Unfortunately, although the CPC6128 was sold as a Color Personal Computer, its configuration in the as delivered condition (128 KB RAM, 180 KB disc drive) referred to a Home Computer. However, by adding 512 KB of RAM, an external 800 KB disc drive, a 20 MB hard disk, a RS232C serial interface as well as a Mouse, the initial CPC6128 was turned into a strong Personal Computer. The latter was also supported by the 6128's amazing color graphics capabilities (32 KB Video RAM) as well as the endless list of personal business applications that existed for CP/M-80: WordStar, Protext, Multiplan, SuperCalc 2, DBase II, DR Draw, DR Graph, Programming software, to name a few.
COSMOS is a personal COSt MOnitoring System developed by KSL for CPC6128 and runs under CP/M-80. It is a personal business application similar to the MSDOS-era PC applications and one of the most recent (2005-2020) projects developed for CP/M-80. Unlike most business applications for CP/M, COSMOS is built upon the mouse based graphics user interface as pioneered by Xerox at Palo Alto and popularized by Apple with the Lisa and Macintosh computers.
COSMOS requires the Dobbertin version of CP/M 2.2 (128 KB RAM) and an external disk drive (min 360 KB). Moreover, it supports the 512 KB Dobbertin Memory Expansion, the 20 MB Dobbertin Harddisc, the Amstrad Serial Interface, the Amstrad Parallel Printer Port, the CTM640/CTM644 color monitor and the AMX Mouse. In addition to its main functions, COSMOS contains the latest version of ASCII Tools (in order to deal with the COSMOS output files) as well as its own graphics module (not the standard GSX).
COSMOS can be used on an everyday basis in order to edit the daily income, plan the monthly expenses and perform trial and error analyses aiming at maximizing the annual profit. By executing the setup installation utility (A>SETUP) that is included in the COSMOS original disk, the user can initialize any annual project or start a temporary project in order to become familiar with the COSMOS user interface and functions. As far as the controls are concerned, Cursor keys or Mouse can be used in order to control the pointer. [F0] key simulates the left button of the mouse, whereas [F.] key simulates the right button of the mouse. Left button can be used for (Yes), whereas the right button can be used for (No),(Next) or (On-Board) help. ESC key can be used to quit.
To download the latest version of COSMOS (v.26/Winter 2020) use the link located at the bottom of this page.
Boot CP/M using the original COSMOS disk and execute A>SETUP.COM.
Upon installing COSMOS in drive B or HD20 it is suggested to execute COSMOS using all the available extra RAM (no RAM load minimization) and to use a new empty boot disk in drive A as the redundant disk. Notice that a full annual project of COSMOS, including the user attachments, the user block of invoices, the summary files as well as the user agenda notices requires minimum 350 KB of disc space.