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Although the CPC6128 was sold as a Colour Personal Computer (CPC), its configuration in the as received condition referred to a Home Computer, including 128 KB RAM, 180 KB floppy disc drive and 32 KB Video RAM. By adding an external high capacity disc drive, a RAM expansion, a hard disk, a serial interface as well as a mouse, the CPC6128 was turned into a Competitive Personal Computer (CPC). Thus, a lot of serious business applications that existed for [[CP/M]]-80 could be executed with ease allowing the user to focus on his work and not on how to deal with the hardware limitations of the systemImage:COSMOS_set_up. Typical examples of such applications were [[WordStar]] (706 KB), [[Protext]] (406 KB), [[Multiplan]] (208 KB), [[SuperCalc 2]] (240 KB), [[DBase II]] (272 KB) and other [[Programming software]]. <br><br> '''COSMOS''' is a personal '''COS'''t '''MO'''nitoring '''S'''ystem programed by [[KSLjpg|right|thumb|250px|KSL]] for CPC6128. It has been developed under [[CP/M 2.2]] which was the industry standard of the late 70s - early 80s. 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. This budget monitoring system is a business application similar to the MSDOS-era PC applications and one of the most recent (2020) projects developed for CP/M-80. Unlike most 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. <br><br> In order to run properly COSMOS requires the [[Dobbertininstallation utility]] version of CP/M 2.2 which provides 63 KB TPA and supports the 512 KB [[Dobbertin Memory Expansion]], an external high capacity (800 KB) floppy drive and the 20 MB [[Dobbertin Harddisc]]Image:COSMOS_Initial_Screen. In addition to the aforementioned hardware, jpg|right|thumb|250px|COSMOS also supports the [[Amstrad Serial Interfaceinitial screen]], the Amstrad Parallel [[Printer Port]], the [[CTM640/CTM644]] colour monitor and the [[AMX Mouse]]. Graphics in COSMOS are implemented on the basis of its internal own [[GSX]]. <br><br> By executing COSMOS 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. <br><br>

Upon installing '''COSMOS in drive B or HD20 it ''' is suggested to execute COSMOS using all a personal '''COS'''t '''MO'''nitoring '''S'''ystem programed by [[KSL|KSL]] for the available extra RAM (no RAM load minimization) CPC6128 and to use a new empty boot disk in drive A as [[CP/M]]-80 operating system, the redundant disklatter being the industry standard of the late 70s - early 80s. Notice that This budget monitoring system is a full annual project business application similar to the MSDOS-era PC applications and one of COSMOS, including the user attachmentsmost recent (2021) projects developed for CP/M. Unlike most applications for CP/M, COSMOS is built upon the '''mouse based graphics user block of invoices, the summary files as well interface''' as pioneered by Xerox at Palo Alto and popularized by Apple with the user agenda notices requires minimum 350 KB of disc spaceLisa and Macintosh computers. FinallyNowadays, COSMOS can be used on an everyday basis (using [[CaPriCe]] or [[WinCPC]] or a real CPC) in order to edit the software daily income, plan the monthly expenses and perform trial and error analyses aiming at maximizing the annual profit. Notice that COSMOS also contains the latest version of [[ASCII Tools]].<br><br>

COSMOS has been developed on the basis of the hardware peripherals as well as the software that were (contemporary) available for the CP/M and the CPC6128: the 512 KB [[Dobbertin Memory Expansion]], the [[ParaDOS]] or [[X-DDOS]] ROMS for the external (800 KB) floppy drive, the 20 MB [[Dobbertin Harddisc]], the [[Amstrad Serial Interface]], the Amstrad Parallel [[Printer Port]], the [[CTM640/CTM644]] colour monitor, the [[AMX Mouse]], the [[MicroScript]] (142 KB), the [[WordStar]] (706 KB), the [[Protext]] (406 KB), the [[Multiplan]] (208 KB), the [[SuperCalc 2]] (240 KB), the [[DBase II]] (272 KB), the [[DR Draw]] (235 KB), the [[DR Graph]] (306 KB), the [[MAXAM]] (206 KB), the [[Atlast Plus]] (224 KB) and other [[Programming software]]. COSMOS includes its own graphics routines (similar to [[GSX]]), its own graphics screen saver, is based on the [[Dobbertin]] version of CP/M 2.2 (v1.2) which provides 59 KB TPA, supports the RAM expansion and the 20 MB hard disk. <br><br> In addition to the command and chain files, COSMOS original disc also contains the CP/M 2.2 (v1.2) boot sectors as well as an installation utility. By executing the latter utility (A>SETUP) the user can initialize any annual project or start a temporary project in order to become familiar with the COSMOS user interface and functions. 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 CP/M 2.2 (v1.2) boot disk in drive A as the redundant disk. 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. <br><br> 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. <br><br>  To download the latest final version of COSMOS (v.26/Winter 202027) use the link located at the bottom of this page.''''''Boot CP/M 2.2 v1.2 using the original COSMOS disk and execute A>SETUP.COM.''' <br><br><br><br>

* [http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/File:COSMOS_V24COSMOS_v27.dsk Download from CPCWiki]