Computer Ads from the Past

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Syntactics' CrystalWriter
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Syntactics' CrystalWriter

A Mystery and an Enigma

John Paul Wohlscheid
Aug 29, 2022
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Syntactics' CrystalWriter
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From the November 1984 issue of Unix World
From the November 1984 issue of Unix World

Usually when I research a product from one of these old computer magazines, I either find a little bit of information or a lot. This time, I found almost nothing. Searching the name CrystalWriter brought up a bunch of links related to the art of writing, but nothing about this application. Scattered among those links were a few tidbits of information.

Here is what I found:

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  • The name CrystalWriter was trademarked on August 1, 1983 by Syntactics Corporation. The trademark expired on May 14, 2005.

  • STart Vol. 2 No. 6 - Special Issue #3 (1988) said the following about CrystalWriter “CrystalWriter Plus (Syntactics) is an object-onented, WYSIWYG ("what you see is what you get") word processor. It offers automatic formatting, on-line help, spell-checking and mail merge, as well as a library of predefined document formats.”

  • An ad for Microport Systems in the December 1986 issue of Byte said this about the application: “CRYSTALWRITER PLUS is a comprehensive word-processing system for the multi-user office. It allows concurrent use of files, layouts and printers, as well as supporting a full range of terminals.”

  • The ad above refers to a review for CrystalWriter in Unix World Volume 1 Number 3. Would you believe that I can’t find that issue on the web for love nor money? I only have the short quote from the ad, which says, “…one of the best kept secrets in the world of UNIX System application software…a truly superior package”

The most information I found was in a software catalog from National Semiconductor Corporation.

Crystal Writer

Description: Object-based Word Processing System, designed for managers, secretaries, and professionals, including programmers.

Host H/W: N/A

Host S/W: UNIX

Target HIW: Series 32000-based microcomputer systems

Target SIW: All flavors of UNIX, including GENIX, XENIX, and UNITY

Language: Pascal and C

Interface/Compatible with other National Software? Yes, compatible with, and readily portable to, all variants of UN IX, including System V, Berkeley, GENIX, XENIX, and UNITY.

Availability Date: 60 days following request from computer manufacturer

Key Product Features:

  • Plain English commands

  • Clear, concise dynamic help on screen

  • Easy-to-understand documentation and direct telephone support

  • Predefined and user-definable document layouts

  • Automatic formatting and reformatting of whole documents, on the screen

  • Spooler handles multiple printers, multiple queues, sheets and forms

Key Product Benefits:

  • For the occasional user: no need to relearn constantly

  • For the full-time user: fast, efficient, automatic

  • For the engineer: it's a superior multi-file programming editor, too

  • For the whole office: coordination of documents and document layouts

  • Supports many peripherals, AND takes advantage of their features

  • Coordinates with UNIX utilities

I even had a hard time finding any information about Syntactics Corporation. There is currently a company with that name, but it was started in 2002.

If you have any information about CrystalWriter, let me know, and I’ll update this article. I won’t hold me breath, though.


What computer ads would you like to see in the future? Please comment below. If you enjoyed, please share with your friends and relatives. Thank you.

Computer Ads from the Past is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

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pdw
Sep 25, 2022

I found a few tidbits:

This technical report on text processing discusses a very early version of Crystal Writer. Apparently it was developed in UCSD Pascal for a Western Digital system.

https://archive.org/details/DTIC_ADA142570/page/195/mode/2up?q=crystalwriter&view=theater

There was a fancier version called the Crystal Document Management System. This article has a screenshot of that:

https://books.google.be/books?id=szsEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT23&lpg=PT23&dq=%22Crystal+Document+Management+System%22&source=bl&ots=ASwo2UDL6H&sig=ACfU3U3BqJq7ewp3oE4Hl50xBxrGrahpDQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiumdrciLH6AhUOGewKHanoBYwQ6AF6BAglEAM#v=onepage&q=%22Crystal%20Document%20Management%20System%22&f=false

Finally, it looks like testing Crystal Writer was mandatory for Unix 93 certification:

http://www.opengroup.org/csq/csqdata/blanks/INTUX.html

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