Word processing is very difficult on the ZX81 but that has not prevented Contrast introducing Text, a word processor for the 16K machine.

It is written in 100 percent machine code and, as a result, works extremely fast. It is unfortunate that it does not make the computer adequate for word processing. The keyboard still remains almost impossible to use as you cannot tell whether a key press has been successful.

If you are willing to tolerate those inherent difficulties, you should find Text to your liking. The program includes all the usual text-editing facilities, includng justification on the left and right, block-move, search and replace text, and delete.

It will enable the user to store up to 350 lines of text - approximately 11,000 characters using the limited ZX81 upper-case lettering.

The program has a help option and everything is included to make the reader at home with the program. It is unfortunate that the software is confined by the hardware.

Text is available from Contrast, Farnham Road, West Liss, Hampshire GU33 6JU. It costs £5.95.