Changes

Jump to: navigation, search

Cosmos

98 bytes added, 20:13, 7 July 2022
Although the CPC6128 was sold as a Color Personal Computer, its configuration in the as delivered condition (128 KB RAM, 180 KB disc drive, 32 KB Video RAM) referred to a good Home Computer. 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, thus a lot of personal business applications that existed for [[CP/M]]-80 could be executed with ease: [[WordStar]], [[Protext]], [[Multiplan]], [[SuperCalc 2]], [[DBase II]], [[DR Draw]], [[DR Graph]], [[Programming software]], to name a few.<br><br> '''COSMOS''' is a personal '''COS'''t '''MO'''nitoring '''S'''ystem developed programed by [[KSL|KSL]] for the CPC6128 and runs under [[CP/M]]-80operating system, the latter being the industry standard of the late 70s - early 80s. It This budget monitoring system is a personal business application similar to the MSDOS-era PC applications and one of the most recent (2005-20202021) 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. <br><br> Nowadays, COSMOS requires the [[Dobbertin]] version of [[CP/M|CP/M 2.2]] (min 128 KB RAM) and can be used on an external disk drive everyday basis (min 360 KB). Moreover, it supports the 512 KB using [[Dobbertin Memory ExpansionCaPriCe]], the 20 MB or [[Dobbertin HarddiscWinCPC]], the [[Amstrad Serial Interface]], the Amstrad Parallel [[Printer Port]], the [[CTM640/CTM644]] color monitor and the [[AMX Mouse]]. <br><br> COSMOS can be used on an everyday basis or a real CPC) in order to edit the daily income, plan the monthly expenses and perform trial and error analyses aiming at maximizing the annual profit. In addition to its main functions, Notice that COSMOS also 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]]). 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. <br><br>'''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.''' <br><br>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. <br><br><br><br><br><br>
COSMOS has been developed on the basis of the hardware peripherals as well as the software that were (contemporary) available for the CP/M and the CPC6128: the 512 KB [[Dobbertin Memory Expansion]], the [[ParaDOS]] or [[X-DDOS]] ROMS for the external (800 KB) floppy drive, the 20 MB [[Dobbertin Harddisc]], the [[Amstrad Serial Interface]], the Amstrad Parallel [[Printer Port]], the [[CTM640/CTM644]] colour monitor, the [[AMX Mouse]], the [[MicroScript]] (142 KB), the [[WordStar]] (706 KB), the [[Protext]] (406 KB), the [[Multiplan]] (208 KB), the [[SuperCalc 2]] (240 KB), the [[DBase II]] (272 KB), the [[DR Draw]] (235 KB), the [[DR Graph]] (306 KB), the [[MAXAM]] (206 KB), the [[Atlast Plus]] (224 KB) and other [[Programming software]]. COSMOS includes its own graphics routines (similar to [[GSX]]), is based on the [[Dobbertin]] version of CP/M 2.2 (v1.2) which provides 59 KB TPA, supports the RAM expansion and the 20 MB hard disk. <br><br> In addition to the command and chain files, COSMOS original disc also contains the CP/M 2.2 (v1.2) boot sectors as well as an installation utility. By executing the latter utility (A>SETUP) the user can initialize any annual project or start a temporary project in order to become familiar with the COSMOS user interface and functions. 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 CP/M 2.2 (v1.2) boot disk in drive A as the redundant disk. 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. <br><br> 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. <br><br>  '''To download the final version of COSMOS (v.27/November 2021) use the link located at the bottom of this page.''' <br>'''Boot CP/M 2.2 v1.2 using the original COSMOS disk and execute A>SETUP.COM.''' <br><br> The project is completed.
== Download ==
250
edits