MleLiINle

MARCH 1998 $1.58

VGLUNE 8 ISSUE 63

UIEU FROM RANTOP

Hot much to report this month. Iam sad to say that another fine TINEXsinclair club has gone the way side. BoSTUG of The Boston Computer Society mailed out their last newsletter. They decided to break up the group for the same recsons any group would dispand. We gill surely miss them. Eight years ago Ba- STUG uas the major force in the establishment of the BCS accord— ing to Peter Hale, editor of the BoSTUG Neusletter. Feter states thet the GL users have started an independent Heu England Sinclair QL User Group CNES@LUG> that will continue support in the area and produce a quarterly neusletter at the same address as before vith a $10.00 annual fee for membership. Contack is:

Bichord Taylor S09 Holly Circle Tiverton, BI 02878

Don't forget the 1220 SIHCLAIB COMPUTER EXPOSITION presented by S.0.U0.G. this June 2 & 3 in Hiluaqukee, Wisconsin. There vill be seminars, door prizes, suap shop, softuare, peripherals, horduare, and lots of other sturf.

LOCATION: Waukesha Holiday Inn Yio YS6-OY4E0

ADDRESS: Huy 18 and Toon Haukesha, OI

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT =:

5052 HN. Sist Street Milwaukee, WI Ss225

27> GR << Heal Schultz

eall 7 - 10 po CYi4> SSRB-yS2z

cospaters

THE I

DIUP Co. PART I

I I Cfinald

I have enclosed sy printed circuit board CAD progras for SHAREQAEE distribution throughout your wenbership groups and others. You be the judge about hoo an advanced application can be supported by the such saligned, but phoeniz-like the TIMEXsinclair 2068.

ChDS3 Bi sidesteps around TIMEX barriers Ghich sang deny exist. 811 1 can say is: “You sean I can't do THIS?". THIS is impressive!

Qhen I sade the BOM BYPASS and sisnle HENORY RANE SQITCHING public dosain, I included the design of the QIDJUF PRIMGBY ADAPTOR and a pro- posed standard for back-planes. This design coapletes the data required te add back-planes dand a1] the pouer that giges) to that inherently SUPERIOR computer,

Even vithout B&NR SQITCHING or IBM BUSS COMPATIBILITY, all existing harduare can be sisply adapted to plug in. Heo hardoare, like half aay decent parallel interfaces, can be nade bith tuo edges. One edge plugs in for the Binisus bus configuration -- the other for IBY compatibility oith BAHR SQITCHING. The adaptor is compatible uith existing hardoare, but nev products vould better be consistent vith the neo standard.

For those who have tight budgets (or fists), the entire ingesteent to implesent a back-plane is less than $90 for the sinisua configuration. That for IBM compatibility will be someohat sore, but the savings through the use of clone hoards wakes that trivial.

The buss driver card is the only ites not yet detailed. for the sinisus systes, ail the design data has already been given.

The figures shoe both of the PRIBABY SDAPTOR. These cere generated using CAD#3.B1 using PUBLIC DOQHSH data files donated in the interests of TSZ068 users every-

Support For shere. The board uses plated sinclair 2231 - spectrum - @L

Bill Heberlein and

through hole technology. Though not recommended, the files can be edited to produce a “stiched” board vith sore holes and pads. filso possible is a single sided layout gith sang juspers. Suit

gE Mise Ssinclair | yourself :

1668 - 1568 - 2663

The only active circuit on the board is the 74LS11 chip Ghich completes address decoding 2 BS for the TSZ040 or sodified 2x

printer. This sakes all the forserly interfering 1/0 addresses available for neg uses.

CARBRIDGE Freee

TIMELINES nevs—-magazine is published and is © Cepuyuright 1989 bu American Micro Systems, San Jose, CA 951271. TIMELTHE? may be freely copied for non— commercial use only. Reproduction in whole or in part for commercial means is prohibited by law. GIVE CREDBIT!!

TIMNEXsincloir Il | user group Heus-fMagazine

SUBSCRIPTIONS: £15.66 a year for ten issues (U.S.“funds only make checks PFoyable to fmerican Micro Systems>. All other countries please write for details on surface and air mail rates.

SUPPORT FOR:

TIMNEXsinctlair’s 1866, 1566, 7a6s

Sinctair’s FE 2x Spectrum+ i28K Quantum Leap <G@L>

Pant GF REDRESS: Please nmotify us by Phone or by letter to any changes in your current matling address to prevent delay or even toss of service.

Cambridge's 285 ao | RENXEYAL TINE? Starting January 1990, all subscriptions wilt be due on the first month of every year Creneuwals due every Januarw>. ‘Sour mailing label will show printed “January 19KK". 2 where “KHK" shows STARTING month of next subscription period. New subscribers jotning.mid-yeoar wilt receive issues from the previous Jan. ALL subscribers due in mid 1998 will be pro-rated toa finish of fF the rest of the year ‘Each subscriber will be contacted by letter as to the cost of pro-rate.

RSTICE: Contributors to TIMELINEZ ore independent of American Micro Systess and opinions expressed in the contents of this publication are not necessarily those of the management stoff or its advertisers. fimerican Micro Systems vill not be held licble for any dosage or consequences resulting frog instru- ctions, assertions of face, review of products or companies provided in the magazine's content. It is recommended that anyone attempting to modify their computer or constructing an electrical project should seek help fro sore knouledseable individuals.

DESK-TGP PUBLISHING FOR THE SINCLAIR @L

TINELIRE? IRFORMATION

Managing Editer: Andy Hradesky Make all N/“L Exchange €o—-Edttars: correspondence to: T“S-PUG: Georse Mockridge “S-SUU: Bill Mitler—-SincLink FIMEL INEZ TCH T/“S_SOG: Hark Wahl P.O. Box 1312 THS-BAM.Inc: Ceorge Featherman Pacifica, CA 94844 Warren Reed ATTH: George Mockridge

Printing Becoltlating Mailing Back issues af TIMNE-— Bob Orrfelt LIHEZ, 7°33 thru 12°87 George % Sonya Mockridge Contact Bill Miller

; ats: Exchange: T/4S-PUG: George Mockridge SincLink T“S-SuUU:s Bill Miller CSLIk> 6675 Clifford Drive TAS-BAN: George Featherman Cupertino, CH 95614

Advertising Schedule: Issues 1°88 present, Full Pages .. contact your editor at

Hatt Pages 2%. 1if4 Pages .. . ifS Page: .. .

imeritcan Micre.

The POSE Library is mow available to alls fimertcan Micro Systems covering T/-Sigee—1500, 2175 fibern Rd. #262 T/’S 2668, Spectrum and San Jose, CH 95121 the GL. (408) 278-9736 Contact American Micre ConpaServe IB# 72267 3372 for further details.

Vib te Seal ROAPTOR eee out ea

fie ERR

UR tts TIT RAH Wiki in ! I (ee cc ce erent Ei Hit PF st a ta I ne Th it aR PD no ee tl Hg . ss ne _—e* ane DALY ene A Pista & Genesee aaa TT @ Uiescssceseesseneeerservanesstenseseneeentecnneersnevieesneartnieeanensesen wy UWE TT WaLEHTAIRILLDY |] Poeeesennnronmaienroanannntsninintnanannsnsnuniffe he eee A AIRE meee inetainnsinaeoensctoneenlly

ta ee ae ee anne

eat . i a | A BepereeHABRGGGAE GAA GAiG elcome 3 uw crnmmnuunmnnannunifit 45> UIDJUP PRINGRY ADAPTOR 4p parted seb

AIAN

———.

MRR fewer AH SIE AGERE

HL oe: & °

Ue Ht ARRHILUHAE fH Ieseecorserccneevnereeeesedi LURIEEIELL Teese sano ARUN eines HRM Ret SOUSA Anat tnt WB WATS HRSHARERAN AH i eid

ieee oe ae | ree a | en aa |

START wi UBL Lm

POTENTIAL NEW MEMBERS

PLEASE COMPLETE THIS INTEREST CARO BELOW ANDO SEND YOUR $15.89 MEMBERSHIP WITH YOUR CHOICE USER GROUP TO:

AMERICAN NICKG@ SYSTEMS 2173 fibers Read #262 San Jese, CH $5121 (488) 270-9738

MEMBERSHIP INCLUDES FREE ACCESS TO THE POSE LIBRARIES AND A ONE YEAR SUBSCRIPTION TO TIMELINE? .

USER GROUP MEETINGS ARE ALWAYS . OPEH TO THE FPUBLIC AT HO CHARGE. GUESTS ARE HIGHLY ENCOURAGED TO

ATTEND.

HAPPY COMPUTING THE EDITORS

NAHE: ADDRESS: CITY: STATE: ZIP

PHONE: WORK ES

HOW DIO YOU HEAR ABOUT US? FEST COHPUTER STORE

HEUSPAPER/MAGAZINE MENBER/FRIEND

WORK WITH A COMPUTER AT YOUR JOB? YES___ NO ONAKE/NODEL

DO YOU GUN A COMPUTER? YES_.._—sO*NO HAKE/MOBEL (YOURS)

1S HE -YOUR-FIRST?-VES HG

COMPUTER EXPERIENCE (YEARS) CHONTHS)

PROGRANMING INTERESTS ARE? BASIC = AGGENBEY FORTH MACHINE CODE PASCAL { COMPILER

KNOWLEDGE: SOFTWARE_________HARDVARE

flint File Server 885 NOTE: The Hini File : 3684/1288 boud at 9,N,i Server BES has been “fistwufe” supporting the Unix Steve Nichols files system since (488) 233-2255 it's stort.

Hetusre Bivisiers 0 Supports s 3087 1208/2488 baud at 7;1,E | ASCII. For further Tersinal: 52 inforaation, please Sigcp: Kevin Lueng contact Bill Hiller, Phored: (415) 753-5265

Peninsula User Group | Support for:

311 Michelle Lone -TItEXsinclair's

Daly City, CA 94815 1088/1588/2068

(415) 878-1773 ~Combridge 288 Sinclair's

: George Mockridge Spectrum +128K ond QL

alt Johnson

Third Sunde of each aonth, 1:38 pa Peninsula Hospital

1783 El Camino Real

Burlingame, CA

March 18, 1998 dune 17, 1998 Peril 22, 1998 ===)> ONE WEEK LATER DUE Hay 28, 1998 TG EASTER DAY ON 15th

TINEXs inclair Combridee Silicon Ualley Users 6675 Clifford Brive

Cupertino, CA 95814

(488) 23-3175

Bit Hiller

Third Wednesday of each sonth - 7:88 pa Cupertino Library Bring your equipment Community Room down access romp 18488 Torre Avenue Leading to bottoa of Cupertino, CA 95814 | circular building

March 27,198 .... April 18, 1998. ... Noy 16; 199... 1. dune 28, 1998. ...

785-BAA, TRC. Tospa and Suncoast Bay frea Nicro-

computer Users’ Group, Inc. 5956 46th Avenue North Saint Petersburg, FL 33789 (813) 546-4278

Eric Best, George Feathergan, Warren Reed

Second Saturday of each month, 7:38 pa Beach Federal Savings and Loan

777? Horth Seminole Blvd.

Sesinole, FL

March 18, 1998 = May 12, 1998 Fipril 14, 1998 = une 9, 1998

$C $ig TO 8 TiteXsincloir Combridoe $1.6.

The Computer Vorkshop 598 Cypress Avenue Sunnyvale, CA 94806 (488) 739-3977

Hark Vahl

Every Saturday sorning ot 16:08 om Stanford University

Jordon Hall Cin the Quad)

Roos 288C <dounstairs)

Narch 3, 18, 17, 24, 31, 1998 April 7, id) 21, 2B, 1998 Mas 3, 12,19, 26, 198

The first personal computer

for under

The Sinclair ZX80. A complete computer— only $199. 95 plus $5.00 shipping.

Now, for just $199.95, you can get a complete, powerful, full-function computer, matching or surpassing other personal computers costing several times more.

It’s the Sinclair ZX80. The computer that “Personal Computer World” gave 5 stars for ‘excellent value’

The ZX80 cuts away computer jargon and mystique. It takes you straight into BASIC, the most common, easy-to-use computer language.

You simply take it out of the box, con- nect it to your TY, and turnit on. Andif you want, you can use an ordinary cassette recorder to store programs. With the man- ual in your hand, you'll be running programs in an hour. Within a week, you'll be wnting complex programs with confidence.

All for under $200.

Sophisticated design makes the ZX80 easy to learn, easy to use.

We've packed the conventional computer onto fewer, more powerful LSI chips— including the Z80A microprocessor, the faster version of the famous Z80. This makes the ZX80 the world’s first truly port- able computer (6%2” x 84%" x 1%" and a mere 12 oz.). The ZX80 also features a touch sensitive, wipe-clean keyboard and a 32-character by 24-line display.

Yet, with all this power, the ZX80 is easy to use, even for beginners.

Your course in computing.

The ZX80 comes complete with its own 128-page guide to computing. The manual is perfect for both novice ang expert. For every chapter of theory, thdre’s a chapter of practice. So you learn by ¥omg—not just by reading. It makes learningteasy, exciting and enjoyable. -

You'll also receive a catalog packed With items that can make your ZX80 even more useful. Including 27 program cassettes, from games and home budgeting for just $6.95, to Sinclair's unique Computer Learning Lab (a workbook, six cassettes with 100 lessons, and two cassettes for storing programs).

ZX80’s advanced design features. Sinclair's 4K integer BASIC has perfor-

mance features you'd expect only on much

larger and more expensive computers.

@ Unique ‘one touch’ entry. Key words (RUN, PRINT, LIST, etc.) have their own single-key entry to reduce typing and save memory space.

$200.

@ Automatic error detection.

A cursor identifies errors

immediatély to prevent entering

programs with faults.

@ Powerful text editing facilities.

@ Also programmable in machine code.

@ Excellent string handling capability —up to 26 string variables of any length.

@ Graphics, with 22 standard symbols.

@ Built-in random number generator for games and simulations.

Sinclair’s BASIC places no arbitrary re- strictions on you—with many other flexible features, such as variable names of any length.

And the computer that can do soe much for you now will do even more in the fu- ture. Options will include expansion of 1K user memory to 16K, a plug-in 8K floating- point BASIC chip, applications software, and other penpherals.

Order your ZX80 now!

The ZX80 is available only by mail from Sinclair, a leading manufacturer of con- sumer electronics worldwide.

To order by mail, use the coupon below. But for fastest delivery, order by phone and charge to your Master Charge or VISA. The ZX80 is backed by a 10-day money- back guarantee, and a 90-day limited warranty

—,

Price includes TV and cassette connectors, AC adaptor, and 128-page manual.

All you need to use your ZX80 is a standard TV (color or black and white). The ZX80 comes complete with connectors that easily hook up to the antenna terminals of your TV. Also included is a connector for a portable cassette recorder, if you choose to store programs. (You use an ordinary blank cassette.)

re

The ZX80 is a family learning aid. Children 10 and above will quickiy understand the principles of computing—anc have fun learning.

Te order callioll free: 800-543-3000, In Ohio call: 300-582-1364. Ask for operator #508.

which can be extended by 12 months under Sin- Phones open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

clair’s extended service program for $25.00.

|] a Em | | ni = Sinclair Research Ltd., 475 Main St., P.O. Box 3027, Wallingford, CT 06492.

EE

To: Sinclair Research Ltd., 475 Main St., P.O. Box 3027, Wallingford, CT 06492. ZX80 personal computer(s) at $199.95 each (US dollars), plus $5 shipping. (Your ZX80 may be tax deductible.) | For Conn. deliveries, add sales tax. Computer Learning Lab(s) at $49.95 each.

extended service program(s) at $25.00 each.

I enclose a check/money order payable to Sinclair Research Ltd. for 3

Please send me

Send me Register me for

Name

| Address City State

Zip

Occupation

Age

Intended use of ZX80

Have you ever used a computer? C1 Yes DO No Do you own another personal computer? 1 Yes 0 No

IEE SSE, ENT IS DRE

+ s

PO-3-1 |

a} ba 5 a Po & adi pe Bees Be. Jacks. for EAR and Tape

Sa bas meh F far 9a. STR evel ok Shears = aie sti Po ptest or Dae

+ iit

pens ba ee

} ial

AMERICAN HICKO SYSTEMS 2175 ABORH ROAD #262 SAN JOSE, CA 95121

m%

may fre

Ce tt)

Cy aay

aa we

WE OL fy tu

Com «

ome

a MES -end

Tr

[a a fe

Januar y

Beene nos eemarsiaegins

C Gan MES

renee