a)

A

Deshgn

MAGAZINE | .

FOR THE TS 2068 AND ALL OTHER TIMEX AND SINCLAIR COMPUTERS

oOPEGIAL COMPUTER

ce ee

VOL.1NO.2 JAN.—FEB.

ree ~| DeSAghs

MAGAZINE

FOR THE TS 2068 AKD ALL OTHER TIWEX AKD SINCLAIR COMPUTERS

SPECIAL COMPUTER Interview: "Where are we going?" 2 TELECOMMUNICATIONS | O Bits and Pieces 4 TELECOMMUNI CATIONS Comparing The Data Base Services 7 T/S BBS 9 T/S Modems 10 Editor/Publisher:Tim Woods Review of the MTERM II 12

Assistant to the Editor:Stephanie

Screen Display Storage and Woods tape e

Memory Relocate 13 Software Reviews, Special Assign- TS 2068/Spectrum-Wares 15 ments, and Photography:Tom Judd ‘ ; ; : Review of Ant Attack 16 a2~Special Contributor:Dennis Jurries Russell Electronics "Romswitch" 17

Consultant:M.J. Marsh

: . Make A Static Discharge Special thanks for the kind words Bracelet 19 of encouragement from the CCATS

and PATS user groups in Oregon. Breaking and Saving 2068

? : - ; ; Programs 21 Time Designs Magazine is published

bi-monthly and is copyrighted©@1985

: : : Programs 22 by the Time Designs Magazine Co.

SOFTWARE REVIEWS

Reproduction of this magazine in The Great Game and Graphics whole or in part by electronic, Show 23

mechanical, or any other means, without written permission is

eKits bh is Compass Compiler/Assembler 24 prohibite y law. :

2 Programs from Executive

Subscriptions: $15 for one year (six Workshop 25 issues). Single issue price is $3.

Postage is included and paid by THE SHOPPING MART 26 Time Designs Magazine for each issue. ae

Direct all subscription inquiries and correspondence to:Time Designs Magazine, 29722 Hult Rd.,Colton,OR, 97017.

Time Designs Magazine is printed by:Toad'L Litho Printing and Con- position, 358 Warner Milne Rd., Oregon City,OR 97045

?

AN

“WHERE ARE

NOTE: We have received a good deal

of correspondence lately, concerning the direction that TIME DESIGNS MAGAZINE is going, also our views

on the stability of’ the Timex and Sinclair computer market that remains, and our long range goals. The staff decided to interview the Editor/ Publisher of our magazine, Tim Woods, who has more or less been the brain- child of our operations. This is an attempt to clarify several issues that have developed from questions

by our readers. The regular "EDITOR- IAL" column that is usually featured in this section, will return next issue in its normal format.

Time Designs Staff: What led you to publish a Timex/Sinclair magazine, especially when the situation appeared to be rather bleak after the Timex announcement?

Tim Woods: It was shortly after that bad news that I began to wonder how long it would be until the companies that had gambled large investments

in the Timex/Sinclair after-market, would drop out. And I included the big full color gloss magazines like SYNC and TIMEX/SINCLAIR USER. Lucky for TIMEX/SINCLAIR USER, they had just sold their magazine to another outfit before Timex dropped the bomb. The new owner struggled along for several months, claiming to soon pub- lish an issue, but never did. As for SYNC, they just had too much over- head. With so many big advertising accounts dropping out, they called

it quits. It was at that time, I saw a real need for TS users to continue to have a quality magazine. I knew that a costly publication like SYNC wasn't feasible, but a more budget- minded magazine, still maintaining all af the standard features.

T.D.S.: Aren't there still some other TS magazines out there?

7

See ome

INTERVIEW WITH THE EDITOR/PUBLISHER

OF T.D.M,

WE GOING?”

T.W.: Yes there are. And some good ones too. SYNTAX has been around for a long time. Its published by the Harvard Group and is quite expensive. I believe that they are up to $48

for a years subscription! They are essentially a newsletter format, but each issue is packed with a lot of information and usually the very latest news. There is TS HORIZONS which is a newer magazine with a smaller-than-usual size for a mag- azine, but seems to be very infor- mative and feature packed. There is also SYNCWARE NEWS. It is edited by Thomas Woods, who has gained a rep- utation for his excellent software. His magazine is quite technical in content, and may be hard to compre- hend by newer TS users, but never

the less, is a very good publication. Also the all-program newsletter "BASIC" is still available the last time I heard. In my opinion, I think the best magazines for your money

are the British Sinclair publications like ZX COMPUTING, if you can get them in your area. They are simply excellent, just crammed with feature articles and programs.

T.D.S.: Do we detect that you don't like magazines that are overly tech- nical?

Tie No, that is. a2st -trué.2 its" just that I don't feel a computer magazine should be devoted entirely to a "mach- ine:''' I feel that there is a human- istic aspect of being a computer user also. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy reading the latest programming tricks and construction project art- icles just like the next guy. But I feel its nice to have somewhat of a people-orientated magazine also. Lets just say, borrowing the term, "user friendly".

_especially by readers who are con-

~ azine.

T.D.S.: How long do you plan on pub- lishing Time Designs Magazine? T.W. :5T> get asked that quite often,

idering a subscription to the mag- I must say that we will con- tinue to print a magazine as long

as there is interest in Timex and Sinclair computers. I know for sure we will be in business at least this year and most likely the one after that. After that, who knows? Maybe tall the end-of-the 60's.

T.D.S.: Do you think the same thing could happen to your magazine that happened to SYNC and TIMEX/SINCLAIR USER?

T.W.: No. Definitely not. For one thing we haven't invested a fortune in our product right from the start. We are not full color, gloss and over 70 pages thick. What we want

to do is grow gradually, and not put everything on the line from the start. Sure, someday soon we may have a color cover, and each issue we plan on adding some more pages. But we don't want to make ourselves vulner- able, just flexible.

T.D.S.: How successful was your first

~~. . / “Assue?

Tr.W.:-.I was rather pleased. Although it took a few more months to get it out than we expected. We received some nice letters congradulating us on our efforts, and some objective Suggestions for some new features that we will incorporate in future issues. I see room for improvement, and we will do just that with each consecutive issue. As far as sales,

I thought we did exceedingly well for a first issue.

T.D.S.: What do you think you can achieve for a readership circulation? TeW.:- 1 think the key to that’ question is attempting to reach the more than two million TS users in the U.S.

Just the other day someone overheard me in a discussion on TS computers, and spoke up and said, "you mean you really use those little things,... I've had one around for sometime,

but never figured out how to put the darn thing to use." It just goes to

y~show you, that there are a lot of

-

—

Editor/Publisher Tim Woods of Time Designs Magazine

people out there who would like to learn more about their computers. I think that TS user groups are great, but they have not reached the entire public. There are a lot of new users out there to recruit. To get back

to your question, I would like to see our humble little magazine reach 1,000 subscribers by sometime this year. The big magazines that are now defunct, claimed to have at one time hundreds of thousands of subscribers. T.D.S.: Are you a magazine primar- ily for the TS 2068?

T.W.: When we first started out, this was in our plans. At least to have a heavy emphasis on that mach- ine. It was a computer that was just dumped on the public shortly before its parent company split for good. The published information on the TS 2068 was very sparse. However, now that we have received many requests for support of the TS 1000/ZX81, we won't short-change this fine machine either. We want to also feature Sin- clair's QL and Spectrum, and any other computer that Sinclair has made or will introduce in the fut- ure. And of course the TS 2068 will be right at the top too.

T.D.S.: Tell us. some of your future plans for the magazine.

The M-Script Word Processor package is available from 21st Cen- tury. Electronics, 6813: Polk Street, Guttenberg, NJ, 07093. M-Script is also a word processor that has been available for other personal conm- puters from IBM and Radio Shack. The reason why there is a version available for the TS 2068, has to explain that.it was up for Timex's approval. M-Script is a very comp- rehensive word processor, and in- cludes a 72 page manual.

For $300 for the MT Spirit, and $70 for the M-Script, you could own a genuine Timex. Well, sort of.

TS 2068 PRODUCTS FOR EXPERIMENTERS FROM THE JOHN OLIGER COMPANY

The JOHN OLIGER COMPANY is offering several experimenter boards for the Timex/Sinclair 2068. They include a User Cart- ridge Board, with empty sockets for eproms (2 2764s or 2 27128s), an Expansion Board, complete with an RGB monitor interface circuit and a feedthrough rear edge con- nector, and the just recently announced 2068 Eprom Programmer. While the User Cartridge Board utilizes the cartridge slot in the side compartment of the TS 2068, the Expansion Board plugs into the rear edge connector. Other boards like the 2068 Eprom Programmer (and ones that will be released in the future) plug into the Expansion Board. The Eprom Programmer also requires the optional Vpp Power Supply Board, or similar power supply.

All of the John Oliger Co. products are available as a bare printed circuit board (you supply the parts), or as a kit with parts, and also fully assembled and tested. The instructions for the kits are fairly limited (includes a schematic) and are most likely not designed for the first time kit builder.

Also to be available soon, is a Centronics type parallel print- er interface board for the TS 2068. There are also some experimenter boards available for the TS 1000/ ZX81.

For further information on the boards, and a current price list, peease send a S.A.§.2; to: The John Oliger Co., 11601 Whidbey Dr., Cumberland, IN, 46229.

ERRATA

It was reported in our Nov./ Dec. 1984 issue that we would be featuring the articles "A Flight Instructor Reviews The Timex Flight Simulator Cartridge Software", and "How To Make Music With The TS 2068 Part Two", in our current issue. We are Still in the process of -complet- ing these two features, and will most likely have them available in our March/April 1985 issue of- Time Designs Magazine. We apologize to everyone for this inconvenience. However, we did manage to come up with some nice articles to take their place. We hope you will agree.

UPCOMING IN OUR NEXT ISSUE

*Directory of TS User Groups in the U.S.and Canada.

*6 (yes six!) reviews of software for the 48k ZX Spectrum.

*How to order software and per- ipherals from overseas.

*A Machine Code routine by Dennis Jurries.

*How to repair ribbon connectors.

*An introduction to Sinclair BASIC.

*The latest TS news, user written programs and much more in store for you!

~~

TELCOMMUNICATIONS

COMPARING THE DATA BASE SERVICES

Justifying the need for a per- sonal home computer has been a prob- lem for many a prospective buyer. Tv commercials haven't helped one bit either, with their guilt-ridden ads telling parents that their little one

is going to be a failure if they don't

indulge. And it isn't certain that keeping ones financial records and checkbook on a cassette tape is more convenient. Arcade and adventure games are interesting, but really only passing thrills.

A telecommunications modem can bring many things into perspective. The almost infinite supply of infor- mation and specialty services avail- able to the home computer buyer, is probably the best reason for someone to own a microcomputer. And you don't need spendy Apple and IBM machines ™) retrieve all of the information wid services. A Timex/Sinclair works just fine. Either TS 2068 or TS 1000, it doesn't matter. All you need is a computer, a compatible modem, some special software, and a telephone fine to-connect into.

Have you ever wanted to book your own airline reservation? How about your own investment service right there in your home? Send a letter to a friend via electronic mail. How about an instant movie or restaurant guide? Want to read any current major magazine or newspaper? Go "on-line" with another TS user and have a chat, or leave messages on an electronic bulletin board. All of this (plus a whole lot more) can be obtained by a home computer and modem, using commercial data base services.

A data base is essentially a pooling of information from a wide variety of sources, or individual -sases. One commercial data base may ive hundreds of seperate data bases under its wing. Usually the infor- mation is stored and sorted in large

main frame computers. When a ser- vice is dialed, one computer con- verses with the other. In fact, when using the commercial services, it is like having your own private remote terminal.

There are quite a few commer- cial data base services available. New ones are cropping up on a reg- ular basis. Most computer owners choose just one major service, one that best suits individual needs. Sometimes receiving a coupon with a brand new modem for free member- ship or "on-line" time, is the only influencing factor, that prompts someone to select a particular service. There are some differences among the commercial services. Prices can vary for the on-line rates, and is usually billed for every minute that you use. Some services charge for an initial fee or membership. There are sometimes, a user manual to be purchased, or it might be included free. Contents of ‘the data base service can be widely different also. Some are more orientated towards business, some for entertainment, others are gen-

eral interest. Ther is even one that

has some features specifically for Timex/Sinclair users.

Before going on-line, a pass- word and an» identification number must be acquired and typed in. Dif- ferent data base services have their own method of logging on. A tele- phone number of the service in your area must also be secured. This could be a real problem if you live in a rural area, or one that is not close to a major metropolitain area serviced by the data base. A phone bill for just one session could bankrupt such a user. Some of the larger services have avail- able special phone lines that have been leased from telephone companies to provide their customers with a type of volume discount. This could help quite a bit, and should be in-

vestigated.

One other thing needs to be “™“aken into consideration. Adjusting the modem's parameters to be con- patible with the host services com- puter. Parity, duplex, stop bits, and word length should all be set properly. This information can be

obtained by contacting the data base directly,

In the following section, is a brief review of a few of the more popular data base services. It is by no means a complete list of all the offerings a user has. Included are general features, costs, and an address and toll free phone number where the service can be reached for further information.

COMPUSERVE: This is perhaps the largest and the oldest service available. It includes everything from comparing new automobiles, weather forecasts for your city, and playing text adventure games with other computer users. One rather pleasant suprise is that /-Compuserve offers some special services exclusively for TS users. This particular service has no listing in the main or sub-menus, but is included in the "Computers and Electronics Magazine Special Interest Group" section (CEM SIG). After logging onto Compuserve, print "GO CEM 450" and enter. Once in, there are bulletin and message boards, and on-line live conferences in progress. On Wed- nesday evenings (7:00P.M. PDT) are held special nation-wide con- ferences. Usually there is a quantity of information being exchanged on TS hard and software, technical advice, and sometimes just plain rumour. Occaisonally, TS after-market dealers will get together and converse. One other area of the CEM SIG that benefits TS users, is the XA data base (section 4). Here one can down- load programs stored in the data --base memory, providing that your iodem's software is capable. With “all of the standard features like

electronic home shopping and up to the minute stock exchange re- ports, coupled with the TS section (CEM 450), Compuserve is certainly hard to beat. Cost: One time fee which includes the starter pack (three-ringed binder, manual, ID number and password, and three free hours of use in a sealed envelope) for $40. Compuserve Starter pack can be purchased direct or from most larger con- puter retail stores. Hourly rates are $12 during peak periods, $6 for off hours.

Compuserve

500 Arlington Center Blvd.

Columbus, OH 43220

(800) 848-8199 |

THE SOURCE: The Source is a sub- Sidary of the Readers Digest Assn. who are known traditionally for their quality services and prod- ucts. The Source organization is also committed to offering the. computer/modem user a large, Sophisticated commercial data base of noted quality. Just to name a few, services include a 24 hour investment "center" by Spear Securities, "Sourcemail" electronic mail service, an air- line guide, storage of files and data, and all the news and sports. Actually, Compuserve and The Source compare quite closely with infor- mation and telecommunication services. The Source however, does not have a Timex/Sinclair Special interest group. There are interest groups for just about every other home computer though. Costs: $100 one time membership fee. To join, contact The Source directly. The Source users manual is an aditional $20. Hourly rates for prime time are $20.75; off hours are $7.75. There is also a monthly minimum of $10. The Source i 1616 Anderson Rd. i

>

McLean, VA 22102 (800) 336-3366

DELPHI: The Delphi data base fontains a variety of useful rvices, but on a somewhat

smaller scale than say Compu- serve. Offerings include a 20, 000 entry encyclopedia, consumer information, financial advice and services, a professional advisory service for personal relationships, and others. Delphi plans to add many more features in the coming year ahead. Costs: Initial fee of $50 which includes a membership package and handbook. Hourly rates are $16 during bus- iness hours, $6 off hours.

Delphi

3 Blackstone St.

Cambridge, MA 02159

(800) 544-4005

DIALOG and THE KNOWLEDGE INDEX: From the Silicon Valley, Calif. come the two huge data base/info services that are a subsidary of the Lockheed Corp. The Dialog information retrieval system is snore geared to business and pro- “ essional laypersons. It includes more than 100 million seperate entries, derived from books, magazines, newspapers, journals and directories. Subjects cover all areas of science, technology, business, medicine, current affairs, social sciences and humanities. Due to the complexity of Dialogs data bases, special training sessions are scheduled frequently for all skill levels of the users. The Know- ledge Index on the other hand is the information service for home computer users. The service is only available during the off hours, and makes use of many of the data bases contained in Dialog, plus several others of interest to the general public. Costs: For Dialog, there is no initial fee, but hourly charges range from $10 to $100 or more, depending on the specific area being searched. For The Know- ledge Index, there is a $35 initial ‘fee which includes a users manual.

Hourly rates are $24 (off hours). Dialog/Knowledge Index 3460 Hillview Ave. Palo Alto, CA 94304 (800) 227-1927 (for. Dialog) C860) “227-5510: “(forth ts)

NEWSNET: Here is another. business related information retrieval ser- vice with implications for personal home computer use. NewsNet is just that, a network of news storing data bases. Over 200 publications. Also, news "flashes" and wire ser- vices from UPI are featured. News- Net has a very user friendly menu- select feature. Costs: There is no initial fee. Hourly rates are $24, with a $15 per month minimum. Some individual bases have sur-charges.

NewsNet

94S Haverford Rd.

Bryn Mawr, PA 19010

(800) 345-1301

©

o, .%, .%, .o, .o MP OF 09 0,0 oe

o, 0, 0, %. 2, T ff 5 R BS Vee Oe Oe Or oe

Almost as popular (if not more) as the commercial data base services, are the privately operated data bases or bulletin board services (BBS). Most BBS are run by computer hobby- ists with systems on a small scale. Most systems are simply a microcon- puter, a modem, a floppy-disk drive, and some appropriate software (avail- able commercially), sometimes written entirely in BASIC. The number of BBS are growing at an outstanding rate, so much so that a few publications have taken over the job of trying to list such BBS nationwide. The good news is that just about everyone is free, and most likely there is one operating in your area.

BBS interests range in many different areas, from adventure game enthusiasts to chess clubs, and many seperate microcomputer groups. In- dividual BBS may contain different services. For example, a computer club may have on-going equipment SWapping, question and answer clin- ics, mail and messages service, and programs for down-loading.

Timex/Sinclair related BBS have taken a slow start, but a few have emerged, and plans for others are underway. We have included a listing of TS BBS that we know of, and there might be some others out there. All it takes is a phone call to open the door to a brand new source of infor- mation and ideas for your TS con- puter. Please take into consider- ation the one rule that is common With all BBS: be courteous, and no obusive language.

Zebra Systems BBS”

Woodhaven, NY (718) 296-2229 ~s, River Cities Smart BBS

Paden City, WV (304) 652-1416 Pheonix BBS

Dover, DE (302) 734-0179 ONLINE BBS

Atlanta, GA 1 (800) 438-2438 INTERCOMEX

Denver, CO (303) 367-1935

This list will be up-dated in future

issues.

%} 1/S MODEMS @&

The heart' of all computer telecommunications is the: moden. Modem stands for MOdulate/DEMod- ulate. It works over the telephone line by sending special tones that are assigned to each O and 1 in- formation bit (modulate), and a receiving modem converts the tones back to the original bits (demod- ulate). A hook up to the telephone line can be accomplished with two different designs. Either direct Or acoustically (which is Simply cradling the actual telephone hand- set in a sensitive pick-up device). The direct method is by far the pre- ferred design, and all Timex/Sin- clair compatible modems are direct connected.

Ld ona en oe 2 CS oot oe on ow oe oe op oo mre ee =e Om ce er Oe Oe Oe oe

The Timex/Sinclair 1000 has for several years now had the Oppor- tunity to utilize the benefits of telecommunications, thanks to the efforts of the Byte-Back Company in Leesville, South Carolina. Their "MD" modem line has been available in both kit and fully assembled and tested forms. One unique feature all of their modems have, is a. RS- 232 port, which allows for the con- nection of a full size printer. This feature alone adds fine value . to an already exceptional product. ! Today the Byte-Back Co. has upgraded the MD-2 modem to operate on the TS 2068. It is called the MD-68, and sells for $120 as a kit, and. $150

. fully assembled.

10

The Timex Computer Corporation had plans for a modem all their own. One that would be compatible with the TS 1000/1500 and the TS 2068. In pact, it was once said that the TS

J68 was designed around the idea of personal computer telecommunications. But pipe dreams suddenly faded when Timex pulled the plug on their conm- puter line. All was not lost though. Westridge Communications, the company that Timex had contracted to produce their modem, decided to go ahead and release it under their name in- stead. Thus, the Westridge TS 2050 was finally born. The TS 2050 re- tails for $120.

If a modem is the heart of com- puter telecommunication, then the software that operates it is the brain of the modem. Most modem soft- ware is considered to be "smart" or intelligent. That is, it can per- form several different operations and functions. Examples can include automatically dialing a phone nun- ber from the keyboard, auto-answer incoming calls from another terminal, printing capabilities off the screen, and even file storage of phone num- =bers and log-on data. Some sophis- ‘icated software like Byte-Back Co's ZCOMM for the MD-68 and Westridge's optional MTERM II for the TS 2050, can up-load or down-load information into a buffer for use later on. This feature is especially valuable for sending pre-prepared texts or ob- taining files and programs from a data base.

Timex/Sinclair enthusiasts might have another option when con- templating a modem purchase. There are universal modem adaptors and interfaces that might be suitable for a TS computer. These devices can be found in the back of elec- tronic and computer trade magazines, and in some of the larger computer retail stores. With such an adaptor, most modems on the market would be made accessible, including the pop- ular and inexpensive Volksmoden, manufactured by Anchor Automation, the parent company of Westridge Conm- munications. The Volksmodem has a retail list price of a mere $70.

Most modems on the market are powered by an external AC step down transformer, like the Westridge 20-

50 modem. However, some like the modems from Byte-Back Co. are de- Signed to use the computers inter- nal power supply via the rear card connector. The Volksmodem on the other hand is portable, and is pow- ered by a nine volt battery that is reported. to last a full year under normal useage.

Both the Westridge and the Byte-Back modems (and the Volks- modem) have a baud rate of 300, which explains their budget pric- ing. Baud rate is the speed that a modem sends data over the telephone line. A 300 rate figures out to be approximately 30 characters per sec- ond. For about twice the money, there are modems that transmit and receive at 1,200 baud. That's four times faster than 300 baud. The 300 rate works just fine for most home applications, and won't put a strain on your pocket book either.

It is good to know that TS users haven't been left out in the cold when it comes to computer tele- communications, and a choice of modem equipment. Thanks to efforts from both Westridge and Byte-Back Co. Now a whole galaxy of special services and features are available at our fingertips. Almost any con- mercial data base or BBS can be accessed, because both modem com- panies have included parameters that are adjustable, such as full/half duplex, parity, and choice of stop bits and word lengths. If experi- menting is your game, you may want to try adapting some other modem to your TS computer. Others have tried it, and have come up with some sat- isfactory results.

For further information write to:

Byte-Back Co. What oye BOR SiS Leesville, S.C.

Brodie Rd. 29070

Westridge Communications 6624 Valjean Ave. Van Nuys, CA 91406

A REVIEW OF THE MTERM I

By Tim Woods

SMART SOFTWARE FOR THE WESTRIDGE TS 2050 MODEM AND THE TIMEX/SINCLAIR 2068

I was really pleased with my Westridge TS 2050 Modem when it ar- rived the middle of last summer. Putting it through the paces was a breeze. I felt that the whole pack- age including the MTERM/T Smart Ter- minal Software was really top-notch. The user manual was very clear and self-explanatory. A slick phrase came to my mind. One that had been printed in-the sales brochures of the TS 2068..."nothing so smart was ever so simple." Oddly enough, it seemed to fit.

Take two. Enter the MTERM II, the optional Smart Terminal Software from Westridge Communications (li- censed from Micro-Soft, Inc.) for the TS 2050 Modem and the TS 2068 Color Computer. For many months, re- ports had been circulating about the soon-to-arrive "Smart II" modem software, and how many wonerous feats it performs. I was finally able to obtain a copy from a local dealer for $30. Upon first glance,

I noticed that it wasn't called "Smart II" after all, but MTERM II instead. Opening up the little stub- by user manual (I usually make a habit of reading the manual first, it really does save time in the long run) a funny but distraught feeling came over me. Here was a program with perhaps. ten times the complex- ity of the stock software that comes with the Westridge modem, and it is supplied with a manual that is only nine pages longer than the original user manual, with much smaller

pages at that!

On page one of the user manual is an outline of the features incor- porated in the MTERM II:

1. automatic computer an- swering

2. automatic computer dial- ing

3. auto-dial directory

4. 27k receive/send buffer

5S. buffer can be erased, viewed, printed or transmitted

6. 10 Macro Keys, each hold up to 53 characters for auto-logon, codes, ect.

7. go in and out of the pro- gram, change settings, turn buffer on and off, without losing data.

8. command line, displaying status of functions and features.

9. a HEX or REM conversion routine.

So the features are all there, learning how to access and utilize them is a whole different story. Apparently, Westridge has inten- tionally (or unintentionally) omit- ted page after page of vital infor- mation, especially pertaining to up-loading and down-loading of data. In fact, complete volumes could be penned about the MTERM II! Essen- tially, all of the standard features of the original software are there, along with a host of new ones.

There are a few more sub-menus too. Loading the cassette tape takes around 50 seconds (thats fast!). The program is almost 100% Machine Code.

After about a week of experi- menting, and a good deal of "touch and go", I. was able to execute about 3/4 of the program. Also, to my good fortune, I was given a sheet of instructions that were written by a Mr. Dave Clifford, 13910 Hall- dale Ave., Gardena, CA, 90249. Evidently, Mr. Clifford has done a lot of homework on the MTERM II, and has discovered most of the missing procedures. The functions that are noted on the sheet are 1. how to

exchange a BASIC program via the buffer transmitter, and 2. how to A9 a "page send". There are also

me extra control codes that are mentioned. EDITOR NOTE: When we contacted Mr. Clifford by phone, he said that he would be more than happy to pass on this information to anyone who sends him a request and includes a business size self- addressed and stamped envelope. Since this review was written, he has also figured out the routine for writing text in REM statements, then uploading or downloading at the users convenience. Mr. Clifford also reported on a utility pro- gram that is available from Micro- Soft that can be merged with the MTERM II, and will allow the user to upload Machine Code and stored variables.

In conclusion, I don't feel this program is for everyone. It provokes some frustration. Most average users of the Westridge TS 2050 Modem would be just as happy using the software that came with

.their modem. However, if the added senefits of memory storage to assist you in loging-on to your favorite BBS, and uploading and downloading of data (like BASIC programs) in- terests you, then this software package is for you. But you will

be spending some time with it. In the meatime, Westridge Communica- tions should rewrite their user manual, and include several items that they forgot to explain. I'm sure it had to do with their hasti- ness in coming out with the MTERM II.

Actually, after awhile, and

when several things had been worked

out, I began to feel more comfort- able with the MTERM II. I really like the "command line" feature at

the bottom of the main menu. Among the reports it gives, is how many bits have been used in the buffer (a buffer by the way, is a kind of temporary memory). With all of the complexity of this progran, there still is a small degree of user- -~friendliness tucked away in there.

©

13

om oo = —— es + . — SSS _ a rr fm Bi 2. a SS. 3 wt i> 7 i Pei SEFLeY

= ee ee = —_— = = : + s- 8

ihe got ust oe Te Te oS = hE

—_, . 3 + oom $ eS oe 353

Sant Limi ris Z VL ry gt feet oe =“ a oo Ton Te ts ee 9 “Se ii int S mri i pes 2 giae ‘ars = 6 ee i Lilet = ——

By Dennis Jurries

EDITOR NOTE: The staff of Time Designs Magazine welcomes Dennis Jurries, who contributed several interesting features in this issue. Dennis is a mechanical engineer with interests in electronics and home computers. He founded the Clackamas County Timex Sinclair Users Group about three years ago, and is currently working at writ- ing for various newsletters and computer magazines. Dennis is also working on an analog tracer for the TS 2068. The tracer will

allow the user to trace a picture or drawing, and the image will appear on the screen and be save- able in the computer. Look for other features on advanced pro- gramming techniques in up-coming issues of Time Designs Magazine,

_from Dennis Jurries.

eS

The following is a routine that will work on the TS 2068, and with address modifications, on the TS 1000. You can. save screen displays, or use it to relocate a program in memory from one address to another. The program as it is written here, will allow three screen displays to be stored and recalled in approximately 0.04 seconds.

The screen display on the TS 2068 is located at address 16384 and takes up 6912 bytes of memory.

Machine code loader and MC

so AES TSC

fet Ect PLD bee be

RUN and DELETE 5,20

If you wish to allow space for more, the two 174's in line 20 will have to be reduced by 27 for each extra screen display, and the addresses in lines 5 and 10 will have to be reduced by 6912 for each extra screen. Be sure to check to see if you have enough memory to add the extra screens,

LOAD in or design your first screen display. Type RAND (single key) USR 44610 and press ENTER to store the first screen. POKE 44615, 201 for the second screen display set up.

LOAD in or design your second screen display. Press RAND USR 44610

and ENTER to store the second screen.

To set up for the third screen dis- play, type POKE 44615,228.

LOAD in or design your third screen display. Press RAND USR 44610 and ENTER to store the third screen. The USR-.addresses will change by 6912 for each extra screen display over the three set up here.

To recover nay screen displays: POKE 44620,174 for screen #1 POKE 44620, 201 for screen #2 POKE 44620,228 for screen #3

and press RAND USR 44618

For any extra screens, change address 44618 to 6912 less than 44618 for each extra screen, and the same for address 44620. The value of the number poked into address 44620 changes by 27 for each screen, and will also do so

for any extra screen displays.

To save your screen displays, press SAVE "name" CODE 44610,2075 6. If more than three screen dis- plays are to be saved, then change the first number after the CODE to the new starting address, and add 6912 times the number of screens in excess of three to the second number.

OP-CODES for machine code

Te fe oe

COC cr ere ere ere ere

fi fn ff fa fe fe fo ff fo fo fas fo fo

address change?

Please notify us as soon as possible of an address change so that continuation of your subscription will go on with- out an interruption of service. Send us your name, subscriber ID number, and your new mail- ing address.

‘14

—

If you were like most Timex/ Sinclair 2068 users, you probably wondered if there was going to be life after the departure of Timex from the computer market. Although the picture looked rather bleak, there was still a ray of hope. Sinclair Research in Great Britain was stronger than ever, and their 48k ZX Spectrum had taken the nun- ber one spot in total sales (in England). Software and hardware Support are short of amazing for this computer. The Timex/Sinclair 2068 is basically a Spectrum with a few additions like a programmable three channel sound chip, joystick ports, and memory bank switching. What Timex engineers also slightly changed was the ROM operating System. For this reason, most Spec- trum software programs will not run on a TS 2068.

Doug Dewey, one of the found- ers of the successful Triangle Sinclair User Group in Carrboro, North Carolina, first pioneered a way to make the Spectrum software (and hardware) compatible with the TS 2068. He solicited the aide of the Timex Corp., who had plans for a Spectrum "emulator", called the "Chameleon". Using the Timex plans for reference, Doug Dewey success- fully constructed an emulator that plugged into the cartridge port of the TS 2068. Dewey's EMU-1 Spectrum Emulator sells for $60 (includes postage), and is basically a small bare circuit board with an EPROM that is programmed to imitate the. Spectrum ROM operating system. For further information (and/or order- ing), write to: Doug Dewey, 206 James .St; , Carrboro; .N.C.,:-27510. We have contacted Mr. Dewey, and he is going to supply us with an EMU-1 for a review in this magazine, hopefully for our next issue. He | also gave plans for a new board that

15

TS 2068 / SPECTRUM -WARES

he is developing that will allow a user to use both the