ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN LIMA NEWSLETTER MAY 1989
 
   ^^^^^^^^^^^^ DIJIT SYSTEMS AVPC REVIEW  
   ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^by E.^J.^Kelch 
   ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^132 Acorn Dr., Scotia NY 
   ^^^^^^^^^^^^^member, Lima OH User Group 
      
      INTRODUCTION:  
     The DIJIT AVPC card is everything that Tom Spillane claims
it to be in my opinion.  I have been using it for about one year
and have found it to be trouble free and easy to use.  There
really is no setup involved other than modifying the console,
which takes less than one hour. 
      
     I originally purchased the card for it's 80 column
capability but was also intrigued by he fact that I would be able
to get the full benefit of my newly purchased analog monitor.
For reference, my system is set up as follows: 
     TI99/4A console modified for the AVPC. 
     PE box with CorComp controller and 2 Teac 1/2 height 
     ^^^^drives, Corcomp RS232, TI 32K, and AVPC. 
     Magnavox 8CM515 analog monitor 
     Star NX-10 printer. 
     GE-TXP-8100 printer 
     Royal 410 typewriter with an IF-600 computer interface. 
     ^^^^These three printers are coupled to the 99/4A with 
     ^^^^an ABC switch to maximize their easy use. 
     Avetex 1200 modem. 
      
      OVERVIEW:  
     My system is primarily used for business purposes, making
the 80 column capability very desireable.  With three printers I
have the flexibility to make high speed drafts or final type
written quality copies.  Each printer can be set to produce
multiple original copies, making it often unnecessary to use my
PC-20 canon copier.  All three printers can be set up to accept
the same ASCII codes, thus eliminating compatibility problems. 
      
     As to the editors, I use TIW, Writerease, and FW 4.13.  I
prefer the FW 4.13 version for 80 column work as it has various
useful features such as top and bottom line tab rulers which lets
one know exactly where you are in the text.  In most cases I do
not set tabs other than the LM and RM for the formatter, since
what you see is what you get in 80 columns.  In this way I can
adjust tab locations as I need to.  Special conditions, such as
underlining, special characters, and print type can be coded in
as needed. 
      
     Occasionally I will use the color features of the AVPC to
play games or make drawings using TI Artist and Graphx, but since
I do not have a color printer this capability is for personal
enjoyment only.  The color quality is excellent and every bit as
good as an Amega or Geneve.   All colors are vivid and sharp with
no shadows or bleeding.  The real advantage in being able to
produce good color is that one can change background and
foregroud colors to suit one's taste when typing letters.  I have
found on screen print quality to be sharp in any color
configuration. 
      
     The primary advantage of the AVPC in my opinion is 80 column
capability.  Color is an added benefit.  Future developments by
DIJIT may make this feature more important.  I believe the 80
column justifies the cost of the AVPC now and gives the TI a new
lase on life.  It is also a relief to know that the most useful
software runs fine with no modifications.  I have found that very
few programs cause any problems and those that do are generally
not important to me. 
      
     Since I do not have a Ram disk card, I cannot comment on any
problems between them and the AVPC but it is my understanding in
talking to Tom Spillane that most work satisfactorily; ie. CC,
HRD, and Myarc. 
      
      SUPPORT:  
     We now have two excellent 80 column editors, one from Tom
Spillane (Editor's note:  Tony McGovern, in a published article,
refers to this "Spillane" editor as "a rather primitive version
of TI-Writer.") and a second from the McGoverns.  PRESS will work
in 80 columns if it is ever released.  Other existing software
that makes use of the special features of the AVPC card is
discussed in the March and April 89 issues of the Lima UG
newsletter. 
      
     There may be other software for the AVPC in the future.  I
believe we can expect some good stuff from the McGoverns.  I am
sure that other good programmers will also produce great stuff
too if we continue o support them with cash.  The major problem
as I see it is that DIJIT systems does not have a good feedback
system other than their BBS.  This BBS is great for the West
Coasters but too expensive for the rest of us who are too far
away.  It would be a shame for the AVPC project to fail simply
because of inadequate communication of newly developed or updated
programs in 80 col format. 
      
      RECOMMENDATION TO DIJIT SYSTEMS:  
     DIJIT Systems should put our periodic newsletters to all
owners of the AVPC.  They could also make AVPC compatible
software available on a disk which could be purchased by users.
In one year's time I have only received one software up-date.
This was in the form of a free disk which I specifically
requested by phone.  It seems to me that those who have already
purchased the AVPC deserve better treatment.  How else can one
sell a good product but to provide followup service on a timely
basis.  Without this kind of service the AVPC could easily end up
being an also ran like so many other good TI developments in the
past.  I also feel that all TIers should encourage programmers to
continue developing AVPC programs.  I am sure that it would be
easier to do so for the AVPC than for the Geneve and they would
be more saleable as there are many more TIs out there. 
      
     As I get more experience in using the AVPC I will publish
the results through the Lima UG. 
     .PL 1