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The SoftLogger User Guide.
Loading
To load Softlogger, switch on your SAM Coupe, insert the
SoftLoggger Master Disk into drive one, and press the f9 key
or type in "BOOT ". The main SoftLogger program
should then load and run automatically. Should any problems
occur, remove the disk, turn the computer off, and wait a few
minutes before repeating the above. If the problems still
occur, return the disk to T. Wells & Brain (Software Dept.)
and a replacement will be sent to you as soon as possible.
Using SoftLogger For The First Time
Should you be using SoftLogger for the first time,
follow the instructions in this guide until you are familiar
with the programs. Feel free to experiment with the
demonstration file provided, called 'DemoFile1', and to try
out the worked examples using this file.
The Main Menu
The first thing that you will see when SoftLogger has
finished loading is the 'Welcome' screen, which is shown in
picture 1 on page of this guide. On pressing a key, you
will be taken to the main menu. The system of menus is the
way that you get around SoftLogger and the way that all its
powerful functions can be accessed. The main menu is shown in
picture 4, also on page of this guide. One of the five
options can be selected by pressing the appropriate number
key, from 0 to 4.
Try this now :- press '3' to go into the filing systems menu,
then press '0' to go back to the main menu again.
If you choose an unavailable option the program will
soon inform you through the 'message box'.
Creating Records
Select the Create Records option from the main menu and
you can enter the data for your own software into the
program. This process is helped if you fill out a copy of the
data capture form shown on page of this guide. The cursor
appears at the start of the field that is to be input and you
can then type in the data, pressing at the end of
each field. The price data has to be entered in two parts,
the pounds and the pence, pressing after each of
them. For the storage media, software type and computer
fields, you must select an option from the displayed menu by
typing its number and then pressing . For all the
fields needing a numeric input, there are built in defaults
which are used when is pressed on its own. These are
as follows :-
Release Date - 1991
Price - £ 9.95
Storage media - Disk 3.5
Software type - Arcade Game
Computer - SAM Coupe
Catalogue no. - (Current record no.)
Once you have entered a record, you are then asked if
that record is correct. If you reply no then the program gets
you to re-enter that record, otherwise it moves onto the next
free record for you to enter more data. If you want to leave
this section, enter "QUIT " when asked for the name
and you will be returned to the main menu.
Try creating your own records now using actual pieces of
software or creating fictional ones, and then type "QUIT
" to get back to the main menu. A photograph of the
create routine in operation is in figure 2 on page .
Loading and Saving Records
Once you have some data in memory, then you may save
these records to disk. The 'Save' option is in the 'Filer'
menu. The program displays a list of the disk contents and
asks you to enter a filename. This filename should be no more
than 10 characters long. All the records in memory will be
saved to the disk under that filename. Try this now with some
dummy records you have created yourself.
The 'Load' option is also found in the 'Filer' menu. As
can be expected, this command loads records into memory from
disk. The program displays a list of files on the disk and
you must enter the filename of the data that you want to
load.
Try this now to load in the example file "DemoFile1"
included on the SoftLogger master disk. The following
examples in this guide wil use this file.
The other options in the 'Filer' menu are 'Directory'
which displays the disk contents and 'DOS Command' which
allows you to enter commands for the Disk Operating System.
This was included to allow you to do things like format new
disks from within SoftLogger. When this option is selected,
enter your command and press after it. Any results
from this will be displayed in the lower half of the screen.
Examining Records
When some records are in memory you can select the
'Examine' option from the main menu. This provides options to
view the records, send records to the printer, search through
the records for specific items of data and calculate the
averages for a group of records. For all these options you
must specify the range of records to work on.
Specifying A Group Of Records
All of the commands in the 'Examine' and 'Alter' menus
require you to specify a range of records to work with. This
can be all the records, records that have been located by the
search routine, tagged reocrds or a block of records. If you
use a block of records then you must specify the first and
last record numbers. This allows you to have anything from
individual records to all of the records. Tagged records have
been specially marked for group operations and the option to
tag records is under 'Change Status' in the 'Alter' menu.
Viewing Records
Once a range has been selected, the view option gives
you four selections: to move forward one record, to move
back one record, to list the records in sequence or to goto a
specific record. Listing the records displays each record in
turn, beginning with the one currently displayed, with a
short gap in between them. This carries on until all the
records have been displayed or the user presses to
stop at a particular record. If you want to go to a
particular record then you must enter the appropriate record
number and the program will go automatically to that record.
Try this option now, using all the records or blocks of
records from 'DemoFile1'. Practise using the forwards and
backwards commands, listing through the records and going to
specific records.
Printing Records
With this option, all the specified records are sent to
any printer connected via the SAM Communications interface.
Searching Through Records
When you have specified a range of records, you will be
asked to choose a field to work with. You choose the field by
pressing the appropriate number key that corresponds to your
choice in the menu. You will then have to enter the data you
want to be searched for, in a similar way to that required
when creating records, either typing the data in or selecting
it from a menu. The program will then go through all the
records, looking for any matches. At the end of the search,
the program will inform you about how many matches it found.
Any matching records can then be used in other tasks by
specifying the range as search located records.
Try this now using DemoFile1. Search through all the
records for "Spectrum 48K" as the computer. Then try looking
at these records using the search located option for 'View'.
Try also searching for things that won't produce a match such
as a name like "XXXXYYYYZZZZ" to what happens.
Calculating Averages
The last of the options under 'Examine', 'Calculate
Averages' works on the specified range of records to give
averages of various fields. The mean price and release dates
are calculated, and the modes of the computer, software media
and software type fields are calculated. These give the
average values which are displayed by the program. This
routine is shown in operation in the photograph in figure 4
on page of this guide.
Use this routine now using DemoFile1. Calculate the
averages for all the records, blocks of records and records
found by the search routine.
Altering Records
The other option that can only be selected when some
records are in memory is the 'Alter' option. This allows
records to be changed, records to be deleted, the records to
be sorted, records to be hidden or protected and records to
be tagged.
Sorting Records
Although all the options are provided when selecting a
range of records for this option, the program will not allow
you to choose to sort tagged records or search located
records, only all the records or a continuous block. All the
records in the specified range are sorted into ascending
alphabetical order according to the name field.
You can try this now using DemoFile1. Sort some of the
records into order using the block option and then sort all
the records into order. Use the 'View' option to check that
the program has done so.
Deleting records
This option, deletes all the records in the specifed
range from memory. Records can be safeguarded from being
deleted by using the 'Protect' option under 'Change Status'
in the 'Alter' menu. Once deleted, the records are lost
forever and can not be brought back and the remaining records
are moved down to occupy all the newly created free space.
This can be tried now. Using DemoFile1, try deleting
groups of records and then all of the remaining records. (You
will then have to re-load DemoFile1 to continue following the
examples).
Changing Data
This procedure again works on a specified range of
records. Each chosen record is displayed and you are asked if
you want to alter it. If you reply no, the next record in the
range is brought up, otherwise you are asked which field you
want to change. Entering the new data for the field is in the
same way that you enter the data for a search, typing some
data out in full, and selcting others from menus. The change
is then made to the record and you are asked if you want to
make any more changes to that record. If you answer yes then
the process is repeated, otherwise the program moves on to
the next record in the range. This continues until all the
records have been checked.
You may try this now. Using DemoFile1, try changing the
price of the 'SoftLogger' record to £9.95 and changing the
storage place to "Disk Box 2". Then try altering other
records in various ranges.
Changing Record Status
The first thing you are asked when you select the change
status option is whether you want to tag records or not. If
you reply yes then that option is chosen, otherwise you have
to specify a range of records to work with. Using this
option, you can hide records, protect them or remove these
commands. Hiding records prevents their details being shown
on screen, although they still can be printed out and
protecting records stops them being deleted.
Experiment with these commands on DemoFile1. Try hiding
various groups of records to see what happens. Also try
protecting records and then try to delete them. Then try
removing the hide and protect commands.
Tagging Records
Under the Change Status option there is the choice of
tagging records. All the records in a specified range are
specially marked so that they can be used as a group in many
of the other operations. As tagging tagged records would be a
silly option, this option can be used to remove the tags from
all the records.
Try these commands out now. Experiment using DemoFile1
and repeat all of the above examples using groups of tagged
records in the operations
Ending SoftLogger
Choosing option 0 from the main menu exits the program.
However if you have made any major changes to the data in
memory since it was last saved then you are asked if you want
to continue so that you do not accidentally lose important
data. Before the program finishes, you are asked if you want
to use SAMIBU. If you reply yes then SAMIBU is loaded,
otherwise the program terminates itself in an orderly
fashion.
Errors
The SoftLogger package has been tested to very high
standards and so there should be no problems occurring with
the programs. However if an error does crop up within
SoftLogger itself then the 'message box' will appear telling
you where and why an error occurred. On pressing a key, the
program should then try to rectify the error. However should
the program finish and return you to BASIC, then typing the
command "GOTO restart " should return you to the
program with no loss of data. If the program still refuses to
work then write down the details of the errors ( error code,
line and statement numbers ) and send them to the technical
department here at T.Wells & Brain inc.
------ooOO OOoo------
ALIENCOPY by Simon N Goodwin
This program uses MASTERDOS to copy 720K disks from ST, PC, QL,
MSX and many other micros at high speed. SAM is faster than many
micros because it has a disk controller for each drive, and fast
direct sector access from BASIC. ALIENCOPY will copy a full disk
faster than the utilities that come with many computers, and
reads and writes a track of 9 sectors (4.5K) at a time. to
FORMAT before copying, press F rather than just RETURN at the
start. This program uses SAM's ten sector format, but QL, PC and
ST seem quite happy to read disks copied onto that; they just
ignore the extra sector (as long as the disk speed is within
tolerance - no problem on modern servo-controlled drives)
----------------------------------------------------------------
CONVERT85 BY D. HALL
This program provides an easy way to convert an 85 column
SAMSCRATCH file into 64 column format. Since an 85 column file
can be much larger than a 64 column one, the program detects
this, and where necessary will split the file into two. The 1st
file will contain the first 300 lines leaving 20 lines for file
manipulation. The 2nd file will contain the remaining lines.
Unfortunately, where text is in a tabular, or otherwise
organised, format the text may be compressed. In any case
unless your file is in 100% standard text a little work may be
required to put the file into the form you wish it to be in.
PLEASE NOTE:- THE PROGRAM ONLY ACCEPTS CODE FILES, ALTHOUGH
COULD EASILY BE MODIFIED TO LOAD DATA FILES IF REQUIRED.
----------------------------------------------------------------
PRINCE OF PERSIA MAPS & TIPS Compiled by Rob Evans
These are the rest of the maps (levels 8-13), plus how to do
the first 4 levels of the game.
All the maps are MODE 1 and can be saved to disc for printing
out later. The tips are in Tasword II format, but the option to
print them is given in the program.
The rest of the levels in next issus.
----------------------------------------------------------------
MADDELBROT THEORY by J.Rust
Everything you always wanted to know about Fractals but were
frightened to ask. This article contains the theory as well as
examples and screens of Mandelbrots and is written and laid out
in a very easily understood way.
---------------------------------------------------------------
LEAGUE by J.Hutchins
The program is designed to provide a league table for Football
leagues whether it be the 1st division or the local Sunday
league. Therefore it is based upon the rules of the English
leagues i.e. 3 points for a win and 1 for a
draw but could easily be adapted for any other type of league,
even cricket, I suppose. The program is menu driven with a
series of options. Upon loading you will need to select either
option 1 or 6. i.e. start a new league with 1 or load in
previously saved data with 6.
OPTION 1 Set-up (Lines 2000-2230)
This allows you to enter up to 30 teams. After entering they
will be sorted into alphabetical order. You can then use option
2 to display the teams albeit with nil points, Therefore merely
in alphabetical order.
OPTION 2 Display Table (Lines 1000-1360)
When you have entered data this option will display the teams in
points order. If the points are equal then goal difference will
be taken into account. If these are the same then in
alphabetical order. If there are more than 15 teams then lines
3000-3249 are used and the table is split into 2 pages.
There is a print option which is set to my printer which is a
Citizen 120D+. There may be changes necessary for other printers
(subroutine 7100-7999).
OPTION 3 Enter team scores (Lines 4000-4670)
This option allows you to enter the scores of individual matches
which will automatically up-date the data for the specific
teams. Just follow the prompts.
OPTION 4 Adjust Data (Lines 6500-7000)
Sometime you may need to adjust the team data. For instance if
you start a league table in the middle of the season you will
want to start at the current position.
I have taken into account the possibility of points deductions
as with Manchester Utd. and Arsenal last season.
OPTION 5 Save Data (Lines 5000-5100)
The data is saved as 1 - a(data)
2 - t$(title)
3 - a$(teams)
Just input the desired filename.
OPTION 6 Load Data (Lines 5500-5560)
The program CATS the disc to show the files. When inputting the
filename, ignore the last character since this only signifies
the data file as indicated above. This format is the only way I
have found of saving data. i.e. in the example type DIV191 and
enter.
OPTION 7 Quit
The program was originally written for the Spectrum and so I'm
sure some of you will be able to create many improvements. I
look forward to seeing them.
P.S. Could you please send correspondence to the Supplement as I
am in the middle of changing address.
----------------------------------------------------------------
007 MODIFICATION by Mike Haine
If you own Geoff Bobker's excellent 007 Dissasembler, Mike has
revamped it to work even better. There is a full explanation by
mike in the TIPS section, on the merits of the various programs
available and how to use this mod in your own copy of 007.
----------------------------------------------------------------
SAMETCH by D.Tonks
I originally wrote this to keep the kids amused over Christmas,
but have found that it is a great favourite with adults as well.
Based on a well known toy, the program uses keys 6,7,8,9 and 0,
which are also the joystick keys. Used up, down, left and right
to draw (including diagonals), and 0 or fire to clear the
screen.
----------------------------------------------------------------
XXXX DEMO by D.Tonks
I pondered long and hard whether to include this in a mag such
as ours. I finally decided that members would take it in the
spirit in which it was offered.
----------------------------------------------------------------
MIDI PROCS by Ben Potten
For those of you with MIDI keyboards, these PROCedures will help
you get the best from your equipment.
To go with them Ben has written an article explaining how MIDI
works on the Sam. This is included in the TIPS section.
----------------------------------------------------------------
GALLERY anon
Another collection of MODE 4 screens for you to see, and maybe
modify for your own use.
----------------------------------------------------------------
FASTFILL by Dr Andy Wright
An interesting explanation of the FILL command, which shows how
you can speed it up using a command that is not explained very
well in the Sam manual.
----------------------------------------------------------------
MUSIC
This will hopefully be a regular slot in the mag. It's a piece
of music done using The Sound Machine. There is a player
included so that you can hear what it sounds like, but if you
own Sound Machine, you can, of course, load it into that and
maybe rearrange it.
----------------------------------------------------------------
PRO-PRINT by Dr Andy Wright
A nice little utility which gives you proportional printing in 2
widths. The program is fully REMed so that you can see what Andy
has done, and the PROCedure can be used in you own programs.
----------------------------------------------------------------
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