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From: clt@pur-phy.UUCP (Carrick Talmadge)
Newsgroups: net.micro.cbm
Subject: DON'T GET MAE/Merlin review
Message-ID: <1191@pur-phy.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 14-Feb-84 00:56:25 EST
Article-I.D.: pur-phy.1191
Posted: Tue Feb 14 00:56:25 1984
Date-Received: Thu, 9-Feb-84 14:07:56 EST
References: <439@inuxd.UUCP>
Organization: Purdue University Physics Dept.
Lines: 60


   This article is a followup of a previous review of the MAE assembler.

   In my opinion, the term waste goes together excellently with
MAE's "Software Development System".  It is truly a waste of money.

   I bought MAE about eight months ago, as it was the only macro assembler
available at the time.  The documentation is poor even by Commodore 
standards.  Several examples do not work, and in some cases are totally
wrong.  The macro-assembler itself has a few problems all its own.  
It does not allow expasion of macros with labels inside of other macros.
It does not have a way of accessing low and high bytes of labels      
(i.e. #<label & #>label).  Their so-called customer support is non-existent.
I wrote them twice and got no reply.

   What to do?  For some time I searched for a macro-assembler that
had all the features I wanted.  Merlin-64 more than met my needs.

   MERLIN is probably the second best assembler available for a 65XX
micro (ORCA/M is only available for the Apple.).  It has the best
documentation I have ever seen for the C64.  

FEATURES : 
           1) The assembler/editor resides behind basic memory allowing
              huge amounts of source to be in the editor simultaneously.

           2) It allows insertion of external files durring assembly to
              allow assembly of files to large for the editor.

           3) It has the option of assembling to memory or directly
              to disk.

           4) The editor has 80 column capability with or without the
              80 column card (but cuts down on max source size).

           5) Comes with the Sourceror, which enables you to form
               source code from object cde. (with labels !!!)

           6) Comes with a few utilities to aid in converting old
             assembly routines to the Merlin format.

           7) Comes with a nice macro library and a few examples.

           8) Complaints - the monitor which comes with the assembler
              could use some work, and uses some old Apple conventions
              but is adequate.

           9) I got it for only $50 !!!


 It is available from : Southwestern Data Systems
                        10761-E Woodside Avenue
                        Santee California 92071


Dane Morrison
Purdue

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