GSoft BASIC Beta Test Announcement

[mikew50@aol.com (MikeW50)]

Beta Test Announcement
----------------------

The Byte Works, Inc. is looking for a small number of dedicated beta testers
for a new Apple IIGS programming language. After carefully reading the
specifics, if you�re interested, please contact Mike Westerfield by e-mail at
MikeW50@AOL.COM, sending the completed form at the end of this announcement.

The Program
-----------

The program is GSoft BASIC, an interpreted BASIC for the Apple IIGS. It
supports many advanced features, a few not found in any other BASIC we�re aware
of on any platform. Some of the major features are:

  * Multiple number formats, including BYTE, INTEGER, LONG, SINGLE and DOUBLE.
  * Program and variable size is limited only by available RAM.
  * Optional line numbers.
  * PRINT USING.
  * Modern structured statements, like IF-THEN-ELSE and WHILE-WEND.
  * Disk input and output commands.
  * Support for types, records and pointers.
  * True subroutines and functions, with passed parameters and local variables.
  * Toolbox access, including good support for user tools.
  * Full screen editor.
  * Supports ORCA compatible debuggers.

Beta Tester Background
----------------------

Beta testers must have the following minimum background and equipment:

1. A familiarity with BASIC.
2. An Apple IIGS with at least 1.125M of RAM and a hard drive.
3. The ability to download binary attachments to e-mail sent over America
Online. (You don�t need to be on AOL, but beta updates will be sent via AOL.)
4. A mailing address in the US or Canada.

Other things that would be a plus are:

1. Already familiar with ORCA languages.
2. Experience at toolbox programming on the Apple IIGS.
3. Experience with pointers and records in Pascal or C.
4. A printer.

What You Will Need to Do
------------------------

As a beta tester, you will be asked to:

1. Read about 300 pages of documentation cover to cover in about 2 weeks,
making corrections and comments. The annotated pages must be returned to the
Byte Works.

2. Try the program on your computer, running our test suite.

3. Write at least one small program from scratch. We don�t need the program, we
need your comments on GSoft BASIC as you write it.

4. Send your comments and suggestions to us by e-mail.

What You Will Get
-----------------

We hope you will beta test for the opportunity to shape this new program. In
addition, anyone who sends back annotated documentation pages by mail and bug
reports by e-mail will receive a commercial copy of GSoft BASIC when it is
released, as well as one additional Byte Works product of your choice with a
GS- catalog number.

We will also publicly acknowledge your contributions in the printed
manual--assuming, of course, that we get your comments by the deadline!

Time Table
----------

8 June -- Beta testers will be selected on this date. An initial e-mail will be
made on this date, and the documentation will be sent by mail.

22 June -- Annotated documentation must be mailed back to the Byte Works by
this date. We will supply a prepaid mailer.

29 June -- Feature freeze. All comments and suggestions that require changes to
documentation must be made by this date to stand any chance of appearing in the
initial release.

22 July -- GSoft BASIC will be released at Kansas Fest �98.

 Nondisclosure
 -------------

Beta testing is a privilege. It is for the benefit of the Byte Works, and
later, for the benefit of people who will use the program. All comments and
opinions about the program must be kept private, shared only with the Byte
Works and the other beta testers, until the planned release date.

Anyone who comments on this program publicly in any way, even to the extent of
announcing they are a beta tester, before 22 July 1998 will be immediately
dropped from the beta test list. They will be asked to return all materials
concerning GSoft BASIC to the Byte Works, and will not receive a free
commercial copy of the program or an additional product.

By applying as a beta tester, you are agreeing to abide by these terms.

Beta Test Application
---------------------

Personal
   Name:

   Street Address:
   City:
   State:
   Zip Code:

   E-mail:

   Day Phone:

Apple IIGS Information
   ROM number:
   RAM:
   Hard disk?
   Color monitor?
   Printer? What kind?

Experience
   Do you know BASIC?
   Do you know C or Pascal?
   Do you know assembly language?
   Do you own ORCA/M?
   Do you own ORCA/C, ORCA/Pascal or ORCA/Modula-2?
   Have you ever written a commercial program?
      Name one or two:
   Have you ever released a freeware or shareware program?
      Name one or two:
   Have you written toolbox programs on the Apple IIGS?
   Have you been a beta tester for a Byte Works product?
      Product name:
   Have you been a beta tester for other products?
      Name on or two:

Is there anything else we should know about you to help us make our choice?