Dear Readers,
The excitement continues to mount as the First Annual Timex/Sinclair Computer Fest comes closer to reality. Just over a month from now hundreds, if not over a thousand Timex and Sinclair computer users will be meeting in Cincinnati for two days of learning, sharing, and working together. From the point of view of the planning committee for the event, it has met all of our expectations at this point: enough funds have come in to pay for the room and other expenses incurred. One interesting aspect of the Computer Fest is that if there is any surplus of funds after the Fest is over (and it appears there may be), the money will be saved for future T/S Conventions. This can be to help start an event in another area, or for a repeat of the Cincinnati Fest. The board will strive to see that the excess funds are used wisely. Eventually if the money is not used it will either be distributed to various user groups or perhaps given to a worthy charity. At any rate the money will not just be going to line somebody’s pockets.
I have personally heard from people as far away as Kansas City and Iowa who will be attending the Fest. Reservations have been made for people coming in from Atlanta GA, Annandale VA, Decatur GA, Pittsburg PA, and Toronto, Ontario.
Some of the companies who will be represented there are: Zebra Systems, Aerco, E Arthur Brown, Knighted Computers, Budget Robotics, RMG Enterprises, Budget Computer Services, Russell Electronics, Curry Computer, Ham Helper, Sync Ware News, JRC Software, DAMCO Enterprises and of course TS Horizons. If you have ever wanted to meet some of these people this may be your only chance.
User groups who will be represented are: Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton, and Milwaukee.
The Schedule of Events has yet to be finalized but we already have some very well-known speakers lined up. Mark Fendrick, columnist for Computer Shopper will be speaking on Timex Word Processing. Jerry Champkis will be discussing CP/M for Timex computers. Jack Roberts of TS Connection will be speaking on basic computer literacy. And I’m not sure that it is definite yet, there is a good chance that Tom Woods, author of the Pro-File programs will be discussing filing programs. Other planned events include sessions on telecommunications, machine language, music programs, disk and tape drives, the QL, and Forth. Other events that should be very informative are three planned round table discussions: one each for the ZX/TS family and the 2068 family and one to discuss general issues of concern to TS consumers, such as national unity and future prospects for the Timex community.
Another aspect of the Computer Fest is the planned swap session. Also valuable door prizes will be given away. While several people on the commitee for this event have been very active, I believe two of these people deserve special credit. One is the very modest Jack Roberts and the other is Frank Davis who conceived the idea to begin with.
If you would like more information about this event write to:
Midwest T/S Computer Fest
3832 Watterson St.
Cincinnati, Oh 45227.
Registration is $5 per person and $8 per family. Hope to see you there.
RENEWAL RATE EXTENSION
Mostly because I haven’t gotten around to sending out new ad copy to magazines like Computer Trader that print subscription ads for TS Horizons, we are extending the deadline for subscribing at our current rates to April 30. After that date our subscription rate for new and renewal subscriptions will be $15 for 9 issues instead of the current $15 for 12 issues.
FREE CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING FOR SUBSCRIBERS
Beginning with this issue of TS Horizons we will be running FREE classified ads for subscribers. These ads are for individuals (i.e., non-commercial) to get rid of unwanted equipment, obtain used equipment, find help from other readers, form user groups or whatever. Please feel free to send in as many as you want (within reason) and we’ll get them in as soon as possible.
Well I guess that does it for another issue. By the way if you think the advertising in this issue is pretty sparce you’re right. If you don’t like it you, the reader, are the one who can do something about it.
Whenever you buy something from someone that advertises in TS Horizons tell that you saw their ad here. That is a great help to companies that are trying to decide how best to spend their advertising funds. Perhaps I don’t emphasize that enough, but it is important.
See you in six weeks. Sincerely,
Rick Duncan
P.S. If you are in a user group that publishes a newsletter, make sure to read “COMPUTERS FOR CONVICTS” in the letter section. Thanks.
Cover Date Issue No. Ad Deadline May/June 19 May 2 July 20 June 13 August 21 July 25 September/October 22 September 5 November 23 October 17 December 24 November 14
Clive Alive ?
On a recent trip to England my mother ran into one of my favorite Englishmen. It was Sir Clive Sinclair sitting and enjoying his favorite show on his pocket telly.
Actually this photo was taken by my mother at Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum on Marylebone Rd in London. The museum was started in the 18th Century and contains very realistic representations of such people as Humprey Bogart, Jack the Ripper, the Beatles, Ronald Reagan, and – Boy George.