| Original author(s) | David Castell |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | XLEnt Software |
| Initial release | 1986 |
| Platform | Atari 8-bit family |
| Type | Word processor |
| License | Proprietary software |
The First XLEnt Word Processor is a floppy disk-based word processor for the Atari 8-bit family published by XLEnt (pronounced "excellent") Software in 1986. It was written by David Castell who was a student at the time.[1] Though sold by a budget publisher for US$29.95, it was favorably compared with more established competitors.[2][3]
The First XLEnt Word Processor was released without copy protection in 1986 for $29.95 (equivalent to $83 in 2023). It runs on Atari 8-bit computers with 48 kB of RAM.[1] Contemporary word processors for the Atari platform include PaperClip, AtariWriter Plus, and Letter Perfect.[2]
The word processor includes cut-and-paste block moves of up to one screen,[3] search-and-replace, chaining files, support for a variety of printers including graphics, mail merge, the insertion of graphics into a text document, inserting a text file into another text file, controlling the cursor with a joystick, editing two documents simultaneously, and raw text file export.[2]
Charles Cherry of Antic called it, "as good or better than any other word processor you'll find for the 8-bit Atari". His list of advantages included performance and "very comprehensive printing capabilities". In a later comparison of seven word processors, Antic cited the issues with The First XLEnt Word Processor as, "the cut-and-paste buffer holds you to one screen—800 characters. Also, the printing section in the manual could be more informative."[3] The word processor received an Outstanding Product award from Antic in 1987.[4] When version 2.1 was released, Antic's Gregg Pearlman wrote, "First XLEnt Word Processor came highly recommended in its original version, and Version 2.1 merits an even longer look."[5]