TSFOOTBALL by Ed Hagen
For the ZX81/1000 16K,
7.2 minute load time.
This is a program for the dyed-in-the-wool football fan, especially if he has aspirations of becoming a quarterback. It is remarkable how much realistic information this program handles such as scores, downs, yardage,periods,time left plus a choice of seven offensive or seven defensive formations.
The accompanying instruction sheet explains the finer points such as penalties and weaknesses of some defensive formations. The graphics and data are adequate but some are displayed for too short a time on screen,with no recall feature. The field goal kick is the only moving graphic.
SUMMARY:While the program works as advertised. being a non-rabid fan, I am not thrilled by it, especially now that Howard Cossell is no longer with us to explain things to me.
BIORHYTHMS by Frank D. Ralston
ZX81/1000 with 16K Ram
4.5 min. Load time.
This is a pseudo-scientific correlation between your birthday and the rhythmic variatiions of your physical, emotional and intellectual abilities for any desired date;- akin to the cult of Astrology and Horoscopes.
The machine language program is user friendly, loads easily and if “SAVEd” GOTO 10(instead of RUN). An optional 5 “page” description of the theory and interpretation of the chart is included on tape and makes interesting reading, espically if you believe in the tooth fairy and also read tea leaves. The chart, composed of 3 interlaced sine curves,having periods(rhythms) of 23,28 and 33 days, purportedly indicates what days are favorable and unfavorable for mental, emotional and physical undertakings;d ur ing the day(and night!). It is idiot proofed to the extent that it will not accept spurioius dates like Feb. 29 on a nonleap year.
Extensive research has uncovered one or two things it will not predict. It cannot indicate when your mother-in-law is likely to come for a surprise visit,nor on what days it is safe to sneak thru a red traffic light.
SUMMARY:This is a delightful, entertaining program and it is well orchestrated. It is recommended for your program library. P.S. The information you obtain may or may not be useful but you will end up knowing how to spell-Biorithems.
ED NOTE: the above programs were sent to SINCUS by Sight & Sound Electonics,1120 Bailey Hill Rd, Shop 10, Eugene,OR 97402, last month on the recommendation of one our corresponding members. Included with the programs was a -video inverter- a device which you implant in your ZX81 or 1000 and get white on Black . I did ask a couple if they wanted to try this, but had no takers. At the last meeting I completely forgot to bring this up and it all sat right in front me. I’ll return these items after next meet,unless someone wants to buy any or all,the prices are:
Video Reverse-$14.95
Biorhythms—-$ 7.95
Football——$ 7.95
One of our corresponding members Russ Gundlach, writes of his problems with the keyboard on his TS1000. The plastic over the letter X is split and sometimes the x prints all by itself. A 2nd TS1000 he bought for the keyboard, when plugged in a cursor block comes up with no letter in it. And nothing happens when any key is pushed. Any ideas on a simple repair? He’ll use the keyboard off one 1000 and the board from the other if the mystery of the empty cursor can’t be solved.