★ APPLICATIONS ★ BUREAUTIQUE ★ UNIVERSAL SELF-START|8000PLUS) ★ |
Universal Self-Start | Applications Bureautique |
There are two types of PCW user - those that want to see what unlikely feats they can get it to perform and those that want to use it without having to bother about how it works. Cornix Software obviously have the second category in mind with their Universal Self-Start. It allows you to take any commercial software package and produce self-starting discs, so you can load a program by switching on and inserting the correct disc. Cornix admit that you can perform these tasks using CP/M utilities provided free with the PCW - if you can understand the CP/M manual it is not an onerous task to knock up a quick PROFILE.SUB file to do this anyway. But Cornix reckon there are plenty of people with A >-phobia out there. Also, for someone who wants their PCW to be used by a third person who is not really computer literate, the very fool-proof nature of the starter file might prove an advantage. The program runs like the kind of installation program you find bundled with some commercial programs. You are told, in simple terms, how to put the system files and SUBMIT.COM on to your starter disc. You run 'Instal' and it elicits the answers to a variety of questions regarding screen size (full or 24x80), whether you need single sheet or continuous paper (and sorts out the size) and winds up with a full choice of printer commands (Elite/Pica, normal/italic type.draft/NLQ and single/double strike), Even if your application program doesn't need a modified screen or printer, you still have to answer all the configuration questions. It won t deal with copying your files to the M drive for speedy use, nor will it help you defining a SETKEYS file. You have the choice of putting the Start program on your program disc or making a separate starter disc, As the Start program actually takes up 14k of space on the disc this might be necessary in some cases. When run, the Start program will insist that you load the correct disc for the required program and rejects all others - an advantage when your PCW is being used by someone not used to the machine. At the end of the day you have to decide whether or not you really need a self-starting disc and whether you wouldn't be able to produce your own Profile,Sub file - a not impossible task. Then you have to decide whether you are prepared to pay £19.95. 8000PLUS
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