Unknown Philips Italy management software

Hero (637)

24-07-2022, 08:34

Italian LIST magazine 1988-09 page 32 and 38 lists a throng of gestione (management) software I can't find their equivalent in other language. I was initially intrigued with 192 k RAM requirement which is satisfied by only a few MSX2 and only CMS exactly, but I was told 192 only meant 64 KB RAM + 128 KB RAM.
Did they really exist? I am looking for screenshots, packages and such and am especially interested in VG 8068 Gestione parrocchie (parish management) about running a church.

By enribar

Paragon (1209)

24-07-2022, 12:39

The original box says: "At least 192KRAM"
So they are supposed to work with 64KB RAM + 128KB VRAM or vice versa, for example Philips NMS 8280 / 8245 VG 8235.
I'm dumping many of these because they are claimed dumped, already, but I can't clearly find them anywhere in my archives (maybe I'll ask Freesoft MSX Club Rome).
I'm making a normal dos "COPY" with MFR's Nextor O.S. and a DSK dumping with DSKPRO.
Take a look at the WIP on www.generation-msx.nl (searching for Philips Italy and you'll see screenshots) and www.msxit.org .
I'm going to update the List of the Undumped in msx.org .
Sorry, I don't own the "Gestione Parrocchie".

By tfh

Prophet (3346)

24-07-2022, 14:21

If you could mail these dumps to M S X @ F I L E - H U N T E R . C O M as well, so I can add them to the archive

By Takamichi

Hero (637)

25-07-2022, 16:00

I browsed Philips Italy software list but majority of them doesn't come with a screenshot. Whatever I understood they are not the translations of other Philips release even when a title means same. Another curiosity, Gestione Biblioteche e Discoteche seems to exist but makes me wonder why a library and discotheque are considered similar.

By enribar

Paragon (1209)

25-07-2022, 17:40

Takamichi wrote:

I browsed Philips Italy software list but majority of them doesn't come with a screenshot.

Let me some time to make screenshots and upload them on Gen-MSX ;-)

Takamichi wrote:

Whatever I understood they are not the translations of other Philips release even when a title means same.

They are not translations but originals, made by Italian software houses or freelances: Leoni Informatica, ABS, SAM, F.R.E.D., etc.
For ex.: https://www.generation-msx.nl/software/abs/agenda-appuntamen...

Takamichi wrote:

Another curiosity,
Gestione Biblioteche e Discoteche seems to exist but makes me wonder why a library and discotheque are considered similar.

This evening I'll upload some screenshots and U'll C why they are both in the same application.

By Manuel

Ascended (19466)

25-07-2022, 21:48

"Developed by Philips Italy" is there only because the actual developer is unknown. But probably Philips Italy indeed didn't develop anything themselves, but just published stuff from individuals they thought was good enough, as you already said, enribar. Looking forward to those screenshots!

By enribar

Paragon (1209)

25-07-2022, 22:17

Here they are:
Gestione Conto Corrente
https://www.generation-msx.nl/software/leoni-informatica/ges...
Gestione Biblioteche e Discoteche
https://www.generation-msx.nl/software/leoni-informatica/ges...
They are very stable but poor software, simple databases with some functionalities to print, save and load data.
In those days not all software houses were like Aackosoft ;-)

By Takamichi

Hero (637)

26-07-2022, 14:05

enribar wrote:

Gestione Biblioteche e Discoteche
https://www.generation-msx.nl/software/leoni-informatica/gestione-biblioteche-e-discoteche/5293/

I can't see screenshots of the discotheque part but if it's in the same line with the library catalog, I estimate it must be managing vinyl records for DJ and not, say, mirror balls.
Also I read a testimony that Gestione parrocchie really existed and was used by a Chiaravalle church.

These Gestione software indeed look like, say, "your first allowance spreadsheet" in a BASIC beginners' book. I was reminded Tsukumo Denki PC store licensed and distributed numerous homebrew games like these in the early 1980s.
To think of that, has Philips Japan ever involved in MSX? I never heard anything.

By Metalion

Paragon (1625)

26-07-2022, 15:29

Takamichi wrote:

makes me wonder why a library and discotheque are considered similar.

The word "Discotheche" is here used in the sense of a collection of discs, like "Biblioteche" is a collection of books.

By enribar

Paragon (1209)

26-07-2022, 15:51

Takamichi wrote:

Gestione Biblioteche e Discoteche
https://www.generation-msx.nl/software/leoni-informatica/ges...
I can't see screenshots of the discotheque part but if it's in the same line with the library catalog, I estimate it must be managing vinyl records for DJ and not, say, mirror balls.

Yes, discoteque or library management is assumed to be in the same format: author, name of the record/book, publisher, etc. I personally think that this software born to manage libraries and then extended to manage discoteques for a marketing strategy.

Takamichi wrote:

Also I read a testimony that Gestione parrocchie really existed and was used by a Chiaravalle church.

Very famous and important abbey (if confirmed) https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbazia_di_Chiaravalle
And MSX was there! Proud of this! :nishi:
Maybe monks played La Abadia del Crimen
https://www.generation-msx.nl/software/opera-soft/la-abadia-...

Takamichi wrote:

These Gestione software indeed look like, say, "your first allowance spreadsheet" in a BASIC beginners' book.

Mmmh not like so... This is only a cheap software on tape, you cannot ask more than this for the MSX1, on tape, in those days, at that price and from an Italian software house.
One year later, story changed completely for the MSX2 software made by italians (more knowledge about the system and the use of floppy disks).

Takamichi wrote:

To think of that, has Philips Japan ever involved in MSX? I never heard anything.

Never. Japan was dominated by Philips brother: Sony.

By Takamichi

Hero (637)

26-07-2022, 17:28

Oops the proper Italian for the dance music hall was "discoteca", I failed to notice that because discoteche brought similar images despite originally meaning a record storage. My guess the software manages vinyl records/CDs was right though