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THEEX&VStVB MAGAZINE FOR TJ-99MA USERS
Dear Readers:
Welcome to the first issue of MINI-MAG 99!
MINI-MAG 99 is a major national publication ex-
clusively written for TI-99/4A users. We will cover all
levels of information, including application, education,
how-tos, product news, practical hints, etc.
We have received support from key dealers and users
groups, as well as third party manufacturers, who have
assured us of continued product and software availability
for the 99/4A.
Since the so-called "death of the 99," there has been
more activity than ever before. More companies have pro-
vided product support, since they are not up against Texas
Instruments.
At the recent CES, new products were announced that
will bring the capability level of the 99/4A to that of the
IBM PC—products like MAC Paint and module screen
dumps.
MINI-MAG 99 is dedicated to the TI user— YOU! We
look foward to providing you with information and news
that will help you to use your TI-99/4A to its fullest!
Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
C^J^y^^mO
Leslyn Tepper
Editor
MINI-MAG 99
MINI-MAG 99 March. 1985
Mini-Ma g w
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MINI-MAG 99 is published monthly by
S.O.S. PUBLISHERS, 21777 Ventura Blvd.,
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PUBLISHERS are not responsible for lost
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Opinions expressed by the authors are not
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assumes no liability for errors in articles or
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Each separate contribution to this issue
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Copyright © 1985 by S.O.S PUBLISHERS
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MINI-MAG 99 is a trademark of
S.O.S. PUBLISHERS
MINI-MAG STAFF
Editor In Chief Leslyn Tepper
Production Manager Iris Franklin
Advertising Director. Kimberley Guest
Contributing Editors Jim Labriola
Stuart O. Adler
Cartoonist ■ Gregory Franklin
© 1985 S-O.S. PUBLISHERS
TABLE
OF
CONTENTS
1
The Great One-Day Sale
by Leslyn Tepper 4
CorComp Continues
Tl-Writer (The Value File
& Form Letter)
by Leslyn Tepper 8
The Care & Feeding of a
Diskette
by Stuart O. Adler 13
Typing Tutor — A Review
by Kimberley Anne Guest 16
Bits & Other Pieces
by Jim Labriola 17
99 Puzzle of the Month 21
Tid Bytes to Wet Your
Appetite 22
Education from Navarone . . 24
Notes 25
LETTERS OF WELCOME
We have received an incredible
response to our announcement of
MINI-MAG 99's birth.
We don 't have room to put all of
the terrific letters that we've
received from everyone, but the
following are a few to share with
you the great support and well
wishes we've had.
Thanks to all of you 99 loyalists!
Please send me information regarding your
soon to be released magazine. I understand
that the first issue is FREE. If this is so,
please send me a copy. I now subscribe to
"Compute," "Home Computer Magazine"
and "MICROpendium." I find that I need all
sources to get a well rounded view of all
99/4A computer related information. I hope
it is of a high quality and shows originality. I
have a deep interest in Assembly Language
and Extended Basic.
Respectfully,
R.W., Arcadia, CA
I am pleased that someone new is starting up
another new TI-99/4A computer magazine.
We need it! ! I hope it goes over good. Thanks
very much for your support to Till Hope this
magazine is a success 1
Sincerely yours,
L.W.K., Bensenville, IL
I read about your "Mini-Mag 99" on the
Source. Please send me a free copy of your
first issue.
Good luck on your new venture* It's efforts
like yours that will keep the 99/4A alive and
well.
Thank you,
J.S.p Port Allegany, PA
Please send me the free issue of your TI
Magazine. I am always looking for new
publications on the TI-99 computer. I will be
looking forward to receiving it.
Thank you,
I.G., Vancouver, WA
I would be grateful for a free sample copy of
your upcoming Mini-Mag 99. Hope the pro-
ject turns out successfully for you and all us
orphaned 99'ers.
Thanks.
R.S., Scranton, PA
I would like to take you up on your offer for
a free copy of Mini-Mag 99. We TPers need
ail the support we can get! Good luck and
thanks.
A.S., Waterbury, CT
We (TI Users) need a new and fresh approach
to what is new and product reviews. I have
subscribed to another magazine for quite
some time now and have recently become
very dissatisfied with the new format
(published whenever they want to). Thanking
you in advance, I am looking forward to
receiving your first issue.
Sincerely,
D.P., Vallejo, Ca
We are pleased to learn of your new pub-
lication serving the continuing needs of the
TI-99/4A owner.
Best of luck with this venture.
Keith Lewis
Texas Instruments
Consumer Products Division
Irvine, California
MINI-MAG 99 March, 19*5
MINI-MAG 99 March, 1985
*arf!tiBfc*^
r^^b^^^ nki
The line forms to the rear— ALL DA Y LONG
The Great
ONE-DAY SALE
By Leslyn Tepper
Hundreds of people stood in a
line that wrapped around an in-
dustrial park building waiting for a
chance to take advantage of a one-
day sale of the TI-99/4A computer
at only $99.95.
Included in the package was the
console, 4 books, a cassette of 32
games, the Oscar w/programs, and
the opportunity to buy the "Home
Financial Decisions" command
module for an additional $1.99.
Tex-Comp, the company that
held the sale, had to limit the pur-
chase of the TI-99/4A to two per
person, since there was such a
phenomenal response to the full-
page Los Angeles Times ad.
,i';:- : -K:;:.;™;a!P;3SS
MINI-MAG 99 March, 1985
I arrived on the scene at 10 a.m.
to find that the line already
stretched from the front door of
HEAD Computer Products, Inc.
(where the sale took place), down
the front walk, a block to the cor-
ner, around the corner, and a block
past the rear of the building.
It took four (4) hours for that
portion of the line to get in and buy
their equipment; all the while, the
line kept getting longer.
Only five people were allowed to
enter the facility at any one time.
They were then given their invoice
and sent to the pickup window to
receive their new computer.
The delay began when the credit
card authorization system broke
down (maybe they should have used
a TI-99/4A!). After several hours,
the "cash only" people were
allowed to go ahead of the rest of
the line. Even with this quicker
method, the line remained until well
after dark.
Tl-99er's make new friends and get a great buy
I spoke with several people who
waited patiently (some sent friends
and relatives to the nearest fast food
restaurant for provisions). Why
were they waiting so long? "Where
else would I be able to get a com-
puter so inexpensively?" most
answered.
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MINI-MAG 99 March, 1985
Although there were people there
who already owned a TI-99/4A and
were getting a second or third con-
sole, the majority of the crowd, I
found, were getting their first com-
puter.
There were a few who had
another kind of computer and
wanted to buy this one for someone
else (i.e., their children, etc.).
As for Tex-Comp, they sold over
1,000 units, creating for themselves
a tremendous January for their local
warehouse store. "We had a run on
cassette recorders,'* said Jerry
Price. "Fortunately, we were able to
provide a GE recorder that had the
same settings as the original TI
recorder, and for only $39.95."
Jerry Price, Tex-Comp
"Since the sale, business has con-
tinued at a consistent pace." Price
said. "With so many new consoles
in use, we're getting alot of users in
the store who are now beginning to
expand their systems."
Happy faces say, "it was worth the wait!"
In addition to the business the
sale brought Tex-Comp for soft-
ware and peripherals, they have also
had many of the people who were
only allowed to buy two consoles,
return to the warehouse store to buy
one or two more "while they last."
How long would you wait to buy
a computer? Well, I was there all
day, and believe me, I got my twol
!i
CORCOMP CONTINUES
•;•;■
vv.
In an effort to make TI-99/4A
users aware of what is really hap-
pening at CorComp, we axe reprint-
ing the following excerpts from Cor-
Comp's newsletter, "CorComp
Cursors"
"Our anniversary celebration was
one of positive attitudes mixed with
the challenge of reorganization. The
decision to reorganize was based
upon faith in the products, persis-
tent demands by the 99/4A user
worldwide and the incredible sup-
port of the distribution network.
"CorComp's second lease on life
was made possible through the sup-
port of the distributor network. Re-
quests for 99/4A peripherals were
constant and determined. The spirit
of the user groups may have been
daunted, but it was definitely not
broken!
"The acceptance of the Disk Con-
troller gave CorComp its third lease
on life.
"Few companies earn even a
second chance, much less a third,
but CorComp 's driving force has
been the spirit of the users who are
convinced that the 99/4A is a
phenomenal computer!
"The rumors of reorganization
are true. It is a positive action. We
have the support of our component
vendors. The employees have an op-
tim istic and dedicated attitude
Continued on Page 24
MINI-MAG 99 March, 1985
MINI-MAG 99
NOW ACCEPTING
ARTICLES AND PROGRAMS
MINI-MAG 99 is looking for articles and/or programs that would
be of interest to TI-99/4A Computer Owners and Users.
If you have any new ideas or fresh approaches to the use and/or
programming of the TI-99/4A, we would be happy to consider
publishing your Information.
Suggested subjects are: Applications, hardware, software,
education, and games, just to name a few.
Manuscripts must be typed double-spaced and, if your article in-
cludes a program, submitted with disks or cassettes (you may use
both sides). Manuscripts will be returned only if accompanied by
sufficient first class postage and a self-addressed envelope.
SEND TO:
S.O.S. PUBLISHERS
MINI-MAG 99
21777 Ventura Blvd., Suite 203
Woodland Hills, CA 91364
MINI-MAG 99 March, 1985
TI-WRITER
The Value File & Form Letter
By Leslyn Tapper
In this month's column on
Tl-Writer, we will discuss setting up
a "value file" for use with a form
letter which contains variables,
t
The use of form letters with
variables will save a tremendous
amount of time and effort and will
"personalize" the letters you send
out.
There are many instances that call
for variables: account balances,
names and addresses, part numbers,
prices, etc. In order to change these
variables with the least amount of
effort, you simply set up a "value
file" with the different information
(data) that you need for each of the
variables you need in your form
letter.
The most common type of
variables are the name and address.
In order to set up your file properly,
you must first determine exactly
how you are going to use the infor-
mation contained in it.
For instance, if you are going to
place the name and address of each
person only at the beginning of the
letter, followed by, "Dear Sir:,"
you can set up the value file with the
full name in one variable:
1 Mr. John Jones
If, however, you wish to follow
the inside address with, "Dear Mr.
Jones," you will have to approach
the set up of the value file differ-
ently:
1 Mr.
2 John
3 Jones
In this way, you can call out
specific variables within the letter.
For example, the variable numbers 1
and 3 placed in consecutive order
will produce "Mr. Jones," while the
variable 2 will produce "John," or
the first name of the person to
whom you are writing.
When you are ready to print your
form letter, and have given the
proper information for the insertion
of the value file, the Formatter will
look at each variable number and
replace it with the information that
you entered after its corresponding
number in the value file.
SETTING UP THE VALUE FILE
To start a new file, select the Text
option of the Tl-Writer main
menu. You will already be in the
"command level." At this point,
you can use Command 3 to change
the screen color. Then type an "E"
and enter to place the cursor on the
first line.
This is the point at which you will
begin your value file, entering each
line of each set as follows:
Enter the variable number
(the first one will be 1) and a
space, then enter the informa-
tion that will be represented by
that variable (up to 78 col-
umns). When you have typed
your information" for the
variable, push enter(CR), and
a carriage return symbol will
appear on the screen.
NOTE: This carriage return
symbol is extremely impor-
tant, and must follow each
and every line you enter in
your value file. In this article,
I will use (CR) to represent the
carriage return.
You will now see your cur-
sor on the second line. Enter
the variable number 2, a
space, the information
represented by this variable,
and (CR).
Continue to enter each line
until all of the information
you need for the form letter is
entered for this one person.
When you have completed
the information for one per-
son, you will have entered a
"data set." On the very next
line, following the last line of
the data set, type an asterisk
(*) and a (CR). This asterisk
will tell the Formatter that this
is the end of a data set.
Now, begin a new data set
by entering the first variable
number, a space, and the new
information for that variable.
Continue this process
(separating each data set by an
asterisk and (CR)) until all of
your data sets are entered.
Now, save the file by enter-
ing command level (Function
9), typing SF (enter), and nam-
ing the file (i.e., DSK2.UST),
then press enter.
VARIATIONS IN VALUE FILES
We have discussed the simplest of
value files here; however, since you
can use up to 99 separate variables
within a form, you can see that a
value file can become quite exten-
sive. If you do have an extensive file
like this, be sure to keep a list of
what each variable represents (i.e.,
phone number, account number,
part number, codes, names,
balances, etc.).
In this way, whenever you wish to
use the value file for any purpose,
you will know which variable
numbers to insert in any given form
or letter.
SETTING UP
YOUR FORM LETTER
When you have completed your
value file (and saved it), the cursor
will flash, and your file will still be
on the screen. To begin your form
letter, enter command level, again
(Function 9), "Q" for Quit, then
"P" for Purge, and "Y" for Yes.
This process will clear the screen
and place the cursor on Line 1,
ready for new entry.
IMPORTANT: Be sure that you
have saved your value file before
you Purge, or you will lose all of the
data you have entered.
You are now ready to begin the
entry of your form letter. The first
thing you need to do is format the
letter. By this, I mean place certain
"format" commands within the text
of the letter to tell the Formatter
how you want the letter to appear
after it is printed.
All of your format commands
must be 1) preceded by a period (.),
2) typed in capital letters, and
3) followed by a, carriage return
symbol (CR). The line that the com-
mands are written on do not take up
actual space in the printed text;
however, they will appear on the
screen to take up space.
8
MINI-MAG 99 March, 198S
MINI-MAG 99 March, 1985
9
THE "FILL" COMMAND
The first format command should
be .FI(CR). This command tells the
Formatter to "fill" the lines. Since
your variables are just that, each
one will vary in line length and will
need to change spacing. If you don't
use this command, only the actual
amount of space in each line on the
screen will be alloted, and,
therefore, the variables will not
necessarily fit.
SETTING THE MARGINS
The format command for setting
the left and right margins can be put
on the same line, separated by a
semicolon. Type XM followed by a
space and the number of the left
margin column, a semicolon, .RM
followed by a space and the number
of the right margin column, and a
(CR).
Example:
.LM 8;RM 72(CR)
The above setting, by the way, is a
real nice one for most letters and
forms. '
SPACING
Depending on the type of paper
you are using for your letters, you
may or may not wish to enter some
space as your next command.
The Formatter is preset to start
printing on Line 6 of any page. If
you have letterhead stationery,
printing on Line 6 may interfere
with the letterhead. To alleviate that
problem, add some space by using
the .SP command. Type .SP fol-
lowed by a space, the number of
lines you wish to skip before your
first printed line and (CR).
For example, if you wish to print
on Line 10 instead of Line 6, enter
•SP 4(CR).
THE LETTER
It is at this point that you enter
the date of the letter and return to
the next line. On the next line you
use the space command to leave
space between the date and the in-
side address. The best (and ac-
cepted) amount of space is 5 lines.
Since the return after the date causes
one line already, simply enter
.SP 4(CR)
On the next line, we will begin to
enter the variables for the inside
address. Again, this procedure will
vary depending on what kind of
value file you set up. We will assume
that you have chosen to use the first
name somewhere in the letter and
have already set up your value file
with 5 variables like this:
1 Mr.
2 John
3 Jones
4 555 Main Street
5 Anywhere, CA 90069
*
1 Mrs.
2 Mary
3 Smith
4 222 Central
5 Someplace, MI 48135,
*
etc.
Since you will want the first three
variables to appear on the same line,
you type in the following:
*1* *2* *3*
The second line of your inside ad-
dress is the street address (variable
4), so enter *4* and (CR) on that
line. The third and last line of the in-
side address will then be *5* and
(CR).
When the Formatter picks up
each variable number, it will print
out the name and address of each
person you have entered in your
value file.
Example:
Mr. John Jones "
555 Main Street
Anywhere, CA 90069
The next command is the space
command, again:
.SP 2(CR).
Then, on the next line:
Dear *2*:(CR)
This will place the first name of
each of your people after the
"Dear."
Since you will only need one line
of space following the "Dear" line,
simply press the enter key once on
this line. On the following line you
begin your letter. Place a (CR) at the
end of each paragraph, and one on
the line between each paragraph.
At the point in the letter where
you wish to insert each persons first
name, just type *2* instead of a
name — the Formatter will take care
of the rest.
After your last paragraph, enter
.SP 2(CR)
Sincerely,(CR)
.SP 4(CR)
your name(CR)
This leaves the proper amount of
space for signing your name.
As with any other file, you must
save this one by entering command
level (Function 9), SF(enter), the
name of this file and enter.
, Once the file is saved, you may
exit to the Formatter by entering
"Q" at command level (Function 9)
and "E" for Exit.
You will then be ready to enter
the Text Formatter (Number 2 on
the Tl-Writer main menu).
Follow the instructions for print-
ing from the Formatter and when
asked the question, "MAILIST?"
say yes (Y). The Formatter will then
ask you the name of your Mailist.
This is where you type in the same
filename you gave to the value file
when you saved it. Include the loca-
tion of the file (i.e., DSK1, DSK2,
etc.).
SETTING UP AN ENVELOPE
It is possible for you to set up a
text file with a format that will use
the same value file to produce
envelopes.
Take the Text Editor option on
the menu and then enter an "E" to
place the cursor on the first line of
the text editor. Enter the following
format commands:
XM 8;RM 72(CR)
.IN +32(CR)
Then, depending on the type of
value file you set up, enter the
variable numbers where they are to
appear on the envelope.
Example:
*1* *2* *3*
*4*
*5*
OR
♦1*
♦2*
*3*
NOTE: Be sure to foUow each
line with a carriage return.
At this point, save your file as you
would any other.
10
MINI-MAG 99 March, 1985
MINI-MAG 99 March, 1985
11
PRINTING THE ENVELOPE
If your printer only works on
tractor feed, there are envelopes
available at computer supply stores
with the continuous forms.
If you are using individual
envelopes, you will have to hand
feed them, so be sure to answer "Y"
to the "Pause at end of page?"
question.
After entering the Text Formatter
option of the Tl-Writer menu, enter
the name of the file, the print
device, etc. When you are asked if
you have a mailist, answer "Y."
Use the filename of your value file
when it asks for filename.
In next month's column I will
show you how to make three kinds
of value files from one for use with
variables, mailists and labels. O
r«
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12
MINI-MAG 99 March, 1985
THE CARE & FEEDING
OF A DISKETTE
By Stuart O. Adler
When you first receive any new
software package, it is important
that you copy the disk(s) and put the
original(s) away in a safe place (if
the software hasn't been protected
against you making a copy). It is
preferable that you keep your
originals somewhere away from
your other computer equipment. In
case of fire or theft, you are then
assured of keeping a copy of your
software so that you can resume
operations as soon as possible.
It is also advisable to make copies
of your working disks once a week
so that your data is protected.
This is called backing up your
disks. The back-up copy is put into
service and the original is put away
with your master copy. Generally,
three cycles of back-ups are kept
and then the oldest disks are re-used
for the next copy. If possible,
NEVER USE YOUR ORIGINAL
DISK, EXCEPT IN MAKING A
MASTER COPY.
The following are guidelines of
how to keep your disks in the best
possible condition:
1. To load a disk, remove it from its
protective jacket. Insert the disk
with the side you are using facing
the right. Slide gently into place
until you hear a click. Gently
close the door lever.
2. ALWAYS place the disk back
into its protective envelope after
use. NEVER place your fingers
, or thumb on the disk through the
window slot exposing the
magnetic surface.
3. DO NOT leave the disk lying
around. Dirt, dust, or stains on
the disk could cause the loss of
data. Never leave the disk lying
on the video unit or near an elec-
tronic motor, since the presence
of a magnetic field may also
cause loss or scrambling of data.
If you have a magnetic paper clip
dispenser, KEEP IT AWAY
from the disks for the same
reason.
4. DO use a FELT-TIP pen to make
any notes on the label of the
disk. Using a ballpoint pen or
pencil could damage the diskette
inside the envelope.
5. NEVER load the diskette with
the disk drive power off.
6. NEVER remove the diskette
from the disk drive compartment
with the red "busy" light on.
7. ALWAYS remove the disk
before turning off the power.
Never leave the disk in the disk
drive with the power off.
8. Preserve the disks by storing
them at 10 to 52 degrees Cen-
tigrade or from 40 to 125 degrees
Fahrenheit. D
MINI-MAG 99 March, 1985
13
: 9
Teas* Instruments Tt-9&4A - COMPUTERS. COMPONENTS AHD SOFTWARE
INTRODUCTORY SPECIAL
America's Number One TI computer retailer
Proudly Introduces
i
ON CASSETTE OR DISKS
- Never Before Pricing!
APAdventure
erws
Vi6^^ For the Texas Instruments Home Computer . . . by SCOTT ADAMS
ATTENTION TI OWNERS ',
Bv special arrangement with Texas Instruments
and Adventure International . TEX-COMP is now
able to offer the entire 12 volume series of Scott
Adam's Adventure for the TI-99 4A Home
Computer. At a special package price of only
$49.95 f you are saving hundreds of dollars off
of the original suggested retail price for these
adventures when purchased separately. The
Scott Adams Adventure Series has been
produced for every major brand of home and
personal computer and is recognized as the lead-
ing name in adventure gaming.
If you are tired of shooting down aliens or
running around mazes, then the intellectual chal-
lenge that comes with adventure gaming, may be
waiting for you. No special equipment other than
the TI-99/4A for 99 y 4) console and a tape re-
corder or disk drive storage capability. You just
insert the TI Adventure Module" into the
console and load the particular game you want
to play from cassette or disk. You will rmme-
diately be transported to another time and place
where two word commands allow you to mani-
pulate objects and perform acts just as if you
were actually there. The object of each game is
as varied as the games themselves and to win
the game you must complete it. This may take
hours, days or even months. Like a good novel
you can lay it down and then continue where
you had left off. The program provides for
saving the game on cassette or disk and then
recalling it.
TEX-COMP has made getting into TI ad-
venturing inexpensive and exciting. If you are
ready for adventuring then TEX-COMP is ready
for you with complete supporting products such
as the Ti Adventure Command Module at only
$6.95. and the Official Scott Adams Adventure
Hint Book at only $7.97.
THE ADVENTURES . . .
#1 AOVENTURELANO — W*n<j#f through an enchanted realm and try to
utcover ina 13 fctsi treasures. There are wild aftimer* ano magical beings
to reckon with as w*i a* many other perils sod mysteries This is tn«
Adams Classic that sianed il aiH f>tttcutly Laval: Moderaie
#2 HPtATE ADVENTURE — Only by exploring this suange island will you
oe able to uncover the Chios necesaery 10 lead you to yom etouve goal —
recovering the 10*1 treasures 0< Long John Silver D*f*»cuHy Level. Beginner
0% ADVENTURE #3 — In this excrimg Adveniute. time is or ihe essence
as you race Ihe clock to compters your m*ssion m lime — or else the
worlds lirst automated nuclear reactor is doomed > H you survive ihi$ chat*
lengwg missMMi. consider yourself * Ifue Adventurer' Difficulty Level.
Advanced
#4 VOOOOO CASTLE — The Count has fallen victim to a fiendish curse
placed on h*m by hn enemws There he lies, with you his only possible
hope. Will you puH o« a rescue, or is he really down tor the Count"
Oifncurty Level. Moderate
#fi TM€ COUNT — it oegm* when you awake ia a large brass bed in a
castle somewhere tn Transylvania Who are you. what are you doing here
and WHY did ihe postman deliver a botlfe of taood? DiMicuity Level
Moderate
#• STRANGE 0OYSS6V — Al Ihe gaia-ys run. there are rewards
aplenty to be harvested from a long dead alien civilization, including fabu-
lous treasures and advanced technologies 1»r beyond human ken 1 Prepare
yourseh* for the mcredibte* Difficulty Level Moderate
e? THE MYSTEKY FUN HOUSE — As Adventure #7 begins, you find
yourself hopelessly lost m the middle ot a carnival k*n house While es-
cape may elude you. one thing is very clear — you re NOT here to have a
good time* Difficulty Level Moderate
#• PYRAMID Of DOOM — This is an Adventure that will transport you to
a dangerous land of crumbling turns and trackless desert wastes mio me
PYRAMID OF DOOM! Jewels, gold — its aw here for the plundering — IF
you can find the way Difficulty Level. Moderate
eg GHOST TOWN — You must explore a once 'thriving mining town m
search of the 13 hidden treasures With everything horn rattlesnakes to
runaway horses, it Sure ain't going to be easy* includes a special bonus
scoring system too 1 Difficulty Level: Advanced
#10 SAVAGE ISLAND PART i — A small island hoWs an awesome
secret — will you be able to discover it* This is the beginning of a two-part
Adventure iThe story continue* «n SAVAGE ISLAND PART 2.
ADVENTURE ell.) NOTE Th*s ones a toughte — for experienced Ad-
venturers oniy( Difficulty Level Advanced
•11 SAVAGE ISLAND PART M — The suspense begun in Adventure #10
now comes loan mcredibte conclusion w»1h SAVAGE tSLAND PART II 1
This Adventure requires you to have successfully finished #10. wherein
you were given the secret password to begin this final hall NOTE ft>i
eipenenced Adventurers only 1 Difficulty Level Advanced
#12 G04.DEN VOYAGE — The king lies neat deatn in the royal palace
You have only three days 10 bring back ihe elixir needed io rejuv«n«re
him Journey through the lands ol mag*c fountains, sacred temples, slormy
seas and go*d. go*d. GOLD* This one is for OMpe'ienced Adventurers only 1
Diilicutty Level Advanced
HINT BOOK
Our hint book provides Clues and solutions to help you out of those sticky spots you have gotten into, while still enabling you io solve ttte
Adventure yourself. So if you can't seem to gel oul of the bog. or locale the Pharoah a near), then you've come to the right place lor heip. This
edition includes hints lor all SCOTT ADAMS Adventures 1 - 12. There is also a special section on the making ol Adventure Maps. For those that
just want answers, there is a solution section, too. But don't worry. AH clues and solutions are specially encoded so thai the only time you can
g«*Cli*or«i*Mri$«Mnyou««nti>i». Hint Book $r.9S
Buy now and SAVE
I
TI ADVENTURE COMMAND MODULE
This module is required to use the games advertised on this page. If you do
not already have il, it may be purchased from TEX-COMP for only $6,95.
Adventure Module PHM3041 $6.95
RETURN TO PIRATE'S ISLAND
The sequel to Pirates Adventure is now available from TEX-COMP on a self
contained module with graphics!
PHM3189 $11.95
EXTRA VALUE BONUS
WITH EACH ADVENTURE SERIES ORDER ON CASSETTE OR DISK,
TEX-COMP IS INCLUDING THE LATEST ADVENTURE FROM
EUROPE. . . "KNIGHT IRON HE ART\ . . WHICH SELLS FOR S9.95
IN THE BIG TEX-COMP CATALOG . . . (REQUIRES MODULE)
•44 J*» ha tirtH i«<l «<bn
VISA antf MASTERCARD
HOLDERS CALL DIRECT:
(818)366-6631
SEND OftPCH *J» WAKE CHECKS PAYAWLt TO:
TEX-COMP
Texas Instrument*
TM
P.O. SOX BMW — ORAMAOA HM.LS, C* Jl Jflfl
*4»
AUTMOMZED DEALER
TERMS: Alt prices FOB. Los Angeles, For laatest service use
castiMse check or money order. Add 3% ehipping and handing
($3.00 fAJntmufiu. East ol Mississippi 4H%. (free shipping on all
software orders over IHKLOOt* rMces and availability subject io
change wtthom notice We reserve Ihe rfgW *o IbnH ousntrUes.
MOTE: P»ym*ni m fi*w mutt accompany atf order*. ^Credif-Certf.
Company Chec* or *on*y Order lot imrrtetfieJe t/Upmerrt. Person*
checks fa*** up to 4 w**ks (o &•**. CaWorrva &<*** stftf ev*% *****
rax.
14
MINI-MAG 99 March, 1985
MINI-MAG 99 March, 1985
15
TYPING TUTOR— A Review
BITS & OTHER PIECES
By Kimberley Anne Guest
I know that there are alot of you
TI users out there who love your
computers and love to work with
them, but isn't it a little frustrating,
not to mention embarrassing, to sit
at your keyboard and punch
everything in with your two index
fingers?
It seems like there must be some
way to improve your typing skills
without going back to High School,
right?
I have found that Touch Typing
Tutor, a command module program
by Texas Instruments is a terrific aid
for both adults and children.
It is set up in three main
sections: Lessons, Diagnostic, and
Game.
LESSONS
You are given a choice of 8
different levels in this section, rang-
ing from the learning of the basic
keys to learning all the numbers and
symbols on the TI-99/4A.
DIAGNOSTIC
The three subsections within this
part of Typing Tutor are: WPM
(word per minute) Timing,
Analysis, and Practice.
WPM Timing
The screen displays a sentence or
a combination of sentences for you
to type in. When you have com-
pleted this section, you are given the
number of errors that you made, as
well as your wpm timing.
Analysis
After you are given a combina-
tion of letters, numbers, and/or
symbols, you type them in. When
16
you are finished with this portion,
Typing Tutor informs you as to
which keys you will need to practice
more.
Practice
For a practice session, several
keys are displayed on the screen,
one at a time. Your task is
simple: type in the keys as they are
shown.
GAME
This is my favorite part!
Again, you are given the choice as
to which level you wish to try. Then,
as an airplane (which is flying across
the screen from left to right) passes
over a little cloud, it leaves a word
from the Lessons inside the cloud.
As soon as you see a word, you
must type it in correctly to make it
disappear.
There is, however, a "catch" to
this task: If the airplane (on its next
flight over that cloud) finds the
word is still there, it counts as an
error. The plane flies faster, and the
words become more difficult as the
play continues. You must avoid
allowing three errors to occur con-
secutively, because, at that point,
the game ends.
Typing Tutor's game is not only
challenging (and nerve-racking, at
times), but it will help you to build
up your speed.
My overall view of Typing Tutor?
It's an excellent tool for learning.
And it may be just what you need to
stop the two-fingered farse! □
MINI-MAG 99 March, 1985
By Jim Labriola
Over the past 30 years, computers
have helped man to achieve goals in
many aspects of life — from the
home, to running businesses, to
developing new devices and
medicines.
Most often, the developments
made in human achievements are
done first on computers, whether
preconceived and refined on the
computer or developed from
parameters given to the computer.
In this article, and articles to
follow, we will try to build an
understanding of computer logic
and digital technology.
From the beginning, a method of
turning pertinent information into
electronic information was needed.
With the inception of Univac, a
gigantic vacuum tube computer, it
was conceived that either a signal of
predetermined voltage, or no signal,
in a certain amount of time would
represent information.
These signals were called "bits"
of information, and all information
was to be broken down and used in
this manner.
In digital logic, a "one" (1) or a
"zero" (0) is used to represent an on
or off signal in the bit's format.
This numerical format is referred to
as the Base Two Number System.
There are no two's (2's) in Base
Two, because in our everyday
system, Base Ten, a two is equal to
"ten" (10).
Strings of ones and zeros are read
by computers as numerical words.
Different types of computers may
use different numerical word
lengths — from four-bit words to
32-bit words. The TI-99/4A uses
16-bit words.
Eight (8) bits is equal to a byte. A
32-bit computer uses words that are
4 bytes wide. The TI-99/4A is a
16-bit computer and uses words that
are 2 bytes wide. A four-bit word is
called a nibble.
If a computer is said to have a
capacity of 16K (as is the
TI-99/4A), it means that there is a
memory capacity of 16,000 bytes.
Small computers are called
microprocessors and were designed
to personalize the mainframes. The
Microprocessors use basically the
same logic process as the larger
mainframes, except that they have
limitations as to work and storage
capacity.
For example, a microprocessor
may range from 8K to 64K (with
some going as high as S12K), and a
mainframe may start its storage
capacity at 512K and go up from
there.
With recent developments, the
once "not so capable"
microprocessor is fast approaching
the mainframe's capabilities.
Next month, we will discuss the
terminology used to refer to the
different part^ of the
microprocessor.
You are given a choice of eight
different levels in this section, rang-
ing from the learning of the basic
keys to learning all the numbers and
symbols on the TI-99/4A. □
MINI-MAG 99 March, 1985
17
A LOOK AT MINI-WRITER
By Leslyn Tepper
Mini- Writer is a cassette-based,
easy-to-use word processor that
works with the Mini-Memory
Module and an optional printer.
Mini-Writer was authored by
W.R. Moseid, who says that 9500 +
characters can be stored in the
console.
Much like Tl-Writer, Mini- Writer
uses a "window" display of three
(3) overlapping windows. Its files
are compatible with those of TI-
Writer and the Editor /Assembler
(Dis/Var 80) and are, therefore,
capable of being edited by either of
them.
There are, however, several dif-
ferences between Mini- Writer and
TI- Writer. One is that the tabs are
preset at 8-column intervals.
Another preset function is the bell
which rings when you reach column
75 (of the 80-column line) to let you
know that you are about to
approach the end of the line. This
function is set up to provide the user
with a chance to hyphenate or
change to the next line, since there is
no "word-wrap" function in this
program.
Both of these preset functions can
be changed, and the publisher will
give you the information as to how
to change them if you get in touch
with them.
There are up to 1 19 lines usable in
Mini-Writer (that's about two pages
long). The last line (120) must be left
blank to allow for room for the
"move" and "copy" functions.
The "move" function is really
unique in Mini- Writer. It was made
to be used with complete ease, while
the screen tells the user to move the
cursor to the beginning of the copy
that is to be moved, then to the end
of the copy to be moved, then to the
position at which the copy should be
placed.
Instead of giving specific file
commands as in Tl-Writer, Mini-
Writer uses Control keys for these
commands (i.e., Control 1 for Save;
Control 2 for Load, etc.).
The "search" command will
search for up to an 80-character
string, placing the cursor at the
beginning of the string when it is
found.
To print hard copy, the user sim-
ply uses the "save" command and
indicates the device to which the
copy should be saved. For instance,
RS232, PIO, DSK, CS, etc.
Mini-Writer comes with full
screen text editing.
You can take a blank overlay that
you received when you got your
TI-99/4A console, and mark the
respective boxes with the commands
that they perform with either the
Control key (row with red dot to the
right) or the Function key (row with
the grey dot to the right). The
author of Mini- Writer suggests that
instead of writing on the blank
overlay, you should use rub-on let-
ters (available at most art stores or
stationers), and then, cover the
overlay with magic transparent
tape. Finally, trim the excess tape
with an X-Acto knife.
Moseid states, "Mini-Writer is
like putting 10 pounds in a one-
pound bag!" The retail price is
$19.95.0
18
. Tem» M
Instruments
i
TEX^COMP
America's Number One TEXAS INSTRUMENTS dealer-
Proudly Introduces
A COMPLETE IM PRICE
*Vft
■.*'
l-.-il
For the Texas Instruments Home Computer
I
i
TEX-COMP now offers the first professional quality word processing available for the T1-99/4A
equipped with only a cassette recorder. The MINI-WRITER Cassette Program makes use of the extra
memory power of thef I MINt-MEMORY Command Module. Now you have the full power of professional
wordprocessing without the need for a disk drive or memory expansion. By adding the new axiom printer
which requires no RS232 interface, low cost quality printing on plain paper (not sub-standard thermal
paper) can be combined for a complete word processing system at a very modest cost.
Mmr»Writ«r
to
**
ii «it-mi
CUftlHI MtHlU
«*«ft
S-1
*+*/££**
//'^>,<
MM>*
-. tfC&iJ* *
X
HINI-MEMQRY
IINI-WRI
SYSTEH T0TALW44
Two-year
warranty
Graphics
capabilities
AXIOM
Printer, Griam
(no interface required)
SPECIAL
Add $50 to Upgrade to Axiom 550 or
GLP Models.
Ho Mora EraaJng,
StrffcMwrt or
MM«y Correcting Fluids!
DESCRIPTION: A "MINI" Word Processor which features;
Full Screen Text Editing: 24 x 40 Character "Window" ,80 Character Line;
9500 Characters Storeo Per Fife; Add/Delete Characters or Unes;
Movable Copy; Upper and Lower Case Characters; Save or Load To or
From Any Storage Device Print Via the Printer
Searches for Desired Information; Scroll's Screen (Up, Down, Left, Right).
Purges Text Buffer and Has Cancel Commands. TI-MINIWRITER
is Designed to Load from Cassette Into the Mini-Memory
Cartridge. J^_
Makes Report and Letter Writing Easy and Fast. dfik/^'V*
Low Cost to Consumer for Word Processing Capability. ^wfc » *t
Easy to Learn and Use ffam
SPECIAL Buy the Entire System (3 Pieces) and We Include FREE Ship. & Ins.
(UPS Only), A FREE TI Dual Cassette Cable and h Starter Pack of Printer Paper.
A $40.00+ Retail Value!
MINI-MAG 99 March, 1985
Add 3% SH&I and 4.5% W of Miss. ($3.00 mln). All
orders subject to current availability. We reserve the
right to limit quantities. Send $2.00 for our new 99/4A
30-page catalog and buyers guide. Visit our
warehouse outlet. Call (818) 366-6631 for hours.
Send Order* To.'
TEX+COMP-
P. \ O. BOX S3Q84 1
GRANADA HILLS, CA 91344.
\mm4MAiTB&m
Haumcmmtcr:
i
i
AJI Prices Reflect a 3% Discount for Cash
Add 3% If Paying By Credit Card
NOTE- Payment In full must accompany ail orders. Credit Card, Company Check or Money Order for Immediate
snipment. Persona* Checks Require up to 4 Weeks to Clear. California orders add 6.5% sales tax.
MINI-MAG 99 Mareh, 1985
19
TEX^COMP
Tl Utllf SUtVtT
PRESENTSi
DRAW 'N PLOT®
CHART MAKER®
DATABASE 99®
For the Texas Instruments Home Computer . .
FROM QUALITY 99 SOFTWARE
Now get more out of your
TI 99/4A Home Computer
DRAW 'N PLOT®
^\
v:
V*
V,
Now you can draw any Image on the screen with PIXEL accuracy and assembly language SPEED.
You can also save any image or drawing you create to disk and read it into another program. Mix
any combination of text and graphics, specify background and line colors. PRINT any image from
the screen on an EPSQN or GEMINI 10x compatible printer. This Is the ultimate TI-S9MA screen
dump program! !i Lets you use your screen or printer like a expensive plotter, with plotting com-
mands. Create and print drawings, graphs, designs, and Illustrations. The only limitation is your
imagination.
Requfr**: Disk Drive, 32K, EX-BASIC ft JOYSTICK $39.95 pOST pSlQ
/
i
V
U ,
CHART MAKER®
This Is an accessory program for use with the new "Draw 'N Plot" program. Lets you quickly and
easily create graphs and charts from ordinary figures. Produces both screen dispiays and printed
copies-
Menu driven
$19.95
(postpaid)
DATABASE 99®
The Database Manager
At Last I A fast flexible, friendly DataBase Management Program for the TI-99MA. Quality 90 soft-
ware has created this ail new program which contains everything you ever wanted from Tl f s per-
sonal record keeping but couldn't have due to memory limitations. Now you can create records
with up to 28 fields with up to 28 characters each. You can sort on any field and print any field In
any column on any line. Very, very fasti Store 360 records on a single density disk or 1400 records
on a DD/DS disk. Can be expanded to multiple drives! Create custom mail lists, keep track of
collections, appointments, reservations etc. Finally, high powered Data Base Management can be
yours on a TI-99/4A. Requires; Disk, 32K, EX.BASIC *Oft AC
$39-95 POSTPAID
Ail hardware required to run these programs and Extended Basic are available from TEX-COMP at
the lowest possible prices!!!
SEND ORDER AND MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO:
\
TEX^COMP
Mill
*OkOtmCMl*MCt:
(•18) 3664631
P.O. BOX 33064— GRANADA HILLS, C A 91344
NOTE:
Payment in fuFt must accompany all orders. Credit Card, Company
Check or Money Order for immediate shipment. Personal checks re-
quire up to 4 weeks to clear. California orders add 6 1 A% sales tax.
When in the Los Angeles area visit our modern warehouse outlet store
where you can purchase all Tl Hems at our regular discount prices. Call
for location a hours!
Send $2.00 for our new 99/4A 30-page catalog & buyer's guide.
All prices reflect a 3% discount
for cash. Add 3% if paying by
Oedit Card.
"CONTINENTAL US ONLY
MINI-MAG 99 March, 1985
99 PUZZLE OF THE MONTH
G N I N W S
H C A S S
ETTEJLFOW
Q J N Y R E
T I R W I
TQDPKTK.GF
P E R I P H
E R A L S
F V I Q H C M P Y
Y D D V V Y
R Y P J K
QHGNIOZPB
H M L, T H H
Q X L Z J
KHDTDILLJ
V W O C R P
K C C C L
HXSEBAKYN
U U G J T X
A X F O T
YYMDTJNAL
M N A L P I
T L U t
1 M
ONDOI VPLP
C K W D O C
N S X G
; j
P W E L E S E I A
U O K R I U
T D M C
> G
IUOLQRKQA
J Q N S V G
V D Y I
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EOTIULMKV
M L A S K G
G E R F
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URQEEDSEV
C B D S O A
J S M J
p
IHARRBOCC
M L T M M L
2 F H E
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BMAWUWYMI
I U A I H F
E F B V
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HWEHDIODS
K L N C O H
P O I C
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TXMMRROJA
M I K T S T
X F P R
F-VAYTOOAAE
M L M K C A
T H O O
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CISHGRTHW
V K U L K P
P F S O
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WNBMRCYHA
T D K F M L
C P R I
N
TERMGMWWD
CASSETTE
BASIC
PASCAL
FORTH
PLATO
DIRECTIONS
MULTIPLAN
TIWRITER
There are 20 words hidden in the
MODULE
above puzzle. You may :
find them
■» ■" ^ ^i^ ™ ^ ^ta^ ^^^ ^^^
PRINTER
horizontally, vertically or
diagonal-
CONSOLE
ly, and they may be either frontward
DISK
or backward.
PEBOX
The word list is at the right.
HARDWARE
Check each one off as you locate it
SOFTWARE
in the puzzle. Good luck!
PERIPHERALS
MINIMEMORY
MINIMAG
COMPUTER
MODEM
JOYSTICK
MINI-MAG 99 Marc., 1985
21
T ID- BYTES
TO WET
YOUR APPETITE
DataBioTics Plans for '85
RENOIR
A company spokesman from
DataBioTics, Inc., a Southern
California based corporation, told
us about the companies' plans to
release several new products for the
TI-99/4A sometime in the first
quarter of 1985.
The first of these new products is
a cartridge called, "Renoir," which
includes a 64K memory and a menu-
driven choice of either FORTH or
RENOIR. This version of FORTH
is supposed to work with "blinding
speed," according to the
spokesman. The RENOIR portion
of the cartridge will work with
Mouse and Joystick to create
graphics.
RENOIR will have the ability to
save graphics to any desired device
(RS232, PIO, DSK, TP, etc.). It is
hoped that the unit, which plugs in-
to the front of the computer like any
other command module, will cost
$99.95,.' " ,
MINI-WRITER I
Mini-Writer I is a cassette-based
word processor that is to be used
with Mini-Memory. There will be no
joyprint interface in this program;
however, DataBioTics spokesman
said, "Mini-Writer I wiU use the
same formatting that Tl-Writer
does, with all codes on the screen."
y
"The added attraction to this
word processor, though, is the use
of the 32 ASCII codes to direct the
printer to do whatever the user
wants — underscore, bold print,
compressed print, expanded, etc."
The planned price for this prod-
uct is $19.95.
MINI-WRITER II
Another planned module is Mini-
Writer II, a combination of Mini-
Memory and Mini-Writer. It is a
word processor in a single cartridge.
This will be closer to Tl-Writer in
performance and will sell for $39.95
MINI- WRITER III
Mini-Writer III, like Mini-Writer
II, will contain all of the same ad-
vantages, plus, on the front of the
cartridge is a 16-pin connector for
direct printer hook-up. The
DataBioTics spokesman calls this
module, "a word processor in a
can." The planned price is $99.95.
SUPER DISK
Now, let's move from the module
portion of the TI-99/4A into the
PEB (Peripheral Expansion Box).
Here, DataBioTics is planning to
release a new product called,
"Super Disk." According to the
22
MINI-MAG 99 March, 1985
spokesman, Super Disk is a card to
be inserted like any other card in the
PEB. To the system, this card will
appear to be a disk controller;
however, in reality, the card will
contain 64K of memory expansion,
with the option of adding more
memory to it in 64K increments, up
to 5T2K total.
The "workshed" portion of
Super Disk will include several func-
tions—Catalog, BLoad, BSave,
PEEK, POKE, etc. Within the
utilities section, the user will have a
Disk Manager, Sorter, Screen
Dump, ability to move memory and
write to VDP and more.
Super Disk uses advanced
technology to afford the ability of
obtaining 512K on a 5" x 7" card.
The price? At the time of this
writing, the price has not been set.
However, the company hopes to
offer Super Disk with 128K for
under $300.
4A/TALK
4A/Talk is a diskette-based ter-
minal emulator that will use Baud
rate 110/2400.
DataBioTics is planning to in-
clude three (3) separate and distinct
protocals:
1. X-Modem
Allowing the user to
up and down load from
any CP/M data base.
2. TE II
Allowing the user to
connect to DEC (Digital
Equipment Corporation)
Computer.
3. KERMIT
At no additional charge.
The cost of 4A/TALK will be
under $35.00.
4 A /PAINT
According to DataBioTics
spokesman, "Look out PC Jr.
Paint I" This disk-based program
will do everything PC Jr. Paint does
& more, with less memory consump-
tion (under 50K, currently).
"You can save your graphics to
disk and call them back in from the
keyboard anytime." 4A/ Paint will
interface with Mouse and track ball.
The plan is to sell 4A /Paint for
$69.95.
PILOT
DataBioTics' educational release
will be, "Pilot," a disk containing
the high-level language referred to
as PILOT. It is a language which
enables teachers who are not really
that familiar with computer pro-
gramming to prepare computer-
aided instruction by use of only 7 or
8 commands. Not only a language,
this disk also works as a compiler,
compiling the PILOT into machine
language. The result: high-speed
processing. Pilot will be priced
reasonably at under $50.
EDITOR'S NOTE
It is our hope that these products
not only go through the planning
stage, but come to fruition. The
99 /4A could use a real boost like
this!
If you know of any plans for new
products, send details to:
S.O.S. Publishers
Product News
21777 Ventura #203
Woodland Hills, CA 91364
MINI-MAG 99 March, 1985
23
CORCOMP
Continued from Page 7
toward their job and the future of
CorComp. New engineer expertise is
being brought on board. Revitaliz-
ing imagination and strategy are be-
ing introduced by new engineers and
management. Our distributors are
standing behind us and have con-
tinued to work with us and make
sure the99er's can fulfill their com-
puting expectations.
"We at CorComp are grateful for
our third chance and promise quali-
ty products, professional support
services and innovative ideas for the
future of the 99 /4A loyalist. We are
looking optimistically towards our
second year anniversary and wish to
offer a premature Thank You to all
99er's."
According to Jackirae Sagouspe,
president of CorComp, the 9900
Micro Expansion System is well into
production, with'many units already
sent to distributors. Even though
there have been delays from time to
time in obtaining parts from their
suppliers, CorComp is completing
production. D
EDUCATION
FROM NAVARONE
HOMEWORK HELPER, by
Navarone Industries of Sunnyvale,
California, was designed to make
homework fun, while developing
basic computer skills.
An educational program for
children 8 years and older,
Homework Helper features a built-
in 20,500 word spelling checker dic-
tionary to identify spelling errors.
According to Navarone, it is a
simple-to-use tool for improving
study habits, written work quality,
and planning class assignments.
Homework Helper contains a
word processor which includes stan-
dard format book reports and class
projects. This software uses the
Peripheral expansion features of the
TI-99/4A.
Navarone's SPEED READING
was designed to improve reading
speed and comprehension. Versions
are available for both children and
adults.
This program comes complete in
a cartridge, no additional
peripherals or memory are required;
however, special features can be
used if a disk drive is available.
The program provides extensive
practice in taking in more print,
faster. Included with the cartridge is
a complete workbook.
Both Homework Helper and
Speed Reading sell for $49.95 and
can be found at most distributors.
f
*'
24
MINI-MAG 99 March, 1985
P-CODE PROBLEMS
We have heard that several users
of the P-Code card have had prob-
lems with the card "burning out,*'
and sometimes affecting other cards
in the box. W.R. Moseid says, "The
P-Code card does generate the most
heat of any card."
There is, however, a solution to
the problem. Moseid says, "To
obtain the needed adequate ventila-
tion, remove the fan from the
expansion box and replace it with a
fan from the TI Professional com-
puter. This fan not only moves more
air, but also runs much quieter."
Mr. Moseid also suggests another
method of quieting the existing fan
in the PEB. He says, "simply cut a
circle out in the PEB and place a
wire shield in the hole."
RUMORS ABOUND
Myarc, Inc., in Basking Ridge,
New Jersey has a limited number of
hard disks for the 99/4A. These
disks contain 10 mega bytes and a
clock option. They cable to a per-
sonality card which connects to the
PEB. To take advantage of full
capabilities, the user should have
Extended Basic. Price is set at
$895 .00/ each.
It is also rumored that Myarc may
be manufacturing a new cost-
reduced hard disk. If anyone is in-
terested, you should call or write to
Myarc.
ISOBAR POWER LINE
FILTER 4/6
Suppresses spikes, transients,
radio frequency
interference (RF1) on
power line, and electro
magnetic interference (EMI).
4 Sockets
6-Foot Cord
REG. $79.00
SALE $69.00
Send Check or Money Order to:
Adler Computer Technology
21777 Ventura Blvd., Suite 228
Woodland Hills, CA 91364
(818) 703-0350
Allow 14 additional days for
clearance of personal checks.
MINI-MAG 99 March, 1985
FREE BBS
According to Terry Atkinson and
Paul Degner of Canada, there is a
database on a Canadian Network
called DATAPAC. The database is
called UMBBS and is maintained by
Mafk Evans of the University of
Manitoba's Computer Science
Department.
UMBBS is featured as a multiple
board BBS which rivals the Source
as being multi-user capable.
Currently, this is a free system,
but due to the cost factor, there may
eventually be a yearly membership
charge and /or a fee 1 charge per call.
The; charges, however, should be
minimal compared to the Source or
Coriipuserve. '■
You can access this database by
either Telenet or Tymnet. I have
received two separate access
Continued on Page 27
25
^^c
TEX*COMP
'mm^ PRESE
PRESENTS!
1984
"^^ Offer
ON [^UAIAIVIUO U For the Texas Insiniroents Home Computer...
the most important books
Vj . you can turn to for H-99/4A
Jar guidance.
^ E 80°/c
PLUS REAPY-TO-RUH
CASSETTE 6 DISK
QSOPTHARB PROGRAMS
t*
Mltl $2 UACYTD-I
Computer Books and Software from DATAMOST
Special Offer: BELOW DEALER COST!
OAVES Tl* PlAT W/32 Rftady-io-Run Progr*m» on Cwattt*.
Thff lurhori havt complied ■ lug* istscilon of cl***lc computer g*mt»
Mong *mi many c**w rawonM. Wr*H*» In Tl BASK3, th»y sra (omiartad In a way wMcn Ht* jkhi •*•*-
ty adapt alt or portton* to your own program*. Eacft oam* i ■ axptalnatf In ctaar aimpla lormt— *Jto*tog
you to cuatomli* and modify tnam to your heart 1 * contaoti Toull \—m taxi Nxmattlng. word gamaa,
data atatamaoia. and Input *owtm«*- Many of tha oama* will halp you ondaratand how ortd* aracoo-
atmctad and Qraphtca anUnatad. Ma*pft4 tacftn4qua* lat you diaaact BASIC proo/ama and town what
makaa tham tick, taam programming and da-buoolng from wortUnfl with thaaa gamaa, MO
pagaa— aptrai bound— published at $U-05- n*ady-to-run proorama$24.»lTCX<X>MPprtcacomp*ata
with 32 prooram* on caaaatta ............ $f M
KIDS AND THET1-tt.4A
Th* moat popular introduction to lha WMA avar publlihad. 33 atap-by-atap laatona intfoduca tha
rwi* palnlaaily to tha wonderful world of the T1-W/4A. Each leaaon inciudaa rwtaa for teacher or
parent aa wall aa a rwrtaw auU at tha and of aach chaptar. Ilkatratad with dozana of cartoons to maka '
learning computer literacy *»• **•«• tor Adultal 23e paoaa-apkal bound-illuatratadout- m
$19.06 TEX^OMP prtaa l*^
TWE ELEMENTAL THW4A
Tan chaptara lead you *tep*y«tap throuoh th* procaaa of hooWng up tha TT9974A, toadlnfl and saving
prooyam*. craating grspWc*. music, and ail Wpo* of handy utlllttaa. ft It written In a condaa an<J pn>
graaaiva martnar ao whan you ar* ftnlahad you will ba writing and using program*. Even « you alraady
are progr*mmlng, thi* wtH provios a tot of hafpful Informjilon and will appeal to ail member* of tha IK ej"
famity.25« pagaa— apiral bound -0iii*«r*Je*puti.aJ*14.99TEX^^MPprtca **•* *i#.9S#*r*
<TCOMPUTEII PiAVOHOWNO OH THE Tl-MMA
*-** Tnla la tha parfact booh to provide chitaVan gradaa 24 with theif first axpoaura to tha world of com-
puter*. Everything la kept sJcnpts wHh ovar 70 ptcturaa and drawings to color and a serlea of aimpia
actMtlst to lead ma child through alemaotary oompotSf undaratandlng and programminfl. Waal lor
both achooia and computer carnpa. Contstas sampls programa and leeeona on how to modify and
write tham, Many l*u*Uatkma Wi f uU cotor \2$ pagaa— puWIahed at ».»5. TEX-COMP pries **•*■
a*
• U.M
$295
s
^.
19. as
nx#eoM»
i
JflS -
m*
G
a
G
PL£A8C SCND HC THE FOU.OW1NO OATAMOVT pXXMCS:
D GAMES TT* KAY Including caa*wtta,wlth 32 programa
EHCtOSBl la $7M lor aach, (Add $JJ» tor dlaka)
KIDS AND THE T l * WH J to c)aaa*l !■ $AM for aach.
THE ECEMENTABY Tl^ncToaad I* UM tor aach.
COMPUTER PLAYGROUND ON THE TI-W4A
Encioaad fa $1.96 for each.
Q SHIPPING AND HANDUNO— CONTINENTAL US
Endoaad la i2.95 for any numbar of book* up to 4.
ADD $3.00 for HI, AK, APO. f PO A CANADA.
NOTE: Payment In fuH muaj accompany all ordara. Credit Card, Company I
Chech or Money Order for immadlata anipmant »
Paraonai chacha ragutra up to 4 weeha to clear. California order*
edd9vt%saJ*etax.
Sand S2.D0 for our new 9674A 30-paga catalog A buyer** guide.
SMMQ GKDX*$ TOt
TEX*COMP "
IP.O,m% 330*4
IQAANAOA HtUS, CA, tl$44
VhierfMMDCH. HaMi
U
I
1
~ (818)3664431
26
MINI-MAG 99 March, 1985
NOTES
Continued from Page 25
numbers and, at the time of this
writing, have still been unable to
"hook-up."
Terry*s instructions are as
follows:
If you have access to TELENET,
get into the service by normal
means, when you get the "@"
prompt, type in:
C 030209320023 3 (enter)
If you get connected, type in:
TLOGON UMBBS
and follow the prompts from there.
Paul Degner's instructions are as
follows:
Once you have access to either
TELENET or TYMNET, specify
3101
then
93200233
then, finally:
TLOGON UMBBS
I was unable to connect with the
instructions given by Paul; however,
Programmer's Tool Box
TUTOR Assembly Language Tutorial
For your Tt $14.50
EXAMPLES 10 Assembly Programs/
Utilities on disk $19,00
DISASSEMBLER Written in Assembly
(or Great speed. Screen, disk.
and printer output $14.50
PROGRAM WRITER Converts text
tiles to basic programs $18.00
GAME Maze Game in
Assembiy/Basic $12.50
UNPHOTECT Extended Basic
Programs $3.50
Special
All Products tor Only $42.50
THE SOFTIES INC.
P.O. Box 26484
Mpls.. MN 5S426
612-593-9857
MINI-MAG 99 March, 1985
I did connect with Terry's instruc-
tions. The furthest I got was con-
nect, though, still being unable to
actually log on, to UMBBS.
Upon my last attempt, I got the
following message:
UMBBS has been moved to 470 .. .
Use BLOGON UMBBS.
When I used these instructions, I
got the message, "ID in use,'* and
was automatically disconnected.
According to Terry, "This is a
free service, and is very busy, with
callers from all over Canada and the
USA. If you get prompts such as
'insufficient units' or 'user ID not
responding' and the like, this just
means it is BUSY, so keep trying."
It seems that there are only 10 in-
put lines with over 2000 users. If
you have the time to keep trying, go
for it ! □
> > \ ^^ \X t VVX\.^V\\\\\N%NV\X\V
ANCHOR MARK XII
MODEM
1200/300 Baud
• Hayes Compatible
• Auto Answer
• Auto Dial
• LED Display
• Serial Port Compatible
• Complete with
Connecting Cable
ONLY $349.00
Send Check or Money Order to:
Adler Computer Technology
21777 Ventura Blvd., Suite 228
Woodland Hills, CA 91364
(818) 703-0350
: Allow 14 additional days for
clearance of personal checks.
SV\\*\SV\\V\SVXNNVVXV V \. V \_ \
27
Te"^
The 8/c
TEX^COMP
11 uaiti t umv
PRESENTS!
Texas
instruments
i
DUUTVniCE
ON TEAS BBTJnWOnS
COMPOTEI
sofrofc.
Mini-Ma g %g*§>
THE EXaUSryg *MGAZWf fgg Sj **jjtj$gjg_ Suit/
„
^t
PHM
PHM
PHM
PHM
PHM
PHM
PHM
PHM
PHM
PHM
PHM
PHM
PHM
PHM
PHM
PHM
PHM
PHM
PHM
PHM
PHM
PHM
3002
3003
3004
3016
3013
3022
3023
3030
3031
3032
3052
3053
3054
3056
3057
3095
3096
3099
3100
3101
3229
3112
Early Learning Fun
Beginning Grammar
Number Magic
Tax Investment Rec. Keeping
Video Games
Personal Real Estate
Hunt The Wumpus
Amazing
Attack
Btasto
Tombstone City
Tl Invaders
Car Wars
Alptner
Munchman
Fractions (Mill)
Number Readyness (Mill)
Laws of Arithmetic (Mill)
Equations (Mill)
Formulas (Mill)
Hopper
Parsec
$495
PHM 3042
PHM 3041
PHM 3114
PHM 3115
PHM 3118
PHM 3119
PHM 3169
PHM 3034
PHM 3037
Tunnels of Doom {Cass, or Disk)
Adventure (Cass, or Disk)
Alligator Mix
Allen Addition
Minus Mission
Meteor Multiplication
Word Invasion
Hustle
Hangman
Disk)
$6 95
in ^^^
$995
PHM 3009 Football
PHM 3010 Physical Fitness
PHM 30t5 Early Reading (Speech)
PHM 3043 Reading Fun
PHM 3046 Reading On
PHM 3047 Reading Roundup
PHM 3046 Reading Rally
PHM 3062 Reading Flight
PHM 3027 Addition & Subtraction 1
PHM 3028 Addition & Subtraction 2
PHM 3029 Multiplication 1
PHM 3049 Division 1
PHM 3050 Numeration 1
PHM 3051 Numerations
PHM 3088 Computer Math Games 6
PHM 3059 Scholastic Spelling 3
PHM 3060 Scholastic Spelling 4
PHM 3062 Scholastic Spelling 6
PHM 3090 Addition (Mill)
PHM 3091 Subtraction (Mill)
PHM 3092 Multiplication (MIH)
PHM 3093 Division (Mill)
PHM 3094 Integers (Mlti)
PHM 3020 Music Maker
PHM 3067 Othello
PHM 3064 Typing Tutor
PHM 3220 Micro Surgeon
PHM 3219 Super Demon Attack
Subscribe
Before Feb. 28, 1985 and
SAVE $5.00
on a
12-month subscription
Regularly $20.00
FREE SHIPPING ON AU SOFTWARE ORDERS OVER F100.00*
SEMD ORDER AND MAKE CHECKS PA YABLE TO: TV*** IflntrnwrnU
D Yes. Please sign me up as a subscriber
to MINI-MAG 99.
□ Yes. I would like to take advantage of the
special $15.00 subscription.
(If subscribing before Feb. 28, 1985, check both boxes above.)
Enclosed Is my payment for $
!
I
«
I
CHECK □ MONEY ORDER □
i
+ V
<AtiMMiM m4
TEX*COMP
TERMS: AH prices FOB Los Anflele*. For fastest service use
cashiers check, or money order. Personal checka take at least ten
days to clear. Add 3% shipping and handling ($3.00 minimum).
East of Mississippi, 4% (free shipping on all software orders over
$100.00). We will ship UPS COD. with 25% deposit. COD to be
paid by cash or certified check. All products are sold with the
original manufacturer's guarantee (sent on request). Prices and
availability subject to change without notice. We reserve the right
to limrt quantities.
l(81t) 36+6631
■
MOW
MMftUM
i r
Payment In full must accompany all orders. Credit Card,
Company Check or Money Order for immediate shipment. Personal
checks require up to 4 weeks to clear. California orders add 6%%
sales tax.
Send $2.00 for our new 09/4A 30-page catalog & buyer's Qulde.
MINI-MAG 99 March, 1985
Address
PLEASE MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO
S.O.S. PUBLISHERS
21777 VENTURA BLVD. #203
WOODLAND HILLS, CA 91364
s
