This is a nice portable computer ! It comes with
a few built-in software (the 'IS' in 'IS-11' standed for 'Integrated
Software'):
- P.I.P.S is a spreadsheet which can hold 45000
characters. The calculation results can be represented as graphics
through pie-charts or histograms. It is also possible to declare
macros which will do your common operations. Files created with PIPS
can be transmitted to other computers. - CALC is an intelligent
calculator software which holds in memory all the operations for
later reference. - while EDIT is a simple editor, WP is a real
processor with block editing functions and justify functions. -
COMM makes it possible to use the IS-11 as a terminal for another
computer. You can thus consult databases, transfer files to or from
the microcassette tape at a 9600 bauds rate. - there is also a tool
to import files from Lotus-123, Wordstar or Supercalc to PIPS.
An orignal feature is that the microcassette recorder is
used as a disk-drive ! Files are indexed on the tape so you don't to
have know where there are on the tape. Of course it's a bit slow but
a C30 tape can hold as much as 128kb.
Above the nice
keyboard there are 6 functions keys which are used in most
applications to navigate through the functions. To help you
visualize these, F1 through F6 are written just below the screen.
There is a ROM cartridge slot which can be used to plug-in
new applications or extra ROM memory (up to 128kb). These ROM
cartridges can hold from 8kb to 64kb.
CREATIVE COMPUTING
wrote in September 85 : "The operating system is so difficult to
learn that by the time you get it down, the batteries run out."
(France, 1984)
