DP100.REV DP100.REV is a comprehensive review of Disk Power 100, a new DOS for the Tandy Portable Disk Drive distributed by Ultrasoft Innovations of Quebec, Canada, under license from Hugo Ferreyra, the developer of the software. Since I have had the software in place nearly two weeks and otherwise massaged it, punched it and kicked it every which way I know how, I am now prepared to write this review for the benefit of the SIG members who might be considering the purchase of a DOS for the TDD. In addition, the plain old "just curious" folks among us might find this review interesting. The Package ----------- The key elements of the DP100 package are fourfold -- a manual, a distribution diskette, an autoloader cassette and a function key template. 1. The manual consists of 13 pages of instructions, 3 pages of tips, a letter from Hugo Ferreyra discussing his philosophy in developing the software, and ads for Text Power 100 and a joystick interface with a diskette full of games. While certainly not the most lucid or user-friendly manual I've encountered, it is adequate in discussing use of the software. 2. The distribution diskette contains 3 files -- INSTAL.CO (1235 bytes), LOADER.BA (2640 bytes) and SP-DOS.SY (2874 bytes). Contrary to the findings of others (or the instructions in the manual), I found that DP100.SY will not load if other BASIC (BA.) programs are resident in RAM. Once all .BA programs have been removed, loading via the diskette is simple and fast (30 sec.) using either FLOPPY.CO or DSKMGR.CO, and consists of the following steps: Load INSTAL.CO and LOADER.BA to RAM; clear 0,61730; RUNM"INSTAL". Presto -- 30 seconds later DP100.SY is now in RAM. Once resident in RAM, the program, when "inactive", is located from 33024-35665 (8100H-8B51H), which accounts for 2642 bytes. Since the advertised file length is 2897 bytes, I can only assume that when DP100.SY is "active", it is located from 32769-35665 (8001H-8B51H). Residing in low RAM has a distinct advantage in that there is no conflict with other machine language programs (I've tried many) and no need to CLEAR XXXXX every time you want to access the program. However, it does have one disadvantage -- Disk Power 100 and MENU.BA (for the PG Design 64K RAM expansion ) reside in the same area, and thus MENU.BA (at least in the banks where Disk Power 100 resides) and Disk Power 100 are in conflict. Accordingly, one must switch banks using BANK.BA. Sounds like a hassle, but it's not all that bad once you see the "power" of Disk Power 100. Hopefully, this conflict will be resolved shortly since Richard Eckerlin of Ultrasoft and Peter Van Huesden of PG Design are working on a solution to the problem. 3. The Autoloader cassette is intended to be used in conjunction with the diskette to automatically load the program after a cold start, with the stipulation that it works only if there are no files present in RAM. Well, I couldn't get it to work under any circumstances. It is being replaced by a new one. 4. The function key template fits over the function keys (F1-F8) and lists the functions for use in RAM or on the disk. Program Execution ----------------- The program consists of two basic areas -- the RAM area and the DISK area. Upon entering DP100.SY via placing the cursor over the file on the M100 Main Menu, you go directly to the RAM directory, which is chock full of interesting and useful information. First, all files resident in RAM are displayed (with the notable exception of DP100.SY). Each file is displayed with a single letter extension (e.g., DOWLOGb, ADRSd and DRIVERc) denoting .BA, .DO and .CO in the above example. The cursor can be moved around over files and gives useful information for each file including byte size, a "window" feature which shows the first line of a .BA file, the first 80 characters of a .DO file, and the top, end and exe address of a .CO file. In addition, at the bottom of the screen, the display shows the number of bytes consumed by an unsaved BASIC program, number of bytes in the paste buffer, current setting of HIMEM and number of free bytes available in RAM. Placing the cursor over any file and hitting ENTER "runs" the file (for a .BA or .CO file). Real dynamite stuff here -- works very well. The function keys associated with the RAM directory are as follows: F1 - Clears the paste buffer. F2 - Saves a file to disk with the option to use the default filename, rename or overwrite. You can "highlight" files by pressing the ESC key so that multiples of files can be saved at the same time. F3 - "All" function key "highlights" all files starting with the one the cursor sits on and continuing to the right to the last file (up to all 19 files). Thus you can "save all" or "kill all" in two simple keystrokes. F4 - Toggles from RAMDIR to DSKDIR. F5 - "Kills" a file or files (see F2 and F3) with blinding speed. F6 - "Lists" a .DO file to the LCD or the LCD and printer. Very neat feature. F7 - clears paste buffer. F8 - Go to M100 Main Menu. The Disk Directory shows all files on the disk (up to the maximum of 40). As in the RAMDIR, each file has a single letter file extension. Locking the NUM key over any file gives its byte size. Locking the NUM key over any file and simultaneously pressing the SHIFT key gives the remaining bytes left on the disk. Same "run" feature as in RAM, place the cursor over a file and press ENTER. Function keys in the DSKDIR are as follows: F1 - While in the disk directory of one disk, if you change disks and press F1, the directory of the new disk is displayed. F2 - Load to RAM -- same multiple selection feature as in RAM. F3 - "All" function key operates same as in RAM (up to 20 files from the point of the cursor). F4 - toggles to the RAMDIR. F5 - "Kills" a file or files (multiple highlighted files or "All"). F6 - Lists a .DO file, without loading it, to LCD or LCD & printer. F7 - Formats a disk. F8 - Return to M100 Main Menu. Extension to Basic/Text ----------------------- One can "Load", "Merge", "Run" or "Save" a .BA program (in ASCii) to or from disk. The DOS also supports input/output functions such as open, close, append, EOF, Input #, Input $, Line Input #, Print # and Print # Using for .DO files on disk. Text files can also be loaded from/saved to disk while in TEXT. Telcom Enhancement ------------------ While online in TELCOM one can go into BASIC and/or TEXT and perform a variety of functions. These are the same functions provided by DIRACC.CO in DL1. See DIRACC.DOC in DL1 for details. A really neat feature in TELCOM is that you can see files as they are being uploaded by toggling F4 to "half duplex". Finally, although I haven't tried this feature, files can be loaded from/saved to disk in TELCOM IF YOU USE AN ACOUSTIC COUPLER. DPTIP.001 in DL5 describes this feature. Special Considerations ---------------------- 1. You must have a 32K machine to use Disk Power 100. 2. Once loaded in RAM, DP100.SY shall remain forever more, or until a "cold start", whichever comes first. There is no way to remove or otherwise "kill" DP100.SY. All attempts to "kill" DP100.SY lead to either an "NM" (bad filename) or "FF" (file not found) error. Sorry, folks, once you got it, you keep it. If you'd really like to kill it, use CHANGE.BA to obtain the desired cold start. 3. T'would be nice to be able to save DP100.SY to cassette or disk and be able to bring it back after a cold start. Again, no can do. The rationale for this lack of "Save" is that it is easy enough to load from the distribution diskette (it is), that the distribution diskette is warranted for one year and replaceable thereafter for a nominal sum of $5. Seems reasonable. 4. There is no back-up provision for disks. Using Disk Power 100, the only way to back up a disk is via a cumbersome mass load and save procedure. Alternatively, FLOPPY.CO could be used to back up disks. 5. All PGD 64K owners should be aware that MENU.BA (PGD) and DP100.SY are incompatible. You can have one, but not both. I have been assured by Richard Eckerlin of Ultrasoft Innovations that a "fix" is in the making (the sooner the better). 6. Richard Eckerlin is the SIG representative of the vendor. Richard has been most helpful to me (and I can see from the message board to others as well ) by his response to requests/questions ranging from a special shipping request (Richard actually called me at my office to arrange for priority overnight delivery) to a thoughtful, measured, honest response to any/all questions, with the utmost rapidity. I applaud him and could only wish that all vendor representatives act in a like manner. Conclusion ---------- While I haven't used TS-DOS or POWR-D, from everything I know about them, it seems that Disk Power 100 offers all the features of these alternatives plus additional, useful features unique to the new DOS. On the downside, the incompatibility with MENU.BA (PGD), and presumably SUPERA as well, is a notable drawback. To my knowledge, only Phil Wheeler and I have mentioned this drawback here on the SIG. If the MENU.BA (PGD) and SUPERA owners create some "noise" here on the SIG, a solution to this conflict could be expedited. Accordingly, if you have any of this incompatible software, you may wish to defer purchase a while until the "fix" is in. At such time, I would unhesitatingly recommend Disk Power 100 as the DOS of choice for the TDD. If anybody has questions about this review, please don't hesitate to let me know. I'll do my best to answer them. Larry Tiber 75675,302 August 23, 1986 Addendum -------- Since my initial review approximately 5 weeks ago, there have been a number of developments which directly affect my original recommendation: 1. In my review of August23, I applauded Richard Eckerlin of Ultrasoft Innovations regarding his representation on the Sig. To the best of my knowledge, Richard has not had a presence here on the Sig since August 25. It's not that Richard has been unable to log in here, but rather that he is "too busy on new products and don't have the time to check in on Compuserve." This is not mere speculation on my part, but rather based on a conversation with him on his local BBS in Quebec. 2. Richard has continuously misled me into believing that he was having an ongoing dialogue with Peter(PGD) regarding the MENU.BA(PGD)/DP100.SY conflict. As best I can gather, Richard called Peter ONCE and never followed up. Judgmentally, this conflict will not be resolved and those of us who own a PG expansion chip with the MENU.BA software and/or SUPERA ought to strongly consider an alternate DOS. Without going into details, there have been other acts of deception by Richard Eckerlin. 3. With the imminent introduction of POWR-DOS and TS-RANDOM (both offering random access along with other goodies), Disk Power 100 has fallen behind its competition. Taking all these points into consideration, I can no longer "unhesitatingly recommend Disk Power 100 as the DOS of choice for the TDD." Putting my money where my mouth is, I am already using TS-DOS and am upgrading to TS-RANDOM when shipping commences next week. September 26,1986