| EBZUG News: New Programs and MSX Demo |
EBZUG news: David Gray of Antioch developing commercial programs for TS1000/2068 — a maze/arcade game and Dot To Dot graphic utility (BASIC+MC, joystick endpoint plotting with circle/fill/freehand/scroll); Woody demonstrated a Spectravideo MSX machine from DAK ($169, 40 programs); five new members welcomed. |
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| How to Punch Out Your Banker: Bank of America HomeBanking |
Article about using Sinclair/Timex computers with a modem and TYMNET to access Bank of America’s HomeBanking service ($8/month). Features account status display, fund transfers, bill payment to hundreds of merchants, two-way messaging with the bank, and printout to a TS2040 printer. Notes wryly that to enroll you still must stand in line at the bank. |
Timex/Sinclair 1000, Timex/Sinclair 2068 |
| Newsletter Exchange: Smooth Scrolling Machine Code for TS1000 |
Machine code program from CATS N/L (Sept. 85) for the TS1000 stored safely above RAMTOP. Provides smooth, non-jerky scrolling in four directions (up, down, left, right) via LET Z=USR x with constants for each scroll direction. POKEd into memory from hex DATA statements. |
Timex/Sinclair 1000, Type-in program |
| Newsletter Exchange: SOFTAID Charity Spectrum Games Tape |
Information on SOFTAID, a Spectrum cassette of 10 top games (Spellbound, Starbike, Kokotoni Wilf, The Pyramid, Horace Goes Ski-ing, Gilligan’s Gold, Ant Attack, 3D Tank Duel, Sorcery, Jack and the Beanstalk) with all proceeds to the Band-Aid Ethiopian famine relief fund. Available for $6.25 plus $2 P&H. Also a Commodore 64 version. |
Sinclair ZX Spectrum |
| Newsletter Exchange: Tassman Interface Type Identification |
Warning from Toronto Sinc-Link N/L: Tassman interfaces modified by Ramex for the Ramex disk drive system (type C) are incompatible with all other systems. Users ordering a Tassman interface must specify type RB to receive an unmodified version; type C only works with the Ramex Disk System. |
Timex/Sinclair 2068 |
| Program Wipeout |
Short BASIC program for the TS1000 using POKE 23613,2 and POKE 23614,91 to set up a continuous text display loop that cannot be broken, demonstrating system variable use for display/interrupt control. |
Timex/Sinclair 1000, Type-in program |
| PUG News: QL Demo, Software Library Donations |
PUG news: Norm Lehfeldt demonstrated his new Sinclair QL at September meeting; December meeting scheduled for the 15th; software library updates — Barbara Stolle adapted the 2068 Tape Label program for TS1000/1500, David Docker donated a date-tracking program and the Shell Game. Word Puzzle from August 1984 highlighted for holiday gifts. |
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| QL Commentary: Sinclair USA Customer Service Critique |
Editorial criticizing Sinclair USA’s customer service and business practices: inconsistent delivery priority between American Express and direct orders, refusal to discount to dealers, uninformed telephone staff, and an overall indifferent attitude toward the user community that kept Sinclair technology alive after the Timex collapse. References Sir Clive Sinclair and suggests sending Nigel Searle In Search |
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| QL: First Look — Psion Software and Microdrives (Conclusion) |
Continuation assessing the four Psion programs: Database (needs disk for large data); Spreadsheet (16,000+ cells, very fast); Business Graphics (easy bar/line/circle charts with mono or color output); Word Processing (limits to ~3 pages of RAM text, no direct printer code embedding — identified as seriously underpowered). Also discusses Sinclair Microdrives positively for home/small office use. |
Sinclair QL |
| QL: Our First Look |
Preliminary review of the Sinclair QL five months after ordering. Covers SuperBASIC command entry (typed keywords, no single-keystroke), lack of full-screen editor, DEFined PROCedures, display modes (85-column monitor vs. shrunk TV mode), video output types (RGB, PAL, NTSC), and connection of a Star printer via Serial-to-Centronics converter. Continued on back page. |
Sinclair QL |
| SVSTUG News and Equipment For Sale |
Editor note that Bill’s column will resume next issue. Includes classified listing of TS1000 equipment for sale by Glenn Zaretzka: TS1000 computer, 16K RAM pack, 2026 cassette recorder, 2040 printer, A&J Microdrive with wafers, Gladstone 64K RAM pack ($40), Memotech Centronics interface and cable ($50), ZX Profile and updates ($20), plus books and cassettes. |
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| The Shell Game: Program for TS1000/1500 |
Type-in BASIC program implementing the three-cup Shell Game for TS1000/1500. Player starts with $100, bets any amount, watches cups shuffle, guesses which cup hides the pea (1-3), plays until broke, then receives a tally of total attempts, correct guesses, and accuracy percentage. |
Timex/Sinclair 1000, Type-in program |
| TS1000/1500 Tape Labels Program |
Adaptation of James DuPuy’s TS2068 tape label program for TS1000/1500 users. Creates formatted cassette labels with tape title, program names and index numbers for both Side A and Side B, then COPYs to printer. Tape copy available in software library as LOAD TAPE LABEL. |
Timex/Sinclair 1000, Timex/Sinclair 1500, Type-in program |
