October 13,1995
I’ve been using my IKI and an IBM keyboard with my 2068 for seven years, and I love it. I’ve been wondering how to share the IKI with the Timex community, and have finally decided just to do it, however I can.
HISTORY
The IKI was designed in 1987 by a friend who has since retired from the Timex scene and now wishes to remain anonymous. I have his permission to publicize and/or reproduce his design however I wish. We owe him a debt of gratitude, I do not intend to profit from his design, but only to share it freely. I ask only payment for time/materials expended in the sharing process.
WHAT IT WORKS ON
The IKI can be used with the ZX80, ZK81, T/S 1000, T/S 1500, Spectrum and T/S 2068 computers, It is compatible with all interfaces for those computers, It cannot be used with the QL or Z88,
WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE
The IKI works with any IBM XT-compatible keyboard. The keyboard must have an XT/AT selector switch. The IKI won’t work with “auto-sensing” keyboards which decide for themselves whether the computer is an XT or AT type.
WHY USE AN IBM KEYBOARD? It just feels good, that’s why. And if you wear it out, you can replace it.
HOW TO USE THE IKI
Just plug it in, and type away. You do not need to load any software. The IKI works with virtually all software: MSCRIPT, TASWORD etc. etc. There are a few Spectrum games with which the IKI cannot be used: those which require the simultaneous pressing of two or more letter or number keys,
IBM SHIFT key serves as our CAPS-SHIFT,
IBM ALT key serves as our SYMBOL-SHIFT,’
IBM CTRL key series as CAPS-SHIFT + SYMBOL-SHIFT.
IBM ESC key serves as BREAK (Caps-shift + space)
IBM numeric keypad series as a numeric keypad only,
The IBM function keys 1 to 10 serve as shifted 1 to 0. Therefore it’s best to use an IBM keyboard which has its function keys above the numeric keys, rather than grouped on the left side,
THE FLY IN THE OINTMENT
The IKI works admirably with word processors and other application software. It can be a pain in the keester to use when writing or editing BASIC programs, since the Sinclair keywords do not appear on the IBM keyboard. There are four possible solutions:
1. Use the native keyboard for BASIC editing, or
2. Use a chart or list showing keys and keywords, or
3. Memorize such a chart, or
4. Use my KEYWORD V2,0 program which lets you type in keywords letter by letter,
Solution 4 is the one I usually use when editing BASIC.
HOW TO GET AN IKI
Ah. now we come to the hard part: sharing it, I see three possible schemes:
1. Build one for you, or
2. You build your own with my help, or
3. We as a group make a PC board, or have one made,
SCHEME ONE is not economically feasible. It would cost you about $240! That’s because it takes about 20 hours to hand-wire an IKI board. If you’re willing to pay that much, I’ll be happy to build you an IKI if and when I find the time. If you have more time than money, and construction skills, you might prefer Scheme Two.
SCHEME TWO possibilities:
1. Send me a self-address stamped envelope. I’ll send you the IKI schematic and EPROM contents. You will have to buy all hardware (about $30) and program your own EPROM. This info could also be published in any magazine or newsletter that wishes to devote numerous pages to it,
SASE is NOT NEEDED for items 2 to 4
2. For $10 I’ll send you the items listed above, plus complete construction details, and a pre-programmed EPROM.
3. For $40 I’ll send you the items listed above, plus all needed parts EXCEPT the rear-connector finger board which I am unable to obtain, (If you know of a source for finger boards, please let me know!)
4. KEYWORD V6.0 is in the public domain. A disk containing it would cost $5,
SCHEME THREE: Let me know how you can help, with time, skill or money, in the production of an IKI PC board. If enough people are interested, it may be possible to produce an IKI PC board. Self-addressed stamped envelopes appreciated!
October 30, 1995
The version of KEYWORD that you have is probably a very early one, and as you suspect, it was probably improperly SAVEd. The latest version is not fussy about when it gets SAVEd. and is in all ways much better than the original, Will there be a V7.0? Well, probably… if and when I think of any improvements,
The only real problem with KEYWORD V6.0 (and all earlier versions) is that it’s not compatible with BASIC programs which use non-relocatable machine-code-in a REM statement, Right now I can’t think of any solution to that problem other than modifying such BASIC-programs, or rather, the code in their REM statements.
You’ll note that no EPROM or schematics of the IKI are enclosed. That’s because, since the article was written, I have come up with some ideas for improvements to the IKI design, and I want to try those out before (more or less) finalizing the design.
You’ll note that no EPROM or schematics of the IKI are enclosed, That’s because, since the article was written, I have come up with some ideas for improvements to the IKI design, and I want to try those out before (more or less) finalizing the design,
You WILL get the IKI EPROM and documentation as soon as I’m sure that they are as good as they can be, for the present,
I have great plans for the future. I have finally (after years of effort) succeeded in modifying my DEVPAC assembler and disassembler so that they can cope with LARGE machine-code programs, It is now possible, for the first time ever, to re-source, rewrite and re-assemble LARGE machine-code programs, such as MSCRIPT, the LarKen DOS, and the 2068-And Spectrum ROMs. I will now be able to do things that I have only dreamed of being able to do. Great things are coming, In the fullness of time, and yes, Timex/Sinclair still lives!
Best regards,
Jack Dohany
627 Vera Ave
Redwood City, CA 94061
[phone number omitted]