First of all, let me thank you for subscribing to SYNCHRO-SETTE. This is our premier issue. You are probably wondering what you can expect from us.
To start with, we intend to bring to you, ready to run programs of interest for both the beginner and advanced computerist.
We realize many of you have never used, let alone owned a computer before.
The ZX-80 and ZX-81 can be your first journey into a new and exciting adventure.
Let me start by talking a little about the power of the Sinclair computers.
There are all sorts of seemingly apparent shortcomings. One of these is the style of the BASIC language that is resident in the computer’s ROM chip. It is a DARTMOUTH type that only allows one program statement per program line. One of the most evident shortcomings of this is the inability of the programmer to set more than one variable per program line.
Another is the lack of the READ, DATA and RESTORE commands and still another is the computer’s inability to create DATA FILES that can be kept separate from the program and can be used by other programs.
The lack of a screen memory map represents a problem to the programmer that is interested in writing graphic games.
But when it comes right down to it, the ZX owner is still getting a lot of computing power for the dollar. There is no other computer that can do what the ZX-81 can do for the price at this time.
The ZX-81 is an excellent training machine and at its low price, I believe we can expect to see them used in many institutions of learning to introduce future students to the world of computers.
The concept of our product however, is to supply the subscriber with not only an inexpensive source of quality, easy to use programs (you should receive at least 3 – 1K programs and 3 – 16K programs per cassette, usually more) but to supply information on how to overcome most of these shortcomings, primarily through programming techniques.
The monthly magazine will usually include these regular features:
- The Computer Tutor – both beginning and advanced programming instruction with emphasis in areas not found from other sources.
- Documentation for the subscriber cassette programs or information on the next month’s of future cassette programs.
- Editor Ramblings – the latest gossip and information from SINCLAIR RESEARCH and supporting hardware and software companies.
- Product Reviews – a look at hardware and software that we have tested.
- Classified Ads – if you have to offer or sell or would like to buy hardware, software, a service, etc. Reasonable rates allow you the exposure you need.
- Product Advertisements – supporting products for the ZX computers.
- User’s Bulletin Board – Messages from users of general interest for other users.
Talking to Robert Swan of CAI INSTRUMENTS, 2559 ARBUTUS CT., MIDLAND MI, 48640, (517) 835-6145, I was told at least 5 new peripherals would soon be available for the ZX-81.
A printer that supports the ZX-81 character set including graphics, will be available for less than $100. It must use an input/output board also sold by them that comes in 3 versions selling at 59.95, 69.95 and 79.95.
This I/O device called a WIDGET BOARD and has the capability to interface (hook up) to all sorts of other nice devices. In its maximum configuration it has 5 outputs including access to another tape player, its own Electrically ProgrammedRead Only Memory chip (EPROM) and an RS-232 Interface.
Also a new device called a STRINGY FLOPPY will be available. This is a high-speed cassette player/recorder that shortens tape writing and retrieval times considerably. Long programs that normally took minutes to load or save can now be done in seconds. For this reason it has been called “a poor man’s Floppy Disk”. It will sell for 99.95.
A memory board that allows 48K of user RAM sold by CAI for 229.95. Whether this board is the one made by MEMOTECH that only allows 15K of the 48K to be used in a BASIC program (the rest is for variables and arrays) or is of their own design, I don’t know.
A telephone modem is coming soon that will allow the ZX-81 to access not only other ZX-81s, but also various computer Bulletin Boards, other computers such as Apple, Atari, Pet, TRS-80, etc. Also the TIME-SHARING services such as MICRO-NET and THE SOURCE will be accessible. Information is sketchy at this time but this supposedly can be made possible by a chip that converts the ZX-81 character code into the universal ASCII code. This modem will sell for 129.95.
You can expect to read reviews of these products in future issues of SYNCHRO-SETTE.
For more information, call Mr. Swan at CAI in the evenings between 5 and 9 PM Central Standard Time on weekdays.