PaperClip
Encyclopedia
PaperClip was a word processor
for the Commodore 64
, 128
(native mode
), and Atari 8 bit
personal computer
s.
The Commodore 64 version of PaperClip was written by Steve Douglas and was rewritten for the Atari personal computer by Steve Ahlstrom and Dan Moore.
Both versions were published by Michael Reichmann's Batteries Included
of Toronto
, Ontario
, Canada
and by Ariolasoft
in the United Kingdom
.
Paperclip was supplied with a dongle
, a hardware key used for copy protection that plugged into the DB-9 joystick
port. A keyless version was also available.
One unusual aspect of at least some PaperClip programs was that the Control key functioned more like on a hand-held calculator. You had to press and release the Control key, then press the key for the appropriate function.
PaperClip was also the name given to the text editor ROM
portion of the Commodore PET
Execudesk office suite. The ROM was written by Steve Douglas as well.
Word processor
A word processor is a computer application used for the production of any sort of printable material....
for the Commodore 64
Commodore 64
The Commodore 64 is an 8-bit home computer introduced by Commodore International in January 1982.Volume production started in the spring of 1982, with machines being released on to the market in August at a price of US$595...
, 128
Commodore 128
The Commodore 128 home/personal computer was the last 8-bit machine commercially released by Commodore Business Machines...
(native mode
Native mode
The term native mode or native code is used in computing in two related senses.*to describe something running on a computer natively or in native mode meaning that it is running without any external support as contrasted to running in emulation....
), and Atari 8 bit
Atari 8-bit family
The Atari 8-bit family is a series of 8-bit home computers manufactured from 1979 to 1992. All are based on the MOS Technology 6502 CPU and were the first home computers designed with custom coprocessor chips...
personal computer
Personal computer
A personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
s.
The Commodore 64 version of PaperClip was written by Steve Douglas and was rewritten for the Atari personal computer by Steve Ahlstrom and Dan Moore.
Both versions were published by Michael Reichmann's Batteries Included
Batteries Included (company)
Batteries Included was a computer software and hardware company based in the Toronto area. It was well known in the 1980s for its popular PaperClip word processor, which was available for Atari and Commodore microcomputers....
of Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and by Ariolasoft
Ariolasoft
Ariolasoft GmbH, later known as United Software, was a German computer game developer, publisher and distributor. It started as the software subsidiary of Ariola Records...
in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
Paperclip was supplied with a dongle
Dongle
A software protection dongle is a small piece of hardware that plugs into an electrical connector on a computer and serves as an electronic "key" for a piece of software; the program will only run when the dongle is plugged in...
, a hardware key used for copy protection that plugged into the DB-9 joystick
Joystick
A joystick is an input device consisting of a stick that pivots on a base and reports its angle or direction to the device it is controlling. Joysticks, also known as 'control columns', are the principal control in the cockpit of many civilian and military aircraft, either as a center stick or...
port. A keyless version was also available.
One unusual aspect of at least some PaperClip programs was that the Control key functioned more like on a hand-held calculator. You had to press and release the Control key, then press the key for the appropriate function.
PaperClip was also the name given to the text editor ROM
Read-only memory
Read-only memory is a class of storage medium used in computers and other electronic devices. Data stored in ROM cannot be modified, or can be modified only slowly or with difficulty, so it is mainly used to distribute firmware .In its strictest sense, ROM refers only...
portion of the Commodore PET
Commodore PET
The Commodore PET was a home/personal computer produced from 1977 by Commodore International...
Execudesk office suite. The ROM was written by Steve Douglas as well.
External links
- atariarchives.org Z*Magazine 9 February 1987
- Antic Vol.4, No.1 - Review of Paperclip