More Timex-Sinclair

During the last two months, I have gone through more changes than Sherlock Holmes. Mostly “time changes,” but these wandering feet are happy to be back on American soil. Anyway, back from Europe and ready to dance through this month’s article with all the charm of a late night 1-900 number.

I arrived home to Anderson, Indiana just in time tor two major events. The breaking here of the Indianapolis Colts training camp, and the Third Annual Timex-Sinclair-Amstrad computer users 1988 Midwest Regional Conference.

The conference occurred August 26th and 27th in beautiful Lakewood, Ohio. Lakewood is as close to Cleveland, as two keys on a TS/2068 keyboard. This years conference was sponsored by the Greater Cleveland Sinclair Users Group, presided over by Andy Kosiorek. Beautiful, sunny weather reigned over the opening Saturday at the Beck Center for the Arts. The Beck Center, which opened in 1976, was a stunning location for the event. It features a skylit second floor display area for exhibitors, and two theatres; 100 and 500 seats respectively. Initially, all advance publicity was directed primarily to New England, Canada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan and most points within a twelve hour driving radius. Surprising, the two hun- dred and fifty- plus that attended, often traveled in excess of that distance.

Dealers in attendance of this years regional gala included: Zebra Systems, Sharp’s, the Syncware Group, Video Technologies, Quantum Levels, Budget Robotics, Promiseland Electronics, A+ Computer Response, Time Designs, Brice Road Pharmacy, Cuyahoga Valley Software, CATS, ITSUG, SATUG, and users groups from local areas like Western Pennsylvania. An- dy Kosiorek echoed the sentiments of many, proclaiming the event a success.

This years event was sold out to exhibitors, and was produced at a profit level financially.

During both days, a series of fourteen seminars provided further insight into a variety of topics:

MSDOS and how it relates to Sinclair syntax and Amstrads MS/PCDOS. Forth Update Z-80 Machine Code C-Language ZX-81 The ins-and-outs of PC8300 Disk Systems for the ZX-1000 Data Transfer from the ZX-100 to the TX/2068 Video Digitizing General Hardware Projects Intro to the QL for new users QL Advanced Applications

What often makes these events memorable is the unexpected, like this years surprise guest speaker-Nigel Searle. Nigel first arrived from England in 1982, acting as the head of Sinclair Research and mail order for the ZX-81. From 1982 to 1985 he acted as the Managing Director, and Chief Officer for Sinclair Research. When Timex abandoned its line, he returned to Europe. Nigel has relocated to New England, and attended this years con- ference to present a seminar on the History of Sinclair from the ZX-80 to Z-88. His well received seminar covered the history and perspective, with a polite, no-holds-barred commentary on his disagreements with Sir Clive.

What followed was an attempt to solicit support for SNUG (Sinclair North American Users Group). Understandably, this was met with welcome arms and skepticism. The general opinion appears to be one of, this is too far-too fast-with little support. Those in attendance were saying YES, lets establish a national society or organization. But with local chapters or governing bodies to offer input. The open session closed with Nigel taking notes, and others taking note!

Now, to the heart of the matter- Tell me Mike, what exactly is new for my computer? Are there new startling software developments, add-ons, hardware projects, books, manuals-what? Other than a few standouts, sadly, very little. In all fairness, these regional conferences tend to offer only the products that are indigenous to the area (by virtue of driving distance). True-Stan Lemke and the other pioneers were not there.

Developments for the TS/1000? First of all, the usual firesale offering of dusty Timex cassettes, that Geraldo Rivera found next to Al Capones liquor bottles. These are however a boon to new users, or those of us that may be missing a few from the complete collection. Zebra sold a number of Memotech products. (64K RAMpacks etc.). The standouts were threefold. First a seminar on the PC8300, a study and analysis. Secondly, Bill Bell spoke on how he developed a disk system, which he demoed. In the traditional Sinclair user fashion, Bill is not offering this for sale, but further elaborated on how you can duplicate his efforts. The third high-point of the event for TS/1000 users, was a demonstration by General Robotics. Who would have ever dreamed that one day we would utilize the TS/1000 for robotics?

The TS/1500 went virtually unnoticed, although there were several new units still up for sale. In many in- stances the hardware projects displayed could be used on the TS/1500.

Without Curry Computer at this years regional event, the Spectrum and ROMemulated TS/2068s also went all but unnoticed. While on the subject, in addition to the huge selection of software and hardware available for the Spectrum, Curry has begun to market select. Amstrad products as well.

Brice Road Pharmacy appeared as the shows only Amstrad dealer, displaying the PC-1640 MSDOS based unit, and the PPC-640 laptop. What I find fascinating as an owner of the PC-1512 & PCW-8256, is the total lack of national support provided by Amstrad While in Europe, it was virtually impossible to go anywhere without seeing, touching or hearing about Amstrad. Their international and European marketing prowess is the yardstick for many. Since their purchase of VIDCO, I find their debut in the states to be flat at best. In my opinion, they have left the users (and possibly the dealers) high and dry. Users of PCW-8256 units are starving for any selection of fair priced software. As for those of us with MSDOS based Amstrads, Alan Sugar is missing the boat by not marketing an exclusive line of Amstrad products. While it is true that the number of dealers have increased, their market share has not. He has failed to play the trump card that won his battles abroad-advertising. The Amstrad product line is unequalled, extra- ordinary products at rock bottom prices, but you can’t sell ’em if they don’t know about them. Alan, where are you?

Pardon me if I limp while I talk, I almost fell getting off my soapbox. Last, and certainly not least, the star of the show, the Sinclair QL. Nearly all attention was on the QL, which continues to sell yet is no longer produced. Also, oddly enough, there are more TS/2068s in users hands than QLs, yet the QL still spark the eyes of conference goers. Sharp’s and A + Computer Response sold a number of heavily discounted QLs at this years show. Much like their Sinclair predecessors, QL owners are a breed of their own, devoted almost exclusively to the upkeep and expansion of their units; and rightfully so.

Andy Kosiorek, Frank Davis and others made this years show memor- able. Conferences like these cannot be measured on attendance and dollar bills. It is precisely because of organizers like Frank, Andy and others, that we rise at 4 a.m., drink bad truck stop cof- fee, and chase the countless miles of con- crete ribbon. The Sinclair user has the wind in their hair of a thousand places, and when they arrive, they search through that last dusty stack of surplus Radio Shack keyboards searching for a slice of immortality-and then its just a series of countless memories until the heart and car motor hum again.

Quite simply, the Sinclair/Amstrad groups today would not exist without these periodic seminars (which are in- creasing in number nationally). They are an inexplicable barrage of renewed acquaintances, bonding, sharing of information and provide the inspiration and direction for us all. My hat is off to this years organizers and participants, for it is you that provides the cohesive fabric for our organization.

With football, ice hockey and modem season here, my infrequent check of the mailbox netted the new Amstrad PCW-8256 catalog from SOS Datamension. While some regard them as overpriced, others simply ignore price and order selectively, as they are virtually the only game in town. What I did like about their updated catalog, was that it offered some serious business and utility applications. It has crossed all of our minds at one time, that we hoped we weren’t being regarded solely as a “games-machine. “The PCW-8256 is still growing.

Products I like were the Mini Office/Professional, an integrated package offering word processor, database, spreadsheet, graphics and communications packages. This lists for $79.95.

PlanIt, a personal organizer, offers tracking abilities on personal accounts, daily finances, and a phone/address database. PlanIt lists for $59.95.

The point is power. Products that are currently available here in the states are Desktop Publishing, a solid collection of challenging games, Astrology and Ancestry oriented programs, checkbook, cooking, clip art, relational databases, project managers, datebooks and more. Contact SOS Datamension for their catalog, 615 Academy Drive, Northbrook, IL 60062-2420. Or call 1-800-HELP PCW.

Space simply will not permit an overly detailed analysis of my trip to Europe. I will instead periodically offer that information throughout my up- coming articles. Please drop me your suggestions, tips and techniques, I value them.