Sl#27 TRAVEL DISTANCES Calculates travel in U.S or World .
Model 50, in particular, causes difficul­
Sl#9 1 BROTHERS KEEPER (2 DISK SET) Genealogy dalabase ties for developers. The IBM BIOS sup­
produces ancestOf. descendant, family reports & lree charts, more
Sl # 38 - A.C.E. (2 DISK SET) Complele on.screen gu ide to the night Listing 1: Reader Balch 's ports only 1 7 sectors per track. Vendors
sky performs astronomical calculations. generates charts. etc CGA
Sl#72 - PROCON FORTUNE Comprehensive astrology and function to remove all multiple cannot offer high-performance interfaces
numerology program provides personality analysis and more
OR #6 BOOK MINDER Complete book cataloging system for you
separators from the input string. like run length limited or ESDI. They
personal library. would either have to convince customers
UTILITIES Function DoubleCheck(S;String; to throw out the IBM BIOS, or they would
UT #1 - AUTOMENU v4.5 Excellent hard disk menu organizer with

mouse support .
C; Char) ;String; have to integrate a BIOS chip on the con­
.L!JJt6 - SCREEN UTILITIES Emulate CGA on mono systems. screen

blankers and much more.

Begin troller board. Since the market is limited

UT#20 • SECURITY UTILITIES BombSQuad. Check·4·Bombs . and
Repeat to those Model 50 users who wish to up­
olher programs to prolecl yo.x system from Viruses

UJ.Jl26 - DISKETTE LABEL Several program thal create labels wilh

S ;= Before(S,C+C) grade from the included hard disk drive,
filespecs for 5.25" and 3.5" diskettes.

UT#27 - LASER SOFTFONTS I (2 DISK SETI...: Old English. Script.

+ C + After(S,C+C); it's a lot to ask of a vendor. Unlike the

Helvetica. Italic. and many more for HPW-11.
Until After( S, C+C) 1 1
;
UT#36 • LASER SOFTFONTS I f2 DISK SETI • Large colleclion of

DoubleCheck .- S; Model 60, which offers an extended

Times·Aoman. Cenlrum. Helvetic in 30-60 pcint.

US TOLL FREE ORDER L INE: 1-800-548-736U

End; CMOS RAM where developers have a
CALIFORNIA.lDJ..L.FREE ORDER LINE BOO 82 8-8933

window for modifications, the Model 50

$2 99
SENP MAIL ORP~RS IQ;

Example One offers no such luxury.

PdSOFTWAREHOUSE
200 VALL.EV DRIVE - #50 . . • As ofthis writing, Adaptec is sampling
BRISBANE, CA. '4005

415-5150
a SCSI Micro Channel host adapter for
Readln(Tmpstr); OEMs. This product would not only pro­
Total# of Disks
Ship To Tmpstr ;= DoubleCheck(Tmpstr,' '); vide an interface for hard disk drives, but
CA Res Sales TaJC
Ship I Handling it could also be used to add printers,
Total Enclosed continued

40 B YT E • APRIL 1989
 APPLE AND OOPS.

APEACH OFAPAIR.

Romeo and Juliette. Lucy and Desi. Fred and came direct!y from Smalltalk research. This is
Wilma. Sometimes couples just seem made for no casual affair.
each other. And now when you put Smalltalk/V Love, it is written, is not selfish or
and your Macintosh together you've got a arrogant. &:> when you become passionately
marriage made in heaven. involved with Smalltalk/VMac, your work
Object Oriented Programming was is fully compatible with Smalltalk/Von IBM
made for Macintosh. Smalltalk/V Mac lets PCs (and clones) operating with DOS, OS/2
you develop Mac applications easier than ever and Presentation Manager.
before using the prototype style that Smalltalk The new Smalltalk/VMac sells for
is famous for. You also get push-button debug­ a peachy $199.95 and comes with our no­
ging; multi-processing; comP.lete Toolbox questions-asked 60 day money-back guarantee.
access; MultiFinder compatibility; a rich class If your dealer isn't into ooPs, order
library; and a bushel basket of Smalltalk toll free, 1-800-922-8255. Or write to; Digitalk,
source code. All in our high-performance 32­ Inc., 9841 Airport Blvd., Los Angeles, CA
bit architecture. 90045. Smalltalk/V and Apple. Now
Interestingly enough, Macintosh was there's an
made for ooPs. Much of the unique hardware
and interface design in Mac development ~~~re~ng Smalltalk/VMac
Circle 78 on Reader Service Card A PR IL 1989 • B Y TE 41
 ASK BYTE

tapes, or scanners. Another product

might let you hook to a network system
through the SCSI port. Other Micro
Channel products should be appearing
soon, but they have been slow in coming.
IBM does offer an upgrade path for your
Model 50 'shard disk drive: a 27-ms, 60­
megabyte hard drive for $1695. - S. A.

Monochrome EGA
There are several expensive multiscan
monochrome monitors that can be used
with a conventional EGA card. Are there
any low-cost monochrome EGA moni­
tors?
Do special EGA cards that are capable
of gray-scale shading on TTL monitors
offer a good-quality display? Do they
suffer from flicker, partial screen dis­
play, or distorted aspect ratio on any
EGA modes?
Victor G. Apter
Buffalo, NY

EGA supports modes for monochrome

display ofboth text and graphics. There­
fore, you have a wide variety of low-cost
monochrome monitors to choose from . I
prefer the 14-inch models with a flat­
tened screen. The September 1988 BYTE
lists (in "Monitor Makers") contact in­
formation for the companies that manu­
facture such monitors.
I really like the out put of gray-scale
monitors, particularly the NEC Multi­
sync GS (see "Review Update," Septem­
ber 1988 BYTE) . The GS will accept TTL
or analog video input and is compatible
with a wide variety of video adapter
cards. Our equipment did pick up exces­
sive jitter, but the display is easier on the
eyes than a no-frills TTL monochrome
adapter and monitor. Not only is the
gray-scale display visually appealing,
but it adds functionality to programs that
use color menus or extensive graphics.
The monitor sells for under $300. -S. A.

From VIC to PC
In 1983, V. J. Georgiou, Ph.D. , pub­
lished the VIC-20 Interfacing Blue Book.
It contained information on programs
and inexpensive hardware for connecting
resistance and capacitance meters and a
few other nice peripherals. The one I
found most interesting was the digital
thermometer. It used a 555 timer, a few
resistors, capacitors, and a thermistor.
Made in U.S.A.
Anthro~'
The book included the wiring diagram

IC\
All steel frame construction

Technology Furniture•!! and programs to operate the thermom­

Easily holds up to 150 lbs.
eter. Even the Radio Shack part numbers
3221 N.W. Yeon St. were included.
Portland, OR 97210 Well, my VIC-20 is gathering dust
503-241'-7113 somewhere in my basement, but I would
ANTl-ftO Telex: 940103 continued
AntliroCart and Teohno/ogy Furniture are
registeres tr ademarks of Anthro.
42 BYTE • APRIL 1989 Circle 35 on Reader Service Card ­
 ASK BYTE

still like to run some time-versus-tem­

perature programs. I currently own an
IBM PC XT clone, and I seem to remem­
ber a "Blue Book" for the PCs, but I have
been unable to find such a publication. I
have even started to plow through some
books on the 8088 processor, but nothing
there seems to be leading me toward my
thermistor circuit. I realize I could buy a
$300-to-$1000 add-on system to read
Universal Cartridge Maclnker $68.50 lmagewrlter or Epson Maclnker $42.00 temperatures into data files, but I don't
Eliminate expensive fabric ribbon replacement with the famous Maclnker. The require that level of sophistication. Do
Universal Cartridge Maclnker ($68.50) will re-ink most cartridges with the appro· you know of any publications that might
priate adapter. The Universal Spool Maclnker will re-ink all spools. Operation iE help?
very simple & automatic. Our extra dark, lubricated ink yields better than ne111 Wayne A. Holmes
printout quality and its cooling effect extends print-head life. New ink dispense1 Monroe, CT
ensures precise ink metering. Average number of re-inkings/cartridge is 60-100 a
an average cost of 5 cents/re-inking. We also have dedicated Maclnkers for spe· I've found two references that should
cial cartridges. All Maclnkers, with appropriate Multicolor Adapter can re-ink multi·
color cartridges (2 or 4 colors). Or use your Maclnker to re -ink in 10 different col· help you.
ors: red, green, blue, yellow, purple, brown, orange, gold and silver. Our Gus· Interfacing Your Microcomputer to
tomers range from individuals to Fortune 500 Corporations. In 1982 we pioneerec Virtually Anything by Joseph J. Carr
re-inking technology and are dedicated to its development. We have a complete (TAB Books, Blue Ridge Summit, PA:
range of accessories, heat-transfer re-inking adapters, special inks and cartridges. 1984) is not only a source of useful cir­
cuits, it's a good introduction to linear
Universal Cartridge Maclnker .......•.............68.50 Call for free catalog
Multicolor Adaptor (specify printer) ........... 40.00 (analog) circuits.
lmagewriter 1111 Maclnker model 234 IM ..... 42.00 Special Offer Handbook of Software and Hardware
Epson Maclnker model 271 EP .................... 42.00 Interfacing for IBM PCs by Jeffrey P.
Just !lay, "I saw it In 'Byte' am get a
Universal Spool Maclnker ........................... 68.50
free mousepad with any order >$60.00, Royer (Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs ,
Heat Transfer Adaptor .................................40.00
or ee key-beeper & flashllg~ combi- NJ: 1987) should tell you how to put to­
Extra Ink bottle .......... 3.00 pint ................. 18.50
>n for orders >$100.00.
gether your own interface boards for the
\II Maclnkers delivered with bottle of ink, ink meter, reserve
Buy the Universal Cartridge & the Uni­ PC and-most important-how programs
eservoir cover.. Black, uninked, colored, special cartridges versal Spool at the same time and get can communicate with the interface.
1vailable. Best ribbon quality at lowest costs. the second unit for $50.00
-R. G.

A Problem Solved
Regarding Lee Rose's letter (January
Ask BYTE), there is a very viable solu­
tion to his problem of running IBM PC
it's a state o t the art, high speed tax and a
AT and Apple programs on the same ma­
2400 baud 1 00% Hayes™ compatible mo­
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ware offers sophisticated capabilities not is looking for. This card is available in a
found on standard fax machines, including 768K-byte (Apple mode) / 640K-byte
document composition editing, file storage, (IBM mode) configuration. The CPU is
LlghtFax9624external $749.00 name card data management, scheduled a high-performance 16-bit V-30 micro­
sending (when the phone rates are cheaper), processor operating at 7 . 16 MHz. An
1roadcasting (sending do~uments to multiple addresses), line queuing (sending 8087-2 math coprocessor slot (with an 8­
nultiple files), journal review of fax traffic and much more. LightFax 9624 features
BACKGROUND OPERATION (you don 't have to quit your application to receive MHz clock rate) is included.
1 fax). With optional LightScan 200 dpi or 400 dpi scanners you can scan your
I have used this card on my IIGS for
locument into your computer, for fax transmission or for use with a paint program. some time now, and I have found the
;lick the mouse and your LightFax 9624 becomes a 2400 baud modem, 100% product easy to use and 100 percent com­
!ayes™ compatible (Bell & CCIT). Overseas customers, please specify country patible with MS-DOS 3.3, GWBASIC,
J receive proper LightFax 9624 version and power supply. dBASE II Plus, WordPerfect, Frame­
PC 400 rlni scal\ner (PC) ............. 273.00
work II, and Microsoft Windows appli­
LightSpeed 9624 external ..... 749.00 "".lacmtosn
cations. Also, I have easily converted
Li~htSpeed 9624 internal ..... 699.00 LHlihtSpeed 9624 exte!nal ..... 749.00
Macintosh files to the IIGS using a
2 dp1 scdannMeArc~ACrf ........... 499.00

Windows™ ................................29.00
M.icros_o ft™ compa t ·mouse···· 49·00
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priced compatibility with all three major
Satisfaction or 30 day refund on all products - Immediate shipment - Major credit cards formats-hard to beat!
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Computer Friends, Inc. Order Toll Free 1-800-547-3303 Charleston, SC
14250 NW Science Park Dr. in Oregon (503)626-2291

Portland OR 97229
fax (503)643-5379 telex 4949559 CF Thanks for the information.-R. G. •

44 B YT E • APRIL 1989 Circle 63 on Reader Service Card

 IF YOU LIKED OUR AD,
YOU'LL LOVE THE BOOKO
Qn the front gatefold of this like what you see, we have a 28­
magazine, you'll find a 4-page page catalog you'll like even
ad about our 386™ systems, 286 more.Just send the card below,
systems, laser printers, and low and we'll send you a free copy.
----­
direct-from-the-manufac­ DELL Or call (800) 426-5150. In
----­
COMPUTER
turer prices. And if you ----­
CORPORATION
Canada, call (800) 387-5752.
----­
© 1988 DELL COMPUTER CORPORATION. 386 is a trademark o flntd Corporation.

GET OUR FREE 28-PAGE CATALOG GET OUR FREE 28-PAGE CATALOG
OF DELL COMPUTER SYSTEMS. OF DELL COMPUTER SYSTEMS.
This new catalog is the best place to shop for high perform­ This new catalog is the best place to shop for high perform­
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ware, peripherals, enhancement products, and networking ware, peripherals, enhancement products, and networking
solutions. Just send this card, and we'll send you a copy. solutions. Just send this card, and we'll send you a copy.
Name: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ __ Name: _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ __
Title:_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Title:_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
Company: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Company: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
Address: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Address: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
City: _ _ _ _ __ State:_ _ Zip:_ _ __ City: _ _ _ _ _ _ State: _ _ Zip: _ _ __
Phone: _ _ _ _ _ __ Phone: _ _ __ _ __
D Please have a Dell representative call me. D Please have a Dell representative call me.
l. Are you a (select one): 4. How many PCs do you l. Are you a (select one): 4. How many PCs do you
A D End user have installed now? A D End user have installed now?
B D Consultant A D 1-10 B D Consultant A D 1-10
CD Reseller B D 11-20 C D Reseller B D 11-20
D D Corporate Purchaser C D Over 21 D D Corporate Purchaser C D Over 21
E D DP/MIS Manager s. How many PCs do you (your E D DP/MIS Manager 5. How many PCsdoyou(}'our
2 Which products are company) plan to purchase 2 Which products are company) plan to purchase
you most interested in? in the next twelve months? you most interested in? in the next twelve months?
A D 286 architecture A D 1-10 A D 286 architecture A D 1-10
B D 386 architecture B D 11-20 B D 386 architecture B D 11-20
3. Are you interested in C DOver21 3. Are you interested in C DOver21
computer products for: 6. Is your requirement: computer products for: 6. Is your requirement:
A DHome A D Immediate A DHome A D Immediate
B 0 Business B D 1-3 Months B D Business B D 1-3 Months
C D Over 3 Months C D Over 3 Months
D Dinfoonly D Dlnfoonly
ADCODE51ED9 ADCODE51ED9
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 Circle 41 on Reader Service Card

CHAOS MANOR
NEW
MAIL
BLAISE
Jerry Pournelle answers questions about his column
TOOLS
and related computer topics

Blaise Computing, manufacturer

of function libraries that offer
Don't Knock Unix
Under DOS , there are commercial easy-to-use solutions to your pro­
This letter is a rather long flame engen­
programs to handle reference database gramming needs, introduces:
dered by your comments on Unix, which
reformatting, citation insertion, and ref­
POWER TOOLS PLUS/5.0-$149
are summarized, I believe, by the follow­
erences. But they are indeed overpriced -compl,etely inlegra/J3d and lightningjast rouiines
ing quote from your September 1988
and not flexible enough to satisfy the bi­ t.ohdpyou:
Computing at Chaos Manor:
zarrely idiosyncratic requests of scien­
• Add moving bar pull·down menus and windows to your user
"This whole situation puzzles me. I've tific publishers. interlaces; NEii? • Generate context sensitive help
had a dozen people try to explain why The widely used DOS word processing screens; NFJV! • Add easy-to·use date and time conversion
you can't simply fire up Unix and use it programs that you appear to favor, such routines; NEW! • Let users choose from window
oriented pick lists; NEW! • Create and access "huge"
as the master operating system to run as WordPerfect, have been or are an­ data structures; NEW! • Use mu ltiple· line edit fields wiUt fully
multiple DOS programs, and the usual nounced as being ported to Unix. Per­ configurable edit keys; /l'EW! • Speed up your sorting
answer is, 'You can, but nobody's done haps the reason you haven't seen them is with flexible in-memory sort routines; IVEW.1
+Add EMS support; NEW! + Write TSRs and lSRs easily;
it.' None of them can answer the next that the Unix user typically does not like • Control DOS memory allocation;
question," which you asked in the previ­ them. But they are indeed available. As • Create powerful programs in Turbo Pascal 4.0 & 5.0!
ous paragraph and which follows. for myself, there's no way that I would Turbo CTOOLS/2.0-$149
"Of course, I can also run standard ever return to WordStar, which I used -tigh~fas~ high qualityjunctions t.o luip you:
Unix programs, but why bother? All the from the late 1970s through the mid­ • Add easy-to-use mouse support for windows and menus; NElV!
Unix programs that do the things I want l 980s. • Quickly include virtual windowsandmenus;/l'EW!
to do have been pretty small potatoes Unix is an extremely comfortable • Integrate your windows and menus with11irbo Q; text
compared to what's available on DOS." computing environment. As evidence, windows. NEW! • Create context-sensitive help screens; NEW'
• Pl'Ovide multiple-line edit fields with fully configurable
Your comments are arrogant and non­ consider the nuinber of people you know edit keys; NEW! • Use keyboard and video services
sensical, and as a result, your readers who have voluntarily shifted from Unix (including enhanced keyboanl and VGA}, NEW'
might be deprived of the opportunities to DOS, compared with the number who • WriteTSRsand ISRs easily;• Create powerful programs
in Turbo C 10, 1.5 and 2.0!
afforded by Unix. have become Unix users. You can easily
To answer your first question, try out tailor Unix to your wants. The standard FREE with these products!
the Sun Microsystems 386i. Multiple Unix tools are renowned for their power Source code, complete sample programs, a compre­
DOS tasks can be run effortlessly or op­ and variety. hensive reference manual with extensive examples, the
Norton Guides Instant Access Program, and an online
tionally menu-driven in a Unix environ­ You may not need a multiuser, multi­ database. We also offer free technical support and a
ment. The cost for the mind-boggling ca­ tasking system, but it sure is nice, even bulletin board system dedicated to technical issues.
pabilities of the 386i is about what you for a "single user" like myself. Not Unleash your progtamming pot.ential!
would pay for one of the more familiar everyone has the same needs and prefer­ Blaise Computing offers programming tools that are
80386 systems with comparable hard­ ences. But I imagine that among your fast, flexible and affordable. Call now to mder or to ask
ware, with or without Unix. readers there are also some, perhaps for a free brochure on our full line of products for C
The answer to your next question, many, who have needs like mine or for and Pascal.
"Why bother?," is necessarily more per­ other reasons would be better satisfied by Put Blaise tools to the test!
sonal. Like you, I have a single-user sys­ Unix than by DOS. Give them correct in­ If at any time during the first 30 days you are not
tem, a lowly 80286. Like you, I write as formation, and after that let them decide completely satisfied with their speed and flexibility,
part of my living. Unlike you, I run Unix for themselves. we'll refund your money.
and would not touch DOS . Why do we John Rupley
differ? I imagine because we want differ­ Tucson, AZ
Call 800-333-8087 today!
ent functions from the computer. For ex­ BLAISE COMPUTING INC.
2560 Ninth St., Suite 316, Berkeley, CA 94710, (415) 540­ 5441
ample, when I write, I must have copious Thank you for your kind words. FAX: 415-540-1938
references that are absolutely accurate, I am well aware that the Sun worksta­
inserted with text citation styles that dif­ tions can do wonderful things; indeed, I
fer widely between publishers. continued
Under Unix, it is easy to take refer­
ences from a commercial database with Jerry Pournelle holds a doctorate in psy­
any format and incorporate them into a chology and is a science fiction writer
paper with any citation style and any bib­ who also earns a comfortable living writ­
liographic style. The programs that you ing about computers present and future.
link together to do this are part of the He can be reachedc/oBYTE, One Phoe­
standard Unix operating system or in the nix Mill Lane, Peterborough, NH 03458,
public domain. or on BIX as ''.jerryp. "

APRIL 1989 • B Y T E 45
 CHAOS MANOR MAIL

m
think I wrote at length about some of the
work one of my friends did at Bellevue

-BIG

Hospital using a Sun. However, I haven't

tried a Sun386i myself because I don't
have one and because, up to now, those
big Sun workstations have been well be­
yond the financial limits I generally im­
pose on equipment I'll write about. I
don't write about VAXes for the same
PharLap reason.
Your statements about the 386i with
Virtual Memory Manager. Unix being about what you'd pay for
"one of the more familiar 80386 systems
It will let you write applications up to 5, 10, 15 megabytes or more with comparable hardware" is true only
for any 386 PC running MS-DOS'': Forget about RAM limitations. in the sense that you can load up any­
Your application can run on a machine with as little as 1 or 2 mega­ thing. My Big Cheetah with everything
bytes of memory. aboard has a list price of only about
$10,000. lf/added Unix software, which
Only Phar Lap 3861VMM''' gives you demand-paged virtual memory capa­ is very expensive, that price would cer­
bility so you can write mainframe-sized applications for the PC. Applications tainly rise.
your customers can run on their 386 PCs now with no additional memory. No Finally, your letter is typical ofthose I
kidding. All you need is 3861VMM and our famil y of 386 development tools. get. "Unix is wonderful, and I'm using it
Existing programs developed with our 3861DOS-Extender can be easily right now, and I can do all these terrific
expanded with 3861VMM too. things." Fine, say/, and I invite Unix ex­
Our tools let you take full advantage of the 386 protected mode architec­ perts to come over here and set something
ture. Break the DOS 640K limit in the language of your choice; C, Fortran, up on one ofmy machines-and I have a
Pascal, or Assembler. · lot ofthem.
For fast compact code, use 3861ASM, our 80386 assembler that's upwardly The result so far has been a lot ofgood
compatible with the MASM'' 8086 assembler. Existing DOS and mainframe excuses. I have nothing against Unix, but
applications written in a high level language are easily ported by recompiling. I will not change my rules, which are that
And 3861LINK, our 32-bit native mode linker, puts it all together. I write about what I 'm using and that
Debugging is made easy too. With our 386 symbolic debugger you can what I use has to work on equipment here
debug applications written in assembler or any high level language. Best of all, at Chaos Manor and get done the jobs I
with Phar Lap's 3861DOS-Extender''' you can run your native mode program have to do, such as writing books and
on any 386-based PC running MS-DOS. And you have full access to DOS columns and doing my taxes.
system seivices through INT 21. I'm glad you 're happy with your sys­
tem and that you like to grep and urk.
-Jerry
NO COMPA11BILI'IY PROBLEMS NO ROYAL'IY PAYMENTS
Phar Lap's tools are compatible Once your 386 application is complete, Exploit the Space Bar
with the industry's leading systems: all you pay is a low one-time fee to license Dear Jerry,
DESKPRO 386'; IBM Model 70/80''; 3861DOS-Extender for redistribution. Recently, you've been trying to get us
386 clones and accelerator boards. 3861VMM is also developer friendly. to use better keyboards. I have long won­
Not only will your new applications Call to find out about our flexible run­ dered why designers haven't made better
be compatible with the leading time pricing.

use of the space bar.

systems, they'll run alongside all You can unlock the entire DOS market

When there are 100 keys on a board for

other DOS applications. now. Don't wait for OS/3 .

eight fingers, why is there one bar for

two thumbs? In the search for more func­
$495 3861ASM/ LINK-Package includes 386 assembler, linker, MINIBUG
tions, why can't the bar be split in two­
debugger and the developer version of 3861DOS-Extender the right half for the right thumb, the left
$895 MetaWare 80386 High C" compiler for the left thumb?
$595 MicroWay NDP Fortran-386'' comp I'm all thumbs, but I bet I could train
$195 3861DEBUG symbolic debugger my right thumb to strike the right bar to
$295 3861VMM - developer version of the move the cursor forward and my left
Phar Lap Virtual Memory Manager thumb to strike the left bar to backspace.
Please put this suggestion in the public
domain before someone claims "look
(617) 661-1510 and feel."
PHAR LAP SOFTWARE, INC.

60 Aberdeen Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138

James T. Oitzinger
Fax: (617) 876-2972
Houston, TX
"THE 80386 SOFTWARE EXPERTS"

That sounds like an interesting idea. I've

been watching, and I hardly ever use my
left thumb for anything. Fascinating.
Thanks for the suggestion. -Jerry •

46 BYTE • APRIL 1989 Circle 218 on Reader Service Card

Choosing the Right
Database Developm,
System Just Got Eas
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For database applications devel­ Thousands ' progra
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hidden costs can be quite a shock DBMS Macintosh
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Raima Corporation 3245146th Place S.E., Bellevue, WA 98007 USA (206)747-5570 Telex: 6503018237 MCI UW FAX: (206)747-1991 In Texas call: (214)231-3131
International: U.K.: (0992)500919 Germany: 07127 /5244 Switzerland: (01)725 04 10 France: (1)47 72 77 77 Netherlands: (02159)47758 Sweden: (013)124780
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Some views on why the NEC MultiSync

There's a lot more to the new MultiSync®3D monitor from NEC

than meets the eye. Because instead of making one monitor for each

graphics board, we've devel­

oped a monitor that enhances

the performance of the modes on

practically any board.

With its new microprocessor-controlled digital tuning system,

MultiSync 3D can adjust to a given video standard with a precision

matched only by a few high-end single-frequency monitors.

Making it perfectly compatible with virtually all systems and

boards. From 8514A, SuperVGA and Mac II to VGA, EGA, MDA and

Computers and Communicarions

48 BYTE • APRIL 1989

3D is the new ffionitor standard.
CGA. For an incredible maximum resolution of 1024 x 768.

What's more, MultiSync 3D is equally compatible with you and your

workplace. There are upfront controls, for easier access. A 14" non-

glare screen on a tilt-swivel base, for more comfortable viewing. And,

as you can see, there's even a full 360 degree design.

The way we see it, MultiSync 3D

has dramatically raised the

standards by which all other color monitors will be judged.

Mul1 1Sync ol 1 1eg•stered 1'1demarl< ol NEC Home Elec !ronocs (USA) Inc

For literature, call 1-800-826-2255. For technical details call NEC

Uac. 11 ,5 B •ag1sterea trademark ol Apple Com pu1er , Inc.

Home Electronics (USA) Inc. 1-800-FONE-NEC.

1:11989 NEC Home Electronocs (USAI Inc

NEC
APRIL 1989 • B YT E 49
 RoundTables on the GEnie™ GEnie can &J.ve you money U#=prompt enter XJM11700, GEnie
service are a good way to pick up another way, too. We bring you then RETURN. And have a
expert knowledge fust Because expert input at the very best rate. m~jor credit card or your checking
they're the best way to talk to experts just $5 an hour~ So you can stay account number ready. For more
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~h- lOP tlll ReaderServke Card
 BOOK REVIEWS

Mind Children: of the human brain within 40

The Future years, which Moravec justi­
of Robot and fies by extrapolating from the
rate of development of digital
Human Intelligence hardware since the time of
by Hans Moravec
CharlesBabbage. So we aren't
necessarily looking as far into
the future as might allow us to
Harvard University Press, comfortably contemplate this
Cambridge, MA: 1988, potential loss of human iden­
186 pages, $18. 95 tity-perhaps only a few thou­
sand years or less.
Reviewed by Eric Bobinsky But creating a 10-teraops
processor-which Moravec

A lthough Marvin Minsky

was using the phrase
"meat machine" in the early
calls a "human equivalent
computer"-isn't the ultimate
goal. He goes on to discuss the
1960s to describe the human possibility of protein robots
brain, this mechanistic view­ that are genetically engi­
point dates back to the indus­ neered to assemble circuits at
trial revolution and perhaps the nanometer scale, allowing
much earlier. For years, sci­ thecreationofartificial brains
ence fiction writers have con­ millions of times more power­
structed worlds in which ful than the human mind.
robots equaled and even im­ Robots equipped with these
proved on human intelligence. brains might in turn be capable
The idea that we humans of using the ultradense matter
will eventually build super­ of neutron stars to create pro­
intelligent machines that cessors that are one million
might replace us is hardly million million million mil­
new, yet the Al community, lion times more powerful than
which used to confidently pro­ the human brain by side­
claim it, has lately retreated to stepping certain currently ac­
a much more conservative cepted physical limits on the
stance. After all, it is difficult switching speeds of micro­
to extrapolate the superhuman machine intelligence. It is one build. When speaking of cur­ circuitry.
potential of our machines of the most fascinating books rent robot technology, Mora­ After taking the reader on a
when, after 30 years of Al re­ on the subject ever written. vecwritesthathe sees "the be­ brief tour of theoretical phys­
search, some of the simplest Mind Children is the kind of ginnings of awareness in the ics and having tried to estab­
tasks performed by the "meat book that makes readers react. minds of our machines-an 1i sh the feasibility of such
machine" cannot even be ap­ They will argue with at least awareness that I believe will ultrapowerful robot brains,
proached by our most ad­ some of the author's ideas (I evolve into consciousness Moravec moves into the realm
vanced creations. argued with quite a few). But comparable with that of of psychobiology. How will
Thus, it is somewhat sur­ that's not surprising, given the humans." we be able to coexist with fel­
prising when the director of book's main premise that the Transferring our conscious low creatures-for that is what
Carnegie-Mellon University's biological evolution ofhuman­ selves into the minds of robots our robots will become-that
Mobile Robot Laboratory ity is complete, that the future is an idea that might be safely are clearly far superior to us in
writes a book on Al and robot­ will consist of a post biological relegated to the distant fu­ every respect? And, if that
ics that stretches the limits of world dominated by our ture-but coupled with it is the doesn't seem possible, should
imagination. Hans Moravec's robots, and that we will even­ author's unequivocal state­ we even continue trying to de­
Mind Children: The Future of tually transfer our own minds ment that computers will have velop them? What are the jus­
Robot and Human 1ntelligence directly into the machines we attained the processing power tifications for engineering our
goes far beyond the science own obsolescence? Moravec
fiction writers' view of super­ ALSO REVIEWED writes, "The answer, I be­
human robot intelligence and, lieve, is that we have very little
without apology, dogmatical­ The Dreams ofReason: The Computer and the Rise choice, if our culture is to re­
ly presents the author's ideas ofthe Sciences ofComplexity m a in viable. Societies and
on the evolution of human and continued

ILLUSTRATION: JOHN S. DYKES © 1989 APRIL 1989 • BYTE 51

Circle 279 on Reader Ser~ice Card
BOOK REVIEWS

economies are surely as sub­ "Awakening the Past," delve

ject to competitive evolution­ deeply into the problem.
ary pressures as biological or­ Are there demons in this
ganisms. Sooner or later, the paradise of immortality and
ones that can sustain the most superintellect? "If the world
rapid expansion and diversifi­ of artificial machinery has
cation will dominate, Cul­ seemed disease-free so far, it
tures compete with one an­ is only because our machines
other for the resources of the have been too simple to sup­
accessible universe. If auto­ port mechanical parasites,"
mation is more efficient than writes Moravec in a section
manual labor, organizations called "Trojan Horses, Time
~you're involved in
and societies that embrace it Bombs, and Viruses . " In
doto communicotions.
will be wealthier and better these pages (which are partic­
_ _ _ ___ ,- _ _ _ dive you data line monitor
able to survive in difficult ularly interesting to read in
capabilities at o fraction of the cost using your PC.
times and to expand in favor­ lightofthe recent invasionofa
Making use of pull down menu's and built-in help screens

provides true operator simplicity. The combination

able ones." nationwide Unix network by a
of these features and price make this Qn extraordinary buy.
Suppose we accept this and computer science student's
You con view the bidirectional data and
continue to develop our mega­ program), the author explores
control signals of any RS-232 link.
machines, Whathappens?For various types of digital fauna
The PC Comscope capabilities include:

a time, there is a symbiotic re­ that can be made to infect and

ASYNC. SYNC. HDLC. TIME STAMPING:
SOPHISTICATED TRAPPING: STORE DATA ON DISK: lationship between humanity damage computer systems.
ASCII: EBCDIC: /PARS.... Telebyfe does if again! and robot. "But," says Mora­ If robots can be made as
vec, "intelligent machines, complex as Moravec main­
PC Comscope for under $400. however benevolent, threaten tains, then we can easily imag­
TALK TO 'iiELiEa'::'riE210E Pulaski Rd. Green/own. NY 11740
our existence because they are ine how susceptible they
(516) 423-3232 /385-8080 or 1-800-835-3298 alternative inhabitants of our would be to equally complex
FAX: (516)385-8184 ecological niche." Further­ parasitic programming. Fur­
more, humankind "evolved at thermore, if we ourselves in­
a leisurely rate, with millions habit the robots, then the virus
of years between significant analogy becomes even more
changes. Machines are mak­ apropos. Here we have an en­
ing similar strides in mere tire system of artificial life­
decades." forms: robots, human-robots,
We humans have a desire to and the parasites infecting
expand our presence into them-a concept Moravec
space. But our robots will be calls "freely evolving digital
able to do it faster and more wild Ii fe." Parasitism, far
Create or enhance effectively. "Eventually hu­ from being undesirable, is
dBASE applications under mans ... will become unnec­ necessary for triggering the
Microsoft Windows! essary in space enterprises, as mutations that will allow this

--­ -­-
the scientific and technical system to continue to evolve.
discoveries of self-reproduc­ In other words, the transition
~fdrf)g) ing superintelligent mecha­ from biological system to post­
Suggesied Re/ail Price
nisms are applied to making biological system is complete

- -
themselves smarter sti 11. and irreversible.
~'(jg)g) These new creations, looking Thus, we have built ma­
Introductory Price quite unlike the machines we chines that are our postbio­
with this a1
30 day money back guarantee! know, will explode into the logical successors. We have
universe, leaving us behind in looked upon them and seen
a cloud of dust." that they are good, And we
The matter doesn't end have finally abandoned our
there. Humans have a propen­ bodies and moved to inhabit
sity for trying to better them­ our machines. This has taken
dBFast/ Windows is a complete dBASE language development selves, and what better way to many years, but maybe not as
environment running under MS-Windows. Using familardBASE do that than to have the mind
syntax you can create applications with multiple, moveable win­
long as we anticipated. We
dows, pull-down menus, checkboxes, bit map pictures and much transferred into a far superior, have had ample time to thor­
more! You can even port existing dBASE and Clipper applica­ immortal robot body? We are oughly explore our own uni­
tions. dBFast/ Windows features an interactive editor, compiler, immediately confronted with
royalty free runtime system, DOE suppo11 and portability to the
verse, and probably others as
Macintosh using dBFast / MAC. Call or write for more details. the mind-body problem ofphi­ well. Buttheuniversemustul­
losophy: Is the me in the new timately wind down-a victim
Bumblebee Software, Inc. bodyreallytheoldme? Oris it of entropy death, tragically
1115114/t1 Ave. SE - WoodridgeBtdg.1120
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a perfect copy of the old me­ cutting short our reign of intel­
Tel.- (206) 462-0130 Fax.· (206) 454-3577 and does it really matter? Two lect. But not to worry-we are
sections, "What Am I?" and continued

52 BYTE • APRIL 1989 Circle 47 on Reader Ser~ice Card

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Circle210onReaderServiceCard APRILl989 •BYTE 53
Circle 245 on Reader Service Card

98.90/o Radiation and. 1QOo/o Static BOOK REVIEWS

Free Working Environment
1989 Brand-New Design &. Price
I
now even capable of forestall­ spective that would prevent
ing the end of the universe by such confusion. In his book
storing energy and releasing it The Dreams of Reason: The
at the proper moment. So our Computer and the Rise of the
robots, which may be our­ Sciences ofComplexity, he ex­
selves, have finally attained plores how, through com­
the stature of gods. But they puters, we are acquiring the
have done so through what insights required to reverse
Moravec depicts as a neces­ the tide of cultural entropy and
sary and logical progression in find order in what was previ­
the evolution of the human ously perceived as chaos .
brain, so perhaps the concept Pagels uses the term "com­
RCS 581 VDT Filler RCS 583 An1l-S1a1ic Keyboard Slrlp isn't as far out as it seems. plexity" to describe recent and
• 98, 9% radiation and 100% siaiic free levd • Offers full static protection to computers. Mind Children is destined startling developments in the
• Eliminates glare and reflec1ion. • Made or highly conductive fibers.
• Flexible frame rincd on curvy and flat
to be a controversial book. The sciences that have the potential
• Includes 1:1. J·meter grounding cord.
monitors .
• Doubles computer's lifespan. margins on every otherpageof to displace earlier scientific
• Effective on both color and mono VDTs.
• Fider also useful for TV watchers. RCS 582 Anti-Stall Computer Cover
my copy are covered with models. These developments
RCS 588 Anti-Static Car Seat Cover question marks and exclama­ are largely a result of the ad­
RCS 587 Anti-Radiation Apron RCS 590 Anti-Static Fabric tion points; it is impossible to vent of the computer as an in­
• Avoid radiation of micro RCS 593 Antl·Stallc Steering Wheel Cover read the book and be impar­ strument of inquiry, and they
wave oVen
• Prevent from radiation of
tial. It has the accuracy of a also display an amazing simi­
computer See us at: college text and the can't-put­ larity to the workings ofnature
COMPl/TU it-down appeal of a good itself.
Distributor Welcome .Q 'DIPEI '89
June 6-12, 1989 novel. Moravec has turned the Pagels, who died last year,
flights of mind of one of the was executive director of the
world's foremost roboticists New York Academy of Sci­
RCS RCS TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

A
12F., NO. 148, Sung Chiang Rd., Taipei. Fax: 886·2·5363696
Taiwan, R.O.C. Tel: 886·2·5512614 Telex: 28902 RCSTEC
into hard copy. And he has
written a tremendously good
book in the process.
ences and a physicist at Rocke­
feller University. In The
Dreams ofReason he thought­
fully explores some of the new
"sciences of complexity" :
The Dreams chaos theory, computational
of Reason: biology, computer simulation,
The first manufacturer of The Computer neural networks, and the in­
creasingly complex web of fi­
and the Rise
Floppy Diskette in Taiwan of the Sciences
nancial computer networks.
He goes on to a thorough and
of Complexity detailed consideration of the
Our automatic pro­ by Heinz Pagels philosophical and cultural im­
duction lines prevent plications of a scientific para­
diskette from manual digm ofcomplexity.
operation error . Every Simon and Schuster, New York: The term "complexity" is
1988, 352 pages, $18. 95 itself the first complex concept
diskette is certified by
of the book, because it has nu­
Media Logic's certifier. Reviewed.by David A. Mindell merous meanings and impli­
We offer: \ ,,. cations and simply cannot be
• 100% error-free
• lifetime warranty ~
C omputers are symbolic
machines. So stunning is
their appetite for symbolic
tied down to any one. Pagels's
loose definition is that com­
plexity lies between order and
• colour diskettes manipulation, however, that chaos. On one hand, a crystal,
• in-stock inventory in what we used to think of as the with its regular rows of atoms,
Seattle/Washington "meaning" behind our sig­ is "ordered" and can be easily
nals is often obscured by the known or determined. Com­
• formatting &
proliferation and seeming pletely chaotic systems like
duplicating service self-replication of machine gases, on the other hand, can
codes. From bar code to be well understood because
Please contact us nowl
source code, from ISDNs to "we can apply the laws of sta­
U.S.A. sales office: ICBM s , our culture seems tistics to them with great
FIT-TECH IND. INC. LEE YUAN CO. headed for a digital meltdown . effect."
5 Fl. , No. 45 Chi Lin Road
Antiquated modes of thought Complexity could be said to
2101 R Street N.W.
Taipei, Taiwan
may soon be unable to extract lie between determinism and
Auburn, WA 98001 signals from the parasitic statistics, a difficult and shady
TEL: (886) 2-5612191
TEL: (206) 833-9157 FAX: (886) 2-5363405 noise ofthe once-hailed Infor­ region without clear bound­
FAX: (206) 833-9290 TLX: 22553 ASURCO mation Society. aries . One measure of the
Heinz Pagels presents a per- continued

54 BYTE• APRIL 1989 Circle 57 on Reader Service Card Circle 186 on Reader Service Card ­
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Circle 305 on &oiler Service Card APRIL 1989 • BYTE 57

 BOOK REVIEWS

:omplexity of a system is "al­ omy from the mind ."

~orithmic complexity," or the The entire first halfofThe
;ize of the system's minimal Dreams ofReason reads like a
iescription. Pi, for example, review ofrecent popular scien­
hough an infinitely long real tific 1iterature (although Man­
rnmber, is not particularly delbrot and his fractals are
:omplex because you can curiously absent). Pagels re­
.vrite a relatively simple pro­ views the startling new theory
~ram to compute it. Another of chaos, as laid out in James
~ind ofcomplexity is "compu­ Gleick's recent book. Chaos
:ational," which would mea­ theory has been used to de­
mre not the size of the pro­ scribe everything from global
~ram but how long it would weather patterns to leaky fau­
Talk to your customer :aketorun.
The problem with these and
cets, and recently even the be­
havior of computer networks.
instead of your computer Jther quantitative descrip­
:ions ofcomplexity that Pagels
Such systems are character­
ized. by extreme nonlineari­
Control your IBM PC while you control !Xplores is that they do not lie ties, which results in an almost
your audience. All by yourself, you can give picture­ ;olidly between order and infinite sensitivity to initial
perfect, PC-assisted sales presentations, make super :haos. The "algorithmic" conditions. Thus, even if the
group demonstrations, or even teach classes. In every neasure, for example, would laws governing a chaotic sys­
case your attention will be focused on your audience, 1scribe a higher degree of tem are known, such a system
not on your PC. :omplexity to a random string cannot be simulated without
:han to one with some inherent defining its initial state to any­
The secret is Remote Keyboard ... a hand-held
control device for running and manipulating programs Jrder. Of course, all these thing other than infinite preci­
on your PC or compatible from as far away as 50 feet. neasures fail with language, sion, which is impossible.
.vhile simple and ordinary se­ The next chapter is on cellu­
A fingertip touch on a button lets you display, 1uences of words can be used lar automata, sophisticated
alter or change data in the blink of an eye. You can to describe extraordinarily versions of the popular com­
roam the room, keeping in eye contact with your :oinplex concepts: "To be or puter game called Life that can
audience while controlling your computer with Remote ~ot to be." Pagels fails to dis­ simulate complex biological
Keyboard's infrared signals. :over an adequate and binding systems. With such tools, sci­
"It's neat," Remote Keyboard users say. iefinition for complexity. In­ entists watch the evolution of
They're right, too. It fits the palm of your hand and is ;tead, he presents, in a suit­ pseudobiological systems and ·
UL-listed and FCC-approved. With Remote Keyboard, 1bly complex mode, several have observed some fascinat­
you don't need an aide at the keyboard. You're in 1ualities or "themes" shared ing phenomena: a) The
control of the audience and your PC. t>y complex systems: "cells" of the simulation tend
It installs in less than a minute - without to get trapped in a given con­
tools! Even if you're all thumbs, Remote Keyboard is • They tend to be selective figuration, but not necessarily
simple to install. It has just three components - your systems, employing, like in the optimum one for survi v­
wireless, hand-held device, a receiver which plugs into evolution, the principle of al; b) when they do achieve an
your PC's serial interface, and a software driver on a "survival of the fittest." optimum form, they may not
diskette. Put it together, touch a button, and you're in •They tend to emphasize be able to maintain it in the
complete control. parallel over serial face of recurring mutation;
Pay more attention to your prospects, and processes. and c) a large amount of spon­
sell more successfully! Remote Keyboard is a • They often discover new taneous order arises in the
wonderful teaching tool, too, and a must for PC­ principles based on nature. evolutionary process. How
assisted product demonstrations. well these simulations match
JUST $395 ... 30-DAY MONEY-BACK Despite the difficulties of the operations of natural evo­
GUARANTEE ... USE YOUR CREDIT CARD. rnmerical or verbal descrip­ lution can be debated, but they
This handy device is just $395.00 plus $5.00 for tion (there is no adequate certainly provide insights into
shipping and handling. It comes :heory of complexity; that's the workings ofmore artificial
with a 1-year limited warranty. So ~1 \llSA"d ....._y"it's new), Pagels's chap­ parallel and selective complex
put yourself in control...order RISK- ~ 1 :ers on the sciences of com­ systems.·
FREE now by calling: Jlexity are rigorous and spirit­ The second part of The

,,.

!d enough to convey to the Dreams ofReason is dedicated

(800) 331-3903
:eader an intuitive sense ofthe
1ature of complexity. For ex­
to Pagels 's philosophical mus­
ings on the implications of the
1mple, on mathematics, Pa­ sciences ofcomplexity. He ad­
~els comments, "I believe that dresses the most complex sys­
COMMUNICATIONS it is because of the possible tem known to man: the human
680 W. Maude A venue • Sunnyvale, California 94086 :omplexity arising out of a brain. He insists that a funda­
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Remote Keyboard is a trademark of Forte Communicatiori~. Inc.

IBM and IBM PC are trademarks of IBM Corporation. r,i 1989 Forte Communications, Inc.

.ty ofindependence and auton­ continued

58 BYTE • APRIL 1989

 UI

sis

OOPS. Usingsophi5ticated Object-Oriented Programming, Matrix Layout CASE. Layout's Computer Aided Software Engineering functions Jet you
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BT894
Circle 166 on Reader Service Card APRILl989•BYTE 59
Circle 117 on Reader Service Card

BOOK REVIEWS

can come only through a "ma­ course, is not the same as

terial understanding" (i.e., truth."
one that begins with physical In response to this criti­
laws and then works its way cism, Pagels would admit that
upward through complexity to science is a world constructed
thought). According to Pagels, by man, but he still sets it apart
until such an understanding is and above other worlds like
reached, all other models, music, literature, and law be­
such as those of cognitive sci­ cause "it was not determined
ence, philosophy, or litera­ exclusively by us." Pagels says
ture, will remain merely "in­ that as a scientist he remem­
tellectual fashion." He is bers only "concepts and
consistently and harshly criti­ facts," as opposed to "human­
cal of the conclusions of any­ ists" whose thought is "dedi­
one he deems to be less than cated to political opinion,
a practicing scientist. His taste, and style_ .. and intel­
staunch belief that science and 1e ct u a I gossip for its own
only science expresses univer­ sake." If, as Pagels believes,
sal truth limits and eventually the structure of thought could
unravels his thesis that a be derived from the laws of
theory of complexity must physics, then all the other dis­
come wholly out of scientific ciplines for which Pagels feels
Main Products:
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reasoning. A scientist comes Overall, The Dreams of
FAX: 886·2·5056377 FAX: (04) 2542648 up with a hypothesis, usually Reason is well written and en­
an inspiration or educated gaging in its attempt to inte­
guess, and then performs ex­ grate a broad range ofdevelop­
periments to verify it. Accord­ ments into a new "synthesis of
ing to Pagels, however, a sci­ science." The irony, however,
MATHPAK87 High Performance 80x87Software
entific theory can never be is that Pagels's refusal to rec­
Over 130 assembler coded proved true, it can only be ognize ideas from those peo­
Timings (COMPAQ 286, 12MHz)
routines which are designed Eurucion lime for t00,000 Ope.nu ion•
proved wrong. ple who are not practicing sci­
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80x87 math coprocessors. like those ofrelativity or quan­ in a deterministic, noncom­
Designedfor·Speed tum mechanics, acquire acer­ plex paradigm. His difficulty
Up to 20 X faster tlia11 liigli /e1•e/
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1 K complex FFf on a 386/20

long enough without being dis­ example, would certainly be

takes 0.28s; real 0.17s (l.85s proved, but they still cannot be eased by considering other
& l.Os on an IBM XT); dot proved positively. Thus, the postmodern thinkers, such as
product (length 10,000) in 3
evolution of science is like the philosopher Gilles Deleuze,
0.07s (0.49s on XT). evolution of life; the fittest historian of science Michel
llJATHPAK 87 provides you
survive the tests of time, but Serres, or even novelist Thom­
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LU decomposition/backsolving routines for real & complex systems; gaus­ problem, however, is that well as neurology and quan­
sian elimination; matrix inversion .. tridiagonal equation solver routines; Pagels's writing is simulta­ tum mechanics, should be able
EISPACK type"eigenvalue/vector routines; statistical rou~ines; (l·D, FFrs neously infused with the op­ to accommodate the complex
2-D, complex,,real, convolution); spectral analysis routi?es (windo.ys: Pa.r­
zen, Hamming, .. :); r9utines for numerical integration & solution of dif · posite view-namely, that sci­ philosophies of thought and
ferential equations; ancj missing functions for Modula-2' and Pascal: tan, ence expresses absolute and language in its quest to select a
loglO, aloglO, power, sinh, cosh, & tanh; and more. unshakable truth, knowing theory of the shining but pres­
Widely used in signal & image processing, simulatio_n, spectral analysis, etc. nature in a positive sense from ently uncharted region be­
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Order Today! time to tell us! at odds with the evolutionary
Precision Pins Software ·$99US for Turbo Pascal version. view of science, which tells us CONTRIBUTORS
1239 Sir David Drive $! !9Us for Fortran (MS, IBM Prof. or that, like cellular automata, Eric Bobinsky works at the
Oakville, Ontario F77L), C (MS, Tur0o or Lattice), and

Canada L6J 6Y9 Modula-2 (Logitech or ITC) versions.

scientific theories do not nec­ NASA Lewis Research Center
Tel: 416-829-1511 Add $69us for complete source code .
essarily settle in the optimal in Cleveland, Ohio. David A.
2- - • Add $5 for shipping_ Specify compiler.
...__•F•a•x:•4•1•6-.82•9•-1•74• configuration, only one that Mindell is a technical writer
Jnlernalional Dealer: SOS Sor1ware Service, Gmbll, Alter Pqs1weg· IOI, 8900 ,\ugsbu rg, will survive. And, as Pagels and consultant living in As­
West Germany,'Tel: 0821/57 108t,Fax: 0821/577659. himself says, "Survival, of pen, Colorado.

60 B YT E • APRIL 1989 Circle 222 on Reader Service Card

 Introducing the high speed modems from U.S. Robotics

Until now, high speed modem users had the best of U.S. ROBOTICS - THE EXPERT'S CHOICE
one world. They either had speed or compatibility. You would expect the broadest high speed modem line
U.S. Robotics just changed all that. from U.S. Robotics. We manufactured our firs t HST
in 1987, and it quickly became the standard on over
5,000 bulletin boards and over 40,000 users. Rated #1
by Data Communications magazine, it confirmed what
our customers knew all along - U.S. Robotics delivers
the best modem value. And we've been doing that for 13
THE BEST OF ALL WORLDS ... years - for almost 1 ,000,000 customers.
With the newl ine of high speed modems from When you look for high speed modems, don't settle for
U.S. Robotics -the Courier HST, the Courier HST Dual half a solution. Look to U.S. Robotics. Call today for
Standard and the Courier V. 32 - you can now have both details on the high speed modems that give you the best
the highest speeds and the most compatibility. of all worlds.
For speed - it's the Courier HST which delivers Call 1-800-Dial USA. (1-800-342-5877)
throughput over 24,000 bits per second with MNP ®level
1-5 error control and compression. And it still costs less or (312) 982-5001 in Illinois
than $1 ,000.
For Compatibility-the Courier V.32 provides CCITT
standard modulations from 300 bps to 9600 bps for under
$1,495. And with MNP levels 1-5 you will get complete
[][h'ilobotics®

The Intelligent Choice in Data Commurn ca ti ons

data integrity plus throughputs approaching 19,200 bps.
8100 North McCormick Boulevard, Skokie, Illinois 60076
For the best of all worlds - it's the Courier HST Dual U.S. Robotics, Courier and HS T aretrademarks of U.S. Robotics. Inc . Other computer
Standard, combining the blinding speed of the Courier and software names identified by® or r' 1 are trademarks of their respective
HST with the compatibility of the V. 32. At $1,595, it manufacturers. Prices are suggested retail prices in U.S. Dollars.
For sales in the United Kingdom, please call Miracom, Ltd., Ipswich, England.
costs less than some featureless V. 32-only modems. Telephone: 04 73 233888. For Canadian sales, call 1·800·553·3560.

Circle 289 on Reader Service Card APRIL 1989 • BYTE 61

Programmers Paradise offers an

LI ST OURS LIST OURS

UI ProlQa m me r 29S 229
Sol id B + Toolbox 100 90

XDB-S L 49S 419

Sto n y Brook Modula-2

Develop m ent Package 34S 309

DEBUGGERS

386 DEBUG 19S 14S.

OBJECT-ORIENTED
Per iscope l/S12 K 79S 67S
PROGRAMMING
Pe ri scope 11 17S lSS
AC TOR 49S 423

Periscope I Ix 14S 129

C.tal k 1SO 129

Pe riscope 111 139S 12SS

C.Talk/ Wind o ws 4SO 399

Q uaid Ana lyze r 200 179

Smalltal k/V 100 8S

Sh e rl ock 19S 179

Co m m uni ca tio ns so 4S

DESKTOP PUBLISHING EGA/VGA Color Ext. so 4S

HALO OPE 19S 162

Goo di es # 1, #2 or #3 so 4S

MKSSQPS 49S 479

Smalltalk/V 286 200 169

Page m a ke r 69S S23

Smalltalk/V MAC 200 179

Vent ur a Pu b li sh e r 89S S2S

OPERATING SYSTEMS
DISK/DOS UTILITIES Mi croport:
C o mmand Plus 90 70
Syst e m V/AT (co mpl e te) 649 S49
Command Tips 90 80
AT Ru ntime Sys tem 249 209

Di s k Opt imi ze r 60 SS
286 DOS Me rg e 249 209

FANSI CONSOLE 7S 66
SC O:

FASTBACK Plu s 189 1ll2

XENIX Sys V (co m p.) 129S 999

hTest: h Fo rm a t 90 80
Op e ra ting Sys te m S9S 479

MACE Uti lities 99 90

WEND IN:
99
~~~ef~".;Jkit
139 CALL
0 8 eratin g Syste m Toolbox 80

199 16S
P NX 99 80

N o r to n Commande r 89 S6
PC VMS 99 80

Norton Utilities 100 61

W endin-DO S 139 109

Norton Utili ties, Adv. Ver. 1SO 101

PC/Tools De lu xe 80 70
OS/2 DEVELOPMENT TOOLS
Ve ac he so 47
Bt rieve fo r OS/2 S9S 4SS

V fea ture 80 7S
Ep sil o n fo r OS/2 19S 1S1

Vf ea ture Delu xe 120 11 1

Gr eenl ea f D ata Wi ndow s 39S CALL

Vopt so 47
GSS Dev. Toolkit for OS/2 CALL CALL

Xtree 70 60
LO GI TE C H Mod ula -2 349 279

Xtree Pr o 129 111

M KS AWK IO S/2) 179 1S9

ZY INDE X3.0 9S 8S
MKS Too lk it (0Sl2l 49S 439

Z YINDE X PRO FESS IONAL 29S 26S

MS Languag e s CA LL CA LL

Ne WS/2 49S CALL

EDITORS Panel Plu s fo r O S/2 49S 39S

WElL MATCH NATIONALLY ADVERTISED PRICES. BRIEF

Eps il o n
19S
19S
CAL L Po lyAWK for O S/2
1S1 Vi t a m in C (OS/2)
199
34S
179

279

LIST OURS LIST OURS KEDIT 1SO 120

Wi n dows for Data (OS/ 2) 39S 349

ME 89 79

ASSEMBLY LANGUAGE C SCREENS/WINDOWS w t sourc e 189 169

PROTOTYPING
~~ ~~~b~ D isa ss e m b l e r 29S 279 C urses (Aspe n ) 1S9 14S MKSVI 149 12S
Dan Bri ckli n's De m o Progra m II 19S 179

100 90 w/So ur ce 349 319

Mult i-E di t 99 90
In sta nt Rep lay 1SO 131

lncra 180 CA LL C-Scape 299 282

N orton Ed itor 7S 70
Pr ote us 14 9 129

MS Ma c ro Asse mbl e r 1SO lOS wl Look & Fee l 399 379

PC/EDT+ 29S 269
Scre en M achin e 79 60

OPTASM 12S lOS C-Worth y 19S 16S

Pi Ed it or 14 9 129
Sh ow Partner 99 89

SO UR C ER 100 89 wl For m s & So urce 49S 439

Slick Ed it or 19S lSS
Show Pa rt ne r FIX 3SO 319

w/B IOS SO URCE 140 12S Greenleaf D ataWindows 29S 209

SP F/PC 24S 18S
REFERENCE GUIDES
Turbo Assembler/Debugge r 1SO 112 Greenl ea f Make for m 12S 90
VEDIT PLU S 18S 11S
C o mmand Ti p s
Visible Co m p ut e r: 80286 100 89 HI -SC REEN XL 149 129
Vq 90 80

270 CALL
Norto n On-li ne Prag . Gu id e 100 7S

JAM 7SO 684

BASIC JYACC FORM AKE R 49S 4S3 FILE MANAGEMENT To m Rett ig's HEL P 120 ( 10S

db/ LI B 139 121

PA NEL Plu s 49S 39S Btri eve 24S 18S

Face II 99 90
Ve rmont Views 39S CALL Xt rieve S9S 4S9
PASCAL COMPILERS
~r~~~~~g:.ifessional 149 127
wl Source Code 790 CALL Repor t Exec uti ve 14S 109
M icroso ft Pascal 300 189

29S 199
Vi tamin C 22S 162
Btrieve/N S9S 4S9
Turb o Pascal 1SO 112

MS Q uickBASI C 4.S 99 69
V C Scr een 149 Xt rieve/N S9S 4S9
Turb o Pascal 5.0 Pf'ofess iona l 2SO 187

109

Q ui c kPa k Professio n a l 149 129

Repor t Op tio n / N 34S 279
TURBO PASCAL LIBRARIES/
Q ui ckPak Scientific 79 70 COBOL LANGUAGE
CB TRE E 1S9 141

Q ui ckWindows w/Sou rce 99 90 M icro Focu s:

C- lnd ex fo r MSC 19S 17S
UTILITIES
Q u ickWindows Advanced 139 12S COBOL/2 w/ Toolset 1800 146S
C-lnde x for Turb o C 100 90
B-tr ee Fil e r 12S 99

So ft Code 79 69 C O BOL/2 Tools e t 900 733

C-lndex Plus 39S 349
DATAB O SS 399 3S9

Tru e BASIC 100 80 PC -CICS 149S CALL

c-t ree 39S 318
Pascal ASYNC H M ANAG ER 17S 137

Turbo Basic 100 7S

Personal COBO L 149 121
d-t ree 49S 39S
PCXToo lkit 90 80

C CODE GENERATORS r-tree 29S 241

POW ER SCREEN 129 99

Da ta boss App Ii . Ge ne rator

COMMUN !CATIONS c-tree/r-tree bundl e 6SO S23
Turbo Analyst 99 79

399 379
C ar b o n Co~ y Plu s 19S 13S
Matri x Layout 1SO 139
CQ L Q u e r y System 39S 332
Turb o ASYNCH M ANAGER 129 99

C lose -U p ( u ppo rtl 24S 222

d BC Ill 2SO CALL

Pro-C 49S 4S9 Close- Up (C ustomer) 19S 116

wl Workbench . S9S S69 dBC Ill PLUS 7SO CALL

C LANGUAGE
Co/Session (2 use r license)
Support
249
17S
227

1S7

d b_ FILE
db - RET RIEVE
39S
39S
309

309

NEW RELEASES
C-te rp 298 232
Applicati o n 12S 11 6
Ess ential B-Tree 99 89
Vermont Views 1.0
Lattice C 4SO 289
MIRROR Ill 100 90
w/sou rce 198 179
Vermont Creative Software's new
MicrosoftC 4SO 299
REL AY Go ld 2SO 229
XQ L 79S S99
gener ation of Windo ws for D ata .
Q u ic kC 2.0 99 69
RELAY Si lve r 1SO 139
User-interface library for forms,
Turbo C v. 2.0 1SO 112

FORTRAN COMPILERS windows, menus, help, and key­

Tu rbo C v. 2 .0 Professi o n a l 2SO 187
dBASE LANGUAGE F77L 477 429
board handling. Menus in any
WatcomC CL ARI O N 69S S99 GRA PHE R 199 179
style . Forms can be lar~er than
29S 269
C lea r +
ZortechC+ + 1SO 129
200 16S Lahey Perso na l FORTRAN 77 9S 89
display window , havec oice lists,
wt source C lipper 69S 439
MS FOR TRAN 4SO 299
conte xt- sensitive help, flexible
2SO 209
d BASE 111 Plu s 69S 399
RM / FORTRAN S9S 479
decimal, date, time, and tog~le
C LIBRARIES/UTILITIES dBASE IV 79S 48S
SU RF ER 399 3S9
·fields. Mini word processor. n­
C ASY NC H MANAGER 17S 137 dB ASE Graph ics for C 90 69
ternational lan~uag e portability.
C TOOLS PLUS/ S.O 129 99 dBASE O N LI NE 69 60
FORTRAN LIBRARIES/UTILITIES List: $39S Ours: CALL
C Ut ili ty Library 199 139 ~~~~~ ~~~~~a/;,'r~ers Ut ili ties 90 79
FITLI B 3SO 30S

Essenti al Co mm unications 18S 12S 90 69

FF TLI B 3SO 30S
Micro so fl Q u ickC V. 2.0
dBASE Tools for Pascal 90 69
Grafma tic 13S 119
Now features incremental compila­
Gr ee nl e af C o mm Librar y 229 16 9
Greenl eaf Functions 209 lSS d BFas t 100 7S
MINIPACK1-LIB 3SO 30S
tion and linking, resulting in greatly
dBUG 19S 179
Pl ot matic 13S 119
improved compilation speed. Also
Green leaf SuperF unctions 26S 189
PC-lint 139 10 1 dQ UE RY 1SO 129
SPARSGEM 3SO 30S
now includes a built-in , in-line
182
Spi ndrif t Li b ra ry 149 13S
assembler. Hypertext technology
~~~C~sE +
PCYACC 39S 3S9 19S
39S 249
Te kmar Grap h ic s Library 19S 169
has been utilized in Qu ickC's new
Tim eSli ce r 29S 279
w/so ur ce Genif er 39S 2S9
LINKERS/LIBRARIANS on-line reference system.
1000 899
Turbo C TOOLS/2.0 149 11S Int eg rated Dev. Li b r ary 149 13S
O PTLI B List: $99 Ours: $69
49 4S
vLIB 99 89 Paradox v. 3.0 72S S39
OP TLN K 12S 109
.Rll ink
wt sou rce 149 129 Q u ickS il ve r S99 369
Plin k86 plus 49S 279
Fast, new overlay linker. User RTLs
R: Base for DOS 72S S29
Plib 19S 149
(Run Time Libraries) to krevent re­
C GRAPHICS R&R 1SO 129
Po lyli b rarian I 99 90
pe titive storage, on dis , of code
Essen tia l Graphics 299 229 w/C li ppe r/ FoxBAS E m od ul e 199 179
Po lylib ra rian 11 149 131
that is common from one .EXE fil e
wt source S9S S09 Say What ! so 4S .RTLi nk 19S 18S to the ne xt . Us e of .RTlsresults in
GraphiC 39S 322 Scr image CA LL CAL L significantly smaller . EX Es result­
GSS G ra p h ic Dev. Too lkit S9S S09 Silv erC o mm Librar y 1SO 139
MODULA-2
ing in reduced disk space
HALO '88 32S 229 The D o cum ento r 29S 229
I Pl Top Speed Mo dul a-2 100 90
requirem ents.
HA LO '88 fo r MS Deve l. S9S 399 To m Re tt ig's HELP 120 CALL
LOG ITE C H Mo dula-2
List: S19S Our s: $179
TurboHALO 100 80 Tom Rettig's Lib rary 100 80
Development System 249 199

·Unbeatable Selection 1-800-445-7899

UST OURS
This Month's Specials Graphix Toolbox 100

Numerical Methods Toolbox 100

from Tutor 70

MOKIICE KERN 5YSIEMS

Turbo Prolog
GREENLEAF SOFTWARE INC.
Greenleaf Bus. Math Lib
150

325
229
Your

MKSAWK
MKS LEX & YACC
MKS Make
LIST OURS

99 82

249 207

149 125

Greenleaf Comm Library

GreenleafDataMath Interface
GreenleafDataWindows, DOS
OS/2 Version
229
169
75
69
295
209
395
299
Hot Line for

MKS RCS
MKSSQPS
MKS Toolkit
MKS Trilogy
189 157

495 479

199 165

119 99

Greenleaf Functions
Greenleaf MakeForm
OS/2 Version
GreenleafSuperFunctions
209
149
125
99
170
135
265
189
Development Tools!
MKSVI 149 125
Greenleaf ViewComm 495
CAL Developers .require programming tools and services
LAHEY that address their changing development needs.
LIST OURS F77L 477
Novell® supplies tools that shorten the application
TurboGeometry Library 150

F77L-EM/16 695
development cycle. Btrieve® set the file management
F77L-EM/32 895
standard for PC applications. XtrieveN and Report Execu­
Turbo MAGIC 199
Lahey/Al OS/386 OP/SYS 195

TURBO META-MENU 149

PERSONAL FORTRAN 77 95
tive® provide query and report writing capabilities. Now
Turbo Plusv.5.0 100
Novell offers NetWare SQL'" ! Combined with XQL, you
Turbo POWER TOOLS PLUS/5.0 149
MICROSOFT have an unbeatable set of tools for implementing applications
Turbo Professional 5.0 125
MS BASIC/6.0 295

MSC 450
with relational data management capabilities.
SCIENCE/ENGINEERING
MS COBOL V. 3.0 900

SOFTWARE
css 495
459

MS Excel
MS FORTRAN
495

450

NetWare SQL NetWare SQL is an open interface relational

Derive 200
179
MS Learning DOS 50
database engine providing back-end database services to a wide variety
Design CAD 3-D 299
219
MS Mach 20 495
of front-end applications. Integrated with the Net Ware operating sys­
EXP 150
129

HiWIRE-Plus 895
805

MS Macro Assembler 150

tem, NetWare SQL's server-based technology enables efficient, reliable,
MS Mouse Bus or Serial
and high performance distributed data management. By using NetWare
MathCAD 349
279
w/Paintbrush & Mouse Menus 150
105

MICRO-CAPlll 1495
1269
w/EasyCAD 175
129
SQL, your applications will run faster and deliver higher levels of re­
Microstat-11 395
349
w/Paintbrush & Windows 200
149
liability and data integrity. Plus, your applications can share data with
Systat 595
549
MS OS/2 Prog. Toolkit 350
229
popular packages being offered by major software vendors who are also
i~~~.6~~~~!~~g
595
569
MS Pascal 300
199

395
359
utilizing NetWare SQL. List: $595 Ours: $459
MS QuickBASIC 99
69

TRANSLATORS MS QuickC 2.0 99

69

Bas_C (Commercial)
Bas_Pas (Commercial)
375
323

280
242

MS Windows
MS Windows/386
99

195

69
XQL XQL gives you the convenience and power of a 4th generation
130
language by allowing you to use SQL for relational data management
BASTOC 495
399
MS Windows Dev. Kit 500
319

Brooklyn Bridge 130

CALL
MS Word 450
285
within your application programs. Your XQL applications can run stand­
dB2C 299
272
alone, on DOS networks, or you can combine it with the NetWare SQL
dBx TRANSLATOR 550
469
NOVELL database server for distributed processing capabilities.
PROMULA.FORTRAN 450
409
Btrieve Standalone 245
185

List: $795 Ours: $599

w/ Library Source 745
669
Btrieve for DOS 3.1 Networks 595
459

Btrieve for OS/2 595

459

386 SOFTWARE
386ASM/LINK

Btrieve for XENIX

495
399
Btrieve Multitasking Add-on
595
459
NetWare System Interface NetWare System Calls and
345
279
the NetWare C Interface, offer over 3'60 system-level application pro­
386MAX
75
66
Btrieve IBM PC Network Add-on 345
279

386MAX PROFESSIONAL
129
115
NetWare C Interface for DOS 295
239
gramming interfaces (APls) for direct access to NetWare operations
Concurrent DOS 386 (3 User)
395
349
NetWare MHS 100
79
such as network security, fault tolerance, network management , and
DESQview/386
190
165
NetWare MHS Interface Guide 145
129
network accounting. NetWare System Calls List: $195 Ours: $159
F77L-EM/32
895
805
NetWare RPC 950
759

High C 386
895
799
NetWare SQL NetWare C Interface List: $295 Ours: $239
595
459

Microport
NetWare System Calls for DOS 195
159

System V/386 (complete) 899

799
Report Executive 145
109

Runtime System

MS Windows/386

NOP C 386

299
269
XQL
195
130
Xtrieve
595
529

795

595

599

459

~ N 0 VE LL@
NOP FORTRAN-386
595
529
RAIMA CORPORATION
SCO XENIX
db.FILE 395
322
Operating System
Sys. V386(completel
695
589

1495
1195

~~fN:uus~~r wt source code 890

725
595
485
VP/IX (2-USERSl 495
399
Multi-user w/source code 1390
1133
VP/IX (unlimited users) 995
799
db.RETRIEVE 395
322
VM/386

VM/386 Multiuser (unlim .)

245
209
~~fN~.uus~~rw/sourcecode 890
725
895
CALL
595
485
OTHER PRODUCTS
Multi-user w/source code 1390
1133
FLOW CHARTING 11
229
207
WKS Library 195
179
MuLisp-87
300
219
SYSTEMS & SOFTWARE

Mulisp-87 lnterp/Compiler
400
299
LINK & LOCATE 350

PC Scheme
95
79
LINK & LOCATE + + 395

Pfinish
395
215
SoftProbe II/TX 395

PolyDoc
199
179

97
80

Source Print

Tree Diagrammer
77
.70
PROGRAMMER'S POLICIES
BLAISE COMPUTING Phone Orders

A SYNCH MANAGER 175

137
Hours 9 AM-7 PM EST. We accept

C TOOLS PLUS/ 5.0 129

99
MasterCard, Visa, American Express.

EXEC 95
76

Key Pilot 50
45
Include $4.00 per item for shipping

In NY : 914-332-4548
PASCAL TOOLS I TOOLS 2
POWER SCREEN
17S

129

137

99

and handling. All shipments by UP-S

ground. Rush service available.

Customer Service: 914-332-0869
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International Orders: 914-332-4548 Call or Write for
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115
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Telex: 510-601-7602 Latest Free Catalog!
Turbo POWER TOOLS PLUS/5.0 149
115
Please include phone number.

BORLAND International Service

Eureka: The Solver

Paradox3.0

Quattro

Side Kick Plus

167

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543

247
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200
149

Phone number required with order.

Call or fax for additional

information.
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Superkey

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Database Toolbox
200
149

100
75

150
H2

100

100

75

75

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Call for information.
Unbeatable Prices
We'll match nationally advertised
Pi
·~
I

Editor Toolbox

Turbo C 2.0

Turbo C 2.0 Professional

Turbo Pascal 5.0

Turbo Pascal 5.0 Professional

Database Toolbox

100
75

150
112

250
187

150
112

2SO
100

187

75

prices. (Subject to same terms and

conditions.)
Return Policy
30-day no-hassle return policy. Some
P~i :
Editor Toolbox
100
75
manufacturer's products cannot be A Division of Voyager Telemarketing

Gameworks Toolbox
100
75
returned once disk seals are broken. 55 South Broadway, Tarrytown, NY 10591

Circle 223 on Reader Service Card

 our customers expect software that works.
All the time. The key to software quality is
exhaustive testing. It's also an engineer's
worst nightmare. But it doesn't have to be.
Because now you can automate your soft­
ware testing.
Introducing the Atron Evaluator. The first and
only non-intrusive automated PC-based software
testing tool.
The Atron Evaluator automatically runs your soft­
ware regression testing programs. All of them. All
day. All night. Giving you thoroughly tested, higher
quality software.
The Atron Evaluator is hardware-based. And since
it's non-intrusive, software behavior is tested with­
out the risk of alteration. Once your tests have run,
you can refer to automatically generated test reports
to double-check test results.
The Atron Evaluator saves time. And time makes
you money. Development cycles are shortened, so
your software gets to market sooner. And while your
test programs are running, you can be more produc­
tive. Start a new project. Or go home.
For more information about the Atron Evaluator,
call us at 1-800-283-5933. And put an end to your
worst nightmares. Automatically.

@(·=~
Circle 31 on Reader Service Card
In Europe, contact:
Elvcrex Limilcd, Enterprise !louse
ADivision ofCADRE Technologies Plassey Technology Park, Limerick, Ireland
Phone: 061-338177
Saratoga Office Center QA Training Limiled, Cecily llill Casllt·
12950 Saratoga Avenue Cirencesler, Gloucestershire, Gl.7 2EF, England
Saratoga, California 95070 Phone: (0285) 5888
 WHAT'S NEW

T
HARDWARE • SYSTEMS

and maintenance subsystem,

and added a 48-bit main­
Network Station frame A-series processor, an
Designed Around 80286 data communications
XWindows coprocessor with four
ports, and a Z80 SCSI

T he NCD16 is a 12.5­
MHz 68000-based per­
sonal computer with 1 mega­
coprocessor.
With the 16-bit 80386 act­
ing as an 1/0 system, Unisys
byte of RAM. It's built in the limits the power of the 48-bit
tradition of the low-priced, main processor, company offi­
intelligent personal computers cials admit. Similarly, an
that boot from an Ethernet 80286-based data communica­
host. tions processor with four RS­
This intelligent worksta­ 232C communications ports is
tion, however, is designed to overkill.
also run X Windows soft­ However, Unisys says that
ware, an MIT-designed soft­ The X Window- based NCDJ6 computer has an Ethernet link. the goal was to design a desk­
ware concept that has been top system that would bring
endorsed by IBM, DEC, Hew­ down the price of a Micro A,
lett-Packard, and .others. X two hard disk drives and two whose predecessor is priced
Windows lets the NCD16 sup­ This 80386 . floppy disk drives, a parallel at about $100,000. Upgrades
port multiple applications port for your printer, and with X.25 capabilities are
running on hosts under the System Eliminates room for two half-height inter­ planned.
Unix and VMS operating the 80286 nal peripherals and three Withoutmodifications, the
systems; it runs the applica­ Price Advantage half-height external drives. PW' Series 800 runs both
tions between the hosts and Price: $1995. OS/2 on the 80386 and the
the NCD16 at the 10-Mbps
Ethernet data rate. (Compare
that to the maximum ASCII
T he Power 386-20 might
just be the least-expensive
80386-based personal com­
Contact: Micro 1, Inc., 557
Howard St., San Francisco,
CA 94105, (800) 338-4061;
Series A Master Control Pro­
gram/ Advanced System
(MCP/ AS), which is the main­
terminal-to-host rate of 38.4 puter on the market. And it's in California, (415) 974-5439. frame operating system de­
kbps.) not short on equipment. It Inquiry 1153. signed for the A Series. It can
Once you've downloaded comes standard with 1 mega­ also run as an 80386 with
X Windows from your host (or byte of RAM, a 30-megabyte OS/2 alone.
you've booted up with an op­ hard disk drive, a 1.2-mega­ At the heart of the Micro A
tional PROM), you address byte 5 1.4-inch floppy disk A Desktop with a processor is the single-chip
particular hosts with the drive or a 1.44-megabyte 31/i­ Mainframe Punch A-Series mainframe proces­
mouse by clicking on the rep­ inch floppy disk drive, and a sor, a 2- by 2-inch multichip
resentative windows. The 16­ 12-inch monochrome monitor.
inch monochrome display with
1024- by 1024-pixel resolu­
There's also a Hercules­
compa tible graphics card, a
T he Unisys Micro A is a
redesign of the PW' Series
800 with a mainframe
package that contains the
equivalent of 10.3 million
transistors. The processor
tion promptly responds with a 101-key Key Tronic key­ processor. sits on a thick (two-board­
105-dpi bit-mapped graphic, board, and room for five 16-bit Basically, Unisys took an width) AT add-in board with­
something available before and three 8-bit add-in cards. off-the-shelf 80386-based in the 16-bit 80386-based
only on stand-alone PCs, Other standards include a workstation, converted the motherboard. The processor
proprietary LANs using data l-to-1 interleave controller for 80386 processor into an 1/0 board contains 2.5 megabytes
rates afforded by optical of static RAM plus 12 mega­
fiber technology, and higher­ SEND US YOUR NEW PRODUCT RELEASE bytes of system RAM. The
priced workstations. We'd like to consider your product for publication. Send us full 80386-based motherboard
The Ethernet adapter fits information, including its price, ship date , and an address and contains 3 megabytes of RAM.
into the NCD16's only slot. telephone number where readers can get further information. Send Price: $25,365; software,
Price: $2550; PROM, $300. to New Products Editor, BYTE, One Phoenix Mill Lane, Peter­ $5000.
Contact: Network Comput­ borough, NH 03458. Information contained in these items is based Contact: Unisys Corp ., P.O.
ing Devices, Inc., 350 North on manufacturers' written statements and/or telephone interviews Box 500, Blue Bell, PA 19424,
Bernardo Ave., Mountain with BYTE reporters. BITE has not formally reviewed each product (215) 542-6512.
View, CA 94043, (415) mentioned. These items, along with additional new product Inquiry 1150.
694-0650. announcements, are posted regularly on BIX in the microbytes.sw continued
Inquiry 1151. and microbytes. hw conferences.

APRIL 1989 • B YT E 65
 WHAT'S NEW

HARDWARE • PERIPHERALS

Please, Squeeze
Replace Mac's
My Data
Mouse and Keyboard
with Speech
hen first approached
W with a real-time com­
pression algorithm that would M ove down! Move right!
Double-click!
effectively double the number You've just told your Mac­
of bits it could squeeze into intosh to open an application .
its QIC-40 streaming tape And you didn't need to use
drives, Colorado Memory the mouse. You did it by
Systems said "No, thanks" to speaking into a microphone.
Stac of Pasadena, California. That's what the new Voice
But on further consider­ Navigator from Articulate Sys­
ation, the company that made tems can let you do. After
the QIC-40 a de facto stan­ Data compression makes the QFA-500 a 500-megabyte tape teaching the Voice Navigator a
. dard decided to work with Stac drive. basic vocabulary of com­
to use the algorithm, as well mands, you can run applica­
as to promote it as the perfect tions and perform complex
data compression software Besides the 19-inch CRT $10,150. operations entirely by voice.
for streaming tape drives. unit, the Lundy 1612 includes Contact: Lundy Electronics Voice Navigator consists of
The company also decided an interface board installed & Systems, Inc ., Computer a hardware/software combina­
that the length of the tape could inside the host computer, and Graphics Division, One Rob­ tion that includes an AID
be increased from 600 feet to an external box (typically sit­ ert Lane, Glen Head, NY converter and voice recogni­
1000 feet because, unlike stan­ ting below the monitor's swivel 11545, (516) 671-9000. tion software. The hardware
dard audiocassette tapes, the stand) that holds the graphics Inquiry 1157. is contained in a 9-inch-square
drive mechanism that pulls the controller and video RAM on box that plugs into the Mac's
tape through the heads isn't two separate circuit boards. SCSI port.
the tape itself. Interfaces are available for The system comes with a
The result is the QFA-500, both the 16-bit AT bus and Dot Matrix Just built-in microphone, speaker,
with 500 megabytes of memory the Micro Channel bus, and Got Better and sound controls, and it
backup capacity. It sits in a ~undy plans to announce can also be used with virtually
5 1A -inch form factor and backs
up data at 4 to 6 megabytes
per minute, depending on the
boards for other systems later
this year. The standard AT
board comes with a megabyte
T he Proprinter X24E and
XL24E are 24-wire, bi­
directional dot-matrix
any external microphone/
headset combination. On the
software side, the Voice
data. Each QFA-500 needs of video RAM. printers rated at 288 characters Navigator can be used as a
5 l 2K bytes of system RAM. The graphics controller per second in 12-character­ desk accessory or INIT file
Price: $1395; external, uses proprietary ICs and the per-inch draft mode. That's so that voice control is always
$1795; XT/AT adapter, $150; 50-MHz Texas Instruments about 20 percent better than available.
PS/2 adapter, $300; tape car­ TMS 34010-a 32-bit graphics their predecessors, IBM says. You can control the mouse
tridge, $43.40. processor that TI says is ca­ The print buffer has been cursor or any command in any
Contact: Colorado Memory pable of drawing at the rate of enlarged to 14K bytes. The application using the Voice
Systems, Inc., 800 South Taft 6 MIPS. The controller/mon­ FontSet option provides for Navigator-to control a Hyper­
Ave., Loveland, CO 80537, itor combination can display up 11 additional fonts, and there's Card Japanese "language
(303) 669-8000. to 16 colors simultaneously now a display panel for setup lab" application, for example.
Inquiry 1155. from a palette of 4096 at 1600­ where there used to be DIP The Voice Navigator can also
by 1200-pixel resolution, or, switches. You also get more be used with Apple's Macro­
with software reconfiguration, paper-handling, paper-width, Maker.
256 colors from a palette of paper-weight, and program­ A telecommunications op­
Lundy Monitor
16 million at 1024- by 768­ mable features than you prob­ tion for later introduction in­
Features 1600 by
pixel resolution. The video ably care to have. volves a modem control so
1200 Resolution
RAM is up to 8 megabytes. The printer's computer in­ you can call up your Mac and
The company claims com­ terface is parallel or, optional­ tell it what to do.

T he Lundy 1612 is a
1600- by 1200-pixel color
graphics monitor for the IBM
patibility with more than 100
software packages.
Price: $9950; MCA version,
ly, RS-232C or RS-422.
Price: X24E, $899; XL24E,
$1199.
Price: $999.
Contact: Articulate Systems,
Inc., 99 Erie St., Cambridge,
AT, PS/2s, and compatibles. It Contact: Consult your local MA02139, (617) 876-5236.
comes with a high-speed telephone book's white pages Inquiry 1158.
graphics controller and support for IBM Corp. or call (800) continued
for leading software 426-2468.
packages. Inquiry 1156.

66 BYTE • APRIL 1989

 f.'-=(' r) 7 ) -·/

6 ·"' ' )
( .?­

If you perform
'\Our pad orours?
text anywhere to What more could you ask for? How about
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Circle 165 on Reader Service Card APRILl989 •BYTE 67
 WHAT'S NEW

HARDWARE • ADD-INS

Zoom to 4096 Compaq Goes

by 1792 Pixels Beyond VGA
with New Board
T he second-generation
Spectrum/8 video card
for the Mac SE/30 provides a C ompaq has introduced a
high-resolution graphics
1024- by 768-pixel display board aimed at PC users who
with pan and zoom features are not satisfied with IBM's
that allow you to see a part of VGA resolution.
the screen at a resolution of The new Advanced Graph­
4096 by 1792 pixels. ics 1024 Board, built around
That resolution is designed the 50-MHz Texas Instru­
with 1 bit of information corre­ ments 34010 graphics proces­
sponding to 1 pixel on the sor, can display 16 colors out
screen. At 2 bits per pixel, you of a palette of 16 million at res­
can get up to four colors at a olutions of up to 1024 by 768
resolution of up to 2048 by The Spectrum/8 video card zooms and pans. pixels.
1792 pixels . At 4 bits per With special drivers, the
pixel, you rely on 16 colors and 1024 boosts AutoCAD opera­
2048 by 896 pixels. And at 8 tion board uses a vector-pro­ tions by as much as five
bits per pixel, you get 256 cessing chip, developed by times compared to a VGA sys­
colors and a resolution of RasterOps Board Advanced Micro Devices tem, Compaq claims. Com­
1024 by 896 pixels. Output can Aims to Make (AMD), to intercept and ac­ paq is working with a number
be color, gray-scale, or Na­ QuickDraw Quicker celerate the execution of cer­ of vendors to develop drivers
tional Television System Com­ tain QuickDraw commands for the new graphics system,
mittee-standard RGB .
The Mac SE/30 has an 030
Direct Slot connected directly
P erhaps the biggest criti­
cism of the Macintosh II
as a potential engineering
intended for the 68020.
RasterOps' high-speed
processing circuit, which in­
including CADKEY, Evolu­
tion Computing, and Graphic
Software Systems. The board
to the 68030 microprocessor. workstation is its graphics per­ corporates the AMD chip, is will work with many high­
The slot supports a 32-bit data formance. For this reason, called the Quad Pixel Data­ resolution monitors.
and address bus and provides RasterOps Corp. has intro­ flow Manager (QPDM) . The An optional 512K-byte
access to 32-bit ROM routines. duced the ColorBoard 118, a company plans to implement it memory board adds the capa­
The Spectrum/8 will work graphics accelerator board on its future boards using an bility to display 256 colors
with SuperMac, Apple, NEC that, according to the com­ AMD 2000 RISC processor. simultaneously.
MultiSync, and compatible pany, can run applications up The company claims 100 Price: $1499; memory
monitors. to 60 times faster than stan­ percent compatibility with board, $599.
Price: $1895. dard QuickDraw. (QuickDraw QuickDraw. Contact: Compaq Computer
Contact: SuperMac Tech­ is a toolbox of routines for Price: $3195 . Corp., 20555 FM 149, P.O.
nology, 485 Potrero Ave . , drawing graphics primitives; Contact: RasterOps Corp ., Box 692000, Houston, TX
Sunnyvale, CA 94086, (408) it's driven by the Mac's 10161 Bubb Rd., Cupertino, 77269, (713) 370-0670.
245-2202 . 68020 processor.) CA 95014, (408) 446-4090. Inquiry 1164.
Inquiry 1162. RasterOps' 8-bit accelera­ Inquiry 1163. continued

Dictate to Your 80386 with Dragon Systems' Board

, . ., D ragonDictate is an AT-
compatible board that
dictate at near real-time
rates.
terface controls the display
ofmost likely words from the
ory, and 4 megabytes of ex­
tended memory.
turns your 80386-based sys­ The control and display dictionary and the active vo­ The board also comes
tem into a large-vocabulary interface is the key to its ease cabulary. It also places the with software, a headset mi­
dictation machine. And for ofuse, Dragon Systems says. voice- or keyboard-selected crophone, and an instruc­
the first time, Dragon Sys­ When a new word is spoken, word into the text of the tional VHS videotape .
tems says, you don't have to the system relies on abbrev i­ document. Price: DragonDictate,
be specially trained to use it. a t ed keyboard entries to You need an 8-bit slot, a $9000; DragonWriter,
DragonDictate is based on enter text. As it builds the 1.2-megabyte 5 1A-inch flop­ $4500.
the DragonWriter speech acoustic models of the vo­ py disk drive, a 40-megabyte Contact: Dragon Systems,
recognition system. Even cabulary, it shifts to real­ hard disk drive, 640K bytes Inc., 90Bridge St., Newton,
with a 5000-word vocabu­ time speech recognition to of system RAM, a half­ MA 02158, (617) 965-5200.
lary, DragonWriter lets you acceleratetextentry. The in­ megabyte of expanded mem­ Inquiry 1165.

68 BYTE• APRIL 1989

 NEW TURBO C PROFESSIONAL 2.0

I Turbo C® Professional is the only production-quality C

compiler with a completely integrated environment.
Everything you need-all the tools-are included in this
environment, so you never waste time stopping, starting, and
switching between tools.
And you're not forced into
Turbo Debugger is awinner
Turbo Debugger won PC Magazine's most recent Award for
Technical Excellence, and here's what they said:
"Everyone who's tried the Turbo Debugger agrees. !twins the
(development tool) category's award for Technical Excellence hands
trade-offs between high-productiv­ down. The user interface is simple yet elegant; the program works
ity programming and small, fast, the way programmers want to work. Yet again, Borland has
reliable code. Instead you get the advanced the state of the art in an eminently useful way."
fastest and the best of both worlds. Bill Machrone, Editor-in-Chief, PC Magazine
There's tight integration
between editor, compiler, linker, Debug any size program
and debugger that lets you race Turbo Debugger lets you debug on a remote machine. That's
through your program with afast a win. And in virtual mode of the 386, it allows you to debug any
edit/compile/run/debug cycle. size program. Even your largest-especially your largest. That's a
huge win.
Only Turbo CProfessional And it can give you 12 different views of your code. It sup·
gets it all together ports browse-through data debugging; offers flexible break­
Now everything you
points; supports in-circuit emulation; offers EMS
need to write and
e;

~
support; has a "Point & Shoot" integrated

~I
debug production­
debugging environment, and is completely
quality, optimized
CodeView® compatible. Turbo CProfessional
code in both Cand does all that, so it wins-and so do you.
Assembly language is all yours in one package. Pull out all the stops
With Turbo CProfessional you get:
• Turbo C2.0 with its own integrated develop­
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Turbo C's integrated environment lets you
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• Plus a separate command-line CCompiler
• Turbo Assembler®-a complete Macro Assem­ TIME

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turn to Turbo CProfessional: There's nothing
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bler that's more compatible with MASM than ....
MASM is with itself.
~
This is no ordinary Demo
• And the new source-level Turbo Debugger® that lets you Not one, not two, but
debug any size program. Turbo CProfessional has it all. three different demos on TU~'"' ­
Turbo C2.0 Turbo Assembler Turbo Debugger
the same disk: Turbo C,
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PROF TURBO c
• Compiles over 16,000 • Assembles up to • Debug any size program Turbo Debugger. We'll
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• Hypertext online Help minute with data debugging send you the demo disk •.,f !('.- ;l, <)l':'. . , ..:,, 1 ~· •?>< ! '\> i ,

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T11bo C. Turbo Pascal, Tu1bo Assembler. and Turbo Debugge1 are regislered 1rademarks o1 Borland lnlerna1ional. Cop~righl
e1989. Borland lnternalional. Inc. All right reserved. 811286

/ Code: MC01 / B 0 R
L A N ·D

Circle 42 on Reader Service Card (DEALERS: 43)

 ~
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Circle 311 on Reader Service Card
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 WHAT'S NEW

HARDWARE • CONNECTIVITY

recently introduced by Hayes,

the Network Access Control­
Plastic Optical­ ler works only with leased tele­
Fiber LAN Eases communications lines, not
Instal lation Hassles with dial-up, circuit-switched
lines. That means you must

T he Fiberstar PC net­
work, the first commer­
cially available plastic opti­
lease the line from your tele­
phone company at a premium
price. But because you'll own
cal-fiber LAN, couples the that connection, there's no
installation ease of twisted­ need to dial a number, and
pair cabling with some of the you'll never get the standard
communications advantages holiday message, "All circuits
normally associated with glass Fiberstar, the plastic optical-!iber LAN from Netronix. are busy; please try your call
optical fiber. again."
This takes plastic optical Each Network Access Con­
fiber beyond the realm of illu­ and on the Netronix network­
troller supports up to eight si­
mination of automotive in­ ing hub.
multaneous sessions per ter­
strumentation and into the of­ Each add-in card includes
Sync Your PC with minal, and the standard
fice. At about $1000 per a 650-nanometer LED source
Telecommunications Network Access Controller
node, the 2-Mbps Fiberstar PC and a positive-intrinsic-nega­
has four terminal ports. A sep­
network makes plastic fiber a
cost-effective alternative to
twisted-pair copper wiring
tive photodiode receiver. Op­

tional cards conform to the

TCP/IP .

T he Network Access Con­

troller from Sync Re­
search gives many types of
arate control unit (available
from several vendors) gives
you multidrop capabilities
for local-area networking all The 16-port Fiberstar ac­
terminals a 64-kbps clear with bisynchronous and SNA
the way to the desktop. And tive hub is configured with
channel for data transfer. terminals for as many as 32
it brings with it glass fiber's .650-nm LEDs for plastic op­ Standard support is available terminals per session. Based
often-touted advantage of im­ tical-fiber transmission dis­ for PC and other asynchro­ on the number of sessions
munity to electromagnetic tances of up to 500 feet, with nous (including asynchronous and the multidrop capabilities,
interference. 850-nm LEDs for glass optical X.29 hosts) and synchronous a Sync Research spokesper­
Installation hassles are fiber for transmission up to devices. A 3270 emulator is in­ son estimated that between 40
almost nonexistent with the 5000 feet, or with combina­ cluded to allow your PC to and 100 people will use a
Fiberstar PC LAN. This is tions of different LEDs for emulate 3270 terminals, both single Network Access Con­
because the Mitsubishi Rayon­ the different media. (Active bisynchronous and System troller simultaneously.
manufactured optical fiber hubs have repeaters; passive Network Architecture. (SNA is To tie it all together, you'll
that Netronix uses is roughly hubs simply switch the sig­ the set of specifications gov­ need to add network manage­
16 times the diameter of the nals.) In a star configuration, erning IBM networks; it's ment hardware and software
glass optical fiber used in multiple hubs can support up analogous to the Open Sys­ from Sync Research.
LANs. The plastic fiber is to 240 nodes. tems Interconnection reference The network management
also less expensive and tougher Through Netronix bridges model.) hardware consists of an 80286­
than glass, which cannot be and broadband adapters, Fi­ About the only networking based machine with 2 mega­
wound tighter than about a foot berstar PC hubs can hook protocol left is TCP/IP, com­ bytes of RAM, a 71 -megabyte
in diameter without degrad­ into standard baseband net­ monly used for Ethernet hard disk drive, a port for
ing the signal or breaking the works like Ethernet and Star­ LANs, and Sync Research says Sync's proprietary AT-compat­
glass. LAN, and into standard broad­ that it plans to upgrade the ible communications board,
Installing and terminating band networks as well. Network Access Controller for and an asynchronous terminal.
glass optical fiber has always Price: Card, $595; card with TCP/IP functionality next. The 80286-based machine
been the domain of telephone TCP/IP package, $895; 16­ The 64-kbps channel is runs Xenix and the Sync
company technicians, who are port hub, $2195. possible through the X.25­ software.
said to use the expertise of an Contact: Netronix, 1372 standard packet-switched Price: $5880; four-port ex­
electrician and the precision North McDowell Blvd., network. pansion, $2500 each; network
and instruments of a jewel Petaluma, CA 94952, (707) The enabling device within management hardware,
cutter. The plastic optical fiber 762-2703. the controller is a packet as­ $12,500; software, including
used here, however, can eas­ Inqu iry 1159. sembler /disassembler (PAD) Xenix, $16,240.
ily be installed by the average that assembles packets of data Contact: Synch Research,
office worker. for transmission with other 13891 Newport Ave., Tustin,
There's no need to polish packets on the X.25 telecom­ CA 92680, (714) 669-8020.
the end of plastic fiber, and the munications infrastructure. Inquiry 1160.
plastic connector (by Amp, (Voice is carried through the continued
Inc .) simply snaps into its same infrastructure but is not
place on the XT-compatible compressed into packets .)
add-in cards in your computer Unlike the PAD modem

72 B Y T E • APRIL 1989
 Mare oawer ta the oeaole.

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 WHAT'S NEW

HARDWARE • OTHER

IC Programmer Mac Digitizing

Expanded for Logic System Works in 3-D
Devices

T he JE680 Universal IC
Programmer is an
F orget mice; forget touch
panels. At the MacWorld
Expo, Mira Imaging intro­
EPROM programmer that duced a digitizing system that
has been upgraded to program uses three dimensions. The
many types of logic and new Hyperspace system con­
memory-type programmable sists of a small table that can
devices, with or without detect the position of a pen-like
computer support. Now it can stylus in three-dimensional
also program memory The JE680 Universal JC Programmer works for memory space. Company representa­
devices such as MOS/CMOS and logic devices. tives demonstrated the sys­
EPROMs, MOS/CMOS tem by digitizing a bust of an
EEPROMs, PROMs, and bi­ Egyptian pharaoh.
polar PROMs. It will also An 8255-A provides 24 You place the stylus on a
program programmable-array­ lines of parallel 1/0, and point on the surface of the bust
logic devices. EPROM Eraser switching allows address se­ and then press the mouse but­
The computer interface is Shields You from lections as required for such ton. A group of electromag­
RS-232C. There's a parallel Shortwave UV Light things as direct memory ac­ netic sensors located in a
printer port, and the JE680 cess and serial 1/0. small table under the bust then
supports standard, intelligent,
and quick-pulse program­
ming methods.
T he EE 128 EPROM Eras­

er uses a 4-watt, 254­

nanometer ultraviolet light

Circuitry is mostly wire­

wrap, Westcoast Technical &
Hobby says, so you can make
determines where the stylus
is located and passes the infor­
mation to the Macintosh.
A pin-check function with source to erase up to nine
custom modifications. It also Once a sufficient number
pulse-reflection technology EPROMs in less than 30 min­
lowers the price for using of points is determined, the
lets you examine individual utes. But you won't get any UV
printed circuit boards with System software can then
pins. You can use up to 18 data exposure with the snaplock
copper on only the top and group the points into triangular
formats, and the JE680 is dra:>Yer and safety switch that
bottom layers. planes to create a surface.
compatible with many of the help block the escape paths
Driver software is supplied The software can then soften
software packages written for for these harmful rays. There's
in .EXE and .ASM formats on this jagged surface into a
other EPROM programmers. even a lamp-on indicator for
a 5 \4-inch floppy disk drive. smoother one. Once the sur­
Or you can use the software extra protection.
Executable 8088 code and an face has been generated, you
option package-including Price: $79.95.
8255-A driver are also in­ can shade the surface and
Boolean conversion, auto­ Contact: Ultra-Lum, Inc.,
cluded, as are source code change the angle of lighting
compiling, and fuse map gen­ 21 7 East Star of India Lane,
skeletons. by moving the stylus.
eration-for logic design Carson, CA 90746, (213)
The design board includes The company claims that
applications. 324-2247.
buffered system signals the system has a resolution of
After programming, you Inquiry 1167.
brought to terminal strips ad­ 0 .03 inch at a distance of 15

can use the JE680 to do an jacent to four solderless inches. As expected, the reso­

automatic self-test, an inser­ breadboards. lution gets worse with in­

tion and backward-device Each kit comes with as­ creasing distance. In addition

check, and other test Firmware sembly instructions and sche­ to the x, y, and z coordinates

functions. Prototyping matics for installation in of the stylus, the system can

Price: $1799.95; software, Made Easy about 30 hours, depending on also measure its pitch, yaw,

$29.95. the options. and roll. Because it uses elec­

Contact: Jameco Electron­

ics, 1355 Shoreway Rd.,
Belmont, CA 94002, (415)
T he Analogica-T is a soft­
ware and hardware devel­
opment tool designed for pro­
Price: $721; assembled and
tested, $1203.
Contact: Westcoast Techni­
tromagnetic waves, the Hy­

perSpace system can be used

only with nonmetallic

592-8097. totyping computer control cal & Hobby, P.O. Box F 110­ models.

Inquiry 1166. interfaces to scientific instru­ 415, Blaine, WA 98230; or Price: $5300.

ments and industrial equip­ call the headquarters in Sur­ Contact: Mira Imaging,

ment. It looks like a full­ rey, BC, Canada at (604) Inc., 969 Logan Ave., Salt

length board for your PC (it's 591-1624. Lake City, UT 84105, (801)

XT or AT compatible) and a Inquiry 1168. 485-6765.

hardware design unit that's just Inquiry 1169.

about the length and width of continued

your briefcase.

74 BY T E • APRIL 1989
We'll never try to sell you a laser printer

We will, however, try to sell you on file on a Postscript typesetter meets your specific needs. For
a laser printer language. from a completely different man­ paper handling options. Printing
The Postscript' language from ufacturer. And that's good to speeds. Choice of resolutions.
Adobe Systems. know, since more than 25 different And black &white or color output.
You see, there are two kinds 0. E. M:s have adopted the Adobe And only Adobe Postscript
of printers and typesetters Postscript language. gives you absolute freedom to
in the world. Those that J a On the other hand , select the best hardware and more
support Postscript. And ~ when you print afile on a than 3,000 software programs for
those that do not. ~ printer that doesn't support virtually every application, plat­
The ones that do-at ~ Postscript, that's virtually form and budget.
last count there were 46- the only place you can print it. Isn't it time you bought into the
are completely compatible. That Forever. Postscript language?
means, when you print afile on a Since there are so many differ­
Postscript printer from one manu­ ent Postscript printers and type­
facturer, you can print the same setters, you can pick the one that
Look forthe Postscript symbol on computers, printers and other products that support Postscript software from Adobe Systems; it's your guarantee of quality and compatibility.
Adobe. the Adobe logo and Postscript are registered trademarks and the Postscript logo is a trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated. ©1989 Adobe Systems Incorporated.All rights reserved.
APRIL 1989 • BYTE 75
 Introducing the new small footprint

FlexCache Z-Series.

For fruitful comparisons.

$2699.00 $3799.00 $5199.00 Award

ALR ® Compaq® ALR ® Compaq® ALR ® Compaq ®
FlexCache
Models SX386-Modl0
Deskpro
286 · ModlO
FlexCache Deskpro
203862-Mod.10 3865-Mod.10
FlexCache Deskpro
253862-Mod.IO 20e -Mod 10
Winning
Mlcroproceuor80366SX
16MHz
80266
12MHz
80366
20MHz
80386sx
16MHz
80386
25MHz
80386
20MHz
FlexCache
16KB. lwaitstote 64KB. EE 82385 64KB.EE 82385 32KB

BenchMorka
82385 Cache
3.36Mlps l.93Mips
Cache
4.78Mips 2.49Mips
Cache
6.07Mips
Cache
4.60Mips
Architecture.
OPT MOlhCoProc:msm 80387SX 16MHz 8Q28712MH2
~~ro
80387. Weitek 8038/sx 80387. Weitek 80387. Weitek With ALR's
64QK:~~io IMB ~~~~' 0 lMB~~ 10
Memory <RAM> lMB lMB ~~~OODe IQ IMB~~ 10
Storage
l .44MB. 3 1/2' FD I Optional (5275.CX)) I Optional (5275.CXll I Optlono1 CS275 .00J
award winning
I I I
l.2MB.51/4'FD Qptlona1 (5225.00)
Fixed Disk Opt "I -iOMB< 28rm 40MB<30ms
Optional (5225.CXJ>
40MB<J5ms.
120/"1B<28ms
20MB.::29ms.
40MB.:3Q'ns
Optlonol ($225 00)
40MB<35ms.
120MB<28ms
40MB.:30ms.
110MB<2Sms
design, the Z-Series
16bitVGA
Video 600 x<ro
16bllVGA
600 x<ro
VGA6d0 X 480 lObl!VGA
600X""
VGA 6dOX 480
incorporates the
P1lces and spec1llcotion.s ore subject to change. Verily with monurocture1.
most advanced form
of cache management.
Compaq and Compaq Deskpro 286. 386s and 20e are registered trademarks of Compaq Computer Corp. PC-Kwik is a registered trademark of
Multisoft Corp. Oeskview 386 is a registered trademark of Quarterdeck Olfice Systems.

76 B Y T E • APRIL 1989
It's a fruitless
•
comparison
when
____R is the
obvious choice.
' -;---­
' ! ' ­

ALR FlexCaclze
SX386Z

No one compares
with our three
year warranty.
ALR§ quality is backed by
an unprecedented three year utility voted PC Magazines
name of your local authorized
warranty on all main CPU Editor's Choice.
ALR reseller please call:
boards and a full one year In addition, Info Worlds
1-800-444-4ALR
warranty on entire systems. product of the year,

We also offer extended DESQview 386®, the power­

warranty programs and ful multitasking and win­

on-site servicing. dowing program is included

Advanced Logic Research, Inc.
with the FlexCache Z
9401 Jeronimo, Irvine, CA 92718
And theres (714) 581-6770 FAX:(714) 581-9240
comparably more. systems until May 31, 1989.
For our Canadian office: 1-800-443-4CAN
For our UK office: 1-800-444-4ALR
Each system includes PC­ For more information on the
For our Singapore-Asia/Pacific office:
Kwik®. The disk caching FlexCache Z-Series or the
(65) 258-1286 FAX: (65) 258-1285
See us at
0 (~l@l~l»fl1Spring '89
April 10 - 13. 1989
McCormick Place
Circle 14 on Reader Service Card (DEALERS: 15) Chicago, Illinois
 WHAT'S NEW

SOFTWARE • PROGRAMMING

Graphics Software Engineering • •

FORTRAN Text
U sing the MetaWindow
graphics driver from
MetaGraphics, Turbo Meta­
grams are also included :
CurEdit is an icon editor,
and MakeMenu is a Turbo Forth in the Public
Editor for the Mac Menu provides a user inter­ Pascal code generator. Domain
face for any graphics appli­ To run the program, you

D eveloping FORTRAN
codes and models on the
Macintosh has been difficult
cation program with Turbo
Pascal versions 4 and 5. You
can create menus, pop-up
need MetaWindow graph­
ics, an IBM PC with a video
graphics adapter, a mouse,
T o encourage program­
mers to use Forth to de­
velop large applications, the
in the past due to the cumber­ messages, button menus , and a hard disk drive. Silicon Valley Chapter of the
some editors. FREDitor is a and more. Price: $149; MetaWindow, Forth Interest Group has do­
text editor with the standard The Turbo Meta-Menu $95; source code, $75. nated F-PC 2.25 to the public
features along with some spe­ utilities package consists ofa Contact: Island Systems, 7 domain. The Forth develop­
cial functions, such as multiple library with over 70 proce­ Mountain Rd., Burlington, ment environment is derived
windows, global regular-ex­ dures that help you create MA 01803, (617) 273-0421. from F83, an earlier public
pression parser (GREP) search menus. Two additional pro­ Inquiry 1120. domain version of Forth.
and replace, custom auto­ F-PC 2.25 comes on four
wrap, on-screen column mark­ 360K-byte disks with most
ers, and the ability to gener­ 68000/68020 processors, and Mooers, NY 12958, (514) files archived. The object
ate tables for export to the code needs no explicit link­ 866-4776. code takes 400K bytes of
spreadsheets. ing, according to the manu­ Inquiry 1124. RAM, while the source code
FREDitor was developed facturer. Each compilation and documentation take up
at Battelle's Pacific Northwest produces two files: an object about 3 megabytes of disk
Laboratories and is being file used by the linker for exe­ space.
published and marketed by cution, and a reference file Adding Graphics Some of the features of­
TechAlliance (formerly used by the source-level debug­ to Unix fered by F-PC 2.25 include a
A.P.P.L.E. Co-op). ger. A dialog box also lets the Convenient Way command-line interpreter, a
FREDitor runs on any you know how the compilation high-level procedure
Macintosh, according to
TechAlliance.
Price: $79.95.
process is going.
You can view the execution
environment at run time with
T he Convenience Plus
Unix front end is a graph­
ics interface for Unix from
compiler/decompiler, an
8086/87 assembler/dis­
assembler, aJilultitasker, a
Contact: TechAlliance, 290 the Runtime Examiner. If an SoftScience. The program lets single-step debugger, core
Southwest 43rd St., Renton, error occurs, the debugger is you perform file manage­ image dump, source code
WA 98055, (206) 251-5222. called and displays several ment, operating-system com­ listing and indexing, text
Inquiry 1121. windows that show the source mands, and other administra­ searching through files, a
statements being executed, tive functions. It offers you a turnkey application generator,
the modules and procedures graphical tree display of your and a meta-compiler for sys­
called, and the values of stored files, which you can tem regeneration. A collection
Modula-2 module and procedure vari­ traverse with arrow keys or a of applications includes float­
on the Mac ables, as well as the ad­ mouse. ing-point packages, object-ori­
dresses of the various loaded You can call up windows ented procedures, databases,
he MetCom Modula-2 modules. to display and interact with a
T integrated programming
environment for the Mac in­
A variety of libraries and
Macintosh interface modules is
graphical image of file stor­
age. The window can also list
graphics, mathematics, games,
music programs, and more.
The program runs on the
cludes a multiwindow text edi­ included with the program. files or running applications. IBM PC. A graphics card and
tor, a one-pass compiler, and MetCom Modula-2 runs Other features include a hexa­ hard disk drive are
an interactive debugger. on the Mac Plus, SE, and II decimal editor/viewer, a recommended.
The MetCom Editor uses with System version 4.1 or search function, and utilities Price: $25; user's manual,
information from the compiler higher and two SOOK-byte for manipulating files in $20; technical reference man­
to show various positions in floppy disk drives. A hard groups or individually. You ual, $30.
the source program where syn­ disk drive is recommended but can also move files across di­ Contact: Offete Enterprises,
tactic errors occur. You can not required. rectories, and you can create Inc., 1306 South B St., San
also shift blocks of text, indent Price: $245. and delete directories with Mateo, CA 94402, (415)
text as you enter it, or display Contact: Metropolis Com­ the interface. 574-8250.
windows as tiles or stacks. You puter Networks, Inc., The The program is compatible Inquiry 1123.
can open multiple windows Trimex Building, Route 11, with Sun, AT&T, and other continued
and handle files of any size. Unix systems.
The one-pass compiler Price: $399.
generates native code for the Contact: SoftScience Corp.,
P.O. Box 42905, Tucson, AZ
85733, (602) 326-4679.
Inquiry 1122.

78 B Y T E • APRIL 1989
INSTANT MAINFRAME. JUST ADD SCO.

ot too long ago, a few dozen people sharing the same pro­ oday, SCO UNIX System solutions are installed on more than
N grams, resources, and information on a single computer at
the same time meant only one thing-a mainframe.
T one in ten of all leading 386 computers in operation worldwide.
Running thousands of off-the-shelf XENIX~ and UNIX System-based
Powerful, big, expensive, and proprietary.
applications on powerful standard business systems supporting 32
More recently, the same people could be found doing exactly the
or even more workstations-at an unbelievably low cost per user.
same things-simultaneously sharing programs, resources, and
And with such blazing performance that individual users believe
information-on a minicomputer.
they have the whole system to themselves.
Alot cheaper, a lot smaller, yet powerful enough to do the same
Running electronic mail across the office-or around the world­
jo~s. And just as proprietary. in seconds.
Running multiuser PC communications to minis and mainframes
hen along came the latest generation of personal computers.
T And now, the same people are more and more likely to be
found doing exactly the same things-simultaneously sharing
through TCP/IP and SNA networks.
And doing some things that no mainframe-or even DOS- or
programs, resources, and information-on a PC. .t\.os/ 2'"-based PC-ever thought about, such as running multiple
And not a whole officeful of PCs networked together, either, but DOS applications. Or networking DOS, OS/2, XENIX and UNIX
a single PC powering the whole ojfic:e at once.
Systems together. Or running UNIX System versions and workalikes
Alot cheaper, a lot smaller, yet still easily powerful enough to do
of popular DOS applications such as Microsoft®Word, 1-2-3®, and
the same jobs. Built to non-proprietary, open system standards
dBASE Ill PLUS.®
that allow complete freedom of choice in hardware and software.
Or even letting users integrate full-featured multiuser productivity
And running the industry-choice multiuser, multitasking UNIX®
packages ef their choice under a standard, friendly menu interface.
System Vplatform that gives millions of 286- and 386-based PC
Today's personal computer isn't just a "PC" anymore, and you can
users mainframe power every business day.
unleash its incredible mainframe-plus power for yourself-today.
The UNIX System standard for PCs-SCO."
Just add SCO.
See us at COMDEX/Spring '89, Booth #2850 The SCOfamily of UNfX Sys/em software solutions is available for a/180286·
and 80386-based industry-standard and Micro Channel'" computers.

ll?tlX is a ~ tradtmartol AT&T. SCOandthc SOO logout tradtnwbof llll!S2tltaCruz~on. Inc. Mlc'roooftan dXf.MX vtt!gislirtd
O"idfrrwb ri Micmsoh. (.orp:>rati on . 00/2 and Micro Clwlncl an: ~math oC lnltfTUl:ional Busin~ Madtines ~tion. l·H is a reVqcn'd
tndematt of U>rus Dew lopmeit Cotpor.lllon. dM5£ rn PWS is a r?glsteM tndtmvk of ~ton-Tak
-= 1989 The San u Ct\11 Optmion, Inc., 400 Encintl 5m!rt., P.O. Box 1900, S2nt1 Cn.u., California 9Sl1il USA
I/~

The Santa Cruz Optrati on, Ud., CroileyCmtrt, Haat:n Une, W;l!ford WDI SYN, United Kingdom, +« (0)923 816344. FAX: +44 (0)923 81n81,
'TU£X:9173n~,
sco-.
THE SANTACRUZ OPERATION
(800) 626-UNIX
(408) 425-7222
FAX: (408) 458-4227
(626-8649)

E-MAIL: ... ! uunet! sco! info info@sr.o.COM

Circle 255 on R£ader Service Card A PRIL 1989 • BYT E 79

 WHAT'S NEW

SOFTWARE • SCIENTIFIC AND ENGINEERING

calculate equations, create

plots, and enter and edit text.
Digital Signal The program also lets you in­
Processing tegrate math, text, and graph­
ics on- and off-screen.

P C Data Master, a DOS

environment for signal
processing and display, has
The Tests and Estimation
pack lets you implement stan­
dard test procedures, create
been enhanced with separately your own test procedure, simu­
compiled modules for sys­ late experiments, and model
tems with and without a math data from within your Math­
coprocessor, a multisignal CAD document. A set of
plot utility, and an enhanced standard routines including
DOS shell. parametric and nonparamet­
The program combines ric techniques is included.
graphics routines, real- and PC Data Master 2. 0 is an enhanced DOS environment for signal The Modeling and Simula­
complex-data-file math rou­ processing and display. tion pack includes techniques
tines, digital signal processing for modeling data and carry­
utilities, test-data generation ing out simple Monte Carlo
routines, data sampling rou­ ment, colors, titles, labels, as­ PC Data Master 2.0 runs simulations. Each pack con­
tines, and binary data pipes signment of data files and on the IBM PC with 256K tains 16 standard procedures.
to create a DOS-based DSP channels to axes, and more. bytes of RAM and DOS 2.0 These application packs
system. You can also store display or higher. A hard disk drive are the second and third in a
Most graphics boards are templates with display designs, and a math coprocessor are series for use with Math­
supported, and you can inte­ and you can print hard copies recommended. Shells are pro­ CAD. The first in the series
grate data-analysis functions of data displays in portrait and vided for CGA, Hercules, was the Advanced Math Ap­
into the program using most landscape orientation using AT&T, EGA, and VGA plications Pack. You can pur­
compilers or assemblers com­ dot-matrix or laser printers. graphics. chase the packs separately or
patible with DOS 2.0 or Version 2.0 comes with an Price: $135. bundled together with Math­
higher. augmented set of DSP utility Contact: Durham Technical CAD 2.0.
The shell that is at the modules. Operations include Images, P.O. Box 72, MathCAD 2.0 runs on the
heart of PC Data Master lets forward and inverse fast-Fouri­ Durham, NH 03824, (603) IBM PC with at least 512K
you implement independent er-transform and fast-Hart­ 868-5774. bytes of RAM and DOS 2.0
DOS console and graphics ley-transform routines, convo­ Inquiry 1126. or higher. The company rec­
screen windows. When the lution, correlation, window ommends a math copro­
shell is active, you can interact generation, FIR filter design, cessor.
with DOS application rou­ and test-data generation. Price: Statistics I: Tests and
tines in the console window You can implement many Stats Packs Added Estimation, $59; Statistics II:
without disturbing screen multistage transformations by to MathCAD Modeling and Simulation,
graphics, according to the combining these basic opera­ $69; I and II, $99; MathCAD
tions with data-file math rou­
manufacturer. The shell also
provides binary data pipes for
linking data-processing
tines in data pipes, according
to Durham Technical Images.
T wo recently released ap­
plication packs for Math­
CAD 2.0 cover tests and esti­
2.0, $349.
Contact: MathSoft, Inc .,
One Kendall Sq ., Cambridge,
steps, implemented as indepen­ Data acquisition modules for mation, and modeling and MA 02139, (800) 628-4223;
dent executable files into MetraByte analog input prod­ simulation, respectively. in Massachusetts, (617)
multistage data transforma­ ucts are also included, and MathCAD lets you use a PC 577-1017.
tions. The pipes are distinct you can integrate routines for like a scratch pad, according Inquiry 1128.
from the DOS pipes and don't other analog I/O products. to MathSoft. You can enter and continued
affect the standard input and
output logical devices, accord­
ing to Durham Technical Building Chemical Structures o,n'the Mac

e.
Images.
A waveform module.is also h em is ts ·involved in capabilities '.as in the Chem­ the Macintosh with at least 1

included with PC Data Master. searching STN Inter­ Intosh Desk Accessory, ac­ megabyte of RAM and a

You can display individual or national 's chemical struc­ cording to SoftShell. You hard disk drive.

multiple data files using the ture database may find that also don't need to know all Price: $395.

plot system's auto-configura­ ChemConnection simplifies the structure-generation Contact: SoftShell Interna­

tion capabilities. You can use the process of constructing a commands used by the tional, Ltd . , 2004 North

pop-up menus and forms, chemical structure. You can Chemical Abstracts Service, 12th St., Grand Junction,

and you can adjust each plot on draw a query structure off­ SoftShell reports. co 81501, (303) 242-7502.
the display for size, place- line using the same drawing ChemConnection runs on Inquiry 1125.
I

80 BYTE • APRIL 1989

 ..-......~~nft.i.
\.. '\(J" .._ ~.... ">
f'r--r(./ /2 K';j>
"'""::"'--'-A.
J" {' .
. ------".2~)\.:~---~ ~-----~
/r ----~---'i-~---~· .o'h
/ ;fy;;'l;;;A-TI~ -; '-- /-'7°'/'~--;~:_':--~~\~1(1.J\
/
/ ,
'i' TRANSIENT\
... - -.. . . .'. • I • "' \
1-, \\ I \\ \\
/ Lt--1~-:.::!':::__/ ,--/ \ f --~·~:- \\ '\
/ /7 I I 1....--',-----)..\ "
/ ,t1' ~.: LIBRARY I ~'. :-;,_._ MO~i'C. C/\~\.O \\ \
/ ((_7 .':·· \\ -=-· \
// ( - _ _ ---L -------J'-='\
\~~ ....,.,.......-. ............... •"t _., ' ' ' ' ,., ' n ' ,..-,. n ' I I ' tr• Ii •II •/T TT7?Tl//l/$}

' MICRO-CAP Ill: r

THIRD-GENERATION INTERACTIVE

CIRCUIT ANALYSIS. MORE POWER.

MORE SPEED. LESS WORK.

MICRO-CAP m;· the third generation Modeling power leaps upward as

of the top selling IBM® PC-based interac­ . I ' ' ' ' ' ' well, to Gummel-Poon BJTand Level 3
- ..~~·. 1.[ .". i
tive CAE tool, adds even more accuracy, MOS-supported, of course, bya built-in
speed, and simplicity to circuit design and
, --­

_.
-

' · '­
:

.
... . I . .
..

,._
-.~

~
c

-( .
'

i
, ..
'· Parameter Estimation Program and
simulation. - -· .. 'i ·- . extended standard parts library.
The program's window-based opera­ There's support for Hercules~ CGA,
tion and schematic editor make circuit Transient analysis MCGA, EGA and VGA displays. Output for
creation a breeze. And super-fast SPICE­ laser plotters and printers. And a lot more.
like routines mean quick AC, DC, Fourier The cost? Just $1495. Evaluation ver­
and transient analysis- right from sions are only $150.
schematics. You can combine simulations Naturally, you'll want to call or write for
of digital and analog circuits via integrated afree brochure and demo disk.
switch models and macros. And, using
stepped component values, rapidly gener­ Schematic editor
ate multiple plots to fine-tune your circuits. ------------
-- ---- - - -"==-- =- -=
~ = :'"" --=--=~=
We've added routines for noise, impe­
dance and conductance-even Monte 1021 S. Wolfe Road,
Carlo routines for statistical analysis of Sunnyvale, CA 94086
(408) 738-4387
production yield. Plus algebraic formula
parsers for plotting almost any desired .11/CRO·CAP Ill is a registered tmdemark ofSpectmm Soj/1mre.
Hercules isa registered tmdemark ofHercules Computer Tec/Jnologi'
function. Monie Carlo analysis IBM is a registered tmdemark of/11tematio11al Business ,\fachi11es, /11c.

Circle 264 on Reader Service Card APRIL 1989 • B YT E 81

 AST
Six Pak Plus Board $149
VGA Plus Adapter 389
Olympia Boca Research
NP-30 Mac I 50cps $289 Top Hat I 28K Ex pansion 129
Seikosha BocaRam/ AT 0 -4MB Board 149
SP-IOOC'AP Mac 239 Boca MultiEGA 189
Everex DCA
EMAC ~O Deluxe 20MB 595 Irma 2 3278 Board 729
EMAC 60 T 60MB Backup 895
PCPC
45MB SCSI Hard Drive 999
Cornerstone
SinglePage Display SE 759
PC-TOO IOMHz XT® DualPage Display SE 1259
Magnavox
BASIC SYSTEM CONFIGU~ATION: 9CM080 14" VGA Display 519
RasterOps
I 948S Trinitron 3395
• 8088-10 Based System Board
Sigma Designs
• +.77I 10 MHz CPU Speed PageView SE 849
• 6+0KB RAM Standard Expandabe to 1640K LaserView II 1899
• 3-ln-I Video Adapter - RGB, Mono, Comp. New Image Technology
• Microsoft MS-DOS & GW-BASIC Included MacScan Pro Sheetfeed 1399
• Real Time Clock Calenda r MacScan Pro Flatbed 1789
• System Reset S\\~tch Practical Peripherals
• Floppy Disk Drh·e Comrotler Mac 2400 Stand Alone 239
Shiva
• 360K Floppy Drive
NetModem V2400 459 Emerald
• 4 Half-Height Peripheral Slots
3XTwin 525 1 Local Emulat. 669
• 8 Expansion Slots MONITORS Everex
102-Key Enhanced Keyboard Magic 1/ 0 AT Par/Ser 59
• Parallel/ Serial/Game Ports Amdek Ram 3000 Deluxe 0-3MB Bd. 89
• 150 Watt Power Supply Video 210 Amber 85 Mic ro Enhancer EGA 169
• Am ber Monochrom e Monitor Video 4 10 TTL Mo noc hrome 145 5th Generation
Video 432 VGA Mo nochrome l 69 Logical Connection 256K 449
Call For Infonnation On Other Color 732 VGA Color 399 Hercules
PC-TOO's (IO AT & 20MG 386) Corner stone Graphics Card Plus I 79
SinglePage Display 899 Intel
Magnavox AboveBoard 2 Plus w/OK 319
7BM623 12" TTL Amber 89 AboveBoard PS/286 w/5 12K 419
9CM053 14" HiRes EGA 369 AboveBoa rd Plus w/5 12K 429
9CM062 14" VGA Display 349 AboveBoard Plus 1/0 512K 579
9CM082 14" VGA Display 399 8087 IBM PC/XT CoP. 95
NEC 80287-8 IBM XT 8M Hz CoP. 219
Aegis Development JC -1403 Multisync llA 539 80387-16 16MHz 80386 399
Draw Plus 2000 $159 Packard Bell O r chid T echnology
Lights, Camera. Action 59 PB-12 72 12" TTL Mono 79 ProDesigner VGA 329
Videoscape 3D 139 PB-1472 14" TTL 132 Col. 109 TinyTurbo 286 279
Cinemaware PB- I 422EG 14" HiRes EGA 359
TV Sports 36 Polaroid
Electronic Arts Palette EGA Plus 2299
Deluxe Paint II 99 Seiko Instruments
Photo Lab 99 CM-1430 14" VGA 639
Epyx Software Taxan
Xj-500 Joystick 15 119 12" Composite Amber
Gold Disk Sohware Mono. 89
Professional Draw 139 770+ MultiVision Display 499
l.attice W yse Terminals
Lattice C 5.0 199 WY-30, 50, 60 Call
Micro Systems Int. Zenith
Raw Copy Vl.3 44 ZFM-1490 14" VGA Analog 619
Sub-logic Corp.
Micro Systems Sohware
Flight Simulator II $39

The Works Platinum 189

WordPerfect Corp.
New Tek Inc. Word Perfect 189
ATD-ZuckerBoard
Digi-View Gold 149
Digi-Paint 44 Color Half Card 79
Monochrome Graphics Adpt. 79

Your Source for Hardware, Software & Peripherals

82 B Y T E • AP RIL 1989
For Quality Computer Products.
Paradise lotus Development
AutoSwitch EGA 480 Adpt. Call
Video 7
This Month's Featured Product:
Lotus 1-2-3
MECA
$299

Vega VGA Adapter $285 Managing Your Money 119

FastWrite Video Adapter 349 Meridian Technology
Car bonCopy Plus 5.0 11 9
Microsoft
Serial or Buss Mouse 109
MSC
American Power Omni Mouse 49
450AT + UPS Backup 439 Peter Norton
ATD-ZuckerBoard Advanced Utilities 79
Tandy 30MB HardCard 479 Peachtree
Everex Complete Accounting 169
Floppy Stream 40 40MB Int. 359 Quarterdeck
Excel Stream 40T 40MB Int. 529 EPSON LQ-500 DESQView 2.02 79
Miniscribe
8425 20MB 31/i" 40Msec 259
180 CPS, 80 Column 24-Wire Printer $2 75 Server Technology
EasyLan Starter Kit 179
3650 40MB 5 'A'' 61 Msec 349 Software Publishing
6085 70MB 5 1.4" 28Msec 599 Murata J<X-Pl 524 24-Wire, 132 Col. $579 I st Choice 3.0 89
Mountain Computer Ml200 Facsimile $779 Star Micronics !st Publisher 2.0 79
TD-4340 40MB Int. Tape 319 Practical Peripherals NX-1000 144cps, 80 Col. 169 Professional Write 2.0 179
TD-8000 BOMB Ext. Tape 445 1200 Baud Internal 69 NX-1000 RainBow Color 239 The Complete PC
Plus Development 1200 Baud Stand Alone 109 NX-2400 24-Wire, 80 Col. 369 HandScan For PC 179
20MB HardCard 549 2400 Baud Stand Alone 189 Toshiba Complete Answer Machine 269
Seagate Sharp ExpressWriter 311 New Traveling Software
ST-225 20MB w/cont 249 F0-220 Facsimile Machine 999 Lap-Link Plus 84
ST-238 30MB w/cont 279 Supra Xerox
Sysgen 2400AT 2400 Baud Atari 169 Ventura Publishing 2.0 445
Bridge-File 5 !/2" External 249 U.S. Robotics Ashton-Tate
Smartlmage 60MB Internal 479 1200 Baud Direct Ext. 109 dBase IV
QIC-File 60MB External 599 479
2400 Baud Direct Ext. 199
Omni Board Controller 79
MultiMate Advantage II
Borland
289 \\(>rdI)crtect
I ·Cl
PRINTERS Paradox R-Database 439
• Porsryn ·1 . t E"tS

Quattro 149
Alps Central Point
ASP-1000 9-Pin Flatbed 189
PC Tools Deluxe 49
Amstrad Allegro 24 24-Pin Flatbed 349
DAC Software
PPC-640 Portable 849 Brother DAC-EASY Accounting 59
AST M-1709 240cps, 132 Col. 389
5th Generation
Premium 286 Model 80 1459 MI 724L 24-Wire, 132 Col. 569
HR-20 20cps Daisywheel 359 FastBack Plus 99
Compaq Fox Software
Deskpro & Portable 286/386 Call HR-40 40cps Daisywheel 599
NEC Fox Base + Development 199
Multimate Laptops Call IMSI
OptiMouse w/Dr. Halo 111 79
PC-TOO
logictech WORDPERFECT CORP.

640K IOMHz 8088 Desktop 699

C7 Mouse w/Software 79 Word Perrect

512K 12MHz 80286 Desktop 999

Sysgen ScanMan Scanner 199 5 199

ProSystem I 2MHz w/40MB 1999 J.,..,... ...••.

Toshiba - - - -- - -
TIOOO 8088 Laptop 789 '"
Tl 200 Floppy /HrdD Lptp Ca ll
Zenith
80286/386 Desktops Call
SuperSport 20MB w/Modem 1999

~3·J~1l~11 1 1m~SiM~~- I
Your Source for Hardware, Software & Peripherals
Anchor
6480 C64/128 1200 Baud 99 In U.S.A.
520 ST520/1040 1200 Baud 129
Epson

1200 Baud External

Atari
XMM301 XL/XE 300 Baud
SX-212 ST Modem
109

44
89
LX-800 180cps, 132 Col.

FX-850 264cps, 80 Col.

FX-1050 264cps, 132 Col.

169
Call
Call
800-233-8950

In Canada call: 800-233-8949

Call For LQ Rebates All Other Areas call: 717-327-9575 Fax call: 717-327-1217

Avatex LQ-850 330cps, 24-Wire

1200 HC External 99 Call Educational, Governmental and Corporate Organizations

LQ-950 264cps, 24-Wire Call Call toll-free: 1-800-221-4283

2400 Baud External 179

ATD-Zucker Board LQ-1050 330cps, 132 Col. Call CMO, 101 Reighard Ave., Dept. Al, Williamsport, PA 17701

2400 Baud External 129 NEC over 400,000 SATISFIED CUSTOMERS • MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED
Everex
Evercom 12 1200 Baud Int. 79
P2200 Pinwriter 24-Wire
P5200 Pin writer 265cps
Okidata
349
579 POLICY: Add 3% (m inimum 57.00) shipp in g and hand!­
ing. Larger shipmcms may requ ire additional ch;.lrges. Per­
MMC
',lf \'.Bll'l

Evercom 24 2400 Internal 149 sonal and company checks require 3 weeks lo clear. For M • c F=i a c a M P u r E R
ML-182+ 180cps, 80 Col. 249
Evercom 24E+ 2400 Bd. Ext. 199 faster delivery, use your credit card or send cashier's check ~~.~~-.~·~-~~-~'<:i;,~u<i\~c~
Hayes ML-320 300cps, 80 Col. 359 or bank money order. Credit cards arc not chougcd umil we ship. Pennsyl\'an1a
ML-390 270cps, 24-Wire 499 and Maryland residents add appropriate sales tax. All prices arc U.S.A. prices and
SmartModem 2400 Baud 429
Intel Panasonic arc subject to change. All items are subject to availability. Ddecti\'C software will
2400B Classic Internal KX-Pl 180 I 92cps, 80 Col. 189 be reph1ced with the same item only. Hardware will be replaced or rep;1irl·d at our
249 discretion within the terms ;rnd limits of the manufacturer"s warranty. \\'e c.mnot
KX-P 1191 280cps, 80 Col. 259
KX-PI 124 I 92cps, 24-Wire 349 guarantee compatibility. All sales arc l"inal and returned shipml'nts arc sub_iect w
a restocking fee. \\'c arc not responsible for typographic or phntographic errors.
Al04

Circle 64 on Reader Service Card APRIL 1989 • BYTE 83

 WHAT'S NEW

SOFTWARE • BUSINESS
THE HIGHEST PERFORMANCE
BOARD IN THE 386 WORLD
A STATE-OF-THE ART DESIGN FROM
AMERICAN MEGATRENDS INC. U.S.A.

SPECIFICATIONS
•64KB CACHE l ~Yrlte Customer Service policy • M.tl

Z le\.elop frpgrH ror DIOOH~ "'port cal

MEMORY 3 Install H:w p-.Clle ll.e1 for Hf,art

•INTEL 32 BIT 80386·20MHz i lecralt I l'llre teclt . 11ppart perao1.el

5 Poll CHloRrl for fee .. ICJi H prol1ct

CPU 6 le..elop comp11y newsletter for c11tom:r1

•128K ROM(AMI BIOS+ EGA

BIOS)
•SOCKET FOR 80387 CO­
PROCESSOR
•20MHz SYSTEM CLOCK
•SYSTEM CLOCK SWITCH
BY KEYBOARD (AMICLK
FOR EUROPEAN KEY­
BOARD PROGRAM)
TR-8000 386-20 MINITOWER CASE •8 LAYERS P.C.B.

TR-8001 DESKTOP •6 EXPANSION SLOTS:

SYZYGY lets you manage multiple projects in real time.
1 x 32, 4 x 16, 1 x 8
•OPTION 2MB/8MB RAM
BOARD CAN BE EXP ­
ANDED TO 10MB/16MB BY You can use the Clipboard or

INST ALLING 8MB PIGGY other applications to draw or

BACK
•AMI BIOS-386 BUILT-IN­
Processing Words paste graphics.

SET-UP & DIAGNOSTICS the Mac Way Nisus runs on the Macin­

•PERFORMANCE NORTON tosh with 1 megabyte of RAM

Sl23.0 LAMARK TEST

30MHz
•32 BIT ROM BIOS FASTER
THAN SHADOW RAM
P aragon has gone one step
further with its text editor
QUED/M and created Nisus,
(2 megabytes under Multi­

Finder). It supports the Laser­

Writer and the Imagewriter

•DALLAS SEMICONDUCTOR a word processing program for printers.

REAL TIME CLOCK

KAOTEC 80286-16 SYSTEM DS-1287A; WITH AN the Macintosh. Price: $395.

INTERNAL ENERGY The company says that the Contact: Paragon Concepts,
SOURCE POWER DURABLE word processor stores text and Inc., 4954 Sun Valley Rd . ,
OVER 10 YEARS
formatting separately, so you Del Mar, CA 92014, (619)
(MAINTAINS AN ACCURACY
OF 1 MINUTE PER MONTH can open and edit Nisus docu­ 481-1477.
AT 2s 0 c) ments in any program or desk Inquiry 1130.
•EMS DRIVER AVAILABLE accessory.
BY SOFTWARE OF AMI
SEEMS
In addition, the program
offers a feature called Zap
Gremlins, which deletes any Tools
•AMO 80286-10/80286·12
MICRO-PROCESSOR
surplus characters that might for the Legal Trade
•6MHZ, 8MHZ, 10MHZ or result from importing text
TR-6001 DESKTOP

TR-6002 SLIMCASE

12MHZ SYSTEM CLOCK

WITH LED INDICATOR
•SOFTKEY SELECTABLE
from another operating
system.
The program's search and
C ompareRite, CiteRite
II, and FullAuthority,
three of Jurisoft's productiv­
SYSTEM CLOCK
•HARDWARE RESET replace makes use of GREP, ity programs, are now grouped
JUMPER and its find and replace together in one package
•512K/640K/1024K/2048K/
facility lets you search by called The Legal Toolbox.
4096K BYTES RANDOM·
ACCESS MEMORY (RAM) style and fonts. An Easy­ CompareRite is a redlining
•DALLAS SEMICONDUCTOR GREP facility features a pull­ program that lets you compare
REALTIME CLOCK down menu. two versions of a document;
DS·1287A WITH AN
INTERNAL ENERGY
Ten clipboards are in­ it creates a redlined draft for
SOURCE POWER DURABLE cluded in the program, each of you, showing the differences
OVER 10 YEARS (MAIN­ which you can edit, append between the two.
TAINS AN ACCURACY OF
to, save, or print. An undo fa­ CiteRite II is a citation
± 1 MINUTE PER MONTH
AT 2s•c1 cility is included, as is a program that checks Bluebook
page-preview feature. and California-style citations
Paragon claims you can without requiring text markers
have any number of files open to indicate where the citations

<;;.=......... ....,.:>
§__......§ HWA HSIN ELECTRONIC CO., LTD. at once, and you can tile or continued
stack windows. The program's
=
SF., NO. 12, LANE 538,CHUNG·CHENG RO.• HSINTIEN. TAIWAN, R.0.C.
TEL: 886-2-9153375 FAX: 886·2·9186892 TELEX: 35210 TRONIX
graphics capabilities let you
draw graphics directly into
text, place a picture over text,
or have text wrap around it.

84 BYTE • APRIL 1989 Circle 130 on Reader Service Card

 Aztec C ROM Cross Development Systems
Produce Fast, Tight C Code with Less Effort
Aztec CROM Cross Development systems are the ' ....

Systems give you the best results ­ choice of more

clean, tight and fast running code. professional ROM

Aztec C systems are available for a variety developers.

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come complete with all the tools to edit, Aztec C ROM Cross Development

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Quality, tight code that's fast and efficient.

An abundance of tools to produce better Supported targets include: the 68xxx family, the full 8086 family, the
results in less time. That's why Aztec C 8080/Z80 family and the 6502 family of microprocessors.

1-800-221-044Q<o~~:de
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eb,M1\NX SOFTWARE SYSTEMS
MS·DOS is a regis1ered trademark of Microsoft Corporation P.O. Box 55, Shrewsbury, New Jersey 07702

Apple and Macintosh are registered trademarks of Apple Computer Corporation.

Circle 162 on Reader Service Card APRIL 1989 • B Y T E 85

 MORE:dBASE POWER!
SOFTWARE
WHAT'S NEW

• BUSINESS
r FORONLV

occur. The program automati­ Contact: TLB, Inc., Entry

A database cally locates citations in legal Products Division, P.O. Box
.m an ager for your PC that has documents, checks them for 414, Findlay , OH 45839,
dBASE III+ power, Report proper form, and reports any (800) 777-0521; in Ohio, (419)

Writer, and Compiler errors. You can operate it as a 424-0422.

all in one package! Now pop-up program that checks Inquiry 1131.

you can buy a powerful citations from within your

dBASE III+ work-alike word processor.
that includes more FullAuthority looks for ci­
features and power than tations in briefs and arranges Groupware Gives
any other competitive them to create a formatted Structure to Projects
product on the market, at a table of authorities. It lets you
fraction of the cost!
"c/BMAN competes directly with c/BASE III+, it nms many operations
much more quickly and costs less than haff the price." Bruce Brown,
choose to sort them into stat­
ute, book, law review, or other
citation categories.
M anage multiple proj­
ects, people, schedules,
and budgets in real time with
PC Maga:ine.
The Legal Toolbox runs SYZYGY, a groupware tool
Unlimited Power. We extended the dBASE III+ language to on the IBM PC with 21 OK from Information Research.
bring you to a new level of programming power and versatility. bytes of RAM and DOS 2.0 The program lets you delegate
or higher. assignments and monitor
Reports without programming! With our Report Writer you
Price: $365 . workgroups with its hierarchi­
can easily create invoices, sales statements, form letters,
Contact: Jurisoft, Inc. , 763 cal activity tool. Using the
employee lists, multi-lined and columnar reports, and more. All
Massachusetts Ave., Cam­ Gantt chart tool, you can show
without programming!
bridge, MA 02139, (617) due dates and status of all
Speed unequalled in performance. dBMAN V's Greased 864-6151. your projects, and you can
Lightning! Compiler executes dBASE applications up to 16 Inquiry 1133. zoom in on lower-level tasks .
times faster than dBASE III+, and comes with an unlimited SYZYGY includes over 50
distribution runtime license at no extra cost! report capabilities, and the
SQL-based query language
We are offering a 30 day money back guarantee if not fully A Mini Version lets you create your own re­
satisfied. (When purc hased from a Versasoft aut hor ized dea ler. )
of Solomon 111 ports, graphics, and rela­
And, our multi-user version of dBMAN for Novell, IBM PC Net tional database queries ..
retails for only $499.95!

Just compare our price with the competition:

P rofitWise Basic Ac­
counting is a smaller ver­
sion of Solomon III Account­
The interface is object-ori­
ented and offers windows,
scroll bars, and cut, paste,
I Program Interpreter Compiler Report Wr'1ter TOTAL
ing Software for businesses and copy tools. SYZYGY files
v $189.95 included included $189.95
with annual revenues of less are compatible with DIR,
. -Clipper
;E $395.00
N/A
$4 95.00
$695.00
$149.95'
$149.95'
$1039.95

$844.95

I than $500,000. The major dif­ SYLK, XLS, WKS, and WK 1

$149.95.
ference between the two pro­ files.
Iver $199.00 $599.00 $947.95

Ill+ $795.00 NIA $149.95' $944.75

grams is the limitation placed The program runs on the
on the number of transactions IBM PC with 5 l 2K bytes of
that ProfitWise will handle. RAM. It supports mono­
* Suggested retail price f& comparable relational full-screen report writer.
The databases of both sys­ chrome, Hercules, CGA,
tems are compatible, so you EGA, and VGA monitors. A
rill MAN Highlights: Multi-lJser Version: can upgrade to Solomon III , NetBIOS-compatible network
0 dBASE II and dBASE Ill+ compatibility D Locks records and files as a set to
the company reports. version is available.
0 320 ex.tended commands and functions prevent deadlock

0 Password protection and data security at field 0 Supports transaclionupdate and roll

ProfitWise includes gener­ Price: $395; network version

level al ledger, accounts payable and
0 BCD numbers
back (Novell TI"S system) and more.
for two users, $595; three to
0 Available for Novell Network, IBM

0 Single command menus: vertical. horizontal, PCNet. Xenix, UNIX and other major
receivable, payroll , invoic­ 10 users , $995; 11 to 25
scrollable and pull down menu operating systems.

0 Program debugger/editor

ing, fixed assets, and address users, $1495; unlimited users,

Report Writer Highlights:
modules. Add-on modules in­ $1995.
0 User defined pop-up windows a nd more... Call today to order your
clude inventory and job cost­ Contact: Information Re­
0 9 group levels

copy of dBMAN V ! ing, and report and graph search Corp., 2421 Ivy Rd.,
0 Conditional printing of any items

0 Compute running sums. counts. averages.

designer. Charlottesville, VA 22901,
minimums and maximums
The program runs on the (800) 368-3542; in Virginia,
0 Relate and report from up to 9 database files

with lookup {one to one) and scan {one to

IBM PC with 5 l 2K bytes of (804) 979-8191.

---
--
many) relations and more. .

RAM, 10 megabytes of hard Inquiry 1132.

----
-- Versasoft Corporation disk storage, and DOS 3 .1 or continued

----
4340 Almaden Expwy, Suite 250 higher. You'll need 576K
San Jose, CA 95118
Phone: 408· 723-9044 bytes for the report designer.
T elex: 650-263·5806 Price: $229; add-on mod­
VERSASOFT Fa x: 408-723-9046
ules, $229 each.
~\~;J~~~!:of~.:,~~~;/h~;~~::i\~ N~:::1~~~;!~t.~H\~7~~·~:~~~~,.~ ~~~i'.~ 1;·~·:,;~!!.~:it.c~ ~: ~:di.~1~~~t~li~":~,~~iT· ie Wc~Si i.. -r i\
l..-ihtll".iltlnt''r'' '~<: CLl'dy.

86 BYTE • APRIL 1989 Circle 292 on Reader Service Card

 Tum a task into child's play.

Ba_s ic Programming 1· ., ,..fitJ\;·:"' '·'

4~ Library ,fer : · lffJ~·~ ''
.,.;!f~Jtl?'" ,. ': .,:.~l!l.tj J~ .; TOOLKIT
' 1 "'1-" . ... ,
Announcing PRoBAs Version 3.0, now with PROREF provides pop-up help for the The TooLKIT is a collection of assembly
over 365 assembly routines to really kick routines in PRoBAs and is an extension of and BASIC modules that use the PRoBAs
QuickBASIC and BASCOM into high gear. the QuickBASIC programming environment. library to save you even more hours of grunt
BYTE magazine calls PRoBAs a "Super­ Find help on any routine with a few key­ work. Why spend hundreds of hours re­
charger for QuickBASIC". Thousands of strokes or mouse clicks. Pop-up an ASCII inventing the wheel when you can just plug
programmers rely on PRoBAs to make their chart, calculator, scan code module, box in TOOLKIT modules like:
life easier and to enhance their programs diagram, your own help information or • Menu Generators
with features like: almost any DOS program via a hot-key. • Fast B-tree indexing
• A 1,000 page 2 volume manual Just $50.00! • Mini-editor with word-wrap
• Full·featured windowing • Patch .EXE files
• Screen snapshots (Text & Graphics) • Protected storage areas
• String, array, and pointer sorts • Julian date routines
• Lightning.fast file 1/0 The TOOLKIT also includes clock, calendar,
• Full mouse support windowing, BCD math routines and much
Create dazzling screens in text mode, CGA, more, complete with BASIC source code
EGA, VGA or Hercules graphic modes. Save PROSCREEN is a full-featured screen gener­ and a comprehensive manual. The PRoBAs
and restore screen snapshots to arrays, ator/editor that will save you more design TooLKIT adds capabilities and helps con­
EMS memory or files. Full featured window­ and coding time than you ever thought serve your most valuable asset of all-time!
ing to meet the most demanding jobs. The possible. PRoScREEN treats screens like a Requires PRoBAs. Just $99.00!
PRoBAs system of virtual screens allows word processor treats text to provide com­
you to draw full or partial screens to plete control over characters, colors, and
memory, and then snap them on in an placement. Design input screens with up to TELECOMM
eyeblink. You can even create vitural 130 fields and 19 pre-defined and 2 user­ TOOLKIT
screens far larger than the display screen. defined masks. Use PRoBAsor the includ­
ed BASIC/Assembler subroutines to access The PROBAS TELECOMM TOOLKIT is a col ­
Sick of running out of string space? Store the screens. No kludgy code generators lection of high-level communications
hundreds of K in numeric arrays or mega­ here! Comes with subroutine source, exten­ modules that you plug into your code to pro­
bytes in extended or expanded memory. sive on-line help, and a 285 page manual. vide popular file transfer protocols, terminal
Tired of using a kludgy SHELL to DIR to Just $99.00! emulations, login scripts and baud rates up
read a directory or archive files? Scan sub­ to 115,200 baud. You get:
directories or .ARC files using wild-cards
• Xmodem/Modem7/Xmodem·1 k

P.~~T~w
and store thousands of file names, dates, Mathematics
and times. Wish you could drag a window • Ymodem (single and batch)
.--J-Library • CRC·16 and Checksum
containing text or a menu around the
screen with a mouse? It's easy! • VT52, VT100, ANSI BBS etc.
• Auto Dialer & data base
PRoMATH is a collection of over 150 high­ • Documented BASIC source
PRoBAs gives you a complete set of
blazingly-fast file routines. Read or write level routines that provide mathematical
functions and operations for programmers Why use clumsy SHELLS to complex
huge chunks of dataat a clip, with file lock­ terminal programs when you can plug
ing and error handling so that you can even who often work in mathematics, science,
or engineering. Complex variables, real and just the communications routines you
use them in subprograms. You'll never want complex matrices, real and complex trigo­ need into your code? Implement just
to use BASIC's file 1/0 again! Sort data with nometric and hyperbolic functions and their the features and commands you want.
lightning fast array and pointer sorts. inverses, solution of linear equations, in­ Requires PRoBAs. Just $75.00!
Search files or arrays at assembly speeds.
tegration, differential equations, Fast
PRoBAs also has over 200 other essential Fourier transforms, graphics support, and Our thirty day, money-back guarantee assures
services including handy string, date, time, many other useful routines are provided. yru the highest quality and our technical sup­
directory and array manipulation, string, port staff is always ready to help.
screen and data compression, full mouse For years Fortran has been the language of
support, valuable equipment and input choice for scientific and engineering ap­
routines and faster replacements for most plications, but it lacks many of the useful
BASIC commands. features of QuickBASIC. PRoMATH con­
Whether you are a professional or a novice, tains most of the Fortran mathematical and
PRoBAs will boost your BASIC in ways you numeric functions and allows you to easily
never dreamt possible. PRoBAsallows pro­ translate Fortran code to BASIC or write
fessionals to save time and work and lets new programs in BASIC while retaining For­
novices write professional-quality programs tran's numerical prowess.
quickly and easily. After all, how much is
a few hundred hours of your time really The PRoMATH manual is over 200 pages
worth? and provides a complete description of Add $5.00 per item ($8.00 Canada) for shipping per order.
each routine, including any algorithm and Europe: $39.00 for 1st item plus $5.00 for each additional
For all versions of QuickBASIC and the mathematical formula the routine uses, Item. Visa, M/C, C.0 .D. (US Only) checks and approved
POs accepted. Trademarks PRDBAs, PRoREF, PROScREEN
BASCOM including BASCOM 6.0 for OS/2. shown in standard notation. For Quick­ PROMATH: Hammerly Computer Services, Inc. Oulck­
Just $135.00! BASIC 4 and BASCOM 6 only. Just $99.00! BASIC, BASCOM: Microsoft Corp.

Circle 120 on Reader Service Card APRIL 1989 • B Y T E 87

 AtToshiba, we're not only committed to powered computer we've ever made.
making computers more portable, but also Second, the T3100e, the successor to
to making portables more powerful. our most popular machine-the T3100/20.
Which is why; in our effort to constantly We've made it nearly two pounds lighter and
improve and refine our machines, we've a lot faster-we've even
added three new computers to what is added expansion capa­
already the most complete family of truly bilities. About the only
portables available. thing we didn't add was
Each designed to be powerful enough mores1ze.
to take on the increasingly complex tasks I
that face todays sophisticated PC users.
T1600: Ballery-powered 286112MJ lz,
coprocessor socket, 20MB hard disk at
27msec. l.44M B 31/./' diskelle drive,
l' .· ~.

First, theT1600 which weighs under lMB RAM expmzdable to SMB. detach-•

able backlit EGA compatible LCD,

12 pounds and which is the fastest battery- remouable rechargeable ballery pack.

'liishiba is the world leader in truly pllrt;ib\e l'Cs and m;muf actures" l'tllllp\ett• line "r high qu;i\ity c\1Jt-nwtri ' ;inc\ \;iser printers. For m1Jre inf1Jrn1;iti1Jn call \-81HH57-7777. /\II 'fiishib;i
l'Csare backed by the Exceptional Care program (no·cost cnr1Jl\nwnt required 1. IBM is a registered trademark of lntern;itiona\ Business Machi1ws Corporatilln. Moclel T5200 has nqt
been approved by the Federal Communications Commission. This devict' is not. ;ind may not be. offered for sa\<.> or lease, or sold or leased until the approval of FCC has been obtained.
88 BYTE • APRIL 1989
 And finally, theT5200, which has enough less and do more. So you can work wher­
power to replace virtually any desktop PC. ever you want and however you want.
But we haven't just concentrated on All of which might make it tempting
power and portability. weve also constantly for some people to
looked for ways to make our machines more abandon their desktop
durable, more reliable, and easier to use­ for the convenience of
down to the 800 number our customers can portability. Go ahead.
call for help with any technical question that Weve given you
might come up. the power to do it.
We figure that's what our users demand. T3100e: 12Mllz 286with 80287 co­
And its by anticipating the growing processor socket, internal halflentlh
!BM slot. 20MB hard disk with 27
needs of our users that we have continually msec access, JMB RAM expa11dable
lo SMB,gasplasma display, l.44MB
found ways to make our machines weigh 31/:/' diskette drive.

In Touch with Tomorrow

Circle 282 on Reader Service Card
(DEALERS: 283)
TOSHIBA

lbshiba Amt'1ica lnc.. lnfonn<ltion Sys!<.•m:; Division APRIL 1989 • BYTE 89

 WHAT'S NEW
. SOFTWARE • CONNECTIVITY

and documentation will ap­

pear in the local language. Op­

Networked tional disks with spelling

Decisions checkers, hyphenation pro­

grams, and thesauri are

A shton-Tate's integrated
software program,
Framework, is now available
available in German, French,

British English, Italian,

Dutch, Swedish, Spanish,

in a network version. Frame­ Danish, Norwegian, and

work III LAN supports five Portuguese.

users and includes built-in Framework III LAN runs

E-mail, file locking with on the IBM PC with 640K
three file-sharing modes, and bytes of RAM. It supports
peripheral sharing. the following networks: Novell
Framework includes word Advanced and SFT Net­
processing, database, spread­ With Framework Ill LAN's E-mail, you can communicate with Ware/286; IBM PC and Token
sheet, business graphics, out­ users ofFramework Ill and other mail systems. Ring networks running IBM
lining, and E-mail facilities. PC LAN; the 3Com 3+ Net­
The program uses the stan­ work; and the AT&T
dard message format, Message menting the MHS message
in a variety of international StarLAN.
Handling Service, developed format. You can also send mail
languages, and Ashton-Tate Price: $995 for five users.
by Action Technologies and over phone lines from one
reports that the LAN version Contact: Ashton-Tate Corp.,
Novell. This lets you commu­ LAN to another and from
will be available in translated 20101 Hamilton Ave., Tor­
nicate with other Framework LANs to remote PCs, ac­
editions in the spring of 1989. rance, CA 90502, (213)
III users as well as users of cording to Ashton-Tate.
All screens, menus, mes­ 329-8000.
other software packages imple- Framework III is available sages, spelling dictionaries, Inquiry 1136.

SOFTWARE • CAD AND GRAPHICS

definable attributes and group­

ing, labeling with balloons
First Solids Modeler and automatic incrementing,
for the Mac variable-width lines, and a
programming language. The
ith three-dimensional program also offers associa­
W design and two-dimen­
sional drafting capabilities,
tive dimensioning with the
ability to update dimensions
Infinite Graphics calls In­ that are related to a dimension
CAD the first true solids that you've changed.
modeler for the Macintosh II. In-CAD runs on the Mac
In-CAD is the first in the In­ II. It features an Initial Graph­

Vision family of programs for ics Exchange Specification

mechanical design, engineer­ translator for importing and

ing, drafting, analysis, and exporting files between other

manufacturing. CAD systems. A translator is

In-CAD combines con­ also included for AutoCAD

structive solid geometry cap­ DXF files. The program sup­

abilites with a WYSIWYG In-CAD gives the Mac three-dimensional design, two­ ports Mac menus, desk ac­

interface, so you can work dimensional drafting, and solids modeling capabilities. cessories, and a windowing en­

with the modeler and see the vironment. You can also use

changes take place as you a tablet or text commands.

make them. The program moved, shaded, or sectioned. be made automatically Price: $1945 .

differentiates between material The program also calculates throughout the model. Contact: Infinite Graphics,

and voids, according to Infi­ area and mass/volume proper­ Other capabilities include Inc., 4611 East Lake St., Min­

nite Graphics. Building-block ties. In addition, you can dimensioning, splines, user­ neapolis, MN 55406, (612)

primitives and Boolean oper­ modify any portion of the definable text fonts and 721-6283.

ations are used to add and sub­ model, and the changes will cross-hatch patterns, full Inquiry 1137.

tract material, and you can geometry creation and edit­ continued
view models from any direc­ ing, subfigures for library
tion with hidden lines re­ parts and components, user-

90 B Y T E • APRIL 1989
Don't make your systems bear the PCs, ATs, PS/2s, with or without dumb
THE ONLY MULTIUSER, MULTITASKING, 1

brunt of massive, monolithic monsters terminals. Even diskless workstations NETWORKING, REALTIME OPERATING
like Unix or OS/2. Instead, build your are supported. So whether you start SYSTEM FOR THE IBM PC, AT, PS/2,
systems with QNX. The lean, efficient small or grow to mainframe proportions, AND COMPATIBLES
OS that's flexible enough to support you can easily build and maintain Multiuser 10 (32) serial terminals per PC (A1)
any application. powerful , fault-tolerant systems with­ Multitasking 64 (150) tasks per PC (A1)
out spending a fortune on hardware. Networking 2. 5 Megabit token passing.
MULTIUSER, MULTITASKING, 255 PC's and/or AT's per
NETWORKING, AND MORE.. -. QNX REALTIME PERFORMANCE. Only network. Thousands of users
is both multiuser and multitasking. QNX combines the performance of a per network.
OS/2 isn't multiuser. Unix may be dedicated realtime executive with the Realtime 4,250 task switches/sec (AT).
multiuser and multitasking, but it will convenience of a rich development Message Fast intertask communication
hog a huge chunk of your hard disk and environment that includes a host of Passing across the network.
system memory. And neither Unix nor utilities, C compiler, full-screen editor, CCompiler Standard Kernighan and Ritchie.
OS/2 can do integrated networking. symbolic debugger, and multiple full­
Flexibility Single PC, networked PC's,
screen windows. single PC wit h terminals,
QNX, on the other hand, hums along
networked PC's with terminals.
using an efficient 150K of RAM, yet DOS SUPPORT. For those who need No central servers. Full sharing
provides a powerful multiuser, multi­ their daily dose of DOS, QNX allows of disks, devices and CPU's.
tasking, and integrated networking a DOS application to run as a single PC-DOS PC-DOS run s as a ONX task.
environment. task on each PC on the network. Cost From US $450.
FREE TECHNICAL SUPPORT. While Runtime pricing available.
TRUE DISTRIBUTED PROCESSING.
A QNX-based PC LAN lets any user users of other operating systems have
share any resource on the network­ to cough up hefty fees for support, QNX
programs, data, devices, even CPUs­ developers enjoy free hotline support
without going through the bottleneck and free BBS access. You'll get prompt
of a central file server. With QNX you answers to your questions and you'll
get mainframe power at micro prices. share ideas and insights with fellow
developers in the QNX community.
ADDED VALUE FOR VARS. QNX is
For further information or a free demonstration
flexible enough to run on any mix of It's time to make the move to QNX.
diskette, please telephone (613) 591-0931.
Circle 233 on Reader Service Card
Quantum Software Systems Ltd.• Kanata South Business Park• 175 Terrence Matthews Crescent• Kanata, Ontario, Canada• K2M 1WB
Come meet with us! COMDEX/Spring '89 April 10-13, McCormick Place. Chicago, IL. Booth #2843
ON Xis a registered trademark of Quantum Software Systems Lid. The UNIX Operating System is a registered trademark al AT & T. IBM, PC, AT, XTand PS/2, PC-DOS and OS/2 aretrademarksol International Business Machines.
 The fastest possible

way to create the fastest

~-DOS P.fOgrams

possible.

I tlieFnrPer.ro11al Computers Rm111i11g

MS, OS/2 or MS-IXJS,
Microsoft C Optimizing Compiler 5.1 Tech box
OperatingS)•srcm ComP.iler
;-optimizations that generate the fastest code for DOS
and OS/2 systems.
- In-line code generation.

Microsoft. C5.1 - Loop optimizations.

- Elimination of common subexpressions.
• Full OS/2-system support to break the 640K barrier.
- Family AP! prngrams that run under DOS and the (J3/2
systems.
- Write multithreaded programs and Dynamic Link
Libraries.
• Small, medium, compact, large, and huge memory models.
• Mix models with NEAR, FAR, and HUGE keywords.
• Fast compilation (10,000 Jines/minute) with Microsoft
QuickC"
• Fastest math, in-line 8087/80287 instructions, and
floating-point calls.
• More complete support of proposed ANSI standard.
• Over 350Jibraryfunctions, including a graphics library.
Microsoft CodeView
• Full OS/2 systems support.
- Debug applications of up to 128 MB under the OS/2
systems.
- Debug multithreaded programs and Dynamic Link
Libraries.
• Source-level debugging for precise control over
programs.
- Dynamic breakpoints inthe source.
- Debug programs written in a variety of Microsoft
languages.
- Full symbolic display of C structures.
- Interactively follow Jinked lists and nested structures.
- Watch variables, memory, registers, and flags.

' . Other Utilities

• Fast linking (twice as fast as the C 4.0 version linker).
• OS/2 incremental linker - up to 20 times faster than a
full link.
• OS/2- and MS-DOS reconfigurable programmer's
editot

Everything about Microsoft®COptimizing speed out of your code.

Compiler version 5.1 is dedicated to the profes­ Fast code isrit all you get. Under MS®OS/2,
sional programmer. the 640K barrier is gone so you can write Cpro­
Fast code. Fast development. Fast debug­ grams as large as a gigabyte.You can call the
ging.And full support for both MS-DOS®and operating system directly. Create more respon­
the OS/2 systems in a single package. sive programs (multiple threads allow program
There's no faster Ccode on a PC, because operations to overlap). And build Dynamic Link
powerful optimizations, such as in-line code Libraries (DLLs) that can be shared, saving
generation and loop enregistering, generate valuable memory. DLLs also allow your main
executables that are compact and efficient. programs to be smaller~ so they load faster. You
The documentation even teaches you special can even write a single Family API program
coding techniques to squeeze every last bit of that runs under both MS-DOS and MS OS/2.
92 BYTE • APRIL 1989
 The fastest possible

way to creare·the fastest

OS/2 PfOgrams

possible.

I ForMS.
P1:rso11ul C0111p1aers Rwmi11g
1/1e OS/2 MS-DOS.
or
Microsoft C Optimizing Compiler 5.1 Techbox
Ope1uti11g Syl·tcm ComP.iler
• upum12ations that generate the fastest code for DOS
and OS/2 systems.
- In-line code generation.

Microsoft. C5.1 - Loop optimizations.

- Elimination of common subexpressions.
• Full OS/2-system support to break the 640K barrier.
Optimi.~i1 1.~ Cm1111ilcr - Family AP! programs that run under DOS and the OS/2
systems.
- Write multithreaded programs and Dynamic Link

Libraries.

• Small, medium, compact, large, and huge memory models.

• Mix models with NEAR, FAR , and HUGE keywoo:is.
• Fast compilation (10,000 lines/minute) with Microsoft
QuickC:"
• Fastest math, in-line 8087/80287 instructions, and
floating-point calls.
• More complete support of proposed ANSI standard.
• Over350 library functions, including a graphics library.
Microsoft CodeView
• Full OS/2 systems support.
- Debug applications of up to 128 MB under the OS/2
systems.
- Debug multithreaded programs and Dynamic Link
Libraries.
• Source-level debugging for precise control over
programs.
- Dynamic breakpoints in the source.
- Debug programs written in a variety of Microsoft
languages.
- Full symbolic display of C structures.
- Interactively follow linked lists and nested structures.
- Watch variables, memory, registers, and flags.
thQr Tltilitii:ioc
, , • rast bnlong (twice as fast as the C 4.0 version linker).
• OS/2 incremental linker - up to 20 times faster than a
full link.
• OS/2- and MS-DOS reconfigurable programmer's
editot

Microsoft Editor is the first reconfigurable while you watch variables and register values
text editor for programmers that lets you de­ change. And under MS OS/2 you can debug
velop under MS-DOS and MS OS/2. Under multi-threaded applications, DLLs, and pro­
MS OS/2, multitasking lets you edit one file grams as large as 128 MB. The Microsoft C
while you compile another, which cuts develop­ Optimizing Compiler 5.1, designed for the pro­
ment time.You can even generate multiple com­ fessional programmer. It's all the speed you
piles that report errors directly back into your need. Call (800) 541-1261.
source code.
Microsoft CodeView®is the highly acclaimed MictOsofl~

window-oriented source-level debugger that Making it all make sense:

makes debugging not only fast, but extremely
efficient. You can view program execution Millt.Y.:.1(1ft,the Microsoft low~ MS. MS·OOS, and CodeView arc n:gistered trademarks of Microsoft Corperallon.

APRIL 1989 • BYTE 93

 WHAT'S NEW

SOFTWARE• CASE

any code you add from one

generation of an application
Leave the Windows to the next.
to Your Software CASEWorks also an­
nounced plans for a CASE tool

P rogramming in the
Microsoft Windows envi­
ronment can be difficult and
for Presentation Manager.
CASE:W runs on 80286­
or 80386-based machines with
time-consuming because you at least 2 megabytes of RAM
spend your time writing and Windows. You must have
event handlers and responding the Microsoft Windows Soft­
to Windows messages. A ware Development Kit, the
CASE tool from CASEWorks Microsoft C Compiler ver­
was designed to make your sion 5.0 or higher, a make util­
life a little easier. CASE:W ity and linker, and a DOS- or
does most oft he Windows CASE: W gives programmers easy access to the compiler Windows-compatible text edi­
programming for you, letting command line. tor. The company also rec­
you concentrate on the appli­ ommends Microsoft's Code­
cation-specific parts of the View debugger.
program, according to the lets you specify the character­ The Windows controls that Price: $1495.
manufacturer. istics you want for the pro­ the program takes care of for Contact: CASEWorks, Inc.,
CASE:W is an expert sys­ gram's main window and you include menu bars, pop­ One Dunwoody Park, Suite
tem with a knowledge base of menu system. Then CASE:W up menus, and dialog boxes. 130, Atlanta, GA 30338,
Windows code sets and pro­ automatically generates the A Program Regeneration (404) 399-6236.
duction rules. A prototyper, or program code files and make facility is included with the Inquiry 1141.
front end, is included, which files. package. It carries forward continued

1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 BACK ISSUES FOR SALE

Jan. $4.00 $6.00 $6.00 $6.00 SPECIAL ISSUES and INDEX
Feb. $4.00 $6.00 $6.00 $6.00 BYTE '83-'84 INDEX $3.00
March $4.00 $6.00 $6.00 $6.00 $6.00 BYTE 1985 INDEX $3.00
April $4.00 $6.00 $6.00 $6.00 $6.00 BYTE 1986 INDEX $3.00
May $4.00 $6.00 $6.00 BYTE 1987 INDEX $3.00
June $4.00 $6.00 $6.00 $6.oo~-
1985 INSIDE THE IBM PCs $4.00
July $6.00 $6.00 $6.00 1986 INSIDE THE IBM PCs $5 .00
Aug. $4.00 $6.00 $6.00 $6.00 1988 INSIDE THE IBM PCs $6.00
Sept. $4.00 $6.00 $6 .00 $6.00
APPLICATIONS SOFTWARE IDDAY SPECIAL $4.00
Oct. $4.00 $6.00 $6.00 $6.00 Circle and send requests with payments to:
Nov. $4.00 $6.00 BYTE Back Issues

Dec. $4.00 $6.00 $6.00 $6.00 One Phoenix Mill Lane

* Benchmarks Issue 1/2 Price Peterborough, NH 03458

0 Check enclosed
(603) 924-9281
Payments f ram foreign countries must be made in US funds payable at a US bank.
D VISA D MasterCard CARD # _________________ Exr. DATE _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
SIGNATURE _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

The aboue prices include postage in the US. Please add$ .50 per copy for Canada and Mexico; and $2.00 per copy to foreign countries (sur­
face deliuery). Please allow 4 weeks for domestic deliuery and 12 weeks for foreign deliuery.
European customers please refer to Back Issue order form in lnlernarional Advertising section of book.
NAME_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

ADDRESS

C I T Y - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - STATE------- ZIP-----­

94 B Y T E • APRIL 1989
 Your compiler needs .RTLin~M to give you

the speed and power you've been looking for.

Whatever MS-DOS compiler you use, .RTLink can The PRFile feature of .RTLink gives you access to
reduce the time you spend developing programs program performance statistics in greater depth and
and provide you with vital statistics that will help you detail than ever before available, with no changes to your
optimize your program's performance. source code. Now you can see where your program
spends its time, and what it is doing, at timing intervals
.RTLinkis linking technology at its finest, providing that are adjustable to thousandths of a second. Another
the fastest and most powerful overlay and static utility, to cross-reference the raw statistics for easy
linking capabilities available. .RTLink's new PRFile analysis, is provided with source code so you can
feature profiles the performance of your program customize the analysis report.
and puts vital performance statistics at your
fingertips. These statistics provide valuable When you consider the speed, power, versatility, and
information that can be used to increase your control features provided by. RTLinkthat are not available
program's performance. in any other linker, don't you think it's time you got anew
linker?
Also, .RTLink's easy-to-use Run Time Library feature
lets you significantly reduce the amount of disk Our Guarantee: Try .RTLink for 30 days. If you are not
space needed for storage and shipping of your completely satisfied, simply return it for a refund of the
programs. purchase price.

Order yours today for $195.00

Phone in your order using Visa, Mastercard, or C.O.D ., or send a check for $195.00 to: Pocket Soft, Inc.
For Phone Orders call (713) 460-5600 7676 Hillmont, Suite 195
NOTE:Texas Residents include 7% sales tax. Circle 219 on Reader Service Card
Houston, Texas 77040
Trademarks: All Pocket Soft products are trademarks of Pocket Soft. Inc. Other brand and product names are trademarks er registered trademark s of their respective holders.© 1989 Pocket Soft Inc.
 WHAT'S NEW

SOFTWARE • CASE
- " -
- '""'

grams from your graphics

specifications, according to
Sylva Upgraded SysCorp. The program fea­
tures an interactive graphic

I nteractive screen prototyp­

ing and COBOL code gener­
ation have been added to the
design environment, automatic
specification analysis, gener­
ation of executable code, and
Sylva System Developer CASE the production of technical
tool, a program that auto­ documentation. You can use
mates analysis and design the program to generate PC
techniques. applications or as a rapid
The prototyping facility prototyper.
lets you paint screens and The program features a
create dialogues that look mouse-driven interface.
and behave like an interactive MicroStep runs on the
system, according to Cad­ Paint screens and creaJe dialogues with Sylva 's screen IBM PC with 640K bytes of
ware. After you've approved of prototyping capability. RAM, DOS 3.1 or higher, a
the prototype, you can quick­ 20-megabyte hard disk drive,
ly generate the COBOL screen­ an EGA or Hercules card,
handling source code. board. and a mouse.
To run the Sylva System Price: $3495. Price: $5000.
Developer, you need an IBM Contact: Cadware, Inc., 50 MicroStep Contact: SysCorp Interna­
PC with DOS 3.0 or higher Fitch St., New Haven, CT tional, 9420 Research Blvd .,
and at least 640K bytes of
RAM. A mouse is recom­
mended along with an EGA
06515, (800) 223-9273; in
Connecticut, (203) 387-1853.
Inquiry 1144.
M icroStep is a CASE tool
that produces C source
code and executable pro­
Suite 200, Austin, TX
78759, (512) 338-0591.
Inquiry 1143.

Your job is computing . .. Why does

your keyboard emulate atypewriter?

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Hooleon's SnapCap KeyCaps TM or non-slip adhesive Keytop Label kits, imprinted
with the software commands! Cut training costs with Word Perfect 5.0™ or 5251
Emulation KeyCaps for the IBM ®101-Key Keyboard. Customize your keyboard
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96 BYTE • APRIL 1989 Circle 127 on Reader Service Card (DEALERS: 128)
 QUICK ACCESS
EASY EDIT
THE MATCHMAKER

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A MATCH FOR YOUR FILES-find disk WHEN YOU FIND IT, USE IT with Vq's full­ A MATCH FOR SYSTEM FAULTS-while
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No need to index or keyword your files-just compiler, or custom macro. can automatically start ea.ch session where the
describe what you want in plain English or last one ended-even if it ended unexpectedly!
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The query panel is Vqs window into your disks.

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Circle 478 on Reader Service Card (DEALERS: 479) APRIL 1989 • BYTE 96PC-l
 REGIONAL

WHAT'S NEW

PACIFIC

Strategies, 7315 Wisconsin main drawing card. For mem- desktop publishing programs
Ave., 901 W, P .O. Box41045, bers who don't have a modem such as PageMaker, but they
West Coast Bethesda, MD 20814, (800) and can't attend all the meet- still produce a highly readable,
Government 343-6944; in Maryland, (301) ings, the newsletter is the pri- professional news magazine.
Computer Show 961-6575. mary, if not the only, source of By avoiding the extra steps

F or the first time, the

Federal Computer Confer-
Inquiry 920. group information.
The problem is, how do
you publish an attractive,
of desktop publishing, Barcel-
los said Sacra Blue has only a
two-week lead time from au­
ence (FCC) and the Defense timely publication that serves thor deadline to actual ship-
and Government Computer Sacra Blue: all the group's needs without ment of the month's edition.
Graphics Conference (DGC) Keeping It Simple burning out your editor? He noted, "It's not state of
will be held on the West Coast. Sacra Blue, the publication the art, like a PC Monitor [the
The show will feature an ex- A n oft-quoted expression of the Sacramento PC Users Capital PC Users Group jour­
position in hardware, software, that your car is an exten- Group (SPCUG), averages 80 nal], but it's a lot more hassle
peripherals, systems integra- sion of your personality can pages a month and is one of the to go that [desktop publish­
tion, graphics, maintenance, be applied to the users group better news magazines put ing] route."
and other services. newsletter: The appearance out by users groups. According Barcellos also said the key
The show will be held at and content of your group's to editor Tony Barcellos, to good newsletter content is
the Anaheim Convention Cen- newsletter is a pretty good in- dedication and enthusiasm attracting the right mix of
ter from April 25 to 28. dication of what the group it- help, but so does the newslet- talented amateurs and
Price: FCC: $395 for federal self is accomplishing. ter's simplicity. Sacra Blue is professionals.
government employees, $495 Most club presidents will published with WordPerfect The SPCUG has about
for nonemployees; DGC: say that although BBSes, meet- 5.0, copy is printed on an HP 2500 members.
$395 and $495, respectively. ings, and volunteer trouble- LaserJet Series II, and the Price: Annual dues, $25.
Contact: National Council shooters are important, the ads are dropped in at the Contact: SPCUG, Member-
for Education on Information newsletter is the group's printer. The editors don't use continued

AutoKey 400 programmable macro keys!

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AutoKey is trademark of Mextel Corp. All other product names are Prices start at $139.00 Visa/MC/AmEx.
trademarks of their respective manufacturers. ©1989 MEXTEL CORP. ...
 AT THE
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PRESENTED BY ST WORLD
APRIL 22-23, 1989
Discount
SATURDAY 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Tickets are
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Watch for our show specials!

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Circle 484 on Reader Service Card APRIL 1989 • B YT E 96PC·3

 REGIONAL

WHAT'S NEW

PACIFIC

ship Director, P.O. Box 685, architectures in robotics, and 8 at the Sunnyvale Hilton in
Citrus Heights, CA 95611, one on the integration of AI California. Conference ses­
(916) 386-9865. and robotic systems. sions and roundtable dis­ ·Unix Executive
Inquiry 921. The tutorials and work­ cussions will be devoted Symposium
shops will begin on Sunday,
May 14.
Price: Conference: $185 for
exclusively to computer enter­
tainment issues and will fea­
ture about 24 sessions in two
T he international associa­
tion of Unix systems
Robotics IEEE members; $230 for non­ tracks. users, /usr/group, will spon­
and Automation members; $100 for students. Some of the planned ses­ sor, with Patricia Seybold 's
Conference Workshops, $75 and up. Tuto­ sions include the process of Office Computing Group, a
rials, $100 and up. building games, artificial Unix executive forum . The
T he IEEE Robotics and
Automation Council will
Contact: Robotics and Auto­
mation, P.O. Box 3216, Silver
personalities, publisher/devel­
oper relationships, the
symposium is aimed at exec­
utives of large end-user organi­
hold its annual conference at Spring, MD 20901, (407) entertainment software mar­ zations such as Fortune 500
the Registry Resort in Scotts­ 483-3037 or (301) 434-1990. ketplace, future game tech­ companies and the
dale, Arizona, from May 14 Inquiry 919. nologies, animation, the press government.
to 19. During the conference, and games, theft protection, The conference will take
tutorials will be given on AI becoming a publisher, and place from April 26 to 28 at
applications, multisensor inte­ more. the Santa Barbara Biltmore
gration and fusion, theory Computer Game Price: Postmarked by April Resort Hotel.
and application of redundant Developers' 1, $150; by May 1, $175. Price: $995.
robots, autonomous mobile Conference Contact: Computer Game Contact: /usr/group, 2901
Developers' Conference, P.O. Tasman Dr., Suite201, Santa
robots, and robot vision sys-
terns. Two all-day sessions
will be held on May 19-one
T he Third Computer
Game Developers' Con­
Box 50282, Palo Alto, CA
94303, (415) 949-3379.
Clara, CA 95054, (408)
986-8840.
on parallel algorithms and ference will be held May 7 to Inquiry 923. Inquiry 922.

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96PC-4 BYTE • APRIL 1989 Circle 488 on Reader Service Card

THE REWARDS OF WORKING TOGETHER

system software. Those

(Q)§IF
who join us now will
participate in the estab­
lishment of a new soft­

Operating system
ware dynasty.
You'll need 8-10 years'
design through implemen­

ofthe fiiture.
tation experience in one or
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especially UNIXt
As a founder of OSF,
• OLTP
Digital indicated to the •Distributed systems,
industry its corporate sup­ client server model
port for open systems. • Architectural design
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heavily to ensure that environment
Digital's customers get the • Hierarchical Storage
highest quality, best cost­ Management
performance open systems • SoftwareTest
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Digital's VAX/VMS* For consideration, or
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systems software have Proof oflegal right to
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lias
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ing Group is now seeking
Weare an affirmative
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.tt .

outstanding architects and

developers to help us de­ now.
velop leadership operating
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APRIL 1989 • BYTE 96PC-5

Circle 485 on Reader Service Card (DEALERS: 486)

Pll. THE POWER BEHIND

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96PC-6 B Y T E • APRIL 1989 Circle476on Reader Service Card

 We have more LaserJet Fonts

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Circle 477 on Reader Service Card APRIL 1989 • BYTE 96PC-7

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96PC-8 BYTE • APRIL 1989

 FINALLY, ONE DISC DRIVE SOURCE

HARD DRIVES FLOPPY DRIVES CONTROLLERS

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Circle 481 on Reader Service Card APRIL 1989 • B YT E 96PC-9
 REGIONAL

WHAT'S NEW

PACIFIC

Hard Disk Drive Three-Dimensional

for the Mac Object Font Designer
Has Track Cache

T he MacBottom HD84,
an 84-megabyte hard disk
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average access timeand a track as Sculpt 3D, VideoScape
cache that anticipates the 3D, Turbo Silver, and Forms
Mac's next request for data The HD84 can fit in your briefcase. in Flight. You can also use
and stores it on the drive's the program to make struc­
controller card. According to tured clip art for Gold Disk's
Personal Computer Periph­ taxes and 401(k) contributions, Professional Page desktop pub­
erals Corp. (PCPC), with the tax tables that you can mod­ lishing program, according
track caching enabled, the ify, and the ability to accept File-Sharing Utility to InterFont's publisher,
hard disk drive allows an ac­ time in hours and minutes as for Incompatible Mac Syndesis.
cess time of as low as 0 well as in hours and fractions Programs Six premade serifand sans
seconds. of hours. serif Inter Fonts are included
The HD84 is 2 inches tall
and weighs less than 5 pounds.
The drive ships fully for­
The program calculates
Federal, State, FICA, and dis­
ability insurance, and city
0 pen It! is a desktop ac­
cessory for Macintosh
users that lets you share files
with the package. With Inter­
Font, you can also create your
own custom shapes in up to
matted and ready to run and withholdings. It can also main­ between incompatible pro­ 16 colors. The package also in­
includes print spoolers; Flop­ tain personnel history and grams, even if you don't have cludes Syndesis's InterFont
pyCopy, a disk duplicator pro­ print paychecks and W-2 the application that you used to Designer, which you can use to
gram; and Eureka!, PCPC's forms. Payroll can handle create the file. Open It! also trace over any Amiga bit-map
desk accessory for locating nine types of earnings: regu­ lets you save files in a common font and create InterFonts,
misplaced files. The drive lar, overtime for first over­ file format, and while you're which you can enlarge, re­
also ships with HFS Backup time or second shift, overtime working in an application, you duce, and make bold or italic
3 .0, an archive and restore for second overtime or third can access Open It! from the without jagged edges.
program that's MultiFinder shift, holiday pay, sick pay, Chooser and merge the file InterFont creates lines of
and TOPS compatible. vacation pay, other pay (for into your working document. three-dimensional text auto­
Price: $2195. bonuses or commissions), non­ With the program, you can matically; you enter lines of
Contact: Personal Computer taxable pay, and tips. The create multiple ScrapBook text, and the package creates
Peripherals Corp., 4 710 Eisen­ program also has seven deduc­ files and scale graphics the three-dimensional object.
hower Blvd., Building A4, tion fields, including medi­ images or text on a scale from The program can also adjust
Tampa, FL 33634, (800) 622­ cal, dental, clothing, union, 1 percent to 1000 percent. the size, shape, color, and
2888; in Florida, (813) 401(k), auto, and one other The program supports Mac­ texture of three-dimensional
884-3092. deduction field forone-time Paint, PICT, Glue, and text objects.
Inquiry 904. deductions. ScrapBook files. The program can also
Payroll works on the IBM A Print It! utility lets you create structured drawings in
PC with 256K bytes of RAM print any file to disk, and you Aegis Draw formatthat you
(384K bytes of RAM is rec­ can access and place the file can import into Professional
Accounting ommended), MS-DOS 2.0 or into any application or docu­ Page. When used with Pro­
Software for higher, and a monochrome, ment. You can change font fessional Page, you can create
Small Businesses EGA, VGA, or CGA graphics styles and sizes to match those custom logos and elaborate
card. of the document to which the text at Postscript resolution;
hoenix ~hive's Payroll 2 when used with Draw Plus,
P accountmg program, a
new version of the company's
Price: $95.
Contact: Phoenix Phive
Software Corp., 7830 East
information is pasted.
A thumbnail feature of the
program also lets you view up
you can rotate and stretch text.
I nterFont also includes In­
SBAssistant Payroll program, Gelding Dr. , Suite 400, to eight pages of a document terChange, the company's ob­
is for small companies with Scottsdale, AZ 85260, (800) at a time. ject-conversion utility.
up to 200 employees. 331-1811; in Arizona, (602) Open It! requi~es a Macin­ Price: $119.95.
Payroll can handle week! y, 483-0991. tosh with 512K bytes of RAM. Contact: Syndesis, 20 West
biweekly, and monthly pay­ Inquiry 898. Price: $89.95. St., Wilmington, MA 01887,
roll. The new version's en­ Contact: TENpointO, 3885 (508) 657-5585.
hancements include after-the­ Bohannon Dr., Menlo Park, Inquiry 896.
fact payroll, handling city CA 94025, ( 415) 329-0800.
Inquiry 893.

96PC-10 BYTE • APRIL 1989

 $2.50
The Best For Less
$3.25
Per Disk/10 or more Easy to use Software for IBM PC's and compatibles Per Disk/less than 10

ACCOUNTING MISCELLANEOUS
D Blllpower Plus (2 disks)- A complete time and bill­ o Easy Project 3.0 - A powerful project manager with
ing program for professionals. (hard disk required) lots of features.
D Financial Consultant 3.0 - An excellent accounting • Free Catalog D Family 3.32 - Trace your family tree with this
program for home or office.
D Medlin Accounting - Complete with Gen. Ledger,
• Free Shipping on orders genealogical program.
D Kwlkslal 1.3 (2 disks) - A complete, easy to use
Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable & Payroll.
of 5 or more disks statistics package.
D Small Business Accounting 1.3 - An excellent ac­

counting program designed for small businesses.

• All Orders Shipped D Planoman 4.0 - Create and play music on your PC!
Lots of fun!
Same Day
BUSINESS/HOME • Unconditional Money PRINTING
D Blakbook - A handy program that will keep track of
yol.I" addresses and print out nice address books.
Back Guarantee o Epson Ulllltles ( 2 disks) - A collection of utilities
for Epson and Epson compatible printers.
D Express Check - A great program to manage your D HP LaserJet Ulllltles (2 disks) - A collection of
checking accounts! utilities for the If' LaserJet series of printers and
D Home Budget & Money Manager - The title says it compatibles. Get the most out of your LaserJet,
all! Easy to use. LaserJet II or compatible!
D Home Inventory - Helps you keep track of o l\t. Label 3.0 - Avery powerful and versatile label­
everything you own. Great for insurance. ing program.
D Tlcklex 4.2 - Great tickler program for appoint­
o On-Side - Allows you to print anything sideways.
ments, deadlines, reminders and timetables. Can

handle up to five people at once.

SPREADSHEETS
OATABASE I MAILING LIST MANAGEMENT D lnstacalc 2.5 - Memory-resident, Lotus-compatible.
("Editor's Choice" - PC Magazine)
D Catallst 3.2 (2 disks) - Powerful list manager.
DUR LATEST C o PC-Cale+ (3 disks) - A very powerful spreadsheet.
Generates mail merge files for 15 different word
AND GREATEST! RS DISK Pl KS D Qubecalc 3.02- Lotus-compatible multi-dimensional
processors. (Hard disk recommended)
spreadsheet. ("Editor's Choice" - PC Magazine!)
D Wampum - An excellent dBase clone with menus. D Banner & Sign Makers - A collection of programs to make banners
or signs for any occasion. Works with any printer.
o Computer/DOS Tutor - Learn how to use your computer and DOS UTILITIES
EDUCATION
easily and correctly with this very educational program. A must for D Aulomenu 4.5 - Latest version of the most popular
D Amy's First Primer 1.4 - Six different learning pro­ anybody trying to learn about computers! menuing program of all time!
grams for children ages 4-8. (Color graphics required) D Ed's Chess - The best chess game anywhere. (It beat Chessmaster D Best DOS Utllltles - Essential utilities for DOS. File
D Blble-Q 3.3 - Test your bible knowledge with this 2000 easily!) Also, this game does NOT require graphics! finders, listers and numerous other handy utilities
fun and educational program. D Formgen 3.2 - Avery versatile form generator. Make any kind of form that will save you time. Very easy to use!
D Funnels and Buckets - A fun way to teach children for business or home on any printer! (Better than EZ Forms Executive!) D Help/Pop-Help - A program that will help you with

basic math skills! D Graphic-Less Games - Agreat collection of games that don't require any DOS command. Very popular and educational.

D Play 'n' Learn 2.03 - A collection of six programs color or graphics. (They will work on ANY system!!) D Hercules Utllltles - A collection of utilities for Her­

for children 18 months to 4 years. D The Lotus Learning System (2 disks) - Learn Lotus 1-2·3 easily and cules graphics cards. Includes SIMCGA.
D Typing Teacher - This disk contains 2 programs de­ quickly. (lotus 1-2-3 is NOT required!) o Hawkey 5.0 - The latest version of the best
signed to improve the speed & accuracy of your typing! D PC-Flle:dB (3 disks) - The latest version of an excellent dBase com­ keyboard macro program available. ("Editor's
D World 2.93- The ultimate globe! Learn about cities, patible data base program. Very powerful! Choice" - PC Magazine!)
countries and continents with this computer version D PC-Write 3.01 (3 disks) - The latest version of one of the best word D PC·Deskteam 2.01 - A Sidekick-like program with
of the globe. (CGA compatible graphics required) processors available. Complete printer support and spelling checker in­ even more features!
cluded. Very powerful! D Professional Master Key - A collection of utilities
GAMES D The WordPerfect 5.0 learning System (2 disks) - Great program lo like Norton's. Recover erased files easily!
help you learn WordPerfect. Easy to use! D Vaccines and Virus Kiiiers - A collection of utilities
D Arcade Games 1· - Pac-man (3 versions!), Hopper, D WordPerfect 5.0 Utllltles - A large collection of utilities (including a designed to protect your system from viruses! This
Space Invaders, Janitor Joe and others. menu system), and numerous macros for WordPerfect 5.0. disk includes Flu-Shot+!
D Arcade Games 2· - Q-Bert, Donkey Kong, Mario
Bros., Breakout, Beast and others.
WORD PROCESSING
D Arcade Games 3• - Striker, Space War and
Quantoids. Order Toll Free (800) 876-3475 D Galaxy 2.42 - A very easy Io use word processor
D EGA Cunning Football 2.1 - The best football sim­ that has lots of features including a spelling checker.
ulation anywhere. EGA or VGA Graphics required. D PC-Outline 3.34 - An excellent thought outliner!
o EGA Games - A collection of the best EGA games Name___ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Can also be used as a free-form database. (Resident
including EGAroids, Reflex, Aldo, Flees and others. Bu siness _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
& Non-Resident versions included!)
EGA or VGA Graphics required. Address
D PC-Stylist 1.2 - Analyze your writing style.
D Monopoly• - Agreat rendition of the classic game.
Great color and sound! City/State/ZiP-----------------­
D Nethack - This classic _game is "the ultimate Phone _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

• Software for IBM PC's and compatibles

adventure" (hard disk required)
Disk Size: 0 5V•" O3'h" (add $1 per disk)

• All programs are the latest version and

D Pinball - A collection of several different
No. Disks x $ = $_ _ _ _ __

come with instructions on the disk

pinball games.
D Strategy Games• - Risk, Othello, Chess, Nye!
• Free catalog with every order or by request
Shipping: O 1-4 disks ($2)

(Tetris clone), and others. O 5 or more disks FREEi

• Unconditional money back guarantee!
D Star Trek Games - Three great games on one disk! o UPS 2nd Day Air/Priority Mail (add $3)

An arcade game, standard Star Trek game, and a

trivia game. 0 UPS Next Day Air (add $13)
Fax: (503) 773-7690
I·cGA compatible graphics required. O COO (add $4)
This is just a sample of the over 250
OForeign (add $4)
quality programs in our library. If you don't
GRAPHICS see what you're looking for, give us a call!
TOTAL ORDER:

D Flowdraw ( 2 disks) - An excellent drawing program Method of payment: o Check/Money Order Enclosed OVISA OMasterCard
For more information call:
with a multitude of features! (503) 776-5777
o PC-Key-Draw 3.52 (3 disks) - An exceptionally
Card No. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ­
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Exp. Date _ _ _ _ Signature _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
o PC-Key-Draw library - A large collection of ready
made graphics for PC-Key-Draw.

Delivering Excellence in Software, Service & Support

Circle 487 on Reader Service Card APRIL 1989 • BYTE 96PC-ll
Circle 480on Reader Service Card

Finally ... a professional menu system in a graphics environment for

Turbo-C, Microsoft-C, Turbo-Pascal:
. TM
graphics-MENU
ONLY $149 (TP) SOURCE AVAILABLE
works with MetaGraphics MetaWindow
We are also including two
2raphics-MENV from utility programs: CurEdit and
Island Systems is a MenuDes1gner. CurEdit is a
comprehensive utilities
package that allows the
Print 1IHO
sauo
Edit Out tons Du l t Ful I _l1cnu Tl
·-· I Cursor icon Editor that enables
you to create custom cursor
oeveloper of graphics ronal'lo
.. all flies
Pascal file s
I icons and associate them with
applications to quickly delete
TRY. C any mouse button or chord.
m
uiow file
create a user friendly MenuDesigner is a powerful
~~
DOC riles
TXT files I snHPLJZ.C
SOHPLJS . C
utility that enables you to create
-
PHU
interface. You can spend II r.. ,......... •,: SnHPL 16, C

more time focussing on the and view complex horizontal &

[ D] TPAIHT . C
rs.c rm vertical menu structures
internals of your ~ ~~ l....,,._. .,,.., ~ WPAIHT . C o~ on-screen and then writes C or
application.
• Mouse Handling.
• Keyboard support for most menu
tY!=S·
• Pulldown Menu & Popup messages.
~: : ~ li [Qjjjfil] mKl

lgruphlc s- Honu for Turbo Pas ca l 1,5 8i TurlmC S: HlcroSoft.-C .

fro"' Is I and Sys'tol'lls:
I
Pascal to implement this
structure in your application.
Requires: MetaWindow' (MetaGraphics
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• Underlying graphics automatically C617l 273-8421 7 Hount.aln Rd , Durl ln!tton Hn BlOA3 (suggested). 30 day money-back guaranteeon
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SYSTEM LAN PRODUCTS SOFTWARE MODEMS

Novell Complete 2·Users WordPerfect 5.0 ...... . .. $218 Everex 1200B/int ... $ 70
ACERSTATION .... $ 982
Turnkey Network WordPerfect 5.0 (LAN). . . .. $326 Hayes 1200B .. ..... ................ $250
ACER900·2MB .$ 1668
ACER910... . . .. $1198 - 3 XT110 Computers Lotus 123 . . . . ... $288
- Monitors R: Base for DOS . . . $488
UPS
ACER915 . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1161
DataShield 800W ......... $656
ACER1100/16MHz $2472 - 40 meg Hard Drive R: Base for DOS (LAN) $662
AST Model 80 . $1470 - Novell ELS I OIS Page maker 3.0 ........... $486 MISC.
AST Model 300 ... . . .... $2688 - Arcnet Boards DBaselll+ .. $415 Ribbons ...................... Best Price i
-Installed & Configured $2,300 DBasel ll + (LAN Pack) . . . $620
LAPTOPS
MicroSoft Word . . $209
Toshiba Call Novell Complete 4-Users
Toshiba 1200 . .$ 1409 Microsoft Window2.1 . . .. $ 62 Technical Assistance Hours:
Turnkey Network PC Excel . . $225
Zenith Call Mon-Fri. Barn - 6pm.
- 1 AT 11 2 Computer Flight Simulator .... $ 29
Mitsubishi Address: 2124 7 Hawthorne Blvd.
- 3 XT/10 Computers Sprint . ... $124 Torrance, CA 90503.
MP286L. . ... $2430 - Monitors WordStar 5.0 . . .. $229 Prices are subject to change without
PRINTERS - 80 meg Hard Drive notice & reflect cash discounts.
HP LaserJet . . ... $1595 - Novell ELS I OIS We accept most major credit cards.
Panasonic - Arcnet Boards BOARDS personallcompanychecks. Corporate
1191i NEW ... . . . .. .. .. . $ 232 -Installed & Configured $4,399 Intel 386/PC . accounts welcome. On-site Network
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Intel Above Board '. $380
NEC Call for Other Novell Ask about our RENT ·A LAN Program.
AST Six Pak Plus . ... $274 Shipping + 3% handling.
P5200 ... $ 509 Turnkey LAN Packagesi
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TAPE DRIVE ATI EGA WondE ... $221 (213) 316-6598
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Archive 15DMB ........ ... $825 Everex EGA . ... $ 162 Technical Assistance Line:
P351SX .... .. . ........ $ 970
P321 SL ... ..... $ 487 Mountain 125 Call Paradise VGA+ .. $258 (213) 31s.4000 CIC II •

96PC-12 B YT E • APRIL 1989 Circle 483 on Reader Service Card

 SHORT TAKES

BYTE editors' hands-on views ofnew products

SideKick for space than I have to even begin

Presentation Manager to explore the new capabilities
of SideKick for PM. But the
phonebook and time planner
PhotoMac
bear special mention because
they use the core database en­
Wizard gine from Borland's Paradox.
You can swap names, ad­
Discus Rewritable dresses, notes, and appoint­
ments to and from the Paradox
files. And the time planner is a
DOSTALK cutting-edge graphics applica­
tion. I used a time odometer to
select open appointment slots,
and child windows (windows
inside the main application
window) let me see three dif­
ferent views of my schedule.
SideKick for PM: More Than Just a Pretty Face
Although nonwindowed
OS/2 applications have been

A ccording to some indus­

try pundits, one of the
reasons for the apparently
tor, a time planner, a phone
book, and a notepad . If you're
an experienced SideKick user,
find that the four existing ap­
plications within SideKick for
PM more than make up for
available for over a year, Side­
Kick for PM is the first appli­
cation I've seen that truly
slow acceptance ofOS/2 is the it's not hard to see that that's what I'd thought was a lack of takes advantage of PM. It's a
current lack of useful applica­ four fewer features than Side­ features. This is a completely tantalizing peek at what will
tions for Presentation Man­ Kick Plus. SideKick for PM new product, and it's a prime be coming down the line. And
ager, the operating system's lacks the file manager, clip­ example ofwhy I believe PM is since it's free with OS/2 1.1,
graphical user interface. But board, ASCII table, and out­ destined to become an indus­ you couldn't ask for a better
IBM has come to the rescue by liner of the MS-DOS version. try-standard interface. Bor­ deal. IBM and Borland have
including a free copy of Bor­ The file manager and clip­ land' s programmers have not announced how long their
land' s new SideKick for Pre­ board aren't needed, simply fully utilized PM's graphical arrangement will last. Side­
sentation Manager in every because PM has them built in. capabilities. Unlike the char­ Kick for PM isn't currently
copy of OS/2 1.1. While it's The ASCII table isn't really acter-based MS-DOS version, available as a stand-alone
only a hint of the applications necessary either, since PM's SideKick for PM is full of but­ product, but a Borland spokes­
that we'll be seeing for PM, it main market will be business tons, changing cursors, icons, person says it will be available,
is a fully functional program applications. What about the and various fonts and font eventually, for $250.
that lets you do useful chores outliner? A Borland spokes­ styles. Taken together, they -Stan Miastlwwski
as soon as you've installed person told me the company is uniquely integrate SideKick
OS/2. working on enhanced versions into a useful and easy-to-use
I found SideKickfor PM to of SideKick for PM. program.
be both more and less than its But it didn't take me long to It would take much more Industrial-
better-known cousin, Side­
KickPlus.
Stre ngth Color
Installation was a snap. Processing
Borland' s installation utility SideKick for
Presentation Manager
copied all the files to my hard
disk, edited my configuration
file, and added a SideKick
Free with IBM OS/2
1.1; $250 when available
T he Macintosh II's color
capabilities give it the po­
tential to serve as a color
group to the group window in separately image processing engine.
OS/2 's Start Program applica­ PhotoMac, a color-retouch­
tion. SideKick for PM isn't a Requirements: ing application written by Ava­
TSR program. This is OS/2, 80286- or 80386-based l~UU Ureen Hiils lon Development Group and
without the RAM-cram prob­ IBM PC, PS/2, or ?.O. Box 660001 marketed by Data Transla­
lem or the danger of applica­ compatible with OS/2 ;;cous Vallev_ r.A tion, lets the Mac II achieve
tions bumping into one Standard Edition 1.1 this potential. Photo Mac is de­
another. or higher, PM, and signed to serve the color pre­
SideKick for PM is a four­ 3 megabytes of RAM; press industry: It lets you im­
part product, with a calcula­ cominued

APRIL 1989 • BYTE 97

 SHORT TAKES

port 24-bit color scanned with a Cancel button. Image

images and work with them manipulation seemed a bit
using a set of retouching and slow, but because PhotoMac is
design tools. You then save the working with 24-bit data and
modified images in several uses three temporary files to
formats, or you can generate provide an Undo capability,
process color-separation files. the delays are reasonable .
PhotoMac works on a Mac The manual is one of the
II or IIx with 2 megabytes of best I've seen: For any sur­
memory and a standard 8-bit prise that turned up while
color display . Since even using PhotoMac, I found an
small 24-bit color images can explanation in the manual. It
easily be larger than 2 mega­ includes a tutorial section that
bytes in size, PhotoMac im­ explains how to use each tool,
plements a virtual memory with examples . The reference
system. That is, only the por­ section follows the traditional
tion of the image actually dis­ by-the-Mac-menu layout­
played consumes memory, that is, selection by selection
while the rest of it is held in a screen angles, gray compo­ color-correction systems, or through each of the menus.
disk file until needed. This nent enhancement, and gray you can retouch it with opaque Ifyou want to do special ef­
lets you easily work on files balance. The separations are or transparent colors using an fects for a publication, crank
larger than available memory. saved as CMYK (cyan-ma­ airbrush or paintbrush tool. up the reds in a sunset, or take
How can you work on 24-bit genta-yellow-black) Post­ Of course, you can cut, copy, the green out ofthe faces of the
color images reliably when script files, suitable for down­ or paste images. A Copy trans­ board of directors, PhotoMac
your screen displays only 256 1o ad in g to a PostScript parent option lets you paste an is worth a look.
colors? PhotoMac features an typesetting system (e.g., the image into a white region of an -Tom Thompson
adaptive display, where it uses Linotype Linotronic 300). existing image. The image
the 240 colors that best repre­ Since the QMS ColorScript pasted is either scaled to f i tthe THE FACTS
sent the 24-bit data for the part 100 laser printer uses color white region or cropped, as de­
of the image that's on-screen. Postscript and not CMYK termined by a key selection PhotoMac

The other 16 colors are re­ PostScript, you'll have to im­ during the paste operation. $695

served to display PhotoMac's port the image file into an­ I tried PhotoMac 1.0 on a
tool palette. other application, like Quark Mac II equipped with 5 mega­ Requirements:
PhotoMac imports a variety XPress, to print it. Since the bytes of RAM, a SuperMac Mac II or Ilx with 8-bit
of color image formats: PICT, applic"ation is for high-end 19-inch color monitor, and a color board and monitor,
8- and 24-bit PICT2, 24-bit color prepress, the Apple Spectrum/24 video board . 2 megabytes of RAM, and
Tag Image File Format, and LaserWriter II printer is not PhotoMac easily imported System 6.0.2/Finder 6.1
TARGA or VISTA files. Once supported. PICT2 files from PixelPaint or higher.
you are finished working with The tools let you magnify and 24-bit TIFF color images
the image, you can save it as 8­ an image (up to 32 times) for made with Howtek's Scan­ Data Translation, Inc.
or24-bitPICT2 or 24-bitTIFF precision work or reduce it (to Master color scanner and 100 Locke Dr.
files. You can print directly to one-eighth its size), and you MacScan-It 1.0 software. The Marlborough, MA 01752
a Tektronix color printer or a can rescale it, flip it, or rotate tools were intuitive and easy to (617) 481-3700

Mirus film recorder. it. You can modify its colors use. For long operations, a di­ Inquiry 1045.

To do color separations, using either RGB or LHS (tu­ alog box gives you a count­
you specify the screen lines, m in ance-h ue-sat u ration) down in minutes and seconds

The Power of a Wizard

D esigned as an electronic
organizer, Wizard from
Sharp Electronics is an 8­
manager, a thesaurus/dictio­
nary, and an eight-language
transl a tor.
ounce pocket computer with Wizard comes with its own
128K bytes of ROM-based 32K bytes of RAM and can
software that performs the hold 64K bytes at one time
functions of a calendar, (32K bytes of system memory
scheduler, memo pad, calcu­ and 32K bytes with an add-on
lator, personal telephone card). If you buy all the cards,
book, and clock. Addition­ you have a total of256K bytes;
ally, you can get optional however, you can't use it all at
"credit card" software packs onetime.
that contain programs like a Wizard lets you store your
to-do list, a time and expense continued

98 BYTE • APRIL 1989

 Embedded systems designers have already usedCrossCode C in over 357 different applications.

CrossCode C has twelve important

features to help you program your

68000-based ROMable applications

It's the one 68000 C compiler that's

tailor-made for embedded systems development

C rossCode C is designed specifically

to help you write ROMable code for
all members of the Motorola 68000
6. Register Optimization: Ten regis­
ters are reserved for your register vari­
ables, and there's an option to automati­
will always be standard, too.

There's More
family. It comes with these twelve special cally declare all stack variables as CrossCode C comes with an assembler,
features to help you get your code into register, so you can instantly optimize a linker, and a tool to help you prepare
ROM: programs that were written without your object code for transmission to
registers in mind. PROM programmers and emulators. And
1. A 100% ROMable Compiler: there's another special tool that gives you
CrossCode C splits its output into five 7. C Library Source: An extensive C symbolic debugging support by helping
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APRIL 19 89 • BYTE 99
 SHORT TAKES

notes, appointments, phone FACTS

numbers, and words and
Ii]] phrases in a user-defined Wizard, $299;
bii::j HONORED BY PC MAGAZINE
built-in dictionary. This last Jacks, $100 to
" ... It gave better performance than ALL the machines of feature is a godsend in terms of :>c-Link, $179:
this group on most of the processor benchmark tests ... " functionality, since the key­ Jrinter. $169.9
board is sequential rather than
·· ... Working my way down the tower, l found a 'NOVAS
QWERTY and typing is gener­ Sharp Elect1
SUPER TURBO 286X MOTHERBOARD' ... "
ally slow and awkward-a Personal Ho
"... It's so flexible that it makes living without a big name problem when you need to Electronics
no chore at all... " keepyourmindonwhatyou're Sharp Plaza
doing instead ofthe mechanics Mahwah, NJO
of data entry. By touching the :201) 529-887·
NOVAS User Die key, you call up the Inquiry 1046.
dictionary function and can
286-I4MHz System
add or recall often-used sets of
Starting at .... $1195 words. SOP printer. Further, the com­
In my case, a series of verbs pany also offers an optional
NOVAS (i.e., call, assign, go to, and dubbing cable that it says can
286-20MHz System meet) and the names of BYTE connect two Wizards and let
Starting at ... $1595. staff members let me schedule them share information.
and enter most of the things I Wizard's calculator func­
NOVAS need to keep track of with tion is enhanced by having its
386-25MHz System about a half-dozen mostly re­ own numeric keypad. It has a
Starting at ... $2295 petitive keystrokes. I can then "paperless printer," or jour­
set the time for the task and tell nal-tape function, that helps
the Wizard to ring an alarm to you keep track of your entries
remind me of my next ap­ or edit previously input calcu­
NOVAS 386SX MOTHERBOARD pointment. lations. You can also perform
• 386 power without the 386 price. NEVER MORE THAN . .. $495 The intensity-adjustable calculations of data stored in
LCD shows either eight 16­ the memo pad (e.g., summing
NOVAS 386 MOTHERBOARD Available in 25t 20t16MHz versions character lines or four 10­ price lists). The large-charac­
• 80386 by Intel, AMI Bios, EMS Support character lines. The space is ter display in calculator mode
• Chips & Technologies 386 CHIPset. sockets for 80287 & 80387/Weitek
cramped, and the memo pad is also surprisingly handy.
• Expandable to 16MB (Simm) on board, Interleave/page mode memory 0 wait state
• Shadow RAM, Independent Clock, On board battery, 8 110 expansion slots
and scheduler wrap line end­ I could do without the world
• 1serial & 1 parallel port on board (optional 2nd serial port) STARTING AT ... $895 ings without proper word clock function, but I can see
breaks or hyphenation. What where it might be useful for
NOVAS 286 NEAT MOTHERBOARD available in 20116t14MHz versions you wind up with, at first, is people who often need to
• 80286 CMOS by Harris, AMI Bios. EMS 4.0 support wasted time while you go back know when would be a good
• Chips & Technologies 286 NEAT CHIPset, socket for 80287 and put things in a readable time to put through a call to
• Expandable to 8MB (Simm) on board, Interleave/page mode memory 0 wait state order. But again, the user dic­ Seoul or London or Lagos.
• Shadow RAM, Independent Clock, On board battery, 8 110 expansion slots tionary and a little practice Another function I'd list as
• 1 serial & 1parallel port on board (3 more optional serial ports). STARTING AT. . . $345 give you a better feel for how thoughtful on the part of the
much to enter before hitting designers, but only potentially
NOVAS 4000 SUPER VGA 16 BIT CARD the Return key. useful to me, is the Wizard's
• 100% IBM compatibility at register plus gate level, Shadow RAM
The Wizard also comes secretmode. Usingit,youcan
• Expandable to 1MB of display memory, Supports 132 columns for Lotus 1,2,3
• Chips and Technologies 450 VGA product line chips, Analog & Digital Outputs
with the ability to import and password-protect data in your
• 640 x 480 in 256 colors. 800 x 600 in 16 colors, 1024 x 768 in 4 colors export data through a serial schedules, telephone direc­
• Backward capability to EGA, CGA, Hercules, and MOA. NEVER MORE THAN .. . $395 port. When connected to an tory, and memo pad.
IBM PC compatible via Trav­ In its basic configuration,
NOVAS 386-20MHz w/64k CACHE CONTROLLER eling Software's Wizard PC­ the Wizard has a lot to recom­
• Increases performance up to 25% NEVER MORE THAN . . . $1495. Link, you can, for example, mend it. People like myself
==-= .= transfer Borland's SideKick who normally have lots of dis­
" . .. FULLY LICENSED TO UTILIZE ~ ~~j-;-~ PATENTS . .. " data from the PC into Wiz­ crete tasks to organize and
ard's scheduler. (SideKick manage-and who spend a lot
Quality Products From Plus transfers did not work of time away from their desks

#DYAS COMPUTRADE CO.

780 MONTAGUE EXPRESSWAY,
SUITE 501, SAN JOSE, CA 95131
with our beta copy of the pro­
gram, however, and required
BYTE's editor in chief to write
a short program to bring the
and TSR programs-can al­
ways use help in keeping track
of events. However, the Wiz­
ard's price makes it a question
OEM, VARS, & DEALERS WELCOME ·service in USA data over.) mark for me. It retails for
Corporate & University Discounts Another option, according $299. Additionally, the extra
to Sharp, is the ability to create software packs run from about
"V(,'A. XT. AT& I/JM are trademarks of

Jnternational IJusiness Mm.:bines

U.S. SALES:(408) 435-2662 hard-copy output by connect­ $100 to $130 each, the Wizard
·pn·t:es & spet·s suhjed to dJmtge U.S. FAX: (408) 435-5458 ing the Wizard to Sharp's CE­ continued

100 BYTE • APRIL 1989 Circle 66 on Reader Service Card

How 'lb Cet In On Our

&equent Flyer Prog1an1

Our new software product will multiplies the actual processing speed glutton of all. The more disk-inten­ competitively priced with other disk­
increase the speed of any PC system of your system, by four times ... six sive your application (database, for enhancement utility software. Yet it
so dramatically that we're tempted to times ... eight times ... or more, example), the more time FAST! will offers vastly superior results-four
include a pilot's license (and seat­ depending on your system and save you. times the performance of the closest
belt) as standard equipment. application. And since FAST! reduces drive read competitors.
We call it FAST! And from the With FAST!, a IBM XT system time drastically, it also reduces wear And it's hundreds less than
moment you load it, you'll find easily outraces a Compaq Deskpro and tear on your drive, extending hardware upgrade options like faster
that's an understatement. A gross 386, using a standard data transfer its life. drives, turbo boards, or entire system
understatement. performance benchmark. And upgrades, while againofferingsupe­
Using any benchmark or perfor­ without enhancing the hardware in l'AST! Blows Away The Competition rior speed enhancement. And FAST!
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IN KILOBYTES PER SECOND
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I FAsTI breakneck processing speed, get
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Circle 3i9 on Reader Service C anl (DEALERS: 320) APRIL 1989 • BYTE IOI
Circle 225 on Reader Ser~ice Card (DEALERS: 226)

SHORT TAKES

&,orECT INTELLlfJENCE
WITH INTELLl6ENCE
~ at PC-Link costs $179, and the On the other hand, the price is
5ee IJS printer goes for $169 .99 . a barrier right now . I'm not
Once you start adding on, the sure how much I'd be willing
co~De')(· price adds up. to pay just to have my notepad
•69 I've used Wizard enough to kick me awake for a meeting or
5pRING know that I could eventually to go harass some poor editor
rely on it as easily and as about a deadline. Of course,
naturally as a pocket note­ discounting is a fact of life.
pad-and because of its auto­ I'm making a note in my Day­
matic alarm capabilities, it's Timer to check it out again in a
SOFTWARE PROTECTION KEYS BY PROTECH at least one cut above pencil­ few months.
PROTECH KEYs: THE MEMORY KEY
O are totally transparent lo the The MEMORY KEY is o programmable and-paper-based organizers. -Glenn Hartwig
end user software protec tion device. Each
O allow unlimited back up copies byte of memory can be addressed
0 free up disk drives in groups or individually. Possible
0 do not interfere with applications for the MEMORY KEY
peripheral operations include:
0 are easy lo install O modular pack age control
0 §~J~1~~~:;.~~~~nues 0 serialization
t.J assembler based routines O customization
(not drivers) 0 access control lo PCs
O encrypted routines 0 demo central
O physically unique hardware KEYS 0 software leasing
O sophisticated software 0 updating moqules in the field
installation advice O any "counter" operation
0 ~;~t~~f;6~ea~~~~~level of For a demonstration package ar
THE KEY additional information. please write
The KEY provides effective software or call: 1·800-843-0413
protection while insuring customer
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response device which is designed 4905 Pine Cone Drive • Building 10
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SVS FORTRAN-386
The Real World Solution
• Complete 386 Software Package Package Includes :
Discus Rewritable:

• Runs in 32-bit Protected Mode

•Accesses all Available Memory
• SVS FORTRAN Compiler The Latest in Storage Technology

• LINK-REX Linker
• SupportsVAX andlBM Extensions • 100% Royalty Free License on
• Supports the Intel 287 /387 and
Weitek Chips
• Applications run
distributed software
•Librarian
• DOS Extender
0 ne of the big surprises
when Steve Jobs intro­
duced the NeXT computer last
of conventional magnetic
media. And it's so fast that in
tests with workaday software
four times faster • DOS Support October was its erasable, re­ packages like databases and
than those from Library writable optical disk drive. word processors, it performed
most compilers •Debugger
• Compiles at high
Now, you don't even have to nearly as well as (and in some
•Technical Support
speed wait for a NeXT computer to cases better than) my trusty
get your hands on the latest in old hard disk drive.
''The LOADS module in DOE-2 is about 14 ,0 00 lines of code. I used SVS storage technology: A new op­ The Discus Rewritable is
FORTRAN-386 since tt was the only compiler that would swallow the source tical disk drive from Advanced available either in an internal,
code (VAX extensions)."- Programmer's Journal Graphic Applications (AGA) full-height configuration or as
connects to an IBM PC AT and an external unit with its own
"The SVS compiling and linking is extremely fast, and the compiler produces
nicely compact code." - Mirco/Systems
offers 650 megabytes of stor­ power supply and fan. Both
age at a cost per byte compara­ versions communicate via a
Software Conversion Services are also available for converting FORTRAN ble to hard disk drives. SCSI port designed by AGA
mainframe source code to the 80386. This service includes conversion, code Rewritable optical technol­ that is included with the prod­
optimization, user 1/0, and more. Call SAIC for more information. ogy is the successor to WORM uct. Cables, documentation,
(write once, read many times) and software utilities and
technology, which lets you drivers are also included. You
-fi"-s­ PRICES: permanently archive data on can daisy chain up to six addi­
~·L® SVS FORTRAN-386..................
SVS PASCAL-386 ......................
$895
$895
shiny, durable laser disks sim­
ilar to audio CDs. The Discus
tional drives to a single con­
troller through an external
Science Applications
International Corporation Scitech Scientific Library......... $325
5150 El Camino Real, Suite C-3 1 Scitech Plotting Library............ $325 Rewritable drive offers the SCSI port on the back of the
Los Altos, California 94022 Maintainability Ar:ialysis Tool.. $895 benefits of a WORM drive­ external model .
huge capacity, long-term sta­ I tested an external model
bility of data, and portabil­ on several different com­
For more information call: 1-800-346-5159 In CA Call: (415) 960-5931
ity-with the added flexibility conrinued

Circle 253 on Reader Ser~ice Card

102 B Y T E • APRIL 1989 Circle 278 on Reader Service Card ­
(DEALERS: 254)
 Not onlx does Telebit

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 SHORT TAKES

THE FACTS ditional disks cost $250. Each the external unit heavy and
disk holds 650 megabytes of bulky, and its fan was very
Discus Rewritable. Advanced Graphic data, or 325 megabytes per noisy. I was also annoyed by a
$4995 (internal), Applications, Inc. side, but you have to manually few minor details, all ofwhich
$5495 (external) 90 Fifth Ave. turn over the disk to access the I could live with: The Discus
New York, NY 10011 other side. Rewritable always has to be
Requirements: (212) 337-4200
As with conventional hard turned on after the computer,
IBM PC AT or Inquiry 1047.
disks, you have to partition the disks have to be removed with
compatible (no minimum disk, but this is simplified by a the drive on, and they must be
RAM requirement) software routine supplied by removed to lock the heads for
with DOS 3.0 or higher; AGA . (Disks are shipped for­ transport. But overall, Discus
SCSI controllers also matted on side A, but you must Rewritable seemed to be a
available for IBM PC XT perform a low-level format on solid, reliable, and well-de­
and Micro Channel. side B that takes about 25 min­ signed product.
utes .) Each side can be config­ Perhaps my greatest plea­
ured as a single giant partition. sure was the sensation of space
puters. The setup and software SCSI port uses a DMA chan­ To set up partitions larger than I felt every time I saw the DOS
installation were well ex­ nel), but this problem disap­ 32 megabytes under DOS 3.0, DIR listing that said "322,
plained in the manual and peared on a more fully IBM­ however, you have to run a 830,336 bytes free." It must
turned out to be very easy. I compatible system. DOS patch provided by AGA. have felt the same way to be a
couldn't get the drive to work The drive uses 5 \4-inch (This will not be necessary in pioneer in the Old West and
on one AT clone that turned out magneto-optical disks sup­ the DOS 4.0 version, which come upon an undiscovered
to have a strange direct-mem­ plied by 3M . One disk is in­ was not yet available.) territory.
ory-access controller (the cluded with the drive, and ad­ On the downside, I found -Andy Reinhardt

Talk to Me, DOS, Talk to Me

D OSTALK from SAK

Technologies is a natu­
ral-language interface for MS­
fairly easy; an automatic in­
stallation program creates a
subdirectory called DO­
when DOST ALK would get
confused and go off on a long
search for something I hadn't
that printer?
DOSTALK does have some
nice features, like the ability
DOS-based computers. In­ SPEAK and copies several intended. For example, if you to undo the last command.
stead of having to type in such files from your DOS directory want to use a plain old DOS And ifyou ask ittoerase an en­
cryptic commands as COPY into it. The next time you re­ command, you have to type a$ tire subdirectory, it will ask
C:\ARTICLES\ *.DOC C: boot, DOSTALKwillbeavail­ first. I once typed DIRT*.* you if you want to erase the
\BACKUP, you simply enter ableany time youpressF2. without the$, and DOSTALK files in it first. DOS just tells
the phrase "copy all the files DOSTALK does all the asked "What should I do with you that it's an "Invalid path,
in the Articles directory that easy things: list filenames, the T*. *directory?" I replied not a directory, or directory
have the extension Doc to the copy files, and so on. I won­ "show them," and DOSTALK not empty."
Backup directory" (capitaliz­ dered, though, how it would answered "Files T*. * NOT One obvious omission from
ing only the names offiles and do with fancier commands. FOUND," even though there DOSTALK, though, is an on­
directories.) DOSTALK then Plain old DOS lets you invoke were files in that subdirectory line help facility . Any pro­
translates that into the correct "switches" at the end of many that began with T. DOST ALK gram (especially one that will
DOS commands and executes commands to provide added then proceeded to go looking be used by novices) that
them. features . for all the files on my hard disk doesn't respond to a help cry
Installing DOSTALK is When I said "show Article­ that began with the letter T-a with some kind ofresponsede­
. doc one screen at a time," long list, and one that I didn't serves to go back to the shop.
THE FACTS DOSTALK correctly invoked need to see. Unfortunately, Who needs DOSTALK?
the MORE option of TYPE. DOSTALK doesn't let you in­ Certainly not someone who
DOSTALK "All right," I thought. 'Tm terrupt once it has started on a has been using a DOS machine
$129 .95 impressed." long trek. (Sometimes, how­ for any length of time. Once
Unfortunately, DOSTALK ever, you can hit Control-C to you 've learned the basic syn­
Requirements: then managed to mess up what abort an action .) tax, you can probably make
IBM PC with 300K bytes I consider a fairly easy re­ Yet another time, I asked DOS do what you want­
of RAM and DOS 2.1 quest: When I typed "show all DOSTALK to "print the faster, easier, and more flexi­
or higher. the files that end in Doc," names of the files," to which it bly than with DOSTALK .
DOSTALK replied "Subdir­ replied "Name of list device People with absolutely no DOS
SAK Technologies, Inc. ectory Doc NOT FOUND." [PRN] :. " How many novices experience might find DOS­
1600 North Oak St. Not until I asked it to show the are going to know the correct TALK useful, but they'll prob­
Suite 931W files that end with a Doc exten­ response, LPTI ? It then pro­ ably need help from a DOS user
Arlington, VA 22209 sion did I get what I wanted. ceeded to print the full text of to set it up. Even beginners
(703) 522-6425
This is supposed to be plain the files, rather than the direc­ will probably feel constrained
Inquiry 1048.
English? tory list that I wanted. Urk! by DOST ALK after a while.
There were other times Where's the power switch on -Ken Sheldon •
104 B Y T E • APRIL 1989
s 0 T w A R E s E c u R T y

WHETHER
REPORI
Whether you're a software developer writing new applications for
•Runs under DOS, OS/2
and Xenix •Algorithm
technique (Never a fixed
response) •External
parallel port installation
•Minimal implementation
Sentine!Pro TM

effort •Higher level lan­

the IBM or Mac, or a PC user securing proprietary data files, guage interfaces included
• 100 times faster than fixed­
software and data protection has never had a brighter silver response devices (1 ms)
•ASIC design for reliability
lining. For a number of very good reasons.

Beginning with the 'whether-expert' Rainbow Technologies. •Protects multiple packages Senfinef-CTM
with one device •)26 bytes
And ending with its Software Sentinel family of hardware keys. ofnon-volatile memory pro­
Starring five models that fit virtually any software program or grammed before shipment
of the software •Rainbow
data file you need to protect. supplies a unique adapter
for programming the unit
•Higher level language
interfaces included •Runs
There's the best-selling SentinelPro for the IBM PC/XT/AT, PS/2 under DOS, OS/2 and Xenix
• External par all el port
and compatibles, and even the Atari ST. Known worldwide for its installation
virtually unbreakable security. And its ASIC technology. And its
invisible operation. A close relation, he Sentinel-C stands at-the­
ready for custom configurations and multiple software packages. •For the Macintosh SE and Eve TM
Il •Complies with Apple
Desktop Bus Interface
requirements •Rainbow­
In the Apple market, security-minded Mac software developers assigned developer pass­
words to prevent tampering
turn to Eve. For completely transparent opera'tion and world­ by other developers or
sophisticated "hackers" • 7
dass security of the protected software. Just by plugging Eve into locks per key, usable indi­
vidually or in combination,
the Mac ADB connector. on one or up to seven appli­
cations

wanting a low cost, user-friendly solution to the prob­

lem of se uring sensitive data can call on the DataSentry. Using
• Completely user-installabl.e
a proprieta Rainbow algorithm or DES, the DataSentry •Pocket-sized external
device • Menu-drib:m, user­
encrypts data nles on individual PCs, protects modem transmis­ friendly interface• Single,,or
sions and secures data on local area networks. multi-user security svstem
•Audit trail, log-on identi­
fiers and automatic encryp­
tionldecryption_p f entire
Rainbow's latest protection strategy is the SentinelShell-that directories • Secures data
transmitted by modems
lets users place a 'shell' around existing, off-the-shelf programs. •Prevents recovery of data
by utility pro!!rams
Because access can be limited to those issued a key, libraries,
universities and corporations can very simply guard their
software investments. SentinelShelf TM
•Rum; µnder DOS on IBM
Whatever y.our. whether, RainBow Technologies has the software PCs and compatibles
• Protkcts without requiring
and data protection products tha make the difference. For more access to the source code
•Completely transparent to
information, call 714-261-0228 in the U.S., or contact Rainbow the end user• User-friendly
software •Pocket-size key
Technologies Ltd. in the United Ki gdom for the distributor attaches quickly to any
standard PC parallel port
nearest you. Whethercasters are stani:ling by. •ASIC design for reliability

RAINBOW TECHNOLOGIES
18011-A Mitchell South, Irvine, CA 92714 • (714) 261-0228 • TELEX: 386078 • FAX : (714) 261-0260
Rainbow Technologies, Ltd., Shirley Lodge, 470 London Rd., Slough, Berkshire, SL3 8QY, U.K., Tel: 0753-41512, Fax:0753-43610
Cl 1989 Rain bow Technologies. All product names are trademarks of their respective manufacturers.

Circle 313 on Reader Service Card (DEALERS: 314)

 CO VER STORY
FIRST IMPRESSIONS • Steve Apiki

32.5 MHz
and Climbing
Rated for 33 MHz card, and a keyboard. The fully loaded
evaluation unit weighed 70 pounds. It
on the motherboard; when 4-megabyte
components are released, the board will
was mounted in an optional tower case take not 32, but 16 megabytes-a system
and running at 32.5 MHz, that stands a good 6 inches taller than a board limit imposed by the BIOS. An ad­
PS/2 Model 80. With hard disk drive, ditional 24 megabytes can be added via
SIA's 386/32 defines tape drive, and coprocessor, the unit lists
for $19,830.
the single 32-bit 110 slot, but, in any
case, the upper addressable limit is 32
Chief among these integrated subsys­ megabytes.
anew speed plateau tems is a motherboard built to handle The processor itself is a 25-MHz Intel
32.5-MHz operation. The 30 percent in­ 80386 that has been tested for operation
crease in frequency from the last genera­ at 33 MHz by SIA. Both the 25-MHz
tion means that physical problems, like Intel 80387 and Weitek 3167 coproces­
stray capacitance and transmission line sors are supported.
effects, become more acute, requiring The greatest difficulty in running a
careful board layout. Also critical to a device beyond its listed rating is chip
ust over a year ago, 20-MHz 80386 good design is a memory subsystem that heating, as heat generation increases

J systems left us slack-jawed by the

sheer power they delivered. A few
months later, a clutch of 25-MHz
machines provoked a similar reaction.
Now, Systems Integration Associates
won't bottleneck the processor.
To keep up with 32.5-MHz operation,
a conventional design would require 30­
n an ose cond static RAM. SIA gets
around the prohibitively expensive solu­
with clock speed. To keep things cool,
SIA has mounted a cross-flow blower
just above the processor and coprocessor
socket, which, the company claims,
keeps the chip case very close to ambient
(SIA) has begun shipping its 386/32, the tion of implementing the entire main temperature. The CPU is also mounted
first PC-compatible machine running on memory in 30-ns SRAM by using a 64K­ slightly elevated (3/32 inch) from the
a 32.5-MHz clock-a unit that sets a new byte, direct-mapped, 20-ns SRAM socket, allowing air to flow underneath
standard in microprocessor speed. cache. SIA claims zero-wait-state opera­ as well. I checked temperature differ­
Chicago-based SIA managed to scoop tion and an 81 percent hit rate for the ences with a digital thermometer. The
the Compaqs and Advanced Logic Re­ write-through cache, operated by a dis­ chip case got as high as l l°F above ambi­
search machines by putting together a crete logic controller. In a direct-mapped ent (i.e., 86 degrees) but never showed
system board designed for 32 MHz with design, each memory access involves any adverse reaction to the heat.
an Intel chip rated for 25 MHz and some comparing a tag (which specifies blocks SIA plans to offer early buyers of the
additional hardware to keep things run­ within the cache) with part of the re­ 386/32 an upgrade to the 33-MHz CPU
ning smoothly. At the heart ofthe system quested address. The system uses faster once Intel makes it available. The swap
is a high-speed cached memory design 15-ns SRAM to store the frequently used will cost those users a maximum of $500
and cooling equipment dedicated to cache tags, further enhancing perfor­ with the return of the 25-MHz chip. SIA
keeping chips close to their rated tem­ mance. Up to 16 megabytes of main had not determined the exact upgrade
perature while running above their rated memory can be cached; accessing any charge at this writing.
clock speed. memory installed beyond this limit will Except for the high-speed modifica­
slow the system considerably. tions, the board looks like any number of
Integration by Parts The main memory is made up of rela­ 25-MHz 80386 motherboards currently
While not a from-the-ground-up manu­ tively fast 70-ns DRAMs. Four banks available (see photo 1). It also interfaces
facturer Iike some of the bigger names in for dual in-line package memory are just as easily, because the one 8-bit and
the industry, SIA has assembled an im­ available on the motherboard, along with six 16-bit 110 slots can run at a compat­
pressive machine by combining a good 4 single in-line memory module slots. ible bus speed of 8 MHz. The BIOS, de­
collection of subassemblies and adding a DIP sockets are compatible with both signed by American Megatrends Interna­
few touches of its own to cover up the 256K-byte and the larger I-megabyte tional (AMI), includes ROM-based setup
seams. The basic system, which lists for DRAM chips. SIA claims that both and diagnostics and allows video BIOS
$13, 100, includes the system board SIMM and DIP sockets will be compat­ relocation. I found that video BIOS relo­
stuffed with 4 megabytes of RAM, a ible with the not-yet-released 4-megabyte cation meant a threefold performance in­
case, a 200-watt power supply, a hard versions of each package. With I-mega­ crease in some graphics functions, but it
disk drive controller, a serial/parallel byte parts, you can get up to 8 megabytes continued

106 BYTE • APRIL 1989

 COVER STORY

PHOTOGRAPH: PAUL AVIS© 1989

APRIL 1989 • BYTE 107
 COVER STORY
32.5 MHZ AND CLIMBING

Table 1: Benchmark results ofa comparison between the SIA 386132 and the ALR FlexCache 25386. For indexes only,
higher numbers ref lect better performance.

CPU SIA ALR DISKllO SIA ALR VIDEO SIA ALR

Matrix 2 .10 2.60 Hard Seek 2 Text
String Move Outer track 3.33 1.64 Text average 3.21 4.60
Byte-wide 15.54 16.20 Inner track 3.31 3.33 Graphics
Wcrd-wide: Half platter 6.65 6.67 Graphics average 1.96 1.94
Odd­bnd. 17.78 21.97 Full platter 9.10 8.35
Even-bnd. 7.78 8.13 Average 5.60 5.00 D Index: 3.06 2.57
Doublewcrd-wide: DOS Seek
Odd-bnd. 13 .14 15.93 1-sector 10.23 6.93
Even-bnd. 3.87 4.03 32-sector 18.77 15.35 Application Indexes
Sieve 11.02 14.02 FllellO• Word processing 4.41 4.41
Sort 8.26 10.50 Seek 0.04 0.06 Spreadsheet 4.07 4.13
Read 0.85 0.49 Database 2.02 2.83
D Index: 5.99 5.07 Write 0.76 0.78 Scientific/
1-megabyte Engineering 6.24 5.80
Write 2.89 2.91 Compiler 3.94 4.08
FLOATING-POINT Read 4.28 2.92
D Index: 20.67 21.24
Math 3.79 4.90
Error' O.OOE+OO O.OOE+OO D Index: 2.36 2.74
Slne(x) 1.23 1.54
Error 2.00E-09 2.00E-09 All times are in seconds. Figures were generated using the 8088/8086 and 80386 versions ( 1.1) al Small·C .
e• 1.20 1.81
1 The errors for Floating Point indicate the difference between expected and actual values, correct to 10 digits or
Error 1.00E-09 1.00E-09 rounded to 2 digits.

D Index: 14.20 10.55 'Times reported by the Hard Seek and DOS Seek are for multiple seek operations (number ot seeks performed
currently set to 100).

3 Read and write times for File 1/0 are in seconds per 64K bytes.

Photo 1: The SIA 386132 's interior. The most striking departure f roni conventional systems is the presence ofa dedicated CPU
fan (CPU is mounted behind fan).

108 BYTE • APRIL 1989

 COVER STORY
32.S MHZ AND CLIMBING
1 Exxon
2 General Motors
3 Mobil
4 Ford Motor
will cost you 256K bytes in RAM above
640K bytes. The BIOS also allows you to Processor s IBM

toggle between 32.5- and 8-MHz CPU 6 Texaco

speed and to enable or disable caching speed is not
7 E.I. du Pont
with a hot-key sequence. 8 Standard Oil (Ind .)
The disk subsystem, of course, often an end-all measure
9 Standard Oil of Cal.
causes a bottleneck when combined with 10 General Electric
a high-performance CPU. SIA went a ofperformance.
11 Gulf Oil
long way toward solving that problem by
12 Atlantic Richfield
providing an ESDI controller as part of
the standard system. The controller, an 13 Shell Oil
Adaptec ACB-2322, supports two hard 14 Occidental Petroleum
disk drives and two floppy disk drives. was outperformed by ALR 's similar 1S U.S. Steel
With a data transfer rate of 900K bytes ESDI unit. While write operations and 16 Phillips Petroleum
per second, the controller is well seek times are roughly equivalent, the
matched with the rest of the system. The SIA 's disk-read scores are poor.
unit I looked at included a very quick
(16.5-millisecond rated access) 150­
I tested the 386/32 using the video
shadow-RAM feature, which made 27
megabyte Control Data hard disk drive
(which is not part of the standard config­
uration), adding to the system's impres­
graphics operations fly . ALR's 16-bit
VGA adapter had outstanding graphics
speed, which proved unreachable for the
million
sive specs.
The unit also included a I SO-megabyte
SIA 8-bit card, but the SIA came out with
a higher overall score. Americans

tape backup system, two floppy disk

drives, an 8-bit VGA controller, and an
analog monitor. The monitor display is
These minor shortcomings in disk and
graphics performance significantly
hampered the 386/32's application per­
can't read.

crisp, and the keyboard has an excellent

feel. Unfortunately, the system unit in­
formance, and the overall application
index is actually slightly lower than the And guess .

terferes with the monitor when they are

close together, and the standard monitor
cable is quite short. The unit is FCC
25-MHz FlexCache's. Disk-intensive
database operations were disappointing­
ly slow.
who pays

Class A-approved for business but not

home use.
High speed can mean software incom­
patibility if floppy disk drives run too
fast, but that wasn't the case with the
the price.

Proof in Performance 386/32. The system had no problems Every year, functional
I test-drove the SIA 386/32 with BYTE's with copy-protected Lotus 1-2-3, an ap­ illiteracy costs American
standard benchmark suite. Not surpris­ plication that usually weeds out systems
ingly, the system set new performance with incompatible floppy disk speeds.
business billions.
records in most of the tests (see table 1). But your company can
That word most is of critical importance; Final Thoughts
fight back ... by joining
what's interesting is that this 32-MHz The SIA 386/32 promises excellent pro­
your local community's
system could not quite out-distance the cessing speed, and its high clock rate and
fight against illiteracy.
entire the 25-MHz pack. For the purpose cached memory design deliver. With the
Call the Coalition for
of comparison, table I lists the SIA aid of the interior blower, the 25-MHz­
Literacy at toll-free
.386/32's benchmark numbers next to rated chips run without difficulty. When
1-800-228-8813 and find
those for ALR's 25-MHz FlexCache. armed with a high-speed coprocessor,
out how.
The low-level CPU and FPU bench­ there probably isn't a faster PC-compat­

You may find it's the

marks reveal the kind of performance ible number cruncher available today.

you'd expect-the SIA is consistently Processor speed is not, however, an greatest cost-saving
faster than the FlexCache. While the end-all measure of performance, and measure your company
times vary slightly from test to test, the number crunching is not a computer's has ever taken.
SIA's overall CPU index shows a perfor­ only function. Some of the peripheral
mance increase' over the FlexCache of
about 18 percent. FPU performance in­
components could not keep up with the
CPU, and application performance suf­
Aliterate
crease is about 35 percent. These num­ fered. These units can be replaced and America is a
bers are impressive indeed, considering
ALR's 386/25 was the fastest unit we'd
indeed are not even part of the basic sys­
tem . Replacements are unlikely to save
good investment.
tested until now, but the relative CPU money-this top-shelf system requires
performance doesn't quite measure up to top-shelf parts; it's hard to imagine a
the 30 percent difference in CPU clock 386/32 that fully exploits its system
speed. board power for under $17 ,000. • f!WI 0
Disk speed was good, and the Adap­
tec/Control Data ESDI combination cer­ Steve Apiki is a testing editor for the
~~ C~alition for Literacy
tainly did not result in any noticeable BYTE Lab. He can be reached on BIX as

waits. Unfortunately, the disk subsystem "apiki."

APRIL 1989 • BYTE 109

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COMPUTING AT CHAOS MANOR • Jerry Pournelle

~
~ LANGUAGE SOJOURN

one I worked on last year. Since I use real ing contradictory tales about that lan­
Jerry explores the projects to learn, get used to, and evalu­ guage. One group says it was designed by
highways and byways ate other programs and products, I was a committee and shows it: there are too
more than once tempted to abandon many features, so that the resulting lan­
of programming BASIC and work with another-and pre­ guage is too big and too slow and just not
choices sumably more modern-language. useful for practical programming.
There were a number of contenders. A second group says that's all non­
I'm still fond of Modula-2. Logitech 's sense: Ada is a splendid language, no
Modula-2 system has an excellent debug­ more complex than many others, espe­
t won'tbe finished here, but I'm be­ ger and a good working environment for cially if you don't use some of the special

I ginning this column on the island of

Molokai. To be exact, I'm at the
Kaluakoi Resort, which is on the
northwest corner of the island. Like most
people, the only thing I knew about Mo­
PCompatibles. Workman & Associates
has FTL Modula-2 for both PCompati­
bles and the Atari ST, so I'd have at least
that much portability for the code. There
are many good libraries of program mod­
features. They say the RR Software Ada
Compiler for PCompatibles is plenty
good enough for production work, and it
produces code that's competitive in
speed and size with any other language's
lokai-which is written locally Moloka'i ules that go a long way toward overcom­ output. After all, RR's Compiler is writ­
and pronounced Molokay-aye-is that ing Modula-2's rather primitive 110 and ten in Ada and compiles itself nicely.
there is a leper colony here, but you're string-handling capabilities. It would be instructive to find out
supposed to say Hansen's disease. Another possibility would be Bor­ which group is right.
Actually, while there is a hospital land's Turbo Pascal 5.0; certainly that There are certainly differences in phi­
community on the Kaluapapa Peninsula would be hard to beat for sheer popular­ losophy between Ada and Modula-2. For
and some of the former residents live ity, and the new Borland Turbo Debug­ one thing, Ada incorporates exception
there, the isolation of Hansen's disease ger is neat and fairly easy to learn. One­ handling, something that's anathema to
patients-begun here by decree of King perhaps the main-reason Modula-2 Modula-2' s designer N iklaus Wirth
Kamehameha V in 1865-hasn't been hasn't caught on as fast as I thought it ("anyone who needs exception handling
the law for years, since Hansen's disease would is that Turbo Pascal 5.0 incorpo­ just doesn't know how to program").
is now completely controllable. rates many ofModula-2's major features The designers of Ada, on the other hand,
I'm here for the conference on Grand while remaining easy to learn. It also wanted a programming language that
Challenges to Computational Science, compiles like lightning. would write code to handle real-time
where I'll be the dinner speaker. I also Finally, Turbo Pascal has become events, and not all of those can be pre­
expect to learn a lot about the future of popular enough that literally dozens of dicted; they thought they had to have ca­
supercomputing. More on that later. programmers have developed packages pabilities to handle problems no one had
of thoroughly tested and debugged sub­ foreseen, since Ada was to be used for all
Languages Reconsidered
routines you can incorporate into your Department of Defense programming.
Before I left, I did a lot of work on Mrs.
programs; it's not necessary to inventthe On the other hand, Ada has modular­
Pournelle's Reading Program. This was
wheel each time. For example, Robert ity and variable hiding like Modula-2,
originally begun by Bruce Tonkin in
Jourdain's Turbo Pascal Express (Brady and in fact there's more similarities than
Microsoft BASICA. Tonkin writes many
Computer Books, 1988) comes with a differences between the languages.
of his programs for TNT Software in BA­
whole slew of useful assembly language They're both nearly self-commenting,
SICA and sells some amazing products,
routines. You can also get the Peabody too. Certainly they resemble each other
complete with source code, at quite rea­
on-line help utility to make learning and more than either one resembles BASIC or
sonable prices.
using Turbo Pascal even easier. FORTRAN. I haven't had enough expe­
Then about a year ago, I began con­ rience with Ada to get any real feel for it,
verting the Reading Program into Com­ Something Completely Different ... but from what Ada code I've read, it
piled BASIC. I tried Borland's Turbo Of course, I already more or less know wouldn't be that hard to learn Ada and
Basic, then I tried Microsoft QuickBA­ Pascal, Modula-2, and QuickBASIC. get used to working with it.
SIC 3.0, and I went from there to Quick­ For awhile there, I toyed with the idea of Another possibility would be Turbo
BASIC 4.0. using this project as an opportunity to Prolog. Mrs. Pournelle's Reading Pro­
I don't get to do a lotofprogramming. learn something entirely new. gram presents lessons and elicits re­
This project was certainly the biggest One choice would be Ada. I keep hear­ continued

APRIL 1989 • BYTE 111

 CHAOS MANOR

sponses. Then it evaluates the response chief among them are that QuickBASIC more than adequate for programming
and does something appropriate, like now has all the data structures and algo­ while traveling, there is a limit to the
show a graphics reward, play a tune, go rithms of any other procedural lan­ amount of paperwork and documentation
guage-and I already know the BASIC
back to review the lesson, or present new I can haul around. Hotel rooms are not an
syntax. With all the others, including
material. Since this is all done according ideal place for learning new languages.
to logical rules, it seems to me that Pro­
Turbo Pascal 5. 0, I'd have to do some re­ Thus, I stayed with QuickBASIC, de­
log would be a very appropriate languagelearning and lose old habits . spite its bugs; and bugs it does have.
to work in. We expect to develop a whole I'd also have to translate about 20,000 One ofthe most annoying bugs showed
family of educational programs once the lines ofcode. That's not necessarily bad. up only when I ran the compiled Reading
Reading Program is finished, and using I have to recode about half the program Program on a fast 80386 machine that
Prolog could make that easier. anyway, since it was originally written had an 80387 chip in it. The interpreted
Finally, there's Trilogy, a new lan­by several people who didn't use the kind version-one of QuickBASIC ' s most at­
guage that combines many of the proce­ of top-down programming structure I tractive features is its ability to run in in­
dural features of Pascal with the logical
like. Still, it's easier to recode from terpreted mode so that you can do a lot of
operations of Prolog. I haven't had a BASICA to QuickBASIC than it is first to interactive debugging-ran fine on my
chance to learn Trilogy thoroughly, but learn Prolog or Trilogy, then to figure Big Cheetah 80386/80387. The code
from the little experience I've had without how to organize the program along compiled fine. It ran fine on the Kaypro
it, I suspect it has great potential for both
logical rather than procedural lines. 386i with an 80287 math chip; but when I
experimental and production work. It's Actually, even that's not necessarily ran the compiled code on Big Cheetah, I
very fast, and it's actually easier to learn
true. Given a solid block of time to sit got overflow errors in converting stored
than Prnlog; I've been quite favorably down and work on the program, I still graphics images. It wasn't a problem
impressed, and indeed, if! were going tothink I'd be better off starting over, with Big Cheetah, because we got those
change languages, Trilogy would be a probably with Trilogy; but the trouble is, same errors on a Compaq Deskpro 386
very strong contender. I don 't have a solid block of time. I never with an 80387. There was something
get a chance to just sit down and program wrong with Microsoft's code generator.
It's Still QuickBASIC
for several days. I've been working on Fortunately, that bug and a number of
After all the thought about new lan­
Mrs. Pournelle's Reading Program in others were fixed when Microsoft
guages, I finally stayed with QuickBA­
fits and starts, often while on the road; brought out QuickBASIC 4.5. For rea­
SIC. There were several reasons, but
and while the Zenith SupersPort 286 is sons I don't understand, Microsoft did
not inform all the registered QuickBA­
SIC 4.0 owners of the 4.5 update; that is,
p.ooE.0 they notonlydidn'ttell me (and I do send
sf'E.c1P.I- NOW OCR
in registration cards, even for review
SOFTWARE software), but they didn't tell a number
AVAILABLE of my readers who have written to me
Conve rts scanned images about it. So, if you have QuickBASIC
from scanner into ASCJJ text
for use with word processors,
4.0, be sure to get it upgraded.
data bases. etc. Version 4.5 also has some bugs-I can
Reg. $199.95
still manage to get run-time errors in
if purchased with

HS-3000 ONLY
compiled versions ofcode that ran fine in
the interpreted mode-but there are far
$79.95 fewer ofthem. Moreover, the documents
are better, and the programming envi­
LOGITECH ronment has been simplified. All in all,
SCANMAN version 4.5 is a distinct improvement.
• 200 dp i
• 4'' sca nning width In fact, it's enough of an improvement
• IB M. PC. XT. AT. that, while I still believe that Prolog or
PS/2 (25 & 30)
Trilogy would be better for the type of
free Q DPEr.-i
~I
program we're producing, I find Quick­
]JAL '""""""rn""'" ,,. ·~" ~'""'"" o". nolnnc.;u'l,'.u"'d1<1'1;anyuurtwitin1l,,"''"I · BASIC good enough; and in line with my
a:-- ~
Th<
~ ~~~;1 :~~=~.~~;n::',.3:cf:k~:~ ~1~c' 1.:'.:
0 nr''""-'h<1.,ttJorn:ddi'h ' kinl<ll>o:•CM1ho"'"'11l<"J

either lfanJy Scannc.,, 1lw H;urdy Sc:un.r '11.:UJ for

'*ilh<1ul lo,inJ(ddail
view that better is the enemy of good
h: IBM PC PSJ2• :uuf compatobfc• Ql1 h;in(llc al
enough, we're doing the full production
r
The lbmly S....~nnerJ!UJcunic,cumfllctc wi1hhlll·

mn•t ;i ll itic JOI>> 1h1 1k•klop nl<odd' C•n hu1 11' fealurcd. powerful ~.,(!,,.wi; fot -..::111nini:. cilifinJ(.

.. . ... •niallcr .nde;i~r11111..e ;ind mCrJ(illJ( lc•I with your J(f~phi,·l. Sa~C'\l '<';M lik•

model of Mrs. Pournelle's Reading Pro­

" "'"' "'" " '" Ill

~ cumr~lihlc wilh alnw'I ~tr ~r~phicHnflw;u~-. in·
Complete with
We l',•~C you !he fc31urC'Y°" nttd !he fllo>..t ' " " dudini: Pi1CM;iler. Vcr11ura. Wnnl'ffl«t ~JI ;itMI
HarVyS=vn.~iY:W.$.1/11" may 1Mhcl", The p~Chj(C ifl.fludc• lhc ~;inner, in. Logitech@ gram in QuickBASIC .
''uu can -""•tch 1l1c •.canner
··~
wurk oflloc- ~il',11'.C:.1 rii.clun:• · -
1crfoccc11nl.1hc tll\LOOPEJi:~UlJlpuhJi,hinJ( \oft·
w.uc pxkaJ(C 1..011h $1951. a utili1y di,kctlo: ~nit :l'I
in,uuelin n m~nu~I
"Scanware"@I
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DPI. For1ho...: rully1mr:x· Th., 11;.ndy Sun""r _\(U) ;, i link ...:in""rlh~hl,-.:•~

Software A Cautionary Tale
tan! pi<.:turu. !he Handy hu . and""'" ii'"""'' ii ~·~n l'-.:utr.
Sonnc-r .lUJOlct\) ou ~vc iu.11wi1h40Cl OP1~·.oJu.
unn Til<tt•Himcsc:rttndi<playlct>!'lllin•l &ntly
QuickBASIC 4.5 has modularity and
"C'CY•M•r""an. !o())'n canquicklymakc..canl\Cra<I·
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your operating system (DOS) allows; OS/2 version coming
soon. I CSS precision exceeds the standards of all common
precision benchmarks. I 1echnical note: The CSS user
inlajace and all !JO were written in &semhler and /r!!JX1SS
DOS; graphics and data management were written in
Assembler and C; the computational algorithms were
writr.en in Assembler and optimized Fortran. I $495 (plus
$5 sh/h); 14-day money back guarantee.
Circle 265 on Reader Service Card

HstatSoft

2325East13thStreet • Tulsa, OK 74104 • (918) 583·4149

Fax: (918) 583·4376
Overseas Offices: StatSoft of Europe (Hamburg, FRG), ph: 040/4200347, StatSolt UK (London, UK), ph: 0438/310056 or 316561, StatSoft Pacific (Melbourne, Australia), ph: 613-663-6580
Available From: Egghead Discount Software, Corporate Software and other Distributors Worldwide
 c;m, 2u" &ad""""' Cant ~

i 11 ti QttlifJ tJAl\' h' Iij l $~ I (IJ

W helps save time, money, and cut frustrations. Compare, evaluate, and find products.
u CHAOS MANOR

See you in New Discover11

San Francisco! QuickC 2.0
by Microsofl. Ft'alur l!s fash!r {2<ixl incrcmcnlal compilalion and linking.
Software Developer's Conference intl!gralcd asscmblcr. c>Clensivc hypt>rliixl·basccJ on·linc help . Support

Booth #103. Feb. 14:17

(;1~1 A/~~A/vG~(/l'J~1r~ut'.~~):P;~: 1~in in1t:~rat1!d 1!nvironn1$;:~j functions into new programs. Provided
that you really did have things properly
Assemblers Debuggers debugged, you'll never have to fool with
Li si Ours List Ours your old code again. When it comes time
MS Macro Asm 150 105 Periscope II · breakout switch 175 l:l9
Turbo Assembler/Debugger 150 115 Periscope Ill · 10 MHz version 1395 1119 to compile a program that incorporates
Visible Computer 80286 100 89 Sourcer 100 89 your precompiled procedures, first com­
C Language • Compilers Editors pile the new parts, then tell the Linker
AZTEC C86 · Commercial 499 Call BRIEF 195 Call where to find the proper library.
High C-286 · by MetaWare 595 Call COMPEDITOR 175 165
Instant C/16M 795 699 Edix 195 159 This is one of QuickBASIC 4.5's more
Lattice C · V3.4 450 289 Epsilon · like EMACS 195 159
Microsoft C 5.1 - w/CodeView 450 299 KEDIT · like XEDIT. V.4 150 125 attractive features. The general notion is
Microsoft QuickC 2.0 99 69 Personal Rexx 125 109 that when you write a program, you
Turbo C · by Borland 150 115 MKS VI 149 129
Turbo C Professional 250 179 Pl Editor 195 159 ought to write it such that much of the
Watcom C6.5 · highly optimized 295 Call SPF/PC · V2 .0 245 189
Vedit Plus 185 129 code can be used again in other pro­
Dbase & Tools grams. This saves a lot of work and lets
Buawords Toolboxes 295 249 Text Screen Addons
CLEAR+ for dBASE 200 159 C Worthy w/ forms 295 Call you get new programs going faster.
Clipper Summer '87 695 449 C.scape 399 379 There's one problem. The Microsoft
dBASE IV 795 529 Curses · by Aspe n Scientific 119 109
Dbase On line 99 89 with source 289 275 program to build libraries isn't espe­
dBMAN V 190 179 Greenleaf DataWindows 295 2 19
dBRIEF w/BRIEF 275 Call for OS/2 395 299 cially easy to use. It's not complicated,
dBug - source debugger 195 179 Vitamin C - source. menus 225 169 but building a library of many different
Documentor 295 239 for OS/2 345 279
DBXL Interpreter 199 149 Vermont Views - replaces WFD 395 349 routines can be quite tedious; I've often
FoxBASE+ · V2.1 395 259 with source 790 659
Genifer · code generalor 395 259 Note: Men tion thi s ad. S om e prices a re specials. Ask a bout wished for a program that would make it
R&R Relational Report Writer 149 139 COD and POs. Forma ts 3" la pt op now a vaila ble, plus 200 simpler to make new libraries or change
SoftCode w/dBASE templates 80 69 othe rs. UPS surf ace shipping add $4/per normal ite m. A ll
Quicksilver Diamond 599 369 pri ces sub ject to c ha nge with out no tic e. the contents of old ones.
UI Programmer 295 239
Then I got QuickBASIC Tools from
Established 1983. We carr y over I. 100 different products. Call today for complete technical Project X Software. This looked to be the
inform ation and advice. o ur catalog, literature, and solid uafue.
;. 111'.. 1Hl1'.11klfo... 1 answer to my prayers . Not only did the
l\111!1h,.i11 . MA llllM:I
product include a library-construction
800-421-8006
M."' lll1U1Mt1Ul7!1 llOl!llS ,
orhl7N02'> !0l .'i') MI' .'i :Ill 8.INI
T1•k·~ . h7l ;,;:'1.-; S,11, HUN! l\ .CICI program, it also had a whole bunch of
l"AX 74'' llll.'i
precompiled and presumably debugged
procedures and functions that I could in­
corporate into my QuickBASIC pro­
gram. There were over a hundred of
NEW these subprograms, and nearly every one
of them appeared useful.
VERSION 5.0 There were routines to check on the
existence of a file. Routines to get and
change the date of a file. Routines to
open dialog boxes and get responses.
Routines to get characters from the key­
board and check to see if those charac­
For IBM ® PC's, XT's, AT's and other DOS machines. Needs only 1 disk ters were in a previously specified set (so
drive and 128K memory. This is the one you've heard so much about - with
fas t compi le times, small object code modules, not copy protected, no that you can, for instance, demand that
royalties, and clear error messages. Version 5.0 is based upon ANSI · 7 4 the user enter either Y, y, N, n, Q, or q,
standards with new dynamite features including: and the routine will ignore any other in­
• Nested !F's and nested conditions. put). Routines to open, close, rename,
• Indexed file s (!SAM) with up to 24 keys (includes START verb). This
advanced feature requires the software package Btrieve® which is
and copy files. Routines to make differ­
optionally available. ent beeps and chirps. Routines to manip­
• ACCEPT (line, column) numerics with decimal point alignment, numeric ulate dates and return day of year or
checking, AUTO-SKIP, SE CURITY, LENGTH -CHE CK, EMPTY-CHECK, ATTRIBUTE (color), FROM ES­ Julian day, or reformat the date from
CAPE KEY, DAY, DATE, TIME, DAY-OF-WEEK.
•Fast memory mapped DISPLAY's (line, column) ERASE, BEEP, ATTRIBUTE (color). Can display
U.S . to European style.
entire screen with one DISPLAY statement.
All of these are available as callable
• Windowing, pop-ups, color and overlays. This advanced feature requires the software package
subprograms or functions. No need to
Saywhat?!™ which is optionally available.
write your own: simply use the library
• An easy to use, COBOL source code EDITOR with auto line numbering, A-margin, B-margin tabing with

full screen cursor control.

manager to choose the routines you want,
Also available: Utah SuperSort®, a fast sort program callable from Utah COBOL; Utah FORTRAN; Utah
and let that manager program not only
BASIC; Utah PASCAL; Utah PILOT. Used by 50,000 professionals, students and teachers in 40 countries.
build you a library containing only what
30-day money back guarantee. Discover the ease and simp licity of COBOL, today!
you want, but also build you an include
file of the proper DECLARATIONS.
Phone order rushed ~ ct Since
ls::x:zJ Ellis1977
Computing, Inc. Some of the functions duplicated stuff
I'd already written, but they looked to be
by UPS 2nd Day Air: ~ 5655 Riggins Court, Suite 1O more compact. Others were things I'd
(702) 827-3030 ... Reno, Nevada 89502 wanted to include in the program but
IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines, Inc. Btrieve is a registered trademark of Novell, Inc. either hadn't gotten around to or had re­
Saywhat ?! is a trademark of Th e Research Group. SuperSort is a registered tr ademark of Micropro International Corporation. luctantly decided I wouldn't have time to
Utah COBOL is a trademark of Ellis Computing, Inc. ID 1987 Ellis Compu ting, Inc.
continued

114 BYTE • APRIL 1989 Circle 87 on Reader Ser~ice Card

 CHAOS MANOR

write myself. Consequently, QuickBA­ tested. So, not long before Christmas, I new function and looks to see if it calls
SIC Tools looked to be exactly what I'd sat down to build myself a library with a something not already on the library list.
been needing for a long time. dozen of the most useful tools. While I I could see how that feature alone could
(Unfortun<'.tely, after this column was was at it, I'd also use the Iibrary manager save me a lot oftime.
written, Project X Software went out of to link in a couple of general-purpose Eventually, the library manager fin­
business. QuickBASIC Tools is no longer functions I'd written myself. ished. Rather eagerly-this looked like it
available.) The library manager trundled away was going to make it much easier to fin­
for a while. I could understand why it ish up Mrs. Pournelle's Reading Pro­
First Problems took a while. According to Project X, the gram-I invoked QuickBASIC in a way
Of course, I had a rather old (six months library manager examines each library that included the resulting Quick library.
or so) copy ofQuickBASIC Tools, but so function to see if that one calls some (When you build libraries for QuickBA­
what? It was supposed to be thoroughly other function; if it does, it includes that SIC 4.5, two are constructed, a regular
LIB that's linked into your compiled
code, and a Quick library that you use
when running QuickBASIC 4.5 in the in­
terpreted mode .) Then, without using

and compare our quali_!y and prices!

STOP
any of the new functions, I started up my
program. I didn't anticipate any prob­
lems. After all, it ran fine the last time
I'd used it.
It wouldn't run. There were "unre­
solved external calls," meaning that the
Owr 5f~lct cMf 1Fveir OrfWviJ: .. program was looking for functions that
were not in its library.
I rather angrily called Project X and
42+ Meg 12 MHz 286 got the president (and chief program­
EGA Color System $1850 mer) . I explained who I was. He ex­
•Samsung 14" EGA Color Monitor plained first that I had a "very old" copy
• 12 MHz PC·AT Computer of their product; and second, that they
• Baby AT Case with Key Lock, Turbo, Power and
Hard Drive LEDs had just learned that when Microsoft
• Everex Enhanced Auto Switch EGA Card 640 x 480 changed from version 4.0 to version 4.5,
• lnte 80286 CPU
• Multi·speed 6/8/10/12 MHz they made a number of internal undocu­
• Keytronics 1O1 Enhanced Keyboard mented changes in the program. In par­
• 640k Memory Expandable to 1 Meg
• 200 Wall Power Supply ticular, they changed the names of some
•Seagate Model ST2S1 42+ Meg Hard Disk Drive of the internal subroutines. Some of these
•SY." 1.2 Meg Floppy Drive
• Western Digital 2 Hard Disk and 2 Floppy Controller
were called by the Project X tools and by
with Cables the 1ibrary manager.
• Serial/Parallel & Game Port However, he said, they had just solved
• 80287 Math Co·Processor Slot 1.:1 I I l I ILLI I.J I I I I lt..LlJ!lJarJ
• Complete Operations Manual that problem, and they would send me,
• One Year Warranty via Federal Express, the revised product
• Clock, Calendar & Battery Backup
Witl EGA Multisync (Analog) 800 x 560 . . ... .. $2045
that had been out for several weeks and
W1111 Monochrome+ 40 Meg (ST-2S1) .. . . . ... $1495 286 16 MHz O Wait State Running at 21.0 MHz the newest revisions that would enable it
to work with QuickBASIC 4.5. Since
42+ Meg 16 MHz 286 42+ Meg 20 MHz 386 there were no changes in the tools them­
EGA Color System $2250 EGA Color System $2995 selves, only in some internal stuff,
Same System as Above with the Following Differences: •Samsung 14" EGA Color Monitor everything should work just fine.
• Running at 21 MHz • 20 MHz 0 Wait Siale Computer
• Everex Enhanced Auto Switch EGA Card 640 x 480
• O Watt State
• 16 MHz PC-AT Computer
•AT Gase with Key Lock, Turbo, Power and Hard Drive
LEDs (Tcr.ver Gase Available)
Two Good Days
•Multi-speed 8/16 MHz •Intel 386-20 CPU (not a 386·16) The new tools came on Friday. Early
•Landmark Test of 21 MHz • Keytronics 101 .Enhanced Keyboard
• 1 Meg Memory Expandable to 8 Meg • 1 Meg Memory
Sunday morning, we were scheduled to
on the Motherboard • 220 Watt Power Supply catch the plane to Molokai. Mrs. Pour­
•EMS 4.0 • Seagate Model ST251 42+ Meg Hard Disk Drive
• SW' 1.2 Meg Floppy Drive nelle 's Reading Program was very nearly
With EGA Multisync (Analog) 800 x 560 . . . . .. $2445
With Monochrome + 40Meg (ST-2S1) ........ $1895
• Western Digital 2 Hard Disk and 2 Floppy Controller done. The only things that remained
with Cables
• Serial/Parallel & Game Ports were polishing it and adding some ad­
• Math Co-Processor Slot ministrative stuff like keeping records of
loos 3.3: $79 oos 4.o: s109 I •Complete Operations Manual
• Clock, Calendar & Battery Backup
•One Year Warranty
which students had completed what les­
•EMS 4.0
sons and a way to set the pass/fail per­
All Systems Also Available with VGA Wtth386·20 MHz EGA Multisync (Analog) BOO x560 . ... $3190

ieee, inc. -r; Order. (jdf centage for each student. I was thus eager
to get to work, so I opened the revised
version of QuickBASIC Tools the instant
17120 DALLAS PARKWAY, SUITE 2 12

DALLAS, TEXAS 75248

1 214'931 3777
1
TERMS: One year WBtT11nty (12 months perts/ 12 months labor). 30 day money·beck guarantee (excluding shipping
1
MEMBER
it arrived.
There were extensive revisions from
charge). Weaccep!Vlsa, Mal11fCard, CMscover (add 3% for credit cards), cashier'scheck, money order,wire transfer and what I had: lots of new tools and thor­
~ al checks (pel'rona1 checks, please allow 1O workirlg days l o clear). Shipping and insurance elC tra Prices and
availability subject lo change without notice. IEEE resetVes lhe right lo substitute eql.ivalent or better products. No COO's DALLAS oughly new documentation (which, alas,
accepted 15% restocking fee on unauthorized returns. IBM XT/AT are trademarks of IBM Corp. HOURS: (Central Time} 9 CHAMBER OF continued
a.m.·7 p.m. Mon.·Fr1., 9 a.m.·5 p.m. Sat. COMMERCE

116 BYTE • APRIL 1989 · Circle 133 on Reader Service Card

 CITIHN
1200 . ... . .... .. . ' . '' ' .. . . 159.00
SOFTWARE JIJTH GINllATION
PllSOJT
lze.... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 269.00
MSP 40 . .
MSP 50.
... 349.00
. . 445.00
ALDUS Fastback Plus. .. . ... 109.00 Smarterm 240. ........ ....... .. . . 209.00 IVlllX
Pagemaker 3.0 . .519.00 JOllMWOIX Referee . . . . . .. . . . . . . 45.00 EV 1800 8MHZ AT System. .. . . .. 969.00
AMlllCAN SMALL IUSINISS Formworx w/Fill & File. . .... 89.00 PITH "°ITON EV 1800 10MHZ AT 0 Wait.. .1179.00
Design Cad. . .159.00 JOX SOJTW All Norton Uti~t1'es .... . ..... . . ... 50.00 Evercom II 1200 Modem . 75.00
Design Cad 3D . . ...... .159.00 Foxbase Plus.. .199.00 Nmton Utilities Advanced . . . .... 79.00 Evercom Ill 2400 Int Modem. . .... 155.00
ASNTON TATI Foxgraph .... .. . .. . .. ... 175.00 Nmton Commander .. . ... .49.00 Magic 1/0 For AT ...... . .... . .. .59.00
Multimate 11. . . . 279.00 Foxbase Multi-user. . . . . . .299.00 PllMI SOLUTIONS RAM 3000 EMS Expansion. . . ...... 99.00
Dbase IVs. . .489.00 Foxbase Runtime Unlimited . .. 265.00 Disk Technician Advanced . .119.00 STEP 386 Computers . . . CALL
Dbase IV Developers Edition. .849.00 JUNll SOJTWAll Disk Technician Plus . ... 79.00 JIJTH GINllATION
Framework Ill . . ..... ...... 429.00 Always . . . . . 95.00 QUAID SOJTWAll Logical Connection 256K . ...... 469.00
Master Graphics . . . . . .299.00 Sideways. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . .40.00 Copywrite w/Zerodisk. . . .55.00 HAHS
ASK SAM SJSTIM GINlllC SOJTWAll QUAITllDICll Smartmodem 2400. . . ...... ...... 465.00
Ask Sam.. .179.00 Generic Cad Level 3. .55.00 Desqview 2.2. .. 75.00 Smartmodem 2400B W/Soflware . .465.00
AUTODISll Dot Plot. . . ............ . ......... 27.00 HHllNCI SOJTWAH HllCULIS
Autosketch Enhanced . . .... 65.00 Auto Convert. ... .27.00 Grammatik Ill. ...... ... 55.00 Hercules Monochrome Plus. . .189.00
IANNll ILUI Auto Dimension . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... .27.00 llllHTSOJT HIWLln PACllAID
Org Plus............. . .. .59.00
30 Solid Modeling/Rendering . . .. .179.00 Rightwriter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59.00 Laserjet II.. . ......... . .. . .1849.00
ILAISI COMPUTINe GllSON TICHNOLC>eJ SANTA CIUl OPllATION Fonts/Cartridges for Laserjet II . .. CALL
Turbo Power Tools Plus . . .. 85.00 Spinwrite . ..... . . 52.00 Xeni x 286 Operating Sys. . . ..... 469.00 INTIL
Turbo Async Manager Plus .. ....... 119.00 GOLDIN IOW Xenix 2B6 Developement Sys . . ... 405.00 Above Board Plus w/512K . .495.00
C Tools Plus . . ......... 85.00 V Feature Deluxe. .. .89.00 Xenix 386 Operating Sys. . ... 475.00 8087-3 (5MHZ) . . . . ........... .102.00
C Async Manager. . . . . . . . .119.00 V Cache . ..... . .45.00 Xenix 386 Developement Sys ....... 539.00 8087-2 (8 MHZ) . . .......... . . 139.00
ILOC DIVILOPMINT HAVINTHI SCITOI 80287 ($ MHZ) . . . .149.00
Formtool W/Greatest Hits. . . . . . 59.00 Interactive Easy Flow. . . .. .129.00 P.roject Scheduler Network 4.0. . .439.00 80827 (8 MHZ) . . .219.00
IOILAND llM SIMON a SCHUSTll 80287 (10 MHZ) . .259.00
Sprint. . . . . . ........ . . .......... 129.00 Displaywri\e IV . . ... 299.00 New World Writer II . ... . ....... 99.00 Inboard 386 PC or 386 AT . . . . 899.00
Sidekick Plus . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. 135.00 DOS 4.01. ' . . 125.00 Typing Tutor IV .. .... . . ..... 32.00 80387 (16Mhz) . . ... 389.00
Quattro . 165.00 INTUIT SOnCLONI INTllNATIONAL IA n11r
Reflex . . .. 99.00 Quicken . ' .... . 39.00 Mirror Ill .... . . .55.00 AT Replacement Battery... . . ....... 17.50
Turbo Prolog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . .. 99.00 LASllGO SOJTLC>elC SOLUTIONS AST Six Pack Battery . . ...... 3.50
Turbo Basic . . . . .... .... .. 69.00 Go Script .. .. .. . . . .. 169.00 Disk Optimizer .. ... 42.00 lllNSINGTON
Turbo C 2.0.. . .... 99.00 Go Script Plus. . .299.00 Cubit. . ... : . . .............. 42.00 Masterpiece . ..... . . . . . . 89.00
Paradox V 5.0. . . . .479.00 LAn1c1 Double DOS .. .42.00 Masterpiece Plus. .. . .... 105.00
Turbo Pascal 5.0 . . . ...... 99.00 Lattice C Compiler . ............ ... 229.00
@ Liberty . .. ..... .. . . ... 169.00 Masterpiece Remote. .115.00
Turbo Tutor. .. . .. .... 49.00 LIADING IDCll SOfTWAll MASTll LC>elTICH
IOUHAlll Word Processor Vl .5 . . . ....... .... .89.00
Flash 6... . ............. . . .. 49.00
Logimouse C7 . . . .............75.00
1 Dir Plus. . . . . . . ............ 55.00
LOTUS DIVILOPMINT SOJTWAll PUILISHING Logimouse Hi Rez. . . .99.00
HIDGIWAJ PUILISHING All Products . .. .CALL PFS First Publisher. . / .. 85.00 Logimouse C7 + Paintbrush . . . 95.00
Fasttrax ...... ........... ..... . . . . 35.00
MATHSOJT Professional Write . . . . . . .119.00 Logimouse W/Cad/Paint. ........ ... 125.00
Menu Block . . . .. 62.00 Mathcad 2.0. . .225.00 Professional File . . . . . .. ..... 179.00 Publisher Mouse . . .. 125.00
HODlllUND MICA PFS First Choice . . . . . . . . ....... 85.00 Scanman . . . . .. 199.00
Print Shop ... . .35.00 Managing Your Money 5.0. . . 135.00 Harvard Total Project Ill. .. . .. . . .. . .449.00 MICIOSOJT
Memory Mate . . . .... .. . . .45.00 MlllDIAN TICHNOLC>eJ Harvard Graphics. . . . . . . .295.00 BUS Mouse W/Paintbrush. .99.00
IUnONWAH Carbon Copy Plus. . . '115.00 STOIAGI DIMINSIONS BUS Mouse W/Windows........... 145.00
PC File + ... . ..... 45.00 MICIOlllAJX Speedster ..... . 35.00 Serial Mouse W/Paintbrush . . . . . . 99.00
PC File DB . . . . ..69.00 Designer . . 465.00 SJMANTIC Serial Mouse W/Windows... . .... 145.00
CINTIAL POINT MICIOLC>efC Timeline V3. . ...... 329.00 MICIOSPllD
Copy II PC ............. . . . 25.00 Tornado w/Library. .. 79.00 Q & A.. . . . . ... 199.00 Fast Trap Serial. ....... .......... 105.00

~gPfd~l~CD~~~~n Brd Dix .109.00

...... 39.00
Tornado .
MICIOLJTICS
. . 59.00 Grandview .
Cambridge Spreadsheet Analyst. _.... 89.00
. . 179.00 MOUSI SJSTIMS
PC Mouse Plus. . . .... 95.00
CHIONOS SOJTWAll Gofer . .42.00 TIANSIC SJSTIMS MIC NOMI ILICTIONICS
Who What When . . . .125.00 MICIOPIO Masterkey Unlock . . . 92.00 Mullisync II. ........... . . . .629.00

CHIPSOJT Word star Professional 5.0. .249.00 dAnalyst . . . . . . . . . . .... ..... 199.00 OICHID
Turbo Tax. . . . . . . .. .. 49.00 Wordstar 2000 Plus . .............. 259.00 TIAVILING SOJTWAll Pro Designer . .... . . . .. 329.00
Turbo Tax State . . .... 29.00 MICIOllM La plink Plus . .. .. 85.00 Pro Designer Plus. . . .... 439.00
Turbo Tax Professional..... . ...... 229.00 Abase for Dos ...... .... .• ........ 475.00
PANASONIC
MICIOSOJT UNISON WOILD
Turbo Tax Professional State . . ... 149.00 Printmaster Plus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32.00 KX·P10911 ... . ..... . . 209.00
CLAllS Quick C. . . 67.00 KX-P1595 . ......... 479.00
Word . . . . 225.00 Art Gallery I & II & Ill (Each) . . ... 19.00
Nutshell Plus . .219.00 Newsmaster II. . ...... ..... . ... . .. .55.00 KX -P1524 . . . ... ..... 649.00
COMPUTll ASSOCIA TIS Quickbasic . . . . .67.00 KX -10921 . .. .......• •• ..... 365.00
C Compiler. . . .299.00 WISIWAll
Supercalc V... . .. . .319.00 Prime Time. . . .. . .. 65.00 PAIADISI
Superproject Expert. ... 445.00 Fortran Compiler . . . .299.00 WOID PllJICT COIPOIATION Autoswitch 480 . . ... 199.00
ACCPAC BPI .259.00 Macro .Assembler . . . .99.00 VGA Plus. . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 295.00
Learning ODS . . . . ... 35.00 Word Perteet 5.0. . . . . . . . . . .. 239.00
Silverado . 99.00 Word Perfect Network Server. . .. .. 349.00 VGA Professional ..... . ..... ...... 509.00
CONCINTllC DATA SJSTIMS Flight Simulator . ........•.• ...... .35.00 PLUS DIVILOPMINT
Word Perfect Network Add-On . . ... 75.00
R & R Relational Report . . .... 109.00 Excel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • • • • • • . . . . 269.00 Plan Perfect. . . .. 195.00 Hardcard 20 MB . . . ..... 569.00
COii INTllNATIONAL Windows 386 . . . .129.00 Hardcard 40 MB . . . ... . . 709.00
Data Perlect. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 299.00
Corefast. ........ ..... . .
. . . . 89.00 MICIOSTUJ Word Perfect Executive. . . ... 119.00 POLAIOID
DAC Crosstalk XVI . .... . .... 99.00 Word Perteet Library. . . . ... 65.00 Polaroid Palette . . .. .1499.00
Easy Accounting 3.0 . . . .59.00 Crosstalk Mark 4 . .. 125.00 Word Perfect Office. . . ... ....... .259.00 Polaroid Palette Plus. . . .2399.00
Easy Payroll 3.0 ..... . . .59.00 MULTISOJT WOID TICH PIACTICAL PlllPHllALS
Bonus Pack 3.0. . .115.00 Super PC Kwik . . . . 69.00 . . . .. 115.00 Practical Modem 1200 Internal. . . ... 69.00
DBXL Diamond . . .... .
DATASTOIM NANTUClllT Quicksilver Diamond . . .... 345.00 Practical Modem 1200 SA. . . . .... .109.00
Procomm Plus. .49.00 Clipper . .... . .... 439.00 Practical Modem 2400 INT.. . ... 155.00
XllOX
DIJAST NIW INGLAND SOJTWAll Ventura Publisher 2.0. .. . .469.00 Practical Modem 2400 SA . . .185.00
Obfast Compiler. . . .62.00 Graph-In-The-Box . . . . 75.00 SAMSUNG
DILllNA NOITH IDCll SOJTWAll Amber Monitor.. ... .. .95.00
Perform .
DIGITAL HSIAICH
. .. 155.00 Timeslips Ill .
PAPlllACll SOJTWAH
.. 115.00
HARDWARE HAGATl TICHNOLOllJ
All Products . . . . .CALL
Gem Desktop. .
. .32.00 VP Planner. . ....... 55.00 SUMMAGIAPHICS
Gem Draw Plus .... .. .
.179.00 VP Planner Plus .. . . .129.00 AHAJ TICHNOLC>ellS (All) Summasketch 1201 Plus . .389.00
Gem 1st Word Plus. .
. .. . 119.00 PAnON. PAnON VIP VGA . ... . ... . ... . . . ..... . . . 299.00 SJIGIN
Presentation Team.
. .. .285.00 Flowcharting I Plus. .145.00 EGAWonder 800. . .259.00 Ext 51/4' Drive (Specify Model) . . . . 289.00
Desktop Publisher .
.175.00 PAUL MACI AST HSIAICH Bridge File for Ext. Dnve. . . . . . .49.00
Gem Artline. , .
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Circle 60 on Reader Service Card APRIL 1989 • BYTE 117
But they're not all switching
to the database management
system you might expect.
In a recent industry
survey,· two-thirds of the
respondents who intended
to buy a DBMS did not intend
to buy dBASE.
And, perhaps coinci­
dentally, two-thirds of recent
R:BASE®buyers have used
another DBMS before.
Why are they switching
toR:BASE?
Because nobody
really needs a DBMS: they
only need what a DBMS
can do.
And users find that
the friendly facade of other
software is fine for questions.
But R:BASE has the right
answers for their information
management needs.
With R:BASE, you
can handle all your data
management (not just queries)
without learning a single
command. Our Prompt By
Example (PBE) lets you point­
and-pick, then R:BASE does
the work.
When you find that you're repeat­ Data is data, but
ing yourself, you automate simply by record­ information is power.
ing your actions in a macro file.
Or use our application generator R:BASE gives you that power.
to quickly create complete, correct business And even impartial judges seem
programs without touching a line of pro­ to agree: PCMagazine, Sqftware Digest,
gram code. Datapro and IefoWorld all just gave
118 BYTE • APRIL 1989
R:BASE their highest marks. And networking is free for up to three
Because to its ease-of-use, users. It's also easy, so any single-user
R:BASE adds speed, functionality application can be run on a multi-user
and data integrity in a combination LAN with a single command. And our
you don't get with dBASE, Paradox, advanced concurrency control, unlike
DataEase, Oracle or any of the earlier-generation auto-refresh
other conRteB~dSeErs: . . d ~ -·~~th~~-> in otherkDB~Sks, won'thbring your
: n is optimize 1or~t ..a networ to its nees w en you
speed., with an intermediate co.de • •@ expand with. Ol.~r Six-Pa~k or
compiler that makes your apph­ Network Unlimited versions.
c~tio~s si~g. And a true com- c~c•
piler is on its way. -R.I
lapt..
"
Applications that just
, .
~~~~~~~ ~t~
based language in command INFO R:BASE is the second-largestsell-
mode, to modify programs \NDRLD ing PC DBMS in the world, and it's

R:BASE writes for you, or to backed by all the training, service

write your own solutions from scratch. and third-party support you'll ever need.
Simple menus, prompts and It's providing end-users with the
our "paint-the-screen'' techniques make information they need in large businesses
R:BASeeuvens sophisticated and small. On stand-alone PCs and in
~&'It screens, forms and networks sharing data with minis and
09
41J'lt - "'s....
reports quick and mainframes. In insurance and real estate

DO II
JO'lt
easy to create. With companies, factories and universities,
R:BASE forms, you government
can view and offices and the
update data from storefront down •
several tables at the the street. t:I

c _ __ _ _ _ ___, same time. Create Checkout ?=

computed fields. Include scrolling regions what R:BASE -
so you can work with all the data from can do for you
other tables. Add rules for data integrity. with your local
And R:BASE is relational, so your dealer, or write:
rules stay with the tables-applications Microrim, Inc.,
can't avoid or change them. And forms P. 0. Box 97022,
can be set up to cascade changes through Redmond,
related tables. So you can trust the infor­ WA 98073­
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We also give you an SQL imple­ call t-800-624-0810 today.

mentation that even novices can use to • computer & Software News, 9/5/88. Microrim and R,BASE are trademarks of Microrim, Inc. Other
create simple yet powerful queries. ©
products and services mentioned are not Microrim, Inc. 1988.

Circle 181 on Reader Service Card (DEALERS: 182) APRIL 1989 • BYTE 119
Circle 55 on Reader Service Card

CHAOS MANOR

Wonderful, thought I. First things

first: I copied the original lessons and
graphics files to the K partition of my
Priam hard disk. I already had copies on
the WORM drive, and of course Mrs.
Pournelle had copies downstairs, both on
1"' 4 megabytes of memory.
floppy disks and on the Priam hard disk
in her Kaypro 386i, so my latest copy was
1"' Extended and expanded memory. LIM 4.0.
really gilding the lily; but anyway, I did
;;::::::;;;::==:;:=-:;;:::=:::=::::;;~
1"' Works with all of your programs. it. Then I wrote a BASIC program that
~::=:;:!!:;;'.::::,-:=:=::;:::::=:;::::;~~ looked something like the following:
1"' Run DOS or OS/2 effortlessly.

1"' Fast and simple switchless installation.

FOR i% =68 TO J4 STEP -1
'="~::;::::==:=:;::::::::::::;::::~=;::
j%=i%-1
1"' Auto-configuration for all operating systems. PRINT "Copying Lesson"; i%
1"' Works in all Micro ChanneP" computers. COPY
1"' EXP.anded memory· 10 times faster than Intel. (F:\QB4\READ\LESSON.i%,
G:\READ\LESSON.j%)
1"' Risk free guarantee. Two year warranty. COPY
=::....::..======= (F:\QB4\READ\BANNER.i%,
1"' IBM approved ID. $349 OK~~~~~==~~·
.
G:\READ\BANNER.j%)
Call today 1-800-234-4232 or 617-273-1818 NEXT
and so forth. The notion was that I'd
build up the correct files on drive G, then
copy the whole mess back into drive F,
after which I'd be done. The whole thing
PS/2 and Micro Channel are trademarks of IBM shouldn't take more than 10 minutes, and
the worst that would happen would be
-----------------------------~ that I'd have to go get the stuff off Kand
start over.
was misprinted, not so badly as to be un­ again. By 10:00 at night I had it done. I checked the code several times to be
usable, but badly enough to be frustrat­ Two good days of work. sure it would do what I wanted and told
ing). The library manager was rather dif­ the program to run.
ferent, too, but it was quite easy to use. I Disaster Nothing happened. Nothing at all.
got to work building up a new LIB and There were two more things to do. One, After a while, it was obvious that nothing
Quick library. I'd been running under interpreted was going to happen.
This time, everything seemed fine. I mode, and I'd have to compile the pro­ I hit Control-C. Then Control-Break.
added a whole bunch of new stuff, in­ gram. Second, while I'd been working Then Ctrl-Alt-Del. None of those pro­
cluding the FILEXISTS function (it on the computer program to present the duced any result whatever. Finally, I hit
rather cleverly looks at the file's date stuff, Mrs. Pournelle had been revising the hardware reset on Big Cheetah.
rather than attempting to open it; that the lessons themselves. In doing it, she'd It wouldn't boot. In a mild panic, I
way, it avoids having to trap QuickBA­ revised their order and added a couple in turned off the machine, waited a full
SIC's "File Not Found" error) and input the middle of the sequence. The upshot minute, and turned it back on. It still
routines. The Reading Program ran fine was that of the 70 lessons, about 35 wouldn't boot.
in interpreted mode. I kept adding fea­ needed to be renumbered. Each lesson is It was now 11 :00 p.m. on a Saturday
tures, particularly disk file stuff and also accompanied by two graphics files, so I night. At oh-dawn-thirty we were due to
some provisions for running the program was really talking about copying and re­ catch an airplane to Hawaii. And Big
on multiple 360K-byte floppy disks (it naming some 105 files. While I could do Cheetah was thoroughly dead.
takes just under a megabyte to hold the this by hand, I sure didn't want to, espe­
program, administrative files, lesson cially since I could describe the changes I Corpse Revival
files, and all the graphics files). I kept needed with a couple of FOR . .. NEXT It was probably a good thing that I had to
testing what I added, and by golly, it was loops in BASIC. catch a plane in the morning, because
working fine. Friday night I saved every­ The only problem is that BASIC does otherwise I'd have tried working all
thing off onto the Maximum Storage not have a FILE COPY utility. The only night, and I'd probably have made things
WORM (write once, read many times) way to copy a file in BASIC is to open it, much worse than they were. Still, I got
drive and went to bed happy. read it, open an output file under the new out my emergency floppy disk, Startup
Saturday I was supposed to pack. filename, and write to that. This isn't all Master, and put that in Big Cheetah's
Also, Jim Ransom came over to work on that slow on a Priam 330-megabyte hard drive A and reset. Nothing happened.
our SSX (Space Ship Experimental) disk drive, but it's not all that speedy, By now, I was in a real panic. Ratio­
briefing . All that was secondary for me, either; more important, writing the code nally, I shouldn't have been. After all,
though; I was about to finish the Reading at 10:00 p.m. after a long day wasn't everything up to late Friday evening was
Program and get that sucker out the door. very attractive. backed up on the WORM drive. True,
A great feeling. I worked a good part of However: the Project X tools include a what I'd worked on all day was probably
the day, paused for dinner, and had at it FILE COPY utility. lost, but heck, it wasn't that much, and

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 Circle 56 on Reader Service Card

CHAOS MANOR

besides, I could pretty well remember

what it was I'd done. It wasn't as if I'd
been doing creative writing-and yes, I
know that sometimes programming can
be quite creative, but what I'd been doing
hadn't been like that at all, it was just file
management stuff, easily recoverable
work. All I'd lost was some time.
Still, I was annoyed, and while I didn't
see how some software program could
permanently harm Big Cheetah, he sure
was dead, which was a little scary.
It was now about midnight. I called my
son Alex. After all, he's in the data­ Auto-configuration for all operating systems.
f,111
recovery business. What's the use of
having kids with degrees in computer f,111 Works in all Micro Channel™ com uters.
science if you can't bug them in the mid­ ::======"
""' EXP.anded memor)'. 10 times faster than Intel.
dle of the night? Actually, he was up,
since he keeps about as weird hours as I ""' Risk free guarantee. Two year warranty·= = = = =
do. f,111 IBM approved ID. $449 OK.
"Have you looked at the RAM BIOS
entries?" he asked. ~=-=-"== · Call tQday 1-@j)-234-4232 or:~17.~ ;::2; ; .,7;=3==
·1~=
81 8==::;::=:::~
I blushed to say I hadn't.
"Run the Setup program," he said.
"How can I do that when it won't even
look at the floppy?" I muttered, but then
I realized that with an Award BIOS, as
Big Cheetah has, the Setup program is in PS/2 and Micro Channel are triidemarks of IBM
ROM; all you need to do is press Ctrl­
Alt-Esc during the boot-up sequence and
you 're automatically put into Setup. I did
that. puters were at the National Weapons nology, and the Centers won't be able to
"Nothing," I reported. "Every entry Laboratories, namely, Lawrence Liver­ do that and expand their grant program at
is blank. Even the time ." more and Los Alamos. Then some really the same time.
"That must have been some COPY bright people got to thinking that even We 're not talking about billions here.
utility," Alex said. when supercomputers become more A hundred million dollars a year works
I reset the clock and told Big Cheetah widespread, there won't be many people miracles. And do understand, we're
that he had a 1.2-megabyte floppy disk in who know how to use them because talking about investments, with real and
drive A, a 360K-byte floppy disk in drive there's no way students, or faculty mem­ visible payoffs. We don't have any U.S.
B, and a "Type 9" 330-megabyte hard bers for that matter, could get any time equivalent of the Japanese Ministry of
disk drive as drive C. Then I tried to boot on them. From those thoughts grew the International Trade and Industry to help
up. National Science Foundation (NSF) U.S . industry against overseas competi­
Big Cheetah looked at drive A, but Supercomputer Center program. tion, and that's probably just as well: the
since the door was open, he tried to boot I am not normally a big fan of govern­ last time the Department of Commerce
from drive C. "Bad or missing Com­ ment programs. Most not only don't got into the act to "help" with the
mand file," I was told. Not good news, work very well, but they often produce DRAM-chip situation, they darned near
but at least we were making progress. I more of the "problem" they were de­ ruined the industry. Consequently, the
put the DOS 3.3 Startup Master in drive signed to solve. However: let me be the NSF grant programs, which enable our
A and reset. Up he came. I couldn't ac­ first to say that the nation nearly always students and faculty members to stay out
cess drive C, or any of the other hard disk benefits from the investments made by at the cutting edge of technology, are by
drives for that matter, but at least I knew the NSF in general, and that the NSF a long shot our most effective weapons.
Big Cheetah was alive. At that point I Supercomputer Center program may be They really are important, and they
went off to bed. Next morning I caught the most spectacularly successful gov­ really do work miracles.
the plane. ernment investment since Isabella I got to see some of those miracles in
hocked the crown jewels. Hawaii. What has happened is that while
Supercomputers Indeed, if you've a mind to write let­ supercomputing is still confined to a
Hawaii was great. Not only was the con­ ters to your Congresscritter, you might fairly small community, that community
ference extremely interesting, but by get­ mention this program: that it has worked has grown spectacularly in· the past few
ting up at 5:00 a.m., while it was still wonders, and the only problem now is years-and every scientific discipline
dark, and going out on the golf course in that it was so successful that it's under­ that supercomputing touches gets revolu­
my pajamas, I was able to see Alpha Cen­ funded. It needs more resources to put tionized. Biology, hydraulics, aeronau­
tauri, the nearest star (and the origin of more time in the hands of more people. tics, physics; the list goes on.
the Fithp invaders in Footfall by Larry More important, though, the whole point There's still a lot to be done. There are
Niven and Jerry Pournelle). of the program is to make available the real problems with operating systems
It used to be that the only supercom­ absolutely latest in supercomputer tech­ continued

APRIL 1989 • BYTE 121

 CHAOS MANOR

and languages-most scientific work is You Too Can Play or the Research Institution Grant Form.
done in FORTRAN, and as one physicist I'll have a lot more on supercomputers in The education grants are for 2 hours'
put it, after you've written 40,000 lines the future, but for now, the news is that time and are nearly automatic; they're
of FORTRAN, you're too tired to do any legitimate student or faculty member for the purpose of getting familiar with
physics any longer. There need to be soft­ of any U.S. university, college, or junior supercomputers. The research grants go
ware tools and easier user interfaces. college who wants time on a supercom­ up to 20 hours, and they require a brief
Some of that is already happening, as for puter can get it. proposal for educational demonstrations
example at the Illinois National Super­ Write Janice Friedland, User Admin­ or small research projects. Review is
computer Center, where Director Larry istration Coordinator, John von Neu­ very rapid.
Smarr has interfaced the supercomputers mann National Supercomputer Center, Janice Friedland can also be reached
with all kinds of machines, including the P.O. Box 3717, Princeton, NJ 08593. on Bitnet as FRIEDLAND @JVNCC or
Macintosh. Ask for either the Education Grant Form on the Internet network as FRIEDLAND
@JVNCA.CSC.ORG.
Fill out the forms; if you're a student,
get a faculty member to countersign; and
the time is free. (You may have to pay for
ARE YOU STILL DRAWING FLOWCHARTS BY HAND? long-distance access, although many ac­
ademic institutions are already con­
I
I
I
I
nected through one or another network,
I
I
I
I
and those may be free .)
I
I
I
I
Incidentally, the National Supercom­
I
I
I
I
puter Centers find it amazing that only l
I I
A/P percent of the academic use of their
I I
: '---~ Distribution machines is by computer science and
In voice lnformati on I mathematics departments. Most is by en­
Other Text I
Entered into I gineering departments, fol lowed by
I
(g)
Computer System I physics. Biologists use more time than
I
(d) General computer science departments.
I
_,I
I (d) Ledger
I
r·---------•----------1 Restoring Big Cheetah
I I
Hawaii was fun, but I brooded all the
~ + way back, and although we got in late at
Payment A/P Voucher night, I couldn't wait to work on Big
Selections Register Cheetah.
My first move was to get out Norton
(f) (e) Disk Doctor (NDD), put it on a floppy
disk, and see what it said about the hard
disk drive.
The result was interesting. NDD re­
ported a number of problems, including a
damaged partition table, and it offered to
fix them. I told it "thank you, no," until I
could think it over. The surest way to re­

FLOW CHARTING II+

cover any data off Big Cheetah's hard
disk would be to let Alex have at it. Work­
man & Associates has been able to work
Flow Charting 11+ will amaze you with its speed, power and simplicity. miracles in data recovery, but it would be
• Update and print charts as fast as the situation changes no favor to them to try home remedies
• See your revisions right away-no long wait for charts to be hand drawn first.
• Select 26 standard shapes; 10 text fonts On the other hand, Alex is busy, and
• Tutorial manual makes learning easy he wouldn't be able to get at it for a day or
• Runs on IBM or compatibles so; and after all, I did have WORM drive
backup copies of just about everything on
• Produces excellent organizational charts! that disk. What the heck, I thought, and
•Only $229! told NDD to go ahead.

PAI ION &PATION

Software Corporation
It trundled for about a minute, then it
asked me to reboot the machine. This
time Big Cheetah admitted he had a drive
C-and reported a bad copy of COM­
Excellence in charting the fl.ow of ideas MAND.COM. That was easily fixed. By
now, Big Cheetah was healthy enough to
For more information, see your local retailer or call boot from a 1.2-megabyte floppy disk. I
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conrinued

122 B YT E • APRIL 1989 Circle 211 on Reader Service Card

 You No Longer Have to Share the

Lower 640K With Your Debugger .

Periscope l's new board uses ZERO memory in the What's New in Periscope
lower 640K. Yet it has plenty of room to safely store Version 4:
all debugging information, like symbols, as well as the • View local srmhols from Microsoft C
(Version 'i)
powerful Version 4 software. • Debug ~licrosoft ,,..int.lm\'s applica tions
• Set hn:akpoints in PLINK overla1·s
Periscope's hardware adds • Impron:d source-le\·d support
the power to solve the really • ~Ioniwr variab les in a Watch w indow
tough debugging problems. • H0:\86 debug register support
The break-out switch lets you • • ehug using a t.lumh terminal
break into the system any time. • PS/2 ,..·atchdog timer support
You can track down a bug • Lise mi xct.1-case sy mbols
instantly, .or just check • Set breakpoints on values of Fl:tgs
what's going on, without • i\!uch more'
having to reboot or power
down and back up. That's • Periscope I includes a NEW full-length
board with 512K of write-protected RAM;
really useful when your The NEW Periscope I (user-expandable to IMB); break-out
sys tem hangs: The switch is memory board keeps all debugging
in formation out of the lower 640K. Can be used in switch; software and manual for 5795.
included with Periscope I,
Periscope II, and Periscope I I I.
PCs. ATs, and 386s with both EGA I VGA and EMS boards • Periscope II includes break-out switch;
installed. The Periscope break-out switch enables you to software and manual for 5175.
recover from a hung system . Included wilh Models I, II, and Ill.
Periscope I has a NEW board • Periscope II-X includes software and
with 512K of write-protected RAM, user-expandable to IMI3, for the Periscope software, manual (no hardware) for 5145.
symbol tables, and all related debugging information. Normal DOS memory • Periscope III includes a full-length
(the lower 640K) is thus totally freed up for your application, and Periscope board with 64K of write-protected RAM,
is protected from being overwrinen by a run-away program. The new hardware breakpoints and real· time trace
board's footprim is only 32K, so you can use it in PC, AT, and 386 systems buffer; break-out switch; software and
with EGA/VGA and EMS boards installed (not possible with the previous manual. Periscope 111 for machines run·
56K board). It can also be used with Periscope III to provide additional ning up to 10 MHz with one wait-state is
write-protected memory. SI395. Plus the new Model I board, 51995.
Periscope III has a board with 64K of write-protected RAM to store the Duetothevolatilityof RAM costs, prices on board
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The Periscope Ill board adds another powerful dimension to your REQUIREMENTS: !Bi\! PC, XT, AT, PS/2,
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The Periscope Ill hardware-breakpoint board captures information in real-time , so you 'll lind bugs that can't be memon· (1281\ at installation time); one disk
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Circle 214 on Reader Service Card (DEALERS: 215) APRIL 1989 • BYTE 123
 CHAOS MANOR

ware is supposed to work fine with DOS

4.0, which would let me do away with
Items Discussed
partitions and have one big 330-mega­
byte logical disk drive. (That way, the
Ada Compiler .. .. .... ... ... . $129-$799 Peabody ....... ... ...... ............. $100
WORM would be drive D.) Next week, I
Embedded Systems Option .. ... $4500 Copia International, Ltd.
may try that; but for the moment, I was
RR Software, Inc. 1964 Richton Dr.
content to reinstall DOS 3.3 and parti­
2317 International Lane, Suite 212 Wheaton, IL 60187
tion it into drives D through L again.
Madison, WI 53704 (312) 665-9830 Then I used the WORM (now drive M
(608) 244-6436 Inquiry 1040. again) to restore everything.
Inquiry 1036. The upshot was complete recovery. I
QuickBASIC 4.5 ............... ...... $99 have been using Priam hard disk drives
FfL Modula-2 Microsoft Corp. since 1982, when Bill Godbout, after ex­
small-memory model. ......... $49.95 16011 Northeast 36th Way tensive analysis, decided they would be
large-memory model ..... ..... $99.95 P.O. Box 97017 the best drives for his CompuPro 8/16
Editor Toolkit ................. ....... $30 Redmond, WA 98073 systems; indeed, I am still using that
Advanced Programmers Kit ...... $30 (800) 426-9400 original 40-megabyte drive. There's a
Workman & Associates (206) 882-8080 Priam drive in Mrs. Pournelle's Kaypro
1925 East Mou Inquiry 1041. 386i, and we've had Priam drives in
Pasadena, CA' other systems. Now that Big Cheetah has
(818) 791-797~ Trilogy .. ..... ... ....... .......... .. $99.95 been restored, I can once again report
lnauirv 1037. Complete Logic Systems, Inc that I have never lost a single byte of data
741 Blueridge Ave. from a Priam hard disk drive. That's
Modula Development System ....$249 North Vancouver, BC quite a record.
(includes Point)
Logitech International SA But That's COMMON
6505 Kaiser Dr. First things first. I wrote a large batch
Fremont, CA 94555 file to copy and rename the lesson and
(415) 795-850( Turbo .Pascal 5.U ...... . ........ $149.95 graphics files. That was actually a pretty
Inquiry 1038. Turbo Debugger ................ $149.95 simple job with Logitech 's Point editor,
Turbo Prolog 2.0 .... ... ........ $149.95 which has an easy way to duplicate text. I
Norton Utilities 4.5 Advanced ... $150 Borland International, Inc. just wrote COPY F : \QB\READ\LES­
Peter Norton Computing 1800 Green Hills Rd. SON.32 G:\READ\LESSON.31, then
2210 Wilshire Blvd., Suit >.O. Box 660001 used Point to duplicate the line, dupli­
Santa Monica_ rA 90401 Scotts Valley, CA 95066 cated the two lines just formed, and so
( (408) 438-8400 forth until I had 32 copies. Then I ad­
I Inquiry 1043. justed the numbers in each line, dupli­
cated the whole mess, substituted BAN­
NER for LESSON in the second batch,
and did all that again to get commands
for the third set of files. Obviously, any
quire a special driver that's loaded with cally becomes the next available drive. other good programming editor, such as
CONFIG.SYS-booted up, and did a When Big Cheetah is working properly, BRIEF, would have done the job as well.
SYS operation to transfer the system and the WORM is drive M; but with drive C The whole thing didn't take 5 minutes to
command file to drive C. After that, Big "missing," the WORM tried to be drive write, and not much more than that to
Cheetah booted off the hard disk. He still C, and since it knows it can't be that, it run.
didn't believe he had drives D through L, wasn't accessible at all. That put me back where I'd been Sat­
but we were making progress. Fortunately, my WORM is an external urday night before we left for Hawaii .
I ran NDD again, and again I was told drive, and I have an extra controller card, There were more surprises. The pro­
that the partition table was damaged. so it was no trick to run it on the Zenith gram ran fine in interpreted mode. It
Once again I let NDD work on it. Lo and Z-386 . Maximum Storage's installation compiled fine. What it wouldn't do was
behold, drive D reappeared. Another it­ software pretty well runs by itself. That link in a couple of the Project X library
eration of NDD, and I had drives C, D, done, I connected the Z-386's serial port modules.
andE. to Big Cheetah's and ran LapLink on I cursed for a while. Then I went in
"Piece of cake," I muttered, and tried both. After that, I was able to peel off all and removed all their stuff. This forced
NDDagain. my work from Big Cheetah to anywhere me to write my own equivalents, which I
When the program finished this time, on the Z-386, including the WORM. did; that took me a lot less time than I'd
I had drives D through L-but now, Big After that, Alex came over and man­ thought it would, demonstrating once
Cheetah steadfastly refused to believe aged to restore drive C. As he'd warned again that once you have the actual pro­
that drive C existed. Nothing I could do me, what he did lost drives D through L gram structure right, coding is generally
would change that. Drive C was gone. in the process . I grabbed off a couple of straightforward. It all ran fine in inter­
There was worse news. The Maximum late files from drive C. After that, it was preted mode.
Storage WORM drive software has no time to get out the Priam software and re­ Of course, QuickBASIC 4.5 wouldn't
provision for forcing the drive name to a format the hard disk drive. compile it. This time, the error was
particular letter. Instead, it automati­ That went fine. Priam's latest soft­ continued

124 B YT E • APRIL 1989

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Circle 143 on Reader Service Card

Circle 299 on Reader Service Card
......... ........

>::rm: tmP.A##=
i##.H
.
=: =· :
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::.:-:.;.:.:.:.:-:.:. .. .. .. . -:-:.:.:- :.:-:.:.:.:-:-:.:-·.··
CHAOS MANOR
I!NIX will catch on
Since end of 1988 you don't need star
wiring for multi-terminal systems any
more. Instead, all those terminals can be
connected to a single twin-conductor
telephone wire. Neither the te1minals nor
the computer need be prepared for the bus
"Module Too Large." That one was sim­ ma! pace of one lesson a day, with rea­
system - and it won.. t cost any more than ple to fix. I broke the code up into several sonable time for weekends and review,
the familiar cabling. This eliminates the modules and compiled each. Worked that's 90 days to full reading ability.
main disadvantage of multi-terminal
systems as compared with networks. Ask fine. Linked them. Worked fine. Ran the Of course, it will take longer in special
for 'Terminal Bus" information. code. cases, and we suppose there must be
Termjpals/pr!nter up to 314 mjle .mu
"String Space Corrupt." cases (particular pupils or combinations
Electrically isolated !foe drivers let you set of instructor and pupil) where it won't
up terminals or printers at distant work at all-although we've never seen
locations.
# 22boolt, Cenironica, I pair. !kV iiml.

# 84boo•t,RS232, l pair, !kV ioolatcd

Majps mters wop'! do It all

When computers mysteriously crash, or
suffer from lightning discharges, the
damage usually arrives along the data
A

blooming wonder is
one. It does take patience and persis­
tence, but then, all education does.
Mrs. Pournelle' s Reading Program
(IBM PC version 1.0) is available from
Roberta J. Pournelle, 3960 Laurel Can­
lines. Now, opte>-isolators that will stand yon Blvd., Suite 372, North Hollywood,
up to 50kV can help you: just interpose
them between the computer and its
what I consider CA 91604. The current price is $100
peripherals. postpaid. We haven't the remotest idea of
N 22.Doo,., Centronico, lk V

# 66·.,o, RS422, 500V

Mathematica to be. what the final price will be or, for that
# 88iao, RS232, !kV
matter, who the publisher will be.
# 88i>o50, RS232, 5CkV

Portable Da(a By!Ters

Winding Down
Instrument readings, drilling templates,

programs - you can transport all kinds of

I'm writing this on the SupersPort 286 in

data in a small, battery-powered buffer.
If you look that up in the Microsoft ref­ the San Francisco Hilton. We're up here
# 22b032,, G:ntronico, 32K,

# 22bl28, Centronica, l 28K

erence manual, it tells you that you've for the annual meeting of the American
# 88b032, RS232, 32K

# 88bl28, RS232, l 28K

probably made some kind of error in a Association for the Advancement of Sci­
COMMON statement. I had only one ence, followed by MacWorld Expo. A lot
Compyters yp to 95% faster
Your computer is forced to run with the
COMMON statement in the doggone of exciting things are happening in the
brakes on because standard printer and program, and all it did was pass a num­ world of science. One that's particularly
plotter buffers are far too small. A ber of universal constants, such as TRUE relevant to computer users is Mathemat­
buffered data cable will accelerate your
computer by up to 95%.
and FALSE. I could have experimented ica from Wolfram Research. As of this
Parallel for PCs: to see what was wrong now, but I didn't. week, there's an 80386 version, as well
# 22i064, 64K

# 22i256, 256K
It took only 5 minutes to rearrange mod­ as versions for the Mac and the NeXT
# 22il024.1024K
ules so that I didn't need any COMMON machine. The program is a blooming
RS232, individually

selectable In/Out pa ram.

statements at all. wonder. More on it next month.
# 88128, 128K
The book of the month is Edith
# 88512, 51 '.ZK

Done! Efron's The Apocalyptics (Simon and

The Ideal T-swl!cb?
Five minutes later I was done. Mrs. Schuster, 1984). This is a long but fasci­
It's so small, it fits into a printer plug ­
and, naturally, needs no plug of its own.

Pournelle's Reading Program is fin­ nating scientific detective story that

I But it will automatically switch a printer
ished. There's about I OOK bytes of code. should be must reading for anyone intel­
between two computers. And it sells so I'll be able to trim it quite a bit by elimi­ ligently concerned about environmental
well that just a f cw lines of advertising are
sufficient.
nating line numbers and other diagnostic quality, which, I hope, means every
# 22imca2,, 2 PC1 lo I printer hooks, downsizing arrays, and generally voter. As Efron says, laypeople can't
The rnmprebenslye Interface program tightening things up; the program should make scientific judgments; but we do
1ii u;.,..,...,.,, run in a 256K-byte machine. At the mo­ have to understand the costs and benefits
~-~ib~l;l~~~~ ment, it takes about 340K bytes. It also of rules and regulations.
~<u~e!!:!lci:ci:ci:ci: requires either a color or a Hercules Now I have to get back to MacWorld
20mA
graphics monochrome video card. Expo. Tonight, we drive back to Holly­
Atari

C64/128

Cenir.
W&T There's still some polishing to do. The wood. I confess I can't wait to get back.
IBMPC
documentation is Mrs. Pournelle's prob­ I've thought of a couple of final touches
~.
DlEE488

RSZ32
lem, but she pretty well hammered that that I can put on Mrs. Pournelle's Read­
RS422

RS423

-out in beta testing. I may add touches like ing Program, and I want to play with
RS485
help files. What we do have right now, Mathematica. •
though, is a stable program that will en­
able just about anyone who can read En­ Jerry Pournelle holds a doctorate in psy­
glish to teach just about anyone else. chology and is a science fiction writer
The highly structured program uses who also earns a comfortable living writ­
intensive sequential phonics. In addition ing about computers present and future.
to the program and a computer, there Jerry welcomes readers' comments and
Wlnchenbachstr. >S 5600 WupperLBI 2 must be an instructor present to read the opinions. Send a self-addressed, stamped
West.Germany
Tclefm.: (202) 50 50 11 on-screen lessons and instructions. The envelope to Jerry Pournelle, c/o BYTE,
Telefax: (202)511050
Telex: 85916 56 wwd
instructor need not be a trained profes­ One Phoenix Mill Lane, Peterborough,
sional, or even an adult. NH 03458. Please put your address on
AlWtia; Basic 0222-950542 • ~ Brother
02-4674211, Info Univcrs 03·2323247 • There are 70 lessons. Each takes a the letter as well as on the envelope. Due
Qam.u..k..;. Jatcc 06-4 79139 • E..n.tlt.rul.;.
Mcedmore 051-5212202 • E.r..a= Neol
minimum of 20 minutes. (Since the pro­ to the high volume ofletters, Jerry cannot
88-623752 • ~ Sy.per Puebla 489236 •
Netherlands: Cat&Korsch 010-4507696 •
gram is self-paced with built-in rewards, guarantee a personal reply. You can also
Swiuer!and· Weber 01-9302003 • s..inu= we can't specify a maximum .) At a nor- contact him on BlX as "jerryp. "
Ovencas Trade 272WT7 • Di.grjbutro want.ed 1

126 BYTE • APRIL 1989

 _lo, ,.-.--­
-~:"9" 11:)
..
. . -• ..
..- ,... ,,_ _,....

---
........
C-.W --·'" ' ° _,_

t-io' J'
Mtl _ _ .....

-~--- ... IP

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Circle 205 on ReaderSer~ice Card (DEALERS: 206) APRILI989 •BYTE 127

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 EXPERT ADVICE

APPLICATIONS PLUS • Ezra Shapiro

ANSWERS TO
MY MAC MESS
Readers rise to defend
the Mac and
offer solutions to
system snafus

n my December 1988 column, I

I commented that my Macintosh sys­

tem had become as overburdened
and fragile as my MS-DOS system,
with frequent crashes and the accom­
panying sense of insecurity and fear. I
pin this problem on a number of factors.
First. there is the proliferation of
IN!Ts and cdevs, programs that are
loaded at boot-up and modify the avail­
able functions of the operating system.
Many of these programs are essential to
me (e.g., Vaccine, a public domain
virus-protection program, and Quic­
Keys, the keyboard macro program from
CE Software), but they occasionally con­
flict with application programs, the op­ I don't blame anyone for this mayhem. thus I consciously place myself in jeop­
erating system itself. and each other. and it's certainly not unique to the Mac ardy with more willingness than I would
Second, Apple's upgrades to the oper­ universe. I note that Apple and the com­ were I merely using software rather than
ating system are often somewhat buggy. munity of Mac developers have done a evaluating it. I stick my neck out lest
The maintenance releases that fol low good job compared to the confusion that others get their heads chopped off.
major overhauls seem to fix most of the infected the MS-DOS world when mem­ Other correspondents took umbrage
problems, but invariably Apple also ory-resident programs appeared. How­ with my bashing of Apple's System soft­
changes the rules for software compati­ ever, my complaining sparked a spate of ware releases as "more bug-laden and
bility just enough to make using older ap­ correspondence on the subject. crash-prone than Microsoft's MS-DOS
plications a risky proposition. updates." I stand by the point, but it's
Third, the pressure to bring new prod­ Safe Strategies really immaterial; the evil synergy oc­
ucts to market sometimes forces develop­ One group of letter writers offered a curs when a number of components are in
ers to release programs before they're practical solution to my headaches : contention. Even if the Mac operating
thoroughly debugged. Don't upgrade the operating system or system was completely soiid. which I dis­
Finally. the increasing size of pro­ applications until you· re absolutely sure pute, the hassles arising from running
grams and the dangers of negotiating the that everything will run amicably. This the melange of operating system. Multi­
minefield of conflicts with other prod­ is really the only strategy that makes Finder, new applications. old applica­
ucts make bulletproof debugging nearly sense; and I endorse it wholeheartedly. tions, desk accessories. I NITs. cdevs.
impossible. Sooner or later, no matter whether you're running a Mac, an IBM and so on, stem from the interaction
how exacting a vendor's quality-control PC, a VAX, or anything else. rather than any one piece of the puzzle .
procedures, some customer somewhere If you can possibly do it, stay one or The best advice is to test each compo­
will come up with a set of IN!Ts , desk two releases behind the most current of­ nent independently before attempting to
accessories, and other programs running ferings and let other people serve as the incorporate it into a complex environ­
under MultiFinder that will bring the guinea pigs. Unfortunately for me, it's ment. By being careful and testing exten­
system to its knees. my business to act as a guinea pig, and co111i1111ed

ILLUSTRATION: KERRY GAVIN <D 1989 APRIL 1989 • BYTE 129

 APPLICATIONS PLUS

sively, wrote Matthew Dixon Cowles, "I

have not, by any means, had to become
'accustomed to the sporadic system
crashes that characterize life on the
Items

Mac .' And neither have my clients ."

OK, fine. I yield. If you adopt a con­
Discussed

servative approach, you'll be safe. If you Irwin Model 5080 .... .. .. .... $1695
want to waste your time testing every AccuTrak Cartridge ........... . $35
piece of software you own, singly and in Irwin Magnetic Systems, Inc.
combination, or hire a consultant to do 2101 Commonwealth Blvd.
the same thing, that's your business. Me, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
I think this says something about the na­ (800) 421-1879
ture of personal computing these days. Inquiry 1021.
Something ugly.
Zenith, a leader in computer tech­ LetraStudio ... .. ... .............. $495
nology, is closing out this line of Back to Backup Letraset USA
advanced personal computer Of course, everyone chided me for not 40 Eisenhower Dr.
systems. We've obtained them & being adequately backed up, and a few Paramus, NJ 07653
can now offer them to you at UN­ went so far as to say I got what I deserved (201) 845-6100
BELIEVABLE SAVINGS!! when I inadvertently trashed my hard Inquiry 1022.
• 20 MB Hard drive. • 640 K. disk. Well, I'm not entirely foolhardy,
• One 720K 3-1/2" disk drive. and I'm not going to get caught again. A
• 8088 16 bit microprocessor at 7.16 MHz. MouseStick ... ..... .... ... ... .$169. 95
handsome new Irwin Magnetic Systems' Advanced Gravis Computer
• 84-key keyboard. • IBM compatible.
• 14" high resolution black & white monitor.
tape unit now sits next to my Mac. This Technology, Ltd .
• High resolution graphics: 640 x 200 little devil, the Model 5080, crams al­ 7033 Antrim Ave.
• CGA compatible. •Serial & parallel most 80 megabytes onto a data cassette, Burnaby, BC
interfaces. • Mouse port. and I was able to back up roughly that Canada V5J 4M5
• Includes a 30011200 baud modem & amount in a little under an hour. It costs
9-pin serial port. (604) 434-7274
$1695, Irwin's formatted cartridges go Inquiry 1023.
• Includes following software: MS-DOS
3.2, MS-DOS Manager, GW-BASIC & for $35 a pop, and the peace of mind is
CPC communications software. worth every penny. The slickest thing
·Dim.: 13"W x 14.5"H x 11 "D (without about it, though, is the EzTape software.
keyboard) . ·Model#: EZPC 20 plus EzTape allows tremendous flexibility joystick that lists for $169 .95. I've been
EZA1 upgrade. in backup procedure; just about anything experimenting with the Mac Apple Desk­
•One Year Warranty!
• Factory New! Factory Perfect!
you want to do is possible. You can back top bus (ADB) model, but other versions
ABILITY SOFTWARE

up or restore an entire disk volume, or are available for older Macs, the Apple
PKG by MIGENT
you can specify folders, individual files, IIGS, and PC compatibles. It's a nifty
Includes:
Manufacturer's
• Database, Spreadsheet, or types of files, in any sort of combina­ gizmo, well built and responsive, but
Graphics, Word
Suggested Retail
tion. You can name backup sets, save I've had a few trivial snags that temper
Processing,

Communication &

$1,999.00 rule criteria as parameter files, and per­ my otherwise enthusiastic endorsement.
Presentation.
DAMARK PRICE:
• Fully integrated. form incremental backups by date or by The unit itself is a bit more compli­
DAMARK$39 date of last backup. cated than I would have expected. A 4­
PRICE:
Item No. B-1242-116218 The program will run in the back­ inch contoured, foam-padded stick rises
Insured Ship/Hand.: $5 .00 llem No. B-1242-11 6525 ground under MultiFinder, and you can from a base that's 6V2 inches wide, 4*
Insured Ship/Hand.: $29.00
configure it to run automatically at acer­ inches deep, and l 1A inches high. The
FOR FASTEST SERVICE
tain time or regularly at a specified pe­ base has rubber feet; that fact, along with
CALL TOLL FREE
riod. It will even restore MS-DOS tapes its size and weight, makes it difficult to
1-800-950-9090 to a Mac disk, or vice versa. (When act­
ing as a file transfer system from Mac to
tip in most situations. With the two large
thumbwheels front and rear, you can ad­
MasterCard I VISA I [iii] MS-DOS, EzTape will discard the mean­
ingless Mac resource forks and create
just stick tension from stiff and springy
down to totally limp. There are three

---------
DAMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.

6707 Shingle Creek Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55430

Customer Service• 612-566-4940

ZENITH XT Turbo Compuler(s)

@ $799 each, plus $29.00 s/h each.
legal filenames and directory names.) In
the past, I've used HFS Back Up, Disk­
fit, and Central Point Software's PC
Tools backup module. This program is
"fire" buttons, two on the base to the left
of the stick and one on top of the stick.
All three buttons are initially set to gen­
erate single mouse-clicks .
Item No.B-1242-116525. as good as any of them. A cable leads from the pedestal to an­
_ _ABILITY Software @ $39 each, plus If you're going to attempt unhealthy other box, about a third smaller than the
$5.00 s/heach. Item No. B-1242-116218.
MN res. add 6% sales tax. maneuvers in an environment that's not base, which houses the device's pro­
rock solid, buy some insurance. grammable electronics . A 16-character
LCD indicates mode settings that enable
City,State,Zip _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
Good-bye, Mousie!
nearly total control of resolution, track­
D Check/MO D VISA D Master Card D Discover
My search continues for an acceptable al­
ing, and button function. An ADB cable
ternative to the mouse. This month's en­
leads from this GMPU (Gravis Mouse­
try is the MouseStick from Advanced
Stick Processing Unit) to the Mac.
Gravis Computer Technology, a deluxe
continued

130 BYTE • APRIL 1989

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Circle 306 on Reader Service Card (DEALERS: 307) APR IL 1989 • BYTE 131
 APPLICATIONS PLUS

After I had used it for a few minutes, I Further, the unit i- designed for the $5000 package that's normally sold as
was convinced that my instinctive ap­ game player who wants to play rocket part of a fully integrated system; it re­
proach to the MouseStick, which was to jockey, so even if the MouseStick is built quired a hardware key (what's known as
grab the stick in my fist and click the top for abuse, the ergonomics don't favor the a dongle) to be plugged into the Mac's
button with my thumb, like a jet pilot, serious computer user. I'd love to see a modem port. I figure that if the consum­
was useless for anything but game play­ reworked MouseStick with a slimmer ers of this product are willing to pay that
ing. Yoo need far more precision for even kind of price, they'll be willing to put up
the simplest Mac operations, like click­ with this kind of nuisance.
ing on an icon or setting the cursor; I felt The third case was much more disturb­
about as coordinated as someone trying ing, because the copy protection is at­
to fill out tax forms with one of those fat I 've never tached to a major software package that
crayons they give you in grade school. I could be one of the most significant desk­
had also adjusted the joystick for the been particularly top publishing products of 1989 . The
highest level of tension, figuring that software is Letraset's LetraStudio for the
would give me the fastest, most sensitive opposed to copy Mac, a $495 typographic manipulation
response. Instead, I found myself strug­ program that lets you kern, distort, color,
gling against the stick to hold the cursor protection. and otherwise make headlines perform
in position. · tricks you didn't think were possible on a
By thoroughly rethinking the way I microcomputer .
held my hand, though, I was able to The resulting modified type is stored
achieve a degree of control I have not ex­ in Encapsulated Postscript format, ready
perienced with either a mouse or a track­ base, a shorter shaft, and a convenient for inclusion in files created by most
ball. Resting my index finger on top of way to rest your wrist on your work word processing and page layout pro­
the stick and grasping the shaft between surface. grams . Compared to the dismal effects
my thumb and remaining fingers, the But for now, I'm very pleased. you get when you try to blow up standard
way you might hold a saltshaker to tap Postscript-text alphabets to headline
out small quantities of salt, gave me the Bitten Again size, this is spectacular stuff. Anyone in­
ability to make tiny, accurate movements Just when I thought it was safe to go back volved in serious desktop pub! ishing, ad­
with the cursor. I also loosened the ten­ into the water, I was attacked by that old vertising, graphics, package design, and
sion wheel five notches, to the lowest nemesis, the copy-protection shark. This so on will be drooling for this one .
amount of spring allowable for automatic happened three times in the course of a LetraStudio itself is not copy-pro­
centering. two-week period, which was quite a sur­ tected, but this is a classic case of razor
Using Aldus FreeHand and Cricket prise. Copy protection has pretty much and blades. LetraStudio is the razor; be­
Paint, I actually knocked out a couple of vanished, particularly in the category of cause it can work only with special type­
drawings as close to pen and ink as I've business software, so finding three pro­ faces sold by Letraset, the typefaces are
ever produced with a computer. And I tected programs all at once is worth a the blades. And the blades are copy-pro­
could sketch quickly, rather than labor­ few comments. tected. Four reversible installations, but
ing over every line. I've never b~en particularly opposed protected. Yoo get two blades with the
With the mouse, you draw with your to copy protection; in fact, I've gone on package and two more when you send in
shoulder and elbow, using your finger­ record as something of a hawk. I believe your registration card-anything else
tips only to click the mouse button. The that software companies and authors are you've got to buy.
trackball cuts down the large muscle entitled to just compensation for their This hits my fence-straddling position
movements, but there's still very little work, and should they choose to combat right smack-dab where it hurts. I can't
wrist involved, and the second gesture unauthorized distribution via copy pro­ really complain about this scheme on
necessary to click a button is often awk­ tection, so be it. moral or ethical grounds, because I be­
ward and throws off your cursor position. Software piracy is rife; almost every­ lieve Letraset has the right to protect its
The MouseStick puts it all in your wrist one I know engages in casual swapping interests however it sees fit. On the other
and fingertips; it's very tight and very on a regular basis. And coping with the hand, I need and want this program, and
comfortable . I haven't had enough expe­ various protection schemes is a petty an­ I also want lots and lots of blades for it.
rience with a stylus and a bitpad to make noyance that has been blown vastly out of While I have never had a single disk mis­
a knowledgeable comparison, but I'd proportion. Plugging in a key disk or hap due to this sort of protection, these
guess that a skilled MouseStick operator running through an installation proce­ typefaces will be the only things on my
could come close to the effects achieved dure is a momentary hassle at worst. On hard disk that are copy-protected. Which
with a digitizing tablet. the other hand, a petty annoyance is still makes me very, very nervous.
Now for the bad news. The GMPU an annoyance. As a user, I choose to Something to think about, you bet. •
draws its power directly from the Mac's avoid the issue by steering clear of pro­
ADB; there's no internal battery. Any tected programs. This is what's known Ezra Shapiro is a consulting editor for
configuration settings you program into as a "marketing reality ." Most vendors BYTE. You can contact him on BIX as
it are wiped out when you turn off the have chosen to acknowledge this attitude "ezra. "Because ofthe volume ofmail he
Mac. Though running through the setup and unprotect their programs. receives, Ezra, regretfully, cannot re­
routine every time you boot the computer Two ofthe three cases I discovered can spond to each inquiry.
is inconsequential, it's irritating . This is be dismissed easily. One was a game that Your questions and comments are wel­
pretty dumb; a little bit of RAM and a merely requested I type in a certain word come. Write to: Editor, BYTE , One
lithium battery are not too much to ask at from the manual. Rather mild stuff, and Phoenix Mill Lane, Peterborough, NH
this price. certainly reasonable. The second was a 03458.

132 BYTE • APRIL 1989

 One of the most important reasons

for buying our new LaserJet IID printer

is on the other side of this page.

Circle 123 on Reader Service Card APRIL 1989 • BYTE 133

 One of the most important reasons

for buying our newLaserJet IID printer

is on the other side of this page.

The LaserJet HD printer is full Series II compatibility. Done!

ofnew ideas for making paper­ So now you have a choice of
handling easier and more two HP LaserJet printers. Both
efficient. with that superb quality for
An envelope feeder accessory, text and graphics you've come
for one. Instead ofhaving to feed to expect from Hewlett-Packard.
envelopes manually, our new All good reasons to call 1-800­
printer does it automatically. 752-0900, Ext. 297A for the
You wanted more paper trays. name ofyour nearest dealer.
The latest member of the HP So the LaserJet IID printer
LaserJet printer family prints on has two ofthem, each with a
both sides ofthe paper. But 200-sheet capacity. Give us more F//9'1 HEWLETT
that's just the icing on the cake. fonts, you said. And LaserJet ~~ PACKARD
© 1988 Hewlett-Packard Company PE12807

134 BYTE • APRIL 1989 Circle 124 on Reader Service Carrl

 EXPERT ADVICE

DOWN TO BUSINESS • Wayne Rash Jr.

GROPING
FOR GROUPWARE
Group productivity
software is designed
to make life a little
less complicated
F s
for busy executives

roup productivity software, or

e 1 'B
G "groupware" as it's affection­
ately known, is designed to en­
hance the functioning of a
group in much the same way that individ­
ual productivity software helps the indi­
0
1.5
vidual. The difference is that groupware,
to be effective, must enhance the interac­
tion of the people in a group.
Because of the nature of a group of
people, groupware faces several chal­
16 22.
lenges. First, people who work together
are not necessarily located together.
They can be spread across many floors,
between buildings, or even in separate pretending to be you. provide a shel 1 from which you can per­
cities. Second, a group consists of indi­ An electronic scheduler allows group form most other functions, such as word
viduals who may have their own ideas members to see when others in the group processing. Each contains additional
about what work they need to do and how are free. It should have some way of noti­ productivity tools designed to make the
it should be accomplished. fying others that you want to have a meet­ busy executive's life less complicated.
ing, and it should be able to automati­ Whether they do this for you depends on
The Parts of the Group cally find a clear time for all members of whether your Ii fe matches what the com­
People in a working group interact with a specified group so that they can sched­ pany thinks it should be.
each other in two ways that software can ule a meeting. Of course, the ability to do I used both packages on an Ethernet
help. The first is simple communica­ this doesn't mean that it can be used in network running Novell NetWare 2.12.
tions. This function is met through the every case. Not everyone likes to have Both packages are designed to run on
use of a telephone or by E-mail. People others schedule his or her meetings. most other common LANs, including
also tend to gather in meetings, so they 3Com, Banyan, and most NetBIOS-com­
need to set up those meetings. An elec­ Looking at Groupware
patible networks. Both packages reside
tronic scheduling package can help. For this column, I looked at two pack­
on the file server.
E-mail is reasonably familiar to most ages of group productivity software:

computer users. A good E-mail package WordPerfect Office from WordPerfect

WordPerfect Office
should be easy to use, even for inexperi­ Corp., and Higgins from Conetic Sys­
WordPerfect Office is the latest entry in
enced users, but stil I capable enough that tems. These are designed to work on a
what seems to be WordPerfect Corp.'s
you can use it to forward word processing LAN and to support the users on the net­
continuing effort to take over the world.
and graphics files. It should also allow work. Higgins has been around for years
The package is based on a shell that has a
time and date stamping, multiple ad­ and is widely used, while WordPerfect
two-column screen of choices (see photo
dressees, copies, and forwarding. Mail Office was introduced only last year.
1). Along with the shell, you run a small
should be password protected, so that Both packages provide E-mai 1 and memory-resident program that will alert
someone else cannot send mail while group scheduling and are designed to comi1111ed

ILLUSTRATION: MARCEL DUROCHER © I989 APRIL 1989 • BYTE 135

 DOWN TO BUSINESS

you when it receives mail messages or but not nearly as nice as Novell's multi­ ternal software into the menu system . In­
schedule requests. user Snipes game. stead, you invoke a command that gives
The standard shell that comes with WordPerfect users will feel right at you a command line from which you can
WordPerfect Office includes choices for home with WordPerfect Office. Most of run external software. This makes Hig­
all the included groupware programs, as the common keystrokes are the same, gins somewhat less convenient for inex­
well as for WordPerfect, PlanPerfect, and the flow of the program is familiar. perienced users.
and DataPerfect (not included; you can The editors are quite similar to WordPer­ If Higgins has a problem, it's security.
easily change the entries for these if you fect. The E-mail editing screen follows a When you start up Higgins, it asks you
don't have that software) . The shell lets message format, but most of the familiar for your name and password. It does not
you create a menu with up to 20 entries WordPerfect keys work there, too. take your name from the network soft­
and provides a command line that lets ware. Once you enter the password, you
you run anything else you need. For ex­ Higgins need not do it again. This means that if
ample, you need the command line to When you start running Higgins, it lets you are going to be away from your desk,
perform DOS functions, since none of you know right away that it's groupware: you need to leave Higgins, since anyone
these are provided on the standard Office The first thing you see is the group with access to the computer could enter
menu . Of course, you can add them to the scheduling screen (see photo 2). Other your mail and scheduling system. Word­
menu yourself, if you wish. The shell re­ functions appear in windows on your Perfect Office, on the other hand, re­
quires only about 40K bytes of memory, screen, but your calendar is always right quires you to enter a password each time
and it didn't seem to interfere with any there at the top. If you have a busy sched­ you access mail and scheduling. This
other software . ule that you need to refer to a lot, this is means that you can start up the Office
When the shell loads, it is able to tell really handy. shell and stay there all day, since you can
who you are from the network software, Likewise, Higgins shines when it run software from there and since others
so you don't have to enter your name comes to E-mail. You can buy optional still won't have access to your mail and
again, though you do have to enter pass­ packages that let you send mail to exter­ schedule systems.
words for the mail and scheduler sys­ nal systems, to other networks, and to On the other hand, Higgins will allow
tems. Otherwise, you can remain in the mainframe mail systems. You can even you to have two passwords for your ac­
shell and perform your day's work. send mail to people who don't have E­ count. You can have one for yourself that
In addition to the scheduler and E­ mail: If you specify it, Higgins will print allows full functionality and another
mail, Office contains a calendar pro­ the mail message so that you can send it with partial functionality for your secre­
gram that works in conjunction with the via paper mail. tary. Higgins also lets you arrange for
scheduler. This means that people can At the bottom of the screen, a Lotus­ your nonprivate mail to be forwarded to
see whether you 're busy, but they can't like menu gives you access to several ap­ someone else while you're away.
see the details of your calendar or who plications. Higgins includes additional In general, Higgins is easy enough to
you 're meeting with . Office also in­ productivity tools in the form of a calcu­ operate, although I did find it awkward
cludes a file manager, which lets you lator, a scratch pad, and an expense pro­ to use the space bar, rather than the
search for and copy DOS files; the Note­ gram. The expense program seems to be arrow keys, to navigate th rough the
book, which is a flat-file data manager; useful, though many companies require Lotus-like menus.
and a calculator. There is also a macro speci fie software or expense voucher
editor for WordPerfect and a program forms that would limit the usefulness of Grouping the Differences
editor for batch files and the like. For the software contained in Higgins. I found both packages useful. WordPer­
those long lunch hours; Office also con­ Unlike WordPerfect Office, Higgins fect Office suited me better, but as in the
tains a game called Beast. which is nice, doesn't let you incorporate specific ex­ coll/i1111ed

Uednesdoy, Jt1nua ry U, 1989 Ult35il lZ:SZp

VordPerCoct Drllce Wednesday, January 11, i!JBIJ, tZ:S8p
Schedule for UAVftE RASH January 1'8'
A - Appointnent Calendar D - UordS tar 5.0 Uednesd~y. January 11. 1':169 <1l13SiJ Sun Hon Iue Ued Thr Fri S~t
1 z 3 1 5 6 1
I - Beast Cganc) P - Proconn Plus 19
C - Calculator Y - UordPerfect
Ha CJa 10• lla !Zp Ip Zp lp lp Sp 6p lp E 8
'
15 16 11
zz Z3 Z1
II lZ 13 11
18 1' ze z1
ZS Z6 Z1 Z8
z' 39 31 l z 3 4
E - Edit nacros

1 - Fiie rtan ager

G - Go to Dos For One Conna11d

ft - nail

" - HoteBook

S - Scheduler

t - Prog ran Editor Select the option or type the CortnAnd letter
f"HOftE\UAVHE C.dend.or COnnMIDS: Log Directory Jo-Do Fiie nail P.etrle11al Xterllal Expense
1 Go to DOS; Z Cllpbadrd; 3 _Other Dir; 4 Setup: S !len Hap: 6 Log: _ (f7 : bill 11,:iDa le Sched~1 le Ull llty Help Qu.it

Photo 1: WordPerfect Office's menu lets you choose from Photo 2: Higgins places the group scheduling window
several built-in programs or create menus ofup to JfJ choices prominently on the screen and includes a Lotus-like menu at
f ram your own application programs. the bottom that gives you access to other applications.

136 B Y T E • APRIL 1989

 Now Seagate brings mass
storage within the reach of even
more people. Our new 21 mega­
byte ST225R and 42 megabyte
ST250R represent a significant
price breakthrough for half­
height drives.
But low cost isn't the only
benefit. The performance .
characteristics of these drives make
well-suited for single-user PC applications. ter, easier and less expensive than tape
or floppies as backup devices for your existing hard drives. And with · 35,000 hours,
they feature ·e same high reliability that's made Seagate the first name in disc ldwide.
You can save not only money but time by pairing either of these drives with Seagate's o
ST11 controller. With installation software preloaded on the drive, system set-up is fast and easy. ''?'1191......_,,_
To find out more about high-quality storage solutions at surprisingly affordable prices, contact
your authorized Seagate dealer. Or call Seagate at 800-468-DISC, or 4.08-438-6550.

&)>Seagate
The first name in disc drives
 DOWN TO BUSINESS

Items

Discussed

Higgins
up to 20 users ...... ......... ... $995
($995 additional for unlimited users)
Higgins exchange
(for external E-mail) ...... .. $1595
Conetic Systems,

DO NOT DISTURB.
When it comes to AC power,
1470 Doolittle Dr.
San Leandro. CA
(415) 430-8875

Inquiry 982.

computers need peace and quiet... Wordl:-enec1 \.

per server. ......... ........ . .

460 AT+ per workstation ....... ..... .

UNINTliRRUPT1aua POWSR SOUA.CI! WordPerfect Corp.

1555 North Technology Wa't
Orem, UT 840~
(801) 225-5000

Inquiry 981

case of word processing packages, this is

to some extent subjective. Still, I liked
being able to load the shell once and let it
stay there all day, and being able to add
other programs to the menu. I also liked
the similarity to WordPerfect's other pro­
ducts. There's no question, though, that
the powerful mail capabilities of Higgins
are important if you need to handle com­
munications over a variety of systems.
Both packages are expensive com­
Shield your computer and irreplaceable data from all forms
pared to the normal run of single-user
of power disturbances including blackouts, brownouts,
software. WordPerfect Office costs less
sags, surges, spikes and noise with the continuous protec ­
for small systems, but it is priced in such
tion provided by UPS systems from American Power.
a way that it costs a great deal more for
• For file servers, CAD, UNIX, desktop publishing, and really large systems, because a set
all other computer applications amount is charged for each workstation .
• Ultra-compact desktop design for easy placement On really large LANs, this can be signif­
• Models available rated from 300 to 1200 Volt-Amps for icant and has knocked Office out of the
personal computers up to minicomputers running in a couple of cases with which
I'm familiar. As is often the case, you
• For unattended operations, many UPS models support a probably get what you pay for, but there
direct hardware interface to operating systems such as
is the question of whether you need all of
Novell, 3-Com, Banyan, Altos, Prime , Convergent , and others
what you're getting. •
Models for international 220 V 50 Hz power are available
Wayne Rash Jr. is a consulting editor for
BYTE and a member of the professional
~~~ staff of American Management Systems,
·A merican Power Conversion Inc. (Arlington, VA). He consults with the
federal government on microcomputers
~~~ and communications. You can reach him
on BIX as "waynerash," or in the
2 Columbia Street• PO. Box 3723 •Peace Dale, RI 02883 • (401) 789-5735
to. wayne conference.
Unix is a trademark of AT&T Bell Labs
Your questions and comments are wel­
come. Write to: Editor, BYTE, One
Phoenix Mill Lane, Peterborough, NH
03458.

138 BYTE • APRIL 1989 Circle 21 on Reader Service Card

The The affordable
MS-DOS® based
Tandy laptop
1400IT computer.

-----­
Here's a laptop computer that's The 8088-equivalent microproces­ Come to your local Radio Shack
a true IBM® PC compatible. With a sor has a 7 .16 MHz clock speed (vs. and see the Tandy 1400 LT.
removable rechargeable battery pack
built in, the Tandy 1400 LT is perfect
for people on the go-like busy execu­
tives, sales personnel and journalists.
4.77 MHz for most other PC­
compatible portables). Standard
equipment includes two 720K 3 1/z"
built-in disk drives and 768K RAM­
•
I
Send me a 1989
RSC-20 computer catalog I
Or use it like a desktop computer. ample memory to run today's power­
ful MS-DOS based programs.
I Mail to: RadioShack, Dept. a9-A-668
300 One Tandy Center, Fort Worth, TX 76102 I
The Tandy 1400 LT features a high­ tJ Name _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
I
resolution backlit liquid crystal dis­ The Tandy 1400 LT also includes a Company
play. The SO-character by 25-line
resolution gives you the same quality
parallel printer adapter, RGBI color
monitor output, a real-time clock and
I Address _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ I
of display as a full-sized monitor. And an RS-232C serial interface. You even I City _ _ _ _ _ _State _ __
I
rkably clear, thanks to the get MS-DOS and GW-BASIC at no
"supertwist" LCD technology. extra charge. rad
TM
1tat11e lhaeK
... .................:I, ...........

A DIVISION OF TANI Y CORPORATION

Circle 243 on Reader Service Card APRILl989 •BYTE 139

 VTI-33 SYSTEM
D 8068-2 10 MHz
o 640 KRAM
D 2 360K Floppy Drive
D Serial. Parallel Port
0 Clock, Calender
D AT Style Ke)'t>oen:J
Complete D Build In Mono/Color Graphic
386 SYSTEM D MONO MONITOR
D 80386-20 MHZ CPU
D MS-DOS 3.3, GW Basic
D Support 60287, 80387 &

WEITEK proce881J(
D Six 18 Bil, T"'° B BH BUS
D 1 MB RAM (Expandable 2,4,8 MB
$749
ai board), 32 Bil
D RAM Archrtecture (Interleaved COLOR SYSTEM $919
Page Mode)
D AM Bio&
D Reelline Cloci</Calendar
D 1.2 MB Floppy Drive
o Fast 1 to 1 ln!er1eaved Hard Disk BEST-286 PORTABLE
Cailroller o 10 MHZ (12 M-IZ Optional)
D VGA Adapler & VGA Mor1rtor D 512 KRAM
D 66 MB Hard Drive (21 ms) D One 1.2 MB Floppy Drive
(Toshiba) o 7 Expansion Slots
D 101 Enhanced Keytioerd
D 200 W DC Fan Power Supply
o Ver1ical Case o 9" Dual Amber Screen
D MS-DOS 3.3 GW Basic
D 1 Year Warranty o Morio or Colo< Graphic Card
D Support: NOVELLJ3COM/PC D 2 Serial & 1 Parallel Port
NET/lartilk/OS/2 D 84 Key Soft Tough Key Board

$1115

BEST-SUPER PORTABLE
o G•• Pl••m11 Screen
0 10 MHZ 0 WAIT (12 MHZ Option) o 840 X 400 & EGA Compatlble
D 512 KRAM 0 12 MHz 0 'Walt (On Boon! 4MB E•..- 1
o 1.2 M. Floppy D1ive 0 VLSI Chip Set, AMI Bloa, Sl=15.6
o 20 MB Hard Disk (Seagate 12 5 28ms) o 640K RAM Install
o 200 W DC Fan - Supply o 1.44MB Floppy Dnve (3.5'1
o Serial & Parallel o 20MB H.D. (Seagate 125 28ms)
o Non-Glare LCD Scteen O Herd & Floppy DiSk ConlroUer
o Super Twist o 2 Serial, 1 Parallel,
0 Built-In Back Ughl D Clock, Calender
o 640 x 200 Dols o AT Style Kay Boerd
o Weight 22 lbs o E.xtemel EGA. Monitor Adap!Of
o Padded Soft Cany Bag D Dimension: 15" x SW' X 9 "
O Dimension 16" x 8" x 9" D MS-DOS 3,3, G W Basic
o Weight: 16 lbs

$1549 o Carry Bag

o 386-20 (Option) $2095
o 80286 8/12 MHz o 101 Enhance Keyboard
286 BABY MOTHER BOARD PORTABLE CASE o Award bios D ATl EGA Wonder Gard
10 MHZ $265 9" Dual Amber Monitor o 640K-120 ns o EGA MONITOR
12 MHZ $295 200 W Power Supply o 1.2 MB Floppy Drive D MS-DOS 3.3, GW Basic
Mono Monitor $79 $359 0 40 MB Hard Disk Seagate
Fujitsu 101 Enhance Keyboard $45 LCD CASE ST-251 with NCL
EGA PLUS 640 X 480 $139 640 x 200 Dots $549 o 2 Serial
1 Parallel $1799
(Paradise Compatible) o Clock Calender MONO SYSTEM $1499
CALL FOR QUANTITY PRICE

BEST COMPUTER INC. Tel: (213) 265-0900

5017 Telegraph Road Tech: (213) 265-0300
Los Angeles, CA 90022 Fax: (213) 265-4234
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 EXPERT ADVICE

MACINATIONS • Don Crabb

SMALLTALK
• CAN BE CHEAP
Smalltalk/V Mac
could be a cheaper
alternative
to Smalltalk-SO

egular readers of this column

R know that I've become a con­

vert to ParcPlace Systems'
Smalltalk-80. I've been using
that system for more than half a year now
and I'm impressed with its abilities at ad
hoc programming.
A couple of things have bothered me
about Smalltalk-80, however. The first
problem is its price: a budget-blowing
$995. I am trying to put together a
Smalltalk course for next year, but
Smalltalk-80's steep price tag is a big
impediment to that. I simply can't afford
to buy the 30-plus copies I'd need. A pos­
sible solution might be educational dis­
counts and site licenses. Smalltalk-80 works and feels more like a a desk accessory, or jump to another ap­
The second problem is Smalltalk-80's Unix workstation application . And plication under MultiFinder.
non-Mac interface, which I'll cover in Smalltalk/V Mac proved to be much eas­ Beyond ease-of-learning issues, these
more detail in a moment. Recently, an­ ier to install and learn than Smalltalk­ interface differences could have serious
other version of Smalltalk for the Mac, 80, largely because of these interface consequences for software developers. If
called Smalltalk/V Mac, from Digitalk, differences. you plan to do significant cross-machine
Inc., of Los Angeles, hit the market. For example, prompters are the meth­ development, the ParcPlace system is
Digitalk already has a PC version of ods by which Smalltalk interacts with likely to be a better choice, with its con­
Smalltalk/V available, and the new Mac the user or an application. Smalltalk-80 sistent generic interface.
version is source code-compatible with uses the traditional prompters, imple­ Both Smalltalk systems separate the
it. I've spent the last two weeks testing mented directly in Smalltalk code as virtual image (containing the Smalltalk­
Smalltalk/V Mac, comparing it with Smalltalk classes within the Smalltalk­ 80 language and compiler, the run-time
Smalltalk-80, forming some early opin­ 80 environment. Smalltalk/V Mac im­ system, graphical system libraries, and
ions about this language implementation. plements prompters as Macintosh dialog program development tools) from the
First, Smalltalk/V Mac is quite a bit boxes, preserving both the Macintosh in­ virtual machine (which links the operat­
cheaper than Smalltalk-80 at only $199 terface and the prompter's Smalltalk ing system and hardware of a particular
per copy. Second, Smalltalk/V Mac fol­ functions. computer to the virtual image). Parc­
lows the Macintosh desktop interface In many ways, like the prompter, Place takes this separation to its logical
much more closely than does Smalltalk­ Smalltalk/V Mac implements standard end by producing virtual machines that
80. Smalltalk-80 uses an interface that's Smalltalk features by using Macintosh run on Sun-2, -3, and -4 workstations,
nearly identical to all the other ParcPlace pull-down menus, dialog boxes, and Hewlett-Packard 9000s, and Apollo
Smalltalk-80 implementations on Sun alert boxes. Smalltalk-80, instead, keeps 3000 and 4000 workstations running
workstations, among others. the same interface across processors, so Unix. ParcPlace also expects to release a
Smalltalk V/Mac works and feels you never need to use the Macintosh DOS-based version for 80386-based sys-
more J"ike a Mac application, while menu bar unless you want to quit, invoke continued

ILLUSTRATION : MARK MOSCARILLO © 1989 APRIL 1989 • BYTE 141

 MACINATIONS

terns soon. So far, Digitalk's Small­

Listing 1: Pascal code to count talk/V is available only for the Mac and
the frequency ofalphabetic the PC.
characters, from the Smalltalk/V
Mac manual. Different Approaches
Besides the interface, there are also dif­
Program frequency; ferences in what each system provides
and requires. The ParcPlace system pro­
canst vides many more utilities and sample ob­
s ize=80; jects to study, requiring six SOOK-byte
var floppy disks and over 4 megabytes of
s: string(size); hard disk space (once installed) to hold
i: integer;
all the goodies. Digitalk's system needs
c: char;
f: array [1 .. 26] of integer; only two SOOK-byte floppies (some files
k: integer; are compressed with a special "compres­
sor" application) and about 1. S mega­
begin bytes of hard disk space for installation,
writeln ('enter line'); and lacks some of the ParcPlace utilities
readln(s); and samples. Both systems really need at
least 2 megabytes of RAM, although the
for i:= 1 to 26 do Smalltalk/V system can limp by on as lit­
f[l] : = O;
tle as 1 megabyte under the Finder.
for i: = 1 to size do Smalltalk/V will also work with the Mac's
begin RAM cache on; Smalltalk-SO will not.
c := Both systems are well-behaved under
asLowerCase (s[i]); MultiFinder, so long as there is enough
if isLetter(c) then memory to go around. In my tests on an
begin S-megabyte color Mac II, I seldom ran
k := ord(c) - ord('a') +1; into problems. Smalltalk/V Mac sup­
f[k] . - f[k] + 1; ports the Mac II's and Ilx's math co­
end;
processors via SANE (Standard Apple
end;
for i := 1 to 26 do Numeric Environment) traps; Smalltalk­
write (f[i],' '); SO makes no mention ofthis support.
From my point of view, the biggest
end. and most important difference between
Smalltalk-SO and Smalltalk/V Mac is its
orientation. Smalltalk-SO is presented as
just one implementation of the Small­
talk-SO system that works across a vari­
Listing 2: Smalltalk code that ety of processors in a number of operat­
performs the same operation ing environments . Smalltalk/V Mac
as the code in listing 1. doesn't make these broad implementa­
tion claims. The Smalltalk/V package is
Is c f kl much better geared for a quick under­
standing and exploration of Smalltalk
f :=Array new: 26. than is the Smalltalk-SO package.
With Smalltalk-SO, I found that three
s := Prompter months of use had given me barely
prompt: 'enter line' enough expertise to create simple pro­
default: "".
grams, much less anything approaching
1 to: 26 do: [: 11
f at: i put: OJ. a stand-alone application. In short, I was
1 to: s size do: [:ll finding the learning curve pretty steep
going, largely because of the way Small­
Call or send for your
c :+ (s at: i) asLowerCase. talk-SO provides its own self-contained
FREE Technic~I Guide
environment. It was tough for me to intuit
• c isLetter
actions because I couldn't fall back on

lOtech

ifTrue[
my knowledge of other Macintosh lan­
k := c asciValue ­ $a guages and development systems. This
asciValue +1.
knowledge was quite useless as I learned
f at: k pt: (f at: k) +1
Smalltalk-SO.
J
J. Smalltalk/V Mac got me into the sys­
(216) 439-4091 If tem faster (some of this learning im­
Telex !1502,820864 • F.~{(2'.6)'439·4093
provement, of course, is certainly due to
'IQtecb, Inc. • 25971 Gannpn R yeland, Ohio 44146

b \0ZllllW2
my accumulated Smalltalk-SO knowl­
019)
)1130):'3)3
Ostalll'.!)649070
continued
9362?~~or0nlo(4l~~~;~ (1
71114 7
~
t~ti\le1"*flUflC't\m' .
. av.a.Ne J-ry. L 1919.
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 MACINATIONS

edge) and it was easier to figure out what can use primitives similar to asLower­
to do next, since I could rely on the Mac­ Case and isLetter written in other
intosh menus across the top of the screen. computer languages. However, any Mac
With Smalltalk-80, I had to keep refer­ Pascal development system would be
ring back to the manual, or, through trial compromzses were hard pressed to incorporate library code
and error, try to remember which combi­ written in Smalltalk.
nation of mouse clicks and Shift-Option­ made to Smalltalk/V Smalltalk-80's manual does not pro­
Command keys was needed to activate a vide these kinds of tutorial examples. In­
particular pop-up menu. to keep it so small? stead, it focuses more on a pure program­
Even window scrolling was easier to ming-language learning approach to
learn and use with Digitalk's Small­ OOP and Smalltalk. For me, the Small­
talk/V Mac since its windows use stan­ talk/V approach was easier to follow, but
dard Macintosh horizontal and vertical it could be less so for new programmers.
window scroll bars. In short, the Small­ programming experience with procedur­ They could very well favor the purer en­
talk/V Macintosh interface was easier to al languages like Pascal. vironment and teaching method adopted
master than Smalltalk-80's generic Here's a short sample taken from the by Smalltalk-80.
workstation interface. Smalltalk/V Mac manual that illustrates My evaluation of Smalltalk/V Mac is
the point nicely. One side of the page lists too preliminary to tell if it could substi­
Perks for Programmers a simple Pascal program for counting the tute for Smalltalk-80 in my planned
The tutorial examples provided with frequency of each alphabetic character in Smalltalk course and in my own Small­
Smalltalk/V Mac are better suited to an an input stream, as shown in listing 1. On talk exploratory programming work. I'll
old procedural programmer like me. The the manual page opposite the Pascal list­ need to learn a lot more about the Small­
examples often give you a side-by-side ing is the equivalent Smalltalk program talk/V environment and figure out the
comparison of a Pascal routine next to (see listing 2). compromises made to keep it so small
the solution implemented in Smalltalk. Both the Pascal and Smalltalk pro­ and inexpensive. One thing's for certain:
This kind of side-by-side comparison is grams use predefined routines (Pascal the Smalltalk/V documentation is much
invaluable if you're learning object-ori­ used functions, Smalltalk used objects), better suited for the course I have in
ented programming (OOP) and Small­ called asLowerCase and isLetter. mind, composed of second-, third-, and
talk for the first time and already have Both Smalltalk-80 and Smalltalk/V Mac continued

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 MACINATIONS

fourth-year undergraduates. The Parc­ without having to erase and then re­
Items
Place Smalltalk-80 manual would likely
overwhelm them.
create them).
Individual features that I've found

Discussed
MultiDisk: Disk Partitioning Utility
Last month, I mentioned that I would pe­
elsewhere, but usually not all together in
a single partitioner, include: partition
password protection and full partition
MultiDisk 1.00 ............... $39.95 riodically discuss some of the best utility encryption, desk accessory access to par­
ALSoft, Inc. programs that I've stumbled across. One titions, and TOPS and AppleShare net­
P.O. Box 927 of these handy programs is MultiDisk, a work accessibility of partitions. Multi­
Spring, TX 77383 useful and inexpensive little disk parti­ Disk partitions have all the usual Finder
(713) 353-4090 tioner from ALSoft, a company that features that are associated with normal
Inquiry 1103. makes several useful utilities, including physical volumes, so they are very easy
Font/DA Juggler, and my favorite, Mas­ to manage.
Smalltalk-SO version 2.3 ......$995 terJuggler. MultiDisk does a great job at a good
ParcPlace Systems MultiDisk works like other Macintosh price. I can't wait for ALSoft's next utili­
2400 Geng Rd. disk partitioning programs, allowing you ty. I'm sure that once I have it, I'll find
Palo Alto, CA 94303 to create smaller logical volumes out of that I can't live without it. That's certain­
(415) 859-1000 large hard disks. Such partitions help you ly been the case with Master Juggler and
Inquiry 1102. use disk space more efficiently, keep MultiDisk. •
Finder operations (like file copying)
Smalltalk/V Mac speedy, and protect you from data loss Don Crabb is the director of laboratories
version 1.00 ...................... $199 due to damage to the volume directories. and a senior lecturer for the computer
Digitalk, Inc. But MultiDisk combines some special science department at the University of
Suite 604 features that I haven't found on compet­ Chicago. He can be reached on BIX as
9841 Airport Blvd. ing products. Among these are noncon­ "decrabb ."
Los Angeles, CA 90045 tiguous partitions (i.e., disk partitions Your questions and comments are wel­
(213) 645-1082 don't need to occupy contiguous free come. Write to: Editor, BYTE, One
Inquiry 1101. disk space) and expandable partitions Phoenix Mill Lane, Peterborough, NH
(you can make disk partitions larger 03458.

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E-MAIL ECONOMICS

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T are still more important to our

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hyperbole tossed around about the infor­
mation age, such prosaic industrial-age
inventions as cars, cement, and diet soft
drinks currently have more effect on our
daily lives.
There are 87 telephones, 65 cars, and
65 TVs in the country for every I 00 peo­
ple. Yet the percentage of PCs hovers be­
tween 10 percent and 15 percent, de­
pending on which expert is available for a
quote that afternoon.
But don't sneeze. The type of ubiquity was first used primarily for business, but line of four popular E-mail services:
that it took telephones 75 years to then people decided they wanted to use it CompuServe's EasyPlex, MCI Mail,
achieve, the car 70 years, and the TV 30 to call their friends," Cavanaugh said. Western Union's Easy Link, and BIX (see
years will take the computer another 10 "The trouble was, not everyone had a table 1).
years (or less) to achieve. And one of the phone in those early days. The same ap­
best measurements of this occurrence is plies for the E-mail industry. Not every­ Easy Pl ex

the overwhelming growth of the E-mail one has an E-mail account or even a per­ EasyPlex is CompuServe's E-mail sys­

industry. sonal computer, for that matter." tem. CompuServe does have an alterna­

Last year close to a billion electronic For many businesses and consumers, tive deluxe-type service called Executive

messages were transmitted, according to E-mail use has become routine. Yet as Mail Service that offers some advan­
various market research groups. That's the use of E-mail ramps up, so does the tages, such as an electronic news-clip­
almost five times as many messages as confusion. The variety of E-mail ser­ ping service, but EasyPlex is more popu­
were transmitted in 1984. vices available brings to mind the state of 1a r. And with 350,000 customers,
According to Mike Cavanaugh, execu­ today's telephone industry. Picking the CompuServe can accurately boast that its
tive director of the Washington, DC­ right E-mail service for your needs is no E-mail service has the largest number of
based Electronic Mail Association, busi­ less confusing than choosing a long-dis­ subscribers in the world.
ness-related use of E-mail accounts for tance telephone company. Charges for using EasyPlex are based
90 percent of all E-mail volume. E­ When choosing an E-mail service, you on the time you spend on-line and are
mail's growth in the consumer area is in­ should compare features such as rates, billed in I-minute increments. The
creasing at a slower rate than for business incentive services (e.g., database ac­ charges are the same as when using any
uses, but Cavanaugh thinks this lag is cess), and customer support. One of the of CompuServe's offerings; there is no
only temporary. first things you 'II want to check out is special charge for using EasyPlex.
"People who use E-mail at the office rate structures-not all services are EasyPlex's hourly rates are in effect
are going to want to use it at home, too. created equal. 24 hours a day, 365 days a week. For
Like the telephone in its early years, it What follows is a look at the bottom continued

ILLUSTRATION: DAN REED © 1989 APRIL 1989 • B Y T E 151

 COMl:

1200-/2400-bps access, you' II pay $1. 75. If you exceed the 7500-character BIX
$12.50 an hour; if you 're still using 300­ ounce limit by even one character, you 're The Byte Information Exchange (BIX) is
bps, it will cost you only $6 an hour. charged for another ounce. an electronic extension of BYTE. BIX is
However, CompuServe also tacks on an Recently, MCI Mail acquired the as­ made up of hundreds of conferences with
extra 25 cents per hour to each of the sets of RCA Mail, an E-mail service specialized information on computer­
above rates for access to its system via its from RCA Global Communications. related or general topics in each one. A
packet-switched network. Users of RCA Mail have been given the few special services have been added for
opportunity to move their E-mail box to variety, including two daily news-wire
MCI Mail MCI or simply drop E-mail altogether. reports, Microbytes Daily, the McGraw­
MCI Mail is unique among these four Hill Executive News Service, and a real­
services because its rates are not time­ Easy Link time chat mode called Cbix. There is an
based; you don't pay for any of the time Western Union's entry into E-mail was a E-mail capability, too, commonly re­
you spend on-line. You are charged only "do or die" kind of venture. For years, ferred to by its users as "BIXmail."
according to the amount of messages you the mainstay of this company's revenue BIX is accessible via Tymnet. The
send. This means you can draft letters was telex transmission. Beginning in nonpeak (7 p.m. to 6 a.m.) hourly rate is
on-line or read your E-mail on-line with­ 1983, Western Union funded Easy Link $11. Of that $11, the actual BIX charge
out being charged a penny. with $115 million of start-up funding, is $9; the Tymnet charge is $2. The peak
MCI Mail gives its users a free-access including $45 million for advertising. (6 a.m. to 7 p.m.) hourly rate is $20.
phone line in more than 50 major metro­ EasyLink charges $21 per hour for That breaks out to $12 per hour for BIX
politan cities. If you happen to live in a 300-bps service (not so strange when you and $8 per hour for Tymnet charges. The
city that doesn't have one of these local­ consider that Western Union telex users rates listed in table 1 are for 1200-bps ac­
access phone lines, you can access the are used to 110-bps transfer rates). For cess. A special 2400-bps access rate
service through an 800 number or via 1200-bps access the cost is $30 per hour. tacks on an extra $2.50 per hour during
Tymnet. There is no charge for using the These rates apply during prime time peak times and $1.50 per hour during
800 number, but MCI Mail charges a fee (from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.). The rates drop nonpeak times.
of25 cents per minute if you use Tymnet. some 40 percent from midnight to 7 a.m. (For the sake of clarity, I should note
MCI Mail charges you by the "MCI Like MCI Mail, Easy Link is accessed via that I have a professional affiliation with
ounce," which equates to 7500 charac­ a local phone number. If your city BIX both as a group moderator and as a
ters. The first ounce costs you a flat rate doesn't have an Easy Link phone number, contributor.)
of75 cents. Every additional ounce costs you can use a nationwide 800 number.
$1. So a message of 15 ,000 characters However, if you use this 800 number, E-Mail Benchmarks
will cost you $1. 7 5. A message consist­ tack an additional 30 cents per minute To ferret out the bottom line for each of
ing of 7501 characters will cost you onto your bill. these systems, I've used three typical E­
mail examples: a one-page memo of
about 2500 characters (see table 2), a
Table 1: Charges for the various services discussed. Note that the EasyLink four-page letter of about 10,000 charac­
$25 charge is a monthly minimum usage charge. If you don't use $25 worth of ters (see table 3), and a nine-page report
the service, you 're still charged $25, but there is no subscription fee per se. of about 22,500 characters (see table 4).
NIA denotes not applicable. I prepared each of these examples off­
line and uploaded them manually at 1200
Service Sign-up fee Hr. rate # Subscribers bps during normal business hours using a
(1200 bps, straight ASCII transfer implementing
prime time) XON/XOFF flow control.
At first blush, the choice for an E-mail
BIX $39 (one-time) $12 27,000
service is easy-look at the chart, and go
Easy Link $25 per month $30 200,000 with the lowest overall charges, right? In
EasyPlex $39.95 (one-time) $12.50 350,000 all four cases, this happens to be Compu­
MCI Mail $25 per year N/A 100,000 Serve's EasyPlex. But such reasoning is
continued

Table 2: A comparison oftime and charges for sending messages of various lengths over the services discussed. The
documents were prepared offline and uploaded during normal business hours, at I200 bps, using a straight ASCII transfer
implementing XONIXOFF flow control. Note that MCI charges are based on document length and not on-line time. Times
are in minutes:seconds.

1-page memo 4-page letter 9-page report

Service Time Cost Time Cost T ime Cost

BIX 0:29 $0.17 1 :39 $0.55 3:32 $1 .19

Easylink 0:24 $0.20 1:38 $0.81 3:27 $1.72
EasyPlex 0:41 $0.14 1:55 $0.40 3:35 $0.75
MCI Mail $0.75 $1.75 $2.75

152 BYTE • APRIL 1989

 he more invaluable your data is to you, the more you'll anti-static liners. So static charges are dispersed before they
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DOING MORE FDR THE DATA PROCESS ™

Circle 291 on Reader Service Card APRIL 1989 • BYTE 153

 COMI:

seductive; the choice isn't that clear-cut.

There are other factors you may want
Items Discussed
to consider. For example, there's a factor
I call "on-line overhead." This is the
BIX EasyPlex extra time it takes to actually set up the
BYTE CompuServe system to input your letter, report, or
One Phoenix Mill Lane 5000 Arlington Centre Blvd. memo. Using CompuServe, you have to
Peterborough, NH 03458 P.O. Box 20212 navigate your way to the E-mail section.
(800) 227-2983 Columbus, OH 43220 You can do this in two ways: by using
(603) 924-7681 (800) 848-8199 menus or using a kind of on-line short­
(in New Hampshire) Inquiry 1074. hand, called "go" commands.
Inquiry 1071. Using the menu system on Compu­
MCI Mail Serve, you might take a couple of min­
DASnet 1150 17th St. utes to actually reach the E-mail section;
DA Systems, Inc. Washington, DC 20036 using the go commands, it takes about 30
1503 East Campbell Ave. (800) 444-6245 seconds. But because CompuServe bills
Campbell, CA 95008 Inquiry 1075. in I-minute increments, you 'II pay for a
(408) 559-7434 full minute when you use 30 seconds of
Inquiry 1072. on-line time. That extra minute tacks on
an extra 2 I cents to the actual cost of the
EasyLink mailing.
Western Union With the exception of MCI Mail, using
4230 Alpha Rd., Suite 100 each of the services mentioned here,
Dallas, TX 75244 you 'II rack up some of this on-line over­
(800) 527-5184 head. Of course, the more familiar you
Inquiry 1073. are with the system, the less time you
will need to set it up to input your mail.
But regardless of how well you can ma­
nipulate your E-mail service, the clock is

Every copier company talks

•
We're doing some about
Choosing anew copier isn't easy. You look at copiers, copier salespeople are all giving you a lot of talk,
you listen to promises. It all gets very confusing. ours will give you something great to read.
Now, you don't have to listen to alot of talk about Send in the coupon. Or give us a call
~

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1
promises. You can read ours. Because we put it in at 1-800-TLC-COPY. (In Canada, 4 µ. , . . . . .. . .

writing. If you try to compare it to other copier 1-519-668-2230.) We'll send you ..
guarantees, you'll find there's no comparison. our 8-page Consumer GU'ide to
Suddenly, a djfficult decision becomes a very easy Copiers. Then, we can talk
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Look at the certificate above. Nobody offers you Harris/3M copiers have features for all sizes of offices.That includes
as good a copier guarantee as Harris/3M. So, while the 6070. Seventy copies a minute, guaranteed.

154 BY T E • APRIL 1989

 COM!:

always running. And here's where MCI there is an inherent advantage to sub­ a service called DASnet. The folks there
Mail shines. scribing to a system that has a large num­ promise that they can "reach anyone,
Using MCI Mail, you can stay on-line ber of users. The rationale is simple; the anywhere, with an electronic address. "
for as long as you wish, with no on-line more people using the system, the more DASnet operates as a kind of world­
overhead. This is significant when you wide electronic post office for the infor­
take into account that all E-mail isn't mation age. While DASnet is sometimes
prepared off-line, as my examples were. unreliable and has a confusing rate struc­
A simple one-page memo might take you ture, it is the best solution to date for
5 minutes to write on-line. U sing reaching someone via E-mail who is not
In addition to on-line overhead, you a subscriber to your particular service.
have to consider whether or not you want MCI Mail, you have While you can use statistics to help
a full-service E-mail system. All these you decide which system is right for you,
services offer extras, such as telex trans­ no on-line overhead your best bet is to use these comparisons
mission, fax transmission, and access to as a guide and then write to the E-mail
special on-line information services. to worry about. companies that interest you. Ask them to
Though BIX does not offer telex or fax send you an information package. Com­
services, its on-line information service pare features and talk to friends who
is very robust. Some of these services are have used various E-mail services. Ulti­
priced above and beyond the on-line mately, you will base your decision on a
charges. likely it is that you'll be able to contact combination of all these factors. •
Then there's the question of intercon­ whomever you need to reach.
nectivity, or the ability to send a message Brock N. Meeks is a San Francisco-based
from one system to a subscriber on an­ Reaching Nonusers freelance writer who specializes in high
other system. Of the services mentioned, In this day of global communications­ technology. You can reach him on BIX as
only MCI Mail and EasyPlex have this and until the E-mail industry becomes "brock."
feature . With the other systems, you're truly interconnected-it seems we're Your questions and comments are wel­
limited to sending E-mail only to other stuck with having to subscribe to several come. Write to: Editor, BYTE, One
subscribers of that service. E-mail services in order to receive the Phoenix Mill Lane, Peterborough, NH
When choosing an E-mail service, best coverage possible. One exception is 03458.

about customer satisfaction.

it. --------------1
Yes, I'd like to know more about Harris/3M copiers I
and the Harris/3M Copier Promise.
Send to Harris/3M, P.O. Box 785, Dayton, OH45401 I
NAME :

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I
__ I'd also like information on your faxmachines. MH489 I
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HARRIS/3M

Offer is valid for a limited time and other restrictions ar<l limitations apply; see your Harris/3M
sales representative for details. ©1988 Harris/3M Document Products, Inc. Harris is a trademark
of the Harris Corporation. 3M is a trademark of the 3M Company.

Circle 121 on Reader Service Card APRIL 1989 • BYTE 155

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156 BYTE • APRIL 1989 Circle 36 on Reader Service Card
 EXPERT ADVICE

OS/2 NOTEBOOK • Mark Minasi

• OS/2 FOR CHEAP

Part 2 of a series
showing how
to put together
an inexpensive OS/2
workstation

efore being interrupted by my

B trip to COMDEX, I was talking

about building an inexpensive
workstation that supports Pre­
sentation Manager (PM). So far, itcon­
sists of the following:

• a 10-MHz IBM PC AT clone with

5 l 2K bytes of RAM expandable to
1 megabyte (with a DTK motherboard
and a Phoenix BIOS), a power
supply, and a case
• a 3-megabyte extended-memory
card (Everex RAM 3000)
• 3.5 megabytes of256K-bit
DRAMs to fill the card and the important detail to buying an OS/2­ even be recognized by OS/2.
motherboard ready serial port. Serial ports and inter­ If you already have a serial port, you
•a Western Digital WD1003 AT­ nal modems are built mainly around a can easily find out whether or not you
type hard/floppy disk drive single chip called a universal asynchro­ have a 16450. First, remove the circuit
controller nous receiver/transmitter. The ones seen board that provides the serial port func­
• a Seagate ST4096 80-megabyte in most serial ports are an older design tion or the internal modem board. It's not
hard disk drive called the 8250. It's perfectly good, and hard. After that, remove the cover of
it can be run at speeds of up to 115,200 your computer. With the power off, re­
The total cost so far is $2990. I've gotten bps, as LapLink has ably demonstrated. move the screw that holds the serial
these things either through a mail-order A new-and-improved chip, the 16450, is board in place. Rock it back and forth
house or from my local clone boutique. now available. It, too, is a UART. gently, and the board will come out.
Current DOS machines may have You won't be able to miss the identify­
Serial Ports without 8250s either an 8250 or a 16450-you can't tell ing number-this is a large chip. The
Next, I'll add printer and serial ports. It the difference under DOS. As internal number may be surrounded by other
makes sense to buy one of those $80 modems are also serial devices, they too characters (e.g., S8250N-B), but you'll
boards with one serial port and two par­ have a UART. The Hayes internal mo­ easily see it. If you're worried about
allel ports, which you'll find in mail­ dems I've seen, for instance, use the doing this, find someone who's been
order ads. Butyoumaywantaboardwith 8250. The IBM PS/2 Micro Channel ar­ under the hood of a computer before.
two serial ports because you need a chitecture-compatible internal modem If you're buying a PM-ready worksta­
mouse and a modem, and this way you uses the 16450. Again, under DOS tion, be sure to ask the vendor whether or
can support the mouse, modem, and par­ there's effectively no difference. not the serial ports use an 8250 or a
allel printer with just one slot. A separate Under OS/2, it's another story. OS/2 16450. If you can't get an answer, don't
mouse board wouldn't cost much, but it will talk only to the 16450. There are buy from that vendor.
would gobble up a precious slot. many serial/parallel add-in cards, but Suppose you already have an 8250­
That's easy enough. But there's one beware: If they have an 8250, they won't continued

ILLUSTRATION: DEBORAH SHELDON© 1989 APRIL 1989 • BYTE 157

 OS/2 NOTEBOOK

based serial port-must it go in the trash?

BYTE's hardware expert, Brett Glass,
tells me that he has been able to make
OS/2 happy by simply replacing the 8250
The
problem is that color
bigger
Floppy Disks Required
OS/2, being large, can't be booted from a
360K- or "720K-byte floppy disk. Since it
arrives in the 1.2- or 1.44-megabyte fla­
with a 16450. Many parallel/serial vor, you need a 1 .2- or 1.44-megabyte
boards mount the 8250 with a socket, so monitors are expensive drive A OS/2 is so large that you don't
you can replace the 8250 with a 16450 really boot it upon installation-you just
without any soldering. You can probably -$350 and up. boot a minimum program that is smart
find a place that will sell you a 16450 in enough to load the five disks. Then it
the back of this issue. Jameco Electron­ tells you to reboot, and at that point
ics is a longtime BYTE advertiser that you're in. That's part of the reason why
handles chips. On the other hand, if your the FORMAT IS option does not work
UART is not socketed and you're not -and every one of them causes OS/2 to under OS/2 1. 1.
comfortable with a soldering iron, per­ lock up when trying to boot if the card The 1.44-megabyte floppy disk seems
haps it's best to buy a new board. has auto-switching enabled. What's to be the disk of choice for IBM-it was
There are boards around that offer two needed is a video card that boots up in easy to get the PM on 1.44-megabyte
serial ports and a parallel port for $80. EGA mode and doesn't squawk about disks weeks before it was available on
The total now reaches $3070. emulating a full 256K-byte EGA on a 1.2-megabyte disks-so be sure that
monochrome monitor. whatever machine you buy will support a
EGA or VGA? I've tried out a pile of cards, and the 1.44-megabyte disk down the line.
The PM doesn't support CGA-well, it one that seems to be the most trouble-free Now the tally is up to $3444, and
does, but not credibly-or Hercules is the Paradise AutoSwitch Mono EGA that's final. Of course, you need to buy
graphics, so the workstation will have Card. Be very careful when buying this, software, but that's for another day.
either EGA or VGA. There's a number of however, because dealers seem to be un­ Summarizing, the workstation ended up
reasons to go with VGA rather than aware of its existence. They want to sell including the following:
EGA, and perhaps I'll tackle them in a you a Paradise Basic EGA Card, or an
future column. For now, it's enough to AutoSwitch EGA 480, or a VGA Profes­ • a 10-MHz IBM PC AT clone with
say that the cost difference between EGA sional Card .... Make sure you 're getting 512K bytes of RAM expandable to
and VGA-$150 for EGA versus $400 the right card by specifying Model 1 megabyte (with a DTK motherboard
for VGA-is enough to go with EGA. 02-17. It lists for $279, but I found it at a and a Phoenix BIOS), a power
What about the so-called EEGA, the local dealer for $199. A Samsung TTL supply, and a case
"extended" EGA card with the snazzy amber monitor was $80 with a tilt stand. • a 3-megabyte extended-memory
800- by 560-pixel resolution mode? Now the cost is up to $3349. card (Everex RAM 3000)
There's no real point in buying one of The AutoSwitch Mono EGA Card also • 3.5 megabytes of256K-bit
these, as the nonstandard modes aren't has other virtues. When running DOS, DRAMs to fill the card and the
supported by the PM anyway. But this you can use its MEGA.EXE software to motherboard
may change. Just as Paradise, Genoa, direct the board to emulate a Hercules or •a Western Digital WD1003 AT­
Video Seven, and the rest have written CGA video card, so you have most of the type hard/floppy disk drive
special Windows drivers to show off bases covered. I don't know of anyone at controller
their cards, perhaps we'll soon see simi­ the moment that offers a similar card for • a Seagate ST4096 80-megabyte
lar drivers for the PM. VGA, but someone probably will in time. hard disk drive
My associate, Rob Oreglia, has railed • a Paradise AutoSwitch Mono EGA
for years now against color monitors. Rodent Card
"They're of no use to you," he argues. Some of us think mice should be in lab­ • a Samsung amber TTL monitor
"Say you get a pretty color screen-how oratories testing vaccines, but the PM • an I/O card with two serial ports
do you get a hard copy?" I can't argue needs a mouse. What's a good one? I use and one parallel port (serial ports
with him. the Microsoft Serial Mouse. Yes, you can with the 16450)
The bigger problem is that color moni­ run PM without a mouse, but you have to • a Microsoft Serial Mouse
tors are expensive. A monochrome mon­ have a head for the trivial, shall we say?
itor is cheap-$70 tops via mail order, You want to make drive A the default Once the workstation is set up, the real
$95 for the "paper-white" screens. EGA drive? Just press Control-A. Want to move fun begins when you start arranging
monitors all seem to start at $350 and go from one window to another? Alt-Tab. files. When OS/2 installs itself on your
up from there. Additionally, mono­ My advice against using the keyboard disk, it installs itself all over your disk.
chrome monitors produce nice, sharp to control Windows or PM is not based on I'll talk about the files that OS/2 drops on
text. So, to really make this cheap, we'll a small amount of experience; at my your machine next time. •
shoot for an EGA card that can support a desk, I use a mouse. When doing PM
basic monochrome TTL monitor in EGA classes, however, I often find myself Mark Minasi is a managing partner at
resolution by displaying different shades. having to use the keyboard, as computer Moulton, Minasi & Company, a Colum­
Simple, you may say-any auto-switch­ rental companies are often unequal to the bia, Maryland, firm specializing in tech­
ing display card will handle that. task of supplying a working mouse. nical seminars. He can be reached on
That's just the problem, you see. Auto­ OS/2 claims to support several mice, BIX as "mjminasi. "
switching kills OS/2. and I guess it doesn't matter which one Your questions and comments are wel­
I've tried a number of video cards with you use. I like a serial mouse for reasons come. Write to: Editor, BYTE, One
OS/2-ATI's EGA Wonder, Quadram's I cited earlier-you save a slot. The Mi­ Phoenix Mill Lane, Peterborough, NH
QuadEGA +, and Paradise's EGA cards crosoft Serial Mouse is about $95. 03458.

158 BYTE • APRIL 1989

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APRIL 1989 • BYTE 161

 PRODUCT Focus • UNINTERRUPTIBLE POWER SYSTEMS

Curing the
Brownout Blues
K
a-thunk. The lights dim. Your Is a UPS?" on page 168.) digitizing oscilloscope.
heart stops. For a moment, you The BYTE Lab looked at 12 UPSes A line-switching device developed by
are frozen. Time seems to (see table 1). Each unit is rated at under Emerson rounded out our test equip­
stand still. Then you hear the 1500 volt-amperes (VA)-designed pri­ ment. The Emerson box uses a solid-state
familiar sound of your computer boot­ marily to support microcomputers or switch to toggle its output between direct
ing. To you, it sounds remarkably like a networks. We were looking for units to connection to line voltages and connec­
toilet flushing your precious data down provide reliable backup power; we did tion to line voltages through the Variac.
the drain. If only you would learn to save not test for overvoltage protection. While The output is normally connected di­
your work more often. If only ... surge and spike suppression are impor­ rectly to the power line. The Variac input
All of us who use computers live on tant to line .quality and are often offered acts as a variable voltage source or, when
the edge. Yes, you have heard all the ad­ as enhancements, they don't fall within set to other than line voltage, as a distur­
ages about saving your work and backing the traditional domain of the UPS. bance input.
up everything, but do you really do it as When the switching device is acti­
often as you should? At some point, you UPS Testing vated, the solid-state switch connects the
enter the danger zone, where one good The words behind the UPS acronym sug­ output to the Variac (the disturbance in­
lull in the power line could cost you gest that such a product provides power put) for a short time, then switches back
greatly in terms of lost data. Not even an that is, within reasonable limits, uninter­ to normal line voltage, without disturb­
uninterruptible power system (UPS) can ruptible. Testing a UPS means determin­ ing the phase. The test instrument also
promise absolute protection, but it can ing just how invulnerable to interruption generates a trigger signal so that we
offer some peace of mind to those who it really is-feeding it less-than-ideal could monitor each disturbance with the
fear the dreaded power brownout. power and looking at how much of the oscilloscope. Timing controls let us
Consider the following disquieting in­ disturbance the unit passes on to your choose both the duration (from 0.2 milli­
formation. In 1972, 1975, and 1983, computer. second to 683 ms) and the starttime (as a
IBM published studies on utility power To provide power disturbances, we position on the sine wave) of the distur­
across the U.S. (the 1983 survey also in­ used a Variac rated for 120-/240-volt in­ bance; adjusting the Variac let us select
cluded Japan and Europe), recording in­ puts, a 9-A load, and output voltages its magnitude. With the Emerson unit,
cidents-out-of-specification fluctua­ ranging from 0 V to 280 V. A Variac is a we were able to replicate most common
tions above and below line voltage. variable autotransformer, a device that line faults in both size and duration.
Though frequency of fluctuations de­ let us convert fixed line voltages (from Table 2 shows our results. It includes a
pends heavily on your location, on aver­ the wall socket) to any 60-Hz voltage single figure for cutoff voltage and re­
age, the frequency of such incidents rose within the given output range. The Var­ start voltage, and three figures foroutput
from 12 percent to 27.3 percent, and the iac let us do simple but realistic and re­ voltage. The cutoff voltage represents the
number of outages increased from 5 per­ peatable simulations oflow line voltages. input level at which the UPS kicks in­
cent to 15 percent. We monitored UPS inputs and outputs where it generates an input fault alarm
In its Gold Book, the IEEE recom­ using two line monitors to measure root­ and, if necessary, switches to backup
mends that computer equipment be de­ mean-square voltage and an oscilloscope power. We measured the cutoff voltage
signed to operate within a steady-state to capture actual voltage waveforms. The by connecting the UPS being tested di­
window 6 percent above and 13 percent first line monitor is a BMI GS-3, a low­ rectly to the Variac and lowering the volt­
below normal line voltage. Most com­ load instrument that gives a constant age until the test unit responded. After
puter equipment available today com­ reading of RMS voltage when connected recording this cutoff voltage reading, we
plies. But the largest group of incidents to a power outlet. The unit gives reliable turned up the Variac until the test UPS
recorded by the IBM study covered sags readings for sine waves only, so we used switched back on; the turn-on level is the
of 20 percent; the second largest group it to test only inputs. restart voltage.
(and growing) included sags of 30 per­ To monitor UPS outputs, we used a As a caveat, these two figures can be
cent (it tied with total blackouts). More BMI 2400 Power Scope, a similar but affected by the impedance of the Variac
than half of all incidents lasted less than more sophisticated device that gives true and the nonlinear current draw of the
6 seconds. If your work is intimately tied RMS readings, even for nonsinusoidal units being tested. Each UPS was loaded
to your microcomputer, you would be waves. For waveform acquisition, peak with an IBM PS/2 Model 80 and a moni­
wise to purchase a UPS. (For a primer on voltage measurements, and timings, we tor (168 VA) connected to its output.
UPS technology, see the text box "What used a Hewlett-Packard Model 16530 The three output voltage numbers rep­

162 BYTE • APRIL 1989

 Twelve UPSes that can help you sleep better at night

Steve Apiki, Stanford Diehl, and Rick Grehan

resent the normal, backup, and mm1­ bance began at a positive slope zero
mum steady-state voltages present at the crossing. We made qualitative observa­
UPS output. To perform the normal out­ tions and measured peak voltages from
put test, we plugged the UPS into the line the scope trace. Again, we loaded the test
socket, loaded it with the Model 80, and units with a PS/2 Model 80.
determined RMS output. We also used To determine transfer times and their
the oscilloscope to get a picture of the sensitivity to different loads, we sent
normal output waveform. one-cycle near-blackout voltages (minus
To find the backup voltage, we discon­ 75 percent) to each of the six SPSes.
nected the UPS from the line and again Using the storage oscilloscope, we cap­
measured the output. Minimum output tured the resulting waveforms and mea­
voltage is the RMS reading for the unit sured the transfer times (see photo 1).
just before switching to backup, if the We performed the test twice, once with a
unit is a standby power system (SPS), or small load (the Model 80) on the UPS
the smallest voltage reached and once with a moderate load
while the input is reduced to (420VA).
zero. To read this, we wired We supplemented the dis­
the test UPS to the Variac and turbance tests with a mea­
turned down the input volt­ surement ofholdup time (how
age, recording the minimum long a UPS/SPS can provide
output value. usable power when discon­
We used the oscilloscope to nected from the wall). Be­
measure the effect of four un­ cause the holdup time's load
dervoltage line disturbances response can be nonlinear, we
that were generated by the used loads of three sizes. The
Emerson box. The voltage small and moderate loads cor­
levels were set at minus 30 responded to those used in the
percent from nominal line; transfer-time test.
we used Ys-, ~-, Yi-, and one­ We also used a large (672
cycle durations. Each distur­ VA) load to put a realistic
continued

Three of the best:

ITT PowerSystems' VIP 800
(left), Sola Electric 's
Mini UPS/2 (middle), and
the Erner son PC/ET (right)
represent products designed
for medium-, large-, and
small-load requirements.

-
E
m

APRIL 1989 • BYTE 163

 PRODUCT FOCUS

UNINTERRUPTIBLE POWER SYSTEMS

Table 1: A summary of critical UPS features.

Price Output Type Waveform

power(VA)
Type THO RMS(V) Reg. Peak(V)

American Power Conversion 800RT $1099 800 Standby Sine 2% 120 2% 170

Computer Accessories Power Saver U 1200 $ 1295.95 1200 Standby Modified square N/A 120 5% 165

Computer Power Computersave Mark II $2219 750 Standby Sine 5% 120 2% 170

DRS Power Products UPS $654 1000 Standby Modified square N/A 115 N/A 145

Emerson PC/ET $995 360 On-line Sine 5% 120 5% 170

Exide Electronics Micro UPS 800 $1199 800 Standby Sine 2% 120 5% 170

General Power EPD U nistar U 1000 $2699 1000 On-line Sine 3% 117 2% N/A

ITI PowerSystems VIP 800 $1699 800 On-line Sine 5% 120 3% 170

Kalglo Electronics Line-Saver LS-750 $995 750 Standby Modified square NIA 120 4% 160

Sola Electric Mini UPS/2 $3712 1000 On-line Sine 5% 120 3% 170

Unison UniPower DP 800 $995 800 On-line Stepped square N/A 115 5% 170

Viteq Benchmark Model 386/LAN $1895 750 On-line Sine 5% 120 2% 170

1 Includes detection and switching time. 3 Protection features key: NC = network connection, 4 Specifred as zero, some distortion for 8 ms.
2 Specified recharge time may vary from 85 percent NF= noise filteri ng, and SS= spike suppression s Optional feature.
to 100 percent full charge. (tested to IEEE·587). • Number in parentheses indicates total outputs,
including bypassed (not backed-up) outlets.

Table 2: The test results. The ideal UPS has an output voltage close to 120 volts at all times, and zero (or NIA) transfer times.

Cutoff Restart Steady state Measured

voltage (RMS) voltage (RMS) output voltage (RMS) transfer time (ms)

Normal Backup Min. Small load Moderate load

American Power Conversion 800RT 101 105 117.5 122.0 101 .5 6.6 6.0

Computer Accessories Power Saver U 1200 99 100 118.9 120.3 100.2 4.8 4.6

Computer Power Computersave Mark II 86 91 120.2 122.4 118.5 01 01

DRS Power Products UPS 101 108 118.3 133.5 101 .7 11.8 13.0

Emerson PC/ET 84 95 117.9 117.9 117.9 N/A N/A

Exide Electronics Micro UPS 800 101 106 117.8 121.1 101.6 8.2 8.2

General Power EPD Unistar U1000 79 91 118.6 118.6 118.6 N/A N/A
ITI PowerSystems VIP 800 96 2 96 2 118.3 118.3 118.3 N/A N/A

Kalglo Electronics Line-Saver LS-750 1023 105 117.9 131.5 103.5 17.4 17.4

Sola Electric Mini UPS/2 94 103 119.3 119.5 119.5 NIA NIA

Unison UniPower DP 800 96 104 122.6 121.4 121 .3 N/A N/A

Viteq Benchmark Model 386/LAN 82 92 116.7 117.2 116.7 NIA N/A

' No abrupt switch, but voltage degradation 2 No clearly defined transfer point.
(15 percentto 20 percent) for 12 m s to 16 ms. 3 Default value; transfer levelsareadjustable.

stress on the larger units. As was true UPSes. Other sources include features The front panel sports a power switch,
with the moderate load, the large load claimed by the manufacturer that may or a test switch to simulate power outages,
was an even mixture of computers and may not be testable (e .g., long battery and a vertical row of indicator lights.
monitors. We did not test any of the 750­ life or warranty) and subjective impres­ Along with indicators for output ready,
VA units with the large load because the sions . A summary of each UPS's perfor­ input power fault, overload, and low bat­
difference between rating and actual load mance follows . tery, the 800RT lights a site-wiring fault
left a very slim margin of error, less than indicator when it detects a poor ground
some manufacturers recommend. We American Power Conversion 800KI: The or reversed AC polarity.
charged each UPS for 24 hours between 800RToffers some valuable features at a You can also use the row of indicators
tests, loaded them, and then discon­ reasonable cost of $1099. Like all SPSes, as a utility voltage monitor or a load
nected them from the line. this 800-VA unit cannot provide absolute power gauge. If you press the alarm dis­
uninterrupted power during an AC out­ able switch for 4 seconds, the row of
Powerful Impressions age, but its transfer time is acceptable, lights becomes a bar-graph indicator dis­
Our test results were the primary source and it generates a pure sine wave during playing the input voltage level. If you
of information used in evaluating these backup operation. press the test switch for 4 seconds, the

164 B Y T E • APRIL 1989

 PRODUCT FOCUS

UNINTERRUPTIBLE POWER SYSTEMS

Transfer Full-load Battery-recharge Outlets Other Warranty Size (inches) Weight

time1 holdup time time2 (hours) protection (years) (lbs.)
(ms) (minutes) features3

4 5 10 6 NC, SS, NF 11.5x7.7x 14.5 52

3 10 8 4 NC, SS, NF 16.5x6.4x18 74
04 15 4 4 NCS, SS, NF 1 12.5 x 12.5 x 21 125
6 10 8 4 NC, NF 2 9x11x18 60
NIA 7 35 minutes 3 (6)6 SS, NF 1 2.3 x 15 x 14.8 23
4 6 10 6 NC, SS, NF 2 11 .5x 7.7x14.5 52
NIA 10 NIA 3 NF 18 x 7.9 x 19.5 93
NIA 10 8 3 (5) 6 NC, SS, NF 10x6x16 39
4 11 12 2 NCS, SS, NF 2 5x8.5x13.2 38
NIA 8 2 4 NC, SS, NF 20 x 11 x 22 145
NIA 6 4 ·4 (8)6 NC, SS, NF 2.9 x 18 x 16.5 34
NIA 10 2 4 NC, SS, NF 11.5x8x19.5 65

Measured holdup time (hrs:min:sec)

Osei 11 oscope E I II Channel Autoscale~ Print
Run
-·
Input V/D!Y Offset
Probe Impedance Preset
Small load Moderate load Large load 01 65.0 v 26.00 v 100•1 I MOhm User
s/Div Delay Markers
x to o l lTrlg to x .!I.ig ~
5.00 ms 0 s On
3 .4000 ms . 4 .9000 ms 8,\3000 .z-
0:43:37 0:15:47 0:07:21
2:05:55 0:44:15 0:23:34 x ~~7 1
1:09:55 0:35:26 NIA 0 52 .6 1

/
,/'......,........
~- ..,,,
\
~-, __:
/~
r-.
-\II

..,
1:08:10 0:29:51 0:14:43
\ ~ ~4: ;
0 :12:25
0:40:05
NIA NIA
0:07:28
\
\ / \
'·.......'"I.._ /j
\ i
I
i
0 :1 5:41
-~.,../
-'="---..
\~. /
2:22:30 0:41 :38 0:20:25 -~· .____:.r
1
02 I
0:56:22 0:22:51 0:11 :35 x 12 .s l · -·­ ··---- . . . . £- --- - - ­ I
0 12.5 I
0:30:04 0:07:59 NIA
1:08:26 0:36:34 0:21 :07 - .... ·- ·- .. -- - -·--- -- --- . -- i
0:33:45 0 :10:19 0:05:13 1
0:44:22 0 :17:33 NIA
i

bar-graph indicator displays the pro­ adaptable to many network systems, in­ Photo 1: Transfer-time measurement for
tected load at thresholds of 130, 250, cluding Novell NetWare, Banyan or Tall­ standby power systems. The
360, 4 70, and 600 VA. grass running VINES, and others.) measurement is from disturbance to
The 800RT provided 43 minutes and full recovery. (Shown here is the
37 seconds of battery backup for a small Computer Accessories Power Saver American Power Conversion BOORT
load, and 7 minutes and 21 seconds of UJ200: Though physical design is not waveform.)
backup for a large load. A continuous normally an important criterion when
alarm sounds when the unit nears shut­ selecting a UPS, this 1200-VA model
down. The battery kicks in at 101 V, re­ certainly deserves credit for ease of in­ the only one provided, though there is an
sponding smoothly after a 6-ms transfer stallation. It has the heft usually associ­ audible power-fa ult alarm. The unit has a
time. A network connection at the rear of ated with such a high-capacity unit, but self-test that it performs at each start-up.
the unit alerts any computer connected solid carrying handles and a good rectan­ The battery is of average capacity,
when shutdown is imminent, allowing gular layout make it easy to place and rated at 10 minutes full load. Its high VA
supported software to respond by grace­ move. A lighted front-panel on/off rating does, of course, increase holdup
fully closing files. (This connector is switch is the only control necessary-and continued

APRIL 1989 • BYTE 165

 PRODUCT FOCUS

UNINTERRUPTIBLE POWER SYSTEMS

time for smaller loads; our Model 80 and good all-around performance. The standby output is a square wave,
monitor were operational for over 2 This UPS has an odd appearance, with which our measurements show has an
hours with input power to the UPS a large housing for the inverter and RMS value around 133 V. Frequency on
disconnected. switching electronics connected via a the unit we tested was near 66 Hz. DRS
At $1295.95, the Ul200 compares fa­ back-panel cable to an external battery told us that our Model 80 test load was
vorably to most of the other UPSes that box. Its external battery design lets you too small for this high-capacity unit and
we reviewed in the critical dollars-per­ add more batteries or replace worn-out said that frequency variances are usually
VA category: In terms of pure output modules without exposure to the poten­ limited to between 58 Hz and 62 Hz.
quality, however, two factors weigh tially dangerous voltages inside the sys­ Transfer time was relatively poor,
against this system: SPS design and non­ tem. A power switch, an audible alarm, rated at 6 ms and measured at 11. 8 ms.
sinusoidal output (see photo 2). and front-panel LEDs provide control. The UPS also failed to switch on short­
While the waveform type and transfer Though the Mark II is an SPS, the out­ term (one-cycle) brownouts. Holdup
time are less than ideal, these problems put storage transformer makes the ef­ time was poor compared with units of a
are not as serious as they could be. The fects of switching to the inverter almost similar power rating, but the system out­
waveform is very close to sinusoidal unnoticeable and puts it in a slightly dif­ performs more expensive units with
(peak 165 and RMS 120), and the trans­ ferent category. The transformer is con­ lower ratings.
fer time is relatively short. Transfers are nected between the AC source (line or One helpful feature that this no-frills
also made in phase. The unit needs no inverter) and the UPS output. While device does provide is LED bar graphs to
hysteresis in the cutoff level, since the in­ line-to-inverter switching takes place, monitor load and battery charge levels.
verter remains on for at least 5 seconds the transformer holds up the output long The bar graphs give a better indication of
regardless of the duration of the tran­ enough to ensure a smooth transition. emergency power available than the
sient. Though the inverter mechanism is Transfer time is not easily measured usual audible alarm only.
of a cheaper design than those of some of from the scope trace, as the effect of
the more costly UPSes we reviewed, the switching is to degrade the output voltage Emerson PC/ET: The Emerson PC/ET
better-than-average implementation about 15 percent to 20 percent for close provides true on-line protection for only
stems some of the problems associated to one cycle. $995 . While this compact unit supplies
with the square wave/SPS scheme. only 360- VA output from its three UPS­
DRS Power Products UPS: DRS's 1000­ protected outlets, conditioned output is
Computer Power Computersave Mark II: VA entry is built for economy. Cost-sav­ available from two additional sockets.
At $2219, the Mark II is the most expen­ ing measures include standby operation, The PC/ET generates a true sine wave
sive 750-VA system we tested. It also a pure square-wave output, and limited and maintains remarkably consistent
ranks second to the Sola Electric Mini spike protection. While the backup output regardless of input conditions.
UPS/2 in terms of cost per VA. But the power it provides may be less than per­ Front-panel indicators monitor load
unit offers features in proportion to fect, this UPS sells for only $654-a level in 20 percent increments, battery
price: Sine-wave output, outstanding bat­ quarter the price of the next most expen­ charge, presence of AC power, and over­
tery capacity, and an output storage sive 1000-VA unit, and the only system load conditions. In addition to a master
transformer contribute to the Mark II's in the group at less than a dollar per VA. power button, each rear-panel outlet is
controlled by its own front-panel switch.
The unit furnishes noise filtering and
spike suppression, but it has no network
connection. Battery power lasted 12 min­
utes and 25 seconds while connected to a
small load. The low VA rating prevented
us from testing the other two loads.
This on-line UPS looks tempting
when you see the low price tag, and if
your power requirements are modest,
you should give it a look. Upon closer in­
spection, however, the PC/ET is not as
cheap as it seems. Only the Mini UPS/2
and the Computersave Mark II are more
expensive when considering cost per VA.
It does offer true uninterruptible power
for less than $1000, a viable alternative
to the inexpensive standby units.

Exide Electronics Micro UPS 800: This

$1199 unit provides 800-VA standby
power from six rear sockets. It supplies
spike suppression, noise filtering, true
sine-wave output, and a network inter­
face.
Photo 2: The modified square-wave out put ofthe Computer Accessories Front-panel indicators are identical to
Power Saver Ul200. those on the 800RT, including the diag­
continued

166 B YT E • APRIL 1989

The smart buy for PC Power Protection is now

The Smart UPS For LAN's

... Reliable Protection From Data Loss

• A unique software package that interfaces

your LAN 's and Minuteman UPS system for
an automatic and orderly network shutdown
due to power failures ... before data loss
occurs!
• Compatible with SCO XE.NIX 2 .2 .3
Compatible with Novell Systems:
ELS 2 . 1 2 and above
Advanced Netware 2. 10 and above

SFT Netware 2 . 10 and above

• Selectable power loss warning times and

shutdown times
• Instantaneous user notification
• Also interfaces to Wide Area Networks
• Auto Shutdown of UPS for unattended
operation
• The only software ava ilable that supports ELS
Level II
• No Novell monitoring hardware required

Power Output 120 Volt Models 230 Voll Models

250 WATT $ 379.UQ $ 429.00

300 WATT $ 549.00 N/A
500 WATT $ 699.00 $ 799.00
600 WATT $ 899 .00 $1049.00
Optional Battery racks Not Shown
900 WATT $1249.00 N/A

®
FOR L.A.N.
1200 WATT $1499.00 $1749.00 NOYILL LABS

1600 WATT $1999.00 $2299.00 TESTED AND

APPROVED
NetWore Compatible LISTED
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• One millisecond transfer time * ~

• Synchronized sinewave * PARA SYSTEMS, INC.
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• Order-Ship same day
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time , PWM waveform
1-800-2 3 8-7 2 7 2

See us at COMDEX-Chlc:ago, Booth #3033 FAX: (214) 446-9011 TELEX: 140275 OMEGA
Circle 209 on Reader Service Card APRIL 1989 • BYTE 167
 PRODUCT FOCUS

UNINTERRUPTIBLE POWER SYSTEMS

What Is a UPS?

Mark Waller
he acronym UPS stands for "unin­ As the name implies, this unit performs switch its inverter on and gracefully
T terruptible power system." Notice
that this is not a power supply. It is an
two functions: It changes the power to
DC (the rectifier) and charges the bat­
pick up the electrical load before the
microcomputer's internal ride-through
external system for providing continu­ tery. The battery floats on a DC bus expires. Typical switching times are
ous power when the utility supply fails. (i.e., the conductor that connects the from 4 ms to 10 ms, including the time
A power supply is a subassembly inside rectifier/charger and the inverter). If it takes to sense an outage and complete
the microcomputer that converts the the battery needs charging, it draws the switching process. The SPS does
utility's AC power to DC, which is what power from the bus. If, on the other this by setting an internal transfer
the logic circuits of the microcomputer hand, the bus voltage level falls below point. When the utility voltage (120
need for working energy. the battery float voltage, the battery de­ volts) falls below a predetermined level,
To make matters a little more compli­ livers energy to the bus. say 100 V, the SPS begins the switching
cated, not every UPS is truly uninter­ The energy conducted through the process. This ensures that by the time
ruptible. These units are more correctly DC bus provides power to the inverter voltage reaches a dangerously low level,
called standby power systems (SPSes) . (which, in turn, provides power to the the microcomputer will already be on­
Also, some designs are uninterruptible microcomputer). In other words, the battery.
and yet standby at the same time. system is on-line all the time. Thus, a A selectable transfer point is an im­
The reason for this blurring of terms full-time AC-to-DC-to-AC conversion portant feature. The switching power
is related to the microcomputers them­ takes place. The advantage of this de­ supply inside most microcomputers has
selves. A microcomputer's power sup­ sign over the standby design is that no a working voltage window that is enor­
ply has what is called ride-through: the switching takes place if utility power mous, from about 80 V to nearly 140 V,
amount of time that the power supply fails . Since the inverter is always pro­ implying that voltage regulation is not
can deliver stored energy to the logic viding power to the load (the microcom­ normally necessary. It also implies that
circuits with no electricity being fed to puter), themicrocomputernever sees an if your site experiences chronic brown­
the supply. This energy storage is di­ interruption of power. outs or low-voltage conditions, you may
rectly related to the size and quality of This feature comes at a price, how­ want to buy a unit that lets you select a
the power supply components, particu­ ever. Since the duty cycle of the compo­ low transfer point (possibly in the 90-V
larly the filter capacitors. The ride­ nents is 100 percent, they must be big­ range) so that you are not unnecessarily
through of microcomputers is from 20 ger with higher ratings. This means that transferring to a battery.
milliseconds to 40 ms-a long time in the on-line design can cost twice as The next feature to look for is an ex­
the world of electronics. Some designs much or more than a standby unit of the tension of the transfer point, referred to
have an even greater tolerance for very same rating. as hysteresis. This means that the re­
short-term dropouts. transfer point (the voltage at which the
One More Design SPS goes off-battery when utility power
TheSPS A ferroresonant transformer, designed returns) should be above the transfer
This long ride-through allowed the SPS many years ago, has the unique ability voltage so that "chattering" on- and off­
to become the most popular of these de­ to store energy for a few tens of milli­ battery does not occur if the utility volt­
vices for the microcomputer market. seconds. Figure C shows how this de­ age hovers near the transfer point. A
Figure A shows the block diagram of an vice can enhance the performance of the typical hysteresis window might have a
SPS. The incoming utility power is fed simple SPS. Notice that all the blocks low of 102 Vanda high of 107 V.
directly into the microcomputer under are the same, but that the transformer When an SPS retransfers, you want
normal conditions. When utility power has been added at the output. With this the waveform output of the inverter to
fails, the transfer switch senses this design, the time that it takes to switch on slew to match the phase of the incoming
happening and turns on the inverter, the inverter is covered with the ride­ utility power. This is called synchroniz­
which converts battery power (DC) into through capability of the transformer. ing or phase matching. When the two
an AC source that keeps the microcom­ Therefore, the microcomputer is un­ waveforms are in phase, no gap will oc­
puter running. aware that any switching has taken cur when retransfer takes place. Can
When utility power returns, the place. this gap be long enough to be interpreted
switch returns the microcomputer to A ferroresonant transformer adds as an outage by the microcomputer? En­
utility power. It is easy to see why this is cost to the basic SPS. It also adds some gineers might disagree about this proba­
a standby technology. The inverter is power conditioning. Expect to see bility, but designing this feature into the
literally "standing by" waiting to be prices for these units somewhere near product shows professional concern for
turned on. but not quite as expensive as the on-line the quality of the device.
variety. Low-battery shutoff is another fea­
The UPS ture to look for. When batteries power a
So what is a true UPS? Figure B shows Features load during a power outage, their stored
the block diagram of a true on-line UPS. What features should you look for when energy is slowly depleted. At some
The incoming utility power is converted purchasing an SPS? The first concern is point, the depletion is so dramatic that
from AC to DC by a rectifier/charger. switching time. The unit must be able to the voltage level of each cell in the bat­

168 B Y TE • APRIL 1989

 P R O D UCT FOCU S

UNINTERRUPTIBLE POWER SYSTEMS

tery begins to drop. At a level called the

end voltage, further discharge will per­ Normal
manently damage the cell. To preserve
the life of the battery, most quality .. current path
;­ ____..
SPSes shut off the inverter before this
happens. Without this feature, your SPS
may survive only a few long-term out­
ages. Ideally, of course, you will shut
AC

Ch arging
current
i Transfer
switch ............ .._
AC

down the microcomputer and the SPS

before this happens. Battery
charger
•:
AC
Waves :'
Standby
Most of us are familiar with the sine
waveform of utility power. However,
most SPSes do not putouta sine wave; it
DC
i power
DC
_______ .,..
is considerably cheaper to put out a Battery Inverter
square wave, a rectangular wave, or
some quadrilateral in between.
The inverter, you see, is basically a
very fast switch. To produce a sine Figure A: The block diagram ofa standby power system.
wave, a switching scheme must be de­
vised that builds some kind of approxi­
mation to a sinusoid using a series of
Normal
pulses. This is then filtered to produce a
current path
smooth product that looks like normal
utility power. ----. Rectifier/
-- ----.
The switching process of the inverter
AC - charger
DC
Inverter ------...AC
creates a lot of high-frequency electri­
cal noise. To produce a sine wave, most
of this noise is eliminated during the fil­
tering process. With a square wave, on
• Flow
during
outage
the other hand, no such filtering is nec­
essary to produce power that the micro­
computer will run on. However, the
chance that inverter noise will be pres­ Battery
ent at the SPS's output is far greater.
Add to that the fact that a square wave is
not a fundamental of 60 Hz (the fre­
quency of power), as is a sine wave. The Figure B: The block diagram ofa true on-line UPS.
"shoulders" of the waveform contain
odd harmonics of the fundamental 60­
Hz signal.
This means that the manufacturer
must take care to eliminate noise from _____.
Normal flow

the nonsine wave of an inverter. (If this AC

Transfer
___ .,..

]
switch
is done, there is no real reason to shy
away from nonsine-wave products.) As
a result, sine-wave units typically put i
out less interference and cost more
money.
Rectifier/
charger AC :
• Flow
---i--1-0
during
Power Conditioning
Damaging impulses or spikes come in
two different varieties: normal mode
and common mode. Normal-mode
i outage

events can be measured between the Battery Inverter

black building wire (hot) and the white
building wire (neutral). Common-mode
events are measured from the white Ferroresonant
building wire to ground (see my two­ transformer
part "PC Power" in the October and
November 1988 BYTE). A norma l- Figur e C: The block diagram ofaferroresonant UPS.
continued

APRIL 1989 • BYTE 169

 PRODUCT FOCUS

UNINTERRUPTIBLE POWER SYSTEMS

mode spike of high magnitude will al­ bonded together, shorting out common­ world will fail. On the other hand, if the
most always affect the power supply of mode noise. The transformer itself can on-line unit is not carefully engineered,
the microcomputer. However, a com­ be part of an excellent design to thwart thermal stress will cause premature
mon-mode spike of only a few dozen normal-mode events. failure while the unit is running.
volts can blow out logic circuits or cause The ferroresonant design is a good Also, inverter design is not the Achil­
soft errors between microcomputers. power-line conditioner for both normal­ les' heel of any UPS. Two far more im­
Surge suppressors are good protec­ mode and common-mode events. This portant factors are quality control and
tion against normal-mode spikes, but makes the SPS/ferroresonant design a batteries. Many small UPSes are manu­
their clipping action can cause common­ good choice from that standpoint. But factured overseas, usually along the Pa­
mode spikes of even greater magnitude. you can buy other line conditioners that cific Rim, and they are shipped to the
Many SPSes tout surge protectors inside plug in downstream from an SPS and U.S. in boxes that are never opened and
their units. Most experts agree that an provide similar benefits. never checked. This can result in rates
SPS is an inadequate power conditioner. of initial failure of over 5 percent. One
In fact, many manufacturers misrepre­ Switching Off firm even found a pair of pliers inside a
sent the surge-suppression capabilities As you might expect, an ongoing battle failed SPS. An even more common trou­
of their devices. SPSes are good for one wages among proponents of the various ble area is batteries-the single most
thing: backup power. technologies as to which is best. The on­ frequent point of failure for any UPS.
On-line UPSes are hyped as excellent line people say that theirs is the best be~ There is virtually no limit to the vari­
power conditioners. This is true only for cause the inverter is on-line all the time. ations of the uninterruptible designs
normal-mode events. 1be double con­ Thermal stress is not a worry since they presented here. Expect to see hybrids,
version process of the on-line design are not "cold-starting" the inverter innovations, and exceptions. But a
will suppress high-energy impulses ap­ when utility power fails. The standby working knowledge of the basic designs
pearing between line and neutral. How­ manufacturers say that theirs is more re­ shown here will prepare you for some of
ever, the on-line design does nothing to liable since the inverter is on only when the more creative options that you might
prevent common-mode impulses from power is out. discover.
getting to sensitive equipment. As a Both arguments have the ring of truth
matter of fact, all UPSes and SPSes gen­ to them. The concern is not which de­ Mark Waller is a computerfacilities con­
erate significant common-mode noise. sign philosophy to agree with. The real sultant and the author of Computer
Far from conditioning power, UPSes question is how v.ell did the company Electrical Power Requirements and
become the culprits. engineer the system. If an SPS is not de­ Mastering PC Electrical Power, both
A transformer solves this problem. A signed to pick up the load gracefully, published by Howard W. Sams. Hecan
transformer has its neutral and ground the most reliable components in the be reached on BIX clo "editors."

nostic indicators for site-wiring fault, inverter output light indicates proper in­ ITT PowerSystems VIP 800: This $1699
voltage level, and load thresholds. The verter operation. An amber bypass indi­ UPS comes from a manufacturer with a
battery kicks in at 101 V and maintains a cator lights when the bypass source is solid reputation for quality; the VIP 800
consistent sine-wave output for over 40 providing output power. Finally, a red is unlikely to damage that reputation. It's
minutes while connected to a small load. fault indicator warns of system overload, a compact, lightweight design that deliv­
A continuous alarm alerts you when the battery depletion, or inverter failure. ers 800- VA capacity, a smooth sine
Micro UPS 800 is approaching shut­ You can manually transfer from the wave, uninterrupted power, and very re­
down, and the unit transmits a warning inverter to bypass power using the unit's spectable holdup times.
message from the rear interface port off/reset button. While a switch on the Our undervoltage tests produced no
(this port is identical to the 800RT's net­ rear panel controls master power, the noticeable effect on the output of the on­
work port). Attached to a large load, the front-panel on switch activates the in­ line system. The VIP 800 continued its
battery lasted 7 minutes and 28 seconds. verter. You are limited to three rear out­ steady sine-wave output despite long- and
The Micro UPS 800 delivers sufficient put sockets. short-term interruptions. Holdup time
performance for a standby system. Keep This heavy-duty unit posted the lon­ was better than that of any other 800-VA
in mind, though, that other SPSes, in­ gest holdup time of all the UPSes tested unit we tested.
cluding the 800RT, offer less cost per when connected to a small load. How­ The front panel has a power switch,
VA. In fact, there is little difference be­ ever, it did not fare quite as well with LED bar graphs for load and charge, and
tween the two units. The Micro UPS 800 larger loads, finishing in second place on alarm LEDs. The small, light, rectangu­
costs $100 more, but that will buy you an the moderate-load test and third on the lar design makes it suitable for desktop
extra year's warranty. large-load test. or floor-standing operation.
An alarm sounds every 4 seconds In terms of VAs per dollar, the VIP
General Power EPD Unistar UJOOO: when the power-line power has failed. 800 is the least expensive on-line/sine
This sturdy 1000-VA model offers con­ The alarm rate increases to I-second in­ wave unit we reviewed. Its reliable power
tinuous on-line protection for $2699. tervals when shutdown is imminent. The and good capacity make it worth consid­
The unit boasts consistent sine-wave out­ powerful battery and on-line design de­ eration for any application with compat­
put, top-notch battery capacity, spike liver maximum protection, consistent ible load requirements. If we have one
suppression, noise filtering, and over­ output, and reliability. The unit comes complaint about this system, it's the con­
load protection. up short on sockets and network connec­ tinuous alarm that sounds at power fail­
The front-panel line input light glows tivity, but that does not denigrate its im­ ure (most UPS alarms are intermittent).
green when AC power is available. The pressive credentials. continued

170 BYTE • APRIL 1989

 This could be the most productive

phone number you call today. Toll free.

1(800)531-5369

I
$ 79 • oo $ .l.49. 0~

·Ill LS-600 LC-1200 LC-1800

Tripplite® Line Stabilizer/Conditioners automatically
adjust varying input voltage to provide full voltage support
during a low voltage condition while suppressing spikes and
line noise.

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t-•P•O..P•U•L•A"'"R•c•A•B•L"'"E,_S_ DB-25- 25 Line Cables n are EMt-~~I have

Pro­
Description Price Male-Female DB.2s 25
Monitor Ext. $5.95 Stock# length Stock11 Line Switch
Keyboard Ext. 3.95 25Mf..6 611. AB2s.2 Descripr boxes
25Mf..10 1011. A825.3 'Two •on

Power Adapter 4.95

25Mf..25 2511. AB25-4 'Thre~os1t1on

UM·6 AT Modem Cable 5.95 25Mf..50 SOit. AB25.5 Four Pos_111on

call Other cables available 25Mf..100 100 It. A82S-& Five t~~;t•on 25.95
AB25-X Six Posit •on 28.95
Cross 0 / 0 n 38.95
Altex Electronics, Inc.
"Your Electronics Supply House"
Cenrronic
Stock II
er
s 36 Line S .
59.95
29.95
AB36-2 Descripr W1tchboxe
AB36-3 'Two Pos •on S

~;~~~: ~i~i~~gid~r~~~,s~~a';ge~~~~.d.b~~~~~r~~~d~~2.2a0.d~~g;~ce~~ A831>-4 'Three Ilion Price

~~3::.~~~-g~oo•gg, !.3.; pa~~~~ ~7~ 9·g~.~~~~~~s.~h~~~~rJ~~r~~;~p~~

00 1 A83s.5
A83&-x
Four rl°-f •t1on
Five Pos~; •on
S23. 95
29.95
charges plus insurance. Purchase orders accepted from approved accounts. We car,., Cross ove~on 34.95
All returns require an AMA# and are subject to a restocking fee. Texas resi­ b . , a co 44.95
dents add 7.5% sales tax. Prices subject to change and we are not responsi­
k:i for typographical errors. '
oxes for Your :;:ciete line Of ~7.95
Call form ereot requ/ switch.
Store Hours: 8:00-6:00 M-F, 10:00-2:00 SAT CST ore /Oformat/o~~merits.
10731 Gulfdale, San Antonio, Texas 78216

Circle 20 on Reader Service Card APRIL 1989 • BYTE 171

 PRODUCT FOCUS

UNINTERRUPTIBLE POWER SYSTEMS

The noise can be very distracting if a fail­ status on the front panel. The green light surge suppression, but a network inter­
ure occurs and you choose to work for a confirms proper AC operation. The yel­ face is optional.
few minutes before shutting down. low light illuminates when the inverter is When AC power fails, the Line-Saver
on and blinks increasingly fast as the bat­ produces a pulse-width-modulated wave­
Kalglo Electronics Line-Saver LS-750: tery depletes. When the load is too heavy form with an RMS voltage equivalent to
The Line-Saver delivers standby protec­ or the battery is extremely low, the red the line. We discovered some problems
tion to a 750-VA load for $995 . The unit light warns of imminent shutdown. An when the unit faced degraded conditions
boasts a low price and has a two-year intermittent alarm also becomes steady within 30 percent of normal. The in­
warranty, but its battery capacity is low, at this point. The rear panel contains a verter did not switch as cleanly as it did
and it does not generate a true sine wave. pair of outlets and an external DC input. when handling a full-cycle wave during
A traffic-light icon displays the system The unit supplies noise filtering and our near-blackout test. In any case, the
transfer time was the longest of any
standby system we tested (see photo 3).
Some equipment will not work well
with a full-cycle wave, but this unit had
no problem with the wide range of com­
ponents we plugged into it. Our RMS
meter also registered high output volt­
~ ~ ages when the Line-Saver switched to the
~ ~ inverter. (Kalglo claimed that this was a
~ I
natural effect of computers' switching
power supplies.)
:= The Line-Saver LS-750, a small box
1111111 I , 1111 11111 Ill 1111 iilllll 111111 I 1111 1111111 r II with a surprisingly high VA rating, suf­
1111 11 11 1111 11111 1111 1111 !!!11111 11111 I 1111 1111111 111111
fers from some significant drawbacks. It
- ·~
­ posted the longest transfer time and
shortest battery life of the units tested.

I --
- - ---- ---
=
·=
I~
-- -: =
We'd also like to see a true sine-wave
output. It simply can't compete with
other systems in its price range.
I ­
~
..... Sola Electric Mini UPS/2: As its $3712
price suggests, the Mini UPS/2 belongs
I
I -- ~
in a different class than the other units re­
viewed here. While it shares some of the
same features, it also offers special pro­
Photo 3: The Kalglo Electronics Line-Saver LS-750 modified square wave. tection. It is an on-line unit, rated at 1000
VA, that generates a consistent sine wave
and delivers long battery life.
Front-panel indicators include battery
OK, bypass, overload, battery low, and
AC fail. The battery OK light blinks
when the battery is recharging. When
power fails, the red AC fail light illumi­
nates, and an alarm sounds every 3 sec­
onds. The unit beeps more frequently
when it approaches shutdown, and it at­
tempts to alert connected equipment
through the RS-232C interface at the rear
of the unit.
The RS-232C interface also returns
vital status data when prompted from a
host computer. The host can request such
information as battery voltage, input
voltage, output voltage, output current,
and excessive temperature readings. The
rear panel also includes four outlets, a
master circuit breaker, and external bat­
tery connections.
The Mini UPS/2 attains true output
isolation with a built-in shielded isolation
transformer. Line frequencies as low as
40 Hz will continue to charge the battery,
Photo 4: The Unison Stepped Square wave, another sine wave approximation. even with a full load. A static transfer
continued

172 BYTE • APRIL 1989

 NuVistaT•~ Videographics Cards

J>oo Qtliz. Stop. This is a t8st. For the next BO seconds, we will /Jfl
conducfhg a quiz about Macintosh®// Videographics. Do not turn the page until you have
. looked at the visual clue and answered all the questions.

Which Macintosh II graphics card offers the widest range of capture and
· display resolutions-NTSC, PAL, Apple® Monitor, hi -res, interlaced, non­
interlaced and other modes?
a) NuVista 2M b) NuVista 4M c) All of the above

Name the only videographics card which provides true-color, real-time

capture and broadcast-quality display while occupying only a single slot
in a Macintosh II.
a) NuVista 2M b) NuVista 4M c) All of the above

Which videographics card offers full QuickDraw™ compatibility at

1,2,4,8,16 or 32-bits per pixel?

a) NuVista 2M b) NuVista 4M c) All of the above

Visual clue for Videographics test.

If you chose (c) on all three questions, congratulations! You

know that the NuVista series from Truevision is the answer
to all your advanced videographics needs. The NuVista is
available with either 2Megabytes or 4Megabytes of video
memory, and creates professional video effects and com­
puter graphics using any QuickDraw compatible software,
now and in the future. No patches, no gimmicks, no hassles.

So whether your application is video production, digital pre­

press, presentation graphics or 30 renderings, you'll find the
NuVista will pass your test with flying colors. Oh, and if you
answered (a) or (b) to any question above, give yourself
half credit. Then obtain even more N uVista information by
requesting a copy of our educational brochure True color?
True answers. or visiting your local Authorized Truevision
Reseller. Either way, you can find all the answers with a
NuVista. Call us at 800-858-TRUE.

You may now return to yourregular reading.

Th.UEVISION~.
7351 Shadeland Station, Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46256
INTERNATIONAL: Canada 416/499-9400 France 33-13-952-6253 ltaly'39-2-242·4551 Switt erlafl,d 41-1 -825-0949 U,K. 44· 1·!:fi;l~ ·Ql~
We&tGermany 49-SQ.'612-0010 Otl:ler 61 7-229-6900
Apple llTJd l'lfacwosh are registered trademarhs and Qui ch Oraw Is a trademark of Apple. Computer. Tluevlsioo is a regist~trad.emar/( and Nu Vista is a trademark ofTrueVlsion, Int'.
'l!fltuevlslon lflf;. 1989 ·
Circle 285 on R.eader Sel'l'ice Card
Circle 135 on Reader Service Card
PRODUCT FOCUS

Rack &Desk
UNINTERRUPTIBLE POWER SYSTEMS

PC/AT Chassis

Integrand's new Chassis/System is not

another IBM mechanical and electrical
clone. An entirely fresh packaging design
Companies Mentioned
approach has been taken using modular American Power
General Power Systems
construction. At present, over 40 optional Conversion Corp.
1045 South East St.
stock modules allow you to customize our
350 Columbia St.
P.O. Box 65008
standard chassis to nearly any requirement.
Peace Dale, RI 02883
Anaheim, CA 92805
Integrand offers high quality, advanced (401) 789-5735
(800) 854-3469
design hardware along with applications Inquiry 1024.
Inquiry 1030.
and technical support a// at prices competi­
tive with imports. Why settle for less?
Computer Accessories Corp.
ITT PowerSystems Corp.
6610 Nancy Ridge Dr.
1371 State St., Suite 598
San Diego, CA 92121
Galion, OH 44833
(619) 457-5500
(419) 468-5200
Inquiry 1025.
Inquiry 1031.

Computer Power, Inc.

Kalglo Electronics Co., Inc.

124 West Main St.

6584 Ruch Rd.

High Bridge, NJ 08829

Bethlehem, PA 18017

(201) 638-8000
(215) 837-0700
Inquiry 1026.
Inquiry 1032.

DRS Power Products, Inc.

Sola Electric
2065 Range Rd.
1717 Busse Rd.
Clearwater, FL 34625
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
(813) 443-0345
(312) 439-2800
Inquiry 1027.
Inquiry 1033.

Emerson Computer Power

Unison Technologies, Inc.
3300 South Standard St.
23456 Madero
P.O Box 1679
Mission Viejo, CA 92691
Santa Ana, CA 92702
(714) 855-8700
(714) 545-5581
Inquiry 1034.
Inquiry 1028.

Accepts PC, XT, AT Motherboards

and Passive Backplanes Viteq Corp.
Exide Electronics Corp.
10000 Aerospace Rd .
Doesn't Look Like IBM
3301 Spring Forest Rd.
Lanham, MD 20706
Rugged, Modular Construction
Raleigh, NC 27604
(301) 731-0400
Excellent Air Flow & Cooling (919) 872-3020
Inquiry 1035.
Optional Card Cage Fan Inquiry 1029.

Designed to meet FCC

204 Watt Supply, UL Recognized
145W & 85W also available
Reasonably Priced switch keeps the inverter frequency syn­ the system unit and the monitor. On/off
chronized with the AC line. If start-up switches are provided for the four
surges exceed the inverter's capabilities, backed-up and four bypassed power out­
~w the load is switched to bypass without a lets. The UPS also has lights that illumi­

~
shift in phase or frequency. This UPS nate the keyboard during power failure,
also supplies noise filtering, spike sup­ solving a not-so-obvious problem associ­
pression, and short-circuit protection. ated with shutting down a system during
Passive For rugged applications, the Mini a blackout.
Backplanes UPS/2 can do the job, but users will ben­ As an on-line unit, the DP 800 showed
efit f ram its sophisticated design even for no output effect when hit with brownout
regular computer loads. voltages. On the downside, holdup ca­
pacity is limited; the unit had the weakest
Unison UniPower DP 800: Unison com­ holdup times among the 800-VA units
bines on-line operation with square-wave and was even outperformed by some of
Call or write for descriptive brochure and prices: output to create the UniPower DP 800. the 750-VA units.
8620 Roosevelt Ave.• Visalia, CA 93291 Its unique design makes the DP 800, The biggest question mark in evaluat­
209/651-1203
TELEX 5106012830 (INTEGRAND UD)

listed at $995, one ofthe two least expen­

sive on-line systems we reviewed.
ing this unit is its unusual output wave­
form (see photo 4). The wave is designed
FAX 209/651-1353
Like the $995 Emerson PC/ET, this to supply power the same way a switch­
We accept Bank Americard/VISA and MasterCard
800-VA unit is designed as a flat box, ing power supply demands it: in discrete
IBM. PC. XT. AT trademarks of International Business Machines.
which is suitable for placement between continued
Drives and computer boards not included.

174 BYTE • APRIL 1989 Circle 136 on Reader Service Card ­

 PRODUCT FOCUS

UNINTERRUPTIBLE POWER SYSTEMS

gulps at waveform peaks. The 115-V formance. Rated at 750 VA and selling ditions, well within our margin-of-mea­
RMS and 170-V peaks are close to the for $1895, it does not quite reach the surement error. Holdup time was average
figures for a sine wave, so 1inear loads high-priced realm of the Computersave for the unit's rating, but recharge time
accept it as well. As with any nonsine Mark II, but it does not qualify as a low­ was quite good. Short recharge time can
wave, however, the short-duration cost power solution, either. The 386/ be a valuable asset if power failures are
square wave provides additional harmon­ LAN features on-line operation, a net­ relatively frequent.
ics that can stress loads expecting a sine­ work interface, and sine-wave output for The system features a relatively com­
wave input. a moderate price. pact design and front-panel LED bar
Our 30 percent sag tests generated no graphs for load and charge indication.
Viteq Benchmark Model 386/LAN: The disturbance in the output waveform. In There is also an audible alarm and a net­
386/LAN falls in the middle of the pack fact, the 386/LAN's output RMS voltage work interface connector (compatible
on most of our measures of price and per­ wavered only 1/i V under all our test con­ with Novell and Banyan file servers),
from which the 386/LAN gets its name.

The Supplies in Demand

3V2 INCH 1A MB
Selecting a UPS depends heavily on the
load you are trying to protect. As with
any purchasing decision, inevitable

DISKS FOR ONLY

trade-offs emerge. On-line operation en­
sures greater protection, but the usable
lifetime of the battery may be reduced,

ONE DOLLAR!
since it's always in operation. And you
have to pay for the on-line design. True
sine-wave output is desirable over modi­
New Invention Makes It Possible! fied square waves, but you'll have to pay
Jo you use the new, high capacity, 3'1• inch disks? It so. you have paid tour, live, even six dollars for that, too. Extra features like network
Jer disk! Byte for byte, that is as much as SIX TIMES fhe 'old' 360K floppies. Now you can convert
Jll your programs, data, and files to the new format, WITHOUT PAYING THESE PRICES! interfaces are nice, even prerequisites in
flOW IS THIS POSSIBLE? Have you ever tried to format a regular, 'low density' J•h inch disk to some situations, but you'll ... well, you
1.44 MB? Of course you have! It doesn't work! The computer gives an invalid media error. Our get the picture.
:ompany was putting in a large network of IBM Clones. We have grown from a small company
o a million-dollar corporation in two short years, and we didn't do it by wasting money. So, of course, The Sola Electric Mini UPS/2 attains
,,e tried to use the cheap, 720K disks. Total failure.
Cadillac status. If you aren't too con­
:NTER OUR CRACKPOT ENGINEER. Our Crackpot Engineer wondered what was the difference

:ietween fhe disks. He tore them apart, analyzed the media. He found NO DIFFERENCE WHATSOEVER!
cerned about price, and absolute top­
let, they would not format. Why? Then he started examining the plastic housing. And he found the
notch protection is your principal goal,
jifference. It is NOT in the media, IT IS IN THE PLASTIC CASE!

fOTAL FAILURE! Our Crackpot Engineer (among other things, he invented the Electronic Flea
you can't go wrong with the Mini UPS/2.
:::ollar) sent a brand-new 720K disk to our machine shop, and asked them to modify it. They did ... We thought that, even with all its perks,
Jnd the DISK IMMEDIATELY FORMATTED! Bui, within 10 minutes of use, it totally failed. It lost data all it was just too expensive, given the scope
Jverlhe place. Back to the drawing board. The disk was dis-assembled and examined. It was found
hat. in performing the conversion, a microscopic piece of plastic had entered the housing, and of this roundup.
otally ruined the disk. II was obvious that, if the conversion could be done reliably, ii required extreme
::>recision. The Emerson PC/ET has a nice price
ENTER OUR OTHER CRACKPOT ENGINEER. our president is a mechanical engineer. One of tag for an on-line system, and it per­
lhe best in the country. While a research scientist at Colorado School of Mines, he completely formed valiantly on our tests. We liked
·evolulionized the field of waler jet drilling. He tackled the problem. Finally he came up with a solution
· a precision tool which could perform the modification EVERY TIME and leave no plastic particles the sleek design and ease of operation.
which would damage the disk! Only the low VA rating holds it back, but
lllONTHS OF TESTING. We then commenced on a testing program. We modified and formatted for single-system protection, it's a solid
thousands of disks, and tested them for data integrity. Ouf of one thousand disks, one would not
lormat, two had one bad track. NOT ONE LOST ANY DATA! We then put a disk on a computer with choice.
J bat file which copied data to a disk, read and checked every byte, then copied the data back
lo the disk. The program ran 24 hours a day, for TWO SOLID WEEKS without even one error' We were Our favorite system of the bunch was
linally convinced that the procedure was reliable enough for a product. ITT PowerSystems' VIP 800. It provides
DUR OFFER. Here is our irresistible offer. Purchase our DoubleDisk Converter for the price of $39.95. all the features required in a quality
f you are not COMPLETELY SATISFIED, return the DoubleDisk. You will receive a FULL REFUND' Whal
is more, if a disk ever does not convert properly, send us the disk, and we will send you a 1.44MB UPS: sine-wave output, on-line opera­
disk from a major manufacturer in exchange! tion, and good holdup time. Its price-to­
VOU CAN'T LOSE! You will save MORE THAN THE PURCHASE PRICE IN CONVERTING ONLY YOUR
FIRSTTEN DISKS! from that point on, it·is all profit. After converting only 100 disks. and afler deducting power ratio also makes it attractive to
lhe cost of the DoubleDisk, you will have saved AT LEAST $425.00! Quite a return for an investment those concerned with cost as well as
lf only $39.95!
quality. And when the lights dim, you
CREDIT CARDS AND CHECKS ACCEPTED! Purchasing our DoubleDisk is easy! Simply call
:iur 800 number. We accept all major credit cards. Or, return the coupon below. and we will ship can breathe a little easier, knowing that
1ou one immediately. We Will gladly aocept your personal check. your investment has indeed paid off. •
24 Hou11sORDER TOLL FREE - 1-800-537-4226 7 DAYS
BIBLIOGRAPHY
(In Colorado.call 303-1 2-8945) "IEEE Recommended Practice for Design
=-- 1-ES_!_Iw_a_n_l_to-tr_y_y_ou-r-ccD-oub eD sk on your UNCONDITIONAL enclose only
539.95 plus SJ.SO Shipping and Handling (California resiaems aaa ~L .4U ~a1es 1axJ ro1 each of Reliable Industrial and Commercial
DoubleDisk Converter. 111 am not COMPLETELY SATISFIED, I will return the DoubleDisk for a FULL REFUND' Power Systems." IEEE STD 493-1980.
If any disk ever fails lo convert, I will send ii lo you and you will IMMEDIATELY send me a 1.44MB
Disk in exchange!
Name_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Address_ _ _ __ _ __ _ __ __
Steve Apiki and Stanford Diehl are BYTE
Lab testing editors. Rick Grehan is the di­
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Stale _ _ Zip Telephone _ _ _ _ __ rector of the BYTE Lab. They can be
Send To: Biological Engineering, Inc., DoubleDlsk Offer reached on BIX as "apiki," "sdiehl,"
2674 Main Street, Ventura. CA 93003 Phone BOS-644-1797
and "rick_g."

176 BYTE • APRIL 1989 Circle 40on Reader Service Canl

 FOR COMPUTER & ACCESSORIES
CALL TOll FREE: 1·800-882-2802
FOR FAX, TYPEWRITERS & DICTATION EQUIPT.
CAll TOll FREE: 1·800-223·7323
HOURS: Mon. Tru. Thurs. 9AM Till 6PM, Fri. 9AM Till 1:30PM, Sun. 9:30AM Till SPM, Closed On Sat.
IN N.Y. STATE CALL: 1·212-947-5290 I
EPSON
PRINTERS
HARDWARE
~
I

LQ. I
INTEL 80287·8 ... ..... ..... . .. 205.00
NEWI INTEL Above Board Plus. . 396.00
NEWI INTEL Visual Edge . . . . CALL
NEWI Logilech Mouse. . CALL
Logitech Clear Mouse. . 69.95
DFI HS-3000 Scanner . . ...... 189.00
DESKPRO 286, 12MHz, 1.2 Floppy Drive,

I
Seagate 40MB Hard Drive ( 40ms)2065.00 STB VGA Extra . . . 179.95
NEWI PARADISE VGA Plus 16 ... 299.90
1049.90 NEWI COMPAQ SLT/286 Portable w/40MB
Hard Drive . ...... . ... ..... ... 4359.00
24 Pin, Narrow Carriage

180 CPS Draft, 60 CPS NLQ,

MICROSOFT Mouse ............. 99.95
New! DATAVIEW SPARK 1·Floppy Drive, & Tractor Feed Included
NEWI NEC Multisync llA Monitor. 499.95
1-20MB Hard Drive . . . . .. 1769.95 ZENITH Perfect Monitor .......... CALL
MITSUBISHI
259.75* SONY 1302 Monitor w/Stand ..... 669.00

AS[
I
268L w/20MB Hard Drive . . . . . 2359.00
PSON LX-800. . 170.99 PLUS 20MB Card. . . LOW PRICE
268L w/40MB Hard Drive . . . . . CALL
EPSON EX·800. . . . 369.75
TOSHIBA 3'h'' Drive w/Kil. • ...... 89.00
EPSON LQ-850. . . . . 479.95"

EPSON
MStMCll INC.
EQUITY LT w/2-Drives, Backlit Screen &

Laplink Plus. .1045.00

EPSON
EPSON
LQ-950..
LQ-1050. ..
. . 489.00"

. .... 635.75"
SOFTWARE
NEW! SAMNA AMI. . 97.75
EPSON FX·850 . . . .. 339.95

EQUITY LT w/20MB Hard Drive. 1685.00

EPSON FX-1050 ............. . . 449.95
NEWI GEM Artline. . . 269.751
TOSHIBA (sold In Store Only) "Price After Rebate
XV Write w/AI A Carte. . . .... 215.95
TOSHIBA T·1000. . .. CALL AST PREMIUM 286 PANASONIC
ASK SAM. . ...... 165.00

I
TOSHIBA T-1200FIFB. . ... CALL 10 MHz, 512K, 1.2 Floppy Drive, BITSREAM Fonts. . ....... CALL
Seagate 40MB Hard Drive (40ms) PANASONIC 1191.. . ...... 235.75

TOSHIBA T-1200HB . . CALL NEWI PANASONIC 1181 . . ... 175.75

XEROX Ventura Publisher 2.0 . Low Price
NEW! TOSHIBA T-1600 . . .. CALL
NEWI TOSHIBA T-3100E ......... CALL
17 .90 PANASONIC 1124. .Low Price
ADOBE Illustrator . ...... . .... .. 345.00
PROCOM Plus . 42.95
TOSHIBA T-3200/T-5100 ......... CALL
HEW/ AST 388C w/64K Cache Memory, 20 TOSHIBA (Sold In Slore Only)
MICROSOFT Excel 2.1 ... 225.00
MHz, 1MB Ram, 1.2 Floppy Drive, 40MB NEWI TOSHIBA Expresswriter 311. CALL

ZENITH
Hard Drive (28ms). . 3199.00 NEW! TOSHIBA 321 SL Color. . . . CALL
PFS First Publisher. . . 69.00
ZENITH 184-1 ......... Special 1439.00
TOSHIBA 341SL . . .. . . CALL
NOTA BENE 3.0 . . . . . 248.50
ZENITH 184-2 .... .......... .. 2199.75
COMPATIBLES TOSHIBA 351 SX. . CALL
LUCID 3D Plus . . . ..... CALL
ZENITH Supersport 286 Model 20 w/20MB
IBM-XT Compatible, 1-360 Floppy Drive,
Q & A. .......... . . . . CALL
Hard Drive. . . 2965. 75
1-30MB Hard Drive. . ..... 734.95 NEC
INTUIT Quicken. . .. 31.951
ZENITH 286 w/40MB Hard Drive. 3399. 75
IBM-AT Compatible, 12MHz, 512K, 1.2 NEC 2200. . . . . . . 339.00

Floppy Drive, Seagale 40MB Hard Drive MANAGING Your Money 5.0. . 115.95
NEC P5200 . . . . . 509.75

NEC (28ms) 1305.06 NEC P5300. . ... . .664.75

CHIPSOFT Turbo Tax. . .42.79
NEC Multispeed HD . ...... LOW PRICE
DAG Easy Accounting 3.0 . . . . . 57.00
LAPTOP ACCESSORIES PRINTER SALE! NOLO Will Maker . . 30.95
AMSTRAD
WORLD PORT 2400 Modem/Fax. CALL H.P. Laser jet II w/Toner. .CALL
AMSTRAD Laptop, 640K, 2-720K Drives,
SPINRITE . . .. 48.99
Dlconlx Portable Printer. . 304.90 STAR NX-1000................ 169.95
2400 Baud Modem, AT Type Keyboard &
FASTRAX . ... . .... . . . . • • . • .. . . 32.9 5 1
CAMBRIDGE Z-88 Portable . . . 449.00 APPLE lmagewri!er 11. .. 439.00
Case. . . . . . . . . . . . . 799.00

FAX MACHINES TYPEWRITERS

~· ·~OPIER~ ""
Di,ctation_§.,<J!iel·
r~1
PANAFAX ~ & Word Processors _,, , ~

J;
Iii/
- ~
~
UF-140 ..... CALL
UF-250.IN STOCK

F0-220 ..... CALL

SHARP
UF·150 . IN STOCK
UF-260.IN STOCK

F0-300 .. . .. CALL SMITH CORONA

OLYMPUS Pearlcorder
L-200 ...... 129.90
S-911 . . ... 59.90
S-907. . . 35.90
S-930 ....... 99.90
PC-3
PC-6
349.90 PC-5
PC-SL Legal Size
CALL PC-6RE
NEWI PC-7 Zoom Copier
CALL
529.90

CALL

909.90

I
F0-420 . CALL F0-550 . . . . CALL T-1010 Transcriber. 169.90 Black Cartridges. . 79.95

PWP-60 . . ..... .. ... . . .. 469.90

S-804 . . CALL S-810 .... CALL

'~H·S·I
F0·700 . . . CALL F0-800 . .. .. CALL PWP-40.IN STOCK PWP-80 . IN STOCK
T2000 ...... CALL T-2020 . . CALL
CANON FaxPhones NEWI PWP -100. . . IN STOCK

FaxPhone 8. CALL FaxPhone 15 CALL XL-1000 Typewriter . . . Special 119.90

PANASONIC
FaxPhone 20 CALL FaxPhone 25 CALL XL-2500 ... . CALL XD-5500 .... CALL
RN-15 ..... 129.90 RN-36 . . . 179.90
FAX 1100 ... CALL FAX 270 ... . CALL XD-7500 .... CALL XD-9500 .... CALL
RN-89 . . .. 79.90 RN-105 ..... 29.90
FAX350. . . CALL FAX 630 .... CALL RN-115. . 39.90 RN-125. . 53.90
FAX 705 ... .... CALL RR-900 . . . 179.90 RR-970 . 249.90
Answering Machines Specials
RR-980. . . 279.90 KX-T 1412 ... 59.90 KX-T 1418 ... 69.90

RICOH PANASONIC KX-T 1423 . . 65.90 KX-T 1424 . . . 69.90

I
FAX-20E. . . CALL FAX-35 ..... CALL SANYO KX-T 1427 LCD w/Time Announce109.90

FAX·60E .... CALL FAX-70E . . . CALL TRC-6100. . CALL TRC-5680 ... 79.90 KX-T 1600 .. . 69.90 KX-T 1720 .. 109.90

TRC-2550. . . 149.90 CORDLESS PHONES

MURATA TRC-5200 . 229.90 TRC-5020 .. 179.90

M-1200 . ... 659.90 M-1600 . . 769.90 KX-T 3000 .. 119.90 KX-T 3807 ... 59.90

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PANASONIC KX-W 1500 Word Processor .. IN STOCK TRC-8000A .227.90 TRC-8010A. 165.90 KX-T 4200 w/Answering Machine. 145.90

FF-1700FC~T~d" .109.90
KX·F 100 . . CALL KX·F 120 ... CALL KX-R 320 . . . CALL KX-R 330 ... CALL TRC-8700 . . 239.90 TRC-8070 .. 185.90
KX-R 340 .. 184.90 KX-R 350 . . 219.90 TRC-9100 .. 239.90 TRC-901 O .. 199.90
TOSHIBA Price Break

li!.
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3300 ...... 999.90 3700 .. ... 1299.90
DATABANKS
ORGANISE•'~ I

Model 30100. . 839.90 M-100B . . .. 219.90 M-740 ...... 35.90

M-750V . . 49.90 TCM-5000EV . 369.90
SANYO BROTHER BM-12. . .. CALL BM -17 . . . CALL

I
515H ... IN STOCK SF-200. IN STOCK
BM-560 . . CALL Bl-500 . . . . CALL ..... 198.90
BROTHER BM-75. . .. CALL BM -80 . . . CALL
FAX w/Answering Machine ....... 759.90
'\:S:C::::*' BM-815T .... CALL BM-820 . . .. CALL SHARP
WP-55 Word Processor ..... IN STOCK" OZ-7000 WIZARD . . .. IN STOCK
FAX PAPER NEW! WP-490 . . . CALL NORELCO EL-6250H Dial Master . . . 53.90
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VISA, MASTERCARD, AMERICAN EXPRESS, OPTIMA & DISCOVER CARDS ACCEPTED

I
OUR GUARANTEE: Defective goods will be replaced or repaired if rel urned within 10 Days ln original packing, mini condition, blank warranty card, detailed letter ol explanation & copy of invoice. No return privilege on soflware.

11 lound defective, We will advise customer how to consult manufacturer for warrantee service. For Customer Service: Please Call (212) 947·5295. Not Responsible for typographical errors. We reserve the right lo limit quantilies.

TO ORDER by MAIL: Please send money order or certified check for UPS shipment on most items. Personal check delays your order by 15 days.

Shipping & Handllng: Handling Charge; 2o/o plus 5.95. Shipping Charge; 0.65 per lb. Estimate minimum shipping 5.95. Total charge al time ol order. Shipping & Handling charges are not refundable.

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MANHATTAN STORE: 120 West 31st. Street, N.Y.,N.Y. 10001 (Tel. 1·212-564-3592)
PHOfO& SUPPLY CORP. SCARSDALE, NY STORE: 455 Central Ava. (Scarsdale Plaza) SCARSDALE,N.Y. 10538 (Tel. 1-914-723-1331)
N.Y.C. Consumer Affairs License Number: 800193 Circle 95 on Reader Service Card
 Pack extra

power into your PC.

Make it over into a '386.

DTK's new PEM-2000 dual-speed 8/20 MHz 80386 motherboard gives
you 100% PC/AT compatibility at speeds up to 27.3 MHz. It also offers
some very elegant engineering, like eight expansion slots including two
for 32-bit memory expansion, two serial ports and one parallel port, a
DTK BIOS with built-in diagnostics, and the socket for an optional 80387
coprocessor
DTK means value in PC-compatible motherboards, add-on and net­
working cards, and bare bone systems, including
FCC Class B-certified 10 and 12 MHz '286 com­
puters. Which is why the two high-speed XT
clones named "Best Buys" in PC World's
August, 1988 issue, both use DTK
motherboards.
The PEM-2000 is a good example-but
by no means the only example-of the
DTK difference. To get the full story on
all our high-performance XT, '286 and
'386-based products, contact the DTK
office nearest you for specifications
and pricing.
And find out how to pack some
extra power into your PC.

® Where price and performance meet.

DTK COMPUTER INC.

15711 E. Valley Blvd. ·City of Industry, CA 91744
Tel: !818l 333-7533 ·Fax: !818l 333-5429

DTK Computer Inc. of Florida DTK Computer Inc. of New Jersey DTK computer Inc. of Texas EXCLUSIVE DISTRIBUTORS: DTK Computer GmbH
7245 Corporate Center Di:, Suite B 300 Columbus Circle, Raritan Center 10535 Wilcrest Di:, Suite 120 Florida: TWC 130SI S99·0871 Wahlerstr: 16
Miami, FL 33126 Edison, NJ 08818 Houston, TX 77099 Northern California; Supercom 4000 Dusseldorf 30
Tel : 13051477-7440 Tel: 12011 417·0300 Tel: 17131 568-6688 14151770-1100 West Germany
Fax: 13051 477-8322 Fax: 12011 417-0307 Fax: 17131 568-5688 San Diego; Nimax Tel: 1021116S6031
16191 566-4800 Fax: 102111 6S3 753

AT and XT are registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation. DTK is a rea1stered trademark of Datatech Enterprises Co., Ltd.

178 BYTE• APRIL 1989 Circle 8 2 on Reader Service Card (DEALERS: 83)
 SYSTEM REVIEW

High-Tech
Computing,
•

Cafeteria Style
The Wells American
CompuStar 286 packs
performance into
a design-it-yourself PC

Mark L. Van Name

W
hen it comes to PC engi­
neering, "new" usually
means bigger or faster:
faster processors, bigger
and faster memory caches, bigger and
faster hard disk drives. That's why it's
nice to see a computer like the Wells
American CompuStar 286-a machine
that tries something new.
What's new about the CompuStar is
that it's the first computer designed to be
whatever kind of PC you want. Want an
AT clone? The CompuStar can be an AT
clone. How about a Micro Channel sys­ Circuitry on the I/O module handles and a secondary. You can mix and match
tem-a PS/2 clone? It can be that, too. VGA (courtesy of a Paradise PVGAlA these any way you want: two AT bus
You can even have both types of PCs in chip), EGA, CGA, MDA, and Hercules modules, two PS/2 bus modules, or one
the same box. graphics. This board also acts as a disk of each. So, in a single CompuStar chas­
You pick your processor, too. You can drive controller that can handle up to sis, you can have up to 13 AT slots, or 10
choose an 8086, a fast 20-MHz 80286, or four floppy disk drives. PS/2 slots and one AT slot, or a mixed
three different models (16-, 20-, and 25­ After you order the $1195 base sys­ bag of seven AT slots and five PS/2 slots.
MHz) ofthe 80386. tem, you then choose from a list of op­ Talk about expansion space!
tions. You start with a bus module. You After you pick a bus module, you then
The Secret can pick an AT- or PS/2 Micro Channel­ need to choose a processor, or, in Wells
The secret to this flexibility is a unique compatible bus module; if you choose the American's terms, a CPU module,
design. The CompuStar base system in­ PS/2 bus module, you also need a special which contains a CPU, a socket for a
cludes a keyboard and an almost-empty PS/2 adapter. The AT bus module has math coprocessor, memory sockets, the
shell: a 24- by 7 Vi- by 26-inch, floor­ seven AT-compatible expansion slots, ROM BIOS, sockets for two expansion
standing, aluminum-skinned case hous­ while the PS/2 module contains five ROM chips, and a battery-backed clock/
ing just a 220-watt power supply and Micro Channel-compatible slots and one calendar. Wells American is shipping
what Wells American calls its I/O mod­ AT-compatible slot. Since the only card the 80286 and both 16- and 20-MHz
ule. The I/O module supplies two serial you need to add to most CompuStar basic 80386 CPU modules. A company
ports, one parallel port, PS/2-style 6-pin systems is a hard disk drive controller, spokesperson said that the 10-MHz 8086
DIN keyboard and mouse connectors, you end up with a lot of free slots. CPU module was scheduled to begin
and both a DB-9 digital monitor connec­ And there's more. You can have not shipping in February.
tor and a DB-15 VGA analog connector. one, but two bus modules-a primary continued

APRIL 1989 • BYTE 179

 REVIEW
HIGH-TECH COMPUTING, CAFETERIA STYLE

Wells American also offers a nifty s1ties: one or more floppy disk drives, Despite the unavailability of some
CPU upgrade option. You can trade in one or more hard disk drives, a monitor, modules, this machine shows some of the
your initial CPU module for another and and DOS. nicest engineering I have seen in a long
get a purchase credit toward the cost of This process sounds like a lot of work, time. Although Wells American isn't a
the new one. In fact, if you trade in your but fortunately Wells American sends household name, the company has been
CPU module within a year after pur­ the system to you fully assembled, with around for some time. In the late 1970s
chase, the company gives you its full the hard disk drive formatted and ready and early 1980s, it built microcomputers
purchase price as a credit. to go. under the name of Intertec Data Sys­
The combination of the bus and CPU tems, which you may remember for its
modules still doesn't give you a complete A Cautionary Note SuperBrain CP/M microcomputers and
system. While the 8086 CPU module If the CompuStar's flexibility, and espe­ its later multiuser systems.
comes with 512K bytes of memory, the cially its dual-bus option, seem too good
80286 and 80386 CPU modules do not to be true, you're not alone. I felt the The Evaluation System
include any memory. You purchase sepa­ same way. I'm still not sure it will all My evaluation system came with one AT­
rately either 512K-byte or I-megabyte materialize, because as we go to press, compatible bus module, the 20-MHz
memory modules from Wells American. Wells American is not yet shipping any 80286 CPU module, a 10-MHz 80287
These memory modules are 80-nanosec­ of the PS/2 modules, and the company math coprocessor, I megabyte of 80-ns
ond DRAM zig-zag in-line packages did not get an 80386 CPU module to DRAM in two 512K-byte ZIPs, two
(ZIPs) that plug into the eight ZIP sock­ BYTE in time for this review because it 1.44-megabyte 3 ~-inch floppy disk
ets on the CPU modules. You can add a was only recently completed. A spokes­ drives, one 1.2-megabyte 5 1A-inch flop­
I-megabyte memory-expansion kit to the person said that the PS/2 modules were py disk drive, a 150-megabyte hard disk
I -megabyte memory modules, so, with ready, but that Wells would not ship them drive, a flat-tension-mask VGA color
eight such expanded modules, you can until it had secured some patents it was monitor, and IBM's PC-DOS 3.3. Six of
rev your CompuStar up to its maximum seeking. The company projects that it the AT slots were empty, with the hard
16 megabytes of memory. will ship the PS/2 modules in the first disk drive controller in the seventh slot
Finally, you must add the other neces­ quarter of this year. (see photo I).
That's a powerful system, and it car­
ries a hefty price tag: $6570. But you get
a lot of performance for the money. In
fact, this CompuStar 286 proved to be
the fastest 80286-based system that
BYTE has tested. Its overall application
index was about 9 percent faster than that
of the previous 80286 speed champ, the
Dell System 220. The CompuStar beat
the Dell System 220 on all but the word
processing and compiler tests, which it
lost by only 3 percent and 2 percent,
respectively.
Both systems maximize their perfor­
mance with interleaved memory banks,
so that one bank of memory recharges
while the other is ready to go. As you
might expect from such a well-engi­
neered machine, the CompuStar offers a
nice improvement on traditional two­
bank interleaving: If you have four iden­
tical memory modules, it can do four­
way interleaving, so that three banks are
ready while one is recharging. On its
80386-based CPU modules, Wells
American combines this interleaving
with an Intel 82385 cache controller and
32K bytes of 35-ns static RAM cache to
boost performance further.
Wells also borrows a page from most
80386-based systems for the CompuStar
286 by using shadow RAM, a technique
that copies the ROM BIOS into RAM at
boot time for faster ROM access.
The flip side of performance is always
- - - · ·--- ·-·--- - - . .. - ·- -- ______.__,_..__ .. ··-- ·-­ price, and the CompuStar's speed vic­
Photo 1: The inside ofthe CompuStar reveals the nature ofthe beast: plenty of tory over the Dell System 220 would
expansion room and easy access to components. mean a lot less if the CompuStar cost a
continued

180 B Y T E • APRIL 1989

 ·~ ·=~~
• ••
• • l•

Use Premium Ditto.

Fuel Only.
Take V2 gallon of gasoline formu­ Fact is, many problems blamed protection against power outages.
lated for high-performance motor on hardware or software are, in In reality, they're also the best
cars. power conditioners money can
reality, the fault of raw electricity.
Add a clod of dirt, a quart of Industry statistics show that half buy. They work continuously,
kerosene, a tablespoon of sugar, the downtime, lost employee and uniquely providing an impene­
and a dollop of axle grease. machine productivity, and main­ trable barrier that isolates your
Sprinkle with rust particles and tenance costs are the direct result computers from power problems.
dog hairs. Stir. of bad electricity. The result: You get the level of
You'd be crazy to put that in A typical computer site expe­ performance your computer was
your Ferrari, right? riences about 7 blackouts, over 500 designed to deliver. The level you
But what we've just concocted sags and more than 2,000 spikes paid for.
is the petroleum equivalent of a and surges per year. Plus there's The High Pertormance

kilowatt of ordinary electricity. almost continuous line noise at UPS Manufacturer.

Emerson UPS's Provide even the best locations. Emerson makes a full line of
Clean Fuel For Computers. Power surges alone are credited UPS, power conditioning and dis­
Since today's computers are no by one insurance company with $35 tribution systems, even simple
less high performance machines million in pc losses just last year. surge protectors.
than the most sophisticated auto­ Any way you look at it, making All feature quiet operation,
mobiles, they need highly-refined sure your computer gets premium attractive design, UL-listed safety,
fuel, too. fuel is up to you. Fortunately, it's operation that is one-switch
An Emerson Uninterruptible easy and affordable. simple, and proven reliability
Power Source is the electrical UPS Performance And Throughput.
backed by the best service in the
equivalent of a petroleum refinery. Most people think of Emerson
business.
Raw fuel in, good fuel out. UPS systems as just battery backup
So, let us help you rev up your
Such a simple solution to all the productivity. Simply call 1-800­
harm spikes, sags, and blackouts - - -----, BACK-UPS for our free introduc­
can do. tory brochure and the name of
Unrefined Electr icity Does I your local representative. Or write:
Crude Things To Computers.
Unlike bandsaws, washing
machines and tv's, computer
- :n .
I .
_I
Emerson Computer Power, 3300 S.
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1-
circuits are hypersensitive to the ~15Ml5R5CJN
slightest power variations. Data
can be scrambled or vaporized in
Computer Power
a few milliseconds. Programs can , ~I M =-'.-;~· ~Computers Won't Run Right
crash unceremoniously. ~ .~ t=~ t- On The Wrong Fuel.

Circle 88 on Reader Service Card (DEALERS: 89) APRILI989 •BYTE 181

 REVIEW

HIGH-TECH COMPUTING, CAFETERIA STYLE

CompuStar 286 great deal more than the Dell computer. drivers and CompuStar Extended Disk­
A Dell System 220 with a 40-megabyte ette Drive BIOS, DOS saw my evaluation
Company hard disk drive, 1 megabyte of memory, unit's third floppy drive, a 1.2-megabyte
Wells American Corp. three empty AT slots, and Dell's VGA 51A-inch TEAC model, as drive E.
3243 Sunset Blvd Plus monitor costs $3299 as I write this. The CompuStar also includes one
West Columbia, SC 29169 A comparable CompuStar 286 with a 44­ other full-height 5 1A-inch drive bay in­
(803) 796-7800 side the machine. The power supply in­
megabyte hard disk drive and equivalent
VGA monitor runs $4010, or $711 more. cludes seven device connectors, so you
Components

Processor: 20-MHz 16-bit Intel 80286;

For that extra $711, the CompuStar 286 can run the system even if you fill this
10-MHz Intel 80287 coprocessor
offers more empty slots, a slightly faster bay and all six half-height bays. In my
Memory: 1 megabyte of 16-bit 80-ns
overall system, and its built-in flexi­ unit, this internal bay held a Maxtor 155­
DRAM on 80286 CPU module,
bility. megabyte, 18-millisecond hard disk
expandable to 16 megabytes; 128K
drive managed by an Adaptec IO-mega­
bytes of BIOS ROM
But Is It Compatible? bit-per-second ESDI controller in one of
Mass storage: Two 1 .44-megabyte 3V2­ Another concern about any high-speed the AT slots.
inch floppy disk drives; one 1.2-megabyte
Wells American includes Storage Di­
PC is its level of compatibility. The Com­
51;4 -inch floppy disk drive; 150­
puStar ran everything I threw at it, both mensions' well-respected SpeedStor
megabyte hard disk drive

Display: Flat-tension-mask color VGA­

hardware and software. I successfully hard disk device driver, version 5.13b,
compatible monitor; VGA support on the
installed an Everex Evercom II 2400-bps with the system. The combination of that
motherboard
internal modem, a Microsoft Serial software and Wells's disk BIOS lets you
Keyboard: 101 keys in IBM Enhanced
Mouse, and an Intel Above Board/ AT. make a second DOS partition that is
layout
On the software side, I tested Borland's larger than the traditional DOS 3.3 limit
110 interfaces: Two RS-232C serial
Quattro 1.0, Reflex 1.14, SideKick Plus of 32 megabytes. In my evaluation unit,
ports; DB-25 parallel port; analog monitor
1.0, SuperKey l.16A, Turbo Basic 1.1, the C drive was only 2 megabytes, while
port with DB-15 connector; 6-pin DIN
the D drive was over 150 megabytes.
Turbo C 2.0, and Turbo Pascal 4.0; Di­
keyboard connector; 6-pin DIN mouse

connector; seven AT-compatible

gitalk's Smalltalk/V 1.2; Kermit 2.30; Wells American uses this design to leave
expansion slots
Lotus 1-2-3 version 2.01, which ran drives E and F open for two of the four
without forcing me to slow the system floppy disk drives that the CompuStar
Size
manually; MicroPro's WordStar 3.3 and can include.
24 x 7V2 x 26 inches; 66 pounds
4.0; Microsoft's PC Paintbrush 2.0 and Wells also offers a slew of other mass
(weight can range from 50 to 90 pounds,
Word 4.0; Quarterdeck Office Systems' storage options, including tape backup
depending on the configuration)
DESQview 2.0; the Norton Utilities systems, a WORM (write once, read
3.00; and Symantec's Q&A 1.1. many times) drive, and an erasable opti­
Software
Wells American sells IBM's own PC­ cal drive from Maxtor.
Setup disk, which includes a setup

DOS 3.3 and the AT version of IBM's The CompuStar's interior bay design
utility, a memory and port management

utility, a video mode utility, a utility for

OS/2 1.00, which a Wells spokesperson has one flaw: No hard disk light is visible
setting the processor's speed, utilities for
said runs on the CompuStar. Wells did outside the machine. Wells more than
displaying messages on the LED
not include OS/2 with the evaluation compensates for this omission, however,
display, and drivers for LIM/EMS memory
unit, however, so I was unable to verify with a little touch that Dell popularized
and additional floppy disk drives
that. on its early systems: a four-character
LED display on the front of the system.
Options
And More Goodies That display shows both diagnostic and
CompuStar Base Model 100: $1195
When you leave the world of external ap­ system status information. For example,
AT-compatible primary bus module:

plications and dive into the box itself, you it shows "R" when the system is reading
$195
AT-compatible secondary bus module: find that the Wells engineers have been at the hard disk and "W" when the system
$175 it again. It starts with the fans-one at the is writing to that disk. If you press the
PS/2-compatible primary bus module: bottom front of the unit that blows out Control or Shift keys, the LED shows the
$295 enough air that you can feel it if you wear current system speed.
PS/2-compatible secondary bus shorts, and one at the top rear inside the Wells American also includes on its
module: $250 power display case. The unit disassem­ standard setup disk two programs, DISP­
PS/2 adapter module: $995 bles easily, using Nylatch nylon snap . EXE and SCROLL.EXE, with which
8086 CPU module (available as of fasteners. you can display four characters of your
February): $295
80286 CPU module: $695
The flexible design also extends to the choice, either statically or scrolling from
80286 memory-extender kit: $55 CompuStar's storage devices: The sys­ right to left, in the LED display.
16-MHz 80386 CPU module: $1395 tem can hold up to six half-height de­ Wells American also did its own ROM
20-MHz 80386 CPU module: $1695 vices, all of which you can access from BIOS; my unit included the CompuStar
outside the machine, if necessary. Two Multi-Processor Convertible Microcom­
Documentation of these device areas are 3 1/2-inch bays, puter V 1. 05 BIOS.
User's manual; Adaptec hard disk drive while the other four can hold 5 'A-inch Like most of today's fastest systems,
controller user's manual devices. All the devices mount on sliding the CompuStar offers a slower compati­
rails inside the machine. bility speed. Unlike many systems, how­
Price
My evaluation unit had two Mitsubishi ever, it offers five slower speeds. You
System as reviewed: $6570
3 V2-inch floppy disk drives, which DOS can run the 80286 at 16, 12, 10, 8, or 6
Inquiry 857. saw as drives A and B, in the 3 V2-inch MHz. Wells implements these speeds by
slots. By using Wells's own special continued

182 BYTE • APRIL 1989

 Wells American CompuStar 286

APPLICATION-LEVEL PERFORMANCE Wells American CompuStar 286 12 .5 *

WORD PROCESSING DATABASE
XyWrlte Ill+ 3.52 Medium/Large dBASE Ill + 1.1
Load (large) :10 Copy :59
Word count :03/:20 Index :18 Dell System 220 11 .4
Search/replace :05/:22 List 1:14
End of document :02/:14 Append 1:34
Block move :09/:09 Delete :02 Compaq 386/20 17.9
Spelling check :09/1:00 Pack 1:20
Microsoft Word 4.0 Count :16
Forward delete :13 Sort 1:04 IBM PCAT 5
Aldus PageMaker 1.0a
Load document :13 D Index: 1.65
Change/bold :25
Align right :20 SCIENTIFIC/ENGINEERING
Cut 10 pages :18 AutoCAD 2.52
Place graphic :05 Load SottWest 1:09
Print to file 1:46 Regen SoftWest :44 12.5
Load StPauls :11
D Index: 2.62 Regen StPauls :07
Hide/redraw 14:58
SPREADSHEET STATA 1.5
Lotus 1·2·3 2.01 Graphics
:19 Word
Block copy
Recalc
:03
:01
AN OVA

MathCAD2.0
:14 Processing D
Load Monte Carlo :16 IFS800 pts.
:21
Recalc Monte Carlo
Load rlarge3
:04
:03
FFT/IFFT 1024 pts.
:22 Spreadsheet D
Recalc rlarge3 :01 D Index: 3.06
Recalc Goal-seek :03 Database D
Microsoft Excel 2.0 COMPILERS
Fill right :05 Microsoft C 5.0 Scientific/
Undo fill 1:50 Xlisp compile 4:37 Engineering D
Recalc :01 Turbo Pascal 4.0
Load rlarge3
Recalc rlarge3
:25
:01
Pascal S compile :06 Compilers D
D Index: 2.06
D Index: 3.11 ~ cumulati v e applica tion index. Graphs are
based on indexes at left and show relative
All times are in minutes:seconds. Indexes show relative performance:for all indexes, an 8-MHz IBM PC AT~ 1. pe:rtormance.

LOW-LEVEL PERFORMANCE' Wells American CompuStar 286

CPU DISKl/O VIDEO

Matrix 5.20 Hard Seek• Text Dell System 220
String Move Outer track 3.29 ModeO 3.95
Byte-wide 40.40 Inner track 3.33 Mode1 3.96
Word-wide: Half platter 6.66 Mode2 3.94
Compaq 386/20
Odd-bnd. 30.60 Full platter 6.68 Mode3 3.92
Even-bnd. 20.19 Average 4.99 Mode 7 NIA
Sieve 22.69 DOS Seek Graphics
IBM PCAT
Sort 18.95 1-sector 8.47 CGA:
32-sector 25.19 Mode4 1.92
D Index: 2.64 Fllel/0 4 Modes 1.87
Seek 0.11 Mode6 2.01
FLOATING POINT Read 0.88 EGA
Math 23.12 Write 0.78 Mode13 3.46
Error2 1-megabyte Mode 14 3.74
Slne(x) 9.78 Write 4.87 Mode 15 N/A
Error Read 5.02 Mode 16 3.77
e• 8.37 VGA:
Error D Index: 1.90 Mode 18 3.90
Mode 19 2.00
D Index: 2.04
Hercules N/A

Ni A ~Not supported by graphics adapter.

D Index: 2.30
' All limesare in seconds. Figures were generated using the 8088/8086
versions (1 .1) of Small·C.
' The errors for Floating Point indicate the difference between expected and
CPU D
actual values, correct lo 10 digits or rounded lo 2 digits. CONVENTIONAL
' Times reported by the Hard Seek and DOS Seek are for multiple seek
operations (number of seeks performed currently set to 100).
BENCHMARKS
LIN PACK 478.68
FPU D
4 Read and write times for File 1/0 are in seconds per 64K bytes. Livermore Loopss
5 For the Livermore Loops and Ohrystone tests only, higher numbers mean

faster performance.
(MF LOPS)
Dhrystone (MSC 5.0)
0.46 Disk 1/0 D

(Dh ry/sec) 5000

Video
D

For a full description of all the benchmarks, see "Introducing the New BYTE Benchmarks," June 1988 BYTE.
APR IL 1989 • B YTE 183
 REVIEW
HIGH-TECH COMPUTING, CAFETERIA STYLE

A MESSAGE
·To OuR using three different crystals/oscillators
in the system, one each for the 20-, 16-,
ual for my Adaptec hard disk drive con­
troller. .That complex book is useful only
and 12-MHz rates. A flip-flop divider for skilled users who want detailed infor­
SUBSCRIBERS
off the oscillators provides the three ad­
ditional slower speeds. You can control
mation about the controller.
When the manuals leave you wanting,
the unit's speed from the keyboard with you can call the company's technical
the now-traditional Ctrl/ Alt/+ combina­ support. It's a toll call, which is unfortu­
tion to raise the speed, or Ctrl/Alt/- to nate since you're likely to have to wait.

F ROM TIME TO TIME

we make the BYTE sub­
scriber list available to other
lower it. The system beeps once each
time you lower its speed, and twice each
time you raise the speed. You can also
Every time I called, I had to sit on hold
until I either gave up or gave in to the sec­
retary's request for my name and num­
use a Wells utility, SPEED.EXE, to set ber. When she took that information,
companies who wish to send the speed from the DOS command line. however, someone always called me
our subscribers material about back. The support people with whom I
their products. We take great Monitor and Keyboard spoke were courteous and very knowl­
care to screen these companies, In keeping with this abundance of op­ edgeable about every aspect of the sys­
choosing only those who are tions, you can choose either a "firm tem. In a rare sweep of competence,
touch" or "soft touch" keyboard. Both everyone with whom I spoke was able to
reputable, and whose products, keyboards follow the IBM 101-key En­ answer all my test questions, which
services, or information we feel hanced layout. My evaluation unit came ranged from simple to complex.
would be of interest to you. with the Fujitsu keyboard that is showing You get a one-year limited warranty on
Direct mail is an efficient up on a lot of machines these days. It has parts and labor, which includes all hard­
medium for presenting the latest a good, very springy feel with an audible ware but not software. You have to get
keyclick. your machine, or at least the defective
personal computer goods and As for the monitor-well, if you component, to a Wells Authorized War­
services to our subscribers. haven't seen flat-screen color monitors ranty Repair Center. You can buy on-site
yet, avoid them at all cost. Once you see service in many locations nationwide
Many BYTE subscribers ap­ one, you'll want one, and they're expen­ through Wells's arrangement with Gen­
preciate this controlled use of sive. Wells charges $895 for the Zenith­ eral Electric. Wells American sets prices
built one on my evaluation unit, and it is for this service on a monthly basis by
our mailing list, and look for­ gorgeous, albeit big and a bit noisy, since component, such as $5 for the base sys­
ward to finding information of it has its own fan. tem, $3.50 for the 80286 CPU module,
interest to them in the mail. and $26 for the 150-megabyte hard disk
Used are our subscribers' names The Soft Side drive. Those prices can add up for a
and addresses only (no other The only standard software is Wells whole system; a year of service for my
American's Setup disk, which comes in evaluation unit would run around $700.
information we may have is ever both 3 'h- and 5 1.4-inch versions. That Wells offers another support plan, the
given). disk includes Wells's setup program, C.A.R.E. (components authorized for
which is also in ROM and accessible via repair or exchange) program, for which
While we believe the distribu­ the Ctrl/Esc key combination; a LIM/ the company has not yet set prices. It lets
tion of this information is of EMS driver; a program that lets you set you quickly replace a defective module.
the system's video mode; another that You call with the identity of the module,
benefit to our subscribers, we lets you control its port assignments and and the company will send a replacement
firmly respect the wishes of any memory usage, including its use of inter­ via overnight delivery service.
subscriber who does not want leaving and shadow RAM; Wells Ameri­
to receive such promotional can's special disk drivers; and the LED A Good System with Great Potential
literature. Should you wish to and compatibility speed control pro­ The CompuStar 286 is the fastest 80286­
grams mentioned earlier. based system I've seen, and it has as
restrict the use of your name, much or more expansion capability as
simply send your request to the Documentation and Support any system I've seen. Those properties,
following address. The CompuStar includes a single, 100­ along with a bearable price tag, make it a
plus-page user's manual. Its early chap­ good machine to consider. The real ex­
ters are for novices, with step-by-step in­ citement will come if Wells American

- structions for adding options to the

system. I ts later chapters and appendixes
contain detailed technical information,
delivers its PS/2 module, fulfilling the
dual-bus promise of the CompuStar.
I hope Wells meets this challenge, be­
including data on the jumpers on all the cause I like this machine, and I like the
EYTE MAGAZINE CPU modules. engineering behind it. It's nice to see
ATTN: SUBSCRIBER SERVICE
Unfortunately, even though it's well something new in the PC clone business
done, this book just cannot make a nov­ for a change. •
P.O. Box 555

ice comfortable installing all the possible

HIGHTSTOWN, NJ 08520
options. The task itself is largely unnec­ Mark L. Van Name is a freelance writer
essary, however, since Wells assembles and computer consultant living in Dur­
the units at the factory. ham, North Carolina. He can be reached
My unit also came with a user's man­ onB/Xc/o "editors."

184 BYTE • APRIL 1989

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 HARDWARE REVIEW

Full-Spectrum
•
.

Scanners
T
The Sharp JX-450 and he Mac !I's rich set of color scription of how these scanners capture
graphics primitives and its ver­ an image, see the text box "Color Scan­
the Howtek Scanmaster satility at manipulating color bit ning Explained" on page 191 ). Both
maps make it a powerful image packages accomplish this operation in
bring affordable color processor. But to take advantage of these just minutes. But their most important
capabilities, you've got to get the color feature is their nonstratospheric prices:
scanning to the Mac II images into the computer in the first Sharp's top-of-the-line JX-450 color
place. scanner package costs $7565, and the
While you can do this easily enough in Howtek Scanmaster package is priced at
shades of gray with existing scanners $8195. Both scanners also work with the
Tom Thompson (see "Bringing the Outside World into a IBM PC and PS/2s.
Macintosh" by Laurence H. Loeb, Octo­
ber 1988 BYTE), the ability to achieve Mirror Image
this result in color has been a long time It's no coincidence that the Sharp and
coming. That ' s not to say that it couldn ' t Howtek scanners look alike: With the ex­
be done, but the equipment to do it cost ception of the company nameplate, both
Photo I (below, left): TheSluirpJX-450 dearly-usually tens of thousands of scanners are identical. Howtek buys its
produces excellent results but requires dollars. scanner from Sharp and resells it with its
a substantial amount ofmemory. Now two vendors, Sharp Electronics own interface board and scanning soft­
and Howtek, have introduced scanning ware (see photos 1 and 2).
Photo 2 (below, right): Howtek's packages that can electronically reduce a The scanners closely resemble a flat­
Scanmaster offers superior scanning color photograph to binary data and con­ bed copier, right down to the hinged
software on a hardware platform vert it into color formats that many Mac cover that holds the original down on the
identical to that ofthe Sharp unit. II applications can use (for a detailed de­ continued

APRIL 1989 • BYTE 189

 REVIEW

FULL-SPECTRUM SCANNERS

Sharp JX-450 Howtek Scanmaster ' connect the JX-450 to the Mac II, you
need to buy the GPIB interface board,
Type Type
driver software, and interface cable for
Flatbed color scanner Flatbed color scanner
an additional $570.
Company Company
Workspace Required
Sharp Electronics Corp. Howtek, Inc.
You '11 need plenty of desk space or a
Sharp Plaza 21 ParkAve.

Mahwah, NJ 07430 Hudson, NH 03051

large open spot on your office floor to ac­

(201) 529-9500 (603) 882-5200 commodate these scanners. Measuring
21 %by 20% by 7 7\ 6 inches, they each oc­
Features Features cupy more space than an IBM AT. The
Scans images up to 11 % by 17 inches Scanner unit characteristics are large size is necessary to accommodate
at 75, 100, 150, 200, and 300 dpi in 24­ identical to the Sharp Scanner; also up to a 12- by 17-inch document. You'll
bit color; optional mirror unit lets you includes NB-GPIB NuBus board, also need an additional foot of clearance
scan transparencies up to 81/4 by 11 % software driver, and cable; MacScan-lt on each side of the scanner, as the scan­
inches; can be programmed to scan in application drives scanner in various ning bed moves from side to side during
resolutions as low as 30 dpi in single modes and saves captured image in
steps up to 300 dpi; can scan images at several formats
operation. Fortunately, the 6 l/i-foot­
several speeds and degrees of long GPIB interface cable lets you place
sharpness; PixelScan software drives Size the scanner some distance away from the
scanner in various modes and saves 213,'4 x 207/a x 7s;, 6 inches; 55 pounds computer.
images in several formats To take full advantage of these two
Hardware Needed scanners, you're going to need a hefty
Size Macintosh II or llx with at least 2 amount of resources . The Mac II you in­
21% x 207/a x 7s;, 5 inches; 55 pounds megabytes of RAM and a hard disk drive tend to use should have at least 2 mega­
bytes of RAM and a high-capacity hard
Hardware Needed Software Needed
Macintosh II or llx with at least 2 Finder 6 .1/System 6.0.2 or higher
disk drive (I recommend at least 8 mega­
megabytes of RAM and a 40-megabyte bytes of RAM and a 100-megabyte hard
hard disk drive; NB-GPIB package, Options disk drive). Images with 8-bit-deep color
which contains NB-GPIB NuBus board, Transparency scanning option: $659 pixels need lots of RAM and disk space,
driver software, and GPIB cable so the more RAM and the larger your
Documentation hard disk drive, the better off you'll be.
Software Needed Operator's guide; MacScan-lt user's As with most Mac II NuBus periph­
Finder 6.1 /System 6.0.2 or higher guide; GPIB installation guide eral boards, installation is a breeze.
First, you pop the Mac II's hood, drop
Options Price
Mirror unit to scan transparencies: $500 $8195
the NB-GPIB interface board into an
NB-GPIB package: $570 empty slot, close the computer, and re­
Inquiry 852. boot. Then you copy the NB Handler
Documentation INIT file to the Mac's System Folder.
Programming manual This INIT contains the NI-488 driver,
which installs into the Mac II's system
Price heap when you reboot the machine. Ap­
$6995 plications that work with the scanner use
this driver to communicate through the
Inquiry 851.
GPIB interface. If you have more than
one GPIB board in your system, the ib­
conf application written by National In­
struments and supplied with both scan­
image table. Markings on the sides of the and a GPIB cable to complete the connec­ ning packages lets you configure the NB
image table let you accurately position tion. Finally, you'll need application Handler INIT for a particular board in
eight different sizes of documents: U.S. software that talks to the scanner, re­ the system.
office, legal, invoice, and tabloid, plus trieves the image data, and saves this All that's left is to copy the scanning
the European A3, A4, B4, and BS stan­ information in a disk file. I call this com­ application to the Mac II's hard disk, and
dard sheets. If you want to scan slides or bination of hardware and software a you 're set. Sharp provides a PixelScan
transparencies, Sharp's optional mirror scanning package, since all the compo­ application that can operate the scanner
unit or Howtek's transparency option nents in the package are required to ob­ at various resolutions and scanning
must be attached to the scanner so that it tain a scanned image. speeds and save the image in several data
redirects the light from the scanning You don't always get a complete scan­ formats. Howtek's MacScan-lt applica­
lamps through the film. ning package when you buy a scanner. tion has similar features, but it has better
Both scanners use an IEEE-488 gener­ Howtek provides its Scanmaster scanner, color controls and can save data in a
al-purpose interface bus to communicate power cable, and scanning software, wider range of data formats.
with the host computer. This means that, along with the NB-GPIB interface board, Once system setup is complete, you
in addition to the scanning unit, GPIB in­ driver software, and interface cable, as a place a photo or document onto the scan­
terface hardware is required. Both prod­ complete package. Sharp, however, sells ner table and switch the unit on. After the
ucts use the National Instruments NB­ its JX-450 scanner, power cable, and scanner warms up, you launch the scan­
GPIB NuBus board, the NI-488 driver, scanning software as a unit for $6995. To ning application. First you select the

190 BYTE • APRIL 1989

 REVIEW
FULL-SPECTRUM SCANNERS

scanning mode, resolution, and color

palette, and then you issue a scan com­
mand. The scanning bed moves from
right to left, and in about l 1h minutes (at
Color Scanning Explained

the fast scan setting), a color image fills harp's color scanner is operation­ to measure a band across the widest part
the window of the scanning application.
If you've set your color controls correct­
S ally similar to a gray-scale scanner.
It measures the light intensity at certain
of a European A3 document (297 milli­
meters, or about 11 '.!4 inches) at 300
ly, the results can be spectacular. points along the original image and con­ dpi. The light intensity for the particu­
verts this intensity level into digital lar color component (determined by the
Not Created Equal values. However, a typical gray-scale color of the lamp illuminating the
Although both scanning packages are scanner detects only 16 different light image) is digitized into 256 levels (8
virtually identical in terms of the scan­ intensities (or shades), while the Sharp bits), although Sharp guarantees only 6­
ning unit and GPIB interface, they differ JX-450 scanner detects 256 different bit accuracy for each component.
significantly when it comes to the scan­ light intensities. And while a gray-scale The scanner sends the intensity infor­
ning software they supply. Sharp's Pixel­ scanner captures an image once, the mation for the image band at this partic­
Scan version I.la, written by SuperMac Sharp scanner must do it three times, ular color to the host computer. Mea­
Software, provides only minimal capa­ measuring the red, green, and blue in­ surements of the next color component
bilities. You can choose from a wide va­ tensities for each part of the image (for for the same band start when the next
riety of scanning settings: resolution (36, gray-scale images, the scanner uses lamp fires.
75, 100, 150, 200, or 300 dots per inch, only the green lamp). Once all three lamps have fired and
or adjustable), image size (including The process is further complicated all the RGB color information for this
U.S. and European formats), brightness by the fact that all three RGB measure­ imageband has been captured, the scan­
correction (normal or lighter), scanning ments must be aligned to the exact same ning table moves slightly. This exposes
speed (slow, fast, or custom), and image points on the image. Otherwise, the a new part of the image, and the mea­
sharpness (normal, sharp, exaggerated, combined color measurement would suring process repeats. In this manner,
or softened). correspond to several different points the entire image is assembled, one band
You can scan a picture using the Ma cl I on the image, resulting in color fringing at a time. The only possibility for mis­
system colors, custom color palettes, or or a garbled image. The process is simi­ alignment is if the scanning table moves
gray scales. You can also specify wheth­ lar to the careful alignment required to inaccurately, but this only causes prob­
er you want dithering performed during print a color picture like those in this lems with the alignment of bands of the
the scan. For certain custom palettes, the magazine: If even one of the colored image, not with their colors.
scanner captures the image in two inks is printed out of register, the image To scan transparencies, the scanner
passes. The first examines the image's is ruined. uses an optional mirror box that directs
colors and then selects (from the Mac II's Sharp's solution to this problem is in­ light from the lamps through the film.
palette of 16.7 million colors) the 256 genious. The original photo lies on the Two mirrors in the device guide the
colors that best represent the image; the image table. The image table remains light from the image table slit across the
second pass performs the image scan. stationary while the JX-450 fires three scanning table, through the film, and
You can save the image in PICT2, Pixel­ colored fluorescent lamps (red, blue, onto a third mirror inside the scanner.
Paint, and MacPaint formats. PixelScan and green) in sequence. Red and blue This third mirror then reflects the light
also has a SIZE - 1 resource, making it filters mounted over the red and blue onto the CCD sensor strip.
MultiFinder-compatible. lamps help to improve their spectral While this process might seem ex­
The size and resolution of each scan is characteristics. This light then shines tremely complicated compared to the
limited by available RAM. The only way through a slit on the image table and operation of a gray-scale scanner, the
you can control the size of the scanned onto a band of the image. color scanner must capture three times
area on the scanning bed is through The light reflected from the image as much information-all of it required
canned document-size settings. The band is directed by two mirrors onto a to produce a realistic image. The Sharp
PICT2 file format is the graphics lingua charge-coupled-device (CCD) sensor scanner tackles this problem with a sim­
franca for exporting color images to strip. The strip contains 3648 photo­ ple but effective design. The effort is
other Mac applications, but the MacPaint sensitive elements that measure the in­ worth it: The color images look worlds
format, which handles only black-and­ tensity of the light that falls on them. better than anything a gray-scale scan­
white images, makes no sense for a color The sensor strip has sufficient elements ner could generate.
scanner.
Although PixelScan operates under
MultiFinder, it allows little or no back­
ground processing during a scan. I at­ to users who buy the preliminary ver­ tables for many types of films (e .g.,
tempted an XMODEM download from sion). The program has the same image­ Kodak, Konica, 3M, and Fuji). Unlike
BIX at 1200 bps using Red Ryder 10.3 in size and image-sharpness menu selec­ PixelScan, it also has a useful preview
the background. The download timed out tions as PixelScan. You can scan at mode that lets you look at the image on
while PixelScan captured a large docu­ resolutions of75, 100, 150, 200, or 300 the scanning table before starting the
ment. dpi, or at variable resolutions. final scan. You can then resize a preview
Howtek's MacScan-It 1.0 is the more MacScan-lt lets you scan an image as a window to surround the picture entirely
polished application, although the pro­ positive or a negative, and with continu­ or crop the part that you want.
gram and documentation was shipping in ous colors or gray scales. If you're scan­ MacScan-lt uses the preview win­
preliminary form (Howtek says it will ning transparencies or slides, MacScan­ dow's dimensions to determine the area
provide free upgrades ofthe final version lt has a large selection of color lookup continued

APRIL 1989 • BYTE 191

 REVIEW
FULL-SPECTRUM SCANNERS

to be scanned-a nice touch that saves

RAM and disk space. It also saves the
data in a larger variety of formats: SIM (a
proprietary format that saves all 24 bits
of color information), PICT2, 24-bit
TIFF (for use with PageMaker and
Ready-Set-Go!), and RIFF (for use with
ImageStudio).
MacScan-It is stingy with memory. As
it obtains 24-bit image data from the
Helvetica scanner, it spools the data to a temporary
Ct·nt. Sl'h1111lh1111k file on the hard disk. It uses this 24-bit
Helvetica data, as well as any color corrections
you've selected, to paint an 8-bit-deep
image on the screen. This makes scan­
ning much slower (it took about 3 min­
utes to scan and view a legal-size docu­
ment with MacScan-lt versus l 'h
minutes for PixelScan), but if you use a
2-megabyte machine, you can make
large 300-dpi scans without running out
of memory.
You also can make certain color cor­
rections (i.e ., auto-white, auto-gray,
auto-contrast, and custom gamma cor­
rections) once you've scanned in an
image. MacScan-It reads the 24-bit color
image data from the temporary file as it
applies the corrections. This makes addi­
Cent. Sdioolbook
tional scans unnecessary, and all color
corrections use the same high-quality

--
HelvellCa
image data. MacScan-It is also Multi­
Cenl. Schoolboolt
Finder-compatible, and it does a better
job of allowing background processing.
c..... ­ The XMODEM download completed
. _ ........... successfully while MacScan-It worked
on a large document.
Neither PixelScan nor MacScan-It can
read files. This is understandable, since
the primary goal of these applications is
to get images into the computer. But
MacScan-It's utility would certainly be
enhanced if it could read its own SIM
files. This capability would enable you to
manipulate the image data later without
rescanning the image.
I used the BYTE test pattern to judge
the quality of the images I scanned (see
figure 1). I tested both packages with a
Mac II equipped with a SuperMac Tech­
nologies Spectrum/8 video board and
19-inch color monitor; I configured the
system alternately with 2 and 5 mega­
bytes of RAM. PixelScan distorted or
lost portions of the test images at the high
dpi settings. I had to resort to LaserPaint
Figure 1: (a) The BYTE color test pattern for scanner quality. (b) The test pattern Color II to scan in the test pattern on the
scanned at 300 dpi on the Sharp JX-450. (c) The pattern scanned at 300 dpi on the Sharp scanner.
Howtek Scanmaster. All images shown are actual size. I used LaserPaint Color// When I tried to crop the 300-dpi
with the Sharp JX-450, and MacScan-lt with the Howtek Scanmaster. To avoid image, LaserPaint didn't have enough
degrading the image quality, I saved the images as PICI'2 files and sent them to a RAM to perform the operation; I had to
computer graphics firm to make direct color separations. The firm experienced some install an additional 4 megabytes of
difficulties with the LaserPaint image , so that image was exported as a TIFF file to RAM (for a total of 8 megabytes) . As
Avalon Development's Photo Mac application and saved as a PIC12 file. figure l shows, the test pattern isn't very
continued

192 BYTE • APRIL 1989

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Circle 114on Reader Service Card APRIL 1989 • BYTE 193

 REVIEW
FULL-SPECTRUM SCANNERS

large, so, obviously, software that works same image, the quality of the image was ner, so your choice is between the two
with copies of an image in memory isn't the same, but the PixelScan image scanning software packages. Is the How­
going to handle large 300-dpi scans. By tended to be darker in tone than the Mac­ tek package worth the extra $630? Look
contrast, with MacScan-It, I was able to Scan-It image. MacScan-It lets you ma­ at it this way: If you buy the Sharp pack­
crop the image in preview mode, and it nipulate the image colors if good color age, plan on using the money you saved
performed the scan without a hitch. fidelity is required, but with PixelScan, to buy decent scanning software, be­
Since the scanning hardware is virtu­ you '11 need a graphics application to cause PixeIScan is inadequate. Even
ally the same, the quality of the test pat­ touch up the image. though the Howtek MacScan-It software
terns was nearly identical. The only is preliminary, it does a far better job.
differences, as evident in the continuous­ Tough Choice Possible candidates to replace Pixel­
tone portrait, seem to be in the software No matter which package you buy, Scan are LaserWare's LaserPaint Color
itself. When both scanners captured the you're goingtoend up with a Sharp scan- II (which drives both the Sharp and How­
tek scanners) for $595, SuperMac Soft­
ware's PixelPaint 2.0, also $595, or
Imagenesis's ChromaScan software for
$195. Registered owners of Letraset's
ImageStudio can obtain a special scan­
ning module from Sharp for free.
If you plan on scanning large images at
300 dpi, you might want to factor in the
cost of additional RAM. You'll need at
least 5 megabytes (preferably 8) to work
PC SYSTEMS LASER PRINTERS & SCANNERS INTIL 80287·8...$ 240/80287·10 ..... 1269
INTIL80387·20Moth~""·········· 485 comfortably with either scanning pack­
Brother HL·8e 40 fcnb
~C,.,~w5X'1a~~i............. CAU
~~~:1~~.~~,h~~~ne . ~ :
1
• •
IN1ELConnecHonCoproceHor ...........
698
age (a 4-megabyte RAM-expansion kit
Notionwic/• on-jiM sarvic. availobl.I
lMb RA.M,;,.full Pg g c~ics 1
1 1 ~1~ ff'
NETWORKING from Apple costs $2300).
AS[
HP Leser Jet Plus compatible
11 ~~j~~: ;'Jfc~':,~ ~f?!~~ay sya.m r.acly
IMWIACH INC. EVE REX POSTSCRIPT IASER................... $2,49S
But in most cases, MacScan-It will let
H.P. laMrJetSeriesll. ............................... CAU
4 uMr NOVEU Network you get by with less memory. First,
ASTP.....,lum/286·Mod~80..................CAU
~:~~~:~m~F~:d~cl~~; li'PPM:S-fJl: ARC-12MHz MacScan-It lets you crop the image area
AST Prwmlum/386· Mod~ 300........... ... .CAU
~t ~~~t 1rriv~601&~~~ &~ ~~f'Y
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EVEREX 125Mb inlomol tope ................. $ 1,099
•A erlcan Power Conversion 520W UPS only the part of the image you need, not
"Novell ELS Ne Ware 286 t..ol 1
LAPTOPS CDC 90Mb HH SCSl ..••.....•.•...••.......•..••• $825
Novell Systems Mngr & UMr Besio Tuloricls everything that fits within a fixed sheet
CDC 155 FH SCSl.........................$1339
2400 Saud ~m W/PC Anywhere for Support
CDC 300 FH SCSL......................$1,949 size. This saves on RAM and disk space
J.. r&~¥~h5N~~S MAXTORXT·l 140140Mb.................... $ l,695

•4 ArcNet cards, coble, 4·port pcniY e hub

and on the cost of a color paint package to
~w~~8!!~~r. ~~ ~~-¢;~J2::,~~:.4f~i:
2
MICR01'!1LIS ir:~~/f~1uf~~8~O><~ ,$!~,5,P, crop the image. Second, since MacScan­
Roppy, 20Mb hari::I dive, 2 ser/1 par. cl/cal, ext
Roppy oom, 4 P'Of";•""Y
.lon,_DOS 3.3, G.W. Sa,;c.......... ........... .. $2,449
MICROPOUS 1335 85Mb 28mS<C ....... .$ 549

MICROPOUS 1375 l70MbSCSZ... ...... $1,395

•rel~ ossislo1ce during irulo/lcJion It spools image data to disk instead of

Yourco1t .....................................$8,888

/1IP•B61. w;th AOMbDr;ve......................$2,888

• MimScnbe
holding it in memory, you can make
MONITORS MINISCRIBE 3085HH22mSoc72Mb...... $ 779
PC SOFTWARE & MICE large, high-resolution scans in 2 mega­
.
:~~~g ~~~·~~ ~~;;,~;~!~·b.;;:·::.~i~~
DriveCords-cnrone coo instc/I in 5minuhul
MINI SCRIBE DriYe Ccrd JOMb....... .......... $ 355
MINISCRIBE 8225XT 20Mb W/CTRL ...... $ 239
DA TA l.lSE MA.KlGEMOO
Aohton-TatedSa.elll PluJ...........•............... $ 379
PFS: Profeuionol File.................................... $ 159

bytes of RAM.
The Sharp scanning unit is an impres­
TATUNG CM ·1495 OmniS.an 14" Multi·fr~ MINISCRIBE 8425f 20MB AOmS 3.5" •••$249 WordTechDBXL(d8ooe3} "0;amond• ......... $ 115
~~'U~'li ~~A:1E~~v'i?tt'1'.~R-'6~~J ~19 FLOPPY DRIVES OIMIUHICATIOHS sive piece of hardware that lets you digi­
MDS "ThoGenlua• FUU.PG.lorPC/XT/AT.$749 Fu~t•u 360K...........$75
Fu lt•u 1.44 ..........$ 109

l .2Mb.......$95 ~t;:.'i.~F'!~.'. .1~;~-~.'.1:·:··.::::::::::::::::~.l rs

tize color images and save them on your
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WORD raomsoRS computer in a matter of minutes. The re­
P<><kard·Boll 1472W "'~wht/dual·mode$119
720k.....................$99 1.44•••••••$ 119
T ac 360K............CAU 1.2............$98 ~i~~,~~;rd~~.~~:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::.j ~rs

11

sults are crisp and snappy. More impor­

~~r~Er~~~~~-:.:":-.·:-:-~.":· ._·.:-:-: :·:·."~·: : :·.: .: : :l~!
Packard·le111443CG l 4-color.............. $239 Toac 1.44.............$ 98

tant, these relatively low-cost color scan­

XTRON MF147W soft white 14• FlAT.. .. .. ,119
XTRON CM147E EGA 14" ..................... 359 MODEMS
ners open up new possibilities in the
l~:.~~t~~?:~'~f~ffr.~~~~7:: :-:- : :~c~j

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~:?r~ h~ 1•4?~b~r~~,~~·;ee;;:::::: ~g areas of art, scientific, and multimedia

ANCHOR 2400 PS/2 Mode•m ................ $175
applications. For example, a doctor
TERMINALS
WYSE WY·SOgreenoramber ............... $ 389

~~~~x~~~'.'.'.~~()().;'.'.~~~:::::::::} l~ r~~~~;t~~!r~~-~ - : ._- ~. . : · · :·: :":':":':' .:':':':':':': :':':':'~\!! might scan x-rays in gray scale and then
WYSE WY-.!>Ow/kory\>oo..I...................$ 425 MULTTTECHMulti-Modem>..........................CAU OUrTOPPUlllSKIHG
use false colors to help pinpoint a tumor
PRINTERS, PLOTTERS, & FAX
EPSON FX 2860..............................$ 375
~:O'::!\'.~~~~~i~~i:m~; ~·J&'i>'1c:{m
Sport.tor 1200 E.... $ 98 / 1200 PC........ $ 68
t~~~gi;~~:~:~.;;.~.;._; ;: .:~: : : : : : : ~: i Yi or blood clot. Research geologists would
digitize satellite photos and enhance
BOARDS GRA~HICS,Mla
their contrast to bring out specific details
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~o~~r~~~J~~i~-~5 ~.-.~--.~_1:.-.::::::::::::~,2~g
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MSCPCMousell Bus/Sd .... ,......................... 88 hidden in the image.
~~!~~~~~iS~~~~~:_:::::·::·:·:::~:::::::::::::::·~ 3!!
Now that the technology to import
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AST Hot Shot~6-lOXT Accol. Sd......... $ 369
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ASTl/OMINI llXTorAT. .................... ...... $ 75
AST RAMPAGE 286 · 512K................... 395
AST RAMPAGE 2 for XI 256K ·Ml. 30. 279
AST,VGA+256K16ba$339/VGA8ba 249
t

PR01ECT MAHAGWNr
Ho1vcrdTo al Projeclf.Aonoger.................... 1349

color images quickly and easily is avail­

able at a reasonable cost, the Mac II is set
~on'hTimelina..................................... 269

SUMMAGRPAHICS PRO 12X18........... 639

SUMMAGRAPHICS MAC 12 X1 2.. ........ 389

c~~~,~~~~~;ii~j;i~·.-.:::·:::::::::::::::::: ~: to fulfill its promise as an image-pro­
•compctibilit'y with PC./xrI AT Clone' not cessing engine. And the scanner's ability
FAX guaranteed. to collect 24-bit data makes it ready for
XEROX 7017SF atorw & farward ••, .... CAU •orckw Carefully. q,ened software not relvmable/
Apple's 32-bit Color QuickDraw when it
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194 BYTE • APRIL 1989 Circle 274 on Reader Service Card

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Circle 287 on Reader Service Card (DEALERS: 288)
 SOFTWARE REVIEW

Extend

A general-purpose
simulation toolkit
for the Mac

Ray Valdes
I
I
I - Product

y simulating real-world behav­ I

B
i
ior in software, computers help n I 1
Lab<>r Backl 09

us to understand the world out­

side of the machine. This sim­
ulation entails modeling the flow of mat­
ter, energy, or information through a
ff / /
U
/
1
ll

?
- -
I I
1
This simulates a V""'J simpi.> fac tory using
multip'Je. s t~ and processes . This can ~
• x pan<k>d lo includ.> th• effects of just-in­
lime d• liveni , for ex ample , b<j modify ing

·the- Stock s cript ) or @v~loping ne:1it· blocks

for lhe lihrani !
real-world system. Extend 1.05 from ~~~~~~~~~~~-----'

Imagine That! is a simulation toolkit for

the Macintosh. Like the traditional pack­
ages Simscript and General Purpose
Simulation System, Extend reduces the
behavior of a system that it models to a
graph or a chart. Unlike its mainframe current version assumes you already that can receive inputs, mathematically
predecessors, Extend provides a slick ob­ have Apple's software and fills the disks transform them, and produce outputs.
ject-oriented environment within which with additional example files. That's An entity can be a pure producer, a
you construct simulations-in effect, a useful, because Extend is complex. The transformer that both consumes and pro­
tinker-toy set that you use to graphically cookbook examples do a good job of duces, or a pure consumer. My traffic
define and interconnect processes and showing you how to construct particular model comprises four blocks. One, rep­
flows. I used it to explore the dynamics kinds of simulations in Extend. resenting a suburb, produces cars. An­
of a commuter highway; it's equally well Extend 1.05 occupies 376K bytes of other, representing a city, consumes
suited to problems in biology, business, RAM; you need 442K bytes of RAM for those cars. A third represents the high­
economics, medicine, or physics. version 1. 1. There are two types of asso­ way connecting the two. The fourth plots
I ran Extend on a Mac SE with 4 mega­ ciated files: stored models, or work­ the flow of traffic through the system.
bytes of RAM and a 40-megabyte hard sheets, and libraries of model elements, You can attach as many as 128 I/O
disk drive. I tried the package with a or blocks. The sample models provided ports, or connectors, to a block. In my
Radius 68020 accelerator card and with with the package range in size from 20K model, the suburb has a single output
the standard 68000 CPU. The accelera­ bytes to SOK bytes. A typical library connector, the city has a single input con­
tor isn't required, but I recommend one might contain five to 10 blocks and oc­ nector, and the highway has one of each.
for serious work. I began with version cupy lOOK bytes. So, although it's better What flows through these ports in a sim­
1.05 and later received a beta copy of to have a hard disk drive, you can fit the ulation model is data in the form of inte­
version 1.1, which will ship by the time program, one or two libraries, and a few gers, floating-point numbers, or, in the
you read this. worksheets on a dual floppy disk drive­ case of version 1. 1, arrays. The numbers
The package comprises two 800K­ based Mac system. can represent anything; in the traffic
byte floppy disks and a 200-page man­ model, they represent cars.
ual. Earlier versions of Extend (like Creating a Simulation In Extend, the behavior of each block
other Mac applications) shipped with a In Extend, as in other simulation pro­ is defined in a stored program called a
copy of Apple's System and Finder. The grams, a system is a network of entities continued

- Circle 171 on Reader Service Card (DEALERS: 172) APRIL 1989 • BYTE 197
 REVIEW

EXTEND

Extend 1.05 same time, the script for the highway jects in a drawing program. You can
reads and tries to process that batch of select, drag, and duplicate the elements
Type cars. The highway can handle a certain of a model. Because Extend knows that
Simulation modeling toolkit number of cars per hour. Excess traffic connectors mean something, it main­
accumulates on the suburb's output con­ tains the relationship between blocks and
Company nector-metaphorically, a backlog wait­ connectors when blocks move.
Imagine That! To open a block's dialog box, you
ing to be admitted to the highway during
7109 Via Carmela
the next cycle. For the city's script, I du­ double-click on its icon. That's useful,
San Jose, CA 95139
(408) 365-0305 plicated the logic I used for the highway. but it points up some limitations inherent
The city accepts cars from the highway at in the iconic representation of blocks.
Format a certain rate; excess traffic accumulates First, unless you attach to an icon some
Two BOOK-byte flopp y disks as backlog. The script associated with visual cue that alerts you to the presence
the plotter block reads data that describes of a dialog box, there's no way to know
Hardware Needed the flow of traffic in the city and, using which blocks in a worksheet might con­
Mac Plus, SE, or II with 1 megabyte of Extend 's built-in plotting function, tain useful dialog boxes. Second, be­
RAM and two floppy disk drives (a hard
graphically displays those numbers. cause block icons are static images, they
disk drive is recommended)
In Extend l. 05, the end result of a sim­ can't reflect the status of user-modifi­
Software Needed ulation is a chart or graph. You can't able variables. For example, if I had set
System 4 .2 and Finder 6.0 create an animation or use the data to up a dialog letting me choose between a
or higher control external devices in real time. two-lane and a four-lane highway, there
However, version 1.1 will provide the wouldn't have b):en any way to get the
Language tools you need to do some of these things. highway's icon to reflect that.
c Blocks can read and write files, import But that ' s a minor gripe. Extend im­
and export tables of data, read from and plements a flexible and highly interac­
Documentation
write to the serial port, and interact with tive environment. You can begin with a
200-page manual
device drivers. simple model (e.g. , a few blocks, each
Price with a basic script) and then work
$495 The Visual Connection incrementally toward the desired level of
Extend represents both blocks and con­ realism by enhancing scripts, adding
Inquiry 890. nectors iconically. You can use Extend's user-modifiable parameters in dialog
own primitive drawing tools to create boxes, and changing the configuration of
icons, or you can cut and paste more so­ blocks and connectors.
phisticated images from other Macintosh A worksheet has a single main window
applications. Version 1.1 lets you import that shows the configuration of blocks
an image that serves as a background and interconnections. When you press
block script. You write block scripts in layer on which you superimpose the ele­ Option and double-click on a block, its
ModL, Extend's proprietary program­ ments of a model. editing window or structure window ap­
ming language. Syntactically, ModL re­ Blocks can poll connectors for input, pears. The structure window contains
sembles C, though its object-oriented or they can query you for input directly. five tiled panes. The largest contains Ex­
style (e.g ., the way you write handlers The latter method provides a powerful tend 's text editor, which acts a lot like the
for events) reminds me ofHyperTalk and mechanism for parameterizing models. Lightspeed C editor. The drawing pane,
Smalltalk. Because Extend contains a With Extend 's dialog-box editor, you can where you construct icons, provides a
script editor, you can develop, test, and create fielded forms. Values entered into subset of the MacDraw tools . The tool
refine ModL code within the program. those fields are available directly to palette fits uncomfortably into the space
Once you've configured a model, you ModL. Moreover, Extend automatically provided for it, and I found myself wish­
run it for a specified length of time. At adds a handler for each field to the asso­ ing for a tear-off menu instead. The re­
intervals, Extend sends a simulate mes­ ciated script. These handlers provide maining panes contain an editor for
sage to each block in the system. Blocks hooks to which you can attach code that creating help texts, a list of the current
can respond to that message by retrieving validates or transforms input. block's input and output connectors , and
data from input connectors, processing In my traffic model, I set the param­ a list of the messages that the block can
the input data or simply generating new eters for the capacity of the highway. handle. When you invoke the dialog-box
data, and placing data on output connec­ Running repeated simulations with dif­ editor, it appears in a new pane that over­
tors. If you've asked for a graphical or ferent values for highway capacity, I lays the others.
tabular display of the results, as is usu­ found a threshold value-at about half Extend stores the script, dialog box,
ally the case, Extend will present one the peak outflow of cars from the sub­ icon, and help text associated with a
and update it with each tick of the simu­ urb-beyond which chaos ensued. Grid­ model outside the worksheet, in separate
lation's clock. lock set in by midmorning and did not library files. The advantage is, of
For example, I set up my traffic simu­ clear until well past 9 p .m . course, that you can reuse parts of the
lation to run for one 24-hour day at 1­ I could have elaborated on the traffic models. However, the disadvantage is
hour intervals. Every hour, the suburb model by creating additional instances of that the worksheet file refers to other
produces a batch of cars. The script asso­ the suburb and highway blocks and con­ files that you must transfer when moving
ciated with the suburb governs the num­ necting them in different configurations to another disk or system. Extend does
ber of cars produced; it arranges for peak to approach a more realistic metropolitan provide a library manager, with which
flows between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m., around situation. That's easy in Extend, since you can move blocks into and out of
noon, and in the early evening. At the blocks and connectors behave like ob­ libraries.

198 BYTE • APRIL 1989

 REVIEW

EXTEND

Table 1: M<Xilfunctions by category.

Trigonometric Sine, cosine, tangent, arccosine, arctangent, cosineH, sineH, tangentH

Numeric Ceiling, floor, exponent, fast Fourier transform, integrate Euler, integrate trapezoidal, integer absolute value,
real absolute value, log base e, log base 10, real modulo, square root. mathematical gamma function*

Matrix* Conjugate, determinant, Eigen value, identity matrix, complex identity, dot product, complex dot product, LU
decomposition, complex LU decomposition, invert, complex invert, matrix product, complex matrix product,
scalar product, complex scalar product, vector product, complex vector product, tensor product, complex
tensor product. transpose, complex transpose, polynomial roots

Statistical Gaussian distribution, random distribution, random real distribution, arithmetic mean, standard deviation
of sample, standard deviation of population, binomial distribution*, exponential distribution* ,
gamma distribution*, log normal distribution*, geometric distribution*, Poisson distribution*

Queue manipulation Initialize queue, get and put from queue front, get and put from queue rear, length of queue,
peekatnth member*, getnth member*, set nth member*

Dynamic arrays Make dynamic array, get array dimension, dispose dynamic array

Dialog box User error dialog box, user prompt dialog box, beep, help dialog box, open block's dialog
box*, close dialog box*, speak a string using Macintalk*

Time and date Get current time and date

Financial Calculate present value, future value, number of periods, payment, and interest rate

Plotting Install axis, get axis, get signal value, plot new point, remove signal, retime axis, show plot, dispose plot,
autoscale x *, autoscale y*, plot signal format*, make scatter plot*, plot new scatter point*

Array passing* Pass array to connector or global variable, get passed array

Bit functions* Bit set, bit clear, bit and, bit or, Bit xor, bit not, bit shift, bit test

Complex math* Add complex numbers, divide complex numbers, multiply complex numbers, subtract complex numbers

Device driver* Open driver, close driver, read from driver, write to driver, send control code, get device status, terminate
operation

File 1/0 * Open file, read from file, get delimiter, check end of file, close file, create new file, write to fi le,
rewind file

Import/export* Import from path name into array, export from array to path name

Serial 1/0* Configure serial port, read from serial port. write to serial port

String* Length of string, get substring, find substring, replace substring, convert from integer to ASCII

Timing* Get current tick count, wait for N ticks

Worksheet inquiry* Get number of blocks in worksheet. get name of block, get number of block

·version 1.1 enhancements.

Modeling with ModL they appear, so you can't reuse them as Blocks can't receive and act on user­
Because it looks like C, ModL is easy to conveniently as you can entire blocks. A defined messages, as objects in Hyper­
learn. However, ModL is insensitive to library manager for functions would be a Talk scripts can, and they can't inherit
case, uses two asterisks for comments, welcome addition; so would a debugger. behavior as Smalltalk objects do. Such
and supports the keyword real, as op­ ModL doesn't support pointers, and it features aren't necessary for the kinds of
posed to C's float, and it doesn't sup­ won't let you touch memory directly, so things most people want to do with
port the + + operator. It annoyed me a you can't get into too much trouble. You ModL, but they would make life easier
bit, but it might not bother you. can usually debug a script by examining for model writers.
Table 1 lists some of ModL's built-in its output. But whenever I find myself in­ Extend performs well for small to me­
functions. You can augment that list with serting print statements into code, which dium-size models with five to IO blocks.
functions that you write in ModL. Unfor­ is what happened while experimenting There's a noticeable degradation of per­
tunate! y, the scripts for these are not sep­ with ModL, I yearn for a source-level formance when models become large
arable from the block script in which debugger. continued

APRIL 1989 • BYTE 199

 REVIEW
EXTEND

and contain dozens of blocks, which source editors. But there isn't another trivial working simulations in very short
made me appreciate my 68020 accelera­ Macintosh application that better inte­ order.
tor. But you have to keep things in per­ grates the tasks required to construct
spective. Extend is a drawing program, a simulation models. Managing Complexity
programming language compiler, a plot­ The steepness of Extend's learning To stretch the capabilities of the pro­
ting package, a resource editor, and a curve varies with a user's level of ex­ gram, I used Extend's cut-and-paste fa­
mathematical function library. Extend's perience with simulation, program­ cility to expand my traffic model. With
drawing functions are probably slower ming, and the Macintosh. Accordingly, 50 blocks in the model, performance
than those in MacDraw II. Extend's it might take you weeks to become pro­ slowed noticeably, but it was still
compiler probably compiles more slowly ficient, or it might take you just a few acceptable. What limits Extend isn't per­
than Lightspeed C. There are undoubt­ days. Once you have mastered the neces­ formance but comprehensibility. A large
edly faster plotting programs and re- sary skills, though, you can create non- Extend model suffers from the same
problems as a large spreadsheet. Because
you can't hierarchically decompose
structures, things can get confusing. A
single element in a model can't represent

WHY DESIGN YOUR PRODUCT

a subsystem, and it can't link to a sub­
mode! in a separate worksheet. Every­
thing in a model exists on a single level,

AROUND ACOMPUTER?
such as a set of blocks situated in a large
two-dimensional workspace.
Because of this limitation, Extend is
Design the compu~r in. definitely not suited for the simulation of
systems with hundreds or thousands of
components. The ability to structure
models hierarchically would be a big
improvement.
Although Extend generally takes ad­
vantage of the Macintosh interface, there
are a few anomalies. For example, when
the cursor traverses a work sheet, it
changes according to the object you point
to. If you point to a block, the cursor rep­
resents a hand, indicating that you can
drag the block to another position. If you
point to some text, the cursor changes to
a text caret, which means you can edit the
text. Macintosh programs don't usually
handle modal changes that way-though
it's a convenient and arguably better
method. Instead, they provide a palette
of tools (e.g., to enter text mode, you
select the text tool from the palette).
Extend is to professional simulation
Little Boarcl™/286 Little Board/PC work what desktop publishing programs
Built-in vs. built-around. External systems mean compatible video options. Even optional solid-state
are to the graphic arts: It's a personal
boxes. boards, backplanes, cables, and reliability prob­ disk. Plus SCSI supponforhard disk, tape, optical computer program suitable for small­
lems. Ampro's Little Boards give you a complete system drives, bubble drives ... you name it. And, low power and medium-scale work. As in desktop
on a single board you can build right into your product. consumption( +5VDC, less than l!W) and a wide
operating temperature range (0 to 60°C). Perfect for
publishing, there are high-end jobs for
Small size. Big power. Eliminate the bulk and
constraints of multi-board, backplane-based systems. standalone operation and harsh environments. which PC-based programs are not appro­
Embed a Little Board that requires just 2/ 3rds the Anywhere that reliability is a critical consideration. priate. This does not mean the program
power and volume of a 51/{' floppy drive. But with the AvaiJable worldwide. For information and the name should not be taken seriously. If you al­
full power of a PC or AT®. ofvour nearest U.S. or international Ampro
Fully compatible. Little Board/286 and Little coresentative, caJJ us at the number below. Or ready do simulation modeling, it will
Board/ PC arc l\mctionally identical to multi­ 1rite for Little Board Product information. significantly improve your productivity.
board PCs and ATs. They run PC-DOS'" 2.0 And if you are new to simulation and
to 3.X. ·111ey run DOS languages, compilers
and applications. You'll be standing on a
408-734-2800 would like to model a problem in busi­
Fax,401!-7'14-2q~q Tr.x,4q4mo2
proven foundation ofhardware and ness, science, or engineering, you should
software. take a close look at Extend. •
Am pro's Single Board Systems. It's all
there. Up to a Megabyte of RAM. RS-232C and
Parallel pons. AT/ PC-compatible controllers and bus
COMPUTERS. INCORPORATED Ray Valdes is president and founder of
1130 Mountain View/Alviso Road
expansion. EGA/CGA/ MDA and Hercules'" ­ Sunnyv.i.le, CA 94089 Sapphire Software, a technology consult­
Reps: Austratia-61 3 720-3298; Austria--43-222/45 45 01; Canada-(604) 438-0028; Denmark--45 3 66 20 20: Flnland-358 0 585-322: France--331 ing firm in San Francisco, Cal(fornia,
4502-1800: Germany, West - 49 89 611-6151; lsrael-972 3 49-1 6 -95 : llaly - 39 6 8 11-9406: Japan-81 3 257-2630; Netherland• ­
010-4118520; Spain-M34 3 204-2099; Sweden·-46 8 55-00-65; Switzeiland--41 1 740-41·05; United Kingdom-.-442 964-35511 ; USA-contacl AMP RO that specializes in the design and devel­
Trademarks: IBM. AT- IBM Corp.: Hercu1cs- HerculesCompute1T echnology, Inc.: Little Board- Ampro Computers. Inc.. OA-OOS-Dig1tal Aesearch.lr\C. opment of graphics software. He can be
reachedonB!Xc/o "editors."

200 BYTE • APRIL 1989

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 APPLICATION REVIEW

Mac Desktop
Presentation
Software
Three graphics packages distribute to your audience. The note type that you choose. You can opt to have
page has one reduced image of each any overflow text run outside of the ob­
that give you frame per page, along with a space for ject, or you can have the object resize it­
the speaker's notes. self to accommodate the length of the
the power of persuasion Of course, one of the biggest advan­ text. Of course, all three programs let
tages of these desktop presentation pro­ you place text inside a graphics element
grams is that they let you use the Mac it­ by first using a graphics tool, then using
self as a display device. In this mode, a text tool, and finally grouping the
Lawrence Stevens software tools such as the menu bar and graphics and text. But PowerPoint's pro­
scroll bars disappear, and the presenta­ cess is simpler.
tion's frames are displayed consecutively Besides its text tool, PowerPoint has a
as they would be in a slide show. The labeler tool that lets you enter text with­
frames change each time you click the out creating a text box. Text boxes, which

U
nless you're one of the lucky mouse button, or you can specify how are used by all three programs but are
few who can keep an audience many seconds each frame will appear on optional with PowerPoint, define the
at the edge of its seat with the screen before it is replaced with the area where the text will appear. Since the
your rhetorical ability (or next one. labeler tool does not define any area, it's
your good looks), you probably depend You can create a set of transparencies much quicker to enter text that does not
on flip charts, transparencies, and slide with a laser printer or have your printing have to be confined to a specific section
shows to complement your verbal presen­ house create slides or transparencies of the frame.
tations. And unless you 're a whiz with from your printed output. Cricket Pre­ While PowerPoint is strongest in com­
stick-on letters, your organization's art sents and PowerPoint also provide a ser­ bining text with graphics, StandOut! pro­
department or outside sources probably vice for turning your frames into 35mm vides the most control over typographi­
help you create those presentations. But slides. You send files by modem or mail, cal elements. All three programs let you
you could use your Macintosh. and the slides are produced within 24 specify normal typing attributes such as
Three programs I looked at, Stand­ hours. superscript, subscript, and tabs. But in
out! 1.0, Power Point 2.00A, and Crick­ Standout!, you can perform typesetting­
et Presents 1.0, let you do just that on a Text Handling like functions such as shifting characters
Mac Plus or larger system. They combine Most presentations are primarily made up or down any number of points, kern­
text and graphics capability along with up of text, and all three programs have ing, and specifying line spacing or space
other features that help you organize and features that let you easily enter text and between words or letters.
display your presentations. format the style and size of the charac­ Both StandOut! and PowerPoint let
One of the most interesting features of ters. But PowerPoint and Standout! pro­ you create style sheets in which you can
these programs is their ability to display vide more options for sprucing up text save complicated text formats and then
all the presentation's frames in reduced with borders and background patterns apply them with a few keystrokes.
form on the screen at once, much like a and for joining text to other elements of PowerPoint's style sheets are slightly
light table displays a set of slides. (A the frame. Once you create text in these easier to use because they appear in sub­
"frame" can be an individual slide, a packages, it is treated like any graphics menus, and you can apply them with op­
flip-chart page, or a transparency.) This element; you can fill it in, or you can give tion/letter commands. On the other
lets you get an overview of the entire pre­ it a border of any pen size, pattern, or hand, style sheets in Standout! are listed
sentation, and you can see how both the color. Cricket Presents provides the least in a separate window. StandOut! also in­
ideas and design of each frame fit with graphical control of text in that it does not cludes a glossary function. Both pro­
adjacent frames. You can easily rear­ let you create any graphics elements, grams have find-and-replace functions
range frames to make the presentation such as borders, directly around text. as well as spelling checkers.
flow nicely. In PowerPoint, you can also attach text Cricket Presents and StandOut! can
Another interesting aspect of these to any object, such as a square or a circle, also align or center objects on the page.
programs is that they automatically by first creating the object with a draw­ You can center or align objects vertically
create handout and note pages for each ing tool and then typing the text you or horizontally by their top, bottom, or
presentation. A handout page contains wish. The text will appear within the ob­ left or right side.
two to eight reduced frames that you can ject with the alignment, font, style, and continued

APRIL 1989 • BYTE 203

 REVIEW
MAC DESKTOP PRESENTATION SOFTWARE

Standout! 1.0 PowerPoint 2.00A • Cricket Presents 1.0

Type Graphics package Graphics package Graphics package

Company Letraset USA Microsoft Corp. Cricket Software

40 Eisenhower Dr. 16011 Northeast 36th Way 40 Valley Stream Pkwy.
Paramus, NJ 07653 P.O. Box 97017 Malvern, PA 19355
(201) B45-6100 Redmond, WA 9B073 (215) 251-9B90
(206) BB2-BOBO

Format Three BOOK-byte floppy disks Three BOOK-byte floppy disks Six BOOK-byte floppy disks

Hardware Needed Mac Plus, SE, or II (a Mac II Mac Plus Mac Plus
with 2 megabytes of RAM and
a color monitor is recommended)

Software Needed Any version of System System 4.1 or higher Any version of System

Language c c c
Documentation 265-page manual: 36-page design 360-page manual: 5-page Using 244-page manual: 74-page
guide: 26-page tutorial: 16-page PowerPoint Genigraphics reference manual: 16-page Using
quick reference guide Presentation Services: 16-page Templates and Color Palettes:
SmartScrap manual: 2B-page 9-page release notes:
quick reference guide: 60-page 20-page autographix manual:
Using PowerPoint Templates 54-page Acta user's manual

Price $295 $395 $495

Inquiry 886. Inquiry 887. Inquiry 888.

StandOut! is the only one of the three You can create tables of data in any of problems that often result. Any imported
packages that allows runaround text. If these programs using tabs along with files that are over 32K bytes are not
you specify runaround text for any lines and boxes created with the drawing really transferred into a Cricket Presents
graphics element, the text that overlaps tools. But Cricket Presents makes this frame. Instead, they remain on the disk,
the element will also surround it. You task easier by providing a specific Table hot-linked to the appropriate frame.
can even specify how close the text tool where you enter data in boxes and When working on the frames, you can
should come to the object. then format the table any way you want. see a symbol on the screen that represents
All three programs also have a draw­ the image. You can resize and move the
Charts and Graphics ing capability, but Cricket Presents is the symbol and then get a description of the
All three programs let you cut and paste most fully featured. It has a total of 10 image by double-clicking on the symbol.
charts created by other programs. But drawing tools, including line, arc, rect- 1 When you run a slide show on the Mac or
Standout! and Cricket Presents can also angle, rounded rectangle, polygon, and print the file, the program retrieves the
generate charts. Both programs have the freehand. By contrast, StandOut! has image from the disk.
full range of charts: bar, column, scat­ eight and Power Point has only four. Nei­ To use images created with software
ter, area, line, and pie. And each pro­ ther Standout! nor PowerPoint provide that can't be directly imported, you must
gram gives you wide latitude in format­ tools for rounded rectangles and free­ cut and paste from one application to an­
ting the elements of the chart. You can hand drawing. And PowerPoint is partic­ other. If you don't have MultiFinder or
change the order of the data and specify ularly limited in that you can't create Switcher (or the large amount of memory
the size oflines and fill patterns. You can such standard shapes as diamonds, par­ required to run them), the only reason­
also add and remove labels and switch allelograms, and arcs. able way to do this is through the Scrap­
from one type of a chart to another. book. PowerPoint comes bundled with
You enter the data for these charts into Imported Graphics SmartScrap, an improved Scrapbook
a data sheet that looks like a spreadsheet. You can create an entire presentation that gives you a table of contents and lets
But unlike a spreadsheet, the data sheet with only the tools. contained in the pre­ you scroll to see all the image, copy and
does not accept formulas, so you have to sentation software. But you may find that paste selected parts of the image, and
do any calculations manually. you need to import text or complicated have multiple Scrapbook files.
StandOut! lets you import data di­ images from other applications. All PowerPoint lets you import files di­
rectly from an Excel worksheet into its three programs let you import graphics rectly from More or ThinkTank, two
chart data sheet, so you can have Excel images directly from most Mac drawing powerful stand-alone outliners for the
do the calculations for you. The Excel files, such as PICT, PICT II, Encapsu­ Mac. When you import a file from either
data must be in a specific format (i.e., lated Postscript Format, and MacPaint. of these programs, PowerPoint automati­
alphanumeric data and numeric data in Just in case your graphics files are cally creates a new presentation from the
specific columns), but the format fol­ very large, which is often the case_with outline. The first frame of the presenta­
lows a spreadsheet's typical arrangement 256-color files, Cricket Presents has a tion contains a list of the main topics in
anyway. way to eliminate the memory and speed the outline. Each frame after that con­

204 BYTE • APRIL !989

 Circle 115 on Reader Service Card (DEALERS: 116)
REVIEW

MAC DESKTOP PRESENTATION SOF1WARE SOLUTIONS

Bigger-
tains one main topic and all the subtopics
indented in the same format as the text in
the outline. You then can use all the
PowerPoint tools to modify the presen­
tation.
you If
just want to copy and
Vfeature Deluxe"' lets your DOS system
use hard disks it thought it couldn't, all in one
bootable piece-no artificial partitions! You
can even span your old drive with the new one
for more capacity. Use RLL, ESDI, or SCSI,
Cricket Presents comes bundled with and laugh at DOS partition limits. $120
Acta, a powerful desk accessory out­ paste text or graphics
liner. Since it is a DA, it can appear on DUB-14'" takes a different approach to
your screen along with Cricket Presents from other applications drive expansion, stretches your AT's Drive Tu.hie
so that you can easily cut and paste from to support the drive YOU choose! Comes with
one to the other. into frames, any of setup and low-level format routines, and it's OS
independent. $95
Elements of Design these programs will do.
After creating a number of presentations,
you'll probably find that many of your Faster-
frames use the same design elements.
You can use templates to save your com­ Vi:ache"' accelerates disk operations, avoids
monly used forms, including the text elements, background, text boxes, and so repetitive accesses by storing data in RAM as
style, color, layout of objects, and back­ on will also change. In that way, you can you read it so it's there for you the next time
ground elements such as logos. You may view your presentation in different colors you need it-no waiting! Works with any type
have some templates that contain the while being sure that all the colors will of memory, caches up to 15 Mb, bundles accel­
complete frame design, while others may be compatible. erators for your diskettes, screens, and
contain formats for only part of a frame, keyboard. $59.95
such as placement of text or graphics, The Big Picture
background color, or layout of a table. If all you want to do is copy and paste text Vop(" saves head motion by eliminating
You can either add elements to these par­ or graphics from other applications into DOS file fragmentation. In a few seconds at
tial templates or combine two or more frames for your presentation, any of boot time, Vopt arranges all your files neatly
templates to create a complete frame. these programs will do. But to do more in contiguous clusters so you won't waste any
While the most useful templates will than that, each program has strengths time reading them back. Bundles timing and
be those you create yourself, all three that optimize it for different types of diagnostic utilities. $59.95
programs come with templates to get you work.
started. PowerPoint has over JOO, and For creating graphics and charts,
Cricket Presents and StandOut! have Cricket Presents is the best, with Stand­ Safer-
about 50 each. out! a close second. Both programs have
Each of the programs organizes tem­ a full range of drawing tools, but the V/ock"' protects your system and its data
plates in different ways. The method rhomboid and polygon drawing tools, from vandals and accidents. System access
used by Cricket Presents is the most con­ both of which are unique in Cricket Pre­ passwords control booting, activity menus
venient. It Jets you view all templates on sents, may come in handy. Similarly, if decide who does what to which files, even locks
your disk through a window that displays you need stacked bar, line, or area out Ctl-Break during boot! $135
the template name, a 2-inch square charts, Cricket Presents is your only
image of the template, and any notes you choice.
may want to make about it. When you Both PowerPoint and StandOut! have Easier-
find a template you want to use, a simple strong text resources. But PowerPoint,
mouse-click automatically pastes it into with three text tools rather than one, Vtools""' is a slick set of disk management
the frame you are working on. Power­ makes text entry easier. PowerPoint's tools for DOS and OS/2. Display directories
Point and Standout! save templates in ability to Jet you enter text without first in whatever order you like, browse files and
separate files. To use these templates, having to create a text block can make la­ change or delete them, compare and update
you have to open the file, view the tem­ beling objects and placing floating text multiple versions, find and manipulate
plates, choose the one you want, and then around a frame very easy. Both Power­ categories of files, and more! $49.95
copy and paste it into your frame. Point and StandOut! also have spelling
All three programs can generate pre­ checkers, which can save you from em­
sentations in either monochrome or barrassing moments. SEE YOUR DEALER OR CALL TOLL-FREE
color. Obviously, the best machine for If you find yourself needing the more
creating color output is a color Mac II. precise text measurements normally
But even if you have a Mac Plus or SE, found in page layout programs, Stand­
you can use the eight colors available to Out! is a better choice. It gives you more 1 (800) 284-3269

(but not visible on) those computers to control over such things as line and Jetter
create acceptable color presentations. I spacing, and it also has style sheets and

1
GOLDEN BOW SYSTEMS
found eight colors adequate for just about glossaries to speed up input. • 2870 5TH AVENUE
any presentation. SAN DIEGO, CA 92103
PowerPoint also comes with color Lawrence Stevens is a freelance writer (619) 298-9349
schemes. These contain eight colors that based in Springfield, Massachusetts, FAX (619) 298-9950 TELEX 201520 GBS UR
are chosen for their aesthetic compatibil­ who prepares presentations for Holyoke
MC/VISA US shpg/hdlg $3 CA orders add 7%
ity. When you switch from one color Community College. You can reach him
scheme to another, the colors of all the on BIX do "editors." Vfran"''· DUJJ.14. H:acht, ~pl. V/oc.l and Vtools ll'C' 1r1dem1rlr.1 of Goldm Baw Sn1em1.

APRIL 1989 • BYTE 205

 IN DEPTH

CASE

ASE, or computer-aided soft­ gurus of various methodologies present

209 The CASE Philosophy

by Michael Lucas Gibson C ware engineering, is a tool for
programmers, analysts, and
systems engineers, as well as
for business planners and executives at
all levels and for businesses of all sizes,
the approaches for which they are
known. This article contains "The War­
nier/Orr Approach" by Ken Orr, "The
Gane/Sarson Approach" by Chris Gane,
"The Yourdon Approach" by Edward
221 Methodology: The Experts shapes, and structures. To quote Carma Yourdon, "The Entity-Relationship Ap­
Speak McClure, "CASE is software automa­ proach" by Peter P. Chen, and "The
by Ken Orr, Chris Gane, Edward tion." It provides software tools to help Structured Design Approach" by Larry
Yourdon, Peter P. Chen, and corporate planners plan, and to docu­ L. Constantine.
Larry L. Constantine ment their work; to support systems ana­ In addition, "The CASE Experience"
lysts in analyzing and designing systems, by the renowned CASE authority Carma
and to document those tasks; and to take McClure discusses some of the various
235 The CASE Experience some of the drudgery out of program­ CASE tools, toolkits, and workbenches
by Carma McClure ming while documenting it. available today for microcomputers­
Sounds better than sliced bread, what they do, what CASE functions they
doesn't it? If it is, why haven't you heard deal with, and how they fit into the whole
246 A CASE Workshop more about it from BYTE? Because until picture. She also includes three CASE
recently, CASE tools cost in the five- and success stories. Finally, she provides our
six-figure price range and only ran on resource guide this month, "A CASE
mainframes. Now, the majority of them Workshop," with a list of contact infor­
run on microcomputers, and many are mation for the products discussed in her
available for less than $1000. article.
So, this month we introduce CASE, -Jane Morrill Tazelaar
BYTE-style. The In Depth section has Senior Technical Editor, In Depth
among its authors some of the top people
in the field. We begin with "The CASE
Philosophy" by Michael Lucas Gibson.
This article introduces the concepts and
capabilities of CASE and explains what
the different elements of CASE are and
what they are for.' CASE itself is modu­
lar, and you may find that some parts of
it fit your environment while other parts
do not.
You can't talk about CASE without
discussing methodology. In a field based
on structured methods, there are an
amazing number of different approaches
to that structure. In the article "Method­
ology: The Experts Speak," some of the

206 BYTE • APRIL 1989

 "°R~E E FIT
a s llNNE/

ILLUSTRATION: ROBERT TINNEY © 1989 APRIL 1989 • BYTE 207

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 IN DEPTH

CASE

The CASE

Philosophy

The whole picture involves integrating corporate plans,

systems design, and systems development into one system
Michael Lucas Gibson

omputer-aided based on its own criteria. And

C software engi­
neering (CASE)
represents a com­
prehensive philosophy for
modeling businesses, their
each vendor would like its im­
plementation to be accepted
as the standard. Such organi­
zations as the Software Engi­
neering Institute at Carnegie­
activities, and information­ Mellon University and the
systems development. The Center for Advanced Infor­
CASE philosophy involves mation Management at Au­
using the computer as a devel­ burn University have emerged
opment tool to build models to provide CASE guidance. A
that describe the business, the research goal of the CAIM
business environment, and is to arrive at standards for
corporate planning, and to CASE. (See the text box "The
document computer-systems Center" on page 211.)
development from planning The complete picture of the
through implementation. CASE philosophy prescribes
that specifications for corpo­
Components of CASE rate plans, systems design,
Breaking CASE down into and systems development be­
component parts makes it eas­ come fully integrated. This
ier to understand. However, occurs by sharing specifica­
there is disagreement about "RoaERT
tions for the three functions of
whether upper CASE, middle ~Ti t-:iN'E y corporate planning, systems
CASE, and lower CASE have analysis and design, and sys­
any reality. Many CASE ven­ tems development across
dors and gurus think that this CASE components.
functional separation is just a journalis­ called computer-aided planning, will re­ In a fully integrated CASE environ­
tic device. Perhaps it is, but it is also con­ fer to a computer-aided component that ment, computer systems originate in the
venient and provides a familiar frame of supports corporate planning. Middle corporate-planning function (see figure
reference for discussion. CASE will refer to a component that sup­ 1). Corporate planners create computer
With that in mind, I will use the terms ports systems analysis and design. specifications for developing functional
here to refer to the computer-aided com­ Lower CASE will refer to a component corporate plans using upper CASE,
ponents supporting the various CASE that supports systems development. specifications that embody planning re­
functions. I make no claims about my Another confusion in the CASE arena quirements for the company's funda­
definitions or even acceptance of these is that there are no standards. Each ven­ mental activities .
terms elsewhere. Upper CASE, often dor includes and omits whatever it wishes continued

ILLUSTRATION: ROBERT TINNEY © 1989 APRIL 1989 • B YT E 209

 IN DEPTH

THE CASE PHILOSOPHY

devised for model building. These meth­

odologies usually consist of a combina­
tion of diagramming techniques and text
descriptions. Diagrams express pictorial
images of the business's activities and of
how it uses information to support these
activities. Diagrams also graphically de­
scribe the attributes used in systems de­
sign and development.
The diagramming techniques use
icons to represent various components of
the business: personnel, resources, data,
and so on. Each icon on representative di­
agrams usually has a text description ex­
plaining its purpose, its responsibilities
relative to business activities and infor­
mation support, its relationship to other
icons on the diagrams, and so forth. The
text descriptions include enough infor­
mation to sufficiently describe the real­
world object that the icons represent.
Model-building methodologies pro­
vide some guidance for building models
that represent corporate activities and
systems development. However, business
models require frequent modifications
as business changes. If the models are
constructed by hand, these changes re­
quire a great deal of effort. As a result,
elaborately constructed manual models
frequently become outdated. In addition,
if you spend a lot of effort building a
manual model, you may not be inclined
to spend additional effort to change it.
Model building constructs a symbolic
representation of various facets of the
business for review and subsequent im­
~·-"~··-' \1/ ~ ,
~ ~ ..... ­ :;' . provement prior to actual commitment.
Thus, change is inherent in model build­
f\f o ' t.1111 H.;; I' 11 ~ \I( ~j • ing and should be made as easy as pos­
sible.
Some vendors have developed soft­
ware systems that automate many of the
methodologies (see references 1 through
Figure 1: A fully integrated CASE environment: from corporate planning through 6) used in model building. These systems
systems analysis and design to program code and documentation. implement a large portion of the CASE
philosophy by providing diagramming
methodologies accompanied by text de­
These functional corporate plans are development specifications to generate scriptions. Many CASE systems execute
input to computer specifications for cor­ the application system and accompanying on desktop computers with the more
porate information-systems planning. end-user documentation. Thus, the com­ graphically oriented systems requiring a
Corporate planners enhance these speci­ puter is used as a development tool to in­ mouse. You issue commands through
fications relative to intrinsic informa­ tegrate planning with the design and de­ menu or function-key selection using a
tion-systems attributes. Then the corpo­ velopment of computer systems. portion of the screen to enter appropriate
rate-planning specifications are input to Most of the understanding of how a model specifications.
design specifications for computer sys­ business functions, and how information Within the more graphical methodolo­
tems. Systems analysts enhance these de­ services that functioning, resides in the gies automated through CASE systems,
sign specifications using middle CASE. minds of a relatively small group. Over some icons have a variety of purposes.
The design specifications are then in­ the years, companies have attempted to The text description behind the icons de­
put to the development specifications for build models to document these things. scribes what the icons symbolize within
computer systems and end-user docu­ These models were created to symbolize the facet of the business currently being
mentation. Systems developers enhance the knowledge of key people in an effort modeled.
the development specifications to make to better secure and more comprehen­ You enter the text descriptions into a
them more comprehensive using lower sively use their accumulated knowledge. portion of the CASE system known as the
CASE. Lower CASE systems use these A number of methodologies have been dictionary (some CASE systems have

210 BYTE • APRIL 1989

 IN DEPTH

THE CASE PHILOSOPHY

embedded DBMSes serving this func­

tion). The dictionary contains preformat­
ted screens associated with different
graphical icons. Entries on these screens
The Center

supply important information concern­ he Center for Advanced Informa­ formation resource management, and
ing the aspect of the business the icons
symbolize. The dictionary also keeps a
T tion Management (CAIM) is a non­
profit organization affiliated with Au­
project management; managing com­
puter software configuration; and fa­
directory indicating the relationships be­ burn University. Its purpose is to cilitating estimate acquisitions.
tween specific diagrams, icons, and text provide an organization to facilitate re­ The long-range plan for the center
descriptions. search in the field of information engi­ leads to establishing international stan­
neering. This body consists of approved dards for various aspects of information
Upper CASE members from both the academic and engineering. In addition, the CAIM will
Corporate managers spend much of their business communities. institute a certification program for
time trying to understand the company several areas of information manage­
and create plans for its activities. Corpo­ Objectives ment as well as initiate the Journal of
rate plans prescribe goals, generate strat­ The general goal ofthe O\IM is to pro­ Information Engineering . The first ac­
egies for achieving these goals, establish vide a forum for research activities re­ tivity will furnish badly needed stan­
policies to focus the company's opera­ lated to information needs and methods dards in information management for
tions toward these goals, and establish for satisfying these needs. Research in­ everything from file formats for project
standards for acceptable levels of perfor­ terests include facilitating enterprise specifications to standards for method­
mance within these operations. modeling, organizational planning, ex­ ologies and procedures. The remaining
Upper CASE uses software to describe ecutive information systems, systems two activities will provide a mechanism
the company and its plans. It uses graphi­ analysis and design, systems develop­ for industry and academic professionals
cal diagrams to decompose the com­ ment, system maintenance, and net­ to acquire recognition and proficiency
pany's important aspects and describe work configuration and management; in information engineering through per­
them. Some of these aspects are the vari­ standardizing documentation; facilitat­ sonal experience and access to the lit­
ous departments and their functions and ing reverse engineering, computer-inte­ erature.
processes. Others include the goals, ob­ grated manufacturing, real-time system The CAIM will work closely with the
jectives, responsibilities, resources, development, and information resource International Standards Organization
problems, and so on, of the company and management; providing assistance for (ISO) and the United States of America
its various departments. Decomposing project management; integrating orga­ Standards Institute (USASI) to establish
aspects of a business provides graphical nizational planning, systems analysis standards for all aspects of information
and textual information to help you gain and design, systems development, in­ engineering.
a clearer understanding of the company
and the conditions facing it.
You can use these descriptions to activities and for developing information operations. This information involves
create strategic plans. The planning systems. describing what departmental operations
specifications represent the resources are and why they are important; why op­
and task completions needed to accom­ Middle CASE erations are performed in a certain way,
plish corporate plans. The planning In middle CASE, you analyze problems what information supports them, and
methodology provides the structure into with information and design solutions to how that information is used; why cer­
which you enter these planning attri­ them. Most middle CASE systems con­ tain conditions influence operations,
butes. The structure has built-in func­ sist of diagramming and dictionary com­ what information about these conditions
tionality for indicating the relationships ponents operationally similar to those in is needed, and why; responsibilities for
between the components of the plan and upper CASE. However, the methodolo­ various operations; job functions of per­
the accoutrements they require. For dif­ gies embodied in middle CASE are dif­ sonnel, and how and why information
ferent plans, the structure of the com­ ferent. The combination of diagram and serves these job functions; and so on.
pany and its requirements remains the dictionary entries automates methodolo­ Middle CASE systems provide the
same; only the planning-attribute values gies that systems analysts use. These sys­ structure to store this type of information
change. tems also have special purposes for and make it more accessible. You can
Creating these models involves a great graphical icons and separate preformat­ gain years of experience about the com­
deal of clerical work. However, after you ted dictionary screens for describing how pany's operations and how it uses infor­
construct the business model and a num­ these icons symbolize real-world objects. mation simply by "mousing around" in
ber ofplanning models, you will find that Manufacturers of middle CASE sys­ design specifications.
you can reuse many dictionary specifica­ tems say that this software substantially It is often said that only 25 percent to
tions. For example, dictionary entries reduces normal project-development life 30 percent of middle CASE specifica­
describing order-processing customers cycles. Another major benefit comes tions is transportable to lower CASE sys­
are reusable when you develop a market­ from storing the type of knowledge that tems. Lower CASE systems create the
survey planning model. The more you usually resides only in the minds of sys­ actual development specifications for
use upper CASE, the more reusable dic­ tems analysts-their understanding of programs. Since middle CASE specifi­
tionary specifications you will have. how the company functions and what its cations predominantly involve docu­
Every plan the company devises de­ information needs are. menting a company's activities and the
pends on timely information to ensure its Very little information about how the ways in which information serves it, only
success. Upper CASE systems contain company functions is directly related to a small percentage of these specifica­
planning specifications for functional the software that supports the company's continued

APRIL 1989 • BYTE 211

 IN DEPTH

THE CASE .FHILOSOPHY

tions is directly mapped into lower CASE middle CASE, reusable analysis and de­ physically oriented development specifi­
systems. Some people question the need sign specifications continue to multiply. cations don't usually need it. Lower
for middle CASE systems, but the expert CASE systems specifications are usually
knowledge contained in the middle Lower CASE directly related to programs within the
CASE specifications provides a common Lower CASE uses a development soft­ developed system.
base of knowledge that is invaluable. ware component to create a set of systems Traditionally, a dictionary system
Creating analysis and design specifi­ development specifications ultimately documents the characteristics of the real­
cations also involves a lot of clerical used to generate programs and in user world entities being modeled. Thus, its
work. But once a number of systems have documentation. The CASE development specifications usually only provide a
been modeled using middle CASE sys­ software system also contains a dictio­ comprehensive reference for the modeled
tems, many design specifications will be nary software system. However, it rarely phenomena. The CASE development dic­
reusable. And as you continue to use provides a graphical component, since tionary, on the other hand, is an active
dictionary, which lets you enter specifi­
cations that both describe and influence
the development of the modeled object by

the Te/Ci

providing criteria for its development as

well as references to its attributes.
An active dictionary comprises three
major components:

• a database of empty storage

modem

buckets in which to store the

characteristics of the computing
environment and explicit ·
characteristics of the applications
systems;
• frameworks for procedural logic
1
~implyate
and specific types of procedural
commands and modules contained
within typical programs in the
applications systems; and
• an activator capable of combining
environmental and application

up our data:'

characteristics with selected

procedural-command frameworks
and modules to produce application
programs.

The database of empty storage areas pro­

John H. Humphrey and Gary S. Smock vides the location in which to store the
High Speed Modems characteristics of the computing environ­
June 1988, Byte Magazine ment. Thus, it is less essential to describe
the computing environment during appli­
you find that hard to believe, prove it cations development. These characteris­
to yourself. Order a pair at $1195 tics are stored in the active dictionary's
apiece and try them for thirty days. database during installation ofthe CASE
High speed file transfer software for development system. Subsequently, sys­
your PC-AT is included. tems developers enter the characteristics
of individual application systems into the
Call us toll free in the U.S. at active dictionary's remaining storage
Our patented Model 2496 data 1-800-826-2938. Elsewhere call areas. These characteristics define the
compressing modem was the only 1-508-653-3995. VISA and attributes of the system being develq>ed.
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And it was judged the surprise of the tems are also embedded in the active dic­
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Just imagine what our 9600 bps language, business programs contain
modem can do ... dial data either a single logical routine or a combi­
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Whats more, the Telcor Model 2938 SYSTEMS this basic set. Five are batch-processing
also talks to 300, 1200 and 2400 bps CORPORATION routines, and nine are on-line processing
modems and fully supports MNP routines. All involve either information­
Levels 2-6.
The Telcor Model 2938 outperforms
the world's fastest reporting or data-updating functions. To
generate programs, the activator com-
any other dial modem in the world. If dial modems continued

212 BYTE • APRIL 1989 Circle 277 on Reader Service Card

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Circle 325 on Reader Service Card (DEALERS: 326) APRIL 1989 • B Y T E 213
 IN DEPTH

THE CASE ffiILOSOPHY

bines appropriate frameworks and the 2. the goals of the company and its
analyses and assess worst-case and best­
database of systems and applications departments;
case scenarios. Thus, you can assess the
characteristics. 3. the influence of operations on
impact of changing specifications prior
Creating development specifications achieving these goals;
to committing to these changes.
also involves a lot of clerical work. How­ 4. their place within corporate and
Models also provide the basis for proj­
ever, once some systems have been devel­ departmental administration and
ect specifications. Many planning speci­
oped using lower CASE, many develop­ operations;
fications can be mapped into project
ment specifications are reusable. As you 5. the timeliness and sequence of
schedules, descriptions of activities and
continue to use lower CASE, reusable de­ operations;
their time durations, and resource allo­
velopment specifications continue to 6. factors influencing operations
cations, utilization, and costs. Vendors
multiply. Thus, the benefits attributed to and goal achievement;
of upper CASE systems are trying to
lower CASE continue to expand. 7. allocation ofresources in support
closely integrate their systems with com­
Finally, the CASE development sys­ of operations;
mercially available project management
tem can generate development and user 8. the effect of external influences
software systems. They are trying to pass
documentation and make it available in on the organization;
planning specifications entered into their
various formats. 9. problems facing the organization;
systems to these project management sys­
and
tems. Thus, many initial activities per­
The Benefits of Using CASE 10. the impor.tance of information formed during project management will
The benefits of upper CASE are more di­ relative to the success of the be done without human intervention.
rect if you usually perform corporate organization. A major benefit of middle CASE is
planning. By using an upper CASE sys­ that it provides easier methods for chang­
tem to build an enterprise model, you Using upper CASE systems to develop ing systems design. It is also easier to de­
gain greater insight into the importance planning models gives you a clearer un­ termine that the analyst understands the
of certain functions and how the activi­ derstanding of the company's direction problems and how to solve them. Design
ties they control affect the entire organi­ and how you can contribute to its suc­ is inherently an iterative process:
zation. You can better understand cess. These planning models let you as­
sess the impact of changing values for • Users discuss their information
1. corporate and departmental
certain planning specifications on cor­ needs with analysts;
mechanisms and responsibilities;
porate plans. You can perform "what if' continued

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Turbo Pascal 5.0 Protessional 250 187

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245 159
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195 99

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75 52
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395 299

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495 337

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85 59

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95 69

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495 299

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195 130
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450 299

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1495 1195
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50 40

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245 20 9
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See More 80 65
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150 99

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WORD PROCESSING MS Mouse Bus or Serial

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495 425
w/ Paintbrush & Mouse
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Circle 16 on Reader Service Card

 IN DEPTH

THE CASE PHILOSOPHY

• analysts use diagrams and

dictionary entries to document
them;
• users review these diagrams and
dictionary entries and suggest
modifications to them; and
• analysts respond to these
suggestions by making appropriate
changes to analysis and design
specifications.

The last two steps continue until the anal­

ysis and design specifications more cor­
rectly correspond to what is needed.
A second benefit of middle CASE is
that it facilitates joint applications-design
sessions. In these sessions, systems pro­
fessionals and end users rapidly interact
and document the requirements for ap­
plication systems. These sessions usually
occur at the beginning of development
projects and provide a jump start for the
projects. As the interaction continues, its
results are recorded in diagrams and pre­
liminary dictionary entries. Thus, end
users can directly and quickly influence
analysis and design.
A third major benefit involves the pro­
totyping facility that most middle CASE
systems provide (see reference 7). This
facility allows analysts to create screens
to simulate the 110 screens and reports to
be used as the end-user interface. These
prototype screens are produced early in
the analysis and design part of the proj­
ect. You can use them to simulate data
access and update functions. Proto­
typing lets you see how the completed
system will service your information
needs.
Lower CASE systems generate 60 per­
cent to 80 percent of the program code in
the system. As a result, the major benefit
of lower CASE is the substantial reduc­
tion in the time required to actually de­
velop the system. When lower CASE sys­
tems are used, the majority of time spent
in systems development involves writing
Specials the customized code required for spe­
cialized processing.
80286-12, 512K, l.2F, FHDC, 200 watt P/S
A second major benefit concerns the
101 KB, S/P, P/P .............. . .... .. .. . . . ... . . . . .. . $749.00
ease of modifying systems generated by
80286-20, 2mb, l.2F, FHDC, 200 watt P/S
lower CASE systems. Since lower CASE
101 KB, S/P, P/P. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . ...... $1,299.00
systems generate the majority of code,
Gas Plasma Portable 286-12,
maintenance activities usually only in­
640K, l.2 FDD, 20MB H.D. S/P, P/P . . . . .... . . . . .. $1,999.00
volve modifying any custom code. As a
result, maintenance activities are less
complicated and require less time, so re­

MICAO TELESIS
quests for system modifications can be
completed more rapidly. In addition,
maintenance activities are performed
Uncompromised Quality and Service through the active dictionary, which
(714) 557·2003 Fox: (714) 557-9729
maintains a directory of the application
1260A Logan Ave., Ste. A2
programs and modules. Thus, the dictio­
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
continued

216 BYTE • APRIL 1989 Circle 177 on Reader Service Card

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Circle 258 on &oder Service Card APRIL 1989 • BYTE 217

Circle 59 on Reader Service Card
IN DEPTH

THE CASE PHILOSOPHY

''IT MAKES PROCOMM LOOK

LIKE AMATEURCOM. ''

If you talk to a DEC mainframe, no software emulates

nary provides major assistance during
maintenance activities.
the VT220, VTlOO or VT52 terminal more accurately or A final major benefit involves lower
CASE prototyping capabilities. Proto­
professionally than VTERM. * types produced by most middle CASE
Hot keys. Kermit. Automatic reformatting for spread­ systems require you to be logged onto the
sheets and databases. VTERM has it all. middle CASE system for prototype exe­
cution. As a result, prototype execution
Why not join the 60,000 users of VTERM (many of usually requires familiarity with the
whom moved up from Procomm). And try the DEC terminal middle CASE system. Lower CASE sys­
emulation package that's in a totally different league. tems produce prototypes that function
like stand-alone systems, so you don't
Ir-----------------------~
FREE EVALUATION KIT. I need specialized training to use them.
D Yes, send me a free time-limited.full-blown working copy of VTERM/220, I
I which is mine to keep. An Exciting Promise
I Name I CASE benefits you in many ways. You
accrue benefits from each component of
I Title VTERM I the CASE philosophy. The models cre­
I Company I
I Address
I DEC Tcnninal Emulator
I
I
0 ated using CASE systems enable you to
better understand your company and the
conditions facing it. You can evaluate sit­
uations more judiciously and make more
I Telephone I insightful decisions leading to better
I am a user D dealer D Mail to: company performance. You can view the
1 Coefficient Systems Corporation I intent of systems design and influence its
I 611 Broadway, New York, New York 10012 (212) 777-6707 BYP-4189 I progress. And completed systems will be

~-----------------------~
consistent with current organizational
* VTERM refers to VTERM/220, VTERM/4010, etc. products from Coefficient Systems Corporalion.
Procomm is a trademark of Datastorm Technologies. Inc. and departmental planning.
Questions? Want faster action? Call (2U) 777-6707, ext. 404. The promise of the CASE philosophy
is an exciting one. As CASE continues to
evolve, it will provide the framework
needed for more timely and tightly inte­
grated corporate planning and systems
People are talking about us.
development. •

REFERENCES
When professional FORTRAN programmers develop or port 1. DeMarco, T. Structured Analysis and
large programs they use Lahey's F77L-EJW32 and F77L-EM/16, System Specification. New York: Yoordon
PC Magazine's 1988 Technical Excellence Award Winners. Press, 1978.
F77L-EM/32 is a fast 32-bit protected-mode compiler that 2. Dolin, K. Business Computer Systems
accesses up to 4 gigabytes of memory on 80386s. F77L-EM/16
Design. Santa Cruz, CA: Mitchell Publish­
gives 80286 users the power to create 15 megabyte programs.
These protected-mode FORTRANS include the features that
ing, 1984.
have made them, and our F77L and Lahey Personal 3. Gane, C., andT. Sarson. Structured Sys­
FORTRAN, market leaders: full ANSI 77 Standard, VAX and tems Analysis: Tools and Techniques. En­
IBM VS extensions, fast compilation, comprehensive glewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1979.
diagnostics, and a powerful debugger. 4. Hansen, K. Data Structured Program
Design. Topeka, KS: Ken Orr & Asso­
ciates, 1984.
5. Martin, J., and C. McClure. Diagram­
ming Techniques for Analysts and Program­
mers. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice­
Hall, 1985.
6. Wallace, S. "Methodology: CASE's
Critical Cornerstone." Business Software
Review, April 1988.
7. Boar, B. H. Application Prototyping: A
Requirements Definition Strategy for the
BOs. New York: John Wiley &Sons, 1984.

Michael Lucas Gibson, Ph.D., is an as­

sociate professor of management at Au­
Contact us to discuss our products and your needs. (800) 548-4778

burn University in Auburn, Alabama,

Lahey Computer Systems, Inc. P.O. Box 6091, Incline Village, NV 89450
and one of the founders ofthe Center for
Tel: (702) 831-2500 FAX: (702) 831 -8123 Tix: 9102401256
Advanced Information Management. He
can be reached on BIX c/o "editors."

218 BYTE • APRIL 1989 Circle 152 on Reader Service Card

 OUTSIDE USA .....CALL OR WRITE TO:
(718)692-0071 Montgomery-Grant Mail Order
Department, P.O. Box 58,
------­ _ ~ookly~N.V., 112~ _
For Customer Service
Call Mon-Fri: 9:30am-4:30pm FAX NO. 7186923372
(718) 692-1148 TELEX 422·132 MGRANT

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220 BYTE • APRIL 1989 Circle31S on ~aderServiee Curl
 IN DEPTH

CASE

Methodology:

The Experts Speak

Five prominent software engineers discuss the methodologies

for which they are famous

Ken Orr, Chris Gane, Edward Yourdon,

Peter P. Chen, and Larry L. Constantine

The Warnier/Orr Approach

Ken Orr

t's more or less impossible to write data-structured systems development.

I about the Warnier/Orr methodol­

ogy because, in fact, there is no
such thing. While there are War­
nier/Orr diagrams, Warnier's method­
ology (i.e., logical data structure, logical
Methods often use a variety of tools:
diagrams, forms, and text for document­
ing and communicating. Not surprising­
DSSD, like most methodologies, is actu­
ally the result of many people's efforts,
in addition to my own, including my co­
workers at Optima, colleagues, and cli­
ents. Much of the methodology has come
construction of systems, and logical con­ ly, these diagrams and forms often take about by taking various component tech­
struction of programs), and Orr's meth­ on a life of their own. Diagrams, like nologies, such as structured program­
odology (data-structured systems devel­ words, can be used out of context, with­ ming and relational-database design, and
opment), there is not, strictly speaking, a out understanding the purpose for which putting them together into a coherent
Warnier/Orr methodology. they were intended. While the results can framework.
Many software engineers confuse dia­ be confusing, new possibilities and uses
grams with methodologies. Perhaps this often arise that are quite fortuitous. A Little History
is natural, since the diagrams are the People who develop software engi­ In 1972, Terry Baker's article "Chief
most visible part of most methodologies; neering methods and methodologies at­ Programmer Team Operations" in the
but it's unfortunate, for methodologies tempt to solve problems, observe what IBM Systems Journal had a major impact
are much more than just a set of diagrams others do, and derive, or abstract, pat­ on the field. It brought together several
and syntax rules. terns from all this. Those patterns ulti­ ideas: structured programming, top­
Within the context of software engi­ mately turn into methodologies. down design and implementation, the
neering, a method is a procedure or tech­ In my experience, my colleagues and I chief programmer, the chief-program­
nique for performing some significant always know what works long before we mer team, and the documentation librar­
portion of the software life cycle. Over know why it works. Software engineer­ ian. If there was a shot that started the
the years, techniques have been devel­ ing methodologists are skilled at work­ "structured revolution" in the U.S.,
oped for requirements definition, data­ ing with experts, such as analysts, pro­ Baker's article was it.
base design, program design, test-case grammers, database administrators, and In the early 1970s, I became inter­
development, and so on. A methodology, so forth, finding out how these experts ested in structured programming and in
in software engineering terms, is a col­ do what they do, and putting these find­ structured design. In applying the princi­
lection of methods based on a common ings down in such a way that others can ples of top-down design, I discovered that
philosophy that fit together in a frame­ fol low them. many of my best, most intelligible solu­
work called the systems development life The correct name for what many peo­ tions were those in which the hierarchi­
cycle. ple call the Warnier/Orr methodology is conrinued

APRIL 1989 • BYTE 221

 IN DEPTH

METHODOLOGY

cal structure of the program mirrored the ming problems-problems in which the framework comes a goal-oriented design
hierarchical structure of the data the pro­ structures of the input and the output strategy-an approach that starts with
gram was processing. were the same or very similar. But be­ the structure of the output and works
Shortly after this discovery, I stum­ yond that, Warnier, Jackson, and those of backward, first to the logical, or ideal,
bled across the work of Jean Warnier and us involved in developing DSSD were input, and then to the physical input.
realized that he not only had made the able to extend data-structured techniques The data-structured approach to pro­
same discovery with regard to data­ to arbitrarily complex programs. gram design has proven to be successful
structured programming but had already To solve these more complex prob­ on a wide variety of problems, but it is
built a systematic methodology around lems, you must recognize that the nature clearly no panacea. What it does repre­
it. I also followed Michael Jackson's of the problem of complexity is, on one sent is a systematic approach to attacking
work, another form of data-structured level at least, fundamentally mathemati­ complex problems (simple problems have
design. cal in nature-that is, complex problems a way of taking care of themselves, or,
I already believed that you could and are fundamentally n:n (many-to-many) alternatively, becoming complex).
should construct programs hierarchi­ mappings from input to output. To deal
cally using only a few basic logical struc­ with this complexity systematically, you Programming in the Large
tures. Moreover, I believed that if you must break the problems down into a At some point in developing techniques
were going to build very large things, you series ofless complex mappings. for building systems, you realize that the
should build them in systematic ways This is what mathematicians have most significant problems in software
based on simple structures. This coin­ been doing for thousands of years­ occur not at the programming level but at
cided with design and construction tech­ breaking large troublesome problems the systems level. How do you design en­
niques used in fields such as electrical into smaller ones for which there are tire suites of programs so that they work
engineering. Structured programming clear precise answers'. In the case of effectively together? How do you get the
represented a base on which to build; data-structured design, this meant devel­ right requirements? Where does plan­
therefore, using the data structure as the oping a scheme in which the physical in­ ning fit into the scheme of things?
framework for building the program puts were mapped into logical inputs; the Little by little, DSSD moved from a
structure seemed like the next natural logical inputs were then mapped into the program-design methodology to a sys­
step. logical outputs; and, finally, the logical tems-design methodology. Over a period
Data-structured programming meant outputs were mapped into the physical of years, the methodology was expanded
that you could create predictably correct outputs. to deaf with database design, require-
solutions for a wide class of program­ With this overall program-design continued

D Logical Design

D Physical Design

Physical Logical Logical Logical Logical Logical Logical Physical

output output data selection update edit input input
mapping mapping mapping mapping mapping mapping mapping mapping

Logical data design

) Logical input design
)
Figure 1: At the systems level, instead of working backward to the ideal inputs, DSSD works backward to the logical database
and then to the inputs.

222 BYTE • APRIL 1989

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 IN DEPTH

METHODOLOGY

ments definition, and finally systems Data-structured methodologies have, I Higgins, David A. Designing Structured
planning and architecture. believe, a leg up on more process-ori­ Programs. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Pren­
At a conceptual level, DSSD still re­ ented methodologies, since they are tice-Hall, 1983.
tains features that characterized it at the more rigorous and hence provide a better Jackson, Michael A. Principles of Program
programming level. For example, it still basis for true integration throughout the Design. New York: Academic Press,
focuses (in its design phase) on working systems life cycle. DSSD has been used 1975.
backward from outputs. But at the sys­ successfully on a range of software Orr, Kenneth T. Structured Systems Devel­
tems level, instead of working backward systems, from commercial on-line sys­ opment. New York: Yourdon Press,
to the ideal inputs, as it does in the pro­ tems to real-time control systems. Thou­ 1977.
gramming methodology, DSSD works sands of people have been trained and ___. Structured Requirements D!fini­
backward to the logical database and thousands of systems have been built tion. Topeka, KS: Ken Orr & Asso­
then to the inputs (see figure 1). The log­ using it. ciates, 1980.
ical database turns out, not surprisingly, DSSD is a software engineering ap­ Warnier, Jean-Dominique. Logical Con­
to be a normalized relational database. proach that has provided a stable frame­ struction of Programs. New York: Van
While a complete definition of the re­ work for incorporating new technologies Nostrand Reinhold, 1976.
sults (outputs plus algorithms) is an ex­ as they come along. For example, we - - - · Program Modification. Boston:
cellent point at which to begin the design have incorporated prototyping, on-line, Martinus Nijhoff, 1978.
process, it is not the proper place to start and real-time design into DSSD without ___. Logical Construction of Systems.
requirements definition. So, over the sacrificing the rigor or completeness. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold,
years, DSSD has been extended to cover But there is a catch: To use DSSD suc­ 1981.
first the context, then the functions, and cessfully, you must invest time in train­
finally the results of the system in ques­ ing, use, and automation. In software en­ Ken Orr is president and chief scientist
tion. gineering, as in life, there is no free for Optima in Schaumburg, Illinois, and
Thus, a number of tools were needed lunch. a principal ofthe Rosetta Institute in To­
to facilitate this process. Entity diagrams peka, Kansas. He is a frequent lecturer
help you define the systems context, and BIBLIOGRAPHY and the author ofseveral books and arti­
assembly-line diagrams (a modified form Hansen, Kirk. Data Structured Program cles on programming, systems and data­
of Warnier/Orr diagrams) help you de­ Design, 2d ed. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: base design, and CASE. He can be
fine the functional flow of the system. Prentice-Hall, 1986. reached on BIX c/o "editors. "

The Gane/Sarson Approach

Chris Gane

hen we think about an infor­ four symbols. For each sale, process 1

W mation system that doesn't

exist yet, our ideas are usu­
ally pretty vague and gen­
eral. This is not an accusation; it's a fact
of human psychology.
say, "We need a system that integrates
sales, inventory control, and purchas­
ing." What exactly does that mean?
updates the INVENTORY data store,
D2, with the units sold. The data stored
in D3 is used by processes 2 and 3 to pre­
pare bank deposit documents and send
them to the bank, and to prepare sales re­
The purpose of logical modeling is to ports and send them to management.
take these necessarily vague ideas about • Step I. Develop a system-wide data­ At some appropriate time-notice that
requirements and convert them into pre­ flow diagram (DFD) describing the un­ time is not shown on the DFD-process 4
cise definitions as fast as possible. Part derlying nature of what occurs in the extracts information about the inventory
of the speed comes from having graphi­ sales, inventory control, and purchasing status of various products from D2 and
cal techniques that enable you to put areas of the business. The simplicity of combines it with information from D3
down the essence of a system without go­ the DFD comes from the use of only four concerning their past sales, to determine
ing through the trouble of actually physi­ symbols to produce a picture of the un­ whether a product needs to be reordered.
cally implementing it, as you might do, derlying logical nature of any informa­ If so, based on information in D4, which
for example, in a prototype. tion system, at any desired level of detail. describes the prices and delivery times
Several approaches to logical model­ Figure 1 shows CUSTOMERS (an ex­ quoted by suppliers, process 4 chooses
ing have been proposed. The one out­ ternal entity, something outside the sys­ the best supplier to order from.
lined here is the current version of the ap­ tem) sending in a stream of sales orders Process 4 sends purchase orders to the
proach set out in a book I wrote with along the data-flow arrow . Process 1, external entity SUPPLIERS and stores
Trish Sarson (see reference 1). It has be­ process sales, handles those orders using information about each purchase order in
come generally known as the Gane/Sar­ product information from the data store D5: POS_IN_PROGRESS. When a
son methodology. called D 1: PRODUCTS and puts infor­ shipment is received from a supplier,
mation about sales into the data store process 5 analyzes it, extracting data
Logical Modeling named D3: SALES. from POS_IN_pROGRESS to determine
You can think of logical modeling as a This figure also shows the whole of whether what has been received is what
seven-step process. Suppose the users the business area, depicted using only the continued

224 BYTE • APRIL 1989

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 IN DEPTH

METHOOOLOGY

was ordered, incrementing the INVEN­ form that data. It shows the relationships First, you ask, "What are the entities of
TORY, D2, with the accepted amount, between the data and the processes in the interest about which I may need to store
and storing the accepted quantities in system. data?" For this business, the answer
POS_IN_PROGRESS. might be CUSTOMERS, PRODUCTS,
This DFD achieves three things. First, • Step 2. Derive a first-cut data model­ INVENTORY, SUPPLIERS, SALES ,
it sets a boundary to the area of the sys­ that is, a list of the data elements to be and PURCHASE_ORDERS. Then, you
tem and of the business covered by the stored in each data store, as defined on create a diagram with a block for each
system. Things represented by the exter­ the DFD. You should draw up this list entity you have identified. (It is conven­
nal-entity symbol (i.e., customers, the from your own knowledge and from the tional in this diagram to state the entities
bank, management, and suppliers) are, knowledge of users about what informa­ as singular nouns-for example, CUS­
by definition, outside the system. Pro­ tion you need to describe a product, a TOMER instead of CUSTOMERS.)
cesses not shown are not part of the pro j­ supplier, a sale, and so on. Next, looking at each pair of entities
ect. For example, the diagram shows re­ You can refine the list by looking at on the diagram, you ask, "What, if any,
ceiving shipments from suppliers but not each system input, such as sales orders or relationships exist between them?" For
handling the invoices received from shipments in figure l, determining what example, you know that one customer
them, implying that accounts payable is data elements each input represents, may be associated with many sales, but
outside the scope of the project as well. looking at each output in the same way, each sale can be for only one customer.
Second, it is nontechnical. Nothing is and then working from the outputs back This is conventionally shown by a line
shown on a DFD that is not easily under­ to the data stores or from the inputs for­ with an arrowhead against the "many"
standable to people familiar with the ward to the data stores. block and a plain line at the "one" block.
business area depicted, whether or not Take, for instance, PRODUCT and
they know anything about computers. • Step 3. See what entity-relationship SALE: One product may be associated
Third, it shows both the data stored in analysis can tell you about the structure with many sales, and one sale may be for
the system and the processes that trans­ of the data to be stored in the system. many products-at least one, and possi-

I D1 I PRODUCTS I D2 [ INVENTORY I D4[SUPPLIERS

Product ~ ' Inventory Prices,
data status quoted
delivery times

c Sales ~ Units '~ s

r 1 sold 4
CUSTOMERS
orders
-- Process
...... Determine
re-order
Purchase
- SUPPLIERS

sales
Recent
I'

' - quantity
orders
and

lI .)
sales Purchase
supplier
.) order data
Sales w
details
ID5 I POS_IN_PROGRESS
I D3 [SALES Increments '~
to
inventory
Sales
data Accepted
..., ..., quantities
2 3 5
Prepare Prepare
bank --
deposits Amounts
-- sales
Analyze
shipment
9utstanding
purchase orders

l
reports .) Shipment
'­ .)
- information
Deposit Sales
documents data
~

B M

BANK MANAGEMENT

Figure 1: A DFD for the whole ofthe business area. Note the box for external entities, the open rectangles for data stores, the
rounded boxfor the process, and the data-flow arrow, which shows the direction ofdata movement. Notice also that time is not
shown on a DFD.

226 B Y T E • APRIL 1989

 IN DEPTH

METHODOLOGY

bly more. This relationship is shown by a

line with an arrowhead on both ends. On
the other hand, each product has only
one inventory record, and each inventory
record refers to only one product. Conse­ CUSTOMER PRODUCT INVENTORY
SUPPLIER

quently, they are joined by a simple line.

Adding in all the identifiable relation­
ships creates a diagram like figure 2.

• Step 4. Use all the information you PURCHASE

SALE ORDER

have about the data so far to describe the

data model as one made of linked, two­
dimensional tables. These tables should
be normalized (i.e., made as simple as Figure 2: All the ident~fiable relationships between entities. For each pair ofentities
possible). One way to summarize the on the diagram that has a relationship between its elements, the relationship may be
rules of normalization is to say that in a one-to-one, one-to-many, many-to-one, or many-to-many. This diagram provides a
properly simplified table, in which a col­ lot ofinformation about the system in showing all the relationships that exist between
umn or combination of columns uniquely the entities involved.
identifies each row (the key), each non­
key column should depend only on the
key. plement the system. A procedure-unit cal model into a physical model. They
specification may involve are included, however, because they
• Step 5. Redraft the DFD to reflect a form part of the natural flow of thought
more precise view of the system data as a 1. an extract from the system DFD processes beginning with defining the
result of entity-relationship analysis and showing where this procedure unit system and ending in its physical design.
normalization. fits into the rest of the system;
2. details of the tables accessed by Editor's note: Chris Gane extracted this
• Step 6. Partition this logical model of the procedure unit; article from Chapter 1 ofhis book Rapid
process and data into procedure units­ 3. layouts for any screens and reports System Development, published by Pren­
that is, chunks of automated and manual involved in the procedure unit; and tice-Hall in December 1988.
procedures that can be executed (and 4. details of the logic and procedures
therefore developed) as units. To do this, to be implemented, written in REFERENCES
you consider each input and output and structured English or some other 1. Gane, Chris, and Trish Sarson. Struc­
ask the following questions for each one: unambiguous form. tured Systems Analysis. Englewood Cliffs,
NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1979.
1. When does it happen? With the nature of the procedure unit de­
2. How large an area of the DFD is fined, you can decide whether it should Chris Gane is president ofRapid System
involved in handling or producing be prototyped or implemented directly in Development in New York City and prin­
it? the target language. You can develop the cipal consultant at Bachman Information
3. Can that area be implemented as a screen and report layouts by prototyping. Systems in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
single unit? If not, why not? He is the author ofseveral books, includ­
Steps 6 and 7 in this sequence are not, ing Rapid System Development (Pren­
• Step 7. Specify the details of each pro­ strictly speaking, logical modeling, tice-Hall, 1988). He can be reached on
cedure unit that will be required to im- since they deal with converting the logi- B/Xclo "editors."

The Yourdon Approach

Edward Yourdon

he Yourdon method is a generic, day? It consists of two things: tools and

T ecumenical collection of soft­

ware engineering ideas devel­
oped over the past 20 years by a
variety of people who have worked at
Yourdon, Inc. Taken together, these
inethod is constantly evolving. The
method that thousands read about in Tom
DeMarco's book in 1978 (see reference
techniques. The tools are a variety of
graphical diagrams used to model the re­
quirements and the architecture of an in­
formation system. The most familiar of
these tools is the data-flow diagram
ideas are often referred to as structured 1) has changed considerably in the past (DFD) (see figure 1). The original DFD
techniques: structured programming, 10 years. And the Yourdon method of notation was extended a few years ago to
structured design, and structured 1989 is evolving to incorporate the best support real-time systems; a real-time
analysis. ideas of object-oriented design and DFD includes control flows and control
Because of the continuing influx of analysis. processes. For a detailed description of
new ideas from new people, the Yourdon But what is the "Yourdon method" to­ continued

APRIL 1989 • BYTE 227

 IN DEPTH

METHODOLOGY

store). In this sense, event partitioning is

Invalid very similar to the object-oriented design
CUSTOMERS orders WAREHOUSE approach.
ORDERS There are various additional guide­
Order lines and techniques to help you compose
Shipping well-formed models of both system re­
Orders details quirements and system architecture.
Customer name, (One book that discusses both the analy­
customer address. sis area and the design area-as well as
the "twilight zone" that separates the
two-is given in reference 5.)
Billing The Yourdon Philosophy
information CUSTOMERS Shipments
Throughout all of the Yourdon method­
Customer name, regardless of variant or dialect, whether
INVOICES customer address you draw circles or ovals in your DFD, or
where you hear about it--;'OU will see the
Customer name, Invoices, following philosophies.
invoice details statements

CUSTOMERS
• Modeling is good. Developing a model
of a system before you build it is almost
Payments, always a useful, educational activity. For
inquiries this to work, however, the model has to
be inexpensive and easy to build: If it
Figure 1: A data-flow diagram. The DFD models the functions that a system must costs as much to develop the model as to
perform. develop the system, it's obviously a waste
of time. The model also has to be accu­
rate-it should not mislead you or lie to
real-time DFDs, see reference 2. functions (e.g., draw a single bubble or you. And it should be easy to understand:
While the DFD is an excellent tool for box to represent the entire system, then It should highlight those aspects of the
modeling the functions that a system draw lower-level bubbles or boxes to rep­ system that are important, and it should
must carry out, it says little or nothing resent subsystems, and so forth). deemphasize or hide those aspects that
about data relationships and time-depen­ Today, the Yourdon method uses a are unimportant or uninteresting.
dent behavior. Thus, the current Yourdon technique known as event partitioning Since most systems are complex in
method also includes entity-relationship (see reference 4). This approach begins three different dimensions-functions,
diagrams (ERDs) and state-transition di­ by drawing a top-level context diagram to data, and timing and control-it is useful
agrams (STDs) (see reference 3). identify the system boundary and to de­ to have three different types of models,
After you have finished describing the fine the interfaces between the system DFDs, ERDs, and STDs, each of which
system requirements, you can use a and external sources and sinks. Then, illustrates a single perspective of the sys­
structure chart to illustrate the organiza­ after interviewing the user, you can write tem. The Yourdon method is based on ab­
tion ofmodules that will implement those a list of the events that occur in the exter­ stract, pictorial models-either on paper
requirements. A number of guidelines nal environment and to which the system or on a computer screen.
exist that the systems analyst can follow must respond. (Events are often input Another approach is to develop a pro­
to ensure that each diagram is complete transactions.) totype of the system as a model-a living,
and logically consistent. The event-partitioning approach pro­ breathing model instead of a passive col­
While the graphical diagrams provide vides a simple guideline to help you com­ lection of diagrams. When prototyping
an effective way of communicating infor­ pose a first-cut crude DFD: For each was first introduced in the early 1980s, it
mation about different aspects of a sys­ event, draw one bubble whose function is was considered an alternative to paper­
tem, they don't tell the whole story. For a to provide the required response to the based modeling approaches-the sys­
complete system description, you need event. (In most cases, the response in­ tems analyst was often told to make a
additional textual support: a data dictio­ volves generating an output, but it may binary choice between prototyping and
nary, which describes the composition of also involve storing some information in drawing DFDs.
each data element, and a set of process a data store to be used by some subse­ Today, we know that the two ap­
specifications that describe the required quent event.) proaches are complementary: You can
behavior of each bottom-level "bubble" For a system with 100 events, the DFD draw diagrams as a permanent record of
in theDFD. would have 100 bubbles. This is too com­ system requirements and use prototyping
plex to work with, so the event-partition~ to experiment with such key issues as the
The Techniques ing technique provides guidelines to help user interface (input screens, report lay­
The techniques of the Yourdon method you partition upward-that is, to gather outs, and so on). For a good discussion of
consist of some "cookbook" guidelines several of the DFD bubbles together and the marriage of prototyping and "classi­
that help you go from a blank sheet of represent them by a single bubble in a cal" structured analysis, see reference 6.
paper, or a blank screen, to a well-orga­ higher-level DFD. The strategy for de­
nized system model. Originally, these ciding which bubbles should be grouped • Iteration is good. As fallible humans
guidelines were based on the simple con­ together is to look for bubbles that deal with limited intelligence, we rarely, if
cept of top-down partitioning of system with common data (e.g., a common data continued

228 BYTE • APRIL 1989

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 IN DEPTH

METHODOLOGY

ever, develop a perfect solution to a com­ grams, we were given simple problems REFERENCES
plex problem on the first attempt. At that we could finish in a day or two, 1. DeMarco, Tom. Structured Analysis
best, we can hope for a crude beginning keeping every aspect of the problem in and System Spedfication. New York: Your­
that, through iteration, we can gradually our heads at once. With real-world pro­ don Press, 1978.
refine and improve. To practice itera­ gramming problems, however, the only 2. Ward, Paul, and Steve Mellor. Struc­
tion, we must have models that are easy way we can successfully build systems tured Techniques for Real-Time Systems .
to create and easy to revise. In the past, that, today, typically involve more than a New York: Yoordon Press/Prentice-Hall,
we grappled with the finality of pen and million lines of code is by partitioning 1985.
ink; with the word processors of today, the system into smaller and smaller 3. Yourdon, Edward. Modern Structured
most of us take iteration for granted in pieces. Analysis. New York: Yourdon Press/Pren­
composing reports and memos. There are great debates about whether tice-Hall, 1989.
In systems development, we tried to the partitioning should be based on func­ 4. - - · Essential Systems Analysis. New
make iteration of system models easier tional decomposition or data decomposi­ York: Yourdon Press/Prentice-Hall, 1984.
by insisting on partitioning the overall tion. But either approach, followed rigor­ 5. Page-Jones, Meilir. The Practical Guide
system model into a number of separable ously, is better than no partitioning, or to Structured Systems Design, 2d ed. New
submodels. Thus, if one aspect of a sys­ sloppy partitioning that leads to subsys­ York: Yourdon Press/Prentice-Hall, 1988.
tem changes, ideally only one page of a tems with subtle, pathological intercon­ 6. Connell, John, and Linda Schafer.
diagram has to be modified. As a practi­ nections. Rapid Prototyping. New York: Yourdon
cal matter, though, most systems ana­ Press/Prentice-Hall, 1989.
lysts in the 1970s and early 1980s drew ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
DFDs only once-on paper. This is one The author gratefully acknowledges the Edward Yourdon is an independent con­
reason why today's microcomputer­ contributions of the following people to sultant and the publisher of a software
based computer-aided software engi­ the Yourdon method: Tom DeMarco, engineering newsletter, American Pro­
neering products are so important: They Larry Constantine, Chris Gane, Trish grammer. He is an author in the field of
make iteration a practical reality. Sarson, Steve McMenamin, Tim Lister, structured systems development. His lat­
John Palmer, Paul Ward, Steve Mellor, est book is Modern Structured Analysis
• Partitioning is good. When we first Meilir Page-Jones, Bob Block, Al Brill, (Yourdon Press/Prentice-Hall, 1989). He
learned how to write computer pro­ Tim Wells, and Matt Flavin. can be reached on BIX c/o "editors. "

The Entity-Relationship Approach

Peter P. Chen

ne of the major problems in figure la refers to the name of an

0 software engineering today is

the piecemeal approach to sys­
tems design. This approach
makes the integration of different appli­
cation systems difficult, if not impossi­
In the meantime, another group in the
company implements a program to keep
track of employee information for each
employee, while NAME in figure

1b is the name of a project.

• Incompatibility ofdata formats:

For example, the data-type format
of AGE in figure la is Int(2), while
ble. We try to design the data structures project; the file format in this program the data format of AGE in figure
and formats to fit current processing turns out a little different from the other lb is Real(3.2).
needs and then later run into problems of (see figure lb). Each program satisfies • Duplication of data: For example,
data conversion and integration. the needs of the group that requested it. the project data (PROJ#, NAME)
An integrated database is a solution to However, one day the company president is duplicated for each employee
these problems. However, acquiring a wants to know which departments have associated with the project in
DBMS does not make them go away. employees working on project X. Then figure 1b, and the BUDGET data of
What is needed is a structured method­ everyone scrambles around trying to con­ each department in figure la is
ology that can systematically convert vert the data in one file to the format of repeated for each employee.
user requirements into well-designed the other file. Let's look deeply into • Update anomalies: For example,
databases. The entity-relationship (ER) these two file formats to see what kinds changing any of an employee's
approach is such a methodology. of problems they had. data-element values in one file but not
Let's start with an example. Say you in the other will result in
need a program to keep track of the list of • Synonym (the same data element inconsistent data.
employees working for each department has different names): For example,
in your company. This program needs to SOC_SEC_NO in figure la is the If the above file designs are not good,
accept data on the screen, store it on disk, same data element as SS# in figure what would be a good design? How many
and print out the report on demand. The lb. record types (or relations in the case of
programmer/analyst comes up with a file • The same name for different data relational databases) should there be?
format (see figure la). elements: For example, NAME in Should there be one huge record type

230 BYTE • APRIL 1989

 IN DEPTH

METHODOLOGY

consisting of all data elements, or the EMP) is 1:n (one-to-many); that means a lation, depending on the cardinality of
other extreme-many small records, department can have many employees, the relationship.
each consisting of a pair of data ele­ but each belongs to at most one depart­ If you are familiar with relational nor­
ments? Furthermore, what is the pri­ ment. The cardinality of WORK_FOR malization theory, you can prove that
mary key for each record (relation) type? (between EMP and PROJ) is n:n (many­ these relations are in Third Normal
The main question is: Do we have a to-many). You then identify the proper­ Form. As you can see, all the primary
methodology for file and database de­ ties (attributes) of each ER and express keys of the relations are derived automat­
sign? The answer is yes, and the leading them graphically as circles (or ellipses). ically, and DEPT# in EMP relation is a
methodology is the ER approach. For example, each DEPT has attributes foreign key (i.e., the primary key of an­
Six years ago, a survey o fFortune 500 DEPT# and BUDGET. The primary key other relation-DEPT).
companies (published in ACM SIGMOD is indicated by a double circle. Note that
proceedings, 1983) conducted by two there is an attribute called %TIME for • Develop application programs based
Ohio professors showed that the ER relationship WORK_FOR. on the file and database structures. If
methodology ranked as the most popular you are using a relational DBMS, you can
methodology in data modeling and data­ • Convert the ERD into conventional file now write a System Query Language
base design. Why? Because it is simple, and database structures. There are rules (SQL) program to express the question,
easy to understand by noncomputer peo­ for doing this. For example, you can con­ Which departments have employees
ple, and theoretically sound. To illus­ vert the ERD in figure 2 into the rela­ working on project X?
trate, here are the major steps of the ER tional structure with all the primary keys
approach using the above example: underlined. SELECT EMP.DEPT#
FROM EMP, WORK_FOR
• Develop an entity-relationship dia­ DEPT(DEPT#, BUDGET) WHERE (WORK_FOR.PROJ# = X)
gram (ERD). This step identifies ER EMP(SS#, NAME, AGE, DEPT#) AND(WORK_FOR.SS# = EMP.SS#)
types and associated attributes and also PROJECT (PROJ #, PNAME)
the primary keys for each entity type. WORK_FOR(SS#, PROJ#, %TIME) This article shows how to design a re­
An entity is a thing (e.g., a person or lational database based on the ER ap­
an automobile), a concept, an organiza­ Simply speaking, each entity type is proach. Similarly, you can design file
tion, or an event of interest to the organi­ converted into a relation, and a relation­ structures and various other databases­
zation doing the modeling. An entity ship type is converted into a stand-alone from microcomputer-based DBMSes,
type is a classification of entities satisfy­ relation or consolidated with another re- continued
ing certain criteria. A relationship is an
interaction between entities. A relation­
ship type is a classification of relation­ a)
ships based on certain criteria. Usually,
nouns in English correspond to entities,
while verbs correspond to relationships.
Layout I SOC_SEC_NO I NAME I AGE DEPT# BUDGET

In the example in figures la and lb, Format Char(9) Char(20) lnt(2) lnt(3) lnt(9)
you can identify three entity types:
DEPT, EMP, and PROJ. You can also b)
identify two relationship types: HAS and
WORK_FOR (note that relationship-type
names are verbs). Figure 2 depicts an
Layout I I
SS# EMP_NAME I AGE PROJ# NAME %TIME

ERD in which rectangular boxes repre­ Format Char(9) Char(20) Real(3.2) lnt(4) Char(30) lnt(2)
sent entity types and diamond-shaped
boxes represent relationship types.
The next step is to identify the cardi­ Figure 1: (a) File format for the program to list employees in each department.
nality of the relationship types. The car­ (b) File format for the program to list projects for each employee.
dinality of HAS (between DEPT and

%TIME

Figure 2: Entity-relationship diagram (ERD)fora database based on figure 1.

APRIL 1989 • BYTE 231

 IN DEPTH

METHODOLOGY

such as dBASE, to mainframe-based marketing. For example, Software AG Yeh, eds. Fntity-Relationship Approach
DBMSes, such as DB2 and IMS-based has ADABAS/Entire, and Unisys has to Software Engineering. New York:
on the ER approach. SIM as part of its InfoExec offering. North-Holland, 1983.
On another front, ANSI recently ap­ March, Sal, ed. Fntity-Relationship Ap­
Future Trends proved an Information Resource Dictio­ proach. New York: North-Holland,
You have seen how to design a database nary Systems standard based on the ER 1988.
and an application program based on the model. In the near future, we'll see a Teorey, Toby, and James Fry. "An Ex­
ER approach. The resultant database is flood of IRDS products as well as com­ tended Entity-Relationship Approach to
sound and avoids such problems as data puter-aided software engineering tools Logical Database Design." ICM Sur­
duplication and update anomalies. Com­ based on the ER model. vey, 1986.
mercial tools are available today to auto­
mate the ER approach. BIBLIOGRAPHY Peter P. Chen is Foster Distinguished
The ER model can be used not only as ANSI. Standards on Information Resource Chair professor at Louisiana State Uni­
a design tool but also as the underlying Dictionary Systems, 1988. versity and the founder of Chen & Asso­
model for a DBMS. In the microcom­ Chen, Peter P. "Entity-Relationship ciates, both in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
puter and minicomputer range, Zanthe Model: Toward a Unified View of He received a Ph.D. in computer science/
(Ottawa) has a product called ZIM. In Data." ICM Transaction on Database applied mathematics from Harvard Uni­
the mainframe area, several computer Systems, vol. 1, no. 1. versity. He can be reached on BIX c/o
vendors have ER-like DBMSes ready for Davis, C. G., S. Jajodia, P. Ng, and R. "editors."

The Structured-Design Approach

Larry L. Constantine

he computer field likes big a body of underlying theory about what

T words. Why call something an

instance when instantiation
works just as well, even if it
isn't in the dictionary? A software design
method sounds like the sort of generic­
showing the transformational structure
of an information-processing problem;
then it derives a model of the modular
makes programs complicated to build
right in the first place and difficult to
change in the second. The practical em­
bodiment of this theory takes the form of
two measures-coupling and cohesion­
brand thinking that anyone could work structure of software that will solve that that index the relative complexity or dif­
out over a long weekend. But a software problem. ficulty of various designs.
design methodology sounds like an elab­ Simple programs are, simply put,
orate and well-thought-out concept, per­ Models made out oflittle pieces, each of which is
haps worth attending a seminar on by a Much is made of design methods, but easily thought of as a unit or a whole that
major software guru, and certainly structured design is really powered by a is mostly independent of other pieces.
worth the price of a book. However, troika consisting of models, methods, Module cohesion is a measure of module
methodology actually means the study of and measures (see figure 1). The models "wholeness," and coupling measures in­
methods, and software methodology is an make it possible to picture and play with terdependence. In other words, good de­
ungrammatical use of the word. the modular structure of software sys­ signs that are easy to build and change
Structured design is both a generic tems without actually having to program are based on a bunch of modules, each of
term for various systematic approaches them first. which is "cohesive," or well-glued to­
to designing program structure and also System-structure modeling, now ac­ gether, and only loosely "coupled" to
a kind of brand name for one particular cepted as essential to software engineer­ other modules.
approach. The structured design world is ing, was a novel and suspect notion when Designing in this way, you can pro­
a competitive arena. Varying principles I first introduced it. The models used in gram very large systems by writing only
or specialized diagrams reflect some structured design are graphical tools, an­ small, separate pieces of code. This
real technical differences. But, more notated to represent the structure of theory is proving to be the most durable
than anything else, competing approach­ problems and programs. For example, element of the troika. A decade of re­
es are based on product differentiation, the structure chart, an elaboration of the search has demonstrated the soundness
personal ego, and the territorial impera­ older hierarchy chart, shows all the mod­ of the basic assumptions about coupling
tive. These methods, their associated ules in a system and their essential inter­ and cohesion and has refined our under­
tools, and the names of the principals are relationships in one compact model. It standing of how they affect program­
widely recognized. allows you to see the "shape of things to ming and maintenance costs, fault rates,
The school with the longest legitimate come" and to explore alternative ways to and ease of modification. Quantitative
claim to the banner of structured design organize software. metrics based on the theory now make it
is the Constantine-Myers-Stevens-Your­ possible to automate design evaluation
don (in alphabetical order, of course) ap­ Measures and even parts ofthe design process.
proach that I originated in the late 1960s. Structured design, unlike some other Object-oriented methods are emerging
It begins with a data-flow diagram structured techniques and software engi­ as major factors in software engineering,
(DFD) (often called a "bubble chart") neering "methodologies," is grounded in but even with these powerful new tech­

232 BYTE • APRIL 1989

 IN DEPTH

METHODOLOGY

niques, the cohesion of actual modules their thinking without ever applying the workbenches are methodology-indepen­
that implement object classes and their formal models, measures, and methods. dent-meaning you can use them to do
coupling with other modules turn out to any brand of design, structured or un­
be important for building simple systems Automating Methods structured, that you may choose.
with truly reusable components. As a Computer-aided software engineering is This may be an acceptable level of
consequence, the original measures of not a replacement or substitute for sys• flexibility, given the state of the science
coupling and cohesion have now been ex­ tematic methods; it's the key that un­ in "computer science," but some of these
tended and adapted to evaluate the qual­ locks their full potential. With CASE tools have arbitrarily departed from what
ity of so-called object class modules and tools, real structured design on problems few standards and conventions do exist.
abstract data types. of interesting size becomes truly practi­ It doesn't make sense for a system to use
cable for the first time. The diagram edi­ its own peculiar icon for an included
Methods tors of CASE systems assist in developing module any more than to allow a CAD/
Methods is the weak third member of the and refining complex graphical models. CAM system for electrical engineers to
structured design team, but the one that CASE tools with built-in knowledge of use just any old shape to represent a
gets much of the attention. The methods the models' meaning can check them for transistor.
of structured design include a loose col­ consistency and conformance with the If we use computer-aided software en­
lection of rules and some moderately sys­ established rules of structured design. gineering tools, and we call ourselves
tematic strategies for the step-by-step de­ With intelligence about good designs software engineers, perhaps it's time we
sign of software. These strategies are incorporated into CASE tools, the com­ acted more like engineers. •
based on specific kinds of software orga­ puter can evaluate the quality of actual
nization that have proved effective in structured designs or even sketch out a BIBLIOGRAPHY

practice. Among the most durable are the rough initial design. At present, the most Stevens, W. P. , G. J. Myers , and L. L.

balanced system structure known as advanced CASE workbenches provide Constantine. "Structured Design." IBM
transform-centered organization and the powerful support for existing software Systems Joornal, vol. 13 , no. 2, 1974.
event-oriented organization called trans­ engineering methods; in the future , new Yourdon, Edward , and Larry L. Constan­
action-centered. Distinct design methods structured methods are likely to be de­ tine. Structured Design . Englewood
are aimed at producing each variation on veloped based on the use of quasi-intelli­ Cliffs, NJ: Yourdon Press/Prentice­
system organization. gent CASE tools . Hall, 1979.
You might outline an overall struc­ CASE systems can also reinforce or
tured design method as follows: impose standards for software architec­ Larry L. Constantine is a software meth­
tures and the diagrams that document odologist in Acton, Massachusetts. He is
1. Develop a nonprocedural them, but CASE vendors have yet to take a well-known author and speaker in the
(method-independent) statement on much responsibility for standardiza­ field of structured design and analysis.
of the system requirements, usually tion. Most of the available tools and He can be reached on BIX c/o "editors."
centered around a DFD.
2. Based on the structure of the Models
problem, choose an appropriate
software organizational model or
combination.
3. Guided by the data flow and the
chosen organizational model,
decompose overall functions into
subfunctions and compose
primitive functions into higher-level
functions until the complete
requirements are satisfied.
4. Using various design rules and
measures of coupling and
cohesion, refine the design for
increased modularity,
extensibility , and likely reusability
I Data.flow diagram

of modules.
5. Complete detailed designs as

necessary for all modules .

Content
Intennodular
coupling

Complexity
' Transform analysis

The problem, of course, is that actu­ 2. dEO'lXf-YllO'tp)'lll;?O'E)'

ally carrying out the modeling, evalua­ /l9vaahtoavaEaµ9

tion, and refinement involved in struc­
3. l:<f<E<llan6ono<P
tured design takes discipline and time, aE6~o~moE
uses a lot of paper, and can wear out the Connection
- -, -
erasers on every pencil in the office. Un­ ~ _,
aided by computer tools, many develop­ Measures Methods
ers who use structured design have used
it informally and unsystematically, while Figure 1: The troika ofstructured design: models, methods, and measures.
others have used its concepts to shape

APRIL 1989 • B Y T E 233

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234 B Y T E • APRIL 1989 Circle 324 on Reader Service Card

 IN DEPTH

CASE

The CASE

Experience

CASE works. But do you need a tool, a toolkit, or a workbench?

And how do you begin?

Canna McClure

o you believe in mate software development

D software automa­
tion as the key to
increasing pro­
ductivity, controlling quality,
and introducing predictability
and maintenance work.
CASE is a combination of
software tools and structured
software development meth­
odologies. The tools automate
into the software process? the software process, and the
Touche-Ross does. It's bet­ methodologies define the pro­
ting its ability to build client cess to be automated . CASE
applications with analyst-only technology focuses on the
teams on software automa­ productivity ofbusiness, real­
tion. time, and scientific-software
Deere & Co. does. It be­ systems developers. With the
lieves that automation is the use of personal computers and
answer to productivity gains workstations, LANs, and
on the shop floor and should CASE tools, software devel­
be the answer to needed pro­ opers can work from a highly
ductivity improvements in its responsive, dedicated envi­
MIS department as well. ronment to develop and main­
So does DuPont. It's offer­ tain software systems.
ing a money-back guarantee
that its people can custom- CASE Tools
build applications that meet \-.:,"'f'18 E_BI.
CASE tools are a new breed of
user satisfaction and sched­ -~g JJt~N~~
graphics-oriented, micro­
ules with the aid of software
computer-based software
automation.
tools (see figures 1 through
These organizations first 4). As the notion of CASE
proclaimed their belief in software auto­ more CASE tools to build all types of evolved over the last five years, the defi­
mation three years ago when they each software systems and are even venturing nition of a CASE tool broadened from
reported that using computer-aided soft­ into new business directions. meaning simple systems analysis and
ware engineering (CASE) technology CASE technology is replacing paper documentation tools to include full­
had a positive effect on software produc­ and pencil with the computer to trans­ function tools providing automated sup­
tivity and quality. (See the text box "A form software development into an auto­ port for the entire software life-cycle
CASE of Three" on page 236.) Today, mated process. Simply defined, CASE is process. The broadest definition of a
their belief in software automation is as software automation. The basic idea un­ CASE tool is any software tool that pro­
strong as ever. Because of successful ex­ derlying CASE is to provide a set ofwell­ vides automated assistance for software
periences with CASE, they are using integrated, labor-saving tools that auto­ continued

ILLUSTRATION: ROBERT TINNEY © 1989 APRIL 1989 • BYTE 235

 IN DEPTH

THE CASE EXPERIENCE

A CASE of Three

neering methodology requires three to software development phases. In 1986,

Touche-Ross four weeks at a cost of $10,000 per Deere viewed CASE tools as the means
In the summer of 1986, Touche-Ross of analyst. whereby software developers could do
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was an avid Expanding its horizon for more soft­ more work in less time, do a better job
user of Excelerator, the CASE toolkit ware automation, Touche-Ross is now of specifying system requirements, and
from Index Technology. Touche-Ross using CASE tools to support strategic reduce the software maintenance effort.
prided itself on being an early believer systems planning, system requirements During the past two years, both
in CASE and was one of the first users specification, systems design, and code Deere's experience with CASE and the
ofExcelerator. During the previous two generation tasks. Touche-Ross is also CASE tools themselves have matured.
years, it had equipped its teams of sys­ expanding its belief in what software Deere believes that CASE is helping it
tems analysts, who had been trained in automation can do in practice today. It do a better job of developing software
the Yourdon school of structured meth­ believes that with the use of CASE tools, systems. However, it's impossible to
odologies, with over 100 copies of Ex­ its systems analysts can custom-build quantify how much better because
celerator, POSE from Computer Sys­ application systems for clients. Deere, like many other organizations,
tems Advisers, Visible Analyst from The interesting point here is that has no base against which to measure.
Visible Systems, and DesignAid from there are no programmers at Touche­ Deere believes that even a 1 percent pro­
Nastec. Ross. Both software development and ductivity improvement means a lot of
These IBM PC-based CASE toolkits software maintenance will be done savings. Also, with CASE, Deere is tak­
were used in the creation of require­ without programmers. The company ing systems knowledge out of the heads
ments specifications for information believes that the CASE technology is of software developers and putting it
systems, such as order entry, inventory now mature enough to support this tre­ into the CASE tool repository to create
control, and a bidding system. The mendous and daring change. According an infrastructure of reusable systems in­
Touche-Ross experiences with analyst/ to Touche-Ross, the payoff from using formation. In the long term, this will
design toolkits whetted its appetite for CASE will come from its ability to pro­ lead to the greatest productivity gains.
more automated assistance of the soft­ duce higher-quality software products When recently asked for an update on
ware process and for more CASE tools in the same amount of time and to its use of CASE, Deere & Co. said it's
to automate additional software tasks. greatly reduce software maintenance. basically more of the same. Deere cur­
Touche-Ross recently added the Infor­ Touche-Ross's advice to newcomers rently has installed 39 copies of the IEW
mation Engineering Facility (IEF), the to the CASE technology is to start now as well as APS, the COBOL code gener­
CASE workbench from Texas Instru­ and start slowly with a pilot project. ator from Sage Software. While approx­
ments, to its set of CASE tools. imately 30 analysts are now using CASE
Touche-Ross found that accomplish­ tools, Deere plans to raise this to 125
ing individual software tasks with the Deere&Co. analysts over the next three years.
aid of CASE tools is easy, but even with When searching for a better way to Deere's CASE implementation strat­
them, the whole software process is still manage data, the data administration egy is to "go slowly and easily." It
horrible ifyou don't understand what to group at Deere & Co. in Moline, Illi­ began by defining what its software
do with the tools. Because a software nois, discovered CASE tools. Deere has needs were and then finding the soft­
development methodology is a good been using CASE since 1985 when it in­ ware development methodology and
guide to what exactly is to be done when stalled 10 copies of the IBM PC-based CASE tools to address those needs.
building a software system, Touche­ Information Engineering Workbench Deere started small with an initial
Ross has trained its systems analysts in from KnowledgeWare. Deere's systems CASE investment of $25,000. Starting
a full life-cycle methodology: informa­ analysts used the IEW to support re­ small lessened the need for formal cost
tion engineering. Training for the IEF quirements analysis and the data analy­ justification of CASE tools. Also, since
workbench and the information engi- sis tasks performed during the first two a belief in automation was already per-

development, maintenance, or project In the mid-1980s, there were only a mated support for the development and
management activities. handful of CASE tools offered in the maintenance of every type of software
But to qualify as a bona fide CASE marketplace. Today , over 100 vendors system. Different CASE tools run on dif­
tool today, a software tool must exhibit sell CASE tools worldwide. While the ferent types of hardware, specialize in
additional traits . CASE tools use power­ 1988 worldwide CASE market reached the development or maintenance of dif­
ful graphics to describe and document about $250 million, a rapid growth rate ferent types of software systems, and
software systems and to enhance the user of 30 percent to 45 percent per year is automate different software tasks .
interface. CASE tools are integrated, predicted to drive the CASE market size What the tool does is the fundamental
making it easy to pass data from tool to to $1 billion by the early 1990s. selection consideration. CASE tool cate­
tool. And CASE tools capture software gories explain and differentiate the func­
system information in a computerized re­ Selecting a Tool tions performed by different types of
pository where it can be shared among With so many different CASE tools from CASE tools. The two basic categories are
software developers, used as the basis for which to choose, selecting the right one toolkits and workbenches.
automating software production, and re­ for the job requires some consideration. A CASE toolkit is a collection of inte­
used in future software systems. No one tool can provide complete auto­ grated software tools that provide auto­

236 B Y T E • APRIL 1989

 IN DEPTH

THE CASE EXPERIENCE

choosing CASE tools are the hardware

platforms on which they run; the type of
target system, such as a mainframe­
based COBOL information system or an
vasi ve throughout this manufacturing in part because of CASE. The other ele­ embedded FORTRAN real-time system,
company, Deere management needed ment that has made this business move that the tools help build and maintain;
little convincing that software automa­ possible is RIPP, DuPont's proprietary and the types of structured methodolo­
tion was the answer to software produc­ software-prototyping technique. In gies, structured diagrams, and error
tivity and quality problems. 1988, the Information Engineering As­ checking that the tools automate. An­
Today, Deere & Co. uses CASE tools sociates (IEA) unit at DuPont began of­ other important technieal consideration
to free its software developers to be fering custom-application development is the capability of the CASE tool reposi­
more creative by automating many services for Digital Equipment Corp.'s tory to store and manage various types of
mundane, repetitive software tasks, VAX-based information systems for software system information. The text
such as documentation and code genera­ customers internal and external to Du­ box "A CASE Tool Evaluation Check­
tion. Although CASE tools primarily Pont. IEA uses the CASE workbench list" on page 240 can guide you in tool
are used by and benefit professional CorVision from Cortex to support its selection.
software developers, Deere hopes that RIPP prototyping approach to software Nontechnical considerations center on
eventually end users will be able to ac­ development. the ability of the vendor to develop and
cess the CASE tool repository where DuPont's experience with CASE support CASE tools, the training and
company data and business operating tools and prototyping began in 1985 support needed to introduce them into an
rules are being stored. with the development of the Bulk Con­ organization, and the organization's atti­
Deere & Co. offers some good advice tinuous-Fiber Tracking System for the tude toward software automation.
for CASE users. First, although it Camden-based Textile Fibers depart­
knows of several deficiencies in CASE ment at DuPont. A 6-to- l prOductivity CASE Toolkits
tools today, Deere said that this is no increase over estimated performance Since a CASE toolkit specializes in auto­
reason to wait to use the CASE technol­ proved the project a notable success and mating particular software tasks, choos­
ogy. In addition, no organization can opened the door fer subsequent CASE/ ing one involves matching the tool to the
absorb all of CASE at once. Therefore, RIPP development projects at DuPont. tasks to be automated. Also, CASE tool
it is best to get in and gradually get ex­ Over the next 15 months in nine other users frequently use several different
perience with CASE. development projects using the CASE/ toolkits as well as outside tools, such as
Second, Deere & Co. advises that RIPP approach, DuPont measured suc­ fourth-generation languages, dictio­
management "press hard" to ensure cess in terms of a $2 million savings. By naries, and DBMSes, during the soft­
that CASE tools are actually used . An 1988, over 50 DuPont departments used ware process. When this is the intent,
important consideration in implement­ the CASE approach. Productivity in­ then how well the toolkits and outside
ing CASE is a plan for educating users creases ranged from 3-to- l to 5-to- l tools can be interfaced to work together
in CASE tool and software development over manual development methods is another important tool-selection con­
methodology. Finally, Deere suggests using COBOL or FORTRAN. Applica­ sideration.
that an organization begin by first defin­ tion-maintenance costs decreased by as
ing its needs and the benefits it is seek­ much as 75 percent. • Analysis and design. These toolkits are
ing. Then, it should look for the tech­ DuPont's advice to CASE technology used to create a software system specifi­
nology that can address those needs and users underscores the requirement of cation and design. They include screen
deliver those benefits. end-user involvement as a critical factor and report painting, simulation, proto­
in ensuring project success. According typing, and error-checking functions.
to DuPont's IEA unit, if key end users Many analysis and design toolkits run on
DuPont are not willing to commit adequate time the IBM PC and compatibles; are used to
Like Touche-Ross, DuPont of Wilming­ to the systems development effort, then create information systems; and support
ton, Delaware, entered the business of don't do the project; the risk of failure is widely used structured methodologies,
custom-application system development too great. such as DeMarco or Gane/Sarson struc­
tured analysis, Yourdon or Jackson
structured design, and Martin informa­
mated assistance for one type of software sign, and implementation; share a set of tion engineering.
task; use a common repository for all common assumptions about the software Examples include The Developer from
technical and project management infor­ process model or methodology being ASYST Technologies, Design Generator
mation needed to build and support a automated; use a common repository from Computer Sciences, POSE from
software system; share a common user containing all technical and project man­ Computer Systems Advisers, Pro­
interface; and share a common tool inter­ agement information needed to build and Kit*Workbench from McDonnell-Doug­
face. CASE toolkits focus on the support support a software system; automatically las, Excelerator from Index Technology,
of one phase of software development or pass software system information from DesignAid from Nastec, Design Ma­
one type of software task, such as sys­ process step to process step; share a com­ chine from Optima, MicroStep from
tems analysis, database design, or pro­ mon user interface; and share a common Syscorp International, Structured Archi­
gram implementation. tool interface . CASE workbenches offer tect from Meta Systems, vsDesigner from
A CASE workbench , on the other automated support across the software Visual Software, and Analyst/Designer
hand, is a collection of integrated soft­ development process to deliver a docu­ Toolkit from Yourdon. (Contact infor­
ware tools that provide automated assis­ mented, executable software system. mation for the products discussed in this
tance for software systems analysis, de­ Other technical considerations for continued

APRIL 1989 • BYTE 237

 IN DEPTH

THE CASE EXPERIENCE

article is provided in the resource guide Associates International and CasePac DOD2167 documentation generation
"A CASE Workshop" on page 246.) from On-Line Software International, frequently run on 32-bit engineering
Other analysis and design toolkits run on IBM mainframe computers. workstations, such as Sun, Apollo, Hew­
used in the development of information CASE analysis and design toolkits that lett-Packard, or DEC VAXstations. Ex­
systems, such as AnaTool from Ad­ support the development of real-time or amples include Teamwork from Cadre
vanced Logical Software, run on the embedded systems, real-time structured Technologies, Software Through Pic­
Macintosh, while still others, such as methodologies (such as Ward/Mellor and tures from Interactive Development En­
CA-Universe/Prototype from Computer Hatley), Ada program development, and vironments, StateMate from i-Logix,
Analyst/RT from Mentor Graphics, Sys­
tem Architect from Popkin Software &
Systems, CardTools from Ready Sys­
tems, and SDT from Telelogic Europe.

• Database and file design. These tool­

kits provide automated assistance for the
design of databases and files by perform­
ing functions such as logical data model­
ing, conversion to third normal form,
and generation of database schemas and
program-code file descriptions. Exam­
ples of database and file-design toolkits
that run on IBM PCs and compatibles in­
clude !DEF/Leverage from D. Appleton,
Chen Toolkit from Chen & Associates,
IDMS/Architect from Cullinet Soft­
ware, 4Front from Deloitte, Haskins &
Sells, Auto-Mate Plus from LBMS, and
CASE*Designer from Oracle.

• Programming. These toolkits support

the programming and testing steps in
software development. Programming
toolkits that provide configuration man­
Figure 1: The IBM PC screen view ofan entity-relationship diagram drawn agement functions on the IBM PC or
with the Information Engineering Facility from Texas Instruments. DEC VAX include P-Source and P-Tools
from Phoenix Technologies and Poly­
Make from Polytron. CoFac from Cod­
lndn:n Object• FHn Print• A<*lnl1tnitlon Stop
ing Factory and COBOL 2/Workbench
c.t! J:2
from Micro Focus provide support for
Cl>OCk DFD the creation of COBOL programs and
T\119 or a.cJc: run on the IBM PC.
D DFD S\,rltax only
D DFD Syntaic and Belanclng of Dllld Prvcn...
Other programming toolkits provide
[!] DFO ~tax in:I Balancing of Chlld f'nlcn..n and C-~• automatic code generation from pro­
ODE Eiq,.anllon:
gram-design specification information.
(!]3 l1'V81S 0 1l.lnll111it9d These toolkits, called code generators,
Report SUll•: automatically produce a fully docu­
mented, executable program. They offer
[!)Rtpart ~tctwd c-Spec: n­
10 clli / rlllrlpOl'"talc ... d.J_lll& . 1712•
screen and report painting, prototyping,
Fil• Print custom-logic handling, testing and de­
Rlporl :DFOCll1tklng
Op tion. :Synta11,e111nclng, contro1r 1ow11111nclng,u1rbou , P1rtt11 bugging, and code, database, and docu­
llDT : 1dtl
llod1I :cru1u _contro 1_or1g tn1 1
01t11Tt11 : 11on l&J1n199917:13 : 29EST
mentation generation. COBOL code gen­
erators that run on an IBM PC and IBM
mainframe or DEC VAX computers in­
S:•o•c@w"''''EV' clude DECASE from DEC, NETRON/
•cru1u_co..1nd.llcc1l1r1t1' 1ntoC-Sp1cconn1ctor10t1unut ·
'Crulu_co.. 1nd.Atc•l1r1t1_To_0111r1a_Spud ' lntoC-Sp1cconn ,
'Cru1 u_toH1nd.C1t_Spetd' lntot-Sp1c conn1c tor10 11 unutc
CAP from Netron, Telon from Pansophic
:~~~: :::~~:::~: : ~:~n~:~n~:~:::~~.!~~:: : :~~: ~=~::~ ~:~~:~~:~
'Crul11_Couand .Stop)lalnta l nlng_Sp11d' Into C-Sptc connactor
·· Systems, APS from Sage Software, and
NoOOE1rroraonth \ 1 d\ agru.
No1t or1- to-rlo111cons t1 tuent1rrortontt11 1 dlagra. .
Transform from Transform Logic.

•Maintenance and reengineering. This

type of toolkit aims the CASE technol­
ogy at existing software systems rather
than at the creation of new systems.
Figure 2: Teamwork from Cadre Technologies reports syntax, balancing, and Tools in the maintenance and reengi­
missing information errors in data-/low and controljlow diagrams. neering toolkit, such as documenters,
program analyzers, restructuring en­

238 BYTE • APRIL 1989

 IN DEPTH

THE CASE EXPERIENCE

gines, and reverse-engineering tools, benches such as SuperCASE from Ad­ quality. For Touche-Ross, Deere & Co.,
automate a variety of program mainte­ vanced Technology International, Auto­ and DuPont, CASE is fulfilling its prom­
nance tasks and have the potential to im­ Code from Integrated Systems, ProMod ise. Many other organizations, such as
prove the maintainability of billions of from ProMod, and EPOS from SPS Soft­ Amoco, First National Bank of Chicago,
lines of existing code. ware Products & Services are used. First Boston, Union Pacific, Lincoln Na­
Running on IBM mainframes, IBM tional Corp., and American Internation­
PCs, and Honeywell, Unisys, or Wang State of the Practice al Group, are also believers in and sea­
computers, toolkits such as Adpac CASE The promise ofCASE is to increase soft­ soned users of CASE.· Their valuable
Tools from Adpac, Scan/COBOL and ware productivity and improve software continued
Superstructure from Computer Data
Systems, Inspector and Recoder from
Language Technology, Path Vu and Ret­
rofit from Peat Marwick Advanced
Technology, and Via/Insight and Via/
SmarTest from ViaSoft provide mainte­
nance support for existing COBOL pro­
grams. The Bachman Re-Engineering
Product Set from Bachman Information
Systems provides reverse-engineering
support for IMS, IDMS, and DB2 data­
bases and runs on the IBM PS/2s.

• Framework. This kind of toolkit pro­

vides a platform for CASE tool integra­
tion, creation, and customization. Multi/
CAM from AGS Management Systems,
Life Cycle Productivity System from
American Management Systems, Soft­
ware BackPlane from Atherton Technol­
ogy, and Sylva Foundry from Cadware
are examples of framework toolkits run­
ning on the Sun, Apollo, Hewlett-Pack­
ard, DEC VAX, IBM PC, and main­
frame computers.
Figure 3: The IBM PC screen shows PACDesign, part ofthe PACBase workbench
• Project management. These toolkits from CG/ Systems, which is used during the program-design process.
support the planning, controlling, man­
aging, and reporting functions needed
for software development and mainte­
nance projects. One example of an IBM
PC-based project management toolkit is
Project Workbench from Applied Busi­
ness Technology.

CASE Workbenches
Selecting a CASE workbench involves
matching hardware, development meth­
odologies, and target systems that the
workbench supports to the CASE user's
development style and target-system re­
quirements. For example, IBM PC- and
mainframe-based workbenches, such as
Foundation from Andersen Consulting,
Information Engineering Workbench
from KnowledgeWare, PACBase from
CGI Systems, CorVision from Cortex,
Manager Family from Manager Soft­
ware Products, Maestro from Softlab,
and Information Engineering Facility
from Texas Instruments are used to de­
velop information systems that run on
PCs or mainframes.
For the development of real-time and Figure 4: This COBOL code was automatically generated by APS, the CASE
embedded systems in languages such as COBOL code generator from Sage Software.
Ada, Pascal, FOR)'RAN, and C, work­

APRIL 1989 • BYTE 239

 IN DEPTH

THE CASE EXPERIENCE

A CASE Tool Evaluation

Checklist

Use this checklist as a guide through the maze ofCASE tool options
General information Diagramming support CASE repository
D Vendor name D Data flow D Host-based
D Product name D Control flow D PC-based
D Date introduced D Decision table/matrix D DBMS architecture
D Number of copies sold D Hierarchical tree structure D Reports
D Price D Structure chart D Change control
D Action D Audit trail
Hardware platform D Warnier/Orr D Version control
D .State transition D Download
D IBM PC and compatibles
D Pseudocode D Logical partitioning
D Macintosh
D Screen layout D Consolidation
D Digital Equipment Corp.
D Dialogue flow
D Unisys
D Report layout Prototyping support
D Honeywell
D Data structure
D Wang D Screen painter
D Entity relationship
D Apollo D Report painter
D Logical records
D Sun D Functional model
D Booch
D Hewlett-Packard D Simulation
D Petri nets
D Other
D Other
Code generation
Category
Methodology support D Skeleton program
D CASE toolkit D Complete program
D Yourdon
D CASE workbench D Language
D DeMarco
D On-line program
D Gane/Sarson
Type of toolkit D Batch program
D Bachman
D Planning D Chen
Reengineering support
D Analysis D Martin
D Design D Merise D Static analyzer
D Database design D Orr D Redocumentation
D Real-time design D Jackson D Restructure
D Code generator D Ward/Mellor D Reverse engineering
D Programming D Hatley D Dynamic analyzer
D Maintenance D Object-oriented D Converter -·
D Framework ·l D SADT
D Project management D Stradis Life-cycle support
D Method-I
D Planning
Graphics D LSDM
D Analysis
D Other
D Color D Design
D Mouse D Implementation
Other requirements
D Windows D Maintenance
D D Project management
Error checking D
D Target system
D Syntax
D Consistency D On-line
D Completeness D Batch
D Requirements traceability D Transaction processing
D Quality assurance D Real-time
D Embedded

experiences and insights can guide about the current state-of-the-practice of of CASE tools today are professional
others in wisely selecting CASE tools CASE technology. software developers (e.g . , business ana­
and successfully implementing the lysts, systems analysts, programmers),
CASE technology. The following sum- • Profile of a user. First, regardless of not the end users. This is not meant to
marizes their experiences and consensus which tools they use, the primary users continued

240 BYTE • APRIL 1989

 Virtual Memory fo-r DOS!·

MicroWay is your best source for the of a 20 MHz 386/1167. Our best selling board,
software and hardware you need to get true 32 Dr. Robert Atwell, leading defense scientist, the Quadputer2™, has four T800s and boasts
bit performance from your 386. These include calculates that NOP Fortran-386 is saving him 40 Ml PS/6 megaflops of processor throughput.
32-bit tools, such as NDP Fortran and C, and $12,000 per month in rentals of VAX
MicroWay manufactures Weitek 1167 and
the 32-bit applications that were developed hardware and software while doubling his 3167 coprocessor cards that run with the
with them (see last paragraph). These products productivity!
80386. Both cards include an 80387 socket.
run in protected mode under Unix, Xenix, or The 1167 is 2 to 4 times faster than the 80387.
Phar Lap extended MS-DOS. FredZieglerof Aspen Tech in Cambridge, The 3167 runs 30% faster than the 1167 in
Starting with release 1.4VM, NDP Fortran Mass. reports, "I ported 900,000 lines of double precision. The key to achieving this
and C not only access 4 gigabytes of memory, Fortran source in two weeks without a single speed increase is our NDP Fortran or C and
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APRIL 1989 • B YTE 241

 IN DEPTH

THE CASE EXPERIENCE

suggest that end users are being shut out • Management support. It is extremely ment are using CASE tools to automate a
of the software development process. On difficult to cost-justify bringing CASE methodology they have used previously.
the contrary, end-user involvement in the into an organization, because most com­ The software process remains basically
form of interviews, reviews, and use of panies have no measures for software the same but is streamlined by automat­
software prototype models is critical to productivity or quality and no historical ing some labor-intensive tasks.
software project success. software-project data. While the desire On the other side, users who say CASE
Users point out that although CASE is to do "better," there is no universally dramatically changes the way they de­
tools are user-friendly, the quantity of agreed-on way to quantify what "better" velop systems are bringing in a new soft­
system information that they must enter means. ware development methodology along
into the tool demands too much of their For many CASE users, the only way to with CASE tools. For example, they may
time. Moreover, using a CASE tool re­ get management commitment is to con­ have moved from a process-driven devel­
quires a level of software development vince management to give CASE a try on opment approach to a data-driven ap­
knowledge that is beyond that of many blind faith. Also, many users note that proach, or from a traditional waterfall
end users. Even for the professional soft­ the real payoff doesn't occur during sys­ life-cycle model to prototyping.
ware developer, substantial training and tems development but later, during sys­ According to one CASE user, the na­
experience are needed to effectively use tem maintenance and with the leverage ture of maintenance work has changed.
CASE. from reusing data models and other sys­ Instead of maintaining code, users are
CASE tool training is not as signifi­ tem information stored in the CASE re­ now maintaining design specifications
cant in terms of time and cost as method­ pository. Some users report that the and, in particular, a data model. Keep­
ology training, which can be as much as maintenance of systems developed with ing the data model up-to-date has be­
three times as expensive. The amount of CASE requires only 20 percent of the ef­ come a top-priority maintenance task.
training required depends on whether de­ fort needed to maintain those systems One trend appears to be toward adopting
velopers have already been trained in the developed with traditional techniques. data-driven methods and prototyping
methodology to be supported and auto­ techniques as standard information-sys­
mated. Furthermore, attitude can have • Changing software development. tems development strategies.
just as much influence on the effective Opinions are divided on whether CASE
use of CASE as training. Users agree that changes software development and main­ • Single or multiple CASE vendors.
enthusiasm is a must to ensure successful tenance. Those who think CASE doesn't Users are also split in their strategy to
results from CASE. significantly change software develop­ continued

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APRlL 1989 • BY T E 2.a3
Circle 297 on Reader Service Card (DEALERS: 298)
IN DEPTH

THE CASE EXPERIENCE

Lise tools provided by only one vendor or

multiple CASE product vendors. Users
dedicated to a single-vendor approach
oelieve a single vendor can provide a
higher level of tool integration.
On the other hand, users who mix and
match tools from multiple vendors say
they want the best tool for each task and
that different vendors excel in different
areas. And since these users develop sys­
tems for different target environments,
different tools are often necessary.
Users are confident that as industry
;tandards emerge, CASE tool interfaces
will be improved. At the very least, most
CASE users experiment with multiple
CASE tools regardless of whether they
intend to follow a single- or multiple­
~endor strategy.

Start Now
::>rganizations considering CASE should
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See us at Spring COM DEX ;ause you need some experience with
( ~ U Booth #3557 CASE before you can derive significant
•+ 9
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benefits from it. The learning curve can
be steep, especially when you start by in­
troducing both new CASE tools and new
Phone: 714-250-1959 •Telex: 3728057 •FAX: 714-250-1964 methodologies. Starting slowly gives you
the opportunity to experiment with new
tools and/or new methodologies before

Defmitions on disk

Choice Words gives you instant

access to 80,000 dictionary defini­
tions plus more than 470,000
embracing CASE on a wide scale.
Most CASE experiences originate in
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charter is to find better ways to develop
software systems. Many organizations
are interested primarily in increasing
synonyms from Merriam-Webster­ productivity, while others are searching
the English language authority.

The dictionary contains defini­

for ways to get organized, especially
tions, usage notes and hyphenation from the data perspective, and some are
points.The thesaurus contains simply researching future technologies.
synonyms, meanings for each However, regardless of what they were
synonym group and properly inflects
all responses.
expecting from CASE, those organiza­
Choice Words works with over 35
tions that reported achieving their goals
word processors on IBM-PC com­ all began their CASE experience with
patibles running MS-DOS and is two major advantages: They were advo­
available on either 5\4" or 3W'
disks. Your system must contain a cates of change, and they had manage­
hard disk and at least 100K of free ment support.
memory.
If you are new to CASE, think about
Whether you're writing. reading,

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244 BYTE • APRIL 1989 Circle 228 on Reader Service Card (DEALERS: 229)
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APRIL 1989 • BYTE 245

 IN DEPTH

CASE

A CASE Workshop

Compiled by Carma McClure

Adpac CASE Tools Chen Toolkit IDMSI Ar chitect PACBase StateMate

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New York, NY 10036 Palo Aho, CA 94303 P.O. Box 655621 MS 8474 Retrofi t 350 Fifth Ave.
(2 12) 391-2828 (415) 856-4161 Da llas, TX 75265 Peat Marwick Advanced New York, NY 10 118
Inquiry 984. Inquir y 996. (214)575-4404 Technology (212) 947-4755
Inquiry 1008. 303 East Wacker Dr. Inquiry 868.
Analyst/Rf CoFac Chicago, IL 60601
Designer Coding Factory Information Engineering (312) 938-5352 Sylva Foundry
Auditor 45 Knightsbridge Rd . Workbench Inquiry 1020. Cadware
Mentor Graphics Corp. Piscataway, NJ 08854 KnowledgeWare, Inc. 50 Fitch St.
8500 Southwest Creekside (201) 981-0IOO 3340 Peachtree Rd., NE POSE New Haven, CT06515
Place In quir y 997. Atlanta, GA 30026 Computer Systems Advisers (203) 397-1853
Beaverton, OR 97005 (404)231-8575 50 Tice Blvd. Inquiry 869.
(503) 626-7000 CorVision Inquir y I009. Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07675
Inquir y 985. Cortex Corp. (201) 39 1-6500 System Architect
138 Technology Dr. Inspector Inquiry 858. Popkin Software & Systems
AnaTool Waltham, MA 02154 Recoder 111 Prospect St., Suite 505
Advanced Logical Software (61 7) 894-7000 Language Technology, Inc. Projec t Workbeoch Stamford, CT 06901
9903 Santa Monica Blvd. In quir y 998. 27 Congress St. Applied Business Technology (203) 323-3434
Beverly Hills, CA 90212 Salem, MA 01970 Corp. Inquiry 870.
( 213) 653-5786 !DEF/Leverage (508) 74 1-1507 361 Broadway
Inq uiry 986. D. Appleton Co. I nq uir y 1010. New York, NY I0013 Teamwork
1334 Park View Ave., Suite 220 (212) 2 19-8945 Cadre Technologies
APS Manhauan Beach, CA 90266 Life Cycle Productivity Inquiry 859. 222 Richmond St.
Sage Software, Inc. (213) 546· 7575 System Providence, RI 02903
3200 Tower Oaks Blvd. Inquiry 999. American Management ProKit•Workbench (401) 351 -5950
Rockville, MD 20852 Systems, Inc. McDonnell-Douglas Inquiry 871.
(30 1) 230-3200 DECASE 1777 North Kent St. P.O. Box 516
Inquiry 987. Digital Equipment Corp. Arlington, VA22209 Dept. L515, MS 2812301 Telon
DECdirect (703) 84 1-6060 St. Louis, MO 63166 Pa nsophic Systems , Inc.
AutoCode Conti nental Blvd. Inq uiry !Oil. (314) 232-5715 2400 Cabot Dr.
Integrated Systems, Inc. Merrimack, NH 03054 Inquiry 860. Lisle, IL 60532
2500 Mission College Blvd. (800) 344-4825 Maestro (312) 572-6000
Santa Clara, CA 95054 Inquir y 1000. Softlab, Inc. ProMod Inquiry 872.
(408) 980-1500 188 The Embarcadero ProMod, Inc.
Inquir y 988. DesignAid Bayside Plaza, Suite 750 23685 Birtcher Dr. The Developer
RI'race San Francisco, CA 94I05 El Toro, CA 92630 ASYST Technologies, Inc.
Auto-Mate Plus Nastec Corp. (415) 957-9175 (714) 855-3046 One Naperville Plaza
LBMS, Inc. 24681 Northwestern Hwy. Inquiry 1012. Inquiry 861. Naperville, IL 60540
2900 North Loop W, Sui te 800 Southfield, M 148075 (800) 361-3673
Houston, TX 77092 (313) 353-3300 Ma nager Famil y PVCS (Polytron Version Inquir y 873.
(713) 682-8530 Inquir y 1001. Manager Software Products, Inc. Control System)
Inquiry 989. 131 Hartwell Ave. Poly Ma ke Transform
Design Generator Lexington, MA 02173 Polytron Corp. Transform Logic Corp.
Bachman Re-Engineering ComputerSciences Corp. (617) 863-5800 1700 Northwest 167th Place 8502 East Via de Ventura
P r oduct Set 3160 Fairview Park Dr. Inq uiry 1013. Beaverton, OR 97006 Scollsdale, AZ 85258
Bachman Information Systems Falls Church, VA22042 (503) 645-1150 (602) 948-2600
Four Cambridge Center (703) 876-1000 Me ta Systems Toolset Inquiry 862. Inquir y 874.
Cambridge, MA02142 Inquiry 1002. Structured Architect
(617) 354-1414 Meta Systems, Ltd. Scan/COBOL Via/Insight
Inquir y 990. Design Machine 315 East Eisenhower Pkwy. SuperStructure Via/SmarTest
Optima, Inc . An n Arbor, Ml 48108 Computer Data Systems, Inc. ViaSoft, Inc.
CA-Universe/Pr ototype 1300 Woodfield Rd., Su ite 400 (313) 663-6027 I Curie Court 3033 North 44th St., Suite 280
Computer Associates Schaumburg , IL 60173 Inquiry 1014. Rockville, MD 20850 Phoenix, AZ 85018
International, Inc. (312) 240-1888 (202) 92 1-7000 (602) 952-0050
711 Stewart Ave. In quir y 1003. Micr oStep Inquiry 863. Inquir y 875.
Garden City, NY 11530 Syscorp International
(5 16) 227-3300 EPOS 9420 Research Blvd. , Suite 200 SDT Visible Analyst
Inquiry 991. SPS Software Products Austin, TX 78759 Telelogic Europe Visible Systems Corp.
& Services, Inc. (512) 338-0591 33 Boulevard de la Cambre 950 Winter St.
CardTools 14 East 38th St., 14th Floor Inquiry 1015. B-1050 Brussels Waltham, MA 02154
Ready Systems Corp. New York, NY IOOl6 Belgium (617) 969-4100
470 Potrero Ave. (212) 686-3790 Multi/CAM 011-32-2-647-3670 Inquiry 876.
P.O. Box 60217 Inquir y 1004. AGS Management Systems. Inc . Inq uiry 864.
Sunnyvale, CA 94086 880 First Ave. vsDesigner
(408) 736-2600 Excelerator King of Prussia, PA 19406 Software BackPlane Visual Software, Inc.
Inquir y 992. Excelerator/R'JS (215) 265- 1550 Atherton Technology 3945 Freedom Circle, Suite 540
Index Tochnology Corp. Inq uiry 1016. 1333 Bordeaux Dr. Santa Clara, CA 95054
CASE•Designer One Main St. Sun nyvale, CA 94089 (408) 988-7575
CASE•Dictionary Cambridge, MA 02142 NETRON/CAP (408) 734-9822 In quir y 877.
Oracle Corp. (617) 494 -8200 Netron, Inc. Inquiry 865.
20Davis Dr. Inquiry 1005. 99 St. Regis Crescent N 4Front
Belmont, CA 94002 Downsview, Ontario Software Through Pictures Deloitte, Haskins & Sells
(800) 345-3267 Foundation Ca nada M31 IY9 In teractive Development 200 East Randolph Dr.
Inquir y 993. Andersen Consulting ( 416) 636-8333 Environments Chicago, IL 60601
33 West Monroe St. Inquiry 1017. 595 Market St., 12th F loor (312) 856-8168
CasePac Chicago, IL 60603 San Francisco, CA 94I05 Inquiry 878.
On-Line Software International (312) 507-5161 P·Source (4 15) 543-0900
2 Executive Dr. Inquiry 1006. P-Tools Inquiry 866.
Ft. Lee Executive Park Phoenix Technologies, Ltd.
Ft. Lee, NJ07024 846 University Ave.
(20 1) 592-0009 Norwood, MA 02062
Inquiry 994. (617) 55 1-4000
Inquiry 1018.

246 BYTE • APRIL 1989

 .-_· - - -~....r . , . . _..~.

r. '"' .
:'. · By popular demand, we've extended
.
L. ~- •

this program to April 30, 1989.

FREE*
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A hardware purchase of $4995 or more is required

SIVA

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386 • CDC WREN III 155MB SCSI

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• CDC WREN II 86MB ST506
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hardware. • Intel 80387 - 16 Coprocessor $ 495
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System expandable to 16MB. (including Operating System, Developing System and
• 8/16/20 MHz Keyboard Text Processing System for 80386-based System)
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 •

1DDAY

1DMORROW

YESTERDAY

Today, you need VGA. Or maybe Extended VGA. We at

Quadram believe you deserve more.

•> 1024 x 768

• Why settle for mere VGA? Or even Extended VGA with

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The award-winning graphical word processing as well as take advantage of the full family of PS/2 monitors.

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Free Through 5-30-89 Quadram was in the graphics business back when screens

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and are still popular boards. We understand graphics.

Naturally, Quad\tGA Spectra is register-level

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~ Make T hem Better.
To find out where you can buy QuadVGA Spectra, call us at

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248 B Y T E • APRIL 1989 Circle 230 on Reader Service Card (DEALERS: 231)
 Spring 1989

Graphics

Mac II, Amiga, PS/2 Graphics

The RenderMan Standard

Scientific Visualization

 1. Arris
l ANV/l-5000pc
WewReasons 3. AutoSolid ™
:·y10 Buy 4.X-Wimows
5. CADKEY
6. Hoops
,;ARTIST.™ 7. VersaCAD
8. TOPAS/RIO

Plus Ten Well-Known Old Ones

Highly Software Compatible: An im­ and compatibles. (Macintosh II products plete set of graphic primitives to speed
pressive list of over 200 graphic software to be offered soon.) creation of new software applications.
products support the ARTIST™ Series. Design Leadership: Control Systems Immediate Customer Support: Call us
CAD, image processing and desktop was the first to produce a high perfor­ ~n our hotline and get same day customer
publishing just begin the list of ARTIST mance graphic controller for the original service for all your ARTIST products.
applications. IBM PC in 1982 and we repeated that ef­ We've been told it's the best in the
Vast Product Line: The ARTIST Series fort in 1987 for the IBM PS/2s. business.
includes 20 graphic controllers that range Peak Performance: We combine , Years of Experience: 6years of graphics
in resolution from BOO x 600 to 1664 x controllers with ARTIST software experience go into the development of new
1200. They display up to 16.7 million to give you fast feature-packed graphic~ hardware and software products. As long
simultaneous colors and use Hitachi, Tl and subsystems that few can match. Our as you own your ARTIST graphic worksta­
NEC graphic microprocessors to handle ARTIST GT™ display list processing tion, Control Systems will be there to sup­
complex drawing commands.* drivers give you instant zooms, birds·eye­ port you and offer you advanced ARTIST
Single Screen Options: VGA, EGA, and views, transparent pans, and more. products.
CGA modules give you single screen
workstations.* At the same time, they
High Customer Satisfaction: Our in·
house testing procedures guarantee >,~>
~M
allow you to run popular software you smooth installation and operation.
packages that support IBM graphic Less than 1%of ARTIST controllers are Control Y;stems
standards. returned for repair. P.O. Box 64750 St. Paul, MN 55164

PC & MC Bus Compatible: We offer Development Tools: We offer or call

ARTIST graphic controllers for the IBM"' developer 's toolkits for PGL, DGIS, 1·800-826·4281
PC/XT/AT, IBM PS/2 Micro Channel™ X-Windows, and Hoops. Each has acom· In Canada call
1·800-543-6523
Circle 68 on Reader Service Card (DEALERS: 69) International calls ~
*Note: ARTIST controller features vary from product ta product. Specifications are subject ta change. 1·612·631·7800
ARTIST and ARTIST GT are trademarks of Control Systems, Inc. IBM is a registered trademark and PS/2 and Micro Channel are trademarks of International Business Systems.

Images courtesy of MCS, CADKEY, VersaCAD, Ithaca Software, Autodesk, Sigma Design,AT&T GSL. AutoSolid is a trademark of AutoDesk, Inc. «Copyright 1988 Control Systems

 APRIL 1989 VOLUME 14/NUMBER 4

11\ITE

Graphics Supplement

Variations on a Screen by Phillip Robinson

251

The RenderMan Interface by Tony Apodaca

267

Interacting with the Tiny and the Immense by Craig Mundie

279

INSIDE COVER

RAY TRACING:

BRYAN CAREY GALLIVAN © 1989

Graphics Supplement • B Y T E 249

 Now in A, Band Csizes.

3. CalComnatibility. Supports over 50 major

CAD and graphics software packages. AutoCAD,
VersaCAD, Zenographics Mirage, and Ventura
Publisher. Just to name a few.
4. Built-in reliability. CalComp's advanced
technology reduces the number of electrical
components.
5. Warrantx commitment. We back our
DrawingBoard with a special five year war­
ranty, too.
With DrawingBoard you get a complete digitiz­
ing system, including your choice of a 4 button
cursor and pen stylus. Or a 16 button cursor
instead. Plus power supply and cable. Combine
all this with a low price. And there's only
one conclusion you can draw on. CalComp's
=-==il=ity. Quick menu picking. Also high DrawingBoard digitizers.
resolution tracing and drawing. And selective Call us at 1-800-CALCOMP. Or write us at
resolutions of up to 1,016 lines per inch. CalComp, P. 0. Box 3250, Anaheim, CA 92803.
2. Features users want most.. Sleek, rugged,
wedge shape. Convenient built-in stylus
holder. Adjustable plane positions. Power on
indicator. Removable template overlay holder.
Color matched to most PCs and workstations. Wedrawon
your imagination:M

~Ca/Comp
\l'e draw 0 11 yo ur imagination and DrawingBoarcl are tradema rks of CalComp Inc:.

~Ii rageand Autumn are trademarks or Zenographits.

AutoCA Dis a trademark of Aut oDesk.

Versa CAD is a trademark ofVersaCAD Corporat ion. © 1988 CalComp Int .

Vemu ra Publisher is a trademark or VenturaSort ll'are, Inc. A Lockheed Company

250 B Y TE • Graphics Supplement Circle 53 on Reader Service Card (DEALERS: 54)

 BYTE
GRAPHICS SUPPLEMENT

Variations on a Screen

Phillip Robinson

Graphics used to be an afterthought on

computers, an unnecessary frill. There
What are the
graphics, the Amiga has custom ICs that
can speed graphics programs. What's
were a few "graphics computers" with more, those same chips provide games
special hardware for drawing lines on a peculiarities ofIBM
and animation features for the Amiga
screen, but these were expensive ma­ and give it an inside track for working
chines aimed at narrow niches. The only
graphics the early personal computers
PS/2, Macintosh,
with television signals. That makes it a
natural for "desktop video" work.
could boast was the ability to draw char­ In the rest of this article, I'll talk about
acters on a screen in neat rows and col­ and Amiga
the graphics hardware behind the PS/2s,
umns . That was OK for word processing, Mac, and Amiga, go over a little history,
spreadsheets, and databases. graphics hardware?
describe how each works, and discuss
With some arm-wrestling, text dis­ their strengths and weaknesses. (The
plays could even produce simple draw­ text box "Display and Video Buffer Fun­
ings or game figures (using combina­ damentals" on page 260 provides a gen­
tions of characters to represent objects eral overview of the graphical environ­
and fill patterns). But only home com­ ment common to the three systems.)
puters that doubled as "game machines," two display adapters at once, which was
such as the Commodore 64, Apple II, useful, for example, in showing a CAD
and Atari 800, had special hardware to program menu on one monitor while the PS/2s
automate such graphics operations as drawn image appeared on the other. The PS/2s' graphics capability evolved
moving a colored shape from one part of Then the Macintosh appeared, and it directly from the IBM PC's graphics, so
the screen to another or determining didn't even bother with a text mode for it is useful to first take a look back. The
when a particular shape was touching an­ display. Everything was graphics, in­ original PC, XT, and AT had no built-in
other shape on a display. cluding the interface itself-used with graphics hardware. You bought a monitor
When the IBM PC came along, text every program-of icons, windows, and and a video adapter board to go along
mode was seen as the proper province for graphical cursors. Even writing text to with your PC . The board and the monitor
most business programs. The PC didn't the screen was a graphical act. For all were connected with a nine-wire cable.
even have its own text abilities built in but this, the Mac had its own built-in video Programs had to be written to understand
took its graphics cues from whatever monitor, hardware, and firmware. the various adapters to take advantage of
"display adapter" circuit board you As the Macintosh line has evolved to their resolution and color.
plugged into it. As the applications for the Mac II and Ilx, this basic setup has IBM's Monochrome Display Adapter
PCs, and then for the closely related persisted, although the monitor has been (MDA) could produce 80 columns by 25
PS/2s, expanded to include drawing, separated from the bundle, the software rows of text and character-size symbols.
charting, and presentation tasks, the now provides color , and the graphics can CGA could do the same in color on an
display adapters added pure graphics be enhanced with plug-in display adapt­ RGB display. CGA could also produce
modes with more and more colors and ers. The Macintosh operating system can graphics, a pixel at a time, and it had a
resolution. automatically handle up to six different port for a composite video signal to feed
The machines in the PS/2 line came monitors simultaneously. Because every to a TV set. (That composite ability,
with a built-in display adapter. A number Mac comes with a mouse for pointing at common in early personal computers,
of other companies developed display particular coordinates on the monitor, has fallen out of favor because TVs don't
adapters that would work in PCs and there is a standard set of commands for offer high-enough frequencies and reso­
compatible systems-adapters that might manipulating most Macintosh graphics lutions for today's software.)
pack special "modes" with far more res­ programs. The PS/2 world has not be­ MDA's highest resolution was 720 by
olution and color ability than any offered come as settled as that for graphics input. 350 pixels. Individual characters were
by IBM. To use these adapters, however, The Commodore Amiga goes a step formed in sets of pixels l 4 high by 9
you needed special driver software that beyond the PS/2s and the Mac in graph­ wide. CGA could manage only 640 by
was usually available only for a few big­ ics hardware, borrowing and building on 200, and so made its same 80 columns
name programs (e.g ., AutoCAD, Page­ the special games circuits from the Atari and 25 rows of characters in sets of pixels
Maker, and Ventura Publisher) . Some and Commodore 64 era. Besides a graph­ 8 high by 8 wide. With nearly twice as
programs were even able to work with ical interface and firmware routines for continued

Graphics Supplement • B YT E 251

 VARIATIONS ON A SCREEN

!er chip. Companies that wanted to copy

Photo 1: The the EGA board had to create chips that
PS/2s ' graphics were compatible with that special con­
capabilities troller. The CGA board, incidentally, is
evolvedfrom the famous forthe "snow" or white specks it
IBM PC's sometimes creates on a display if the pro­
character-oriented gram is trying to write directly to the
dis plays but are video buffer. That direct work interferes
now more flexible somewhat with the information read and
and updated and sent to the monitor. Another fascinating.
have higher fact about programming the Motorola
resolution. 6845 is that it represents one of the few
places in computer programming where
software can actually hurt the hardware .
Use timing values that are too foreign to
the monitor, and you could permanently
damage parts of that monitor.
Not all monitors work with all video
adapters . The higher frequencies of the
many pixels to work with, the MDA The more advanced cards offered a va­ EGA modes are beyond the abilities of
characters were much easier to read. riety of modes with different resolutions some CGA-, HGC-, and MDA-capable
CGA characters were at the bottom end and color abilities. While HGC had a sin­ monitors . The CGA and EGA boards can
of legibility. (Older personal computer gle mode, CGA, for instance, had two be run side by side with an MDA board,
systems with lower resolution often graphics modes: 320- by 200-pixel four­ producing two outputs (one text and one
achieved legibility by compromising on color and 640- by 200-pixel mono­ graphics) from the same PC or PS/2.
the number of columns and rows dis­ chrome. Software chose which mode to The PS/2 line came with a pair of new,
played on the monitor. Take the same use and could switch from mode to mode built-in display adapters. The Multi­
640 by 200 resolution of CGA and break depending on a program's needs. EGA Color Graphics Array (MCGA) on
it into 40 columns by 20 rows, and you had more than a dozen modes with vari­ Models 25 and 30 works like CGA with
can make characters with several times greater resolution: 640 by 480 pixels,
the precision of the 80-column by 25-row tops. VGA, found on all the other PS/2
standard. However, 80 columns does a machines, is a single chip that can handle
good job of matching the number of char­ all the EGA modes (although some pro­
acters that can fit on a standard typewrit­ l e poor grams need slight rewriting for compati­
ten page, so fewer columns can lead to bility) and has some new modes of its
lots of horizontal scrolling to see every­ PCprogrammer had to own. These include 720- by 400-pixel
thing that will print on a page.) text and 640 by 480 pixel-by-pixel graph­
Hercules was one of the few compa­ write drivers for each ics. You can now also buy VGA-compat­
nies to independently establish a hard­ ible display adapters for PCs, XTs, ATs,
ware standard in the world of IBM PC possible adapter. and compatibles. There are even super­
and compatible computers, with its Her­ VGA cards with modes that sport greater
cules Graphics Card (HGC). This video resolution than VGA's standard set.
adapter with a resolution of 720 by 348 Yet another new display adapter was
pixels in monochrome could handle announced along with the PS/2 line: the
MDA software (i.e., was MDA-compat­ ous resolutions and specifications. Com­ 8514/ A graphics adapter. This separate
ible) and could produce pixel-by-pixel peting, compatible "super-EGA" cards board plugs into a special auxiliary video
graphics in monochrome. The HGC Plus offered special modes with yet more res­ connector slot in the PS/2 models with
could work with RAM-based characters olution. Some boards, such as the the Micro Channel bus (i.e., Models 60,
instead of the ROM-based characters that Truevision Targa series, provided a 70, and 80). It substitutes its own signals
the MDA and HGC were designed to much larger color palette-a necessity for those coming from the main board's
control. The Hercules I nColor card for desktop video work. VGA circuitry and can produce 1024- by
added 16-color display (from a palette of The poor PC programmer had to write 768-pixel resolution on an 8514A-capa­
64) to the abilities of the HGC Plus. different drivers for each adapter the ble monitor. With enough memory, an
The final step in popular PC graphics user might have and had to know about 8514/A board can also generate 256
was EGA from IBM. (There were also all these modes and resolutions . On colors from a palette of 256,000. At its
adapters, such as the Professional Graph­ MDA, CGA, and HGC , a Motorola 6845 640- by 480-pixel resolution, the 8514/A
ics Adapter [PGA], with higher resolu­ video controller chip set the timing and can automate a few graphics tasks, such
tion than the EGA, but they were expen­ other details of the video signal, and as programmable fonts and filling areas.
sive and never acquired a large body of that's the chip programmers wrote di­ The 8514/A may eventually replace
compatible software.) EGA can run rectly to if they wanted to bypass the VGA as the standard in PS/2 graphics,
MDA or CGA graphics and was the first "famous" BIOS INT lOH (Interrupt but it hasn't been very popular yet, per­
IBM adapter that could produce pixel­ 1Oh) for ·video routines or if they had an haps because ofthe relatively high cost of
by-pixel graphics in monochrome. Its top HGC (which the BIOS didn't recognize the special board and monitor .
resolutio.n was 640 by 350 pixels, and it and thus required direct programming). Both MCGA (which appears only on
could put out 16 colors. EGA had its own proprietary control­ continued

252 B Y T E • Graphics Supplement

 0

More Vibrant Colors and

resolution with 256 on-screen
colors from a palette of 16 million.
. So if your graphics board is
producing nothing but "board­
Higher Resolution.
Your choice of flavors, dom," go to your dealer today and
alaanymode. Genoa serves up a order some Genoan graphic ex­
Any Way You Scoop it.
full menu of SuperVGA™ and citement. Call ( 408) 432-9090
Now, Genoa dishes up more SuperEGAcards. All of which today. Or write Genoa Systems
ways to eliminate the monotony of extend the IBM standards-with Corporation, 75 E. Trimble Rd.,
monochrome. Or the lifeless look VGA resolutions of up to 1024 x Sanjose, CA 95131; FAX (408)
oflow-res color. With a brilliant 768 in 16 colors in both non­ 434-0997, London 44-01-225­
line-up of IBM compatible graph­ interlaced and interlaced modes, 3247; Taiwan 886-02-776-3933.
ics cards, designed to please any and up to 800 x 600 in 256 colors.
IBM b a 1r.11kmul:. orIB~t Corp. Hercuh:~ ill a mulemark or lltr<'ula Tech11ology.
palate. The pint-size combo Supcrl IGA, Suprr\'CA I &bit C.-.phiu Adapccr, Supcr\'GA. Super EGA Hui..:, ;md Super·
Speccrnm arc 1rademarks of Gcno;i. S)'Uenu Corp.
The creme de la creme in package. For sparkling color and See us at COMDEX/Spring '89
performance. For CAD and desk­ monochrome graphics in one Booth #4049
top publishing, get the ultimate in economical half card, choose our
high performance: SuperHGA™, SuperSpectrum™. It's 100% CGA, Insist on
with an on-board graphics proces­
sor. It puts ultra hi-res images on
MDA and Hercules compatible,
with double scanned CGA for GenoanValue.
any IBM 8514-compatible display
with blazing speed. At 1024 x 768
quality game images. Plus 132­
column text for full spreadsheets. Genoa
Circle 112 on Reader Service Card

r·
Graphics Supplement • B Y T E 253
 . ,.. .... -- ·- ·- ·-· ...·-­
~

·~ · M

.-· ~ I

Diamond Scan 20L

Diamond Scan 2DA Auto-Tracking
Auto·Tracking Diamond Scan 16L Up to 1280x1024 pixels
Diamond Scan 14 800 x 600 pixels (digital, analog, monochrome) Auto-Tracking
Auto-Tracking 1024 x 800 pixels (maximum) 1024 x 768 pixels (typical) Actual unretouched screen images
800 x 600 pixels (digital, analog, monochrome) 1280 x1024 pixels (maximum) Monitors shown with optional bases
330 x 500 pixels(composite NTSC)

A ClearView To Monitor Qualit)

VARIATIONS ON A SCREEN

PS/2 Models 25 and 30) and VGA (which pend on the particular display adapter, modes, it can run simple, non­
is now being cloned by other firms and although all are between AOOOO and WYSIWYG, text-based applications­
has become the PS/2 and PC standard COOOO (a 128K-byte area above 640K spreadsheets, word processors, data­
video adapter) produce analog signals to bytes). The memory chips for this are bases-faster than the Mac or the Amiga.
tell a monitor what colors to display. actually on the display adapter card, not
They have DI A converter circuitry that on the main system board.
turns the bits from the video buffer into The information in the video buffer Macintosh
analog waves on the lines to the monitor. produces character codes (for text mode) The IBM PC began life without graphics,
MDA, CGA, HGC, and EGA all pro­ or attributes (for bit-mapped mode) that adding it through plug-in boards. The
duce digital RGB output, with lines that are sent to an alphanumeric character Mac was born with a built-in monitor, a
signal either on or off for a certain color generator or an attribute decoder. The built-in video adapter, and a large set of
value. Analog output offers much larger information from these circuits is com­ built-in graphics routines in system soft­
color selections but must drive a monitor bined with the mode settings from the ware ROM. The Mac's software is its
that understands analog information. program and the timing information most unique element-and its ability to
Most monitors used with PCs, XTs, and from the CRT controller to produce a show on the screen pretty much what
ATs are digital and cannot move to the video signal appropriate for the monitor. you'll see in print is a big selling point.
VGA level. Some monitors handle analog The PC and PS/2s have no special That software includes QuickDraw (a set
or digital. The MCGA and VGA formats hardware to help the CPU get the bits into of drawing routines for basic objects), a
can each produce 256 colors from a pal­ the video buffer and no graphics acceler­ Font Manager (that uses QuickDraw to
ette of 256,000, connecting to the moni­ ators or dedicated graphics function cir­ draw text characters on the screen), and a
tor through a 15-pin cable. cuits. There are a few logical operations Window Manager (to draw and control
The PC running conventional DOS in the controller chips, but PS/2 graphics windows on the screen that contain pro­
doesn't use the same RAM for video as it is mostly a matter of learning BIOS calls grams or file listings).
does for programs and data. An area and collecting controller assembly-lan­ The Mac ROM has grown from an
above the 640K-byte limit, well known to guage routines. This makes the PS/2 line original 64K bytes of routines to a full
PC and PS/2 users running DOS, and quite flexible for software jockeys who 256K-byte ROM in the Mac SE and II.
below the I-megabyte addressing limit of have studied the hardware's basics, but The newer ROMs include faster versions
the 8086 processor is dedicated to video. not well suited for animation or other of the older routines and new software to
The size and address of the buffer de­ complex software tasks. And with its text provide color support, fractional-pixel­

254 B Y T E • Graphics Supplement

 Circle 190 on Reader Service Card (DEALERS: 191)

Only one supplier of color monitors offers the widest with the resolution and size to fit your specific needs. This
selection of features and operating flexibilities in the market includes the Diamond Scan Series ofl4", 16" and 20" auto­
today. tracking monitors, some with microprocessor-enhanced
That company is Mitsubishi Electronics. programmable display settings. All at very competitive prices.
Mitsubishi® delivers the reliability and performance To get a clear view of monitor quality and value, look
that can meet your color information display requirements to Mitsubishi.
today as well as tomorrow. Larger screen sizes, truer colors, For product information or nearest authorized
and optimum resolutions make your work easier-and far Mitsubishi Electronics sales representatives, please call
more productive. 1-800-556-1234, ext. 54M. In California, ca\11-800-441-2345,
Whether your requirements ca II for fixed-frequency ext. 54M. Mitsubishi Electronics America, Inc., Computer
graphics standards, like EGA and VGA, or multiple­ Peripherals Division, 991 Knox Street, Torrance, CA 90502,
frequency performance, Mitsubishi has the color monitor (213) 217-5732.
Comoaliblllly/Resolullon
Screen Mask VGA 1024 1280
Mitsubishi Size Horizontal Pilch Apple 768x x

. . .. .
1024
Model
Diamond Scan 14
(Inches) Scan Frequency (kHz)
14/13V 15.7-36 auto-tracking
(mm) NTSC CGA EGA Std. Ext. Mac II (48 kHzl 64 kHzl
0.31 .
(AUM1381A)
Diamond Scan 16L• 16/15V 30 ­ 64 auto~racking 0.31 . . . . .
(HL6605TK)
Diamond Scan 20A 20/19V 15.7-36 auto-tracking 0.31 . . . . .
(HA3905ADK)
Diamond Scan 20L • 20/19V 30- 64 auto-tracking 0.31 . . . . .
(HL6905TK)
XC1429C 14/13V 31.5 0.28
. . .
XC1410C
XC1430C
14/13V 22or15.75
14/13V 22 or 15.75
0.40
o.31 I . .
Visit us at COMDEX - Booth #3643
XC141DC/XC143DC

EGA Compatible

64D x35D pixels

' MITSUBISHI
~ ELECTRONICS

And Value. © 1988 Mitsubishi Electmnics America. Inc.

Mitsubishi is a registered trademark of Mitsubishi Electric Corp.• Tok~

Screen images produced wih permission from the following companies (trademarked softwa1e package name foUONS company
name): Autodesk. OC. (A.JtoShadeA· Computervision Corporation (Pe1sonal Designer): Computer Friends. nc. (Modern Artist),
SuperMac Software (Pixe/Paint); llYee 101GraphiCS, ilc. (Perspective); Maosoft COfporation (Excel Ve1si012.0).

VARIATIONS ON A SCREEN

width characters, and so on. Above this value in the controller-a useful proce­ any changes to the bit-map image in
ROM is an operating system that handles dure for animation . (On the Mac Plus RAM. On the Mac Plus and SE, a video
I/O and the Finder, a program that tracks and SE, each pixel is either on or off: controller on the main circuit board then
directories and other disk operations. Gray-scale effects come from combining shuttles the video buffer information to
The early Macs (including the Mac groups of pixels into logical units and the monitor. It is possible to plug a color
Plus and SE-or the Integral Video turning on or off a percentage of the monitor into the Mac SE, but its ROM
Macs, as Apple puts it) have a built-in, 9­ pixels in each group to create intensity does not contain full QuickDraw support
inch diagonal monochrome monitor. The levels.) for color. That means that you must de­
built-in video adapter offers one resolu­ Application and system software make continued
tion: 512 by 342 pixels in monochrome.
That works out to 72 dots per inch on the Photo2: The
screen, the same as on the original Macintosh began
ImageWriter dot-matrix printer that l{fe as a
Apple sold for use with the Mac. It's also graphics-oriented
about the same as the 1172-inch measure­ machine-even
ment in typography known as a point. the text is
(Later Apple would turn to the Laser­ graphics-and
Writer laser printer, with its resolution of has grown in
300 dpi, and use the drawing routines of sophistication
Postscript to drive the higher-resolution with each
printer while QuickDraw was still han­ succeeding
dling the monitor.) generation.
On the Mac Plus and SE, the video
buffer is formed in part of the standard
system RAM, taking up 21 K bytes. Both
the Mac Plus and SE have two screen buf­
fers: a main and an alternate. The
display can be switched from one to the
other with a quick change of a single

Graphics Supplement • B YT E 255

 VARIATIONS ON A SCREEN

pend on special software drivers for lion). You can also choose to work with · graphics cannot be directly recorded on
color in each program. 2, 4, or 16 colors or gray levels. standard VCRs. Nor can you use typical
The Mac II and !Ix can drive any of a Apple's own video card puts out either TVs or PC monitors with the Mac II be­
variety of monitors, operating from plug­ 640 by 480 pixels monochrome (with up cause it, too, has a noninterlaced (480­
in video adapter boards much as a PC to 16 intensity levels) on Apple's 12-inch line) display.
would. A board can also carry special monochrome monitor or, with enough Some firms make 24-bit video adapt­
processors, ROMs, and video RAM. on-board RAM, 640- by 480-pixel reso­ ers for the Mac that can display as many
The Mac II ROM supports color in lution in 256 colors or gray levels on colors simultaneously as there are pixels
QuickDraw. However, that support is Apple's 13-inch color monitor. The ver­ on the screen. Unfortunately, these cards
only for 8 bits of color information per tical scan frequency is 60 Hz, noninter­ need special software drivers to take ad­
pixel, or a total of 256 possible simulta­ laced . That leaves it outside the realm vantage of the fu 11 range of colors:
neous colors (from a palette of 16. 7 mil­ of standard TV signals, so Macintosh Apple's system software and ROM have
not yet come to support this "full color"
and provide it to all programs, but this
may happen this year or in 1990.
Most of the competing monitors are
larger than Apple's. Some of them offer
"far outshine
se of other popular the same or nearly the same number of
'iaphics presentation pixels as the Mac Plus and SE, but on a
ackages:' -PC Magazine larger screen, and so have fewer dots per
inch. Others have the same or greater dpi
Jogram in the counts than the Mac Plus and SE, and so
put many more pixels onto the larger
.·h Dimension ... screen. Resolutions range from that orig­

;-"'NIMATE!
inal 512 by 342 pixels to as high as 1664
by 1200 pixels. (Remember, however,
that 1200 lines on a screen 24 inches tall
do not make characters and objects more
precise than 400 lines on a screen 8 inch­
es tall. Both screens have the same dots
per inch, but the larger monitor can hold
more of a large image or more images at
r develop your graphics applications the same time.)
· ' irectly in Grasp! Take advantage of: The Mac's operating system can run
'· 4 animal'lon & effects commands
multiple monitors at the same time and
.25 predefined lades
~single-command animation
offers a utility for selecting which one
1,1 major graphics modes has the main menu bar and how the mon­
· reen capture and graphics itors are logically positioned with respect
rinting utilities to each other (i.e., how the cursor moves
from one to another). The monitors may
eludes Pictor, a full-featured come with extra software that adds special
aint program, completely zooming or other view-control features.
'.'. !egrated with Grasp for The Mac does not have any special
st development and
iting of programs
hardware for graphics acceleration or
nd graphics. automation. What it does have is a well­
crafted and refined set of system routines
stored in a large ROM-routines for
creating, organizing, and tracking
graphics on the screen, including win­
dows, drawn graphics, imported pic­
tures, and just about anytning else.
All the actual figuring and data move­
ment are handled by the main processor:
the 68000 chip in the Mac Plus and SE,
the 68020 in the Mac II, and the 68030 in
the Mac !Ix. The increased main proces­
sor speed of the Mac II's 68020 and the
Mac Ilx's 68030, as well as the built-in
floating-point math coprocessor, direct­
ly contribute to graphics speed because
the CPU/FPU pair does all the graphics
calculation work.
Having a graphical interface to a pro­
gram is easier on the Mac than on the PC,
continued

256 B Y T E • Graphics Supplement Circle 212 on Reader Ser~ice Card

 In the mid to late 70's, when engineers designed
with SSI and MSI, the demands that they made
on logic analyzers reflected the technology that
they worked with- low density, low
complexity, and low performance.
Along came the 80's and with it PA Ls, GA Ls,
PLAs, LCAs, ASICs, faster CISCs, and RISC
machines. Technology leaped ahead ... same old
logic analyzers.
Finally, a machine tuned to the times. The Pc/La
provides you with competitive sample speed
DTACK:. DTACK
and channel count, but more importantly, its
superior trigger capabilities enable you to track
down system bugs quickly and efficiently. No
fumbling around the edges or shooting in the
dark, you are right where you need to be.
There is no need to translate your problem into
someone else's idea of logic definition. This
instrument uses state syntax directly.
The Pc/La is packaged as a single add-in card
for an IBM Pc/XT I AT or compatible. This means
that you already own 50% of an efficient,
high-performance hardware and software
troubleshooting instrument. The other half is
Trigger program to detect 1 of 5 possible faults in the OMA cycle of a MC68000.

This example uses only a fraction of the capabilities of the Pc/La.

yours for less than $2000.00.
The Pc/La - the only logic analyzer to earn the
right to use the word analyze in its name.

~~
u~-<;, ~
_ Destroy all circuit bugs!
Take it from here, now it's ..... .

YOUR MOVE
(416) 266-5511
© 1988 V 3 CoTpOTUtion 285 Raleigh Avenue.Toronto, Canada. M1K 1A5
PALis atrademark of Mornlithic Memories Inc., GAL is a trademark of Lallice Semiconductor Corp.,lCA is a tradema1k ol Xilinx l.B.M. is a ttademark of International Business Machines Corp. Mc68000 is a trademark of Motorola Semiconductor.

Circle 330 on Reader Service Card Graphics Supplement • 8 Y T E 257

 Circle 8 on ReiµJer Service Card (DEALERS: 9)
VARIATIONS ON A SCREEN

EZ-DOS

Break the stranglehold on your PC. CPU to handle all the graphics calcula­
tions along with its other chores (the Mac
Digital Research & 2001 Sales have
developed EZ-DOS as an enhanced
l ie Mac's strategy), the Amiga has a trio of custom
!Cs dedicated to processing graphics in­
replacement for your current DOS. operating system can formation. Because these chips can han­
dle video information while the main
Now you can use the sophistication of
EZ-DOS instead of accepting the
run several monitors CPU is working on other tasks, the
Amiga has a degree of "multitasking"­
limitations of another DOS. at the same time. the ability to handle more than one job at
a time. On top of this graphics hardware,
The main features of EZ-DOS are: the Amiga has a choice of user inter­
* DOS compatibility faces: Intuition with the Workbench
(which looks like the Mac's graphical in­
*Multiple 512 megabyte partitions terface with the Finder), or the CLI
where Windows, GEM, or the Presenta­
- quit disecting your hard disks tion Manager (programs that give a (Command Line Interpreter, which
* Password protection of files and "Mac look" to a PC) labor without the looks like the DOS text interface).
directories help of tailored firmware routines. How­ The three custom chips have names:
ever, simple programs that stick to text Denise, Agnus, and Paula. Denise han­
* Full screen text editor
mode are nearly always faster on a PC. dles the display chores, acting as the
* On-line HELP for command syntax Although the Mac began as a mono­ CRT controller. Agnus has hardware to
* Command history chrome machine, the Mac II already pro­ automate animation work such as special
* LIM 4. 0 Extended memory driver vides richer color than the VGA standard registers to maintain and propel sprites,
on the PC (with the same number of which are object-oriented groups of
* Menu based installation that works colors from a larger palette) and will pixels. Paula handles a variety of sound
with all compatibles move even farther ahead when the sys­ and disk drive work, besides providing
tem software supports full color. for the fast direct-memory-access move­
ment of information within the com­

(';E-1 -i~ I~
puter. DMA transfers don't tie up the
,- ___.1 L ­
"' Amiga main processor, leaving it free to work
Commodore's Amiga can be seen as and speeding the data transfer. And
either the next step in graphics hardware Agnus contains a coprocessor, nick ­
beyond the Mac (and two steps beyond named "Copper," for accelerating
the PS/2 line) or as an amalgam of the graphics work, and a "Blitter" for hard­
c : \~[~\/ general-purpose graphics ofthe Mac and ware bit-block transfer operations such
LJ .9. .9 ..Q ..~...~...~.
LJ the special-purpose graphics of earlier as line drawing and color fills.
Jr . .:~... .\m . ~. --~... .P.. ..Q. J1 game computers from Atari and Com­
modore. From the original Amiga 1000
Unlike the PS/2s and the Mac, the
Amiga is quite flexible when it comes to
. . P... . R. . ..Q'" ....P.... ..~. ...~.. --~.. ... ~ . to the less expensive and less expandable choosing a monitor. In fact, it has ports
Ph k tr!"" :

....~... ..i;;;;J,
Amiga 500 and the higher-powered for RGB monitors, composite monitors,
2000, the Amigas begin with a 68000 and standard TV sets. It can even drive
~\
\
central processor just like the Mac ' s. all three at the same time because each
\ The Amiga 2500 adds a 68020 processor port constantly provides the same display
\
point.. board to a 2000 frame, increasing the information, each in its particular for­
main processing speed. mat. The RGB monitor port provides an­
All Amigas use the same graphics alog signals, though it can be adapted to
strategy. Instead of leaving the 68000 continued
* A true graphic, windowing
operating_ env'llonment - G~3
Photo3: The
Desktt>.p is our user interface. Amiga can be seen
* Inexpensive - compare costs as an amalgam
ofthe genera/­
EZ-DOS 4.1 Deluxe.......... $79.00 purpose graphics
plus True BASIC............. $99.00 ofthe Mac and the
plus serial Mouse........... $139.00 special-purpose
graphics of early
plus T. BASIC & Mouse.. $159.00 Commodore and
Atari game
2001 Sales, Inc. computers.
16580 Hatbor Blvd., Ste. D
Fountain Valley, CA 92708.
Tel: (714) 531-6551
Fax: (714) 531-8546
Dealer, Distributor & OEM Inquiries welcome.
VISA and Master Card accepted.
258 B Y T E • Graphics Supplement
 Share Your Precious Resources ... And Save!

When you can't afford to buy a laser for each PC, the BuffaloSLTM is the inexpensive way to let everyone share
• not just your lasers, but printers, plotters and modems as well. An SL with memory improves PC productivity
like a printer buffer, but is a more sensible investment since SL memory is shared by all peripherals. If you don't
need simultaneous access to shared files, the SL is also an alternative to a LAN at a fraction of the cost.
The SL has iour parallel and six serial channels, with all ten being user configurable as either an input or an
output, so you can share any combination of PCs and peripherals. If you need more than ten channels, you can
link several Sls together. All channels can be in use at the same time to rapidly transfer data and quickly release
your PCs to continue working instead of being delayed for printing. The SL software even allows your PC to
send data at 19,200 baud. All memory (user upgradeable up to 4MB) is dynamically allocated and efficiently
shared by all channels as needed. The SL comes with menu-driven software to install the pop-up menu for easy
selection of printers and control options, but you don't have to be a programmer to use it. Of course, the SL
works justfinewithout our software too!TheSLhas many other features so ask us to send you more information.
When you compare thef,rice and capabilities of the Buffalo SL with any similar devices, we believe you will ·
agree with thousands o well-infonned professionals that the SL is the best value available anywhere!

'~>·--·-·~··~-

Buffalo Products also makes PC memory

expansion systems boards, other smaller
buffers, automatic switches, and interface
conversion devices. All of our products come
with a 45 DAY MONEY BACK GUARANTEE.
Call us TOLL FREE and talktoone of our friendly
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BUHifLO ®·.

The inexpensive peripheral sharing solution

(800) 345-2356

Buffalo Products, 2805 19th Street SE, Salem, OR 97302 <503l 585-34:14

Circle 45 on Reader Service Card (DEALERS: 46)

 Display and Video Buffer Fundamentals

his text box provides an computer system. The faster

T overview of two essen­
tial elements of the graphics
it can turn the beam on and
off (the dot-clock or video
hardware environment. The frequency), the more pixels
first is display fundamen­ can be crowded on a line
tals: How do ls and Os light (horizontal resolution). The
up a CRT? The second is faster it can move across a
video buffering: How does line (the horizontal scan fre­
the computer manipulate quency) and return to the
the data? next line, the more lines
(vertical resolution) can be
Display Fundamentals squeezed onto a display
Nearly all computer graph­ image . More lines and
ics are shown on a CRT pixels mean higher resolu­
video display or monitor. (A tion. Some displays also use
few images are sent to pri­ interlacing, which paints
mary LCD screen displays, every other line during one
and many are transmitted to run through the display and
peripheral devices such as then returns and paints the
film recorders or printers, in-between lines on the sec­
but they follow the same ond pass.
general guidelines that are The equations determin­
described here.) The computer hardware and software work in ing resolution are horizontal scan frequency/vertical scan fre­
concert to control the electron bt:am that paints information on quency= lines of vertical resolution, and video frequency/hor­
the viewing surface of the display-telling it where to aim and izontal scan frequency = dots of horizontal resolution. More
when to fire. resolution means smoother diagonal lines and more color or
Vector graphics systems store the graphics images in memory gray-scale mixing options, and this generally aids the appear­
as a list of vectors (such as "draw a line this wide from A to B" ance of the graphics. It also means more work for the computer
or "draw a circle at center x,y and fill it with color z"). This list in calculating and storing pixels, however.
is then used to control the beam in the monitor, aiming it only at Yoo could slow the horizontal scan frequency to gain more
the points the computer system wants to show, drawing lines, time to squeeze more dots onto a line for greater horizontal res­
circles, and other shapes on the screen directly. That's the style olution, but you run the risk of the image starting to fade from
of an oscilloscope, some early computers, and a few, very fast, the phosphors before the next scan cycle comes around. That
contemporary computer graphics systems. would be seen as "flickering" on the monitor, the same thing
Most personal computers use raster scanning, a technique that would happen if you slowed the vertical scan too much.
that controls the beam in another way. The graphics images in­ Longer-lived phosphors could fight that problem, but then you
tended for the display are stored by the computer as a mass of would run into the problem of "ghosting" and "smearing"
points in a Cartesian coordinate system. This "pointillist" from images that don't disappear quickly enough when their
method builds all sophisticated images and all text out of indi­ time is up.
vidual points that are on, off, or a particular color. The beam in Typical U.S. TV frequencies, following the NTSC (National
the CRT starts at the top left corner of the display and strokes Television System Committee) standard, are 60 Hz for vertical
across from left to right. It is turned on whenever it is pointing scan (although this is with interlacing; the entire image is up­
at a picture element, or pixel, for the current image. The beam dated at an effective frequency of 30 Hz) and 15. 75 kHz for
is then turned off while it is moved back to point at the begin­ horizontal scan. That generates up to 262 lines resolution, al­
ning of the next line, or raster, down on the display (the hori­ though some of these are typically beyond the edge of the
zontal retrace). That raster is painted, and the process is re­ display and so aren't visible. Some time is also lost to "over­
peated until all the lines have been displayed and the beam is scan," that is running the beam beyond the left and right visible
turned off while the aim is returned to the top left of the display edges of the display.
(the vertical retrace). The beam then immediately begins to For a monitor to know when to retrace, it must be given syn­
scan across the monitor again. chronizing signals, with the vertical sync some exact integer
Yoo don't see the individual scans because they are very fast multiple of the horizontal sync. TV broadcasts contain these
and because the phosphor coating on the surface of the tube signals; computers must provide them for a monitor. With
continues to glow for a while after being hit by the beam. (A them, the computer can precisely control when and where the
pixel may actually consist of several neighboring phosphor beam is aiming.
spots on the screen.) The computer's video subsystem or inter­ Color displays do the same general work as monochrome sys­
face provides the information telling when to turn the beam on tems but depend on three beams that illuminate three different­
and off. (Gray-scale monitors can also vary the intensity of the colored phosphors on the tube surface. (A few get by with one
beam, so that it leaves a more or less bright pixel behind.) gun for all three phosphors.) This RGB (red, green, and blue)
The characteristics of the beam are very important to the continued

260 B YT E • Graphics Supplement ILLUSTRATION: KEN CONDON © 1989

 Anyone can produce a com­
puter-aided drafting and design
package that sells for thousands
of dollars. But creating one
that's fast, powerful, and afford­
able takes real ingenuity.
That's exactly what we've
done at Generic Software'." We
sell the most widely used CADD
program in the world for under
$500.

Symbols b i b1'l1 Symhols 1.ihr:u·y

PC Magazine ranked it
"Editors Choice" in a face off
with 17 low-cost CADD pack­
ages. "This product is an out­
Utilities
,· standing value from every point
of view and is highly recom­
AutoConvert 1 mended." "A paperback
l version of AutoCAD': stated
PC Week.
And our CADD programs
are just part of what we offer.
I ' 'PC
You can start with Generic
CADD Level 1;" then advance
to other levels as your needs­
and skills-expand.
And you can use our CADD
add-ons, Utilities, and symbols
libraries to design the CADD
system that fits your needs.
You only pay for the func­
tionality you need, and the
functionality you get has depth.
Critic tested, market
approved. Generic Software
offers price, quality, and sup­
port. Match our customer
support against anyone!
• Unconditional 60-day
guarantee on most products
• Unlimited free technical sup­
port• Free monthly newspaper
• Regular updates at modest
prices. All adding up to prove
that the only thing generic
about us is the price.
Call us for a free CADDalog'"
or for the name of your local
dealer: 1-800-228-3601.
© Generic Software Inc., Level 1 and Generic
CADD are trademarks of Generic Software Inc.,
11911 North Creek Parkway South, Bothell, WA
98011. Macintosh is a trademark of Apple Com­
puter Inc.

Generic T W A R

Circle 110 on R£ader Service Card

(DEALERS: 111)
 mechanism requires at !east three input signals from the com­ cial hardware registers to streamline this process of bit-plane
puter, one for each color. A true ROB monitor needs to have organization.
these three signals on separate wires. A composite color moni­ Special hardware can also be added to a computer system to
tor, much like a TV, can be driven by a single wire that packs accelerate the typical calculations of a graphics program or rou­
all three signals. Because the ROB information is combined tine. In this respect, a general-purpose math coprocessor can
and then separated again for a composite system, the resulting be a boon to graphics work. But there are special functions that
picture isn't as clear as on a strictly ROB monitor. you won't find on typical math coprocessors, functions that are
Other colors are made by combining the primary colors. relevant only to graphics. Advanced video controllers may con­
Most systems have a limited number of simultaneous on-screen tain graphics coprocessors that can accept macro instructions
colors and a limited palette from which those colors can be such as "draw a line" or "place a circle." These coprocessors
chosen. Typically, the highest resolution cannot be reached can offload some of the video buffer manipulation work from
with the greatest number of colors. That's certainly the case the main CPU.
with the IBM PC and PS/2s. The Mac, with its fixed resolution, A more specialized graphics function can also be put into
doesn't live by that law. These limits have moved higher as silicon. TheBit-Blit operation (bit-block transfer), for example,
graphics has become more important on personal computers. can move an entire group of pixel values at a time from one
buffer position to another (and so move a screen image from
Video Buffer Fundamentals one position to another) and logically compare them to the
Nothing happens on the monitor that hasn't first been thought pixels in the new position. Doing that one elemental micropro­
out in the computer. For raster-scanned graphics, personal cessor instruction at a time can be very slow. A circuit dedi­
computers use memory-mapped video. That is, they store a log­ cated to handling the same task can do the job in a fraction of
ical mock-up of the entire screen's image in a block of RAM the time and possibly leave the central processor free to do
called a video buffer or frame buffer. This series of 1s and Os other tasks.
can be translated and communicated to the monitor as signals to There are also graphics elements, such as sprites, that can be
turn the beam on and off. Application program or operating implemented in hardware instead of software. A sprite is a
system operations then change the pattern in RAM, inspecting group of pixels that moves around on the display as though it
what is there already and changing it when necessary because represented a single object (these are very popular in game pro­
of program conditions. The program doesn't even need to know gramming). Sprites can be created by software, but if the hard­
there's a monitor; it just deals with the buffer RAM. The moni­ ware in a computer has special registers for pointing to the
tor doesn't need to know there's a program; it just accepts in­ sprite values in RAM and for automatically checking the posi­
formation from a video controller that reads the buffer. tion of active sprites (which is touching which, and which
Both the CPU running the program and operating system and should be given priority when two or more overlap), the pro­
the video controller have access to that video buffer memory, grammer's job is simplified and the program can run more
but not at exactly the same time. Typically, a computer's CPU ~~~ .

makes changes to that buffer during the relatively long vertical Text-mode raster graphics confines characters to set areas,
retrace and lets the video controller have it during the actual such as a block of 8 pixels by 8 pixels. A counter or character
raster scans. clock can be used to keep track of which area is being ad­
There are "video RAM" chips in some advanced computers dressed, and a character ROM (containing permanent pixel
that have two ports and thus can be manipulated by the CPU and maps ofthe characters in a set) or RAM (containing disk-loaded
read by the video controller at virtually the same time. A sys­ or program-created character maps forthe 8- by 8-pixel blocks)
tem may also be set up to use multiple buffers if it has enough is then questioned to see when pixels are lit and when they are
RAM. In that case, changing the image on the screen can be dark. Bit-mapped raster graphics, on the other hand, works en­
accomplished simply by telling the video controller to look to tirely on an individual pixel basis, without resorting to charac­
another base address in RAM for its next scan's worth of infor­ ter blocks. This approach is necessary for sophisticated raster
mation. The newer buffer's details are sent to the screen while graphics, and it can also handle text. With text, it offers more
the older buffer is left alone, free to be massaged and modified flexibility in fonts and relative position of characters, but it also
by the CPU. Later, another instruction can switch back to the makes lots more work for a graphics system and CPU that have
original buffer's address. This technique is very important in to figure out just where and what a character is. Text-mode op­
animation, where large-scale, fast changes are paramount. erations can be several times faster than bit-mapped operations
A single bit in the video buffer can determine darkness and of the same work.
lightness for a single pixel. Multiple bits can be used in groups Finally, there is the question of firmware, the graphics soft­
to represent the color of a single pixel. This video buffer infor­ ware routines that are turned to hardware in ROM, EEPROM,
mation can be kept in the same RAM that programs and data and other special chips. These routines are, in effect, part of
are stored in, or kept separately. the system software, but they are also part of the computer's
The multiple bits of a color pixel cannot be stored physically hardware. Using the routines makes for "well-behaved" pro­
together and are often gathered into bit planes-multiple video grams that avoid disruption of other programs by fol lowing t.he
buffer blocks of the same size that are logically overlaid. When rules. However, using these routines can also slow a program's
it comes time to send the information to memory, the bits in the performance.
same relative positions of each block team up to specify the Many programs, particularly on the IBM PC-where the in­
gray intensity or color of a pixel. This interleaving is different terface is not as standardized as on the Mac and Amiga-write
from system to system and display mode to display mode. It information and controls directly to the video buffer and the
makes more memory control work for the video controller that video controller, bypassing the slow BIOS routines. Such pro­
must feed out the various bits about each pixel at the same time, grams aren't as "device-independent" as programs that stick to
either to directly drive an ROB monitor or to modulate a com­ the regular channels, and they run a risk of breaking under fu­
posite signal for a monitor. Some computer systems have spe­ ture versions of an operating system.

262 B Y T E • Graphics Supplement

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Graphics Supplement • BY T E 263

 VARIATIONS ON A SCREEN

work with digital monitors. Either type duce either PAL or NTSC signals. standard broadcast or recorded video
of RGB monitor will make a sharp pic­ Because the Amiga has a TV port, you images with images produced by the
ture. Next in quality is the composite can directly record any Amiga graphics Amiga's processors. Neither the Mac
monitor, with a standard TV far behind. on a standard VCR. What's more, the nor the PS/2s can go that extra mile with­
In the early versions of the Amiga, the custom chips can match their own video out modification and special hardware .
computer was customized for either synchronization signals to those of an The Amiga display resolutions range
European use (where the TV standard is outside source when you plug a so-called from 320 by 200 pixels to 640 by 400
PAL) or for use in the U.S. (where the "genlock"-compatible peripheral into pixels. It can handle 32 colors at a time
National Television System Committee the Amiga. That means that you can cap­ from a palette of 4096 (or 16 at a time in
standard prevails). A new version of the ture single frames from a video stream the highest-resolution modes). A special
custom chips that should appear this year for modification by Amiga graphics pro­ Hold and Modify (HAM) mode can put
is supposed to allow any Amiga to pro- grams and that you can directly overlay all 4096 colors on the screen at once. The
Amiga's video buffer is separate from
the system RAM and has grown from
512K bytes to a full megabyte of RAM .
The custom chips provide hardware
controls for fast manipulation of five bit
planes and have special registers and cir­
cuits to allow a "dual playfield" (a front
image and a rear image that can overlay).
Animation subroutines in the system
ROM permit smooth movement of ob­
jects with a minimum of programmer
A real time work. The new Denise chip is expected
video digitizer to add some new display modes, up to 64
for the colors, and a larger-capacity blitter.
VGA adapter. A special video applications graphics
mode with resolution of 1280 by 400
pixels interlaced may catch the eye of
desktop video enthusiasts. The new chip
OCULUSn' -10 lets you: will "drop in" to the chip sockets of
• Grab images of moving scenes into your computer
• From all standard camer11 and VCR'S existing Amiga 500 and 2000 models.
• In either Monochrome or full. true colors Commodore is also developing a Profes­
• W~h VGA resolutiol!
sional Video Adapter (PVA) for the
Contrary to competing products which take several
oocand1 to scan an image, ocuLus~ - 10 grabs Amiga that will be able to generate
most imaga1 In 1/20th of a second or less. Our broadcast-quality titles with smooth
1oftw•• updata1 them on your VGA boerd at 1 rate
of up to & images I * 1acond. OCULus~ •10 gives color blends and backgrounds.
you 11111 lreadom for: Although the Amiga can run in a
• Diilitizlng images of llve subjactl mode similar to the PC's text mode (with
• Fr'"11ng
• FocUISing
the CLI) and can produce WYSIWYG
• Selacting IC9ftll ltom video r-.lingl text on-screen, like the Mac's interface
tmege1 ..... be uwd In lannelt._...Wilh-.t provides (with Intuition), its smaller
llectronlcpUbllshing endl!Nllhics IO(tw-~ market share has led to a smaller library
OCULUlt"' • fOI A """"- ldcl-On -er lot llM· of programs. The Amiga has also fallen
-.patilllo micro-tire: PC. XT. AT. 386. ond
Ps/.l rnodlll 21 111d30. The price? Atl ............. behind the Mac II in the sheer number of
colors that can be displayed on the
screen-and so is less competitive as a
design and industrial or business graph­
ics tool. The Amiga's real strength is
shown in pure graphics tasks such as
games, animation, and video work.
There, it has a clear advantage over the
PC or the Mac, with direct connections
to standard video formats and with spe­
cial graphics acceleration hardware to
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264 B Y T E • Graphics Supplement Circle 71 on Reader Service Card
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Circle 199onReoderService Card Graphics Supplement • B Y T E 265

FLEXSCAN~ 90705, PC Hi-Res
That Looks Like a Million.

The FLEXSCAN 9070 Multiple Scan

monitor is of course compatible with
other multi-scans, but includes
improvements that will give you the
professional edge which is the mark
of a good investment.
You can extend your multi-scan range
from 20kHz to 50kHz in practical terms.
This means that, at the 48-50 kHz
range, you can make use of PC
CAD/CAE capabilities at a resolution
of up to 1024 dots x 768 lines.
The FLEXSCAN 9070 takes advantage
of non-interlace high resolution signal
as high as 1024 x 768 to provide you
with a flicker free display at much
NAH,40 ~·. I
brightness. You can also use the
9070 with IBM PS/2 or VGA
compatible boards at a high resolution
mode like 800 x 600 and 1024 x 768
(non-interlace).
The FLEXSCAN 9070 provides a
16-inch screen, large enough for 1024 dots x 768 lines Graphics (Non-interlace)
AutoCAD
CAD/CAE and 3-D projections, yet
small enough to fit comfortably into
your home work space. Also, for your convenience, all
controls and switches, including the
FLEXSCANN
alternate video input, are located IMODELl9070S
- within easy reach on the front panel. elBM VGA(PS/2), 8514/A, PGC, EGA
/ J,
The FLEXSCAN 9070 is compatible compatible and CAD/CAE use.
... /...,,' \~~\''~ ·.' with a wide range of IBM, Apple, and •Apple Mac. II and SuperMac Spectrum
_ J~( other products, allow you to use compatible
1I all of today's popular programs---at •Max. 1280 dots X 800 lines high resolution
a resolution that looks like a million. e1024 dots X 768 lines display on
Non-Interlace signal delivers flicker-free
high-res graphics
e20kHz to 50kHz horizontal scan automatic
adjustment. 50Hz to 80Hz vertical scan
automatic adjustment
e16 inch, 0.31mm dot pitch and newly
developed XF(Extended Field) Gun to
obtain both brightness and sharp focus.
•Front mounted controls including the input
signal select switch between 2 video input.
•Selecting white or Amber displays colored
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APPLE. Macintosh Il i.-e registo•nd tmdemarks ol Apple Computers Inc. ARTIST. ARTIST 1 Plus. ARTIST 10. ARTIST t0116are lfademark$ of Control Sntems lnc. ISM. ISM
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23510 TELO AVE.,SUITE 5 TORRANCE, CA 90505 Supe1\IGA and SUQerl/GA HiRH ara 1radomarks of Genoa System Co<peratmn. Orchid Designer VGA. Orchid DesiQner l/GA-2. TurboEGA and Turbol/GA 318 11adem31ks o/
Orchid Technology. Pa..adise I/GA Proressional Gard, Paradise I/GA Plus Card and Auloswitch EGA a1e lfademarks of Paradise Systems. Inc. Pa1adise Systems is a
PHONE (213) 325-5202 FAX (213) 530-1679 registered 11adema•k or Paradise Systems. Inc. VEGA Delu~e and VEGA I/GA ere trademarks ot l/1deo-seven Inc. Melheus is a registered t1adem111k cl Metheus Corparolion.
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CORPORATION NANAO 1s a 1egis!ered 11ademark of NANAO CORPORATION

266 B Y T E • Graphics Supplement Circle 193on Reader Service Card (DEALERS: 194)
 BYTE
GRAPHICS SUPPLEMENT

The RenderMan Interface

Tony Apodaca

What do the following people have in

common: an architect developing plans
Today's
ates simple-looking images . Photorealis­
tic-image synthesis software runs slowly
for a futuristic motel complex, a physi­ on large, expensive computers.
cist studying vortex flow in the storms of state-of-the-art
It is time for these two worlds to
Jupiter, and a special-effects animator merge. Users will soon demand photo­
merging his robot characters with live­
action footage? The answer: They and
image synthesis
realism on the desktop. Image synthesis
will become a standard workstation and
many others will soon be generating personal computer tool, just as desktop
photorealistic computer graphics images will be on your
publishing has become standard. This
on sophisticated graphics PCs and work­ new world will need an interface specifi­
stations. desktop tomorrow
cation that handles high-quality three­
The computer industry has seen a fan­ dimensional graphics as elegantly as
tastic increase in the speed and com­ PostScript handles high-quality two-di­
plexity of computer graphics hardware mensional page layout. RenderMan is
systems over the past decade. Many such a specification.
graphics workstations can generate, in
real time, wire-frame and simple by the pictures and films shown at SIG­ What Is RenderMan?
shaded-surface graphics that would have GRAPH and other computer graphics RenderMan is an interface between
taken minutes or hours to compute only a shows, the advent of ray tracing and other three-dimensional geometric modeling
few years ago. Personal computers have sophisticated algorithms, coupled with systems and photorealistic rendering sys­
evolved from toys that displayed text in the powerful computers now available, tems (see the text box "The Quest for
eight colors to respected machines with has made it possible to generate synthetic Photorealism" on page 270). Geometric
high-resolution, full-color graphics. images that can almost pass for the real modeling is the process of describing the
In parallel, the state of the art in com­ thing (see photos 1 and 2). shapes of objects and the geometric rela­
puter graphics research has brought users Unfortunately, these two worlds have tionships present within a scene. Render­
to the threshold of photorealism in syn­ remained separate. Fast graphics hard­ ing is the process of generating an image
thetic-image generation. As evidenced ware runs simple algorithms and gener­ continued

Photo I: This
computer­
generated image
ofa bike store
interior contains
thousands of
objects, dozens
oftexture maps,
and spotlights
with shadows.

Graphics Supplement • B Y T E 267

 THE RENDERMAN INTERFACE

of the scene from a given viewpoint. corporating features and capabilities far gram the shading in a RenderMan ren­
RenderMan is an interchange standard beyond those of current graphics hard­ derer gives you tremendously powerful
that permits a variety of geometric mod­ ware. This should help to keep Render­ tools in your quest for photorealism.
elers to talk to a variety of renderers with Man viable for many years to come; as The RenderMan interface defines only
a straightforward, common format. hardware improves, an interface will al­ the content and format of the information
At the same time, RenderMan defines ready exist to exploit its power. Model­ that modelers pass to renderers. It at­
the state of the art in image synthesis. It ing companies and users who support the tempts to be complete, so that any infor­
represents a design goal for the next gen­ RenderMan interface will have access to mation a renderer might want to get from
eration of graphics hardware . new generations of equipment. a modeler can be accommodated.
Most current modeling systems and The RenderMan interface is a specifi­ However, it does not specify how the
rendering systems are tightly integrated. cation for a subroutine library that pro­ renderer should be implemented or what
The companies that supply geometric vides about 100 routines with which a the renderer should do with information
modelers also supply renderers. The two once it gets it. Thus, you can use Render­
communicate through a proprietary data­ Man as an interface to a wide variety of
base or interface.
Users who want to mix and match the
best modeler with the best renderer or
who want to write their own programs to
Users rendering systems with widely varying
algorithms, performance characteris­
tics, and hardware assistance-algo­
rithms from hardware polygon pipelines
generate three-dimensional databases who want to mix and to ray tracers and beyond are all sup­
and render them are usually out of luck. ported. Any features that tailored the
The interchange standards that do exist match the best modeler standard to a specific style or speed of
(e.g., IGES, Initial Graphics Exchange rendering were removed.
Specification) address the problems of with the best renderer In addition, high-end features whose
exchanging geometric databases from visible effects are hard to implement
one CAD system to another and do not are usually out ofluck. were defined but made optional so that
generally provide the additional infor­ simpler renderers that could not handle
mation that high-end renderers need, them could still meet the interface. Thus,
such as camera parameters and color and as computer speeds increase, rendering
material properties. software and hardware running on work­
Graphics standards have a long history modeler can describe all the information stations and personal computers will have
(see the text box "A Brief History of that a renderer might need to generate an a clear road map for increasing their so­
Graphics Standards" on page 272), but image of a scene. phistication from simple polygon paint­
the RenderMan specification is different It provides entry points for geometric ing to photorealistic image synthesis.
in one major respect. Previous standards information, transformation hierarchies,
generally attempted to capture, in a de­ color and material property information, Geometric Information
vice-independent library, the capabilities · camera parameters, and output image The RenderMan interface supports a rich
present in the popular graphics hardware characteristics. The RenderMan inter­ variety of geometric primitives, includ­
of the time. The lengthy standardization face subroutines are designed in a way ing convex polygons, concave polygons
process has almost always ensured that that makes the interface easily extensi­ (with and without holes), and polyhedral
by the time a standard is approved and ble. In addition, RenderMan provides a models, and it has a general interface for
available, the capabilities of graphics programming language (the shading lan­ specification of the data that is present at
hardware will have progressed beyond it. guage) you can use to write small pro­ the vertices of a polygon. You can spec­
RenderMan attacks this problem by grams that describe the material proper­ ify not only the position, but also surface
capturing the state of the art in high­ ties of objects in their scenes. This color, surface normals, and texture map
quality image synthesis research and in- ability to extend the interface and pro­ coordinates on a per-vertex basis. In ad­
dition, you can extend the vertex struc­
Photo 2: This ture at run time to include arbitrary in­
picture is one formation of your choosing, such as
ofthe first temperature, density, or any other values
computer­ that might be interesting to your particu­
generated images lar application.
to actually pass RenderMan also supports a large num­
as a real ber of quadric surfaces, including
photograph. spheres, cylinders, cones, hyperboloids,
paraboloids, disks, and tori. Each quad­
ric primitive can be fully or partially
swept in each direction, so you can easily
make hemispheres and pie wedges.
In addition, RenderMan supports a
comprehensive bicubic patch primitive.
Bicubic patches are curved surfaces that
you can think of as the geometric model­
ing equivalent of rubber sheets. They
have many useful properties for model-
continued

268 B Y T E • Graphics Supplement

MAX·VGA™ adapter works
wit ing colors

with
features that
make MAX·VGA
unequalled by any
other VGA adapter
•Operates up to 400% faster than
IBM VGA adapter
•Extended modes (require 512K of
RAM): 1024x768- 16 colors; 640x480
-256 colors
providing.Vi.. •Full BIOS and REGISTER compatibility
with MDA®, CGA®, MCGA ®, EGA®,
compatibility eq VGA®and Hercules®
•Works with either XT™ or AT®: 16 bit design ­
to IBM's own VGA adapter auto-detects and adapts to 8 bit slots
•High-res drivers for popular software
VGA COMPATIBILITY EVALUATION SUITE
- PC T EC H JOURNA L® (November, 1988 iss ue) For more information about Maxon's new
MAX•VGA adapter, phone (415) 377-0269,
VGA ADAPTERS TESTS PASSED TESTS FAILED FAX (415) 377-0236 or write to Maxon Systems, Inc.,
353-B Vintage Park Drive, Foster City, CA 94404.
I IBM®VGA 1-12, 14-18 13•
MAX·VGA'"
ATI®VGA WONDER'"
VIDEO SEVEN®
FASTWRITE VGA'"
1-12, 14-18
1-5, 7, 9-12, 15, 17, 18

1-5, 7-12, 15-18

13•
6, 8, 13*, 14, 16

6, 13*, 14
maxon
SYSTEMS INCORPORATED
A Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Maxon Electronics Co . Ltd . or Koieo

PARADISE'" 12, 13• The fo llowing are tradenamcs or registered lradcnamcs of the companies listed: IBM, XT, AT, VG A,
1-11, 14-18 MDA. CC A, MCGA and EGA- International Business Machines Corporation; Hercules- Hercules
VGA PROFESSIONAL'" Computer Tech nology. In c.; VGA Wonder - AT! Tec hnologi es, Inc.; FastWrite VGA - Video Seven
Inc.; VGA Professional - Paradise Systems, Inc .; MAX •VGA - Maxon Systems, Inc.; and PC TECH
JOURN AL - Ziff Communications Company.
• Refers to "Hardware General Register" -reserved control registers and vertical interrupt do not affect operation as seen by
applications programs. © 1989 - Maxon Systems, Incorporated
Circle 167 on Reader Service Card (DEALERS: 168)
 THE RENDERMAN INTERFACE

The Quest for Photorealism

he first three-dimensional com­ that occur when images are computed

T puter graphics systems drew ob­
jects as sets of green glowing lines on
with too little resolution or too few
colors-was developed. Jim Blinn, of
video display tubes-the familiar wire­ CalTech's Jet Propulsion Laboratory,
frame drawings (see photo A). In the improved texture mapping to model
1970s, raster displays progressed to the bumps on surfaces, and the first at­
point where they could be used to draw tempts at simulating shadows were
(or render) objects with sets of colored made.
polygons. The colors were crude, as By 1980, Turner Whitted (now at the
was the precision ofthe approximations, University of North Carolina) had im­
but the hidden-surface elimination proved the shading calculation by add­
problem was quickly solved-polygons ing a more accurate simulation of op­
at the back of an object (usually) didn't tics, modeling the way rays of light
show through polygons in the front of bounced off reflective surfaces and
the object. traveled through refractive surfaces,
Early systems approximated the ef­ and thereby gave us the ray tracer. In
fect of a light source on an object by ap­ 1984, researchers at Cornell University
pealing to simple physical laws of dif­ solved electromagnetic equilibrium
fuse reflection, taking into account how equations as a means of understanding
the angle of view and the direction to the how light bounces off every object in a
light affected the apparent color (the room.
shade) of an object at different points on Photo A: Four light bulbs illustrate Meanwhile, Rob Cook (at Pixar) de­
its surface. the evolution ofcomputer graphics: cided that it was impractical for any sin­
In 1971, Henri Gouraud, at the Uni­ (clockwise from top left) Gouraud­ gle shading model to describe the wide
versity of Utah, developed an algorithm shaded polygons; wire-frame variety of subtle lighting effects he
to smooth out the sharp color changes drawing; Phong-shaded curved wanted and wrote the first shading lan­
that happened between adjacent poly­ primitives with texture; multiple guage to give users more control over
gons by interpolating the colors of the texture and displacement mapping how a renderer chooses colors for ob­
interiors of polygons using the known with transparency and shading jects. Many researchers simultaneously
colors at their corners. language. attacked the problems of depth of field
Gouraud's work was followed, in and motion blur to more accurately
1975, by that of Bui-Tong Phong. Also model the characteristics of a real cam­
working at the University of Utah, About the same time, other research­ era. Others refined the techniques of
Phong developed both a better model for ers (many at the University of Utah) using random noise as a source of geo­
approximating the physics of light and a were developing techniques for render­ metric and texturing complexity to sim­
better way to do interpolation on a poly­ ing curved surfaces directly, rather ulate natural phenomena.
gon, and he gave us the familiar plastic­ than approximating them with flat poly­ The art of photorealistic image syn­
looking objects that even today are the gons. Ed Catmull (then at Utah, now at thesis has now reached the point where
most common in computer graphics. (It Pixar) developed a technique for color­ synthetic images can almost pass as real
is interesting to note that at this point in ing the surface of an object using the photographs. The key remaining issues
1988 most high-end graphics hardware pixels of an image to make it look more revolve around image complexity (the
implements algorithms that are no more interesting-texture mapping. number and variety of objects in real
complicated than the ones mentioned so In the late 1970s, antialiasing-re­ scenes, and the subtlety of the lighting
far.) moving the visible stair-steps (jaggies) and shading that happens on them).

ing and rendering. One of these is that mathematical construct that determines metric complexity is enormous.
you can join several patches to each other precisely how the surface is constructed This problem is usually solved by
smoothly without causing the visible from the patch data points. RenderMan writing programs that generate all the
bends or creases that polygons would also supports nonuniform rational B­ tiny detail rather than modeling it by
have (i.e., they can be made to be spline surfaces (NURBS), curved-sur­ hand. However, it can still be very ex­
continuous). face primitives that are all the rage in pensive for the modeler to generate a
If you work with bicubic patches, automotive design circles these days . huge complex model and pass it to the
you '11 be pleased to discover that Render­ RenderMan is the first graphics inter­ renderer, particularly if the modeler
Man supports bicubics with Bezier, B­ face to support procedural primitives. doesn't know how much of it the renderer
spline, Hermite, and Catmull-Rom for­ One of the biggest problems in modeling really needs.
mulations. In fact, RenderMan lets you natural phenomena (e.g., mountains, RenderMan's procedural primitives
specify an arbitrary basis matrix, the plants, fire, and so on) is that the geo­ continued

270 B Y T E • Graphics Supplement

aaooaaaaaaaaaoooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooaoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooaooooooooaooooooooooooooaooooooooooo
D000G ~ O~O OO OOOO QO mD ~ G @ D ~D DDDD DQD ~ ~OmG ~ D ~DDDOD O @Qill 00~8 ~ 0~DDDOD 0~0

~ ~~~0 ~ ~00~D~wo~~~ ~ ~DQG ~ m~ ~ D~~~~~~

~ ~ [bIJ ~~ [id M u;Q ~ Db:J []][] [kQ] EB [] ~ c:J

~ Ei] ~ [AJ ~ ·l~ ~~

If a picture is worth a thousand words~

what are a thousand pictures worth?
Sygraph has more technical graphics than any other PC or mainframe package.

If you already use a technical graphics package, you probably have been Features: Overlay plots Drivers for most graphics devices Two­
frustrated to find that it cannot produce the sophisticated graphs you dimensional: Error Bars Scatterplots Line and Vector Graphs' Vector,
need for presentation or publication. You want asymmetrical error bars. Dot, Bubble and Quantile Plots Bar Graphs (single, multiple, stacked,
but it draws only symmetric. You want logs to any base. but it does only range) Box plots (single and grouped) Stem-and - leaf diagrams
base 10. You want contouring over irregularly spaced data points with Linear , quadratic, step , spline . polynomial. LOWESS, exponential
several different smoothers, but it contours only over regular grids. smoothing Confidence Intervals and ellipsoids (any alpha value)
·Smooth mathematical functions Rectangular or polar coordinates
Sygraph was developed for the scientist. Text can be infinitely sized and
Log and power scales ANOVA interaction plots Histograms (regular,
angled in two or three dimensions. Composite 3-D graphs can be
cumulative, fuzzy) Stripe and jitter plots Gaussian histogram
produced with a surprisingly simple set of commands . And unlike "paint"
smoothing Scatterplot matrices Voronoi Tesselations Minimum
programs, it can process programmable macros to produce customized
spann ing tree Maps with geographic projections (U.S. state boundary
graphs for similar applications on different data.
file included) Chernoff faces Star plots Fourier plots Pie charts
Sygraph interfaces to popular microcomputer file formats and it include s Contour plots on regularly and irregul arly spaced points Control charts
drivers for over 50 color boards , plotters, printers, cameras and other and limits Three-dimensional: Oata plots Smooth function plots
graphic devices. If you use a spreadsheet, a data base . or a statistics Vector plots Linear, quadratic, spline . least squares surface smoothing
package like SYSTAT, SAS or SPSS, now you can produce the graphics Three-dimensional type fonts Import/export Lotus , dBase, and DIF files
worthy of your research. Full screen data editor
Sygraph operates on IBM PCs and compatibles. Single copy price $495.
Site licenses, quantity prices and training seminars avai lable. No fees for
technical support.
SYSTAT, SAS and SPSS are registered trademarks of SYSTAT, Inc .. SAS
SYGRAPH

Institute Inc. and SPSS Inc .. respectively.

For more information, call 312 864.5670 or write Systat, Inc.,
1800 Sherman Avenue. Evanston, IL 60201. FAX 312.492.3567.

Cin:le 272 on Reader Service Card (DEALERS: 273) Systat. Intelligent software.
 THE RENDERMAN INTERFACE

BBS
SYSOPS A Brief History

Are you looking for ways to im­

prove your board? Something that
will set you apart from the other
of Graphics Standards

raphics standards have been a key (Computer Graphics Interface), a stan­

boards in your area?
Are your subscribers interested
G element of computer graphics for
over a decade. Like all standardization
dard for graphics devices that would im­
plement GKS efficiently; CGM (Com­
in Microcomputers? Listen to this! puter Graphics Metafile), a standard for
efforts, graphics standards come about
because vendors and users realize that archiving graphical descriptions in a
Announcing the Bulletin
their industry is hampered by a profu­ file; and GKS-3D, an extension ofGKS
Board EXchange - BBX
sion of incompatible hardware and soft­ to three dimensions that rivaled PHI GS.
ware systems. Standards promote por­ PHIGS has recently spawned PHI GS+,
The BBX allows you to become a
tability and device independence for an extension to include hidden-line and
publisher of MicroBYTES Daily,
applications software, important quali­ hidden-surface elimination and simple
an on-line news service from
BYTE. BBX/MicroBYTES is a ties in the fast-changing computer light sources.
industry. Each standard has been developed
custom package of news and
features designed specially for The earliest proposals for graphics through the deliberations of a number of
local BBSes, and is available only standards, Core (1977) and GKS standards bodies such as ACM SIG­
to sysops. (Graphical Kernel System, 1978), were GRAPH, ANSI, and the International
developed to solve the need for two-di­ Standards Organization . The trip
Every Monday through Friday mensional output. They dealt with through the standards pipeline is long­
you get articles about develop­ primitives such as lines, markers, and GKS was finally approved as an inter­
ments in microcomputing, tele­ polygons filled with crosshatch patterns national standard in 1984, and a C lan­
communications and selected new or color. They also had reasonably ex­ guage binding (a formal list of the offi­
product announcements. Get the tensive text capabilities and handled in­ cial C subroutine calls) was finally
latest news MSDOS machines, teractive input from several devices. approved last year.
Macintosh, Unix workstations, More recently, the need to produce Graphics standards can also result
peripherals and software. All the three-dimensional drawings has been from industry acceptance of a clean and
stories are reported, written and addressed by a standard called PHIGS powerful interface proposed by a single
edited by the staff of BYTE (Programmer's Hierarchical Graphics company or group of cooperating com­
Magazine, BYTEweek and BIX. System, 1984). Thisstandardaddressed panies . De facto standards such as
With BBX/MicroBYTES your three-dimensional lines, markers, poly­ PLOT-10 (a two-dimensional plotting
board will have access to our gons, and text, and added the notion of a package), X (a window management
world-wide network of reporters hierarchical model, which allowed package), and PostScript (Adobe's
and editors. users to manipulate the graphical data­ page-layout language) have emerged in
base (e.g., rotate it in three dimensions, this way. De facto standards are devel­
Not only do you get a great modify the colors, and so on) without oped and refined more quickly than of­
resource for your subscribers, but having to respecify the entire database ficial standards, particularly since
you also get access to BIX which from scratch. there is a guarantee that a conforming
will cut your cost of exchanging Associated with each of these graph­ implementation is available; however,
information and conducting BBS ics standards has been a series of related the fact that they are not official some­
network business. proposals to extend their functionality times limits their acceptance among
to new situations. GKS spawned CGI competing companies.
All this is only $199 per year. If
you call BIX directly you pay no
hourly rates. If you call using
'fymnet the rates are only $2/hr on permit you to give the renderer a pointer pushed onto, and popped from, a hierar­
evenings and weekends and $ 8/hr to a subroutine that will expand simple chical transformation stack. This per­
on weekdays. objects into more complicated ones, such mits modelers to easily define articu­
as converting a triangle into a fractal lated models (e.g., a robot), where the
See our ad on pages 290, 291 of mountain or a sphere into a particle sys­ position of one piece depends upon the
this issue. tem explosion. Using procedural primi­ position of another piece further along.
Subscribe today. tives, the modeler can download a very Constructive solid geometry, a tech­
complex model, such as a fractal, to the nique for defining objects in terms of the

IJIX
One Phoenix Mill Lane
Peterborough, NH 03458
renderer in a carefully controlled way
that sends only the required amount of
detail through the interface.
No three-dimensional rendering inter­
face would be complete without hierar­
sums and differences of solids (e.g., a
solid block with a cylindrical hole cut out
of it), is also fully supported.

Shading Information
1-800-227-2983 chical modeling, and of course Render­ RenderMan has a large set of routines for
In NH (603) 924-7681 Man supports it. There is a full set of defining shading information. You can
transformation operations (e.g., rotate, set both the color and the opacity of ob­
translate, scale, and skew), which can be jects, and you can specify colors not

272 B Y T E • Graphics Supplement

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1•• 1.111 ••• 11 ••• 1••• 11 ••• 11.1 •••• 1.1.11 ••• 1.1 ••• 1.11 I
 THE RENDERMAN INTERFACE

merely in the RGB coordinates typically shape ofthe pixel filter function. color manipulations on final pixels just
used in computer graphics, but also in Besides the standard display param­ before they are put into the frame buffer
multichannel spectral colors if the need eters of output image name, device type, or file.
arises. The use of spectral color permits and resolution, RenderMan supports
renderers to more carefully compute the gamma correction and exposure control. Shading Language
ways in which some objects reflect and These functions compensate for the ten­ I've mentioned the RenderMan shading
refract light at different wavelengths dency of a monitor's phosphors to glow language several times. Now I want to
(e.g., a prism). with exponentially increasing brightness take a close look at it. Most renderers
One of the most important features of as voltage increases linearly. RenderMan have a subroutine that determines the
the RenderMan interface is its strong also contains the new concept of an color of the surface of an object. Typical­
support for user-definable material char­ image shader, another shading language ly, this subroutine implements a single
acteristics. You can define up to four sep­ program that lets you implement various continued
arate shading language programs that
provide different material characteristic
information about each object: a surface

GRAPHICS FOR ll\VIf A c II®

shader, which determines what color you
see when light reflects off the surface; a 1
displacement shader, which can move ~
the surface by small amounts to add
dents or fillets that are too small or too
complex to model geometrically; a light
shader, ·which describes how luminous
objects emit light; and a volume shader,
which describes how light is attenuated
as it passes through the interior ma-­ <ir.:: c~ _ ;,.q

translucent object.

:~
While this may seem complicated, it's
actually a straightforward way to think
about the material properties of objects, --------­
particularly once you've seen these shad­ • /• !I
.._.~,..,.,. oJ:>:--"'
I
~.....,
I
""-'
"
"-n~
:

ers in action.

Special Effects

You specify the camera position and ori­

entation using the same hierarchical

transformations that describe the posi­

tions of all the other objects in the scene.

RenderMan lets you specify other pa­

rameters of the simulated camera, as

well, in order to provide information to

renderers that support advanced render­

ing features.

For example, you can set the shutter

time as well as the focal length, focal dis­
tance, and f-stop of the camera to simu­
late motion blur and depth of field. Pho­
tography buffs will recognize motion
blur as the effect that occurs when a fast
object moves across the camera's field of
view during the interval that the shutter
is open (see photo 2).
RenderMan lets you specify the posi­
tions, shapes, and colors of the objects at
multiple times during the shutter inter­
val. This is so that sophisticated render­
ers that can simulate motion blur will
know how the objects are moving.
High-quality rendering requires a lot
of attention to the sampling and filtering
thatare performed on the output pixels in
order to avoid aliasing-the "jaggies."
RenderMan offers independent control
over the number of shading samples per
pixel and the number of hidden-surface USA: miro, 27758 Santa Margarita Pkwy. , Suite 285, Mission Viejo, Ca 9269 1, Phone 1-7 14-380- 11 20, Fax l- 714-5822873
Ge rman y: miro, Gilhomcr Str. 28, 3300 Braunschwcig, Phone: 49.:53 l-30091 -0, Fax 49-531-30091-99, Apple Link GER.XSEOOl2
samples per pixel, as well as the size and

Circle 187 on Reader Service Card Graphics Supplement • BYTE 273

 THE RENDERMAN INTERFACE

mathematical equation that uses a simple use a texture map to modify some pa­ mation. Programs that you write in the
model of the reflection of light to calcu­ rameter that the implementers didn't shading language are typically small (10
late the contributions of the light sources think you would want to modify. What to 20 lines) and are loaded into the ren­
and texture maps to the surface color. can you do? derer at run time when they are requested
The equation often has many param­ If you are fortunate enough to have the by some part of the scene geometry.
eters (5 to 20, depending on the renderer) source code, you can add your function These programs then replace the built­
that you tweak to control the appearance and recompile. If not, you are out of luck. in shading equations. You can use this
of different kinds of materials (e.g ., RenderMan changes this situation. It language to customize shading on a per­
plastic, metal, and chalk). Very often, provides the shading language, a C-like object basis. This new freedom gives you
however, you want the surface to have programming language that has new the power to model the appearance of ob­
some characteristic you can't achieve functions anddata types designed to cal­ jects as carefully as you model their
with the fixed equation, and you want to culate colors based on geometric infor- shapes.
The shading language supports three
basic data types, the float, the point,
and the color. Point and color are ab­
TRY THIS ON A STANDARD
stract data types that are actually vectors
of length three (color can have more
DESKTOP PUBLISHING SYSTEM
than three components when spectral
color is enabled). The standard C arith­
metic operators (*, +, I, etc.) work on
(x4-i)3
dt - these data types. In addition, there are

j nZ Xy·Z

-CX)
X-tY -L .
i=
n

1
Jz3+y10

Z-X 5 Y

some new operators for vector dot and

cross product.
The familiar C conditional and loop­
ing constructs are available (except
s witch), as are subroutine definitions
or professional looking mathematical and calls. There is a rich library of math­
formulation, tables and scientific notation-no matter how complex­ ematical functions, as well as a library of
PC TEX is unequaled. That's why many university engineering departments functions that implement common shad­
and scientific societies now require papers for publication be submitted ing operations such as normalizing vec­
in Tr;X. In the world of desktop publishing systems, tors, transforming points between coor­
INFOWORLD rated PC TEX #1, saying: " .. No non-T/i(-based program has dinate systems, calculating diffuse and
such a comprehensive built-in grasp of typological aesthetics... " specular lighting, interpolating colors,
splining, and calculating pseudorandom
And from PC MAGAZINE: " ... You can achieve incredible precision in formatting
numbers.
te~, especially
The renderer calls the appropriate
mathematical shading language program (the shader)
expressions." every time it requires a light intensity,
surface color, and so on. When a shader
WHEN YOU
is called, it has access to a large number
ADD PCTEX,
of global variables that the renderer pro­
COUNT ON
vides. These variables include all the
MORE THAN
geometric information that the renderer
PRETTY
knows about the surface being shaded,
NUMBERS.

such as the position P; the surface normal

Finished with the formula? Then try . . N; the color Cs and opacity Os that you
this formatting exercise on a standard
desktop system. All positioning, sizing
specified; the texture coordinates s, t;
and typesetting are done with PC TEX and others. The variables that you ap­
-no more cut'n' paste. plied to the vertices of your primitives
INFOWORLD again: " ...Enormously flexible are also available inside the shaders.
and offers complete control over the output Each type of shader accomplishes its
of your printer." specified task by calculating and modi­
fying a specific part of this global state.
And with Bitstream's 30+ font families, For example, a surface shader is respon­
f;te t~~~ ~Le • • •
1s easy as ~
sible for calculating and setting Ci, the
color that the eye sees. A light shader is
responsible for setting Cl, the light color.
PC TEX = the professional camera-ready, Listing 1 is an example of a basic sur­
publisher-ready manuscripts you want. face shader. Using a simple equation,
PC TEX SUBTRACTS TIME FROM this shader calculates the reflectivity of a
AUTHOR TO PRINTED PIECE,
MULTIPLIES AUTHOR CONTROL.
INC metallic object. It uses the standard li­
12 Madrano Ave. Mill Volley CA 94941 brary functions ambient, diffuse, and
PC T(X is a registered TM of Personal TEX. Inc TEX is on American Mathematical Society TM. Manufacturer's product names are !heir TMs.
specular to determine the amount of
Inquire about PTI dislribulorships. Sile licenses available lo qualified organizations. This ad was typeset using PC TEX and Bilslream fonfs. light arriving on the surface from the
light sources.

274 BYTE • Graphics Supplement Circle 217 on Reader Ser~ice Card

 Circle 39 on Reader Service Card

THE RENDERMAN INTERFACE

i Still .
Listing 1: A simple shader that simulates the reflection oflight off
trYJo9 ti5 gel 1·
metallic objects. Engineering ..·
surface metallic \float Ka= .4, Kd= .4, Ks=.6,
r oughness= . 25;){

N=faceforward(normal ize(N));

+ & Scientific·
Ci=Cs * (Ka*ambi ent() + Kd*diffuse(N)

+ Ks*specul ar(N, -normal ize(I), roughness) ); : graphs

· · ' lr9m··a·
Business ,
Listing 2: A shader that simulates wire mesh by varying the opacity
ofthe object. . . . jprogram?.
: :
surface wi r e_mesh (fl oat Ka=. 4, Kd=. 4, Ks=.6, . .
roughness=.2 5, nu=2.0, nv=2. 0;)

i f (mod(u*nu, 1 .0) > 0 . 5 && mod( v*nv, 1 . 0) > 0 . 5){

Oi=O.O; /* Transpar ent! */

:·.··• • ••1 ·1 :c•H •*

} else {

Oi=l .O; /* Opaque metal! */

· · GRAPH* .
•••••••• :. •••••••• •••. y
. .

N=faceforward(normalize(N));

Ci=Cs * (Ka*ambient() + Kd*diffuse(N)

+ Ks*specular(N, -normal ize(I), roughness));

EXA. MP LE OF
PAD
L OG/L OG PLO TTING

Listing 3: A shader that simulates dents by moving the surface a small

·- --·
amount. This adds visual complexity that is very difficult to model
convincingly using standard geometric modeling techniques.
displacement dent (float scale=l .O;)
{
f l oat size=l .O, disp l ace=O . O;
f or (i=O; i<6; i +=l.O) { ...
't--1--1-+++lllf-l--++#lllf-,-l-l-<~i--+~llllj--4-++Ul>if-' •-
~ 10• . ..~ ~ 1a9 1~4
' ""
Tw o diff e r en t equatio n s
/* Calcul ate a simple fractal 1 /f noise function */
displ ace += abs( . 5 - noise(P *size))/ size;
s ize *= 2. 0;
Easy-to·use technical graphing& .
} ·...... plptting ~of!ware f()~ engineers ~
/ * Displace the surface and recalculate surf ace normals */ scientists. Compatible with Lotus
P += N * pow (displace, J .O) * scale;
N = calc ulat enormals (P);
······ 1,2-aworksheets, other spread- ·
sheets, PRN & 'ASOll tiles, & most
.... . .. ... .•• -?• ••, .. ........ )~. - _, ., .•... ....•... .! . . ... --··· ·· :·· ··- ·· ...

data acqui13ition pa9kages.

These functions implement three cus­ This shader demonstrates another unique Now shipping Version 3.0!
tomary equations based on the direction feature ofthe shading language, the pres­
and strength of the incoming light. If ence of default values in the parameter . . . ..~ X-Y.. SemJ-logj _Log/l-og, Pol~rPlots

those functions are not appropriate, the list. When a modeler requests this • Curve Fitting• Oat~ Smoothing
surface shader has access to the lights shader, it specifies by name the param­ • Labels; Scale, & Color Control ·
and can calculate whatever values it eters it wants to override. Any parameter
pleases from them. not mentioned is left with the default
• Multiple ~--YAxes : .
The shader then calculates a weighted value. • Error Bars • G~eek Letters i
average of the incoming light intensities You can examine a slightly more com­ r L·ase\- Printer; Plotter,PtinterOutput .
and multiplies by the color of the object. plicated shading language function in •JBM..PC/XT/AT. P.$/2,Apollo, OEC .
Notice also that the shading language listing 2. Every geometric primitive has com~atible i : .
automatically takes care of the multipli­ a two-dimensional surface, and render­ ·~····· . ............. ,........

cation of float values by color vectors, ers typically define a simple coordinate · CALL ..
freeing you from having to write the ugly system (known as parametric coordi­
loops that would be necessary in most nates) on this surface in order to apply . (617) 890~1812
other languages. texture maps and do similar functions •··············•············
Dealer Inquiries lnvi t~d
The type of shader (in this example, that need to vary along the surface. This
surface) indicates its intended function.
Parameters to the shader are specified
shading language function uses a bit of
tricky arithmetic on the parametric coor-
· · · ·~ bfnarfehgiljleering
using a syntax similar to that of ANSI C . continued "i oo Fifth Ave.,Wa1tham, MA b21 s4
Graphics Supplement • B Y T E 275
 THE RENDERMAN INTERFACE

photos 4 and 5. Photo 4 is a model of the

Photo 3: The lead
inside of an office, generated using the
toy demonstrates
AutoCAD modeling system and a simple
the metallic and
renderer.
dent shaders,
Photo 5 is exactly the same geometry
the golden toy
file, but the objects were given custom
demonstrates
material characteristics using the shad­
the wire-mesh
ing language: There are shadows; several
shader, and the
objects have texture maps; there are re­
large toy uses
flections in the waxed floor and book­
a similar shader
shelf; there are subtle displacements im­
reminiscent
plementing fillets on the chair and
ofwire-frame
books. Each of these shaders is a few
drawings.
lines long, and the difference in image
quality is astounding.

Wrapping It Up
dinates u and v to decide whether to value that changes slowly over the sur­ RenderMan is a powerful interface be­
make the surface opaque or transparent face of the object (using a purely random tween three-dimensional modeling sys­
at each point. This has the visual appear­ value would distort the surface beyond tems and photorealistic rendering sys­
ance of cutting a hole in the object. recognition, since adjacent points would tems. It represents the first graphics
Listing 3 illustrates a displacement have no relationship to each other) . interface to deal with issues in high­
shader. A displacement shader moves the Photo 3 shows the effect of using these quality synthetic-image generation such
position of the surface around a little bit shaders on a simple model of a toy. as antialiasing, texture mapping, motion
to simulate tiny fillets, dents, and other Achieving the same effect by trying to blur, shadows, spectral color models,
minor surface perturbations. This adds model the individual metal bands or the and programmable shading languages.
to the visual interest of an object and intricate surface dents would be extreme­ These advanced features are not avail­
makes it look more realistic. This partic­ ly difficult. able on most of the rendering software
ular shader calculates a fractal dented­ You can see the value of complex shad­ and hardware currently available. Thus,
ness using several iterations of noise, a ing using texture maps and nontrivial RenderMan represents a goal for sophis­
function that produces a semirandom shading-language shaders by comparing ticated new graphics hardware and ren­
dering software to shoot for .
Photo 4: An office Users of graphics workstations and
floor-plan model personal computers will be the biggest
with simple winners, as photorealism becomes inex­
shading. (Data pensive, commonplace, and compatible
courtesy of across a wide range of platforms.
AutoDesk, Inc.) Pixar publicly announced the Render­
Man interface last May after over six
months of industry review by computer
graphics workstation manufacturers,
software vendors, and sophisticated end
users. At that time, 19 companies en­
dorsed the specification as a common
interface to high-quality computer
graphics.
Many of these companies are working
on products that adhere to the specifica­
tion, and these products will probably be
Photos: The announced in the next six to 12 months.
same office Once these products appear, it will only
floor-plan model be a matter of time before everyone has
with custom photorealism on the desktop. •
shade rs, textures,
and shadows. Editor's note: Copies of the RenderMan
Interface version 3. 0 are available from
Pixar, Inc., 3240 Kerner Blvd., San Ra­
fael, CA , 94901. Please enclose $15 to
cover the cost ofprinting and mailing.

Tony Apodaca, a software engineer at

Pixar, Inc. (San Rafael, CA), has a mas­
ter's degree in computer and systems en­
gineering from RPI. He can be contacted
onBIXclo "editors."

276 B Y T E • Graphics Supplement

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 BYTE
GRAPHICS SUPPLEMENT

Interacting with the Tiny

and the Immense

Craig Mundie

An important part of scientists' work is

to think of ways to represent information
Scientific
mated, interactive process in which sci­
entists can manipulate data and, in real
so that they and others can understand time, see the results of their changes.
what's going on. Visual images help sci­ visualization
Under the umbrella of scientific visual­
entists develop and share their insights ization, the previously discrete disci­
and theories with colleagues, by provid­
ing an effective way to pass along the
lets researchers see
plines of computer graphics, image pro­
cessing, computer vision, CAD , signal
mental images that are the basis of their processing, and user interface technol­
thoughts. Computer graphics can facili­ the unseeable
ogy are applied to scientific research.
tate the transfer of research results from While the term scientific visualization
one scientist to another by generating simply refers to the use of images to in­
precise graphical representations to il­ terpret scientific data, its most important
lustrate important points. When the rela­ function is to provide researchers with
tively new capability of animation is ap­ terminals now let scientists view data in the means to interact with the graphics in
plied to graphical representations, more three dimensions rather than two, ex­ such a way that real-time interpretation
insight into the data can be attained. tending their capability to understand the of data is possible. True interactive visu­
In this article, I'll describe some ofthe data. Three-dimensional color represen­ alization offers scienctists impressive ad­
philosophy and techniques behind scien­ tation provides a global picture of the vantages that include better analysis, im­
tific visualization and discuss where it's data-one displayed image can represent proved productivity, and cost savings.
heading. I have included photos that 10 million numbers . This gives scientists Full-function scientific visualization
demonstrate the results of scientists' the ability to see simultaneously all the is now available primarily to groups of
work in several areas . information that otherwise might have to researchers who work at supercomputer
be printed on reams of paper. This sub­ installations. (See the text box "PCs and
The Importance of Visualization stantially cuts the amount of time re­ Scientific Visualization" on page 280 for
Scientists and engineers have long under­ quired to discover whether or not the data a look at the personal computer's future
stood the importance of pictures in per­ represents a sensible result. in visualization.) To make the technol­
ceiving and communicating the function­ But maximum individual productivity ogy more widely available throughout
al relationships in quantitative data. will not be attained until researchers and the scientific community, the National
Graphical devices, such as contour plots , scientists are able to control not only the Science Foundation is urging implemen­
structural diagrams, or ball-and-stick display of the images generated but also tation of a federally funded initiative in
models, have long been familiar tools in the computation of data that is used to the area. An NSF Panel on Graphics
sciences such as physics, chemistry, and generate the pictures . The goal of scien­ Image Processing and Workstations re­
cartography. And since the early 1960s, tific visualization is to give researchers port released in late 1987 on "Visualiza­
scientists have used computers to per­ the ability not only to view pictorial rep­ tion in Scientific Computing" encour­
form calculations and manipulate the re­ resentations of the data as they are gener­ ages the formation of interdisciplinary
sulting data for output in graphical form ated but to promote insight into the teams with a mix of skills to produce vi­
on plotters and display terminals. Com­ meaning of the data by allowing re­ sualization tools that can be shared
puters greatly expanded the volume of searchers to modify the computational among diverse research areas.
data that could be handled, and graphical process as it is occurring. The NSF panel and its recommended
displays eased the chore ofunderstanding initiative are the results of many factors.
data by presenting relationships visually. Extending the Capabilities Spurring the effort is increased recogni­
The human being's ability to compre­ Scientific visualization extends the capa­ tion that the volume of scientific data be­
hend pictures stems from the fact that bilities of computer graphics technology ing produced is overwhelming the ability
over half the brain's neurons are used to by giving researchers better control of of researchers to comprehend it. Coupled
process and understand visual input and the process by providing added levels of with this backlog ofuninterpreted data is
that the brain's ability to take in this in­ functionality. Scientific visualization, the recent introduction of advanced
formation is enhanced by a visual input the conversion of massive amounts of graphics technologies that promise to
data channel with a bandwidth estimated data into pictures that show the results of better handle vast amounts of visual data
to be about 2 gigabits per second. computations, moves beyond ordinary as well as the recognition that even more
Higher-resolution graphics display simulation techniques. It can be an ani­ continued

Graphics Suppkment • B Y T E 279

 INTERACTING WITH THE TINY AND THE IMMENSE

PCs and Scientific Visualization

he evolution of computing sheds light on the role that per­ users are stuck with either big computers that have poor human
T sonal computers will take in scientific research in the fu­
ture. These advances portend a day when an intimate partner­
interfaces or user-friendly personal computers that lack the ca­
pacity to solve really big problems.
ship will exist between desktop computers and high-capacity A harbinger of what is to come for personal computers with
machines. This partnership will extend the benefits of scien­ future technology is today's multimedia workstation, which
tific visualization to more and more researchers by allowing has the ability to interface to more extensive sources of data and
personal computers to serve as viewports into the data gener­ information than can be generated locally or outside the scope
ated by supercomputers. The large and growing numbers of of traditional alphanumeric or simple graphics displays. The
personal computers within organizations have given individuals impact of multimedia oorkstations is now seen particularly in
necessary computing resources, but the organizations them­ training areas where it is possible to interact with the pictures
selves often no longer can access the peak computational capac­ accessed from compact disks or VCRs and displayed on the
ity that they require. screens ofpersonal computers. It is also seen in the image man­
This situation is analogous to equipping 100 astronomers agement systems that are able to store, manipulate, and interact
charged with studying a distant star with 100 pairs of binocu­ with image data.
lars instead of providing them with a single large-aperture tele­ To make visualization more accessible, the capability ofboth
scope. Just as even the most powerful binoculars cannot gather the server computer that generates the pictures and the desktop
much useful data on the star, the most powerful desktop com­ client computer that displays them must be extended. Also, to­
puter is fundamentally the wrong instrument for some day's networking technology must evolve to complementary
applications. networks that are better suited to dealing with images and
pictures.
The Right Resource at the Right Time The ability to interact with pictures across heterogeneous
To escape this dilemma, all computer users must be provided machines is necessary not only in the network, but more impor­
access to whatever level of resource they need on a demand tantly in the hierarchy of the computing environment. It will
basis, with the personal computer serving as the access point. extend into the server and potentially into other special-pur­
The ability to bring this model to reality hinges on the evolution pose machines, be they larger supercomputers or special-pur­
of a human-to-machine interface that is adequate to support pose architectures that provide other particular services in the
transparent escalation of computing capability. Until it arrives, environment.

massive amounts of data will be gener­ and use are being tasked to the limit by insight into the way that molecules'
ated as new supercomputers emerge. the vast data sets. structure influences their properties.
The problems of examining or assimi­ As the volumes of available data ex­ But Styrofoam and wire only vaguely
lating the vast and growing quantities of pand, researchers are increasingly ham­ represented the real thing. The space that
numerical data result from increasing pered in fully understanding it. For ex­ molecules occupy is not solid but consists
use of computer-based data acquisition ample, much of the data being acquired of clouds of electrons moving . at the
techniques in fields like medicine. Medi­ from satellites orbiting earth is merely speed of light. And molecules are not
cal diagnostic imaging, for example, stored on tapes and sent to government static; as the energy level of a molecule
generates massive amounts of data. Until warehouses because facilities for inter­ varies with time, its geometry changes.
recently this data was captured and used preting and understanding the data are Scientific visualization techniques
in photographic form, but it is becoming simply not available. To prevent further have enabled researchers to analyze the
increasingly common to acquire it in dig­ waste of acquired data, it has become es­ forces generated by electron clouds and
ital form and to process it for review on sential that researchers and scientists view animations of dynamic molecular
visual display terminals. find more efficient ways to process it. sequences. The knowledge gained has
Supercomputers are producing vast been used to develop laundry soaps and
amounts of data for researchers in natu­ Today's Visual Applications shampoos; lighter, stronger materials for
ral sciences like geology and astronomy Ideally, scientists want to be able to com­ aircraft; and effective pharmaceuticals.
and in physical sciences like chemistry pute phenomena over a time span, create When used in designing drugs to com­
and physics. As each new generation of a series of images that illustrate the inter­ bat specific diseases, visualization
supercomputer provides the capacity to relationships of various parameters at makes the process more rational than
handle larger and larger problems at far specific time periods, and analyze these previous experimental methods. It
greater speeds, and as powerful "mini­ images at a workstation. Although this allows researchers to analyze a com­
supercomputers" act as computing re­ ideal has been achieved only at certain pound's electronic charges and the three­
sources to increasing numbers of re­ select locations, many scientists and re­ dimensional shape of its molecular struc­
searchers, more and more experimental searchers have put visualization tech­ ture before the drug is fabricated in the
data will be produced in each of the sci­ niques to use in their work. laboratory to determine if it will be ef­
entific disciplines. And orbiting satel­ Of all applications, molecular model­ fective against a disease.Researchers can
lites continue to send streams of data ing makes the best and fullest use of the display the disease on a host molecule
from space to earth, vastly increasing the interactive three-dimensional technol­ and pinpoint the active site, where the
amount of geophysical and astrophysical ogy available today. For years, research disease-causing agent attaches to healthy
data available to researchers and ana­ scientists have been drawing diagrams molecules. Having determined the shape
lysts. But facilities for its examination and building molecular models to gain continued

280 B Y T E • Graphics Supplement

 Please send a copy of SIGGRAPH '89
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 INTERACTING WITH THE TINY AND THE IMMENSE

Subscription

Problems?

and energy charge of the active site, they ers to prove theoretical concepts before
then display prospective drugs in the ac­ committing to the expense and time of
tive site and can actually measure the fit building a prototype that may or may not
and energy charge of each combination. work. For example, to be effective, spy
Only drugs that actively combat the dis­ satellites must be able to cover their in­
ease are then compounded in the labora­ tended area of surveillance. By simulat­
tory and clinically tried. ing in real time the area of the globe that
Materials research deals with poly­ will be covered by an orbiting satellite, it
mers that are made up of molecules con­ is possible to detect flaws in the plan. An
sisting of thousands of repetitions of one algorithm may show on paper that the
relatively simple structure. The charac­ satellite provides the desired coverage,
teristics of the molecules determine the but real-time simulation may detect
properties of the material. Modeling flaws by running various scenarios that
polymers using computer graphics en­ cover an extended period of time. One
ables researchers to investigate proposed such simulation revealed that a surveil­
new materials without the expense and lance satellite that was intended to cover
time of synthesizing them in the lab. the globe's surface, in fact, at a particu­
Enzymes are the active ingredients in lar period of the year, failed to cover the
We want
laundry soap and shampoo. To rid gar­
ments of the stains caused when proteins
U.S. at all!
Because tomorrow's weapons systems
to hel.P!
bind to fabric molecules, detergents pro­
vide an alternative bonding compound.
and military vehicles will be run by com­
puters, it is important to determine
This bonding compound is more attrac­ whether the personnel charged with con­
tive to the protein than fabric, causing trolling them will be able to react fast
If you have a problem the protein to release the fabric, bind to enough. Simulations performed with a
the detergent molecule, and be rinsed human in the loop reacting to the stream
with your BYTE away. The structure of the molecule and of data provided by the computer have
subscription, write us the way that molecules fit together in the proved that humans can react fast enough
protein chain determine how they inter­ to respond as required.
with the details. We11 act with other molecules. By displaying Using visualization techniques in
do our best to set it representations of the enzymes and the stress analysis allows the detection of po­
molecules to be modified, researchers tential flaws within materials that could
right. But we must can see how they interact and decide never be seen by a human performing a
have the name, which parts to modify to produce the de­ visual inspection. By performing calcu­
sired result. lations on an aircraft's fuselage, for ex­
address, and zip of the Photos 1 through 5 illustrate some of ample, and displaying potential stresses,
subscription (new and the capabilities of scientific visualization potential failure spots can be predicted
in several research areas. All photos in for current aircraft structures. The pro­
old address, ii it's a this article were rendered on an Alliant cedure involves knowing the stresses
change of address). If FX/80 at the University of Illinois Na­ throughout the structure, how the mate­
tional Center for Supercomputing rial performs at certain temperatures
the problem involves a Applications. and the kind of environment in which it
payment, be sure to Planning future defense systems; bat­ operates, simulating steady and dynamic
tle management systems; and command, stresses, and arriving at a conclusion
include copies of the control, and communications systems for about how long the craft can remain in
credit card statement, the military are areas ofresearch that in­ service. These same techniques also can
volve complex theoretical simulations. be applied to buildings, engines, or any
or front and back of Visualization techniques allow research­ other structures.
cancelled checks.
Photo 1:
Include a ''business Enzyme reaction
hours" phone number ii in trisphosphate
isomerase.
possible. (Research by
Paul Bash of
Harvard
University;
11\JTE
visualization by
Subscriber Service
Stefan
Fangmeier.)
PO. Box 555

Hightstown, NI 08520

282 B Y T E • Graphics Supplement

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warehouse; Inc. 800
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Circle 52 on Reader Service Card Graphics Supplement • B Y T E 283

 INTERACTING WITH THE TINY AND THE IMMENSE

Computers For
The Blind

Talking computers give supercomputer or minisupercomputer) don't rely on the massive data set that
blind and visually and client (PC or workstation) systems at makes supercomputer capability essen­
very fast rates. This technology will tial or to provide postprocessing for
impaired people access make the use of scientific visualization graphics display. These are typically sin­
to electronic possible for most scientific and engineer­ gle-user workstations that allow the user
ing users by eliminating the speed bottle­ to do either computations or graphics,
information. The necks that are encountered when trying but not both at the same time.
question is how and to transmit large amounts of pixel data. Whatever the means used to achieve it,
Another approach uses powerful the trend toward more interactive super­
how much? graphics workstations. Designed to pro­ computer use is growing. High-speed
vide both the computational capability paths can be provided between super­
The answers can be for simulation and the visualization capa­ computer and workstation to permit a re­
found in "The Second bilities, in stand-alone mode, machines searcher to get into the computational
such as these are useful in problems that continued
Beginner's Guide to
Personal Computers for Photo 2: Cosmic
string interaction.
the Blind and Visually These three
Impaired" published by renderings show a
cosmic string
the National Braille collision at
Press. This a crossing angle
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comprehensive book and at a velocity
contains a Buyer's of 75 percent of
the speed oflight.
Guide to talking (Research by
microcomputers and Richard Matzner,
Department of
large print display Physics,
processors. More University of
Texas at Austin;
importantly it includes visualization by
reviews, written by Stefan
Fangmeier.)
blind users, of software
that works with
speech.
This invaluable
resource book offers
details on training
programs in computer
applications for the
blind, and other useful
information on how to
buy and use special
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Send orders to:

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(617) 266-6160

$12.95 for braille or cassette, $14.95 for

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NBP is a nonprofit braille printing and

publishing house.

284 B Y T E • Graphics Supplement

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Circle 113 on Reader Service Card
INTERACTING WITH THE TINY

AND THE IMMENSE

GRAPHICS
Break Out of the Text Banier with
loop. Working on-line to the computer, a
researcher is provided with high-band­
your Herc, CGA, EGA, or VGA width visual output that enables results to
be reviewed as they are obtained. The
simulation being performed can be al­
~- PCX PROGRAMMER'S TOOLKIT $125
tered interactively to explore the effect of
Over 55 routines to display, save, print PCX another parameter, providing a greater
bitmapped graphics - Fast, easy to use - Display
understanding of the problem.
windows or full screen - Image library manager ­
use images from Paintbrush, Scanners, Clip-Art, Even in the case of long-run batch
or Capture Screens - No Royalties I computing, there is a need to monitor the
progress of a run in order to better man­
~- PCXTEXT $99 age the use of expensive supercomputer
Display text in any grophics mode - Includes 12 time. This is typically done by providing
fonts - Create custom fonts with dual font editor ­ a quick-look visualization capability.
Al packages
support 12 User input routines - Font' scaling - Additional
compilers for fonts available. This approach also requires a high-band­
BAS, PAS, C, width path to transfer data from the
FOR, ASM ~ PCXF/X $99 supercomputer to the graphics display.
and Clipper.
Add Special Effects ('FX')I Fade, wipe, push, roll, Another challenge is to provide the
Source slide, split, crush, spirol, explode your graphics! kind of graphics software that will give
a va ilable. Palette manipulation - Animation - Sound Effects potential users access to the features of
visualization hardware. This software
must be able to utilize the most powerful
features of the hardware, it must be flexi­
ble enough to accommodate changes in
MICROPROGRAMMING hardware technology, and it must pro­
11315 Meadow Lake • Houston, Texas 77r'77 • (713) 870-0737 vide human-to-machine interfaces that
are friendly and attractive to users in a
variety of scientific disciplines.
Much of the visualization software
currently in use was developed for par­
ticular hardware configurations or to
support research in a specific scientific
F//'09 HEWLETT
discipline. Some visualization centers
use adaptations of commercially avail­
~~ PACKARD able systems that were created to perform
image synthesis and animation applica­
Authorized Dealer tions, to attain visualization capability.
Computer graphics and digital image

•
processing have traditionally been two
distinct technological activities aimed to­
ward different types of applications .
Many scientific disciplines benefit most
when techniques and technologies from
H ewlett-Packard
both graphics and imaging are merged.
Supplies
Visualization techniques combine the
two activities. Visual comparison of
theory with observation is an example of
CAD Plotters from this utility. Experimental or observa­
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images that are captured by photography
or other sensing technology. Theoretical
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286 B Y T E • Graphics Supplement Circle 134 on Reader Service Card

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faces, Shading, Cross Sectioning, Complex the product should be priced. We consulted
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Sweeps and Translations, and Boolean opera­ experts. We used the finest spreadsheets on
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require weeks of train ing before a user can be
powerful 3-D CAD systems available . . . at productive. DesignCAD 3-D users find \hey can be the greatAmerican Tradition, we said," Aw . ..
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systems costing thousands of dollars which able to match our drawing time. The package sold sells for $399.
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Circle 22 on Reader Service Card Graphi cs Supplement • B Y T E 287

 INTERACTING WITH THE TINY AND THE IMMENSE

end-user scientists and computer scien­ culties and will result in tools that can be sentations to benefit from visualization
tist computing center managers must be effectively used by researchers in many techniques. They need very high-quality
overcome to provide the scientific com­ disciplines. visualization to present or publish known
munity with access to visualization tech­ Ideally, scientists want to be able to information, lesser quality to share in­
nology. The teams being formed to im­ compute data, generate sequences of formation with colleagues, and a third
plement visualization technology, such images, and analyze these images at a type of visualization to study phenomena
as the University of Illinois National workstation. However, workstations that by themselves or with collaborators.
Center for Supercomputing Applications are capable of providing high-perfor­ While presentation images require the
group, are designed to accomplish this mance, high-resolution graphics often use of powerful equipment and the as­
by bringing together scientists and are priced outside the researchers' bud­ sistance of visualization experts, when
graphics experts. A common under­ gets. But many scientific problems can graphics are used to share scientific
standing ofthe diverse problems faced on be analyzed interactively without high­ discoveries among peers, the primary
either side will provide the knowledge quality three-dimensional graphics. Sci­ requirement is for clear visual repre­
and sensitivity needed to overcome diffi- entists don't always require dazzling pre- sentation of information. This can be
provided by equipment as simple and
Photo 3: inexpensive as a video recorder in a
Tornadic storm. graphics workstation.
This is the Personal graphics for scientific analy­
moment at which sis is the most important of the three
a storm becomes types of visualization because it results
a tornado. in the greatest productivity. This is
(Research by Bob where scientists need to interact with
Wilhemson, their data, observe phenomena in close
research scientist to real time, steer their computations,
at NASA; and have the effects displayed immedi­
visualization by ately on the screen in graphical format.
Stefan The emphasis is on data representation
Fangmeier.) and interactivity, not on quality. It is at
this level that next-generation personal
computers will take a more active part in
the scientific process.
Already providing high-resolution
Photo 4: color graphics capabilities, next-genera­
Formation of tion personal computers will also offer
Venus plasma higher levels of computational perfor­
clouds and mance, better communications capabili­
streamers. (Solar ties to speed data transfer, and a better­
wind research by designed human interface to encourage
Robert Wolf and widespread use by researchers. The price
Michael Norman, levels at which these tools will be made
astronomers at available will enable even the most cost­
the University of conscious project director to put them on
Illinois; every researcher's desktop. •
visualization by
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

•ll•il•••
Stefan Fangmeier
and Matthew I would Ii keto thank the fallowing peo pie
Arrot.) for their contributions to this article:
• chemistry applications, Dr. Paul Weiner,
chemist, Alliant Computer Systems
Photo 5: Corp.; techniques, history, and future
A visualization developments, Stefan Fangmeier, chief
ofthe first system scientific visualizer, University ofIllinois
ofequations in National Center for Supercomputing Ap­
which the "chaos" plications; structural analysis, Neville
phenomenon was Rieger, president, Stress Technology,
discovered. Inc., Rochester, New York; simulation
(Research: applications, Scott Adcock, manager of
David Hobill, computer graphics, Colsa Corp., Hunts­
Dan Simkins, ville, Alabama.
and Michael
Welge, Craig Mundie is vice president of R&D
University of for Alliant Computer Systems Corp., Lit­
Illinois; tleton, Massachusetts, a maker ofsuper­
visualization: computer visualization systems. He can
Jeffery Yost.) be reached on BIX c/o "editors. "

288 BYTE • Graphics Supplement

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 BIX CALENDAR APRIL

Display this month's

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A p
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Circle 450 on Reader Service Card APRIL 1989 • BYTE 291

 FEATURE

THE

TRON PROJECT

An open architecture, a family of VLSI chips, and system software

designed to revolutionize the way we use computers
Ken Sakamura and Richard Sprague

omputers are now used in every product imag­ Highly Functional Distributed Systems

e inable, from household appliances to automo­

biles to calculators, yet there are no standards
for letting those computers communicate with
each other. A standardization effort called
TRON (The Real-Time Operating System Nucleus) aims to es­
Until the popularization ofLANs and other means for easy ex­

change of data among desktop computers, PCs were largely

kept independent of one another. A primitive means of PC-to­

PC communication existed-writing data to a floppy disk, and

hand-carrying that disk to another computer. But in general,

tablish a set of common data-interchange standards that will documents developed on one machine were not typically used

make it easy for all computers to communicate in real time. by other machines.

The central philosophy of the TRON project is that com­ Exactly the same situation now exists for computers used in
puters will become more distributed and their uses more var­ embedded systems, such as the microprocessors that are now
ied, and that the overall power of computers will increase if standard components of everything from microwave ovens to
they can work together. There are few standards for communi­ VCRs. Primitive means of data-sharing sometimes exist, but
cations between PCs and mainframes and among multiple only on a case-by-case basis using specialized products. For
character sets. example, some advanced calculators offer add-on interfaces
Another issue that has been largely ignored involves stan­ that let you exchange ASCII data with the IBM PC, and crude
dards for real-time, as well as multiprocessing, communica­ devices exist for communication with VCRs. But there is noth­
tions between devices. The user feels these problems, too: In­ ing comparable to the easy connectivity among desktop com­
compatible interfaces between systems make it difficult to puters now available with LANs.
imagine different computers as part of a single world network. TRON's essential goal is to bring the concept of networking
TRON is an ambitious, broad-based response to these issues to all computers, including those used internally in consumer
and has already received the participation of many ofthe major products. IBM's Systems Application Architecture (SAA) has a
Japanese computer companies and leading semiconductor similar purpose, but its scope is limited to traditional computer
makers, as well as a number of U.S. and European software systems. The TRON operating system, however, defines multi­
and hardware companies. The name TRON applies to the devel­ ple application-specific architectures covering every domain in
opment of the whole concept, not a specific product. TRON en­ which computers are used. These areas are
compasses the development of an open architecture, a family of
VLSI chips, and system software. • ITRON, for embedded industrial systems;
TRON's designers consider an open-architecture philosophy • BTRON, for business-oriented workstations;
essential and believe it is the most important factor in its receiv­ • CTRON (central TRON), for large file servers in networking
ing wide adoption by manufacturers. For this reason, all TRON environments;
specifications are available for adoption by anyone, free of • MTR ON (macro TRON), for interconnecting "intelligent ob­
charge. TRON standardization is coordinated by a nonprofit or­ jects" and super personal computers or workstations.
ganization, the TRON Association, in cooperation with the
University of Tokyo. Each of the TRON subfamilies is designed to be compatible
The three most important aspects of the TRON project are with the others (see figure 1). A good analogy of how these
the concept of highly functional distributed systems, operating families work together is the open system interconnection, or
system software on the TRON PC, and the TRON CPU. continued

292 BYTE • APRIL 1989

ILLUSTRATION: MASATO NISHIMURA © 1989 APRIL 1989 • BYTE 293
 FEATURE

THE TRON PROJECT

-­ \
BTRON

MTRON
1-­ BTRON
BTRON

BTRON

ITRON BTRON

Figure 1: In the TRON world, BTRON workstations can communicate with ITRON industrial computers and share data
with a mainframe through a CIRON file server. The network linking these and other "intelligent objects " together is MIRON.

OSI model, well-known in the data communications industry. Industrial applications require fast response time to external
Like the OSI model, the TRON project is divided into layers: signals, and the ITRON specification has been designed to per­
an instruction-set-processor layer, an operating-system kernel mit it. Using a two-level approach to standardization, ITRON
layer (which is separated into the l/B/C/MTRON architec­ tries to achieve rapid response time with a very low overhead.
tures), the operating-system shell layer, and an application and On the upper level, the TRON project defines a machine-in­
human/machine interface layer. Also like the OSI model, work dependent logical interface, which includes universal aspects
on the individual TRON layers can proceed independently of of real-time systems such as intertask communication. The sec­
work on the others, with confidence that the resulting total ond level is a CPU- or architecture-dependent part, which de­
TRON architecture will fit together. termines the performance of real-time systems.
The four separate operating-system kernels are designed to The ITRON specification includes a wide variety of system
calls, many of which can be removed from the kernel to im­
satisfy the broad categories of applications that will need inter­
connection by computers of the future. The four are used inde­ prove the performance of a specific application. For example,
pendently, but they are designed to easily exchange data. although ITRON specifies task synchronization primitives for
semaphores, event flags, mailboxes, and others, an application
The ITRON and CTRON Kernels
that uses only semaphores may legally remove all the other syn­
In the industrial field, microprocessors use many real-time op­
chronization primitives from the kernel.
erating systems. None of these operating systems has distin­
CTRON is the specification for a multiuser operating system
guished itself as a standard in the way Unix has become a de
that works with machines and networks linked with ITRON
facto standard in the field of software development. ITRON is
and BTRON. It is designed for applications that require very
an attempt to create such a real-time standard.
large data bases and memory storage or extremely fast process­

294 BYTE • APRIL 1989

 FEATURE

THE TRON PROJECT

ing. CTRON is also oriented toward high-speed, high-quality will be especially appealing to the international market is the
printing, graphics, and voice processing. ability to deal with large character sets. BTRON imposes no
constraints on the size of its character set.
The MTRON Kernel Since BTRON machines require much more interaction with
In the future, microprocessors will be found in an ever greater users than other TRON families, the user-interface specifica­
variety of products. Walls of TRON houses will have proces­ tion is the most critical part of the design. BTRON relies heavi­
sors that sense temperature and pressure variations and send the ly on bit-mapped graphics, and input can be done with either an
information to microprocessor-controlled doors and windows. ergonomically designed keyboard or a pointing device, a stylus
Massive numbers of processors, called intelligent objects, that the TRON project designers consider superior to the mouse
will require real-time control by, and compatibility with, other for most tasks (see photo 1) .
TRON computers. The smart network that links them together New applications for computers based on the BTRON con­
is called MTRON. An underlying programmable specification cept were created for users of individual computers networked
language called the TRON Universal Language System with other computers and used as mediums for information ex­
-(TULS) makes it possible to design a set of standard communi­ change and presentation. BTRON defines several functions to
cation protocols to coordinate all these intelligent objects. make this condition possible.
The ultimate goal of the TRON project is to build a highly The BTRON specification supports the processing of large
functional distributed system in which billions of intelligent numbers of different characters in as many languages as possi­
objects can be connected to work cooperatively. ble (if possible, all the characters used in the world). Unlike the
8-bit character-based operating systems of the past designed to
The BTRON Kernel handle the Roman alphabet only, the BTRON specification be­
The TRON family that will ultimately be most important to the gins with a more generalized approach to language processing.
PC and workstation industry is BTRON, an open-architecture The BTRON specification allows both I-byte and 2-byte
specification of computers meant for use as personal worksta­ codes to coexist. A I-byte code permits the use of 2 8 (or 256)
tions by businesses and homes. People will want future busi­ characters; a 2-byte code permits the use of 2 16 (or 65,536)
ness- and home-oriented computers to be easy to use, so the characters. This feature permits the storage efficiency of 8-bit
BTRON design pays careful attention to its user interface. codes for Roman-like languages, while enabling the elegant
Users of window-based systems, like the Macintosh and representation of large character sets for languages like Japa­
Microsoft Windows, will be familiar with many of BTRON's nese. The operating system allows each language to choose its
user-interface design techniques. Another BTRON feature that continued

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Circle 328 on Reader Service Card APRIL 1989 • BYTE 295

 FEATURE

THE TRON PROJECT

GET SUPERSOFT's
SERVICE DIAGNOSTICS

All the software, alignment diskettes, parallel/serial wrap-around

plugs, ROM POSTs and extensive, professional documentation to
provide the most comprehensive testing available for IBM PCs,
XTs,A Ts and a/ !compatibles under DOS or Stand Alone. No other
diagnostics offers such in-depth testing on as many different types of
equipment by isolating problems to the board and chip level.
NEW: SuperSoft's ROM POSTpertormsthe most advanced
Power-on-Self-Test available for system boards that are compatible Photo 1: The BTRON standard PC includes a flat-panel
with the IBM ROM BIOS . It works even in circumstances when the
Service Diagnostics diskette cannot be loaded.
display, an ergonomic keyboard, and a stylus pointing device.
Everything from the CPU instruction set to the user interface
NEW: 386 diagnostics for hybrids and PS/25 ! was designed as a unit.
For over nine years, major manufacturers have been relying on
SuperSoft's diagnostics software to help them and their customers
repair microcomputers. End users have been relying on SuperSoft's own algorithms for direction of writing, formatting rules, and
Diagnostics II for the most thorough hardware error isolation input methods.
available. Now versions of Service Diagnostics are available to save BTRON provides a common format for the representation of
everyone (including every serious repair technician) time, money, graphical data. The operating system includes hypertext-like
and headaches in fixing their computers, even non-IBM equipment. features such as an outline processor and the ability to link doc­
All CPUs & Numeric Co-processors All Color Graphics & Monochrome uments in network fashion.
System Expansion & Extended Memory Monitors
Floppy, Fixed & Non-standard Disk Drives Parallel & Serial Ports
Standard & Non-standard Printers Mono, CGA, Hercules& EGA The BTRON Real-Object/Virtual-Object Model
System Board: OMA, Timers, Interrupt, Adapters A file system is the part of an operating system that provides for
Real-time Clock & CMOS config. RAM All Keyboards & the 8042 Controller the storage, representation, and management of data. Most file
systems consist of static ASCII data stored in files, which are
Join the ranks of XEROX, NCR, CDC, SONY, PRIME, ... who have grouped into directories. In Unix and MS-DOS, for example,
bundled SuperSoft's diagnostics with their microcomputers at no risk directories are themselves files that can be created, deleted,
because of our 30 day money back guarantee. and moved. BTRON's file system uses a very different model
called the real-object/virtual-object model. This system is a set
Service Diagnostics for PC, PC/XT, and compatibles only. . .. $169 of specifications designed to efficiently handle data in the
Alignment Diskette for PC, PC/XT and compatibles ( 48 tpi drives). . . $ 50 BTRON operating system.
Wrap-around Plug for PC, PC/XT and compatibles (parallel and serial) .. $ 30
Service Diagnostics for AT and compatibles only. . .... $169
BTRON stores a collection of data in a real object referenced
Alignment Diskette for AT and compatibles (96 tpi drives). . .. $ 50 by multiple tags called virtual objects. A real object, like a con­
Wrap-around Plug for AT (serial). . . . . . . . .... $ 15 ventional document, can contain text and figures in any combi­
ROM POST for PC, PC/XT and compatibles only .. ................. .$245 nation. Real objects can also contain virtual objects (i.e.,
ROM POST for AT and compatibles only ...... . ................... $245
Service Diagnostics: The KIT (Includes all of the above-save $502) . $495
pointers to other real objects), a feature that provides a hyper­
Service Diagnostics for 386 or V2, V30, or Harris, etc. (please specify) . . $195 text-like ability to structure data into its semantic components.
Diagnostics II is the solution to the service problems of users of all Virtual objects ordinarily appear as rectangles on a bit­
CP/M-80, CP/M-86 and MS-DOS computers. . . . . . . . $125 mapped display (see figure 2a). These rectangles can be
ROM POST for PS/2 and compatibles only. . . . . $245
Alignment Diskette for PS/2 and compatibles (3.5 inch) .... , ... . ...... $ 50
manipulated by selecting them with a pointing device. When a
virtual object is opened (see figure 2b ), it displays the contents
of the real object it points to (in this case, a bit-mapped graphi­
cal figure of a clock).
In the real-object/virtual-object model, a real object is made
up of ordered variable-length records of data, called segments .
There are four standard types: text, figures, virtual objects,
andfusen (a Japanese word pronounced "foo-sen" meaning "a
stick-on label").
Text and figures are primitive segments for information
transfer, and BTRON requires that the main text of an object be
readable. This fact, plus the ability to nest virtual objects inside
real objects, provides a simple hypertext-like feature as a basic
FIRST rN SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY P.O. Box 611328. San Jose, CA 95161-1328 (408) 745·0234 Telex 270385
component of the operating system.
There are two different types of real objects, with the differ­
SUPEASOFT is a reg islered trademark of SuperSoft . Inc .; COC of Conlrol Data Corp .; BM PC, AT & XT of
International Business Machines Corp.: MS-DOS of MicroSoft Corp .: NEC of NEC Informa tion Systems. Inc .. ence lying in how the segments are stored within the real ob­
PRIME of PRIME IN C.; Sony of Sony Corp.

296 BYTE • APRIL 1989 Circle 26 9 on Reader Service Card

 FEATURE

THE TRON FROJECT

ject. In one type, called the one-dimensional real object (or

"text" real object), segments are stored sequentially (see fig­
ure 3a). In the other type, called the two-dimensional real ob­
ject (or "figure" real object), segments are arranged in a two­
a) I~[J~~A_c_1o_c_k_(f-ig_u_re_J_1_6_K_9_11_4_1a_6~~~~~~~~
dimensional overlapped manner (see figure 3b) .
b)
Figure 4 summarizes the basic features of the real-object/ [ ] A clock (figure) 16K 9/14/86
virtual object model:

• Real-object data can be displayed in one or two dimensions.

• Viewports onto the real-object data can be nested.
• Real-object relationships are handled by a linked network of
pointers.
• Objects are linked together by either virtual objects or
opened virtual objects.

As with the Macintosh operating system, you can start a

BTRON application by specifying a real object to be processed
and letting the system determine the pertinent application. In
this sense, the BTRON environment resembles the object-ori­
ented systems that are being used on PCs and workstations.
In reality, however, the BTRON data model more closely re­
sembles the conventional method of separating data and pro­
gram because it also allows the opposite relationship: Different Figure 2: A HTRON virtual object is normally displayed as
applications can be used for the same real object. This relation­ a rectangle (a), which, when opened (b), displays the contents
ship is possible because a real object knows which applications ofthe real object it points to.
can be invoked on itself. The knowledge is stored in the f unc­
tion f usen segment, which contains the parameters required for
linkage to the application program. sors as numeric text data, or a real object created by graphical
With the basic editor, users can modify fusen and gain a va­ chart programs can be read by a graphics editor.
riety of benefits, including the ability tc specify default param­ In conventional computers, general data compatibility is
eters and automatically invoke programs. typically guaranteed only on the level of ASCII text. Spread­
Efficient and free data compatibility between all computers sheet data from Lotus 1-2-3, for example, can be loaded into
is an important part of the TRON project. BTRON uses a model most word processors or communications programs only after
called the TAD (TRON application data bus) concept to provide being stripped down into raw text, losing its essential numeric
for this data exchange. The purpose of the BTRON TAD proto­ content. Graphical charts generated from that data become
col is to define the record structure corresponding to each seg­ meaningless when converted into text this way.
ment in a real object. TRON applications should conform to the Under BTRON, however, all data is divided into two parts:
TAD protocol as much as possible. Therefore, a real object . one that can be shared and one that is application-specific; the
created by spreadsheet programs can be read by word proces­ continued

a) b)
[]sample of text real object (text) 6K 9/14/86 I
[]Sample of real object (figure) 2K 9/14/86

D A clock (figure) 16K 9/14/86

D A clock (figure) 16K 9/14/86
I (\ I
Basic text editor places viewports and other figure
segments in sequentially adjacent places.
D Chapter 4 (text) 32K 6123/86
D A robot (figure) BK 9/14/86 Basic figure editor places viewports and other
figure segments in arbitrary positions with

I Q y I overlapping.

_J
D Chapter 4 (text) 32K 6/23/86

Basic figure editor places

viewports and other figure
segments in arbitrary positions with
overlapping.

Figure 3: In BTRON, one-dimensional real objects (or text real objects) are stored sequentially (a), while two-dimensional
real objects (or figure real objects) are arranged in a two-dimensional overlapped manner (b).

APRIL 1989 • BYTE 297

 F E ATURE
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object hierarchical structure. Real objects can be arbitrarily

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UNIX™ DRIVER
such as information describing the application and parameters

necessary to read the data, are stored in fusen.

LIBRARY
The Standard TRON CPU

One reason why there are efficient implementations of pro­

EVER.
gramming languages such as C and Pascal is that compiler

companies build their systems according to common specifica­

Whether you write UNIX Drivers

tions and must therefore compete with one another. Multiven­

or just want a better understanding of them,

dor implementations also encourage the wide development of

programs written in the common language.

Driver Guru is for you!

Exactly the opposite situation exists with current CPU archi­
• Provides expert assistance in applications
tectures, where instruction sets typically have been held propri­
modification
etary to the particular CPU manufacturer. This situation tends
• Ensures accuracy whenever you write
to discourage innovation in future CPU generations because the
manufacturer must design its new CPUs to run with its custom­
UNIX Drivers

ers' currently operating software.

• De-mystifies Unix Drivers forever! The TRON project seeks to change this situation and has
UNIX is o registered trademark of AT&T
proposed a standard public domain CPU instruction set that is
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designed for efficient implementation of the TRON operating
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P.O. Box 583 • Tacoma, Washington 98401
tion version of CHIP32 called Gmicro/200 (see figure 5 and
Open account available • MasterCard, VISA, American Express
figure 6) .
It is important to note that TRON bucks the recent trend to­
ONLY FROM EMPIRICAL RESEARCH ward RISC, headed by the SPARC from Sun Microsystems, and

298 BYTE • APRIL 1989 Circle 90 on Reader Service Card

 FEATURE

THE TRON PROJECT

Memory Instruction prefetch unit Instruction

management decode
un i t Instruction Instruction unit
Branch
.._
Addr ess

8--{:
prefetch
B window
cache

I '~

'.
j Decoder
'
Prefetch
Instruction
address
cache
generator
Instruction
address Calculate effective address

Instruction

Data bus
I
I
'

~
~ I j~
~

Operand
I
'
I
I " Operand
- t
,,
address

~
~

Store - - Control
µ-ROM
buffer
1, Operand
address
t
logic

Stack cache
I I I
Registers
11
1/0 control unit Instruction e xecution unit

Figure 5: The Gmicro/200, the first generation of TRON CPUs, provides 32-bit addressing that is upwardly compatible
withfuture 48-bit and 64-bit addressing modes. The internal structure ofthe Gmicro/200 provides for a very orthogonal
instruction set. With the symmetry ofoperands, you can combine operands in any order.

similar systems from Hewlett-Packard and IBM. TRON in­ minimum of special cases. Memory is treated as one contigu­
structions are very high-level, and CPU implementations of the ous address space, without segment registers. There are no dis­
TRON instruction set are among the most complex chips ever tinctions between address and data registers, as there are in
designed. some processors.
This is not to say, however, that TRON is a traditional CISC To enable compilers to generate efficient object code, all
(complex-instruction-set computer). On one hand, it includes registers are general registers having the same functions and
very high-level instructions designed to be useful for a com­ the same length. Symmetry among instructions makes it much
piler or an operating system. On the other hand, it has also easier to allocate variables and programming work spaces, so
shaved the length and speed of many of the most common in­ TRON's instructions have been made as symmetrical as possi­
structions to make it compete favorably with RISC. In other ble. All 16 general-purpose registers have the same functions,
words, it tries to combine the high-speed simplicity of RISC and many restrictions on sizes and available addressing modes
with the programming ease ofCISC. have been removed.
The TRON microprocessor is designed to be a general-pur­ In addition, there are two compiler-oriented instruction
pose processor that is as suitable for high-level workstations as types not found on other processors: chained addressing mode
it is for small-scale embedded computers. Excellent perfor­ and arithmetic operations on different data sizes.
mance (as compared to other processors, including RISC) is an The chained-addressing-mode function generates a complex
important goal, but TRON's general-purpose role allows it to addressing mode by combining a number of addressing primi­
also benefit from easy-to-write and widely available develop­ tives. For example, a sequence of instructions like
ment tools.
mov @(8, fp), rl
Compiler-Oriented Instructions mov@(rl),rl
TRON's instruction set is designed to make it easier to develop mov@(rl) ,rl
high-level language compilers. Wherever possible, the format mov@(rl),rl
for operands is kept the same among all instructions, with a continued

APRIL 1989 • BYTE 299

 FEATURE

THE 1RON FROJECT

Bus signal specification

-CLK2f
­
I Clock
I --
CLK2f
- -- ... ,l
32
)Ir D o31(Data)
RESET
--
-
Interrupt
HALT ~
~

-
-
,
l
30
• A o-29(Address)
FLOAT
levels
IRLo-2 .3-
I

­- --
-- 4
System
BERR - , I
BC (Byte control)
--- - I Gmicro/200
control
(Bus-lock)
RETRY
LOC - I ~

-
AS1
8S
(Address strobe)
(Bus cycle start)
--
PURGE - - -RfW (Read/write)

(Non-cachable)
-- DC (Data transfer complete)
NCAO -AS2
-- RNG
~

• ,,
3 (Address strobe)
(Bus access type)_ BAT 0-2 l

Coprocessor I (Status) CPST 0-2

I
3
- -
- GBR
(Ring)
(Global bus request)
control
(Data enable) CDE - - - -
HREQ
- -
(Hold request)
(Data transfer complete) CPDC -- - HACK (Hold acknowledge )

t 11 18 t
Vee GND

Figure 6: The bus signal specification fort he Gmicro/200. The instruction set permits an elegant way ofhandling interrupts
including error-handling and virtual memory.

can be replaced by the single instruction the main processor and the coprocessor requires a very wide
data path, and the resulting overhead can cause performance
mov @( @( @( 8, fp) ) ) , rl. problems. Since the TRON CPU was designed with its operat­
ing system software, there is no need to isolate graphics pro­
This feature can be especially effective for referencing be­ cessing from other functions required by the chip. This makes
tween modules. bit-mapping functions a natural part ofthe instruction set.
The arithmetic-operations-on-different-data-sizes function
makes operand data symmetrical in size. With this facility, for The Implications of TRON
example, 32-bit data can be multiplied by 8-bit data in a single The huge American hardware and software markets have al­
instruction. This feature can be very useful in compiling a lan­ ways been big enough that most developers have not considered
guage like C, which frequently converts between data types. A the international market to be a potential starting point for new
processor without this function needs an additional instruction hardware and software standards. Japanese domination of the
to expand smaller data to the size oflarger data, which, in turn, consumer electronics market, and a desire to provide highly
requires a temporary register and further complicates register functional distributed-systems capability to household products
allocation in the compiler. not limited to PCs, has created a standardization vacuum that
led to TRON's Japanese origins.
Operating System Support U.S. software companies have already begun to explore
Typically, CPU instruction sets are designed independently TRON's potential as a way to export software to Japan, whose
from any operating system. TRON's CPU, however, has been market still lags behind that of the U.S. by several years. Until
carefully designed with specialized instructions to support BTRON, Japanese PC software was mostly limited to programs
both the embedded computer requirements of ITRON and the for MS-DOS-based personal computers (Apple's Macintosh
high-performance workstation requirements ofBTRON. There has only 1 percent of the Japanese market). The possibility of a
are high-level instructions for context switching (LDCTX and Japanese Macintosh-like competitor should open lucrative op­
STCTX), for handling queues (QSCH, QINS, and QDEL), bit­ portunities for American companies that are already old hands
map manipulation (BVPAT, BVMAP, and BVCPY), and string at designing efficient software that uses windows and pointing
instructions (SSCH, SMOV, SCPY, and SSTR). devices.
In other CPU architectures, many of these functions are han­ TRON is perhaps the world's most language-independent
dled by coprocessors. For e:rnmple, bit-map functions are often computer architecture, a situation that should make it much
handled by graphics coprocessors. But communication between easier to port English-oriented software into Japanese.

300 BYTE • APRIL 1989

 FEATURE
THE TRON PROJECT

Will TRON Succeed?

Janet J. Barron
he TRON concept sounds great: an
T open architecture that lets users
freely shop for chips, components, and
or not to implement it or to run TRON
applications.
Ron Waters, director of Streamlined
TRON doesn't offer any specific advan­
tages vis-a-vis processors from several
ofthe other major U.S. companies ." He
peripherals and includes common data­ Instruction Processors at Advanced added, "There ' s no basis to suggest the
interchange standards that will make Micro Devices, suggests that because of tariff situation will change to make it
everything compatible with everything the growth of Japanese markets, TRON competitive for Japanese machines. "
else. But how will the concept fare in should be a major success there. With a
the U .S., and what effect will it have on ready-made educational market of 10 The Compatibility Question
the computer industry? million computers alone, TRON ' s Meanwhile, Japanese companies such
John Roach, chairman of Tandy chances for success in Japan are as­ as Mitsubishi, Fujitsu, and Hitachi have
Corp., says that TRON's chances of sured. But, says Waters, "I don't think already implemented the TRON archi­
overtaking the U .S.'s computer indus­ it will be a success in the U .S." tecture, a task made easier by the TRON
try are very uncertain, although he ad­ "Today we have capabilities for em­ project's specification and standardiza­
mits that it's too soon to tell. bedded processing that are competitive tion of the registers, the I/O, the in­
"There have been other efforts to de­ and offer excellent performance. Our struction set, and addressing modes.
velop more viable players, such as the innovative microprocessors and soft­ According to Charles Glenn, product­
MSX," says Roach. The MSX project ware continue to provide superior per­ line manager for Fujitsu's 32-bit TRON
was intended to make diverse software formance over any TRON chip that Gmicro microprocessors and periph­
programs compatible with low-end could be offered, and we have the capa­ erals, the TRON project will certify the
home computers from different manu­ bility to run TRON applications without compatibility of the various imple­
facturers. "Companies were going to the chips themselves, " says Waters. mented architectures with the TRON
make a set of compatible machines. However, the fact that TRON encom­ architecture. In essence, this certifica­
That was the way they were going to at­ passes VLSI chips, system software , tion will mean that the architecture can
tack the world market at the low end," and an open architecture prompted run all the TRON software. Many large
Roach recalls. "That's pretty well gone Larry Woodson, a strategist in Texas Japanese silicon manufacturers endorse
today." Instruments's semiconductor group, to this architecture, said Glenn, and thus,
Besides, anybody who wants to try to say, "It has all the necessary elements "they will make it successful. The
build a new operating system is wel­ for success: Complete software and merits ofthe architecture are good."
come to do so, says Roach. "The devel­ tools are in development to allow the ar­ But according to Jeff Nutt, technical
opment of a new operating system is chitecture to be marketed on a world­ marketing manager for CPUs at Motor­
quite a challenge and takes a very long wide basis. In addition, the Japanese are ola, TRON will not play an important
time. OS/2 is still trying to achieve that developing an infrastructure by imple­ role for at least one reason. "There will
critical mass. Unix, I think, is still a rel­ menting TRON into some key end prod­ be different, and possibly incompatible,
atively important competitor. I doubt ucts. There is already working silicon implementations by individual compa­
that most ofus appreciate its full poten­ and software available, so this is real." nies ," says Nutt. ''To make its products
tial. There's a tremendous amount ofre­ Michael Dell, chairman and foonder different from other companies' goods,
sources behind U.S. operating systems of Dell Computers, says his firm has no a firm will do the same thing it does
such as Unix." plans to use any of the TRON technol­ now-it will add its own special fea­
About TRON's open architecture, ogy in its next generation of computers. tures or enhancements. These beefed­
Roach says, "Basically, MS-DOS and "I don't think TRON will have much up products may be as incompatible as
Unix are open architectures. Even if impact on microcomputers at this time. some competitive company's products
TRON becomes successful, it, too, will In this country, we have an intensely are right now," Nutt says.
be limited by the constraints of its competitive market for microprocessors
past." Since the TRON concept encom­ that drive computers. That market is Janet J. Barron is a technical editor for

passes an open architecture, many do­ based around standards that have al­ BITE. She can be reached on BIX as

mestic companies are deciding whether ready been set. As a processor engine, "neural."

TRON's presence is certain to be felt in the emerging educa­ widely available in Japanese-made products much sooner. The
tional market created by the Japanese ministry of education's fact that it will be easy to connect TRON PCs and TRON prod­
recent announcement that .a II public schools must use com­ ucts could be an important step in giving TRON a growing
puters. This order creates a market of up to 10 million ma­ share of the 1990s U.S. PC market.
chines by the mid- l 990s. The lack of an easy-to-use Japanese
counterpart to MS-DOS should further help its adoption by Ken Sakamura, Ph.D., is the founder and director ofthe TRON
businesses, in the same way that, in its nascence, Apple suc­ project and is an associate professor ofinformation sciences at the
ceeded with the Macintosh by creating new markets . University of Tokyo. Richard Sprague has a B.S. in computer sci­
TRON's direct impact on the U.S. PC industry probably encefrom Stanford University and consults on issues related to the
won't be felt for several years, although MTRON- and ITRON­ Japanese PC hardware and software markets. He can be reached
compatible home appliances and consumer electronics will be on BIX c/o "editors" and "rsprague, "respectively.

APRIL 1989 • B YT E 301

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302 BYTE • APRIL 1989 Circle 6 5 on Reader Service Card

 HANDS ON

UNDER THE HOOD • Brett Glass

THE IBM PC BIOS

Specialized ROM elusive property of Digital Research,

was the same in every implementation of
could be freely exchanged between radi­
cally different types of hardware.
routines form the heart CP/M, regardless of what hardware it This approach might have been com­
was running on. The BIOS, by contrast, pletely successful had early versions of
of a standard was tailored to the individual machine. the BIOS been highly optimized and
The BOOS used the BIOS to access the fully featured in all areas . The IBM PC
terminal screen, read and write to the BIOS's disk functions, for instance, were
disk, and control the printer; the BIOS, quite fast, and programmers saw little
ecently a user on BIX asked in turn, gave machine independence to need to bypass them. However, the BIOS

R some tough questions about

IBM PC compatibles. "How
can you tell if a clone of the
IBM PC is really compatible?" he
wanted to know. And, "How do you
the BOOS.
The BOOS source code, as you might
expect, was proprietary and was not pub­
lished. However, the source code for
each unique machine's BIOS was fre­
screen functions in the original PC were
slow, and some calls, such as those that
controlled serial communications, were
barely useful at all. In a few areas (e.g.,
sound), BIOS support was even lacking
choose a BIOS for your machine to make quently available (in manuals, on BBSes, on the original PC. In these areas, pro­
it as compatible as possible?" on the Internet network, and so on) so grammers were forced to write code that
Alas, there are no- easy answers to that users could understand and modify manipulated the hardware directly.
these questions. But this article-which it as needed. Any weekend programmer Also, many programmers made use of
takes a look inside the IBM PC BIOS­ could port CP/M to a new machine sim­ memory locations used internally by the
will give you an idea of what goes on in­ ply by creating a set of 17 short BIOS BIOS-locations that IBM was forced to
side a typical BIOS. I'll also present routines (typically only a few K bytes of maintain to keep new hardware compat­
some ideas on how to test for compati­ code) and concatenating them with the ible with the established software base.
bility and how to attain compatibility BOOS on the disk. Because the relative The result was a de facto "hardware/
with protected-mode operating systems locations of the BIOS and BOOS were ex­ software" standard-consisting of BIOS
(which can't use the BIOS). actly the same in memory as on the disk calls, directly mapped storage locations,
Perhaps no other single piece of com­ (one right after the other), they could be and peripheral hardware addresses-that
mercial software has been more pains­ loaded together as one large "chunk" remains prevalent to this day. While not
takingly studied, reverse-engineered, when the system was booted. Table 1 lists as hardware-independent as IBM might
and cloned than the IBM PC's BIOS, or the original CP/M BIOS functions, and have wished, this standard has been suc­
basic I/O system. This small set of con­ figure 1 shows how the BIOS and BOOS cessful, and it has been implemented on
trol programs, which rarely consumes were laid out in RAM. The BIOS func­ a wide variety of machines, including
more than 64K bytes even in its most tions were entered through a jwnp table laptops, diskless workstations, and even
elaborate incarnations, is the key to mak­ (a list of jump instructions). IBM's Micro Channel computers, which
ing a system compatible with the IBM PC among compatibles represent some of the
family-and to adding new features The IBM PC, PC-DOS, and the greatest departures from the original
while retaining compatibility. ROM BIOS IBM PC architecture.
One of the few problems with concate­
Roots: The CP/M BIOS nating CP/M's BIOS and BOOS on the The ROM BIOS Services
What is a BIOS? To understand the same disk was that you couldn't start one The functions ofthe IBM PC ROM BIOS
answer to this question, you must return brand of machine from a disk intended fall into several categories, each handled
to the ancient days B.P.C. (before the for another (even if the disks were in the by its own software interrupt (see the text
IBM PC) and look at what was perhaps same format). When IBM adopted box "Software Interrupts and the 8086"
the first commercially successful micro­ Microsoft's MS-DOS (derived from a on page 307) . These categories include
computer operating system: CP /M. CP/M look-alike called 86-DOS) as the video, machine configuration, memory
CP/M (sometimes called CP/M-80 to primary operating system for its early size determination, disk operations,
distinguish it from other implementa­ PCs, it avoided this problem by moving serial communications , miscellaneous
tions) ran on the Intel 8080 and Z80 the BIOS to a ROM within each machine, functions, keyboard control, the printer,
microprocessors and had two parts: the creating the new memory arrangement invocation ofBASIC in ROM (if present),
BOOS (basic disk operating system) and shown in figure 2. The result-at least in bootstrapping the system, and system
the BIOS. The BOOS, which was the ex- theory-was a system in which disks continued

APRIL 1989 • BYTE 303

 HANDS ON

UNDER THE HOOD

timer functions. (Other services, such as than the stack, are used to pass informa­
on the screen; move the cursor; scroll the
expanded memory and NetBIOS, are tion to the BIOS routines, the informa­
screen; plot pixels; and read or write
also activated via software interrupts but tion transfer is especially quick.
characters. The EGA, PGA, VGA, and
are not, strictly speaking, part of the Table 2 gives a summary of the major
8514 display adapters contain their own
main BIOS.) BIOS services, grouped by function and
ROMs, which enhance and supersede the
Once the software interrupt for a par­ software interrupt. functions of the original BIOS ROMs;
ticular category of functions has been in­ the enhanced functions allow application
voked, the AH register-a byte-wide reg­ Video-INT lOh programs to select fonts, print the screen
ister within the 8086 CPU-is examined The first BIOS software interrupt, INT on the printer, change the color palette,
to determine the specific task to be per­ lOh, controls the PC's video display. It and perform other graphics functions.
formed. The other CPU registers hold allows you to put the display into text or IBM later streamlined the video BIOS
additional information to be passed to the graphics mode; select the number of and added more functions (e.g., the AT
BIOS function. Since registers, rather characters, pixels, and colors that appear has a function that can write more than
' : . one character to the screen at a time). But
programmers couldn't wait for these en­
Table I: CP/M BIOSfunctions. These 17~outines, shown as they were hancements to come along; they needed
arranged in the BIOSjump table, were all that were needed to adapt the CP/M­ to have their programs run on every sys­
80 operating system to a new machine. tem, and they wanted more speed than
they could get through the BIOS routines.
Jump table Name Function
They therefore adopted the practice of
location
bypassing the BIOS and writing directly
to the PC's memory-mapped screen. Be­
0 BOOT Cold bootstrap.
cause it is so common, this approach will
3 WBOOT Warm bootstrap.
work on virtually all compatible ma­
6 CONST Console (terminal) status.
chines. However, in multitasking and
9 CONIN Console input.
windowing environments such as DESQ­
... 12 CON OUT Console output.
view, programs that perform direct
15 LIST List device (printer) output.
screen writes-often called "ill-be­
18 PUNCH "Punch" (paper tape) output.
haved" programs-may not be able to
21 READER "Reader" (paper tape) input.
share the screen gracefully with others .
24 HOME Move disk head to track 0.

The Intel 80386's "virtual 8086" mode

may help to contain such programs and
27 SELDSK Select a disk to read/write.

force them to be "cooperative" in a

30 SETTRK Set the disk track to read/write.
multitasking environment, but the 80286
33 SETSEC Set the sector to rE)ad/write.
has no such mode. This is why the OS/2
36 SETOMA Set memory location for disk data.
compatibility box can currently run only
39 READ Read a sector.
one DOS application at a time.
42 WRITE Write a sector.

45 LISTST Status of List device.

Equipment Status-INT llh
48 SECTRAN Translate logical sector number to physical.
This software interrupt has only one
function: to return information on the
equipment attached to the PC. It returns
a 16-bit word whose bits contain this in­
FFFFh (64K bytes) formation, as shown in figure 3.
Basic 1/0 system

(BIOS)
Memory Size-INT 12h
This software interrupt also has only one
i - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1 F400h (61 K bytes) (typical)
function: to return the size of the com­
Basic disk operating system puter's RAM (in K bytes) in the AX reg­
(BOOS) ister. Extended memory (the memory
- : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : OEOOh (56.SK bytes) (typical) above 1 megabyte) isn't included in this

r Console command processor

and/or user program

l number.

Disk Operations-INT 13h

(transient program area)
The INT 13h interrupt controls disk op­
1-----------------1100h
erations. Unlike the original CP/M
BIOS, the IBM PC BIOS has a set of disk
Program segment prefix
functions complete enough to eliminate
Uumps to BIOS and BOOS
the need for hardware-specific utilities.
and other information)
This has allowed the development of a
~-------------~Oh wide variety of add-on disk controllers
for the IBM PC; had there been a need to
Figure I: In CP/M, the BIOS loaded from disk together with the BDOS in a single bypass the BIOS, it wouldn't be possible
chunk. Both resided in high memory above the user program. to add a ::iew type of disk simply by add­
ing a BIOS extension ROM.

304 B YT E • APRIL 1989

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 HANDS ON

UNDER THE HOOD

Interestingly, the AT disk BIOS did not the main keyboard and the + key on the ever, on machines that do have a BASIC,

support some functions listed in the numeric pad. software interrupt l 8h starts it running.

documentation for the XT; these may BIOS keyboard functions are some­
have been intended for use with SCSI times bypassed by utilities, like Super­ Bootstrap-INT 19h

drives (which.IBM has never sold for the Key, that remap the keyboard or enable Software interrupt l 9h reboots the PC.

PC line). and disable specific key sequences. Most Since this interrupt causes a "warm"

application programs, however, use the boot, the BIOS doesn't test memory;

Serial Communications-INT 14h keyboard as is. however, it does scan for ROMs contain­

The serial communications functions of ing extensions to the BIOS, as I'll explain

the IBM PC BIOS are, alas, among its Printer-INT 17h shortly.

weakest points. Unlike all but the most This software interrupt provides three
basic communications programs, the simple printer functions. It can initialize System Timer-INT lAh

BIOS serial routines do not use hardware the printer port, check the printer status, Software interrupt I Ah allows a program

interrupts to receive characters from ex­ or output a character to the printer. to set and get the system time (measured

ternal serial devices. This means that in ticks) . A tick occurs roughly 18.2

characters are likely to be "dropped" if a BASIC-INT 18h times per second, so there are exactly

program on the PC does not constantly Most PC compatibles don't implement a 65,536 ticks in an hour. On the AT, the

watch for their arrival. BASIC in ROM, as IBM PCs do. How- continued
As a result, virtually every program
that uses the serial port (with the possible
exception of print spoolers, which rarely FFFFFh (1 megabyte)
receive characters) takes over the com­ Basic 1/0 system
munications hardware and controls it (BIOS)
directly.
FOOOOh (960K bytes) (typical)
Cassette/Joystick/Multitasking­ BIOS extensions, EMS,
INT lSh memory-mapped peripherals
Software interrupt 15h controlled the
cassette tape interface and joystick port I COOOOh (768K bytes)
Memory-mapped screens:
on the original IBM PC. However, since
MDA, Hercules, CGA, EGA, VGA
this interrupt was rarely used (the cas­
sette interface was dropped entirely on AOOOOh (640K bytes)
the AT), IBM added new INT 15 func­
tions, including support for multitask­ DOS and user program(s)
ing, peripheral sharing, switching to
protected mode, and detecting the use of
the System Request key on the AT key­ 700h (2.5K bytes)
board. The multitasking support func­ DOS storage area
tions are used only by some network pro­ 500h (1.25K bytes)
grams, and OS/2 implements a faster BIOS storage area
mode switch than the standard BIOS
400h (1 K bytes)
does, so many of these functions are
rarely invoked. Interrupt vector table
Oh
Keyboard-INT 16h
Software interrupt l 6h manages the IBM Figure 2: In the IBM PC, the high end ofthe memory-address space is reserved for
PC's keyboard. Keystrokes are returned the ROM BIOS, memory-mapped video, BIOS extension ROMs, memory-mapped
as both ASCII characters and "scan peripherals, and expanded memory. The interrupt vector tables, BIOS storage area,
codes"-codes directly related to the po­ DOS storage area, and DOS itselfoccupy the low end ofmemory. The user program
sition of each key on the keyboard. Scan loads between DOS and the memory-mapped screen area. Note that this memory
codes can help a program distinguish be­ layout gives rise to the infamous "640K barrier" that EMS, OS/2, and 80386
tween two keys that send the same ASCII memory managers attempt to circumvent.
characters-for instance, the + key on

15-14 13 12 11-9 8 7-6 5-4 3-2 0

Game port? Serial ports Floppy drives System board Floppy boot?
Printer 0 0 Video mode 8087
(0/1) (0-7) (0-3) memory (0/1)

Figure 3: The equipment configuration word, returned by the equipment status BIOS call, gives basic information
on how the PC is equipped.

APRIL 1989 • BYTE 305

 HANDS ON

UNDER THE HOOD

Table 2: Major IBM PC BIOS services.

INT 1Oh BIOS video functions INT 14h BIOS serial communications functions

AH value Function AH value Function

0 Set video mode (0- 6 for CGA, 7 for monochrome). O Initialize a serial port.
1 Set cursor shape (starting and ending lines). 1 Send a character.
2 Move the cursor. 2 Receive a character.
3 Read cursor location and shape. 3 Read serial port status.
4 Read position of a light pen (seldom used).
5 Switch "pages" of display in text mode.
INT 15h cassette and multitasking functions
6 Scroll up.
7 Scroll down. AH value Function
8 Read character and attribute at cursor.
9 Write character and attribute at cursor. 0-3 Cassette functions.

10 Write character at cursor. 4-127 Not used.

11 Set color for medium-resolution graphics modes. 128 Open a shared device.

12 Write a pixel. 129 Close a shared device.

13 Reada pixel. 130 Terminate a task/program.

14 Write character to screen with rudimentary 131 Wait for an event.

terminal emulation. 132 Read joystick position/switches.

15 Read video mode and page. 133 System Request key.

134 Multitasking "wait" function.

135 Return size of AT extended memory.

INT 13h BIOS disk functions

136 Enter protected mode.

AH value Function 137-138 Concurrent 1/0 for multitasking systems.

0 Reset the disk system.

1 Get status from last disk operation.

INT 16h keyboard functions
2 Read sector(s).
AH value Function
3 Write sector(s).

4 Verify sector(s) against memory.

0 Get a keystroke.
5 Format a track.
1 Check for available keystroke.
6 Format a track and flag bad sectors (not on AT) .
2 Return status of Shift keys.
7 Format drive starting at a specified sector (not on

AT).

INT 17h printer functions

8 Return parameters of current drive (heads,

cylinders, sectors).

AH value Function
9 Initialize drive characteristics.

10 "Read long" (read with ECC). 0 Print a character.

11 "Write long" (write with ECC). Initialize the printer port.
12 Seek to track. 2 Return printer status.
13 "Alternate" disk reset.
14 Read sector buffer (not on AT).
INT 1Ah time functions

15 Write sector buffer (not on AT).

16 Test if drive is ready. AH value Function

17 Recalibrate the drive.

18 Controller RAM diagnostic (not on AT). 0 Read the system time.
19 Drive diagnostic (not on AT). 1 Set the system time.
20 Controller diagnostic. 2 Read the CMOS clock.
21 Read drive type (fixed, floppy). 3 Set the CMOS clock.
4 Read the date from the CMOS clock.
5 Set the date in the CMOS clock.
6 Set the "alarm" in the CMOS clock.
7 Reset the "alarm" in the CMOS clock.

306 BYTE • APRIL 1989

 HANDS ON

UNDER THE HOOD

time and date in the CMOS clock chip

can also be written and read via this in­
terrupt, and an "alarm" can be set to go
off at a specific time.
Software Interrupts

Most current software does not use

INT lAh to access the PC's real-time
and the 8086

clock but inserts a service routine into a

chain of routines called by interrupt 1Ch he IBM PC BIOS routines are interrupt. In figure A, an INT lOh in­
each time the timer ticks. Programs must
be careful to remove themselves from
T called via 8086 instructions called
software interrupts. Each instruction,
struction is used to call a BIOS video
routine.
this chain before terminating to avoid represented by the mnemonic INT, car­ Most of the INT. instructions are 2
system crashes. ries a 1-byte interrupt number from 0 to bytes long, but one of them-INT 3­
255 (FF hexadecimal). The interrupt also contains a special single-byte en­
Bringing Up the System: number is an index into a vector table, a coding. Yoo can take advantage of this
POST and ROM Scan table in memory containing the 4-byte variant when debugging or as a quick !­
Besides providing user-callable services, address of the service routine for each byte subroutine call.
the ROM BIOS also performs general
maintenance functions on the PC. When
the system is first powered up, the BIOS Figure A: The number in an INT (software interrupt) instruction is
performs a thorough check of the CPU, used to find the address ofan interrupt service routine in the 8086's
RAM, and ROM; it also looks for stuck interrupt vector table. In the IBM PC, this table normally starts at the
keys on the keyboard and disk functions. very bottom ofmemory, with the I NT 0 vector at location 0, I NT I at
Few parts of the PC escape scrutiny; if location 4, and so on.
the power-on self test (or POST) is suc­
cessful, it's likely that the machine is
Vector table
ready to boot.
After the POST, the ROM BIOS per­
forms a function known as ROM Scan. INT Dh routine address
The beginning of each 2K-byte block of
memory between locations C8000 and
EOOOO is checked for a special signature; INT Eh routine address
if the signature is found, the BIOS per­
forms a checksum and executes a ROM INT Fh routine address
at that location. This is the way periph­
INT 10h
eral board makers create "BIOS exten­ Video service
sions" to accommodate new periph­ (BIOS video - - - . INT 1Oh routine address
services) - routine
erals-a ROM on the board can initialize
the peripheral, make it accessible via INT 11 h routine address
preexisting BIOS calls, and/or even in­
teract with the user. This simple feature
is one of the touches that make the IBM
PC architecture truly "open" to periph­
eral vendors. directly instead of through INT and accesses the hardware directly, a
lAh) well-coded BIOS is not a 100 percent
BIOS Variables • Information on the current video guarantee of compatibility.
The area of PC memory from location mode and cursor position How do you test for compatibility?
40h to location 50h contains storage loca­ Traditionally, the standard measures of
tions that are reserved for use by the Many reference books now describe IBM compatibility have been badly be­
BIOS. While this area was not originally these locations in detail (see the bib­ haved application programs . According
intended for use by application program­ liography). to Samuel Adams Yorko, a BIOS com­
mers, certain locations were so frequent­ patibility expert, these programs include
ly accessed by user programs that IBM Compatibility Microsoft's Flight Simulator, Lotus 1-2­
was forced to "freeze" their implemen­ One ofthe most common questions asked 3, XenoCopy, Microsoft Windows,
tation to ensure compatibility with future by prospective buyers of IBM compat­ Microsoft Word, Microsoft QuickC,
machines. The information contained in ibles is "How compatible is it?" (See the DESQview, and early versions of Novell
the BIOS storage area includes: text box "The 'Clean Room' Approach" NetWare. TSR programs are excellent
on page 308.) Alas, because the "stan­ tests of compatibility. Copy-protected
• The number and locations of serial dard" for compatibility is at best an ad software, in its zeal not to be copied,
and parallel ports hoc one, there is no easy answer to this tends to be quite finicky, and games in
• Equipment information (also question. Because it can, in many cases, particular are good benchmarks because
accessible via INT l lh but hide hardware differences, the compati­ they cut corners to push the hardware and
frequently accessed directly) bility of the BIOS is one of the most im­ software to their performance limits.
• The keyboard queue portant factors in determining the com­ Interestingly, as BIOSes have become
• Disk status information patibility of the entire machine. But more compatible, programs have also be­
• The system clock (often read since software often bypasses the BIOS conrinued

APRIL 1989 • BYTE 307

 HANDS ON

UNDER THE HOOD

The "Clean Room" Approach

akers of IBM PC compatibles programmers who swore they had never description of how it worked, Phoenix
M have long feared lawsuits from
Big Blue-especially after IBM was
seen a copy of the IBM PC BIOS,
created a BIOS from that specification
was confident that IBM would not be
able to sue for copyright infringement.
said to have threatened legal action and sent it back to the first team. The To bolster this claim, Phoenix per­
against fledgling Eagle Computer for first team checked the BIOS fer com­ suaded an insurance company to under­
copying parts of the IBM PC BIOS. patibility and then modified the specifi­ write a "BIOS insurance policy" that
Amid the uncertainty and confusion cation to cover areas that were missed would protect BIOS licensees from legal
that prevailed in 1983, Phoenix Tech­ on the first pass. All information that costs incurred in the event of an IBM
nologies consulted lawyers and came up was exchanged by the two teams was lawsuit. While no policy was ever writ­
with a technique for creating a "legal" monitored and recorded in the event of ten, Phoenix's customers were appar­
IBM-compatible BIOS: the so-called legal action. ently convinced that the approach was
"clean room" approach. After many cycles, the "clean" team sound: There are more compatibles with
First, Phoenix assembled two teams (the programmers who had never seen Phoenix BIOSes than there are genuine
ofprogrammers. The first became thor­ the actual IBM BIOS) was able to pro­ IBM PCs in use today. Furthermore,
oughly familiar with the IBM BIOS and duce a set ofROMs that was nearly 100 despite questions regarding the original­
wrote a detailed specification explain­ percent compatible with IBM's. Be­ ity of "clone" hardware designs, the
ing what the BIOS had to do to be com­ cause these programmers had never originality of Phoenix's software has
patible. A second team, consisting of seen the original IBM code, but only a never been challenged in court.

come more well behaved. Newer versions patible, and I was able to patch it to what's going on inside the BIOS.
of the programs mentioned above now understand a new type of hard disk (not One painful but time-honored method
run on more machines than ever, and the included in the standard tables) in only a of peeking into a BIOS is to trace through .
demise of copy protection has removed few minutes. Other forms of "surgery" it with a debugger. DOS's DEBUG com­
one of the major barriers to compatibil­ were equally straightforward. The mand will work for some of the less eso­
ity. Nowadays, it's relatively safe to as­ Annabooks BIOS includes a resident teric sections of the code; I've success­
sume that if a system runs a reasonable monitor called SysVue that lets you peek fully used it to follow and understand the
selection of TSRs, multitasking environ­ at what's going on inside the system at BIOS serial port services, for instance.
ments (e.g., OS/2, DESQview, Win­ any time-very handy for debugging the But to trace through interrupt service
dows), and applications, it will be com­ BIOS itself as well as other programs . routines and nonreentrant parts of the
patible with most other software. This The Annabooks code is reasonably code, you'll need an in-circuit emula­
convergence is due, in part, to economic well commented, and it comes with a lit­ tor-or a board like Atron's PC Probe,
necessity; because there are far more tle gem that's very useful for PC-family which performs a similar function.
clones than there are "genuine" IBM programmers: the XT-AT Handbook. Another less expensive approach is to
PCs in the marketplace, it's in every This pocket-size reference book is purchase a disassembler explicitly de­
software manufacturer's best interest to packed with information on DOS com­ signed to handle BIOSes. I recently used
test products with the major compatible mands, the PC character set, I/O port ad­ a product called Sourcer, made by V
BIOSes (e.g., Phoenix, Compaq, AMI, dresses, interrupt vectors, RS-232C pin­ Communications of San Jose, Califor­
and Award) before release. outs, and the PC hardware in general. nia, to examine the BIOS of a PC-com­
The literature that comes with the patible coprocessor ·board with reason­
Building Your Own BIOS BIOS kit says that the authors will license ably good results.
At one time, the art of building a compat­ the BIOS for use by any compatible Sourcer, which can also disassemble
ible BIOS was shrouded in so much mys­ manufacturer for $4 a copy. At that standard .EXE and .COM files, comes
tery that few dared to attempt it. At long price, they may get a lot of takers. with a very clever preprocessor that cap­
last, though, those days appear to be tures the BIOS as it's running on a ma­
over; dozens of books have now been Exploring an Existing BIOS chine. Besides looking at the code in the
published giving detailed information on If your hardware is close to 100 percent ROMs, the BIOS preprocessor looks in
the "innards" of the IBM PC BIOS. In compatible with the IBM PC or AT, it's low memory for software and hardware
fact, one_:...._which arrived on my desk last likely that many manufacturers' BIOSes interrupt vectors that point into the
week-gives the complete source code (including IBM's, if you are able to get BIOS-identifying key entry points that
for an AT BIOS, largely written in C! hold of some original ROMs) will run on might not be found otherwise. The pre­
This book is worthy of special men­ it with no modifications. However, if processor also takes snapshots of key
tion because of its novelty. XT and AT your computer's architecture differs sig­ variables within the BIOS's data area, so
BiosKits from Annabooks (see bibliogra­ nificantly from that of the IBM PC and you can see the same values that the
phy) lets you create and customize a AT, and you want to make BIOS modifi­ BIOS code might see while running.
BIOS using only a C compiler, an assem­ cations (or just see how it works), you Everything the preprocessor identifies is
bler, and an EPROM programmer. With­ may need to disassemble the existing neatly labeled in the disassembly listing.
in an hour of assembling the required code. Also, because IBM no longer pro­ No disassembler is perfect, though,
tools, I was able to burn a set of EPROMs vides BIOS source code in its Technical and you'll probably find places where the
and install them in my AT clone. As far Reference manuals, disassembly may be disassembler mistook code for data (or
as I could tell, the BIOS was fully com­ the only way you'll be able to get a look at the other way around). You can put the

308 BYTE • APRIL 1989

 HANDS ON

UNDER THE HOOD

disassembler back on track by modifying Calling ABIOS

When a program calls ABIOS, it must
a control file to give explicit information The ABIOS calling conventions reflect
provide the segment or selector of the
about that area of the ROM. the needs of protected-mode and bi­
common data area and a pointer to a re­
At $140, Sourcer with the BIOS pre­ modal operating systems. ABIOS, un­
quest block. Two other parameters may
processor is a reasonably priced learning like CBIOS, is entered by far calls rather
or may not be furnished by the caller, de­
tool as well as a programmer's lifesaver. than by software interrupts and is com­
pending on the convention used. In the
Just looking at the disassembled BIOS pletely reentrant even between modes.
ABIOS Transfer Convention, ABIOS ac­
code is a real education and is highly rec­ That is, a real-mode function X can be
cepts just the addresses of the request
ommended for the inquisitive. interrupted and a protected-mode func­
block and the common data area and
tion Y started, even if X is identical to Y.
finds a function transfer table and a de­
ABIOS When a program or operating system vice block to use when handling the re­
The IBM PC BIOS is able, in many calls ABIOS, it must pass pointers to two quest. In the Operating System Transfer
cases, to isolate programs that run in the structures: a request block and a com­ Convention, the caller furnishes the lo­
"real" mode of the 8086 family of pro­ mon data area (see table 3). The request cations of these data structures. Note that
cessors from the physical hardware-es­ block specifies the function to be per­ since the parameters are not removed
pecially in certain areas such as disk 110. formed-just as the interrupt number, from the stack upon return to the caller,
However, it has few provisions for han­ the AH register, and the other CPU reg­ an operating system can save the function
dling memory sizes greater than 1 mega­ isters tell the CBIOS what needs to be transfer table and device block addresses
byte and little support for the protected done. The common data area, ABIOS's after they have been furnished by ABIOS
modes of the 80286 and 80386 proces­ "master switchboard," is a table that during a call.
sors. Thus, an environment that uses pro­ contains pointers to all of ABIOS's other
tected mode to multitask or to break the tables and data areas. Interrupt Handling in ABIOS
640K-byte barrier on a standard AT com­ The internal data structures linked to­ Unlike CBIOS, ABIOS expects system
patible is forced to take one of two ap­ gether by the common data area include devices to share interrupts. In a machine
proaches: It can switch the processor function transfer tables-which, like running under ABIOS, the operating sys­
back to real mode (slowly!) to use the CP/M's jump tables, list the addresses of tem-not ABIOS-gets control when a
IBM PC BIOS calls, or it can go directly routines that perform certain func­ hardware interrupt occurs. It is the re­
to the hardware in protected mode, sacri­ tions-and device blocks, which contain sponsibility of the operating system to
ficing the hardware independence pro­ public and private information used by call ABIOS to have the interrupt ser­
vided by the BIOS. devices. The details of these complex viced, and the operating system must
To avoid this problem, IBM has come structures can be found in IBM's Per­ also issue the End oflnterrupt command
up with a new kind of BIOS: the Ad­ sonal System/2 Seminar Proceedings (see to the interrupt controller.
vanced BIOS, or ABIOS. (IBM some­ bibliography). continued
times calls the older, real-mode BIOS by
the name CBIOS, or Compatibility
BIOS, to distinguish it from the ABIOS .) Table 3: AB/OS stack frame and calling conventions.
ABIOS, which is currently implemented
only on IBM's PS/2 series and compat­ Bytes Stack contents
ibles, can be used by operating systems
running in either real mode or protected 2 Common data area pointer (segment/selector only)-required.
mode-or by "bimodal" environments, 4 Request block pointer-required.
like OS/2, that switch back and forth. 4 Function transfer table pointer-furnished by ABIOS or caller.
ABIOS provides even greater isolation 4 Device block pointer-furnished by ABIOS or caller.
from the physical hardware than the orig­ 4 (Return address.)
inal CBIOS and contains complete sup­
port for concurrent device access by
many processes in a multitasking system.
Single-staged begin - .I single operation I -done
Types of ABIOS Requests
ABIOS can support three types of re­
quests made by an operating system or a
user program: single-staged, discrete
Discrete
multi staged
begin - .I stage 1 l ~I stage 2 l~I stage 3 I- . done

multistaged, and continuous multistaged.

Each type of request is diagrammed in
figure4. Continuous begin T l stage 1 I ~I stage 2 ] ~
In a single-staged request, the ABIOS multistaged
performs the requested function right
away; it's done by the time the program
regains control. A discrete multistaged Figure 4: ABJOS request types. A single-staged AB/OS request completes
request happens in two or more stages, immediately before returning to the caller. A discrete multistaged request is processed
with delays between the stages; the call­ in stages with delays between the stages; control is returned to the caller until a
ing program regains control during the hardware interrupt signals that a stage has completed. A continuous multistaged
delays so that other processing can be request starts a process-sometimes called a daemon-that loops forever between
done. A continuous multistaged request one or more stages.
starts a staged operation that never ends.

APRIL 1989 • BYTE 309

 HANDS ON

UNDER THE HOOD

If more than one device is sharing a stated publicly that "ABIOS is contained BIBLIOGRAPHY
hardware interrupt, the operating system in ROM but does not preclude a RAM Davies, Russ. COMPUTE's Mapping the
must invoke the ABIOS interrupt han­ implementation.") It is to be hoped that, IBM PC and PCjr. Greensboro, NC:
dling routine for each of these devices in in the long term, compatible manufac­ COMPUTE! Publications, Inc., 1985.
turn. If the current interrupt does not af­ turers (and/or enterprising software de­ Foster, John 0 ., and John Choisser. XT
fect a device, the operating system re­ signers) will provide ABIOS implemen­ and AT BiosKits. San Diego, CA: Anna­
ceives a return code from ABIOS that tations for existing 80286 and 80386 books, 1988.
says, "This is not my interrupt; please machines. If this does happen, you can IBM PC, XT, and AT Technical References
try another device." The operating sys­ anticipate an even greater level of stan­ (several revisions). Armonk, NY: IBM,
tem continues to query devices until one dardization and machine independence 1981-1987.
responds to the interrupt request. than that engendered by the original IBM IBM Personal System/2 Seminar Proceed­
PC BIOS. ings, vol. 5, no. 4. Armonk, NY: IBM,
Future Compatibility In the meantime, the venerable IBM 1987.
ABIOS is an important step toward PC BIOS-now well understood and Norton, Peter. The Programmer's Guide to
maintaining machine independence in readily implemented-has fostered the the IBM PC and Compatibles. Redmond,
the Intel protected-mode world. Unfor­ development of a strong, consistent in­ WA: Microsoft Press, 1988.
tunately, the majority of PC compatibles dustry standard. While far from perfect,
available today-and likely to be avail­ this standard will doubtless persist for ACKNOWLEDGMENT
able in the near future-do not have another decade or more and will allow Special thanks to Samuel Adams Yorko
ABIOS, and users of multitasking oper­ manufacturers to produce quality prod­ for his help in' obtaining information .
ating systems such as OS/2 and Unix ucts at commodity prices. Hopefully,
must buy machine-specific versions of newer standards, such as ABIOS, will Brett Glass is a freelance programmer,
the operating system and/or install de­ eventually replace the standard CBIOS author, and hardware designer residing
vice drivers to adapt the operating system as the basis for compatible machines in Palo Alto, California. He can be
to each machine. with multitasking and more than 640K reached on BIX as "glass. "
There is no compelling technical rea­ bytes of directly addressable memory. Your questions and comments are wel­
son, however, why ABIOS cannot be Only time will tell if these new standards come. Write to: Editor, BYTE, One
added to existing systems-as an add-in will ever be as pervasive as the standard Phoenix Mill Lane, Peterborough, NH
ROM or even as a TSR. (In fact, IBM has that lies at the heart of the IBM PC. • 03458.

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310 BYTE • APRIL 1989 Circle 118 on Reader Service Card (DEALERS: 119)
 HANDS ON

SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED • Rick Grehan

FLOATING-POINT

•
REVISITED

This variation on a tide on floating-point.) Take a look at number's value on sight. Try that with a
figure I and see if you recognize the binary floating-point number!)
theme yields a floating­ structure. FACLEXP holds the expo­ In my September column, I introduced
nent, FAC LSIGN contains the sign of the idea of a bias in regard to the expo­
point package the number, and FACLMAN holds the nent. You can think of the bias as an off­
particularly suited to mantissa. set that allows the exponent to represent
The main difference between a binary both positive and negative values. This
business applications floating-point number and a BCD float­ BCD floating-point package uses a bias
ing-point number is that the binary num­ of 163 84; the true value of the exponent
ber is in base-2 representation while the is FACLEXP-16384. This translates to
BCD number is still in base IO. A binary a range of ± 16383 for the exponent. An
loating-point is a topic of suffi­ floating-point number looks like this: exponent of 0 is a special case. that indi­

F cient significance for me to

cover it more than once, particu­
larly when there's some ground
that I didn't cover last time (see my two­
part "Floating-Point without a Copro­
where a is the mantissa and b is the expo­
nent. In the case of most floating-point
cates true zero, allowing routines to test
for zero by looking at a single word
rather than having to scan the entire con­
tents of the mantissa.
So what do all these attributes buy
cessor" in the September and October formats in use today (e.g., the IEEE for­ you? First, since the BCD floating-point
1988 BYTE). This month's package is mats and the one I presented in "Float­ number is in base IO, you don't lose any
fundamentally different from the previ­ ing-Point without a Coprocessor"), a is precision when converting numbers be­
ous one-it has strengths where the other interpreted as a binary fraction, and b is tween their external form (ASCII strings
has weaknesses, making it particularly an integer. on the display) and their internal repre­
suited to business and accounting ap­ In contrast, a BCD floating-point sentation. As a contrasting example, the
plications. number has the following form: binary equivalent of 0.1 is a repeating
The floating-point package that I de­ binary fraction, just as the decimal num­
scribed in "Floating-Point without a Co­ ±ax JOb ber for~ is 0.333333 .... Consequently,
processor" manipulated floating-point 0.1 cannot be precisely converted into a
numbers in base 2; such numbers are Now, a is a decimal fraction in BCD no­ binary floating-point number. Happily,
called binary floating-point numbers . tation; bis still an integer, but this time it BCD floating-point numbers do not suf­
This time, I'm presenting a binary­ indicates a base- I 0 exponent. But how is fer from such rounding errors: 0 .1 is eas­
coded-decimal (BCD) floating-point a number stored in BCD notation? The ily stored as a BCD floating-point num­
package. As you'll see, BCD floating­ process is simple: Take each decimal ber with no precision loss. On the other
point computing has some advantages digit in the number, convert that digit hand, BCD floating-point numbers suf­
over binary foating-point computing. into its 4-bit binary equivalent, and store fer from truncation errors: The number
(Borland includes a BCD option in its each 4-bit packet into successive nibbles is simply snipped off at the least-signifi­
Turbo Pascal programming language, of the BCD number. So, 32 base IO cant digit.
and Zedcor uses a BCD representation would be 001 IOOIO base 2; 458 base 10 Another drawback to using BCD
for floating-point numbers in its ZBasic would be OIOOOIOl lOOO base 2. floating-point numbers is that the four
compiler.) Actually, I'm being needlessly diffi­ basic arithmetic routines are slower than
But it's not all roses. There are some cult. If you convert a base- I 0 number their binary counterparts. This is be­
disadvantages to using BCD floating­ into its BCD equivalent and display the cause you can't use the base number sys­
point numbers. That's part of life in the results in hexadecimal, it looks just like tem native to the machine (base 2). De­
computer world. This column should the original number. So, 458 base l 0 signers of the 8088 (and other popular
help you decide which form-BCD or converted to a BCD number and dis­ CPUs) have incorporated special in­
binary-is best for your applications. played in base 16 is just 458. Each deci­ structions for working with BCD num­
mal digit is stored in 4 bits-exactly the bers, but these instructions tend to be,
Inside number of bits required to store a hexa­ shall we say, less robust than their binary
I can describe the format of a BCD float­ decimal digit. (This is particularly nice counterparts. BCD instructions operate
ing-point number easily. (You'll catch on when you're in a debugging session: You on byte-size quantities only, so you can­
even quicker if you've read my earlier ar- can determine a BCD floating-point conrinued

APRIL 1989 • BYTE 311

 HANDS ON

SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED

Shifting a BCD floating-point mantissa

Listing 1: Pseudocode for BCD floating-point addition and subtraction. left (or right) by a nibble multiplies (or
divides) that number by 10. See the sym­
{ Add the contents of FACl to the contents of FAC2. The result is
metry? The operations are the same;
{ returned in FACl.
only the bases have changed.
FADD:
There is the possibility that, in order to
IF FAC2_EXP > FACLEXP THEN align exponents, FADD might have to
Swap FACl and FAC2;
N := FACl_EXP - FAC2_EXP;
shift FAC2's mantissa to the right more
{ N is the difference between the two exponents; i.e., the number times than FAC2 has significant digits.
{ of times we have to multiply FAC2 by 10. This multiplication is done In other words, FAC2's magnitude may
{ by shifting, and if we have to shift more times than there are be negligible relative to FAC 1's magni­
{ digits, the number is already in FACl. tude-at least within the accuracy of this
IF N > NUMBER_OF_DIGITS THEN BCD package. In this case, FADD sim­
RETURN no error;
ply exits without changing the contents of
REPEAT N TIMES
FACl.
SHIFT FAC2_MAN right 1 nibble;
Once the exponents are equal (i.e., the
IF FACl_SIGN = FAC2_SIGN

{ The following is a BCD addition.

decimal points are aligned), the routine

FACl_MAN := FACl_MAN + FAC2_MAN;
can do the addition. Actually, it may not
ELSE always be addition; the routine will need
BEGIN
to do subtraction if the mantissas' signs
{ The following is a BCD subtraction .
are different. If the routine ends up sub­
FACl_MAN := FACl_MAN - FAC2_MAN;
tracting the numbers, then, on the way
IF borrow occurs THEN
out the door, it makes a final check to see
BEGIN if a borrow (subtraction's counterpart to
FACl_SIGN := FACl_SIGN XOR BOH; addition's carry) has been generated. A
{ The following step may only be necessary on the 80x86 family­
{ thanks to the way it performs BCD operations. To negate the
borrow indicates that the sign of the re­
{ mantissa, set the carry and perform a BCD subtraction from 0. sult is opposite FAC 1 's sign; in other
Negate FACl_MAN; words, FACl was a positive number, and
END FAC2 is a negative number with an abso­
GOTO NORM_FACl; lute value greater than FACl. Since
{ Subtract contents of FAC2 from contents of FACl. Result in FACl. FACl now holds the result, the routine
FSUB: flips its sign accordingly. Finally, the
FAC2_SIGN := FAC2_SIGN XOR BOH;
FADD exits through the normalization
GOTO FADD;
routine.

Normalization
not take advantage of a 16- or 32-bit reg­ use a set of floating-point accumulators Normalization preserves a high accuracy
ister. In contrast, a binary floating-point (memory locations, actually) to hold the for floating-point numbers. Simply put,
package written specifically for an factors of operations taking place. FAC 1 when you normalize a floating-point
80386 or 68000 would perform approxi­ and FAC2 are the primary accumulators; number, you move its most-significant
mately half the register-to-memory FAC3 operates as a temporary holding lo­ digit just to the right of the decimal
fetches than would an equivalent BCD cation. The results always appear in point. Instead of storing 270 as .00027 x
package on, say, an 8088. FACl. 106 (and wasting space on all those ze­
There is a final saving grace for BCD. The first step in the BCD floating­ ros), you normalize the number and store
As I've mentioned, 1/0 of BCD floating­ point addition routine (see listing 1) is to it as .27 x 10 3 • So normalization simply
point numbers is tons simpler and quick­ align exponents (equivalent to aligning boils down to multiplying or dividing the
er than 110 of binary floating-point num­ decimal points when adding numbers on mantissa by powers of 10 while incre­
bers. If you review "Floating-Point paper). FADD moves the factor with the menting or decrementing the exponent,
without a Coprocessor," you '11 see that largest exponent into FAC 1 and then sub­ thereby leaving the value of the number
the input and output routines have to per­ tracts exponents to determine how many unchanged. You've already seen that
form floating-point multiplication and times it is necessary to increment FAC2's multiplication and division of the mantis­
division by 10; they're time-consuming exponent to align it with FACl 's. Incre­ sa can be accomplished by shift opera­
operations. With BCD floating-point menting FAC2's exponent is offset by di­ tions. The pseudocode for normalization
numbers, I/0 isn't much more than a viding FAC2 's mantissa by 10; actually, uses the same concepts and should there­
series of shift and mask operations. No the exponent ofFAC2 is never increment­ fore be pretty easy to understand (see
multiplications are involved. ed since all that is needed is FAC2's ad­ listing 2).
justed mantissa. Once the two factors are Keep in mind that two memory repre­
Addition aligned, FAC 1 can provide the exponent, sentations of numbers are at play in this
You may recognize the similarity be­ because both exponents are now equal. package: the internal representation
tween these algorithms and the ones that This is where BCD floating-point (how the number is stored in the floating­
appeared in my previous discussion of numbers and binary floating-point num­ point accumulators) and the external rep­
floating-point; if not, you should still bers show their differences: A single resentation (how the number is stored in
have no trouble following the discussion, shift of a binary floating-point mantissa the local memory of an application).
thanks to the fact that this BCD package multiplies or divides (depending on the These representations are different, and
lets you work in base 10. These routines direction of the shift) the number by 2. for good reason. When numbers are be­

312 BYTE • APRIL 1989

 HANDS ON

SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED

ing processed by the floating-point pack­

age, you are concerned primarily with Listing 2: Normalizing a BCD floating-point number.
maintaining accuracy. Space conserva­
tion is no real issue; at most, only two { Normalize the f l oating-point number in FAC l .
numbers are being manipulated at a NORM_FACl :
time. Outside, in the application pro­ IF FACl_MAN = 0 THEN
gram that is calling the floating-point BEGIN

FACLEXP : = O;

package, memory space may be a serious

FACL SGN := O;

consideration. RETURN no er ror ;

For example, the number 0.4332198, END

normalized and stored in FACl, would IF highest ni bbl e of FACl_MAN <> 0 THEN

look like this: BEGIN

Shift FACl_MAN right 1 nibble;

0433 2198 0000 0000 0000 0000 FACl _EXP := FACl_EXP + 1;

IF high bit of FACl_EXP <> 0 THEN

Notice that when the number is in inter­ RETURN exponent over fl ow ;

END

nal form, it is shifted to the right one WHILE highest nibble of FACl_MAN = 0

digit. This leaves an empty "overflow" BEGIN

slot that catches any carries (or borrows) Shi ft FACl_MAN l eft 1 nibble;

out ofthe most-significant-digit position. FACl _EXP : = FACl_EXP - 1;

Also, the internal representation carries END

an extra word at the number's least-sig­ IF high bit of FACl_EXP <> 0 THEN

nificant digits (see figure 1). This pad­ RETURN exponent underflow;

ding becomes important as numbers are ELSE

shifted to the right to align exponents for RETURN no error;

the addition operation; some of the least­

significant digits are retained, rather
than being shifted off into never-never
land.
(a)
Subtraction
This is as easy as ever: Flip the sign of FAC1_SIGN (1 byte) . Used in the internal representation only;
FAC2 and call the FADD routine. D holds the sign of the mantissa in its highmost bit
(1 =negative mantissa).
Multiplication
In multiplication, the speed advantage of
a binary package over a BCD package be­
gins to show through. Multiplication is
II : FAC1_EXP (1 word). The decimal exponent is stored here in
the low 15 bits of the word with a bias of 16384 (i.e . • the
true exponent is FAC1_EXP-16384). The high bit serves as
actually a series of shift-and-add opera­ overflow detection in the internal representation and holds the
tions. In the binary floating-point pack­ mantissa's sign in the external representation.
age, an addition takes place for each 1 bit
in the multiplier. But in this BCD pack­
age, the number of additions that takes (b)
place is equal to the sum of the multipli­
er's digits.
Let me illustrate. When the BCD I : : : I : : : I : : : I : : : I : :.: I : l : I
package goes to multiply 15 and 34, it FAC1_MAN (6 words). Holds the mantissa in BCD form. The

first sets up a product memory location, low word of FAC1_MAN is discarded when the number is

initialized to 0. Then, it looks at the converted to· external representation.

rightmost digit ofthe multiplier (4 in this

case), which indicates the number of
times to add the multiplicand into the
product. So the partial product in step 1 ~'--~~~~.,,.----~~~~~
is 15+15+15+15=60. Then the rou­
tine examines the multiplier's next digit 15-bit 5-word mantissa
to the left (3), which is the number of exponent
times to add the multiplicand times JO
Sign of mantissa

into the partial product. So the result in (1 =negative)

this example is 60 + (150+ 150+150),

or 510. For a bigger multiplier, this pro­
cess would repeat with the multiplicand Figure 1: (a) A BCD floating-point number 's internal storage (i.e. , when the
times 100, times 1000, and so on. floating-point package is operating on the number), and (b) its external storage, as
Put another way, the routine is repeat­ seen by the calling application. This format can handle numbers in the range
edly multiplying the multiplicand by 10 ± n x JO± 16383, where n is a decimal fraction with 20 digits ofprecision.
continued

APRIL 1989 • BYTE 313

 HANDS ON

SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED

you know the core of the division algo­

Listing 3: Pseudocode fort he multi plication algorithm. rithm (see listing 4).
It is easy to dissect the other parts of
{ Mul tipl y contents of FACl and FAC2 . Result in FAC l . the routine. To determine the sign of the
FMUL: quotient, you use the same technique as
IF (FACl _EXP = 0) OR (FAC2_EXP = 0) THEN in the multiplication routine: You do an
BEGIN
EXCLUSIVE-OR on the sign bytes of the
FACl_MAN := O; { Clear the mantissa
factors. Make sure you're watching for a
GOTO NORM_FACl;

END
0 in the denominator (FAC2 in this pack­
Cal cul ate exponent of resu l t.
age), and bail out with an error condition
FACl_EXP := FAC2_EXP - BIAS + FACl_EXP;
if you see one. Finally, if the numerator
IF high bit of FACl_EXP = 1 THEN
(in FACl) is 0, the routine can exit with­
RETURN exponent overfl ow er ror; out having to do any work since the result
{ Det er mine sign of the r esul t . is already in place.
FACL SIGN : = FAC2_SIGN XOR FACL SIGN;
{ Copy FAC l ' s mantissa to FACJ and cl ea r FACl's mantissa in Conversions
{ preparatio n.
Copy FACl _MAN into FACJ_MAN;
Two of the more important functions
FACLMAN : = O; provided with floating-point libraries are
REPEAT number_of_digits times conversion to and from integer. In the in­
BEGIN
terest of completeness, I include them in
N := lowest nibble of FACJ;
this package.
REPEAT N.times
Listing 5 shows the pseudocode for
{ NOTE: The fo l lowing statement adds two BCD numbers. converting a 16-bit integer to a BCD
FACl _MAN := FAC2_MAN + FACl _MAN; floating-point number. This routine is
IF this is not last time through REPEAT loop THEN primarily a process that pulls decimal
BEGIN

digits out of the integer number one at a

Shi f t FACl_MAN righ t 1 ni bble;

Shift FACJ_MAN r i ght 1 ni bble;

time, shifting each digit into the mantis­
END
sa and incrementing the exponent for
END
each digit shifted in. You can extract
GOTO NORM_FACl;
digits from an integer by repeatedly di­
viding that numbe.r by 10 and examining
the remainder after each division.
Since a 16-bit number can hold, at
while scanning through the digits of the most, five decimal digits, the routine
multiplier. Multiplying by 10 is easy need not concern itself with overflow
with BCD numbers: You can just shift checks. The only extra test is for the
them 1 nibble to the left. But wait-this T wo of sign, at the start of the routine.
package uses BCD fractions, not whole Getting a number back to integer from
numbers, and shifting to the left might the more important the floating-point format is another mat­
roll the most-significant digits "off the ter. There are two possible situations in
top." Instead, then, the package shifts functions provided with which the conversion will fail. In case 1,
the product right by 1 nibble for the same the number is too large to fit into a 16-bit
effect, and you sacrifice least-significant floating-point libraries signed integer (whose range, by the way,
digits on the right rather than most-sig­ is ± 32767); in case 2, the number has no
nificant digits on the left. are conversion to and integer part-that is, it's something like
So the maximum number of additions 0.001.
that can take place is 9 xd, where dis the from integer. Strictly speaking, case 2 doesn't cause
number of digits in a BCD floating-point a failure ; the routine simply returns a 0
mantissa. Now, remember that a BCD forthe result. Handling case 1 is trickier.
digit is stored in a 4-bit nibble, and that, You can get a quick idea ofwhether or not
in a binary package, an addition takes the floating-point number will fit by ex­
place for every 1 bit. You can see that, Division amining its exponent. When FACLEXP
per byte, a BCD floating-point multiply Multiplication is shift-and-add; division -BIAS is a positive number, the result is
routine may have to perform up to 18 ad­ is subtract-and-shift. If you think about the number of digits to the left ofthe dec­
ditions (9 per nibble), while a binary what's going on when you perform long imal point. Consequently, ifFACLEXP
floating-point multiply would have to division, you know that most of your time -BIAS is greater than 5, the routine can
perform 8 at most. is spent calculating how many times a exit immediately: The number is surely
By now you should understand the me­ number a can go into b. For a human, too big. Otherwise, checking for over­
chanics of the multiply routine, so I this process is a set of heuristics that usu­ flow has to proceed as the number is con­
won't go into great detail concerning its ally involve eying the number and taking verted to integer.
pseudocode in listing 3. About the only educated guesses. For a computer, the The routine multiplies an accumulator
thing I've left out is how the routine de­ process is cruder: Keep subtracting a by 10, shifts the topmost digit out of the
termines the sign ofthe result. And that's from b until b is less than or equal to 0, mantissa, and adds this digit to the accu­
easy: You do an EXCLUSIVE-OR on the and keep track of how many times you mulator. (The number of digits to shift
signs ofthe two factors. perform the subtraction. There-now continued

314 BYTE • APRIL 1989

 HANDS ON

SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED

A MESSAGE

Listing 4: BCD floating-point division.

To OuR

{ Divide number in FACl by number in FAC2.

SUBSCRIBERS

{ Leave the result in FACl.

FDIV:

IF FAC2_EXP = 0 THEN
RETURN divide by zero error;

( If FACl = 0, the result is zero.

IF FACl_EXP = 0 THEN

RETURN no error;

F ROM TIME TO TIME

we make the BYTE sub­
scriber list available to other
{ Calculate the exponent of the quotient.

FACl_EXP := FACl_EXP - FAC2_EXP + BIAS;

companies who wish to send
( Determine the sign of the quotient.
our subscribers material about
FACl_SIGN := FACl_SIGN XOR FAC2_SIGN;

( Clear FAC3 to hold the result.

their products. We take great
FACJ_MAN : = O;
care to screen these companies,
REPEAT number_of_digits times
choosing only those who are
BEGIN
DO reputable, and whose products,
( NOTE: The following expression subtracts BCD numbers. services, or information we feel
FACl_MAN := FACl_MAN - FAC2_MAN; would be of interest to you.
BORROW :=TRUE if borrow is generated
else FALSE; Direct mail is an efficient
IF BORROW=FALSE THEN medium for presenting the latest
Increment lowest nibble in FACJ_MAN;
personal computer goods and
WHILE BORROW=FALSE;

BEGIN
services to our subscribers.
{ Following is a BCD addition.

FACl_MAN := FACl_MAN + FAC2_MAN;

Many BYTE subscribers · ap­
IF this is not last time through REPEAT loop THEN

BEGIN
preciate this controlled use of
Shift FACl_MAN left 1 nibble;
our mailing list, and look for­
Shift FACJ_MAN left 1 nibble;
ward to finding information of
END

END
interest to them in the mail.
END
Used are our subscribers' names
FACLMAN : = FACJ_MAN;
and addresses only (no other
GOTO NORM_FACl;

information we may have is ever

given).

Listing 5: Pseudocode for converting an integer to a floating-point number. While we believe the distribu­
tion of this information is of
{ Convert integer in IREG to a BCD floating-point number stored in
benefit to our subscribers, we
{ FACl. NOTE: In this and the floating-to-integer routine, IREG is

{ assumed to hold a 16-bit signed integer.

firmly respect the wishes of any
INT_TO_FLOAT:
subscriber who does not want
IF IREG < 0 THEN
to receive such promotional
FACLSIGN : = BOH;

ELSE
literature. Should you wish to
FACLSIGN : = 0;
restrict the use of your name,
{ Clear FACl to receive number.
simply send your request to the
FACLEXP := O;

FACLMAN := O;
following address.
{ Repeatedly divide IREG by 10. Capture each remainder into top

{ nibble of FACl_MAN .

WHILE IREG <> 0 DO

BEGIN

IREG := IREG / 10;

High nibble of FACl_MAN := remainder from

previous division;

Shift FACl_MAN right 1 nibble;

flYJE MAGAZINE
FACl_EXP := FACl_EXP + 1;
ATTN : SUBSCRIBER SERVICE
END
P.O. Box 555

IF FACLEXP <> 0 THEN

HIGHTSTOWN, NJ 08520

FACl_EXP := FACl_EXP +BIAS;

GOTO NORM_F ACl;

i;~r.
APRIL 1989 • BYTE 315
 HANDS ON

SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED

Back,

by popular
BCDs and CPUs

demand.
M ost microprocessors in use today
include instructions specifically
tion." Notice that the instructions are
almost afterthoughts: You tell the pro­
Just a fe w yea rs ago, illegal hunting for manipulating binary-coded-decimal cessor to perform an addition or sub­
and encroach ing civilization had all but numbers. It's a devilish pain doing BCD traction, and it thinks you mean with
destroyed the all igator population in the
south. They were added to the offi cial mathematics if the CPU doesn't have binary numbers, so you have to tell it
list of endangered species in the United some provision for them. "No, they were really BCD numbers, so
States. With the Intel 8088/80286/80386 please go fix the results."
Now alli gators have made a family, you have to perform a "decimal With Motorola 's 68xxx family, the
comeback. situation is a little better. Members of
adjust" on the AL register after an add
or subtract cperation. So, if I had two this family have special BCD addition
BCD numbers, one in AL and the other and subtraction cperations that don't re­
in BL, and I wanted to add these num­ quire an additional cleanup step. To add
bers, I would use the following : two BCD numbers, you use the instruc­
tion ABCD; the mnemonic stands for
Conservationists ADD AL,BL "add tv.u BCD bytes and the extend
intent on preserving this
legendary reptil e helped the rn.A bit." (The extend bit is a kind of auxil­
alligator get back on its feet. iary carry .) As you might suspect, the
Once again some southern where DM is the instruction for "deci­ instruction for subtracting BCD num­
swamps and marshes are mal adjust after addition. " Similarly, if bers is SBCD.
teeming with alligators. On both processors, BCD operations
With wise I were subtracting the numbers, the
conservation poli cies, code would look something like the fol­ occur in byte-wide fashion; the engi­
other endangered lowing : neers decided, for whatever reason, not
species have also made to incorporate word-wide or double­
comebacks ... the
cougar, gray whale, SUB AL,BL word-wide BCD instructions. (On the
Pacific walrus, wood DAS Intel CPUs, the decimal-adjust instruc­
duck, to name a few. tions affect only the AL register.) This
If you want to help You've probably guessed that DAS is a big contribution to a BCD package's
save our endangered means "decimal adjust after subtrac­ disappointing speed.
species, join the National
Wildlife Federatio n,
Department 106, 14 12
16th Street, NW, ,_. ··. out is given by FAC LMAN - BIAS .) mance by watching for the case where
Washington, DC ·· You can see by examining listing 6 that the dividend is an even multiple of the di­
- 20036. }Y ·.: the function checks for overflow when visor. This would occur ifthe subtraction
the accumulator is multiplied by I 0 and yields a result of zero. If this happens,
after each digit is added to the accumula­ you could halt all further subtractions
tor. If the number is successfully con­ and simply continue the shift opera­
verted, the routine then finishes up by tions-the subtractions would shift zeros
checking the contents of FAC LSIG N; if into the quotient anyway. This optimiza­
the sign is negative, the accumulator is tion might not be as effective as the pre­
negated. vious one, since a dividend will probably
rarely be an even multiple of the divisor.
Optimizations
Right off, I can think of two ways to im­ To BCD or not to BCD
prove this package's execution speed. A BCD floating-point package carries
The first is in the multiplication routine. some features not found in a similar
Remember that the number of additions binary package. In particular, a BCD
performed is dependent on the sum of the package is often the mathematics pack­
digits of the multiplier. This means that age of choice for business applications,
if you are multiplying 11 by 99,394, the thanks to a BCD number's immunity to
routine is going to go much faster if 11 is conversion between the internal number
the multiplier (resulting in two additions) and what is ultimately di.splayed or
rather than 99,394 (resulting in 34 addi­ printed. Also, since a BCD floating­
tions). Since it doesn't matter which fac­ point's exponent represents a power of
tor is in which accumulator (by the com­ 10, you can represent much bigger (and
mutative law), you could easily add a much smaller) numbers than with a
routine that sums the digits of both fac­ binary floating-point package .
tors and moves the number with the low­ Still , there are trade-offs. As I've
est result into the multiplier's place shown, the four basic operations execute
(FACl). more slowly using BCD numbers , and
In the division algorithm, you might it's simpler to make a binary package
be able to squeeze out some extra perfor­ continued

316 BYTE • APRIL 1989

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Circle 192 on Reader Service Card APRIL 1989 • BYTE 317

 HANDS ON

SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED

compatible with a floating-point copro­

Listing 6: Converting a floating-point number to its integer equivalent. cessor. Ultimately, the application will
determine which package you use. Since
{ Convert floating-point number in FACl to integer in IREG. I've provided both BCD and binary pack­
FLOAT_TO_INT: ages for your programming toolkits, you
IREG := O; { Prepare the way . should have all you need to choose the
{ See if number has any integer part at all. right tool for the job.
IF FACLEXP <= BIAS THEN
RETURN no error;
Next Month
{ Can IREG hold the number?

IF (FACl_EXP - BIAS) > 5 THEN

An inside look at something we all have
RETURN overflow error;
to live with: file directories. •
REPEAT (FACl_EXP - BIAS) TIMES

BEGIN
Editor's note: The listings printed with
IREG := IREG * 10;
this column are pseudocode and are in­
IF result of multiplication has greater
tended to represent the concepts and flow
than 15 bits of precision THEN of the actual 80x86 assembly language,
RETURN overflow error;
which is available in a variety offormats.
Shift FACLMAN left 1 nibble;
See page 3 for details.
N := highmost nibble in FACl_MAN;

IREG := IREG + N;

IF high bit of IREG = 1 THEN

Rick Grehan is the director of the BYTE
RETURN overflow error;
Lab. He has a B. S. in physics and applied
END
mathematics and an M.S. in computer
IF FACl_SIGN = 80H THEN
science/mathematics from Memphis
Negate IREG;
State University. He can be reached on
RETURN no error;
BIX as "rick_g."
Your questions and comments are wel­
come. Write to: Editor, BYTE, One
Phoenix Mill Lane, Peterborough, NH,
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318 BYTE • APRIL 1989 Circle 174 on Reader Service Card Circle 175 on Reader Service Card
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1-800-553-2404 In !OWA 319-987-2976 (408) 272-4071 Fax: (408) 437-T777 (800) 345-4220 In CA: (408) 458-9938
Inquiry 577. Inquiry 581.

SELF-INKING PRINTER RIBBON

Awarded United Slates Patent #4701062

Buy your own Book BAR CODE SOLUTIONS

Get a fully supported LISP program for Bar coding Is so easy with our complete line al readers. Our
Lasts 10-15 times longer than the convenlional ribbon
PC-Wand readers emulate your PC keyboard or ASCII ter­
For prin1e1s using 1h .. width open spool ribbon:
the MAC without the padded price to minal, and are carried around taking inventory, entering road
Okidata.82A-83A-84-92·93 Dec LA 1l80l120 sales and clocking time. Our bar code label printing sollware
Teetype-33, 35 Dec lA 30/IBM 1443 pay for an expensive book. $20 buys packages work with DOS and most matrix or laser printers.
Star Gemini 10X "illetype-Model 40 it MAC plus or equivalent runs it. Order We also sell pre-printed labels. Our hardware can work with
Extel Tl 8001810, 820, 880 nearly every computer in the world.
Con.ad us bt mail. phone or telex and we w1ll lorward you abrochure. now and save.
CONTROLLED PRINTOUT DEVICES, INC.
International Technologies & Systems Corp.
POB 869, Baldwin Rd., Arden, NC 28704 Oosson Software 635·C North Berry SI., Brea, CA 92621
(714) 990-1880 FAX: 714 990-2503 TLX 6502824734 MCI
(704) 684-9044 • TELEX: (FILMON·AREN) 577454 Box 33113, Coon Rapids, MN 55433
Inquiry 578. Inquiry 582. Inquiry 583.

BAR CODE
COMPUTER CLOCK $39 PRINT BAR CODES, BIG TEXT, LOGOS BAR CODE MADE EASY
Clock/calendar for PS/2 & PC/XT compatibles, PERCorlJe E·Z·REAOER"' keyboard inte11aces and multiuser
automatically enters time & date without wasting On EPSON, IBM, OKI dot matrix or LaserJet. Design any for·
RS·232 models mal~e it easy ta add bar code to virtually any
valuable VO slot. Inserts transparently between a mal/size on ONE easy screen. 1-120 fields/label. 13 text sizes
computerflerminal WITHOUT SOFTWARE MODIFICATION
28 pin ROM & its socket. Even works in BIOS or to 1" - readable at 50 fl AIAG, MIL·STD, 2 of 5, 128, Immediate shippng. Two ~ warranty. Bar code printing
HD controller ROM. 10 yr. lithium battery. Software UPC/EAN, Code 39. File Input, FAST-$279. Logos, Product
Syrrbols. Other menu-driven bar code programs from $49. sollware a ailable. Call for delails on fast accurate, ~data
included. 30 day money-back guarantee. All orders entry. Substantial reseller discounts.
shipped within 1 business day. 30 day $ back.
Tlme-Maater part #111TM $39.00 + $2.50 S&H Worthington Data Solutions PERCON®
800 432·9174 (24 hr.) 417-A Ingalls St.. Sanla Cruz, CA 95060 2190 W. 11th St, Eugene, OR 97402
Talus Engineering, Inc. (800) 345-4220 In CA: (408) 458-9938 1-800-8 PERCON
Inquiry 579.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

NATURAL LANGUAGE C LIBRARY

Increase your market share! Use JAKE to add a natural
BAR CODE READERS PC BAR CODE SPECIALISTS
For PC, XT, AT, & PS/2, all clones, and any RS-232 Bar code readers designed for fast, reliable, cost
language front end to your application. JAKE translates terminal. Acts like 2nd keyboard, bar codes read effective data entry. Looks just like keyboard data!
English queries and commands into C function calls as keyed data. With steel wand-$399. Works with Choose from stainless steel wand or laser interface.
and data structures. JAKE offers context-sensitive DOS, Xenix, Novell, Alloy, -ALL software. Lasers, Also, p<merful Bar Code and Text printing software.
semantic processing; interfaces easily; < 64K mem. magstripe, & slot badge readers. One year warran­ Great warranty. Dealer inquiries welcome.
JAKE $495. INTERACTIVE DEMO $10 ty. 30 day$ back. Direct from USA manufacturer.
ENGLISH KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS, INC. Worthington Data Solutions Seagull Scientific Systems
5525 Scotts Valley Dr. #22, Scotts Valey, CA 95066 417-A Ingalls St.. Santa Cruz, CA 95060 15127 N .E. 24th, Suite 333, Redmond, WA 98052
(408) 438-6922 (BOO) 345-4220 In CA: (408) 458-9938 206-451·8966
Inquiry 580.
APRIL 1989 • BYTE 319
- - - - - - - - - - liHE BltliYER'S MART~----------
BAR CODE CASE COMPUTER INSURANCE

BAR CODING SOURCE CODE FINITE STATE PROGRAM COMPILERS INSURES YOUR COMPUTER
UPC, EAN, CODE 39, 2 of 5, and Codabar. Ready State programs develop quicker, run faster and use less SAFEWARE provides full replacement of hardware,
to run programs with source codes. Toolkit for 'C' memory than sequential programs. A few keystrokes can media and purchased software. As little as $39 a
programmers. Do barcodes from your own pro­ replace hundreds of instructions. The Compeditor, a

grams. Supports HP W and Epson printers. In­ CASE software development tool, forms source state

year provides comprehensive coverage. Blanket

cludes disk, manual, and symbology documenta­ programs In: Ada, BASIC, C, FORTRAN and Pascal.
coverage; no list of equipment needed. One call
tion. No royalties. 30 day money back guarantee. FOR IBM DOS.
does it all. Call 8 am-10 pm ET. (Sat. 9 to 5)
SymBCG - $79.00 Complete Price $200 per. tang. (With Primer and Debugger)

Symbollc Sampler $50.00 (With all manuals & credit) TOLL FREE 1·800-848-3469
(Local 614-262·0559)
17019 Jeanelte A1'e., P.O. Box 47499, Cerritos, CA 90703 AVECO 5025 Nassau Circle, Orlando
(CA res. add $4.81 tax) (213) 926-2823 INCORPORATED FL 32808 (407) 295-0930 SAFEWARE, The Insur ance Agency Inc.

Inquiry 584. Inquiry 590. Inquiry 596.

CD-ROM CROSS ASSEMBLERS

POSTAL BARCODE PRINTING CD-ROM Drives & Titles

CROSS ASSEMBLERS

P-Bar Plus is me only IBM compatible software to Largest selection for PC & Mac.

use a 9-pin printer to print Postal Barcodes on Microsoft Programmers Library & Drive $995
Universal Linker, Librarian

envelopes. 17 million record capacity wit~ realtime Computer Llbrary$695 •Public Domain S/W $99.
Targets for 36 Microprocessors

duplicate search. Import/export ASCII text files and Drives from $699. Hundreds of titles from $29.

records for free conversion to ZIP +4. Many more MCNISNAMEX, Money-back Guarantee.
Hosts: PC/MS DOS, micro VAX, Vf;;)(. 8000

features saves on postage, postal processing and Call or write for free 100 page catalog.
Developed and supported at:

losses from misplaced mail. Get It all from "The Bureau"

T-Lan Systems ENERTEC, INC.

Bureau of Electronic Publlshlng
BOX 1312, Lansdale, PA 19446

RFD 2 Box 1290, Norridgewock, ME 04957 121 Norwood Ave., Upper Montclair, NJ 07043
(207) 397-5511 Tel: 215-362-0966 Fax: 215-362-2404

7 ­
Inquiry 585. Inquiry 591. Inquiry 597.

DATA INPUT DEVICES Government Databases on

Professional Series
Bar Code & Magnetic Stripe Readers for microcomputers & PseudoCode releases its Pseu doSam professional
terminals, including IBM PS/2 & others, DEC, Macintosh, CD·ROMs
Series of cross assemblers. Most popular processors.
AT&T, CT, Wyse. Wang. All readersconnecl on the keyboard Detailed US databases available on 5 CD-ROMs: Macros, Conditional Assembly, an·a Include Files. Vi r·
cable & are transparent to all software. LDw cost bar code Economics, labor, Agriculture, Consumers, and Food. tually unlimited size. For IBM PC's, MS-DOS 2.0 or
print programs, magnetic encoders, & portable readers are greater. ·\l!itH manual for $50.00. (Ml res. 4% tax).
Soon: Health, Business, Tax, Energy and more. Includes
also available. GSA contract #GSOOK87AGS5346. Simulators anet disassemblers also availal51e. Shipping
software to make tables, DIF or ASCII. $65 each, MS­
TPS Electronics DOS req. CD-ROM publishing services available. $5, Canada $10, Foreign $15. Visa/MC.
4047 Transport, Palo Alto, CA 94303
415-856-6833 Telex 371-9097 TPS PLA
Hopkins Technology
421 Hazel Lane, Hopkins, MN 55343
KORE Inc.
6910 Patterson, Caledonia, Ml 49316 616-791·9333
FAX: 415-856-3843 (612) 931-9376 CIS 74017,614 30Day satisfaction guaranteed orpurchase price rSunded.

Inquiry 586. Inquiry 592. Inquiry 598.

COMMUNICATIONS
VARIANT MICROSYSTEMS Async Executive™ & Tutorial FANTASTIC SIMULATORS
lnlerrupt driven transmit & receive. Supports uploeighl ports. But·
BAR CODE READERS DELIVER fered t/0 to 64K. 50 to 19200BPS. XONIXOFF. OTEIOCE. Modem
For the 8048, 8051, 8080, 8085, & Z80 families. Full function
simulation including ALL MODES of interrupts. Buill·in
W'IND/LASER/MAGNETIC CARD CONNECTIVITY controls. Transter charac1ers or blocks. Millisecond liming. Univer·
sal language Interface. BIOS/DOS e1etension capabilities. XMODEM disassembler. Better than expensive l.C,E.'s.
• Keyboard wedges (Internal/External) for IBM PC/XTIAT, PS/2
w/CRC. 200+ page comprehensive manual. Sample programs in·
and portables.
elude a spooler written in C. For IBM PC/XT/AT & all compalibles.
CROSS ASSEMBLERS
• RS232 wedges for WYSE, Link, Kimlron terminals Software Developer's Kit: $595. We support the 8048, 8051. 808018085, 8096 & zao families.
• Bar code and label printing software If Shipping $5, Canada $10, Foreign 515
Just $75 each .
• Full two year warranty CA residents add 6% tax. Cl1eck.slMO only.

• 30 Day Money Back Guarantee

CIRRUS SOFTWARE INC. Lear Com Company
•Extensive VAR/Dealer Discounts 2440 Kipling St./Ste. 206, l.akewood, C 0 80215
P.O. Sox 51924. Dept. 8., Palo Alto. CA ?4303
3140 De la Cruz8M! .,Su~ e 2001Sanla Clara, CA 950>41(408) 960-1880 (415) 949-1470 303-232-2226
Inquiry 587. Inquiry 593. Inquiry 599.

CAD/CAM
P·C·B ARTWORK MADE EASY!
MODEM - 2400 CROSS ASSEMBLERS
Create and Revise Prlnted·Clrcult·Artwork
INTERNAL 2400 BAUD, HAYES COMPATIBLE Macros, PC Compatible, Relocatable, Condi­

on your IBM or Compatible

tionals, Fast. Reliable . . .. from $150

U.S. MADE FOR PC, XT, Al386

- Help Screens • Dip & Sip Library

• Printer and Plotter Artwork • Supports Mice

$69 QTY. ONLY also: Disassemblers

• Auto-Router available ' ICON Menus

Requirements: IBM or Compatible PC, 384K RAM, DOS
I PC VOICE CARD EPROM Programmer Board

MESSAGE CENTER, TELEMARKETER

MICROCOMPUTER TOOLS CO.

3.0 or later. PCBoards: $99.00 DEMO: $10.00 CLEAR VOICE FOR PCXT, AT 386

Phone (BOO) 443-ong

PCBoards ITC CORP. 2630 Walnut Ave., Suite E, Tustin CA 92680 In CA (415) 825-4200

2110 14th Ave. Soulh, Birmingham, AL 35205

12051 933-1122
(714) 730·1121 FAX: (714) 730-3837 912 Hastings Dr., Concord, CA 94518

Inquiry 588. Inquiry 594. Inquiry 600.

P-CAD MOUSE PC-COMM: A SERIAL DATA 680XO Cross Assemblers

Now,~quallty68J)()~thllluse)OUflBMPCOfmm.
A quality mouse designed tor u n with the P-CAD soft­ COMMUNICATIONS ANALYZER pabble. All versions supp:>n up kl 32 char labels, INC WOE files, PATH names,
ware. It requires one RS232C COM Port fa the con­ Displays bidirectional RS-232 data traffic. Logs data to extensiw list OU'lpul, SOfled symbol tables. IT\ll1l'f common di~ prillled
nection. No external security device is needed any more. manuals. Bas.it:wrsion:saeateS•ew.~ Lin~~ iA;lllde a librarian
disk monitoring at 19.2K baud. Indicates errors and & 61'\kar, creae ei1t"l8I' Scx:wtb or r9oearable !Tni>llol:S linked ti amls S-ncxds
Complete hardware and documentation for $575. Call RS-232 control signals. Runs on all IBM PCIAT/PS2 0t binary fdes.. Minimum req uirements are 320!<. DOS 2.)QC. & i-ov, ~ OSOO.
or write for more information. Three years warranty. compatibles. Transfers binary files at 19.2K baud. Basic 68000J68010-S49.95 Basic 68020-$69.95

Checks, COO, VISA, MC accepted. Linking 68000168010-$89.95 Linking 68020/68881-$129.95

PC-COMM $165 Cable option $65 SIH $5 Linking 68030168881-$149.95

UNITEK SYSTEM Checlcs. VISA. MC accepted. MN residen'8 +6% sales tax.

9228 Vancouver Drive, Sacramento, CA 95826

Santa Rosa Software No po·s or COO's please.

(916) 962-6075
99 Alden Ave., Rohnert Park, CA 94928 RAVEN Computer Systems
P-CAD trademark of Personal CAD System, Inc.
707-664-8440 Box 12116, St. Paul, MN 55112 (612) 636·0365

Inquiry 589.
Inquiry 595. Inquiry 601.

320 BYTE • APRIL 1989

 CROSS ASSEMBLERS DAT A/DISK CONVERSION DAT A/DISK CONVERSION

6800-Famlly Development Software Get the Expertise You Need! CONVERSION SERVICES
Our C Compilers for the 6800, 6801, 6809, & Conver! any 9 track magnetic tape to or from over
68HC11 feature a complete implementation (ex­ Disk/Disk • Tape/Disk • OCR
cluding bit fields) of C as described by K&R and Over1,000formatsl 3V2, 5V•, or 8 inch disks; 9 track 1000 formats including 3Y2'. sw: 8" disk formats &
yield 30-70% less code than other compilers. Our mag tape; 10 MB Bernoulli cartridge. Data base and word processors. Disk to disk conversions also
Assemblers feature macros and conditional word processor translation. Specialists in Govern· available. Call for more info. lnlroducing OCR Scan·
assembly. Linker & Terminal Emulator included. men! Security Data. Call for lree consultation. ning Services.
Wlntek Corporation Computer Conversions, Inc. Pivar Computing Services, Inc.

1801 South St., Lafayette, IN 47904 9580 Black Min. Rd., Ste J, San Diego, CA 92126 165 Arlington Hgts. Ad .. Dept #8

(800) 742-6809 or (317) 742-8428 (619) 693-1697 Buffalo Grove, IL 60089 (312) 459-6010

Inquiry 602. Inquiry 608. Inquiry 614.

DATA CONVERSION DEMOS/TUTORIALS

MEDIA CONVERSION/DATA TRANSLATION LEARN THE ABC'S OF 1-2-3
M016 thanjust a straight dump or ASCII transfer/ DISK CONVERSIONS LEADING EDGE'S New Softvision VCR Training AC­
Word Processing, DBMS, and Spreadsheet data on Diak& Media transfert oo rtrom: IBM, Xerox, DEC, Wang, CELERATES learning LOTUS 1-2-3. You get: 84-min
or Tapes transferred directly Into applications running on Lanier, O'T, Micom, NBI, CT, also WP, WS, videotape, workbook and practice disk. NO\\! you're up­
Mainframes, Minis, Mlcroa,Oedlcated Word Processors, MS/WAD, DW4, MM, Samna, DEC DX, MAS 11, to-speed on Lotus 1-2-3. Just $29.95 + 2.50 P&H.
l'fpeaettera, and Electronlc Publlahlng systems. ORDER NOW. Money back if not delighted. All major
IBM PS/2 & Macintosh supported
Xerox-Writer, ASCII.
credit cards. CALL NOW.
#1 in the translation industry! FREE TEST CONVERSION
CompuData Translators, Inc. CONVERSION SPECIALISTS LIFE DYNAMICS
6050 Peachtree Pkwy., #240-226, Norcross, GA 30091
3325 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1202, Los Angeles, CA 90010 531 Main SI., Ste. 835, El Segundo, CA 90245 (800) 548-9608 M-F 10-6
(213) 387·44n 1-800-825-8251 (213) 545·6551 (213) 322-6319 (800) 548·5782 Ext. 12 ANYTIME

Inquiry 603. Inquiry 609. Inq uiry 615.

DAT ABASE MGMT SYSTEMS

FREE TRIAL dBASE Ill CLON!!

"1on1 is a programmable relational DBMS .. . The menu
DISK & TAPE CONVERSIONS I INSTANT REPLAY Ill
Build Demos, Tutorials. Prototypes, Presentations, Music,
mode is a fancier and more complete version of OBases's AUTOMATICALLY Timed Keyboard Macros, and Menu Systems. Includes
assistant mode... 1 on 1 "" 311 is a great deal for those who SAVE TIME AND MONEY Screen Maker, K~roke!Tirne Editor; Program Memorizer,
would be glad to have a dBASE Ill PLUS clone" Over 1000 formats from Mini, Micro Mainframe, Wad Pro· and Anmatoi: Rectl Great Revi"""! Simply the BEST. Nol
• • PC MAGAZINE 5/17/88 • • cessors, & Typesetters.
TAPE Conversions as low as $23.00 MB

copy protected. No royalties. 60 day satisfaction money

Free 30 day trial full program USA only or Buyn ow get free back guar. IBM and Compatb. $149.95 U.S.Cti</Cr. Crd.
upgrade. Money back guarantee $69 + $5. SIH chk/Amex. DISK Conversions as low as $15.00 per Disk

Call or wrile TOOAY for a cost saving quotation.

Demo Diskette $5.00

CAN +$4. Other +$10. Call or wrile:
I CREATIVE DATA SERVICES NOSTRADAMUS, INC.
1 on 1 Computer Solutlons P.O. Box 9252
26 Finchwood Dr., Trumbull, Cf 06611 203-375·0914 1210 W. Latimer Ave., Campbell, CA 95008
dBASE Ill is a trademark of Ashton:rATE (408) 866-6080 Salt Lake City, Utah 84109 (801) 487·9662
Inquiry 604. Inquiry 610. Inquiry 616.

DISASSEMBLERS

query dBASE IV data in OS/2 DISK INTERCHANGE SOFT-X-PLORE

don't waste time waiting for a huge program to load up See "BYTE's May '88 issue pg. 78". Disassemble 500
C >SELECf • FROM Ol\TABA.SE SERVICE COMPANY kb (')program at 10,000/min. (") in any file, ROM/RAM
• SELECT can read dBASE 111+ & IV database & index DISC specializes in transferring files between incom­ memory up to 80386 instruction set("). SOFT-X-plore:
• DOS & OS/2 protected mode version. multiuser patible disk fonnats, and between disk and 9·track tape. • is for MS/DOS 2.0+ systems
•
•
set up query by filling table. no programming
filter, relation, calc field, graph, histogram, report
• Dedicated Word Processors • uses 20 algorithms and seven passes r>
• Mini, Micro & Mainframe Computers • only $99.95 plus S&H w/30 day guarantee.
• DOS $36 OS/2 $36 both $66 + $3 S/H check/visa/MC
• g.Track Tape (800, 1600 and 6250 BPI) To order call (800) 446-4656 Of inlo (2031 560·0236
YSC Tech (416) 733-0228 • MSDOS, CP/M, UNIX, DOS, PRODOS, TSX+, R1'11 Orwrl te: RJSWANTEK INC.
47 Protea Gardens, Willowdale, ON M2K 2#5, CANADA 2 Park Drive • Westford , MA 01886 178 Brookside Rd., Newington CT 06111
dBASE IV is trademark of Ashlon:rate {508} 692-0050 • best on the market MCNISA accepted

Inquiry 605. Inquiry 611. Inquiry 617.

DATA/DISK CONVERSION DISK COMPATIBILITY

QUALITY CONVERSIONS THE #1 CHOICE

IBM PC's USE Mac DISKS
MatchMali:ar, lets yo u plug any Macintosh exter­
In disk & tape conversion

9 Track Tape for many leading corporations, government agencies,

nal floppy drive into an IBM PC. Half size aara and
software lets you co py tolfrem, view directory, in­
2,000 plus Disk Conversions law firms, and companies in fN9ry industry-Y«>rld-wide.
itialize, or delete files eri ttle Mac diskette. Works
Free test • Satisfaction guaranteed
with PCs, XTs, ATs, and compatibles. The easy way
Optical Scanning Call the helpful conversion experts ...
to move information/
$149.00 Visa/MC/COD/Chk.
1st Run Computer Services Inc. Graphics Unlimited Inc. Micro Solutlons Computer Products
1261 Broadway, Suite SOB, New York, NY 10001 3000 Second St. North, Minneapolis, MN 55411
132 W. Unco!n Hwy., DeKalb. IL 60115 B1sns6-3411
(212) 779-0800 (612) 588-7571
Inquiry 606. Inquiry 612. Inquiry 618.

DISK DRIVES

MAG TAPE & DISK CONVERSIONS

IBM PC •to• F,,tlfopy PS/2 DRIVES FOR PC's AT's
DISK conversion as low as $10 per MB
CompatiKiUPC .................... $279

TAPE conversion as Iowas $15 per MB

IBM PC to HP File Copy allows BM PCs, PS/2, com­ CompatiKiUAT ...... $219
Lowest price guaranteed-48 Hour turnaround
patibles to read, write files written by Hewlett Packard
Built-in floppy controllers-no problem.
Word Processor and Data Base translations
Series 70, 80, 200, 300, 1000, 9000's. We offer custom
Supports multiple drives and fo•ma ts. Lets your
All PC's, Macs, Minis, and Mainframes supported
work using our fie copy utiltties and program translators. computer use IBM PS/2 1.4M CfisRettesp1as more!
Mailing lists also available-Visa/MC accepted
can for estimate, catalog, data sheet. Call for further informatio n or to place an erder.
Oswego Software 312/554-3567 VISAIMCICODICHECK.
A.A. DATA CONVERSIONS
1318 Indian Tra il S., Palm Harbor, FL 34683 507 North Ad ams St. Fax 312/554-3573 Micro Solutions Computer Products
(813) 786-5245 Oswego, Illinois 60543 Telex 858·757 132 W Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb, IL 60t15 B15n5&-3411

Inquiry 607. Inquiry 613. Inquiry 619.

APRIL 1989 • B Y T E 321

- - - - -lftttE B U~ ER'S M A R T - - - - ­
DISK DUPE EQUIPMENT FAX COMMUNICATIONS GRAPHICS LIBRARIES

DO YOUR OWN DUPLICATION COMPLETE FAX $295 GRAPHICS LIBRARIES

Copy 10,000 or only 10 ..... in as little as 15 Grp. Ill FAX capabilily for your PC. Bkgrd. operation, w/pop­ Very Fas1 20/30 Autoscaling Graphics for Microsoft
up "hot key" for direct faxing from most applications. Scfied­ Languages. 30 Lines Use Color. Fast Polygon Fill,
seconds each with famous Mountain Duplica­
uledfbroadcast transmission, auto redial. Optional 9600 bps, Solld/Wiretrame. Color/Blinking Text. X·Y, Bar, Smith
tion equipment at the very best pricesll See us Contour & 30 Fishnet Graphs. Supports
voice mall, morel 2 }f. warranty from The Complete PC Free
for all of your duplication equipment needs 2nd day air shipping. CGA/EGA/VGA/Herc & Dot Matrixll..lser/Plotters @ Full
from Disks to Drives to Duplicators. Resolution. Print Screen. Por1. $140 NO ROYALTIES.
R. Giie Electronics FORTRAN Source + $30.
SYSTEMS SUPPORT DATA 358 So. Main St., Ste. #36

CHIRP TECHNICAL SERVICES

214 East Jackson Street, Front Royal , VA 22630 Orange, CA 92668

li\0. Box 551, Del Mar, CA 92014-0551

To order, call (800) 527-4453 or (114) 634-3353 24 hr.

703-635-1787 (619) 632-9510

For Info poll FAX 17141 634-1644

Inquiry 620. Inquiry 626.

Inquiry 631.

DISK DUPLICATION FLOW CHARTS

HARD DRIVE REPAIR

SOFTWARE PRODUCTION FLOW CHARTING II+ HELPS YOU! HARD DRIVE REPAIR
Precise flowcharting is fast and simple with Flow Charting
• Disk duplication • Warehousing W E WILL REPA IR YO UR HARD DRIVE AT A
II+. Draw, edit and print perfect charts: boldand normal fonts,
•All formats
• EVERLOCK copy
•
•
Drop shipping
Fulfillment
•
I
26 shapes - 95 sizes: fast entry of arrows, bypasses & con­
nectors; Fast Insert Line; shrink screen displays 200-column
FR ACTION OF T HE C OST OF REPLACING IT.
FAST TURN A RO UN D lll CALL FOR DETAILS
I protection • 48-hour delivery chart; 40 column edit screen for detail work, much morel
• Label/sleeve printing • Consultation &
• Full packaging guidance PATTON & PATTON H & W micro, Inc.
81 Great Oaks Blvd., San Jose, CA 95119 528-C FOREST PARKWAY
services Star-Byte, Inc. FOREST PAR K, GA 30050
2880 Bergey Rd., Halfield, PA 19440

1-800-525-0082 Ext. 42 (Outside CA)

215-997-2470 800-243-1515
408-629-5376 Ext. 42 (CA/lnt'I) (404) 366-1600
Inquiry 621. Inquiry 627. Inqu iry 632.

HARDWARE
DUPLICATION IS THE SINCEREST FORM OF FLATTERY
STRUCTURED FLOW CHART CHIP CHECKER
Let us Flatter y ou !! I See us f or all d isk NSChsrt creates Nassi-Shneiderman (structured) • 74154 TTL + CMOS • 8000 Nat. + Signetics
d uplicatio n nee ds. 10 dis ks to 100,00 0 and flowcharts from a simple POL. Keywords define • 1414000 CMOS • 9000 TTL
structures & text strings appear in the chart. Easy • 14-24 Pin Chips • .3" + .6" IC widths
more All formats- All syste m s. Best
to create, even easier to revise! Automatic chart siz­ Tests/Identities CM!r 650 digital chips w'rth ANY type
prices -Our o wn in -house p r inting of ing, text centering. Translators from many of output Jn seconds. Also tests popular RAM chips. IBM
d o cumentation-labels-sleev es. languages available. For Mac and IBM PC. compatible version $259. C128 + C64 version $159.

SYSTEMS SUPPORT DATA SILTRONIX, INC. DUNE SYSTEMS

P.O. Box 82544, San Diego, CA 92138 2603 Willa Or., St. Joseph, Ml 49085
214 East Jackson Street, Front Royal, VA 22630
703-635-1787 1-800-637-4888 (616) 983-2352
Inquiry 622. Inquiry 628. Inquiry 633.

DUPLICATION SERVICES GRAPHICS

SOFTWARE DUPLICATION 35mm SLIDES-In 24 Hours Rack-Mounted AT 286 or 386

Industrial, Med'Tech, Laboratory and Comm. needs
•One Stop Shopping • Technical Support I We transform your PC-Graphics files mo full-color hlgh­ 0 Intel 80286 or 80386 CPU daughter card 0 Passive back
• Custom Packaging • Drop Shipping 1 resolutlon, 35mm slides and ship within 24 hours. Har­ plane (8·10 expansion slots) O Fits standard 19~ rack o Heavy·
•Copy Protection • Fast Turnaround vard, Pixie, Lotus, Freelance, and others supported. duty dual fans 0 Clean air filter 0 High·speed, high·quality hard
• Competitive Pricing Files accepted by modem. Free Federal Express on all disk available o Slide·mounted CPU chassis for easy
orders of 20+ slides. Only $8 per slide. Call for literature maintenance access 0 Power supply up to 360 Watts. For
SATISFACTION GUARANTEED or circle reader service number shown below. details and prices, Contact:
800-222-0490 NJ 201-462-7628 Accent Presentations, Inc. (516) 589-8666
MEGAS oft 990 Highland Drive. 9:e. 202, 00. Box 1303. Solana Beach, CA 92075
1-800-222-2592
lnternatlonal
P.Q Box 710, Freehold, NJ oms See our ads on page 322. Telecommunlcatlons Services
Inquiry 623.
Inquiry 629. Inq uiry 634.

EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS

EZ·PC : MS·DOS VIDEO RAINDROP™ LATEST AWARD BIOS

COMPUTER TRAINING MADE SIMPLE FAST, compact Pr1Scrn Utlllty for end users AND PC/XT • 286 • 386
• Learn MS-DOS Quick & Easy developers. Hardcopy as fast as 10 secs. Average binary Support For:
• No computer jargon-All te rms explained size· 6 kbyte. 12 video graphic standards. Scale, rotate, • Enhanced Keyboards
• No prerequisites-Anyone can learn colorize and more. 'CALL' frcm user written programs. • EGA & VGA Graphics
• Affordable training in your home
A~t~~;;z:~~Ji9:Rt ~f;iib.utor
Complete 9 & 24 pin dot matrix, Inkjet, and laserjet
ORDER NOW - $24.95 library $39.95+$3 s/h. II
Add $2.00 Shipping VISAMC-AMEX·Check 1-800-423-3400 or (412) 782-0384
VIDEOMATION PRODUCTIONS, INC. RAINBOW TECHNOLOGIES
8323 Burwood Park Or., Spring, Texas nm 8106 St. David Cl, Springfield, VA 22153 KOMPUTERWERK, INC.
713-251-4224 (703) 440-0064 851 Parkview Blvd ., Pittsburgh, PA 15215
Inquiry 624. Inquiry 630. Inquiry 635.

ENTERTAINMENT

NEMESIS™ Go Master® AMAZING GRAPHICS MADE SIMPLE! Wholesale PC Parts

Announcing AXUM , the first truly sophisticated
Go, a game of strategic elegance, has been a way of technical graphics an'Ct analysis program for PCs. • 286 6/12mhz AT Baby Motherboard ..... $199
life in the Orient for a.ier four thousand years. Many con­ • 1.2 High Density Floppy............... $71

sider Go to be the secret of the Japanese business­ • analyze/explore/publish • display/edit • 1200b Modem, Internal. ............... $49

• ultra-high resolution • color/20 & 30

man's success. 'While chess is a game of war. Go is • IBM Compatible Mouse, Serial ......... $34

a game of market shara"[President of Nikko Hotels). : ~~~~e=:~~~n~~~e1p : ~:=~~re 11 Authorized Mark 'ii distributor of IBiil Compatibles

"II you are lnteres1ed In Go, buy this pnogram." - $495 with 60 day money back guatantee - Prices starting at $299

Game of the Month J. Pournelte BYTE 7/frl

TriMetrix, Inc. Micro N.W. Distributors
Toyogo, Inc. The Leader in Computer Go. 444 NE Ravenna Blvd., Suite 210-BY, Seattle, WA 98115 22043 68th Ave. South, Kenl, WA 98032
76 Bedford St. #34-Y, Lexington, MA 02173, (617) 861-0488 (800) 548-5653 ext. 062 (206) 527-1801 Jn WA Call: 206-859-9210

Inqu iry 625. Inquiry 636.

322 BYTE • APRIL 1989
 HARDWARE INTEGRATED CIRCUITS TTL LAPTOP COMPUTERS

Apple • Service Parts

Laptop Connection
7400 TTL Serles · Lap 10 Lap, ~~;o;,rHE Flt• 1\'llnsf~~e~: ~~~11sk. PC to PC
1
• Accessories • Systems •
Part Par 100 Par 1000 Pllt Par 100 Par 1000
7400 .13 ea .09 ea 7420 .13 ea .09 ea ' Super Easy to .Use • No lnsta:lation Required
BUY SELL TRADE
* * 7410 .13 .09 7430 .13 .09
• Break$ lhe "Br.1 dge.Llnk" P1ice Barrier
$55 w/unlversal cable, $45 w/o catlle

• 115 K Baud

74123 .27 .18 7474 .19 .14

PRE-OWNED Electronlcs, Inc.
74151 .33 .22 7486 .23 .16
See Jan. 89 lssue-''What's New" Column-p.94

PLUS ... . Quality Cables at FAIR Prices:

30 Clematis Avenue, Waltham, MA 02154 74153 .33 .22 • Nul Modem (8') .... $12 • Pt1n1e1 (6'.I ... .... $10

800-274-5343 FAX 617-891-3556 NEW SENSOR CORPORATION : ~~ p~~1(1J;1::::: : :~g : ~.ffej~~ :::::. · :~~PC
MANY MORE CABLES .U.rLABLE. Mat: &
Suite 526, 245 E. 63rd St., NYC, NY 10021
Service Centers and Dealers welcome Thompson Computlng-687 F N. Ventu Parle Rd.. Sta :ioo.
Add $3.00 for shipping 212 980-6748 NIMbury Parle, CA 91~20, (805) 49Jl.lt$3 (VISA MC)
Inquiry 637. Inquiry 643. Inquiry 649.

HARDWARE/ADD-ONS INTERFACES LAPTOP PERIPHERALS

The World's First Highest Density Module! PC/XTIAT COMPATIBLE KEYBOARD CONTROLLERS LAPTOP BACKLIGHTS
• 18 Meg on the smallest surface Controls custom membrane or mechanical switch matrices of up
to 512 keys. Connects to a standard PC/XT-"T keyboard port and Faclory lnslalled • 90 Day Warranty

•Organization: 2x1024Kx9 bit sends standard or user-deflned Blos Scan codes to your PC. An
• Package: OIL 64 pin Jedec-Standard I' extra pot! on the US6.R controller board allows you 10 use both a
Toshiba, Amstrad, Sanyo, DG,

"Technology: CMOS. hybrid, 18xHMS1100JP-10

·Compatibility: With two Hitachi HB56A 19-10
cuslom keyboard and a standard (83184 or 1011102) keyboard
slmultanaously. No spacial software or device drivers required . The
Kaypro, IBM , HP, etc. $295

• Sultable for extension of basic memory l USAA controller board is po\varad by Iha PC. U>w one time pro· The Portable Peripherals People
For more information please writs or call: grammlng charge if customized key codas required. large volume
or llmll ad runs. For fu11har Information call or write:
TermoTrol Corp. USAR CONSULTANTS INC. Axonix Corporation
1888 Century Par!< East, Sulle 1900, L.A. CA 90067 2160 North Central Road, Fort Lee, N107024
Tel. 213 284·3242 Ph one: (201) 947-6329 FAX: (201) 947-2264 (801) 466-9797
Inquiry 638. Inquiry 644. Inquiry 650.

HARDWARE/COPROCESSOR INVENTORY MANAGEMENT MEMORY CHIPS

STOCK-MASTER 4.0
DIGITAL SIGNAL PROCESSOR Commerclal grede Inventory management
MEMORY CHIPS

41256-1>12·10.. .. .. Call 51000 (1 Meg) .. Cell

1~ottware ~ §::r~,:Us Reporting

OSP products for the 18 M PC/Xl7AT based on the Tl 1

TMS32010 and TMS320C25. Designed for applications

• Supports all at 4164·15 . .. .... Call 51258 loc Compaq 386 .Call

in communications, instrumentation, speech. and

transaction types • Activily Histo1y Analysis 4164·12 ........ ....... Call B087~2 . .. .......... Call

• Trend Analysis • 8i11 of Materials 41128 Piggy Back lor /lJ ... Call 80287-6-8·10 .. . . Call

numeric processing. Offered with 12 bit 110 KHz AID • Quality Control • Purchase Order Writing
and r:JA and continuous to disk data acquisition & 41464-12 (64Kx4) . Call 60387 . . .... Call

• Multiple Locations • Order Entry

playback option. $650 and up. • Purchase Order Tracking • Material Requirements 414256 (2561<x4).. .Call NEC¥20·6 . .. Call

• Open Order Reporting • On L ine Inquiry 2764.27128,27256,27512 ... Call Mouse. . .Call

DALANCO SPRY • Serlalll.ot # Tracking Prices subject to change

89 Westland Ave., Rochester, NY 14618 Applled Micro Business Systems, Inc.
(716) 473·3610 1n-F Riverside Ave. , Newpor1 Beach, CA 9 663 714·759-0582 ESSKAY 718·353·3353
Inquiry 639. Inquiry 645. Inquiry 651.

SCJFOX"'PARALLEL COPROCESSOR
PC/XT/AT/386 plug-in board wilh Forth scftware. 10
dFELLER Inventory D-RAMS

dBASE
Business inventOly programs wrinen in modifiable
MIPS operation, up to 50 MIPS burst. 64K to 1M source code. NEW AND PULLS AT LOW COST

byte memory. Uses Harris RTX 2000N RISC dFELLER Inventory $150.00
realtime CPU with 1-cycle multiply, 1-cycle Requires dBASE II or Ill, PC·DOS/CPM 1 WE ALSO SELL SIPPS, ZIPS,

14-prlorlty interrupts, two 256-word stacks, three dFELLER Plus $200.00

16-blt timer/counters, 16-bit i/o bus. Ideal for real· with History and Purchase Orders

SIMS AND OTHER MODULES.

time control, signal and image processing and Requires dBASE Iii or dBASE Iii Plus (For Stockrooms)
SPECIAL 256-15P $7.95

multiple board operation. From $1,995.

Feller Associates ITC CORP. 2630 Walnut Ave., Suite E, Tustin CA 92680

SILICON COMPOSERS, INC. 1415) 322-8763 550 CR PPA, Route 3, Ishpeming, Ml 49849
210 California Ave., Suite K, Palo Alto, CA 94306 (906) 486-6024 (714) 730·1121 FAX: (714) 730-3837
Inquiry 640. Inquiry 646. Inquiry 652.

INVESTMENT SOFTWARE MONITOR INTERFACE

......:

TMS32010 DSP OPTIONS 1-2-3

OPTIONS 1-2·3 Pro Series is a Lotus Md·in utility that
DRIVE MULTIPLE MONITORS
with one PC using our VOPEX video port ex­
COMPLETE DEVELOPMENT SVSTEM for the alows the user lo calculate option prices, volalil~ies and
TMS32010 Digital Signal Processor including a sensiliv~ies directly within the spreadsheet and to aeate panders. Featuring no loss of resolution or color,
MC68000 hosl processor. power supply, serial interlace customized templates. A choice of tlYee pricing models presentations are more dramatic. We have a
with software, 32010 and 68000 cross-assemblers is available for Real'Time or affine analysis. VOPEX for PC, PS/2, MAC II & workstations. Units
(hosted on a PC), documentation, schematic, operaling Ask about our fixed income, 30 gaph and economic are available from 2 to 10 output ports.
system. cables. Special Price - $735.00. analysis software\
NETWORK TECHNOLOGIES INC.
Montgomery Investment Group
Phone URDA, Inc. D1
332 Pine Street, Suite 514, San Francisco, CA 94104
800-RGB·TECH or 218-543·1848 MC/VISA/AMEX
1-800-338-0517 415-986-6991 19145 Elizabeth St., Aurora, OH 44202

Inquiry 641 . nquiry 647. Inquiry 653.

IBM SOFTWARE LAPTOP COMPUTERS NETWORKING

IBM* SOFTWARE NEW VERSION LAPTOP SPECIALS SPS - 3COM PRINT SERVER
Share 811'/ p1'1tar connected IO 8ffoJ 3Com's 3plus NetM>rk woricslatlon by
SAVE UP TO 65% , Quantity Limited
lOSHIBA • Zenith • NEC • SHARP LAPTOPS ell netM)(1{ users. SPS break down 3Plus's requiramenl lhata11 n81'¥Qk
First come, First served, VISA/MC/check
• Hard drives for Tandy 1400 LT & Tcshiba 1100+ printais beenachedlx>tha FiJe.Ser.'9f, alloHlng USM lx>ptill hom 8PfneC·
• AFFORDABLE 5Y•" or 3Yz" DRIVE UNITS for 'ftOf11~.NEMlr'lheless,ilstill ~withelllhaexisting3Pl1s'sp1int
COBOL V2.0 . . .$295 Prof. FORTRAN V1.3 .. $250
commands·

C complier . .$195 Macro assembler V2.0 .. $75

LAPlOPS & DESKTOPS • DICONIX PRINTERS • 1). Use only 2Kll)1as al the ~tatlon memory and suppoil ell 3Corn's pr;nt

BASIC Complier V2.0 .$95 BASIC Rel. 113.2.. . .. $25

768 card for T1000 • 2400 BAUD MODEMS for \.J!p­ commands and el MS-DOS, BIOS and epplk:etions prtnting activities.
LAN Program V1.2 . . .$75 Plotting System ...... $150

The Computer Place, Inc.

tops• Fasl reliable and friendly seivice. R>r Lem Pric·
ing call World wide BBfes
if:~! ~~1~1~ ~~·~ :=:,:
~g~1~:~·mytes.
Shany Computers Ltd.
301-330-6016 Fax 301-926-3415 COMPUTER OPTIONS UNLIMITED 4 Smilansky st., Reeter bulldlng, Natanya, Israel 42432
·1eM Is ttadematk Of lniemational Business Machine. 201-469-7678 [l Days, 9 am-10 pm Eastern time) Telephone (972) (53) 333931 Fax: (91"2\ (53) 342418

Inquiry 642. Inquiry 648. Inquiry 654.

APRIL 1989 • BYTE 323
 NETWORKING PROGRAMMERS TOOLS PUBLIC DOMAIN

CREATIVE INTERFACE TOOLS

$3.00 SOFTWARE FOR IBM PC
MP STARTUP Hundreds to choose from, wordprocessors,
MP STARTUP- Sothwe bolbax enabling "mHter" to 1ubmit a proc:es!i for Borland Language Users

10 any llV8Jlable Of dedicated net'llOt1r; stallon "slave" for remote execution. Create graphic mouse cursors, symbols, bit-mapped
databases, spreadsheets, games, lotto, com­
Remote execution ean be synchronlzad and aintrolled by master using nam­ character sets, and dynamic, sell-calculating menus In text
munications, business, music, bible, at1, education,
ed pl~e standard communlcallon prtl(OC.OL or graphics. Control program flow with keyboard or mouse.
language and useful utilities for making your com­
Named pipe interface Is sinple and easy to use as the MS.OOS file ~em Supports Turbo C, Turbo Pascal, Turbo Prolog and Turbo
puter easier to learn. Most programs have
intetface and Include func(lons a.s "pipe read" and "pipe write" similar lo
"file open", "file read", "file write" etc. Basic. Three features, one price. documentation on the disk.
$69.95 Free 125 pag e catalog.
Shany Computers Ltd. 1-800-622-8366 BEST BITS & BYTES
4 Smllansky st., Reeler building, Natanya, Israel 42432
Telephone (972) (53) 333931 Fax: (972) (53) 342416
Maxx Data Systems, Inc. P.O. Box 8245, Oept-B. Van Nuys, CA 91409
1126 S. Cedar Ridge, Sulle 115, Ouncanvltle, TX 75137 In CA: (818) 764·9503 800-245-BYTE

Inquiry 655.
Inquiry 661 . Inquiry 666.

OBJECT ORIENTED TOOLS

OBJECT ORIENTED TOOLKIT TURBO PLUS $149.95 75¢ per DISK SALE
TRIPLE your productivity with Complete c~ Programming tools for Turbo Pascal SD Sc1een Painter, 20 TOP IBM PC PD/SW DISKS (360K)
The only C object oriented development utility with Code Generator, 110 Fields, Dynamic Menus, ONLY $15 + $3 S&H
precompaer, foundation classes(source code included), Programming Unit Ubraries, Sample Programs, QubeCalc, EDRPW, AuloMenu, Math Tutor, PC-DOS Help,
make, integrated debugger, documentation generator, 280 Page Illustrated Manual. 60 Day Satisfaction Baker's Dozen, Languages, EZ·Form, PC·Slyle, PackDisk,
profiler, streamliner, and full technical support. Guarantee/ Brochures & Demo Diskettes B118il. PC-Stock, KldGames, Best Games, Home Inventory, PC­
Outllne, Form letters, lmagePrint, SideWrller, PC-Prompt,
Introductory Price: $269 Highly Favorable Reviews/ IBM & Compatibles.
Best UtJIJties.
Complete Computer Corporation Nostradamus Inc. BRIGHT FUTURES INCORPORATED
111 West 571h SI., NY, NY 10019 PO. Box 9252, Salt Lake City. UT 84109 P.O. Box 1030, East Windsor, CT 06088 I
212-582-2635 (801) 487-9662 FREE CITALOG ($1 per disk)

Inquiry 656. Inq uiry 662. Inquiry 667.

PROGRAMMERS TOOLS

Menu Creator™ $99.95 Get INSIDE! FREE SOFTWARE

A program generator lor menu-driven user Interface. Edit The best PC software performance tad is rw:NI better than BEST OF PUBLIC DOMAIN

.
M:~~~~:~ ':~~: ~smt~; mi~;
1

cellent for complex menu ~ems. Capable of handling com­

ever with source IJne timing, caller timing and arbitrary event
timing-all with microsecond accuracy and without source & SHAREWARE.

modlllcatlon. The expanded DOS analysis mode Identifies

mand trees with hundreds of menu items. Mouse support
and context-sensilive help. FORTRAN, PASCAL, C, BASIC 1/0 bottlenecks. $125 Carefully selected and

supported. Call today fOI" a free brochure and the latest list of supported edited programs for 1.8.M .

Call your dealer compliers. 30-day guarantee. VISA/MC/COD

Send S.A.S.E. for free catalog.

For free u11111y so11ware contact:Avanpro C orp.

P.O. Box 969, Pacific P alisades, CA 90272 P~J.~~~2~11~l~At:~s C.C.S., Inc. Dept. 01
(213) 454-3 86 6 (800) 537-5043 In MA: (508) 478-0499 P.O. Box 312, Lafayette Hill, PA 19444

Inquiry 657. Inquiry 668.

TLIB™ 4.1 Version Control Modula-2 FREE CATALOG

"TUB" is a great system" - PC Tech Journal 3/88.

GraphIx Is the M2 lnlerface to the widely used MetaWin· PUBLIC DOMAIN/SHAREWARE

dow professional graphics library. Supports multiple • 400 IBM PC & compatibles disks•
Full-featured configuration mgmt for software profes­
fonts, mouse tracking, many printers (incl. Postscript 200 Amiga disks • 125 Atari ST disks
sionals. AU versions of )'Oll" code instanlly available. Very & LaserJet), aver 30 display adapters, and hundreds of PC disks as low as $1.25 each, Amiga & ST as low as $1.60
compact, only changes are stored. Check-in/out looks, modes. For JPI lbpSpeed, LogiTech, StonyBrook, and each! Rent or buy. Ff88 shipping/ Call toll free, write or cir·
revision merge, branching, more. Mainframe deltas for other compilers. From the creators of Repertoire ($149), cle reader service for FREE BIG CATALOG with full descrip­
Pansophlc, ADA, IBM, Unisys, MS-DOS. $99.95, or Macro2 ($89), EmsStorage ($89), DynaMatrix ($69), tions. Please specify compuler-48 tv. turnaround!
5-station LAN $299.95 + shipping ModBase ($39), etc. MCNISA/AMEXJCOD.
BURTON SYSTEMS SOFTWARE
Computer Solutlons

4536 SE 501h, Portland, OR 97206

P.O. Box 4156, Cary, NC 27519 (919) 856-0475 PMI (503) m-8844; FAX: (503) m-0934
f'O. Box 354-Dept. B, Mason, Michigan 48854

1-800-874-9375 (M-F 10-6 EST) 1-517-628-2943

Inquiry 658. Inquiry 663. Inquiry 669.

"C" WINDOWING $49.95 FREE BUYER'S GUIDE • CLIP ART • GAMES

MS-DOS virtual screen library. Unlimtted text windows. Programmer' sConnectJon is an Independent dealer repre­
• GRAPHICS • TRAVEL
• LASER FONTS • AUDIONIDEO
100+ functions/macros. Move, resize, hide, pop·up, edit, senting mOl"e than 300 manufacturers with over BOO software
etc. Attributes, tabs, scroll/alignment bars. K&R print, products for IBM personal computers and compalibles. We •CAD •SECURITY
raw/processed 110, cursor mgmt. Easy to use. Excellent have serviced the prolessional programmer since 1984 by • ELECTRONICS •EDUCATION
doc. NJ add 6%. $3.00 S&H. 15 day$ back. Check or offering sound advice and low prices. Call or write today to
money order. Specify compiler (Microsoft, Lattice, Tur­
bo). Allow 2-4 v.i<s. Write:
receive your FREE comprehensive Buyer's Guide. For FREE CATALOG write to:
Programmer's Connection US 800·336-1166 CWI Information Services
Commonwealth Data Systems, Inc. 7249 Whipple Ave. NW Canada 600·225·1166
PO. BOX 4851, Anaheim. CA 92803
P 0. Box 566. Linero ft. NJ 07736 North Canton, OH 44720 International 216·494-3781
Or telephone (71 4) 8T9-7917 24 HOURS!

nquiry 659. Inquiry 664. Inqu iry 670.

I
DEVELOPMENT 'C' DOCUMENTATION TOOLS RENT SOFTWARE $1/DISK
• c.cALL $39 Creates graphic-tree of callerkalled structures, Rent Public Domain and Us.er Supported Software
TOOLS and files·vs-procedure table·of-conlents for $1 per diskfull or we1 copy. IBM (31h" also),
Professional Programmers Extender: Standard • ;~~r: !~~~gat~:f:~=~~~d~en~?fiee~ '°'each pro­ Apple, C-64, Sanyo 550 and Mac. Sampler $3.
Mac interface, lists, printing, graphics, tiling. Ex­ VISAJMC. 24 hr. Info/order line. (619) 941-3244 or
• C-LIST $29 List, action-diagram, reformat programs
tender GraphPac: Quality color graphs. Line, bar, • C-REF $29 Loca11globallparameter cross reference send #10 SASE (specify computer) Money Back
semi-log, customizable symbols. • SPECIAL $99 All 4 plus Integrated C·DOC version Guarantee I

INVENTION Software SOFTWARE BLACKSMITHS INC. FutureSystems

6064 St. Ives Way, Mississauga, ONT Canada L5N-4M1 Box 3040 (T) , V ista, CA 92083

(313) 996-8108 (416) 858-4466 office: 10-6 PST Mon.Sat. (619) 941-9761

- I
Inquiry 660.
Inquiry 665. nquiry 671.
324 BYTE • APRIL 1989

 PUBLIC DOMAIN SECURITY SOFTWARE/BUSINESS

FREE IBM SOFTWARE ELECTRONIC SHREDDER NOW LOW COST/HIGH QUALITY

FREE CATALOG also contains SHAREWARE. 5y, AVAILABLE TO PUBLIC Established, Powerful, Complete, Business
and 3'h-inch. All categories. ENGINEERING, CAD, Absolute security. Program totally erases sensitive Management Software Systems. Point-of-Sale/In­
DESKTOP PUBLISHING, LANGUAGES, Illes while leaving all other Illes Intact. Eliminates ventory Control "SALES-PRO", Service and Repair,
UTILITIES, BUSINESS, GRAPHICS, SPREAD­ deleted files on any size hard or floppy drive. Data CAN­ Video/Rental Store Management, Church Manage·
SHEETS, WORD PROCESSORS, CHURCH, NOT be re-<:reated by ANY utility. IBM or Compatibles. ment, Accounting and Many more starting at $39.
MEDICAL, HEALTH, EDUCATION, HOME. Perfect for legal, financial, military applications. $89. For IBM PC Compatibles and the Atari ST.
VISA/MC
SECTOR SYSTEMS COMPANY, INC. HI-TECH ADVISERS
Dept 0-4, 41; Ocean Avenue, Marblehead, MA 01945 Prowest Inc. PD. BOX 7524, Winier Haven, FL 33883-7524
4313 Lomas Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110
(617) 639-2625 1-800-825-8375 1-800-882-431 O Florida (813) 294-1885
Inquiry 672. Inquiry 678. Inquiry 6"83.

SOFTWARE/ENGINEERING

FREE CATALOG COPY PROTECTION DATA ACQUISITION ON MS-DOS AT.YME

$1 IBM SOFTWARE
For your free 32 page Master Edition
T ~~ :~:~ar~a:~~ ~~:l~nm~~~ct;':urd8/~~ Our compiler AllCON can handle $OltW&re for p~es up to 100
P.1.0 reg and 100 PLC fun~ions and 500 110 in a rea1tlme kernel.
The system can be: A control, alarm, regulating and measuring
DISKETTE introduces you b Superl.ock"'-invisible COf1'1 pro­
system wilh 1lmechennels, peak, states. and supervision functions.
catalog featuring the best of IBM Shareware tection for IBM-PC (and compa!lbles) and Macintosh.
Introduction price: The fist 100 01ders ALLCON software sf/done Multif.
from just $1 each, call or write today! • Hard disk support • No source code changes card wilh 16 Af1 (12 bil), 1NO, 16 On and 16 010 with daugh1erboa!!ls.
• Customized versions • LAN support $995.-lor each CPU llcenae
1-800-338-2118 • New upgrades available
!?;:t• ALLregulator AB
(408) 773-9680
SOFSOURCE
SOFTGUARD SYSTEMS, INC. computer 4 15 0 9 Goteborg Sweden
Box 828, East Lansing, Ml 48826
710 l..8ksway, Suite200. Sunnyyale, CA 94086
Fax 46 31434730 tel 46 31480180 agents wanled
FAX (408) 773·1105

Inquiry 673. Inquiry 679.

Inquiry 684.

SOFTWARE/ ACCOUNTING

FREE SOFTWARE CATALOG dBASE BUSINESS TOOLS PRACTICAL

Low as $1.20/disk
•GENERAL LEDGER • PURCH ORD/INVNTORY ENGINEERING TOOLS

Over 1000 quality IBM software

• OROER ENTRY • ACCOUNTS RECVASLE Hobbyists - Students - Engineers
On 5.25" and 3.5" format
• JOB COSTING • JOB ESTIMATING CIRCUIT DESIGN - LOGIC SIMULATION

From outside U.S.A., except Canada,

• BILL OF MATLS • SALES ANALYSIS FFT ANALYSIS - CIRCUIT ANALYSIS

please send US $2.00 refundable with order.

•PAYROLL • ACCOUNTS FVIYABLE
599 ea. + S&H MATHEMATICS - PC/MSDOS

For fast service, write to

VISA/MC

SC>FTSHC>PPE dATAMAR SYSTEMS Cred. Card-Check-COD ALL UNDER $50 - FREE CATALOG

P.O. BOX 7 9, Ann Arbor, Ml 46105

4876-8 Santa Monica Ave.

BSOFT Software (614) 491-0832

.___________......;(313)
_~_7_6_
3-872
___ 1___....________-ll l
San Diego, CA 92107 (619) 223-3344
444 Colton Ad., Columbus, OH 43207

Inquiry 674. Inquiry 680. Inquiry 685.

SOFTWARE/BASIC

FREE SOFTWARE Save time, money, & brain cells! Affordable Engineering Software

QulckWlndowa Advanced user-interlace library supports

We send you 15-20 new IBM programs a month on 5 FREE APPLICATION GUIDE & CATALOG

disks-FREE! You pay only $5. shipping Ihandling. An­ ~:,d:d, 9~:;~~Sd~~~~~~· ~~: ~~~s:ng~~t~~:·, For Circuit Analysis • Root Locus • Thermal Analysis • ~ot·

c~~~k~~~H~;sm=:~~~ x~b~Zn ~~go;t~o':fe~ 1~:

nual membership reg. $29.95. Joil today for only $9.95 5 5 0 ter Drivers • Engineering Graphics • Signal Processing
and we11 send you over 30 programs on 10 disks as a transfer, and more. All interrUP.1 driven. Easy to usel • Active/Passive Filler Design • Transfer Function/FFT
bonus-FREE! No gimmicks-no catches! Each library written in assembly and comes with complete Analysis • Logic Simulation • Microstrip Design •
manual. $139 each. For Microsoft OulckBasic or BASCOM. PC/MSDOS • Macintosh • VISA/MC
toll free 800 669-2669 ext 348 1 Software lnterDhase, Inc.
1 5 Bradley Street, Suite 106, 'Providence, RI 02908
BV Engineering Professional Software
SOFTWARE of the MONTH CLUB 2023 Chicago Ave ., Suite B· 13. Riverside, CA 92507
we take vlsa/mastercard/amex (401) 274-5465 Call now for FREE terminal/demo program.
Fax # 401-272-127.1 (714) 781-0252
Inquiry 675. Inquiry 681­ Inquiry 686.

SECURITY SOFTWARE/BUSINESS

THE ULTIMATE COPY PROTECTION DATA ENTRY SYSTEM SIMULATION WITH GPSS/PC'"
• Completely Menu Driv n GPSS/PC" is an IBM personalcomputer implementa­
Quite Heads-down data entry with two-pass verification tion of the popular mainframe simulation language
• Defeats all Hardware/Software Copiers
• No Souce Code Changes Simply !or the IBM PS/2-PCIXT/JIJ' & compatibles. Features GPSS. Graphics, animation and an extremely interac- ·
• Mulliple Layering The Beat include: Auto dup/skip, verify bypass, range checks, tive environment allow a tot any new view of your simula­
~yTo table lookups, a complete edit language. Fully
• No Damaged Media tions. Simulate complex real-world systems with the
• Full Hard Disk Suppor1 Protect menu driven. Price $395 most interactive and visual yet economical simulation
• Unlimited Metering Your Valuable software.
• FREE Demo Disk Software ln11eatmsnt Call lor our free 30 day trial period.
I<
STOPCOPV- $325" STOPCOPY PLUS• $450" COMPUTER KEYES
MINUTEMAN Software
P.O. Box 171/Y, Stow, Massachusetts, U.S.A.
BBi COMPUTER SYSTEMS"' (301) 871-1094 21929 Makah Rd., Woodway, WA 98020

14105 Heritage La .• Silver Spr ing, MD 20906FAX: (3D1) 460-7545 Tel: 206177&6443 USA: 8001356-0203 Fax: 206177!>7210
(508) 897·5662 ext. 540 (800) 223·1430 ext. 540

Inquiry 676. Inquiry 687.

BIT-LOCK® SECURITY TSA88-TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMMING Circuit Analysls - SPICE

Piracy SURVIVAL 5 YEARS proves effectiveness of A general-purpose system tor solving transpottation, assignment and Non-linear DC & Transient; Linear AC.
powerful multllayered security. Rapid decryption transshipment problems (capacllated or uncBpacilatl!ld) with up to 1300 *Version 3B1 with BSIM, GaAs, JFET,
algorithms. Reliable/small port transparent security origins and destinations. Build TSAB8 inlo )Out own programs wllhcompil·
MOSFET, BJT, diode, etc. models, screen
l!ld Tufbo Pascal units. TSA88 raadslwrites LOrus wo1k3heets. Use
device. PARALLEL or SERIAL port. Complemented by 1.2~asa mab'hcgenera10rorposi~. Ma11yolhetleatures graphics, improved speed and convergence.
economical KEY-LOK"' and mullifeatured COMPU­ Including ln!eraclive and batch operation, spr&edsheet display and editing,
*PC Version 2G6 available at $95.
LOC~ including countdown, timeout, data encryption, problemlbaslsstorage, file UO. Slmplax restart. repo11 generator, senslllvlty
analysis. $149 with manual end 808"1' suppo1t. 1299 with TurbO Pascal units. Call, write, or check inquiry # for more into.
and multiproduct protection.
MICROCOMPUTER APPLICATIONS Eastern Software Products, Inc. Northern Valley Software
PO. Box 15328, Alexandria, VA 22309 28327 Rothrock Dr., Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90274
3167 E. Otero Circle, Littleton, CO 80122
(703) 360·7600 (213) 541-3677
(303) 922·64101770·1863
Inquiry 677. Inquiry 682. Inquiry 688.
APRIL 1989 • B YT E 325
 SOFTWARE/ENGINEERING SOFTWARE/GRAPHICS SOFTWARE/GRAPHICS

PROFESSIONAL GRAPHICS FOR

FORTRAN PROGRAMMER?
I ELECTRONIC TEMPLATES SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS
Now you can call 2·D and 3-D graphics routines within your
SCHEMATIC SYMBOLS FORTRAN program .
In Macintosh MacPaint format. PC/MSDOS • Macintosh
GRAFMArlC: screen routines $135.
Hundreds of symbols Including: common components, FREE 48 page Catalog
PLOTMATIC: plotter driver 135.,
1
=~~~ ~u~tiGl~~:X:! ~ ~~l~i~d~~~ ~~~
TIL, CMOS, linear & more.
1 PRINTMATIC: printer driver 135.
Copy &. Paste in seconds.
Forced Scaling • Full fabellng • Built-in editor• 1·2·3 lntetface For the SM PC, XT, Ar & compatibles. ~ support a vari·
$44.95 + $3 S/H (CAL residents add 6"Al)
• Curw fitting • S!atistics • CGA, EGA & HerctAes Compati­ ety of comppers, graphics bds., plot.te1s and printers.
ble. 40 pen plotters suppcnled.
OASIS DESIGNS BV Engineering Professional Software MICROCOMPATIBLES
61159 El Coyote Ln., Joshua Tree, CA 92252 301 Prelude Dr., Dept. ~ Silver Spring, MD 20901 USA
2023 Ch~go Pw. Surte 913. Riverside, CA 92507
619·366-8570 VISA/MC (n4) 78HJ252 (301) 593--0683

Inquiry 689. Inquiry 694. Inquiry 700.

FREE ENGINEERING MAGAZINE TurboGeometry Ubrary STANDARD GRAPHICS

Personal Engineering is a monthly magazine sent Over 150 2&3 dimensional routines, includes Intersections, PC_VDI gr8j)hlcs IOOlktt. Optiml2sd, ANSI, ISO, CGlcompali­
Transtonnations. Equations, HiddenUnes, Perspedive, Curves, ble. Mapping, a.res. compound text, orient, align, font loading,
free of charge (USA only) to scientists/engineers
who use PCs for technical applications. Topics ~;iseco~1~~:~· Pgu~~n~~a';;k. ~OOs 201~::; figure fl.It, image, bundles & hundred more. Segmentation, vir·
tual mem support, transformation, bitblt, paUem fill, input op­
each month include Instrumentation • Data Pascal, Tut, C, MSC & Tllbo Pascal MAC. 400 pg. manual, tion set, DRIVERS, pn'nl, plO(ler Sll'P· Worl<s with most "C",
source code. $149.95 + 5.00 S&H. Foreign add $16.00. VISA, MS "DuiddlASIC'', " FORTRAN". EGAMiA. Demos, manual.
Acq/Control • Design Automation. To receive a M_C, Chk, PO. 30 Day guarantee.
free sample Issue and qualification form either cir­ $395.. Amex accepted. Ask about 0512 version.
cle below or send request on letterhead to: Disk Software, Inc. N OVA, INC.
2116 E. Arapaho Rd., #4!!7, Richardson, TX 75081
P.O. BOX 68975, Schaumburg, IL 60168
Personal Engineering Communications 1·8011-635-7760

Box 300, Brookline, MA 02146 (214) 423-7288 FAX: 214·423·4465

312·882·4111

Inquiry 690. Inquiry 695. Inquiry 701.

SOFTWARE/INVESTMENTS
~ owr 1.3Cll Mutual Funds with Business Week's Mutua.I FU1d
EC-Ace ANALOG CIRCUIT ANALYSIS SEGS v2.0
Scoreboard and )'OUr IBM PC or compatlble. Use simple meoo com­
Yru can afford to get started with ECke, a subset of S cientific Engineeri ng Graphics System
mands to search and sort on <Mir 25 intorma!ion fields. No additional
the poNerful E~2 circuit simulatOf'. Includes all the saftwara required. Data transports easily to Lotus 1-2·3 Search, tda1,
basics and built·in graphics. average, rank, dsplay and prinl ropons--m the touch d a lejl
• PC, DC, Temperature1 Transient • Logarithmic, Time/Date & Linear Axes. Only SH..05 98Ch for an Equity or FilC8d Income O~

• A full 525 pg. ECA.2 manual. • Easy Curve Fitting and Data Smoothing. S1EKl.95 P9f subscr1pllon lor either the Equity or Alted Income wrnion

• Interactive, twice as fast as SPICE. • 1-2-3 Interface & Numeric Spreadsheet. S311l.DO for a subsCflption k> both \'8!51ons (a SB-1il1Q!I of S801)

EC-Ace 2.31 IBM PC or Mac $145.

• Supports all Video & Device Standards. Order nON or receive more inlormaliOn b'j calling 1-800.553-3575
• 10 Curves with up to 8000 points each. (In Illinois, call 1-312-250-9292)
Call 31 3-883-8810 for FREE DEMO

Tatum Labs, Inc.

Edmond Software, Inc. Or write to' Business Week Diskettes
5900 Mosteller Dr. #1124 405-842-0558 P.O. Box 621, Elk Gr0\18, IL 60009
1478 Mark Twain Ct., Ann Arl>Or; Ml 48103 Oklahoma Cily, OK 7.3112 800.284·3381

Inquiry 691. Inquiry 696. Inquiry 702.

68HC11 SIMULATOR ­ PEN PLOTTER EMULATOR STOCKS OPTIONS FUTURES

$95.00 FPLOT turns your dot matrix or laser printer into an Tum Your PC Into A
Test software written for the 68HC11 on an HP pen plotter. Fasl hi-res output. No jagged lines. MARKET QUOTATION MONITOR
IBM/PC/XW\T or 100% compatibles. Single step­ Vary line width, color. Works with Autocad, Drafix, 100 page book co.er.; satellite and radio data recef(ion of finan­
ping, trace mode, breakpoints, interrupts, dis­ etc. Supports NEC P5/P6, IBM Proprinter, Epson cial nEM"S and quotes for ~ur PC; $19 Qncludes demo diskelle).
assembler, EPROM simulation, much moral Tool for Free informative catalog of
LO/FX, Toshiba, HP Laserjet. Hercules/CGNEGN • Data receivers and kits
students and professionals. Check/Visa/MC.
FAX (604) 294-9996 Brochure available
VGA for preview. $64 check/m.o.
FPLOT CORPORATION
• • Quote processing and display software
• Descrambling software utilities
WestShore Products 24-16 Steinway St., Suite 605, Astoria, NY 11103
303-223-2120 $5 Demo Diskette
22548 Ksndrick Loop, Mapkl Ridge, B.C. Canada VlX 'iN/4 DATArx
(604) 291-1179 212·418·8469 111 E. Drake Rd, Suile 7041, Rlrt Collins, CO 80525

Inquiry 692. Inquiry 697. Inquiry 703.

SOFTWARE/FORTRAN

FORTRAN77 PROGRAMMER'S ASSISTANTS

FREE YOU FOR MORE CREATIVE WORK

SCIENTIFIC POWER GRAPHICS

HClrap'I - graphi:s lilrary.100+ ..... i~ routines Ix PC, SUN,
.., • ......----------....
SOFTWARE/LANGUAGES
FORTH with DRUMA FORTH-83
Bruk the MK b•nter wtth thts '83 atand•rd lmplemen·
tatlan.
ASSISTANT 1-12 productivity lools (beaulifier,, c:hecker, """""'·~-g""""'--&-Links"'1RJR.
TRAN , Pascal , C, Modula-2 & Bask:. $119 • 320K program space, no speed/space penalty
docunentef', funalon maier, acllon chart, etc.) & a SOllC0 libra1y UG1aii1 - greiilW::s ~n program. No pmgrammlng; use ~r dala or • 1Mb+ memory with automated memory management
with 300 essential subroutines. (MS-DOS) $245 genera19 .. hln.Speci0.,_...FFT'S,'"'1lploc.,,.,...,,. _lxs'*", • On·line doc/glossary, full DOS & file i'llerface
ASSISTANT 11-FORTRAN77-to-C translaior with run-time ease af L.tSe; tailor to moo! )<)Ur needs! ~5 • Ascii/bkxk files, asserrtier, editor, & olhers
1
library (sour e) & 4 C productivity tools. (MS-DOS) $475 demo Custorn80ftwl:ve~.
• ISM PCIXT/AT & Sii compatibles
$10. 30-day monSIJ back guarantee. ORDER NOWll Attractive prices. Write or call for free dlsketae.
HeartLand Software, Inc.
MlcroTools "Scientific SoftWa1e Specialists"
DRUMA INC.
1082 E. El Cemlno Re• I #5 1 Sunnyvale, CA 94087 234 S.Franklin • Ames, IA 50010 USA
6448 Hwy. 290 EaSI E103. AuSlin, TX 787Zl
(408) 243-7888 • (515) 292-8216 • Orders: 512-323-0403 BBoard: 512· 323-2402
Inquiry 693. Inquiry 698. Inquiry 704.

SOFTWARE/GEOLOGICAL

GEOLOGICAL CATALOG GRAPHICS PRINTER SUPPORT EASY TO C

Geological software for log plotting, gridding/contour­ AT /..PST! Use the PltSc key to make quality scaled The C Workshop interactive software teaches you
ing, hydrology, digitizing, 3-D solid modelling, syn­ B&W or color reproduclions of your display on any C. Ela real G program exercises with built-in editor
thetic seismogram, fracture analysis, image process­ dot matrix, inkjet, or laser printe' GRAFPLUS sup­ and compiler. Feedback guides you to solution.
ing, scout ticket manager, over 50 programs in polts all ve!Sions of PC or MSDOS with IBM (incl. All you need to learn C, including our 384-page book.
catalog. Macintosh tool Please call, or write, for Free EGA VGA}, Tecmar. and Hercules graphics boards. $69.95 + $5 Ship. PC compatibles.
Catalog! $49.95. MCNISAIAE/check.
RockWare, Inc. Jewell Technologies, Inc. Wordcraft
4251 Kipling St., Suite 595, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033 USA 4740 44th Ave. SN, Seattle, WA 98116 3827 Penniman Ave~ Oakland, CA 94619
(303) 423-5645 800·628·2828 x 527 (206) 937-1081 (800) 762-8003 (Psn (415) 534-2212 In CA
Inquiry 699. Inquiry 705.
326 BY T E • APRIL 1989
- - - - - TIHE BUY.ER'S MART~--------
SOFTWARE/M APS SOFTWARE/PACKAGE SOFTWARE/SCIENTIFIC
I
MAPIT SAVE SAVE SAVE SAVE I>
ORDINARY/PARTIAL
Make your own MAPS!! LETSWe doTALK LABELS
Simple to produce maps with your data. disk labels (sv." & 31n)

DIFFERENTIAL EQN
Includes most country and state outlines. • Belter • Faster • Cheaper •
II SOLVER
Because we specialize in disk labels ... Let's ~lk

Any printer or HP plotter.

We also have Tyvek Sleews
FOR TH E IBM PC & COMPATIBLES
Only $95 for MS-DOS or PC-DOS Mailers • Binders • Vinyl Pages

US County Outlines available for $95. We are a complete software packaging service.
MICROCOMPATIBLES INC.
I 301 Prelude D" Silver Spring, MD 20901
QSC Box 778, East Lan sing, Ml 48826 Hice & Associates

9303 Cincinnati-Columbus Rd., West Chester, OH 45069

(517) 641-4428 513-m-0133 (301) 593-0683
Inquiry 706. Inquiry 712. Inquiry 718.

SOFTWARE/MATHEMATICS SOFTWARE/PRINTER

MATH EDITING FOR THE PC PRINTER GENIUS OUR CATALOG WILL SAIE YOU TIMEAND MONEY/
r Powerful memory resident printer management • Con· It descrbes (i) GRAPH, a $79 scientific plotting pro­
x.' = I:~ [x'n ("'] + ( I~ Ia±Fds) trol printer features from menus or within documents gram, Oil MINSQ, a poNer1ul $179 package for curve fit·
1 k•O k kl fJX • Print spool to disk files er memory• Background print ting and model development, Oii) LAPLACE, a simula­
• MathEdit constructs math equations to be inserted into
•File & directory browse• Edit small text• and more . . . tion program employing numeriCaf inversion of transforms
VVordParfect and TeX documents.
• User friendly pop-up screens • 92 page manual • ($249), and (iv) RSTRIP for exponential stripping ($249).
•User-friendly interface-no new word processor needs
Preset for all printers • Complete ly flexible • PC Call today for our free 16 page catalog with detailed
to be learned
MS-DOS • $89 + $4 S/H • VISA/MC technical application notes.
• MathEdit-$149 Nor Software Inc.
MicroMath Scientific Software
K-TALK 50 McMHlen M .• Suite 100
Columbus, Ohio 43.201
527 3rq Ave., Suite 150, New York, NY 10016
Salt Lake City, Utah 4121-3144
For orders or catalogs call: (800) 942-MATH
COMMUNICATIONS (614) 29..3535 (212) 213-9118
Inquiry 707. Inquiry 713. Inquiry 719.

SOFTWARE/SCANNERS

MATHEMATICIANS-ENGINEERS Optlcal Character Recognition Scientific/Engineering/Graphics Lllrarles

Have you ever seen functions of a complex Stop retyping: PC -OCR" software will conver1 typed or Turbo Pascal, Turbo C, Microsoft C

variable? Would you like to really understand ptiiled pages i1to edrtable lex1 files fcx your v.ud processor Send for FREE catalogue of software tools for Scientists aoet
Worl<s wrth HP Scan.Jet Panasonic and most other scan­ Engioee rs. Includes: Scientific subroutine libraries, device in­
differential operators like div, grad and curl? rers. Supplied wrth 16 popular (ants. User trainable: you dependent graphics libraries (including EGA, HP plotter and
How about a peek into the fourth dimension? can teach PC·OCR" lo read virtually any typestyle, incl. L.aserjet support), scientific charting libraries, 3-D ptdting library,
Call or write for information on our latest PC fcxe ign fonts. Proportional tex\ malrix prnler output, Xerox data acquisition libraries, menu.driven process control sdtware.
and Macintosh software. copies OK. $385. Check/VISA/MC/AmExplCOD \krsions available for a variety of popular languages.

Lascaux Graphics Essex Publlshlng Co. Quinn-Curtis

P.O. Bo x 391, Cedar Grove, NJ 07009 1191 Chestnut St., Untt 2·5, Newton, MA 02164
3220 Steuben Ave., Bronx, NY 10467
12121 654-7429 (201) 783-6940 (617) 965-5660
Inquiry 708. Inquiry 7 14 . Inquiry 720.

SOFTWARE/SCIENTIFIC
Derive™
DATA ACQUISITION & ANALYSIS ON PC'S
•Freeapplication assistance. Tell us about)OUl' DSP, process control, MJ
Scientific Software
Scientific CALCULATOR parallel processing & graphics,
A Mathematical Assistant
or OJA needs. OU{ sq:iert englneeririg staff will pro.tide )OU with a system
80lutlon " fit )9"1r needs and budget. Sci.NOTEPAD free-form data management,
Makes math more inspiration and less perspiration! • NO & IEEE 488 boards from MetraByte, Scientific Solutions and Na­ DIALSEARCH ltterature searches, SCl.GRAPHPAD and
Combines the power of computer algebra wit h 20 & tional Instruments.
30 plotting and a friendly menu-driven user inter­ • Anatysls software lncludlng PRIME OCTOA m subroutine lilraiy, SCl.STATPAD graphics-aided data analysis Qoglsemilog
face. Does equation solving, calculus, trigonometry, FOURIER PERSPECTIVE II odvanced Mnoar ~ems aooJysis. plots, error bars, """-" fit, more). From $85- On 5Y• and
• Menu drtven llOftwaro from Unk.91, labonoolY TecMoloQies. Ouinn.CufliS.
vector & matrix algebra, and more. Deriv e requires
and Gold n. Scl8nllfcJenglneering 2 & 30 {111Phic:s. 3'h" MS-DOS disks. 30 day$ back. VISAIMC/P.0. Also
a PC compatible computer & 512K memory.
See "What's New" page 80, BYTE Juty, 1988 see our ad under LANGUAGES.
Soft Warehouse, Inc. LOW PR~ GlWlANTEED
ALLIGATOR TECHNOLOGIES Scientific LOGICS Inc.
3615 Harding Ave., Su ite 505, Honolulu, Hl 96816 P.O. 60)( !1706. Fou tain VB!ley, CA 92708 21910 Alcazar Ave., Cupertino, CA 95014

,__~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~-' •
(808) 734-5801 • Tel. t714) 85&9984 FAX. (114) 85~9987 MCI. ALLIGA JUR 14081 446-3575 Comouserv 74017663
Inquiry 709. Inquiry 715. Inquiry 721 .

SOFTWARE/MUSIC SOFTWARE/SECURITY
IBM MUSIC FEATURE CARD! POWERFUL EQN SOLVER
CodeSafe"' Virus Protection System
Option card with 8 voice, mul!i-timbraJ MIDI synthesizer on RISK FREE $99 OFFER With Top 10 Wcxd Processor!
Thousands of copies h use since 1986 • Pnxects all haid d isks, atrf
board. Includes 240 pr~ogrammed Yamaha sounds, 96 "Simple to differentiate or Integrate." SCI.Soft
siZe • Protects alt COM and EXE mes. Not just the system f iles ~ ike
progammable pa!ches and a MIDI inlout1'hru inte1face. other products) • De!ects corruption of Boot sector, and DOS • Sup­
Gr11ph aC'tOll alngularltlea • Non Linear • Cwµed (singular) diff

~ ~ 1~!c:;h ~~ r:'d·3~d~b'°• ~~~~u~

1 1 4
Use rwo cards to double capacilies. An all-in one MIDI
Studio for fBM and compatibles for only $495. Software ~~=~=r··~~~~u~~= Warning windo.Ys win qpen, with options it a problem occvrs • Memory
available for recording, arranging and educational needs. • COMPLE:X/real roots • Prog1amming • <I predefin~icns • 14 digff resident approx. 10 tO 2 K, c1ependlng oo the number of files.
Paci<ageS recommended. Dealers, catalogers, & VARS call ll<:C<XOC'f • Mooo • "Dev. """40 )9118" EETimes • MSOO!\ 640KB, 1DlL FREE TECH SUPPORT © :X> Day MonEPf Bad< Gua1antee
tor discount schedule. graphics card • CURVE.. NOr COP'f.PROTECTED $89.95 Vt$a and Masl9r c.ard ~
CALL TODAY. 801).648-5353 x100 ChrlsWare, Inc.
Distributed by MIX BOOKSHELF VISA/MC/COD/Check
154 15 N. Eden Dr., Eden Prairie, MN 55346

6400 HollisSt.,# 12. Emeryville, CA 94608 (415) 653-3307 Curve Svstems lnternatlonal 24 HOUR SERVICE TOLL FREE 1·800-325-8448

1-800-233-9604 11693San-V!'cante Bl\ld., Su119350, LA., CA 90049

Inquiry 710. Inquiry 7 16. Inquiry 722.

SOFTWAR8PACKAGES
HARD TO FIND COMPUTER SUPPLIES FOR C SCIENTIFIC LIBRARY PC Security Products
sonwARE DEVELOPERS & POWER USERS ExtensiYe lib1ary " matnix, malN3matfcaL and statistical rou1ines. A complete line for: PC access, back-ups, modems,
Developed and doc\Jnented !of use by technical specialists and C
Cloth bi-lilers &' slipcases like IBM's. Vinyl binders, boxes, programmers in research, education, engineering, and scientitic ap­ software piracy, virus detection, file encryption, and
and folders i n !Jl~Y sizes. Disk pages, envelopes, & plica)ioos. OWr 550 f\1nctions,superiorc1ocumentaliM-bJr manuals, data protection. Featuring CodeSafe H/W copy pro­
labels. Low quantity inprinting. Bulk disks. Everything you including Tutorial, Function Pages, and Ex.ample Pn:>gams. Includes tection with sophisticated fie encryption. Brochures
need to bring your software to market. Disk and binder Real and Complex Linear Algeb1a, Eigef\S)'&'tBms, Difle1ential Equa­
tions, Quadrature, Srnc:Qhlng, Filtering and Prediction, Mult Variate and Demos available.
maile1s. Much more! l..aN Prices! FaSI service. Call or write
~ Muft..Oimensioual ~imizafjoo, Linear PM>gramming, Curw
ra a FREE CATALOG. F~ng ar<l I~. Bir. $296 obje<I ooly and $395 v.ith C soorai Gamma Security Products
Anthropomorphic Systems, Limited code. 710 Wilshire Blvd., #609, Santa Monica, CA 90401
376 E. St. Char les Rd., Lombard, IL 60148 EIGENWARE TECHNOLOGIES Tel: 213/394-0022 Fax: 213139~214 Tix: 510600 27J
1-800-DEAL-NOW 312-629·5160 13090 la Vista Dr., Saratoga, CA 95070 (408) 867-1184
Inquiry 711. Inquiry 717. Inquiry 723.
APRIL 1989 • B YT E 327
- - - - - T H E BUYER'S MART· - - - - ­

SOFTWARE/SECURITY STATISTICS STATISTICS

HANDS OFF THE PROGRAM® The BASS System™ NCSS

- LDcks Hard Disk. -Restricts Floppy Use. Professional, easy to use, menu driven statistical
- P-rOteCts Sufidirectories.

Why use up 8 meg and 640K just to run a data system. Used by over 5,000 researchers.
step on your PC? Now you can run your data step
- Normal l!Jse of DOS Commands and Applicatlon Software.

- IBM PC, ~. AT and True Compatibles.

code and statistical procs with asystem that takes : ~:~ ~~~~~\~I (~~n~9
only 1 meg and 400K (and costs only $399)! Free : ~.~ ~oe":i~;Jd'~~nt-$49
- DOS V2.0 and Higher. Hard Disk System.

- Keep Other People's HANDS OFF You r System

- $89.95 VISA/MC information: • 5.5 Survival Analysis-$59

• 5.6 Forecasting-$69
SYSTEM CONSULTING, INC. BASS Institute, Inc. We accept checks, PO 's, Visa, MC. Add $.ll s/h.
P.O. Box 349, Chapel Hill, NC 27514
314 Canterbury Dr., Pittsburgh, PA 15238 NCSS-B 801-546-0445
(919) 933-7096 or BB: (919) 968-6755 (N,8,1) 865 Easl 400 North, Kaysville, UT 84037
(412) 963-1624
Inquiry 724. Inquiry 730. Inquiry 736.

SOFTWARE/SORT

OPT-TECH SORT/MERGE STATA STATISTIX"' II

Compre hensive, powerful and incredibly easy-lo­
Extremely fast SorVMerge/Select utility. F.lun as an NEW RELEASE NOW AVAILABLE. Even better
use. Full screen editor, transform ations, linear
MS-DOS commanet or CALL as a subroutine. Sup­ graphics, expanded on-line help, and much more.
m·oaels (ANOVA, regression, logit, PCA, etc)',
ports most languages ans filetypes including Btrieve Still only $590. Quantity and Academic Discounts
and dBASE. Unlimited filesizes, multiple keys and available. $20 Demo. Call toll-free for more infor­ ARI MA, most standard stat procedures. Clear, weO
much more! MS-DOS U'.49. XENIX ~$249. mation. A XIVISNMC. organized documentation. Satis.factiom guaranteed .
$169 PC DOS, $99 Appl e It.
(702) 588-3737
1-800-STATAPC NH ANALYTICAL SOFTWARE
Opt-Tech Data Processing
Computing Resource Center f'O. Box 13204, Roseville, MN 55113
10801 National Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90064
P.O. Box 678 - Zephyr Cove, NV 89448 (213) 47()-4341 (612) 631-2852

Inquiry 725. Inquiry 731 . Inquiry 737.

SOFTWARE/STRATEGIC

WANTED: CEO, Compaq Corp. STATISTICS CATALOG! StatPac Gold™

. .or Microsoft, or Chrysler, or Union Call for the catalog full of professional programs for general StatPac Gold is the award-winning statistics and
Carbide, or Georgia Pacific, or ... slatistlcs, analysis of variance, regression, questionnaire forecasting package that delivers. It's fast flexible.
BrJSiMS!J WHk'• Busln9S! Advantage almulatlon soltw re puts )<IU behind analysis and quality control. Thoroughly tested and easy to easy to use and dependable. Time-tested and loaded
the desk ol ome ol the mos.I P.CJ'W9rful business leaders In America. You use, the programs come with complete documentation. Pro·
make the deeislons. )OU deal Wfifl compec ltlon, )OU sat the w.togy, )OU lace
grams available for PC or Apple II. Call ton free now for your with features. You be the judge. Get the facts' Call
~=!~:n~I!':!-a'::1~~n•:u~•~'g"~asM";=.~I~~~'. : free catalog. tor your FREE brochure.
pUts~ Ir] one dt lheir ahoes. AddltionalCBS89 trv'8iablebr only $2995. (plus
SS.00 shipping and he dling). To order,or forl!l£re Information, please call: HUMAN SYSTEMS DYNAMICS 1-800-328-4907
BUSINESS WEEK 9010 Reseda Blvd., Suite 222 Walonlck Associates, Inc.
Clo Stretegl Managemanl Group Inc.
Northridge, CA 91324 6500 Nicollet Ave. S., Minneapolis., MN 55423
3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 1~104

1-800-445-71189
(BOO) 451-3030 (818) 993· 8536 (CA) (612) 866-9022

Inquiry 726. Inq uiry 732. Inquiry 738.

SOFTWARE/TAX PREP UTILITIES

TAX PAK STATISTICAL NAVIGATOR"' VIDEO SYSTEM TEST

5th year-Schad A B C D E F R S Frms 1040 1040A Slatlstlcal Navigator m expM system using Al strategies 10 help This menu-driven utility tests your PCIXT/AT video
1065 2106 2119 2441 3~68 3800 3903 4137 4562 4684 guide the researcher to the appropriate staliSllcal analysis. Based
on your answers, ti suggests seve1al analyses raric.ed by suilabilily. monitor and controller board combination for com·
47f17 4972 6251 6252 8582 8606 8615. 1.F.IS approved
printing for IBM PC. Professional allows multiple clients, It e11plains what the analysis does and how It lits YJUr OOjectives patibility with 17 video modes, including 8514/A,
and assumptions. Special irttro price $93.95+5/h. VGA, EGA, CGA, and Hercules. Also provides test
Batch Processing, & Tax Organizer: $185. Personal tlas
abbreviated list otfOnns &'features $37: Annual updates VISA/MC/AMEXJPo, 30 dB)'iluarantee. pattern for screen adjustment. $25.
$125 & $27 respectively.
The Idea Works, Inc. Adventa Corooration
Candelaria Works 100 West Briarwood, Columbia, MO 65203 ~0~6 E. El Camino Real, Ste 223', Sunnyva le, CA 94087
3955 Club Dr., Allanta, GA 30319 (404) 266-2420 1-800-537-4866 314-445-4554 (408) 946-8545
Inquiry 727. Inquiry 733. Inquiry 739.

APRIL 15th"' SIR/DBMS DEMO KIT (7.5 Mb) $49.95 Class-A-File

Tax preparation package based on Lotus 1·2·3, 2.0 tor Since 1!175, SIR/DBMS tias PIONEERED 1hiwnctid DBMS A database tor·your DOS files. Automatically trac s last ac·
IBM-compatible PC w/512K. Includes 1040, 1040A, all Technology DESIGNED lo handle the changing complexllles ol
Sclentlrlc, Engineering, endReaeer.ct; OatabaH Management .
cess. update, and creation aates. You classify each file,
Schedules & 12• supporting Forms. IRS-acceptable specify ownership, attributes and description using pop-up
SIR/DBMS IS also DESIGNED to Provide THE BEST DIRECT In·
printouts (except 1040, 1040A). Easy4o-use menu func­ teifaces to SAS, SPSS, BMDP. &: SYSTAT. SIA/DBMS otters True in1ertace accessible from any program. Class-A-File sorts and
Application l.eYel P.Oil &bilily re.om PGs thru Supercomputers! reeor1s accocding to your selection. Like agdi~g secondary
tions & Help files, 1988 Version $49.95. LDw-cost '87 keys to the El.OS files system. $69.95.
demo available for 'BB tax planning. MAYBE YOU SHOULD TRY SIR/DBMS??
JD Enterprises Order N<Nfl Ref Buyer's Mart Sp8cia/ Offer/ Automation Technology Research
P.O. Box 658 St. Ann MO 63074 SIR, A Division of Inter Systems Inc. 4 790 Irvine Blvd. #105·376, Irvine, CA 92720
(314) 427-3353 312-480·9270 (IL) 703·642-1600 (VA) (714) 838-6607
Inquiry 728. Inquiry 734. Inquiry 740.

1988 TAXES
MINITAB's a PC of cake! STILL RIVER SHELL NEW VER. 2.58
MINITAB's intuitive commands are easy to use and ELEGANT INTERFACE 10 DOS. Faster more
FAST, EASY, ACCURATE
remember. Features descriptive statistics, regres­ powerful vers ion of this popular DOS shell. F-ina,
IBM/Compatibles, Commodore-Amiga. Prints C.0py, move, delete files in a few keystrokes.
forms, audits taxes, multiple returns, 20 forms and sion, time series, chi-square, hi-res graphics, much
"Tugging. ' Find on name and text. 'F. 11ll Tree. 'U ser
schedules, saves to disk, forecast 1989 taxes. more. PC version incl. LOTUS interface, 30-day
d~fiti.ed co mmands and more. $39 complete with
ONLY $34.95. Add $4 S/H, MA add 5% Sales Tax, trial, network pricing. Call for FREE brochure. 160pp. manual. Unltd. site liG. $390. MCNISA.
Check, M.0., Credit Cards. 90-Day No-Risk Guarantee.
Quality Business Systems Mlnltab, Inc.
3081 Enterprise Dt , State College, PA 16801 BILL WHITE
P.O. Box 805, Hudson, MA 01749 PO Box 57, Still River, MA 01467
1-800-225-5 800 (814) 238-3280 (508) 456- 3699

Inquiry 729. Inquiry 735. Inquiry 741 .

328 BYTE • APRIL 1989

 UTILITIES UTILITIES WORD PROCESSING

MATCH PRINTERS TO PC XPage Breaks 640k! FARSI I GREEK I ARABIC I RUSSIAN

For less l han $30 MatchFont and Match-a-Printer
are great for forei gn and scientific writings. Get all Why buy expensive EMS boards? OS/2 is not go­ Hebrew, all Europe.an, Scandinavian, plus either Hindi, P-yn­
ing to ose it. XPage tar.ns your PC/XT/AT hard disk jabi, Bengali, Gujarati, Tamil , Thal , Korean, Viet, or IPA. Full­
lhe characters you need from most programs and featured multi-language word processor supports on-screen
printers (Apple & Epson prinlers, daisywheels, etc.). space Of AT extended memory as Brv!S memory. foreign characters and NLQ printing with no hardware
Greek, French, llali an , Spanish, German, Swedish, It's compatible with most DOS EMS applications. modifications. Includes Font Editor. $355 <iot matrix ; $150
Japanese, graphics . . . You name 1tl To receive a Write for free Information or send check/money add'I for laser ; $19 Oemo. SIH in U.S. incl'd. Req . PC, 640K ,
demo disk send $5 relundable upon purchase to: order s:39 + $3 s/h to: graphics. 30 day Guarantee. MCNl SA/AMEX
Call or write 818·906-6791
RMC Technologles GAMMA PRODUCTIONS, INC.
MATCH SOFTWARE 7 Baron Park La ., #21, Buriinglon, MA 01803 710 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 009, Santa Monica, CA 90401
6426 Coldwater Canyon, North Hollywood, CA 91606-1113 (617) 272-8208 2131394-8622 Tix: 5106008273 Gamma f!ro SNM

Inquiry 742. Inquiry 746. Inquiry 750.

BRIDGE-IT 3.5 DATABASE UTILITIES JAPANESE WORD PROCESSOR FOR IBM

This device dri versupports3 1'2 drives in both 720K NORTAK Soltwll'e Lid. nctN offers a menu driven EW Plus is th e lirsl complele Japanese word processor for
and 1.44mb capacity on PC/XT/AT model com­ IBM PS/2 and AT. Contains about 8000 KANJI and KANA
ASSIST-like file utility for dBASE, Clipper, and Fox­ characters, as well as a 45000 word dictionary. Fully suppon.s
patibles without upgrading DOS or changing BIOS. BASE. Self-contained (.EXE file), fast and simple Japanese standards. Powerful Roma-Ji to KANJI conversion.
Bridge the gap to PS/2 and laptop systems. to use. For IBM PS/2, AT, Toshiba laptops. Requirements: VGA,
Only $59 + $4 S/H VISA/MC/COD UPS B/R SINGLE VERSIDN-$35; 3·VERSION PACKAGE-$60. EGA, Hercules; 512k Memory; Hard Disk. Printers: Eps on
MICROBRIDGE COMPUTERS To order call: LO 24 dot; IBM 9 pin, XL24; HP LaserJet.
655 Sky Way, San Carlos, CA 94070 SHOSHIN Systems Inc.
For detalls call:
ORDER TOLL FREE 1-800·523-11777 USA 1-800-267--0755 Canada 1·800·267·8856
Information Technology Lab., Inc.
415-593-Bm CA FAX 415-593-7675 280 Park Ave., 4E, New York, NY 10017
Info Only 613·235·2310

514-845-0818 (CAN) VISA and MC accepted TEL (212) 557·0177 FAX (212) 557-0179

Inquiry 743. Inquiry 747. Inquiry 751.

COPY AT TO PC LOGGER® DuangJan

The 1.2m8 drive has !Ong been known to READ but NO r
reliably WRITE on 360kB floppies. Wi th ''CPYAT2PC " ft Logger, for IBM-PC and compatibles, tracRs and Bilingual word processor for English and: Arme­
1.2mB dri ves CAN reliably WAITE 360kB flopptes saving a reports: User, Time on, Time off, Directori es used, Pro­ nian, Bengali Euro/Latin, Greek, Hindi, Khmer, Lao,
slot for a second hard disk or backup tape. "CPYAl2PC" (Not grar:ns used, Program start/end time, and cal culates Punjabi, Russian, Sinhalese, Tam il, Thai, Viet. ..
Copy Protected) oilers 'the preferable SOFTWARE SOLU­ totals. Tracks directories/Illes: Opened, Created, $109+$5 s/h (foreign + $12 s/h). Font editor inc)ud­
TION.' ONLY $79+$4 SIH VISA/MC/COD UPS BIR Renamed, Deleled. Completely tran sparent. Retlilfs ed. For IBM with dot-matri x ·& LaserJet printer.
MICROBRIDGE COMPUTERS
for $74.95 with quantity discounts available. Bern o $6 + $1 s/h .
655 Skyway, San Carlos, CA 94070
System Automation Software, Inc.
Order toll free 1-800·523-em

MegaChomp Company
8555 16th St.. Silver Spring, MD 20910 3524 Cottman Ave.. Phlladelphla, PA 19149·1606
415·593-8777 (CA) FAX 415-593-7675

514-845-0818 (Canada)
1-800-321-3267 or 1-301-565-8080 (215) 331-2748

Inquiry 744. Inquiry 748. Inquiry 752.

Recover deleted files fast! $79.95!! PC-Write 3.0 - Shareware

Disk Explorer now includes aulomatic file recovery. You OrdertheRED Utilities nowl Programs include: Fast, full featured word processor for IBM PC. Now edit s
type h the deleted files name, Disk Explorer finds and large flies & mu ltiple columns. Also spell check, mailmerge,
restcres it. Disk Explorer also shows whal's realy on disk; Disk cache speeds hard and floppy disks. Printer
networking, ASCII, and macros. Easy to use, optional menus.
v'ew, change or create lormats, change a file's stalus, spooler. Balch file compiler speeds batch files. Supports 500 printers Incl. lasers. Sottware, guide and
change dala in any S€dor MS.DOS $75 U.S. Check/Credit Path command for data files. Wild card excep­ 1u1orlal on disk: $16. Registration with manual, support
card welcome. tions. Sort directories. Over 10 more programs. newsletter and 2 free updates: $89.
QUAID SOFTVARE LIMITED
IBM PC. Visa/MC. Send for free catalog. 90 day money back guarantee. VISA/MC.
45 Charles St . E. 3rd Fl.

Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4Y 1S2

The Wenham Software Company Quicksalt 1-800-888-8088

(416) 961-8243
5 Burley St.. Vlllnham, MA 01984 (508) 774-7036 219 First Ave. N., #224-SYTC, Seattle, WA 98109

Inquiry 745. Inquiry 749. nquiry 753.

BBS SYSOPS
Are you looking for ways to improve your board? Some~hing
that :"ill set you apart from the other boards in your area?
! Are your subscribers interested in Microcomputers? Listen to this!
!Announcing the Bulletin Board EXchange - BBX
IThe BBX allows you to become a publisher of MicroBYTES Daily, an on-line news service from BYTE. BBX/MicroBYTES is
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~very Monday through Friday you get articles about developments in microcomputing, telecommunications and selected new
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the stories are reported, written and edited by the staff of BYTE Magazine, BYTEweek and BIX. With BBX/MicroBYTES your
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Subscribe today.
Circle 61 on Reader Service Card Circle 25 on Reader Service Card

Annabooks gives you the h1rn111. soltw111. and n111w111 information you

need to design PC-compatible systems faster and better. And you have con­

trol of your design from the ground up -- our firmware and software pro­

ducts include sa1ra *ti Plus all the utilities you need.

Do hardware design? lllcllr Des111's 1M DRAM SuperSpec is the first of a

series of hardware books you won't want to miss. And a PC Bus timing book

is on the way! Start by getting these books:

AT BiDsKlt: an AT Bios with source code you can modify. With setup
& debug. 380 pages with disk, $199
Many low cost modems are faulty cr very error prone . .. Not ours! ! ! XT BiDsKlt: Includes a debug. 270 pages with disk, $99
PERFORMANCE... "I have recently had a lot of trouble getting 2400 11111 Wllllcar1 SlppMllf for XT BiosKit: Includes ASIC setup, turbo
BAUD MODEMS to work., . this one is working perfectly." R.T. Moreno speeds, 60 pages with disk, $49
Valley CA. SUPPORT... "I get the impression that your company lM DRAM s1,.rSpec: Design your memory to all mfg's specs at once!
indeed, bends over backwards to provide service to its customer." Lots of timing diagrams &tables, $79
M.F. Selma CA. SUPERIOR TECHNOLOGY ... The phone connection PraKll: Puts anything in Eprom or SRAM; DOS, your code, data,
is the main source of data errors. DYNAMIC IMPEDANCE ST ABILl­ you name it! With source on disk, $179
ZATION, DIS (invented by CompuCom) improves signal quality and SyaKll: Here's a debug/monitor you can use even with a brand X
reduces errors by up to 95% compared to a standard modem. Model Bios. Includes source, of course. $69
2400 (without DIS) at $95 outperforms the low cost alternatives, the XT-AT Halllllloak: The famous pocket-sized book jam-packed with
24DIS at $119 outperforms the challengers, regardless of cost. IBM hardware & software info. $9.95 ea. or 5 or more for $5 each.
internal, made in USA , 6 COM ports, internal speaker, five year war­
ranty, software included, dealers inquire. If you aren't totally satisfied,
return within 30 days for a full refund ! March '89p102
Iii ·J44
Software tools: You need MSC &MASM 5.1 for modifying the Kit products.

e
Mention this ad when you order and get a frM XT-AT
Handllook lly Clloisser 5 Fosllrl Hurry before we come to our
~
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"Real deal. ..worked fine . . .quite a bargain." senses and change our minds. ~
BYTE MAGAZINE
CALL FOR DETAILS
Anna boo k s ~:
12145 Alta Carmel Ct Suite 250-262 ' ·
CompuCom Corporation (800) 228-6648 San Diego, Californ ia 92128 (6191 271-9526 Money-back guarantee

Important TIPS* for BYTE Subscribers:

Receive Product Information 10 Days Earlier!

All you need is a touch-tone telephone and your subscriber I.D. number.
See instructions facing the Reader Service Index in the back
of this issue for outrageous time-saving opportunities!
*BYTE's 'I'elephone Inquiry Processing Ser vice

330 B Y T E • APRIL 1989

 Circle 62 on Reader Service Card

Compu$ave 1-800-877-8855
International Orders are Welcome!
BOARDS CO MPUTERS PLOTTERS PRINTERS
Adv. Dig. Slave .........S6S OrthidPro Design .... 29S
Acer Computers .... ...... Save Toshiba 1000 ............. 779
Calcomp 1023GT ...... 3779 loline 3SOO ............... 237S
AlpsAllegro24 ........ 342 NEC PS300 ................. 66S

AST S2S1·11E .......... S4S Paradise VGA+ ......... 2S8

Altos Computers ......... Save Toshiba T1200F ...... 13S9
Calcomp 1043 GT .....S36S loline 3700 .............. 299S
Brother HL8E ......... 204S Panasonic 1080iM2 ... 1S9

ATIVGAWonder .... Save Paradise VGA+ 16 .. 29S

ALRComputers ...........Save Toshiba T1-200FB ... 149S
Calcomp 1044GT ... 10,239 loline 4000 ............... 369S
Canon BJ 130 ......... 699 Panasonic 1091iM2 ... 17S

BOCA RAM AT ......... 139 Cuadram JT Fax ....... 262

ASTPremium286 ..... 1299 Toshiba T1200HB .. 234S
Houston DMP S2 ....... 229S JDL8SO GL ...........2799
Cilizen120D.............14S Panasonic 1124 ....... Save

GenoaVGA HiRes ... 349 Sigma VGA H ...........238

AST Premium386 ...... 2S49 Toshiba T1600 ........ 324S
Houston DMP 61 ...... 299S Roland885 ................ 689
Citizen1800 ............ 162 Panasonicl.aser ...... Save

Intel Above Board .. ... 39S STB VGA EM S12K .. 3S8

AT&T Computers ........ Save Toshiba T3100E ...... 277S
Houston DMP 62 .......3988 Roland 980 ................ 869
Diconix D1SO.......... 294 Okidala ML320 ...........329

Intel Inboard 386 .... Save Video 7 VRAM .......... 468

Everex Computers ........ Call Toshiba 3200 ...........346S
HP 747S A .................. 139S Roland DXY 1100 .... 889
Genicom3410 ...... 1499 OkidataML390 .......... 4SS

Metheus 1104 ......... 1029 Video 7Vega VGA ...2S9

Intel 2S Mhz .................. Save Toshiba S100 ........... 4S7S
HP 7550 A ............ ...... 289S Roland DXY 1200 .. 129S
Fujitsu DL3400 ........ S19 Okidata 393C ...........1069

Adaplel<, Alloy,Konan, Everex, Hercules ............ Call

Mitsubishi 2851386 ...... Save Toshiba S200 ...........624S
HP 7S70A .................... 287S Roland GRX ............ Save
HP Desk Jet ............ 699 CMS Lasers ............. Save

lmagraph, Number 9, Photon, Pixelworks .......... Call

NEC Laptops ............... Save Wyse2108 ................. 949
HP Draft DXL ............. 3699 Western Graphlec .. Save
HP Paint Jet .......... 1049 CumeCrystal Print .. Save

Talltree,Tops, Verticom,VMI ,West. Dig., ............ Call

NEC Powermales ...... Save Wyse 2112 .... ............ 137S
Bruning, Numonics, Mural, Taxan,Versatec .......... Call
NEC LC 890 ......... 3089 Star NX-1000 .............. 16S

DISK DRIVES Packard Bell 12 Mhz ... 1249 Wyse 2200 ................ 134S
DIGITIZERS NEC P2200 .............. 33S Star NX·2400 .............. 318

Maxtor BOO Worm ... 2999 Plus Hardcard 40 .... 638

Samsung 20 Mhz .......Save Wyse3216 ............... 212S
Calcomp12 x12 ............ 348 Houston Hi Pad+ .. Save
NEC PS200 .............. SOS Toshiba Express 301 .32S

Micropolis71 r.t> ........ S19 Rodime Apple HD .. Call

Televideo 286/386 ...... Save Zenith Supersporl .. 1S79
Calcomp 44 x60 ....... 389S Kurta IS 12 x 12 ........ 282
Brother,C.ltoh,Data ProclJcts, Epson ..................Call

Miniscribe 3053 .......... 429 Seagate ST2S1·1 ...398

Unisys286/386 .............Save Zenith SS 286 .........326S
Calcomp 36 x 48 ....... 339S KurtaIS 12 x 17 ........ 482
OTC,Seikohsa, TI, Varityper &Other Models ..... Call

Miniscribe 40 r.t> ........ 309 Teac FOSS .................. 72

Mitsubishi MP286 Laptop : 20Mb ............................ 2298
GTCO 24 x36 ............. 194S Scriplel .................... Save
MONITORS
Miniscribe 1S7 r.t> ... 11 S9 Toshiba 1.44 Mb .......9 9
Mitsubishi MP286 Laptop : 40Mb ............................ Save
GTC036 x48 ............ 239S Seiko ........................ Save
Amdek 1280 ...............638 NEC Mullisync GS Save

Miniscribe 338 r.t> ... 19 29 Toshiba 720 K, 3.S" ... 79

Altos, Sharp, Sperry, & Other Models ....................... Call
Hitachi 11 x11 .............. 439Summa12 x 12 +..... 328
Amdek 732 ................ 399 NEC Multisync XL .. 214S

Archive, Aloy, Emerald, Genoa, Iomega ............ Call

T ERMINALS Hitachi PumaPros .... Save Summa 12 x 18 ........ SS8
ConraCIRelisys ....... Save PGS Ultra 16 ............. 879

Irwin, Mountain,Priam, Sysgen, Tecmar ............. Call

Altos IV ..........................3SS Televideo9SS .............. 379
Genius 402/420...... Save Samsung m ...............79

MODEMS
SOFTWARE AltosV ........................... 48S Wyse30 ..........................28S

ATI2400 ETC, Int. ... 1S2 Practical 12001 ................... 6S

Hitachi ...................... Sav e Sigma Laser 19" .... 176S

Carbon Copy Plus ...107 f.tcrosolt PC Works ...... 91

IBM 31S1 ...................... 38S Wyse':IJ .......................... 3SS
Anchor 2400E ..........14S Practical 2400 PS/2 .......22S
Mitsubishi 1381A .......47S Sony 1302 .................. 64S

DBase IV ............... Save MullimateAdvan.ll .... 2S9

Kimlron KT·70 PC ...... 3S9 Wyse60 ...................... .... 392
Cardinal 2400 Int. ... 109 Prometheus 2400B/2 .... 129
Mitsubishi HL660S .1229 Taxan ....................... Save

Desqview 386 .......... 10S PC Tools Deluxe ...........43

LinkMC-S .................... 392 Wyse85G ....................... 37S
Hayes 1200 Ext. ...... 27S Prometheus 2400G ....... 14 9
Monilerm .................Save Tatung CM1296 .... Save

Fastbad< Plus ........... 104 Peachtree Complete .. 14 3

Televideo 90S ............ 299 Wyse 1':/J ........................ 38S
Hayes 2400 Ext. ...... 41 SRacal-Vadic 2400VP ..... 388
Nanao Flexscan ..... Save Zenith 1490 ................ S78

Harvard Graph ........ 279 Quattro .......................... 1S7

Adds,Ampex,HP, Sun River, &Other Models .......Call
Mullilech 224 EC ..... 30S USA HST 9600 ............ S88
Seiko CM 1430 : 14" Mullisynch 1024x768 ......... S9S

Lotus 123 .................. 29S Rightwriter 3.0................ S2

MICE Multitech 224 EH ..... 388 Wortd Port Pocket ........ Save
SCANNERS
Lotus SyrT1lhony ..... 41S Top for DOS ................ 10S
Logitec C7Serial .......... 62 Microsoft wt paint ...........9 9
Mullilech 9600 ........ 499 Zoom 2400 Ext. .............. 12S
HP Scanjet ............ 1399 PC Hand Scanner ...... 1S2
Mcrosolt Excel ........ 23S Ventura Publisher ...... 489
Logitec HiRes Bus .........78 Microsoft w1Wildows .... 132
Practical 1200 Ext. ..... 76 Zoom 2400 HC .............. 119
Logilec Scan Man ... 189 PGS LS-300 w/painl .72S
"'1osolt Word 4.0 ... 20S WordPei1ecl S.O...........229
Logilec PS/2 .................. 62 Mouse Systems PC II .... 8 9
AST, Avatex, Everex, Packard Bell, Ventel ,UDS .Call
AST, Datacopy, Dest, HP, Panasonic,Taxan .....Call
\Jail ,\ddre": l '11111pu$a1 e . .S207 S..\7th Street • Dept 11.S • l'hoenh. ,\Z 850.Sfl. Order lines open: Mon.· Fri. 7 am . 6 11111. Sat.: 9 am · 2 pm. Prices relkct cash discounts and are
subject to chani:e llithout notice. We do not i:uarantcc c1111111:1tihilit.1. IJ(),\'s are re11:1ired or replaced, please call lur a IU I,\. \la jor credit cards .md sele«tcd l'O's are accepted.
INTERNATIONAL SALES 1602)437-4855 - FAX (602)437-9685 - CUSTOMER SERVICE (602)437-4856

PCl-286-12
• 80286· 12
•1 .2 MB Floppy Drive
MONO SYSTEM
• W /Mono Monitor
• 20 MB Hard Disk
GAS PLASMA 286-12
• 80286-12 CPU
•SI= 13.3
$2295 •
•640K RAM $1195 • 3 Y2 " FD 1.44 MB
• Serial I Parallel I Game VGA COLOR SYSTEM • 20 MB HD ST-138
• 101-Key Enhanced Key Board • WNGA Card & Monitor • LCD Screen (640 X 400)
• 110 Card Parallel/Serial/Game
•SI= 13.3 (1 Wait) • 20 MB Hard Disk PCl-386-20 • 640K RAM
SI= 15.2 (0 Wait $100 Option) $1795 • 80386-20
• 6112 MHz Key Board Switchable EGA COLOR SYSTEM • W/40 MB HD
• WA2 HD & FD Controller • W/EGA Card+ Monitor Mono System $2295 $2495
• 80287 SOCKET
GAS PLASMA 286-20
• 20 MB Hard Disk EGA $2695 • CPU 80286-20
• 200W POWER SUPPLY VGA $2995
$1580 •SI = 23

LCD-286-10 PORTABLE $1595.00 CRT-PORTABLE-286 ___ $1389

• 10 MHZ 80286 SI =10.3 •Compaq Type
• 12 MHZ SI= 13.3 (Option $50.00) • 80286 (10 MHz or 12 MHz)
• 16 MHZ SI = 18 (Option $250.00) • 12 MHz SI= 13.3 (Option $50.)
• 640K RAM • 16 MHz SI = 18 (Option $250)
• LCD Screen 640 X 200 • One 1.2 MB Floppy Drive
(Option 640 X 400 $180.00) --::::;.;;;ii::'­ • 200 W Power Supply
• Super Twist & Back Lighting • TTL Disply g" Amber
LCD-386-16 $2595.00 •AT Key Board
• 86 Key Board • 80386-16 MHZ- - ­
• External I Parallel I Game • Serial I Parallel I Game
• 40 MB Hard Disk
• 1.2 MB Floppy drive • WA2 HD & FD Controller
• 80387 Socket
• 20 MB Hard Disk • 20 MB Hard Disk
• 80287 Socket LCD-386-20 ___ $2695.00
• 200 W Power Supply • 80386-20 MHZ
• 40 MB Hard Disk CRT-386·16 $2395
·Side 15 ' '• • 9 x w· x
8"
• 80387 Socket • 80386-16
• 23 LBS

PACIFIC COMPUTER
702 S. Del Mar Ave., #B,
San Gabriel, California 91776
(818) 571-5548
(800) 421-1102 (IN CA) ORDER
(800) 346-7207 (OUT CA)
(Technical support)
ONL y Mon - Sat
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
I· •·II- J~ '115.4

(FAX) 818-286-8662 •ALL SYSTEMS COME WITH ONE YEAR PARTS & LABOR WARRANTY

Circle 203 on Reader Service Card (DEALERS: 204) APRIL 1989 • BYTE 331
 This is the fastest floppy
interface tape drive around!
40MB TAPE DRIVES .::. ~ -­
..
$279
, ~ - --­

Tota l
fo AddSJO
r Shipping 40MB
Cartridge $22

External model now avai lable for only $99 extra!

Works with all IBM PC, XT and AT Includes menu-driven software.
computers and !00% compatibles. This is the fastest floppy interface UNINTERRUPTABLE
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troller. Fully QIC-40 compatible.

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~~d~:::ip~n~~el 279 the lower 4 8 states.

LOW COST HARD DRIVES 250 Watt

300 Watt
120 Volt
120 Voll
$ 279
399
For IBM and Tandy
500 Watt 120 Volt 499
600 Watt 120 Voll 639
1200 Watt 120 Volt 1099

M~i·~it
RLL 40ms
$439 1600Watt
230 volt unitsalso available.
120 Volt 1444*
•Shipped motor freichl collut.
Speciry exact input voltage.
One year par ls and labor. Add SlO for shipping.
•Blackouts. Enables user to operate during complete loss of
Don't spend more than necessary to add an internal hard drive bunch . We provide software to park the heads for maximum power.
to your IBM compatible. Clone provides the best low-cost, protection (automatic on 40 and 65 megabyte models). All • Brownouts. User is protected from low AC voltage below
high-quality, fast access hard drives for your IBM XT. !00% connectors and card edges arc gold pla1ed to insure flawless 102 volts.
compatible. or Tandy 1000/A/SX. They make a great addi­ service. Tandy 1000/ A/SX owners can save hundreds by • Overload Protection. Automatic shutdown in overload
tion to our Turbo Clone. These kits come complete wi1h the simply removing one floppy drive and installing one of our situation protects UPS from inverter burnout.
drive . controller. cables and installation instructions. Our low-power kits in its place. Thesizes listed are after for matting. • Overvoltage Protection. UPS runs on inverter (117 volts)
systems allow you to tioot directlyf rom the hard drive. We use DOS J.2 or la1er is required forthe 30. 40 and 65 megabyte when AC voltage exceeds 132 volts.
brand new genuine Seagate drives. not some obscure reject models. Tandy 1000 requires OMA and ROM 1.01.00or later. • Surges/Spikes. Clamps transients above 200 volts with an
off-brand. so you can be assured of long.trouble-free drive life. Not for Tandy IOOOEX/ HX.30daysalisfac1ion guarantee. If. energy rating of I 00 joules or less.
The average access times of our20 and JO megabyte drives are ror any reason. you don't like your hard drive. we' ll refund the • EMl/RFI. Three stage filte ring for clean AC power.
65ms. and the 40 and 65 megabyte drives are a mere 40ms en1ire purchase price, less shipping. Please specify the brand • Synchronized Sinewave*. Eliminates voltage reversal to
(28ms after partitioning). Not a slow-stepping dog in the and model of your compuler when ordering. input of you r equ ipment.
• 1 Millisecond Transfer Time*. Includes detection and
transfer so your machine never notices loss of electrical
power.
Save Now on 30MB Hard Cards! •Two Audible Alarm Levels. Notifies user of battery usage

Easy 1o i11." "I/.' $319 Whi lc 1hcy la.11.

and two minute warning.
• LED Display. Informs user of operation mode, power
utilized on AC, plus "On Battery" and battery power status.
• Alarm Silencer. Enables user to silence alarm for quiet
continued use during battery operation.
This unit comes completely assembled and is easy to install. It 's ready to gobble •Optional Signal Port. Enables UPS to notify computer of
/111rr 1·' up all those pesky floppy diskettes you have laying around the place. No loss of AC power to allow computer to back-up or shut
S11pply preventive maintenance required. Low power use. so expansion capabilities are
Limited no1 limited. One year manufacturer's warranty comes with this little beauty. One down. *250 watt and 500 watt units offer 4

model fits the Tandy 1000/IOOOA and JOOOSX. msec transfer time. PWM wave form .

SOFTWARE SPECTACULAR! SENSATIONAL SAVINGS!

MS-DOS® BUSIN ESS Quicken ............... .... $ 31 Copy II PC Option Board Deluxe ....... . ....... .S 116
Rightwriter.... .... ... ..... 52 Fastback Plus .. .. .. . . .. . . . . . . . ......... 115
SOFTWARE Ventura Publisher 2.0 . . ..... ...... 529 Grammatik 111 . • .•.• .•.•..•........ •.•. •.. ..•..•. 54
Allways. . . ....... . .... . ..... ... $ 92 WordPerfect 5.0 ... . . ... . ..... . . ... . . .... . .. 255 Laplink Plus . . . .......... . ... .... .. . . . . 84
Bor land Quattro ( 1-2-3 Clone) . . . . . . 169 WordStar Pro Release 5 .......... . 248 Microsoft Macro Assembler 5. J .. . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . 99
Borland Sprint: The Work Processor. . . .... 138 Microsoft Quick BASIC Compiler. . . . . . .. 67
DAC Easy Accounting (all version 3) .... . . 61 OTHER MS-DOS SOFTWARE Microsoft Quick "C" Compiler .. . .. . . . ... .... 67
DAC Easy Bonus Pack . . .. . 123 Chess Master 2100 . . .. .. . . . . . . . . .. $32
Microsoft Windows 286 ...... . ... ... .... . .. . . . .... 6 7
DAC Easy Payroll . .. . . .. . . . ... .. 61 F-19 Steallh Fighter ... . . .. ....... .. .. . . .. ........ 43
Microsoft Windows 386 . .. . . . .. .. ... . .. . . . . . ..... 133
dBase 111 Plus . . . . .. . .. . .. . . . . . . . .. 439 Kings Quest I. II, Ill or JV . . . . . .... 31
Norton Utilities 4.5 Advanced.. .. . . .. . 79
dBase IV . ............. .. ... . . . . . ..... . . . . .. . ... 499 Leisure Suit Larry. . . . . .. . .. ... .. ..... 26
PC Tools Deluxe 5.0 ... . . . ........ . . ... . .. .... .. . 45
Desqview . . . .. . . 79 Leisure Suit Larry 11... . ...... . . . . . ....... .. 30
Procomm Plus. . . . . . . . . ..... .46
Desqview 386 . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . .. 116 Managing Your Money .. ... 129
Sideways. . . .. . . . . •••• . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Formtool . . . ... . . . . . . ... ..•. . .. .. . ... ... 55 Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
X Tree Pro.. . .. .... 69
Framework Ill.. . .. . . . • • . . .. .... .. . ... 399 Math Blaster Plus . . . . .... 28

Generic Cadd. Level I . . .... 28 Microsoft Flight Simulator . . . 37

BOOKS
Generic Cadd, Level 2 .... . . .. . . . .. .. .. . . . . . .... 55 Reader Rabbit . . . . 26
Take advantage or our volume discounts and save a bundle!
Harvard Graphics . . . . .... .. ... •.. . .. 299 Test Drive . . . . . . . . .. 22
Buy any 3 books and earn an additional S3 discount. Buy 4
Lotus 1-2·3 2.01... .. ...... 319 Typing Tutor JV . . .. . .. .. .. . . . .... . ..... 31
and deduct S4. Buy S, deduct SS, etc.
Multiplan .. . . . .. .. . . ............. 134 Where in Europe is Carmen San Diego'! .. .. . . .. ..... 28
Using 1-2-3. Special Eclition .. . . . .. $19
Pagemaker 3.0. . . . . .. . . 529 Where in U.S.A. is Carmen San Diego'! ........ . .... 28
dBase Ill Plus Handbook . . . . .17
Peachtree Complete System I I ..• .••• •• . .... . ..... 174 Where in World is Carmen San Diego'! . . .. .......... 25
d Base IV Handbook . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . 16
pf s: First Choice . . . .. ..... . . . . 99 Managing Your Hard Disk . ... . .. . . 16
pfs: First Publisher .. .. . . . .. .. .... .. 83 MS-DOS LANGUAGES/ UTILITIES MS-DOS Users Guide 3rd Edition.. . . . . .. . . . 17
pfs: Professional Fi le with Reporl AutoSketch .......... .. . . . . .... . ....... . . ..... $ 53 Running MS-DOS . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . ......... 17
pfs: Professional P lan.. . . .•. .. .. ... 62 Borland Sidekick Plus .. ..... 138 Using AutoCad ... . . . 21
pfs: Professional Write .. .. . .. ....... ... .. .. ...... 125 Borland Turbo BASIC .. . . . . . . .. .... . . . .. 69 Using Managing Your Money . . . ... .... .. •...... .. 15
Printshop Bundle .. . .. . . . . . ...... .... .. .. 37 Borland Turbo C.. .. . . . ... 104 Using Paradox. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 17
Printshop Companion ... . ... • • . . .. . ... . •• . . ...... 31 Borland Turbo PASCAL with 8087/ BCD .... . . .... 103 UsingQ&A .. ... . .......... . .. . .... .. .. ...... .. 16
Publish II! . . . . . .. .. . . . . . . .. 122 Carbon Copy+ (need two copies) . . .. . .. ... 119 Using WordPerfec t 4.2 ... .. . ........ . .. ..... . ..... 16
Q & A ... . .. ... .. . . ....... . .. .. . . ....... . ... 229 Copy II PC . . . . . .. . . ... ... 21 Using WordPerfect 5 .... . ... ..... • .. .. . •• • . • .. . .. 19

~ ORD~~- !.~~a~o-fREE! ~
lctonem@r
332 BYTE •
Reg. U.S. Pat. Off.

APRIL 1989
Call fro m anywhere in the lower 48 states and Hawaii.

1-800-527-0347ADL7
 - --~;~~---
'~· ,-·,":;_:,.':}:;..:-. '/'.~: .:'.~.'.~\)~~'.·~V~J.<:?:~t:r:· ;\I•
.... ~ ,.; • .A
,,.
,- -,
, ....... ···
lr'

• I" A' ' ' ~ -~r.i.: y: • • • • • •' ,_

HIGH QUALITY ...uow PRICE!

We've Built Our Reputation on This

Premise for Almost a Full Decade.

Clone 286 With Clone 286 With Clone 286 With

LOW PRICE MEDIUM SPEED HIGH SPEED
$1299

IO MHz, 30MB HARD DRIVE,

$1919

12MHz, 40MB HARD DRIVE,

$2379
16MHz, 65MB HARD DRIVE,
MONOCHROME MONITOR
EGA MONITOR VGA MONITOR

Standard Features of All Clone 286 Computers:

• 80287 Socket. • Enhanced I 0 I-key Keyboard.
• 640K RAM. • Keyboard Lock.
• l.2MB o r 360KB F loppy Drive (Your • Fully Expandable.
Choice). •One Year Parts and Labor
• 2 Floppy/2 Hard Disk Controller, Warranty.
I: I interleave. • Novell Compatible.
•~l ock Calendar with Battery • I Parallel, I Serial, I Joystick Port.
Backup. •PC-Write - QModem- ExpressCalc
• System Reset Switch Located on the AutoMenu - HomeBase - Money (;UARANTEED
Front Panel. M as ter - Findex - Clone Utilities. Oneyur parlsand laber.30
• l.44MB Floppy Capability. • FCC Certified. day money back guarani"
(n.ceplsoftware).

CLO NE I MONOCHROME I cotno I SERVING

vA L UE CH ART I ~mul" I VGA I CGA I EGA . I .A/M111tiFreq 11r1- I YOU
flOMB/ URLL65ms ,-ffi99"1~1~1St7i'9 I m19 I SINCE
IOMH z I •OMB/l•I MFM 40m• I_ 1399 I 1679 I 1559 I 1819 I 1979 l 1980
O WAITI 65MB/l •I RLL 40ms I 1499 I 1779 I 1659 I 1919 I 2019 I
I 122MB/l• I RI.I. 28m• I_ 1799 _l 2079 I 1959 j 2219 J n19 I
f 30MB/l•I RLL65ms 1~1Si'679 l----si559Js.8i9 I 51979
1
UMHz •0MB/l•I MFM 40m1 I -....-J~ l-----;659 J----wi'9 J 2079
OWAITI 65MB/l•I RLL 40ms I 1599 I 1879 I 1759 I 2019 :I-_ _ _ _ ____,
I122MB/U RLL 28ms I ~ l___!.!2!_ I~ I~ I
( I ( ( I (

,~_} 1879

OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT FOR CLONE COMPUTERS Buy with Confidence! Our Guarantee R emoves
All the Risk from Your Buying D ecision!
MODEMS & RODENTS Vertical CPU stand (Add $9 for wheels). . ... S 24
The C lone G ua rantee is s imple and straightforward. You have 30 days after
Logimousc with Software, Bus or Serial ....... S 75 AST Rampage 2MB EEMS memory board for recei pt of yo ur C lon e to sec if you and it arc go in g to be com p a tibl e. If you a rc
Logimouse wilh First Publisher,,. . 108 AT wilh 512K . . .. ... 439 no! satis fi ed wi th your Cloncfor any rea son w ithin that lime, yo u may return it
Microsoft Mouse with software. E • 10 8 Masterpiece Plus. Power Dir. with for a full refund. le ss s hipping charges. Just don't write in the manuals and
Microsoft Mouse wit h Windows~ . 149 Modem Protect ..... 119 da mage o r lose anything that was in the o riginal co ntainer. which also mu st be
Mach Ill Joyslid.cach .. 32 The Complete Fax 9600 . . ..... 449 returned. You can void your warranty by failing to exercise normal care when
J oystick, each .. . , . , .. 24 The Complete Fax. Board ..... . , , , , , , .... ... 273 hookin g up or opera1ing your Clone. Complete warranty det ails arc avai lable
Internal 300/ 1200 w/ softwarc . , , __ 59 The Complete Answering Machine Board ...... 227 on rca uest.
Int ernal JOO! 1200/ 2400. ...... 106 The Complete Hand Scanner(400 DP) . . . . , 162
Hi-Res Logimousc with software, Bus ......... .94 The Complete Half-Page Scanner. . .195
Hi-Res Logimousc with Publisher,CADD.
and Paini. . ....... .. ..... 177 PRINTERS
Star NX- 1000 144cps NLQ. . ...Sl79•
TURBO CLONE
$'J49

Flight Stic\.. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .50

Star NX-!000 Rainbow (above w/color) . . .. 229•
FLOPPY Sta r NX- 15 120/)0cps NLQ (wide).. . .. 309•
360K 51/t" TEAC FD55B.. S 79 Star ND- 15 180/ 45cps •• ,.. . ....•. 389 • Style
AT •S ave
1.2MB 5 1.4.. TEAC FD55G ... . 109 Sta r NR- 10 240/60cps NU ... 349• Ke.yboard Now!
720K J1/i .. TEAC FD35F ........ . ........99 Star NR- 15 same bu1 wide ... 449•
l.44MB Jllz"TEA C FD235HF ... ............. I09 Stat Nll- 15 300/IOOcps NLQ . 719 •
ADD-ONs & ACCESSORIES Star NB24-IO 2 16/72cps LQ ...... . ..449• Slandard Fulures:
• 8088 @ 4 .77 ~ !OM H1. Turb o-speed

-­
TTL Hercules graphics wi th parallel port ...... S 49 Star N 824-15 same but wide.. .. . . . . 579• Mainboard .
Color Graphics Adapter 640x.200 w/par. port .... 49 Star NX-2400 170 / 57cps LQ. 24 pin . . . . 319• • 640K RAM standard.
EGA card . . ............. 159 Panasonic K X-PI 124 80/ 192cps. 2 4 pin ...... 339• • 8087 Socke1.
• 150 Wan Power Supply.
VGA card ......... 259 Panasonic KX-P 109 1i, 80 col/ 120cps .... 189 • • 360K Floppy Drive wit h
All 8087 and 80287's in stock . Call for price! Panasonic KX-PI080i, 80 col/ 144cps ....... , . 169•
Disk Conir oller.
Ccntronics / Ccn1r onics molded cable IO' ......... 20 Pana sonic KX-P I092i, 80 col/ 240cps . . . . 329• • Hercules® Compatible
Video Card.
Printer Switch Box. 2-pos .. Cenironics 10' Printer Cable..... ,.... .12• • HiResolution TTL Monitor
or DB-25... ... . . .. .. . . .
Printer Switch Box. 4-po ·. Centronics
. ... . 39
•w ith purchase of our comput er. • ~~~~~!l1erP~in~:raPa~:!
• I ·Seria l Port (2nd Optional at
lllllllllllllllUllllllllllllllllUl,"""=-= =!9
or OU-25................ . . ... 49 A wide variety of other prin1ers available! $29).
• Game-Joys1ick Port.
• Clock / Calendar with
NO ORPHANED CUSTOMERS
baucry backup.
We have been s uppl y in g c ustomers with hi gh q u a lit y hardwa re and soft ware s in ce 1930. Sound
• 8 Slots.
engineering. hig h per f orma nce, qua lit y construction , o ut s landing wa rra nti es a nd a re putation for doing
: ~u~~ ·;tfd~a~lb"s.
the ri ght thin g ha ve been our wa y of doing b usiness si nce Day O ne. As the manufactu rer of Clone

Com puters. we s tand behind each computer so ld with a 100% com mitment t o our customer's

satisfaction. Price, Performance, Value... Clone is the clear c hoice for serio us compute r use rs.

m,,.
Remember ... YOUR BEST FRIEND MAY BE A CLONE.

CLONE COMPUTERS
Bo• 2239571 Clone
 Austria 02 22 38 76 380
GIVEA NEW DIMENSION TO PERSONAL COMPUT­ Australia 02 654 1873
ING...The amazing Voice Master Key System adds Benelux +31 1858-16133
Denmark 02 65 81 11
voice recognition to just about any program or
France 01 69 412 801
application. Voice command up to 256 keyboard macros Great Britain 01 464 2586
from within CAD, desktop publishing, word process­ Israel 03 484832
ing, spread sheet, or game programs. Fully TSR and Italy . 011 7710010
occupies less than 64K. Instant response time and high Find out how ou r whole family of
Korea 02 784 7841
EMU· TEK graphics tenninal emulation
New Zealand . 09 392464
recognition accuracy. Voice recognition tool-box utili­ Portugal 01 83 56 70
software makes good sense for the work you do.

ties are included. A genuine productivity enhancer! Scandinavia . +46 40922425

Call today for more infonna1ion.

Spain 93 217 2340

SPEECH RECORDING SOFTWARE. . .Digitally record
your own speech, sound, or music to put into your own
FTC DATA
SYSTEMS
Switzerland .
West Germany
01 740 41 05
OB 131 16 87
software programs. Software provides sampling rate
variations, graphics-based editing, and data compres­
sion utilities. Create software sound files or send voice
(714) 995-3900
(800) 962-3900 (800) 972-3900 (Calif.)
I080 1 Dale St., Suite M-2
Stanton, 0\ 90680
noHau
CORPORATION
51 E. Campbell Ave..
Campbell. CA 95008
(408) 866-1820
memos through LANs. A complete, superior speech
and sound development tool.
Circle 105 on Reader Service Card Circle 198 on Reader Service Card
SOFTWARE CONVERSION CODES. . .The Voice
Master Key System operates a growing list of third
party talking software titles using synthesized phone­
tics (text-to-speech) or digitized PCM, ADPCM, and
CVSDM encoded sound files. Voice Master Key System
does it all!
EPSON®

WRITE or CALL for YOUR FREE

Now you can order

COMPREHENSIVE 8 & 8 -
ELECTRONICS CATALOG TOOAYI
EPSON discontinued or

Pages and pages of photographs

and illustrated, descriptive text hard-to-find

for B&B's complete line of RS-

232 converters, RS-422 con­ accessories and supplies.

verters, current loop convert-

ers, adapters, break-out box-
es, data switches, data split-
ters, short haul modems,
To order or for a FREE

surge protectors, and much, Information Package, call:

much more. Most products meet

FCC Part 15J. Vru RS-232 needs
for quality, service and competitive
prices will be more than met by B&B
1-800-873-7766
ELECTRONICS. Manufacturer lo you, no mid­
dleman\ Money-back guarantee! Same-day

and ask for Operator 40

EVERYTHING INCLUDED. . .Voice Master Key shipment! One-year warran\y on products!
Epson Accessories, Inc.
Technical support is available.
System consists of a plug-in card, durable Iightweight 19750 So. Vermont Ave.
Write For Your FREE Catalog Today!
microphone headset, software, and manual. Card fits Torrance, CA 90502-9962
illy available slot. External ports consist of mic inputs
and volume controlled output sockets. High quality
8&8 ~!~~!r.~n!~!
40020 Baker Road, PO. Box1040• Ottawa, IL 61350
When you've got an Epson,
you've got a lot of company.'"
throughout, easy and fun to use.
Phone: 815-434-0846 A-3

ONLY $149.95 COMPLETE Circle 321 on Reader Service Card Circle 92 on Reader Service Card
ONL y$89.95 F0 RTANDY 1000 sun MODELS­

SOFTWARE PACKAGE ONLY.

Requires Tandy Brand Electret microphone.

ORDER HOTLINE: (503) 342-1271

Monday-Friday, BAM to 5PM Pacific Time

Visa/MasterCard, company checks, money orders,

CODs (with prior approval) accepted. Personal checks MODEL
subject to 3 week shipping delay. Specify computer SX151
type and disk format (3V2' or 51A'') when ordering. RS232C OR STAND ALONE (all models), Com­
Add $5 shipping charge for delivery in USA and munication protocol: XMOOEM, HEX, and
BIN. Programs: EEPROMS, 2716 - 27512 and
Canada. Foreign inquiries contact Covox for C & F
quotes. 30DAYMONEY BACK GUARANTEE IF NOT
THE MOST AFFORDABLE CMOS. Programs (w/adapter): 25XX, 27!01
(and above), 68701, 68705, 68764/6, 8741/2.
COMPLETELY SATISFIED. ONE YEAR WARRANTY AND RELIABLE NETWORK 8744, 8748/9, 8751/2, 8755, 87252, and
CMOS. More available soon. Model SX151
ON HARDWARE. • Connects up to 64 PCs, A Ts, and PS2/30s. S214 (assembled with case). Other models
• Saves you enough time to worth your money. are available from S49 (kit).
• High speed hardware controlled network, Cross assemblers by PseudoCode for IBM-PCs,
25 times faster than software links. $50. ZBO, 1802, 6502, 6800111213151819111,
CALL OR WRITE FOR FREE PRODUCT CATALOG • Snap installation, just plug and go. 6800018/IO, 804819, 805112, 808015, 8096, and
• No tweaking or adjustments needed. more soon. Simulators and disassemblers also

available.
•Absolutely, positively guaranteed. Try it for
30 days. Full money back if you are not lOOo/a
satisfied.
KORE, Inc.
6910 Patterson S.E.

@ COVOX INC. 675-D Conger St.

Eugene, Oregon 97402 U.S.A.
TEL: 503-342-1271 •FAX 503-342-1283
Only $199 per station. 3-Station Pak: $549.
LAN-MARK Systems, an Advin Company

1050L East Duane, Sunnyvale, CA 94086

(408) 243-7000 • Fax (408) 736-2503

Caledonia, Ml 49316
(616) 791-9333
$5 for shipping (USAI, plus 53.00 COO.

334 BYTE • APRIL 1989 Circle 154 on Reader Service Card Circle 147 on Reader Senvice Card
 Circle 80 on Reader Service Card
TurboFlow $69
Flowchart drawing for IBM PC/XT/ AT/J>S2

IBM
DISKETTES
5 .25DS 6023450 - 14.60
5.25 HD 6109660 - 32.50
51/4" OS/DD 59e 3.50DS 6404107 - 23.95
3.50HD 6404078 - 45.95

$89 with Logitech mouse!

3112" OS/DD 1.09 2 0 ·1024 1669045- 33.95

"Pop~upic~nmenus ~
·- ,.~...+:.: .· ... .
LIFETIME WARRANTY
Price based on quanlity of 300 in bulk PROPRINTER
RIBBONS
(6328829) - 5.60
• Variable size symbols c_::;;t1.:••"-~i!t1·0.. includes Tyvek sleeves and label kits.
PROPRINTER XL (1040150) - 7.99
• Paper size to 34" x 44:;_.....­
PROPRINTER X24 (1040475) - 8.10
• He rcules mono, CGA, EGA
' HP-GL, DM/PL, SweetP Ploucrs
800-222-0490 PROPRINTER XL24(1040414) - 11.90
•Automatic PANning to scan dr01wing quickly In NJ 201-462-7628 PROPRINTER II (6328829) - 5.60
' IBM/EPSON, NEC, OKIDATA, HP LaserJe t FAX 201-462-5658 MONO PRINTER (1040440) - - 12.95
Daylron Electronics Inc. OUIETWRITER (1299790) - 9.45
610 S. sherman #104, Richardson, Tx 7508t OUIETWRITER Ill (1299933) - 13.95
Add s&h (S.J USA, Sl5 foreign), Tex::.... resident.<;. :add 8% s<ilcs ta DISPLAYWRITER (1299463) - 8.95
for 1cchnic;1I inform;i1inn c;ill 2J.J.669·2137
Delaware 1·800·451·1849
Order Today! 1-800-882-5822
D~ •1Filett •C::'~= 1'~800.s54.4osa
Moncy·back guarantee

Circle 173 on Reader Service Card

e tca
TELEX 4933362
'-0.9()ltl814, HTHANY,Oft. 73008

01\ll C lOI\• Nevada 1·800·621·6221

•o.oox ,,,... , ........... ,.,,,

FAX

9-Track Tape Subsystem

for the IBM PC!XTI AT
~'J Verbatim®
A Kodak Company
Verbatim Saves You Money

SAME DAY SHIPMENT

D - RAMS
Time After Time After Time

2•4BOX 5•9BOX lO+BOX

41256 - 06 .
41256 - 08 .
41256 - 10 . . . . . . . . . . . .
41256 - 12 . . . . .. . . . . . .
$12.25
. $11.50
. . $10.00
$9.50
r 086§ 6! 6~
41256 - 15
1mg x 1 . 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1mg x 1 . 08 .

8087 . .
MATH CO-PROCESSOR
$9.00
$22.00
. $28.50

$96.00
54 HD 1]1! J.32..!! 12!
lw OS 14~ l?j 13ll
Now you can exchange data files between 8087 - 01 . . . . $165.00
your IBM PC and any mainframe or mini­ 8087 . 02 ............ $127.00
computer using IBM compatible 1600 or 6250 80287 . 06 . ............ . ...... .. $143.oo

32 HD 34~ 33u ~
BPI 9-Track tape. System can also be used for 80287 - 08 . $200.00
disk backup. Transfer rate is up to 4 80287 - 10 ................... ... $230.00
megabytes per minute on PCs and com­ 80387 - 16 . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $320.00
80387 . 20 . . ... ... ..... $410.00
patibles. Subsystems include 7" or 101/2" 80387 - 25 . . . $510.00
streaming tape drive, tape coupler card and
DOS compatible software. For more informa­ CALL FOR LOWEST PRICES
tion, call us today! 1·800·2·SABINA
SABINA INTERNATIONAL, INC.
DURLSTRR; 657 Brea C<mvon Road Suite #4
Walnut. California 91789
9621 lrondale Ave., Chatsworth, CA 91311 (7 14)594-6336 •FAX (714)595-4008
Telephone: (818) 882-5822 PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE

Circle 232 on Reader Service Card Circle 249on Reader Service Card

HARD DRIVE SALE

SEAGATE
ST- 225 . .. ... .. . .. $ 255.00
with controller and cable
ST­ 238 ... . ...... . $ 265.00
with controller and cable ....... :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :1:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::1 ;:

This real time

ST- 251 . .. ........ $ 325.00
MULTITASKING KERNEL
ST- 251-1 ... . ...... $ 420.00
s implifies real llfe
product development
ST- 125 . . . ... .... . $ 289.00
• No royalties • • Dynamic memory
with controller and cable • Full source code 1ncludeo allocat1on
• • C mlerlace • • Evenl Manager
• Preemphve scheduler • ' Semapnore Manager
ST- 138 . ........ . . $ 359.00
• lnterlask messages • • Resource Manager
with controller and cabl e • Terminal Handler • ·Bull er Manager ;_a..,_..&ble- Del~w~~l;, ~~~~~~~
Di~etf Okraho~J-~.;~~t~~
Ni.~~ 1;.B<?g~~~J
AM'X 68000 operwfH on •ny 68000110120 •r•tem

ti) A.N. Wholesale & Retail, Inc. Manual only

AMX 68000 SUSOO US
S7S US UKADAK Products ltd
206- 16•1 W Broadway
(,Ql\l\tcnQI(
..
1320 South Dixie Hwy. Suite 256
'Opl1ons ­ uldor p11ce hsl
CSll1ppon91"•""'•"9•1tral
Vancouwe1. BC Canada V6J 1Y5 TELEX 4933362-- FA 4 .495.4 9
Telu 0•-55670
Miami, Fla 33146 A l lOhl•lll>l• IOleotJO. lfJO. Faa (604) 734- 811' Minimum order $20Q9 "No Surcharqe on Visa
80MllN l1N Teleph one { 6041734 -2796 MasterCard." COD orders add $3129: Surface
Ship[)inq UPS add $3Q9 per 100 for 3 112"or 5 114',
Phone: (3051 284-0827 add $4®per 100 for U.S. Mail delivery add a:·
Fax: (3051 284-0831 9%."Prices subject to change without Notice:·

Circle 3 4 on Reader Service Card Circle 144 on Reader Service Card APRIL 1989 • BYTE 335
Circle 302 on Reader Service Card

PROGRAMMERS PAL™/PLO SOFTWARE UNIVERSAL/GANG

PUT ONE UNIT

Sets The Standard PROGRAMMER
ON YOUR DESK TODAY! made in U.S.A.

....,....
-·­--.
.... e avi.-•
X ELTE K

$595.00
Includes
One Vear
Update
and
Warranty
CUPL'" PLO compiler, the most powerlul
ULTIMATE PROGRAMMING & TESTING language for state machine logic design, now
allows OrCAO'" schematic software as the front HUSKY -p rograms EE/EPROMS. CMOS PLDS,
SOLUTION FOR EPROM, PAL, BIPOLAR,
end design entry. CUPL supports all PLDs and and Micros. It's your best bet when low cost
8748 & 8751 SERIES, IC & MEMORY.
carries the most extensive update program. and quality are both important.
UNIPRO - Only $545 Complete Available on MS-DOS'", Apollo'", Sun··. VAX'" From the people who make CUPL and ALLPRO.
Optional 4-socket ADAPTOR and most UNIX '" based platforms.
for multiple EPROM programming -­ $99 1201 NW.651h Place 1201 N w 65t11Place

LOGICAL
Ft. Lauderdale. FL33309
305·974-0967
LOGICAL Fl. Lauderda le. FL 33309
305-974-0967
n•v•c••· 111111c .
1-800-331-7766 1-800-331-7766
Circle 156 on Reader Service Card Circle 15 8 on Reader Service Card
(DEALERS: 157) (DEALERS: 159)

Satellite Communication
MICROSAT II
Expansion Board
EPROM PROGRAMMERS -­ F ROM
(1,4,8,16 Socket ga ng programmers) $160 $700

· -· XELTEK I -=:-::-·
IMMEDIATE
DELIVERY

•For IBM PC/XT/AT and compatible.

• Satellite data receiver - 9600 baud.
High-speed, dedicated PROGRAMMERS • Satellite bulletin board.
for PAL, BIPOLAR, 8748 Series, and • Satellite video and
8751 Series, and IC & ME MORY
TESTERs are also available. audio option - Add $200
Ask for PAL DESIGNING S/W PERSONAL SPACE COMMUNICATIONS
I. PALASM (MM! ) 2. PLDesigner (MI NC)
707 Johnson Road , Blaine WA 98230
3. ORCAD PLO 1604)597-6298 TLX 04-508306 FAX 1604)597-6214

Circle 139 on Reader Service Card Circle 216 on Reader Service Card

IMAGING CARD 9·TRACK TAPE SYSTEMS!

High Intensity
EPROM ERASERS
·--from $59.90
DV-01
GRAYSCALE
OEM, DEALER INQUIRY WELCOME FRAME GRABBER OVERLAND DATA IS THE EXPERT when it
comes to connecting your PC to the mainframe
Composite video in/out and mini computer world.
256 x 240 resolution
XELTEK Digitize/display at frame speed
• PC/XT/AT/386/PS2/compatibles
• 800, 1600, 3200, 6250 BPI
• Free tutorial on tape systems
473 SAPENA COURT, UNIT 24 256 gray levels in • EBCDIC/ ASCII conversion
• IBM & ANSI labeled tapes
SANTA CLARA, CA 95054 16 Meg. color palette out • DOS, XENIX, UNIX, PICK
TEL.(408) 727-6995 FAX: (408) 727-6996 PCIXTIAT compatible • Highest quality customer service
• Stock full range of tape drives
$849.00 Complele with soflware
ORDER TOLL FREE VIS N MC Demo Disk availab le ~::.:..
• Network backup and Morel

1-800-541-1975 ControlVision ~?·:: · Overland Data Inc.

5620 Kea rn y Mesa Rd. • San Diego, CA 92111
P. O. Box 596, Pitt sburg , KS 66i62
VISA, MASTER, AMEX ACCEPTED (316) 231-6647 Tel: (6t9) 571-5555 • FAX: (6t9) 571-0982

336 B Y T E • APRIL 1989 Circle 70 on Reader Service Card Circle 202 on Reader Service Card
 IBJ5575
Subscribe to BYTE now and save $17 off the newsstand price D This is arenewal order.
of $42.00 ... and $5.00 off the regular subscription rate of
$29.95. You'll also receive our special IBM PC issue as part Name _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ __
of your subscription. (Please Print)
0 USA $24.95/1 year D Canada $26.95 U.S.11 year Company----------------­
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Account# - -- - - - - - - -- - - - - ­ For direct ordering, call toll free 1 800 257-9402 weekdays
Expires-- - - - - - - - - - - - -- - ­ 9:00 AM-5:00 PM EST. In New Jersey, call 1 609 426-5535. •,•,~

Signature - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - ­ Please allow 6-8 weeks for processing your subscription. ltn\11

IBJ5575
Subscribe to BYTE now and save $17 off the newsstand price D This is arenewal order.
of $42.00 ... and $5.00 off the regular subscription rate of
$29.95. You'll also receive our special IBM PC issue as part Name _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
of your subscription. (Please Print)
D USA $24.95/1 year D Canada $26.95 U.S.11 year Company _ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ __ _
D Billme A d d r e s s - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - ­

D Payment enclosed City/S t a t e - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - ­

D Charge to my D VISA D MasterCard Country _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ Code _ _ __

Account# _ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
For direct ordering, call toll free 1 800 257-9402 weekdays
Expires----- - - - -- - - - - - - ­ 900 AM-5:00 PM EST. In New Jersey, call 1 609 426-5535. ~'!~

Signature - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - ­ Please allow 6-8 weeks for processinq your subscription . 1tn\ll
 NO POSTAGE

NECESSARY

IF MAILED

IN THE

UNITED STATES

BUSINESS REPLY MAIL

FIRST CLASS MAIL PERMIT NO. 42 HIGHTSTOWN, NJ

POSTAGE WILL BE PAID BY ADDRESSEE

B\JTE
Subscription Department
P.O. Box 558
Hightstown, N.J. 08520-9409

III111I11I11I1I111IiIII111I1I111I11III111I1I1111II1 I

NO POSTAGE

NECESSARY

IF MAILED

IN THE

UNITED STATES

BUSINESS REPLY MAIL

FIRST CLASS MAIL PERMIT NO. 42 HIGHTSTOWN, NJ

POSTAGE WILL BE PAID BY ADDRESSEE

B\JTE
Subscription Department
P:O. Box 558
Hightstown, N.J. 08520-9409

III111I11I11I1I111I1III111I1I111I11III111I1I1111II1 I

 Circle 50 on Reader Service Card

LDW·LDW·LOW

Lase1j et Printer
Series II $1650
Scanjet Scanner
+ interface kit $1355
DGH • 24 line digital 110; 10 MHz 8255.
ADSOO • 8 channel 12-bit (plus sign) integrating AID; prog.
gains of I, IO & IOO; 7 digital 110 lines. $239 '.l:~M ClllfllWZ ti .111111t AceR
ADIOO • Single channel ve<Sioo of All500; \0 digi!al 110
lines. Same programmable gains. 700 meg input Z. $H9
PEVERElE- AST' & other E(E)PROM, MICRO & MEMORY

CARD PROGRAMMER..... $345 • $595

ADIOOO • 8 channel 12-bit AID; 25 uS; sample & hold; 3 5

Milz timer/counters; 24 digital 110 lines. $295
XT/AT Compatibles & 386 Computers • No personality modules r or E(E)Proms & Intel Micros.
ADA300 • 8 channel 8-bit 25 uS AID; single DI A sample & CALL for LOW PRICES • All 24/28/32 pin EProms t o 1 MBit (upgradeable to 32MB)
hold; 24 digilal 110 lin es. $239 • 8741,-2,-4,-8,-8H,-9,-9H,-51,-C51,-52,-55, 9761. EEPROMS.
AD200 • 4 channel 12-bit 125 uS AID; 3 5 MHz llmer/
counters; 24 digital 110 lines. $239
Gov't, Corporate, Schools, Dealers, • Memory Cards: Seiko/Epson, GI. Flash Eproms. On-board

DA6oO •Fast settling dual bipolar DIA. $179 & Export INQUIRIES WELCOME. Programming capability. Easy F /W upgrades. Modular design.
•Stand-alone E(E)Prom & Memory Card Duplication I Veriry.
PD200 • Prototype board wI address decoder; manual $99
• User friendly menu ·driven driver for IBM-PC & Macintosh.
NI boards i11duik BASIC. Pascal, C, and Fortb drivers.
:JJ day retum: I year ttarran!J. Call/or "Real World
l!iterfad11g" applicatio11 110/es.
SLJRAH inc.
• Autob:md RS232 to any computer. He>;/Binary/lnteVMotorola.
•Built -in Eraser!Timer option (SSO). Gang-Module ready.
• Direct technical support Full 1 year warra nty.
Real Time Devices, Inc. 44862 Osgood Road, FREMONT, CA 94539

Call Imlay for datasheets!

P.O. Box 906 State College, PA 16804 PH: (415) 651-5101 FAX: (415) 651-5241

1-800-543-1001

(814) 234·8087 VISA, Master Card accepted. wise

B&C MICROSYSTEMS INC.

355 West Olive Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Circle 246 on Reader Service Card Circle 270 on Reader Service Card (408)730-5511 FAX: (408)730-5521 TLX: 98 41 85

I>
I not only a
LOW COST

Hrf MAAYMAC ®
D a
printer buffer I
mis 1s ms MOST soPHISTJCATBD INTERFACE

PRINTER BUFFER - MULTIPLEXOR - SWITCH

WITH TWO SEPARATB INPUTS ISBRIAL AND PARALLRLJ ANO

CARDS FOR

TWO SEPARATE OUTPUTS ISBRIAL AND PARALLEL!- CAN BB

USED LIKE STANDARD BUPPBR.... WITH ANY IJllPUT TO ANY

PC/XT/AT

of Discounting OUTPUT..... BUT ALSO YOU CAN CONl'IBCT 2 COMPUTSRS TO I

PRINTBR, OR I COMPUTER TO 2 PRINTERS, OR 2 COMPUTERS

AND 1 PRINTERS -·· AND MORE = I COMPUTER TO 3 PRINTiRS

OR s COMPUTSRS TO I PRINTER
Computers, FAX HIOH CAPACITY - 64 KB TO 260 KB ANO - ?Ml KB TO I MB
\MODRl.S A AND BJ. PAUSE, COPY AND RRSBT FUNCTIONS
SRRIAL PORTS WITH T OR e BI TS WORD LBNOTH, I OR 2 STOP
&Cellular Phones BIT. PARITY, XON/XOP,, DTR. RTS

DeB-A-"K I 195 DeB - B-2"K I 255 I')

PC485D $95
ftad1e lllaek® Tandy® UNIT
ALSO, WB HAVB THB MOST COMPLR TB DATA CONVRRTBR
CONVBRTS RS2:12 SRRIAL TO CR NTRONICS PARALLRL
[RS 485/422 INTERFACE]
sco OR VICB VR RSA, JUST BY MOVINO JUMPRRS. BAUD RATB AND
PROTOCOL PULLY PROORAMABLB rROM t&o TO 19200 BAUDS
IN CLUOBS : OTR, RTS, XON/XO,,, PARITY, •le
• Meets the EIA RS-485 standard for multipoint bus
We will meet or beat ...
oeu
l"'l Povu
I 80 t"I 10­
[( ,,-
~ ~;;_]
transmission and the EI A RS-4Z2A standard.
• Can be configured as COMl or COMZ.
~i~h s~~~~~;~~~;i~~~i;r~;ss~ll~~a~I~.
1uppl r •n d c1bln NOT induhd
GUARANTEED LOWEST PRICES
: data transfer over
~ serial()parallel long cables{over 4,000 fl). Max. Baud rate 56KB/11SKB.
• Tri-state line drivers pe rmit implementation or LANs.
mf MAAYMAC 1NousTR1es INC.
DCU bi-directional converter • Two wire (hair duplex) operation. DB9 or phonejack.
• Sample communication software available. (S50)
225ll Katy Fwy.

Katy (Houston), TX 77450

1-713-392-0747 FAX (713) 574-4567

'"'I,., {RA INTECTRA lnc.-Dept.232

2w1 tSRMINAL BLVD
MOUNTAIN VIBW-CA-9•043

- -(415) 967-8818 TX 345545 PC488A $145

Toll Free 800-231-3680
[IEEE - 488 INTERFACE]
• Includes INSTALLABLE DOS DEVICE DRIVERS
Circle 164 on Reader Service Card and sortware support for BASIC.
• ?8~~n~an~un3Je s~~~r~[yC, :~~~AL,
• Selectable base 1/0 address, IRO and OMA
•CONTROLLER / TALKER / LISTENER capability.
• Customer support via dedicated 24 hou rs B&C Microsy­
DATA CONVERSION stems BULLETIN BOARD.
• Compatible with most IEEE-488 Software Packages for the
SYSTEMS IBM-PC (e.g. ASYSTANT GPIB, Lotus Measure, elc.).
• Hardware compatible with N.I. GPlB · PCIIA
9-Track Tape for your PC, AT,
PS/2, MAC, Sun
Read/"T~e datafromnearlyany Mainframe: IBM,
DEC, HP, DG, or Honey"ell. Runs under MS-DOS,
PC488B $345
Unix, Xenix, MN:, and SunOS. MICROCOMPUTER DEVELOPMENT SYSTEMS [ IEEE - 488 CARD WITH]
a; s 11..; 3 112• [BUILT- IN BUS ANALYZER]
Diskette -verter Each of three products allows the IBM PS2/PC/
• GVUASIC package comp lements IBM/ Mit:msofl BASIC
XT/AT to be used as a complete development interpreter J n<l compiler lo create a programming
foryourPC/XT/AT system for the Motorola 6805 series single environment similar lo llP desk.lop computers.
Our diskette conversion sys1em can read/wrile chip microcomputers. MCPM-1 supports the • Additional libraries or ove r 20 high level 4~ dedicated
and format diskettes from IBM Systems 34, 36, 38, MC68705 family, MCPM-2 supports the runctions for C, Pascal or Fortran available ($50 ea.).
MC1468705 family and MCPM-3 supports the • Powcrrul menu-drin•n bus analyzer, which can run in
AS400, DEC, G\1X, CP/M, Displaywriter aqd the r orcground or in the background while 488 programs or
MC68HC05 family. Each system is $495 and commands arc executed, rcaturesprogram stepping, break
includes a programming circuit board or pro­ points and real time bus data capture (4k ci rcular buffe r).
grammer with driver, cross assembler and • Instant toggling between fcrt'ground and An;1lyzcr screen.
simulator/debugger software. A system is also • Diµc;witch se lectable B;1sc Address, IR• , DMA.
available for the HITACHI 63705 ZTAT micro. •Talker/Listener/Controller capability. Based on TMS-991.
• NEC-7210 based version (NI PCll/llA compaliblc) - $ 4_45
MC/VISNAMEX Call todayfordatasheets!
THE ENGINEERS COLLABORATIVE
Route 3, Box BC, Barton, VT 05822 B&C MICROSYSTEMS INC.
(802) 525-3458 FAX (802) 525-3451 355 West Olive Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94086
(408)730-5511 FAX: (408)730-5521TLX;984185

Circle 184 on Reader Ser.vice Card Circle 91 on Reader Service Card Circle 51 on Reader Service Card
Circle 79 on Reader Service Card
~- *FREE! DiskFile/60!!
~-· with purchase of 50 3M diskettes

DS-DD
5'; OS/ DD only

Quantity Discounts Available DS-HD

9TRACK
.69~ ....... 5.25" 3M Di ske!les ... . . . . 1.19
• Programs
2764inBsec.
• Rrods.pro­
grams,cop11."5
TAPE SYSTEM
over475de­
1.45 .. ... . 3.50" 3M Diskettes ..... HD 2MB 3.49 vicesfrom3S
mfg's: 2716­
EM ~
1.89 SS/DD ... B.00" 3M Diskettes . .. DS/2MB 2.15 27513,27011,
68764. 68766. 1c::::==:;;;:;;::;:;;;;:=~:$Etl
2804-28256, etc "
• Optional microconlroller heads support 87-"ll and 87C5l series
• Improved design now programs o'ler twice as fast
• Automatirally uses lhe fastest algmithm recommended by lhe
manufacturer lo ensure reliable data storage
DC-2000 ........ .. 15.69 DC-300XLP ...... . . 19.40 • Conne<:ts via RS-232 to any computer; l'C. XT, AT, PS/2, Mac, etc
• Supporls XMODEM/XMODEM CRC protocols & ASCII filexfers
DC-61 501DC6ooxio1 .. . 22.83 DC·600A ......... 21.45 • Supports Intel, Motorola, hex-space, slraight hex and binary files
• Mainframe to PC Data Transfer
• Checksums supported • 8 baud rates to 38,400
3M Mag Tape Std w/seal 2400' .... . . ... 12.50 • 30-day money-back guarantee • Collates 16 & 32-bit data • High Speed Backup
3M Mag Tape Std wlseal 1200' ........ . . 9.25 • Engr support learn for fast updat<.'5 •Gold Textool ZIF IC socket
• One-year warranty (parts and labor) • Same day shipment
· All Software, Complete System
·Service and Support, easy
~BASF
•Toll-free lechnical support • UV erasers from S34.95
• Thou~ndsof satisfied customers attest to the EP-l's great value Installation
*FREE
~)
• Low price of $349 inrludes IBM rompa!iblecommunications pro­
MICRODEX/25 g ram, user's manual and two frtt firmware update coupons
call (818) 343-6505 or write to:
CALL TOD" I Olt \IOIU t'\t 0 t-8011·225-2102 Contech Computer Corp.
DS-DD Quantity Discount~ DS-HD P.O. Box 153 Tarzana. Calif. 91356

.54 ......
5.25" BASF
Diskettes . . . . .87
. BP~ 10681 Haddington #190. Houston, TX 77043 CONTECH
* 3.50" BASF ~ * (713)461-9430 FAX(713) 461-7413
1.29 .. ... . 3.29
Diskettes .... ..... .. HD 2MB
35 5.25" BA SF Nologo Di ske tt es
Circle 44 on Reader Service Card Circle 67 on Reader Service Card
' · · · · · ·wi th T vek sleeves, labels & w/ tabs

Advertise your
11 FRAME GRABBERS
· ,11
p1as11cooi
°Ll1
plasl1coox
computer products
PRICE
with
PRICE
without
frame frame

.65 1.19 1.45 3.49 through

MODEL RESOLUTION grab grab
HRT 256·4 256 x 256 x 4 495 NA
BYTE BITS
11 HRT 256·8 256 x 256 x 8 795 NA
.65 1.29 1.49 3.79 HRT 512-8 512 x 512 x 8 995 NA

• FREE! Microsolt Works·f (2" x 3" ads)

HRT 512·24 512 x 512 x 24
- CALL FOR DIFFERENT MODELS
1995 1495

i FREE' 111h Oiskelle (11 lor lhe price ol 10) ·IBM PCIXTIAT C0"'1'ATIBLE
' FREE' S17 OOVal ue Discounl Book &Storage Case • DIGITALIZE IN REAL TIME
DS-DD Qu antity Discounts Available DS-HD ·COMPOSITE VIDEO IN
For more information
· 24 BITRGB OUT except model HRT 256·4
•65 #+. . . . MD 2D ~'
,. 0· 0:; MD2HD . . . ,
119
16 level gray scale out

1.69~+ .. MF2DD .:=i "· MF2HD .. :*°3.59 call Mark Stone at

• SOFTWARE LIBRARY OF IMAGE ANALYSIS ROUTINES
· FREE SOFTWARE UPGRADES TO REGISTERED OWNERS
• FULL CREDIT ON UPGRADE PURCHASEIN FIRST YEAR
Fuji Floppy Disk MD2D in Rainbow Color Pack . . . . . . . . •72 603-924-6830
RETURN OLD BOARD AND JUST PAY DIFFERENCE t1

MD·10 M0·2HO INPUT DEVICES loptio nall

ti
Nashua .49 .84* 1.24 3.15
·onplasucbox
marOOMccJcr 13\ITE

Microsoft Mouse !bus or seriaU .

Bit Pad Plus by Summagraphics .
. ... $99
. . $359

Q ~ HIGH RES TECHNOLOGIES

COLOR DISKETTES One Phoenix Mill Lane
- H RT P.O. BOX 76
LEWISTON. N.Y. 14092
5.25" OS/DD 5.25" OS/ HD 3.50" OS/DD Peterborough, NH 03458
PHONE 416-497-6493 FAX 416-497-1988

.39 .84 1.26

Circle 48 on Reader Service Card Circle 126 on Reader Service Card

5.25" OS/DD 5.25" OS /HD 3.50" OS/DD 3.50 OS/HD 8051 SIMulator ynamic-====
.
.29 .59 1.05 2.79 for the IBM PC/XT/AT $ 99
All 5.25" diskettes in sleeves, labels & w/p tabs
RIBBONS STORAGE The 6051 SIM software pack2ge assists in the lectronics
debug of 6051 family programs. A screen
- Please call for information - oriented, menu command driven program,
6051 SIM speeds development by allowing
TERMS: No surchage on VIS A. Mastercard or AMEX .
COD only add $300. Prep aid orders deduct 2% cash
discount. PO's accepted from recognized institutions and
program execution and debug without a
target system. A great learning tool as well. SIMMS
corporations on Net 30. Bank draft, TIT or UC acceptable.
Shipping: $4/100 or fewer disks. Reduced shipping
CALL FOR PRICES
charges on larger quantities. Price quoted for case ( 100 8031DrylCE $199 INTEL DRAMS SIMMS
disks) quantities less than a case add 5% (Mi n order
$25 00) . Dry ICE is a debugger/emulator that supports 8087 64K 256 8 x
the development of hardware and software 80287 256K X9
WE BEAT ANY PRICE! using the 6031 microcontroller. The DrylCE 80387 4464 1MegX8
Toll Free Order Line: Information Line: provides powerful functions to assist in the
80387SX 1 Meg 1MegX9
integration, debug, and test phase. Hardware
1-800-523-9681 1-801-255-0080 connects between your target 6031 IC socket 80C287A
TLX-9102404712 FAX-801-572-3327 and CRT terminal or PC COM port.
Phone 714-855-0411
ii DISKCOTECH Iii'~~- HiTech Equipment Corporation
9400 Activity Road
Fax: 714-855-8504
23522 COMMERCE CENTER DR. #L
DISKCO TECHNOLOGIES, INC. San Diego, CA 92126 LAGUNA HILLS, CA 92653, USA
213 Cottage Avenue
P.O. Box 1339 Sandy, Utah 84091 (619)566-1892

338 BYTE • APRIL 1989 Circle 125 on Reader Service Card Circle 8 4 on Reader Service Card
 ~~g:C:P~~t call toll free QUl)Q~-
is the fu-st. ,he 800-888-9294 #':!fa!~ l'CFatl'I

~lto:
·
• 1
\\/ECT:OR
~~v 1
1
F<0mLACC Ameli:l
,....1.. j Model XT 4 77 MHZ/ 10 MHZ Expandable 10640 KB RAM
8088 Main Board Fully IBM PC/Xl Compahble/150 WP SJPhoenix Bias/
1 Drive 81os/ 1 Ditve36 OK wl conlroller DTK
'~ I i
I
f
$329 00 w/Mono Chrome $449 00 w/Color $599 DO
ModelA1(286 8 MHZ) 0 Wail PCATCompa hb1e 195% Fasterthan IBM A 1200 wall
'

jc
power supply Muni I 0 32 KB Phoenix 81os 640 K Exp/Meg
~-
~ \ 1 2 Meg Floppy 1 3 60K Floppy $959 00 w/30 Meg $ tJlS
~ . .;;,.....; w/30 Meg Color Moni!or $1499 Mono Monitor
_ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.,,,, ~i
"' ACCOUNTING
•
ACCPAC Easy $ 53.
ACCPAC BPI $229.
Bedlord Accounting $139.
OAC Easy Accounting $ 53
OAC Easy Payroll
.,,..,s::;,.Qq
$ SJ .

In-House Accounlant $10~ .

One Write Plus 2.0 $117.

One Write

..
~- ·
~· ~- ;·.
NA.NP.Payrc $117.

Time Slips $ 69.

Time Slips Ill $109.

MONEY MANAG EMENT PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Dollars & Sense HarvardTolal Model 30·8086. 640 K, 2 Drives $1.295.

w/Forcas l $ Y2 . Pro1ec1 Managerll $30!1 Model50·20Meg. 80266.1 MB $2.295 .
Totuas T1mehne3 U $31 ~ Model60 - 44 Meg Call
Managing youi M1crosott Pro1ec 14 U $2tH Model 80 - 70 Meg Call
Money4 0 $114 . Superpro1ecl Experl $J!J5 DESK JET $699.00
LANGUAGES
MS Basic Compiler $175. Ov1ck Bas1c4.0 $ 57 . UTILITES WORD PROCESSORS
C Compiler(MicrosolO $259. Ou1ck C s 57 .
Cobol Compiler Ryan McFarlan Fortran $379. Microsol!Wmdows386 $ I 09.
1 DIA Plus $ 46. Easy Extra $ 53.
(Microsofl) $512 . Ryan McFarlan Cobol $609.
Brooklyn Bridge $ 69. Norton Commander $ 43. Grandv iew $159.
MS Fortran Turbo Basic $ 56.
Carousel 2.0 $ 43. Norton Editor $ 35. Mult1male Advanlage II $259.
Compiler 4.0 $259. Turbo C $ 58.
CopyllPC $ 18. Norton u111111es 4.0 $ 46. PFS: ProlessionalWule $102 .
Lallice C Complier $209. Turbo Pascal4.0 $ 58.
Copywnte $ 40. PC Tools Deluxe $ 36. Valkswnter3 $132.
Macro Turbo Pascal Printworks for Valkswnter Deluxe Plus $ 57.
Corelast $ 89
Assembler (MicrosolQ $ 86. Dev.Librnry $226. Doi MalllX $ 39. WEBSTER
Cruise Con!rol $ 29.
Pascal Compil er Turbo Prolog $ 89. Pr1n1works lor Laser $ 67. Ne w World Writer $ 53.
Drrect Access $ 48 .
(M icrosofQ $175 . Sidekick Plus $115 . Prof.Spell Check.e r $ 32 .
Disk Optimizer 2.0 $ 36.
Disk Technician Plus $ 69. Sideways $ 37. New Worl d Thesau rus $ 37
HARDWARE SPECIALS OS. Back-Up Plus $ 46. Smar! Noles $ 43 . Wo1d(M1crosol!) $ 165.
Panasonic KXP 1080 ll $169.00 Everex VGA PIUS Fastback $ 75. SOZ Plus s 53. WOid Perlect4.2 $199.
Faslback Plus $ 75. Superkey $ 58. Woid Perfect 5.0 $219.
NEC Mullosync II Monr!or $549.00 Hayes Smart2400 Baud Modem $399.00
Keyworks
Laplmk
$
$
53.
75.
Unlock D Plus
Unlock Maslerk ey : ~~:I Word Perlecl Ex~cullve
Word Pe 1lec1 Library
$11 9.
$ 59.
MaceUlifihes $ 47. Xlree $ 35 Wordstar Pro Pack 5 o can
NEC IBM COMPATABLE
Microsolt Windows 286 $ 5 7. XTree Professional $ 61. Wordstar 2000 Plus 3.0 Call
Letter Quality Printer CASES
22 Cps Demo 90 day we1Tanty ATS29.95
Retell $495. LACC $179. XT$19 .95

FAX MACHINES
TOSHIBA
LAPTOP
PanaFax · UF 150 $1069.00 Model 1000 $ 780.
Mu1a1a- M - 1600 $8 19.00 Model 1200/1200F $2250/1395.
Brothe r Fax 1000 $1459.0U Model 3 100 $2995
Model 3200/5100 $3495/4495.
PANASONIC Also available lrom LACC \Appie,
EPSON Compad. Del!agold)
LX800 · OM 180. NL030. 9 PIN $17 9.00 Model 3131 /3151 $269/439
EPSON MC Equity LT- MS Dos3 .2.2
FX 1050 - wipe cam age 9 pin $469 .00
KXP 1592/159511524 $399./429
lloppy, 20 Meg 64UK 4.77 / 10 MHZ
OFX 5000 (533 CPS) 9 pin Call
1091/1092/modelll $199./319
EC TCa!I
EX 800 300 CPS60 HLO 9 pm Call
1061 model II $169.00

LO I 050 263 CPS 88 NLO 24 pm $699.UO

NEC
COMPUTERS

All Epson Printer Available Call

2200 $349.UO !PC MASS EDS CHOICE)

5200 $699 00
MONITORS
3550/8850 $799Jl 1~9 DATA BASE AST Premiurn/266 - Model 80 - CALL
OKIDATA All Available Call MANAGEMENT Model 120 - CALL
Princeton Graphics System
Model 14 0- CALL
HX12E(640 x350) $459.00 Chpper $409 Paradoxl 0 $415 .
Model 180 - CALL
Ullrasync VGA compat(600 x 6001 $479 00 dBase Ill Plus $369. PFS
Max 12 TTC $149.00 COMMUNICATION All AST Product Available Call
dBase Ill LAN 1>599 Proless1onal File $119.
NEC DB · Xl Diamond $107 O&A $185 .
Mull1sync II $1549.00 Hayes 1200 El 12UO B w/ S.W $279.0U Eureka $ 99. O&A Wnte $1 05
Mullisync Plus $859.00 2400 E $432 OU Gemler $188 A: Base For DOS $425.
Mullisync XL 19" pictures $2150.00 2400 B $432 .0U Nu1st1ell $72 Renex $ 88.
AMTEC Everex Call Nutshell Plus $139 VP Experl $112
410 Amber°' whlle $159.95 LACC Modem 1200 I w/S.W $69 OU VP lnl o. $ 56
410 Green $159.00 2400 I w/S.W $119 .0U
\

•
SONY INTEGRATIVE SOFTWARE
EGA Mu thscan CPD $1302.UO MS Works $ 85
SAMSUNG MONITOR INTERFACES
Ab11tty Pius $137 PfS I SI Choice $ 76
EGA 14 " CALL Enab:e 2 U s :152 Smart Sollware Syslem $389.
1252 Fial $75.0U LACC Fabulo•.1'> Mono Herc ules
F1 amewo1k 111 $425. Symphony $435 .
compahble or color carrl Call Weston
CN4551 Mulhsync $459.00
LACC TTL Monl1or $4900 Hercules Mono/ Here color $289/299
DESKTOP PUBLISHING Ac1.11 1$.t~ J !.i un

Everex Micro Enhancer $129.0U ·r \lewsmaker 11 C11ni1?:-. w l1ash. 111p111l . c.i111nq cases $4:1 ~1:)

Paradise VGA plus $259 00

I lagemaker 3.0
$ 39.
$469.
PFS Fust Pubhsher
Ventura Publishing
S bO
$475

Open Monday Thru Friday P.O.' s accepted tram Qualilted companies.

7 am 106 pm
Saturd ay
COMPUTER CORPORATION 1nslilues and schools.
WE ACCEPT.
8 am lo2 pm A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION COD
Wi re Transfers
3701 Inglewood Ave. Ste. 161, Redondo Beach, CA 90278-111 O

•
SHIPPING
FAX# 213-328-1750
Outside CA.
UPS . US Mall 800-888·9294
~eel Exp ress
Emery
Inside CA VISA
A California Corporation Olher 213·328-9294 - - --­
Circle 150 on Reader Service Card (DEALERS: 151) APRIL 1989 • BYTE 339
 Terminal Emulation
• Serial, Modem, & Bus
•Stand Alone Ability
• Laptop & Handheld
• PC & MAC Cards

SAFEWARE® Insurance provides full

replacement of hardware, media and

VT220 purchased software. As little as $39/yr. covers:

• VT220, VT102 emulation • Fire • Theft • Power Surges

• File transfer • Earthquake • Water Damage • Auto Accident

• 132column modes
• Color support
For information or immediate coverage call:

·Hot key

1-800-848-3469

• • Diversified Computer Systems, Inc. In Ohio calll-614-262-0559

3775 Ins Avenue, Suite 18

Boulde1; C080301(303)447·9251

FAX 303-447-1406

El!FI Ii: no
SAFEWARE, Tbe lllsurance Agencr Inc.
Ti ademarks: VT102. V1220 -DEC: Tektronix - Tektronics Inc.

Circle 81 on Reader Service Card Circle 86on Reader Service Card Circle 252 on Reader Service Card

TWIX COMPUTERIZED ON TARGET ASSOCIATES

CASH REGISTERS Products and Services

for Design and Manufacturing Engineers.

• Functions Include: read, write.

vc1ify, prolCcl, odit, piint, and Micro Channel Design Consulting
file load and .save of program.
• JEDEC files supporlcd.
Prototype Cards
• 2716.27512 EPROMs. Newsletter
• Ftmctions Include: read, v.iitc,
vc1ify, blank dlet:k.. HiltO split,
edit in ASCD. HEX. or Decimal. PS/2 ~~====::--:= ASJC's
• INTEL Hex and Motorola 'S'
Record f ale suppon.

TIE TWDC 3000 SERIES OF REGISTERS PROVIDE

LA27100 THE FLEXIBILITY OF A COMPUTER OR TERMINAL
11299 WITH THE LOOK AND FEEL OF A CASH REGISTER. We will move your PC/XT/AT products to the
• 3010 "REGISTER HEAD"- REPLACES THE Micro Channel, or create your new design.
LA27200 KEYBOARD, MONrrOR, AND PRINTER OF ANY IBM
XT!AT COMPAJIBLE COMPlffER.
$1899 • 3040 "REGISTERTERMINAL"-TV950EMULATION
CALL: (408) 980-7118
PWS DRAWER, MONITOR AND SCANNER COlffROL. for our Free catalog
• 24 CMnncl mode with 4K/ch.amiel • 6 Chmncl mode wi1h 16K/channcl
• 3070 "REGISTER COMPUTER"· sr ANDALONE IBM
•Internal Rates from 200MHz(l.A17200) or lOOMHz(LA27100) to 250 Hz COMPA11BLE WITH 20 OR 40 MB HARD DISK DRIVES.
• fatmul Clock from DC to 50 MHz• 16 LevelTriggc1ing Sequence ON TARGET
• Thrc.shold Volt.age Level at ITL ECL or -BY to +14V variable • D:ai:i
ALL MODELS AVAILABLE WITH A VARIETY OF RECEIPT
PRINTERS, KEYBOARDS, MONITORS, CASH TARGET
Di.splay as Timing Diagram or Seate List• Save/Load Data and Setup Info. DRAWERS, BAR CODE SCANNERS AND MAG STRIPE TARGET
(20 l) 994 - 6669 TWIX INTERNATIONAL CORP. ...the PS/2 leaders.
~ Link Computer Graphics, Inc. 4401 S. BROADWAY, ENGLEWOOD, CO 80110
lmiii'i:ml 4 Sparrow Dr.. Livingston, NJ 07039 (303) 789-5333 PS/2 aod Micro Channel arc ndeawts of IBM Coro.

Circle 155 on Reader Service Card Circle 286 on Reader Service Card Circle 201 on Reader Service Card

9-TRACK MAG. TAPE SUBSYSTEM*

FOR THE IBM PC/XT/AT AND...
8051/8052

BASIC
REAL VOICE Digital Recording
for your PC, XT, AT or Compatible
•VOICE MAIL SYSTEM

COMPILER!
•TELEMARKETING
-Inbound & Outbound
•SMARTEST ANSWERING
MACHINE
MCS BASIC52 TM compatible
•AUTODIALER-DATABASE
Runs on IBM-PC or compatible
•VOICEPAD'"
- Voice for your Programs
'~ " •PROGRAMMER'S TOOLKIT
Forinlormalion interchange, backup and archival srorage,
·(optiona/'79"')

$295.00

AK Systems ollers a 9-track. IBM format-compal1ble

'h" magnetic !ape subsystem for the JBM PC, featuring:
'h card, software, cables. and speaker
•IBM format 1600/3200 and 800cpi.
• Software for PC-DOS, MS-DOS, XENIX.
•AlsoforAT&T, DEC, VAX,
VME, S-100, RS-232,
IEEE488. AKSystems
20741 Marilla 51
Call Now! 603-469-3232
S:Z69°°
(415) 652-9600
+ s s/h

Talking Technology, Inc.

•
Chatsworth .CA 9 1311 4383 Piedmont Ave. Suite B
Wrile,phcn1or1WXfor i nlorma11)(1 . (818)709-8100
TWX: 9 10 -493-2071 Oakland, CA 94611

Circle 17 on Reader Service Card Circle 275 on Reader Service Card

 BASE SYSTEM • 12' Amber Monitor BASE SYSTEM

• 256K (Opt. 540K) • 150 Wan Power

with Graphics Interlace Card • 512K Exp. to 1 MEG • 200 Watt Power

Supply • AT Style Keyboard & Case

• 1.2 Meg Floppy Drive
Supply • AT Style Keyboard

• 4.77 or 8 MHZ Keyboard Selectable (expandable to 8 Meg)

• Western Digital Controller • 1. 2 Meg

• FDC • 1 Meg of Memory Floppy • Legal Bios wlmanuals • Systems

• 8087 Socket • 360K Floppy Drive • Parallel, Seiial & Clock

Documentation • 1 yr war. • Clock/Cale

s399roo:r/'
• 70 Meg Hard Drive
• 10MHz DTK Motherboard .,
s229700 s799oopr\e
OPTION A OPTION B OPTION C OPTION A AT OPTION BAT OPTION CAT
12" Mono Amber Monitor 640 x 200 Color Monitor 12" Mono Amber Monitor 12 " Mono Amber Monitor 640 x 200 Color Monitor 12" Mono Amber Monitor
Graphics Card w/par port Graphics Card w/par port Graphics Card w/par port Graphics Card w/par port Graphics Card w/par port Graphics Card w/par port
20 Meg Hard Drive 40 Meg Hard Drive
l696DO 1788DG •109610 •139900
0

WHOLESALE PRICING WITH RETAIL SERVICE CALL (800) 654-7762

inter COPROCESSORS ~
ALL OF
KINDS
&? seagate HARD DRIVES
H Your PC Then You MEADS COMPLETE KITS
U••• the Intel Running at •• NHdlntel Price ST125 20Meg 40 Mil 1h Ht 3'12' Drive only. . ... 279DD
8D88 5MHz or less 8087 9700 ST225 20Meg w/cont. & Cables . . . . . . ......269DD
8088 or 8086 8MHz or less 8087-2 14300 1 Meg.
ST238 30Meg w/cont. & Cables. . ... 29911
8086 10MHz or less 8087-1 20911 4464 ..... 1611 1Meg x 1 120 NS . ... 25DD
ST251 40Meg 1;, HT 40 Mil w/software . . . . .. 37911
80286 6-8MHz 80287 159DD 4464 ...... 15" 1Meg x 1 100 NS .... 2711
ST251-1 40Meg, 28 Mil Sec . . ... 43900
80286 8-10MHz 80287-8 22911 4464 ....... 14" 1Meg x 1 80 NS .... 31"
ST277R 60MB 40 Mil 1h Ht ............ .... • ..... 489DD
80286 10MHz or more 80287-10 259DD 4164 ........ 2" Simm Modules
ST4026 20Meg Full Ht 40 Mil . . . . . • . . ••. . • . .21911
80386 16MHz 80387-16 37911 4164 ........ 311
256 x 8 120 NS . .·... 79 11
ST4038 30Meg 40 Mil Full Ht ........ .. - . . ... 30910
4164 ... 3"
80386 20MHz 80387-20 47911 256 X 9 80 NS ..... 139DD
ST4053 40MB 28 Mil Full Ht . . . ... 51910
80386 25MHz 80387-25 669DD 256K 256 X 9 100 NS ..... 109DD
ST4096 80Meg Full HT w/sollware . .. 64901
386SX 16MHz 80387-SX 39911 41256 150 NS . . . .811 256 x 9 120 NS ..... 99"
Fastrax Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4911
41256 120 NS . . . . .911 1Meg x 9 120 NS .. .31910

41256 100 NS ....... 10" 1Meg x 9 100 NS ... 349'•

MODEMS BY ~VEREJP 41256 80 NS ..... . .. 1110 1Meg x 9 80 NS ... .449DD

CONTROLLERS BY
EV-923 EverCom 12 300/1200 bps Sitcom Software . . 69'1
MISCELLANEOUS 1Meg x 8 120 NS ... 27901
WESTERN DIGITAL

EV-941 EverCom 24 2400 Baud Int. Sitcom Software .139"'

2nd Serial Upgrade ..... 9'" We Carry Dips - Zips ­ WX-1 8 Bit 1;, Sized for XT . . . . . . . . . ... 79DD

EV-945 External 2400 Baud . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 19900

2764-25. . .... 3" WA-2 16 Bit Full Sized Hard/Floppy. . . 11910

Simms - So/ - PLCC- Sipp

W0-27X 8 Bit RLL V2 Size . . . . • . 89"

For error correcting add $10.00

4128. . . .......... JDI All S/lfl8dS - CALL

WAH 16 Bit Hard Drive Controller . . . . 129"'

Hayes Compallble Major Manufacturers

1200 Baud Internal w/Software . . . . . . . . . .

1200 Baud External fully Hayes Compatible
2400 Baud Internal 1h card w/software . . . . . . .
59DD

. . . . . . 9911

. .. 10900

* * ON SPECIAL * *
150 Watt Power Supply Direct PC Replacement ............ . . ....... 54

12 4
RA2 16 Bit RLL Hard/Floppy for AT . . .159DD

MEAD Floppy Disk Controller for XT, controls 4 drives 29"'

MEAD 1.2 Meg & 360K Controller for XT . . . . . . . . . . . 69"'

~'f:'J~ca~% ~P~~ng~~: . ·. \~ ·
71
2400 Baud External Fully Hayes Compatible . . . . 12900
~s':i1lt<:~;a.i0150 NS ·.·•.·• iei: Cable Set for Hard Drive Only . . 511

HP Lasar Jet II . . . . . . . .1749 10 Meg w/cml ... 111 Dos 4.01. .89
1 Year Warranty

Alf Everox 1'1Dduct1 On Spec/ol W1'1f Bui Alf Adwrt""" l'rlm

TAPE BACKUPS ~
~~ t$J_~t MO~ITORS BY
\'fl" ,.,. q;BAMBUNQ
liiiITThll
~
!! FLOPPY DRIVES • 40MB Mini Cartridge, 1.8MB/min, XT . . ....... 359"
40MB Mini Cartridge, 3.6MB/min, AT ............ . 359"
360K V2 Ht. PC Compatible - Mitsumi .. . ..... 6911 40MB Streaming Cassette, 5MB/min w/con t. ....... 55910
1252 12 • Amber w/Tilt & Swivel Base . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79" 1.2 Meg Black Face - Mitsumi ..... . ... 89DD 60MB Streaming Cassette, 5MB/min wlcont. ....... 64911
1257 12' Amber Flat Screen 720 x 350 .. . .. 99'1 720K 31;,• Drive w/5Y• • mounting .. . . ..... 89'1 60MB Streaming 600A, 5MB/min w/Fun cont ....... 849DD
1464 14' Color 640 x 200, 16 colors ... . .... 23900 1.44 Meg 3'12' Drive w/5Y4' mounting . . .109" 125MB Streaming Cartridge, 5MB/min w/Full cont .. 1119H
1453 14" EGA 640 x 350. 64 colors/.31 . . . 36911 360K Tandon TM100-2 Full Ht. ... 89DD Excell 60 Model 60/80 . . . .... .. 99911
CN4551 EGA 720x480 .......................... . 419" 160K Tandon TM100-1 Full Ht .. . .... 4911 Excell 125 Model 60/80 . . .. 126910
IBM CGAIVGA/PGAIEGA Multisync Compatible
External Add 195"

Liquidation Closeouts Discountinued Items *

Overstocked * *
1'/ SAVE UP TO 90°/o OFF RETAIL - All New 90 Da Warrant **\I
LETTER QUALITY PRINTER MICROSOFT MOUSE ,..,.,. MONITOR
DAISYWHEEL PRINTER MANUFACTURED BY C.ITOH
Why pay S1149 tor a C.ltoh REPEAT OF A SELLOUT
STARWRITER™ F-10
When our 40 cps letter quality daisywheel
printer from the same manufacturer is only

s399oe~
OPTIONS STANDARD FEATURES • In Port with Bus Interface
• 6 ft. Serial Cable . . ....... $ 1900
• 40 CPS • Accepts Paper to 15 inches • Form
• Fully IBM Compatible (of course) • 14' Flat Screen • Paper White Phosphorus
• Bidirectional Tractor . . 14900 Length and Pitch Set from Conrol Panel
• Includes Showpartners and Paint Brush • TIL Monochrome & RGB Composite Interface
• Cut Sheet Feeder . . . . . . 19900 • Industry compatible ribbon, printwheels and

• Serial to Parallel Converter . . .. 9900 control commands • RS232 Serial Interlace

List $199 Meads79oo List $199 Mead S1Q900
STATIC AT STYLE I XT CASE
MINISCRIBE HARD DRIVES
BUSTER MODEL 3053

Attached to CRT face and • 40MB • 28 Mi Sec • 51/• MFM • 112 Height

keyboard, Static Buster Usl 61510 Mead 379DD

woi<s just like a sponge,

dissipating static at a rat­ MODEL 6085

e<J 20,000 volts i1 less • 2 Bay Standard AT Style Case

than two seconds. • Keylock Power and Hard Drive LED's

• 360K White Faceplate • 1/2 HT I 55BV • 72MB • 28 Mil Sec • 51/• MFM • Full Height

Usl 49" Maad 1911 Ll1I 9911 MOid 29"

U1I 199DD Mead 74DD Liii 87911 MOid 529DD

NO SURCHARGE FOR MC/VISA

800-654-7762
SAtES: 7 a.m,-6 p.m. PST
TERMS:

We ALSO PURCHAS£ • Quantity Pricing Available - CALL MC • VISA • COD • CASH

702·294-0204 CXCcSS tNV£N70RY­

FAX UST
•We Accept International Orders
Pu1thas11 Orders from Quallfled Firms

Pan.anal Checta • AE add 4'11

CUSlllMER SERVICE I ORDER STATUS:

201/a R111top;1tlng Fee on Non·Dalactlva Returns

9 a.m.-4 p.m. PST

Tr~at*:s ale
FAX 702·294·1168
Regi$leredwith their tespectM! Co.'s . Prices Subitcl to Chal!l}t ~mm;i
All Producls 90 Day Warranty unless slated o!f'lerwise. 1000 Nevada Hwy. • Unll 101 • Boulder City, NV 89005 SHIPPING: (min. 6") UPS

Circle 170 on Reader Service Card APRIL 1989 • BYTE 341

 DYNAMIC RAMS
SIMM 801100
1 MBIT 100ns
$CALL
$22.00
MULTI-CHANNEL RS-232

51425611Xlns $24.00 PS/2 .,, FOR PS/2 ~I

41464 150ns $ 8.50 '

41256 120ns $ 8.50 ;1
)"

~ 41256 150ns .C:W:Jff-X );

)~

51258 100ns $ 9.50 I· )

~ 4164 150ns --4:w'J:f"t

• For high·speed, Zip, F~c:. Simm ....... Please Call I

COMMUNICATION BOARD MODELS 50, 60, 80

•PROCESSORS ·~ • Four Independent RS-232 Ports • DCE/OTE Selectable
80387· 25 2SmHz $525.00 27C101 250n9 $ 23.00
80387· 2 0 20mHz $425.00 27C512 200ns $ 13.00 • Flexible Interrupt/Address •Transfers to 19.2 K baud
80387·1 6 16rnHz $350.00 27512 250ns $ 9.50
80287·12 12mHz $295.00 27C256 250ns $ 5.50 Options • Address Selectable
80287· 1 O 10mHz $240.00 27256 250ns S 4.95
$ 4.75 • Discounts Available
80287·8
8087·1
6mHz
10mHz
$210.00
$179.00
27l28A 250ns
27C64A 200ns $ 4.25 • Interrupt Selectable
3 50
8087·2 BmHz $135.00 .~250ns $ · • For Models 50, 60, 80
1-800-553-1170

--------
Y ·30 BmHz S 12.75 43256 120ns
V 20
0 Sll()nt-lz $ 8.5/15 4364 150ns
1-800-553-1170
l.C. EXPHl:SS
15358 Valley Blvd. City of Industry.CA 91746Tel:818-369·2688
~GUATECH
~ INCORPORATED
~GUATECH
m..t- INCORPORATEO
ORDER TOU. FREE ~Mon-Fri 8-5 PST)
<2.2~J.,!92 · 8889 • 1800) 88~J.!! 478 E. Exchange St., Akron, OH 44304 478 E. Exchange St.• Akron. OH 44304
CALL FOA CURRENT PRICES & VOLUUE DISCOUNTS. TEL: (216) 434-3154 FAX: (216) 434-1409 TEL: (216) 434-3154 FAX : (216) 434-1409
M~n:!'::ir1i~r=~~~=~~lo=::.~ :1~rb.1
1

All MERCHANDISE IS 100'!C. GUARANTEED WITH PROMPT DEl.NERY. TLX: 5101012726 TLX: 5101012726

Circle 131 on Reader Service Card Cirde 238 on Reader Service Card Circle 239 on Reader Service Card

EZ-WRITER

(E)EPROM Multiprogrammer··
DATA 1/0 212* Performance

On 112 The Budget!

RS-422/232

CURRENT LOOP RS·422

Communications Board
FROM$795
100% USA
Made

"'

• Supports (E)EPROMs
up to 40 pins including
DS-225
• Single channel async communi­
cation board for IBM PC/XT/AT
• Fcr IBM PCIXTIATIPS/2
• Dual channel RS-422/RS-485 1
• Selectable/shareable interrupts
~
megabit and microcontroller parts • Software selectable to be RS/ • Differential drivers to 4000 ft.
• Stand-alone or computer remote operation 422/485, 232 or Current Loop •Immediate delivery
• Parallel port standard • Selectable Address & Interrupt
• On board RAM, expandable to 8 megabits 1-800-553-1170

mla=m 1-800-523-1565
FAX (407) 994-361 5
TEL EX 4998369 BYTEK
· BYTEK Corporation Instrument Systems Division
508 N.W. 77th Street. Boca Raton. FL 33487
1-800-553-1170
~GUATECH
-..t- INCORPORATEO
478 E. Exchange St., Akroo, OH 44304
~GUATECH
~ INCORPORATED

Leaders in Communication Technology

478 E. Exchange St., Akron, OH 44304
·DATA I 0 _
1s a re91sle1ed lrademark of DATA I 0 Corporahon (216) 434-3154 TLX: 5101012726 (216) 434-3154 TLX: 5101012726

Circle 49 on Reader ServU:e Card Circle 240on Reader Service Card Circle 241 on Reader Service Card

COMPACT
I AT DISKLESS
SOLUTIONS. ~':>
,,.,.~~
~
~~~ BEST
New, Grldless, 100% Autoroutlng >.,. ~ PRICES
Create schematics and PCBs quickly an d
simply with HIWIRE-Plus® and your IBM
ANYWHERE!
PC. With the new, gridless, mu ltilayer autor­
outer (AR) for HiWIRE-Plus, creating printed­
MaJor electronics mfg.
c ir c uit layou t s is ev en fas ter. AR and 17 yrs. Industry exper.
HiWIRE-Plus are each $895 and come with will sell 1 or 1,000.
30-day money-back gu arantees. Cr e di t
cards welcome.
. .. Add LAN Card To Create XENTEK
\\'IN'l'lm Diskless Workstation Platform.
SIMMS MART
Corporation

11!1 Diversified Technology

1801 South St.. Lafayette, IN 47904

(800) 742-6809 or (317) 742-8428

In MS 601­ 856-4121
TOLL FREE 1-800-443-2667 • FAX 601­ 856-2888
alll aoo-748-5505 c:!IC
· CircJe 301 on Reader Service Card Circle 331 on Reader Service Card Circle 303 on Reader Service Card
 Ca/i.,=orniaDigital
17700 Figueroa Street • Carson, California 90248

Color Monitor Niltlclli

Better ~AA
Than ~fllf CD-ROM

·'"~" Il " " '"' }, "' I 119

Ideal for CAD/CAM and Desk Top pubishing applications. The Roland
CD/240 color monitor has a resolution of 720 pixels by 400/480 lines on a
.31mm dot pitch 12" non-glare screen. VGA specifications in text mode EGA
in graphic mode.
California Oigi1al has made a special purchase and is able 10 olfer the
CD/240 EGA/VGA RGB cok>r monitor for only $219.
Full featured, 132 column, multi-resolution video color adapter card available
for only $ 139 additional. Comparable card package would retail for $1095.
1491
Compact disk is a relatively new medium lor storage d read-only
d1g1tal data. One removable disk is capable ol storing over 500
megabyle of data on a disk the same size as an audio CD.
The CDR-3500 will install in a PC in the space of one SY•" drive.
Eclipse 2000 external system with controller and soltware. $519.
Other CD/ ROM Products Available: Sony, Amdek, Toshiba. Panasonic NEC
Chinen, and Fujitsu. ' '
••
•
•
•
•
Two720K/byte3V."drives
640 K/byte DRAM memory
2400 baud internal modem
Supertwist LCD display
16 color RGB/CGA output
Full feature 101 keyboard
~~~
· J
Take it to school, court, news events or anywhere that you require
20''Analog Color Build Your Own "computing power" on the go. Buill in 2400 bps hayes compatible
modem allows you to transler data files with your home olfice or

1 Compuler any World wide data base.

!1$ 619
==--...-. A little to large to be called a laptop but the Amstrad 640 is a true
1 batte1y operated IBM compatible portable. (17'1• by 9" footprint).

Ever try gathering a classroom of stu·

dents around a 12 inch monitor? This 20
inch analog RGB monitor is the ideal
111 Includes: lull featured AT style 101 keyboard• 2400 bps
modem • DOS 3.3 • serial port • printer port • carrying case •
power adapter and cigarette lighter power cord.
solution. High screen resolution of 1200
pixels by 950 lines allow extra fine detail ATC111 Only
without lhe dots looking like golf balls.
256 colors and VGA compatible.
Super value originally sold lor over California Digital has all the components needed 10 customize your own
cornputer. Buy as much computing power as you need now, and_up grade
NEC/890
$2000. Only 350 available.
-.-.-~,
when the need arises. Here a~e some examples or components available:
laur Prinler
40 Meg_. Tape
a 110110 MHz Mother board ····-······-·····$89 Monochrome card. prlnterport •..••..- .......25
a slot 12 MHz baby AT Motherboard _....229 MonoGrnphlcs (hercule1) printer port .. -.45

~~\111191
Full size !Ive drive AT case ············-·-·.....35 Color Graphics card ·····-··-··....................49
Four drive XT case ········-··-·-···········-··-·2S EGA Color Multi Resolullon 11 .......---··· t59

Baik-up
101/102 AT/XTGerman mtg. Keyboard .•57 110 card, serial & parallel ..........................35
200 watt AT power supply -·····-····---·­ ·59 110 PLUS, Ser/Par'I. clock, game .............59
Tea c 360K/ Byte disk drive .......................59 Olsk 110, disk conlrol, clock. game ..........59

...
1 119 'Mt-
Head Crash, Power Spikes or just poor disk maintenance...
--­
Don't loose data because you didn't back up. The Alloy/40 is an
inexpensive way to save and restore files in the event that your
PC Magazine has chosen the NEC-890 best laser printer of the
year. (Jan. 12, 1988). And its obvious why ... the printer is Post­
script, Hewlett Packard, and Apple compatible, and comes stan­
dard with three megabytes ol memory. The 890 accepts data lrom
parallel. serial and Apple-Talk devices.
NEC has also incorporated 40 built-in fonts along with two paper
trays into this industrial quality laser printer.
Other Laser Printers Available
The Saba Scanner inputs a printed page in less than three seconds. OCR
data has been distroyed. software allows your computer to transfer printed pages into ASCll liles or Hewlett Packard Laser II, 8 pages per minute......... .. ........ .. .. 51659
This 40 megabyte hall height tape back is manufactured by North directly lo spreadsheets andwordprocessing programs. QMS PS/810 2 Meg., 35 fonts, Postscript 8 pgs ........ ... ........... 3879
Americas largest producer ol data retrieval equipment. Archival data, legal briefs.. . No problem. Simply inset the page into the Saba Apple Laser Writler II SE ................................................. 1979
INo need to purchase a separate tape controller ... the Alloy/40 and in seconds the document is digested into your computer and ready for Texas lnslrumenls 2115 Postscript 15 pgs............................ 5426
attaches directly to your existing floppy disk controller. Supplied editing. Limited quantities available. Original price S1299: now only $359.
NEC 890/XL (new for Fall 1989) .............. ............................. call

'191

soltware allows your computer to back up any time Day or Night.

Come back in the morning and 40 megabytes ol irreplacable data
hasbeenstoredononeScotchDC/2000datacassette.
~r~~~?s~~~~Tt=~1~db~f~h~~~~i~~:~'(,"a~~~d~~~~f~~~~~;4~~t~s nr,.e
Uti.. /I/ ff L..
"'
11 ':LIJ~
"flTfi'
40 1rilglo1•~
U L,lllLJ U ft• Ul,j
nlfll fllllf ftll
1~ ,J~

_no____
ta~c
ata~_:~_P
stoj_he._
_ -L----.-. - . ­°--" .--------iP/OHlf ~ ~~~~~vee~~~~ti~~~r~;~~;~~es
_ all for only $397.
The kit includes the a 40 mil·
One Two Ten lisecond Miniscribe 3650 drive
and a half slot Western Digital
TEC501 1/2 height sgl.side 49 39 35 controller.
TANDON 101/4fullht.96TPI. 99 89 79
FUJITSU 51/4'' half height 65 63 57
MITSUBISHI new 501 half ht. 119 109 105
MITSUBISHI 504A AT comp. 149 139 135 Tt1e Hitachi 672/XO 6 a four color 11 by 17 03 size) plotlerwith
TEAC FD55BV half height 89 85 79 ~~ro;4a7~c~~'%:~~~n~a1~a:~ t;~~~~~,!r7J:1c;::gis
RS232C compatible.
TEAC FD55FV 96 TPI, half ht. 119 109 105 Tt1e 672 plots al a fast eight inches per second in axial direclion
TEAC FD55GF for IBM AT 109 105 99 and eleven inches at an angle of 45 degrees. Tt1eplotter also
PANASONIC 455 Half Height 109 99 89 features a self contained digitizing function that allows data to be
entered into your computer from printed graphs and blue prints. Five Inch Winchester Disk Drives • Winchester Controllers for IBM/PC •

PANASONIC4751.2Meg./96 119 115 109 Four differentcolor pens are supplied with lhe plotter but a wide
Switching power supply 49 variety of technical pens are available. Price does not Include controller. each two+ XEBEC 1220 wilh floppy conlroller 159

,,,,

Dual enclosure for 51/•"drives 59 OTC 5150CX 119

SEAGATE 225 20 Meg. 1h HI. 239 229 OMTI 5527 RLL controller 99

31/2" DISK DRIVES Ne.11'1 N/89 SEAGATE 238 30 Meg. RLL 259
SEAGATE 251/151 M. 28mS. 459
249
445
AOAPTEC 2070 RLL controller
AOAPTEC 2372A 1/1 interleaf
99

159

SONY MP·53W 720K/Byte

SONY MP·73W, 2 Meg.
TEAC35FN 720 K/Byte
129
159
129
125
149
119
119
call
115
COm/l__ufer SEAGATE 4096 96 M. 35mS. 559
MINISCRIBE 8425 25 M 65ms239
MINISCRIBE 3650 SOM 61 ms. 319
539
227
309
WESTERN DIG:TAL WD/1002WX2
WESTERN DIGITAL 1003WAH or WA2139

89

WESTERN DIGITAL 1007/WA2 ESDI 239

TEAC35HN/30, 2 Meg. 159 149 145 MINISCRIBE 6085 90 meg. 459 435
MINISCRIBE 3053 25 ms. 1/2ht.359 339 • SCSl/SASI Winchester Controllers •

51/4" form factor kit 20 XEBEC 1410A 51/4' foot print 239

FUJITSU 2242 55 M. 35mS. 1299 1229

8" DISK DRIVES Hard lo believe... but v.e tound a stash d brand new fully actory FUJITSU 2243 86 M. 35mS. 1695 1619 WESTERN DIGITAL 1002-0SE 5v.'' 229

QUME 842double sided 189 179 175 assembled Zenith/Heath Model H/09s. Tt1ese computers fea1ure RODIME R0-204E 53 Meg. 895 859 OMTI 20L 89

64K/byte of memory, the Zilog Z·BO CPU and operate under

QUME 841 single sided 119 109 99 CP/M . The unil incorporates a 12 inch green screen, three serial
MAXTOR XT1140 140 Meg. 1495 1450 • Winchester Accessories •

SHUGART 851 R dbl. sided 319 309 299 ports and one 5 ~14" disk drive. MAXTOR XT2190 192 Meg. 1919 1875 Dual floppy enc. and powersupply 59

REMEXRFD4000dbl.sided 189 179 165 Zenilh's original price was $1095. We have slill 97 units available TOSHIBA MK56 70 M. 30mS.1289 1229 Winchester enclosure and supply 139

OLIVETTl851 189 179 165 for sale, while supplies last we are offering the H/09 at only $179. CONTROL DATA WREN "V" call Switching power supply 49

CP/ M operating system available $24.95

Every year since 1973, customers from virtually every nation in the free
World have chosen California Digital for their data processing requirements.
II its computer, California Digital has it... complete minisystem or just one
microchip. California Digital offers over 10,000 unique computer products.
Regardless of how specialized your data processing requirements...
Cafifornia Digital is your one stop shopping solution.
 803X/805X In Circuit Emulator DISKETTES

For$495 '

5.25" DS/DD 29C

,111tl11J J1 1
5.25" DS/HD 75C
ADVANCED FEATURES/~
• 8K-64K of emulation memory
Keep records the way ~ business does ...
FULLY INTEGRATED
R•merkable Tum-Key System
• Data-base
• Invoicing
'"""'~ ,.,...,.,
LIMITED OFFER
$79.00
3.5" DS/DD
Price based on quantity of 5o in bulk packaged
units - includes sleeves and labels - Minimum
shipping/handling $3.00. VISA, MC Accepted.
$1.19
• 64K break points • Inventory control
• 1.5K trace buffer with 7 user test probes Now with point of
• POD for emulating 8031, 8051, 8032, 8052,
and 8053 microcontrollers
• 3,000 records per file
•
•
~2,000 invoices per file
Accounts received
entry pricing and
user definable fields.
Free Catalog
• 12 Mhz local microcontroller clock source • Accounts receivable Search. cross-search. Call, write or circle reader service card for
• Emulator to PC interface and support software • Customer statements fast sorts, reports and your FREE COPY of OU" ftJt line catalog.
on a 51/4'' Floppy disk • Mailing labels much more.
• User manual
• 1 year limited warranty
IDEAL for service or sales/mktg businesses. Computer
Easy, menu-driven, user friendly, fully
ADVANCED MICROCOMPUTER SYSTEMS, INC. tested. Up and running in under 3 minutes. Supplies
1321 N.W. 65th Place• Fl .Lauderdale, Florida 33309 Free customer support.
Phone (305) 975-9515
186 B East Sunnyoaks, Campbell, CA 95008
Call orders 1·800·537·LABS or ask your dealer. 800-523-1238
. . . . . . .S~I ~~~~~~~~::
r.=\[:.=rn
~
~
Ci.v ;..;'TA:LABs ~
----
~
10610Ev;insStrl'.'et
Ph11adc1Phl3PA19116
In Calif 408-370-6747
FAX 408-370-6823
Mon thru Fri
8 am-5 pm (Calif)
Oe;t!er1nqumcs1nv1Ccd

Circle 23 on Reader Service Card Circle 107 on Reader Service Card

JB UNIVERSAL COMPUTER INTERFACE

20Mhz 386 AS232 ADAPTER TO JB·BUS
The JB universal interface cards connecls to AS232C port.
$149

80387 Mathcoprocessor Supp0f1 JBAD8·16 Analog input, 16 ch, S·bits, gain 1, 10, 100 $149
32 Bit memory bus
JB ·PCMBE motherboard, runs JB & PC 110 cards, 7 slots $99
1MEG on board expandable to e meg
NCL disk con11011er/l .2M ftoppy drive PC COMPATIBLE INTERFACE CARDS Whal do you wan! 1n 1he way ol connectors and cable assemblies lor IBM. PC.
TTL mono monitor with MGP card/paraCel pott XT. AT ••• and oche1 compu1ers? We can supply 11 all!
Enhanced Keyboard • 102 keys DIGITAL OSCILLOSCOPE • Special dosigns and OEMs W1?1Comed!
Norton Rating Slc23 SYSTEM $99 • Ovi?rseas agcnls wanted!
illiQ.00 ADB· 1 card & OlG-OSC-8 Software
• Analog input

12Mhz 286 • 8 bi! resolution

• save wavelocm lo disk
• 10K samples/sec. us$f.2 us$1.
ltllel 80286, B/12Mhz swilchable
640k on board expandable to 1Meg
: ~~~ i~fnu~;mpedance
NCL disk controller with 1.2M Floppy drive
TIL mono montor with MGP card/paranel port DAS 12 $299
Enhilflced Keyboard - 102 keys • 8 hi·Z, 12-bit S.£. Analog input channels •GAIN ol 1, 10, 100
• Full Scale: +/- 10\I, SV, SOOmV. SOmV • 25uS conversion
• soflware to simulate B channel DVM, data logger, plot data

10Mhz 88 • 7 TTL 1/0, !rigger sampling or con1rol ex1emal devices

FOO cable

NEC \120 CPU. 4.77/10 switchable

640k on board
360k Floppy Drive with conlro.'ler
m mono monitCI" wi!h MGP card/pal'anel por1
Enhanced keyboard • 102 keys RLY·DRVR $99
• 21 hi current, hi voltage (SOV. 300mA) O.C. drivers
UNIVERSAL REL.AV CARO- B relays, 2 Amp contacts $129

Prices, availabilily and specifications are subject to change

Cenlronics pa1atlel cable Pri nl cable DATA Switch (A. B)
JB COMPU-TRONIX
3816 N. Wadsworth Blvd. JEIKO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
Wheat Ridge, CO 80033 P.O. BOX 10215, Taipei, Taiwan, A.O.C.

(303) 425-9586 TELEX: "23122 JEIKO"

FAX: B86·2·n 13B55

Ca!I for FREE CATALOG, accept MC/VIS/\ 01ders TEL: (02i 772.8135, 772·8219

Circle 132 on Reader Service Card Circle 141 on Reader Service Card Circle 142 on ReaderService Card

PROMPT DELIVERY!!!
SAME DAY SHIPPING (USUALLY)
Add-Ons for OUANTITYONE PR ICESSHOWNlorFEB.19, 1989

the Blind DYNAMIC RAM

SIMM <•>256Kx36 80 ns $650.00
What you add on to your computer, if SIMM I 12 > 1Mx9 80 ns 370.00
you're a blind operator, is almost more SIMM f 256Kx1 60 ns 150.00
important than the computer itself. 1Mbil 1Mx1 80 ns 34.50
1Mbit 1Mx1 100 ns 25.50
Scanners, modems, braille printers, 41256 256Kx1 60 ns 11.25
speech synthesizers, braille output 41256 256Kx1 100 ns 10.95
devices and a host of other 51258 IJl 256Kx1 100 ns 12.95
peripherals are described in "Add-Ons: 41256 256Kx1 120 ns 9.50
The Ultimate Guide to Peripherals for 41264 <'> 64Kx4 120 ns 14.50
EPROM
the Blind Computer User." 27C1000 128Kx8 200 ns $28.50
The product reviews contained in this 27C512 64Kx8 200 ns 13.95
27256 32KxB 150 ns 8.15
book are written by those who know 27128 16Kx8 250 ns 4.95
them best-blind computer users. STATIC RAM
62256P-10 32Kx8 100 ns $20.50
$16.95 for braille or cassette
6264P-12 8Kxe 120 ns 9.75
$19.95 for print.
6116AP-12 2Kx8 120 ns 5.50
Send orders to:

National Braille Press Inc.

SAT DELIVERY MasterCardNISA or UPS CASH coo

88 St. Stephen Street, Boston, MA 02115
<NcLUDEO ON MICROPROCESSORS UNLIMITED INC
(617) 266-6160
fE[).£)( OROERS
RECEIVED BY:
24,000 s. Peoria Ava
BEGGS, OK. 74421 .,
(918) 267 4'951·
•
NBP is • "onp rofil b ra1llt pr inti n 11 and publ1sh1ne ho usc-. TkltdAlr 1111311 No minimum order. P1saseoo1t: prices11Ubjec1iocl\a"Vtt
fn ,.1 111.2511 II ~.insurance ex11e.1.1cito S1 lorp&Ckingmateri&b.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Circle 145 on Reader Service Card Circle 180 on Reader Service Card
 SPECIAL BUY!

HAN DSCAN
by saba
1

2-gglist
"

799! 18fi11'!.,
/fff
•
Don't confuse Handscan with
other lowcost scanners on the
market...many deluxe features!
99•
GP19

this has never been offered to the remarketing

Never before available at this channel by IBM™ before... and we bought big! 8 big
special low price...order now!
truckloads of IBM PC.s. expansion boards, memory
and over 60. 000 real IBM software packages...First
come, fi!st served...calf for complete list!
•IBM XT/286 ............. 1395. •IBM Writing Asstnt.19.95

•IBM AT/339(0K) ...... 2295. •IBM Filing Asstnt....19.95

•IBM PC/3270(1Mb) .1295. •IBM Fortran ............ 99.95

• IBM PC/XT268 .......... 788. •IBM Xenix ............119.95

• PC Voice Comm Card 229. •IBM 3270 Emulator 24.95

Full-Page Scanner •ATExp Card w/5 12K . 149. •IBM 3101 Emulator 69.95
Very popular and reliable feed­ • Monochrome adaptor .. 49. •IBM Education Series
thru scannner for up to 8.5x 11' • Color adaptor ............... 49. Software, choose 995

799
size sheets.Complete with OCR •AT Prototype board ...... 25. 300 tltles from ........

Software. IBM compatible.

Mfg. Llst$1199.00! •Synchronous Comm ... send for 16 pg. price list!
adaptor ........................ 49. •Appointment .............. 19.
• WHILE SUPPLY LASTS• • • 3270 Exp Card, 1Mb .. 499. • Assett catalog ............. 19.

•IBM Reporting Asstnt .. 25. •Mailing Labels ............ 19.

•IBM AT2MbMemory •Data Edition ................ 19.

Expansion Brd w/OK .... 69. •IBM DOS 1.0/3.1 from9.95

Hayes Compatible
We have 1000 units to
2400 Baud
sell. .. and when they're Internal External
gone, they're gonel This
popular 1200 Baud pocket
modem w/o software has
959511995
never been offered at Both are half-cards, with
IBM 2Mb/OK
such a low price! software, plug 'n playl

.~:;~~e~xpansion B~:i~:
69
0~~¥R~!~~ SPECIAL PURCHASE!!
266
~~:{~);6~~~f~'~.~~.~ 88~~199. 95
Toshiba T-1000 • Hayes compatible Retail
Modem • Mirror II soflware .$349.
. Supply
Correspondent'"• 2 yr. warranty HOimes Miicrosystems
~~~")d:';;~ie •Lasts!
~~~!1~~~~h~~,!!~;, 55~e5g 149 95
T-mouse & PC Paint · ·
PARADISE™ · • VGNEGNHDA comp.
VGA-PLUS • 2seK on board
269
•
·• 512K AT Memory Expansion Board/512K ..• 149.
the Performance Leader.. .Reg. $399, #625.(X)()4.
Genuine IBM™
5.25"Diskettes
VGA Package Deal!.
Complete package... . :

3995j1i~~G1
625 card plus monitor
• at one low price'
Low Cost ...High Quality!!! ·
.,

· ,
• 800 x 460 Resolulion • llM software .
• 640 x 480-16 colors • ATI VGA card
• 320 x 200-256 colors • VGA, EGA, HOA
ACP'sSpeciaJ
Wholesale Pnce......
995 New'.. .from
RAY-0-VAC®
AT Replacement Battery
01rec1 replacement for AT/286/386 real- time clocks

Circle 13 on Reader Service Card APRIL 1989 • BYTE 345

 MISCElLANEOUS CHIPS
8000 SERIES Continued 8000 SERIES Continued TANTALUM CAPACITORS
Part No. Price
Part No. Price Part No. Price
TM.1135 .1µf@ 35V. . .19 TM4.7135 4.7µ\ @'35V.. .•s
D765AC.. 3'95 2.95
8087(5M Hz) .. . . . . 99.95 8748H (HMOS) (21V) .. 9.95 TMl/35 1µ1 @ 35V.. .19 TM6.8/35 6.811f@JSV.. .49
WD9216 . .. . .. 3.9 5
8087-1 (10MHz) . . . 194.9 5 8749 .. ........ . . . . 9.95 TM2.2135 2.2111 @ JSV.. .2S TM10/35 10µ1 @35V. . .59
Z80, Z80A, Z80B SERIES
8087-2(8MHz) . . 139.95 8751 (3 .5-8MHz) .. 37.95
Z80...... ...... 1.19
8088(5MHz) . • . ~3 . 49
8088-2(8MHz) &.95 5.95
8751H (3.5 -12MHz) . 39 95
8755. . . ... +il'95 12 .95
POTENTIOMETERS
Z80-CTC . . ..... +f9 .99
Values available (inse11 ohms into space marlr.ed "XX"): soon. \K. 2K,
Z80-PIO. . +f9 .99
8116.. ~3.95 80286-10 LCC. 59.95
SK. 10K. 20K. SOK. 100K. 200K. 1MEG
Z80A..... . 1.29
8155 . .. .. . ·...... 2.49 80287 (6MHz).... 159.95
Z80A-CTC... .. . .. . 1.65

Z80A-DART ... ~ 3.95

8155-2.. .. . 3.49 80287-8 (BMHz) .. .. 229.95 I

43PXX ~ Watl, 15 Turn .99 63PXX 1' Wall. 1 Tllll .89
8156.. .. .. 2.95 80287-10 (10MH1) .. 279.9 5
Pa rt No . 10+ Part No. 1-9 10 +
ZBOA-PIO. . .. . . til9 1.49

Z80A-SIO/O .
8212.... ....... 2.29 80386-16 PGA.... 309.95 TRANSISTORS AND DIODES
. 3'95 2.95
8224 2'i'5 1.95 80387- 16 (16MHz) .. 439.95 PN2222.. . .13 PN2907. . .13 1N4004. .12
7400.. . . SALE .15 .7485. . . SALE .45 ZBOB . . ........... . 2.75
8228.. +95 1.49 80387-20 (20MHz) . . 499.95 2N2222A..
Z808-CTC. 9'95 3.25
.29 2N4401 . .12 1N4148. . .07
7402.. .29 .19 7486.. . . .. . SALE .29 8237-5.. ....... ~3.95 80387-25 (2SMHz) . 599.95 2N3055.. .6S 1N270.. .25 1N4735.. .29
7489. . . . . 1.95 1.85 Z808-PIO... . ... 3.95

7404... . . .. . SALE .15 .. 4.95

8243.. . . .... 1.75 80387-SX (16MHz) . . 399.95 2N3904.. .12 1N7S1 .. .1S C106B1. .49
7490.. .49 .39 Z8530..
7405.. .35 .25 Z8671 .... . 7.9 5
8250A. . .... . . . ~3 . 95 82284 (BMHzi . .... .. 9.49
7406. . .39 .29 7493. .45 .35 Z868181. .. .. .. .... 8.95
82508(For IBM) . . 5:95 4.95 82288 (BMH1L . . 9.95 SWITCHES

7407. SALE .25 74121 . . .. .. SALE .25 8251A.. . . .. 1.69

7408... .35 .25 74123. . . SALE .35 8000 SERIES
OATA ACOUISITION JMT123 SPOl On·On 1.19 206-8 SP0\ 16·Pin OIP 1.25

.. 3'95 3.49
8253-5.. . ....... 1.95
7410•. . SALE .15 74125. . . . ... SALE .35 8031 .... ADC0804LCN . ... .. 2.79 MPC121 SPO\On·Ott·On1.19 M S 10 2 SPST. Momentaiy .39

80C31. . 9'95 8.95

8254 . . . 3.9 5
7414 .. SALE .25 74126. . .. .. SALE .35 8255A-5 . . . 2.95 ADC0808CCN . . 5'% 5.49
8035.. . +.-191.25

7416. . ...... SALE .19 74143. . . . .. . SALE 3.95 8039..... . . .. . +.95 1.59
8259-5 . . .2'i'S 1.75 ADC0809CCN . 5offi 3.29 D-SUB CONNECTORS
7417.. . SALE .19 74150. ..... SALE 1.10 8052AH8ASIC. 24 .95
8272 . .. 3'95 2.95 ADC 12 05CCJ-1 . 19.95 0825P Male, 25·pin .75
.691 08255 Female. 25-pin
7420.•. .29 .19 74154.. .•.. '1.35 1.25 8080A. ... . . . . . H5 1.49
8279-5 . ::::::.~2.75 DAC0808LCN . . -i-:TS 1.49
7430.. . SALE .15 74158. . . . SALE 1.25 8085A.. ... 2.49
8741 . . 9.95 DAC1008LCN . . .. 5.95
7432.. .39 .29 74173... . . .. SALE .59 8086.... .. . .. ... . . 3.9 5
8742........ +9:95 17.95 AY-3-10150 . . ~3 . 95 LEDS
7438. . . ... SALE .25 74174.. .... SALE .35 8086-2.. . &.95 5.49
8748 (25V) .. . . 7.95 AY-5-1013A. ....... 1.95 XC556R Tlh, Red.... .13 XC556Y Tm. Yellow..... .17

7442. .... .. SALE 29 74175.. . . . . . SALE .35 XC556G Tm. G1een.. .17 XC556C T1JA. Clear/Red.. .17

7445.. . . . .. . SALE .59 74176.. . . .. SALE .49 ~· ,, , STA':rlC <RAMS &soof &eoo i
744&.
7447 . •.
7448..
7472.. .
.89
.89
.79
.79
. . 1.95 1.85
. SALE .25
74181 ..
74189...
74193..
74198..
.. SALE
.SALE
.79
. SALE
1.49
1.49
.69
1.25
Part No.
2016 ·12
Function
2048x8 120ns. .... ...
~3.7S
Price & 8000 $8rlea
Part No. Price
Low Profile ICSOr ETS
8LP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Wire Wrap (Gold) Level #2
8WW. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
14LP. . .... . . . . . . . .12 14WW.. . . .... . . . .65
2018-45 204Bx8 45ns300MIL..
6.9S
7473.. .39 .29 74221 .. . . . . . SALE .69 1024x1 350ns..
6502........ ... 2.65 16LP....... • _. . . . . .13 16WW. . . .... .......69
2102 .89
7474... ..... SALE .25 74273.. . SALE 1.49 ,gg .79 65C02 (CMOS) . . . . . . . 7.75 24LP. . .. . . ...... . .25 24WW... ... . ... ... . 1.19
2114N 1024x4 450ns. . ... . ...

7475.. .49 .39 74365. .. . .. . S ALE .35 6520.. . 1.95 28LP.. .. . . . . . . . . . . . .27 28WW.. ........... 1.39
2114N-2l 1024x4 200ns Low FbJM?r. •
1.49
7476. .45 .35 74367. •. . . .. SALE .35 6522 .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.95 40LP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 40WW.. ..... .. ... . . 1.89
21C14 1024x4 200ns (CMOSJ..
.49
5101 256x4 450ns (CMOS). ...
e:952.49 6532.. . .. ~4.95 Suldertall Standard (Gold & llnl & Header PluCI Sockets Also A•ilable
74LS 6116P-1 2048x8 100ns (16K) CMOS..
&rs 3.9S 6551. ....... . . . . . . . 2.95
74L800... .. SALE .15 74LS165.. .75 .65 6116P-3 2048x8 150ns (16KJ CMOS. . . .
~3 . 49 65C802 (CMOS) +5-:95 14.75 74HC HI-SPEED.CMOS
74L802.. . SALE .15 74LS166. . .. . SALE .69 6116LP-1 2048x8 100ns (16K) LP CMOS. .
&<9 4.39 6800.. .. +95 1.49 Part No. Price Part No. Price
74LS04. . . SALE .16 74LS173... .SALE .25 6116LP-3 2048x8 150ns f16K) LP CMOS.
o,gg 3.9S 6802 ... . .... 2.95
74LS174.. SALE .25 6264P-10 8192x8 100ns (64K) CMOS..
.. ~9.9S 6810.. . . ... +-5 .99 74HCOO... . . SALE .17 74HC175 . . .59
74L805... . . SALE .16
.59 .49 74L8175. ... SALE .25 6264P-15 8192x8 150ns (64K) CMOS. ....
9.2S 6821 .. . . . .. 1.75 74HC02.. . . . . SALE .17 74HC221. .... SALE .69
74L806..
74L807. .59 .49 74LS189. .... SALE 2.95 6264LP-10 8192x8 1OOos (64K) LP CMOS..
. . .. 10.95 6840 . . . .... .... ~2. 95 74HC04.. .SA LE .17 74HC240. . SALE .59
74LS191 .. .. SALE .39 6264LP-12 8192x8 120ns (64K) LP CMOS...
.. 10.49 6845.. . .H5 2.49 74HC08. . .. SALE .17 74HC244. .79
74L808. .28 .18
74LS10.. . .. . SALE .15 74L8193.. .69 59 6264LP-15 8192x8 150ns (64K) LP CMOS. .
... 10.2S 6850.. ......... +95 1.49 74HC10.. . . . . SALE .19 74HC245 . . .. . SALE .69
74LS14 . . . . .. SALE .29 74L8221 .. .. SALE .49 6514 1024x4 350ns (CMOS).. , . ...
... "'53.49 6852.. ~ .59 74HC14.. .29 74HC253. . SALE .39
74LS27. . .SALE . 19 74LS240. . . .. SALE .45 43256·10l 32.768x8 100ns (256K) Low Rlwer.'"': ..... . 20.9S 6854 . ..... . . . . . +.+9 .99 74HC30. .... . SA LE .19 74HC259. .49
74LS30. ..... SALE .15 74L8243.. . S ALE .45 43256-15l 32.768x8 150ns(256K) LowFbwei.. . 18.95 MC68000L8 . . 9.95 74HC32. ..... S ALE .2S 74HC273. .. .. SALE .49
74L832. ..... SALE .19 74LS244. .. . S ALE .49 62256LP·85 32,768x8 BSns (2S6K) LP CMOS. ........ 22.9S MC68000L10 .++:% 10.95 74HC74. . . . . SALE .29 74HC373.. .69
74LS42. .49 .39 74LS245. . . SALE 59 62256LP-10 32,768x8 100ns (256K) LP CMOS. .. .. . . . . 21.95 MC68010UO . ~ 39.95 74HC75. .... . SALE .29 74HC374. SALE .59
74LS47.. .89 .79 74L8259. .99 .89 62256LP-12 32.768x8 120ns (256K) LP CMOS.. ..... 20.9S MC68020RC128 .. . . 99.95 74HC76.. ... . SALE .29 74HC595.. . . . . . . . . . . 1.29
74L873.. ... . SALE .25 74L8273. ... .89 .79 MC68701. ......... 14.95 74HC85.. .55 74HC688.. .SALE 1.25
MC68705P3S . . 9'95 8.95 74HC86.. SALE .25 74HC943 .. .. . SALE 7.95
74LS74.. .. S ALE .19
74LS75.•. . .. SALE .25
74L8279.
74L8322. .... 3.49
.49 .39
3.39
DYNAM•C RAMS MC68705U3L. . . 10.95 74HC123. ... . SALE .49 74HC4040. . .. SALE .79
74L 876.. .39 .29 74L8365 . SALE .35 THM91000l·10 1.048,576x9 100ns 1Megx9 SIP... ... ~399.9S MC68705U3S....... 10.95 74HC125. .49 74HC4049. ... SALE .25
74L885.. .59 .49 74L8366... .. SALE .35 THM91000S·10 1,048.576x9 100ns 1Megx9 SIM. . MC68450L1 0....... 49.9 5 74HC132. . SALE .39 74HC4050.. . SALE .25
.. 399.9S
74L886. .... .29 .19 74LS367.. . . S ALE .29 THM91000l-80 1,048,576x9 BOns 1Megx9 SIP. . 419.95 MC68881RC 12A . .. 129.95 74HC138. .45 74HC4060.. .. SALE .69
74L890. . SALE .29 74L8368.. .. SALE .35 THM91000S-80 1,048,576x9 BOns 1Meg x9SIM. . ....... . .. 419.95 74HC139. .... SALE .35 74HC4511. . .. SALE .99
74HC154 . . . . . . 1.49 74HC4514 .. ...• 1.79
74L893... ... SALE
74LS123..
29
. SALE .35
74L8373.. . SALE
74LS374.. . . SALE
59
.49
TMS4416-12
TMS4416 -15
16.384x4
16,384x4
120ns..
150ns..... . . .... ..
1:% 6.75
'""56.2S
CommQdorti& 74HC163.. ... SALE .39 74HC4538... .SALE .99
74L8125 . .49 .39 74L8393.. . SALE .69 4116-15 16.384x1 150ns (MM5290N·2).. 74HC174.. .59 74HC4543... . S ALE .99
+a9 1.25 LAG570 .. 9.95
74LS138.. .49 .39 74L8590.. ... 5.95 5.85 4128·15 131,072x1 150ns (P.iggyback).. S.29 WD1770.. .. . !Hl5 7.49
74L8139.. . . SALE .29 74LS624. .. . 1.95 1.85 4164-100 65,536x1 100ns.. 3.49 Sl3052P. ..... +-5 .99 74MCT':- CMOS""FTL
74L5154... . 1.19 1.09 74L5629. . . . . SALE 1.95 4164 ·120 65.536x1 120ns. 2.9S 6504A.. 1.19 74HCTOO. ... . SALE . 15 74HCT139 . .. .SALE .29
74L5157.. .45 .35 74L8640.. .. . SALE .89 4164-150 65.536x1 150ns.. 2.S9 6507 .. 2.95 74HCT02.. . . . SALE . 15 74HCT157. , . .SALE .19
74L5158. . ... SALE .25 74L8645. . . . SALE .89 412S6·60 262,144x1 60ns. ................... . 14.49 6510.. . 12.95 74HCT04.. . . . SALE .17 74HCT174 . .. SALE .25
74LS163. . . . . SALE .35 74L 8670. .... SALE .79 41256-80 262,144x1 BOns.. ....... 13.49 6522 . 2.95 74HCT08 . . . . . SALE .15 74HCT175 . .. . SALE .25
74L5164.. . SALE .35 74L8688 .... 2.39 2.29 41256-100 262,144x1 100ns.. . . 12.49 6525 . . ....... ~ 3.95 74HCT10. . . . SALE .15 74HCT240 . . .. SALE .59
41256-120 262,144x1 120ns.. . 11.95 6526.. .... +4'95 13.95 74HCT32 .. . . SALE .17 74HCT244 . .SALE .49
"17,49/PROMS• 41256-150 262,14•M 150ns....... . .. .. 11 .49 6532.. .~ 4.95 74HCT74 . . . . . SALE .25 74HCT245 . . . . SALE .49

·
-
41264 -12 64Kx4 120ns Video RAM . : .... . 19.9S 6545-1. 3.95 74HCT86.. . . SALE .15 74HCT373 . .. . S ALE .45
. . .. SALE .19 748188" . ....•..... 1.49
..... . SALE .19 748189.. .. .. ...... 1.49
41464-10 65,536x4 100ns. . . . . . . . t!;;l5 14.49 6560 .. ..·.···· :.MS 8.95 74HCT138.. .39 74HCT374 . . SALE .4 5
41464-12 65,536x4 120ns.. 11 .95 6567. .. . . .. .. .... 24.95
.. SALE .19 745196. .. .. S ALE .99
...... SALE .19 745240. ........... 1.39
41464·15
S12SB·10
65,536x4 150ns... ....
262,144xt 100nsStaticCollr~n ..
.... ~ 10.9S
13.95
6569. . . . . . . . *95 13.95
6572. . ... . 4'1'95 7.9S
UINE4R
.. SALE . 19 745244. .. . SALE .75 DS0026CN.. . .. 1.95 LM1458N.. .35
85227·10Pl 262.144x9 100ns256Kx9SIP... ........ 149.95 6581 (12V) . .. ~10.49
..... . SALE .19 748253.. . SALE 29 85227-lOPS 262,144x9 1OOns 256Kx9 S1M.. TL074CN .. .99 LM1488N...... . .. . .4 5
745287*.. . . . . . 149.95 6582 (9V). ... ~12.95
... . SALE .49 1.49 TL084CN.. . .89 DS 14C88N (CMOS). : 1.19
. . . . . SALE .19 748288.. . 1.49
511000P·10 1,048,576x1 100ns(1 Meg).. ..... ~ 29.9S 8502. . 7.95
AF100-1CN . ...... . .. 8.95 LM1489N......... .45
511000P-80 1,048,576x1 BOns (1 Meg).. 42.95 8564.. ...... . ..s5 2.95 DS14C89N (CMOS) ·. . 1.19
..... SALE 1.25 74S373.. . . SALE .99 LM307N ... .39
511000P-85 1,048,576x1 85ns (1 Meg).. . ... ~41 . 95 8566. . . . . . . . . 9'95 7.95 LM1496N .. .69
.. SALE .25 745374 . . . . SALE .99 LM309K.. : : : : 1.25
. SALE .25 745472". .... SALE 2.49
514256P·10 262.144x4 100ns{1 Meg). .. ~ 34.95 8701.
····· .·~
9.95
LM311N. .39 MC1648P.. .... 2.95
8721 .. 9.95
,CD-:-CMOS : ,1 lEPROMS 8722. . . . . . . . +a-95 10.95
310654-05. 9.95
LM317T..
LM318N ..
LM319N. . . ... 1.29
.65
.99
LM1871N.. . . . . . . . . 1.95
LM1872N.. . ... . 1.95
LM1896N-1 . . . . . . . . . . 1.49
CD4001 . .. .19 CD4076.... .59 TMS2516 2048x8 450ns (25V). . .. &95 S.9S 318018-03. ""95 10.95 ULN2003A. .75
LM323K . . . . . . . . . . . 3.49
CD4008.. .59 CD4081 . . . .22 TMS2S32 4096~8 450ns (25V). . . 6:954.95 318019-03 .. *.9510.95 XR2206 . .. 3.95
LM324N. .35
C04011 ... .19 C04082. .. .22 TMS2S32A 4096~8 450ns (12.5V). -H!!3.2S •925100PLA 0 • • • . • 15.95
LM338K.
XR2211 . .. 2.95
CD4093.. . ... 4.49 XR2243 . . .... 1.95
CD4013.. .29 .35 TMS2S64 8192x8 450ns {25V)......... &95 4.9S 901225-01 .. +5:95 13.95
LM339N.. .39 26LS29 . . . 2.95
CD4016.... .29 CD4094..... .89 TMS2716 2048x8 450ns (-5V. +5, +12VJ.. . 6:956.49 901226-01 .. +5:95 13.95
LF347N.. . . 1.49 26LS31. .99
CD4017.. .49 CD40103... .. . . . . . 1.49 1702A 256x8 (1i1sl 4.9S 901227-03.. .. 15.95
LM348N. . .69 26L832.. .99
CD4018. .. .59 CD40107... .49 2708 1024x8 450ns.... . . 6.9S 901 229-05........ 1 5.95
LM350T.. . 2.95 26LS33.. . . . . . . . . . . . 1.49
CD4020.. 59 CD4510. .. .69 2716 2048x8 450ns (25V). . 3.7S *No specs. available LF351N ... .39 LM2901N.. .25
CD4024.• .45 CD4511 ... .69 2716-1 2048x8 350ns (25V)...... <4:253.95 "'Note: 8251 OOPLA = LF353N.. .49
CD4027.. .35 CD4520... .75 27C16 2048x8 450ns (25V) CMOS.. LM2907N .. . .. .. . . . . 1.29
+25 3.75 U17 IC-64) LF355N .79 LM2917N (8 pin).
CD4030. . 1.79
.35 CD4522.. .79 2732 4096xB 450ns (25V). . l9S LF356N .. .79
L74C/CMOS~
MC3446N.. .99
CD4040. .65 CD4538.. .79 2732A·20 4096x8 200us(21V) . . 4.25 LF357N.. .89 MC3450P . .. ....... : 1.19 .49

C04049.. .29 CD4541 . .89 2732A·2S 4096x8 250ns (21V)..... 3.9S LM358N . . .49 MC3470P. .
C04050. . .29 CD4543. . .79 27C32 4095x8 450ns (25V) CMOS. ~4. 25 74COO Sale .19 74C174 Sale .39 LM360N. : : 1.95 MC3471P. .99
CD4051 ... .59 CD4553. . .... .... 3.95 2764-20 8192x8 200ns(21V). . 4.25 LM361N ... .. 1.49 MC3479P. : : : : : : : : : : 3.95
74C02 Sale .19 74C175 Sale .S9
CD4052... .59 CD4555. .79 2764-25 8192x8 250ns(21V). 3.S9 LM380N-8... .99 MC3486P... 1.19
C04053.. .59 2764·45 8192x8 450ns (21VJ ... 74C04 Sale .19 74Ct92 Sale .99 LM386N-3 .. .89 MC3487P..
CD4559. . .... 7.95 3.39 .99
CD4063... . . 1.49 2764A·2S 8192x8 250ns(12.5V).... . 369 74COB Sale .19 74C 194 Sale .49 LM387N.. : 1.09 LM3900N... .49
C04066.. .29
CD4566. . .... 1.95
27C64·1S 8192x8 150ns (12.5V) CMOS.. S9S 74C10 S~ !e .1S 74C221 . 1.79 LM393N .. .39 LM3905N .. .... . : : . 1.19
CD4583.. .59 74Cl4 . .... .49 74C240 Sale .75 LM399H.. . . . : : : . 3.49 LM3909N.. .89
CD4067.. .. 1.49 27128-20 16.384x8 200ns (21VJ .. 6:956.49
CD4069. .19 CD4584.. .49 27128·2S 16.384x8 250ns (21V).. 74C32 Sale .19 74C244 . .1 .79 LF411CN . . . .79 LM3914N. ........ : 1.79
S.9S
CD4070.. .29 CD4585.. .69 2712BA ·1S 16,384x8 TL497ACN .. . . ... 1.49 LM3916N . . . 1.49
150ns (12.5VI. . .. 7.7S 74C74 .. .49 74C373 Sate 1.49 NE540H (C540H).
MC14411P.. . .... 7.95 .99 NE5532.. .69
CD4071 ... .22 2712BA-20 16.384x8 200ns (12.5VJ.. 5'i'5S.2S 74C8S . . 1.49 74C374 Sale 1.49 NE555V.. .29
CD4072 .. 27128A-25 NE5534 . . . . . . . . .69
.22 MC14490P. ........ 4.49
16.384x8 250ns (12.5V)..... 5:'25 4.95 74C86 Sale .19 74C911 ...fi9S XRL555.. .59 7805K (LM340~5) . : : : : 1.29
27C128-25 16.384x8 250ns (21V) CMOS. S.9S 74C89 .. . 2.9S 74C912 S~le 7.95 LM556N. .45 7812K (lM340~12) . . . . . 1.29
EEPROMS· 27256-15
272S6·20
32,768x8
32,768x8
150ns (12.5V).
200ns (12.5VJ. .
8.9S 74C90 .. .99 74C915 Sale 1.19 NE5S8N. .79 7815K (lM340~1S) .... 1.29
695 6.2S LM565N. .89 7805T (LM340T·S)... .45
204Bx8 350ns (9V-15Vl 5V Read/Write S.25 74C151Sale1.49 74C917 Sale3 .95
27256·25 32,768~8 250ns {12.5V). ..... S.49 LM567V. .75 7812T (LM340T·12). .45
2048x8 250ns (9V-15V) 5V Read/Write.. 5.49 27C256-15 32.768x8 150ns t12.5V) CMOS... 7.9S 74C154Sale2.75 74C920 Sale 3.95 NE592N.. . .75 78151 (LM340T-1S) . .45
2048x8 350ns 5V Read/Write 6.9S 27C2S6·2S 32.768x8 250ns {12.5V) CMOS.. ~5.49 74C157 Sale 1.25 74C921 Sale 2.95 L M741CN .. .29 7905K (lM320~S). ... : 1.35
8192x8 250ns 5V Read/Write (Pm I, No RIB). . . . 13.9S 27512·20 65,536x8 200ns (12.5V).. . 10.95 74C 160Sale .49 74C922 . ..3.9S LM747CN. .49 7905T (LM320l'S) .. .49
27512-25 6S.S36x8 250ns (12.5V).... . . ... 9.9S 74C161 Sale .49 74C923 ...3.95 MC1350P.. .89 75472.. .49
8192x8 300ns 5V Read/Write (Pm 1, No R/8). 12.95 MC1377P. . . 2.29
27C512-25 65.536x8 250ns (12.5V) CMOS. . . . . ;ttrS 9.•9 74C162 Sale .49 74C925 .. .5.49 75477...... .89
8192x8 300ns 5V Read/Write.... 9.95 MC1398P... . : . : ... 4.95 MC145106P. ..... : : 1.95
27C1024 131.072x8 200ns (12.5V) CMOS (1 Meg). . 27.9S 74C173 . .S9 74C926 . . .5.95
2048x8 350ns (21V) 5V Read Only 1.49 LM1414N .. .99 MC145406P. 2.95

PARTIAL LISTING • OVER 4000 COMPONENTS AND ACCESSORIES IN STOCK! • CALL FOR QUANTITY DISCOUNTS
RAM 'S SUBJECT TO FREQUENT PRICE CHANGES
Metex General Specs: Free! QAPLUS Diaqnostic • For use with IBM PCIXT/AT and com­
• Handhe ld, high accuracy patible computers • Double-sided. double
Software Included! density • 135T PI • 160 tracks • Rotation
• AC/DC Voltage. A.C/DC
Current, Resistance,
Free! PC Write Word Pro­ speed: 300 rpm • Size: 4"W x 6" D x l" H

Diodes, Continuity, Tran­ cessing Software Included! MPF11 ......................... $79.95

sistor hFE •M an ual rang· 512K RAM Included, Expand­
ing w/overload protection able to 4MB
M3650/ B & M4650 only: AMI BIOS ROMs Included
• Also measures frequency 8 or 12MHz Operation
and capacita nce Regular $934.52 value for
M4650 only:
• Data Hold Switc h
only $799.95!
• 4. 5 Digit
Flip-Top Case w/200 Watt
M4650 Pictured Power Supply
M3610 3.5 Digit Multime ter .......... .. .... . $49.95 1.2MB Disk Drive
M3650 3.5 Digit w/Freq. & Capacitance. $69.95 13. 7 Norton SI Rating
Sho wn wi th EG A O ption (not Inc luded )
M36508 Same as M3650 w/Bargraph ..... $79.95 101-Key (Enhanced) JE1059 Mo nitor and Ad apt er Card $5 19.95
M4650 4.5 Dig. w/Freq .. Capacitance Keyboard (See Below) JE 27
JE23 JE 24
and Da ta Hold Swi tch ........ .... . $99.95

JE3008 12MHz IBM AT Compatibl e Kit •••••••••••••• $799.95 Part Dim. Contac t Binding
Metex Autoranging Jumbo EZDOS Di gita l Resea rch MS/PC- DOS Comp. O perating Sys .. $49.95 No L" xW" p o ints p osts Price
Readout DMM EZDOSP Same as above with TrueBAS IC ....... . .................. $69.95 JE21 3.25x2 . t 25 400 0 $4.95
• AC/DC Voltage, ACIDC JE23 6.5x2. 125 830 0 $7.95
Current, Resistance, Diodes, '1\\ IBM COMP1'TIBLE DISPl.AY MONITORS JE24 6.5x3. 125 1,360 2 $12.95
Con tinuity and Frequency JE25 6.5x4 .25 1,660 3 $19.95
• 3. 7 5 Digit (.8" High) A.MBER 12" Ambe r Mono. JE26 6.875x5.75 2.390 4 $24.95
CTX2410 14" RGB 640x200 JE27 7.25x7. 5 3,220 4 $34.95
• Ruggedized. W aler·
TM5154 EGA t 4" 720x350
resistant case
• Easy-to-use pus hbulton JE1059 EGA Mon itor & Card !: COMPUTER ACCESSORIES
switches TM5155 I 4" Multiscan 800x560 $499.95
OC1478 1 4" VGA 720x480 $449.95
Jameco IBM PC/XT/AT
M80 ..................... $59.95
JE2055 VGA Monitor & Card $649.95
Compatible Keyboards

DFI Handy
and Scann
~~e~
r ====-:~ JE1041
JE1043
20J40MB Hard Disk Controller Card (PCIXT) ............. . ... .. ....... ..........
360KJ720KJ 1. 2M811 A4MB Floppy Disk Controller Card (PCI XT tAT).. ...
$79.95
$49.95
3 Button Mice "''
JE1044 360K Floppy/Hard Disk Controller Card (PC/X T). .................. ....... .. .. $ 129.95
for IBM PC/XT/AT
JE1045 360KJ720K/ 1.2MBt 1. 44MB Floppy/Hard Disk Controller Card (AT) ...... $149.95
FREE OPE Software JE1050 Monochrome Graphics Card w/Parallel Printer Port (PC/XT/AT).......... $59.95 JE1015 Standard AT Layout (PC/XTIAT) ......... $59.95

with HS3000! JE1052 Color Graphics Card w/Parallel Prinler Po11 (PC/XT/AT)..... ............. .. $49.95 JE1016 Enhanced Layout (PC/XTIAT) .... .. .. .... $69.95

The HS3000 offers a tun 4 inch JE1055 EGA Card w/256K Video RAM (PCIXTIAT)................ .. ................... $159.95
window at 400dpi resolution.

JE2016 Enh. w/Solar Calculator (PCIXTIAT).... $79.95

GC1500 O rchid 8·Bit VGA Card w/256K Video RAM (PC/XT/AT) .. ............ .. .... $269.95
Scan pholos. logos. drawings,

GC1501 Orchid 8116·Bit VGA Card w / 256K Video RAM (PC/XTIAT) ................ $349.95 Jameco Switch
etc. Can be used with today's
most popular applications
HS3000 Pictured
JE1060 110 Ca rd w!Serial. Game. Printer Pon & Real Time Clock (PC/X TJ... . .. .. $59.95 Boxes
JE1061 RS232 Serial Hatt Card (PCIXT)................................................... $29.95 • Female Connectors
HS3000 $199.95

Handy Scanner..... . . .. .. .. • All Pins Switched

JE1062 RS232 Serial Hatt Card (A T)......................................................... $34.95

DMS200 200DPl3 -Butto n Ser. Mouse$49.95
JE1065 1/0 Card w1Serial, Game and Parallel Printer Port (A T)........... ........... $59.95 Part No . Oescriction Price
DMS200S 200DPI 3-Button Ser. Mouse $59.95 JE1071 Mul ti 110 Card w/Controller & Monochrome Graphics (PC/X T).......... .. . $119.95 JE1170 DB25·pin AIB Switch.. ......... $22.95

wi1h Dr. Ha lo Software

JE1081 2MB Expanded or Extended Memory Card (zero-Kon-board) (AT) ....•• $119.95 JE1171 DB25-pin AIBIC Switch....... .. $27.95

Additional JE2010 J E1172 DB25-pin AiB/C/D Switch.. . . . .. $29.95

IBM Pi ctured
SEAGATE HALF-HEIGHT HARD DISK DRIVES
J E1173 Centronics36-pin AiB Switch•••• $24.95
Compatible ST225 20MB Drive only (PCIXT/AT) $224.95 Your One-Stop Center for JE1174 Centronics36-pin A1B1C Switch .. $27.95
Accessories ST225XT $269.95 Hard Disk Drive Needs!
ST225AT $339.95 r 30MB Hard Disk Card
ST238 $249.95 for IBM PC/ XT
JE1030
Pie lured
ST238XT $299.95
ST238AT $389.95
ST251
ST251XT
JE1010 Hp-Top Standard PCiXT Case........... $34.95
ST251AT
JE1014 Fbp-Top Baby XT Turbo Case........ .... $69.95
ST251-1
J E101 7 Flip-Top Baby AT Case.......... ~ $54.95
SA30 ......................................$379.95
JE1018 Slide Baby AT Case.............. ~ $59.95
40MB Tape Back-Up
JE1030 150 watt PCIXT Power Supply...... ...... $59.95
tor IBM PC/XT/AT

JE1032 200watt Baby AT Power Supply......... $89.95

JE1 001 4.77 /8MHz (PCIXT) $89.95

DJ10 40MB Tape Back -Up and Tape... $349.95

JE2010 Towe< Case w/250 watt Pwr. Supply.... $299.95

JE1002 4.77/10MHz (PC/X T) $109.95

TB40 40MB Tape Cartridge .................. $24.95

2400/1200/300 Baud Modems JE3005 Baby 8/12 MH z (AT) $329.95

Datatronics ENGINEERING/DAT A BOOKS
JE3010 Baby 8116MHz NEAT(AT ) $469.95
• Hayes command compatible
JE3020 Baby 16MHz 80386 (AT) $1199.95 21035 Sams TTL Cookbook (88) $14.95
• Be!l 103!212Acompatible
JE3025 Baby 20MHz 80386 (AT) $1499.95 21398 Sams CMOS Cookbook (88) $19.95
• Auto·d1a\/aulo·answer • FCC

JE3026 Full-Size 25MHz 80386 (AT) $2299.95 JE3025 Pictured 22453 Sams Op-Amp Cookbook (88) $21.95
approved · 1-yearwarranry ·In­

cludes MaxiMite Communicalion

270645 Intel 8 ·bit Control ler Hndbk. (89) $19.95

So11ware (except 1200P)
270646 Intel 16-bit Controller Hndbk . (89) $19.95
1200P 1201}300 Baud Pocket Size Modem...... $99.95 3.5' 720KB (PCIXTIAT) $109.95 270647 Intel 32·bit Controller Hndbk(89J $19.95
1200H 1200/300 Baud Internal Modem.... ........ $69.95 3.5" 1.44MB (PCIXTIAT) $129.95 400041 NSC Linear Data Book Vol 1 (88) $14.95
2400H 2400/1200·300 Baud Internal Modern.... $129.95 5.25" 360KB (PCI XT /AT) Stack $89.95 400042 NSC Linear Data Book Vol 2 (88) $9.95
1200C 1200/300 Baud External Modem. .......... $99.95 5.25" 360KB {PCIXTIAT) Beige $89.95 JE1022 400043 NSC Linear Dala Book Vol 3 (88) $9.95
2400C 2400112001300 External Modem ........... $169.95 5.25" 1.2MB (PCIX Ti AT) Beige $99.95 Pictured ICM89 1989 IC Masler (3 Volume Set) $129.95

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24-Hour Order Hotline (415) 592-8097 ·The Following Phone Lines Are Available From 7AM - 5PM P.S.T .:
·Customer Service (415) 592-8121 ·Technical Assistance (415) 592-9990 ·Credit Department (415) 592-9983 ·All Other Inquiries (415) 592-7108
 REMOTE DATA /though affordable, powerful and easy to use, the A-BUS 1/0 system until
ACQUISITION AND
CONTROL
A recentfy' had amajor limitation: it hcrJ to ~ located close to tre contrdling
computer. Now two new serial adawers from ,Alpha Products have
remCNed this restriction. Any computer wit an RS232 port can control the

A-BUS line of data acquisition and control cards.

Using standard telephone type cable, the A-BUS system can be located up to

~~
500 feet away from the computer. With the addition of aModem the A-BUS
~6
system can be controlled from any't'rflere. As with allA-BUS cards, the adapters
are easifj installed and are programmed using standard commands.

NEW SERIAL esides implementining atu/IA-BUS on aserial port, the low cost SP-127
PROCESSOR
HAS BRAIN
B A-BUS Serial Processor fills agreat need in remote data acquisition. It
includes acomplete BASIC interpreter and can run programs indepen­
dently of the host computer. This distributed processing relieves the host of
housekeeping chores and low level decision making. The SP-127 can read and
log data at set intervals for later reviaving or recalling at the host's convenience.
The Serial Processor, which communicates with any computer through an RS232
port, includes acomplete BASIC interpreter and 32K of memory. Adding a
Modem turns the SP-127 into aautomated remote data and control station.

THEA-BUS
nique features such as the new "Serial Nodes" greatly expand the
ON NETWORK
U usefulness of the A-BUS. These inexpensive ($49} devices provide the
ability to connect up to 16 complete A-BUS systems to asingle serial port
on any computer. The node also functions as arepeater to increase the reach of
~D-rrn · ·· · · - the adapter beyond the 500 foot limit
The nodes work in conjunction with the company's SA-129 Serial A-BUS
0000 Adapter. Plant-wide data collection and control will become widespread thanks
to the system's low cost. outstanding capabi/J1ies, and ease of use.

ADVANCE IN eeking new heights in motion control and robotics, Alpha's Smart Quad
MOTION
CONTROL
S Stepper Controller outperforms systems costing 5-1Otimes more. This
$299 board ircludes amultitasking microprocessor capable of controlling
4stepper motors simultaneously at speeds up to 1000 steps per second Four
Axis positioning is perfect for robot arms, positioners, pick andplace, etc.
Commands are intuitive; plain English words and aforgiving syntax make it easy
to write {and edit} command sequences. Scaling factors allow for meaningful

units of your choice, and 32 bit floating point arithmetic ensures accurate

calculations. The "learn" feature involves storing aseries of movements so that

even acomplex sequence can be repeated easily. Alpha's engineers thoughtfully

included direct drivers for small motors, and avariety of inputs ~imit switches,

remote keypad, panic button, etc.).

An SC-149 can be set up quickly and easily, minimizing development time and
aflowing more effort to be devoted to the rest of the robotic project.

_ . ALPHA {J1J@iJCYJ@l~
• s.om• '"'"'""•Com''"' (203) 656·1806 Dan en, CT 06820
348 BYTE • APRIL 1989 Circle 19 on Reader Service Card
 A-BUS™
[i!j]JJJ@D©
Classroom to advancedindustrial applications.
Be aWizard in your Lab, Factory, College, Home...
It used to be difficult and costly to do process control, robotics, data
acquisition, monitoring and sensing with your computer. Now the
low-cost A-BUS system makes it easy to do almost any project you
can imagine.
Versatility. A-BUS cards handle most interfacing, from on/off
switching, to reading temperatures, to moving robot arms, to
counting events, to sensing switches...
Adaptability. The A-BUS is modular, allowing expansion well
beyond your needs. It works with almost any computer, or even as a
remote data station with the new serial adapters.
Simplicity. You can start using the A-BUS in minutes. It's
easy to connect, and software is abreeze to write in any language.
Reliability. Careful design and rugged construction make the
A-BUS the first choice in specialized 1/0.
NEW: REMOTE A-BUSI Use the new Serial (RS-232) Adapter or An A-BUS system consists of: • An A-BUS adapter plugged
Processor to control any A-BUS system. Cards can be up to 500 ft into your computer • A cable to connect the adapter to 1 or 2
away using phone type cable. or off premises using amodem. Call or A-BUS function cards. • The same cable will also fit an A-BUS
send for the new A-BUS Catalog which covers all the products. Motherboard for expansion to up to 25 cards in any combination.
. . - - - - - - About
All A-BUS Systems: t come assembled and tested t Include detailed manuals wtth schematil:l
'ounded in 1976 for the purpose or developing tow cost uo deYiCeS for pe!SOllal computers. Al
and programming examples +Can be used with almost any language (BASIC, Pascal, c
1as gcown to seive over 7COOJ customers in over 60 counbies. A-BUS users include many of
I assembler, etc.) using simple 'IN' and "OUT" commandS (PEEK and POKE on some computers]
'ortune 500 pBM. Hewlett-Packard. Tancfy. Bell Labs. GM...) as well as most major universil
+can grow to 25 cards ~n all'/ comtlinalion) per adapter +Provide jumper selectable adaessin' I-BUS produc:s are U.S. designed. U.S. built. and serviced worldwide.
on each card +Require asingle k7# cost unregulated 12'1 power suppl'f +Are usuali'{ shippec lverseas dlslrllulora: England: Caktj Science As$()(. Ud.. ~e. 051 342 7033.
from stock. !Ovemiohl service is available.l lustralla: BrumtivTechnoloQies P!v. Ud.. NSN. 7591638. fl'lllCCI: Coserm. Runais. 46 86 64 75

Inputs, Outputs, etc. Motion Control A-BUS Adapters

Analog Input: 8 analog inputs. o-5.1V In 20mv steps (8 btts). Smart Quad Stepper Controller:Thewor1d'sfinest. .. can address 64 polls and control upto25 A-BUS cards.
0-100Vrange possible. 7500 coovers~nd. A0-142: $142 On board microprocessor controls four motors simullaneousi'{. .. Require one cable. Molhertloald required for more than 2cards.

12 Bit A to D: Analog to digttal converter. Input range -4V lo Uses simple Engrish commands like 'MOVE ARM 10.2 PNCHES) A-BUS Parallel Adapters for:

+4V. expandable to 1oov. On-board amplifier. Resolution 1nf.J. LEFT". For each axis. you control coordinates (absolute or rela­ IBM PC/XT/AT & compatibles. U..aiolhcWlO"longilcL AR-133: S69

Ol!Nersion lime 130ms. 1channel. (Expand to 8 channels with the 1ive). ramping, speed. untts. scale factors. etc. Many inputs for fimtt Applt ll.11+.lle P\ivl"*'"" ilcL­
AR-134: $52
RE-156 card.) AN- 146: $153 swttches, etc. On lhe fly reporting of speed. posttion ... Built in COIMIOdore 64.128 f\J9I mi ~Pat on ba<S. AR-139: S4S
drivers for small motors (such as M0-103or105). SC-149: $299 TIIS-80 Model 102.200 u.e. «i p1n ~bus'. AR-136: $76
Relay Card: 8 individuali'f controled industrial relB'ts each with Options: .. 5 amp/phase power booster for 1motor: PD-123: $49
sta!us LED's (3A at 120\JAC contacts. SPST). RE-140: $142 Model 100 (Tancfy portable) f\Jgli*>IOdodontdUI. AR-135: $75
.. Remote "teach' ke'fpadfor direct motor control: RC-121: $S4 TRS-80 Model 3.4.40 v~ ...-i ~ p1n tous;, ....i. AR-132: $S4
Reed Relay Card: 8 reed relays (20mA al 60VDC. SPST). TRS-80Model I f\J!llm«1p1n_.m,1>us. AR-131: $39
lndividuali'{ conlrolled and latched. with status LEDs.RE- 151: SUlt Tandy Color Computers Flis FO.I DOC IUlipMO"Y~ AR-138: $49
DIA converter: 4 Channel 8 Bit OJA converter with output A-BUS Cable: Necessaiy to connect all'/ parallel ~apter to
~tfiers and separate adjustable relerences.DA-147: Sm one A-BUS card or to first molhertioard. so pin. 3ft. CA-163: $24
24 llne ffi 1/0: Connect 24 input or output signals (Tll 0/SJ Special Cati1e for two A-BUS cards CA- 162: $34
levels or swttches). V~ of modes. (Uses 8255Aj DG- 148: $72 Serlal Adapter: Connect A-Bus systems to all'/ RS-232 port.
Digital lnput:s opticali'f Isolated ir4Ju1s. Input can be 5to1oov Allows up to 500 II from computer to A-BUS. SA-129: $149
voltage levels or switch closures. IN-141: $65 Serlal Node: To connect addttional SA-129/A-BUS systems to
Digital Output Drlver: soutpuls: 250mAat 12V. Olive relB'ts. asingle RS232 serial port (max 16 nodes). SN-128: $49
solenoids. stepper motors, lamps. etc. ST- 143: $78 Serlal Processor: same as atxive plus built in BASIC for off­
line monttoring. logging. decision making.etc. SP-127: S189
Clock with Alarm: Powerful clock/calendar. Battery backup. Use SA-129 or SP-127 with modems for remote data acquisition.
Timing 10 1/100 sec. AWm relay. LED and b1a.Zer. CL-144: $98 ..-- ­
Ala!ge A-BUS system with two Molhert>oardS
Motherboard: Holds up to 5A-BUS cards in sturcfy aluminum
Touch Tone Decoder:Each tone is converted Into anumber Adaptei in the foreground plugs inlo PCXT.AT!ype slot.
frame wtth card guides. Asixth connector allows (using cables CA­
which Is stored on the board. PH- 145: $87 161: $12) addttional Moiherboards to be added. Mfl-120: $108
A-BUS Prototyping card: 4x4.5' card WiU accept 14> to 10 Stepper Driver Kit: For experimenting wtth stepper motors. Power Supply:Power pack for up to 4cards. PS-126: s12
1.C.s. Will powe1 & ground bus. PR-152: $16 Includes 2M0-103 motors and aST-143 dual driver PA- 181: $99
Counter Tlmer:Tlvee 16 btt coooters.o1imers. use seperatei'{ or Stepper Motors: (4 phase. unipola~ Complete Catalog Available
ca.scadeforlong (48 bit) counts. CT- 150: $132 M0-103:2W dia. 1/4 shaft. 7.5'/step. 12V. 5oz-in torque. $15
U0-104:2' dia.11,· sllaft. 1.8'/step. sv. 60oz-intorque. $45 For Orders and Info call (203) 656-1806
U0-105: 1.T squaie. .2' shaft,3.75'/step.12V. 6oz-in. $15 Weekdays from 9to 5EST or FAX 203 ~756

~ ALPHA ffJur~@101J©1~
Ordering lnfonnatlon: We accept VIS8. Mastercard. Checks. and M.O. C.O.D. is $4 extra.
P11chase orders are Stbjecl to credtt approval. CT residents add 7.5% sales tax.
Shipping: $4 per order (usuali'{ UPS ground).UPS 2nd Day Air: $4 extra. Next Day service
available. Ganada: S6 per order (AirmalQ. OcAside US and C3nada: Add 10'll. of order total. • Sogma lnduS,,iBS Company 242-B West Avenue, Darien, er 06820
Circle 19onRztukrServiceCarrl APRIL 1989 • BYTE 349
 EPRDM!i !iTATIC RAM!i DYNAMIC RAM!i CD-PRDCE!i!iOR!i
PART SIZE SPEED Vpp PRICE PART SIZE SPEED PRICE PART SIZE SPEED PRICE 8087 5 MHz 99.95
2708 1024x8 450ns 25V 4.95 2114 1024x4 450ns .99 4116·200 16384x1 200ns .89 8087-2 8MHz 139.95
2716 2048x8 450ns 25V 3.49 2114L-2 1024x4 200ns 1.49 4116·150 16384x1 150ns .99 8087-1 10MHz 194.95
2716-1 2048x8 350ns 25V 3.95 TC5516 2048x8 250ns 3.95 4164-150 65536x1 150ns 2.89 80287 6 MHz 159.95
2732 4096x8 450ns 25V 3.95 TMM2016-200 2048x8 200ns 3.25 4164-120 65536X1 I 120ns 3.19 80287-8 8MHz 229.95
2732A 4096x8 250ns 21V 3.95 TMM2016-150 2048x8 150ns 3.29 4164-100 65536x1 100ns 3.95 80287-10 10 MHz 289.95
27C64 8192x8 250ns 12.SV 4.95 TMM2016-100 2048x8 100ns 4.29 TMS4416 16384x4 150ns 8.95 80387-16 16MHz 449.95
2764 8192x8 450ns 12.SV 3.49 HM6116·4 2048x8 200ns 4.95 41128-150 131072x1 150ns 5.95 80387-SX 16MHz 599.95
2764-250 6192x8 250ns 12.SV 3.69 HM6116-3 2048x8 150ns 5.95 TMS4464.15 65536x4 150ns 14.95 80387-20 20 MHz 599.95
2764-200 8192x8 200ns 12.SV 4.25 HM6116-2 2048x8 120ns 6.45 TMS4464-12 65536x4 120ns 15.95 80387-25 25 MHz 699.95
16384x8 250ns 12.SV 4.95 HM6116LP-4 2048x8 200ns 5.95 150ns 12.45

~.
27128 41256-150 262144x1
27128A-200 16384x8 200ns 12.SV 5.95 HM6116LP-3 2048x8 150ns 6.45 41256-120 262144x1 120ns 12.95

j ' \ infel'

27C256 32768x8 250ns 12.SV 7.95 HM6116LP-2 2048x8 120ns 6.95 41256-100 262144x1 100ns 13.45
27256 32768x8 250ns 12.SV 5.95 HM6264LP-15 8192x8 150ns 9.95 41256-80 262144x1 sons 13.95
27251>-200
27512
27C512
32768x8
65536x8
65536x8
200ns
250ns
250ns
12.SV
12.SV
12.SV
7.95
11.95
12.95
HM6264LP-12 6192x6
HM43256LP.15 32768x8
HM43256LP-12 32768x8
120ns
150ns
120ns
10.95
17.95
19.95
MK4332 32768x1
HM51258-100 262144x1
1 MB-120 1048576x1
200ns
100ns
120ns
6.95
13.95
34.95
• - " .
SYEAR
WARRANTY
27C101-20 131072x8 200ns 12.SV 34.95 HM43256LP-10 32768x8 100ns 24.95 1 MB-100 1048576x1 100ns 37.95
• CALL TO CONFIRM CURRENT PRtCES • • CAJ.L TOCONFIAMCUAAENT PRICES • • CALL TO CONARU CURRENT PRtCES • INCLUDES MANUAL & SOFTWARE GUIDE

EPROM ERA!iER!i HIGH·TECH

OATARA!iE II S39.9!!i
• SHIRT POCKET SIZE!
SPCffLIGl\1T
• ERASES MOST EPROMSI
EPLD'S IN 3 MINUTES• ALL
74 §ERIE§ LDGIC
SIZES UP TO 4 AT A TIME MAXTORDl!iK DRIVE!i 7400 74LS76 .29
74!!i
DATARASEll 7400 .19 74LS83 .49 74SOO .29
THESE DRIVES ARE BIG, FAST AND BUILT TO LAST! 7402 .19 74LS85 .49 74S02 .29
AN EXCELLENT VALUE I GIVE YOUR SYSTEM EXTRA SPEED 7404 .19 74LS86 .22 74S04 .29
AND STORAGE SPACE. THESE HIGH-QUALITY MAXTOR 7405 .25 74LS90 .J9 74S74 .49
DRIVES ARE BUil T FOR YEARS OF DEPENDABLE SERVICE­ 7406 .29 74LS92 .49 74586 .35
THEY HAVE A FIELD-PROVEN MTBF (MEAN TIME BETWEEN 7407 .29 74LS93 .39 74S112 .50
FAILURES) OF HEARL Y 8 YEARS. 7408 .24 74LS109 .36 74S287 1.69
PE-140 NO 7410 .19 74LS112 .29 74S288 1.69
PE-140T YES AVG. 7411 .25 74LS123 .49 74S374 1.69
PE-240T YES MB MODEL SPEED INTERFACE PRICE 7414 .49 74LS125 .39 S32 .35
120MB XT-1140 27MS ST-506 $1595 7416 .25 74LS132 .39 S138 .79
7417 .25 74LS138 .39 S240 1.49
160MS XT-2190 29MS ST-506 $1695 S244 1.49
7420 .19 74LS139 .39
340MB XT-4380S 16MS SCSI $2395
MICRDPRDCE§§DR§ 7432
7447
.29
.89
74LS151 .39 S373 1.69
74LS153 .39
6500 8000 Bi!!OO 7473 .34 74LS154 1.49 74F
~
7474 .33 74LS155 .59 74FOO .35
6502 2.25 8031 3.95 8254 2.79 !ilMM MOOULE!i 7475 .45 74LS156 .49 74F04 .35
6502A 2.69 8035 1.49 8255 1.99 7476 .35
41256A8B-15 256K x 8-BIT FOR MAC 150ns $89.00 74LS157 .35 74F08 .35
6502B 4.25 8039 1.95 8255-5 2.49 7586 .35
41256A8B-12 256K x 8-BIT FOR MAC 120ns $99.00 74LS158 .29 74F32 .35
65C02' 7.95 8052AH 8256 15.95 7489 2.15
41256A8B-10 256K x 8·BIT FOR MAC 100ns $129.00 74LS161 .39 74F74 .39
6522 2.95 BASIC 34.95 8259 1.95 7490 .39 74LS163 .39 74F138 .79
6526 13.95 8080 2.49 8259-5 2.29 41256A9B-15 256K x 9-BIT FOR PC 150ns $119.00 7493 .35 74LS164 .49 74F244 1.29
6532 5.95 8085 1.95 8272 4.39 41256A9B-12 256K x 9·BIT FOR PC 120ns $129.00 74121 .29
4.95 74LS165 .65
6551 2.95 8085A-2 3.75 8274 41256A9B-10 256K x 9·BIT FOR PC 100ns $139.00 74123 .49
6581 14.95 8088 5.99 8275 16.95 41256A9B-80 256K x 9·BIT FOR PC BOns $159.00
74LS166 .95 74HC
74151 .55 74LS175 .39
'CMOS 8088-2 7.95 8279 2.49 42100A9B-10 1MB x 9·BIT FOR PC 100ns $529.00 74154 1.49 74HCOO .21
8279-5 74LS192 .69 74HC04 .25
8155 2.49 2.95 421 OOA9B-30 1MB x 9·BIT FOR PC BOns $599.00 74157 .55 74LS193 .69
6800 8155-2 3.95 8282 3.95 74166 1.00 74LS197 .59
74HC08 .25
6800 1.95 8156 2.95 8283 3-95 74HC14 .35
2.25 74LS221 .59 74HC32 .35
6802 2.95 6741 9.95 8284 74L!i00
8286 3.95 74LS240 .69 74HC74 .35
68B02 3.95 8748 7.95
8287 74LSOO .16 74LS241 .69 74HC138 .45
6803 3.95 8749 9.95 3-95
8288 4.95 74LS02 .17 74LS244 .69 74HC139 .45
6809 2.95 8755 14.95
74LS03 .18 74LS245 .79 74HC154 1.09
68B09 5.99 74LS04 .16 74LS251 .49
6809E 2.95 Bi!!OO Z-BO 74LS05 .18 74LS257 .39
74HC157 .55
68B09E 5.49 8205 3.29 Z80-CPU 1.25 74HC244 .85
74LS08 .18 74LS258 .49 74HC245 .85
6808 2.49 8212 1.49 ZODA-CPU 1.29 74LS10 .16 74LS259 1.29
6810 1.95 8216 1.49 Z80B-CPU 2.75 74HC373 .69
74LS11 .22 74LS260 .49 74HC374 .69
6821 1.25 8224 2.25 ZUOA-CTC 1.69 74LS14 .39 74LS273 .79
68B21 1.85 8228 2.25 ZUOB-CTC 4.25 V30
74LS20 .17 74LS279 .39
6840 3.95 8237 3.95 Z80A-DART 5.95 74LS21 .22 74LS322 3.95 74HCT
6845 2.75 8237-5 4.75 Z80B-DART 6.95 74LS27 .23 74LS323 2.49 74HCTOO .25
6847 4.75 8238 4.49 Z80A-DMA 5.95 PALS !iTARTER KIT 74LS30 .17 74LS367 .39 74HCT04 .27
6850 1.95 8243 1.95 Z80A-PIO 1.89 74LS32 .18 74LS373 .79 74HCT08 .25
68B50 1.75 8250 6.95 Z80B-PIO 4.25 16L8 $2.95 20R4 $4.95 EASY TO USE PAL
20R6 4.95 PROGRAMMING KIT 74LS38 .26 74LS374 .79 74HCT32 .27
6852 4.95 8251 1.29 ZUOA-SIOIO 5.95 16R8 2.95
2DR8 4.95 FOR ALL HE PAL 74LS42 .39 74LS3n .79 74HCT138 .35
6883 22.95 8251A 1.69 Z80A-SIOl1 5.95 16R6 2.95
20X8 4.95 DEVICES ATL EFT. 74LS47 .75 74LS393 .79 74HCT240 .89
68000 9.95 8253 1.59 Z80A-SIOl2 5.95 16R4 2.95
MCT-PAL-SOFT $99.95 74LS51 .17 74LS541 1.49 74HCT244 .89
68020 189.95 8253·5 1.95 Z8671 BASIC 9.95 20L8 4.95
74LS73 .29 74LS670 .89 74HCT245 .99
74LS74 .24 74LS682 3.20 74HCT373 .99
74LS75 .29 74LS688 2.40 74HCT374 .99
LINEAR COMPONENT!i Ml!!iC. CRY!iTAL!i CRY!iTAL
ADC0804 2.99 32.768 KHz .95 O!iCILL.
TL071
TL072
.69
1.09
TL497
NE555
3.25
.29
MC3487
LM3900
2.95
.49 ADC0809 3.85 1.0MHz 2.95 1.0MHz 5.95
!iTO. CMU!i LDEilC
TL084 1.49 NE556 .49 LM3909 .98 DACOUOO 3.29 1.8432 2.95 1.8432 5.95 4001 .19 4050 .29
LM301 .34 NE558 .79 LM3914 1.89 DAC0808 1.!15 2.0 1.95 2.0 5.95 4011 .19 4051 .69
LM309K 1.25 LM565 .95 1cn60 1.99 1793 9.95 2.4576 1.95 2.4576 5.95 4013 .35 4060 .69
8272 4.39 3.579545 1.95 !!i/$1.00
LM311 .59 LM567 .79 7805T .49 4.0 4.95 4015 .29 4066 .29
LM311K 3.49 NE570 2.95 7808T .49 COM8116 8.95 4.0 1.95 5.0688 4.95 4016 .29 4069 .19
LM317T .69 NE590 2.50 7812T .49 UPD765 4.39 5.0688 1.95 8.0 4.95 4017 .49 4093 .49
LM318 1.49 LM723 .49 7815T .49 1691 6.95 6.0 1.95 10.0 4.95 4024 .49 14411 9.95
LM319 1.25 LM741 .29 7905T .59 2143 6.95 8.0 1.95 14.31818 1.95 4040 .69 4511 .69
LM323K 3.49 MC1330 1.69 7912T .59 AY5-3600 10.0 1.95 16.0 4.95 4046 .69 4538 .95
LM324 .34 MC1350 1.19 7915T .59 PRO 11.95 12.0 1.95 18.432 4.95 4049 .29 4702 9.95
LM334 1. 19 LM1458 .35 MAX232 7.95 AY3-1015 4.95 14.31818 1.95 20.0 4.95
LM336 1.75 LM1488 .49 ICL8038 3.85 AY5-1013 3.95 16.0 1.95 24.0 4.95
LM338K 4.49 LM148Q .49 ICM7207A 5.95 MC146818 5.95 18.0 1.95 Ol!!iCRETE
LM339 .59 LM1496 .85 ICM7208 15.95 MM58167 9.95 20.0 1.95 .49
LF353 .59 ULN2003 .79 75150 1.95 MM58174 9.95 22.1184 1.95 1011.00
LF356 .99 XR2206 3.95 75154 1.95 MSM5832 2.95 24.0 1.95 25/1.00
LM358 .59 XR2211 2.95 75188 1.25 IM6402 3.95 .55
LM380 .89 CA3046 .89 75189 1.25 IM6403 9.95 .10
LM386 .89 CA3146 1.29 75451 .39 INS8250 6.95 .25
LM393 .45 MC3470 1.95 75452 .39 NS16450 10.95 .79

350 BYTE • APRIL 1989 Circle 6 on Reader Service Card (DEALERS: 7)

 !iDlDER !iTATIDN!i WIREWRAP

135 WATT POWER SUPPLY SOLDERIDESOLDER STA TION PRDIDTYPE CARD§

• UL APPROVED
•OIL -FREE VACUUM PUMP
• +SV@1SA, +12V@4.2A, FR-4 EPOXY GLASS LAMINATE WITH GOLD PLATED

-SV@ .SA, •12V@ .SA •TEMP ADJUSTS (212' F-900' F)

EDGECARD FINGERS AND SILK SCREENED LEGENDS

& VACUUM (0-60 CM/HG)

PS-135
PS-150 1SOWSUPPLY •WITH GUN -REST, COOLING TRAY,
WIRE BRUSH & TIP CLEANER ROD
. -;H:~fmuckr~~~·
200 WATT POWER SUPPLY XV999SD $399.95 I i
• UL APPROVED XV999D DESOLDER ONLY $349.99
• +SV@ 20A, +12V@7A,
-SV@ .SA, -12V@ .SA
PS-200
APPLE TYPE SUPPLY
$89.95

• WITH APPLE CONNECTOR

• +5V@6A, +12V@3A,
DELUXE SOLDER STA TION
• ROTARY SWITCH TEMP
CONTROL (200' F-878 'F RANGE)
• LED TEMPERATURE READOUTS
• INCLUDES COOLING TRAY
.
JDR-PR1
FORXT
WITH +SV AND GROUND PLANE $27.95
. '
. I
-
XV9-60L $79.95 JDR-PR2 ABOVE WITH 1/0 DECODING LAYOUT $29.95
-SV@ 1A, -12V@ 1A
FOR AT
PS-A $49.95 SOLDER STAT/ON JDR-PR10 16 BITWITHl/O DECODING LAYOUT $34.95
36 WATT POWER SUPPLY JDR-PR10PK PARTS KIT FOR JDR-PR10 ABOVE $12.95
• UL APPROVED
• +SV @2.SA, +12V @1.SA • HEAT SETTING ADJUSTS
FORPS/2
JDR·PR32 :Q BIT PROTOTYPE CARD $69.95
• 3 PIN INPUT, 6 PIN OUTPUT • TIP TEMPERATURE READOUT JDR-PR16 16 BIT WITH 1/0 DECODING LAYOUT $49.95
• SELECTABLE 110V-220V • REPLACEMENT TIPS@ $2.9S JDR·PR16PK PARTS KIT FOR JDR-PR16 ABOVE $15.95
PS-3045 $12.95 168-3C $59.95 JDR-PR16V 16 BIT FOR VIDEO APPLICATIONS $39.95

DATA §WITCH BDXE!i EXTENDER CARD!i

35 MHZ DUAL TRACE OSCILLOSCOPE FOR PROTOTYPE DEBUGGING,

#OF POS . PARALL . SERIAL PRICE

• WIDE BAND WIDTH • VARIABLE HOLDOFF TESTING AND TROUBLESHOOTING

MODEL-3SOO (SHOWN) $499.95 2-WAY AB· P AB-S 39.95

2-WAY RSP-2 RSS-2 24.95
20MHZDUAL TRACE OSCILLOSCOPE 3-WAY RSP-3 RSS-3 27.95
• TV SYNC FIL TEA • COMPONENTS TESTER 4-WAY RSP-4 RSS-4 29.95
MODEL 2000 $389.95
3.5 DIGIT PROBE TYPE DMM
• AUTO RANGING •AC/DC 2V · 500V, RESIS. 2K-2M COMPUTER CABLE§
DPM-1000 (SHOWN) $54 .95 GOLD-PLATED CONTACTS; 100% SHIELDED
3.5 DIGIT POCKET SIZE DMM CBL-PRINTER PC PRINTER CABLE 9 .95
CBL-PRINTER-25 AS ABOVE-2S FT. 15.95
• BASIC DC ACCURACY t.0.S% • 14 RANGES
CBL-PRINTER·RA RT. ANGL . PRINTER 15.95
DMM-100 $29.95 CBL·DB25-MM DB2S MALE-MALE 9.95
3.5 DIGIT FULL FUNCTION DMM CBL-DB25-MF DB2S MALE-FEMALE 9.9
CBL-9-SERIAL 9 PIN-2S PIN SERIAL 6.95
• BASIC DC ACCURACY ±0.2S% • 22 RANGES CBL· KBD-EXT KEYBOARD EXTEN. 7.95
DMM-200 $49.95 CBL-CNT-MM 36 PIN CENTRON. -M/M 14.95
THE ULTIMATE 3.5 DIGIT DMM CBL-HD-20 20 PIN HARD DISK 3.95 PDS·100 1360 TIE PTS $12.95

CBL-HD-34D 34 PIN DUAL HARD DISK 6.95 PDS-200 1660 TIE PTS $19.95

• BASIC DC ACCURACY ±0.2S% • 34 RANGES

CBL·FDC-EXT 37 PIN EXT. FLOPPY 9.95 PDS-300 2390 TIE PTS $24.95
• TEMP, TRANSISTOR & RESISTANCE FEATURES
CBL-MNT-9 9 PIN MONITOR EXTEN. 6.95

-~ "'~Ll:~ ~!
DMM-300 (SHOWN) $79 .95 CSL-MODEM DB2S·DB2S FEMALE 7.95

IDC CDNNECTDR!i/RIBBDN CABLE R!i-i!!3i!!

CONTACTS BREAKOUT BOX
DESCRIPTION ORDER BY
10 20 26 34 40 so FOR TROUBLESHOOTING
SOLDER HEADER IDHxxS .82 1.29 1.68 2.20 2.58 3.24 SERIAL COMMUNICATIONS
RIGHT ANGLE SOLDER HEADER IOHxxSR .85 1.35 1.76 2.31 2.72 3.39 • OPEN/CLOSE INDIVIDUAL
WIREWRAP HEADER IDHxxW 1.86 2.98 3.84 4.50 5.28 6.63 CIRCUITS • 20 JUMPERS
RIGHT ANGLE WIREWRAP HEADER IDHxxWR 2.05 3.28 4.22 4.45 4.80 7.30 CROSS-CONNECT ANY TWO
RIBBON HEADER SOCKET IDSxx .63 .89 .95 1.29 1.49 1.69 CIRCUITS • 10 CIRCUIT
~

RIBBON HEADER
RIBBON EDGE CARD
IOMxx
IDExx
-
.85
5.50 6.25 7.00
1.25 1.35 1.75
7.50
2.05
8.50
2.45
ACTIVITY LEDS
GENDER-BO $34.95
10' RIBBON CABLE RCxx 1.60 3.20 4.10 5.40 6.40 7.50
FOR ORDERING INSTRUCnDNS, SEE D-SUBMINIATURE CONNECTORS BELOW

PROTECTS YOUR EQUIPMENT!

0-!iUBMINIATURE CONNECTOR!i • SIX 3-PRONG AC OUTLETS • 62 CLEARLY LABELLED BUS LINES
• 15 AMP CIRCUIT BREAKER • ACCEPTS UP TO 24 14-PIN ICS
CONTACTS
DESCRIPTION ORDER BY • 6' HEAVY DUTY CORD • 1940 TIE POINTS
9 15 19 25 37 50 • 1S AMP MAX LOAD. 187S WATTS • EXT FEMALE DB2S D·SUB CONNECT.
SOLDER CUP MALE DBxxP .45 .59 .69 .69 1.35 1.85 • UL APPROVED PDS-604 $49.95
FEMALE DBxxS .49 .69 .75 .75 1.39 2.29
POWER-SURGE $12.95
RIGHT ANGLE MALE DBxxPR .49 .69 -­ .79 2.27 -· POWER-STRIPW/OSURGE $9.95
PC SOLDER FEMALE DBxxSR .55 .75 -·
- .85 2.49 -­ GENDER CHANGER§
WIREWRAP MALE DBxxPWW 1.69 2.56 3.89 5.60 -­
FEMALE DBxxSWW 2.76 4.27 .. 6.84 9.95 ·­ GENDER-FF FEMALE-FEMALE $7 .95
IDC RIBBON CABLE MALE IDBxxP 1.39 1.99 .. 2.25 4.25 -· LITHIUM BATTERY -t:.:::.':' " GENDER-MM MALE-MALE $7.95
FEMALE IDBxxS 1.45 2.05 -· 2.35 4.49 -­ • 6V FOR 286 ANO 3E PCS ,,._.,..,.. '- r
GENDER-MF MALE -FEMALE $7.95

HOODS METAL MHOODxx 1.05 1.15 1.25 1.2S .. -­ • MOTHERBOARD CONNECTOR r-:Jif(;, ~~ GENDER-NM NULLMODEM $8.95
GENDER.JS JUMPER BOX $8.95
PLASTIC HOOOxx .39 .39 - .39 .69 .75 • ADHESIVE VELCRO MOUNTING ~!'::/;:,:~:;, GENDER-MT MINITESTER $14.95
ORDERING INSTRUcnONS: INSERT THE NUMBER OF CONT ACTS IN THE POS/1"/0N MARKED STRIP s:..~~ GENDER-VGA DB9-DB1S $19.95
"xJ(' OF THE "ORDER BY" PART NUMBER LISTED. EXAMPLE: A 15 PIN RIGHT ANGLE MALE LITHIUM6.8V $11.95 :::,.-,_.. GENDER-9-25 DB9-DB2S $4.95

0
PC SOLDER WOULD BE DB15PR
MOUNTING HARDWARE .59 COIN TYPE BATTERY · .

DESCRIPTION
IC !iDCKET!i/DIP CONNECTOR§
ORDER BY
CONTACTS
LONG-LASTING 3V LITHIUM
3V-MHW
HOLDER
$1.95
$1.49
\
.
.. '

[
APPLE-COMPATIBLE PROOUCT!!i
8 14 16 18 20 22 24 28 40
SOLDERTAIL SOCKETS xxST .11 .11 .12 .15 .18 .15 .20 .22 .30 FLOPPY DRIVE FOR APPLE II SERIES "!iNAPABLE HEADER§"
WIREWRAP SOCKETS xx WW .59 .69 .69 .99 1.09 1.3• 1.49 1.69 1.99 AP-150 (W!CABLE. CONNECTOR) $99.95
ZIF SOCKETS Zif xx -
4.95 4.95 5.95 - - 5.95 6.95 9.95 REPLACEMENT KEYBOARD FOR APPLE I & II• SNAP APART TO MAKE ANY SIZE

HEADER, WITH .1" CENTERS

TOOLED SOCKETS AUGATxxST .62 .79 .89 1.09 1.29 1.39 1.49 1.69 2.49 KEYBOARD-AP $59.95
TOOLED WW SOCKETS AUGATxxWW 1.30 1.80 2.10 2.40 2.50 2.90 3.15 3.70 5.40 EPROM PROGRAMMER. NOT REC. FOR CMOS. 1 X 40 STRAIGHT LEAD .99
COMPONENT CARRIERS ICCxx .49 .59 .69 .99 .99 .99 .99 1.09 1.49 RP-525 (NO POWER SUPPLY REO.) $89.95 1 X 40 RIGHT ANGLE LEAD 11.49
DIP PLUGS llDC) IDPxx .95 .49 .59 1.29 1.49 - .85 1.49 1.59 16K RAM CARD BOOSTS 48K APPLE TO 64K 2
2
X
X
40
40
STRAIGHT LEAD
RIGHT ANGLE LEAD
2.49
2.99
FOR ORDERING INSmucnONS SEE D-SUBMINIA TURE CONNECTORS ABOVE RAM-CARD (2 YEAR WARRANTY) $39.95

Circle 6 on Reader Se nice Card (DEALERS: 7) APRIL 1989 • BYTE 351

 VliA
COMPATIBLE
i!400BAUU
MODEM PACKAGE
•fj!ggs •54g HARD DISK DR IVE , DRIVE
CONTROLLER , CABLES
AND INSTRUCTIONS.
• 640 X 480 IN 16 COLORS HDKIT20 20 MB SYSTEM KIT
•HAYES COMPATIBILITY • 112·CARD •AUTO DIAUANSWER • 320 X 200 N 256 COLORS
•SELF-TEST ON POWER UP •FULL AND HALF DUPLEX HDKIT30 30 MB SYSTEM KIT
• TOUCHTONE OR PULSE DIALING • 2ND PHONE JACK • IBM STYLE MONITOR
• CALL PROGRESS MONITORING • ADJUSTABLE VOLUME • VGA. EGA. CGA, HERCULES, MONOCHROME COMPATIBLE
PR0-241 VGA-PKG (INCLUDES ATI CARD AND MONITOR) DI SK SIZE MODEL AVG. SPO. SIZE PRICE
INTERNAL MODEMS (MIRROR II SOFTWARE INCWDED) NEC MULTl!!iYNC II $599.95 20MB S T-125 65 MS 3-1/2" $259
PR0- 121 1200 BAUD 112 CARD $6 9.95 20MB ST-225 65MS 5-1/4" $225
PR0-24M 2400 BAUD FOR PS/2 $249.95 • AUTO FREQ. ADJUSTMENT • RESOLUTION TO 800 X 560
• IDEAL FOR CAD, CAM, WINDOWS • 9·15 PIN ADAPTER 3 0MB RL L ST· 238 65MS 5-1/4"
EXTERNAL MODEMS REQ. SERIAL PT, CABLE, so~AFIE NEC -MULTI
40MB ST-251 40MS 5-1 /4" 79
149
PR0-24E 2400 BAUD $169.95 40MB ST -25 1·1 28MS 5-1/4" 69
PR0-12E 1200 BAUD $99.95 60MB RLL ST-277 40M S 5-1/4" 49
.IDRMULTI $499.95 BOMB ST-4096 28 MS 5- 1/4" 29
APPLE/MACINTOSH COMPATIBLE MODEMS ' • FULL FEATURED MUL TISCAN MONITOR WITH UNLIMITED
EXTERNAL MODEMS. AS ABOVE WITH CABLE & SOFTWARE COLORS •HIGH RESOLUTION. 14" NON-GLARE DISPLAY
PR0-24EM MAC2400 BAUD 1 199.95 • AUTO SWITCHING • TTUANALOG VIDEO INPUT
PR0 -24A APPL E 112400 BAUD 179.95 JDR·MULTI
PR0-12A APPLE II 1200 BAUD 139.95
J D R-M ON O 12· MONOCHROME MONITOR $69.95 1 Mb 3'IW!" DRIV~ .
EliAMDNU"DR $399.95
• 640 X 200/350 RESOLUTION •16 COLOR DISPLAY • .3 1MM
•gggs ~ -~
DOT PITCH • 14" BLACK MATRIX SCREEN • 9·PIN CABLE • 1")
EGA-MONITOR • ULTRA HIGH DENSITY

SPACESAVING DESIGN HOLDS ALL SIZES

ISAVE $50! EGA CARD & MONITOR $499 • • READ/WRITE 720K DISKS. TOO
FDD-1.44X BLACK FACEPLATE
OF MOTHERBOARDS AND INCLUDES: FDD·1.44A BEIGE FACEPLATE
• 250W POWER SUPPLY • MOUNTS RliBMDNU"DR $i!79.95 FDD -1.44 SOFT SOFTWARE DRIVER $ 19 .95
FO R 3 FLOPPY & 4 HARD DRIVES
• COLOR/GREEN/AMBER SWITCH • .41 MM DOT PITCH 112 HEIGHT FLOPPY DISK DRIVES:
• TURBO & RESET SWITCH • LED SPE ED
• 640X200 MONOCHROME RESOLUTION • 14" NON -GLARE
DISPLAY • POWER & DISK LED'S FD-558 5·114" TEAC OS/DD 360K $99.95
SCREEN • TILT AND SWIVEL BASE
• ALL HARDWARE, FACEPLATES & SPEAKER FD·55G 5·114" TEAC OS/HD 1.2M $ 129.95
RGB · MONITOR FDD-360 5·114" OS/DD 360K
CASE-100 $69.95
C A S E-FLIP FOR 8088 BOARDS FLAT !iCREEN $139.95 FDD· 1.2 5·114"DSIHD1.2M $109.95
CASE-S LIDE FOR 8088BOARDS FDD -3 .5 X 3·112" 720K (BLACK) $97.95
•LOW DISTORTION. 14 " GLARE-RESISTANT AMBER SCREEN
CASE-7 0 FOR 286 BOARDS FDD·3.5A 3·1/2" 720K (BEIGE) $97.95
• 720X350MAXIMUMRESOLUTION •IBM COMPATIBLE TTL
CASE­ 50 FOR8088/286 BOARDS INPUT • SWIVEL BASE NASHUA DISKETTES (BOXES OF 10):
CASE-JR MINl-286 Wl150W PS GM-1488 N -MD 2D 360K OS/OD $ 6.95
MONO-SAMSUNG WITH 12· SCREEN $ 129.95 N-MD2D BULK (MULTIPLES OF 50 DISKS) EACH .49
N-MD 2H 1.2 MB OS/HD $13.95
N-3.5HD 1.44 MB 3·112" OS/HD
L lilTECH HIREZ Tl LT & !iWIVEL MONITOR !iTANO!i N-3.5DS 720K 3· 112" 00/DS
$49.95
$16.95

•sggs MS-100
MS-200
DURABLE PLASTIC $12.95
WITH 5 OUTLETS & SURGE SUPPRESSOR $39.95
TAPE BACK·UP DRIVES & DRIVE ACCESSORIES:
AR5240X
AR5540A
ARCHIVE DRIVE xrs & AT'S
FASTER DRIVE··ATS ON LY
$369.95
$369.95
AR340 40 MB TAPE CARTRIDGES $ 24.95
HIGH RESOLUTION BUS MOUSE FOR
BETTER RESPONSE, LESS MOVEMEN
FD - ARAI L MTG. RAILS FOR AT COMPATIBLE $ 2.95
• 320 DPI • WITH DRIVER, TEXT
EDITOR & POP-UP MENUS • NO PAD, HIGH FD -55MHW HALF-HT. MOUNTING HARDWRE 12.95
FD-5Y Y·POWER ADAPTOR FOR DRIVES 2.95
POWER SUPPLY OR PORT REQUIRED QUALITY FD55P BEIGE FACEPLATE FOR TEAC DRIVES 2 .95
LMOUSE -BH
KEYBOARO!i
LOG/TECH 3 BUTTON MOUSE
PC MAGAZINE EDITORS' CHOICE' ALL MODELS HAVE SERIAL
SUPPORT (COM1/COM2), 200 D.P.I. RESOLUTION. LOTUS 1·2·3 101 KEY ENHANCED, W/SEPARATE CURSOR PAD:
BTC-5339 AUTOSENSE FOR XT/ AT, AUTOREPEAT 179.95
MDTHERBDARDS
SHELL, SELF -INSTALLING SOFTWARE AND "POINT EDITOR"
LMOUSE $74.95 K 103-A AUDIBLE "CLICK" STYLE 84.95
M A X-5339 MAXI-SWITCH W/TACTILE FEEDBACK 84.95 TURBO 4.77/B MHZ $95.95
LMOUS E -P SERIAL MOUSE W/LOGIPAINT $89.95
LMOUS E -BP BUS MOUSE W/LOGIPAINT $89.95 84 KEY STYLES: • XT COMPATIBLE • NORTON SI 1.7 • 4.77 OR 8 MHZ
L MOUS E - BPBL BUS MOUSE WtPUBLISHER PKG $129.95 WITH 8088·2 AND OPTIONAL 8087·2 CO-PROCESSOR
BTC-5060 AUTOSENSE FOR XT/AT $59.95
L MOUSE -BP C BUS MOUSE W/LOGIPAINT/CAD $139.95 MAX-5060 MAXI -SWITCH WIT AC TILE FEEDBACK $64.95 MCT-TURBO
MCT XMB STANDARD. 8088MOTHERBOARD $87.95

ID MHZ !ilNliLE CHIP $99.95

• XT COMPATIBLE • NORTON SI 2.1 • USES LESS
MODULAR PROGRAMMING §Y§TEM POWER •KEY-SELECTABLE 4.77 OR 10 MHZ
MCT-TURB0-10
ID MHZ MINl-i!Bli $i!99.95
OUR INTEGRATED MODULAR PROGRAMMING SYSTEM EPRDM MODULE $119.95 •AT COMPATIBLE •ONLY 8·112 X 13 " • 80286 MICRO·
EASILY EXPANDS! ALL THE MODULES USE A COMMON HOST • PROGRAMS 24·32 P1N EPROMS. CMOS EPROMS PROCESSOR •LANDMARK AT SPEED 15.5 MHZ. NORTON
ADAPTOR CARD, SO YOU CAN USE JUST ONE SLOT TO & EEPROMS FROM 16K TO 1024K • HEX TO OBJ SI 13.8 • 6. 10 MHZ; KEYBOARD SELECT
PROGRAM EPROMS, PROMS, PALS & MORE! CONVERTER • AUTO, BLANK CHECK/PROGRAM/ MCT-M286
VERIFY • VPP 5, 12.5, 12.75, 13, 21 & 25 VOLTS
• NORMAL, INTELLIGENT, INTERACTIVE, & QUICK Ii! MHZ MINl-i!Bli $339.95
HD!iT ADAPTOR CARD $i!• .95 PULSE PROGRAMMING ALGORITHMS •AT COMPATIBLE • ONLY 8·112 X 13" • 80286 MICRO·
PROCESSOR • LANDMARK AT SPEED 15.5 MHZ, NORTON
~H~~l~6~~~LJ~~~~~ciu~~I ALL
MOD-MEP
MOD·MEP·4 4-EPROM PROGRAMMER $169 .95 SI 13.8 • 6. 10, 12 MHZ; KEYBOARD SELECT • ZYMOS
MOD·MEP-8 8·EPROM PROGRAMMER $259.95 POACH CHIP SET • AWARD BIOS
~R~~~i~1A~~i~~g~~SSES ~ MOD·M EP· 1616-EPROM PROGRAMMER $499.95 MCT·M286·12
• HIGH QUALITY MOLDED CABLE
DlliU"AL IC MODULE $1i!9.95
MOD-MAC
• TESTS TTL, CMOS. DYNAMIC & STATIC RAM
UNNER!iAL MODULE $499.95 • AUTO SEARCH FOR UNKNOWN PART NUMBERS EPROM PROGRAMMER <Jti!!l95
• PROGRAMS EPROMS, EEPROMS, • USER-PROGRAMMABLE TEST PROCEDURES • PROGRAMS 27XX AND 27XXX EPROMS UP TO 27512
MOD-MIC • SUPPORTS VARIOUS PROGRAMMING FORMATS &
PALS, Bl-POLAR PROMS, 8748 & 8751 \
SERIES DEVICES. 16V8 & 20V8 tOALS VOLTAGES • SPLIT OR
(GENERIC ARRAY LOGIC) FROM •, PAL MODULE $i!49.95 COMBINE CONTENTS OF
• PROGRAMS MMI, NS. Tl 20 & Tl 24 PIN DEVICES SEVERAL EPROMS OF
LATTICE. NS, SGS • TESTS TTL, CMOS, ·­ DIFFERENT SIZES
DYNAMIC & STATIC RAMS • LOAD DISK, • BLANK CHECK, PROGRAM, AUTO, READMASTER,
• READ. WRITE, COPY,
SAVE DISK. EDIT. El.ANK CHECK. PROGRAM, ~. . . . . . . .
VERIFY & SECURITY FUSE BLOW
ERASE, CHECK & VERIFY
AUTO, READ MASTER. VERIFY & COMPARE MOD -MPL • SOFTWARE FOR HEX
• TEX TOOL SOCKET FOR .3· TO .6.'W. IC'S (8-40 PINS) PAL PROGRAMMING DEVELOPMENT SOFTWARE AND INTEL HEX FORMATS
MOD·MUP MOD- MPL-SOFT $99.95 MOD-EPROM

352 BYTE • APRIL 1989 Circle 6 on Reader Service Card (DEALERS: 7)

 DFI HANDY §CANNER
!1iif!499S EP!iON LD-850 CALL FOR THE PRICE/
• 24 -PIN PRINT HEAD; GK MEMORY BUFFER • BO-COL.
•INSTANTLY SCANS UP TO 4.1" W.'"
IMAGES • 100, 200, 300, 400 DPI
CARRIAGE • 264 CPS DRAFT, BB CPS LO • BIDIR ECTIONAL
TEXT & GRAPHICS • PARALLEL AND SERIAL INTERFACES
BOTH DIRECTIONS • B&W & 3
HALF-TONE MODES • 32 LEVELS OF EP!iON LD-500 CALL FOR THE PRICE/
GRAY SCALE • HERCULES. CGA, EGA
& VGA COMPATIBLE •INCLUDES HALO • 24 -PIN PRINT HEAD; BK MEMORY BUFFER • BO-COL.
OPE ANO IMAGE EDITOR SOFTWARE CARRIAGE • 1BO CPS DRAFT, 60 CPS LO • BIDIRECTIONAL
TEXT & GRAPHICS • PARALLEL INTERFACE (SERIAL OPT.)
HS-3000
OCR-SOFT SOFTWARE
CALL FOR THE PRICEI
FOR FORMS, ENVELOPES, FAN FOLDS! • BO-COL CARRIAGE
• 264 CPS DRAFT, 54 CPS NLO • 9-PIN PRINT HEAD; BK
BUILD MEMORY BUFFER • AUTO L OAO • PARALLEL IN TERFACE
FX-1050 WITH 136-COLUMN CARRIAGE $CALL!
CALL FOR THE PRICEI
EP!!iON EX-BOO CALL FOR THE PRICE/
!iY!iTEM! (SHOWN)• 132-COLUMN CARRIAGE, SUPER FAST OUTPUT'
• 24-PIN PRINT HEAD; BK MEMORY BUFFER • 400 CPS • 9-PIN PRINT HEAD; BK MEMORY BUFFER • BO-COLUMN
DRAFT, 133 CPS LO • PRINTS UPTO 7 COLORS • SEVEN CARRIAGE • 300 CPS DRAFT. 50 CPS NLO • BIDIREC­
OVER 25,000 JDR FONTS • PARALLEL & SERIAL INTERFACES TIONAL TEXT MODE • PARALLEL & SERIAL INTERFACES
SYSTEMS HAVE
BEEN BUILT. EP!iON LD-950 CALL FOR THE PRICEI EP!iON LX-BOO CALL FOR THEPRICE/
OUR DETAILED • 24-PIN PRINT HEAD; GK MEMORY BUFFER • 11 0-COL • 9-PIN DOT MATRIX PRINT HEAD; 3K MEMORY BUFFER
INSTRUCTIONS CARRIAGE • 2G4 CPS DRAFT, BB CPS LO • 360 X 3GO DPI • BO-COL . CARRIAGE • 1BO CPS DRAFT, 30 CPS NLO MODE
GRAPHICS RESOL. • PARALLEL AND SERIAL INTERFACES • PARALLEL INTERFACE (SERIAL OPTIONAL.)
MAKE IT VERY
EASY--ALL YOU
NEED IS ABOUT
2HOURSANDA
SCREWDRIVER! ~4-HR. ON-UNE OROERINlil

OUR 20 MINUTE VIDEO SHOWS YOU STEP-BY·STEP HOW (4081559-0~53

TO BUI LT AN XT-COMPATIBLE SYSTEM SPECIFY VHS OR
JDR'!i ELECTRONIC BUUETIN BOARD DFFER!i
BETA. VIDEO WITH SYSTEM KIT, $4.95 VIDEO ALONE, 19.95
TECHNICAL !iUPPDRr, CDNFERENCINfi AND MORE
ID MHz TURBO BOBB !iY!iTEM $636.i!!D
• SERIAUPARALLEL PORTS, CLOCK/CALENDAR & GAME
ADAPTOR • RUNSCOLORGRAPHICSSOFTWAREON ITS
MONOCHROME MONITOR • MOTHERBOARD • 25GK
RAM MEMORY • 135W POWER SUPPLY • FLIPTOP CASE
• B4 KEY KEY-BOARD • 3GOK FLOPPY DRIVE
• MONOGRAPHICS 1/ 0 CARD

Ii!! MHz MINl-i!!B6 !iY!iTEM

• 12 MHZ MINl-2BG MOTHERBOARD • 5 12K RAM MEMORY
•MINI-AT CASE WIPOWER SUPPLY • B4 KEY KEYBOARD
• MONOCHROME MONITOR • 1.2 MB FLOPPY DRIVE
• FLOPPY/HARO CONTROL • MONOGRAPHICS CARO

INTERFACE CARDS /' MODULAR CIRCUIT TECHNOLOGY

MUUIFUNCTIDN CARD§
MULTlllDFWPPYCDNTRDLLER S79..!15
DISPLAY ADAPTOR§ • SUPPORTS UP TO 2 360K FLOPPIES. 720K WI DOS 3.2
• SERIAL PARALLEL, GAME PORT, CLOCK/CALENDAR
MONOCHROME 6RAPHIC!i MCT-MIO
•HERCULES COMPAT. SUPPORTS LOTUS 1-2-3 •VLSI MULTI 110 CARD S59.9S
CHIPS • PARALLEL PRINTER PORT CONFIG . AS LPT1 OR 2
• SERIAL PORT, CLOCK/ CALENDAR WIBATTERY
MCT-MGP • PARALLEL PORT IS ADDRESSABLE AS LPT1 OR LPT2
CDWR6RAPHIC!i ADAPTOR S49..!15 MCT-10
• IBM COMPATIBLE • FOR RGB, COLOR ANO COMPOSITE i!!B6/3B6 MULTIFUNCTION Sl39.95
MONO • G40/320 X 200 RESOLUTION WITH LIGHT PEN
INTERFACE DRIVE CDNTRDLLER§ • ADOS 1.5MB (3 Ml WITH OPTIONAL PIGGYBACK CARD. OK
INSTALLED) TO YOUR AT •IN CLUDES SERIAL ANO
MCT-CG PARALLEL PORTS
FWPPYIHARDCDNTRDLLER Sl39.95
ENHANCED &RAPHIC!i ADAPTOR Sl49.95 • FREES 1 SLOT IN YOUR XT SYSTEM • INTERFACES 2 MCT-AMF
• IBM COMPATIBLE, PASSES IBM EGA DIAGNOSTICS FOO'S ANO 2 HOD'S; CABLING FOR 2 FOO, 1 HOO MCT-AMF-MC 1.5MB PIGGYBACK BOARD $29.95
• 256K OF VIDEO RAM FOR G40 X 350 IN 1G OF G4 COL ORS MCT-FH (SHOWN) AIO-SERIAL 2ND SERIAL PORT $24.95
•HER CULES COMPATIBLE i!!B6/3B6 MULTI 110 CARD S59..!15
MCT-EGA FWPPYDl!iK CONTROLLER
• 1 SLOT CONTROL OF 4 FLOPPIES • INTERFACES UP TO • SERIAL, PARALLEL AND GAME PORTS • USES 16450
MDNDfiRAPHIC!i MULTI 110 Sn9.75 4 FDD'S TO IBM PC CR COMPATIBLE • OSIOO & OSIOO SERIAL SUPPORT CHIPS FOR HIGH SPEED OPERATION
• CONTROL 2 FLOPPIES, SERIAL, PARALLEL , GAME PORT, MCT-FDC MCT-AIO
CAL CLOCK • RUN COLOR GRAPHICS SOFTWARE ON
YOUR MONOCHROME MONITOR I.if! MB FWPPY CONTROLLER
MCT-MGMIO • SUPPORTS 2 DRIVES, CAN MIX 3GOK ANO 1.2MB
•LE TS DATAFLOWFREELY FROM XT'STO AT'S
i!!B6/3B6MDND6RAPHIC!i 110 S99..!15 MCT-FDC-1.2
• HOOK UP A MONOCHROME MONITOR, PARALLEL HARDDl!iKCDNTRDLLER S79.95
PRINTER, MODEM AND JOYSTICK ALL AT ONCE' • ONLY • SUPPORTS 1G DRIVE SIZES, INCLUDING 10, 20, 30,40 MB
OTHER CARD YOUR SYSTEM NEEDS IS A FLOPPY/HARD • DIVIDES 1 LARGE DRIVE INTO TWO LOGICAL DRIVES
CONTROLLER • AT COMPATIBLE • 720 X34B RESOLU­ MCT-HDC
TION, BO & 132 COLUMN TEXT • PARALLEL, SERIAL AND
GAME PORTS •HERCULES COMPATIBLE MONOGRAPHICS RLL CONTROLLER Sn9.95
• WITH SOFTWARE TO RUN COLOR GRAPHICS ON A •TRANSFERS DATA 50% FASTER! • SUPPORTS lP TO 2
MONOCHROME MONITOR RLL HARO DRIVES • FOR XT COMPATIBLES
MCT-MGAIO MCT-RLL 576K RAM CARD
i!!B6/386FWPPYIHARD Sl49.95 • SHORT SLOT • USER SELEC T ABLE CONFIGURA TION TO
• TRUE AT DESIGN • SUPPORTS lP TO TWO 3GOK/720K/ 576K • 64K AND 256K RAM CHIPS (OK INSTALLED)
1.2MBl1 .44MB FOO'S • SUPPORTS 2 HOD'S (STD. TABLES) MCT-RAM
MCT-AFH EXPANDED MEMORY CARD ' Sli!!9.95
~Bli/386 RU CONTROLLER $199.95 • 2MB LIM MEMORY(OK INSTALLED) • USER EXPANDABLE
• SUPPORTS UP TO 2 RLL HARD DRIVES AND 2 FLOPPIES TO 2 MB • CONFORMS TO LOTUS INTEL EMS
• SUPPORTS 3G01720/1 .2/ 1.44 MB FLOPPIES (5-112" & 3-112") MCT-EMS (SHOWN)
MCT-AFH-RLL MCT-AEMS 2B6/3B6 EMS CARD

Circle 6 on Reader Service Card (DEALERS: 7) APRIL 1989 • BYTE 353

 April Showers ~ ·~~ System 1800
Data Acquisition Processor™ Basic System S899
3M 5.25" Mark Q Diskettes ~ (MADE IN U.S.A.
with quality)
•lnte1802B6CPU
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354 BYTE • APRIL 1989

 EDITORIAL INDEX BY COMPANY

Index of companies covered in articles, columns, or news stories in this issue

Each reference is to the first page of the article or section in which the company name appears

INQUIRY II COMPANY PAGE INQUffiY II COMPANY PAGE INQUIRY II COMPANY PAGE

983 ADPAC ... .... .. .. ... .... .. .... .. .. 235, 246 863 COMPUTER DATA 866 INTERACTIVE DEVELOPMENT

1047 ADVANCED GRAPHIC SYSTEMS ... .. .. .. .. ..... .. ... . 235, 246 ENVIRONMENTS ........... 235, 246

APPLICATIONS ... .. ... .... ... . .... .. 97 1026 COMPUTER POWER ........... .. .... 162 1021 IRWIN MAGNETIC SYSTEMS ..... 129

1023 ADVANCED GRAVIS COMPUTER 1002 COMPUTER SCIENCES ...... 235, 246 1120 ISLANDSYSTEMS ... ........... ....... 78

TECHNOLOGY .. .... ...... ... ...... 129 858 COMPUTER SYSTEMS 1031 ITT POWERSYSTEMS ............ ... 162

986 ADVANCED LOGICAL ADVISERS .... .. .... ... ....... 235, 246

SOFTWARE ...... ... .... .... .. 235, 246 982 CONETIC SYSTEMS ..... .... ... .. .. . 135 1166 JAM ECO ELECTRONICS .... ......... 65

868 ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY 1040 COPIA INTERNATIONAL. .......... 111 1133 JURISOFT ............... .. ........ ... ... . 78

INTERNATIONAL.. .. ... .. .. 235, 246 998 CORTEX .............. ... .. .. ..... 235, 246

1016 AGS MANAGEMENT 888 CRICKET SOFTWARE .. ......... .. .. 203 1032 KA LG LO ELECTRONICS ........... 162

SYSTEMS .... ...... .. .. ...... .. 235, 246 1007 CULLINET SOFTWARE ...... 235, 246 1009 KNOWLEDGEWARE .. ..... ... 235, 246

AISIRESEARCH ......... . ......... .... 11

1103 ALSOFT ... .. ...... .. . ....... ... ..... .. .. 141 999 D. APPLETON ........ . ... ... ... 235, 246 1010 LANGUAGE

1011 AMERICAN MANAGEMENT 1072 DA SYSTEMS .. ..... .. ... ............ ... 151 TECHNOLOGY .............. 235, 246

SYSTEMS ... .............. ... .. 235, 246 1045 DATA TRANSLATION .. ....... . ..... .. 97 989 LBMS ........... ....... ............ 235, 246
1024 AMERICAN POWER 878 DELOITTE, HASKINS & 886 LETRASET USA ... .. ...... ..... 129, 203
CONVERSION ... . ... ...... . .... .... . 162 SELLS .......................... 235, 246 1022
1006 ANDERSEN CONSULTING .. 235, 246 1000 DIGITAL EQUIPMENT .. . 11, 235, 246 1038 LOGITECH INTERNATIONAL
APPLE COMPUTER ... . ......... 11, 251 DIGITAL RESEARCH ... ... ..... ..... 303 SA .... . .............. . ..... .. ...... .. ... 111

859 APPLIED BUSINESS 1101 DIGITALK ................. ... ........... 141 LOGIX ................................... 235

TECHNOLOGY . . ... ... .. .. 235, 246 1165 DRAGON SYSTEMS ....... ... ......... 65 LOTUS DEVELOPMENT .. .. .... .... 303

APPLIED MICROSYSTEMS ......... 11 1027 DRS POWER PRODUCTS ............ 162 1157 LUNDY ELECTRONICS &

1158 ARTICULATE SYSTEMS ............. 65 1126 DURHAM TECHNICAL IMAGES .. 78 SYSTEMS ..... . ... ... .. ... .... ... . 11, 65

1136 ASHTON-TATE ........ . .......... .. .... 78

873 ASYST TECHNOLOGIES ..... 235, 246 ELECTRONIC INDUSTRIES MAGNETIC POWER ............. ... ... 11

AT&T ... ... ... .. ...... ... .. .... ... .... .. ... 11 ASSOCIATION ....................... 11 1013 MANAGER SOFTWARE

ATARI. ... ............... .... .... ..... .... 251 ELECTRONIC MAIL PRODUCTS .......... ......... . 235, 246

865 ATHERTON ASSOCIATION ...................... 151 1128 MATHSOFT ..... ... ....... .. ..... ... .... 78

TECHNOLOGY .. .... .. .... .. 235, 246 1028 EMERSON COMPUTER POWER .. 162 860 MCDONNELL-DOUGLAS ... 235, 246

ATI ........ ..... .... .... ............ ... .... 157 EVEREX ......... .... ..... .. ...... .... .. 157 1075 MCI MAIL .............. ... .. . ........ .. 151

EX MACHIN A .................. .. ...... 11 985 MENTOR GRAPHICS ......... 235, 246

990 BACHMAN INFORMATION 1029 EXIDE ELECTRONICS ..... .. .... .. . 162 1014 META SYSTEMS ............... 235, 246

SYSTEMS ...................... 235, 246 1124 METROPOLIS COMPUTER

BERKELEY SPEECH FARALLON COMPUTING ........... 11 NETWORKS ..... ... .. ................ 78

TECHNOLOGY ...................... 11 FRANCIS BITTER NATIONAL 996 MICRO FOCUS ............ .. .. . 235, 246

1043 BORLAND INTERNATIONAL MAGNET LABORATORY .... ...... 11 1153 MICRO !.. ....... ...... .. .......... ..... .. 65

1044 .. ....... .. .. .. ..... ... .. ............ 97, 111 FRANKLIN COMPUTER ............ 11 887 MICROSOFT .... .... 111, 157, 203, 303

1071 BYTE .. ... ...... . ........ . .. ..... .. ....... 151 FUJITSU .. ... ..... ..... .............. ... .292 1041

FULL COLOR COMPUTING ..... .. . 11 MICROTEC RESEARCH . .. .... .... .. . 11

871 CADRE TECHNOLOGIES .... 235, 246 1169 MIRA IMAGING .. ...... ...... ..... . ... . 65

869 CADWARE ..... .............. 78, 235, 246 GENERAL ELECTRIC ................ 11 MIT ...... .... .......... ... .. .. .. .. ... .. .. .. II

1144 1030 GENERAL POWER SYSTEMS ..... 162 MITSUBISHI ..... .... .. .. ........... ... 292

CARNEGIE-MELLON GENOA ............ ..... ... ... .......... . 157 MOTOROLA ... ... ... ....... ... .......... 11

UNIVERSITY .. ............. ... 11, 209 MTXINU .. ....... ... ....... . ............ 11

1141 CASEWORKS ............................ 78 HARVARD UNIVERSITY PRESS ... 51

CENTER FOR ADVANCED HEWLETT-PACKARD ..... .... . II, 292 1001 NASTEC .................. ... .. ... 235, 246

INFORMATION HIGHLIGHTED DATA ........ ......... 11 NEC ................ .. ..................... 11

MANAGEMENT .. .. .... ... .........209 HITACHI ................ .. .... ..... 11, 292 1017 NETRON ..... .. . ................ . 235, 246

1019 CGI SYSTEMS .. ................. 235, 246 852 HOWTEK....... . .. .. ........... .... .. ... 189 1159 NETRONIX ............. ............ ..... 65

995 CHEN & ASSOCIATES ........ 235, 246 1151 NETWORK COMPUTING

CHIPS & TECHNOLOGIES ....... ... 11 867 1-LOGIX ........................... .. .. .. 246 DEVICES ...... .. ... ... ... .. .. ..... .... 65

997 CODING FACTORY ............ 235, 246 1156 IBM ..... .. .... .... .. 11, 65, 251, 292, 303 NEXT ..... ..... ..... .. ... .. ..... ... ..... .. 11

1155 COLORADO MEMORY 890 IMAGINE THAT! .............. . ... .... 197 NOVELL. ..................... ....... . ... 303

SYSTEMS . ..... .... .. .. .... .... ... .... . 65 1005 INDEX TECHNOLOGY ....... 235, 246

COMMODORE COMPUTERS ...... 251 1137 INFINITE GRAPHICS .. ...... ..... .. . 78 1123 OFFETE ENTERPRISES ....... ....... 78

1164 COMPAQ COMPUTER ...... . .... 11, 65 INFODYNE ... ....... ...... ... ... ....... 235 994 ON-LINE SOFTWARE

1042 COMPLETE LOGIC SYSTEMS ..... 111 1132 INFORMATION RESEARCH .. .. .... 78 INTERNATIONAL.. ....... .. 235, 246

1074 COMPUSERVE ... ..... . .... .. .. .... .. .. 151 INSIGNIA SOLUTIONS ............. .. 11 1003 OPTIMA .... ............ .... ...... 235, 246

1025 COMPUTER ACCESSORIES ........ 162 988 INTEGRATED SYSTEMS .... 235, 246 993 ORACLE ........... .. . ... ..... 11, 235, 246

991 COMPUTER ASSOCIATES INTEL. ................... ...... ... ........ 11

INTERNATIONAL. .......... 235, 246

APRIL 1989 • BYTE 355

INQUIRY# COMPANY PAGE INQUIRY # COMPANY PAGE INQUIRY# COMPANY PAGE

872 PANSOPHIC SYSTEMS . .... .. 235, 246 SAMSUNG ... ..... ...... ....... . ..... . .. 157 1167 ULTRA-LUM ... .. .... .... ... .. .... . ... .. 65
PARADISE . .. .... ... .. .... .... .... .. .... 157 SEAGATE . .... ... ... ... ..... .... .... .. ... 157 1034 UNISON TECHNOLOGIES .......... 162
1130 PARAGON CONCEPTS .... ... ... ..... 78 851 SHARP ELECTRONICS . .. ..... . 97, 189 1150 UNISYS ................................... 65
1102 PARCPLACE SYSTEMS . . .. .... ...... 141 1046 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
1020 PEAT MARWICK ADVANCED SILICON GRAPHICS .. .. ..... .... ..... 11 NATIONAL CENTER FOR
TECHNOLOGY ....... .... ... 235, 246 SIMON AND SCHUSTER ..... ..... ... 51 SUPERCOMPUTING
PERSONAL DATA SYSTEMS ..... ... 11 1012 SOFTLAB ............. .. ......... 235, 246 APPLICATIONS .... .... ... .... ...... 279
1039 PETER NORTON COMPUTING .... 111 1122 SOFTSCIENCE ... ......... .... .. .. .. .... 78
1018 PHOENIX TECHNOLOGIES 1125 SOFTSHELLINTERNATIONAL .... 78 875 VIASOFT ....... ......... .. .. ..... 235, 246
... .... .. " " ... .... ..... .... 235, 246, 303 1033 SOLA ELECTRIC ..... ....... .. .. ... .. 162 VIDEO SEVEN .. ................. ...... 157
PIXAR .... ..... .... ...... .... .... ... .... .267 1004 SPS SOFTWARE PRODUCTS & 876 VISIBLE SYSTEMS .. ... .... .. . 235 , 246
862 POLYTRON .. .. ..... .. ..... ...... 235, 246 SERVICES .. .... .. ... .. ... ..... 235, 246 877 VISUAL SOFTWARE .. ........ 235, 246
870 POPKIN SOFTWARE & SUN MICROSYSTEMS ... .... . .. ... ..292 1035 VITEQ .. ..... ... .... ... ... .......... .. . .. 162
SYSTEMS ... .. ........ ......... 235, 246 1162 SUPERMAC TECHNOLOGY . .. 11 , 65
861 PROMOD .. ....... ......... . ...... 235, 246 1160 SYNCH RESEARCH ... ... .. ........ ... 65 854 WELLS AMERICAN . . ... ... .. ... .... 179
1015 SYSCORP INTERNATIONAL 1168 WESTCOAST TECHNICAL &
QUADRAM ....... .. ..... .. .. .. ......... 157 ....... .. .... .... ........ ...... 78, 235, 246 HOBBY .. ... .. ... . .. ...... ... .... .... .. . 65
1143 WESTERN DIGITAL. ..... ... .... .... . 157
1163 RASTEROPS ... .... ................... .. . 65 SYSTEMS INTEGRATION 1073 WESTERN UNION ... ..... ... .. .... ... 151
992 READY SYSTEMS ...... .. ... .. 235, 246 ASSOCIATES ....... ... .. .. ..... ..... 106 981 WORD PERFECT .. ... ... ..... ... ...... 135
RELATIONAL TECHNOLOGY . ... . 11 1037 WORKMAN & ASSOCIATES ... .... 111
ROME AIR DEVELOPMENT 1121 TECHALLIANCE ... ................... 78
CENTER ........ ........ ........ .... ... II 864 TELELOGIC EUROPE ..... .... 235, 246 984 YOURDON ... ... . ..... .... .... .. . 235, 246
RR SOFTWARE ......... .. .. .. .. .. ..... I I I 1008 TEXAS INSTRUMENTS .. 11, 235, 246
1131 TLB ...... . ... .. ...... ... ... .. .. ..... ... .... 78 ZAX ..... .. .... ... ... ... .. .. ... ....... ..... 11
987 SAGE SOFTWARE .... .. ........ 235, 246 874 TRANSFORM LOGIC .. ... .... 235, 246
1048 SAK TECHNOLOGIES ... ....... ... .. . 97

COMING UP IN BYTE
PRODUCTS IN PERSPECTIVE: FEATURES:

In the front of the May BYTE will be Microbytes, What's New, and Short Our May lineup of columnists
Takes. May's Short Takes will include MultiBoot, an OS/2 booting utility begins with the Expert Advice
from Bolt Systems; Compaq's external hard disk drive subsystem; group in the front of the book:
Connectix's Virtual, a program that provides 8 megabytes of virtual RAM Jerry Pournelle's Computing at
for the Macintosh II; Lotus's Magellan; and Disk Technician Advanced, an Chaos Manor, Ezra Shapiro's
upgraded hard disk drive test and analysis program from Prime Solutions. Applications Plus, Wayne Rash's
Down to Business, Brock N.
May's Product Focus will be on three-dimensional CAD software. These Meek's COM!:, Don Crabb's
ever-more-capable programs on microcomputers are getting more popular all Macinations, and Mark
the time. Find out the state of the art in this article. Minasi 's OS/2 Notebook. Back in
the Features section , under the
System reviews will consider two hand-held computers, Sharp's Wizard and heading Hands On, our two
Psion's Organiser II. Also on the list is a comparison of the Tandon and columns are Brett Glass's Under
FiveStar systems featuring removable disk cartridges . the Hood and Rick Grehan' s
Some Assembly Required .
A couple of hardware reviews are a comparison of add-in facsimile cards In addition, we'll have a
for the Mac and a comparison of TrueScan and OmniPage scanners. feature that analyzes the latest
advancement in microcomputing
Software reviews concentrate on JPI's TopSpeed Modula-2 and Logic Gem science, quantum technology.
from Sterling Castle; application reviews deal with Samna's Ami, a plethora While standard microcomputing
of statistical analysis packages for the Mac, and Crowninshield Software's manufacturing techniques are
MediaBase. starting to reach physical size
and speed limits imposed by the
physics of electron flow,
IN DEPTH: quantum technology offers
improvements that are measured
Unix, once obscure and often difficult, is enjoying something of a flowering in orders of magnitude. If we've
of popular appreciation. With increased attention to easily absorbed user been waiting for the emergence
interfaces, more people are coming to know its speed and power. Our May of the next "breakthrough"
In Depth section looks at Unix shells, Unix communications, Unix security, technology, this may well be it.
new incarnations of Unix, and making the changeover from DOS.

356 BYTE • APRIL 1989

READER
To get further information on the products advertised in BYTE, fill out
the reader service card by circling the numbers on the card that cor­
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SERVICE liability for errors or omissions.

* Correspond directly with company.

Alphabetical Index to Advertisers

Inquiry No. Page No. Inquiry No. Page No. Inquiry No. Page No. Inquiry No. Page No.

8 2001 SALES . . . . . . . . . . . . 258 87 ELLIS COMPUTING . . ... . . 114 180 MICROPROCESSORS UNLTD. 344 267 SUNFLEX .. 143
9 2001 SALES . . ............ 258 88 EMERSON COMPUTER POWER 181 181 MICRORIM . . . . . ... 118,119 268 SUNFLEX . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . 143
10 ABRAXAS SOFJW ARE . . . 242 89 EMERSON COMPUTER POWER181 182 MICRORIM . . . . . . 118, 119 269 SUPERSOFT . . . 296
316 ACCESS GRAPHICS TECH. . 225 90 EMPIRICAL RESEARCH SYS . . 298 MICROSOFT . . . . . . . .. 13 270 SURAH INC .....•. • . • . • .... 337
11 ACM SIGGRAPH '89 . ........ 281 91 ENGINEERS COLLABORATIVE337 MICROSOFT . ....... ... . . 92,93
271 SYSGEN .. . ... .• . • . . . .. . .. 16A

ADOBE ............. . ...... 75 92 EPSON ACCESSORIES . . . . 334 183 MICROSTAR LABORATORIES . 354 272 SYSTAT .. . .. . .. 271
13 ADVANCEDCOMPUTERPROD. 345 93 EVEREX COMPUTER SYS .. 28,29 184 MICROTECH CONVER.SYS . . 337 273 SYSTAT. . .. . . 271
14 ADVANCED LOGIC RES .. . . 76,77 94 EVEREX COMPUTER SYS.. 28,29 186 MICROWAY .... ....... ...... 55
274 S-100 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
15 ADVANCED LOGIC RES . ... 76,77 95 EXECUTIVE PHOTO & SUPPLY 177 MICROWAY ........ .. . ..... 241
275 TALKING TECHNOLOGY . . . 340
16 ADVANTAGE SOFTWARE . ... 215 96 FLAGSTAFF ENGINEERING . . 110 187 MIRO DATENSYTTEME . .... 273 276 TATUNG . . ... 278
17 AK SYSTEMS .............. 340 97 FLAGSTAFF ENGINEERING .. 110 188 MITSUBISHI . . . . . 115 277 TELCOR .. . . 212
18 ALADDIN KNOWLEDGE SYS .. 144 98 FLAGSTAFF ENGINEERING . . 110 189 MITSUBISHI . . . . .. . . . 115 278 TELEBIT ... . .... .. ... . . ... 103
19 ALPHA PRODUCTS CO.. . 348,349 99 FLAGSTAFF ENGINEERING . . 110 190 MITSUBISHI . . . ...... 254 ,255 279 TELEBYTE TECHNOLOGY . ... 52
20 ALTEX ELECTRONICS . . .. . .. 171 100 FORESIGHT RESOURCES . .. . 39 191 MITSUBISHI . . . . . . . . 254,255 280 TELEMART . . . . . 223
21 AMERICAN POWER CONVRSN. 138 101 FORESIGHT RESOURCES . ... 39 192 MIX SOFTWARE . . . . 317 281 TELEMART . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
22 AMERICAN SM. BUS .COMP. . 287 FORTE-COMMUNICATIONS INC.58 MONTGOMERY GRANT . . . 219 282 TOSHIBA COMPUTERS . . . 88,89
' AMPRO . . .. . .... ... 200 102 FORTRON CORP. . . .. 30 193 NANAO . . . . . . . 266 283 TOSHIBA COMPUTERS . . . . 88,89
23 AMS. .. . .... . .. . . . ... 344 103 FORTRON CORP.. . ...... 30 194 NANAO . . . . . . . . . . 266 284 TOUCHBASE SYSTEMS, INC .. 16D
24 ANALOGY CORP... .. ... 332,333 104 FOX SOFTWARE . . .. ...... . .. 25 195 NANTUCKET ....... ... .. .... 26
329 TRUE DATA PRODUCTS . . 112
25 ANNABOOKS . . 330 105 FTG DATA SYSTEMS .. .... . . 334 317 NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS ... 145 285 TRUEVISION . . . . . 173
* ANTHRO. .. . ... .. ... 42 319 FU TURE COMPUTER SYS .... 101 318 NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS ... 145 286 TWIX INT'L. . . . . 340
26 AST RESEARCH . . . . 185-187 320 FUTURE COMPUTER SYS .... 101 ' NEC HOME ELECT. (USA) .. 48,49 287 T .S.I. . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
27 AST RESEARCH . . . .. . . 185-187 107 GAAN COMPUTER SUPPLIES 344 NEC INFORMATION SYSTEMS Clll 288 T .S.I. . . . . . . . . . 195
30 ATITECHNOLOGIES . ...... . 35 108 GATEWAY 2000 . . ..... .. ... 8,9 324 NISCA, INC. . . . 234 289 US ROBOTICS . . .. 61
31 ATRON . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 64 109 GENERALELECTRIC(GEISCO) 50 198 NOHAU CORP. . . 334 330 V 3 CORP . . .......... .. . . . 257

' AVIS . ..... . . ..... 263 110 GENERIC SOFTWARE. . . 261 199 NUMONICS . . . . . . . . • . • . . . 265 33 VENTURA PERIPHERALS .... 285
34 . A.N. WHOLESALE & RETAIL . . 335 111 GENERIC SOFTWARE .... 261 200 ON LINE STORE . . . . . . . . . . . 243 291 VERBATIM CORPORATION . . . 153
35 BASF .... . ... . .. 43 112 GENOA SYSTEMS CORP..... 253 201 ON TARGET ....... .. ... 340
VERMONT CREATIVE . .. . . 10
36 BAYTECH . . . . . . . . . ...... 156 113 GENUS ...... . .. .. ........ 286 ' ORACLE ................... 73
292 VERSASOFT CORPORATION .. 86
37 BEST COMPUTER . . . . 140 114 GEYSER INFORMATICS .. ... 193 202 OVERLAND DATA . . . . .. 336 293 VNS AMERICA . . . .. .. . 148, 149
38 BEST COMPUTER . . . . . . . . 140 115 GOLDEN BOW .. . 205 203 PACIFIC COMPUTER . . .. 331 294 VNS AMERICA . . . . . . . . 24 7
39 BINARY ENGINEERING . .. ... 275 116 GOLDEN BOW ...... 205 204 PACIFIC COMPUTER . . . . 331 315 WAREHOUSE DATA .. . .. ... . 220
BINARY TECHNOLOGY ..... . 340 117 GOODWAY . . . . ............ 60 205 PACIFIC DATA PRODUCTS ... 127 295 WELLS AMERICAN (DOMESTIC) 31
40 BIOLOGICAL ENGINEERING .. 176 118 GTEK ... .. . . 310 206 PACIFIC DATA PRODUCTS .. 127 296 WELLS AMERICAN (INT'L) ..... 31
BIX . . .. . ............. .. .. . 272 119 GTEK . . ...... .. .. . .. . ..... 310 209 PARASYSTEMS . ......... . 167
297 WELTEK DIGITAL INC . . . . .. 244
450 BIX. . . . . . . . . ........ 290,291 120 HAMMERLY COMP. SERV . . .. . 87 210 PARC PLACE SYSTEMS . .... .. 53 298 WELTEK DIGITAL INC . .. . . ... 244
41 BLAISE . . . . . . . . . 45 121 HARRIS/3M . . . .. .. ..... 154, 155 211 PATTON & PATTON ........ . . 122
299 WIESEMANN & THEIS .. .... . 126
42 BORLAND .................. 69 122 HEWLETT PACKARD PERIPH.36,37 212 PAUL MACE SOFTWARE ..... 256 300 WINTEK . . . . .. 5
43 BORLAND . . . . . . . . . . . .. 69 123 HEWLETT PACKARD PERIPH. 133 213 PD SOFTWARE HOUSE .. . .. . . 40 301 WINTEK . . . . . . . . ... . .... 342

44 BP MICROSYSTEMS . . 338 124 HEWLETT PACKARD PERIPH. 134 214 PERISCOPE . . . . . . ... . .. 123 302 XEL TEK . . . . . . . . . . 336
45 BUFFALO PRODUCTS .. .. .. . 259 125 HI TECH EQUIPMENT CORP.. 338 215 PERISCOPE . . .... . 123 303 XENTEK . . . . . . . . ..... . . . 342

46 BUFFALO PRODUCTS . .... . . 259 126 HIGH RES TECHNOLOGY . 338 216 PERSONAL SPACE COMM ... . 336 304 ZENITH ............. . ..... 147

47 BUMBLEBEE SOFTWARE . . .. . 52 127 HOOLEON .. 96 217 PERSONAL TEX . . .. . . . 274 305 ZEOS INTERNATIONAL . ... 56,57
BUYER'S MART .. 319-329 128 HOOLEON ................. 96 322 PETER NORTON .... . 16B,16C 306 ZERICON . . . .. 131
BYTE BACK ISSUES ... . . .. ... 94 129 HORSTMANN SOFTWARE .... 34 323 PETER NORTON . .... .. 169,16C 307 ZERICON .. 131
48 BYTE BITS . ... . . . 338 130 HWA HSIN ELECTRONIC CO . .. 84 218 PHAR LAP ... . . . ... 46 308 ZORTECH . ... .. . ... .. .... . 159
• BYTE BOOK CLUB . . . . 160,161 131 IC EXPRESS .. . ......... . . 342 219 POCKETSOFT .... . 95 309 Z-WORLD . . . . . • . . . . . .. 354
BYTE SUB . MESSAGE ... 184,315 133 IEEE . . ..... 116 220 POLYTRON . . .. . ......... .. 208
310 Z-WORLD .......... . . 354

BYTE SUB SERVICE . . .. .. . . 282 134 IMPACT COMPUTER SYSTEMS286 221 PRECISION DATA PRODUCTS 354
' BYTE TIPS . .... . ....... . .. 330 ' INTECTRA INC.. . . .. 337 222 PRECISION PLUS SOFTWARE . 60
49 BYTEK COMP. CORP . ..... .. 342 135 INTEGRAND . . . 174 325 PRIME SOLUTIONS . ....... . 213
INTERNATIONAL SECTION 96 IS 1-56
BYTEWEEK/NEWSLETTER . . . 234 136 INTELLITECH . .. .. .. . .. .... 175 326 PRIME SOLUTIONS .... . . . . . 213 No North American Inquiries please.
321 B&B ELECTRONICS ... ..... . 334 137 INTERACTIVE SYSTEMS . . ... 7 223 PROGRAMMER'S PARADISE62,63
50 B&C MICROSYSTEMS . ...... 337 138 10 TECH ... 142 224 PROGRAMMER'S SHOP . . . .. 114 401 ACME TECHNOLOGY . . . 961S-54
51 B&C MICROSYSTEMS .... . .. 337 139 10 TECH . . . . . .. 336 225 PROTECH MARKETING . ..... 102 402 BERING INFORMATION C0.961S· 55
327 CADRE TECHNOLOGIES, INC. 214 140 JAME CO . . . . . . . . . . ... 346,34 7 226 PROTECH MARKETING . . .. .. 102 403 BESTCOMMUNICATION . 961S-55
52 CAD WAREHOUSE . . .... 283 141 JBCOMPU-TRONIX .. . .. 344 227 PROTEUS TECH. CORP.... . .. 27 404 BIX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 961S-42
53 CALCOMP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250 142 JEIKO ...... . .. . .......... 344 228 PROXIMITY . . 244 405 BLUE CHIP TECHNOLOGY 961S-30
54 CALCOMP . . . , .. .... 250 ·143 JENSEN & PARTNERS ... . ... 125 229 PROXIMITY. . . .. . 244 BYTE PUBLICATION . . . . . 961S·43
CALIFORNIA DIGITAL . . ..... 343 6 J.D.R. MICRODEVICES . . 350-353 230 QUADRAM . 248 BYTE BACK ISSUES . . 961S-26
55 CAPITAL EQUIPMENT .... . . . 120 7 J.D.R. MICRODEVICES .. 350-353 231 QUADRAM . . . . . . . . ...... 248 455 BYTE BITS . . . . . . . . . . . . 961S-32
56 CAPITALEQUIPMENT .. ... .. 121 132 J-TECH CORP. . . ..... 344 232 QUALSTAR CORP. . . .. 335 BYTE INT 'L. POSTCARDS 961S-36
57 CIS (LEE YUAN CO.) .. . . . ... .. 54 144 KADAK . . . . . . . . . .... 335 233 QUANTUM . . . . . . .. 91 BYTE SUB .MESSAGE . . 961S-34
CLEO SOFTWARE ......... . 128 145 KEA SYSTEMS . . . .. .. . . .. .. 344 234 QUARTERDECK . . . .. 22 BYTE SUB.SERVICE . . 961S-38
59 COEFFICIENT SYSTEMS . . ... 218 146 KNOWLEDGE GARDEN . . . 201 235 QUARTERDECK . . . .. 22 BYTEWEEK/NEWSLETTER961S-44
' COMPACTDISKCLUB ... . . .. 245 147 KORE, INC... . ............. 334 236 QUARTERDECK . . . . .... 23 CALEND 961S-27
332 COMPACT DISK PRODUCTS .. 298 148 KYE INTERNATIONAL CO .. . . . 188 237 QUARTERDECK . . . . .. 23 406 CIS. . . . . . . . 961S-56
60 COMPUCLASSICS . . 117 149 KYE INTERNATIONAL CO .... 188 238 QUATECH . . 342 407 COMPUSENSE LTD. 961S-28
61 COMPUCOM ....... . ....... 330 150 LA COMPUTER . . . . . . 339 239 QUATECH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 342 408 CUBIX . . . . . . . . . . . 961S-17
62 COMPUSAVE . . . . . . . . .. 331 151 LA COMPUTER . .. . . .... . ... 339 240 QUATECH ........ . . . ...... 342
409 DATEX SYSTEMS . . 961S-23
63 COMPUTER FRIENDS ..... 44 152 LAHEY COMPUTER SYSTEMS 218 241 QUATECH . . . . . . . . 342 410 ELONEX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 961S-29
328 COMPUTER FRIENDS ....... 295 154 LAN-MARK SYSTEMS . . .... . 334 242 RADIO SHACK . . . . . CIV 411 FORMOSA MICROSYS.INC. 961S-47
64 COMPUTER MAIL ORDER .. 82,83 155 LINK COMPUTER GRAPHICS . 340 243 RADIO SHACK . . . . . .. .. . . . 139 413 GAMMA PRODUCTIONS . 961S-18
65 COMPUTERLANE . 302 156 LOGICAL DEVICES . . . . 336 RAIMA . . ... ...... . . ... 47 414 GIGA·BYTE . . . . 961S-54
66 COMPUTRADE . . . . . . . . .. 100 157 LOGICAL DEVICES . . . .. 336 313 RAINBOWTECH .. . . . . . . 105 415 GOODWAY . . . . . . . 961S-56
67 CONTECH COMP. CORP. . .. 338 158 LOGICAL DEVICES .. .. .... . . 336 314 RAINBOW TECH . . . . . 105 416 GREY MATTER .... . .. 961S-37
68 CONTROL SYSTEMS . . . . ... 248B 159 LOGICAL DEVICES .......... 336
245 RCS ........ . .. . . . . . . ..... 54
417 HWAHSINELECT. CO. 961S-51
69 CONTROL SYSTEMS ....... 2488 311 LOGITECH . 70,71 246 REAL TIME DEVICES . . ... . . . 337 418 IX I LIMITED . 961S-32
70 CONTROL VISION . . .. 336 312 LOGITECH .. . . .. . ....... 70,71
247 RENEGADE TECHNOLOGY 14, 15 420 IN WIN DEVELOPMENT . . 961S-55
71 CORECO . . .......... 264 • MACMILLAN BOOK CLUB ... . . 17 248 ROSE ELECTRONICS .. . .... 150 421 INES . . . . . . . . . 961S-24
72 covox . . . . . . . . . ... 334 333 MANUFACT. HANOVER TRUST 229 249 SABINA INT'L. . ..... ... 335 422 INTERQUADRAM . 961S-5
• CW DATA LABS ............. 344 162 MANX SOFTWARE SYSTEMS .. 85 252 SAFEWARE INC. . . 340 423 INTERQUADRAM ... .. 961S-7
73 C-SOURCE . .. ...... . .... . . 289 163 MAP INFO. . . ......... . . 19 253 SAIC ..... . .. . ..... ... ... . 1 02 424 INTERQUADRAM 961S-9
* DAMARK INTERNATIONALINC.130 164 MARYMAC INDUSTRIES . 337 254 SAIC .. . . .. . .... .. ........ 1 02
425 INTL MICRO SOLUTIONS . 961S-2
74 DATA TRANSLATION .. . ..... . 33 165 MATHSOFT. . .. 67 255 SANTACRUZ OPERATION . ... 79 426 INTL MICRO SOLUTIONS . 961S-2
DAYTRON ELECTRONICS . .. . 335 166 MATRIX . . 59 256 SCHWAB COMP .... ..... ... 354 427 INTRA ELECTRONICS CO. 961S-50
77 DELL COMPUTER ......... Cll,1 167 MAXON .. . . 269 257 SCIENCEACCESSORIES .. .. 277 428 KADOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 961S-30
' DELL COMPUTER . . . . 44A,B 168 MAXON . . . . . . . . . . . ... 269 SEAGATE . . . . 137 429 MAYFAIR MICROS ...... 961S-39
78 DIGIT ALK . . . . . . . . 41 MCGRAW-HILL NRI ...... 272A,B 258 SHAMROCK . . . . . . . . . . .... 217 453 MERIDIAN TECHNOLOGY 961S-41
79 DISKCOTECH . . ... . ........ 338 170 MEAD COMPUTER. . . . . . . . . 341 259 SHECOM COMPUTERS . . . ... 202 454 MERIDIAN TECHNOLOGY 961S-41
80 DISKETTE CONNECTION . . .. 335 171 MEDIA CYBERNE TICS INC ... 196 260 SHECOM COMPUTERS . . . 202 447 MICROMINT/J .B.DESIGNS 961S-14
81 DIVERSIFIED COMPUTER . . . . 340 172 MEDIA CYBERNETICS INC . .. . 196 261 SILICON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 ' MICROCOMP. MKTG.CNCL. . . 961S-40
331 DIVERSIFIED TECHNOLOGY . 342 173 MEGASOFT . . . . 335 262 SN'W ELECTRONICS ....... . . 38
430 MICRON TECH. 961S-25
82 DTK . . . . . . . . 178 174 MEGATEL .... . ..... . . . .... 318 SOFTWARE DEV. SYS ........ 99
431 MICRO TECHNOLOGY . . . 961S-33
83 DTK .. .. . ... . ...... . ...... 178 175 MERRITT COMPUTER PROD . 318 263 SOTA.. . .. 21 432 NEST TECHNOLOGIES . . 961S-51
84 DYNAMIC ELECTRONICS ... . 338 177 MICRO TELEIS . . .... 216 264 SPECTRUM . . . . . 81 433 NOVELL DEVELOPMENT 961S-15
85 ECOSOFT ............. . ... 146 178 MICROVITEC . . 24 265 STATSOFT ............ .. . . 113
451 PACIFIC DATA PROD . . ... 961S-13
86 ELEXOR . . 340 179 MICROVITEC . . 24 266 SUITABLE SOLUTIONS . . ... 354 Continued
APRIL 1989 • BYTE 357
READER Advertising Supplements included with this issue:
Jade Computer (U.S . and Canada Subscribers)

SERVICE
BYTE WEEK (Mid-Atlantic, South, Pacific Coast,
and Canada Subscribers)

Inquiry No. Page No. Inquiry No. Page No. Inquir y No. Page No . Inquiry No. Page No.

Continued BYTE WAREHOUSE/SALE. MW-15 COMPUTERS FOR THE BLIND . M/AT-2 477 DIGIFONTS ............. .. PC-7

452 PACIFIC DATA PROD.. 961S-13 BYTEWEEK/NEWSLETTEA . MW-6 509 GOLDEN BOW SYSTEMS . M/AT-1 DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORP. PC-5
434 PC CALC . . . . 961S-24 541 COMPARE COMPUTERS . . . MW-7 510 GOLDEN BOW SYSTEMS . M/AT-1 478 GOLDEN BOW SYSTEMS ... PC-1
435 RCS TECHNOLOGY CORP. 961S-51 COMPUTERS FOR THE BLIND . . MW-4 479 GOLDEN BOW SYSTEMS PC· 1
436 RING DALE PERIPHERALS 961S·31 542 CONTINENTAL TRADING. MW-18,1 9 480 ISLAND SYSTEMS .. PC-12
43 7 SIEMENS . . . . . . . . 961S-21 543 CONTINENTAL TRADING. MW-18, 19 Northeast 96 NE1 - 16 481 JB TECHNOLOGIES. . .... PC-9
438 SILICON INTEGRATED SYS.961S-52 546 HARD DRIVES INT'l. . . . . MW-20 482 MEXTEL . . . . . . . . . .... PC-2
• SOFTLINE CORPORATION 961S·35 547 HARD DRIVES INT'L. .... . MW-20 515 APPLIED PAOG. ELEC ...... NE-9 483 MICRO UNIVERSE . . ...... PC-12
440 SUN MICROSYSTEMS ... 961S-19 548 ISO.. ... .. ..... MW-9 516 BOSTON UNIVERSITY CORP. NE-3 484 MID-CITIES COMP/SOFT. . . PC-3
448 TAIWANVIDEO&MONITOA961S-49 549 ISO.. .... .. .. . .. MW-9 BYTEWEEK/NEWSLETTEA. NE-14 485 P.11 ELECTRONICS. . .. PC-6
441 TOPLINK . 961S-48 550 ISLAND SYSTEMS . . . .. MW-2 517 COMMUNICATION AES.GAP. NE-12 486 P .11 ELECTRONICS ........ PC-6

442 TRIANGLE DIGITAL . . 961S-28 551 LASER MASTER .......... MW-3 COMPUTERSFORTHEBLIND .. NE-10 487 AEASONABLESOLUTIONS PC-11
443 UNITECH 961S-20 552 LASER MASTER .... . ..... MW-3 518 DATAWARE PRODUCTS . .... NE-6 488 SEVERE DISCOUNT COMP.. PC-4
444 UNITRON INC. . . . . . . 961S-53 • MCGRAW-HILL BOOKS .. MW-22 519 DATAWAAE PRODUCTS ... . . NE-6
445 USA SOFTWARE . . . . 961S-11 553 MEXTEL .... . . MW-21 520 ELECTRIFIED DISCOUNTERS ... NE-11
MICROCOMP. MKTG.CNCL. .. MW-13 521 GOLDEN BOW SYSTEMS ... NE-5 South 96 s o1 - 12
INT'L DIRECT RESPONSE POSTCARD S 554 N VIEW.... .. ....... MW-1 522 GOLDEN BOW SYSTEMS ... NE-5
555 NET LOGIC . . . . . . . . . . . MW-17 523 HERTZ COMPUTERS . .. NE-13 493 4 GUYS COMPUTERS . . S0-2
556 NEWER TECHNOLOGY .... MW-8 524 LOGIX ................... NE-8
495 BELTRON COMPUTER ..... S0-3
ATTACHMATE .. .. 961S
557 D.S. ASSOCIATES ....... MW-21 525 LOGIX.. . .. NE-8 BYTEWEEK/NEWSLETTEA .. S0-8
B&S MULTISOFTGMBH ... . 961S
558 D.S. ASSOCIATES ....... MW-21 526 LOGIX. . ..... ....... . .. NE-8
496 COMP. MASTERS OF AUG . .. S0-6
CINEMAGIC PRODUCTIONS. 961S
559 UNDEAWAAE ELECT...... MW-24 MANCHESTER EQUIP ...... NE-1 COMPUTERS FOR THE BLIND S0-9
LINGUISTIC PRODUCTS .... 961S
560 U.S. MICRO ENGINEERING MW-23 MANCHESTER EQUIP .. NE-CARD 506 COMTEQ COMP. CORP .... S0-11
METAABYTE. . ........... 961S
561 U.S. MICRO ENGINEERING MW-23 527 PATRIOT COMPUTERS .. NE-4 499 COWELL CORPORATION ... S0-4
NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS .. 961S
562 USER FAIENDLY . . .. MW-23 528 PC LINK .................. NE-7
500 COWELL CORPORATION .. S0-4
NILS WENDEL CO.......... 961S
564 VITEQ . . . MW-11 529 SOFTWARE BOTTLING CO. NE- 15 504 DRS POWER PRODUCTS . S0 -11
SOFTWARE EXCITEMENT . . . 961S
TOUCH BASE SYSTEMS .. . .. 961S 565 VITEQ .. ... .. MW-11 530 TAN COMPUTER ......... NE-10
505 DAS PO WER PRODUCTS .. S0 -11
566 Y.E.S. MULTINATIONAL, INC.MW-5 531 UNDEAWAAE ELECTAONICSNE-16 EXPOCONSUL INT'L. . .. S0-7
532 WESTWOOD COMPUTER ... NE-2 501 HARD DRIVES INT"L. ....... S0-5
REGIONAL SECTIONS 502 HARD DRIVES INT'L. . . .. S0-5
Mid-A tlan tic 96M/AT1-8 MICROCOMP. MKTG.CNCL. . S0-10
Midwest 96MW1 -24 Pacific Coa st 96 PC1-12 PAINTERS PLUS, INC. . . S0-1
BYTE TIPS . .......... .. M/AT-4 SM INDUSTRIES ......... S0-9
539 BUSINESS MICRO SYS. . . MW-17 BYTEWEEK/NEWSLETTEA M/AT-5 476 4 GUYS COMPUTERS . . ... PC-6 503 UNDERWAAE ELECTAONICSS0-12
540 BUSINESS MICRO SYS... MW-17 508 COMMUNICATION RES.GAP. . . M/AT-3 • BYTEWEEK/NEWSLETTEA .. PC-8 • Correspond directly with company.

BYTE ADVERTISING SALES STAFF:

Steven M. Vito, Associate Publisher/V.P. of Marketing, One Phoenix Mill Lane, Peterborough, NH 03458, tel. (603) 924-9281
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Bill McAfee (408) 879-0371 BYTE Publications
McGraw-Hill Publications One Phoenix Mill Lane
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Suite #2i0
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International Advertising Sales Staff:

Mr. Hans Csokor Karen Lennie Mrs. Maria Sarmiento Seavex Ltd. Masaki Mori
Publimedia McGraw-Hill Publishing Co. Pedro Teixeira 8, Off. 320 4000rchard Road. #I0 -01 McGraw-Hill Publishing Co.
Reisnerstrasse 61 34 Dover St. Iberia Mart I Singapore 0923 Overseas Corp.
A-1037 Vienna. Austria London WIX4BR Madrid 4, Spain Republic of Singapore Room 1528
222 75 76 84 England 01493 1451 I 45 52 891 Tel: 734-9790 Kasumigaseki Bldg.
Telex: RS35539 SEAVEX 3-2-5 Kasumigaseki,
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McGraw-Hill Publishing Co. Andrew Karnig & Associates NlcGraw-Hill J!ublishing Co. Seavex Ltd. Tokyo IOO. Japan
PO Box 2 156 Finnbodavagen Via Flavio Baracchini I 503 Wilson House 3 581 9811
Bat Yam, 59121 lsrael S-13131 Nacka, Sweden 20i23 Milan. Italy 19-27 Wyndham St.
3 866 561 321 39 8-440005 (2) 89010i03
i:1~t;a~6~f~§Kong Mr. Ernest Mccrary
Empresa Internacional de
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Serving Germany, Austria, & Switzerland McGraw-Hill Publishing Co. Rua da Consolacao, 222
McGraw-Hill Publishing Co. 128 Faubourg Saint Honore Conjunto 103
34 Dover St. 75008 Paris 01302 Sao Paulo. S. P.. Brasil
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England Oi 493 1451 (I) 42-89-03-81 Telex: (100) 32122 EMBN

358 B YT E • APRIL 1989

READER
To get further information on the products advertised in BYTE, fill out
the reader service card by circling the numbers on the card that cor­
respond to the inquiry number listed with the advertiser. This index is
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SERVICE liability for errors or omissions.

• Correspond directly with company.

Index to Advertisers by Product Category

Inquiry No. Page No. Inquiry No . Page No. Inquiry No. Page No. Inquiry No. Page No.

406 CIS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 961S-56

313 RAINBOW TECH .. 105
318 NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS . 145

HARDWARE 57 CIS (LEE YUAN CO.).. ..54

314 RAINBOW TECH . 105
211 PATTON & PATTON . 122

202 OVERLAND DATA . 336

217 PERSONALTEX . 274

232 QUALSTAR CORP. . . . . . . . . . 335

813 SYSTEMS 264 SPECTRUM. .... 81

291 VERBATIM CORPORATION . 153

265 STATSOFT ......... ..... . 113

800 ADD INS 401 ACME TECHNOLOGY .. . .. . 961S-54

267 SUNFLEX 143

316 ACCESS GRAPHICS TECH. 225

MISCELLANEOUS 14 ADVANCED LOGIC RES. . 76,77
268 SUNFLEX ...... . •• .. . • • .. 143

19 ALPHA PRODUCTS CO.... .. 348,349

15 ADVANCED LOGIC RES. . 76, 77
272 SYSTAT .. 271

ANTHRO ..... . ..... . . .... . . . .. 42

~~o .... . . .. 200
273 SYSTAT . 271

23 AMS ...... .. ................ 344

30 A Tl TECHNOLOGIES . . . . ... 35
91 ENGINEERS COLLABORATIVE. 337
26 AST RESEARCH . 185-187

403 BEST COMMUNICATION 961S·55 121 HARRIS/3M ...... . ... . 154,155

27 AST RESEARCH .... 185-187
817 IBM/MSDOS-CAD
405 BLUE CHIP TECHNOLOGY .. 961S-30
420 IN WIN DEVELOPMENT ..... 961S-55
37 BEST COMPUTER . 140

INTECTRA INC 337

38 BEST COMPUTER .. .. .. .. .. .. 140
22 AMERICAN SM. BUS. COMP. 287

50 B&C MICROSYSTEMS . 337

100 FORESIGHT RESOURCES ....... 39

51 B&C MICROSYSTEMS . 337

135 INTEGRAND . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
539 BUSINESS MICRO SYS.... 96MW-17
428 KADOR .. . . .. . .. .. .. .. . . 961S-30
540 BUSINESS MICRO SYS.... 96MW-17
101 FORESIGHT RESOURCES ....... 39

55 CAPITAL EQUIPMENT 120

300 WINTEK ... 5

184 MICROTECH CONV. SYS. 337

66 COMPUTRADE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

56 CAPITAL EQUIPMENT ... . ..... 121

301 WINTEK 342

68 CONTROL SYSTEMS ......... 2486

554 N VIEW . . 96MW-1
506 COMTEOCOMP.CORP. 96S0-11

69 CONTROL SYSTEMS . . . 2486

245 RCS .. .. .......... .. . . ...... . 54
DELL COMPUTER .. 44A,B

435 RCS TECHNOLOGY CORP. . 961S-51

77 DELL COMPUTER . ...... .... . Cll, 1
818 IBM/MSDOS-LAN
70 CONTROL VISION . 336

72 covox . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 334
286 TWIX INT'L . 340
82 DTK . . . ... .. . .. . 178

83 DTK . . . . . . . . . 178
74 DATA TRANSLATION ... .. 33

408 CUBIX . ... .... . . .. . .. .. .. 961S-17

555 NETLOGIC .. 96MW-17

331 DIVERSIFIED TECHNOLOGY . 342

806 MODEMS/MULTIPLEXORS 410 ELONEX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 961S-29

411 FORMOSA MICROSYS.INC... 961S-47

93 EVEREX COMPUTER SYS..... 28,29

403 BEST COMMUNICATION . . 961S-55

819 IBM/MSDOS-GRAPHICS
112 GENOASYSTEMSCORP.. 253
94 EVEREX COMPUTER SYS..... 28,29

CLEO SOFTWARE . 128

102 FORTRON CORP.. . .... 30
DAYTRON ELECTRONICS . 335

118 GTEK 310

61 COMPUCOM . . . . . . . . .. . 330

119 GTEK. .. ..... 310

103 FORTRON CORP.. . 30
113 GENUS .. .. .. .. .. 286

499 COWELL CORPORATION ... 96S0-4

108 GATEWAY2000 . . . 8,9
480 ISLAND SYSTEMS . . 96PC-12

4 21 INES .. .. .. .. .. .. 961S-24
500 COWELL CORPORATION ... 96S0-4

422 INTEROUADRAM . 96IS-5

414 GIGA-BYTE.. .. . . . .. . . 961S-54
550 ISLAND SYSTEMS . . ... 96MW-2

277 TELCOR . 212

523 HERTZ COMPUTERS ... .. . 96NE-13
145 KEA SYSTEMS . . . . . . . . . . . 344

423 INTERQUADRAM . . 961S-7

278 TELEBIT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

424 INTEROUADRAM . . 961S-9

130 HWA HSIN ELECTRONIC CO. . 84
171 MEDIA CYBERNETICS INC... 196

284 TOUCHBASE SYSTEMS, INC. ... 16D

417 HWA HSIN ELEC. CO. . 961S-51
172 MEDIA CYBERNETICS INC.. 196

138 10 TECH . . 142

289 US ROBOTICS . . 61

139 10 TECH . . . . . . . . . . . 336

133 IEEE 116
212 PAUL MACE SOFTWARE . 256

141 JB COMPU·TRONIX . ......... 344

548 ISO. . . 96MW-9
485 P.11 ELECTRONICS .. 96P.C-6

807 MONITORS 549 ISO. . . ..... .... .. ...... 96MW-9

551 LASER MASTER . . . . 96MW-3

486 P.11 ELECTRONICS. 96PC-6

552 LASER MASTER . 96MW-3

132 J.TECH CORP. . .. 344

402 BERING INFORMATION CO... 961S-55

524 LOGIX . 96NE-8

167 MAXON 269

427 INTRA ELECTRONICS CO. . 961S·50
820 IBM/MSDOS-LANGUAGES
168 MAXON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
525 LOGIX . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . 96NE-8

178 MICROVITEC . .24

526 LOGIX . . . 96NE-8
CALEND . . ..... ... ..... 961S·27
430 MICRON TECH . .. . . ..... .. 961S-25
179 MICROVITEC . ............. .... 24

183 MICROSTAR LABORATORIES 354

174 MEGATEL ..... 318
87 ELLIS COMPUTING ...... .... 114

190 MITSUBISHI 254,255

177 MICRO TELEIS . 216

187 MIRO DATENSYTTEME . . . . . . . . 273

120 HAMMERLY COMP. SERV. . . . 87

191 MITSUBISHI ... ..... ...... 254,255

188 MITSUBISHI . 115
136 INTELLITECH . . . . . . . . 175

432 NEST TECHNOLOGIES . .... 961S-51

193 NANAO . 266

556 NEWER TECHNOLOGY ..... 96MW-8

189 MITSUBISHI .... ... .......... 115
143 JENSEN & PARTNERS ......... 125

194 NANAO .. . .. .. .. .. .. .. . 266

NEC INFORMATION SYSTEMS ... Clll

198 NOHAU CORP. . . . . . . . . . . 334

NEC HOME ELEC. (USA) . . 48,49
152 LAHEYCOMPUTERSYSTEMS . 218

216 PERSONAL SPACE COMM. . 336

528 PC LINK . ...... . ... . .. 96NE-7
156 LOGICAL DEVICES . 336

448 TAIWAN VIDEO & MONllOR .. 96IS-49

227 PROTEUS TECH. CORP. . . 27
157 LOGICAL DEVICES ......... 336

230 OUADRAM 248

276 TATUNG . . 278
242 RADIO SHACK .. . . CIV

231 OUAORAM . . . 248

162 MANX SOFTWARE SYSTEMS .. . . . 85

238 QUATECH . . . 342

243 RADIO SHACK . . . . . . . . . . . 139
MICROSOFT. . . ... 13

808 NETWORK HARDWARE 247 RENEGADE TECHNOLOGY .. . 14,15

MICROSOFT . . . 92,93

239 OUATECH . 342

BAYTECH . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
437 SIEMENS ....... .. ....... 961S-21
253 SAIC . . 102

240 OUATECH .. .. .. .. . .. • . 342

36
241 OUATECH .... .. .. .. 342
45 BUFFALO PRODUCTS . . 259
262 SN'W ELECTRONICS. . . .. 38
254 SAIC . 102

440 SUN MICROSYSTEMS . . 961S-19

246 REAL TIME DEVICES 337

46 BUFFALO PRODUCTS ......... 259

261 SILICON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 18

408 CUBIX . . . . . . . . . . . . 961S-17
530 TAN COMPUTER . 96NE-10
821 IBM/MSDOS-UTILITIES
438 SILICON INTEGRATED SYS.. . 961S-52
409 OATEX SYSTEMS. . . . . . 961S-23
441 TOPLINK . . . . . . . . . . . . . 961S-48

282 TOSHIBA COMPUTERS . . . . 88,89

10 ABRAXAS SOFTWARE . 242

263 SOTA . ..... ...... ............ 21

154 LAN-MARK SYSTEMS . . . . . . 334
31 ATRON . . .64

266 SUITABLE SOLUTIONS . . 354

555 NET LOGIC .......... . ... 96MW·17
283 TOSHIBA COMPUTERS . . 88,89

442 TRIANGLE DIGITAL • .. . .... 961S-28

41 BLAISE . . . . . . 45

275 TALKING TECHNOLOGY . . . . 340

216 PERSONAL SPACE COMM. . . . . . 336
42 BORLAND . . 69

279 TELEBYTE TECHNOLOGY . . . 52

436 RING DALE PERIPHERALS .. 961S-31
444 UNITRON INC. . . . 961S·53

562 USER FRIENDLY ......... 96MW-23

43 BORLAN 0 ... .. . ............... 69

285 TRUEVISION. 173

248 ROSE ELECTRONICS 150
47 BUMBLEBEE SOFTWARE . . . . . . 52

299 WIESEMANN & THEIS . 126

560 U.S. MICRO ENG . ......... 96MW-23

561 U.S. MICRO ENG........... 96MW-23

407 COMPUSENSE LTD. . 961S·28

801 DRIVES 293 VNS AMERICA ............ 148, 149

73 C-SOURCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289

809 POWER SUPPLIES DAYTRON ELECTRONICS . 335

SEAGATE . 137
294 VNS AMERICA .. .. .. .. .. .. . . 247

271 SYSGEN ...... . .. . ... 16A

21 AMERICAN POWER CONVRSN. . . 138
295 WELLS AMERICAN (DOMESTIC) ... 31
319 FUTURE COMPUTER SYS. . 101

297 WELTEK DIGITAL INC .. 504 ORSPOWERPRODUCTS . 96S0-11

296 WELLS AMERICAN (INT'L). .. . . . . 31
320 FUTURE COMPUTER SYS. 101

244
115 GOLDEN BOW . . 205

298 WELTEK DIGITAL INC. 244

505 ORS POWER PRODUCTS .. 96S0-11
304 ZENITH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147

88 EMERSON COMPUTER POWER . 181

305 ZEOS INTERNATIONAL . . . 56,57
116 GOLDEN BOW . . . . . . . . . 205

802 HARDWARE PROGRAMMERS 89 EMERSON COMPUTER POWER . 181

478 GOLDEN BOW SYSTEMS . .. 96PC-1

209 PARA SYSTEMS . . .... 167

479 GOLDEN BOW SYSTEMS . 96PC-1

44 BP MICROSYSTEMS . . . 338
SM INDUSTRIES . 96S0·9
509 GOLDEN BOW SYSTEMS . 96M/AT-1

49 BYTEKCOMP. CORP. . 342

287 T.S.I. 195
SOFTWARE 510 GOLDEN BOW SYSTEMS . 96M/AT-1

50 B&C MICROSYSTEMS . 337

288 ~&I. . 1~

521 GOLDEN BOW SYSTEMS . 96NE-5

51 B&C MICROSYSTEMS . 337

564 VITEO ........ .. 96MW-11
522 GOLDEN BOW SYSTEMS . 96NE-5

118 GTEK. . 310

565 VITEO 96MW-11
814 APPLE2/MAC-LANGUAGES 120 HAMMERLY COMP. SERV...... .. 87

119 GTEK ...... 310

125 HI TECH EQUIPMENT CORP. 338

14 7 KORE, INC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 334

810 PRINTERS/PLOTTERS 78 OIGITALK . .. 41
418 IX I LIMITED . .. .. .. . .. . . 961S-32

155 LINK COMPUTER GRAPHICS . 340

146 KNOWLEDGE GARDEN. 201

158 LOGICAL DEVICES. . 336

518 DATAWARE PRODUCTS. 96NE-6
815 IBM/MSDOS APPLICATIONS 166 MATRIX . . ..... ....... .. . ...... 59

159 LOGICAL DEVICES . 336

519 DATAWARE PRODUCTS . . . . . 96NE·6
Business/Office 192 MIX SOFTWARE ... 317

302 XELTEK 336

122 HEWLETT PACKARD PERIP. . . 36,37
557 O.S.ASSOCIATES ........ 96MW-21

123 HEWLETT PACKARD PERIP. 133

CW DATA LABS. .. 344
558 O.S. ASSOCIATES . . 96MW-21

803 INSTRUMENTATION 124 HEWLETT PACKARD PERIP . .... 134

104 FOX SOFTWARE . . . ........... .. 25
214 PERISCOPE . 123

134 IMPACT COMPUTER SYSTEMS . 286

105 FTG DATA SYSTEMS . . 334
215 PERISCOPE . . . . 123

86 ELEXOR ... 340

205 PACIFIC DATA PRODUCTS 127
413 GAMMA PRODUCTIONS . 961S -18
322 PETER NORTON 16B,16C

330 V3CORP.. 257

206 PACIFIC DATA PRODUCTS 127
110 GENERIC SOFTWARE. 261
323 PETER NORTON 16B,16C

451 PACIFIC DATA PROD........ 961S-13

111 GENERIC SOFTWARE . . . . 261
218 PHARLAP ...... .. 46

804 KEYBOARDS/MICE 452 PACIFIC DATA PROD. . 961S-13

453 MERIDIAN TECHNOLOGY. . 961S-41
219 POCKETSOFT . . .. 95

262 SN'WELECTRONICS .. 38
454 MERIDIAN TECHNOLOGY ... 961S-41
220 POLYTRON . .. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 208

53 CALCOMP . 250
33 VENTURA PERIPHERALS . 285
181 MICRORIM ... 118, 119
222 PRECISION PLUS SOFTWARE .. . 60

54 CALCOMP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
306 ZERICON . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
182 MICRORIM .. .. 118, 119
325 PRIME SOLUTIONS . 213

FORTE-COMMUNICATIONS INC . .. 58
307 ZERICON 131
195 NANTUCKET . . . . . . . . . . . . .... 26
326 PRIME SOLUTIONS . . . . 213

127 HOOLEON . 96
433 NOVELL DEVELOPMENT ... 961S·15
529 SOFTWAREBOTTLINGCO.. 96NE-15

128 HOOLEON .. .. . . .. .. .. .. 96
811 SCANNERS/DIGITIZERS • ORACLE .. . .. 73
269 SUPERSOFT. . . . . . . . 296

148 KYE INTERNATIONAL CO. 188

228 PROXIMITY . . 244
VERMONT CREATIVE ..... ...... 10

149 KYE INTERNATIONAL CO ..... . . 188

71 CORECO . . .. . . .. . .. . .. .. . 264
229 PROXIMITY . 244
308 ZORTECH . 159

311 LOGITECH .. 70,71

96 FLAGSTAFF ENGINEERING .. 110
RAIMA ... . .. .... . . ....... . .... 47

312 LOGITECH ......... 70,71

97 FLAGSTAFF ENGINEERING . 11 O
292 VERSASOFT CORPORATION . . . 86
832 IBM/MSDOS COMMUNICATIONS
482 MEXTEL . 96PC-2
98 FLAGSTAFFENGINEERING . 110

553 MEXTEL . . . . . 96MW-21

99 FLAGSTAFFENGINEERING . 110
816 IBM/MSDOS APPLICATIONS 59 COEFFICIENT SYSTEMS ....... 218

199 NUMONICS. . . . .. . . . . . . . 265

126 HIGH RES TECHNOLOGY . 338
Scientific/Technical 508 COMMUN CATION RES.GAP. 96M/AT-3

257 SCIENCE ACCESSORIES 277

324 NISCA, INC. . . . . . . . . . . . 234
517 COMMUNICATION RES.GAP ..... 12

443 UNITECH . . . .... 961S-20

329 TRUE DATAPRODUCTS . 112
39 BINARY ENGINEERING . . . . . . 275
81 DIVERSIFIED COMPUTER . 340

327 CADRE TECHNOLOGIES, INC. 214

805 MASS STORAGE 812 SOFTWARE SECURITY 85 ECOSOFT .. .. .. .. .. .. . 146

822 OTHER APPLICATIONS
120 HAMMERL YCOMP. SERV. . 87
Business/Office
17 AK SYSTEMS . 340
18 ALADDINKNOWLEDGESYS.. 144
129 HORSTMANN SOFTWARE . . . . 34

35 BASF ... . . ... . . . . ............ 43

225 PROTECH MARKETING . . 102
165 MATHSOFT ... . . ..... . .... ..... 67
234 QUARTERDECK . . .. ... 22

40 BIOLOGICAL ENGINEERING. 176

226 PROTECH MARKETING . 102
317 NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS . 145
Continued

APRIL 1989 • BYTE 359

 READER SERVICE-Index to Advertisers by Product Category

Inquiry No. Page No. Inquiry No. Page No. Inquiry No. Page No. Inquiry No. Page No .

Continued 496 COMP. MASTERS OF AUG. . . 96SD-6 484 MID -CI TIES COMP/SOFT . . . . 96PC-3 BYTEWEEK/NEWSLETTER . . 96MW-6
235 QUARTERDECK . . .. 22 65 COMPUTERLANE . .... . MONTGOMERYGRANT . . BYTEWEEK/NEWSLETTER . 961S-44
236 QUARTERDECK . . . . 23 67 CONTECH COMP.CORP . . . . . . . 338 200 ON LINE STORE ..... COMP. FOR THE BLIND . . . 96NE-10
237 QUARTERDECK . . .. 23 542 CONTINENTAL TRADING . 96MW-18,19 203 PACIFIC COMPUTER . . COMP. FOR THE BLIND .... . 96MW-4
543 CONTlt>ENTAL TRADING . 96MW-18 ,19 204 PACIFIC COMPUTER . COMP. FOR THE BLIND . 96M/AT-2
823 OTHER APPLICATIONS DAMARK INTERNATIONAL INC . 130 527 PATRIOT COMPUTERS ... .. 96NE-4 COMP. FOR TH E BLIND. . . 96S0-9
Miscellaneous 79 DISKCOTECH . . . 434 PC CALC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9615-24 EXPOCONSUL INT'L. . .. . . . 96S0-7
80 DISKETTE CONNECTION . 213 PD SOFTWARE HOUSE . . . . . . . . 40 GEYSER INFORMATICS . . 193
163 MAP INFO . ........... . .. .... . 19
84 DYNAMIC ELECTRONICS . . . . . 338 221 PRECISION DATA PRODUCTS . . 354 MACMILLAN BOOK CLUB . . .. 17
520 ELECTRIFIED DISCOUNTERS . 96NE-11 PRINTERS PLUS, INC . . ... . . 96S0-1 MCGRAW-HILL BOOKS . . . 96MW-22
824 LANGUAGES 92 EPSON ACCESSORIES . . . . . . . . 334 223 PROGRAMMER'S PARADISE .. 62,63 MCGRAW-HILL NRI . . ... 272A,B
95 EXECUTIVE PHOTO & SUPPLY . 177 224 PROGR AMMER'S SHOP ... 114
BINARYTEC 340 107 GAAN COMPUTER SUPPLIES .. 344 487 REASONABLE SOLUTIONS .. . 96PC-11
210 PARC PLACE .. 53
354
117 GOODWAY . . en 249 SABINA INT'L. . . . . . . . . . . . . . ••• '129 DESKTOP PUBLISHING
309 Z-WORLD .. 415 GOODWAY .. .. ........... 9615-56 256 SCHWAB COMP.
310 Z-WORLD . 354 416 GREY MATTER . . . . . . . 961S-37 488 SEVERE DISCOUNT corv AOOBE . . . . . . . (!)
501 HARD DRIVES INT'L 96S0-5 258 SHAMROCK ........ .. DIGIFONTS .. .. 96PC-7
825 OTHER-LI' ITIES 502 HARD DRIVES INT'L ... .. . . 96S0-5 259 SHECOM COMPUTERS ..... .
546 HARD DRIVES INT'L . . . . . . 96MW-20 260 SHECOM COMPUTERS . . . . . . . . 202
90 EMPIRICAL RESEARCH SYS . ... 298 547 HARD DRIVES INT'L . . . 96MW-20 262 SN'W ELECTRONICS .. . . ... . .. .. 38
131 IC EXPRESS .. .. .. . .... . . . ... 342 SOFTLINE CORPORATION . 9615-35 MISCELLANEOUS
826 OTHER- CROSS DEVELC IENT 134 IMPACT COMPUTER SYSTEMS . 286 270 SURAH INC. . ............ .
INTL MICRO SOLUTIONS . 961S-2 274 S-100 ...... ... AVIS....... . ..... . . . . . . 263

• vvr I V'fMnC uc:v . ., I"· .•.

INTL MICRO SOLUTIONS . . . 961S-2 280 TELEMART COMPACT DISK CLUB . 245
140 JAMECO . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . 346,347 281 TELEMART .. .. . . .. . 333 MANUFACT. HANOVER 229
481 JB TECHNOLOGIES . 96PC-9 503 UNOERWARE ELEC. . . 96S0-12 201 ON TARGET . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340
827 MAIL ORDER/RETAIL 142 JEIKO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344 531 UNDERWARE ELEC. . .. . 96NE-16 252 SAFEWARE INC.. 340
6 J.D.R. MICRODEVICES . . . . 350-353 559 UNDERWARE ELEC. . .. 96MW -24
476 4 GUYS COMPUTERS . 96PC-6 7 J .D.R. MICRODEVICES . . 350-353 445 USASOFTWARE . 961S-11
493 4 GUYS COMPUTERS . .. . .. 96S0-2 150 LA COMPUTER . 315 WAREH OUSE DATA . . . . . . 220 R30 OPERA TH MS
13 ADVANCED COMP. PROD. . 345 151 LA COMPUTER . . . . . . 339 532 WESTWOOD COMPUTER . . . 96NE-2
16 ADVANTAGE SOFTWARE . 215 MANCHESTER EQUIP . . . . . 96NE-1 303 XENTEK . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342 2001 SALES .. 258
20 ALTEX ELECTRONICS . 171 164 MARYMAC INDUSTRIES . 337 566 Y.E.S. MULTINAT'L. INC ..... 96MW-5 ' 2001 SALES . .. .. .. .. . 258
24 ANALOGY CORP . . . .. ... 332,333 429 MAYFAIR MICROS ........ . 961S-39 DIGITAL EQUIP . CORP .. . . . 96PC-5
515 APPLIED PROG. ELEC. . . 96NE-9 170 MEAD COMPUTER . . . . . . . -:!A1
13 7 INTERACTIVE SYSTEMS . .. . 7
34
495
A.N.WHOLESALE & RET ~IL . . . . 335
BELTRON COMPUTER . . 96S0-3
171
172
MEDIA CYBERNETICS INC ..
MEDIA CYBERNETICS INC . . .
828 EDUCATIONAL/ 144 KADAK .. .. 335
233 OUANTL .. 91
BU YE R'S MART ..... 319-329 173 MEGASOFT ... . .. ... ... . INSTRUCTIONAL 255 SANTA C .. 79
32· B&B ELECTRONICS . . . 334 175 MERRITT COMPUTER PRO[

~18~c?c~~~~~~&ciri :.:96Mw-13
5: CAD WAREHOUSE . . . . . . 283 483 1 11 ACM SIGGRAPH '89 .

CALIFORNIA DIGITAL .... . . . .. 343 25 ANNABOOKS .. . . .

332 COMPACT DISK PRODUCTS . 298 MICROCOMP.MKTG.CNCL.. . 9615-40 "\()!>TON UNIV. COR
541 COMPARE COMPUTERS . 5 ~W-7 MICROCOMP.MKTG.CNCL. ... 9650-10 lYTE BOOK CLUB . .. . .. .
60 COMPUCLASSICS . 117 44 MICROMINT/J.B.DESIGNS .. 9615-14 lYTEWEEK/NEWSLETTER . BI X . .
62 COMPUSAVE . . . . . . . . 331 181 MICROPROCESSORS UNLTD... ,.. lYTEWEEK/NEWSLETTER . .. 96NE-14 404 BI X . . . .. . 9615-42
63 COMPUTER FRIENDS . . ..... . 44 MICROWAY .
lYTEWEEK/NEWSLETTER . • 96M/AT-5 450 BI X .. ... .. .. ... . .. .. ... . . 290,291
328 COMPUTER FRIENDS . . . . . 295 18• MICROWAY .
lYTEWEEK/NEWSLETTER . 96PC-8 109 GENERAL ELECTRIC (GEISCO) , . . 50
64 COMPUTER MAIL ORDE !,83 43 MICRO TEC H
lYTEWEEK/NEWSLETTER .. . . 9650-8 • Correspond directly with company.

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I A. What is your level of 2 D Computer Retail Stores mmm•m•m•••~•••••mw•mmmmmmmmmm•
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1 0 Senior-level Management 4 D Service Bureau/Planning 511 5t2 5t3 514 5t5 516 517 5t8 5t9 520 52t 522 523 524 525 526 527 528 529 530 53t 532 533 534 535 536 537 538 539 540
2 D Other Management 5 D Distributor/Wholesaler ~~m~~~w~~~~~-~~~-~~™~~~™~~™~~m
3 D Non-Management 6 D Systems House/ mmmmmmmmm™~~~™~~™~~~mmm~~~m~m~

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2 D Accounting/Finance 9 D Finance, Insurance, mmmrnmmmmm™mmmmmmmmm~mm™™~NWN~~
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ll 0 Othe r: _ _ __ __ __ 16 D Other Business Services 10211022102310241025 10261027 10281029 10301031103210331034 1035 1036103710381039 10401041 1042 1043 10441045 104610471048 10491050
C. Please indicate your 17 0 Transportation, 105110521053105410551056 10571058105910601061 1062 106310641065 106610671068106910701071107210731074107510761077107810791080
organization's primary business Communications. Utilities 1081 1082 1083 1084 1085108610871088 1089 1090 1091109210931094 1095 1096 10971098 109911001101 1102 1103 1104110511061107 1108 1109 1110
activity: (Check one.) l8 0 O t h e r : - - - - - - -- ­ 11111112 1113 1114 1115 1116 11171118 1119 1120 1121 1122 1123 11241125112611271128 1129 1130 113111321133 1134113 51136 1137 113811391140
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I D Manufacturer (Hard...,'are, Software) 11711172 1173 11741175 1176 1177 1178 1179 1180 118111821183 1184 1185 11861187 1188 1189 11901191 1192 11931194 11951196 11971198 1199 1200
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~~~~~~~~~~~~-<---l-~~~~-
Title Pho ne
1s1 1s2 1s3 154 1ss 1s& 157 iss 159 1so 1s1
~•m•m•w~~•••mmmmmmmm~mm~••m~~m
1s2 163 164 1ss 166 1s1 166 1s9 170 111 112 113 174 11s 11s 1n 11e 179 1ao
I
211 212 213 214 215 216 217 2t8 2t9 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 2D 2M 235 236 237 238 239 2~ I
241 242 243 244 245 248 247 248 248 250 251 mmlli&mmm~mw~m••mmmmm
Company
271 272 273 274 275 278 2n 278 279 28-0 281 mmm•mmmmmmmmmmmmmm~
301 302 303 304 305 306 307 308 309 310 311 312 313 314 3t5 3t6 317 318 319 320 32t 322 323 324 325 326 327 328 329 330
Address D1 D2 333 334 335 336 D7 338 D9 340 M1 mm~~-w~~-~--~•mmmm~
361 362 363 384 305 368 367 368 369 370 371 mmmmmmmm~~~-384~mmm~m
391 392 393 394 395 396 397 398 399 400 ~1 402 403 404 405 406 407 408 409 410 411 412 413 414 415 416 417 418 419 420
City State Z ip
42t 422 423 424 425 428 427 428 429 430 431 mmrnmammm~w~~™w~w~w~

A. What is your level of 2 D Computer Retai l Stores 451 452 453 454 456 456 457 456 459 48-0 461 •™™™™•™~mmmmmrummmm~
management responsibility? 3 D Consultants 481 482 483 484 468 468 487 468 489 490 491 492 493 494 495
502 496 497 498 499 500 501 503 504 505 sos 507 sos 509 5t0
I D Senior-level Management 4 0 Service Bureau/Planning 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518 519 520 521 522 523 524 525
532 526 527 528 529 530 531 5D 534 535 538 537 538 539 MO
2 0 Other Management 5 D Dist ributor/Wholesaler M1 M2 543 544 M5 848 M7 848 649 850 851 552 553 554 555
562 656 557 559 559 850 561 663 564 565 568 567 568 569 570
3 D Non-Management 6 D Systems House/ 571 572 573 574 675 578 sn 576 579 sso sa1 682 663 584 685
592 68e 587 68e 68e 590 591 593 594 595 596 597 598 598 BOO
B. What is your primary job Integrator/VAR 8-01 602 sro sos
604 606 8-07 roe 609 610 611 612 613 614 615
622 616 617 618 619 620 621 623 624 625 626 627 628 629 630
functi on/principal a r ea of 7 D Other: _ _ _ _ __ __ 631 ~mrn535~m~~~woooowoo848W848~™~ 852 053 654 655 656 857 656 559 850
responsibility? (Check one.) Non-Comp~ te r-R el a t e d Businesses: 681 682 663 684 685 688 667 68e 688 670 871 a12 673 674 675 67B 67B 67B 880 681 682 en 663 684 685 68e 667 688 688 690
I D Administration 8 D Manufacturing 691 692 693 694 695 696 697 698 699 700 701 702 703 704 705 706 707 708 709 710 711 712 713 714 715 716 717 718 719 720
2 0 Accounting/ Finance 9 D Finance, Insurance, 721 722 723 724 725 728 727 728 728
730 731 mmrnmrnmmmmmmm™m~m~m™
3 D MIS/DP/Information Cen1cr Rea l Estate 761 752 753 754 755 756 757 756 759
760 761 762 763 764 766 1aa 767 766 768 no 771 n2 113 n4 116 776 111 118 119 760
4 D Product Design and 10 D Retail/Wholesa le 761 782 783 784 788 768 787 788 788
790 791 792 793 794 795 "796 797 788 799 600 801 802 803 604 BOS 808 807 808 809 810
Development 11 D Education 811 812 813 814 815 816 817 818 819
820 821 822 823 824 825 826 827 828 829 830 831 a32 m ro4 ro5 B36 B37 roe ro9 MO
5 D Research and Development 12 0 Government M1 M2 00 644 845 848 647 848 848 650 85t 852 053 654 655 656 857 059 059 650 861 852 863 864 866 866 687 866 059 870
6 D Manufacturi ng 13 D Military 871 a12 a13 874 a15 67B en 678 a19 880 a01 682 883 684 685 685 687 688 689 890 891 892 663 894 895 896 897 896 899 900
7 D Sales/Marketing 14 D Profession:; (Law, 901 902 903 904 905 906 907 908 909 910 911 912 913 914 915 916 917 918 919 920 921 922 923 924 925 926 927 928 929 930
8 0 Purchasing Medicine, Engineering, 931 932 933 934 935 936 937 938 939 9~ 941 942 943 944 845 946 947 946 949 950 951 952 853 954 955 958 957 958 959 960
9 0 Personnel Architecture) ~-~~™~-~~mmmmmmmmmm~~-~~™~mm~m
10 0 Education/T raining 15 0 Consulting 991 992 993 994 995 996 997 998 99910001001100210031004 1005 1006 100710081009 1010 1011 1012 10131014 1015 101610 171018 1019 1020
11 0 01her: 16 0 Other Business Services 1021 1022 1023 1024 102 51026 1027 1028 1029 1030 1031 1032 1033 1034 1035 1036 1037 1038 1039 1040 1041 1042 1043 1044 1045 1046 1047 1048 1049 1050
C. Please indic a te yo ur 17 D Transportation, 1051 1052 1053 1054 1055 1056 1057 1050 1059 1050 1061 1062 1063 1064 1055 1066 1067 1068 1069 1010 1011 10121013 1014 1015 '076 ion 10101019 1000
or ganization's prim a r y business Communications, Utilities
10811082 108310841085 10861087 10881089 1090 1091109210931094 10951096 1097 1098 1099 1100 1101 1102 1103 1104 1105 11061107 1108 1109 1110
18 D Other: _ _ _ _ _ _ __

activity: (Check one.) 111 1 1112 111311141115 1116 1117 1118 1119 112011211122 11 23 1124 11 25 11 26 1127 1128 11 29 1130 1131 1132 11 33 1134 1135 1136 11 37 1138 11 39 1140
Computer-Rela ted Businesses: APRIL 114 1 11421143114411451146114711481149115011511152 1153 1154 11551156 11571158 1159 1160 1161 116211631164116511661167 11681169 1170
111111121113111411151116 11n 1110111911ao 1101110211BJ110411851186118111681189119o 1191119211931194 1195 1196 1197119a11991200
I D Manufacturer (Hardware, Software) IRSD002

0 Please send me one year of B YTE Magazine f or $24. 95 and bill me. Offer valid in U.S. and possessions only.
 You're paid to think. complex financial modeling, engineering or
Sure, you play many important roles designing, as well.
for your company. But most important, it's The PowerMate 2 was born to acceler­
the way you think that's taken you this far, ate your climb to the top. It's expandable.
this fast. It's 80286-based and runs at 10/8 MHz. And
One way to get a little farther, a little it handles the day-to-day chores by deliver­
faster, is to consider making the NEC Power­ ing more than enough memory(up to 10.6
Mate0 386/20 and PowerMate 2 part ofyour MB) and storage to breeze through spread­
corporate climb. Because both help you do a sheets, project management, even desktop
faster, more thorough job ofworking and publishing.
thinking. Naturally, both power tools are part of our
The PowerMate 386/20 is the one for complete family of compatible, top-quality
sophisticated users with advanced applica­ PCs. All backed by a $22 billion company.
tions. It's got the muscle and speed To learn more about power tools for the
(20/8 MHz) to work with all off-the-shelf 386 thinking class, call us at 1-800-NEC-INFO.
software, including Windows/386~-M UNIX0 (in Canada, 1-800-343-4418). You'll be
and XENIX~ The power, storage and making a call that
memory (up to 16 MB) to function as a file
server. And add any one of a broad range of
peripherals and you're ready to tackle
shows you've
really done some
thinking. ,,
J.
trii.... rv r
L '-if
CaC Computers and Communications NEC Information Systems, Inc ., 1414 1\\assachusctts Ave., Dept. 1610, Boxborough, MA 01719

Software complimcms ofThrcc D Graphir.:s, Inc. Power Mate is a registered trademark of NEC Corpora1ion. Windows/386isa lradcmarkand XENIX isa registered lradcmark of Microsoft Corporal ion. UNIX isa registered tradr.:markof AT&T
Imel is :l registered 1r.1dcmark of Imel Corporation.© 1988 NEC Corporation.
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Get the power

Tandy® and performance
of Intel's 80386
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To streamline your heavy busi­ hub of a powerful multiuser office coprocessor for math-intensive ap­
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The Tandy 4000 LX is highly ex­
Two megabytes of zero wait-state pandable. Three front-panel device The lMB Tandy 4000 is the cost­
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much memory standard, the Tandy tem. VGA graphics for desktop LX. From the best-selling family of
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