Sinclair Survival Column

When the QL first appeared, a few books were written in England on its use. These books, available in this coun- try for a while, were written based upon UK ROM versions. For the most part this was no problem, but there were a few points (such as display data) which did not hold true for a JSU (American) ROM QL.

Now a book has been written in the U.S. by Dr. Michael A. de Sosa and published by the Time Designs Magazine Company (29722 Hult Road, Colton, Oregon 97017). With new QLs still available for sale (and being sold) this book, Taking The Quantum Leap, becomes a sought after commodity. The book is written to be a supplement to the QL Users Guide, going into much more detail on many topics. It is written with both the experienced computer user as well as the novice, and may be used in place of the QL Users Guide by those who find that book too vague and/or complicated.

Whether you are the type of computer user who just wants to use your software with no knowledge of programming, or one of the many who want to maximize your computer’s value through programming in Sinclair SuperBASIC, you have been kept in mind by Mr. de Sosa. Taking The Quantum Leap is divided into 14 chapters which show you how to use your QL hardware and the suite of tour sophisticated programs which come with the full QL package. Those of you who have bought the kit might not have the Psion software, but then again you probably do not have the Users Guide either.)

Chapter 1 (Introducing the “Quantum Leap”) is a first look at this, the last computer to be produced by Sinclair Research. This chapter covers the physical aspects of the computer, and is illustrated with photographs of the American version OL. The American names of the bundled software are related to their British counterparts and the original (British) names are used in the rest of the book’s text. Specifications of the U.S. version are also included in this chapter.

Also in this chapter is a brief discussion of the 32 bit/8 bit controversy about the QL. As you know, the QL uses a Motorola 68008 CPU chip, which utilizes a 32 bit architecture, but only has an 8 bit communications bus. The author explains that the 32 bit CPU allows the QL to handle more complex operations while making the operation of the computer easier for the user.

Chapter 2 (What to do until the OL comes) gives the new OL user-who has ordered his computer but not yet received it-some things to think about in the interval until the QL’s arrival. (Sort of a Dr. Spock for the expectant QL owner.)

This chapter starts out with a discussion of compatible printers and monitors. It recognizes that although the branded Sinclair QL Vision monitor and QL Printer are highly recommended, they may be nearly impossible to obtain. Therefore a number of other brands of monitors and printers are listed which have been tried and found to be compatible with the QL. This chapter offers the very valuable advice-plan ahead. Now is the time to determine what you will be wanting to do with your QL, and based upon those decisions you will know what accessories you will have to order from your QL dealer. A perfect example of this is something as simple as a RS232 cable or RGB monitor cable. Taken from personal experience, I can tell you that there are few things more frustrating than to go out and buy something for your computer (such as an RGB monitor or a modem) and then have to wait additional time while the appropriate connection is ordered before you can use it!

Then there are the “generic” type of accessories which you might want to consider purchasing so they may be on hand upon your computer’s arrival. This category includes such classics as a multi-socketed extension cord, surge protector and other goodies which you might find useful.

How about your new computer’s place in your house? Have you thought it out or will it take up the dinner table until your family finally gets hungry? A number of methods of setting up your new system are suggested. The final bit of preparation that the author recommends is the book itself. (But if you are reading his suggestion then you already have the book don’t you?) Actually it is not the purchase of the book being recommended here, but the good advice to read the book so that when your QL actually arrives you will be familiar enough to get it set up and start to get some hands on experience right away.

Chapter 3 (What to do when your QL comes) guides you in that set up when you actually have your system in front of you. One of the potentially most useful sections is the setting up of your monitor. This may sound very easy, and would be if you had the hard wired QL Vision RGB monitor, or are using a TV. Most people, however, use the QL with either a monochrome monitor, composite color monitor or an RGB monitor. This might take some preparation, and this is covered here. The proper pins are identified and a discussion of interfacing is included Once set up, you are given a discussion of what should happen if it is properly connected and working as it should. If everything is not exactly as it should be, some suggestions are made as how to correct the problems.

Getting started with one of the included software packages is the next step, and the suggestion that you make backup (working) copies of this software is incorporated in this discussion. The step-by-step instructions on how to do this include formatting a cartridge and running the clone program. Those of you who have been reading this column since the first look at the QL will remember that it took me quite a while before I found the two sentences on how to format a cartridge.

Chapter 4 (Tickling the ergonomic, two-shot molded, 65 key, QWERTY keyboard) not only discusses the setup of the keyboard, and what to do with some of the individual keys, but some very important commands (which I spent hours searching out in the users guide) to get you going with your new computer. The Function keys are identified and some of their uses discussed. The CTRL and ALT keys are located and how they can be put to work follow. A look at some SuperBASIC keywords which can be useful (DAY$, DATES, DELETE, DIR, FORMAT, INK, LOAD, LRUN, MODE, NEW, PAPER, PI, PRINT, RUN, SAVE, SDATE) even if you are not going to be programming is next. You will find such helpful information as the various display modes on the QL and im- mediate commands useful on your computer.

Chapter 5 goes into a discussion of the QL itself. In the way of digression, a short history of computers is presented which ends with the historic introduction of the Quantum Leap as the first lightweight, low cost supercomputer. It gives a number of uses for the QL in situations other than those in which it is running companion software. Although a bit pricey to be used strictly as a calculator, the QL does in fact make a Supercalculator in combination with SuperBASIC. A detailed discussion of a mathematical nature is pursued in this chapter.

Chapter 6 looks at the operating system developed for the QL, QDOS. Since the QL was designed to be quite revolutionary in its design, a new operating system was required which could handle the built in microdrives, multi-tasking, and leave room for additional add-ons and expansion. This chapter looks at that operating system, and the Sinclair microdrives are probably the weakest part of the QL system, some helpful hints on using the drives, handling the cartridges and prolonging the life of the drives.

Chapters 7 through 12 concern themselves with the four Psion programs which come bundled with a complete QL package. Unlike the brief descriptions in the QL Users Guide (they can’t really be described as manuals), the programs are described in some depth in this book. One of the first characteristics of these programs which was headlined was the fact that they are fully integrated, sharing a similar look, feel and file format.

The first of these chapters is a much needed overview of the programs as a package. Common characteristics of the programs, such as how to access HELP and how the screens are set up are pointed out. Once again the procedure for formatting a new cartridge for making a working copy, and using the clone program to make copies are described. The steps needed to start each of the programs is discussed, a discourse I could have used upon setting up my QL.

The keys which are the same in each program are explained as is the proper way to setup the screen display for your particular setup. The method of storing and retrieving data is explained and some suggestions on properly naming files are given. Also in this chapter is a simple look at the QL/printer connection, a discussion sorely missing from the QL Users Guide. The drivers, which must be customized by way of the INSTALL_.BAS program (not included on all of the program cartridges-a fact never mentioned in the QL Users Guide at all), have been a point which has confounded many new QL users.

The use of the CONFIG_BAS program is also discussed. This is important if you are planning on using (or adding) alternative storage devices such as a floppy, or even RAMDISK storage. Even the proper method of ending your session with each program is looked at, hopefully preventing someone from simply powering down with file(s) still open.

Chapters 8, 9, 10 and 11 are the much needed users manual for each of the four QL software programs. In each case a clear explanation is given of each of the programs teatures with illustrations (both by written word and by drawings and photos) of how each is utilized. These chapters alone are worth the price of the book ($25.00) for those who want to make the best possible use of these programs but are confused by the explanations in the QL Users Guide.

As good as these four chapters are, Chapter 12 is unique among all of the supplemental books I have seen regarding the Psion programs. Entitled Optimizing QL Software, this chapter gives some tips which the author, and others, have accumulated while actually using these programs. Integrating your data is confused in the Sinclair Users Guide, but Mr. de Sosa goes a long way in demystifying this topic. Using more than one QL in a network (flaunted in the QL advertising, but barely touched upon in any of the Sinclair or third party documentation) is explained in length. Since this book is not published by Sinclair or any of the third party soft- ware publishers, packages other than the Psion group are mentioned where and when they will help the QL user to maximize the benefits to be gained by using a QL.

Chapter 13 is a look at SuperBASIC, a superset of the familiar Sinclair BASIC. Missing, however, are the single stroke keywords, but not at a loss of power. SuperBASIC has many of the features of some of the more popular programming languages, making it a very versatile language for both the novice and the experienced programmer. In addition to the description of the language, this chapter contains the obligatory “free” SuperBASIC programs. In the case of this book, there is even a program by one of the best (and best known) American Sinclair programmers, Thomas B. (Pro-file) Woods.

The final chapter looks at some new developments for the QL as well as some of the other capabilities (such as multi-tasking) of the computer. A few of the classic software programs are mentioned in these discussions. Interfacing a floppy drive gets its place here as well. Going online? You may want to spend some time reading the portion of this chapter which relates to interfacing and using a modem. Even game software (even though the QL is billed as a business computer) gets looked at in the final chapter.

Five appendices follow, making this the most complete and easy to use book on the Sinclair QL that I have ever seen. Even if you think that you know your QL I would highly recommend the purchase of this book as an addition to your QL library. I am sure that you would find a few new pointers between its covers. It is amazing how time flies, especially when dealing with the Sinclair computer community. It does not seem that long ago that I first noticed an advertisement in GAMES magazine for a real computer priced at just $99.00! That computer came with just 1K of memory although it boasted an 8K ROM with built in BASIC. I ordered it and soon was hooked. (Yes, I added 64K of memory-quite a lot for any computer in those early days). Soon I was writing software for my (then) photography business and a gradebook for my wife. When I saw the poor quality of the software being marketed by Timex, I soon found myself putting my software on the market-quite successfully. The T/S 2068 followed and then it happened— Timex pulled the plug. My determination to keep the Sinclair community together and help each other coincided with Stan Veit’s call for the same thing. Thus, in June 1984 this column made its first appearance. As we start our fifth year together I once again have to thank Stan and the entire Computer Shopper family for being as supportive of the Sinclair community as they have. Thanks gang!