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From: wordproc@ucf-cs.UCF.EDU (Gang of Three)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.tandy
Subject: TRS80 Model 4
Message-ID: <1206@ucf-cs.UCF.EDU>
Date: 24 Jul 89 15:02:52 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Univ. of Central Florida, Orlando
Lines: 52


> An acquaintance of mine just got a TRS-80 Model 4 on a "permanent loan"
> basis.  He intends to use it for his nascent (and struggling) business.
> He has a word processor and some other stuff, but would probably benefit
> with some (even simple) database and spreadsheet facilities.  I dont
> really want to encourage him to spend much money on any of these things
> because of his financial situation, and because I think he may eventually
> find that this machine is just not what he needs.

> So, my questions are:
>   1) Is there a shareware or freeware database and/or spreadsheet available?
>     If so, where?

Yes, there are several database programs for the Model 4.
Several of them are public domain/shareware type.

>  2) I have a modem on my IBM PC clone and can reach ftp sites, and can read
>     news and stuff.  Is there any way to talk my machine (or his) into
>     constructing compatable disks?  (Im assuming that the disks are 
>     normally incompatable, which may not even be the case.)

Yes, there are programs that will allow the Model 4 to read and write IBM
disks and even to convert IBM programs to be compatible with its operation.
There is an IBM program or two that will read and write TRS80 formats.

   3) He has no modem at this point.  Is one available that might work for
      him (inexpensively) that might be moved to another machine should he
      decide to upgrade at some point?

Any Hayes-compatible modem should work fine with both an IBM compatible and
just as well with a Model III or 4.  He needs to make sure his terminal
program is set up for Hayes mode.  I move a Tandy DCM-212 1200-bd modem back
and forth between my Model 4 and my 286/20MHz IBM compatible.

   4) How about real word processing?  I mean stuff like newsletter quality.

He probably will want to use either the latest version of SuperSRIPSIT for the
Model 4 or LeScript (the latest version).  LeScript is probably the best word
processor available for the Model 4 and, more importantly, the company that
wrote it is constantly putting out new versions, updates, and adding features.

> Thanks...
>jeff putnam        --  I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each.
>jefu@pawl.rpi.edu  --  I do not think they will sing to me.

Sure
-- Marcus
wordproc@ucf-cs.ucf.edu



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