This episode features PaperClip, originally released in 1985 by Batteries Included. It was originally released in 1982 for the Commodore PET. The PET version was written by Steve Douglas. The Atari port was written by Steve Ahlstrom and Dan Moore. This word processor is unique in that it uses a hardware security device that plugs into the joystick port.
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Box and Supplement Scans
Scan of the front of the package:
Scan of the back of the package:
Scan of disk:
Ad from Antic magazine, January 1985:
Ad from ANALOG magazine, April 1986:
Ad from ANALOG magazine, June 1986:
Ad from Antic magazine, November 1986:
Ad from Antic magazine, December 1986:
Picture of the hardware security device (dongle):
PaperClip in Action
Here is a picture of Bob Gale purportedly using PaperClip to write Back To The Future:
Booting
Trying to boot PaperClip 2.0 (XE release) on an XL or 800 computer results in this message:
Booting PaperClip 1.0 on an Atari 800 with 160K (432 blocks free, note it does not recognize Axlon extended memory):
Booting PaperClip 1.2 (XL version) on an Atari 800 (427 blocks free):
Booting PaperClip 1.2 (XL version) on an Atari 800XL (785 blocks free):
Booting PaperClip 1.2 (XL version) on an Atari 130XE (785 blocks free):
Booting PaperClip 2.0 (XE version) on an Atari 130XE (1722 blocks free):
Booting PaperClip 2.0 (XE version) on an Atari 130XE with 192K (3116 blocks free):
Interface
Here the main editor window is active, and the colors have been changed from the default black/white. Ā Notice the font is rendered in 8×10 pixels. Ā The font also has true descenders, see the lowercase p in PaperClip on the bottom line:
Editor with split window:
The formatting command menu appears at the bottom of the screen. Ā Such as BOLD on and off. Ā Note the mirrored characters noting the on/off marks in the text (such as the underlined B for bold):
This depicts loading a macro file, also note the awkward inclusion of the table of contents:
The option menu allows you to access help, DOS, etc:
Help System
There is built in help, in the form of documents, which is loaded into the editor via split window.
To choose which help to display, choose from the menu:
Editor help:
Printing help:
Mini DOS
All good programs should have access to common DOS functions. Ā PaperClip is no exception:
Viewing the disk directory:
Printing
Loading the printer configuration:
Staring print preview:
Viewing preview:
Printing. Ā You need to answer a series of questions, before printing starts:
Files
PaperClip uses a custom density smart DOS which is Atari DOS compatible.
Files from version 1.0 (initial release):
Files from version 1.2 (XL release):
Files from version 2.0 (XE release) – main program:
Files from version 2.0 (XE release) – spell checker program:
Files from version 2.0 (XE release) – dictionary disk:
Printing
The manual has the license agreement, and it lists Apple Computer and their products. Ā Cut and Paste for the win:
Apple License Agreement from the manual
Table of Contents output:
General output:
Instructions
The manual can be found online at AtariMania (see link below).
Show Links:
- Atari Mania:Ā http://www.atarimania.com/utility-atari-400-800-xl-xe-paperclip_26970.html
- Batteries Included Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batteries_Included_(company)
- PaperClip Wiki:Ā https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PaperClip
- InverseATASCII S3 E3 Batteries Included HomePak:Ā https://inverseatascii.info/2016/11/15/s3e03-batteries-included-homepak-supplement/
- InverseATASCII S1 E6 Synapse SynFile+:Ā https://inverseatascii.info/2014/12/16/s1e6-synapse-synfile/
- InverseATASCII S2 E1 Atari AtariWriter:Ā https://inverseatascii.info/2015/09/24/s2e01-atari-atariwriter/
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