Since this issue marks the first anniversary of the publication of T-S Horizons, we are proud to announce that T-S Horizons now officially has 1,000 subscribers. In a conversation with Dave Higgenbottom earlier this month (October) I mentioned that we were near the 1,000-mark, and he requested the “honor” of being #1,000. couldn’t turn down an easy $15, so I agreed, Sure enough later that week we hit the mark, and a bill for a twelve-issue subscription is now speeding its way to California.
You may wonder why the anniversary issue of a “monthly” magazine, is dated October/November and is called issue #9, As I’ve said many times, our goal is to publish T-S Horizons on a monthly schedule, but occasional problems occur. Advertising has been sparse, sometimes authors are late with articles but these are only part of the reason. Let’s just say if we had forced upon ourselves a strict monthly schedule the quality of the magazine would have definitely suffered more than it has. So for now we’ll do our best, and keep stressing that your $15 subscription covers 12 issues no matter if our publishing schedule is stretched out a bit.
Dave Higgenbottom
Our main article in this issue concerns the plans of Dave Higgenbottom to revive the Timex computer line. Dave has been the source of rumors for several months now, and he maybe the last hope to see the horizons of the Timex world expanded beyond the current users and available products.
Some have said that, however good they were when introduced, it’s too late for the Timex computers to be successful now. But many reviewers have called the TS-2068 as good or better than the Commodore 64 (which is currently the best selling computer), and Dave has a lot of improvements in mind. He has been talking to a portable-typewriter maker about incorporating the 2068 into a “Brother”-style machine, effectively making it a portable 2068 with a printer and a L.C.D, display built-in. The light weight Sinclair-style micro-drives would also be incorporated to make a very attractive, inexpensive portable computer. Also planned is a business-oriented version with an improved keyboard and dependable mass storage. The current model 2068 will still be incorporated to make a very attractive, inexpensive portable computer. Also planned is a business-oriented version with an improved keyboard and dependable mass storage. The current model 2068 will still be available, and Dave plans to use the bank-switching, word-processing, and other capabilities of the machine to the maximum.
In Dave’s plan the TS-1000 will be replaced by the 1500, which will be marketed primarily as part of an inexpensive telecommunications package, for someone who is more interested in a usable modem than a fancy computer.
You may wonder why we’ve held onto this interview for so long before publishing it. Tex did a great job and it is very informative. It’s not that we doubt Mr. Higgenbottom’s sincerity or his ability. We just wanted to wait with it until it seemed there was a good chance that it could be pulled off.
Dave has taken on a big goal and we wish him success, But Timex is notoriously difficult to deal with. In fact, they have been denying all along that they are negotiating any kind of deal for the computers. I’ve heard “horror stories” from many people who’ve dealt with Timex and I don’t envy Dave’s position (though he’s never mentioned any problems).
He has however made a lot of progress in a past few months, and at last we feel we can print his story. Timex has made a specific commitment (details can’t be released now) and Dave has been able to get significant financial backing. So keep your fingers crossed, Dave is shooting for production in early ’85.
More On Michael Wilson & TS Computing
Last issue’s discussion of the recent antics of Michael Wilson prompted two irate phone calls from him. The first time he demanded a retraction on several points. For one he said that he never called any Sinclair computer “junk” but only said that the future looked bleak. For what its worth, I must admit that I can’t recall him actually using the word “junk.” He also. claims that he definitely refunded the whole subscription amount to everyone who subscribed. If this is the case then I am sorry to have implied otherwise, and I told him these were the only two points I would concede. However, I did invite him to write a letter defending his side of the story and promised to publish it. He agreed to this, even though he felt the damage was already done. He also said he was glad that we printed his new phone number, because the phone company allegedly changed it without his permission.
Later that week I received another phone call from him in which he said that his phone was ringing day and night because of our story about him. He also said printing his side of the story would not be good enough and that he was going to see somebody or other about having my bulk mailing permit taken away. He then hung up without giving me a chance to reply.
In publishing Mr. Wilson’s phone number, we were trying to help anyone who truly needed to get in touch with him. We do not encourage any harassment of him. We only published it because the old number which was published in Mr. Wilson’s publication (the first and only issue) was disconnected and the new number was unlisted.
I have talked to Jim Payne of Phoenix Enterprises who had sent a monitor to Mr. Wilson’s alledged user group and has yet to receive payment. He is considering legal action. He said that several other companies of which he is aware have sent Wilson various items on credit, but Wilson is refusing to pay them, also. In most of these cases the orders exceeded $100.
At this point, I have two questions readers of T-S Horizons:
- I would like to be made aware of anyone who ordered a subscription to TS Computing, but has not received a refund.
- Do you, as a reader of TS Horizons, feel that last issues story about TS Computing and for Michael Wilson was appropriate? Did it belong in T-S Horizons?
Hope you enjoy this anniversary issue. A lot of people said it would never come. Thanks for your support.