Tasword Explained

Developer:	Tasman Software
Latest Release Version:	Tasword II (SAM Coupé)
Genre:	Word processor
License:	Proprietary

Tasword is a word processor for microcomputers developed by Tasman Software.^[1] The first version was released for the ZX81 in 1982 and spawned two major revisions in addition to several add-ons and, later, tailored versions for the +2 and +3 Spectrum models, the SAM Coupé,^[2] the MSX,^[3] the Timex Sinclair 2068^[4] and the Amstrad CPC^[5] range.

Many of the features of modern word processors were included, such as justification, word wrap and page header. Features such as bold text and italic type were achieved through sending special escape sequences to a printer.

It featured the ability to use a 64 characters per line font in the standard ZX Spectrum screen.

Add-on products included TasMerge for mail merge functionality (which was later included in Tasword III and later versions) and TasSpell for spell checker.^[6]

Releases

ZX81

• Tasword - 1982 ^[7]

ZX Spectrum

• Tasword Two "The Word Processor" - 1983 ^[8]
• Tasword Three "The Word Processor" - 1986 ^[8]

Timex Sinclair 2068

• Tasword Two - 1983 ^[9]

ZX Spectrum 128

• Tasword 128 "The Word Processor for the Spectrum 128" - 1986^[8]
• Tasword +2A - 1991

ZX Spectrum +3

• Tasword +3 - 1987

Sam Coupe

• Tasword II - 1990

Commodore 64

• Tasword 64 "The Word Processor" - 1985 (80 column) ^[10]

MSX

• Tasword MSX "The Word Processor" - 1984
• Tasword MSX-2 - 1986 ^[11]

Amstrad CPC

• Tasword 464 "The Word Processor" - 1984 ^[5]
• Tasword D - 1985 ^[12]
• Tasword 6128 "The Word Processor" - 1985 ^[13]

Amstrad PCW

• Tasword 8000 - 1986 ^[14]

Tatung Einstein

• Tasword Einstein "The Word Processor" - 1985 ^[15]

IBM PC compatible

• Tasword PC "The Word Processor" - 1986
• Tasres PC (special Terminate and stay resident version) - 1988
• Tasword 2 PC - 1990 (named TWIX in the Netherlands)

Notes and References

1. Web site: Tasword . World of Spectrum . 2014-06-19.
2. Web site: Tasword Two . World Of Sam . 2014-06-19.
3. Web site: Generation-MSX.nl . Tasword (Eng.) (1984, MSX, Filosoft) | Generation MSX . Generation-msx.nl . 2014-06-19.
4. Web site: Tasword Two . World of Spectrum . 2014-06-19.
5. Web site: Tasword 464 - CPCWiki . Cpcwiki.eu . 2011-01-29 . 2014-06-19.
6. Goodwin . Simon N. . February 1987 . The word according to Tasman: The ABC of +3 writing . . 56 . 76–77 . . 2008-09-14.
7. Web site: Advertisement July 1982. SINCLAIR USER . 2015-02-04.
8. https://archive.org/download/World_of_Spectrum_June_2017_Mirror/World%20of%20Spectrum%20June%202017%20Mirror.zip/World%20of%20Spectrum%20June%202017%20Mirror/sinclair/company-pics/t/TasmanSoftware/TasmanSoftwareCatalogueSpring1986.pdf
9. Web site: Tasword Two at Spectrum Computing - Sinclair ZX Spectrum games, software and hardware. Spectrum Computing.
10. Web site: COMMODORE 64 (C64) - TASWORD 64 - PROGRAM . eBay . 2014-06-19.
11. Web site: Generation-MSX.nl . Tasword MSX-2 (1986, MSX2, Filosoft) | Generation MSX . Generation-msx.nl . 2014-06-19.
12. Web site: Tasword D 464 - CPCrulez . Cpcrulez.fr . 2011-01-29 . 2024-08-13.
13. Web site: Tasword 6128 - CPCWiki . Cpcwiki.eu . 2011-01-29 . 2015-01-29.
14. Web site: TASWORD 8000 . Amstrad Action . 2015-01-29.
15. Web site: Tasword Einstein . Computing History . 2014-06-19.