Modem Master is a terminal software package designed for accessing viewdata and scrolling on-line text systems. It is supplied on a 40 track 5.25" DFS disc along with a very good 52 page manual. The disc can be converted to 80 track with a supplied utility, and may be transferred to ADFS. The package will work with the Model B, B+, B+128, the Master 128, and is second processor compatible.

Modem Master is supposed not to be modem specific, and is claimed to work with most manual modems. There are several modem drivers supplied on the disc, including ones for manual, Hayes, DTI schools and the Pace Nightingale. You can write a driver for your own modem, and details to assist you in this are given in the manual, but you will need to be a machine code programmer. The program will store a list of up to 40 on-line databases along with their phone numbers, format and log-on details. This makes the package easy to use by those not familiar with computers or comms. By simply booting the disc and pressing a few keys you can log onto the required database.

The Viewdata section of Modem Master provides a good selection of facilities mostly initiated by the function keys. Loading and storing of frames, frame printing, frame tagging and telesoftware downloading are just a few of the many features. There is also a very competent mailbox editor which allows off-line editing of mailbox frames. It will monitor the number of Escape codes you employ, allowing easy use of colour and graphics, without exceeding Prestel's limit of 32 Escape codes per frame. No pixel editor is provided for graphics, but characters can be chosen by asking the editor to cycle through them at the current cursor position.

A rather novel feature of Modem Master is the mailbox number notepad, in which a number can be entered at any time when on-line. This is stored and can be recalled later when sending a mailbox frame, really excellent for those like myself who can never find pencil and paper!

In scrolling text mode, the software is equally comprehensive, providing many features like buffering, uploading and downloading of files in ASCII format, Xmodem file transfer, choice of screen mode and the ability to configure the terminal in a variety of ways to suit your needs.

The package is a trifle slow when accessing the disc, and someone used to ROM packages may find this irritating. Master and B+128 owners can be spared this, as the disc is supplied with a utility which allows it to run in sideways RAM.

Compared to packages such as Beebug's own Command ROM or Soft Mac's Commsoft, Modem Master does lack their power, sophistication and certain other facilities. Do not dismiss it however, as for a modest price you get a very competent terminal package which provides good easy-to-use facilities.

Product: Modem Master
Supplier: BBC Software, 80 Wood Lane, London W12 OTT. Tel: 01-743-5588
Price: £12.95