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From: john@moncol.UUCP (John Ruschmeyer)
Newsgroups: net.micro.pc,net.micro.trs-80
Subject: Re: Tandy 1000 Software Query
Message-ID: <299@moncol.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 16-May-85 16:20:23 EDT
Article-I.D.: moncol.299
Posted: Thu May 16 16:20:23 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 17-May-85 05:00:52 EDT
References: <276@moncol.UUCP>
Organization: Monmouth College, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
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Xref: watmath net.micro.pc:3975 net.micro.trs-80:306


   A couple of weeks ago, I posted an inquiry to the net asking for what
software people knew would not run on a Tandy 1000. At that time, I
promised a summary of responses; well, this is it.

   Six people responded to the original article. Unfortunately, most of the
replies were from people considering the Tandy, rather than from owners.
Nevertheless, a small list of software did evolve:


		Alphabet Zoo- IBM Version (Spinnaker)
		Buzzard Bait (Sirius)
		Mastertype (Scarborough Software)
		Math Blaster (Davidson & Associates)
		Murder by the Dozen (CBS Software)

		CopyIIpc
		PCWRIT

		Prowriter utilities (C. Itoh)

		Telios (seems to talk to the modem, but won't let me in on
			the converstion.)
		PC-VT

Notes:
  The programs are arranged as follows: the first group are
game/educational programs, second are copy programs, third are utilities,
and last are communications programs.

   Most of these have probably failed for the reasons that programs usually
fail on compatables- differences in video, disk, or keyboard operation. In
the case of the 1000, it is most likely to be one of the first two.

   Surprisingly no "major" titles made this list. LOTUS 123 (version 1A-
not the older one) runs with no problems on the 1000. Magazine reviewers also
seem to have had no problems running most serious PC applications.

   A few pieces of IBM software point out one of the differences between
the Tandy and the IBM- the keyboard.  Because of the way the test  to
see what keys have been struck is made, some software thinks the 1000 has
arrow keys on its numeric pad instead of in a little cluster. This should
not pose a great problem for most and can even be taken care of by
reconfiguration of some software. (Tandy also includes a device driver on
its dos disk called "keyconvrt.sys". Supposedly this will provide an extra
degree of compatability for some marginal programs.)

   According to reports, there is one problem with hardware compatability,
the length of the board. The 1000 is designed to take boards up to 10.5"
long. Unfortunately, many popular boards exceed that length. Any board
which will fit in the short slot of the XT or in the Portable PC should be
right at home in the Tandy.


Conclusion:

   The Tandy 1000 is truly an IBM compatable. Except for a few assorted
titles, it appears to have little troube with any PC program put before it.



-- 
Name:		John Ruschmeyer
US Mail:	Monmouth College, W. Long Branch, NJ 07764
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