Jump to content
IGNORED

Cassette "Directory" Utility


TGB1718

Recommended Posts

Just reading another thread about ZX Spectrum, it crossed my mind that before I bought a 1050, I used my Cassette all the time.

 

I remember a utility that I had that allowed you to save multiple files on a Cassette and name them, as long as you weren't saving

big(ish) files, then the wait time wasn't too bad.

 

You could use "LOAD C:FILENAME" and it would look through the tape and load the correct file.

 

Anyone else remember this and know it's name. ?

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi,

 

   I think it might be this : http://www.atarimania.com/utility-atari-400-800-xl-xe-ace-atari-cassette-enhancer_13262.html - but it's listed as un-dumped! However, a quick dig around on pigwa turned up: http://ftp.pigwa.net/stuff/collections/RK-DVD/Atari 800 Images und Files/Cassettes Files/Tools/ - perhaps this is what you meant?

 

   

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

And to think before Jet Boot Jack, there was A.C.E.

 

Never used this, just tried but it really needs a list of commands, here's what the Page 6 archive has

 

Quote

If you write programs or type in listings from magazines and use a cassette, BUY THIS PROGRAM before you buy another piece of software. Your £7.95 will be the best investment you made since you bought your Atari.

What? You want to know why? Well, of prime consideration, A.C.E. verifies programs saved to tape, that is, you can save a program and then check to see if the recording is good without losing the program from memory. That's not all it does, A.C.E. has a host of other features. The program is in three sections which need not all be loaded if you do not require the facilities of a particular section. Option A gives you the facilities of saving and loading named programs, verifying, searching a tape for a specific program, getting a catalog of all programs on a tape and flashing the cursor. This section will take 2298 bytes of memory. Option B will give, in addition, a list of all variables and their current values at any stage, automatic line numbering and renumbering. This will take 3496 bytes in all. Finally, Option C gives you the ability to save and load binary files and hex/dec/binary conversions. This will bring memory usage up to 4148 bytes. As I said, you only need to load Option A if you want but you can't get the other options without having the previous one.

When you start a program session, boot in A.C.E. first and just leave it there. A.C.E. will remain resident until power-off and can be called at any time by preceding a command with C, (above the figure 8 on the keyboard). When you want to save your program you can name it as you would with a disk drive by typing CSAVE "Program Narne" and then ask A.C.E. to verify that the SAVE was good by typing @ VERIFY "Program Narne". Your original program will remain in memory so if the save was bad, try again. No more lost programs. When you want to load a program, there is no need to know where it is on tape, just wind the tape back to the beginning and type @ CLOAD "Program Narne" or @ CRUN

"Program Narne" and A.C.E. will go through the tape until it finds the program and will then load or load and RUN it automatically. No more problems in positioning the tape exactly.

The Option B facilities work just as well. Automatic line numbering may seem a luxury but can be quite a time saver when you get used to it, but the real power of this section is in the DUMP and RENUMBER routines. Renumber is so fast that you have to double check that it has been done. It can't change variables if they are used as line numbers but a REPORT facility allows you to identify all such variables in the program and change them manually. The DUMP routine will give you a full list of all variables with their current values to enable you to tidy up or keep track of your programs.

The Option C facilities are perhaps the least useful as you are most likely to have a disk drive if your programming is advanced enough to use binary files.

Taking into account that the majority of users, in this country at least, will not have disk drives, this is without doubt the finest Atari utility yet produced. It cannot be recommended too highly. Buy one now before English Software realise that they have a real gem they are selling at a ridiculous price!

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I wasn't so lucky, after the expense of my 800 (I think £450) SHE!!! wasn't going to let me spend another small fortune

on a disk drive, so used a cassette for some years (until I got my 130XE), you sort of got used to saving anything important

twice and the verify function on ACE was a real lifesaver, don't think I lost anything it was just the waiting........

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, Mclaneinc said:
And to think before Jet Boot Jack, there was A.C.E.
 
Never used this, just tried but it really needs a list of commands, here's what the Page 6 archive has
 

 
I uploaded a dump to the A8 Preservation site a few weeks ago. They already had an XL version, my cassette was an earlier 400/800 version.

http://www.a8preservation.com/#/software/title/1492


Sent from my AC2003 using Tapatalk
 

Edited by GreyHobbit
Removed large quote
  • Like 1
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks Bill, I have them already but wanted a manual but found the manual in at the preservation link.
The manual on the preservation page is actually the cassette inlay from my tape version. I remember having a printed 'manual' that was a couple of A4 pages stapled into the form of an A5 booklet that explained the commands that were available.
Unfortunately I haven't seen it in years, it might be in a box in the attic but it's probably lost :(


Sent from my AC2003 using Tapatalk

Link to comment
Share on other sites

No problem Grey, it happens to us all...
 
Hey, a Belfast person, my old city. We lived in Milltown just over Shaws Bridge....Left due to the troubles...
I'm originally from a few miles east of Armagh, my wife grew up in Ravenhill area and we now live just off the Castlereagh Road in the east of the city. Only been here 9 years so I'm still a 'blow-in' :)

Geoff



Sent from my AC2003 using Tapatalk

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
Thanks Bill, I have them already but wanted a manual but found the manual in at the preservation link.
The full A.C.E. manual is at the Internet Archive... I mean, of course it is, where else would it be? :)

I can't believe I didn't look there before now!

https://archive.org/details/ACE_Atari_Cassette_Enhancer_manual

Geoff

Sent from my AC2003 using Tapatalk

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...