Jan meet: This editor was unable to stay for the meeting due to the flu bug, and the following is from a couple members who were there. Dave Shoenwetter presiding, approximately 12 attended the meet. A video provided by Don Lamen of the Northwest Computer Fest of 1987 was viewed in part. More will be shown at upcoming meets, to borrow this VHS tape contact Don. Dave Smith was selling his equipment, due to a career move to Florida. Wont you miss all this snow Dave? John Colonna unveiled swap tape #3, and reports tapes are available from the library, and swaps are available on disk and cassette. See page 11 for details. All public domain swap tapes/disks are efforts of members, programs culled from swaps with other user groups and programs typed from magazines, special efforts were made to assure credit given where due.
For those of you who have been following Wes Brzozowski’s ROM disassembly, it will continue. Due to a very heavy work load, Wes has not been able to devote time to his hobby, or make meetings.
Feb meet: Again I was unable to stay for very long at the meet. But wow!, you guys didnt have to do all that! Thank you for the artwork, the check and very much thanks for the words. Being appreciated like that makes the work a little more fun, I keep asking if anyone one else wants the editor’s job, and I think it is just so no one thinks I’m trying to hog it all! Dave tells me the rest of the video was shown. It has a lot of background noise, so while the pics are fine the info is lost.
Hello and Welcome to SINCUS NEWS to Howard Chegwidden, Dover, NJ and Matthews Singer, Westland MI and a Hello again and Thank you for RENEWING to Stu Walton, Rowley MA; and Harold Crandall, Oxford CT, and Ken Diederich who is paid until Nov 1989 and finally to William Walker of Huntington, West VA who is now paid up until January 1990!! Thank you for your faith in us, Ken and Bill! I hope we are around somewhat beyond that year with our SINCLAIR still computing.
NOTE to modem users: a number of BBSs are supporting a petition drive of modem users on the FCC’s proposed TAX on modem use on telephone lines. There seems to be several versions of what is being proposed and there is much hype on what it means to modem users, I will will try to have in the next SINCUS NEWS what the proposal is and let you decide what it means to you.-PAH
KNIGHTED COMPUTERS: Just got a flyer from them, they are updating their mailing list, and if you want to stay on it, drop them a note. Nice to know our neighbors to the north are still around and kicking. Their address is 10 Canalview Mall, Fulton, New York 13069, tel:(315)593-8219. They have new software and a bunch of oldies but gooodies.
From Joan Kealy: Taken from CATS Newsletter Feb. 1988 in an open letter to the organizers of the upcoming TS Fest in Florida…” I just talked to Timex Service Center in Little Rock. They said they continue to try to take care of TS computers under warranty BUT would sell no SCLDs. …if no SCLDs are available for extending the lifespan of 2068s. So why not try to muster enough customer signatures to pressure Timex Computer Corpse, holder of patents, to release the US based chip manufacturer from restrictions against the sale of SCLDs to repairmen, distributors, TSUGs, and/or TDM.”
–Ed. Note: Joan raises a valid concern here, and maybe we can get together and push Timex. It will help those of us who love their 2068, and without a SCLD chip you have not much of anything. Ok, Joan you have our attention, now what? Why dont you draw up the letter, the due date and let’s push!
WANTED: Used TS2068s. Send your info to this newsletter, price, working/nonworking. Name and address. Limited number of buyers, mail early!
Jan/Feb issue of Time Designs Magazine arrived yesterday, the editor, Tim Woods states that TDM will NOT go into covering IBM machines and clones there of. Hurray for Tim and TDM. We need support specific to the Sinclair/Amstrad machines. Using parts from other machines to enhance our computers would be great, and how to articles on both hardware and software. How to use software, written for the absolute beginner maybe of more help to many, I’m sure very few know how to use spreedsheet programs, and many have problems with interfacing a full size printer. There is a reader survey for you to input your ideas.
NEW STUFF:
256K RAM Boards- see Larken ad
Ask your favorite TS dealer about PC-Draw version 3.0, at $19.95- make drawing of printed circuit boards suitable for photoetching!
LOTTO – new software! write to Knighted Computers
Jack Dohaney’s new catalog- send a dollar and a self-addressed stamped envelop (SASE) to Jack Dohaney, 390 Rutherford Ave, Redwood City, CA 94061.
EPROM eraser- erases in 3 minutes-(24 and 28 pin)-$34.95 write to The John Oliger Co., 11601 Whidbey Dr., Cumberland, IN 46229 —————————————————
Thanks to John Colonna, Hal Bellinson, Don Lamen for their help with this issue, and thanks to Bill Walker and Bill Tilley for the programs, they will be part of the next swap tape/disc. Watch out for the dreaded April fool’s day programming tip! or article! Till next issue keep those cards and letters coming and stay healthy!