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Why CP/M ?
Written By: Carl F. Howard
[Carl.H ]
10-11-87
===========================
Many of you C-128 owners have a Giant hiding in the box that came
with your computer and probably aren't aware of it. It's the CP/M
Systems Disk that you've been ignoring and have filed away. Perhaps you
have tried to load it and were puzzled by the funny looking A: (DOS
Prompt) that came up when it finished loading. This article will
explain some of the features of the CP/M+ Operating System (O/S) and
Why you might want to take advantage of using it on your 128.
Two reasons for using CP/M on the 128 are Power and Software
Availability. Imagine Down Loading the entire Commodore or CP/M GEnie
Software Files Directories (about 300k) and creating a Usable Local
Data Base file to do your own off line searches and print custom
listings. You couldn't do that in C-64 or C-128 Mode. Or How about
editing that 300 page Novel you've been writing for the last 5 years.
The CP/M O/S was the first Universally used O/S for Micro-Computers
and learning how to use it will give you knowledge of other computers
as well as to prepare you for using the MSDOS O/S when the time comes.
Being the first O/S means that users have been tinkering and playing
with it for many years and as such there is a great deal of Public
Domain (Free Software) as well as Powerful Commercial Software
available which will allow you to do things you only dreamed of doing
on your old C-64.
For example, one of the most widely used Word Processors available
for use on Micro-Computers is called Word Star (tm). Word Star is an
80 Column full featured Word Processor containing Spelling Checker and
Mail Merge options. It can Create and Edit Documents of unlimited size
(As much Space as you have on your Disk Drive or Ram Disk) and can also
be used as an ASCII text file editor for editing Non-Word Star Files
and MBasic or Machine Language Source Program files. Also Word Star
Files created on your C-128 are fully compatible for use on an MSDOS
machine if you use one. Learning how to use Word Star at home at your
own speed on your 128 can prepare you for using it at work or school.
Imagine what people will think of you when you sit down and already
know how use it like a seasoned professional. It's a great skill to
have and will enhance your credentials no matter what you do.
Another example, one of the most popular Data Base Management
Systems Available for Micro's is a program called dBase (tm) by Ashton
Tate. dBase was originally developed on CP/M machines and has evolved
to a Powerful Applications program on MSDOS machines. In fact it's a
programing language in it's own right. dBase II for CP/M is capable of
being run on a C-128. Here again learning to use it at home at your own
speed is a great way to pick up a professional skill. You can use dBase
for just about any Home or Small Business data base applications and
it's processing capacities and abilities far exceed anything you might
have worked with in 64 mode. Also, If you take advantage of using a Ram
Expansion Module you will be able process Data at blinding speed as
compared to using the 1541 and 1571 disk drives.
You can probably pick up legal copies of these Programs at a local
swap meet or through a users group at very reasonable prices but if
you can't afford to buy these right off I can highly recommend some
P.D. Software Available here on GEnie that will serve most of your
needs to begin with. The first is an excellent file editor which is
Word Star compatible and it's called VDE261 (File #4699 in the CP/M
R.T). The Second is a SHAREWARE Data Base Program called PCFILE (File #
2409). Both of these programs come with documentation contained in the
Library or ARK file which will explain how to use them and are, I feel
of Commercial Quality. They would be among the first to start up your
CP/M software library with.
Learning CP/M isn't really any more difficult to do than learning
to use the C-64 or C-128 operating systems. In fact if you've already
figured out how to Load programs and copy files in Native Mode your
half way there. When you get down to it, all Computers must do
essentially the same things to process data. They have to be able to
input and output data from devices such as your disk drive, Monitor and
printer. Once you have mastered these essential DOS (Disk Operating
System) skills on one computer, learning to do it on another is really
not that hard at all. It's kind of like learning how to ride a bicycle
or drive a car. You need to become proficient and learn your balance
and judgment and once you've acquired the ability to do it with one
vehicle learning how to operate a second one comes easy. If you have
used your 128 in either 64 or 128 mode for a few months and have got
the basics down moving up to CP/M is not going to be a problem. In fact
you may find after a while using CP/M is easier than using the 128 in
C-64 Mode.
The biggest difference between the three operating systems and the
one you will have to remember the most is that CP/M is a Command Line
driven system. Because it was developed in the early days of Micro-
Computing, things like POP Down Menus and Color Graphics didn't exist.
So learning to work with the command line is the big adjustment. You
will still do the same types of DOS functions but you will have to
learn the Lingo. Fortunately one of the nice things you can do to help
with the cryptic command instructions is built right into the system
and that is to custom configure your keys (All Keys not just the
Function Keys) on your keyboard. For example I have configured my
function keys to execute the commands to copy files and display
directories at the touch of a key as well as to Dial my favorite BB'S
and send Log on Strings. The KEYFIG.COM program on the Flip Side of The
CP/M Systems Disk will allow you to configure your Keyboard any way you
want. One interesting trick I've played with my system is to re-program
the Bracket/Colon key on my 128 to a Colon/Semi-Colon key found on
MSDOS machines. The point is you can make a lot of the hard things easy
by installing some training wheels, much like using a DOS wedge program
in the C-64/128 modes.
If you're really interested in getting into CP/M and want some
good help in getting up and running see the CP/M Primer Articles in
Library 34 of the CP/M RoundTable. They are File #'s 2122, 2413 and
2247. They offer some good beginning tips and go beyond the material
found in your 128 users Manual. I'm going to be writing more articles
for beginning and intermediate users to supplement these as well. If
you have questions or find your self stuck on something drop me some E-
mail and I'll be glad to help in any way I can. I Hope this instilled
some inspiration and tickled the imagination in some of you out there,
Don't be bashful I'm looking forward to hearing from you.
