rbyrd@cbnewse.ATT.COM (ronald.s.byrd) (08/29/89)
My son just got a printer for his C64 and we are now trying to figure out which software package(s) would be appropriate to get him started printing. His primary interest would be in something that would allow him to do fairly simple file creation and editing, report generation, editing and printing (for school) and possibly some graphics (for banners, cards, invitations, etc.). I would be most appreciative to anyone who has used any of the currently available software packages for giving me their opinions (both pro and con) before we buy something. What would be ideal would be to find a good starter package that would allow my son to do most of what he wants with minimal time to learn how to use it. So, if you have any suggestions, advice, comments, etc., please post a reply. Thanks in advance to anyone who takes the time to respond. Ron Byrd AT&T Bell Laboratories Naperville, Il. rsbrd!ihlpy
scott@max.u.washington.edu (09/04/89)
In article <788@cbnewse.ATT.COM>, rbyrd@cbnewse.ATT.COM (ronald.s.byrd) writes: > My son just got a printer for his C64 and we are now trying to > figure out which software package(s) would be appropriate to > get him started printing. > > His primary interest would be in something that would allow > him to do fairly simple file creation and editing, report > generation, editing and printing (for school) and possibly > some graphics (for banners, cards, invitations, etc.). I > would be most appreciative to anyone who has used any of > the currently available software packages for giving me > their opinions (both pro and con) before we buy something. > What would be ideal would be to find a good starter package > that would allow my son to do most of what he wants with > minimal time to learn how to use it. > > So, if you have any suggestions, advice, comments, etc., > please post a reply. Thanks in advance to anyone who takes > the time to respond. > > Ron Byrd > AT&T Bell Laboratories > Naperville, Il. > rsbrd!ihlpy For producing text intermixed with graphics, a good package will be GEOS 2.0 for the C64. This package comes with a grahics environment operation system (hence GEOS) that replaces (software wise) the ROM based operating system inside the computer giving the C64 a feel much like a Machintosh. The GEOS 2.0 package also comes with several application run under GEOS: geoWrite 2.1: is a good word-processor. One attractive feature of geoWrite wordprocessors is that you can select/mix different fonts (gothic, roman, greek, university, cory, etc...hundreds), size (7 pts, 9 pts, 24 pts, etc), and style (outline, bold, underline, subscript, etc) in your text. And also geoWrite allows you to insert pictures (drawn with geoPaint) along the text. TextGrabber: is a application program that converts text files created by other popular wordprocessors (like PaperClip, FleetSystem, SpeedScript, etc) to geoWrite-usable format. geoMerge: is a mail merge program that allows you to create customized form letters and labels geoSpell: is a program that checks the spelling of text file created with geoWrite. Also you can create your own customize dictionary. geoPaint: is a high resolution graphics editor that allow you to draw pictures, diagrams, etc All the above mention items comes with the GEOS 2.0 package which cost around $40 and can be bought in many convenient stores like Fred Meyer and Best (if they exist in your area) or you can buy them through many of the mail order companies. Other application program for GEOS sold seperately are: geoPublishing: for producing newspapers and brochures. It allows you to better integrate text and graphics for work that require text and graph convination. geoPublising is a full-feature desktop publising. (around $40) geoChart: easily create pie, unibar, area, point, line, column, bar, scatter point, and scatter line types of chart. (around $20) geoCalc: is a spreadsheet. Write64: a more full-feature wordprocessor than geoWrite. (around $30) And there are many more others............ Other wordprocessors (not related in anyway with GEOS) are: Bank Street Write ($40) Word Writer 4 ($30) Fleet System 2+ ($35) PaperClip III ($40) and other..... These are full-feature wordprocessor with WYSIWYG, outlining, etc. Some of the above word processors come with dictionary/thesaurus/database, spell checking, password protection, RAM disk support (if you have one), telecomunication, window driven, tutorial program, etc... Since you/your-son are beginner user, the wordprocessor I would recommend is SpeedScript. This processor is somewhat simple but more than powerful enough for beginners and the price is more attractive than the others, $9. With $9, you not only get the SpeedScript wordprocessor but multitude of small application programs that adds new features to SpeedScript like spell checking, output preview, word count, etc... To order this wordprocessor, you need to buy the Octorber 1989 issue of Compute! Gazette (just out) available in many magazine stands, book stores, and retail stores. In that issue of the magazine there is an ordering form/coupon to order the SpeedScript. This wordprocessor is sold by this magazine. For other graphic programs (nott related in anyway with GEOS) are: Printe Shop ($30): make greeting cards, stationery, banners, etc Certificate Maker ($20): make over 200 awards and certificates The Newsroom ($20) make your own newspaper. PaperClip Publisher ($40): desktop publiching. Doodle ($30): make drawing FlexiDraw v5.5 ($25): make drawing (very powerful), can be used with a light pen sold seperately ($40) OCP advance graphics: make drawings and others... All the prices mentioned above are estimates, so actual price may vary depending where and how you buy the software. The mention softwares are in no ways the only softwares available, rather there are many more, too many to mention them all. If you would like to find out about more softwares for the C64, it would be a good idea to visit a store that sells C64 software and look around. And also you can write to many of the mail order companies (see Commodore magazines for their addresses) and write them asking for their catalog; in there you will see descriptions of many more softwares available for the C64. I hope this was of help... Sincerely, Scott K. Stephen