An office on one disc... but not for the businessman

One Disc Home Office by Doctor Soft is an integrated disc-based package consisting of a word processor, an address filing system and a financial spreadsheet, all aimed at the home user.

The system is already set up and ready to use, and in such a way that your name and address files link directly to the letter writing program, spreadsheets can be incorporated into docu ments for word processing, and so on.

On booting up you are asked for the date. You can enter this in any form and it will be remembered until you switch off. to be used in all letter headings and file up-dates.

The package is centered on a master menu which enables you, by the entry of a single number, to select which utility you require.

Directory is a dedicated database for names, addresses and telephone numbers with an unchanging screen which makes it easy to use and it is linked directly with the letter writing program.

It will hold 100 names and can access a surname in less than two seconds. You move between the data field using the Return key and enter all details in capitals, although the pro gram will later change these, when appropriate, for your letters.

The lower field is the option line for choosing between the options FIND, LETTER, PRINT, FILE and NEW.

FIND: Enter the surname in the appropriate box and then use the Return key to place the cursor in the FIND option.

LETTER: If you have found an address, in order to write a letter move the cursor to this option. You will then enter the letter word processor with your own address, the date and the destination address. Each line has been already changed to lower case where appropriate. It is for this reason that intitials should be entered with a space before them in the entry stage.

PRINT: Move the cursor to this box in order to print direct to an envelope, or you can have a print out of the whole record card.

FILE: Selecting this option will do one of three things, file a card, re-file an edited card or delete a card depending on the key option used when the card is on screen.

For example, Ctrl X deletes the file completely, any key enters it as a new file. You get a warning if you try to enter a file that already exists with the same name, and you must differentiate between the two.

You will also be prompted when the 100 files are full, at which point, if you have no files to delete, you will have to start a fresh disc.

NEW: Press any key to clear the display to find, or start, a new card.

Document is the package's word processor and most of the techniques needed are either displayed on screen or on the function key label supplied.

The program works with a full 80 character screen and is therefore best used with a monitor. However there is an optional page width of 39 characters selectable at the menu stage.

The function keys are the heart of the system. Used on their own or with Shift they control all the functions that are likely to be repeated frequently on any document. The other functions are controlled with Ctrl plus a letter key.

Wordkit is a utility for handling documents made up of several previously recorded documents. Pages can be com pacted to equal lengths and then printed. The options offered are: COMPACT: Takes up to four pages at a time and reduces them into 50 line pages. Easily executed following prompts.

CONTINUOUS PRINTING: Follow prompts for continuous printing of up to two pages already recorded on one disc. Designed for continuous stationery with 11 inches between perforations.

COUNT: Counts the number of words in a document page by page.

LETTER: A word processor package tailored to letter writing and integrated to the Directory. You can access it from the Directory or the master menu. It uses the same functions as Document with the addition that Shift with keys fO to f3 produces useful letter phrases such as "Yours sincerely" and "Yours faithfully".

If you have arrived at LETTER via Directory, press ing Shift with f4 will print your address on an envelope. If you wish to merge a set letter with a previously filed name and address. Shift f5 will achieve this using easy to follow prompts.

Calculate is a very small spreadsheet but a convenient way of making small calcul ations and printing the results. Moving over the spreadsheet using the cursor keys you can enter text in title areas. Elsewhere you can only enter