Timex-Sinclair Survival Column

The scene shows a small room filled with computer equipment. An. unattended computer is shown dialing all telephone numbers in a California exchange. Those numbers which are answered by a computer carrier signal are noted by the computer for review by its human user at a future time. A high school age young, man, trying those numbers reaches what he thinks is the computer of a company engaged in developing computer games, and precedes to bypass its security, and chooses a “game” from the menu. Unknowingly, he has dialed not the computer game company, but the computer at the United States Defense Department command center. Instead of just playing a game, he has sent the entire United States defense system into a major alert.

A purely fictional situation, which could not be accomplished with any Sinclair computer, right? Well, yess and no. While it is a stretch of the imagination to suppose that a home computer user can, even inadvertently, tap into the U.S. Defense Department computer system, your computer can communicate with other computers by way of your telephone. This is accomplished by way of a device called a Modulator/ Demodulator Modem. A Modem is a device which allows your computer to exchange information with other computers using everyday telephone lines. It takes the information from one computer, and translates (MODulates) it into a signal to be sent over the telephone lines. It must also take the modulated signal from the telephone lines. It must also take the modulated signal from the telephone line, which has been sent by a computer at a different location, and translate (DEModulate) it back into a form which your computer can understand. Hence the name, MODEM.

When time first announced the T/S 2068, one of the earliest peripherals announced was the T/S 2050 Telecommunications Device (Modem) o be sold, with all necessary software, for a suggested retail of $119.95. The issue of RAMBLINGS which reached Timex owners in late October announced the availability of the device, and an order form was included. However, those who ordered immediately, and looked forward to reaching new computer productivity were soon disappointed. First, in January, a letter dated early December said that there was a delay in delivery, and the modems would not be delivered within the original time frame. Further calls to the 800 number, produced conflicting information, with conflicting delivery dates. When Timex made the announce- ment that they were leaving the computer market, the 800 number still insisted that the modem would be delivered to those who had already placed orders. As late as March, delivery was still assured. In the end, however, Timex announced that no modems would be delivered. After many months of anticipation, many potential customers were again let down.

Looking through the ads, there was still one alternative. The Byte-Back Co. (Rt. 3, Box 147, Brodie Road, Leesville, S.C. 29070; (803)532-5812, who had been selling a modem for the T/S 1000, was advertising that it was adaptable to the T/S 2068. Upon calling Byte. Back, I found that they were selling new modem, designated the MD-68. This modem is functional on both the T/S 1000 (ZX-81 & T/S 1500) and the 2068. The telecomputing software has the following features; send and receive programs by phone; copy information from a host computer (such as Compuserve, Source, etc.); print it; review it; save it on tape; send from memory; operate in originate, or answer mode; use Timex 2040 or any RS-232 printer; RS-232 printer port provided; no extra memory required, but with 64K memory you can store up to 60 full screens. (I hope to have a chance to review this software in the near future.) This modem is sold in two ways. If you are experienced at kit building, you may order it as a do-it-yourself project for $119.95. If you would like to get your modem assembled and tested, the price is $149.95. Two free hours on Compuserve is included with the MD-68.

What about the modem that was originally designed for Timex? That modem was to be manufactured by Westridge Communications, Inc. in Marina DelRey, California, the manufacturers of the Anchor modems. After the withdrawal of Timex from the market, Westridge removed the Timex/Sinclair name, and replaced it with their own, and the Westridge 2050 modem appeared. The list price is the same $119.95 that Timex had announced, and includes the Smart Terminal I software. The modem measures 7½” 6″ x 1½” and is the same silver-grey color that the T/S 2068 is. This modem is compatible with all Sinclair Computers from the Sinclair ZX-81 to the Timex/Sinclair 2068. No additional interface is required, as the TS 2050 attaches directly to the expansion port at the back of your computer.

Included with your purchase is everything you need to get started using your modem. Aside from the unit itself, you get the modem power supply, a cassette containing the MTERM/T software. Side one contains the T/S 2068 version, while the other side has the software for the Sinclair ZX-81, T/S 1000 & T/S 1500. The manual is simple enough for the total novice, and if you have never “telecomputed” before, you will have no problem getting started. It is not, however, without its faults. I noticed a couple of obvious errors on some of the lists, such as the control characters, and the ASCIl listings. In general, though, most technical terms are explained right away, and the majority of the text is straightforward, avoiding technical terms where possible. The final piece of the package is an envelope containing a great offer from the SOURCE. (For more information on THE SOURCE, see Rich Fields’ article on the networks in the June issue of COM- PUTER SHOPPER.) Ordinarily the initial registration fee is $100.00, but with your modem, this fee is waived, and you may register via an 800 number and receive your ID# and password immediately. (My SOURCE ID# is BCA632 and you may send messages to me through THE SOURCE, and I will respond in a like manner. Use MAIL S at the command level to send your message.) You may then start using this service as soon as you connect your modem.

The TS 2050 modem is a direct connect type which connects directly to the telephone wiring by way of the standard modular plug. (The other type is the acoustic modem on which you must place the handset of a telephone to connect.) It transmits at a speed of 300 Baud (approximately 300 words per minute. To set up your modem, you connect the edge socket (at the end of a flat 12 inch cable) to the expansion bus on your computer. The T/S 2040 printer may be attached directly to this for use in printing screens received via your modem. The telephone jack plug is located at the end of a six foot cable and connects to the jack where your telephone is currently connected. (If you don’t have one of the new modular connectors, the manual gives advice on how to connect to your equipment.) You disconnect your telephone, attach the modem, and reconnect your telephone to the modular connection at the back of your modem. Next you attach the modem’s power supply and turn on your computer. Finally you load the proper terminal software into your computer, and you are set, almost. In order for computers to communicate with each other, they have to talk the same language. In talking over the telephone, certain conventions have to be agreed upon beforehand. The manual very clearly explains the meaning of these parameters, and how to set them. The program starts with these parameters set at the most common settings, as these are the settings used by the major services (SOURCE, COMPUSERVE, DOW JONES, MCI, and most bulletin boards). The four parameters that you can set are as follows:

1) DUPLEX – This may be set at either full or half duplex. In half duplex, your computer displays the characters on your screen as you type them, Full duplex does not display these characters from your keyboard, but rather the echo received from the other computer of the characters you are transmitting. If you set your duplex setting to half when it should be at full, you will see HHEELLOO when you type the word HELLO, and if you set it at full when it should be at half, you will not see what you are typing at all!

2) PARITY – This is a method used by some computers to determine if there are any errors in the transmission. It counts the total number of bits transmitted for each character, and compares it to the parity type set. If you have set even parity, the length of each character must be an even number of bits. For odd parity, the length must be an odd number. If the transmission is incorrect, it is not accepted, and is retransmitted. (This is done by the computer, and requires no action on your part.) If the computer does not require parity, this gets set to; None. Even parity is the most common.

3) WORD SIZE – This determines the number of bits to make up each character to be sent. You can set any length from 5 bits to 8 bits. Seven bits is the most common.

4) STOP BITS – In order to keep both computers synchronized in their transmissions, some computers require that blank bits sent after each character. You can set your computer to send either one or two such blank bits.

Be sure to check with the operator of the computer you are calling to determine how to set these parameters.

These parameters can be set from the menu by pressing the “S” key. Pressing “D” changes the duplex setting, “W” changes the word length, “S” sets the stop bits, and “P” sets the parity. When you have set the parameters to meet your needs, pressing ENTER returns you to the main menu. If you are using a T/S 2068, you may set the BORDER, PAPER, and INK colors by pressing the appropriate keys at the main menu. Now you are ready to call another computer.

By pressing “A” at the main menu, you are prompted – A: NUMBER OR (X)? You enter the number from your keyboard, and press ENTER. You will hear a pulsing sound from your modem; it is dialing the number. (If you are dialing from a system that requires a pause to wait for a second dialtone, enter a “P” – for pause between the proper numbers.) If the number does not answer or is busy, you will be informed, and asked to enter a number or “X” again. Entering ‘X” causes your modem to hang up. If you are connected, you will be informed, and automatically be placed in ter- minal mode. It is in this mode that you can communicate. At this point you will have to follow the sign on and procedural instructions of the computer you are going to communicate with. Y

ou may be required to use CONTROL CHARACTERS to perform certain tasks online, and you will notice that your computer does not have a CONTROL (or CTRL) key. This shortcoming is rectified by pressing SHIFT and 7 followed by the character you wish to send as a CONTROL. (A full list of CONTROL CODES is shown in your modem’s manual. If you own a ZX-81, T/S 1000, or 1500, then you may also type a number of characters that your keyboard does not have. These include: !# &’ and others. This list too is included in the manual.

Two CONTROL characters that you will find very useful are CTRL-S and CTRL-Q (sometimes referred to as XON and XOFF protocol). This serves to tell the remote computer to stop (CTRL-S) or continue (CTRL-Q) sending data. You will use these control codes to stop the scrolling so you can read what is being sent, and/or to copy it on your printer. To accomplish this press CTRL-8 (SHIFT-7 then 8) and you will see (C)lear (M)enu (P)rint (ENTER) at the bottom of your screen. (Pressing “C” will clear the screen, “M” will display the MAIN MENU). Pressing “P” will cause a COPY command to be sent, copying the current screen.

Your modem also has the ability to answer the telephone automatically if your computer is on and the terminal software is running. (The manual incorrectly titled the chapter dealing with this as AUTO DIAL instead of AUTO ANSWER.) This allows another computer to call yours and leave a message of up to one screen in length.

You will find that most computers send their text as 80 character lines, and you will have to get used to reading words that have wrapped around to the next line. (MCI allows you to specify your own line length, but right now their minimum is a 39 character line.)

Right now this modem can be ordered from E. Arthur Brown Co. (3404 Pawnee Drive, Alexandria, MN 56308 612-762-8847), and Curry Computer (5344 West Banff Ln., Glendale, AZ 85305 602-978-2902). If you are a dealer, let me know. Anytime you order from or contact any dealer listed here, be sure to mention COMPUTER SHOPPER.

There are a number of networks you can communicate with via your modem, and Rich Fields covered them well in his article. I would like to mention a service that he did not cover, that you can sign up with for free. I am referring to MCI MAIL. MCI MAIL is an online service that allows you to send letters to anybody, whether or not they have a terminal, or are even a member of MCI. As I mentioned, there is no charge to sign up, no charge for online time, and no minimum monthly fee. If you want to send a message of, up to 7500 characters, to anybody who has a terminal and has registered with MCI MAIL, you may call a local number for the 800 number to sit down at your computer, type the message, and have it transmitted immediately to the addressee’s terminal. The charge for this is only $1.00. You may send the message to as many people as you want by just typing additional names. If the person you must send the message to is not registered with MCI, the message is transmitted to one of MCI’s facilities where it is laser printed, and placed in the U.S mail for first class delivery. (You may even register a copy of your own letterhead and/or signature and have it reproduced by the laser printer as well.) The charge for this type of delivery is $2.00. Mail sent this way arrives in an orange MCI envelope to attract attention. If this is not fast enough there is overnight service ($6.00) and four hour service ($25.00) in which your mail is delivered by currier. How about Telex service? MCI gives you access to Telex sending facilities, ás well as your own Telex address to receive Telexes which are delivered to you when you sign on to check your mail. You only are charged for mail you send, and not for any you receive. For more information, and to register call 1-800-MCI-2255.

By the way, if you remember, in my first column I reported that I was advised by Timex that the SCRABBLE software written for the ZX- SPECTRUM was compatible with the T/S 2068? I managed to obtain a copy, and found that it is in machine code and will NOT run on a T/S 2068.

Thanks for your letters. By your comments I can see that we are very strongly supportive of each other, and want to see our computers survive.

Don’t forget, you may contact me in care of COMPUTER SHOPPER, via THE SOURCE (ID# BCA632) or MCI MAIL (To: Mark Fendrick). Let me know of any happenings regarding the Sinclair community. We’ve got to stick together.