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Deutscher Zeichensatz Plus/4 (German Charset Plus/4)
Title:Deutscher Zeichensatz Plus/4 (German Charset Plus/4)
Category:Utility/Graphic
Release Date:
Language:German
Size:64K
Machine:PAL Only
Code Type:Machine code
Distribution:Commercial/TA
Published by:Kingsoft
Notes:A hardware utility kit that switches the computer to German charset. The kit includes an EPROM, a switch, and stickers to be applied on the keyboard. Released for C16 and Plus4.
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Deutscher Zeichensatz Plus/4 Screenshot


Releases
NameReleased ByRelease DateDistributionFormatRarityOwned
Plus/4 releaseKingsoftUnknownCommercialCassetteUnspecified1
C16 releaseKingsoftUnknownCommercialCassetteUnspecified0
2 found.


Publications
Review: Compute Mit SA 2/88 (Magazine/German) pg. 7


Covers
Front Cover Submitted by Proky
Front Cover
[ Large cover ]
Back Cover Submitted by Proky
Back Cover
[ Large cover ]


Additional Software Materials
Keyboard Stickers (Plus/4)
Keyboard Stickers (Plus/4)
Keyboard Stickers (C16)
Keyboard Stickers (C16)


Physical Media
Contents Submitted by Proky
Contents
Installed Submitted by Proky
Installed
[ Large cover ]


Description
Kingsoft's "Deutscher Zeichensatz" (transl.:"German Charset") was launched approximately in 1986. By that time, the Plus/4 had become quite popular in Germany. A complete Beginner's Kit – Plus/4 + 1531 + manuals + Basic training cassette – was distributed at the attractive price of 229 DM by the discounter ALDI. Since the 3+1 software was disappointing to some degree, Script/Plus and Calc/Plus with their professionality attracted a lot of users. The original Script/Plus (Precision Software Ltd.) was available in English only. Kingsoft's German Charset therefore was dedicated specially to the Script/Plus users. In 1989, a hacked German version of Script/Plus was launched and distributed widely within the Plus/4 community. This hack provided the German characters, so the Kingsoft product had become redundant over night.

After installing, you can use the switch to change character ROM between original ASCII and DIN. Selecting the DIN ROM means not only german special characters (like Ä,Ö, Ü, ß) appearing, but the whole character set and keyboard layout converts to DIN - so it works exactly like the ASCII/DIN switch on the German Commodore 128.

Although the manufacturer states that using the switch during operation may cause the system to freeze, based on the tests, it seems the switch can be used during operation, it is not necessary to turn off the Plus/4 to change (just like with the German Commodore 128 ASCII/DIN toggle switch.).

However, the change in keyboard layout is only apparent. Works fine while working in a word processor, but don't forget to use original layout for programming and inline commands, for example DLOAD "# instead of DLOAD "*

Based on the information received from Rüdiger:
Two different versions were marketed under the Plus/4 and C16 labels. The two versions are identical in hardware, and the ROM contents do not differ. The only difference is the color of the keyboard stickers, adjusted to match the different color schemes of the two machines.
The ROM can also be used in the Commodore 116, however, the stickers are obviously not suitable due to the rubber keyboard.

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