https://inverseatascii.info/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/inverseatascii-s4e04-xlentsoftware_pagedesigner.mp3

This episode features Page Designer, originally released in 1985 by XLEnt Software. It was written by Dr. Len Dorfman and Dennis Young.

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Manual front cover:

Manual back cover::

Staff caricature from manual:

Disk:

Registration card front:

Registration card back:

Ad from Analog August 1985:

Ad from Analog June 1986:

Menu:

Loading:

Empty document (normal mode):

Empty document (graphics mode):

Mix of 40 and 80 columns, with fine scan line control moved up:

Full screen demonstrating mix of 40 column and 80 column text in different styles, combined with used of Atari ATASCII characters as well as the border characters provided with Page Designer:

Bottom half editing, note the BOT HALF 40 in the header:

More border characters and alternate fonts, on the bottom half:

Saving is a 2 step process.  Command chosen is briefly displayed:

Drive number selection:

Filename selection:

Loading is a 3 step process.  Command chosen is briefly displayed:

Drive number selection:

Filename selection:

Whole page or half page selection:

This is clunky.  All files are displayed one at a time on the 2nd line of the display.  Press RETURN to proceed to next file.  Initially the selected command is displayed briefly:

Drive number selection:

First file displayed:

Another file displayed:

This is similar to image loading, but instead load a character set.  The command selected is briefly displayed first:

Drive number selection:

Filename selection:

Do you want to print?  Yes or No:

By your command.  Printing…

Disks are DOS 2.5 compatible, and appears to include OSS DOS XL 2.30 as the supplied DOS (similar to other XLEnt Software titles):

The ASM files are program files.  The FNT files are alternate fonts.  The PD file is a sample picture (of some XLEnt Software staff members).

Output from XLENTPIC.PD:

https://inverseatascii.info/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/s4e04-prt-xlentpic.pdf

Output from Inverse ATASCII / 1632 Atari podcaST promo:

https://inverseatascii.info/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/s4e04-prt-iapage.pdf

The manual can be found online at AtariMania (see link below).

Podcast:Download

This episode features MegaFont II+, originally released in 1985 by XLEnt Software. It was written by Randy Dellinger and Richard Rognlie. This episode also include an interview with the author.

https://inverseatascii.info/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/inverseatascii-s4e03-xlentsoftware_megafontiiplus.mp3

This episode features MegaFont II+, originally released in 1985 by XLEnt Software. It was written by Randy Dellinger and Richard Rognlie. This episode includes an interview with one of the authors – Randy Dellinger.

Podcast: Download

MegaFont II + Manual cover:

Megafont II (previous version) Manual cover:

1450XLD Brochure (from Randy Dellinger).  Front:

Back:

Boot splash:

Selecting a printer:

Menu:

Menu:

Directory:

Format:

Erase file:

Rename file:

Lock file:

Unlock file:

Menu:

Print criteria selection:

Print output (screen):

Menu:

Selecting a font to print in (not download to printer):

Download font to printer (for those supported).  You have a chance to print a test page:

Printing a file:

Printing from the “E:” (Editor):

Are you sure?

Since your sure, how do you want to exit?

Exiting to DOS, reveals the supplied DOS is OSS DOS XL version 2.30:

PaperClip

Dump Graphics 1/8 page:

https://inverseatascii.info/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/s4e03-prt-4-dmp-print-eight.pdf

Dump Graphics 1/4 page:

https://inverseatascii.info/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/s4e03-prt-4-dmp-print-qtr.pdf

Dump Graphics 1/2 page:

https://inverseatascii.info/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/s4e03-prt-4-dmp-print-half.pdf

Dump Graphics full page:

https://inverseatascii.info/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/s4e03-prt-4-dmp-print-full.pdf

Dump Graphics 1/2 page (inverse):

https://inverseatascii.info/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/s4e03-prt-4-dmp-print-half-inv.pdf

Program Lister Large Atari font (fast):

https://inverseatascii.info/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/s4e03-prt-atari-lg-fast.pdf

Program Lister Large Atari font (normal):

https://inverseatascii.info/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/s4e03-prt-atari-lg-norm.pdf

Program Lister Medium Atari font (fast):

https://inverseatascii.info/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/s4e03-prt-atari-med-fast.pdf

Program Lister Medium Atari font (normal):

https://inverseatascii.info/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/s4e03-prt-atari-med-norm.pdf

Program Lister Small Atari font (fast):

https://inverseatascii.info/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/s4e03-prt-atari-small-fast.pdf

Program Lister Small Atari font (normal):

https://inverseatascii.info/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/s4e03-prt-atari-small-norm.pdf

Program Lister Medium Space font (normal):

https://inverseatascii.info/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/s4e03-prt-space-med-norm.pdf

Program Lister Small Space font (normal):

https://inverseatascii.info/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/s4e03-prt-space-small-norm.pdf

Free form (editor) output using Fancy font:

https://inverseatascii.info/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/s4e03-prt-fancy-free.pdf

Directory print:

https://inverseatascii.info/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/s4e03-prt-dirprint.pdf

The manual can be found online at AtariMania (see link below).

Podcast: Download

This episode features the First XLEnt Word Processor, originally released in 1985 by XLEnt Software. It was written by David Castell.

https://inverseatascii.info/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/inverseatascii-s4e02-xlentsoftware_firstxlentwordprocessor.mp3

This episode features the First XLEnt Word Processor, originally released in 1985 by XLEnt Software. It was written by David Castell. A follow up version (2.1) was released in 1986.

Podcast: Download

The XLEnt software packages were not shipped in boxes. They were packaged in 6″ x 9″ vinyl folders which included the disk, manual, and registration card. An insert on the front is a copy of the front cover of the manual.  First XLEnt Word Processor  may or may not have been distributed in this packaging.  I can not confirm either way.

Ad showcasing the Antic Award for Outstanding Product as featured in the May 1985 issue of Analog Magazine:

First XLEnt Word Processor won an Antic Award in January 1987.

Ad from August 1985 Analog Magazine:

Ad from November 1986 Analog Magazine:

Trying to boot version 2.1 (XE release) on an XL or 800 computer results in this message:

The initial menu for selecting which segment of the program to run:

I decided not to go into much detail here, rather focusing on the word processor.  First select your printer type:

Then select the function:

Here you enter the desired printer codes for the control key combinations.  If your printer is not supported, here you can create the driver.  You can also use this to custom map commands if you don’t like XLEnt’s mappings:

Version 1 initial editing screen:

Version 2.1 initial editing screen:

Editing in insert mode with a document:

Activating the menu:

Using the Camera icon to copy a section.  Note the selected text is inversed:

Pasting text using the Paste Bottle icon:

The delete function asks how much you want to delete:

Using the search function.  Note the menu icons are blanked out:

There are 3 way to check free memory.   By character, by word,

Here is a neat trick.  Editing with alternate fonts, of whatever you choose:

Menu:

Directory.  First select the drive (1 and 2 are supported), then view the results:

Loading a file.  Select the type of load, the filename, and the drive:

Save File.  Select how much of the file to save, enter (or accept) the filename, and specify the drive.  If the file exists, you’re prompted to replace it (which can be very slow):

Delete file:

Format file.  Select the drive and confirm:

Spool file. Enter the filename and drive, then it is scrolled on the screen:

DOS Errors are handled gracefully:

First you select the print options, the first page to print, whether to print the entire file or not, then choose screen printer or disk, and the type of paper:

Wait for it to complete:

Oh hey, it’s done!

When using print preview, it prints to virtual paper with a virtual printhead.  The 80 column text is quite legible:

First XLEnt Word Processor uses DOS 2.5 compatible disks.

Files from version 1.0 (initial release):

Files from version 2.1 (XE release):

Sample page:

First XLEnt Word Processor Inverse ATASCII Sample Page

The manual can be found online at AtariMania (see link below).

Podcast: Download

This episode features PaperClip, originally released in 1985 by Batteries Included. It was originally released in 1982 for the Commodore PET. The PET version was written by Steve Douglas. The Atari port was written by Steve Ahlstrom and Dan Moore. This word processor is unique in that it uses a hardware security device that plugs into the joystick port.

https://inverseatascii.info/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/inverseatascii-s4e01-batteriesincluded_paperclip.mp3

This episode features PaperClip, originally released in 1985 by Batteries Included. It was originally released in 1982 for the Commodore PET. The PET version was written by Steve Douglas. The Atari port was written by Steve Ahlstrom and Dan Moore. This word processor is unique in that it uses a hardware security device that plugs into the joystick port.

Podcast: Download

Scan of the front of the package:

Scan of the back of the package:

Scan of disk:

Ad from Antic magazine, January 1985:

Ad from ANALOG magazine, April 1986:

Ad from ANALOG magazine, June 1986:

Ad from Antic magazine, November 1986:

Ad from Antic magazine, December 1986:

Picture of the hardware security device (dongle):

Here is a picture of Bob Gale purportedly using PaperClip to write Back To The Future:

Trying to boot PaperClip 2.0 (XE release) on an XL or 800 computer results in this message:

Booting PaperClip 1.0 on an Atari 800 with 160K (432 blocks free, note it does not recognize Axlon extended memory):

Booting PaperClip 1.2 (XL version) on an Atari 800 (427 blocks free):

Booting PaperClip 1.2 (XL version) on an Atari 800XL (785 blocks free):

Booting PaperClip 1.2 (XL version) on an Atari 130XE (785 blocks free):

Booting PaperClip 2.0 (XE version) on an Atari 130XE (1722 blocks free):

Booting PaperClip 2.0 (XE version) on an Atari 130XE with 192K (3116 blocks free):

Here the main editor window is active, and the colors have been changed from the default black/white.  Notice the font is rendered in 8×10 pixels.  The font also has true descenders, see the lowercase p in PaperClip on the bottom line:

Editor with split window:

The formatting command menu appears at the bottom of the screen.  Such as BOLD on and off.  Note the mirrored characters noting the on/off marks in the text (such as the underlined B for bold):

This depicts loading a macro file, also note the awkward inclusion of the table of contents:

The option menu allows you to access help, DOS, etc:

There is built in help, in the form of documents, which is loaded into the editor via split window.

To choose which help to display, choose from the menu:

Editor help:

File help:

Printing help:

All good programs should have access to common DOS functions.  PaperClip is no exception:

Viewing the disk directory:

Loading the printer configuration:

Staring print preview:

Viewing preview:

Printing.  You need to answer a series of questions, before printing starts:

PaperClip uses a custom density smart DOS which is Atari DOS compatible.

Files from version 1.0 (initial release):

Files from version 1.2 (XL release):

Files from version 2.0 (XE release) – main program:

Files from version 2.0 (XE release) – spell checker program:

Files from version 2.0 (XE release) – dictionary disk:

The manual has the license agreement, and it lists Apple Computer and their products.  Cut and Paste for the win:

Apple License Agreement from the manual

Table of Contents output:

S4E01-prt-Notes TOC

General output:

S4E01-prt-Notes

The manual can be found online at AtariMania (see link below).

Podcast: Download

This episode features Floppy Disks.

https://inverseatascii.info/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/inverseatascii-s3b01-floppydisks.mp3

Podcast: Download

This episode features Floppy Disks.

Typical 3.5″ Floppy:

Typical 5.25″ Floppy:

Typical 5.25″ Disk Label:

Typical 5.25″ Write Protect (8″ Write Enable) Tape:

Typical 5.25″ Sleeve Warnings:

Mohawk Data Sciences Series 21 Data Terminal

Podcast: Download

This episode features MicroFiler, originally released in 1983 by MPP (Microbits Peripheral Products).   It was written by Jim Harrison.