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From: ehr@ecsvax.UUCP (Ernest H. Robl)
Newsgroups: net.micro.trs-80
Subject: Re: xenix,scripsit,profile,etc.
Message-ID: <1067@ecsvax.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 19-Apr-85 21:19:11 EST
Article-I.D.: ecsvax.1067
Posted: Fri Apr 19 21:19:11 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 22-Apr-85 00:08:45 EST
References: <231@sbcs.UUCP>
Organization: NC Educational Computing Service
Lines: 49

While I can only speak for the Model III versions of 
Scripsit and Profile, I can only say that I find that
both programs are much under-rated and don't get much
mention in the general computer magazines' comparisons
of word-processing and database processing programs.
I've used a number of wp programs/systems, up to the
IBM DisplayWriter, and *really* like SuperScripsit
program for the writing I do.  (I also have and use
the regular Scripsit program, mostly for generating
ASCII files to transfer to other systems.  I used the
latter program to do much of the editing for listings
in a reference book [Picture Sources, 4th ed.], the
final compilation of which was done on an IBM mainframe.

I've also found the Model III version of Profile (Profile
3+) a very usable database program, even though it doesn't
have all the bells and whistles of some more expensive
programs.  I use it both for an address database
(including generating form letters with SuperScripsit)
and as a circulation file for tracking color transparencies 
submitted to publishers.  It has just the right amount
of features for what I need, and it's very easy to 
change screen, report or label formats.

Back to SuperScripsit (which I understand is essentially
similar to that for Tandy's larger computers) -- I even
use that to produce catalog cards for my transparency
catalog -- using the form letter option to overtype
subject headings.  It offers more options than any
program that I've seen advertised specifically for 
printing catalog cards.  (The reasons I use a card
catalog rather than a computer database are a little
complex, but include [1] There's greater flexibility for
length of records and fields than in a structured
database; [2] the type of computer necessary to handle
the size and complexity of the database would be beyond
my current means; and [3] the catalog is still available
even if the computer breaks down.)

I was sorry to see Radio Shack discontinue its own 
magazine a while back, because the series it had been
running on Profile offered much useful informtion.  Yes,
I too would like to hear what others are doing with
Scripsit and Profile -- I think there's a general
similarity between the versions for various machines --
and think there must be other users of these programs
out there in netland.
   -- Ernest H. Robl (ehr@ecsvax)
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