The magazine publishing business can be pretty rough. For instance when you’re about two weeks late and you still don’t have everything you need to finish your layouts it can be discouraging. Well yesterday we received a couple of items in the mail that cheered us up somewhat, as odd as it may sound, It is early April as this is being written and we just received a copy of Computer Trader Magazine, with a March/April cover date, and the March issue of S.U.M. As far as we know CTM has never had a combined-month issue. We’re not glad they are running late and we certainly don’t wish them bad luck; far from it. But it is nice to know that we’re not the only ones.
TWO-FOR-ONE SUBSCRIPTION SPECIAL
In fact Chet Lambert (publisher of Computer Trader Magazine) is becoming a good friend. He came up with the idea of a 2-for-1 subscription special with TS Horizons. Both CIM and TSH are $15 for 12 issues (ostensibly one year). CTM usually features from 6 to 10 articles on Timex-Sinclair-related topics with the rest of its 100 or so pages devoted to Apple, Commodore, Kaypro and Radio Shack computers and Ham Radio. (See magazine review TSH #8, p. 25)
Here’s the deal: you send $25 to one or the other of us, we split it down the middle, you get a one-year subscription to both magazines, and save $5, This applies to new subscribers and renewals and is for a limited time only (approximately 3 months). Tell your friends. We and Chet kind of see it as a contest to see who can get the most subscriptions for the other guy.
DAVID HIGGENBOTTOM
Now that we’ve got the pleasantries out of the way, let’s get down to the nitty gritty. Dave Higgenbottom has been the target of some sharply critical editorials of late. One in particular was critical of TSH for being “overoptimistic” about Dave’s chances for success (in reviving the Timex computer line), especially for an announcement we printed in December saying that success appeared imminent. This particular publication went to the trouble of contacting Timex, and announced that Timex had said they had made no firm commitments. What we don’t understand is why this publication did not contact TS Horizons (they have our number) or Mr. Higgenbottom (whose number has been published in TSH). The writer should know that Timex is not likely to verify anything until the money is on the table and the papers are signed.
The announcement in the December 84 issue said that it appeared that a “very substantial investment” had been secured. And since money is the name of the game and the language that Timex wants to talk, we were very excited and made that last-minute announcement. Unfortunately the original investor reneged and Dave was forced to seek other backers. This is not a small task; were talking millions of dollars here! Well it now appears that Dave has found another big investor and he is expected to close a deal soon (next week.) What should we do now? Wait until the computers are on the shelves before we pass on our information to our readers? No, we will continue to convey information as we receive it. We don’t consider this to be rumor-mongering.
Finally, even if Dave does get the financing he needs, I don’t envy him having to negotiate with Timex. Dave is trying to do something unprecedented. His phone bill alone for 1984 exceeds my annual salary. We fear that if Dave is unable to pull it off he will be remembered by many as the man who failed to bring back the Timex computer, rather than the only person who tried to save a fine product and its users despite early prophecies of failure and criticism from those who should have supported him, But if he makes it: remember, you heard it here first!
The SILVER AVENGER is coming? From Portugal?
No, don’t go scrambling off in search of your old DC’s and Marvels; the Silver Avenger is not a comic book. It is a “Portuguese version” of the TS2068. Actually Silver Avenger is a name the British press gave it (they’d never seen a silver computer, I guess), Timex of Portugal just calls it the TC2068. (TC for Timex Computer).
The information below is provided by Bob Dyl of the English Micro Connection (15 Kilburn Court, Newport, RI 02480, 401/849-3805). Bob wants to stress that this is PRELIMINARY information ONLY, based on what he has been told by Timex of Portugal. Over the course of the next month he will be examining these Portuguese products in attempt to verify this information, The results will be printed in TS Horizons, possibly the next issue, So remember the information below has yet to be verified by Bob Dyl’s company.
Timex of Portugal is very interested in entering the U.S, and European markets with at least two products. Bob Dyl hopes to distribute the products in the U.S, if they meet his standards, They are currently 4 awaiting FCC approval.
- Timex 2068 computer. Outwardly the computer looks exactly like an American 2068, Inside, the computer is said to be a cross between the British Spectrum and the TS2068. The rear edge connector is configured for Spectrum peripherals, but the computer runs 2068 software. A cartridge is included with the computer, which plugs into the Timex cartridge port. With this cartridge, the computer runs Spectrum software. However the cartridge is not compatible with the American TS2068. Bob will be testing the computer to verify the above and see what percentage of 2068 and Spectrum programs will run on the computer in each configuration. I£ all goes well, Bob hopes to be able to sell the computer, with Spectrum cartridge, for approximately $150.
- Disk Drive system. This system has four parts: a 3″ Hitachi disk drive, a controller (16 K RAM on board), an interface (three interfaces should be available: one for Spectrum, one for American 2068 and one for Portuguese 2068), and a power supply. The system can take up to 6 drives. Other sizes of drives may be used instead, Timex of Portugal hopes to have CPM compatibility soon. If all goes well, Bob hopes to sell the disk drives for approximately $250 for the system (without CPM).
There’s always something new on the Horizon, isn’t there?
We hope you enjoy this issue’s articles. If it seems a little skimpy on the TS1000 end we apologize and we’ll try to make up for it next issue. Unfortunately Bill Ferrebee’s articles for this issue were lost in the mail. But he’ll return next issue. (I guess I’ll have to get a modem. What a predicament? Having to depend on the post office or the phone company.)
Until next time,
Rick Duncan