| 3D Words |
A BASIC program for the ZX Spectrum (compatible with TS2068) that generates large 3D block letters on screen in three sizes: Small (20 pixels high, 8 chars/line), Medium (30 pixels high, 7 chars/line), and Large (40 pixels high, 6 chars/line). User selects size, types letters, and the computer renders them. Menu offers screen print, LPRINT, |
Timex/Sinclair 2068, Type-in program |
| Hardware Review: Sinclair ZX Microdrive Expansion System |
Detailed review of the ZX Microdrive Expansion System (Interface 1 + single microdrive unit) available from English Micro Connection for $134.95. Covers hardware: the Interface 1 paging mechanism (‘Shadow ROM’), 8K ROM-based OS supporting OPEN/CLOSE/MOVE/ERASE/CAT/FORMAT commands, 80-100K capacity cartridges, 15x faster than cassette, average 12-16 second access times. RS-232 and network ports described. Free software |
Sinclair ZX Spectrum, Timex/Sinclair 2068 |
| LabelMaker |
A BASIC program compatible with any full-size printer interface (AERCO, Tasman, A&J, Oliger) that prints centered cassette tape labels with up to four lines of text. User enters program title, three info lines, a bottom line, and number of copies; program centers text, confirms on screen, then LPRINTs. Tips on sourcing form-feed cassette labels (Custom |
Timex/Sinclair 2068, Type-in program |
| Mathematical Magic: Decimal to Fractions |
A short BASIC program that converts any decimal value less than 1.0 to the nearest 1/64th fraction, useful for woodworking and metalworking dimension scaling. User inputs a decimal (e.g., 0.197) and the program outputs the fraction (e.g., 13/64) and the rounding difference in ten-thousandths. The denominator can be changed by modifying line 40. |
Timex/Sinclair 2068, Type-in program |
| Newsletter Exchange: Hacking Tips for Spectrum Games |
Spectrum game POKE collection reprinted from the November 1985 CATS Newsletter (Bladensburg MD), compiled by Paul Millar from the National Software Library. Covers: Jet Set Willy (multiple POKEs for blocks, walk-through, safe zones, etc.); Cookie (stop bin monster); Freeze Bees (infinite lives); Pi-Balled (lives); Pyramid (limitless energy); Arcadia (infinite lives); Wild West Hero; Kokotoni Wilf; |
Sinclair ZX Spectrum, Type-in program |
| Programming Tips: User Defined Graphics with Decimal DATA |
Demonstrates how to define User Defined Graphics characters using decimal numbers in DATA statements rather than binary, for CHR$ 144 through 163. Includes a complete UDG program with DATA for multiple characters (vehicles, geometric shapes) and a test display line. References Chapter 18 of the TS2068 manual for the POKE binary approach. |
Timex/Sinclair 2068, Type-in program |
| PUG News |
New officers being presented for approval; January meeting produced Rita Toth as prison project liaison; about 20 members purchased modem boards; Jack Dohany demonstrated MSCRIPT disk drive improvements (now compatible with all mass storage and printer interfaces); Sunset Electronics has new books by Paul E. Field and Jim Stephens. Note: This is a combined Feb/March |
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| QL is Making Slow But Steady Progress |
Industry overview of the Sinclair QL’s progress in early 1986: CompuServe T/S conference increasingly QL-dominated, especially modem connectivity via hardware translators; Nigel Searle departed Sinclair Research for an IBM software company; Sinclair now marketing more aggressively through dealers with discounts on monitors and printers. New QL software reviewed: Supercharge SuperBASIC compiler (Digital Precision), Cosacs astronomy |
Sinclair QL |
| SVSTUG News |
Meeting report (Jan 29): Terry Greenlee demonstrated transferring information between unattended TS computers with 2050 modems. A&J Microdrive loaned SVSTUG 7 Rotronics Waferdrives and 4 ZX Spectrums for member loan; Wafadrive command syntax reference included. Seeks help translating a newsletter from GUTS de Mexico (in Spanish). For-sale listings from Glenn in Castro Valley. |
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