First, without sounding like a lot of hype, I would like to encourage as many of you that can make it, to attend the Timex Sinclair Computer Fest in Indianapolis this coming May. Frank Davis and crew have spent an enormous amount of volunteer time and even personal investment, to bring you the largest assemblage of TS vendors and enthusiasts ever seen. I’m hoping that we can show our appreciation by surpassing their anticipated attendance goal. For further details, please check out the news section in this issue.
I have received a number of requests for info on where to get repair work done on Sinclair computers. This made me realize that TDM hasn’t reported on this since one of our early back issues.
Currently, we know of three sources for repairs of the TS1000/TS1500/TS2068: Carver Technologies(Tim Carver is the service technician), 3832 Watterson Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45227, tel.(513) 271-5575; Timex Product Service Center, 7004 Murray St., Little Rock, AR 72203, tel.(501) 372-1111 [yep, they still provide “out-of-warranty” service at this time]; Sunset Electronics, 2254 Taraval St., San Francisco, CA 94116, tel.(415) 665-6161.
For QL service, contact either A+ Computer Response (69-B Island St., Keene, NH 03431, tel. 603-357-1800); or Brice Road Pharmacy (1653 Brice Road, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068, tel. 614-861-3600). However, I recommend that you contact the dealer where you purchased the computer from first.
For Spectrum repairs, we have no recommendation, other than consult the back pages of ZX COMPUTING, where several European repair houses are listed.
Another source of help for that faulty computer might be a new regular feature here in TIME DESIGNS (see elsewhere). It’s called the “TS Communique”, and is hosted by our own Joe Williamson. Joe, as you may know, was the former editor of SUM. He also studied electronics and earned a degree from Florida State, and is currently employed as service technician for a video store. The TS Communique allows you the reader to send in questions about troubles you are having with your equipment (including monitors, printers, interfaces, storage devices, etc.). Answers will be printed in upcoming issues.
In closing, I would like to do something that I’ve never done before in TDM. Let me explain. A couple of months ago, I was having one of those perfectly rotten days (you know, the ones where nothing goes right?). Then in the mail, came a letter which changed all that. It simply read as follows:
Dear Mr. Woods,
Please accept my renewal to your very excellent magazine. I am one of those carry-overs from SUM, that you took under your wing last summer. Because of your magazine, my interest in the TS2068 has really grown, and I just wanted to say “thank you”.
Respectfully Yours,
Jim Preston
Gainesville, Florida
Because of this one note, the whole rest of my day had a different outlook. All of those nights I went without sleep to make a deadline, somehow seemed worthwhile. If I could renew the interest in a powerful little orphan computer, then my original goals for TDM had been met.
Sadly, a few days ago I learned that Jim Preston had suddenly passed away from a heart attack at the age of 66. He had been a member of the Gainesville Sinclair-Timex Users Group for a couple of years. One of the members told me that Jim was “a heck of a guy. Had a great sense of humor…and would do just about anything for you. He was that kind of person”.
Although, I never met him personally, I was touched by that one note that came at just the right time. In this respect, I would like to dedicate our March/April 1987 issue of TIME DESIGNS to the memory of Jim Preston.
I think you would have really liked this issue Jim.
Sincerely,
Tim Woods
Managing Editor
Time Designs Magazine Co.