PRESS RELEASE VDOS Prodigy Press Release ========================== 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. ----------------------------------- 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 ------------------------- 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. ---------------------------------- 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. --------------------------- 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. ---------------------------------- 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 --------------------------------------- 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 --------------------------------------- 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! ---------------------------------------- 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.