Vizastar for Commodore 64: A Comprehensive Overview
Vizastar emerged as a pioneering integrated software package tailored for the Commodore 64 (C64) home computer. At its inception, it was unparalleled, offering a suite of features akin to the acclaimed Lotus 1-2-3, encompassing a spreadsheet, database, and graphics components.
Key Features:
- Spreadsheet: Capable of handling 1000 rows by 64 columns, Vizastar’s spreadsheet module was a robust tool. Despite the C64’s memory constraints, it offered substantial flexibility in spreadsheet dimensions.
- Database: With a capacity for 1200 fields, each holding up to 124 characters, the database component was notably expansive for its time.
- Graphics: The graphics component complemented the data management tools, allowing for visual representation of information.
- Multi-Window Display: Vizastar could split the screen into up to nine windows, a feature that enhanced multitasking and data comparison.
- Memory Expansion: A ROM cartridge accompanying Vizastar provided an additional 4K RAM, which also doubled as a copy protection mechanism.
- Peripheral Compatibility: The software supported Commodore serial printers and, with the right interface, RS-232 and Centronics printers.
Applications and Usability:
Vizastar’s integrated approach allowed users to perform a variety of tasks seamlessly. Users could merge or split files between the database and spreadsheet components, execute a series of commands using the macro feature, and even export databases to the spreadsheet module for sorting purposes. This versatility made Vizastar a valuable tool for both personal and professional use, particularly for those seeking to maximize the capabilities of their C64.
Reception and Legacy:
Critics lauded Vizastar for its performance and utility. Commodore Microcomputers praised it for packing “so much muscle into the 64 that it is hard to believe you’re running it on a 64K machine,” highlighting its speed and excellent documentation. It was considered a benchmark application for the C64, often referred to as an “all-star” program.
