🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <762@cbmvax.cbmvax.cbm.UUCP>, Dave Haynie writes:

> > Does anyone know if the Commodore Plus built in software is any good?
> > Can it do footnotes in a variety of styles?  Is there a spelling
> > checker?  Can it handle documents spread between several floppy disks?
> > Does it support both dot matrix and daisy wheel printers?  If he buys
> > an optional monitor would it display 80 columns of text?  What kind
> > of monitors will it support?
> > 
> > The ultimate question I would like an answer to is this: For about $500
> > he could put together a system with one floppy, a monitor (assuming
> > its 80 columns) and a descent printer.  Would this give him a significant
> > advantage over a good electric typewriter?
> 
> I wouldn't recommend the +4 for its built-in software at all.  The 3+1
> package built in is rather difficult to use, and seems unnecessarily 
> limited.  The WP, for example, only allows about two pages of text to be
> entered (around 70-100 lines, I forget the exact number).  You could chain
> text file together, but the machine HAS enough memory for probably 20-30
> pages.  Also, the +4 is a 40 column only machine, and I've seen NO add
> on device that even gives you a limited form of 80 column display.  For
> a little bit more you could get a real word processor for the +4, but 
> you'd really be better off with a C64.  There are many high quality WP
> programs for the C64, and he could always upgrade to a C128 and get 80
> column text and all.  
> 
> > Thanks for your insights.  Either email me or post any information about
> > this machine.  Remember my friend does not care about future available
> > software, he only cares about his current need for a word processer.
> > 
> > Dave Neff


	It's kind of hard to answer your basic question (about the 500 bucks
	for a +4 system being a better investment than a good electronic
	typewriter.  In my opinion, just about any home computer word
	processing system is better than a typewriter, for the simple reason
	that document preparation, error correction, retrieval, and reprinting
	is infinitely easier with a word processor/floppy disk combination.
	That is of course, completely a matter of personal taste.

	With a plus 4, he would have to do a lot of extra work to prepare
	his documents to his needs, but at least once done, they would be
	done forever, or very easy to fix up.  Can you say the same for an
	inexpensive electronic typewriter?

	Several other 80 column word processing systems based on CBM machines
	might be priced like this:

	New Commodore 64C computer	 ~180.00 (or C64 computer - ~140.00)
	CBM 1541 disk drive       	 ~150.00
	3rd party 80 column card  	 ~ 80.00
	Monochrome 80 col. monitor	 ~100.00
	HIGH QUALITY word processing
	software (spelling checker,
	full doc preview, etc     	 ~100.00
	3rd party letter quality
	printer, no interface needed	 ~200.00 (Cardco markets one)
	-------------------------------------------------------------
	APPROXIMATE TOTAL SYSTEM COST	 ~810.00 (+-100.00)
	-------------------------------------------------------------

	Commodore 128 computer		 ~260.00
	CBM 1541 disk drive		 ~150.00
	Monochrome 80 col. monitor	 ~100.00 - 200.00
	Letter quality printer		 ~350.00 (including interface)
	Word processing software	 ~100.00 - 150.00
	-------------------------------------------------------------
	APPROXIMATE TOTAL SYSTEM COST	 ~960.00 (+-100.00)
	-------------------------------------------------------------

	If it were my choice between HAVING to buy a good typewriter
	or putting together a home computer based word processing
	system, I'd certainly opt for the WP system, based on my own
	laziness.  Word processors can certainly spoil you when it
	comes to using typewriters!  I can probably type 60 - 70 wpm
	on a typewriter, with MANY errors.  I can probably hit 90 wpm
	on a WP, including backspaces over any errors I make.  Even
	for a slow typist, the time savings in error correction alone
	might make the WP system more attractive, even if quite
	expensive.  When you add the other advantages (instant recall
	of original document, multiple 1st copy (no carbons necessary)
	printing, easy updates, corrections, or reformatting of the
	original document, etc. etc.), the word processor is definitely
	the way to go (for me at least - I've used both extensively and
	I HATE using typewriters now, even the super snazzy new jobs by
	the big blue guys and the copier folks).

	You certainly don't have to stick with CBM, either.  Check some
	of the clearances on Atari or other home systems.  And remember,
	when the need for a word processor is gone, you'd still have
	your own computer system to play with.