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In a classic scene from a popular Star Trek episode, Dr. “Bones” McCoy looks down at a crumpled mass of organic matter, which is really an alien life-form, momentarily stunned by a phaser pistol. After scanning the alien body, McCoy realizes that it’s still fully alive—even though it should have been killed instantly by the tremendous blast directed at it. McCoy whirls around, looks directly at Capt. Kirk and exclaims “By Golly Jim…it won’t DIE!”
With the same incredulity, we often hear similar statements of disbelief: “I can’t believe IT!” “Weren’t 8-bit machines dead two years ago?” “Who in their right mind would still be using one of those things?” These are some typical statements often made by members of the “mainstream” computer press. Especially when they find out that a magazine the size of Computer Shopper not only devotes a large section of the magazine to 8-bit computers every month, but that the section is still growing!
Timex/Sinclair
by Mark Fendrick
Here we are nearly a decade after Sinclair Research Ltd. of England introduced the first computer that sold for under $200.00, and despite the many obituaries written about Sir Clive’s computers, they are still around and far from being abandoned by their faithful owners.
The Sinclair line of computers fall into three categories—the ZX-81 (includes the Timex/Sinclair 1000 and 1500 models); the ZX Spectrum (the T/S 2068 here in America) and the QL. Each of these computers’ owners can still find new developments for their model.
Although the ZX-81 basic unit only contains 1K (the T/S 1000 doubles that to 2K and the T/S 1500 sports a whopping 16K), its 8K ROM contains a remarkably powerful operating system and BASIC. Because of this, it is possible to create a number of hardware/software items, and this development has continued through today.
The place to look for ZX-81 developments is Silicon Mountain Computers (C-12 Mtn. Stn. Group Box/ Nelson, BC V1L 5P1/CANADA). Fred Nachbaur, the force behind Silicon Mountain Computers, believes in the ZX-81, and that is the only computer they work with. New products which they introduced this year included a HiRes routine which was at the heart of games and productivity software. A variable column telecommunications program utilizing this routine was also introduced. This program actually supports XMODEM on the ZX-81. A new version Non Volatile Memory board was introduced as well as well as a replacement ROM for those who bought the PC8300 (a T/S 1000 clone) hoping for a true compatible. Although the PC8300 was not fully compatible, this replacement chip accomplishes this.
If you have a ZX-81 (T/S 1000 or 1500) you should write to Silicon Mountain Computers for their latest catalogue. (Mr. Nachbaur informs me that more is still on the drawing boards.)
The T/S 2068 benefits from the fact that it’s British forebear, the ZX Spectrum, was the most popular micro in Europe, and even now, after the sale of Sinclair Research to Amstrad, there is a large user base. For this reason new titles still appear with great frequency in England. Those computers with Spectrum emulators can use most of these titles which may be ordered directly from England. Many of the more popular titles have been brought to this country and adapted by Knighted Computers (707 Highland Street, Fulton, NY 13069) for use by the unmodified T/S 2068.
Additionally, a number of smaller hobbyist/developer/dealers in this country and Canada continue in the Sinclair tradition and are still developing new products for the T/S 2068.
Lastly we will just touch on the QL, as there is some argument over whether or not it is an 8 bit computer. Running the Motorola 68008 chip it can be considered a 32-bit computer, but it was designed with an 8-bit communication bus.
The QL continues to be sold in the U.S., although stocks should run dry this year. A number of dealers still actively support the computer and new software (mostly from the U.K.) appears regularly. A number of QL clones have appeared and may be easily available in the U.S. this year. Keep watching the Sinclair Survival column here in Computer Shopper for ongoing news.
Finally, Sinclair owners have kept their machines viable through a number of conventions. The first nationally successful T/S Fest was held in 1986 in Cincinnati, and a number of other regular conventions have emerged since then. Most notable in addition to the highly successful Midwest T/S ComputerFest is the Great Northwest Mini Fest. A Florida convention was held in March of this year, and it looks as if the coming year will have its share of these get togethers. Try to attend one and you will see that the Sinclair community is still alive and well.