SCORE (software) - Use of The Program

Use of The Program

SCORE runs under the DOS operating system. Music is entered using an ASCII input code. Optionally a MIDI keyboard can be used to enter pitches. Less common is entering music from a so called menu staff using a one-click copy-and-paste method. Music notation can be saved in SCORE's proprietary format. These files in most cases have the extensions ".mus" or ".pag" (note that Finale also uses the extension ".mus" while the file format is different). SCORE outputs PostScript graphics that can either be sent to a PostScript printer directly or can be saved as an Encapsulated PostScript file. For creating publications some users import the EPS-graphics into a desktop publishing program.

The program does not have a Microsoft Windows version, but a beta-version of "WinScore" for Windows is currently (as of January 2009) being developed. The DOS program can be used in Windows in the way that many other DOS programs can be used, although this can cause various problems due to not being entirely compatible. A commercial release of the Windows version does not appear to be imminent, despite the widespread desire of younger SCORE users for it. This may well be because, to this day, SCORE has been maintained primarily by one person: its creator, Leland Smith.

As of 2010, the Windows version, often referred to informally as "WinScore", does exist in a Beta version, and is being used by a number of the more proficient and experienced customers. An online database of sorts exists where those beta-testers can submit requests and bug reports. While progress is slow, the program has reportedly advanced from barely usable to essentially useful, albeit with many issues remaining to be solved before wide acceptance can be expected. Some chief complaints include the fairly crude appearance of the user interface (looking more like an early Windows 3.1 interface than a modern one), lack of certain commands that users had come to expect (although these are being added), and apparently arbitrary redefinition of how certain commands are invoked.

There are a number of plug-ins created by long-time SCORE users, which extend the program's functionality.