AERCO FD-68 DISK DRIVE INTERFACE
The new Aerco FD-68 Disk Drive Interface system is available now. It is priced at $199 (interface alone), and will allow the user to select any Shugart drive, or even less expensive ones…single or double-sided density, 3 to 8 inch models, for their TS 2068 Computer. Aerco also has available a compatible drive for $99 (optional double drive cabinent with 5 amp power pack is also $99). The FD-68 interface sports 64k RAM and 8k ROM onboard with bank-switching, and a RGB monitor output. The system will control up to four drives. In about a month, Aerco will be supporting their disk system with CP/M Software; the 2.2, which is the Kaypro/Osborne version. For further details or ordering ino, contact Aerco, Box 18093, Austin, TX, 78760, or phone (512) 451-5874.
Time Designs Magazine is currently making arrangements to do complete first-hand reviews of most of the mass storage devices that are mentioned in this issue. Watch for them in the future!
A & J MODEL 2000 STRINGY FLOPPY
A & J Micro Drive, 1050 “I” East Duane Ave., Sunnyvale, CA, 94086, has recently released their Model 2000 Stringy Floppy System for the TS 2068. The Micro Drive unit and interface connect to the computer via and 18 inch bable. The drives use a very small continuous loop tape cartridge called a “Micro Wafer”. The wafers are available in varying lengths from 10 feet to 62 feet, with the 62′ storing up to 85k and reportedly loadable in 73 seconds. The Micro Drive uses familiar SAVE and LOAD commands, along with a flag symbol “@”, and a file number corresponding to the order of programs on the wafer. Power for the unit is taken directly from the TS 2068s rear port (no extra transformer to clutter your work area). Housed in a compact and sturdy case, the Micro Drive System also has the capability of a Centronics-type interface, with an optional EPROM and cable. The Model 2000 Stringy Floppy is priced at $199.50 plus $6.50 for shipping. This includes the interface, one drive, the users manual, 5 Micro Wafers, and a wafer organizer. A second drive can be purchased for a reduced price. The Model 2000 is also available from several other TS Vendors.
RAMEX OFFERS MILLENNIA K DISK INTERFACE/PACKAGE
Ramex International, is marketing a disk drive operating system for the Timex/Sinclair 2068 called SP-DOS, which is reported to outperform comperable units from Commodore, Apple, and IBM. The SP-DOS system is contained in the Millennia K disk interface with it’s optional drive #1. Ramex claims that it loads 32k per second, stores up to 820k per disk, and occupies only 4k RAM. It uses all of the Timex cassette and microdrive commands, and other drives may be substituted for (or used with) drive #1.
Scott Duncan, of Ramex, told Time Designs Magazine that (in regard to other available drive systems for the Timex), “it has two times the storage capacity, and two times the transfer rate…and it supports up to four drives.” He also told us that, “we support sequential file access with the Millennia K. You can have an 800k unsegmented file. (The interface) is manufactured in Frazier, Michigan. it was originally designed to run on the Spectrum, and that model is receiving rave reviews right now in England.”
Scott mentioned that the software supplied with the Millenia K interface is on a quad-density disk. “Drive number one in the package deal is presently an MPI,” he told us. As to availability? “Millenia K is available right now, although all of our first production has been sold out. We should have more stock in two weeks,” Duncan reported.
The Millennia K interface alone is priced at $200. The package which includes interface, drive #1, case, P/S, and cables…sells for $450 (plus $5 for shipping and handling). for the time present, orders are on a first come, first served basis. Ramex is also supporting the interface with profession disk software including: Tasword II, Masterfile, Omnicalc II, and some programming languages.
Ramex International, Ltd., 48945 Van Dyke Road, Utica, Michigan, 48087. Phone (313) 463-1795, or for credit card orders, use (313) 731-2163.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Barry Carter, PO Box 614, Warren, Michigan, 48090, is offering a 30 page manual for the Westridge MTERM II Software. It is entitled “T/S Smart Terminal Telecommunications“. The manual is priced at $5.00.
Anchor Automation, the manufacturer of the Westridge 2050 Modem, and the MTERM II Software, have an addendum to their MTERM II Manual. You can get a copy by calling (818) 997-7758, and requesting the up-date.
Mountaineer Software, 115 N 7th Ave., Paden City, WV, 26159, has several goodies for T/S Telecommunications. Either they are already available, or are presently in the works. This includes: “Letteriter/Bufferiter“, a utility program to be used in conjunction with MTERM II, also a version of MTERM II for the TS 1000, and a small-scale BBBS program for T/S computers.
Glen D.(Dave) Clifford reported that there are two very active Timex-related BBS in the Los Angeles area. They are the “Average Remote Bulletin Board System” (213) 325-0213, and “The Unknown BBS” (213) 329-4603. He also reported that there are six other BBS in L.A. that have interesting items for Timex Users.
ZX81
In Britain, die hard ZX81 fans are displeased with the declining support they are receiving for their machines. For months now, hardware and software has been slowly disappearing from store shelves, as retailers complain of poor sales. Although the ZX81 is in for some rough times, there is still plenty of support and info in print. This includes a multitude of books, and at least five magazines that devote some space each month.
One bright spot is a company that has recently released two high-res graphics arcade games for the ZX81… Software Farm, 155 Whitwladies Road, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 2RF, England. The screen displays are nearly identical to similar games for the ZX Spectrum. “Forty Niner”, Software Farm’s first high-res program has been very successful, followed by the latest release “Rocket Man“, a platform-style game. There are also additional hi-res programs forth-coming in the months ahead, including an alien-zapping game called “Z-Xtricator“. These new high-resolution titles are the result of some pretty fancy programming techniques. We may be seeing more of this type of program in the future. Some Vendors have begun stocking the Software Farm line here in the U.S. for the TS 1000.
KNIGHTED COMPUTERS OBTAIN QUICKSILVA SOFTWARE RIGHTS
In our last issue, we reported that Quicksilva, Inc. of San Antonio, Texas, the British software vendor, was going to sell their licensing rights for their TS 2068 programs. Well, the deal has been struck with Knighted Computers of Fulton, New York, who has not only acquired the licensing rights for the eight previously marketed Quicksilva programs for the TS 2068, but also 13 additional titles never before released in the U.S. for this computer.
Ray Payne, of Knighted Computers, told Time Designs Magazine, that the new titles included: Trader, Lazer Zone, Snowman, Aquaplane, Velnor’s Lair, Gridrunner (like Centepede), Trax, Ghostown, Island, Lost, Star Fire, Robber, and Quetzalcotal (which Ray says is a fantastic game). He also told us that these programs aren’t just copies of Spectrum programs… but genuine TS 2068 versions, with several of them featuring joystick control (like Aquaplane). You also won’t need a Spectrum Emulator to run them.
Meanwhile, Quicksilva will continue to offer their programs for the 48k ZX Spectrum. Either direct from them, or from a dealer. For information on the TS 2068 programs, write to: Knighted Computers, 707 Highland St., Fulton, NY, 13069.
NEW BUYERS GUIDE FROM D. LIPINSKI S/W
“D. Lipinski Software Buyers Guide To Sinclair-Timex Products And Services” is available now. The guide contains over 800 software titles, 100 book titles, 100 hardware items and numerous services including publication lists for all Sinclair and Timex Computers. Over 1000 possible suppliers were invited to supply descriptions of their products or services. The first 120 suppliers to answer are included in the initial release, and others are expected to be in the update (no additional charge for the first update). The guide is set in a three ring hard binder with an index. Price: $20.00 ppd. in U.S. and Canada.
MISC.
Ace Software, 2 East Oak Ave., Moorestown, NJ, 08057, has two financial programs: “Payoff” and “Payout“, for the TS 1000/1500 and also for the TS 2068. The programs are $14.95 each (on cassette with instructions). Specify which computer when ordering.
Pleasantrees Programming, PO Box 2034, Mesa, AZ, 85204, has a new catalog packed with new items for the TS 2068, including software, floppy drives and interface. Write for your free copy, by sending a legal size S.A.S.E. Pleasantrees has a program that can be merged with JRC Software‘s “Compass Compiler/Assembler” (reviewed in Jan/Feb issue of T.D.M.). It is entitled “Complement”, and adds some new commands and functions to “Compass”. Both programs are offered together as a package for $27.95.
Macshak Software, 73-312 Ironwood St., Palm Desert, CA, 92260, has released two new programs for the TS 2068 on cassette. They are “Casino Keno”, the ticket casino game, and “Investcalc”, a personal finance management program. Price: $19.95 each (plus $2.00 postage and handling).
A National T/S Users Club? That is what T.S. Services, PO Box 15214, Red Bank, TN, 37415-0214, is offering with their “National T.S. Users Network”. For $30 a year, you will receive a monthly newsletter, a guidebook of T/S products with occaisonal updates, and 10% discount on products (software, books and supplies) ordered from T.S. Services. Ideal for T/S Users who do not have access to an established user group.
Executive Workshop, 7420 SE Woodstock, Portland, OR, 97206, is having a contest. From now until Jan 1, 1986, for each copy of their “Straits Of Hormuz” game that is sold, $1.00 will go into a pot. The highest verified score achieved by Jan 1, 1986 will get the whole pot. In case of a tie, the award will go to the earliest entry. “Straits Of Hormuz” is priced at $19.95 (on cassette), for the TS 2068. It is a “thinking” type game (reviewed in the Jan/Feb issue of T.D.M.). Get your copy from the address above, and get scoring!
Doug Dewey of “Enter Lengua“, 206 James St., Carrboro, NC, 27510, has just completed the designing of a Tasman compatible RGB/SOUND IN/OUT Interface board. Along with the RGB output, you can also access all of the tone generator outputs and route them to an external amplifier. Write to Doug for prices and availability.
Zebra Systems Inc., 78-06 Jamaica Ave., Woodhaven, NY, 11421, are offering a Graphics Tablet for the TS 2068. It is a complete package including the tablet (manufactured by Koala), interface and cassette software. The system is priced at $119.95 plus $3.00 for shipping. Included is a 32 page owners manual and a 90-day limited warranty.
Jerryco Inc., 601 Linden Place, Evanston, Illinois, 60202, is selling off the back-stock of TI 994/A complete keyboard assemblies for $5.75 each. Some TS applications may be possible. Write for availability.
Timex of Portugal has released a disk drive system for the Sinclair Spectrum. The system is called “FDD” and uses the small 3″ size disks. It also includes two RS232 ports, is capable of using a memory card and running CP/M Software…with its own Z80 processor on board. Right now, the Timex (yes, the infamous computer/wrist watch company that we all know so very well) system is available in England for approx. 255. We have spoken to a Timex/Sinclair Vendor here in the States, that is currently negotiating a possible exclusive distribution here in the U.S. (with an interface for the TS 2068). More details later.
For additional news on Spectrum/2068 items, please see our “Spectrumwares” section in this issue.
LATE BREAKING NEWS
Thomas B. Woods‘ manual for the Pro/File 2068 is here! And what a manual it is! (Over a year in the making.) Great job Tom, very nice appearance, information-packed, with 143 pages. The Pro/File 2068 data organizer software and manual is available for $29.95 from PO Box 64, Jefferson, NH, 03583. Time Designs Magazine will have a complete review of the program and manual in the May/June 85 issue.
Mary Reinman of Sinclair Research (U.S. Operations), Boston, MA, reported that a decision has been made not to bring the Spectrum Plus to the U.S. Also, no word yet on the QL…it was hinted that there possibly could be some substantial news of it, by our next issue. We will see.