THIS ISSUE and NEXT: Guess you’ve noticed the 17 point print size of this issue. This resulted in 35% more (BEEF) content, but this print is about as small as we dare go. A very painful task was to keep the page count down to 50. Some 65 pages of good articles had to be held for coming issues. LOOKING AHEAD- The next (JULY) issue will be the last of this issue year and all subscriptions will end with the July issue. So, PLEASE start thinking “RENEWAL”, and dont be a straggler! Prompt renewal will assure Magazine Size, Quality, and Timeliness.
TRUTH IN CIRCULATION can hurt advertising potential, but build reputation. Update circulation level is at around 500 and building. All 50 U.S. States and all Canadian Provinces, plus three foreign Countries are represented. The breakdown of population is; 50% TS-2068, 50% Sinclair QL, 12% Cambridge Z88. About 70% use two or three of these Computers, and express their intent to continue to do so. Sinclair QL users are evenly divided between having Disk Drive or just MDV, and having extra memory or not. 95% of TS-2068 users have Disk drive and are divided; 47% Oliger Disk, 47% LKDOS, 19% FD-68, 8% TOS Zebra, 4% Ramex, with 30% having Dual DOS capability. This is a very good mix of Sinclair Users, but we need MORE. Update will hit Computer Shopper with a promo ad soon. You can help by “arm twisting” other Sinclair Users to subscribe. Shame them to subscribe if they are reading your copy. (or a club copy)
The quality of the next issue is assured by a full issue of articles on hand. Due to space limits this issue wont have much hype about the ISSUE DISKS. If you want some EXCELLENT ensembles of Disk and MDV software and utilities, refer to the January 89 issue of UPDATE to see what is available in the ISSUE DISK Library. These disk and mdv ensembles are excellent values for $20 and cannot be found elsewhere for near the price. We are working on broadening the TS-2068 disk series to include TOS Zebra systems. Next issue will add at least one more Issue Disk/MDV for both the TS-2068 and the QL. This issue concentrates upon Key-In projects. You can be assured that these key-in projects DO WORK, and each will add something useful and NEW to your computing capability.
—-BJ
Cambridge Z88 New Stuff
Z88 to Sinclair QL Link: to transfer files back and forth and use QL Disk/MDV.
Z88 Cassette Recorder intfc. Load/Save data & prog to cass.
Z88 Disk Intfc and 3 1/2″ DD. Runs on batteries.
Z88 Tech Reference Guide.
Check price with your Dealer.
*** Renew your subscription before July and the rate increase **
$16.00 now — $18.00 after July 1.
McBrine Computer Products announcment:
Update received a letter from Mr. William J. McBrine (McBrine Computer products, 514 S. Jackson St., Salisbury, NC 28144). Bill announces that he is suspending the activities of his software company and converting all of his software, both past and future to SHAREWARE. Users are encouraged to distribute the software to “all and sundry”. Those receiving are ask to contribute “what they deem it to be worth” to Bill at the above address. Bill has served the Sinclair community well with good software and and we hope that he continues to PRODUCE. Update will communicate to offer assistance to that end.
Spullink: I apologize to Mr. Confucius for referring to Abacus as “Abascus”. Wonder how many Chinese can spell licorice, or lickerish?
Late Breaking News!
Storage Media for the Z88:
Both a new DISK INTERFACE and Audio Cassette Intfc are being released for the Cambridge Z88. Also, a battery cell powered Disk Drive is now available. Check with your dealer for the prices and expected time of delivery. These new storage media will enable inexpensive software to be marketed in support of the Z88.