This episode features AtSpeller, released in 1982 by APX (Atari Program Exchange), and in 1983 specifically as a version for AtariWriter. It was developed by R. Stanley Kistler.

Podcast: Download

Manual ArtCover of the normal AtSpeller version released in 1982:

Cover of the normal AtariWriter specific AtSpeller version released in 1983:

APX Catalog PagesAdvertisement from the Winter 1983 APX catalog:

Advertisement from the Spring 1983 APX catalog:

Advertisement from the Fall 1983 APX catalog:

AtSpeller in ActionBooting

Normal Version:

  • Deciding if you want a personal dictionary loaded.
  • Booting with 2 disk drives.
  • Booting and using a personal dictionary. AtariWriter Version:

  • AtariWriter cartridge is in control.

  • Document loaded and ready to check. Menu

Normal Version:

  • AtariWriter Version:

  • Menu is accessed from AtariWriter main menu using the hidden A option. Usage (Normal Version)

  • Output to TV (Monitor)

  • Output to Printer
  • Correction (With Output File)
  • Wihtout personal dictionary, ATASCII is not found.
  • With personal dictionary, ATASCII is OK.
  • Searching for word in dictionary to replace unknown word in text.
  • Correcting a word
  • Saving new words to a personal dictionary.
  • All the new words or just some?
  • Disk directory / Delete / Rename (tiny DOS)
  • Search Dictionary
  • What? How can an ATARI spell checker not include the word ATASCII?!?
  • Successful search.
  • Return To Atari DOS
  • Sort Personal Dictionary
  • Please wait… Please wait… Please wait…
  • Usage (AtariWriter Version)

  • Using Correct Errors (Option C). Load the dictionary disk first.

  • What to do with the word that is not found?
  • Using the Dicitonary Search (Option D).
  • Matched words displayed.
  • Using Highlight Errors (option H).
  • Using Load Personal Dictionary (Option L).
  • Using Print Errors (Option P). Comparison (AtariWriter Version to AtariWriter Plus Proofreader)

  • AtariWriter Plus Proofreader menu.

  • Highlighting words not found.
  • Options for correcting a word.
  • Summary of checking process. Files* AtSpeller normal version – Program Disk
  • AtSpeller normal version – Dictionary disk.
  • AtSpeller AtariWriter version – Program disk.
  • AtSpeller AtariWriter version – Dictionary disk. Note the dictionary file is smaller and the index is larger than the normal version.
  • Custom dictionary file.
  • Custom dictionary file contents. PrintoutsOutput of full document with all errors (words not found) underlined with asterisks (from normal version):

S8E07-prt-PrtOut-FullDownloadOutput of just errors (words not found) underlined with asterisks (from normal version):

S8E07-prt-OutPrt-ErrorsDownloadOutput of just errors (words not found) (from AtariWriter version):

S8E07-prt-AW-ErrorsDownloadManualThe manuals are available on AtariMania.

Show Links* AtSpeller normal version (@ AtariMania): http://www.atarimania.com/utility-atari-400-800-xl-xe-atspeller_18539.html * AtSpeller AtariWriter version (@ AtariMania): http://www.atarimania.com/utility-atari-400-800-xl-xe-atspeller-for-atariwriter_30016.html * Inverse ATASCII S8 E5 Antic Personal Spelling Checker: https://inverseatascii.info/2024/03/23/s8e05-antic-personal-spelling-checker-supplement/ * Inverse ATASCII S2 E1 Atari AtariWriter: https://inverseatascii.info/2015/09/24/s2e01-atari-atariwriter/ * American Heritage Dictionary Word Frequency Book (@ Internet Archive): https://archive.org/details/americanheritage00carr

Intro music is an excerpt from a chip tune by Wizwars named 8 Bit Raceway. It is used under Creative Common license Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 United States.