Orphaned Computers & Game Systems

(Archive)
Vol. I, Issue 1    June 1994



GEOS & Commodore
Running Alongside the Big Boys

by Harvey Buskirk, NMCUG

GEOS Desktop

The Graphic Environment Operating System (GEOS) ushers in a whole new world for Commodore 64 and 128 computer users. GEOS brings you the power and ease that icons, windows, and pull-down menus provide. A click of an input device or a simple keyboard command is all that is required to command and control a host of applications developed for this environment by Berkeley Softworks (now GeoWorks) and others. Given the limitations of the C64, C64c and C128, GEOS compares very favorably with similar systems available on IBM and Apple computers.

Booting GEOS automatically brings the user to a desktop display, consisting of menu bars and various icons, by which the user can move around the system, managing files, desk accessories and applications; and configure and use peripheral devices, such as disk drives, mice and printers. The GEOS desktop provides for multiple file selection, file retrieval after deletion, keyboard shortcuts, easy printer- and input-device default procedures, the abilities to add and delete disk notepad pages, the use of a desktop clock, and more.

GeoPaint

The basic GEOS package consists of these applications:

GEOS - Changing Fonts

In addition to these basic applications, a large number have also been developed by the GEOS system developer and many other software developers. These provide the user with a wide variety of programs that can be used with the GEOS system. Included are a database, a spreadsheet, telecommunications features, desktop publishing and many others.

GEOS works well with basic peripherals, but can be greatly enhanced with the addition of a RAM Expansion Unit (REU). The REU can be loaded up with a large volume of applications and files, which can be swapped in and out of memory at transfer speeds, greatly increasing the overall operating speed.

Being able to operate this type of environment, through which virtually all common computer uses can be accessed, greatly increased the quotient of "user friendliness" for Commodore users.


[GEOS's print quality never looked too good to me. There is a program available from Creative Micro Designs (listed elsewhere) that gives nearly letter-quality printouts. The program is called Perfect Print LQ. Write them about it today! - Ed.]