Lifetime’s obsession can easily be acquired

Buying a T/S1000/ZX81 can be the start of a lifetime obsession with home computing. It is easy, however, to become discouraged if everything does not work according to the manual.

For those with only a little knowledge of computers a riti their capabilities, the best way to approach the T/S10QUZX81 is to abandon any ideas for special uses. While the basic machine is ideal for learning how to use computers, it is too small for any major uses. It is better to become accustomed to the many facilities and then decide how you wish to use them.

Begin by unpacking the machine, overcoming your surprise at its size and weight and, following the manual, set up the system. If you cannot get the K on the screen, check that everything is plugged into its correct socket and re-set the machine by pulling out the power plug for a second and try tuning in again, If still nothing appears, check the power supply unit by shaking it. If it rattles, return it. If it is satisfactory, check your system with that of a friend.

Once the K appears you are ready to begin learning about the T/S1000,ZX81, It will save family arguments if you can afford a separate television set for your system. It also makes life easier if you have some place to leave your equipment set up permanently. You will find that a few power sockets are needed and a four-way block connector on a short length of extension cable will help to tidy trailing leads.

The manual is written in gn;al detail and is reasonably easy to follow, Some of the chapters may not seem immediately relevant but it is worthwhile reading them since you might miss something which is important.

Patience is needed at this stage to learn the ways in which the computer will accept information. It is tempting to try to enter programs before you are really ready but that is likely to lead to errors. For example, words like AND, THEN, and AT should not be typed in letter by letter. By the time you have reached chapter 11, you should have accumulated sufficient knowledge to be able to type in other people’s programs, such as those in Timex Sinclair User without too much difficulty.

It is important not to lift the machine when it is in use. Some of the connections can easily work loose and everything which has been put in will be lost,

The manual is not to everyone* s taste and if you find it difficult to follow, a number of books on the market can help you. Find the one which suits you best. There will be book reviews in every issue of TIMEX SINCLAIR USER.

As a way of relaxing, you can buy some of the growing range of commercially-produced software. These programs can be loaded directly from cassette but make sure that your machine is big enough to take the tapes you buy. There are some programs for the unexpanded 2K machine but most of them require a 16K RAM pack. Since the tapes vary in quality, it is advisable to read the reviews in Timex Sinclair User and use your judgment to find the best.

An alternative method to learn about the T/S1000,ZX-81 is to plunge in at the deep end and see what the computer will do, Refer to the manual when you have difficulties. You can ignore the functions and calculations initially and experiment with PRINT statements to obtain the feel of the machine.

You may have heard already about the problem involved in SAVEing and LOADing your own cassettes. The manual again gives detailed instructions but many of the early machines would not ae* cept tapes from some recorders. That problem is said to have been overcome but there can still be difficulties.

These usually occur when LOADing tapes recorded by other people, One simple method to overcome this is to wind the tape to the middle of the program and type LOAD ” ” followed by NEWLINE; then slowly increase the volume of the recorder with the tape running until the television screen shows four or five thick horizontal black bands. If you then rewind the tape, the program should LOAD normally.

Finally, a health warning. Apart from any practical uses, computing with your T/S100G\ZX81 can be a very entertaining hobby and is almost certainly habit-forming. You may easily find yourself crouched over your machine, red-eyed, in the early hours of the morning, thinking that in another five minutes you will sort out the problem*

Try to break that habit by getting into the fresh air and meeting other Timex Sinclair users.

By obtaining a T/S1000,ZX81 you find that you have joined a not very exclusive club with thousands of members, many of whom would be only too happy to advise you if you have difficulties.

Make sure of your regular copies of Timex Sinclair User and you can be guaranteed many happy hours with your Timex Sinclair machine.