Utility Heaven with Andy Davis
In order to correspond with Daves new Multiface, I thought I'd take a look at some MF utilities which enhance this handy piece of hardware. Incidentally, I'm writing this at 4am on Xmas Eve - who says I'm not dedicated! You may note that the most popular MF programs GENIE and LIFEGUARD are not mentioned. This is because they are not available from me, but from Romantic Robot. Alchnews readers get an exclusive bargin discount price which is not valid anywhere else!
We start with one of my personal favourites, FONT FIND. This was the first MF resident utility I was given for Alchemist PD by my Micronet colleague Antony 'pervy' Purvis who certainly knew his stuff! This program allows you to scan any part of the 48k memory from 23296-65535 to find a font. The program automatically roots out a font when the button is pressed but it also allows user control. You get a display of the entire char set when the correct address has been found. Options include fast/slow search of memory, save font to tape and return to program.
TEXTSEARCH is very much the same type of program as above, but lets you find text in memory and alter it. This could be useful for people who don't own GENIE, which has a similar function.
ST-RIPPER (Stripper?) is from our very own Dominic Morris, the genius behind Alchnews shell, Grape-viney shell, Sinclair News shell, SLOWDOS and countless other masterpieces. Search through 48 or 128k RAM for SOUNDTRACKER files and extract, play or generally mess with them. The program has alot of functions, including ways to find hidden and 'protected' song files. The only draw-backs are that it saves to tape or +3 disk only and it only saves the compiled song, so you cannot reload it back into SOUNDTRACKER. But, it's very useful nonetheless.
MULTISTORE is a fantastic utility from Miles Kinloch and is NOT PD. It allows you to use the 8k of memory in the MF to store upto 7k of Basic, Code or a Screen$, instantly recalled by simply pressing the button.
FUSSLOAD is another non-PD program, available from Alchemist PD. It improves the tape saving facillity of the MF and allows a variety of methods, including Turboload.
Finally we take a quick look at SPRITER which is similar to FONT FIND. When the magic button is pressed you are in a semi-art studio environment where you can alter window size and search for screens, graphics, fonts, sprites and much more. It allows you to save and load any parts you wish so it is extremely simple to remove a character like Jet Set Willy, 'alter' him a little and replace him back in the game! Other little gadgets make disassembly of game graphics extremely simple and interesting.
(See Alchnews issues 13+14 for excellent MF tips/deals etc. I got my MF for `22 thanks to Alchy! Top one my son. Dave)
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