PRESS RELEASE
VDOS Prodigy Press Release
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From: Marathon Computer Press
To: All ATARI ST Retailers, Wholesalers, and Enthusiasts
Subject: Commercial Release of The VDOS Prodigy Software System
Effective 2 January 1989 Marathon Computer Press has
released the VDOS Prodigy Operating System Manager for all
models of ATARI ST microcomputers.
Prodigy is an extremely innovative Software Librarian, DOS
Manager, and Operating System Executive for the GEM Based ST.
It has been likened to IBM counterparts Norton Utilities(tm),
Norton Commander(tm), and Power Menu(tm) all bundled into one
nice integrated package and it's available NOW for the ATARI ST.
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Main Features
Define 100 autoexecute programs
(More Slots can be defined if you like)
Over 50 DOS Utilities with a graphical interface
UNIX(tm) utility similarity
Virtual to Disk or RAM capability
(Only requires 42K RAM to run programs in Virtual to Disk mode)
520 ST, 1040 ST, and Mega ST compatibility
Nearly complete compatibility with all existing ST software
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Who Needs Prodigy?
Any business users, programmers, writers, power users, hard
disk owners, or any enthusiast that owns a lot of ST software
will fall in love with Prodigy. This is the ultimate
productivity tool and time saver for those that routinely use
many programs each day. Imagine defining a slot in one of
Prodigy's 7 autoexecute menu systems to contain your program
name, its location on one of your floppy or hard disks, and all
other pertinent information. Just a couple of easy steps and
you'll never have to go farther than Prodigy's point and click
interface to run your programs again. And if it's your 10 most
used applications, just press a function key to execute it.
This operating environment has to be experienced to be
believed. It is compatible with nearly all ST software
including the Beckemeyer Micro-RTX(tm) multitasking kernel. It
goes beyond the competition, and was the first Virtual to Disk
Operating System Shell ever written for the ATARI ST. As a
matter of fact the original VDOS is located in the DL libraries
of this Billboard System. VDOS was a ShareWare quality,
experiment that led to the Full Scale Development of its
Prodigal Son, VDOS Prodigy. Feel free to take a look at the
original ShareWare version of VDOS, if you haven't already done
so. It's just a taste of what is possible with the Powerful
Commercial version of the program.
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Documentation
No skimpy little stapled documentation packs with this
product! We have produced a >170 page professionally prepared
manual that is bound in a durable and attractive Vinyl 3 Ring
"D" binder. Attractive inserts distinctively adorn the manual
and the optional slipcover. The body of the manual contains
information on the following:
Software Ethics
The Prodigy Concept of Operation
How to Get Started
The Program Slots
Using Hot Keys
The DOS Utilities
(In alphabetical order and at least 1 page dedicated to each)
The VDOSLOW Autoloader Program
Software Considerations
Future Plans
A Complete Bibliography
A Glossary
Error Codes
ASCII Codes
A Two Machine License
(VDOS Prodigy can be installed in up to 2 machines legally)
This is a program package that began development over 2
years ago, and has been beta tested by some of the biggest names
in the micro software business. Prodigy is one program
environment that any serious ST user won't want to be without.
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Still Not Convinced?
How about the following for some of the available DOS
Utilities that are either a part of the main program or are Disk
Distributed.
ACCESSORY AUDIT CALENDAR
CHDIR CHDRIVE CHMOD
CONFIGURE COPY(GLOBAL, FILE) COPYDIR
DELETE(GLOBAL, FILE) DISPLAY DSKFREE
EXECUTE EXIT FDATIME(RETAIN FILE CREATION DATE)
FIND(FILES) FORMAT HEADS
$HOME HELP LC(LINE COUNT)
LS -L(LIST UP TO 1,500 FILES PER DIRECTORY) MEMFREE MKDIR
MERGE(FILES) PASSWORD REBOOT(SELECTABLE OR IMMEDIATE)
RENAME SEARCH(PATTERN) SIZE?
SYSMAP(SYSTEM MAPPING UTILITY) TAILS TEE
VIRTUAL(DISK, OR MEMORY) WHERE?
AND MORE..........
Whether you are a business user, programmer, or everyday
home user of your ST, this is the one-stop shop for your
operating system control needs.
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The Cost?
Introductory Price is $69.95
Slipcover Option is $6.50 (Binder slips inside for shelf storage)
Shipping is $2.00 U.S. and Canada $7.50 elsewhere
Informative Brochure is FREE
Call or write for a brochure today!
(No orders accepted over the phone)
This Press Release intended for Bulletin Board Services and may
be duplicated for any purpose
Marathon Computer Press
Post Office Box 68503
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23455-9433
(804)460-5227 24 Hr. message line
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Hardware Requirements
520 ST with dual drives
(Can be run with a one drive 520 ST, but not recommended)
1040 or memory enhanced 520 ST with a single drive
Mega ST with a single drive
Any ST with a Hard Disk Drive
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Quality software from the programming staff that brought you:
The Vocabularian(tm) (ANTIC Publishing)
The GFA Basic(tm) Companion(tm) (MichTron)
The GFATIP series (GEnie & CompuServe)
AT MARATHON, WE GO THE DISTANCE FOR CREATIVE COMPUTING!
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Micro-RTX is a trademark of Beckemeyer Development Tools
Norton Commander, and Norton Utilities are trademarks of Peter
Norton Computing
ATARI ST is a trademark of ATARI, Inc.
GFA Basic is a trademark of GFA Systemtechnik
The Vocabularian and Companion are trademarks of Marathon
Computer Press
Power Menu is a trademark of Brown Bag Software, Inc.
UNIX is a trademark of AT&T Bell Laboratories
GEM is a trademark of Digital Research, Inc.