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GeoZone - Introduction
by Bruce Thomas

Hello, my name is Bruce Thomas and I have happily been using my C-64 since November 1983. During the past 12+ years I have been president of C.U.E. (Commodore Users of Edmonton) for two years and newsletter editor for 4 1/2 years. I have built up a large software and print library which I keep referring to again and again for valuable information. I have been a GEOS user for almost 8 years. In that time I have produced 3 different newsletters (one for the computer club, a family one and one for our childrens' School Parent Association). With monthly schedules a person gets to know short cuts and ways the system works quite well. At the 5 Computer Expos we put on I did DTP demos all day, using GEOS and a Laser printer, and was able to produce banners and posters faster than the Amiga DTP demo beside me. I have always been a believer in sharing knowledge and also believe that, as far as a home computer goes, my C-64 is really all I need (although I'm leaning towards acquiring a 128D). I wrote the Calendar Patch program to allow my GEOS Calendar to default to the 21st century (this appeared in Commodore World #10 and, if space allows, will also appear in The Underground) because I see no reason to 'upgrade' to a different computer platform. When Scott announced that Alex had resigned from writing for the Underground I quickly volunteered. Hopefully, I will be able to help Scott fill The Underground with helpful tips and useful information for a few issues anyway, if not longer.

As with almost anything, the best way to learn GEOS is to use it. GEOS provides a relatively easy environment for learning as, once you know how to move a pointer and click on menus and icons, you know how the system works. The real trick is learning how to push the limits! When the system is this easy to use sometimes it seems like too much work to read the manuals. There is no substitute for first hand experience, but it is possible to cut down on one's mistakes and search for easier ways by reading. Over the years I have read much about GEOS. Compute's Gazette, RUN, INFO, GeoWorld, GeoJournal and GeoVision have helped in the past and now The Underground, GEOS Publication, Commodore World and the Internet provide news and insight into this software that has given extended life to my C-64.

One of the most enjoyable facets of GEOS is the ability to configure your system the way you like it. Originally, there weren't a lot of options as hardware support didn't exist. As better drives, true mice and bigger RAM units arrived, the system evolved to support these. Desktop Alternatives have also come along that allow a lot of personal choice and configurations. It is very unlikely that any two GEOS users would have the same setup. My main C-64 setup consists of a 64-C, 1541-II, 1764 REU w/512K, FD-2000 3.5" drive, Schnedler 4.09 MHz TurboMaster CPU with Master Adapter, 1351 mouse, 1802, JiffyDOS, geoCable parallel interface and Super Graphix jr. connected thru a Data Transfer Switch to a Roland PR-1111A printer. My second system has a C-64, 1541-II, 1764 REU w/512K, 1581 3.5" drive, 1351 mouse, 1702 and an SG-10 printer. The differences are significant, and important, for some of the programs I run. I'll explain about that later. I use both the Desktop and Gateway (depending on what I am doing and how I feel), multi-pass printer drivers and occasionally PPLQ, but for the best output I access a Laser Printer.

That's probably enough about me and my setup for now. You want what I wanted when I was the reader; tips, help, insight!

There is one item from a previous issue that needs addressing right off the bat. In Issue #4, a letter from Dick Estel on Page 3, mentions Roger Lawhorn's great enhancement to the GEOS filebox - Superbox. This auto-exec lets you select from up to 255 files rather than just 15. The speed it scrolls thru a list improves with more filenames and, if you hold the button, it just flies. It will scroll forwards and backwards and will wrap around at the end of the list. The biggest thing is that versions do exist for the 128. Originally just GEOS 64 version 2.0 was supported and the documentation I got still states that a 128 version is being developed. However, SuperBOX 2.0 was what I received when I ordered it 3 years ago and 2 different versions are present for each of the 64 and the 128. Main requirements are Version 2.0 of GEOS and any REU. If, as Dick stated in his letter, the $20 includes geoPrint (now with COLOR support) and geoLabel, then this is a great bargain (I paid $5 for the Superbox disk and $20 for Print/Label through geoMetrix). Write to Dale Sidebottom 1001 Estate Circle Georgetown IN 47122 for current pricing/availability of SUPERBOX.

For owners of CMD devices I discovered a little time saving trick that is not in the manual. The application CMD Move lets you select and open partitions on your FD or other partitionable devices. The dox that I have states that once you run CMD Move you need to use the DRIVE button to select the FD drive. I found that the application works from my REU and will automatically check each drive on my system until it finds the FD (it checks my 1541 - drive C, and then accesses the FD - drive A). Using the DRIVE button would only be necessary if I had another CMD partitionable device. I have CMD-Move installed on my REU during boot up and enjoy the speed advantage this provides. I have also found that CMD Move works well with geoWizard.

In Issue #7 Alex came up with a list of improvements he feels are necessary for GEOS. I have another. What GeoCalc really needs is the ability to perform If/Then calculations. How Berkeley manufactured a spreadsheet without this function is beyond belief, but they did it. I use SpeedCalc (from Jan '86 Compute!) to figure my taxes and it lets me do If/Then calculations following instructions in the Sept '86 issue. What GeoCALC needs is a patch to add the SGN function to it (or substitute it for a function less needed) and then it too would be able to use the calculations SpeedCalc does. Is anyone able to create such a patch? Please say Yes!

Alex made a request for everybodies favorite GEOS PD programs, to compile a "Best of" list. I would like to continue this effort and encourage you to send me your favorites. The same conditions apply, all submissions must be PD, none will be returned, and you will get credit in the article if yours makes the list. Send your submissions to me at: Bruce Thomas 5528-142A Ave. Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T5A 1J8. Alternatively, you could just send me e-mail to rbthomas@edmc.net including the name of the file or even the file itself in uuencoded format.

Thanks. Next time I'll take a look at GeoPrint and GeoLabel.

Until then, enGEOy!!