Q. I have recently become the owner of an Atari 600XL but find the machine will only display 40 columns of text while the larger Atari printers will take 80 columns or more.

As I wish to use the computer for word processing, is there a machine code routine or short program which will give an 80-column display on my computer?

A. Anderson
Isleworth, Middlesex

A. Most computers intended for the home market are limited to 40 columns simply because domestic TV sets with not cope with more detailed displays. Indeed the Spectrum has only 32 columns, the Vic 20 a mere 22. The discrepancy between the display and the printer is not a prohibitive factor for word processing; in fact it is much easier to read 40 than 80 columns, even on a high-resolution monitor.

The only advantage in the use of 80 columns for word processing is that you can see on screen exactly how the document will look when printed.

For a true 80-column display you need hardware modifications and the expense of a dedicated monitor.

For home and semi-serious word processing, your 600XL will be adequate. A far more limiting factor is its 16K memory - and a package like Atariwriter will go a long way to help. If you want to use your computer for really serious word processing, you have to think in terms of a new machine - one with a minimum of 64K memory, and disk storage. The display is the least of your problems.