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From: jb@terak.UUCP (John Blalock)
Newsgroups: net.micro.cpm
Subject: Re: Where can one get Wordstar for CPM3 ?
Message-ID: <1105@terak.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 24-Mar-86 14:33:36 EST
Article-I.D.: terak.1105
Posted: Mon Mar 24 14:33:36 1986
Date-Received: Sat, 29-Mar-86 05:27:11 EST
References: <1739@brl-smoke.ARPA>
Organization: Calcomp Display Products Division, Scottsdale, AZ, USA
Lines: 63

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

> 1.  Can CPM 3.0 operate, with full compatability, CPM 2.2 software?
>     (Given that it is on a 5 1/4" format)
> 

Yes, most software for CP/M 2.x will run under CP/M 3.0, including WordStar.

> 2.  Where can I get wordstar for CPM?

The local Federated TV/Stero/Computer discount stores are offering WordStar 
with MailMerge for $399 on a special sale this week.  The installation files 
for WordStar are included.  Also included are the following packages at no 
extra cost:  ReportStar, CalcStar, DataStar, CP/M 2.2, and a Bondwell 12 
portable (sic) computer.  You'd probably have to use a serial transfer
protocol to get the software on disks compatible with your Commodore.  If
you don't want the "free" computer, I'll be happy to take it! :-)

The Bondwell 12 has a 4 MHz Z80A, 64K RAM, two SSDD 5.25" floppy disk drives
(TEC, 765 controller), a full ASCII keyboard with separate numeric keypad and
16 user-definable function keys, 9-inch amber CRT (6845), two RS232C serial
ports (Z80A SIO/8253 baud rate generator), a parallel port (6821), and speech
synthesis capability.  Comes with program to allow SSDD disks in Kaypro,
Osborne, and IBM PC formats to be used.  Size, weight, etc.  are compatible
with the Osborne/Kaypro portables.  Looks like it is a Hong-Kong Kaypro 2
clone.  It also comes with a neat speech program that lets you type in
sentences which it will then speak back to you.  Can also voice annotate
prepared files.  The speech is obviously computer-generated, but very
understandable.

Someone asked on the net earlier about a tool to help the speech-impaired.
The Bondwell 12 may just be the answer...

I need another CP/M computer about as much as a hole in the head, but in a
weak moment, I purchased one of these machines last Saturday.  Only problem so
far is that no real technical info comes with the package.  You do get full
manuals on all the MicroPro packages plus the latest versions of DRI's CP/M
2.2 manual and command summary booklet.  The manual on the computer itself is
oriented towards the inexperienced, non-technical user.  I have found that a
technical manual with schematics is available from Bondwell for $25, BIOS on
disk is $10.  Even without the technical manual, I have done some sleuthing
around and have been able to modify the excellent MXO-KP43.ASM file (Kaypro
uses the Z80 SIO but a different baud rate generator) and I now have a working
overlay for MEX 1.14.

Features I don't like about the machine:  SSDD 5.25" disks are small, the
Bondwell format provides only 170K/disk.  The feel and size of the keyboard
are less than ideal and the key layout is more like a TTY instead of the more
common VT100/Selectric layout.  There is no fan in the unit and it gets
warmer than I'd like to see for extended reliability.  The video display uses
a good font, with decenders, looks ADM3 compatible, but doesn't support
half-intensity.

Obviously (I hope), I have no connection with Bondwell International.
With only 2 days experience with the package, I hesitate to give it any
strong recommendation, but how can you beat it for the price?

John Blalock, W7AAY

uucp:	 ...{noao,decvax,savax,ihnp4,seismo}!terak!jb
phone:	 (602) 998-4800
us mail: CalComp Display Products Division (formerly Terak Corporation)
         14151 N. 76th St., Scottsdale, AZ 85260