TI99/4A Computer Book

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Would a drm-free mobi file of the book be useful? Let me know! I also still have the original manuscript, printed using a TI-99/4a, TI Writer and an Epson FX-80 on fan-fold paper- I am open to a generous offer for it.

Getting Started With the Texas Instruments TI99/4A - (c) Stephen Shaw

Important- after reading the book, be sure to read the articles especially Rambles, also to be found in issues of TI*MES and TIdings as these contain technical information not to be found elsewhere.

My involvement with the TI99/4 Home Computer started in the earliest of days. I wrote my first program on a console borrowed from TI, which required an NTSC monitor. I was a member of the first UK user group from the start and contributed many articles to the quarterly magazines, and also to commercial computer magazines- especially Computer and Video Games. Trading as Stainless Software I sold a number of programs for the computer mostly on tape, written in the UK or licensed from America. (Note:- The later 1990's Stainless Software has no connection with me, although one founder did work on Submarine Commander which was released for the TI99/4A). Stainless Software Catalogue (historical- no longer trading).

I was approached by a publisher in mid 1983, who wanted a book for TI99/4A users which went beyond the excellent Users Guide that was supplied with the computer, and led new users into more advanced territory. I was paid a small advance before a word was written, a further advance on delivery and then periodical small amounts of royalties. Unfortunately TI withdrew the TI99/4A in November 1983, just as the book was published. The book was entirely written using a TI99/4A with the TI Writer program. Unfortunately the program listings were retyped by the publisher, and there was no time for author proof reading. This web site has an updated and corrected version of the text - the publisher had exclusive copyright licence from 1983 to 1986 and then it reverted to me.

If you have a hard copy of the book ensure you have the Corrigenda sheet as well! Here are the two sides as PNG image files in case you have a copy of the book and have mislaid your sheet or were not provided with one.:
Corrigenda for Gettings Started book (png) || Missing program listings for Gettings Started book (png)

If you would like to quickly download the text version to read offline, here is a 76k ZIPped file and if you don't have one of the many fine unzip programs you can download a small dos version called pkunzjr, only 3k, use like this: pkunzjr book.zip c:\directory\ (it needs the final backslash).

Contents INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER ONE Let's start at the very beginning - something of a rehash of the Users Guide but in differing terms. Setting up. Console preparation. How to key programs in.

CHAPTER TWO TI BASIC. Introduction to and examples of commands and functions.

CHAPTER THREE How to use TI Basic. Practical program writing. Debugging. System crashes.
Alphabetic list with descriptions of TI Basic commands and functions.

CHAPTER FOUR Cassette Handling. How to use a cassette recorder to save and load programs.

CHAPTER FIVE File Processing (mainly using cassette)

CHAPTER SIX
Advanced Programming- Using Mini Memory or Extended Basic plus 32k ram
Peeking and pokeing in memory. Different graphics modes. Using boolean logic in TI Basic. Using Joysticks. Using DEF.
How to implement an ACCEPT AT using TI Basic. Speed and Memory tricks. Demo sort routine.

CHAPTER SEVEN EXTENDED BASIC. Additional functions and commands.

CHAPTER EIGHT
MODULES- brief overview of
Personal Record Keeping (with extra TI Basic commands available). TI Writer word processor; Logo programming language;
Mini Memory (with extra TI Basic commands).. Editor Assembler; Terminal Emulator 2; Microsoft Multiplan (yes, a Microsoft program copyright 1982 by TI Inc)

CHAPTER NINE Peripherals (extra ram, PEB, floppy drive, printing, speech); Glossary; Key Codes and Control Codes
.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 UK: England & Wales License. Alternative licence: Design Science License published by Michael Stutz.

Return to Stephen's Entry Page

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