A ZX/TS Celebration in Boston

On October 22, 1983, the Boston Computer Society’s Sinclair-Timex User Group celebrated their Second Anniversary at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel.

And what a celebration it was, with exhibits, seminars, and new Timex/Sinclair product announcements! Group Director Sue Mahoney and her staff (Will Stackman, Jack Hodgson, Jeff Parker, Beth Elliott, Bob Masters) organized what must be considered the premier Timex/Sinclair event in the U.S. Participants included: Timex officials; Sinclair Ltd. representatives; vendors of hardware, software, books and publications; and users. Exhibitors came from San Francisco to London and Atlanta to Toronto. Top that off with over 1000 visitors, and you can imagine the level of excitement. Events ranging from exhibitions to seminars overflowed the meeting rooms.

Message from Sinclair Research Ltd.

Maggy Bruzelius, Executive Vice-President, Sinclair Research Ltd., assured attendees that, although Clive Sinclair has taken an interest in pocket-sized television (to be available in the U.S. in early 1984) and the development of an electric car, he is also maintaining his desire to provide computers and equipment at the lowest cost. She also stated that the research division will continue to investigate and evaluate computer related possibilities and applications.

U.S. Connection

A superb demonstration and discussion conducted by Dan Ross, Vice-President, Timex Computer Corporation, created interest and excitement!

The audience was first treated to an analog/digital “Timex” watch generated and operated by the new Timex Sinclair 2068 color computer. The display on an RGB driven monitor was clear, crisp, and bright (the value of a monitor over a common TV was obvious).

His next statements must be considered as among the most important assurances offered by any computer manufacturer. Mr. Ross told the assemblage that the Timex Corporation will be an “open” company! That is, both technical and supportive information will be made available to those vendors who desire to support the new machines with hardware, software, and related peripherals. This is definitely good news for vendors and users alike. He emphasized that the Timex Computer Corporation recognizes the need for third party vendors in order to be a success in the volatile personal computer industry. By providing as much aid and information as possible, users, vendors, and the corporation itself will derive the maximum benefit possible.

New Products

While the Timex Sinclair 1500 (black and white video with on-board 16K RAM) is in reality an updated TS1000, programs and upcoming peripherals are going to be compatible. This is certainly most important to those of us who have invested in previous software and hardware. It also means that all TS1000 users will be able to keep pace with advancing technology. Another important aspect of such compatibility is that a 16K RAM pack can be used with the TS1500 to provide a 32K machine. The TS1500 will list at under $80.

A new hardware device, referred to as the “T” dock, plugs into the RAM port of either machine to allow the use of cartridge-based software. Thus, program loading will be instantaneous. Again, the technical aspects will be made available to third party vendors.

And speaking of program loading, it seems that Timex sympathizes with the problems we have all experienced. Sit down and get ready for this next new product. Timex will make available (probably as you read this) a Digital Tape Recorder! The expected list price will be under $50. I can’t wait to give my system the gift it needs.

For those who want a mass storage device, the micro-drive is nearing completion. Details of its operation were not available, but I can tell you that it will be about the size of two stacked cassette cases. The interface will plug into the RAM port and will not add to the “wire clutter” we now suffer.

Interest in a modem is high. With a target price of $100, the Timex-developed unit seems worth waiting for since it will be available by mid-’84. It, too, will operate on all Timex machines.

For the Timex Sinclair 2068, an item referred to by Mr. Ross as the Chameleon is being investigated. Once plugged in, the Chameleon will let Spectrum software run on the new Timex machine, thereby opening to users a large amount of readily available software.

The TS2068 has Atari compatible joystick ports on both sides of the keyboard. While some may scoff at this capability (and I, for one, do not care to see computers used for “games”), the joystick will provide easier operation of one program in particular: VU-3D. Being schooled in architecture with an interest in graphics, I have been tracking CAD-CAM development for the past 10 years. In that time I have “played” with systems costing $50,000 to $120,000 (someone else’s, of course!). With the TS2068 and VU-3D program, I can generate similar graphics and investigations in my own computer room for 1/200th the cost!

Let me explain the display generated by the computer and Mr. Ross. Using a pre-production program, a 3-dimensional outline of a glass was called to the screen. Then it was rotated (the display paused a fraction of a second between movements) to the desired position. A “remove hidden lines” routine was called, and, before our eyes, all the lines behind the front surface began to disappear. Then a light source position was defined and entered. When the shade command was called, bright surfaces and shadows appeared. The result was impressive. Combining this program with a graphics pad will provide any user with an excellent system. Everyone should have this program in his file, if only to impress friends.

Mr. Ross’s final demonstration was a Scrabble game with a 12,000 word vocabulary. While the game has four-player capability, it was more interesting watching the computer play against itself. Although it is still in the planning stages (de-bugging, licensing, etc.), my wife and I eagerly await its release.

Judging from these presentations, the future of the Timex Computer Corporation certainly looks bright. Providing third party vendors with technical information will broaden support for Timex’s computer line. With more people producing, it appears to me that the Timex computers (1000, 1500, 2068) will continue to grow with advancing technology.

Seminars and Workshops

There was information available for anyone, from the beginner to the expert.

A gratifying demonstration was presented by Dr. Gregory Coffin, Director Urban Schools Collaborative, Northeastern University. Eight students and their teacher, Judy Fields, from the Timilty Middle School used TS1500s to demonstrate the teaching of computer literacy. The students at first seemed nervous and quite aware of the audience. That changed, however, when they entered their names to the screen. From that point on they worked diligently and quietly.

Brent Jeffries discussed applications of data storage and word processor programs.

Bill Russell’s discussion of the ins and outs of starting your own cottage industry provided much-needed information for prospective hardware and software producers.

Bob Masters demonstrated the uses and ramifications of VU-Calc and The Organizer programs.

Joanna Grammon, a booking agent, told of her application of data filing programs in conjunction with her work.

Dr. Sandra Hutchins’ seminar on computer literacy was directed at educators.

Paul McGarry presented interesting biomedical instrumentation applications using the TS1000.

Dr. Bill Corba discussed an integrated curriculum package (K-12) based on the TS1000.

Alger Salt demonstrated his uses of the Votem and the Hunter board.

Dennis Krill gave an overview of word processing programs, complete with loading problems.

Rita Carr ran a program on an TS2068 written by Bob Orrfelt. It demonstrated the sound capabilities of the machine by playing “Maple Leaf Rag.”

All day long the Boston Computer Society Sinclair-Timex User Group presented exhibits including a history of Sinclair and Timex computers, a mcchine language clinic, a chess exhibit and tournament, and a demonstration of how to write and play adventure games.

The vendors’ room was bristling with activity one hour before the celebration began. On display were the latest software, peripherals, books, publications, and speech recognition systems. A robot controlled from a TS1000 piqued the interest of young and old alike. And a surplus computer parts distributor was on hand to provide the “tinkerers” with food for thought.

From the amount of activity provided, it is obvious that much information was made available to those who attended. But more importantly, everyone was given the opportunity to meet and interact with people who, prior to this event, were only names or voices on the phone.

Sue Mahoney and her staff not only made the Second Anniversary of the Boston Computer Society Sinclair-Timex Group a true “Celebration,” but also demonstrated the overall value of third party vendors and user groups.