TELECOMPUTING-^? - Bombjack.org

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Commodore 64 owners rejoice! Broderbund has finally
released your version of their fantastic Print Shop.
No longer will you have to drool over the cards,
banners, and signs your Apple owning acquaintances
make with it.
Unlike most programs converted from the Apple II to
the Commodore 64, The Print Shop didn't suffer
(significantly) in the process. Except for a minor
point here or there, the Commodore version is an
exact duplicate of the earlier Apple release.
Besides the disk itself, Broderbund has put a lot of
goodies in The Print Shop package. Colored,
micro-perf edged tractor feed stationery and matching
envelopes come as standard equipment, there's an
order form for refill stationery and ribbons (black
or colored), a handy dandy reference card, a sample
greeting card, and the Reference Manual.
The paper/envelope combination gets you off to a good
start right out of the gate. This attention to detail
and strong desire to meet your needs continues from
this here on. Aside from the hardware (naturally),
TPS supplies everything you'11 need to become a
Junior Gutenberg in one afternoon.
The Pixellite Computer Products Order Form provides
users with a reliable, mail/phone order source for
colored paper, ribbons and envelopes as well as a
free one year subscription to The Print Shop Users'
Newsletter. (This, by the way, is a good place to
have your creations and/or PS hints and tips
published for all interested parties to see).
The sample greeting card is included to illustrate
the proper method of folding a standard letter size
page after it's been printed. This real life example
says it better than words ever could.
Reference cards usually depict the command key setup
and a few particulars about program operation. In
that regard this one is no exception, for it
highlights CTRL key features, text entry commands,
and the program loading instructions.
There is however, something more to this card. It
pictures each of the eight available fonts as well as
the predefined graphics and patterns resident on the
program disk. (This is invaluable as the graphics,
unlike those of its Apple counterpart, do not appear
on-screen during the selection/layout process).
Get ready for a real shock, The Print Shop has a
manual the likes of which have rarely been seen in
Commodoreland. Hats off to the team that prepared
this one! They are to be applauded for their
organizational skills, attention to detail (there it
is again), presentation, execution, and lavish use of
graphic examples and illustrations.
ffiHTSHIN
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REVIEWED BY: TED SALAMONE
Also, the manual speaks to, but never dawn at you.
Likewise it's clear, concise and most fluid. The
importance of such a clean flow of information cannot
be overemphasized. This manual has got to be one of
the top five written for any art/graphics package on
the market today!
The excellence of the manual is almost a shame
however, for the menu driven Print Shop is a snap to
learn using the reference card alone. Going out on a
limb somewhat, it's even passible (thanks to a well
conceived help screen) to access 90 per cent of the
program's functions and powers without any sort of
written instructions whatsoever. It's that well done;
that user friendly, that idiot proof!
The list of achievements goes an. Printers supported
include the Commodore 1525, MPS-801, (the graphic B02
works as well since it emulates the 1525), the Epson
RX, MX, and FX machines, the Star 1D and 15X, and the
C-Itoh 8510. Other units included are the Blue Chip,
Dkidata 92/93, the Mannesmann Tally Spirit 80, the
NEC 8D23A and the Panasonic P-1D90/1091 printers.
That's quite a laundry list if you ask me.
Naturally some of the aforementioned printers require
suitable interfaces when linked to the 64. fls far as
that less than straightforward matter is concerned,
TPS works with the following interfaces: Xetec,
Cardco, Grappler CD, Tymac Connection, TurboPrint/GT
and the Micro UIorld-350. Just like a Who's Who in the
interface world!
All the routines are accessed from the Main Menu via
seven options. On initial boot SETUP is preselected
for printer type designation. Be forewarned, there
are no provisions for custom printer/interface
connections. Only the specified combinations can be
used successfully.
Whether working on a greeting card, sign, letterhead,
or banner, the SO predefined symbols and background
patterns can be reproduced at will. The symbols
(graphics) can be printed in small, medium, or large
sizes in a staggered, tiled (side by side), or
customized layout.
Border options range from types of lines (thin,
thick, and double) to beads, hearts, flowers, stars,
and a lattice or wicker effect. The number of
permutations is simply mind boggling!