Date   : Tue, 29 May 1984 01:33:00-EDT
From   : ABN.ISCAMS@Usc-Isid.ARPA
Subject: Re: Apple CP/M text editor wanted

Doug (et al)

I recently did a lot of digging around, looking for Public Domain text
editors/word processors (both for Army use and our local users).

Looked at, and got running, SECRTARY.ASM from SIGM Volume 109 (<SIGM.VOL109>
at SIMTEL20 MICRO:).  Not so very good.  VERY unconventional files, totally
unviewable with any other file utility, kind of clumsy to use.  No go.

Looked at and got running TED.COM from SIGM Volume 080 (MICRO:<SIGM.VOL080>
at SIMTEL20).  Runs fine, not too bad (though I'm quite spoiled by a
screen-oriented editor and don't like line-oriented ones any more).  The
TED.DOC (same source) is quite adequate.  No source code, unfortunately,
just the .COM version -- and didn't feel like disassembling and documenting
it.  So no system-specific hacks, special keys, etc.

Best deal, I think:  send away for TurboPascal from Borland International.
I've got the CP/M version running on my Z80 Decision I, using a Freedom 100
terminal.  Works just fine, quite like WordStar (which I use ALL the time).
Nice and fast, and for the price (still $39 or whatever?) a good deal since
you get a pretty good language too!

Now if your CP/M Apple is like the brain-damaged ones I occasionally have to
work on ... (sorry, shouldn't say that -- I know they're remarkably adaptable
and very nice and just can't HELP it that some keys don't work like any other
device) ... you may have to do some substitution in configuring TurboPascal
Editor to allow for the ^A key (and others) problem.  Good luck - that'll be
a problem with ANY screen-oriented editor using specific key commands.

I wouldn't wish the regular Apple Pascal text editor on my worst enemy.
I wrote better than that in TI Basic for a TI 990 as my first BASIC program.
Never did get justification properly figured out, but at least my wrap-around
worked better!

Regards - hope this is of use.

David Kirschbaum
Toad Hall