Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!apple!bionet!ames!xanth!wilso_d
From: wilso_d@cs.odu.edu (DeWitte Wilson)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.tandy
Subject: Re: TRS-80 Model 4
Message-ID: <9596@xanth.cs.odu.edu>
Date: 26 Jul 89 05:03:53 GMT
References: <6157@rpi.edu>
Organization: Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Va.
Lines: 65

In article <6157@rpi.edu>, jefu@pawl.rpi.edu (Jeffrey Putnam) writes:
> So, my questions are:
>    1) Is there a shareware or freeware database and/or spreadsheet available?
>       If so, where?

	As I recall, there are at least several database programs
available, but I cannot speculate on the availability of spreadsheets.
There is a company in California called the File Cabinet which is a
storage house for Model IV software which they mail out much like
Public Domain IBM disks.  All I have is an address, but I'm sure a
phone number is probably available if you were to call information -

The File Cabinet
P.O. Box 322
Van Nuys, CA  91408

They have quite an extensive collection of PD software.  There is also a
BBS called 8/N/1 operating in Florida which is actually a gigantic file
database.  The number is 904-377-1200.

>    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.)

	There are a few programs out there that can do just that.  On
the Model IV is one called Hypercross which will read IBM format
disks, and on the IBM there are at least two -

PC Cross Zap - Hypersoft
               P.O. Box 51155
               Raleigh, NC  27609

TRSCross     - Breeze/QSD, Inc.
               Dallas, Texas (?)

You could also go the quick route and use a null modem and comm software
on both systems.

>    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?

	Just about ANY external modem that will work on an IBM will
also work on the Model IV - this means you can upgrade your system and
just buy a new modem cable.

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

	There is a GREAT package called Allwrite which people are
raving about, there is also a new version of LeScript which has gotten
good reviews.  I believe that Allwrite is available from a company
called ProSoft, not sure about LeScript.

	For more information, try picking up a copy of TrsLink, it is
a monthly electronic magazine for the Trs80 computers (it's available
via ftp from xanth.cs.odu.edu in the tandy directory and also on a lot
of the TRS80 bulletin boards).

...dewitte
-- 
DeWitte Wilson <wilso_d@cs.odu.edu>                 Old Dominion University
CoSysop - The TrashBin BBS (tandy)             804-588-3013 [300=>2400] 8N1
        - Micro Enhancements BBS (IBM & Mac)   804-424-1514 [300=>9600] 8N1
"Mind your own business Mr. Spock, I'm sick of your half-breed interference."