OS-64 is a plug-in cartridge that gives the 2068 a 64 column display operating system and includes full size printer software that supports Aerco, Tasman, A & J, and Oliger Centronics printer interfaces. The cartridge plugs into the cartridge dock on the front of the 2068 and is, in effect, the 2068 ROM with new routines to give the 64 column display and drive a full size printer.
The 64 column is the true extended video mode as mentioned in the 2068 manual and includes LISTing, LLISTing, PRINTing, LPRINTing, and editing in 64 columns. COPY is also supported on Epson compatible printers.
LISTing your program is much more enjoyable in 64 columns because most lines are less than 64 characters long and you don’t have to deal with wrap around as often as you do in 32 column node. The same is true when you print something out on a large sized printer. Basically, what you see on the screen is what you get on the printer.
When you turn on the 2068 with the OS-64 in place, it initializes in the usual way and then re-initializes with black background and white letters and a third copyright with Zebra’s name. The system initializes supporting the Aerco interface with only a POKE to change to another interface. You can also change the type of codes sent, output width, linefeed & carriage return, and centering. OS-64 is also compatible with the Zebra disk drive system.
Graphics are just the same as they were in 32 column mode even though you actually have 512 pixels across now. Because you have two display files with OS-64, screen saving requires two seperate blocks of code to be saved. Loading a screen would then also require two loads.
OS-64 has many advantages but there are some limitations with it. First, You must have either an RGB monitor or a _ good quality monochrome monitor. The letters are smaller in 64 column mode and are not very clear on a TV or color monitor. You can only have two colors on the screen at a time, your choices are only:
- Black & White
- Blue & Yellow
- Red & Cyan
- Magenta & Green
If you set the INK or. PAPER to the color you want, The PAPER or INK is set to its complimentary color as given above. BORDER, FLASH, and BRIGHT are ignored. I did notice a bug when the computer tried to execute FLASH and gave an error message of “Nonsense in BASIC” the others were ignored. Also, embedded colors in your listings will change the whole screen as they are encountered when listing a program.
The cursor also does not flash which can be a nuisance when you have a= page full and are trying to find where you are. You also cannot see the border changing colors as you load a program from tape. And because of the extra memory required for the extra display file and system variables, you have about 5K less memory to work with. And because of this new organization of memory, a lot of machine code programs such as TASWORD and PROFILE will not LOAD. Otherwise, any BASIC program thats not too big will load and run OK.
Even with these drawbacks, you have one of the most powerful operating systems ever and fulfills one of the original promises from TIMEX to the best of its ability. As a developmental system for designing your own professional-looking programs, it can’t be beat.
As far as programs available for OS-64, I have seen several which include OS-64 PERSONAL SECRETARY, OS-64 UTILITIES #1, and SMART TEXT OS-64.
PERSONAL SECRETARY
PERSONAL SECRETARY is an appointment minder with calander, phone number record keeping, and label generater. Because it operates in 64 column mode, there is plenty of room for a monthly calendar, a menu, and current data. The calendar can be any month from the year 1500 to the year 2200.
In the appointment mode, you can make up to 200 entries telling you where you should be and witn whom and why. The current month is displayed in the upper left corner and the menu in the upper right and data displayed below.
In the phone number mode, you enter the name, address, and phone number and can add up to 50 of these. The mailing label section pulls from the phone number section to make up the mailing list. You can print out the data from any mode to your printer at any time.
Hopefully, PERSONAL SECRETARY is the first of a long list of software to come out for OS-64. PERSONAL SECRETARY by J & A Software is distributed by Zebra Systems.
SMART TEXT OS-64
SMART TEXT OS-64 is a word processing program that uses OS-64 for its 64 column display and printer driver routines.
SMART TEXT OS-64 features data base management, word processing, mailing lists, office tools such as page headers and page nunbering, repeat printing, and data files manager. SMART TEXT TS-2068 is also available for non-0S-64 users.
SMART TEXT has many menus and allows easy access to all features. A compre- hensive manual is included which gives many examples and covers the general use of this powerful program. SMART TEXT is written entirely in basic which makes it a little slower than most other word processors, but its extra features make up for it.
SMART TEXT is available from Gulf Micro Electronics, 1317 Stratford Ave, Panama City, FL 32404 (904) 871-4513.
OS-64 UTILITIES #1
OS-64 UTILITIES #1 contains six routines to greatly enhance the OS-64 operating system. “BIGCOPY” is an alternate COPY routine that will provide a full page (enlarged) screen COPY for Epson compatible printers. The COPY is turned on its side to fill up the entire page.
“OPTBOLD” is an alternate character set which provides a bolder character set for better visibility on the screen. A screen COPY will also show the new character set. – A great improvement!
“FDDRS232” will allow you to use port A of the Zebra Disk Drive system with your serial (RS232) printer. LIST, LPRINT, and COPY are all supported.
“BIGCHAR” gives you the ability to print three different enlarged character modes on the screen through BASIC. All you have to do is set the column and line where you want the text to begin, set the mode, give the string of text you want printed, and a USR call will do it.
“OLIVCOPY” is a COPY routine for use with the Olivetti printer. A must for those who bought the Olivetti Ink Jet printer.
“EDITOR64” is a BASIC routine (or module) which is the beginnings of a text editor which includes full cursor control, flashing cursor, and auto-repeat. A full explanation and LISTing is provided to help you design your own word processor-type program.
All the routines can be used simultaneously. Of course the more you use, the less memory you have left for your own program. OS-64 UTILITIES #1 is a must for the complete 64 column system and is available fron Zebra Systems.
One utility that has not been provided as of yet is one that will allow you to use the 2040 printer with 0S-64. All the ads state that you cannot use the 2040 printer, the fact is you can! All you need is a few simple POKEs and OUT commands.
When the 2068 powers up, it checks to see if there is a cartridge in the cartridge dock if there is, it bank switches it in to the proper memory position. In OS-64’s case it switches into the 0-16K memory position – where the 2068 ROM resides normally. Since both the 2068 and OS-64 ROM are pretty much the same except for the screen print and printer routines, you can easily switch back and forth between the two operating systems.
Once initialized into OS-64 mode, you can use OUT 244,0 to return to the 2068 ROM and OUT 255,0 to return to normal video mode. You are now back in the standard 2068 ROM mode, but with tne systen variables still in OS-64 mode, so if you had the 2040 printer hooked up and tried to use it now, it would crash because the ROM would be calling the wrong printer driver routine.
To correct the printer driver ROM call, we need to find where the Channel (CHANS) data resides now and change the ROM call. Looking in appendix D, we see that the address of the channel data is held in location 23631 & 23632. PEEKing these locations, we find that the channel data is now at 0 + 256 * 123 which equals 31488 as opposed to 26688 which is where it normally is.
The address of the printer driver routine is held in the 16 & 17th address from the start of the CHANS table or 31503 & 31504. If we PEEK these now, we find that they contain 74 & 61 respectively. To use the 2040 printer, you need to POKE 31503,0 and 31504,5. Now the 2040 printer will print! To return to OS-64 mode, use OUT 244,3 and OUT 255,62. If you are going to use a large printer, you will also need to POKE 31503 & 4 back to their original numbers given above.
LLIST and LPRINT work as normal but COPY will NOT copy all 64 columns, only every other one, or the contents of display file one. Also, be sure and send an LPRINT before any text is sent to clear the printer buffer.
The best way to use the 2040 printer from OS-64 column mode is to just have a line that states OUT 244,0: POKE 31503,0: POKE 31504,5:LPRINT and then send any print commands you need and finish with OUT 244,3: POKE 31503,74: POKE 31504,61. If all you are using is the 2040 printer, the first POKEs given are all that is needed and can be done just once. Using only OUT 244 will keep the screen from changing its display while you switc ROMS. See printer examples.
If you wish to watch the border change colors as you load a tape, you can use OUT 255,0 to return to normal video mode. But be ready for only every ocher letter being displayed in the title. This is because all tape routines are in the 2068’s extension ROM and it checks to see if there is a cartridge in the cartridge dock also; meaniny that it returns to 0s-64 coluan mode with 32 coluin screen display! To return to 64 column display, use OUT 255,62 or any multiple of 8 + 6. (Try 54).
OS-64 is available from Zebra systems, Inc., 78-06 Jamaica Ave., Woodhaven, NY 11421. (718) 296-2385.