Your IBM Computer, Mar-1984
by Lloyd Borrett
Your Computer, March 1984
Lotus 1-2-3 release 1A is one of the few software
packages currently available which allows access to the DOS
2.0 directory structure. Most packages force the user to
have all program and data files in the same directory if
they are all to reside on a hard disk. The purpose of the
following example is to show how some of the features of
1-2-3 can make it even easier to utilise the hard disk
First you will need to install 1-2-3 on the hard disk.
The instructions in the manual give clear directions.
However, I suggest that you put all the program files in a
sub-directory called 123, and create some directories
subordinate to C:\123 for use as working directories. For
Copy all the files on the Lotus diskettes into the
directory C:\123 and perform the necessary configuration
procedures. With C:\123 still the working directory, start
Lotus. Select the 1-2-3 spreadsheet and finish off the
configuration procedure by using the command /wgddc:\123~uq to
define c:\123 as the current directory at start-up.
Create the following template and save it using the name
I5: 'Use directory c:\123
J5: 'Use directory A:\
K5: 'Use directory c:\123\demo
L5: 'Use directory c:\123\test
Cell I1 should be given the range name \0. Cell I4 should
be given the range name MENU. Make sure that the cursor is
at cell A1 when you save the worksheet.
When the 1-2-3 spreadsheet is selected it will
automatically search for a worksheet called AUTO123 in the
current directory at start-up, and if found, load it.
Whenever 1-2-3 loads a worksheet it executes the keyboard
macro named \0, so now 1-2-3 should find and load the
worksheet just created. This worksheet causes 1-2-3 to
execute a menu which allows you to specify the working
directory to be used. Quit the spreadsheet and re-enter to
see it working.
Unfortunately 1-2-3 still needs more changes before it
will fully support DOS 2.0. When Release 1A is installed on
a hard disk in this manner the File Management and Disk
Management access system functions become next to useless. I
understand another release will be available soon which
enhances some of 1-2-3's existing functions as well as
adding others such as word processing. Let's hope it also
completes the support of the DOS 2.0 directory structure.
Epson/IBM Printer Ribbons
About 18 months ago I installed an Epson/IBM printer for
the first time. I recall being intrigued by the EXCHANGE
TIMES markings on the ribbon cartridge, but never did find
any reference to this in the operation manual. Well,
recently the time finally came to get a new ribbon and it
led to a money-saving discovery.
Obviously it is possible to buy a complete new cartridge,
but that is expensive and seemed wasteful. I made enquiries
with some local consumable suppliers about a ribbon inker
advertised in various US magazines, but alas, no success. By
then I had gone off the idea of messing about with ink and
ordered some new cartridges. About two days later I received
a message from Greg Moyle at Magmedia to say that he had a
replacement ribbon for me to try instead of a new cartridge.
I accepted the offer and Greg duly arrived in my office
with a Nova Inked Ribbon Refill Pack. He had only just got
them and I was to be the guinea pig. It was a simple task to
remove the old ribbon from the original cartridge and
replace it with the Nova ribbon, and it works just fine. I
recommend that you check this option out with your supplier
when your ribbon fades.
Three books were sent my way for review a few months
back, and here are the results. The first to be looked at
was Your IBM Personal Computer: Use, Applications, and
BASIC by David Cortesi (Holt, Rinehardt and Winston).
The preface says, "This book aims to be a companion and
guide to you, the new owner of an IBM Personal Computer." It
achieves that aim. Cortesi emphasises practical things such
as unpacking and setting up the machine, back-ups,
organising a diskette library, and learning to use new
As I've been around computers for a long time, and have
been heavily involved with the IBM-PC for well over a year,
I expected to gain little from this book. I was wrong. There
are a lot of new, and what must appear strange, ideas and
concepts for a new user to pick up. Cortesi introduces the
subject matter simply, builds on it logically, and leaves
the new user at a level where they can safely go solo. He
has shown me how to improve the way I introduce these same
topics as well as more advanced ones to those I am
responsible for introducing to the world of personal
computing. I recommend you check it out for yourself.
The second book received was PROGRAMMING the IBM
Personal Computer: BASIC by Neill Graham (Holt,
Rinehardt and Winston). Graham covers all the usual topics
found in books with similar intentions; however, he does so
in a unique sequence. Features are introduced in the order
in which the new user will need or wonder about them. The
new user I tried the book out on was surprised at the way
Graham consistently managed to second guess him.
The book is full of well thought-out descriptions,
warnings and explanations. For those users who already know
another implementation of BASIC this book offers an
excellent way to learn the traps and features of the IBM-PC
version. Each chapter ends with a short list of suggested
exercises, which I think would make the book suitable for
classroom use. If you intend to program the IBM-PC in BASIC
then you would do well to consider reading this book.
The final book received was How To Program The IBM-PC
by Tim Hartnell (Interface Publications). This is really
just another `How To Program In BASIC' book, and doesn't
cover the traps and features of the IBM-PC at all well. The
content and presentation of this book leave me with the
impression that it is one of those "I Can Cash In On The
Market Too" styles of book, which are becoming all too
More than one person I know has been caught by the fact
that DOS 2.0 fails to give any warning about the FORMAT
command. If a hard disk user types FORMAT without specifying
a diskette drive it is possible to erase the entire hard
disk. The following procedure will prevent this catastrophe:
C>RENAME FORMAT.COM PCFORMAT.COM
C>COPY CON: FORMAT.BAT
Press <F6><ENTER> to write the file to disk.
It is easy to trick up this batch file to test for
various diskette drives, and you may like to include the /S
and /V switches.
The DOS TYPE command doesn't accept wild cards (* or ?).
The way around this annoying restriction is to use the COPY
command, which does accept wild cards, to copy the file(s)
to the screen. Create an eXtended TYPE command with the
C:>COPY CON: XTYPE.BAT
COPY %1 CON:
Press <F6><ENTER> to write the file to disk
Wednesday, 24 April 2013