PCW Article

[ComSoft6128]

Good article, worth reading.

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/aug/28/how-amstrad-word-processor-encouraged-writers-use-computers

The comments underneath the article are also worth looking at.


Cheers,
Peter

[GeoffB17]

Yes, I think I read this article some time ago - maybe found it doing my occasional 'google' for 'Amstrad PCW'.   Still interesting to read again.

Time, and hindsight, makes reading such articles a different experience.

I need to do a full search for a piece I'm sure I have somewhere.   I MUST have kept it?   Filed safely?   Not found yet.

The piece will be the review published in 'Personal Computer World' (PCW!!) about October 1985, i.e. just before the release of the 8256.   It was a substantial review, and if I remember correctly, it did focus on the WP aspect of the machine but certainly said a LOT about the CP/M and general computer aspects of the package.   In 1985, the package DID look like a great deal.   I certainly thought so, I had my order/reservation in with Dixons within a few days, and I got my machine within a day or so of them first being available.

Still don't regret it!

Just need to find the right folder.

Geoff

[GeoffB17]

Well, I've had a dig, but no sign of the article.  I'm sure I'll have kept it.

So, I tried the web.

A bit of a struggle.   But.......

Found it.

October 1985 issue of PCW is on-line as a complete PDF.

The PCW review - VERY favourable, and VERY detailed - is thru pages 126 to 134.   These pages include the 5 pages of the review/benchtest, and 4 pages of either advert and a bit of another benchtest.   The pages for the PCW article are not in the right order, either, but all the pages are there.   So I now have a copy of the article, just in case I cannot find my original.

I found the file via google.

More directly, try to get to:

http://www.computinghistory.org.uk

Maybe better, google PCW magazine and follow the link that includes the above part.

Oh, page 12 of the same issue comprises the original Dixon's full page advert for the PCW 8256.   Wow!!

Geoff

[ComSoft6128]

Hi Geoff,

Unfortunately when I try the link all I get is a "Missing PDF File" message. I found the issue of the magazine via google at: http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/pdfview/web/viewer.html?file=/downloads/808#magazineMode=true
Might be best to use single page view, when I tried two page view some pages were missing.

Excellent review, makes a lot of good points.
I also liked the advert for an IBM (64k) PC on page 6 for the eye watering price of £1598!

Thanks,

Peter

[GeoffB17]

Yes, that's the thing you have to keep reminding yourself about.   At the time the PCW came out - it was available in the shops December 1985, the machines it was competing against had a very similar tech spec, like that 64k IBM (I assume floppy drives only), did NOT include the 'free' printer, and cost 3 or 4 times the price.

I like the comment in the side box at the end - the reviewer was wondering if there would be the market for the machine!   Well, they sold 8 million, I guess that's an answer??

Geoff