Software – Timex/Sinclair Computers

Applications that run on the Timex/Sinclair computers, spanning from art and entertainment to business to games to home maintenance.

Art and Drawing Software

Drawing and art programs were available for both the TS 1000 and TS 2068.

Business Software

Everything from accounting to mailing lists to highly specialized business software was available for the TS 1000 and TS 12068. Business owners could and did run their operations on these computers.

Database Programs

Any TS owner who was serious about using his or her computer for “real” work needed a database to track inventory, hold client address information et cetera.

DOS and Disk Utilities

If you have a disk drive system, it stands to reason you’ll need software to make it work or manipulate the disks.

Educational Software

In the early 1980s, parents and teachers seemed enamored of the potential of computers as education tools. And, seemingly, they were willing to pay money to have that potential realized in their living rooms, dens and home offices.

Engineering, Math and Science

This could almost be a subset of educational software but for the fact that many of these programs had serious applications in the engineering, math and science realms.

Finance

The early years of home computers were filled with hours of budget balancing, financial planning, stock tracking, mortgage amortization and other exciting financial tasks.

Games

The size of this category should come as no surprise: there are more than 1,100 games listed here. In addition to (or despite) the legitimate uses of a computer, playing games has long been one of the most popular uses.

Graphics

Programs in this group produce graphic images. Uses ranged from calendar/poster printing software to business charts.

Home

Another popular use for adult Sinclair owners: software to organize home chores like maintaining the household budget or balance the checkbook.

Miscellaneous

Collections of programs and programs too diverse to categorize.

Music/Speech

Programs for composing and playing music and speech synthesis.

Programming Languages, Aids and Utilities

Program development aids and alternative languages like Forth and Pascal.

Spreadsheet

Programs for for computation, organization, analysis and storage of data in tabular form.

Terminal

Programs for communicating with other computers via a MODEM and bulletin-board systems.

Utilities

Programs to perform small functions, like converting numbers from one base to another, all the way to printer drivers.

Word Processing

Timex/Sinclair users insisted on using their computers for "real" tasks, including word processing within the limitation of a 32 column display.