This episode features MicroFiler, originally released in 1983 by MPP. It was written by Jim Harrison. MicroFiler was somewhat unique in that it was offered on cartridge, and allowed the database to be stored on cassette.
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Box and Supplement Scans
Scan of the front of the package:
Scan of the back of the package:
Scan of cartridge:
Ad from Compute! magazine, December 1983:
MicroFiler in Action
Main menu:
Create Database (Data Entry Screen):
Trying to complete the screen without fields defined results in an error:
Completed screen with fields defined. N is numeric, C is character (alpha-numeric, required), blank is character (alpha numeric):
Database menu:
Entering data (invalid in this example):
Don’t try to save with the wrong disk in the drive:
Displaying the available record memory:
Printing
The print menu has two options, Print, and Change Format. You must choose. Choose wisely:
Enter the filter (search) criteria to restrict the printout:
Printing is complete:
For Change Format (custom) printing, you must specify which fields to print. Part of the selection indicates how to print the field. Placing a single character at the start of each field to be printed is how it is done. Put a 0 to 9 to specify the number of spaces to follow the field. Put an S, D, or T for single, double, or triple line spacing following the field:
For custom format you also choose how many lines between each record:
For custom format you also specify the left margin:
Retrieve (Find)
The retrieve menu is displayed once chosen. This must be invoked to get to the change and delete functions as well:
Invoking the Search (SCH) option, you must specify what to look for (or filter on):
Result of the search operation. First record is displayed. Use FWD, BWD to browse forward and back:
Use the Delete (DLT) option to delete the currently displayed record. There is a confirmation as well:
Using the SUM option causes each numeric field to be sum’d:
Likewise for the AVG (average) option:
Files
MicroFiler creates data disks that can not be read by DOS, at least the directory. One database is stored per disk (or tape).
Printing
“Normal” print sample. Notice how all data fields are run together:
https://inverseatascii.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/s3e05-prt-normal.pdf
Custom print sample, with spaces between fields and extra line between records:
https://inverseatascii.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/s3e05-prt-custom.pdf
Un-modified single record print sample:
https://inverseatascii.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/s3e05-prt-record.pdf
Instructions
Scanned manual:
https://inverseatascii.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/mppmicrofilermanual.pdf
Show Links:
- Atari Mania: http://www.atarimania.com/utility-atari-400-800-xl-xe-microfiler_15762.html
- Source Code at Internet Archive: https://archive.org/details/MPPMicroFilerAtariSource
- Best Electronics: http://www.best-electronics-ca.com/xe_game.htm#soft5
- Antic Magazine V4 #4 (8/1985) Company Profile: http://www.atarimagazines.com/v4n4/profiles.html
- Antic Podcast Interview #106 with Alan Ackerman: http://ataripodcast.libsyn.com/antic-interview-106-alan-ackerman-mpp
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