SYNCWARE NEWS welcomes correspondence from its readers. Some editing of letters may be necessary for brevity or to enhance clarity.
Computerfest Update
The proposed San Francisco T/S Computer Fest has apparently been postponed indefinitely…
Plans for a one-day, Mid-West User Group get together are in the formative stage. The greater Cleveland or greater Columbus areas are under consideration as the meeting place. If Columbus is chosen as the site, rumor has it that a tour of the CompuServe facilities could possibly be included in the day’s activities…
SUNSTATE WINTERFEST–
The Northeast Florida T/S User’s Group will be hosting the Sunstate T/S Winterfest ’88 in Orlando, Florida, March 4-6, 1988. Although SWN has received no official notice of the fest, we have learned that the fest will be at the Orlando Marriot Hotel. The group ‘fest’ rate at the hotel will be $90 a night. Since the tourist season will still be in full swing, advanced registration will be a must. There are several other hotels in the area.
Fees are currently being advertised as:
advance: $5 single, $9 family at door: $8 single, $12 family vendor tables: $50 each
For more information, contact the Sunstate T/S Winterfest, 249 Harden Ave., Orange City, FL 32763.
New SyncWare Address
Effective immediately, please send all submissions, announcements, letters to the Editor, and all other material of editorial interest to:
Basil Wentworth
Editor, SyncWare News
1413 Elliston Drive
Bloomington, IN 47401
All correspondence regarding advertising and subscriptions should be addressed to:
Jeff Moore
Publisher, SyncWare News
602 S. Mill St.
Louisville, OH 44641
Please DO NOT send any material regarding SyncWare News to Tom Woods. Doing so will result in unnecessary delays in responding to your correspondence.
TS GRADER GOES PUBLIC
Dear Editor – I am writing to announce that I am putting on of my programs, T/S GRADER for the 2068 into the public domain. I am busy with other projects and see little purpose in extensive advertising for such a limited market. On the other hand, it is the best program of its type that I have seen (I wrote it because I was dissatisfied with other similar programs). I would like any interested persons to be able to obtain it, therefore, any owners are free to give copies of both the program and documentation to friends, user groups, etc., with no obligation to me.
Some of the many features of T/S Grader are machine code speed, it handles up to 255 classes, 46 students per class, with 66 grades per student. Less classes results in more students being handled, and so on. Grades can be weighted, bonus and demerit points included in averages, and statistical analysis can be calculated.
There are many more features in this $20 program. If someone can not find a friend to make a free copy from, I will still sell it for $15 to cover the documentation costs. I really would prefer that the program be gotten from a source other than myself though.
Robert C. Fischer
[address omitted]
Dunlap, TN
Z88 News
SCI, the American company of Sprinter rotary printer fame, has invested money in Sir Clive‘s Cambridge Computer and has a member of SCI on Cambridge’s Board of Directors according to PCW Magazine. Industry rumor is that SCI will be backing the introduction of the laptop Z88 into the United States very soon. As a side note, European sales of the Z88 are expected to top 20,000 units by the end of 1987.
STORAGE FOR THE MASSES
Dear Editor – I have been at sea for the past six months, and have not had the opportunity to keep up with “Timex-Sinclair happenings”. Looking over my recently received back issues of SWN, I get the impression that the Mikrodrive is now out, and that more and more people are opting for floppy disk.
Is there a floppy disk system on the market that utilizes commercially available disk AND that doesn’t cost an arm, leg, and/or your first born? I sure would like to convert to 5-1/4″ floppy disk, but the last information I had on a system was from AERCO which carried some Portuguese(?) system at an initial cost of over $500!!!
Is there a moderately priced floppy disk system for the TS2068 on the market? If so, who carries it and what is its price?
Sergio Frost
San Diego, CA
Sergio – It is true that the Mikrodrive mass storage systems are not as popular as they once were. The major systems for the TS2068 are AERCO, Oliger, and Larkin. Contrary to your letter, the AERCO system is US born and bred. We use the ARECO system at SWN. Stay away from the Remex brand drives they offer though, they’ve been known to cause some problems. Fred Nachbaur has some very good things to say about the Larkin system. The Oliger system has a large following and is the preferred system of Tom Woods.
If I were recommending a system for a new user, I would probably lean toward the Larkin system at this time because of its pricing and its advertised compatibility with the other two major systems (I have not yet seen this feature demonstrated in person, though). Prices on all the systems have dropped some as of late, contact the vendors of your choice to see what the current cost of a system is.-jdm.
A SHOT HEARD ROUND THE WORLD
I feel like the little boy who let the genie out of the bottle. Never before have we received a response like the one you gave us when we mentioned IBM PC’s and their clone cousins in Tom Woods’ two part article on the subject. The number of letters and postcards we amassed positively took us by surprise.
As much as we would like to print every letter in its entirety, space just doesn’t allow us. The following then represents a random sampling of the mail concerned with the PC subject:
Dear Editor – I do not want to see IBM PC computer information in SyncWare News. I will continue to subscribe to SyncWare News as long as it contains information for the TS computers (even if it means sharing its pages with ‘other’ computers).
I am not about to abandon my TS1000 or TS2068 computers. I have too much money invested in them, especially the TS2068. I am saddened that SyncWare News feels the TS computers are now doomed.
Dennis Silvestri
New Haven, CT.
Dear Editor – I have been thinking for some time of graduating to a new system. I have hardly outgrown my TS1000, but look with envy at the things available for PC’s. I was surprised at SWN for bringing this problem up front. My later reaction was “OK, I’m listening.” A few days later, while going through “SKY & TELESCOPE”, I realized the programs for sale therein held a lot of interest for me. I like my system, with it’s Oliger upgrade and Larken disk, but how long can the rest of the world be ignored? The recent ads for QL’s at $99 caught me up for a bit, but that route is another dead end.
Mel Richardson
Windsor, Ontario
Dear Editor – Per your PC articles. I don’t have a PC compatible machine…yet! But I agree with your forecast of the future. Like most Timexers, I’m a computer freak. I own an old Apple II +, an Atari 800XL, a RS 100, RS PC 3 and 7, a CoCo II, a CoCo III (I work for Radio Shack), a TS2068, several TS1000’s, two TS1500’s, two QL’s, and a Commodore 128. Not to mention a ton of peripherals. But I must admit, the TS1000 is my favorite.
Although I’m a bit unusual (not unless you have two heads-ed.), I look at the PC articles as a vehicle to give our TS computers a ‘free ride.’ Since support is dwindling, perhaps the PC will bring in additional readers (subscriptions) so that the we can continue the TS coverage.
We all know that as long as there is just one TS1000 on earth, there will be at least one Timex computer freak! It’s the nature of the computer–it captures its owner!! We may lose you–or me–but another will pop up to replace us. 2nd, 3rd,…nth generations of Timex discoverers!
I sell Tandy computers and to this day people still tell me “I started out with a TS1000” or “I still have a TS1000 in the closet. What can you do with it?” I have the perfect answer…give it to me, I’ll make another cult member with the little marvel!
Keep up the good work, take care, and let’s get on with the PC articles.
Dear Editor – First and foremost, I simply MUST have my SyncWare News! Yours has consistently been the best of all the newsletters for the Timex computers that I have ever seen. Most single issues are themselves worth a year’s subscription price in terms of useful, quality information. The staff of the News has done a tremendous job and deserves the sincere gratitude of all TS/ZX users.
I have a suggestion in answer to the problem posed on page 1 of SWN 4:6, concerning the fact that our machines are disappearing. One possible way to find a replacement or spare machine is to run a wanted-to-buy ad in the local newspaper or shopper’s guide. Put notices up on local community bulletin boards in banks, supermarkets, etc. It also might pay to check out neighborhood garage and rummage sales. Who knows what might turn up, and a spare machine can be worth it’s weight in gold to a user with a considerable investment in software and peripherals.
I would also like to comment on your idea to try some articles on the IBM PC and it’s clones. This machine is rapidly becoming as prolific as was our TS1000’s in their heyday, and I have no objection to seeing some articles on it. As a matter of fact, with the expertise that all of us have gained from our experiences with our own machines, we might be able to show the ‘mainstream’ computer world a thing or two!
Gary Robinson
Neenah, WI
Dear Editor – You asked for input regarding conversion of SyncWare News to PCWare News:
While the ‘PC’ may not be the Perfect Computer, given the manner which the superior QL has been marketed and ignored by our group of TS programmers-the lowly PC could well be the Preferred Computer, especially for the non programmer/hacker computer user. No, I am not confusing SWN with Quantum Levels; but as you editorialized, our beloved 2068 is struggling mightily against the inevitable.
As I see it, the question is how long do we permit our old and faithful friend to suffer before we give him the coup de grace. Since we can not quite bring ourselves to endorse the QL…long live the big blue chip! Or ‘fail safe’ as they once said in the aircraft industry.
One thing for sure, there are a lot of good PC publications. In order to succeed, PCWare News should be of a more ‘homespun’ nature. We TS’ers ain’t use to the tinsel and glitter that shrouds the hallowed halls of PC heaven.
Ya’ all know of a loyal, unenlightened person and/or persons that would like to buy a better than new TS1000, TS2068, and QL so I can afford to get one of them PC thingamajigs? Or should I just donate them to the curator of anachronisms? On the other hand, long as they are still working…why?
Kenton Garrett
Lansing, KS
Kenton – I’ve just got to break in here. PCWare News was never our intention. PC enlightenment was. My first computer was/is a TS1000. And like your first lover, how can anybody forget their first computer. In my ‘day job’, I use everything from a $29.95 TS1000 to a mega-buck IBM mainframe. Size does not make one computer better than another, certainly cost doesn’t.
The decision to exclude QL material from SWN and produce a separate magazine devoted to that machine was one of management. We felt we could better cover the QL, maintain current levels of TS/ZX coverage, and keep everyone happy. Maybe this is not the case. Let us know how you feel on the subject.-jdm
Dear Editor – Your column “SyncWare Examines the IBM PC” was most interesting. I hope you follow up on this.
After using every model of Sinclair, up through the QL, I finally graduated to an ‘used’ IBM PC, to which I have added all the goodies. This was far less expensive than adding disk drives, etc. to the QL.
Stan Nagrod
Mamaroneck, NY
Dear Editor – Your decision to run an article on the IBM really caught me by surprise. I had just a few days earlier made the decision to move up from my present TS2068 system to an IBM compatible. Your decision to run articles on the IBM are a welcomed addition to an already fine newsletter.
I feel the move up to another system is a natural progression for a serious user (I use mine in business). While the 2068 is a great little computer, it does have limited capabilities. And, as already pointed out, it is ‘out of print’. In short, if it breaks, you may as well use it for a paperweight. Also, in my own case, as my needs have placed more of a burden on the computer, inherent ‘bugs’ within the system become more of a problem. Those bugs cause few if any problems when just playing games, but when using long complicated memory programs, they show up.
Tom McHargue
Montgomery, AL
Dear Editor – In response to your column regarding the PC in SyncWare News 4:6, I must tell you that my only interest in computers is the ZX81.
Roy Brann
South Pasadena, CA
Dear Editor – Suh, you can continue to mention IBM if you all act REAL apologetic. I do cast lustful glances at Leading Edge, but it feels like infidelity.
You have to realize that I among dozens quit reading the ‘slicks’ ’cause they never mention my TS computers. Now, if you are going to load up with other computers, the ‘slicks’ are cheaper (on special constantly) than SWN and TDM.
Joan Kealy
El Paso, TX
Dear Editor – You asked for a reaction to the possibility of SWN covering the IBM PC. Personally, I have zero interest in MS-DOS machines. No matter how low the price goes, or even if they give them away, I don’t want one. I see the Amiga and Atari ST/Mega as much more interesting for hobbyist. MS-DOS is boring, boring, boring.
Sinclair machines have enormous potential. In my view, neither you nor TDM have yet contributed much toward the development of that potential. Move us! Shake us! Goad us! Help us! Guide us!
An example: it may be too late now, but back when Timex first went out of business, we could have used a Standards Committee sponsored by a magazine such as SWN, to establish standards for disc especially, and to elicit cooperation among 3rd party developers. If that had happened, maybe we would not now have five different disc systems, all mutually incompatible.
This whole subject needs to be addressed, and sorted out, in detail. It might be of little interest to the general audience, but the software developers are desperately interested in the emergence of a single standard DOS for Sinclair machines, so that one would no longer have to produce 5 or 6 different versions of ‘serious’ utility software.
Jack Dohany
Redwood City, CA
Dear Editor – Your idea of articles on PC’s is good. We can use them as a comparison to our TS systems.
I sure like your wide range of article subject matter. I always find useful and educational information in SWN.
There is so much doing with disk drives, how about an article on programming to make use of disk memory in running a program, such as by menu.
D. F. Wagner
Canby, OR
Mr. Wagner – We ran an article discussing just that topic back in SWN 4:4. Author Bret Lanius made several suggestions for implementing memory overlays in his article entitled ‘Program Segmentation’.-jdm
Dear Editor – I read the article in the July/August issue of SWN concerning the IBM PC. My first reaction was quite negative. The limited number of pages in each issue require that you select the content very carefully. Because the availability of information about Timex/Sinclair is rapidly declining, every inch of space becomes more valuable.
After thinking about this for a day, I changed my mind. While I do not expect to transfer to an IBM PC or compatible machine, it is certainly a subject of immediate concern to the TS community. The lack of support for the remaining TS dealers and publications, unless there is a miraculous change, means the end of the line. SWN is a natural media in which to present alternatives to TS users.
Byron DeFries
Bonduel, WI
Dear Editor – I too feel as you about the TS computers going by the way of the evening sunset. I recently purchased a PC compatible and really enjoy it. I will continue to use all my TS computers as long as they function. I have one spare for each model. I have too many good programs that I still like to run on them.
I would appreciate any PC articles that you care to print in SWN. Don’t make the columns too short.
John Sumpolec
Las Vegas, NV
Dear Editor – As a loyal user of Timex computers, I was disappointed to read the front page of the July/August issue of SWN on which you write that we seem to be “…in the final stages of computer ‘orphan-dom’ and will ultimately lead to the demise of our beloved computer systems.” I am disappointed for two reasons: first, that there are so few of the computers left, and second, that you seem to have given up already. On the one hand, I can understand why you might be feeling a little depressed after your computer bites the dust and you couldn’t find another one. On the other hand, you should not be so negative about prospects for our hobby. Yes, I said hobby, because that’s what it is! If your readers wanted to get IBM-compatible machines, they would. Readers of SWN, TDM, and other Timex-devoted publications are not about to give up on their machines, although they might give up on an overly-negative newsletter! Maintaining and adding on to a Timex is as educational and enriching a hobby as woodworking or stamp collecting, in my opinion.
The TS2068 is as good a computer, if not better than, the Atari 800XL or XE series, or the Commodore 64. Its BASIC is an excellent tutorial language, yet it leaves room for growth to perform lots of tasks admirably. Like a friend of mine once said, “how many word processors do you need?” I’m pretty much satisfied with either Tasword or VIEWord on the 2068. Some people say they want the “power” of the IBM-compatible computers, but there’s nothing I’d want to do with a computer that I can’t do with my TS2068’s. Yes, I have two of them. I realized about a year ago that a backup computer would be prudent, but since then, I’ve found significant uses for both! Maybe I should get a backup for my ‘backup'(?).
I use an IBM PC for church work. We have a Compaq Deskpro in our library at work, so I’ve had plenty of opportunities to use PC’s. We also have a couple of HP 85’s at work in our lab, they are a pain to program. You can’t even use string arrays! After using the HP85 for awhile, I couldn’t take it , so I brought my backup TS2068 to work with me (it had been on my son’s desk). I use it to write memo’s, do statistics as a super programmable calculator, and to play “Silent Service” during lunch. Even then, it’s probably under utilized.
Has Timex of Portugal stopped making the TX-2068? If not, it might be time for you to support it to a greater extent. You could at least consider it a source of new 2068’s, although we would need to alter the peripheral’s connector, of course.
I guess what I’m trying to do is to encourage you to NOT start covering PC-compatible machines, unless you do it in a separate publication. There are enough magazines which cover the MS-DOS world better than you could, so stick to what you do best, or step aside so someone more interested in Timex machines can take over. I suggest that SWN cover more of the world-wide “Spectrum-compatible” picture.
I, for one, am not ready to give up on my TS2068’s. The children love my ‘old’ TS1000…I’ve rambled enough for two letters, but it seemed you needed the encouragement. Keep up the good work, and forget about the IBM-compatible stuff.
Ed DeBoer
Sauk Village, IL
If I could have published only one of the Forum Letters we received regarding the IBM question, this letter would have been it.
Thank you, Mr. DeBoer, for putting things into their proper perspective, and for causing me to reflect on the true purpose of this magazine.-jdm.
Dear Editor – Death will come to us all, but most of us prefer not to dwell on the unpleasant thought. Such has been my attitude towards the Timex computers.
Two or three years ago, at age 65, I bought a TS1000 with the idea that in this day and age I should try to understand something about these machines that seemed to be ruling our lives. My original $30 hardware investment has grown to several hundred dollars. My investment in time learning to write programs has been immense. However, this mental challenge in pure logic has been a revelation to me as it has helped me to understand why screw-ups occur in the business world.
Of course, like everyone else, I have been wondering in which direction I should move when the time comes. My past experience with IBM has been on a business basis. I recall their service contract was more expensive than I could handle on a personal basis.
I would like to continue with SWN relating to some different brand of computer. I must say that recently, as an owner of a TS1500, I have felt somewhat left behind with most of the articles referring to more recent Timex or Sinclair models.
Robert I. A. Gray
Morristown, NJ
Robert – We try very hard to maintain a balance between hardware and software, TS1000/1500 and TS2068 articles. It is sort of like trying to walk a tight-rope blindfolded with your feet tied together while at the same time attempting to juggle bowling balls. Please note that almost all of the hardware and software projects/programs for the TS1000 will work and run on the TS1500.-jdm.
Dear Editor – Referring to SWN 4:6, I am in favor of your including PC articles.
My major interest has been in machine language programming. The reason I have not, as of yet, bought a PC or PC clone, is the uncertainty or difficulty of obtaining calls or interrupts and other technical info for these computers. Your writing articles on these subjects would ease my concern.
Arthur Cant
Wayland, MA
Arthur – There are many good books on machine language programming the PC and its clone cousins. Most local computer and book stores should be able to give you a good selection. The manuals that come with MS-DOS include a good description of the interrupts, which is the simplest way to reach down through the DOS to machine code level.-jdm.
Dear Editor – I agree 100% with your Editorial on gradually moving over toward the PC. Its a very logical move, but is it worth the effort with all those dedicated PC mags already on the market? Is there a suitable niche to be found? I’ll be with you guys whatever route you take.
Larry Chavarie
Ontario, Canada
There you have it folks. Right now the tide seems to flow toward including PC articles within the covers of this magazine. How do you feel on this subject? Will you let us know?-jdm.