WordStar

An earlier full-featured word processing program for CP/M and DOS from MicroPro International Corporation, later renamed WordStar International. Introduced in 1978 for the CP/M operating system, WordStar was the first program to give full word processing capabilities to personal computer users at far less cost than the dedicated word processors of the time. Many WordStar keyboard commands became de facto standards for text manipulation (see WordStar diamond). WordStar was later acquired by The Learning Company. A Windows version was also created, and all were subsequently disbanded.

The WordStar Screen

This screen shot from a CP/M-based Kaypro computer shows how WordStar looked in its heyday. The 25 rows of 80 characters was the mainstay in the CP/M and DOS world until GUI-based applications superseded them. Note the menu at the top, which shows how to command the program using the control key symbolized by the caret (^).