SyncWare News

SyncWare News was a more technical publication, printing many hardware articles by Fred Nachbaur, John Oliger and others.

They produced the magazine entirely on Timex Sinclair computers. They used Memotext on the TS 1000, MSCRIPT on the TS 2068 and QLWP on the QL.

Staff

Tom Woods, Fred Nachbaur and Tom Bent.

The magazine did not have a single office address. They split editorial offices between Moore, in Louisville, Ohio, and Bent, in Columbia, Maryland. Nachbaur was the Canadian contact. Woods’ address in Jefferson, New Hampshire, was listed for subscription, billing and ad artwork.

Articles

  • 1000 2K Text Writer
    This program was written on a 2K TS1000 and will handle a full screen of text. It gives you a full screen editor that will handle about 20 words per minute. You can print the screen to the printer by Lprinting, and Stop will bring you to a halt at line 410.
  • 1000 Auto Analysis
    Program to analyze, diagnose and recommend solutions for engine problems.
  • 1000 One Chip Mod: A Built-in NVM
    This battery backed-up RAM is a miniaturization and functional equivalent of the famous “Hunter” board. It was designed by Mr. Wilf Rigter of the Vancouver, BC T/S User Group. I owe many thanks to Mr. Rigter for inspiring me to write this article, and assisting with technical advise during the construction and refinement of this
  • 2068 & Spectrum Reviews
    Hall of the Things, Manic Miner, Jet Set Willy, Lunar Jetmen. These four programs for the ZX Spectrum have several things in common. First of all, they are all of truly “ARCADE” quality with excellent graphics and sound. Secondly, they have all occupied the #1 spot on the European charts in 1983 or 1984. Lastly,
  • 2068 Art
    This short program will have you staring at your screen for hours.
  • 2068 Buggy Software
    It isn’t considered normal when а magazine like SyncWare gives you а program that’s riddled with bugs. But then, we never promised you a normal magazine. Since this is our special April Fool’s issue, we thought we’d introduce you to SyncWare’s in house bug. Actually he’s a worm–a friendly little fellow–who took up residence in
  • 2068 Cassette Connection: Part II: Loading Tips
    In the last Issue, I recommended removal of a couple capacitors in the SAVE circuitry of the TS2068. This provides a “brighter” save signal, which makes subsequent loading more reliable. This is all that is required to get many systems working “up to spec,” and makes the use of “fast-load” routines possible, even practical. On
  • 2068 Character Builder
    The TS2068 offers a very powerful feature in its capacity to build up user-defined characters. However, the procedure for building up those characters is a bit of a pain in the neck. This program will simplify that procedure for you.
  • 2068 Label Maker
    Program to print return address labels or any other message on 15/16″ labels.
  • 2068 LOAD Notes
    Stan Nagrod reports the removing R11 from his computer cured his loading problems.
  • 2068 Lotto
    Program to pick Lotto numbers.
  • 2068 Machine Code in a DATA Statement
    Program allows you to place machine code located anywhere in memory into a DATA statement in line 1 of your BASIC program.
  • 2068 PC Board Aid
    This program is designed as an aid in laying out a PC board for the Sinclair computers. The 2040 listing will give the correct 0.1″ spacing for the edge connector.
  • 2068 Piano
    Type-in program to let you play the TS 2068 like a piano, using BEEP.
  • 2068 Print Command Compiler
    This article addresses itself to one of the calls in particular; the PRINT routine at 2159h (8537d). The author, Ray Kingsley, points out the fact that you can put the message in memory, point the system variable CH_ADD to the location of the start of the message, and call the PRINT routine. He also very
  • 2068 Review: Checkrec & Inventory
    Review of “Checkrec 2000” and “Household Inventory 2000“, two programs written in BASIC, in spreadsheet format. Programs available from WMJ Data Systems.
  • 2068 Screen Copy
    Printer driver based on 117-byte routine derived from Tom Wood’s Pro/File 2068.
  • 2068 Tower of Brahma
    Variation of Tower of Hanoi for the TS 2068.
  • 2068 Variable Save Trick
    After a lot of experimenting, I may have a solution. The “may have” is because the process alters the system variables and, although it seems fine so far, I prefer to test it much more before using it with complete confidence. The process simply involves fooling the computer about where to start saving. Since we
  • 2068 Window
    Machine language screen utility to support replacing and restoring a section of the display with another, pre-defined section.
  • 2068 Windows
    With the wave of new micros touting their window abilities maybe other 2068 owners like myself have been keeping quiet. Well, if you have been feeling sorry for yourself because you have a computer that “won’t do windows” then cheer up! Those windows are painlessly easy on the mighty 2068!
  • 2068 Word Images
    One particularly strong fascination the computer holds over me is its almost magical ability to conjure up powerful images in my mind. You can use the computer to illustrate this phenomenon by programming it to choose and print words on the TV screen. By consciously thinking about the images your mind creates in response you’ll
  • 2068 Word Wrap Utility
    When printing a text to the screen by using the PRINT statement, words at the end of the screen often will be cut off in the middle and continued on the next line. This makes the text difficult to read. This utility will put the entire word at the beginning of the next line so
  • 256K Ram!
    Aerco offers a 256K RAM upgrade either configured as a RAMdisk or port mapped in 64K banks shadowing the cartridge bank.
  • 64 Column BASIC
    Short machine language program to allow using 64 column mode with BASIC programs.
  • 64 Column Basic: TS1000 Style!
    Teaser about a 64 column mode for TS1000 owners with Oliger Video board.
  • A Challenge
    Request to improve included subroutine (“flowchart”). The subroutine plots the program above it (prior to line 9901) as a flowchart.
  • A New Thrust
    Sinclair’s new venture is high performance aircraft. Note the issue date.
  • A TS1000 REM Generator
    Short program to generate a 1 REM line with any number of spaces.
  • A TS2068 Music Maker
    The Timex/Sinclair 2068, with its built-in sound chip is capable of producing sound and music in three parts. The program included here will allow you to create, enter, and play music in three-part harmony.
  • A Video Upgrade?
    Why upgrade the TS1000 video with a TMS9918 video display processor (VDP?) If you find that your computer does its job, but you would like to see it work a lot faster (in SLOW), if you’re tired of that annoying fast mode flicker, if you have a program longer than 16K of BASIC and want
  • A Word to Authors
    Advice on writing articles for the magazine.
  • A&J Notes
    When using the A&J Microdrive “ESOS” (Exatron Stringy Operating System), there are times when you don’t want it to change your RAMTOP.
  • ABC-123 Part 2
    Finishes the “ABC/123” program for the TS 1000 introduced in prior issue.
  • ABC-123: Educational Games for the ZX81
    The “ABC/123” program is quite long, so we are breaking it into two parts. The result of this first installment will be a self-sufficient program in its own right. It is a trainer in the recognition of the alphanumeric characters, both upper and lower case.
  • Adding On To Gladstone
    Many memory expansion boards have been offered for ZX81’s and TS1000s. One of the first to break down through the $100 price barrier was the Gladstone 64K RAM pack. It gave you use of RAM memory from locations 8K through 64K. Its only short coming was that you had to ALWAYS use all of the
  • Addition: A "Training" Program
    Program to teach young children basic math. Draws a train engine as successive correct answers are provided.
  • Additional Byte-Back Memory Pack Notes
    Thanks to John Oliger’s NOT M1 decoding circuit, many new and excellent pieces of software are coming into the market place that make use of machine language routines in the 32K-48K (8000-BFFF hex) region of memory. Some examples of these would include Hot Z-II by Ray Kingsley and Memotext in RAM, Version 3, modified and
  • AERCO Disk Drives
    Aerco has announced their disk drive interface, which will have an extra 64 K of memory (cartridge bank) for you to use (see more details inside). CPM 2068 should follow soon, which would enable file transfer between other types of CPM computers (that can read the standard IBM 3740 disk format) by disk, which is
  • Another Video Primer
    Definitions of common terms used to describe video signals.
  • Appointment Watch
    APPOINTMENT WATCH is a spread sheet program written in machine code and BASIC. It requires at least 16K of memory. In 16K, Appointment Watch allows the user to enter and store 100 appointments. It allows you to enter the Date, Time, and Place of your appointments, as well as with whom they are, and the
  • Are We Not Hackers?
    There has been a lot of press over the last year about “hackers,” referring to the dishonest minority of computer users who delight in crashing BBSes, breaking into data-bases, and generally wreaking havoc.
  • Audio Frequency Counter Program for the Timex/Sinclair ZX81
    This program will run with as little as 1K of RAM and will allow frequency measurements of up to 28,500 Hz. This is useful for tuning RTTY tone generators, electronic musical instruments, tone encoders, and for calibrating audio generators. The audio signal is fed to the computer’s earphone jack, and the frequency is displayed to
  • Bank Switching the 2068
    TS2192 COMPUTER The 2068 was introduced to us as a memory manager, capable of handling up to 256 banks of 64K memories, a veritable elephant among small plastic boxes. Close inspection revealed that an item called a BEU (meaning either Bus Expansion Unit or “hello” in Elephant) was necessary to access most of the extra
  • BASIC Bank Switching
    Short recap of ways to add RAM to the TS 2068 and switch it in/out.
  • BASIC Tipics: Use Logic
    This article explores a blend of two forms of logic: arithmetic and Boolean logic (AND, OR, and NOT) operations.
  • Basic Topics
    Is It a Number contains a trap to insure that you enter a number. This is useful in math drill programs, to prevent cheating by entering an expression. 2068 Felt Hat will plot a “hat.”
  • Basil's Compendium: A Few No-Nos
    Recaps utility routines described in prior articles and why machine code containing the values 118, 126 and 11 may be problematic.
  • Basil's Compendium: Addition, Overflow, Carry
    This article will show you how to add and subtract, and how to “increment” and “decrement” registers; it will tell you about overflow and carrying; and it will Introduce the concept of flags.
  • Basil's Compendium: Deluxe Loader Program
    This installment gives you a simple loader program that will make it very easy for you to enter machine code in decimal notation.
  • Basil's Compendium: Go To/Go Sub
    This article introduces the concepts of JUMP and CALL, the machie code analogs to Basic’s GOTO and GO SUB.
  • Basil's Compendium: Hexadecimal and 256-imal
    This article introduces the concept of hexadecimal notation and “256-imal.”
  • Basil's Compendium: Let A = ...
    This installment is going to show you how to assign values to a number of variables — or, as computer jargon has it, to load registers.
  • Basil's Compendium: LET A= ...
    This installment will teach you how to enter an actual program in machine code.
  • Basil's Compendium: PEEK, POKE & USR
    Reviews the operation of the ZX81 memory, discusses PEEK and POKE and introduce the USR command.
  • Basil's Compendium: Where to Put the Program
    This chapter will list some requirements for the place where we will put the machine code, and will show you how to find a memory location that meets those requirements.
  • Basil's Compendium: Why Use Machine Code?
    If you have the choice between simple and complicated, simple is usually the more elegant. It’s often a poor bargain to trade many minutes of machine code writing for a saving of a few milliseconds in program execution.
  • Basil’s Compendium
    Chapter discusses conditional instructions and behavior of various flags.
  • Basils' Compendium: Basic Machine Code for the ZX-81/TS1000
    As the title implies, this series is designed to introduce the beginner to the basics of machine coding. The beginner in machine language that is. We must assume that you already have a working knowledge of BASIC.
  • BBDOS: A Disk Operating System for the Aerco FD-ZX Interface
    ZX81/TS1000 owners who have been using the Aerco FD-ZX Disk Drive Interface owe Jerry Chamkis and his Texas staff a debt of gratitude for providing them with a reliable, high speed, mass storage system. But even as nice as the FD-ZX unit is, its disc operating system (DOS) leaves much to be desired.
  • Become a Sinclair Tycoon
    Advice on how not to run a software/hardware business.
  • Best of PCW Assembler Routines
    Review of the book published by Personal Computer World. Includes machine language routines for the Z80 CPU.
  • Bug Alert
    Corrections articles in SWN v3n3: “GET”, “ONE-CHIP MODS,” and DICE 1000.
  • Bug Alert
    Missing section of World Geography by Shawn Byrne, published in volume 5, number 4.
  • Bug Alert
    Correction to reverse-video driver, “Adding on to Gladstone”.
  • Bug Alert: One-chip NVM
    The “One-chip NVM” in SWN 4:1 shows a minor discrepancy between the schematic (Fig. 3) and the pictorials and instructions.
  • Bugs Strike Again
    Notes on fixing “ETAMITLU” by Jeff Moore.
  • Building a 2068 Database, Part 1
    The concept of a Completely Interactive Database System (CIDS) that has been implemented on a micro-computer is interesting in that this type of environment Is normally only found on mainframe computers. What I hope to do is cover the various aspects of implementing just such a system in the next few issues.
  • Building a 2068 Database, Part 2
    Part 2 of a series in building CIDS, a database program.
  • Celestial Basic: Skyplot
    Eric Burgess’ “Celestial Basic,” is a collection of astronomy programs converted for Sinclair Basic and published in “More Uses for your TS1000: Astronomy on your Computer.”
  • Celestial Computing
    Computerists and astronomers have much in common. Both have a fastidious interest in detail, an appreciation of precision and a love of things beyond the ordinary. It is natural that this publication carry a regular column devoted to computer astronomy.
  • Celestial Computing: Astronomical Software 1, Planet Finder
    AS1 provides functions frequently found only on more expensive software for more expensive computers. Combined into two compact “Time Options” and “Coordinate Options” menus, we see many selections that were treated as separate programs in Eric Burgess’ ‘Celestial Basic.’ Planet Finder is a collection of astronomical images and information. It’s a cleverly designed, graphically interesting
  • Chroma Soft TS 1000 Review
    Review of a program that displays color by flashing at different rates.
  • Circuit Board Hint
    After building circuit boards from artwork or kits, it’s a good idea to clean all the rosin from the board. This makes it easier to see bad connections and shorts, and also gives a cleaner appearance.
  • Clear That Screen!
    The purpose of this article is to present some alternatives to this command, and in this process maybe show some ways of handling your display file.
  • Coming Events
    Computerfest ’88 (Dayton, OH), Third Annual International/Great Northwest TS Mini-Fair (Portland, OR), Timex-Sinclair-Amstrad Computer Users 1988 Midwest Regional Conference (Cleveland, OH).
  • Computerfest Update
    Details about the 1987 T/S Computerfest, held in Indianapolis, Indiana.
  • Contest Deadline Nears
    The Second Annual Programmer’s Contest deadline is rapidly approaching. As of January 31, on a single entry has been submitted. Deadline extended to April 15, 1987.
  • Contest Nears Conclusion
    60+ contestants who submitted over 80 programs to the Big Contest; Timex 2068 disk drive has been submitted to the FCC for approval; Kirt Olsen of Syntax has stated that he will not take on any new subscribers; QL is out of the FCC (after one year) and is available by mail order.
  • Converting the Oliger 64K Ram for the 2068
    To use the JLO 64 K RAM board (from the TS1000) on the 2068, it is necessary to make these changes.
  • Curve Tracing - 2068
    Use the TS 2068 to print mathematical curves, handwriting, doodles, etc.
  • Custom Keyboard Tip
    Did you hook up one of those TI keyboards to your ZX81/TS1000? Don’t you wish it had all the Sinclair legends on the keys? Well, if you can find an old membrane keyboard (remember those?) you can cut it up and paste the legends onto the keys with silicone glue.
  • Customize your M-SCRIPT
    I am one of those people who can’t have a program for long before I find something to improve or otherwise fool with. In this case, the victim is MSCRIPT. MSCRIPT is a beautiful, full featured word processor. In a month of using the program, I’ve found only four things to complain about.
  • Decimal to Hex and Back
    Converting from hexadecimal to decimal number systems has been the bane of many an aspiring machine code programmer. This listing does the converting for you. When you RUN the program, a prompt asks you for a hex number. You can either type one in to get the decimal equivalent, or press ENTER to flip to
  • Decoding the EXROM
    The following circuit will allow you to use the memory area above the EXROM, which ocupies the 0 to 8K chunk in that memory bank, as RAM.
  • Dice 1000
    Program to “roll” graphic dice.
  • Editorial
    Another amazing year has passed and we have seen a number of computer companies bite the big one, as well as a number of computer related publications. Syncware News is now firmly planted and has every intention of “sticking around.”
  • Editorial
    In case you hadn’t noticed, a few changes have occurred with SWN in the last couple of months. The appearance among others, is quite different. Another change that has transpired is the editor/publisher personnel. We are very happy to have Tom Woods as our publisher. Not only is he involved in publishing, but also in
  • Editorial
    Season’s greetings; Second Sort-of-Annual Programmers Competition; new improved publication.
  • Editorial: Another Year Older; 2nd Annual Fest Planned; TS Communications
    Issues this year will include more material for the less technically inclined on the basics of T/S computing. 2nd Annual Midwest T/S Computer Fest will be May 2-3, 1987 in Indianapolis, IN. Indiana Sinclair Timex Users group is currently running a bulletin board, with software they’ve developed, on an unexpanded TS2068.
  • Editorial: Quantum Levels Premiers; Timex & Other Rumors; Amstrad Invasion
    August/September issue of Quantum_Levels available; Timex Portugal announced plans to bring the home computer battle back to North American shores; Sears, Roebuck will be offering Amstrad’s new word processor.
  • Editorial: Sinclair-Amstrad Deal; SyncWare Grows; Journal Goes
    Sinclair Research sold rights for Spectrum computers to Amstrad. Jeff Moore becomes editor. SyncWare Journal in construction.
  • Enter Q_Review?
    Teaser about new publication supporting the Sinclair QL.
  • EPROM Programmer, Part II: Fixing Your Home ROM
    Correct the home ROM by transferring it into RAM, changing the code, and then programming a 27128 to replace it.
  • Expanded 2068 Input Prompts
    One day, as I was rummaging through the TS2068 ROM, I discovered that there was more to the INPUT command than what was described In the manual. Digging a little deeper, I found that what’s presented here is covered In detail In the Spectrum manual. Well, so much for international communications.
  • Extensions to Pro/File Review
    There are four issues of Extensions that total 31 pages of well documented changes, additions, and instructions. These modifications can either be keyed into your computer or you can purchase the programs on tape.
  • Fast Times at Clairmont High TS 1000
    Game to get Walter Wimply to class.
  • FAT M-Script
    Use this listing in place of the Basic loader supplied with M-Script. It gives a backup capability and will provide larger letters that help improve readability.
  • Floppy Disk
  • For Your Support
    Column announcing hardware, software for Timex/Sinclair owners. Products from Bruce Taylor, Fred Nachbaur, Tom Woods, John Oliger, Jack Donahy, 21st Century Electronics, Zebra Systems, Steve Wyatt, G. Russell Electronics and Tad Painter listed.
  • For Your Support
    Product announcements from Barry Carter, Aerco, Zebra Systems, Pete Petri, JRC Software, Chia-Chi Chao, Poretsky & Poretsky, D. Lipinski Software, K. D. Lewis, American Surplus Trading, Toronto Software World, John Oliger, Rick Munday, A.F.R. Software, Sum-Ware, Al White and WMJ Data Systems.
  • For Your Support
    Product announcements from Robert Fischer, UAS, Tom Laffin, Knighted Computers, RAMEX, Ben Johnson, Fred Nachbaur, Tom Bent, Jim Houston Enterprises, Paul Bingham, Sum-Ware and Ray Kingsley.
  • For Your Support
    Product announcements from C. W. Associates, Gulf Micro Electronics, Aerco, G. Russell Electronics, Melvin MacKaron, Ace Software, Rheesware, EZ-KEy, Falmouth Computer Service, Damco Enterprises, A.F.R. Software, John Oliger, Van Vangor, T-Ware, Integrated Data Systems.
  • For Your Support
    Product availability announcements from Imre Auersbaucher (educational software), Hawg Wild Software (2068 fig-Forth, CP Spectrum Forth, EMU-1 Spectrum emulator, User Design Graphics toolkit), Dale Lipinski Software (5 new programs for the 2068, and 8 new ones for the 1000 and 1500, dealing with accounting and file management), Sinware (updated HotZ 2068), Games to Learn By
  • For Your Support
    Product announcements from English Micro Connection, TEJ Computer Products, Macshak Software, Delphic Enterprises, Pleasantrees Programming, Communications Systems Center, Toronto Software World, T Dailey, People’s Software Supply, S. J. Wyatt and John Oliger.
  • For Your Support
    Product announcements from G. Russell Electronics, Byte-Back, Variety Sales, Chia-Chi Chao, Larken Electronics, Sams, Fred Nachbaur, Lemke Software Development and E. Arthur Brown.
  • For Your Support
    Product announcements from Softaid, TEJ Computer Products, G. Russell Electronics, Integrated Data Systems, Sharp’s, Richard Booth, J. Keene, Pratt Programs, Robotron Industries, Knighted Computers, Ray Rash and Fred Nachbaur.
  • For Your Support
    Product announcement from Bill Bell, G. Russell Electronics, Dunbar Aitkens, I. B. A. Computer Users Network, Brice Road Pharmacy, Damco Enterprises, Sharp’s, C. W. Associates.
  • For Your Support
    Product announcements from John Oliger Co., NovelSoft, Willcocks Research Consultants, Grey & Clifford Computer Products, Knighted Computers, G. Russell Electronics, Jim Houston Enterprises, Larken Electronics, Chia-Chi Chao, Fred Nachbaur, Robert Fischer, Bill Heberlein, Bill Bell, C. W. Associates.
  • For Your Support
    Product announcements from Chia-Chi Chao, NovelSoft, Willcocks Research Consultants, Grey & Clifford Computer Products, Knighted Computers, Fred Nachbaur/Silicon Mountain Computers, Robert Fischer, Larken Electronics, Bill Bell, Thomas Woods, Jim Houston Enterprises, WIDJUP Co., David Hill.
  • For Your Support
    Product announcements from Fred Nachbaur, John Oliger Co., Grey & Clifford Computer Products, Larken Electronics, Chia-Chi Chao, Robert Fischer, Bill Bell, G. Russell Electronics, EZRA Group II, RMG Enterprises, David Hill, Paul Holmgren, GLENN Technics, John Deering.
  • For Your Support
    Announcement of version 2.5 of ZX-TERM*80, version 3 of SRAM Hi-Res Extended BASIC from Silicon Mountain Computers.
  • For Your Support
    Hardware and software offerings from Chia-Chi Chao, Mike Trivisonno, Jack Donahy, Fred Nachbaur, Tim Worcester, Games to Learn By, Kraig Pritts, John Oliger, Tom Woods and Knighted Computers.
  • For Your Support
    Products from Allan Wolach, C. W. Associates, Chia-Chi Chao, Don Dailey, Ed Grey, Fred Nachbaur, G. Russell Electronics, Newpower Inc., Paul Bingham, Robert Fischer, SAF User Group, Samson Okoloko, Steve Wyatt, Time Designs and Tom Woods.
  • For Your Support
    Hardware and software announcements from many vendors.
  • For Your Support
    AN-TO Productions is marketing QUICKEY 2068 keyboard overlays. Overlays are available for the following programs: AccuDraw T2, Artworx v1.1, Tasword/Tasprint, Mscript (regular and V5) and Omnicalc II. There is also a key finder and a blank overlay for your own programs. Bill Bell announces the availability of an Oliger Video Version of BBDOS for the
  • Forth is a State of Mind
    One of the problems encountered when introducing Forth to others is explaining how a language that is so strong and rich can and must be extremely simple and elegant. These terms are not as contradictory as they seem on the surface.
  • Forth-With
    “Just what is FORTH like?” FORTH is like FORTH and nothing else – it’s that simple. It has been shown that people who have never been exposed to a procedural language like BASIC, Fortran, Pascal, etc. grasp FORTH almost immediately.
  • Forum
    Letters to the editor, corrections. Letters from Thomas Griffin, Bob Orrfelt, Dennis Silvestri and Pete Kelly.
  • Forum
    Address for QZX; Tony Gomez has board to convert Compusa disk to interface with DEC drives; Roy Brann offers feedback on machine code article; Kingsley Langenberg would like to know where to find spare parts for ZX81.
  • Forum
    Terminal program for TS1000; bus conversion to Spectrum; tilde character; Byte-Back modem with Modem II; converting Spectrum software; RAMTOP with Compusa drive; making backups on the 2068.
  • Forum
    Timex Portugal moving ahead with Timex 2068; bug in TS1500 ROM LOAD routine; errors in John Oliger’s article in 2/4; Pro/File 2068 books shipped; questions about A&J Microdrive; Spectrum ROMs; corrections to “Clear That Screen”, articles in vol 1; sources for replacement chips.
  • Forum
    Bill Ferrebee operates a BBS with a Timex interest group; Ray Rash has a 2068 biorhythm program; Dan Pinko will repair blown SDS load filter; Bary Wingersky has rewritten Cave-Man WP for 2068; Radio Electronics has 4-part hardware story in progress for Timex.
  • Forum
    Although it was not out intention to cause either mass hysteria or high anxiety, last issue’s front page seemed to cause both. I never got so much mail in my life! Would you believe 18 inches deep? If I haven’t responded quickly to your letters recently, please understand why.
  • Forum
    Make Mscript work with Tasman interface; 2040 printer and Memotech 16K RAM; pull-up resistors on data lines; load amp circuit; print command compiler.
  • Forum
    Short program by Arthur B. Marzano; introduction of new editor, Jeff Moore; SUM, Time Designs merge.
  • Forum
    Screen interference with Zebra Disk System; 2040 paper feed problems; translating to other languages; balance of articles; UV lamp warning; Spectrum +2 announcement; TS1500s in music lab at community college; microdrive info wanted.
  • Forum
    Monochrome monitor compatibility; Pascal help wanted; 2068 Art revisited; 2068 business graphics wanted; keyboard troubles; ink jet woes; more on Mandelplot.
  • Forum
    Computerfest Update; SyncWare programmers contest; who is Orrin McGill; external power; questions about color monitors; ZX81 flight trainer; what’s a MIDI; corrections to errors; TS computers in model rocketry.
  • Forum
    Random Access From Our Readers (short tips, suggestions and requests from readers) Silicon Mountain Computers to Close Doors Cedric Bastiaans, SWN Author, Dies Late News on Cleveland 1988 Mid West T/S Conference A Plug for SNUG Missing Person Report Truth or Consequences Further Info on that “Other” PC (IQ8300 is same as PC8300, Power 3000)
  • Forum
    Letters from Jean-Claude Touzin, P. H. Skipper, Chris Sloan, Paul Bingham, Tony Gomez, Paul Edwards. Correction to article about TS1500 ROM bug fix that appeared in SyncWare News v2 n6 forum.
  • Forum
    Letters from Alex Burr about the Timex Sinclair Amateur Radio User Group, Bob Howard re battery powered daisy wheel printers and Richard Norek about illegitimate line numbers.
  • FORUM
    Letters from readers. Tom Saine has questions about running Chess with his TS 1500 and AERCO disk drives. Computerfest updates. Charles Sullivan asks about converting a ZX80 to a ZX81. Wayne Kay gives advice on power line protection. Warren Fricke expresses concern about addition of QL coverage. Barry Malpas gives info about CAN, a newsletter
  • Forum
    Letter from Paul Holmgren inviting Timex/Sinclair owners to attend the Second Annual Midwest Timex-Sinclair Computer Fest. Letters detailing: wish list of add ons for the TS 2068 from Pete Kelly ZXLR8 problems from John Baney questions about 64 column mode from John Pigg printing challenges from John Christensen user group request from T. G. Morley
  • Forum: Spectrum Compatibility
    Add pull-up resistors to ROM, consistent with Spectrum design.
  • Fred's Soapbox
    All too often I hear comments like “Since I got my TS2068, the TS1000’s been sitting on the shelf, awaiting a trip down memory lane.”
  • GET: A String Input Routine
    Machine-language routine to format numbers on entry.
  • Getting Started with Beta BASIC
    Introduction to Beta BASIC, an extension of Spectrum BASIC. Requires a Spectrum BASIC ROM or cartridge.
  • Halt Right There!
    You ZX/TS users have been told, and told again, “Don’t mess with the interrupts” and “Never use the HALT command.” The severity of the admonitions seem to imply that a fate-worse-than-crashing awaits those who would tamper with such things. When HALT is encountered, the Z80 CPU stops running your program. In this way it is
  • Hang-Mult 2068
    The mainframe where I work has a Hangman-style number guessing game in its library which has fascinated me. I wrote HANG-MULT to emulate the mainframe’s program on my TS-2068 and thought other SWN readers might enjoy it too.
  • Happy Birthday to Us
    This issue marks the beginning of the third year of support for TS computers.
  • HOT Z/Zeus Comparison
    Comparison between the two machine-language utility programs.
  • How Fast is Fast Enough?
    Todays word is SPEED. Regardless of which machine you own, you can speed up your SAVE and LOAD times in several different ways. The most economical is the tape based fastload, of which there are several programs out for the 1000. The 2068 has a speed limitation due to design considerations, although it does load
  • Instant Sorting
    Explanation of Shell-Faulk sorting algorithm and implementation in BASIC and machine language.
  • Ireg 1000
    The TS1000 owners manual states (p. 123) that upon return from machine code, the I register must have the value lEh. However, it can be a lot of fun breaking the rules. The I register points to the upper byte of the character generator table in the ROM. If we change it, the character set
  • Letter Scramble
    Short program presents scrambled words to user, user must unscramble them.
  • Location for Machine Code
    When you turn on your TS2068 computer, POKE 23730, 255 and ENTER. Then press NEW and ENTER. This will put RAMTOP at address 65535 which is as high as possible.
  • Looping in Machine Code
    Suggestions looping and operating on data in the loop.
  • Machine Code Topics: 2068 BASIC ROM Calls
    This is the first of an occasional and indefinite series on machine-code programming for the 2068. I do not intend to take you through the rudiments of Z80 instructions, nor even the discovery and invention of the poked REM statement, but if you know how to do it even a little bit, then maybe I
  • Machine Code Topics: How to Write Relocatable Z80 Code
    Relocatable code will execute, without modification, when placed at any available address. The techniques to make code completely relocatable are the subject of this article.
  • Make Your Own 2068 & TS1000 EPROM Progammer
    Here is a project that will let you “burn” (program) EPROMS using your computer. It will handle either the 2764 type (8K bytes) or the 27128 (16K) EPROMs.
  • Mandelplot: Mathematical Printer Art
    The purpose for writing this article is to show you how easily you can get beautiful math-art creations using a minimum of hardware. The program presented is for the ZX81/TS1000 or TS1500, but can readily be extended to virtually any computer ever built.
  • Megabasic Magic
    Review of YS (YourSinclair) Megabasic.
  • MEMONOTES Makes Debut
    Quarterly newsletter, for owners of Memotext and/or Memocalc and truly serious 1000 owners, is available.
  • Memotech Revisited
    All Timex Sinclair computer owners can expect to get an offer from Memotech soon. This offer is in the form of a trade in. They will reduce the price of their MTX512 computer a substantial amount, depending on what you have to trade in. The MTX512 has been upgraded considerably since it was first announced.
  • Microdrives!
    Zebra Systems has the Sinclair microdrives running on a 2068 (with a Spectrum ROM). They should have a bus conversion out soon for attachment of those and other Spectrum peripherals.
  • Midwest TS Computerfest
    Announcement about event scheduled for May 3 and 4, 1986.
  • More About Mscript
    MSCRIPT uses the true 64 column mode of TS-2068, and therefore, the border does not change color during loading and saving. It would be better if a message is printed after “Start tape & press ENTER” to indicate the acceptance of the keystroke. Also, MSCRIPT does not confirm the Restart option, so hours of work
  • New Updates
    Computer Updates appears from the shadow of Pro/File Updates. 12 page quarterly includes updates to all software from Tom Woods.
  • Off the Wall
    A list of amusing re-imagined definitions of computer terms.
  • Off the Wall
    Short program that makes the TS 1000 attempt to list its own ROM.
  • Off the Wall
    Fred Nachbaur responds to criticisms about the magazine’s prior contest in “song” form, parodying Dire Straits’ Money for Nothing.
  • Off The Wall: How Many Combinations?
    How big is 64 K, really? Have you ever wondered exactly how many possible combinations there are in 65536 memory locations, each capable of assuming values from 0 to 255? Well, 64K bytes is 524288 bits, so the number of possibilities is 2**524288, or about 2.6E157826 (26 followed by 524,287 zeros). Printing this number in
  • On Loading
    The program presented here creates a modified LOAD command. It moves the routines needed for the LOAD from ROM into RAM and adjusts them to work there. The routines are changed so that when the LOAD completes, machine language code from the 1 REM statement is executed. By changing statement 1, you can completely control
  • One Chip Mods
    Modify memory-mapped Byte-Back modules to work better with an expanded TS1000.
  • One Chip Mods: Kempstonize Your Joystick Port
    Although the circuit described can be built on an external card perfectly well, it is somewhat unique in that it can be installed inside your TS2068, without interfering with the normal operation in any way.
  • One Chip Mods: Recycle that 16K RAM pack
    Instructions on how to alter a standard 16K RAM pack to work as 2 8K banks in the 8-16K region of the TS 1000.
  • Part 2: Retain Buffers & Macros
    Patching Mterm to allow it to remember buffers and macros.
  • Pat's Soapbox: Just for the Fun of It
    Why are you still wasting time with that toy? Why don’t you get a Mac, an IBM, or one of the clones? We have all heard these questions many times. Don’t you get tired of it? Of course you do, and so do I. Let me give you a few of the responses I give
  • PET ASCII Output Program for the Timex/Sinclair ZX81
    This article describes a project which may be useful for anyone desiring to use software for the ZX81, TS1000 or TS1500 on a different computer. The program version presented here is designed to convert Sinclair BASIC programs into ASCII text which can be sent from the Sinclair computer to the serial port of a Commodore
  • Plane Frame
    Plane Frame is a mechanical and structural engineering program.
  • Poor-Man's EPROM Eraser
    Recommendations for erasing EPROMs with an ozone or germ lamp.
  • Port Projects: Get the LED-OUT
    In any number of monitoring and/or control uses for your ZX/TS, you may find that using a TV set to check on your system is inconvenient or impractical. This would be so, for example, in outdoor or dirty environments or when you simply wish to check the status of one or two system parameters without
  • Profile 2068
    Contrary to popular belief, there is a Profile manual under construction. (I have seen the proofs with my own eyes.) There is however, one chapter to go before it is ready for the printer. The manual is comprised of not only instructions, but several modifications, program improvements and upgrades and will be a good tutorial
  • Program Segmentation
    Author introduces the concept of breaking programs into smaller segments and loading the segments from disk as needed.
  • Put MSCRIPT on EPROM
    Describes how to make an AROS EPROM cartridge from the original MSCRIPT tape version.
  • Put Those Extra Banks To Work
    Several recent developments in the Timex 2068 hardware have made our computers much more flexible and powerful. Extra memory banks available to us now give us room to do things never before possible. Such extra memory banks are available on the AERCO disk interface and RAM cartridges. Relocate ZEUS assembler to a different bank.
  • Q & A
    Byte-Back UM-64; One Chip Mods; “Delete” machine code.
  • Q&A
    Problems with quality of 2068 display; TS1500 high res video; Aerco/Royal printer compatibility; curing interference on 2068 saves; more on spikes; print message notes; Canada customs.
  • QL Price Drops $200
    Sinclair Research drops the price.
  • QL Submissions Invited
    Request for articles for QL Review.
  • QL Super Basic
    In the last issue I gave you a brief overview of the hardware angle to Sinclair’s latest computer, the QL. This time, I’ll tell you about some of the features available in this computer’s built-in Super Basic language.
  • Quick Screen Display 2068
    If you are looking for a way to rapidly store and retrieve an entire screen display, then this approach may be useful to you. It moves the 6912 bytes of the normal screen display file (DFILE1) to an address in RAM, from which it may then be retrieved as one block of data and reinserted
  • Read a 2068 Header
    Program to read the information block/header of a TS 2068 program saved to tape.
  • Redefine the TS2068 Character Set
    Every 2068 user should know by now that they can define their own graphics characters, but did you know that you can also design your own type fonts? Well now you are no longer locked In by the standard 2068 block characters. The really amazing part Is that It Is quite easy to redesign them.
  • Review: Timex Sinclair Intermediate Advanced Guide
    This book was mentioned in an early SAMS offering, but due to the Timex pull-out it was not marketed until September. The demand was strong enough for it. The book starts with a brief but thorough explanation of the insides of the 2068, its architecture and its electronics. A full explanation of digital mathematics follow.
  • Run TS1000 Machine Code in High Memory
    This trick was originally published in Syntax Quarterly, Summer 1983. It will allow you to use the 32-48K RAM area for machine code, if you have the Memotech or JLO 64 K boards (and maybe some others, but not the Byte-Back UM).
  • Run Your Memotech 64K on the 2068
    Advice on adding 64K RAM units to your 2068 system in a manner which would not require additions or modifications to the RAM pack.
  • Send a 2068 Message
    Describes how to use ROM calls and machine language to print built-in error messages.
  • Sinclair QL Update
    The latest word is that Sinclair will take orders as early as November, with deliveries as early as January (FCC permiting). Several improvements have been made to it since it was first introduced, mainly to correct the original discrepancies in the operating system, etc.
  • Software Lo-Res for TS 1000
    Machine language utility to create large characters on the screen.
  • Sorting Through The TS2068 Sorts
    This article compares the sorting speed of three routines on randomized, inverted and ordered data.
  • Spectrum Compatibility & the 2068 Romswitch
    As most 2068 owners know by now, you can gain access to the hundreds of Sinclair Spectrum software titles available in the U.K., by changing your 2068 ROM (Read Only Memory). This can be done in a number of ways, and one quite elegant method is by the use of the Russell Electronics’ Romswitch.
  • Spectrum Software
    There is just a ton of excellent Spectrum software from games to a floating point compiler. You can get this software from any number of suppliers in this country. With the Pound slipping in price, the cost of Spectrum programs is, relatively speaking, very low. This differential may help justify the acquistion of a Romswitch
  • Stringy Floppy
  • Structured Basic Tree Programs
    Structured BASIC is BASIC which is organized so that each module or section of a program has ONE entry point and ONE exit point. The opposite of this, so-called “spaghetti” BASIC, is programming that has multiple entry and/or exit points in its modules.
  • SWN On Line
    SWN editors join Compuserve.
  • SyncWare Meets QL
    Sinclair Research has been promising the North American arrival of their new QL computer for so long, it’s hard to remember just when the first mention of it was made. Were it not for the fact that this machine is being sold in the U.K., one might well wonder if it is just the figment
  • Syntactic Sum
    The ’SYNTACTIC SUM’ shown after the programs is a convenient parity check which was required by the editors of the now defunct Sinclair oriented newsletter SYNTAX ZX80, a publication of the Harvard Group.
  • T/S On Line
    TS2050 modems are still relatively easy to come by. Several manufacturers are offering modems and software of equal or better quality than the ‘offically’ supported Timex equipment. A source like Fischer and Ishii’s “THE GUIDE TO T/S TELECOMMUNICATIONS” is all you need to tie it all together.
  • Tasman + Quadra Chart
    This program addition will allow you to make full size printer copies from Quadra-Chart.
  • The Amazing 2068 Pix Fix
    Program to draw pictures on the computer screen.
  • The Cassette Connection
    In Volume 1, I ran a series on improving cassette reliability on the ZX81. Well, now that the TS2068 has arrived, that’s all obsolete, right? Wrong! If anything, in my experience the 2068 needs even more “outside help” in getting reliable loads.
  • The Fame & The Glory
    And now, here are a few more words about the last contest. First, we would like to thank all of the contributors who donated prizes for this contest. I’m sure that all of you will agree that this is indeed a formidable list of prizes for a TS based contest and we would like to
  • The Owner's Manual: What it is...
  • The TS2192 Computer
    The greatest part of this announcement is that if you own a 2068, then you don’t have to buy another computer! However, nothing is for free. It does require converting a 1000 64K RAM pack, of which we show the conversion for one.
  • TI99 Keyboard
    So, you got one of those TI99 keyboards from Radio Shack for $2.95 and still have not wired it up to your 1000 or 2068, right? I was going to write this up a while ago, but I learned that so many different companies made the circuit boards that it would be difficult to give
  • TIMACHINE Review
    Review of the floating-point BASIC compiler for the TS 2068 and Spectrum.
  • Timex 6820 Computer
    Timex announces their return with a 68020 computer, running Timex Unix (TUNIX) and other operating systems. Note the issue date.
  • TMS9918A Video Upgrade For The TS1000
    As can be expected with any major hardware upgrade, there are a few conflicts when the Oliger video system is used in conjunction with other equipment. Summarizes the fixes we and others have come up with to date.
  • TMS9918A Video Upgrade: Part 1
    The TMS9918A video project consists of two PC boards, a small modification/addition to the main computer board, and a +5, +12, -5 VDC power supply (an expansion board of some type is necessary). Video board “A” contains the TMS9918 VDP chip, 16K video ram and one support chip for I/O interfacing. Board “B” contains the
  • TMS9918A Video Upgrade: Part 2
    This second installment involves some explanation of the changes to the operating system and how they have been implemented. By actually placing the contents of the ROM on EPROM, you can change any routine, implement extra commands outside of the 8K ROM and have BASIC control of your new routines. It is only necessary to
  • Tom's Soapbox: Sink or Swim, We're All In This Together
    Editorial about copying versus supporting individuals/companies directly.
  • Translations: Memotext in RAM
    Here is how to make a copy of the “Memotext” word-processor, which you can save to tape and reload later into RAM or NVM (non-volatile memory) in the 8-16K range.
  • Translations: Memotext to ZX Pro/File
    If you have a Memotext word-processor module and 64K RAM, you undoubtedly have already made use of its powerful “text” files mode. Memotext also supports “data” files, organized in six fields per file, up to 31 characters per field. Entering data files is just as easy and fast as text, thanks to the re-defined keyboard,
  • Tri-Base Arithmetic
    Turns your TS 1000 into a multi-base arithmetic calculator and number converter.
  • TS1000 Advanced Calculator Program
    These programs convert the TS-1000/1500 computer (with 16 col., 32 col. or an 80 col. printer) into a superior printing scientific calculator which saves the last 25 formulas and 900 variables for reference and/or use in future expressions. The enhanced version, CALPR-1, provides for labeling of all expressions and variables for improved calculation notes. Poking
  • TS1000 Banner
    This program actually comes as an addendum and application to the LPRINT Hints given in Vol. 1.
  • TS1000 Error Reports: Basic & Advanced
    Article explores how error reports work on the TS1000/ZX81 computer, and furthermore, how to use “custom” error reports in your own programs.
  • TS1000 Move It!
    One of the nice features of the Z80 is that it has a number of commands which actually are a whole subroutine in a single op-code or machine-language instruction. Quite probably the most powerful of these are the “block-transfer” group of commands. These allow you to easily transfer blocks of memory anywhere you wish, at
  • TS1000 Review: Stock Plot
    If the terms “Dow Jones Industrial Average”, “Price Earnings Ratio”, “shares”, “Current Dollar Profit”, and “Portfolio” mean anything special to you, buying this program might just be the kind of “investment” you’d like to look into.
  • TS1000 Visible Sort
    This listing is a great way to get a handle on how sorting routines actually sort. Since the program has been designed to be friendly, it guarantees that the code is difficult to follow.
  • TS1500 Fix
    A bug in the LOAD command that puts the stack pointer at the address where the bad load occurred. The listings (done with Hot Z) show the original ROM and the fix for an EPROM.
  • TS1500 HI-RES
    Software-only high resolution routines for the TS 1500.
  • TS1500 Is More Than Meets the Eye
    Demonstration program from Greg Harder how the TS1500 is improved over the 1000, allowing for software-only high-resolution graphics.
  • TS1500 Video Topics
    How would you like reverse video on your TV screen when using your TS1500? Not only is it possible, but it’s also ridiculously simple. All it involves is installing an SPST switch, and soldering two wires. Yes, you can use the TS1500 with John Oliger’s TMS9918A video upgrade. The required modification to the computer’s NMI
  • TYD BYTS
    Tips on adapting Fred Nachbaur’s universal printer driver to the two types (B and C) of the Tasman CPI (Centronics Parallel Interface). Bob Swoger recommends mineral oil for edge connector and other contacts.
  • Tyd-Bits
    Poking MODE; Help for Tasword.
  • Tyd-Bits: Fun with Hot-Z II
    Hot Z II uses a fascinating “trick” for getting back into itself if you should stumble into the error restart, RST 08. This is done by jimmying the ER_SP system variable.
  • Tyd-Byts
    Several suggestions have been made in the past to prevent the mysterious crashes in our computers. Here’s another.
  • Tyd/Byts
    This first little “ditty,” (UFO 2068) creates a UFO that you can add to your games and play around with. Bits will print out all of the possible bit patterns (0 to 255).
  • Universal Printer Driver
    In Volume 1, I ran a series on getting the most out of your ZX/TS with full-size printer and Memotech Centronics interface. Since then, this CIF has become unavailable. Fortunately, several other printer interfaces (both parallel and serial) are available. These include Centronics Parallel IF’s by Aerco, Byte-Back, John Oliger, and Tasman, and serial IF’s
  • UPD Modifications
    “Print an ASCII character” routine for Centronics interface from EPROM Services. Patch for the “Universal Printer Driver“.
  • Upgrading Mterm
    Add printer output routine to Mterm that supports the Gemini 10X and 80 column printing.
  • Upgrading VU-Calc 1000
    VU-CALC for the ZX81/TS1000-1500 is a good program, but it has some limitations. Fortunately, modifications can easily be made which overcome these three limitations.
  • Uploader 2000
    Almost any program you have in BASIC for the ZX81/TS1000 can now be used on the TS2068 with the use of UPLOAD2000. This is a program that allows you to convert most BASIC 1000 programs into working versions for the 2068.
  • US & UK Versions Different
  • Volume No.1 of SyncWare
    We are presently reconstructing and re-editing volume one of SyncWare News. We appreciate your patience. We are hoping to have Volume one out by the end of November. I’m sure that the original subscribers can comprehend the magnitude of this task. The original five issues amounted to 190 pages of 5 “by 8.5”, reduced type!
  • VU-3D and the Tasman I/F
    With some simple modifications you can get full size printer copies from the popular TS2068 ” VU-3D” program, using the TASMAN parallel printer interface.
  • VU-Calc and the Tasman I/F
    Here is a short program which will allow you to use your “80 Column” Printer to print a real spread sheet for presenting data (including tables you’ve already SAVEd) from the Psion Software program VU-CALC.
  • Watch Out For RFI
    How to manage radio frequency interference with your computer.
  • Welcome Back Memotech
    Oxford Data is supplying Memotech hardware add-ons and Memotech MTX computer.
  • What, We Worry?
    Short, amusing piece about the three main individuals behind SyncWare News at the time: Tom Woods, Fred Nachbaur and Tom Bent.
  • Who Won?
    Gregory Harder, Denver, CO, came in first with Software LO-Res and John Byrne of Cookeville, TN, took second place with GET input program. In the 2068 corner, first prize went to John Nguyen of Louisville, KY, for submitting PIX FIX, and second prize went to Wes Brzozowski of Endicott, NY for his fully implemented 64
  • WINKJET1 Review
    Review of William Pedersen’s printer driver for the Olivetti PR2300 inkjet.
  • Word Sinc II.5 & Wordfont: TS1000 Review
    If you’re looking for a general use word processor program for home use, WORD SINC II.5 might just be for you. Although several people who have used the earlier versions of WORD SINC, including myself, did not care for the program, this adaptation has several features that make it worth buying.
  • Wordsearch: A Comparison between the ZX80 and TS1000
    The differences as to how the two machines handle relational operators turned out to be the key to making the WORDSEARCH program operate successfully on the TS1000. In the process of translating from ZX80 Basic to TS1000 Basic, a number of “tricks” were discovered that allow successful conversion of programs between the two computers.
  • WRX 16 Hi-Res for the 1000
    For several years, ZX81/TS1000 owners have dreamed of a simple bit-mapped high-resolution system for their machines. The quest began with the appearance of “software-only” high-resolution packages, which offered an improvement over the crude 44×64 block pixels, but left much to be desired regarding precision and ease of use. Several manufacturers came out with hardware add-ons
  • ZX81 & QL Regulator Bug
    Suggested solutions to power regulation problems in the ZX81/TS1000 and QL: add capacitors.

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