Bits and Pieces

In a surprising turn of events, the Robert Maxwell plan to buy-out Sinclair Research has back-fired. The earlier offer that was made this last summer (that had been accepted) was withdrawn. Therefore, the situation at Sinclair as far as ownership, remains unchanged. Sir Clive is still the Chairman, and still owns 83% of the common stock. The actual completion of the Maxwell/Sinclair deal never took place …the papers were not signed, nor was any money exchanged.

In further related developments, the financial situation has improved for the time being. Dixons, a large chain-store in England, has purchased a substantial amount of Sinclair merchandise, creating a positive cash flow. The “package” deal included both Spectrum and QL computers, and the Sinclair Pocket TV. The total deal was slightly less than 20 Million pounds worth of inventory, and will be spread out over a period of time. In other words, it was not all paid for at once, or shipped out at once.

Analysts are predicting large price cuts on Spectrums and QLs this November and December as a result of the Dixon purchase.

Rumors have it, in the British press, that some new Sinclair products are on their way…although Sinclair has strongly denied all intentions. The most prominent items of discussion are the 128k Spectrum (a super-powered version of the Spectrum Plus), and a battery-powered portable computer (that reportedly uses flat-screen TV technology and has the ability to upload/ download files from a QL).

There is a biography of Uncle Clive and his rise to fame, that is about to published in England. It is appropriately. titled “The Sinclair Story”. The author has held back from releasing the book, to monitor Sinclair’s present situation. The book is reported to be a “rags-to-riches” account, and any drastic changes due to a shaky computer industry, could possibly alter the outcome of “The Sinclair Story”. Here at home, the small staff at Sinclair/U.S. Operations is about to embark on a large ad campaign for the American version of the QL. There is a sizable amount of product coming from Korea and QL sales are brisk.

The highlight and headline-maker of the year has finally materialized. Two companies in the U.S. are currently selling the Portuguese Disk Drive System which is manufactured in a Timex factory for 2068. Zebra Systems, Inc., 78-06 Jamaica Ave., Woodhaven, NY 11421, (718) 296-2385, has the drive system (entitled Zebra Disk Drive System) and also quantities of the required Hitachi-type 3 in. floppy disks.

The English Micro Connection, 15 Kilburn Court, Newport, RI 02840, (401) 8493805 has the drives for sale under the name “EMC Portuguese Disk Drive System”. They also have the 3 in. disks, and the Portuguese 2068 computer. It is suggested that potential buyers of the 2068 Disk Drive System call or write these companies for current pricing and availability. Due to fluctuations in the International Money Market, prices may change. Also, supplies of these systems are somewhat limited at this time, and generally customers are put on a waiting list after pre-payment has been made.

The 2068 Disk Drive System will LOAD and SAVE American 2068 software like PRO/ FILE and Tasword Two (U.S. version). It has a sophisticated, yet “user-friendly” operating system in ROM called TOS. It uses none of the 2068 RAM (since it has it’s own), and commands are entered from the upper-row keys of the 2068 (like CAT, FORMAT, OPEN#, ect.). The drive system comes complete with interface, controller, power supply, and one drive, is silver-colored and styled like the T/S 2068. Additional drives are also available.

A subscriber Bob Howard from West Covina, CA, passed this information along: “Your readers may be interested in knowing that I ran across an ad in RAINBOW, the magazine for the Radio Shack CoCo Two, closing out AMDEK 3 in. (Hitachi) dual-drives in case with power supply. Since these are the same as the Timex Portugal Drive for the TC2068, they represent a TC2068, nice package for those thinking about an independent interface such as Aerco or John Oliger Co. John Oliger tells me that Ray Kingsley, who is programming the operating system EPROM, has a set of AMDEK drives, so they will be compatible for sure. The AMDEK deal is from SAGUAREO SOFTWARE, PO Box 1864, Telluride, CO 81435 (303) 728-4937. Now hold on to your hat! Price is $199 including cable and ten diskettes. The 10 Diskettes could cost as much as $80 alone by some sources as they are not the 3 1/2 inch Sony-type, that are at least $5.25 each too! Extra diskettes are $25 for 10. Note that this is a close-out, so may not last forever…”

Dennis Jurries further comments on the AERCO FD-68 floppy disc interface had to be postponed an issue, as the newest DOS EPROM update arrived just a few days before going to press. Reportedly, the update contains the final “extensions-to-BASIC”. Dennis has been experimenting with the system, and will give an account of what he has learned.

The twelve page User’s Guide for the TIME (X) CHANGE BBS is now available for $1.00 (to cover postage and printing). Send your name and address, along with a buck to: Dave Clifford, 13910 Halldale Ave., Gardena, CA 90249. Dave has put a lot of work into the manual, and it covers topics such as “How To Log-on”, Special Commands And Functions, Transferring Software, and an explanation of the MODEM/XMODEM Protocol. The TIME (X) CHANGE is the “West’s only BBS dedicated entirely to the Timex/Sinclair User”. It is on-line 24 hours a day, seven days a week…and is free. Access telephone number is (213) 32924922.

A newsletter published for Memotext and Memocale users is available. “MEMONOTES” is published four times a year by The Syncware Group. Subscription price is $13.95 for a year. MEMONOTES is primarily written by Memotext “expert” Fred Nachbaur of Nelson, B.C., Canada. The first edition is ten pages, and crammed with all sorts of user tips and background information. Subscription orders should be directed to: MemoNotes c/o Thomas B. Woods, PO Box 64, Jefferson, NH 03583.

Both KNIGHTED COMPUTERS (707 Highland St., Fulton, NY 13069) and RAMEX (48945 Van Dyke Rd., Utica, MI 48087) have reduced their prices from previous catalog listings. For example, Knighted Computers had offered their popular “Fighter Pilot” and “Night Gunner” game programs for the 2068, for $19.95 each. New price is $16.95 each. Some of their Quicksilva programs are as low as $8.50. Ramex is offering Similar discounts, but for a limited time only (Knighted Computer prices are more or less here to stay). For example, in the month of August, Ramex offered Tasword Two (a program that first sold for $49.95) for only $14.95. With prices like these, our T/S dollar goes a lot farther.