Our thanks

            BC was kind enough to forward some Ronnie Reagan inflation fighters and a check; JD fit right in (except he sent cash); JB and RB both setn them all powerfull inflation fighters.  Thanks to them you get track 05.

Flash

            In your editor’s humble software experience, there have been less than a handful of programs that everything else can be compared against.  Visicalc, DB Master, Screenwriter II and Rocky’s Boots have been the greatest things since sliced bread.  Last month I had the privelege of doing Personal Bibliographic Software (or PBS for short.)  In a couple of words you won’t believe it is a microcomputer.  Once again I have to thank IW at the bible of LiSci for obtaining it for me, but boy’s and girls, moms and dads, and those of you who aren’t sure, PBS is top drawer for those doing intense bibliographies.  It is not for elementary/Jr. High schools, but those intense high school librarians, academics, and those doing thesis work will love PBS.

            It starts out with this out of sight Pascal editor, and unlike all other software I have ever worked with.  there are no character limits for fields.  Your limit is memory available. It has 20 ANSI standard forms built into it.  Fill in the blank junkies will stain their shorts: PBS provides all the punctuation.  Shortcomings are few: 238 items/disk and real slow print routines (each item is pulled from the disk, correctly formatted and then sent to the printer.)  Plusses so outweigh the minuses this is the best I’ve seen in ’83 (save the DB Master update).  It runs on an “e” no sweat, but your plus needs to be souped up with 16k, upper/lower and 80c.  Also IBM PC version: either for $250.

            Rumor has it that there will be a PBS  release this fall to allow users the opportunity of downloading formatted records from other (main frame) systems and putting them in their files. More on that when we see it. For more information  contact Personal Bibliograpahic Software, P.O. Box 4250, Ann Arbor MI  48106, 313-996, 1580.

Circa II

            Last issue I promised to detail some thoughts concerning Highsmtih’s Circa II that they are about to release.  I took a day last week, traveled up the Rock River, and spent the better part of an afternoon playing with it.

            For those of you unfamiliar with the offering, Highsmith liscensed the stuff the boys (and girls see:WLN track 01) in Utah, famous for their CLSI back up stuff.  Highsmith has spent a great deal of time refining the product, and the day I went to Ft. Atkinson they were puffing up the latest alpha version.  I told them that they needn’t apologize for the bombs: without them software development wouldn’t be any fun.

            Circa I, which I don’t care for at all, runs off an “e” with 5 or 10 meg hd.   Circa II  with which I have become very enamoured of, runs on a III with 5, 10 or 20 (20 meg requires patron one side item the other) meg hd.  It uses all of the zip of the III and runs like a bunny on the wrong end of a 22.

major drawbacks is the price tag; $9,500+- for hardware/software (III + 5 meg) and the peripherals.

            If you’ll allow the old man a hunch; I think Circa II is going to work well in a lot of libraries.

Speaking Visicalc (or anything else)

            In LA I was introduced to the Apple Voice Input Module (or AVIM for short) from Future Solutions Inc.  Unlike other voice boards I’ve played with, it doesn’t require you to speak so the computer understands, it doesn’t have a limited vocabulary, and it isn’t limited in any way in running any software.

            AL of FLB was kind enough to ship me one, and I was taken into another world.  I have always been concerned for those who for physical or spiritual reasons were unable to keyboard.  AVIM is the single greatest hardware advancement for special ed; or anyone else who finds keying cumbersome.

            AVIM replaces keystrokes with words:  you define ‘em and then practice them.  Save the results as a Voice Pattern on a disk and you can get right back into it anytime you want.  The software is unlike other hardware extras I’ve received.  It is smooth polished, and super easy to use.  Idiot’s won’t have to worry about proof on this one.

            The price is high, $920, but for opening doors and creating opportunities it can’t be beat.  You won’t have to throw one of these on every machine in the district, and some aid may be required for the physically handicapped (you have to initially use the keyboard to set things up) but once done, it’s done.  You can run any software: Visicalc, Screenwriter II, Castle Wolfenstein or anything in between.  For more information contact Future Solutions, 3198-H Airport Loop Dr., Costa Mesa CA 92626  (714) 556-2252

Computer Cat Version 3.0

            My friends out west indicate a new version of Computer Cat will be available by the time you read this.  Seems as though they are waiting for manuals to be printed.  When  get my new disks I’ll let  you know, in the meantime you can contact them for details.

No Longer Waiting for Godot

            Luckily I had a little equip money left in the 201 account at the end of the year, and I decided it was time to quit waiting for my printer to tie up my computer.  I went out and bought a 32k Microbuffer from Practical Peripherals and things haven’t been the same since.

            Installation is a piece of cake.  Plug the cable from the printer interface into the buffer, plug a cable from the buffer to the printer and finally plug in the power supply. For short runs, like typical      ;  the buffer grabs the data and gives you back the computer faster than you’d believe.  Mine has a pause button (for single sheet) and a copy button that comes in real handy.  Want two copies of that letter to Ronnie?  Run the first one and go back to WP.  Just push the buffer copy button at your leisure for the file copy.  The piece of fruit getting a little warm on those hot summer days?  Shut’er down; the buffer has it’s own power supply.

            The buffer also speeds up long runs.  For a DB Master printout that normally takes 30 minutes it can cut the time in half.  Once you run over the buffer memory things slow up a little, and the copy  will only give you the tail end, but it still cuts time in half.  My only regret is that I didn’t go all the way – 64k – to start with.

            Another neat feature that I discovered happens with some or my sloppily designed VC templates:  you know the ones where you print fifty cells from one part of the sheet and then twenty from another part.  I know there are a lot of different types of print buffers available and I make no claims to knowing which one is best.  I just know they are saving a lot of time around here.

Visiblend

            This piece from Micro Lab in Highland Park, IL is handy, but awkward.  It allows totals and averages to be brought in from a series of VC spreadsheets (how about annual totals?)  The documentation assumes you already know how to run the program; and the error messages don’t help a lot but after you get the hang of it it works fairly well.  If you don’t mind the time learning how to use it, it has a lot of power.

Smitty’s corner

Castle Wolfenstein

         T0-T22     SYNC   46=B5   79=12 (Locksmith)

         T0-T22    D=1  31=0   (Copy II plus)

It would be greatly appreciated if you  could send WLN (not the bibliographic utility) any parms you have laying around.

Up On the Soapbox

            Round and round the elephant disk, the hacker chased the perameters, the hacker thought it was all in fun, but pop goes the software price.  We are seeing advances every day.  Things are getting better every day.  Software on the whole is better.  Hardware is better.  My concern is that ye olde price tag is not coming down substantially.  With the single exception of Computer Cat  halving it’s price in April, things aren’t moving at all.

            Although I am not a capitalist (and that is why Micro Libraries is broke) I expected the old supply/demand cycle to take effect.  With more and more people buying hardware and more possible users it seemed to me that software would come down.  I read the explanation of JRT’s Pascal success by dropping their price from $295 to $29.95 and thought is signaled a move on producers parts.  Okay Learning Company dropped their prices some, but the haves so outweigh the have nots it’s not even funny.

            BB, the father of Diversi Dos (a dos enhancement that lays all others to waste) has the most unique marketing strategy of any software producer I have yet known.  He sent copies of the disk to the Apple computer clubs across the country.  On booting, the screen read “Copy this disk, give it to all your friends, and if you like it send a check for $25 to Diversified Software Research.”  I am not sure there are a lot of illegal copies of DD floating around, but my last conversation with Bill indicated he’s getting $1400 a week from users.  He doesn’t have to worry about production, and there are enough honest computer users around to go to Mac’s for lunch a couple of times a week (not to mention the computer payments.)

            BS and JW, the brains behind Library Software Co. send everything unlocked and copyable.  I am sure that there are a few warm Overdue Writer’s around but no matter how intense producer’s make copy protection there are going to be hacker’s burning the night away to unlock it.  Without the rigamorole, they still have the number one selling library microcomputer package.

            As a closing thought for all of my producer friends consider the following scenario.  Software costs $29.95.  It is unlocked and copyable.  (Okay, I’ll handle $50 for VC and DB Master)  You buy it, and if it does what it is supposed to you are happy.  Joe Blow down the street   wants a copy of yours.  You tell him to blow off – it only costs $30.  You don’t like the disk?  Re init it.  Your out $24, assuming of course everyone ships Dysan’s.

Templates Anyone?

            Conducted further discussions last month on support for the clearinghouse.  I feel we are getting closer.  If any of my readers would like to be the first to know (without waiting for WLN (not the bibliographic utility) next issue) drop me a note and we will inform you immediately.  Others interested in contributing templates or using, also drop us a note.

            At a point in our discussions we talked of making the template clearinghouse a “library microcomputer users group”.  What do the reader’s think? Drop us a line

One for all:all for one

(a new department)

            I know this is tough for some of you to believe, but I get calls that go beyond my realm of experience.  This section of the newsletter will be devoted to helping each other out.

            Anyone with ideas on keeping track of Gov Doc’s? (About 20,000 of them – we are definitely talking hard disk here.)  Roy Bennett in the Library at Western Oregon State College, Monmouth Oregon 97361 would like to hear from you.

            Another sticky one that has really hung me up is a circulation system.  the first part sounds easy: only books out; light pen or keystroke; overdues and notices.  The tough part comes in the fact that 50% of the holdings are non-roman (Hebrew).  How about it?  Contact Richard Marcus, Head Librarian, Norman Asher and Helen Asher Library, 618 S. Michigan Ave, Chicago IL 60605.

            Any requests from reader’s will be handled (sorry LD, Jessica is still out of town, on business nonetheless: discount coupons currently worthless.)

A note to some

            You may be, have been, or will be one of the many editor’s I’ve worked with.  None of the material in WLN (not the bibliographic utility) should be considered for publication.  If you want product descriptions, contact the producer’s.

Track 05 Contest

            I guess Wired Librarian’s don’t play games.  Until further notice the contest will be cancelled.

Swap Shop

            Still operative: no response

Track 05: Next Issue

Finally: How I spent my summer vacation

Koala the night away (assuming it arrives

65535

            I don’t know how many of you realized this, but it came to me while updating a data base recently.  The microcomputer evolution  could never have happened without felt tip pens.

Statement of Responsibility

The Wired Librarian’s Newsletter: WLN (not the bibliographic utility) is produced by and the responsibility of Microcomputer Libraries of Northern Illinois.  It is published whenever we feel like it at 145 Marcia, in beautiful downtown Freeport IL 61032.  All opinions expressed are those of Eric S. Anderson.

VC tells me the bank balance is a minus $555.70 (not counting the postage and duplication of this issue).  You’all thought things were bad last month- I  hope HG gets the time machine fired up soon.  If you get ticked off and decide to sue, I hope you get the lawyer cheap.

            There is no subscription fee, although contributions are appreciated (but not expected.)

If you have an extra book of Ronnie Reagan inflation fighters (they come in books of 20/$4.00 but rolls are cool too) we sure could use them.  Computer supplies are also greatly appreciated.

            Many have written to offer to pay for a subscription.  New readers are amazed that we don’t charge for WLN (not the bibliographic utility).  As long as I run the show, that’s the way it will stay.  I hate to buck tradition, but I don’t believe that just because you pay big bucks for something it is necessarily good.  Conversely freebies are not guilty by association.  We could use help, but Hell I’ve been teaching school for so many years I am used to surviving on nothing.  If the Feds can make it on deficit spending, so can WLN (not the bibliographic utility.  We would appreciate it that if you do not wish to receive our humble  for forward thinking journal any more, you  would let us know.  It could help cut costs.

Dedicated to Robert Elliot Purser

Care to blow your Apple dealer away?  Ask him for a price on Apple order no A2B0024.

Magic Bus?

Thanks to the good folks at Black Dot Inc for helping snazz up the issue.  It’s nice  to have friends.  Uncle Chuck, Geo, Bob, Angie and Mama Val:  thanks.

“I’ll be right there for supper…I am just working on my data base.”

“You want me to search my data base for what?”

“LD memorial graphic of computer use”

An Index to the Online Issues

1983 - When there were four microcomputers at the ALA show

December 1984

1985 - wow we've got hard drives !!!