PC-Four
In the 1980's not only were PSION breaking new ground by the invention of the first PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) with the introduction of the PSION Organiser. But their software division introduced the first integrated business suite of 'office' applications, with a common user interface and ability to save and transfer information between the four applications - Quill (word-processor), Abacus (spreadsheet), Archive (database) and Easel (business graphics). These applications were first created for the Sinclair QL then adapted into a more integrated package (xchange) for QL related computers (THOR and OPD). They were then transferred to the IBM PC compatible machines in the package PC-FOUR which was supplied on 5¼" floppy disks. In an effort to give PSION enthusiasts the opportunity to try these applications the disks with all their worked examples are now contained in the PCFour.ZIP. The user manuals being republished below. Other samples and worked examples included in the republished manuals are supplied in the Example.ZIP with a full list of all these files included in the Appendix of the manuals.
The readers attention is drawn to the foot of this page for the acknowledgements of the text used in these republished manuals.
Republished PSION IBM PC-Four Manuals
Manual PC4 Quill.pdfManual PC4 Abacus.pdfManual PC4 Archive.pdfManual PC4 Easel.pdfRunning this legacy software in windows.
Because these legacy DOS programmes prefer 8 character file and directory names without spaces, start by unzipping the files into a directory close to the root directory in C:\ - something like C:\DosBox, C\PSION, C:\PCFOUR, or in my case C:\Working
Using Windows 32 bit try copying CMD.EXE to your 'Working' directory. You may need to [right click] Run as administrator or Troubleshoot comparability (Windows XP SP3)
Using Windows 64 bit will not allow you to run these '.EXE' programmes. You will need to 'create' a DOS environment using something like DosBox and run them there.
YouTube Demonstration
These manuals are republished in good faith, not for profit and without liability. To report proof reading errors or those looking for further information can leave a message for Martin.
Aknowledgements for the text used in the republishing of the PC-four user manuals. Dilwyn Jones Sinclair QL Pages - and from the Danish software house Dansoft - Helmut Stuven, Erling Jacobsen, Gunther Strube and Simon N. Goodwin. Also 'Chr$' from the QL_Forum for the 5 disk copy of PC-FOUR
