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After several months of collecting new software from contributors across the country, here are the latest additions to the 2068 library! The sixth volume is a “mixed bag” for the 2068, containing something for everyone. The seventh volume is a Spectrum-only collection, requiring a Romswitch or other Spectrum emulation to work. But enough of this preamble, let’s get on to the program descriptions.
Volume Six – Mixed Bag
- MTOS (utility) – This is a program development tool that can come in handy for anyone who is creating a new program or modifying an old one. For a fuller description see the letter later in this newsletter by its author, CATS member T.G. Morley. It is available to CATS members only by special arrangement with Mr. Morley, but non-members can purchase through Sharp’s of VA.
- TEXTYPE (word processor) – A nice little program that lets you print out your hardcopy in any of four different typestyles (regular, bold, modern, or italic) if you use a 2040 printer. With a little creative wangling it can be adapted to print out to an 80-column printer, too.
- 3D WORD (graphics) – Creates 3d words out of little box-girder-like udgs for use in article titles, etc. Look for an example in one of the headlines in this issue.
- 3D DRAW (graphics) – a program which will, if you learn its quirks, draw for you a wide variety of 3d objects on an x-y grid. Its fun to watch.
- CURSOR (demo) – Will teach you how to put other symbols inside the 2068 flashing cursor.
- DUB (utility) – IF you have a good pair of tape recorders and IF you get the volumes adjusted right, this program will PERFECTLY COPY most any program by reading the signal coming into the EAR port, cleaning it up, and feeding it directly out through the MIC port. This could be the answer to the prayers of those of you having trouble making archival copies of your programs!
- ANIMATE (demo) – Shows how you can use BASIC to give life to a spritely (pun!) little marching man.
- FILL (demo) – Fills cursor-selected Spaces with color, pixel by pixel. Rather slow, but there is a lot to learn trom examining the listing.
- BLOKMAN (game) – a slightly watered down version of the Spectrum game that was included in Volume 4, this time for the 2068. Joystick in left port.
- PACMAN (game) – It had to happen sooner or later! This version would be exciting to persons 6 years and younger. Use arrow keys.
- BELLTOWER (game) – Now this one is pretty tough! A variation on the platforms and ladders type of game. It contains a very nice user-programmable keys function which could come in handy in your own programs.
- GHOTI (game) – You are a fish, eating bubbles and avoiding hungry turtles to survive. Use arrow keys.
- ARTIC EXPLORER (game) – Avoid the pitfalls and win through to the North Pole. Controls: O=Left, P=Right, O*CS (capshift)=Jump Left, P+CS=Jump Right.
- PAWS (game) – You are a cat. Eat the mice but avoid the rats. Use RIGHT joystick port.
- WAGONERS (game) – A faster-than-the-speed-of-snails race between three wagons. You bet on the outcome.
- CURSOR ADVENTURE (text adventure?) – Hey! Our first text adventure!
- WORDSQUARE (game) – a hidden-word puzzle generator, with less capacity than the one found in Volume One, but faster in producing the result.
- ADVERTISING DISPLAY (utility) – Large letters flow from right to left across the screen in an unending loop. You can input the message that the letters spell out. A Spectrum version is in Volume Seven.
- SPANISH TUTOR (educational) – A “99% complete” version of the program that was included in Volume 2.
- SPANISH BUILDER I (educational) = Vocabulary practice for what you learned from SPANISH TUTOR.
- SPANISH BUILDER II (educational) – More vocabulary practice!
Volume Seven – More Spectrum Software
- WAR OF THE SHIRES (adventure game) This text-and-graphics adventure is a sort of poor man’s War in the East. You Can manipulate several charcters and their armies to try and defeat the enemy. Well done and a challenge to play.
- KRAKATOA 2012 (game) – The Krakatoa volcano is about to blow up again, because some nasty aliens have been fooling with it. Your mission – rescue the islanders and destroy the aliens. Use arrow keys.
- RIFLE RANGE (game) – A shooting gallery game. This one is popular with children. Use any key to fire the rifle.
- SCROLLS (utility) – Does a very fast vertical scroll within a defined window on the screen.
- SCROLL (utility) – Another type of scroll that “creeps” a block of text cross the screen.
- CAPMAN (game) – The Spectrum version of Pacman. Written in machine code, it is much faster than the 2068 version.
- ADVERTISING DISPLAY (utility) – Same as the program of the same name described in Volume Six.
- CLONE (utility) – This is a GREAT UTILITY!! It is similar to the clone utilities on the QL, in that it loads in the program to be cloned a section at a time, then prompts you to put in a fresh tape and save that section. The only programs that balk it are the ones that I can’t crack either.
- SPECTRAMONITOR (utility) – a nicely done disassembler with mnemonics for the Spectrum.
- FORTH (language) – An implementation of forth, for those interested in learning it. The command “DLIST” will list the dictionary that you have to work with.
Members of CATS can get a copy of the new software by sending $2.00 to John Riley. The money covers the cost of the tape and mailing. Nonmembers can receive CATS software via swapping other public domain programs that we do not yet have. For details and a full listing of the 2088. library send a large SASE to the above address.