Letters

Thanks for the TASWORD TWO tips (in the May/June 1985 issue). I have tried to use these in my Tasword Two PROBLEM. When I try to print double-spacing, ect; the program locks up! I do not have information for the 2040 printer per line feed, baud rate, ect. Would you care to have another article in TIME DESIGNS on _ the subject?? I appreciate any and all information on the T/S 2068. This area only has about ten owners of the 2068, so we have to rely on information such as T.D., for this. I also subscribe to the CTM, which is a very reliable publication.

Thanks for any help you and _ others may care to impart for us!

Sincerely,
W.E. Walker
Huntington, WV

[Editor- TASWORD TWO is probably the bestselling word processor for the 2068 to date. We will print any useful tip that is sent in. Hey Bill and Paul…have you discovered anything new? ]

Just a note to let you know that I am very pleased with the issue that has started my subscription. Also, I commend you on your feelings towards the use of manila envelopes (in the March/April ’85 issue). With an attitude like yours, the magazine should go a long way. I certainly hope so…

Brad Blanck
Honolulu, HI

l own a T/S 2068 and the 2040 printer. I would like to know more about how to program my machine in BASIC, how to program my machine in assembly, how to attach peripherals…for instance, I am intrigued by the Oki color printer (or even the Radio Shack color printer), but they sell the printer with a computer specific $50 “connection package”. Can we make our own with plans in your magazine? Can we interest them in making a series that would fit the 2068s? Can we modify an existing Atari or Commodore connection set? I am looking forward to receiving your magazine. Why haven’t I heard of you before?

Thank you,
Kenneth Martin
Wyoming, MI

[Editor- The Okidata Okimate 10 color printer would be a very inexpensive way to produce hard copies of T/S 2068 color graphics. I have seen the printer go for as low as $115. You might get some help from the customer or service dept. at Okidata (532 Fellowship Rd., Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054, phone 609-235-2600), but it is unlikely. I know of a west coast users that sent in a petition to try and get a 2068 “Plug n Print” package developed. One of our readers may have some information on interfacing. Anyone?]

Thanks for the issue #5 I received. As usual, another great issue. The article on T/S 2068 graphics was very informative. A good addition to your magazine might be a column of programming tips and tiny programmes that show off how great a 2068 is.

Keep those issues rolling!

Russell Ochocki
Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada

[Editor- Hmmm, sounds like a idea Mr. Ochocki.]

I have a copy of your Vol. 1 No. 4 issue before me. On page 10 there is a machine code routine for joystick operation. It so happens that I have an almost identical program written 100% in BASIC, that was used in my classes to illustrate joystick operation and use. This BASIC routine is much shorter than the m.c. version in your article and provides diagonal motions to the player’s piece in addition to horizontal and vertical motions. Moreover, it is just as fast because the speed of operation is limited by the GOTO loop that each uses. Mine also allows a second joystick to be added, if desired, with very little modification.

One other comment on this machine code routine. I have used a REM m.c. storage, but find that whenever the codes of control characters appear, an awkward situation arises with regard to automatic LISTing. For this reason, I use REM only, for storage of say UDG data, where such numbers might be avoided. If one does want to store m.c. in high RAM, consider the area in SYSTEM VARIABLES, starting at address 23756. There are 542 bytes available here that are not normally used. If these are used for storage, however, we must leave the loader portion of the program intact as otherwise SAVE becomes a two-step operation.

[Editor- This was the first letter we received from Mr. Fricke. Then…]

The short, BASIC routine to which I alluded…is enclosed [see above]. This is a demonstration routine only, but it can be readily altered to incorporate into any game program. In this demo routine it is assumed that the joystick is plugged into the port on the player’s left. Refer to Lines 20 and 25. RUN the routine. A “*” will appear at Row 10, Column 10. This asterisk can be moved in any one of eight directions by positioning the joystick. The action of the GOTO loop is fairly fast (hence Line 45), and the asterisk may repeat the movement too quickly. If so, a deliberate stepping action can be introduced by a line like…

17 IF STICK (1,1) O THEN GOTO 17

Now we must jog the paddle for each step. We can’t use PAUSE 0 to step the action as STICK can not release PAUSE like a keystroke does.

In this demonstration routine the fire button will print the word FIRE near the center of the screen when pressed. You can erase the word by running the asterisk thru it.

The conventional joystick produces a diagonal motion if the paddle is so positioned, but there is a drawback. The first step, before a diagonal one is taken, must be either vertical or horizontal. This is an inherent flaw in joystick design. To get a diagonal motion, two electrical con- tacts must be closed inside the joystick, and it is generally not possible to close them simultaneously. Hence, the motion starts off either horizontally or vert- ically, depending upon which switch closed first.

Very truly yours,
Warren Fricke
Depew, NY

[Editor- TIME DESIGN readers, look for more information and an original program on 2068 joystick control in the upcoming issue (Nov/Dec 85) from Mr. Fricke.]