by Jim Stephens, available from WMJ Data Systems, 4 Butterfly Dr.,Hauppauge, NY 11788, $6 + $2.95 S & H.
This book came out in 1985 with no more fanfare than expected from a major publisher recently orphaned computer and indeed, it covers an area that has not really fulfilled the prophecies for the TS computers, controlling “the real world”. Not to make projects too mundane, this book includes robotics.
For the techtype father there are projects for son or daughter’s science fair; you can throw in a speech synthesizer to humanize that robot made from hobby shop parts and possibly an old typewriter. Stephens says, “It gives you a special sense of accomplishment to see your old typewriter scuttle around the room, picking up objects and dropping them into your hand.” I think I see a way to establish detente with your computer widow.
But, frankly, this book maybe of greatest use to the non -hardware hacker, for apparently the years have winnowed out most of the non-technical TS hobbyists. The remaining 10% still electronically unenlightened are thrown constantly into “hmms” (visualize the polyphonic variety of Mandarin Chinese) while reading SWN or 73% of newsletter coverage; but the very worst is conversing with the EEs. This book is directed most prominently to the TS2068 but adaptable to TS1000 and 1500.
Especially helpful is the profusion of illustrations, photographs, mini-schematics–an average of one per page. Abstract theory with electricity is difficult but because this book is written at the application level, Stephens explains and shows what a breadboard is, how to wirewrap, what a dozen or more ICs look like. The last time someone described a board with socketing, “hmm”. Now I know exactly what it is. By page 62 I yearned for my own VOM and solder pencil.
Vocabulary, concepts, excellent explication of electrical terminology may be unneeded by 90% of the TS hobbyists still hanging in, but they have kids and wives. Some software, hardware, a programmable stereo system, garden sprinkler, model railroad, or a touch of microbotics might be just the thing to involve some non-techies you are very involved with.
Ed Note: Thanks Joan; if you have a hi or low opinion of a book or software for your TS computer, write a little review of it, share your views, it will stir someone to buy it and use it or to avoid it and save some money. Use Joan’s review as a neat how to write a review if you’ve never done so since high school! Joan belongs to 23 user groups and if you have gone through our stack of newsletter swaps you will see her name in virtually every issue. Thank God there are several good people like Joan out there making life just a little bit easier for newsletter editors!