Sinclair Survival Column

Well, here we go again. This is our fourth annual year end wrap up. Although there is no major company support for the Sinclair Computers, they are still viable computers with their own network of small companies and individual developers who still are coming up with new products for our favorite computers. Not least of this support team is Computer Shopper. As you have no doubt noticed there are now two Sinclair columns here, and Mike O’Brien and I look forward to another year of bringing you the latest developments in the Sinclair (and Amstrad) world.

Even though the ZX-81 computer is the oldest of the line (yes- I know that the ZX-80 precedes it, but it is not in common use even among Sinclair enthusiasts), there was still quite a bit of development of products for them. As we have detailed in this column this year, Silicon Mountain Computers of Canada is dedicated to produce new hardware and software for the ZX-81/TS 1000/TS 1500 computers. Most notable have been their ZX TERM*80 telecommunications package. This is a full featured terminal software program for the ZX-81 which includes many of the features long desired but never offered for this computer.

The second most common complaint about the ZX-81 has been its limited screen display-allowing only 32 columns. (What is the most common complaint? Without a doubt it has to be the unreliable and slow cassette based I/O.) Most online services cannot support anything less than forty columns, causing split lines, often difficult to read. ZX TERM*80 allows for 32, 64 or even 80 column displays utilizing the hi-res routine which Silicon Mountain Computers have made its specialty.

Add to this control over your screen display the ability to transmit and receive files by way of the XModem protocol and you can see why this program has generated such enthusiasm from ZX-81 fans. The basis of Silicon Mountain Computer’s line of products is the Scram board and the hi-res routine. Although Hunter board owners could modify their boards to permit the use of hi-res software, Hunter boards are no longer available. Silicon Mountain Computers has redesigned the Non Volatile Memory board and once again this particular piece of hardware is available to ZX-81 owners already assembled and tested. The Scram board serves a number of functions, not the least of which is allowing a program and/or data to be saved for instant access without the need for loading or saving to tape. (Look for an in-depth look at the Scram board during the upcoming year here in Computer Shopper.)

One of the newest capabilities added to the Sinclair computers was desktop publishing. In a year which saw new desktop publishing programs released for the mainstream computers, software began to appear for the T/S 2068 and QL which begins to open this field up to those of us who still believe in our Sinclair computers and steadfastly refuse to give in to the pressure to upgrade to a run of the mill IBM compatible.

One of the first entries into this field-for the T/S 2068—comes from Stan Lemke who gave us Pixel Sketch & Graphics Editor, an outstanding graphics package for the T/S 2068. Stan is a perfectionist who is constantly upgrading and improving his work, and as was the case when I was reviewing his earlier program, I received constant upgrades of Pixel Print Desktop Publisher. Actually, Pixel Print Desktop Publisher is the main module of a number of add on fonts, graphics and icons. In cooperation with Mountaineer Software, Pixel Print Desktop Publisher gives you the starting point from which to create your own newsletters. You are given the option of creating your newsletter on either a full size printer or the T/S 2040 (Alphacom 32) printer.

Unlike some more sophisticated desktop publishing software for the IBM and Macintosh computers – which cost dozens of times more than this program – Pixel Print Desktop Publisher is not a text processor. However, you can use a word processor (such as the old standby Tasword) to create your text if desired and then import the file for columnar printing. Text size is fully adjustable, with the character size being capable of being changed from the standard width to 32 times that width. Height can be expanded to 22 times normal size. Pixel Print Desktop Publisher allows not only size adjustment, but you can print your text in a number of fonts. Included with your basic package are TX 2068 Standard, Bold, Modern and Italics. Underlining is available as well. You can also load in your own fonts or those available with the accessory tape, Font Package.

Font Package is a combination of two programs and six new tonts. The six new fonts included in this package are Headline, IBM, MICR, Adventure, Outline and 5×5. Included as well is a font designer program. This is a utility which provides the ability to create your own fonts for use by the main program. It is also a font librarian allowing you to view up to 20 different fonts and experiment with different versions of these fonts, such as Bold, Inverse and Italics. By combining these attributes with your fonts, many variations are possible. You can also modify existing fonts-either a single character or the entire set.

A second program is also included which allows Star SG-10 owners to design and download fonts to their printer. (Does this signify that the SG-10 is the printer that Stan Lemke used to develop Pixel Print Desktop Publisher?)

What is a desktop publisher unless it has the ability to integrate graphics with the text? Pixel Print Desktop Publisher allows graphics created with almost any graphics program to be loaded and used in your newsletter. In order to make this procedure easy, this program will accept any graphic which has been saved using the SCREEN$ format. You can, of course use the graphics provided with the add-on tape-Icon package.

The Icon package includes over 100 clip art graphics and three utility programs. As with the Font package, one of the programs is an Icon Library Manager. This will enable you to store and browse through up to 115 icons. You have the ability to view and modify the icons in the library.

An icon designer allows you to design your own graphics which can be saved and used with your newsletters produced using Pixel Print Desktop Publisher. A final utility (Collossus Conversion Utility) allows you to transform a graphic from the icon manager into a colossus low resolution graphic which can be used to make giant banners.

For more information on Pixel Print Desktop Publisher contact Lemke Software Development; 2144 White Oak; Wichita, Kansas 67207.

Desktop publishing has not been lost to users of the QL either. First there was a program called Front Page which could combine graphics and text to create the type of newsletter which we discussed earlier. There were drawbacks to this program – most notably the speed with which it worked. (A closer look at this program will appear in a future issue of Computer Shopper.) Front Page is able to take any text, such as _doc files or SuperBASIC programs, and incorporate them into your work. You can define the number of columns you wish your newsletter to have, as well as a number of other options. An improved version for expanded QLs is called Front Page Extra. Both of these programs will be examined shortly.

On the hardware side of the QL scene, the Miracle Systems Trump Card made its appearance in 1987. Basically, the Trump Card is an add on for your QL which includes 768K or RAM (bringing the total to 896Kl) and a disk interface which will support either a 5¼ or 3½ inch disk drive. Other little “extras” featured with this card include such goodies as a screen dump, toolkit, RAM disk and more.

But where has Sir Clive been during all of this? Since relieving himself of his original computer company (remember the sale to Amstrad in what now seems like the distant past?) Clive Sinclair has turned his energy to his long promised Z88 laptop computer. Like past Sinclair computers (this one cannot bear the Sinclair nametag) the Z88 has been talked about for what seems like an eternity, but as of this date I have not seen a Z88. Will 1988 be the year that it finally makes a real appearance? Only time (and I) will tell.

What is a reality is the fact that QL clones have appeared in the U.K. – most notably in the form of the CST Thor. Thor represents what the QL probably should have been in the first place. No microdrives, but standard floppy drives grace this “real” looking computer. With 640K, parallel and serial ports, battery backed clock and a separate IBM style keyboard, Thor is the first in a line of compatible computers. Thor can be purchased with either a single or double floppy, or even a hard drive. Thor 20 and Thor 21 are higher speed versions of the base model.

Cambridge Systems Technology – producers of Thor – are investigating the probability of bringing Thor to this country this year.

While we are on the topic of Sinclair clones, you may be surprised to find that there is a computer now being advertised by a New Jersey mail order house which is being sold as a ZX-81 clonel The PC8300 comes with a T/S 1500 type keyboard and a few other enhancements, but as any purchaser of this so-called clone will quickly tell you, there is very little compatibility between the two machines.

Topping the list of noncompatibility is the fact that the PC8300 does not incorporate the familiar Sinclair one stroke BASIC keywords. Because of this fact, standard Sinclair ZX-81 (or T/S 1000) cassette tapes will not load or run on this imposter. Although many of the T/S hardware additions might (or might not) work, unless you are a true hacker (in the old, positive sense of the word if you please) you would do well to stay away from the PC8300.

As you remember, a second annual Midwest Timex Sinclair Fest was held in Indianapolis. Once again this event was a smashing success and has spawned more such get togethers to be planned for the upcoming year. (A mini-fest was held last September in the great northwest.) A west coast fair is in the planning stage for this summer of 88, and a Winterest has been planned for the Orlando, Florida area. The Sunstate T/S WinterFest ’88 will be held on March 4-6 at the Orlando Marriott Hotel. Advanced registration is now being accepted at $5.00 per single or $9.00 per family. (The registration at the door will be $8.00 per single or $12.00 family registration.) For more information contact the Sunstate T/S WinterFest; 249 North Harden Avenue; Orange City, FL 32763. I hope to see many of you there.

What the coming year will bring is uncertain at this time. To keep in touch don’t forget that Computer Shopper is your best source of information. Both Mike O’Brien and I will keep you in touch here on the printed page, and I hope to see you online with Delphi where Computer Shopper Information Exchange offers a place for Sinclair enthusiasts to get together to discuss anything on their mind. A data library has T/S 1000, T/S 2068 and QL programs and information for the taking. Want the latest information concerning upcoming Sinclair gatherings? CSIX is the place to find it! Come together in a real time online conference with your fellow Sinclair owners. Watch this column for announcements of special upcoming events.