Info Kex 1
HOT CoCo disk, but I can't load machine-language programs because I don't know the start, end, or execution address. (Robert M. Faden Sr., Burbank. CA)
A# You can follow the procedure be-• low if you have a program that requires you to type" in EXEC to begin execution. {It won't work for programs that execute automatically.) To find the necessary addresses, CLOADM the program without connecting the disk controller. Then type in PRINT PEEK(487)* 256 + PEEK(488) to find the start address. PRINT PEEK(126)*256 + PEEK(127) - 1 gives you the end address; PRINT PEEK( 157) * 256 + PEEK( 158) gives you the execution address. If the starting address is below 3584, you need the Tapefix disk utility (/JOT CoCo, September 1983, p. 134). Tapefix works only with programs shorter than 24K (24,576 bytes).
9» Can I CLOAD a program into •memory without erasing the one already there? (Keith H. March, Continental. OH)
A9 The technique for loading multi-• ple programs into memory is simple. CLOAD the first program and type in PRINT IIEX$(PEEK(25)*256 + PEEK(26)), noting the value returned. Then type in PRINT HEX$(PEEK(27)* 256 + PEEK(28) - 2) and again note the value returned. POKE the values from the previous step into locations 25 and 26 by typing in POKE 25,value:POKE 26,value. CLOAD the second program and renumber it if there are conflicting line numbers. Finally, POKE the values from the first Print statement into locations 25 and 26. You can repeat this process to merge as many programs as memory can accommodate. B!
Color Monitor by Scott Norman
I once saw my home computer as becoming a tireless and devoted personal assistant, able to keep track of my schedule and maintain an inventory of electronic office supplies to boot. The key to my system would be a desktop accessory package, with such functions as a calculator, memo pad, and telephone dialer.
Alas, I soon found out that the CoCo doesn't have the muscle to handle a full-fledged electronic desktop program. It lacks two essential features: lots of memory and high-capacity disk drives.
I'm going to look a little more closely at these limitations. Then I'll explore the alternatives, including a CoCo accessory package from Computerware called the Complete Electronic Organizer (CEO).
No Room at the Inn
Of course, the electronic desk is immensely popular with businesspeople who use IBM PCs or Macintoshes. Borland International's SideKick is one of the industry's major success stories. Work-alikes abound. Users can now access everything from simple calculators and message pads to 1000-cell spreadsheets with integrated graphics capabilities.
Rapid access is the key ingredient. If you're working with a word processor or spreadsheet, you can suspend its operation, call up one of the accessories to do a quick job, and then return to the application. While you can still run only one program at a time, such auxiliary routines increase the computer's effectiveness.
You can also transfer data from an accessory to the main program by electronically cuttingand pasting, usingan intermediate "clipboard" file to hold the information while you jump between applications.
On a PC, you can keep some accessories in RAM for nearly instantaneous recall and others on the operating-system disk. The CoCo's 64K of RAM can't hide accessories and still do meaningful work with the main program, and its 156K disks can't store both types of software. Further. RSDOS doesn't easily let you sus-
Product Information
Computerware 4403 Manchester Ave. Suite 102, Box 668 Encinitas, CA 92024 Complete Electronic Organizer requires 64K RAM and one disk drive; it sells for $49.95.
July 1984: Guide to Disk terns, GW-Basic, and a guage minimizer. August 1984: Games issue,
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