Larken Electronics, RR#2 Navan Ontario, Canada K4B 1H9 has recently announced that they now have a disk drive system for the ZX81/TS1000 which can save BASIC arrays or code seperatly and does not use up any RAM. It will be compatible with their 2068 drive system also. We hope to review it in our next issue.
Gary Lessenberry is trying to reach other TS users in the Chicago area. Their address is: Chicago Area TSUG, 210 Bernice, Northlake, IL 60164. Or call (312) 473-9415 for more information.
Martin Helfgott is starting STARTING, the Sinclair Timex ARTificial INtelligence Group, an interactive, voice synthesized, Artificial Intelligence program. For more information contact: Martin Helfgott, Box 284, Bath Beach Station, Brooklyn, NY 11214.
Weymil Corporation is marketing Sinc-artist 1.3, a 256 x 192 high resolution program for the ZX81/TS1000/1500. One version is available which works with a hardware upgrade costing less than $10. The package price is $20. Weymil, Box 5904 in Bellingham, WA 98227.
PLEASANTREES PROGRAMMING, a long time ZX-81/TS1000 supporter, has once again made available their excellent book entitled Graphics A to 2. This book tells you how to use your TS1000 computer’s graphics in BASIC, machine code, and even using Memotech’s HRG module. Over 80 listings are included along with detailed instructions on animation, screen control, 3-D, memory paging, charts and graphs, etc. There is no other book I know of which supplies the answers which this book does. Cost is $25 postpaid from Pleasantrees Programming, P. O. Box 2034, Mesa, AZ 85204.
Remember the Suntronics keyboard? This full size ZX-81/TS1000 compatible keyboard allows much greater and easier use of the “doorstopper’s” keyboard. It is still available! It is one of the best peripherals you can purchase for your computer. Your computer mounts inside its case and all other connections are made to it just as to the original 181000 keyboard. Cost is a very reasonable $39.95 with fullsize spacebar from Sunset Electronics, 2254 Taravel Street, San Francisco, CA 94116; 415/665-8330.
Cassette 50 is a cassette tape with 50 different games on it–all for the TS1000/ZX-81. Though it has been around for several years now, it still represents excellent value for the money. 39 of the games will run in 1K, the other 11 with the 16K RAMpack. Games include “Radar Landing” (flight simulator), and “Psion Attack”. Logical, tactical, maze, and arcade games are all included. Currently the company is also including a free digital calculator watch free with each purchase. Another version of Cassette 50 is available for the Spectrum (and 2068 with emulator) with games like Muncher and Frogger. Cost is $18 (U.S.) per tape including postage and free watch. Order from Cascade Games Ltd., 1-3 Haywra Crescent, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG1 5BG, England. Phone (0423) 504663. They do accept MasterCard and Visa by phone.
Probably the most impressive catalog published in America for the TS1000 and TS2068 is that of E. Arthur Brown Co. Full-color covers, tabloid size, 12 pages — I always sit down and read my latest copy from cover to cover when I receive it. With many illustrations and mini-reviews of most products, it provides an added incentive to order from the company. It would probably help if you sent along $l to help with postage when requesting the newest edition. E. Arthur Brown Co., 3404 Pawnee Drive, Alexandria, MN 56308; 612/762-8847.
Have you ever dreamed of your humble TS1000 having color, 64 columns on screen, and bit-mapped graphics? How about continuous screen display even in FAST mode and a FAST mode that really is FAST? Perhaps you haven’t heard about the Oliger TI Video Upgrade. Fully assembled and tested units are available for $97.50 ppd. or as a kit for the hobbyist to assemble for $49.95 (does not include one chip). Unassembled units from John Oliger Co., 11601 Whidbey Drive, Cumberland, IN 46229. Assembled units from Fred Nachbaur, C-12, Mtn. Station, Group Box, Nelson, BC VIL 5P1 Canada. Send at least $1 to each for a catalog of the many great products they each supply for the TS1000.
A new book! It has been a while since a brand new book has come out for our computers, but 200 Computer Programs in Basic for the TS-1000, ZX-81, and TS-2068 is now available. Price is $9.50 postpaid from BIT/S Software, Phoenix, AZ 3202 W. Fillmore, 85009. Programs include Sundial, TS/ZX Word Processor, Supergraph, NFL Predictions, and much more.
ZX Broadsheet is a quarterly publication devoted entirely to advanced applications the ZX-81/TS1000 computers. Back issues are available. Cost is about $2.50 per issue. All 20 back issues are currently avallable. Several excellent programs are also available Including Extended Basic. Order the current issue and ask for a catalog. ZX Broadsheet, Nick Godwin, 4 Hurkur Crescent, Eyemouth, Berwickshire, Scotland TD14 5AP.
Whether using the original keyboard or an enhanced Suntronics or other keyboard with your computer, the Compusa Bleeper System can make keyboarding easier. The Bleeper provides a “beep” each time a key is pressed, allowing you to touch type on the enhanced keyboards, and stop looking back and forth from keyboard to screen on the original keyboard. The Bleeper is available for $9.00 postpaid from E-Z Key, 711 Southern Artery Suite 75, Quincy, MA 02169.
There is a ZX-81/TS-1000 user’s group in England which would like American members. For more information, send a self-addressed envelope to ACV, 1 Foxwell Square, Northampton NN3 SAT, England. They say they have new software available.