Format Executive v4.0

[XmikeX]

I am looking for the following (i'm willing to pay for legit original disk(s) + manual + code), as described in PIPMAG4 :

                        Format Executive v4.0 - A Review

                                       by
                                    
                                   Brad Harris

                         Copyright 1989 by Brad Harris
                           See the file COPYRITE.NOT
                             for more information.

          Anyone  who  uses a Commodore 128 in both native  mode  and  CP/M 
     mode, who also has access to other format CP/M disks, and also uses an 
     IBM-compatible computer has a problem; how to get files from one  disk 
     format to another.

          FORMAT EXECUTIVE will read, write, and format 158 different types 
     of disks, both in 5.25 and 3.5 inch sizes, in native Commodore,  CP/M, 
     and MS-DOS, with CP/M as the middle ground.

          FORMAT EXECUTIVE runs on the Commodore 128 with at least one 1571 
     disk drive or on the 128D, in CP/M mode.  It is compatible with  1541, 
     1571,  and  1581  drives,  and with any  RAM  expander.   It  is  also 
     compatible with JIFFY.DOS.  It is supplied on a single-sided 1541 CP/M 
     disk.

          The  package consists of three main programs, plus  four  utility 
     programs,  one help file, and two text files.  The first  program  (or 
     module,  as they are called in the manual) is FE.COM.  This  is  where 
     the  disk formats to be used are installed, and also where  disks  are 
     formatted.   Up to 16 different formats may be installed at one  time.  
     You have the option of patching them into the BIOS in RAM only, or  to 
     also  copy them directly into the CPM+.SYS file on disk so  that  they 
     are available whenever CP/M is booted.  Any CP/M formats selected  are 
     available  at any time.  Native-mode Commodore disks and MS-DOS  disks 
     require  the use of one of the other two modules, FE-CBM.COM,  or  FE-
     IBM.COM.

          You  can  also remove any formats that you won't be  using.   For 
     example,  if the only Kaypro disks you use are double-sided,  you  can 
     remove  the single-sided format and eliminate the bother of having  to 
     choose one or the other every time you put a Kaypro disk in the drive.

          The included utilities are:  FIX1581.COM, a program which  allows 
     older  1581s  to  read foreign disk formats;  LF.COM,  which  adds  or 
     removes  line feeds in text files for proper transfer  between  native 
     Commodore  and CP/M or MS-DOS; C1571.COM, which turns off the  verify-
     after-write  on the 1571 drive to speed up disk access;  and  CONF.COM 
     and  its  help  file,  which enables you to set  a  number  of  system 
     parameters.   Also  included is a sample PROFILE.SUB  file  (something 
     like  AUTOEXEC.BAT in the MS-DOS world) and a file  called  CHART.FMT, 
     which shows all the disk formats supported.


          The  disk on which FORMAT EXECUTIVE comes is not copy  protected.  
     You  are,  in  fact, encouraged to make both a  working  copy,  and  a 
     backup.  Instead, when first run, you are presented with a code.   You 
     look  this  up  in a book that comes with the  package,  and  enter  a 
     counter-code to access the program.  This need only be done once  each 
     time the computer is booted.  The codes are in very small print, in  a 
     light blue ink that is invisible to copying machines.   Unfortunately, 
     if you are farsighted and have short arms, or if you routinely type by 
     the light of the monitor, it is also invisible to you.  
            
          This isn't the easiest program in the world to use.  In this  day 
     and age, even a CP/M program has no excuse for being this  unfriendly.  
     The user interface could be much better.  The first few times you  run 
     it,  it is necessary to have the manual close at hand.  On  the  other 
     hand, this program WORKS!  And yes, I'm shouting!

          After  a few false starts, I was able to copy a 92K  MS-DOS  .ARC 
     file from a Kaypro disk to a C64 disk in a 1571 drive in just a couple 
     of  minutes.  Then I copied it to a 128 CP/M disk, then to a 720K  3.5 
     inch  MS-DOS disk, then I extracted the archive.  Perfect!  And  fast?  
     Forget  it!   I've  never seen anything faster on  a  Commodore,  even 
     between  two  1571s.   And this was with  both  file  translation  and 
     different disk formats!

          This  is an extremely useful addition to the software library  of 
     anyone  who  has  to deal with a variety of disk  formats  on  a  128.  
     Although  the package could be easier to use, it does exactly what  is 
     claimed for it.  I highly recommend it.

          FORMAT EXECUTIVE is available from:

          POWERSOFT, INC.
          P.O. BOX 7333
          Bradenton, FL     34210

          $59.95 plus $3.50 shipping and handling.
          Florida residents add $3.00 sales tax.
          COD add $3.00

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