Locomotive Software - Revision history

CPCLER at 08:36, 12 March 2012

2012-03-12T08:36:55Z

Nocash: /* CPC */

2010-04-20T19:55:02Z

‎CPC

CPCLER at 14:38, 31 January 2010

2010-01-31T14:38:22Z

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Octoate: removed SPAM

2007-06-05T14:27:21Z

removed SPAM

Dj1Aoj at 11:14, 5 June 2007

2007-06-05T11:14:00Z

Octoate: removed spam

2007-04-29T12:38:15Z

removed spam

122.30.233.33 at 12:05, 29 April 2007

2007-04-29T12:05:21Z

Octoate: Restored old version by Torn

2007-04-10T20:55:57Z

Restored old version by Torn

200.238.102.170 at 16:40, 10 April 2007

2007-04-10T16:40:56Z

Torn: added categories

2006-11-16T17:01:17Z

added categories

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 Locomotive's association with Amstrad continued with the next range of computers to be launched by the firm - the [[PCW]] word-processors.
-Here, as well as porting CP/M, Locomotive was to write LocoScript - a powerful and (generally) user-friendly word-processing package that would be the sole user experience for 90% of the unit's purchasers. The vast success of the PCW can therefore largely be attributed to Locomotive. Locomotive BASIC, meanwhile, made a reappearance on the PCW, this time as Mallard BASIC. Mallard had no graphics or sound functionality, but the excellent file handling from Locomotive's original Acorn BASIC made a reappearance.
+Here, as well as porting CP/M, Locomotive was to write LocoScript - a powerful and (generally) user-friendly word-processing package that would be the sole user experience for 90% of the unit's purchasers. The vast success of the PCW can therefore largely be attributed to Locomotive. Locomotive BASIC, meanwhile, made a reappearance on the PCW, this time as [[Mallard BASIC]]. Mallard had no graphics or sound functionality, but the excellent file handling from Locomotive's original Acorn BASIC made a reappearance.
 LocoScript was the only program for the PCW that did not have to be booted from CP/M, as it contained its own firmware (though many supposedly 'CP/M' programs, such as Flipper and RoutePlanner, were in fact very much PCW-specific). The original version was followed by a greatly improved LocoScript 2 and a set of add-on programs (LocoMail, LocoSpell etc.). The program continued to be improved up to LocoScript 4, with better printed output as the main focus of the revisions.

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 == CPC ==
-Most pieces of the CPC's system software were written by Locomotive: [[Locomotive BASIC]], the [[CP/M]] ports, the operating system [[firmware]], and [[AMSDOS]]. All were acclaimed for their stability and design, particularly the BASIC. The main operating system development started in September 1983 and, for the 464, was complete by 14th January 1984. (Locomotive then worked on the documentation, both the free BASIC manual and the [[Soft 158]] firmware manual.)
+Most pieces of the CPC's system software were written by Locomotive: [[Locomotive BASIC]], the [[CP/M]] ports, the operating system [[firmware]], and [[AMSDOS]]. All were acclaimed for their stability and design, particularly the BASIC. The main operating system development started in September 1983 and, for the 464, was complete by 14th January 1984. (Locomotive then worked on the documentation, both the free BASIC manual and the [[SOFT 158]] firmware manual.)
 == PCW, PC and Spectrum ==

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:38, 31 January 2010
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−	Founded in February 1983, Locomotive Software was the software house which developed the CPC's BASIC and operating system, and played a pivotal role in other Amstrad home computers of the time. The company was founded by [[Richard Clayton]] and Chris Hall.	+	Founded in February 1983, Locomotive Software was the software house which developed the CPC's [[BASIC]] and [[operating system]], and played a pivotal role in other Amstrad home computers of the time. The company was founded by [[Richard Clayton]] and [[Chris Hall]].

	Their first contract was to write a Z80 BASIC for Acorn's abortive ABC business computer project. This BASIC would prove pivotal in their future history, gaining them the 'in' for Amstrad's first computer.		Their first contract was to write a Z80 BASIC for Acorn's abortive ABC business computer project. This BASIC would prove pivotal in their future history, gaining them the 'in' for Amstrad's first computer.

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 LocoScript was the only program for the PCW that did not have to be booted from CP/M, as it contained its own firmware (though many supposedly 'CP/M' programs, such as Flipper and RoutePlanner, were in fact very much PCW-specific). The original version was followed by a greatly improved LocoScript 2 and a set of add-on programs (LocoMail, LocoSpell etc.). The program continued to be improved up to LocoScript 4, with better printed output as the main focus of the revisions.
-Other Locomotive projects of the time included firmware for Amstrad's Spectrum models (after the company had acquired Sinclair), the  2,  2A and  3; BASIC 2, for the Digital Research GEM windowing system used by Amstrad's PCs; and LocoScript PC, a PC port of the word-processor which found great favour with PCW upgraders but failed to make much headway elsewhere.
+Other Locomotive projects of the time included firmware for Amstrad's Spectrum models (after the company had acquired Sinclair), the +2, +2A and +3; BASIC 2, for the Digital Research GEM windowing system used by Amstrad's PCs; and LocoScript PC, a PC port of the word-processor which found great favour with PCW upgraders but failed to make much headway elsewhere.
 Locomotive was invited to pitch to write the software for the [[PCW16]], Amstrad's last 8-bit machine, but declined because they thought the deadline was unachievable. (Creative Technology's failure to complete by the specified date only proved that Locomotive had been correct.)
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 * [http://www.locomotive.com/ old Locomotive Software domain]
 * [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Locomotive_Software Information at Wikipedia]
-* [http://www.old-computers.com/magazine/view.asp?r=1
+* [http://www.old-computers.com/magazine/view.asp?r=1&a=16 Interview with Richard Clayton]

@@ Line 15: / Line 15: @@
 LocoScript was the only program for the PCW that did not have to be booted from CP/M, as it contained its own firmware (though many supposedly 'CP/M' programs, such as Flipper and RoutePlanner, were in fact very much PCW-specific). The original version was followed by a greatly improved LocoScript 2 and a set of add-on programs (LocoMail, LocoSpell etc.). The program continued to be improved up to LocoScript 4, with better printed output as the main focus of the revisions.
-Other Locomotive projects of the time included firmware for Amstrad's Spectrum models (after the company had acquired Sinclair), the +2, +2A and +3; BASIC 2, for the Digital Research GEM windowing system used by Amstrad's PCs; and LocoScript PC, a PC port of the word-processor which found great favour with PCW upgraders but failed to make much headway elsewhere.
+Other Locomotive projects of the time included firmware for Amstrad's Spectrum models (after the company had acquired Sinclair), the  2,  2A and  3; BASIC 2, for the Digital Research GEM windowing system used by Amstrad's PCs; and LocoScript PC, a PC port of the word-processor which found great favour with PCW upgraders but failed to make much headway elsewhere.
 Locomotive was invited to pitch to write the software for the [[PCW16]], Amstrad's last 8-bit machine, but declined because they thought the deadline was unachievable. (Creative Technology's failure to complete by the specified date only proved that Locomotive had been correct.)
@@ Line 30: / Line 30: @@
 * [http://www.locomotive.com/ old Locomotive Software domain]
 * [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Locomotive_Software Information at Wikipedia]
-* [http://www.old-computers.com/magazine/view.asp?r=1&a=16 Interview with Richard Clayton]
+* [http://www.old-computers.com/magazine/view.asp?r=1
-* [http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~rnc1/talks/040309-TwentyYears.pdf History of Locomotive presentation] (PDF)
-* [http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~rnc1/index.html Richard Clayton's homepage]
-−
-[[Category:CPC related companies]] [[Category:CPC History]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:01, 16 November 2006
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	* [http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~rnc1/talks/040309-TwentyYears.pdf History of Locomotive presentation] (PDF)		* [http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~rnc1/talks/040309-TwentyYears.pdf History of Locomotive presentation] (PDF)
	* [http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~rnc1/index.html Richard Clayton's homepage]		* [http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~rnc1/index.html Richard Clayton's homepage]
		+
		+	[[Category:CPC related companies]] [[Category:CPC History]]