With big databases in mind...

Datagem is a ROM-based database system requiring a BBC Model B, operating system 1.2 or greater, and one to four disc drives.

Gemini state that the maximum capacity of the system is 10mbytes per file. 5,110 records per file, 6,143 bytes and 62 fields per record, so one is dealing with potentially quite a large database system.

I found the instructions as to how to fit the carrier board were easy to follow and the documentation in general was excellent. Information is included on how Datagem can be interfaced with the View and Wordwise word-processing ROMs.

When setting up a new file, the user is presented on the screen with a representation of the top left hand corner of a card. Think of this as a record card in a manual system whose size can be'varied up to 119 rows and columns.

It is on this card that the user will plan the layout of the fields. As data is entered the cursor stays in the centre of the screen and the card moves around from field to field in a fascinating manner.

To speed up data entry, default values can be set up where wanted, the user only overwriting the default entry when necessary.

There are good facilities for altering the layout and colours of the record card after it has been set up but if something radical is to be done, such as wanting a

Ken Garrett