SINCLAIR NEWS
Sinclair of the U.K. has just recently returned from a couple of electronics industry trade shows in the Soviet Union. The Kremlin is trying to upgrade their culture and education system with microcomputers similar to what one might see in a typical American elementary school classroom. The iron curtain hi-tech industry is years behind other parts of the world as far as mass production. Existing microcomputers in the Soviet Union consist of poor copies of the Apple II. Sinclair demonstrated their Spectrum Plus and QL to the eager Soviets. I wonder what they thought of “one stroke keyword commands?”
Sinclair has ceased production of the original ZX Spectrum (16k and 48k versions), and is marketing exclusively the Spectrum Plus. This computer is styled after their top-of-the-line QL. Has an improved keyboard and 48k RAM.
Speaking of the QL, Mary Reinman of Sinclair (U.S.) could not give us word of it’s release as we went to press. The comment was made that FCC approval was just “a couple of weeks” away. Some experts here and abroad, claim that FCC has already approved the computer, and that Sinclair is waiting for units to ship before they announce availability.
One U.S. vendor that is patiently waiting for the release of the QL, is Curry Computer (5344 W. Banff, Glendale, AZ 85306). They have stocked a large quantity of QL software and books. They also publish a newsletter called “The QL Report“. In the April ’85 issue that we received, there was a sample of a QL screen display from a program called “GRAPHIQL”. Very impressive.
The English computer press has not always been very kind towards the QL, and on more than one occasion remarked about it’s rather “slow” operating system. However, the few individuals here in the U.S. that are fortunate to own the British QL, are very pleased with the computer and speak very favorably of it. We have yet to see what changes Sinclair made on the machine to bring it to America.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
The Weymil Corp. (Box 5904, Bellingham, WA 98227-5904) has a software package called MINI XMOD 1.5 for the ZX81/TS 1000/1500 and the Westridge and Byte Back modems. It has the ability to access the CPM files section of any XMODEM protocol BBS to up or download Timex programs. Features include memory storage of screen displays and an indicator that reports when memory is full. Documentation and step by step instructions is included. There are both 16/64k versions. The 64k version stores easily in the Hunter Board for instant recall. Price is $20.
USERS GROUP UPDATE
Add these Timex/Sinclair Users Groups to your list. The March/April ’85 issue of Time Designs carried a large directory of Groups in the U.S. and Canada. If you are a member of an active group that did not appear on this list, and would like to be mentioned, please send us the information.
Timex/Sinclair Users Group
Hughes Aircraft Company
Att: Liabrary (personal computer club)
8433 Fallbrook Ave.
Canoga Park, CA 91304
contact: Tony Gomez
N.W. Florida 2068 T/S User Group
[address omitted]
Milton, Florida 32570
contact: Edwin S. Salter
REPAIR CHANGES
TS Connection (3832 Watterson, Cincinatti, OH 45227) has taken over the Timex computer factory repair service previously offered by Timex in Little Rock, Arkansas. They will repair a TS 1000 for $20 maximum, and a 2068 for $40 max. The 2068 Tech Manual is also carried by TS Connection. If your computer is on the fritz, write to them at the address mentioned above, or call (513) 271-5575.
OLIGER/KINGSLEY DISC SYSTEM
In a joint venture between John Oliger and Ray Kingsley (of Sinware), a new inexpensive disc drive controller for the 2068 will be available sometime in mid June. The hardware for the disc operating system is being designed by John Oliger, while the software to boot up the controller is being programmed by Ray Kingsley. The main disc interface board is already completed. It will support up to four single or double sided, single, double or quad density 3 to 5¼ inch drives. The data transfer rate of this board (5¼-double density) is 32k bytes per second…the actual rate will be determined by the software efficiency. Software support is only planned for the 2068, and possibly the Spectrum (in the future).
Further hardware for the controller include a firmware/bank logic/memory board and/or the 64k memory/CPM board. These two boards are furthest away from production, but should be coming along soon. It is hoped that the system will respond like the Sinclair Interface One with Microdrives, and use all the BASIC supported keywords (including SAVE and LOAD). Prices on the boards are still to be determined. It should also be pointed out that the controller is designed for use with the Oliger 2068 Expansion Board.
Specific comments/suggestions concerning hardware for the system should be addressed to: The John Oliger Co., 11601 Whidbey Dr., Cumberland, IN 46229. Comments, suggestions, ect. regarding software should be addressed to: Ray Kingsley, C/O Sinware Software, P.O. Box 8032, Santa Fe, NM 87504. If you would like to be put on the system’s “inform when ready” list, drop John a postcard.
Mr. Oliger also announced availability of his new 2068 Parallel Printer Port. It is a Centronics type and comes complete with software on cassette. It is also Aerco compatible as far as commercial software is concerned. It is perhaps the lowest priced printer interface of it’s kind, with the fully assembled and tested version (with cable) going for $47.90. The kit with parts is $24.95 (add $16.95 for cable), and a bare board is available for $16.95 and includes the cassette. A 15 page user manual is supplied with every version.
MISC.
E. Arthur Brown has always put out a very professional and slick brochure. The most recent one continues the tradition. It probably has something to do with Eben Brown‘s (the owner) experience in the publishing business. The EB7 catalog is on newsprint paper and features a host of hardware and software for Timex computers. For your copy, write to: 3404 Pawnee Dr., Alexandria, MN 56308.
The printer interface cable and software for the A & J Model 2000 Micro Drive is now available. For information and price write to: A & J Micro Drive, Suite I, 1050 E. Duane Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94086.
The address for the D. Lipinski Software Buyers Guide To Sinclair-Timex Products And Services, that we mentioned in the March/April ’85 issue is: 2737 Susquehanna Rd., Roslyn, PA 19001. Price is $20 ppd.
Kirt Olsen, Publisher/Editor of Syntax, told Time Designs that he intends to continue publishing the newsletter. He also mentioned that Syntax (and SQ Magazine) is up for sale. The last newsletter that Kirt put out was the November ’84 issue. He told us that the December ’84 issue of Syntax should be out in another month or so.
Time Designs Magazine would like to welcome all our Canadian readers “on-board” who have recently subscribed. The number of our friends up north grows each day. It just goes to show you that Canadians know a good computer when they see one. Happy Sinclair computing to you all!
ZX81/TS 1000 KEYBOARD
A large number of ZX81/TS 1000 users have “discovered” perhaps the best keyboard add-on that has ever been offered for the price. It is the computer keyboard that was used with the Texas Instruments 994/a. They are being sold at surplus electronic outlets and some Radio Shack stores for the extremely low price of $2.95 to $5.95 (depending where you obtain one). The challenge is the installation. We have seen some nice ideas. Hopefully, we will be able to print them in an upcoming issue. If you have a suggestion, send it in and we may print yours.