NEW CASSETTE LOADING FORMAT
You probably have noticed by now the LOADER programs that start off each side of this month’s cassette we sent you – also the self-running programs. We hope this eases loading of the programs for you and would appreciate any response in this area, be it positive or negative. We will keep this format on each cassette, along with the 16K BULLETIN-BOARD program.
We had received a lot of positive feedback from our subscribers regarding the MARQUEE programs and decided this would be a good way to present messages.
ZX 99 TAPE CONTROL SYSTEM
DATA-ASETTE is offering a control system that allows the ZX-81 to control up to four different tape recorders through keyboard or program commands.
It contains its own 2K ROM that acts as an extension to the ZX ROM and contains the tape operating system that gives the ZX performance similiar to a disk operating system but at the speed of the cassette recorders.
If this device was connected to the STRINGY-FLOPPY continuous loop cassette recorders now being marketed by CAI Instruments, the user would have control of an extremely fast data retrieval system.
The ZX-99 also allows direct connection to any industry standard ASCII Character Code. List price is $150.
Also available are two keyboards with raised push-button keys. One is full size with enclosure. The other is mini-size and attaches to the keyboard to simply make the ZX-81 a machine with raised keys. Both sell for $75.
Data-asette is also selling RAM Packs – 16K – 59.95, 32K – 119.95 and 64K – 179.95. For further information, contact:
Data-asette
56 South 3rd St.
Oxford, PA, 19363
T/S-1000 NOW BEING SOLD IN U.S.
Macy’s in New York is now selling the Timex/Sinclair computers across the counter. Timex, so far, is shipping the computers and about 12 of their advertised 21 software packages.
Timex software packages are:
1. THE BUDGETER 15.95 2. LOAN/MORTGAGE AMORTIZER 14.95 3. CHECKBOOK MANAGER 15.95 4. COUPON MANAGER 12.95 5. CAR POOLER 14.95 6. STAMP COLLECTOR 16.95 7. STOCK OPTION ANALYZER 16.95 8. VU-CALC 19.95 9. INVENTORY CONTROL 19.95 10. MANUFACTURING CONTROL 19.95 11. CRITICAL PATH ANALYSIS 19.95 12. STATISTICS (2K) 9.95 13. STATES & CAPITALS 12.95 14. FLIGHT SIMULATOR 19.95 15. CHESS & CHESS CLOCK 14.95 16. BACKGAMMON & DICE 14.95 17. THE GAMBLER 14.95 18. THE CUBE GAME 12.95 19. GRIMM'S FAIRY TALES 14.95 20. MIXED GAME BAG(3 games) 9.95 21. SUPER MATH 14.95
All of these packages require 16K, except #12. No word about the RAM Packs and other add-on devices as of yet. Expect a big advertising campaign to begin sometime between now and the holiday season.
By the way, a 2K starter cassette comes with each T/S computer. It contains 3 programs. My mini-review is as follows:
LIFE – A machine language program that simulates the generation of living cells through the process of birth, death and regeneration. [illegible] never played the game before, I had trouble understanding the rules and when I was able to display the cells, they wouldn’t generate when I entered the “G” command. Maybe I need more work on this one but another T/S-1000 owner couldn’t get it to work either.
MATH – This one I did get to work and it is the best and easiest to use of the bunch. This program tests the user’s abilities in addition, subtraction, multiplication and division with 4 difficulty levels. It is well written and easy to understand.
AVERAGES – The program is designed to help you understand the concepts of MEAN and MEDIAN and draw a bar chart to visualize the information. Suggested inputs range from sales to shoe sizes.
OUTSIDE SOFTWARE SUPPORT TO BE SOLD THROUGH STORES
A company, tentatively to be called SYSTEM 2000, is planning to have available software for the T/S-1000 through many of the stores that will be selling the computers. This is in addition to Timex’s software.
I have seen some of the programs and they are professionally done and well documented. RAIDERS OF THE LOST TOMB is an adventure-type game that emphasizes heavy graphics. BUDGET will help the user in structuring bill paying methods and allow entries in at least 25 catagories.
SYSTEM-2000 plans to have available both 16K and 2K software. Timex has primarily 16K software at this time. An advance press release listed the following software:
1. HOME/BUS. BUDGET 14.95 2. ROBBERS/TOMB 14.95 3. GOLF SCORE ANALY. 14.95 4. FINANCIAL ANALY. 14.95 5. LAS VEGAS GAMES 14.95 6. SPACE GAMES 14.95 7. HOME LEARNING SYS. 10.95 8. STAR BATTLE 12.95 9. HOME INSURANCE INV. 12.95 10. CPM/PERT 14.95 11. 2K-5 GAME PACK N/A 12. BIORHYTHM/ORACLE N/A
If you cannot find the SYSTEM-2000 software in your area, you will be able to order it from us.
KOPAK PRESS RELEASES
Having trouble hitting the right keys while watching the screen? Kopak Creations, Inc. has just introduced the Touch-a-Matic. This device is a keyboard overlay that fixes to the ZX-81 keyboard. 3/8″ holes guide your fingers to the proper key positions. Touch typists will appreciate the freedom of not having to look at the keyboard. Although not as fast as performance on a standard keyboard, it gives the user a pleasant compromise.
One was sent for my review and I must say I immediately was able to appreciate the difference. It is priced at 9.95.
In a phone conversation with a Kopak rep., I was told that we can expect in the near future a ZX-81 interface device that will allow hookup to commonly available parallel port printers. Radio Shack has an 80 column, 5 by 7 dot matrix, tractor feed printer with upper/lower case and graphics (not ZX-81 graphics code) capability for $399. Kopak plans to include the character code converter with their interface.
This means you can use your ZX-81 or T/S-1000 to print letters or anything else you desire on regular commonly available fan-fold paper. No price was quoted, but my guess is under $100.
Kopak has a whole line of available software and books. For further information call or write:
KOPAK CREATIONS INC.
448 W. 55TH ST.
NEW YORK, NY, 10019
(212) 757-8698
Tell ’em SYNCHRO-SETTE sent you!