Cosmos
There were many serious business applications available for the CPC6128 running under CP/M-80: WordStar, Protext, Multiplan, SuperCalc 2, DBase II, DR Draw, DR Graph, to name a few. Furthermore there were many high level languages (Programming software) for CP/M-80 that were used for research and development.
COSMOS is a personal COSt MOnitoring System developed by KSL for CPC6128 and runs under CP/M-80. It is a personal business application similar to the MSDOS-era PC applications and one of the most recent (2005-2020) projects developed for CP/M-80. Unlike most business applications for CP/M, COSMOS is built upon the mouse based graphics user interface as pioneered by Xerox at Palo Alto and popularized by Apple with the Lisa and Macintosh computers. COSMOS can be used on an everyday basis in order to edit the daily income, plan the monthly expenses and perform trial and error analyses aiming at maximizing the annual profit.
COSMOS requires the Dobbertin 63 KB TPA version of CP/M 2.2 and an external disk drive (min 180 KB). Moreover, it supports the 512 KB Dobbertin Memory Expansion, the 20 MB Dobbertin Harddisc, the Amstrad Serial Interface, the Amstrad Parallel Printer Port, the CTM640/CTM644 color monitor for the 16-color screen saver and the AMX Mouse. In addition to its main functions, COSMOS contains the latest version of ASCII Tools (in order to deal with the COSMOS output files) as well as its own graphics module (not the standard GSX).
By executing the setup installation utility (A>SETUP) that is included in the COSMOS original disk, the user can initialize any annual project or start a temporary project in order to become familiar with the COSMOS user interface and functions. As far as the controls are concerned, Cursor keys or Mouse can be used in order to control the pointer. [F0] key simulates the left button of the mouse, whereas [F.] key simulates the right button of the mouse. Left button can be used for (Yes), whereas the right button can be used for (No),(Next) or (On-Board) help. ESC key can be used to quit.
To download the latest version of COSMOS (v.26/Winter 2020) use the link located at the bottom of this page.
Boot CP/M using the original COSMOS disk and execute A>SETUP.COM.
Upon installing COSMOS in drive B or HD20 it is suggested to execute COSMOS using all the available extra RAM (no RAM load minimization) and to use a new empty boot disk in drive A as the redundant disk (this is similar to the nowadays ueser level software RAID-1 operation). Notice that a full annual project of COSMOS, including the user attachments, the user block of invoices, the summary files as well as the user agenda notices requires minimum 350 KB of disc space.
