Tasword

ZX Computing

Nick Pearce

UNDER THE ZX-SCOPE Reviewer Nick Pearce takes a close look at a number of ZX81 programs, including Artic's Toolkit, a word processor program from Tasman software and Richard Shepherd's 'Super Space Mission'. Tasword from Tasman Software is a program that makes a credible word processor out of your ZX81. The program demonstrates admirably the capabilities of a word processing system, although the inherent limitations of the ZX81 do pose restrictions - there are no lower-case characters for example. Up to 320 lines of text can be handled in the Tasword text file and 22 lines of the file are displayed at any one time on the television screen. SHIFT KEYS The character keys of the ZX81 keyboard are used in the normal way to write onto the file. Control of Tasword's word processing operations are achieved through the "shift" keys. Shift (or control) keys are used to delete or insert lines or characters, obtain the graphics characters of the ZX81, scroll the text, move complete lines, and perform most of the other usual word processing operations. Unless overridden by a control key, Tasword "Word wraps" automatically, i.e. If the last word overflows the end of a line, then the whole word is transferred to the next line, and the finished line is spread out across the screen (justified) to give the line a neat appearance. The program is well thought out and easy to master, helped by the logical assignment of control keys to word processor functions, for example "<>" to centralise headings on the screen, "AND" to insert new lines, words or characters onto the file, and the ARROW keys 5, 6, 7 and 8 to move the cursor around the screen. SAVING THE PROGRAM The STOP function stops Tasword running and permits a number of options to be selected. The program can be saved on cassette, either with or without the text file, the text file can be cleared, or control passed to the ZX81 ROM. This is a particularly useful innovation since it permits other tasks to be carried out while still retaining Tasword and the text file in memory, eg calculations can if necessary be carried out without losing the program or text. Instructions for Tasword come in the form of a small booklet which is clear and well written and, inevitably of course, produced using Tasword itself. Somehow Tasman have produced a printout for the booklet which is far superior to anything I have been able to manage on the Sinclair printer! On the reverse side of the cassette is Tasword Tutor, a well presented teaching aid to the Tasword functions. A nice touch to complete this package, although largely unnecessary as most users will find Tasword easy to master from the instruction booklet alone. I was a little disappointed that Tasword lacks the facility to move blocks of text around in the file - I inevitably have to rearrange the sequence of paragraphs whilst drafting articles or letters. The overall usefulness of this program is limited by the ZX81 itself, particularly the lack of lower case characters and restricted text line length (32 characters), and the Sinclair printer. However, for the price it is an impressive package. If you want to use your ZX81 for serious word processing there are software packages available that offer lower case characters, although they are rather slow in operation; otherwise you will have to dig very much deeper into your pocket for suitable hardware - perhaps including an RS232 interface for a "proper" printer. I had no LOADing problems with any of the software cassettes in this review except Tasword, which refused to load until I had made significant adjustments to the head alignment of my cassette recorder, indicative perhaps of head misalignment on Tasman's recording equipment. Tasman will change cassettes that do not load, and ask that you specify the make and model of your cassette recorder if a replacement is required. Tasword costs £6.50p and is available from Tasman Software, [redacted].