Quantum Levels Magazine
It was announced at the recent CATS FEST that Quantum Levels magazine would publish two more issues and cease publication. I have been a subscriber to QL’s since its first issue and I regret that it is ending. Quantum Levels began publishing before Sinclair sold the QL to Amstrad, who then stopped production. This came at a time when QL Computing was just getting started good in North America. As QL production ended so did the prospects for success of a publication devoted exclusively to the support of QL users. That is the same “domino effect” that Timex Support experienced when the TS-2068 production was suddenly stopped. We supporters hang on as long as the dwindling numbers allow, and then must fold the cards. We had hoped that the combining of Syncware News and Quantum Levels would see them through.
Hang ON to our Resources!
Tom Bent, the editor of Quantum Levels, is the leading QL technical expert in North America. Tom is also the President of the Capitol Area User Group (CATS), and is the Quanta Librarian for North America. Tom has a deep commitment to QL Computing and support. It is in the best interests of all QL users that we keep Tom Bent’s expertise available to us for as long as the QL user Group can maintain its enthusiasm. With that objective in mind I have written to Tom Bent inviting him to participate with Update Magazine so that we will keep his expertise and services readily at hand. Drop Tom a line if you will and urge him to participate with us. (Make him feel wanted!) Also, several have ask me for Tom’s address to send their QL’s for ROM upgrade. TOM BENT, 9016 Flicker Place, Columbia, MD 21045. Hang in there with us Tom!
NEW ISSUE DISKS – QL and TS-2068
NEW Update issue disks are unveiled in this July 89 issue for the TS-2068 users and for the QL users. TS-2068 issue disks are available in three disk formats, LKDOS, Oliger DOS, and Aerco FD-68, 40 or 80 track, on 5 1/4″ disk.
QL issue disks are available in 80 Track, 5 1/4″ Floppy or in Micro drive Cartridge. If ordering for micro drive, please inclose a formatted mdv cartridge for dubbing.
The prices for all issue disk ensembles is $22.00 (includes shipping). Satisfaction is guaranteed or money back. See the index for full discription of the issue disk programs. Also check the index of past Update issues for discription of other issue disks in the Update Library. The library has a good variety and has grown to a size that it is no longer feasable to describe all issue disk ensembles in each magazine issue.
The Issue Disk program is a joint effort by Update Magazine and individual programmers to provide QUALITY NEW programs and utilities for the users. Pricing is to cover expenses and to provide $12.00 per disk to the programmer of the principal program included in the disk. This is Update Magazine’s version of the ShareWare concept. The Issue Disk concept was designed to encourage programmers to PRODUCE, while taking the burdens of advertising, literature production and mailing from their shoulders. Each program and utility is documented in the pages of Update in the form of a “mini manual”. Shorter programs may be key-in projects with detailed program analysis. The programs are tested at Update to insure proper operation.
The Issue disk programs are not in public domain and they remain the property of the author unless specifically given to public domain within the text of the documentation. Some authors use the issue disk as their first outlet for the software and follow on with separate marketing efforts. All programs are original, are NEW and are well tested. When you buy an Issue Disk you get more than your money’s worth of useful software, and you help to encourage a programmer, to continue to support us all. If no author’s name appears in the documentation of a program it signifies a program authored by Update Magazine in-house. Some are produced jointly by Update and another programmer. An example of this is the “DBase 1” software in this issue, produced by Update and assisted by Don Lamen. Don will share in the proceeds. The Issue Disk program is unique. You get excellent new software, and our programmers are encouraged to PRODUCE.
SUBSCRIPTION RENEWAL TIME
This is the last issue of the 1989 issue year, and is your last issue unless you have already renewed your subscription. Please RENEW NOW. Update needs the money to pay for the next issue publication. Subscription renewal is $18.00 for a year of issues (October through July).
With your renewal please state your Computer type and preferred Disk Drive format (40 or 80 tracks). We attempt to keep a data base with that information for your support.
** ANNOUNCEMENTS **
HOST for 1990 Sinclair Conference??
Update received a letter from SMUG, 5052 N. 91st St., Milwaukee, WI 53225 (Bill Heberlin). Bill says that the SMUG group is interested in hosting a Sinclair Computer Fest for 1990. SMUG asks that all Dealers, or other persons, who are interested in participating in a 1990 Computer Fest to contact them. (To SMUG: Send your news releases to Update and we will help publicise.)
Public Domain Libraries Available
1. Cassette or Disk for TS-2068: The Ontario User Group: George Chambers, 14 Richome Court, Scarborough, Ontario M1K 1Y1, Canada. Put a 30 cent stamp on your letter from U.S. and inclose a buck for return mailing. (no U.S. Stamps or coin). Inquire for price of library.
2. CATS Library: TS-2068 Public Domain library on cassette, Oliger-LKDOS-FD-68 Disk. CATS, Box 457, Fairfax Station, VA 22039. Send $2.00 for information package.
3. SINCUS Library: TS-2068 Public Domain library on cassette, Oliger Disk, LKDOS Disk. Send $2.00 for information package to: SINCUS, John Colona, 28 Guilfoyle Ave, Binghampton, NY 13903.
4. VISTA Library: TS-1000 and TS-2068 Public Domain Library on either Cassette or LKDOS Disk (LKDOS for TS-1000 also). Send $2.00 for information package to: Vista, Tony Willing, Box 199, Vashon, WA 98070.
5. ISTUG Library: TS-1000 and TS-2068 Public Domain Library: Cassette and Oliger Disk. Send $2.00 for info to: ISTUG Frank Davis, 513 East Main, Peru, IN 46970. Or call 317-473-8031
Profile of a Subscriber: Can you top this?
Fredrich Hill, Woburn, Mass. is a TS-2068 user and subscriber. Fred was born in 1904, before more than 5% of the homes in America had Electricity, before the Model-T Ford, before Radio in 99% of homes, before refrigerators, before vacuum cleaners, before bikinis, before ‘almost anything’ that we take for granted today. Only a few principle streets in Boston were paved in 1904, those with bricks. Every city had livery stables and the down-town streets had center divides for parking horse and buggys. The principle job of city sanitation was the never ending accumulation of horse manure. Rains sometime exacerbated the problem. Two Wright brothers were preparing a contraption made of bicycle parts to attempt to fly, which most thought to be riciculuous. Quite a few States had not yet become States. Now Fredrich is a TS-2068 Computer Enthusiast. Salute!
SINCUS EXCHANGE DISKS AVAILABLE
SINCUS, the Sinclair Users Society of Upstate New York, is offering four PD disks for sale or exchange. These disks are available on the Oliger format (and Larken very soon, we hope), double-sided double density (DSDD), 40 tracks. Disk #101 contains entertainment programs. Disk #102 has business applications. Disks #103 and #104 contain a potpourri of programs. There are over 100 files in all. These disks are being offered at cost for $2.50 each (about 10 cents a program!) The programs are taken from SINCUS members, exchange tapes from other clubs, newsletter articles, CompuServe, and other bulletin boards. For a complete list of titles, send a SASE to the address below. To order send a check or MO ($2.50 for each disk) and indicate which disk(s) you wish to obtain.
John Colonna, SINCUS
28 Guilfoyle Avenue
Binghamton, N.Y. 13903