The Authoritative Website for Timex/Sinclair Computers
Masterfile and Pro/File 2068: two distinct solutions to 1980s home computing data management. One offered a structured approach, the other a radical, associative design. Explore their innovative differences.
The Sinclair ZX81 and Timex/Sinclair 1000 computers, despite their limited hardware specifications, attracted several FORTH language implementations in the early 1980s. Two notable versions — Tree-Forth (originally called Pluri-Forth) by Tree Systems (1983) and ZX Forth by Artic (1982) — took distinctly different approaches to bringing this powerful programming language to these machines.
Comparing FORTH Implementations: Tree-Forth vs. ZX ForthRead More »
The Timex/Sinclair 1000 and Sinclair ZX81 played a role in 1980s robotics experimentation and education, offering hobbyists and students an affordable platform for controlling mechanical devices and learning fundamental programming concepts. A Complete DIY Robot Build One of the most comprehensive examples of Timex/Sinclair robotics appeared in the July/August 1983 issue of SYNC magazine.
What began as an off-hand comment about showing some of our favorite computers at the 20th Vintage Computer Festival Midwest turned into a semi-coordinated group display and weekend of fun for more than a dozen members of the Timex Sinclair Online User Group.
A Timex/Sinclair Gathering at the Vintage Computer Festival Midwest 20Read More »
We all struggle with the keyword system now that we don’t use it all the time.
Timex, and most other computer vendors, offered a standalone “kiosk” to display their wares in-store. The Atari Computer Demonstration Center was, as one might imagine, quite nice. In May 1983, Timex offered the “T/S 1000 MERCHANDISING DISPLAY,” a unit that designed to: The mechandising display unit was 36” wide by 24” deep by 6’ high.
The Timex Computer Corporation emerged as a significant player in the home computer market during the early 1980s. Timex ventured into the realm of personal computing, driven by a vision to create affordable and accessible technology.
Exploring the Legacy of Timex Computer Corporation: Insights from Danny RossRead More »
As a teenager in the mid-1980s, Carl Miles worked for Art Colgate, who intended to the TS2068 as the control computer for a 3-axis milling machine. Art also employed Ray Kingsley. Ray wrote the software and may have helped with interfacing the TS2068 to operate this 3-axis milling machine. Carl was hired to write a
Timex is well known for building ZX81 and ZX Spectrum computers at its Dundee, Scotland facility. The Timex/Sinclair 1000 computers, on the other hand, were assembled by Timex Portugal. While Timex usually did all their own work, they did sometimes subcontract to other producers.
Not long after the TS 2068 came out, some enterprising users figured out that they could replace the internal ROM with a Spectrum ROM and run almost all Spectrum software. There were essentially two methods: replace the internal ROM chip with something like the ROMSWITCH or use a Spectrum ROM on a cartridge.
Often while folks gather and talk about their computers I hear something like this, “Why don’t you try this” and the almost standard reply is “I didn’t know you could do it that way, thanks” This article is the result of my being in that same boat and finding an answer by myself.