While unable to coax DYNACOMP's offering into consistent, crash-free operation, I did become conversant enough with it to offer a few observations:
1. The documentation for the ATARI translation is incomplete.
2. Not all inconsistencies between the well discussed NORTH STAR version and the ATARI version are defined.
3. The ATARI program contains neither the "notes" nor the "comments" file intrinsic to the NORTH STAR program. This is a false economy which can be ill afforded in light of the superficial documentation supplied with this version.
4. The utility of this program is questionable in view of the inherent screen editing capabilities of the ATARI - capabilities which cannot be used within this program (once a line has been entered) without causing format problems. Actually, for many simple tasks, one can edit quicker by employing a simple driver routine composed of nothing more exotic than a series of line numbers suffixed by a lineprint command and quotation marks (1000 LP. " . . 1100LP." . . . etc.). Use would simply require listing about 20 lines, tabbing twice to place the cursor on the second quotation mark, and entering up to 80 characters (about 2.3 screen lines) before hitting "return." One can change, delete, append, or otherwise manipulate the text either before or after entering the line. The DYNACOMP program is rather unwieldy by comparison, requiring extensive handling of files and multiple saves to disk before final edited copy can be output to the printer.
5. While TEXT EDITOR will allow setting a maximum right margin, it does NOT right justify (straighten the right margin) as claimed, nor does it have any provision for adjusting the left margin. Additionally, there is no control over printer operation other than LPRINT and carriage return.
CONTEST! ANALOG'S 1ST ANNUAL PROGRAMMING CONTEST!!
Our contest is simple. A.N.A.L.O.G. is looking for top quality programs for use in our magazine, and as you can see many of the programs and articles in our pages are submitted by our readers. Hopefully you'll agree that the programs in our pages are as good as if not better than many on the market. Our aim is to help support the Atari computers by making available top quality programs and tutorials for a reasonable price (the cost of a subscription). So in order to get more of our readers involved in our efforts, we have decided to add a bonus to the contributor fee. The author of the best or most informative program, tutorial or article we use through March 1982 will receive an Atari 810 Disk Drive, in addition to his or her royalty payment. You will be the judge. In issue #9, we will publish a questionnaire which hopefully will be filled out and returned to us, and will determine the winner.
So let's get going with that program you've always wanted to write for your Atari now that we have given you some incentive.Deadline for submission is March 1st, 1982.