The RAMTOP Sep-Oct 1987
Date: Sep-Oct 1987
See all issues of The RAMTOP
Articles
| Title | Description | Computers |
|---|---|---|
| A Look at FIDO NET | Explanation of the FIDO NET packet-radio BBS network, how messages propagate between local FIDO boards without connect charges, how it differs from CompuServe and GEnie, and a local listing of NET 157 FIDO boards in the greater Cleveland/Ohio area. | |
| Amstrad-Sinclair-Timex Resources | Regular community news column covering the closure of the TSU-BBS (run by Chris Raynak) after three years, the opening of a new Cleveland T/S BBS by Bob Parish (The Timelines, 216-671-6922), the Cleveland Free-Net Timex SIG, Youngstown Freenet launch, Amstrad support added to CompuServe, and new modem software including Specterm-64 for the 2068 and ZX-TERM-80 | Timex/Sinclair 1000, Timex/Sinclair 2068 |
| Coming Events | Calendar of upcoming local computer events: the Cleveland Hamfest/Computer Show at Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds (September 27, 1987) and the Northcoast Computer Fair at Euclid Square Mall (October 3-4, 1987), the latter co-sponsored by the Greater Cleveland Sinclair Users Group. | |
| Editorial | August/September editorial covering a grounding problem that damaged the editor’s Timex/Sinclair 2068 when connected to a VCR for video digitizing; describes diagnosing and replacing a faulty Z-80 CPU chip and discusses Oliger expansion board repair. Also includes sample screen captures from the video digitizer and an introduction to FIDO NET. | Timex/Sinclair 2068 |
| Letter: TS BBS Guide Update (Version 2.0) | Letter from Pete Fischer updating readers on Version 2.0 of his Timex/Sinclair BBS Guide, listing newly returned boards (TIME WARP, VSYS), new boards (DOWNLOADER’S ANONYMOUS in Toronto, TCCS in upstate New York, Central Florida UG BBS, Sinclair at Night, Flash! BBS in Las Vegas, Timex X Change), and announcing terminal programs ZX-TERM-80 and Q-LINK for | |
| QColumn | Regular QL column with two hardware tips (Microdrive safety during power-off and humidity considerations) and a full SuperBASIC type-in program called Pangolins, a binary-tree animal guessing game adapted from library tape 2.0 with save, load, and print functions added. | Sinclair QL, Type-in program |
| QL and Modem Groups | Brief notice about the interest in reorganizing the club’s Sinclair QL special interest group and modem group, both of which had become inactive. Gillespie invites members to step forward to lead either group. | Sinclair QL |
| Review: Introduction to 2068 Machine Code | Manuscript review of “Introduction to 2068 Machine Code” by Dr. Lloyd Dreger, distributed by SMUG at $16.95. Kealy praises the beginner-friendly approach to Z80 machine code but notes numerous typos and some filler content; recommends it for readers intimidated by machine language programming. | Timex/Sinclair 2068 |
| Space Cannon | Type-in BASIC game for the Lambda/PC 8300 computer requiring a joystick, adapted from a program published in SYNC Volume 1. Players use the joystick to aim and fire a space cannon; the game uses the PC8300’s SOUND command for audio effects. | Lambda 8300, Type-in program |
| The PC 8300 Computer, Part 2: Software Use and Compatibility | Second installment of a multi-part series on the Lambda/PC 8300 computer, analyzing ROM organization differences, BASIC token incompatibilities, machine language ROM call differences, and pre-recorded software compatibility with ZX81/TS1000 tapes. Lists new BASIC commands including MUSIC, SOUND, TEMPO, BEEP, NOBEEP, and color commands. | Lambda 8300, Timex/Sinclair 1000 |
| ZTERM to TASWORD Converter | Type-in BASIC utility for the Timex/Sinclair 2068 with the Oliger disk system that converts ZTERM word processor files back to TASWORD format, enabling users to reformat documents and print in different fonts. Designed around the Oliger system but adaptable to other disk configurations. | Timex/Sinclair 2068, Type-in program |