There was only one other Word-processor written for the Z88 as the 'built-in' application Pipedream gave the user this capability. Spell-Master allowed the user to check the Pipedream document for any English spelling mistakes, which meant that it was aimed at the UK marketplace.

Quick Edit did have a very undersold feature in that the

key put a TAB character in the file rather than jumping to another column as in PipeDream.

About Computer Concepts

Computer Concepts developed two applications for the Z88 and called it Spell-Master. More details can be found for the company - see http://www.cconcepts.co.uk/info/history.htm

Spell-Master for the Z88

Download

These applications need 128K of either EPROM or Flash space.

Introduction

Some people enjoy technology for the sake of it, while others question its value. Spelling checkers are sometimes criticized as an unnecessary gimmick. The usual question is "Why use a spelling checker when you have a perfectly good conventional dictionary?". 

There are fundamental problems with using a conventional dictionary to find the spelling of a word. You have probably already heard someone say "How can I look up the spelling of a word if I don't know how it's spelt?". This is a reasonable point, but the real problem is that you only look-up a word in the dictionary if you realize that you don't know how to spell it. 

We usually learn to spell at school because a tutor will check our work and point out the words which are incorrect. After school, we don't usually know if we make a mistake. Spell-Master takes over the role of checking text for spelling errors. It isn't as efficient as a human checker, because it is not contextual. That is to say, it can check whether a word is spelt correctly, but not that the words are the correct ones to use, that they are in a sensible order, or that the grammar is correct. For example, Spell-Master would see nothing wrong with the following:- "Master Spell good checker. very is spelling a".

Given its limitations, Spell-Master still has a vital role to play. Even someone who is excellent at correct spelling will need a spelling checker in order to highlight typing errors.

Version Number

The final version of WordFinder and QuickEdit is 1.05.

An overview of Spell-Master

Spell-Master provides a complete system for entry and checking of text. It consists of two main parts, an application program named QUICKEDIT and a pop-down program named WORDFINDER.

What IS QUICKEDIT ?

QUICKEDIT is an integrated text editor and spelling checker. It is not a word processor like PipeDream; it contains no facilities for controlling printers, handling mathematical functions or formatting. It is much simpler than PipeDream, enabling text to be entered and edited with the minimum of fuss. 

QUICKEDIT is fully integrated with a range of spell checking facilities. Check as-you-type provides instant checking of every word as it is entered or edited, just giving a beep if the word is unrecognised. This means that you can either correct the word immediately (using options provided) or ignore it and return to it when convenient. For checking text that has already been entered there are options to check one word, a marked block, or the whole text.

Text which has already been entered in Pipedream can be loaded into QUICKEDIT for checking and correction, then re-loaded into PipeDream for final formatting.

Any regularly used words which are not in the main dictionary (such as specialised terms or peoples' names) can be added to a user dictionary. During checking operations words are compared against both the main dictionary and the user dictionary. User dictionaries effectively increase the size of the Spell-Master dictionary.

When a word is unrecognised there are several ways to deal with it. If the word is correct but missing from the dictionary, it can be added to the user dictionary. If the mistake is a simple typing error - a missing letter, transposed letters, etc. then Spell-Master will be able to work out the intended word and offer the correct spelling. For determining the unknown spelling of words, you can browse through the dictionary to pick out the one you want, or enter those letters which are known and have Spell-Master list all possible words which match (an advanced crossword solution).

Whatever the mistake, one of Spell-Master's facilities will enable it to be corrected quickly and easily.

What is WORDFINDER ?

WORDFINDER is a pop-down utility program. Like pop-downs built into the Z88, such as the clock and the calculator, it can be accessed at any point without having to exit from the current application.

WORDFINDER lets you browse through the dictionary, solve a crossword clue, solve an anagram, or have WORDFINDER guess the correct spelling of a word.

Installation

See Fitting & Using the ROM in the "Read me First" Section

QUICKEDIT

This section describes QUICKEDIT in detail, listing all of the menus and explaining the more complex operations. QUICKEDIT has been designed in keeping with other Z88 applications and pop-downs, so if you are already familiar with the Z88, only the SPELLING facilities will need to be learnt.

ENTERING QUICKEDIT

You can enter QUICKEDIT from the

by using the selection bar and pressing RETURN in the usual manner. Because QUICKEDIT and WORDFINDER are the last items in the list, it is easier to reach them from the top of the list by pressing 

 once, rather than

 lots of times. Alternatively, press

Q to enter it directly, without first having to enter the INDEX.

Upon entering QUICKEDIT you will see a display similar to that of PipeDream, though lacking the column headings and row numbers. A menu list is shown at the left hand end of the display, and a status area at the right hand end.

The status display is continually updated. It shows the current line number on which the cursor is positioned (initially 1), which increases as the cursor is moved down the text. Note that this count increases in a uniform manner all the way through the document; there are no page breaks. The status display also indicates whether currently the Insert or Overwrite mode is currently in use, and if the 'check as you type' facility is turned on.

The contents of each menu is shown below, accompanied by explanations of the complex commands.

QUICKEDIT MENUS

 

Blocks Menu

Marking a block

Insert two markers in order to use the Copy, Move or Delete marked block commands. The first marker simply inverts the single character on which it is placed. Only when a second marker is placed will the marked block be inverted. Note that this differs slightly from PipeDream, which attempts to invert the area even when a second marker has yet to be inserted.

Copy marked block

Having marked a block, move the cursor to the required position for the copy to be inserted, then select 'Copy marked Block' from the BLOCK menu, or press

BC. The marked block is duplicated at the required position.

Move marked block

Having marked a block, move the cursor to the point to which the block should be transferred. Select 'Move marked block' from the BLOCK menu, or press

BM. The block is copied to the new location and the original deleted

Delete marked block

Having marked a block, select 'Delete marked block' from the BLOCK menu, or press

BD. The marked block is then deleted. This action cannot be reversed and should consequently be used with care. In order to avoid accidental deletion of large areas, a safety-net prompt will ask you to confirm the action, if the area being deleted covers more than five lines.

Search for string

This command provides a means for finding the location of a string of characters in the text. A prompt appears, asking for the text to be found. Type the required string and press 

. QUICKEDIT searches from the current cursor position and stops at the first located position of the specified string of characters. If no occurrences of the string are found, the cursor will move to the end of the text.

Search and replace