MAY - JUNE »93 VOL 11-3

TORONTO TIMEX-SINCLAIR USERS CLUB

MAY- JUNE '93 VOL 11-3

S ISC -LINK IS A PUBLICATION OF THE TORONTO TIME! -SINCLAIR USERS CLUB AND IS ISSUED 6 TIMES A YEAR. CLUB MEMBERS RECEIVE FREE COPIES AS PART OF THE S20.00 ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP FEE.

NEWSLETTERS ARE EXCHANGED. FREE OF CHARGE. WITH OTHER TIMEX -SINCLAIR USER GROUPS.

PLEASE CREDIT THIS PUBLICATION AND THE AUTHOR IF YOU COPY MATERIAL.

THE TS2068 & ZX-81 GROUP MEETS ON THE FIRST WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH AT 14 RICHOME COURT, SCARBOROUGH. ONT. 7PM START.

THE QL SIG WILL HEET WEDNESDAY, 11 AY 18TH AT 586 ONEIDA DRIVE, BURLINGTON, ONT. 7Pf1 START. JUNE DATE TBA.

SINC-LINK IS ON SINCLAIR COMPUTERS.

PRODUCED AND TIMEX'

SEND CORRESPONDANCE TO,

Atzenziom SINC-LINK TORONTO TIMEX -SINCLAIR CLUB. 14 RICHOME

SCARBOROUGH. ONTARIO, CANADA M1K 2Y1.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS :

PRESIDENT TREASURER SECRETARY ACTIVITIES: QL CONTACT: NEWSLETTER: LIAISON OFFICER: ( Out-of-town

ENTIRELY SINCLAIR

EDITOR USERS COURT,

TORONTO TIHEX-SINCLfllR

CLUB

USERS

( Area Code 416 ) RENE BRUNEAU ( 531-9749 ) BILL LAWSON ( 444-8772 ) GEORGE CHAMBERS { 751-7559 ) LOU LAFERRIERE ( 820-3725 ) HUGH HOWIE ( 634-4929 ) JEFF TAYLOR ( 244-8583 ) GEORGE CHAMBERS, 14 RICHOME COURT, SCARBOROUGH, ONTARIO M1K 2Y1 ( 416- 751-7559 )

TORONTO TIMEX -SINCLAIR USERS CLUB

TORONTO TIMEX-SINCLAIR USERS CLUB

SUMMER'S COMING 1995

INDEX VOLUME 11-3 Page 2 - Club Stuff Page 3 - This Page Page 4 - Editorial Page 5 - Larken Disk Index (2068) Page 6 - Want Ads, Multiplying by 2 Page 7 - QLips - Super Disk Indexer ( QL) Page 8 - Gil Parrish Writes (ZX81 & 2068) Page 9 - ZX Resources - A to D Converter (ZX81 & 2068) Page 11 - Did You Know? continued (2068) Page 15 - TS2068 Programming Tip (2068) Page 16 - Computer Junkies Page 17 - Gil Parrish Writes More Page 19 - Freenet Plugs Ottawa In Page 21 - ZX Resources - RS232 Revisited (ZX81 & 2068) Page 23 - Super Disk Labeller ( QL ) Page 24 - An American Spectrum

SINC-LINK

EDITORIAL

Well, the newsletter is definitely late this time. It's partly my fault because I've been so busy at work (overtime ad nauseum). As editor I tend to be a little proprietary about Sine-Link ("It's MY newsletter and I'll get it out when I'm good and ready'.") so offerers of help tend to get their hands bitten. I am mellowing a little, though, and Pres Rene Bruneau will take a crack at producing the July - August issue (1*11 be watching him like hawk).

As I said, I am partly to blame for the delay but the other reason is that in the last couple of months we have seen a marked decrease in the number of letters/articles coming in. Why is that? We have more out-of-town members than ever but we're getting less material from them. Surely we can't have discovered everything about our computers. There must be something you've found that you haven't seen published, so why not write about it.

Give it a try and I'll try to be more on time, editorially- speaking. 'Nuff said.

RHODE ISLAND UPDATE

As mentioned last issue, here is more info on the QL-fest being held in Newport, Rhode Island.

The get-together will be at the Salvation Army Building on Memorial Boulevard, Saturday June 5th. Show times are 1 PM to 6 PM. Contact Bob Dyl of IQLR for more info (401 )-849-3B05.

Our own Hugh Howie has reserved a display table for the Toronto Timex-Sinclair Users Club. Hugh will be manning the table, possibly with one or two out— of— town members, handing out lots of promotional stuff about the club and also running an elaborate demonstration of the QL's abilities.

Hugh expects to meet lots of new faces, including some U.K. software and hardware vendors, generate new memberships, attend all the pre- and post-fest talks and dinners and find time to run his demonstrations. Whew, he'll need a week to recover. Watch for his impressions and articles of the fest in the next issue.

BAD NEWS FOR NESQLUG

Just prior to publishing, Hugh phoned to inform me that the Director of the New England Sinclair QL Users Group, Ernest Wider, died suddenly on May 31st. Our condolences to his family and NESQLUG.

SO LONG, SINCLAIR USER

Courtesy of out-of-town member, Robert Shade, I have included an article on the TS2068 lifted from the pages of the last issue (March 1993), of Sinclair User magazine from the United Kingdom. This article might explain how a few U.K. vendors (ie Doctor Dark, PRISM PD, etc.) found out about some of the clubs on this side of the pond. Sorry to see another Sinclair-related publication fold. To my knowledge, only Your Sinclair remains in publication in the U.K.. Thanks for the info, Robert.

That's all for now ... J.T.

SINC-LINK

INDEX. B1 By George Chambers TS2068 Larken

In our TS2068 Larken library, buried in Disks #02 "OMNIBUS" and Disk #33 "PULL-DOWN (Menus) OMNIBUS" is a utility called " index. B1 ". It is designed to maintain an index of the contents of any collection of Larken disks. One simply feeds the disks into the program, one by one, and it reads and stores the contents of the disks. One can then search, sort, and print out the contents to screen, TS2040 printer, or to a large printer. The program was written by Bob Mitchell some time ago.

A later refined version (VI .11) is found on Disk #47 "UNIQUE PROFRAMS", and the refinements described in this article are applicable to this version. Ask for this disk.

When Bob Mitchell wrote this program he incorporated within it the ability to detect whether the selected printer, TS2040 or large printer, was ON or OFF; and to display the cond it ion on the screen.

The problem with this feature was that not all printers supplied the same signal info as the Fastext 80 used by Bob. And if the signal for the ON cond it i on was not the one Bob had incorporated in his program, one could not continue with the PRINT feature of the program.

There is another feature of the program which may be customised to your part icular needs. Many disks contain an AUTOSTART file and/or a "menu" file. An option was provided which allowed these two filenames to be NOT printed out. Later, I expanded the feature to include two more f i lenames to be s im i lar 1 y excluded from the pr intout ; f i lenames "taswi", and "help". The program listing below does not provide for changing the AUTOSTART filename, since it is so univerdally used.

The method used to make these changes is to POKE them into the appropriate addresses in the " index. Cc" code. The following listing will do this task. All you need to do is determine your printers' ON/OFF codes and enter these values in the var tables. And to enter any changes in the f i lenames .

To determine the printer ON/OFF signal codes, run this short program: 10 PRINT AT 10,10;" "; AT 10,10; IN 127

20 PAUSE 10: GOTO 10

Switch your large printer into it's OFF and ON (ready to print) modes. Write down the values, and then enter these values into the variables LPOFF and LPON in Line 150 of the listing.

Change the IN 127 in the above listing to IN 251. This will check the 2040 printer. Probably this will not need changing, but if it does, then do the same thing. Record the values and place them in variable TSOFF and TSON in Line 160.

150 LET LPOFF =127: LET LP0N=108 160 LET TSOFF =126: LET TS0N=56

170 LET a$="menu": LET b$="help": LET c$="help": LET d$="tasw i" : REM Words you may replace 200 POKE 35484, LPOFF: POKE 35570, LPOFF 210 POKE 3551 6, LPON: POKE 35602, LPON 220 POKE 33426, LPON: POKE 33526, LPON 230 POKE 33394, TSON: POKE 33494, TSOFF

300 LET x=34207: FOR n=1 TO 4: POKE (n+x), CODE a$(n): NEXT n: REM To replace "menu" with your word.

SINC-LINK

±00 LET x=3H256: FOR n=1 TO POKE (n+x), CODE b$(n): NEXT n: REM To replace "help" with your word

500 LET x=3U-299: FOR n=1 TO 5: POKE (n+x), CODE c$(n): NEXT n: REM To replace "taswi" with your word. Note: this word is 5 characters in length.

***************************

WANTED,,,. A Larken disk system, preferably turnkey, with drive (s) and drive power supply, for the TS2068. Must be the current version LKDOS v,3. Also wanted, a 9V, 1 amp Power Supply suitable for use with the TS1500, Drop a line to George Plondke, 243 Berkely, Elmhurst, IL 60126,

WANTED.,., Sinclair Adventure Users and User Groups' fanzines, tapezines, etc. Are you interested in Adventure- type Spect rum/TS2068 games?

Please drop a line to DOCTOR DARK, c/o Adventuresof t , 16 Montgomery Avenue, Bieth, Ayrshire, Scotland, KA151EL

MULTIPLYING BY TWOS Rene Bruneau

Here is a quick programming trick that I learned to convert binary numbers to decimal. Starting from the most significant bit ( MSB) - the one on the extreme left - multiply it by 2 and add the result to the bit to the right, then multiply the new result by 2 and add to the bit to the right, continuing the process untill there are no more bits to process.

Example: 1001010 = 74

1		2	+	0 =	2
2		2	+	0 =	4
4		2	+	1 =	9
9		2	+	0 =	18
18	*	2		1 =	37
37		2	+	0 =	74

Because you double and add to the right, the arithmetic is simple and can be done in your head - no need to go looking for a calculator or conversion tables. Besides you can always impress your friends and fellow programmers with your computer-like brain maybe --.

SINC-LINK

Q L I P S

by Hugh Howie

SUPER DISK INDEXER

Recently I came across something we could all do with. A program to help us keep track of our disks, and what is on those disks . This program is called SUPER DISK INDEXER, written by Imre Dominik, and available from Dilwyn Jones Computing at the very modest cost of £12.00 and worth every penny.

The program will keep track of all your disks and cartridges by setting up a database of the contents of your media. You don't have to type very much as the DISK INDEXER reads the contents of your disk or cartridge direct into the database .

You can then use DISK INDEXER to search for a title anywhere in the files.

The first thing to be done is to put your disks in order and give each one a number, and writing that number on the disk itself. Load up DISK INDEXER and follow the simple instructions. Yes it does take time to do all this, but the hardest, part is getting your disks in order, and swapping them in the disk drive. The reading is doen so quickly you are kept busy.

This program requires at least 256K extra memory, but as most of us now have that, it is really no hardship.

Can handle up to 999 disks with up to 480 files to each disk - now how many files is that? Of course if you run out of space then you can start up another file under a different title. Have you got that many disk/files? How do you keep track of that number without an indexer to help you?

It is time you had this little beauty, I have foound it of real value in tracing down exactly where a certain file is.

I would not be without it. Now here is what Dilwyn Jones has to say about it in his catalogue .

DISK INDEXER

A really easy to use aid to indexing your floppy disks and cartridges. Sets up a database of the contents of your media (reads the contents directly from the disk or cartridge, you don't have to type it all in) and can handle thousands of filenames on up to 999 media (subject to amount of free memory) . You can then search, sort (filename or disk number order) and print the contents of the media. Can't remember which disk that file is on? Search for it using Disk Index - if you know the filename, do an "exact" search, if you don't do a "vague" search. Easy to update the database if the contents of a disk is changed. Works with numbered disks - you simply write the number of the disk on the label and enter it when asked by the program as it reads the directory automatically. Can give you lists of disk contents, lists of unused numbers and so on. This program will really help you to get your disks organised! Super Disk Index needs at least 256k extra memory on a QL. NB can only handle up to about 480 files per disk, so the current version may not be adequate for cataloguing ED disks if you pack them with larger numbers of files! Ideal for cataloguing lower density disks and microdrives. Ideal companion program is our Disk Labeller program, described elsewhere in this catalogue. DISK INDEXER (on disk or mdv) ... £12.00

Dilwyn Jones Computing. 41 Bro Emrys , Tal-y-bont. Bangor. Gynedd. UK. LL57 3YT

Yep, that's Wales, and he takes plastic.

SINC-LINK

Gilliam Y. Parrish

Route 1, Box 705 Beggs, OK. 74421 USA.

April 5, 1993

Mr. George F. Chambers, Secretary Toronto Timex Sinclair Users' Group 14 Richome Court Scarborough, Ontario M1K 2Y1 Canada

I mentioned last time that I had made an offer for a 3 00

baud modem/serial interface from Byte-Back's "Make David an Offer" sale, but hadn't heard anything. Well, the package came in the mail the other day, and believe me, it was worth the wait. I had asked David Leech in my order if I could get copies of both 2068 and 1000 terminal programs (assuming he normally provided such software with the modem), since I had both 2068 and 1000 (1500) units. Mr. Leech did indeed send both 2068 and 1000 tapes, not only for terminal operations but also for utilizing other serial devices like a printer with the serial interface. He replied in the letter accompanying the order that the modem was intended for use with either a 2068 or a 1000 unit, but not both, and had to be hardware configured for the appropriate model. However, since I apparently wanted to use it with both kinds of units, he had added a switch for me so I could change back and forth! I had also mentioned in my order that, when I had gotten a parallel printer cable from him a few months earlier, I had not known to request 1000-specif ic software to accompany it, and as a result he had sent only the software to have the cable work with my 2068. In his package, Mr. Leech tossed in the 1000 parallel cable software and the instruction sheet! This is clearly service well beyond the call of duty; the T/S world is going to be losing not only a vendor but a true T/S enthusiast when the Mr. Leech's closeout is completed. For people who want to get some of the remaining goodies, his address has changed very recently; it is now: 53 6 Long Terrace, Leesville, SC. 29070 (USA) . I'd strongly urge anyone with a need for a peripheral/ interface to get an order in now!

Re: Timex/ Sinclair Computers

Dear George,

Sincerely,

Gil Parrish

SINC-LINK

ZX8

ANALOGUE "to

1 RESOURCES DIGITAL CONVERTER

Rent Bruneau Hay 1992

s analogue to digital converter is a simple design based .. the ADC0804. It will convert voltages up to 5v into a fori that your computer can translate and display for you. In the present configuration, a LH335 is used to convert temperatures froi 0 to 100 *C to a voltage that the ADC can sample.

CONSTRUCTION:

Loading the components on the PCB is straightforward. Hake sure that CI and C2 are installed correctly and note that pin 1 of U3 faces pin 1 of Ul and U2. An address block (P2) allows you to tap the board to port 191 or 127. The temperaiure probe is assembled using the LH335 mounted in a Bic pen tube. Seal the ends with epoxy or silicon sealer to protect the connections to the LH335.

CALIBRATION:

To calibrate the ADC, you will need a thermometer, a glass of ice and water, and a glass of freshly boiled water.

Tor a 2068, use the following procedure:

Enter the following program:

10 OUT 191,0 20 PRINT AT 0,0: ' ' 30 PRINT AT 0,0; IN 191 40 GOTO 10

On running the program, place the LH335 in the ice water and after a couple of minutes, adjust RV1 until you read 0 on the screen. This is your minimum temperature setting. Now, place the probe in the hot water alonq with the thermometer and wait for the readings to stabilize. Adjust RV2 to match the reading on the thermometer. Recheck the probe readings in the ice water and repeat the calibration until you are satisfied.

For the ZX81, you have to install a small machine code routine to provide the IN and OUT commands. Use the same procedure as above to calibrate the ADC.

Load the following:

1 REM 12345678901234567890

10 FOR X = 16514 TO 16524

20 INPUT A

30 POKE X, A

40 PRINT X}' PEEK X

50 NEXT X

At the prompt enter these values:

62, 0, 211, 191, 201, 219, 191, 79, 6, 0, 201

Replace lines 10 - 50 with the following:

10 RAND USR 16514 20 PRINT AT 0,0; 1 ' 30 PRINT AT 0,0; USR 16519 40 GOTO 10

Once the ADC is calibrated, you can embelish the program, adding all the bells and whistles you want.

COMPONENT LIST

74LS30	Ul
74LS27	U2
ADC0804	U3
LH335	U4
10UF	CI
10UF	C2
100N	C3
100N	C4
100K	Rl
680	R2
820K	R3
100K	RV1
100K	RV2
SIL-02	PI
SIL-04x2	P2

DIL-14 DIL-14 DIL-20

Transistor package Electrolytic Electrolytic Polyester Polyester 1/4 watt Resistor 1/4 watt Resistor 1/4 watt Resistor Trimpot - 20 turn Trimpot - 20 turn

Connector for LH355 Address block

Hisc. ZX81 edge connector, coax or twisted wire, wire, BIC pen casing

jumper

SINC-LINK

ANALOG TO DIGITAL CONVERTER

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D	D

R3 C

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■4 _ Ct U (*t*-*-*i

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or TUB£

COMPONENT LAYOUT

SINC-LINK

continued from last issue

Dec	tiex	Ins tr-Dec	Remarks ( 5 )
1469	05BD	T f\ f Oil > VI		temp4
1472	05C0	PAT T 1 C1C CALL. 1 0 J 0
1475	05C3	JR 1567
. 1 / "7 7 il4 / /	05C5	CP 67		C code
1479	05C7	JP NZ, 2299		ERR inval file
1 too 14B<£	05CA	LD HL, (23645);	ch add
1 AB3	05CD	LD A, (HL)
1480	05CE	CP 170		screens
1488	05D0	JR NZ, 1498
1490	05D2	LD DE, 16384		scrn address
1493	05D5	LD HL. 6912
1496	05D8	JR 1548
l Ays	05DA	RST 32		next char
1 ADO lAyy	05DB	LK HL, (23645);	chadd
1502	05DE	LD A, (HL)
1 crtl 1 jUj	0 5DF	CP 58
1505	05E1	JR Z, 1541
1507	05E3	CP 13
ijuy	05E5	JR Z, 1541
TCI!	05E7	CALL 1026		evalu
1514	05EA	LD (8243), BC		temp4
1518	05EE	LD HL, (23645);	chadd
1521	05F1	LD A, (HL)
1522	05F2	CP 44
1524	05F4	JR NZ, 1536
1526	05F6	RST 32		next char
1527	05F7	CALL 1026		evalu
1530	05 FA	LD (8241), BC		temp 2
1534	05FE	JR 1555
1536	0600	LD HL, (8326)	;	totlen
1539	0603	JR 1552
1541	0605	LD DE, (8316)		despin
1545	0609	LD HL, (8326)		totlen
1548	060C	LD (8243), DE		temp 4
1552	0610	LD (8241), HL		temp 2
1555	0613	LD HL, (8241)		temp 2
1558	0616	LD A, H
1559	0617	OR L
1560	0618	JR Z, 1596
1562	061A	CALL 1635
1565	061D	JR 1596
1567	061F	LD HL, (8324)		var offset
1570	0622	LD DE, (23635);	prog
1574	0626	ADD HL, DE
1575	0627	LD (23627), HL;	vars
1578	062A	LD HL, (8321)		linenu
1581	062D	INC HL
1582	062E	LD A, (8322)		linenu (hi)
1585	0631	CP 255
1587	0633	JR Z, 1606
1589	0635	XOR A
icon i jyu	n c 7 c UO JO	LD (23618), HL;	newppc
1593	0639	LD (23620), A		nsppc
1596	063C	CALL 1013		endoln
1599	063F	LD HL, 23623		subppc
1602	0642	INC (HL)
1603	0643	JP 65		gtout
1606	0646	RST 8 ERR 0
1608	0648	LD HL, (8236)		start
loll	AC [n Uo Ad	INC HL
1612	064C	LD (8236), HL		start
1615	064F	LD A, 249
1617	0651	CP (HL)
1618	0652	RET Z
1619	0653	LD A, (HL)
1620	0654	LD (8249), A
1623	0657	CALL 3807		nextrk
1626	065A	LD A, (8249)
1629	065D	LD HL, 8221		curtrk
1632	0660	CP (HL)
1633	0661	JR NZ, 1623
1635	0663	CALL 1084		ldbuf
1638	0666	LD A, (8224)		errnu
1641	0669	CP 25
1643	066B	JP Z, 2320
1646	uoofc.	LD HL, (8318)	;	lenth
1649	0671	LD DE, 5090
1652	0674	OR A
1653	UO / 3	SBC HL, DE
1655	n A77	JR NC, 1677
i a *; 7	0679	LD HL, (8318)		lenth
1660	067C	LD DE, (8241)		temp 2
1664	0680	OR A
1665	0681	SBC HL, DE

Dec
iOO /	UOOJ
1 AAQ IOO?	n AS'i UOOJ
1 A77 10 / i	uooo
1 A7^	neon UOOD
10//	neon uoou
1 DOU	U07U
1 Afi 1 IOO J	U07J
1 AQA loot	(1AQA UO 7 A
looo	n AQA uoyo
1089	uoyo
i cat ioy i	nenn uoyo
1 AOT. ioy j	U O 7U
1 AQA 1070	06 AO
1 / uu	n A A A UOA*»
1 7ftO i i\a	n AAA
1 703	uoAy
1 /Uo	UOAV-i
i ff\Q 1 7 Uy	ha An
171ft 1 / 1U	n A AR
1 71 1 1 / 1 J	n Am
1 7 1 k 1 / 1 A	I1AR7
1 71 e 1/13	nini UODJ
1 7 1 A 1 / ID	n ARA UODl
17 7 7 1 / 1 /	UODJ
t 77/1 1 1 i\J	n c no UODO
1 / .£ A	n abp
1 71Q 1 / iO	nsrn
1 7*>n 1 / JU	n Af 7
17 7 1 1 / J 1	UDLJ
17 7 7 Ll Si	n APA
1 71C 1/33	n AP7 UOo/
1 7 7 Q 1 / Jo	n fsC a U OoA
1 7 7 O l / jy	ntpn UOOD
1 71(1 l / 4 u	r*i AfP
1743	ft£PP UOur
1746	UOU£
1 7 A Q l / Ay	U0U3
1 7C1 1/31	n An7 uou /
1 7C1 1 / JJ	n Ana uouy
1 7ce 1 / 3D	n fiiir UOUW
1 7 1/30	u out
1761	Uotl
7 7 £ 7 1 / 0 J	UOtJ
1 7Ct 1/00	fl AW A UOE.O
1 no 1 / OO	UOC3
1 77f1 1 / /u	n AF A UOJqA
17 7 7 1 / / J	n Asn UOBU
1775	n Ave uotsr
1 77(1 1 / /B	n AF7 uor i
1 701 1 /ol	n ait •» uor d
1 7fl A 1 /BA	UOr o
1 7Q7 1 / 8 /	n apr U Of D
1 7UQ i /oy	n AFT! uor u
1 7Q7 i /y*	n 7nn u / uu
1 7QA i / yA	U / U £
1 7Q7 i / y /	n7n,> U/UJ
i ann 1HUU	u / uo
1 fi(17	(17nA U / UA
iau j	U / UD
1 ant 1BU A	U / UL#
1 B(1A 1BUO	U / UD
iBuy	U / 11
loiu	n 7 1 7 U / 1 <£
1 Q 1 1 loll	n7i ■? U / 1 J
1 Q 1 7 IB 13	nil c U / 1 3
l a l A IB 1 A	n 7 1 a u / io
1 Q 1 A IS lo	(171 fi U / 1 0
1Q1Q IB iy	fl7 1 R U / ID
1 fi 70 loiu	n7i c U / 1 vt
1 Q 7 1 lozi	ri7i n U / IV
1 fi 77 10 i. i	(171 F U / IE*
IB £3	U / i 1
1 B 7 7 18 i 1	(1777 U / tJ
1 B 70 is *y	(1771 U / «£3
1 O 7 7 1 0 3 i	H77H
i on IB J J	f177Q
1 01 A IB JO	077P U /
1 B 7 7 IB J /
1BAU	U / J u
1 B k 7 IB A J	U / J J
1 BAA	0736
1849	0739
1852	073C
1853	073D

Instr-Dec

Remarks

JR NC, 1677 LD HL, (8318) LD (8241), HL JR 1702 LD HL, (8241) LD DE, 5090 OR A

SBC HL, DE JR C, 1702 LD (8241) , HL LD A, 10 LD BC, 5090 LD (8318), BC JR 1709 LD HL, (8241) LD (8318), HL XOR A LD C, A LD HL, (8318) LD A, H OR L RET Z LD A, C LD HL, 8328 LD DE, (8243) LD BC, (8318) LDIR AND A RET Z

LD HL, (8243) LD BC, 5090 OR A

ADD HL, BC LD (8243), HL JP 1608 CALL 1063 CP 244 JR Z, 1758 LD DE, 5968 JR 1778 LD DE, 6632 JR 1778 CALL 1063 CP 244 JR Z, 1775 LD DE, 4795 JR 1778 LD DE, 5717 JP 19

LD (8240), A LD HL, 0 LD B, 100 CALL 1804 LD B, 10 CALL 1804 LD A, (8240) ADD A, 48 RST 16 RET

LD C, 47

LD A, (8240) ;

INC C

SUB B

JR NC, 1809 ADD A, B SRL (HL) LD (8240), A LD A, C RST 16 RET

LD A, (8194) CP 1

JR NZ, 1832 LD SP, 23550 PUSH HL CALL 1013 XOR A CALL 3268 LD HL, (23651) LD (23653), HL LD HL, (23698) LD (23656), HL POP HL CALL 1922

; lenth ; temp 2

; temp 2

; lenth

; temp 2 ; lenth

; lenth

; terap4 ; lenth

temp 4 temp 4

1st byte inchanls spec

del rec (2068) del rec (spectrum) 1st byte inchanls spec

insert (2068) make room (spect) tempi d

; tempi

tempi

; tempi

; nmi flag

; endoln

; lprint ; stkbot ; stkend ; membot mem

; print to

SINC-LINK

nane Dec Hex Instr-Dec

Remarks ( 6 )

name Dec Hex Instr-Dec

Remarks

1856 1859 1861 1864 1867 1870 1873 1874 1877 1880 1883 1886 1889 1891 1894 1896 1900 1901 1904 1907 1910 1912 1914 _1915 1918 1919

PRINTT01922 1924 1925 1926 1928 1929 1930

1931

1933 1951 1959 1974 1993 2013

Vserch 2031 2034 2036 2037 2039 2042 2043 2044 2045 2047 2049 2051 2053 2055 2057 2059 2061 2063 2065 2067 2069 2071 2074

2075

2077 2080

2081

2083 2084 2086 2088 2091

2092

2094

2096 2098

2101

2102 2103 2104 2105 2106

2107

ERASE 2108 2111 2113 2114 2117

0740 0743 0745 0748 074B 074E 0751 0752 0755 0758 075B 075E 0761 0763 0766 0768 076C 076D 0770 0773 0776 0778 077A 077B 077E 077F 0782 0784 0785 0786 0788 0789 078A 078B "S

LD HL, 23611 ; flags RES 5, (HL) ; key hit LD HL, 0

LD (IY+38), H ; x ptr (hi) LD (IY+55), H ; flagx LD (23563), HL; defad INC HL

LD (23574), HL; strms+6 LD HL, 4927 LD DE, 5808 CALL 1046 LD HL, 23665 (HL) 23612 (HL)

RES 5, LD HL, SET 5,

LD SP, (23613) POP HL LD HL, 3865 LD DE, 4937 CALL 1063 CP 244 JR Z, 1918 PUSH HL JP 65 PUSH DE JP 65 LD A, 13 RST 16 LD A, (HL) CP 46 ; RET Z RST 16 INC HL JR 1925 Protect Error" "CRC EE" "U Disk Full"

File Not Found" Wrong File Type" Cat Data Error" LD HL, (23627); LD A, 128 CP (HL) JR Z, 2096 LD A, (8247) CP (HL) RET Z LD A, (HL) AND 224 CP 224 JR Z, 2071 CP 192 JR Z, 2077 CP 160 JR Z, 2083 CP 128 JR Z, 2077 CP 96

JR Z, 2088 CP 64

JR Z, 2094

roms flagx

line of prog tvflag clhs errsp

GTfil

2068

spectrum

1st byte inchnls

spectrum

gtout

"T "V "X 07EF 07F2 07F4 07F5 07F7 07FA 07FB 07FC 07FD 07FF 0801 0803 0805 0807 0809 080B 080D 080F 0811 0813 0815 0817 081A 081B 081D 0820 0821 0823 0824 0826 0828 082B 082C 082E 0830 0832 0835 0836 0837 0838 0839 083A 083B 083C 083F 0841 0842 0845

<pointer @ 2494 <pointer @ <pointer g 2424 <pointer § 2127 <pointer (§ 2301 <pointer § 2320 vars

LD DE, 19 ADD HL, DE JP 2034 CALL 2102 INC HL JR 2034 INC HL BIT 7, (HL) JR Z, 2083 LD DE, 6 ADD HL, DE JP 2034 JR 2077 LD A, 128 LD (8248), i RET

INC HL

LD DE, (HL)

INC HL

LD D, (HL)

ADD HL, DE

RET

CALL 2158 LD A, 32 LD (DE), A CALL 2444 CALL 2307

cmdck

; gtfil

; wprot ; indir

2120 0846 LD A, (8224) 2123 084B CP 10 2125 084D JR NZ, 2133 2127 084F LD HL, 1974 2130 0852 JP 1822 "2133 0855 LD HL,(8241)

2136 0858 PUSH HL

2137 0859 CALL 2711

2140 085C POP HL

2141 085D INC HL

2142 085E LD (HL), 254 2144 0860 LD HL, (8245)

2147 0863 INC HL

2148 0864 LD (HL), 249 2150 0866 CALL 3651 2153 0869 JP 1596

~2156 086C LD HL, 8226 2159 086F LD A, 32 2161 0871 LD B, 10

2163 0873 LD (HL) , A

2164 0874 INC HL

2165 0875 DJNZ 2163

2167 0877 RST 32

2168 0878 LD HL, 7151 2171 087B LD DE, 7308 2174 087E CALL 1046 2177 0881 LD HL, (23653)

2180 0884 DEC HL

2181 0885 LD B, (HL)

2182 0886 DEC HL

2183 0887 LD C, (HL)

2184 0888 DEC HL

2185 0889 LD D, (HL)

2186 088A DEC HL

2187 088B LD E, (HL)

2188 088C DEC HL

2189 088D LD (23653), HL;

2192 0890 EX DE, HL

2193 0891 LD DE, 8226 ;

2196 0894 PUSH BC

2197 0895 LD A, B

2198 0896 OR C

2199 0897 JR Z, 2203 2201 0899 LDIR

2203 089B POP BC

2204 089C LD A, 34 ; 2206 089E LD (DE), A

_2207 089F RET

2208 08A0 CALL 2156 ; 2211 08A3 LD HL, 8226 ; 2214 08A6 LD B, 7

2216 08A8 LD A, (HL)

2217 08A9 CP 94 2219 08AB JR Z, 2299 2221 08AD CP 46 2223 08AF JR Z, 2230

2225 08B1 INC HL

2226 08B2 DJNZ 2216 _0228 08B4 JR 2299

2230 0886 INC HL

2231 0887 LD A, (HL)

2232 08B8 PUSH HL

2233 08B9 LD B, A

2234 08BA LD HL, (23645); 2237 08BD CP 65 ; 2239 08BF JR NZ, 2248

2241 08C1 LD A, (HL)

2242 08C2 CP 228 5 2244 08C4 JR NZ, 2301

2246 08C6 JR 2280

2248 08C8 CP 67 i 2250 08CA JR NZ, 2263

2252 08CC LD A, (HL)

2253 08CD CP 175 ; 2255 08CF JR Z, 2280 2257 08D1 CP 170

2259 08D3 JR Z, 2280

2261 08D5 JR 2301

2263 08D7 CP 66

2265 08D9 JR NZ, 2299

2267 08DB LD A, (HL)

2268 08DC CP 202 2270 08DE JR Z, 2280 2272 08E0 CP 58 2274 08E2 JR Z, 2280 2276 08E4 CP 13

2278 08E6 JR NZ, 2301 2280 08C8 POP HL

errnu

"T File Not Found" doserr temp 2

zerO

temp6

savebf prognm

next char

2068 !

spec > temio

roms

s tkend

stkend prognm

gtfil prognm

chadd

data

code screens

line

SINC-LINK

indir

Fatal

movdr

nevet

Dec	Hex	Instr-Dec
2281	08E9	INC HL
2282	08EA	LD A, (HL)
2283	08EB	CP 94
228S	08ED	JR Z, 2299
2287	08EF	LD ( 23681 ) , A
2290	08F2	INC HL
2291	08F3	LD A, 34
2293	08F5	CP (HL)
2294	08F6	JR NZ , 2299
2296	08F8	LD (HL), 32
2298	08FA	RET
2299	08FB	RST 8 ERR 15
2301	08FD	LD HL, 1993
2304	0900	JP 1822
2307	0903	CALL 1212
2310	0906	CALL 1084
2313	0909	LD A, (8224)
2315	090C	CP 25
2318	090B	JR NZ, 2326
2320	Q91Q	LD HL, 2013
2323	0913	JP 1822
2326	0916	LD A, (8195)
2329	0919	CP 128
2331	091B	JR Z, 2343
2333	091D	LD A, (8326)
2336	0920	RRA
2337	0921	RRA
2338	0922	AND 3
2340	0924	LD (8202), A
2343	0927	LD HL, 8328
2346	092A	INC HL
2347	092B	LD A, 255
2349	092D	CP (HL)
2350	092K	JR Z, 2359
2352	0930	LD A, 250
2354	0932	CP ( HL )
2355	0933	JR Z, 2386
2357	0935	JR 2346
2359	0937	LD ( 8241 ) , HL
2362	093A	INC HL
2363	093B	LD DE, 8226
2366	093E	LD B, 9
2368	0940	LD A, 254
2370	0942	CP (HL)
2371	0943	JR Z, 2346
2373	0945	LD A, (DE)
2374	0946	CP (HL)
2375	0947	JR NZ, 2346
2377	0949	INC DE
2378	094A	INC HL
2379	094B	DEC B
2380	0940	JR NZ, 2373
2382	094E	LD (8245), HL
2385	0951	RET
2386	0952	LD A, 10
2388	0954	LD (8224), A
2392	0957	RET
2393	0958	LD HL , (8241)
2395	095B	LD DE, 8250
2398	095E	LD BC, 34
2401	0961	LDIR
2402	0963	RET
2404	0984	XOR A
2405	0965	LD (8224), A
2408	0968	LD HL, 8328
2411	0968	INC HL
2412	096C	LD A, 254
2414	0965	CP (HL)
2415	096F	JR Z, 2430
2417	0971	LD A, 250
2419	0973	CP (HL)
2420	0974	JR Z, 2424
2422	0976	JR 2411
2424	0978	LD HL, 1959
2427	097B	JP 1822
2430	097E	LD DE, 8226
2433	0991	LD B, 9
2435	0983	LD A, (DE)
2436	0934	LD (HL), A
2437	0985	INC HL
2438	0986	INC DE
2439	0987	DJNZ 2435
2441	0989	JP 2326

Remarks ( 7 )

WPROt

invalid file name

"V Wrong File Type

doserr

drvO

ldbuf

errnu

"X Cat Data Error"

doserr

dvsel

; totlen

; aspd

SAVE Ssubr

; temp 2 ; prognm

; temp 6

; errnu

; temp 2

; directory

; errnu

SMEM

"U Disk Full"

doserr

prognm

Dec	Hex
9 AAA	098C
9 AA7	098F
2449	0991
9AST JL H J L	0993
	0995
9 A 5 S	0997
	0999
9 A CO	099A
9A <in	099C
9 Afi? £. 4 V .	099E
9 Afi«>	09A1
9 Afifi	09A2
9Afi7	09 A3
9 AfiQ	09A5
9A7n	09A6
9A79	09A8
9A71	09A9
9A7S	09AB
9A77	09AD
24 78	09AE
9 Ann	09C0
9A R1	09B1
9ARA	09B4
9 Aflfi 4400	09B6
9 AR7	09B7
2489	09B9
9AQ1 Z 7 ±	09BB
9 AQ 1	09BD
9AQA	09BB
2497	09C1
9 cnfi	09C4
	09C7
9 *.nfi	09C7
9 inQ	09CD
£. J J. fa	09D0
It! A	09D2
	09D5
7C7fl fa 3 fa U	09D8
	09DB
9 «; 9fi	nqnR
95.9R	09B0
9 5.9Q	09E1
9 9 t J 0 fa	09E4
7C11 4 J J J	09E5
9«; ^	U7D /
? «; ifi & J Jv	09E8
	09EA
4JJ"	09EB
9 s.An	09EC
9 ^ A 9	09EE
9 ^ A A	09F0
	09F2
	09F5
	09F8
9 «; 5. t £ 3 3 J	09F9
	09FB
9 ■» 5,7 ADD /	09FD
	09FF
9 Sfi9	0A02
	0A03
9 ■ififi £•7 WW	0A06
9 570	0A0A
9 5,7 1 fa J / 1	0A0B
9 5. 7A	0A0E
7C7S	0A12
95R1	0A15
95RA (Jul	0A18
9 5.R7	0A18
9 SQD 4J7U	0A1E
95. ci"?	0A21
9 SQft fa J 7U	0A24
9 5QR	0A26
9fifl1	0A29
2604	0A2C
9finfi	0A2E
£. QUO	0A3O
9fi1 1	0A33
2612	0A34
2615	0A37
9fi1 s	0A3A
9fi71	0A3D
2623	0A3F
2626	0A42
2627	0A43

Instr-Dec Remarks

LD A, (8195) ; dvsel

CP 128

JR NZ, 2481

LD A, 71

OUT 7, A

IN A, 244

LD C, A

LD A, 240

OUT 244, A

LD HL, 32770

LD (HL) , A

LD B, (HL)

LD (HL), 0

LD A, C

OUT 244, A

XOR A

OUT 7, A

LD A, 240

CP B

JR NZ, 2494 RET

CALL 1212 ; drvO

IN A, 16

RRA

JR C, 2481 IN A, 16 BIT 6, A RET Z

LD HL, 1933 JP 1822 CALL 2208 CALL 2444 CALL 2307 LD A, (8224) CP 10

CALL Z, 2404 CALL 2711 CALL 3651 LD A, (8194) CP 11 RET Z

LD HL, 8226 INC HL LD A, 46 CP (HL) JR NZ, 2532 INC HL LD A, (HL) CP 65

JR Z, 2598 CP 66

JP Z, 2792 LD HL, (23645) LD A, (HL) CP 170 JR Z, 2584 CP 175 JP NZ, 2299 RST 32 CALL 1026 LD (8243), BC RST 32 CALL 1026 LD (8241), BC CALL 2842 JP 2958 LD HL, 16384 LD (8243), HL ; LD HL 6912 LD (8241), HL ; JR 2578 CALL 2623 LD A, (8248) BIT 7, A JR NZ, 2621 LD HL, (8241) ; INC HL

LD (8241), HL ; CALL 2842 JP 2958

RST 8 ERR 2 ; LD HL, (23645); LD A, (HL) CP 288 ;

"S Protect Error doserr cmdck wprot indir errnu

nevet zerO savebf nmi flag

prognm

save an array B

save basic program chadd

screens save a screen code

err 15 invalid f n next char evalu temp 4 next char evalu temp 2

temp 4 temp 2

temp 2 temp 2

variable not found chadd

data

SINC-LINK

name Dec Hex Instr-Dec

zero

2629

2632

2633

2636

2637

2638

2639

2641

2643

2646

2648

2651

2654

2655

2657

2659

2662

2665

2667

2670

2671

2674

2677

2678

2680

2682

2685

2688

2691

2694

2696

2697

2700

2701

2702

2703

2704

2705

2706

_2710 2711 2714 2717 2720 2721 2723 2726 2727 2729 2730 2732 2733 2735 2736 2738 2741 2742 2744 2747 2748 2749 2752

_2754 2756 2759 2760 2762 2763 2765 2766 2767 2768 2770 2773 2774 2775 2777 2779 2781 2783 2784 2785 2786 2788 2790

_2791 2792 2795 2796

0A45

0A48

0A49

0A4C

0A4D

0A4B

0A4F

0A51

0A53

0A56

0A58

0A5B

0A5E

0A5F

0A61

0A63

0A66

0A69

0A6B

0A6E

0A6F

0A72

0A75

0A76

0A78

0A7A

0A7D

0A80

0A83

0A86

0A89

0A8C

0A8D

0A8E

0A8F

0A90

0A91

0A92

0A96

0A97

0A9A

0A9D

0AA1

0AA3

0AA6

0AA7

0AA9

OAAA

OAAC

OAAO

OAAF

OABO

0AB2

0AB5

0AB6

0AB8

OABB

OABC

OABD

OACO

0AC3

0AC4

0AC7

0AC8

OACA

OACB

OACD

OACE

OACF

OADO

0AD2

0AD5

0AD6

0AD7

0AD9

OADB

OAOD

OADF

OAEO

0AE1

0AE2

0AE4

0AE6

0AK7

0AE8

OAEB

OAEC

JP NZ, 2299 RST 32

LD HL, (23645) LD A, (HL) INC HL LD A, (HL) CP 36

2667 (23681)

Remarks ( 8 ) name

; err invalid file naae ; next cha ; chadd

Dec Hex Instr-Dec

Remarks

; $

JR Z, LD A, CP 36

JP Z, 2301 LD HL, (23645) LD A, (HL) SET 7, A AND 159 LD (8247), A LD (23662), A JR 2688 LD HL, 23681 CP (HL) JP NZ, 230 1 LD HL, (23645) LD A, (HL) OR 192 RES 5, A LD (8247), A LD (23662), A; CALL 2031 ; LD A, (8248) BIT 7, A RET NZ

LD (8243), HL ;

INC HL

LD E, (HL)

INC HL

LD D, (HL)

INC DE

LD (8241), DE ; RET

CALL 2392 ;

LD HL, (8241) ;

LD BC, 11

ADD HL, BC

LD (HL), 249

LD HL, 8250

INC HL

LD A, 253

CP (HL)

JR NZ, 2726

INC HL

LD A, 249

CP (HL)

JR Z, 2756

LD (8241), HL

LD C, (HL)

LD B, 0

LD HL, 8328

ADD HL, BC

LD (HL), C

LD HL, (8241)

LD (HL), 0

JR 2732

LD HL, 8250

INC HL

LD A, 253

CP (HL)

JR NZ, 2759

INC HL

PUSH HL

POP DE

LD B, 21

LD HL, 8328

INC HL

LD A, (HL)

CP 255

JR Z, 2788

CP 245

JR Z, 2773

LD A, (HL)

LD (DE), A

INC DE

DJNZ 2773

LD A, 249

LD (DE), A

RET

LD HL, (23645) LD A, (HL) CP 202

; $

; chadd

; oldppc

; chadd

oldppc vserch

temp 4

temp 2

movdr temp 2

directory

temp2

temp 2 directory

; chadd ; line

2798 2800 2801 2804 2805 2809 2811 2814 2817 2821 2824 2825 2826 2828 2831 2832 2835 2838 2841 2842 2843 2846 2849 2852 2853 2854 2856 _2857 2860 2863 2866 2867 2869 2871 2874 2877 2880 2882 2885 2888 2891 2892 2895 2898 2901 2904 2907 2908 2910 _2913 2914 2917 2918 2919 2921 2922 _2925 2928 2931 2934 2938 2940 2943 2946 2949 2952 2954 _2957 2958 2961 2962 2965 2968 2970 2971 2974 2975 2978 2981 2984 2987 2990 2993 2994 2996 2998 3001 3004 3007

OAEE OAFO 0AF1 0AF4 0AF5 0AF9 OAFB OAFE 0B01 0b05 OB08 0B09 OBOA OBOC OBOF 0B10 0B13 0B16 0B19 0B1A 0B1B 0B1E 0B21 0B24 0B25 0B26 0B28 0B29 0B2C 0B2F 0B32 0B33 0B35 0E37 0B3A 0B3D 0B40 0B42 0B45 0B48 0B4B 0B4C 0B4F 0B52 0B55 0B58 0B5B 0B5C 0B5E 0B61 0B62 0B65 0B66 0B67 0B69 0B6A 0B6D 0B70 0B73 0B76 0B7A 0B7C 0B7F 0B82 0B85 0B88 0B8A 0B8D 0B8E 0B91 0B92 0B95 0B98 0B9A 0B9B 0B9E 0B9F 0BA2 0BA5 0BA8 OBAB OBAE 0BB1 0BB2 0BB4 0BE6 0BB9 OBBC OBBF

JRNZ, 2811 RST 32 ; CALL 1026 ; DEC BC

LD (23662), HL; JP 2817

LD HL, (23621); LD (23662), HL; LD DE, (23635); LD HL, (23641); PUSH DE OR A

SBC HL, DE LD (8241), HL ; POP HL

LD (8243), HL ; CALL 2842 JP 2958 RET XOR A

LD (8247), A LD HL, (8241) ; LD (8196), HL LD A, H OR L

JR NZ, 2860 POP BC JP 1596 LD DE, 5090 LD HL, (8241) ; OR A

SBC HL, DE JR C, 2914 LD HL, (8243) ; 8328 5090

LD DE, LD BC, LDIR LD HL,

(8243)

LD (8236), HL LD DE, 5090 ADD HL, DE LD (8243), HL LD HL, 5090 LD (8238), HL LD DE, 5090 LD HL, (8241) OR A

SBC HL, DE LD (8241), HL RET

LD HL, (8241) LD A, H OR L

JR NZ, 2928 POP HL • LD HL, (8245) JP 3114 LD HL, (8243)

LD DE, LD BC, LDIR LD HL,

A HL

8328 (8241)

(8243) LD (8236), HL LD HL, (8241) LD (8238), HL LD A, 100 LD (8247), A RET

LD HL, 8261 LD A, (HL) LD (8249), LD (8245), LD A, 249 CP (HL) JP Z, 2924 LD A, (HL) LD (8221), A CALL 3571 CALL 1135 CALL 3651 CALL 1084 LD A, (8234) AND A JR Z, 3064 LD A, 3 LD (8223), A CALL 1121 CALL 3571 LD BC, (8238)

next char evalu

oldppc

ppc

oldppc

prog

eline

temp 2 temp4

temp 2

temp2

temp 4

temp4 start

temp 4

temp2

temp 2 temp 2

temp6 temp4

temp 2

temp 4 start temp 2

directory temp 6

curtrk

trac

encdbf

savebf

ldbuf

errnu

attempts counter

clrbf

trac

SINC-LINK

TS 2068 PROGRAMMING TIP by George Chambers

The system variables stored at addresses 23552 to 23755 are used by the computer to keep track of it's operat ion. Look in the TS2068 User Manual, "Appendix D, System Variables" for a list and short description. These stored variables offer quite a few programming poss i b i 1 it ies. This article will describe an application for two of them.

The var iables being d i scussed are labelled SPOSN, and are located at addresses 23688 and 23689. Together these two variables store the current PRINT position; that is, where the next character on the screen will be printed. The first address contains the column number, while^ the second address contains the line number. Well, not the screen positions as we understand them. We would get the screen positions by subtract ing the PEEKed value in address 23688 from 2U- ( for column number), and in address 23689 from 32 (for line number).

In my programming I did a Larken CATalogue, followed by a flashing message 'Press a key for menu'. I wished to remove the message without clearing the rest of the screen.

I could, of course, have simply had the program 'PRINT AT x,y;" ^

"i to wipe out the flashing message. But in this application the message could appear on most any line; depending on the size of the CATalogue display. I made use of the variables mentioned above.

Figure 1. is a listing of a short program to demonstrate the possibilities. Let's discuss this listing:

LINE 5: We are ass ign ing a random number to each of var i ables a and b. The numbers produced by the RND function will be a value always less than 1.

LINE 10. The variables a and b are being used to print "george" at random locations on the screen. The 'a*22' selects a random screen line from 0 to 22. The 'b*26' similarly selects a screen column. (We have used 'b*26', rather than lb*32', so that the "george" will be printed on one line, i.e. it won't be wrapped around onto the second line. If this happened it would require more complex programming to remove the flashing 'george', and tend to obscure the model.

Note also the sem /-co 1 on at the end of 'george'. Without this semi-colon the print pos i t i on stored in the variable would be .at the start of the next line, and the 'covered' would always appear at the beginning of the next line. Try it and see.

LINE 15 Pauses for a moment so you can see the 'george' is present.

LINE 20 Overlays the flashing 'george' with the 'covered' message. Because of the way the system stores the informat ion we have to subtract the PEEKed values from the screen size values of 2U- and 32.

Note the '-6' in the line. This is because what we have in the system variable is the present PRINT pos it ion. But we want to start our overlaid word 'covered ' six pos it ions back, to the start of 'george ' . LINE 30 Self explanatory .

5 LET a=RND : LET b=RND

10 PRINT AT INT (a*22),INT ( b*26 ); "george" ; 15 PAUSE 30

To Z'uSE Yo:VsP:Eao2ToaV'"2-(PeEK **">-*'™.r~.

SINC-LINK

Especially for Junkies

by Hgk lo»ie

( Hey Ma! Sone-one has been talking about me - I am in the headlines! )

Are you a Junky?

Now don't get me wrong, there are all kinds of junkies going the rounds .

There is the old fellow who used to go round the neighborhood pushing his little hand cart in front of with his cry of "Rags - Bottles - Bones" Or does your memory not go that far back? That guy was called a Junky. He collected junk. Some times he would be called a Scrappy.

Then there is that other junkie, the one on the drug scene, but we are not interested in that so we will let that fly stick to the wall.

Now that there is another thing. Do you know where that saying came from? That was another oldie, from the time before all those fancy bug killers in a bottle where you press a button and the stuff comes out with a phssst. It comes from the time when we used the old fashioned fly-swat; that was a flat piece of something no matter what that was attached to a stick about a foot or fifteen inches long. When you smacked a fly on the wall with that - splat! - the fly stuck there! (the fly swat was also great for juvenile discipline)

So you just let it stick there. After all, can you think of a better way to keep score of the 'bag' for the day, than to count the "splats" on the wall?

To-day we have different kinds of junkies, ourselves for example, we are Sinclair junkies. We collect Sinclair stuff till it is coming out our ears, (watch it bub) and every time Old papa Sine comes out with something new we all rush out and grab it. ('cept the byke)

I am going to ask you to have a look at your collection of program you have stored away in all those shoe boxes and drawers. Take 'em out. Now I don't care whether it is Cartridges or Tapes or Disks; treat them all the same. And this is where things can become very interesting, apart from puzzling.

Clear all that other "junk" off that &^e table, and divide that table into three equal sections . If you want to be sure you have made the division properly, and want to keep things looking neat and tidy and not looking "junky", then draw a pencil mark at the divisions. And label the sections:- Lots. Sometimes. Never.

Now comes the interesting part.

We take all them programs and place them according to your 'labels'. Those programs you use a lot. Those programs you use sometimes. Those programs you never use.

How are you doing? Are the piles of programs increasing evenly? Don't get dis-heartened, keep at it, you are learning. One thing you are learning is that there is a whole stack of stuff you NEVER use - and just take a look at that pile- WOW!

Now look at the pile marked "LOTS" Not too many what? Half a dozen? a few more perhaps? Are there more than dozen. Probably not.

The middle pile is a funny one; some of the stuff in that pile could be in the OFTEN pile, but a lot of it could also be in the NEVER pile.

NOW - Who is the "junky"? You are.

I am. We all is! That's right, did you

ever think you could be called a "Program

Junky"?

Why do we spend so much time and $$$$$ gathering all that stuff (junk)? and never use it.

Puzzle:- — What to do with that junk —

I have the cure for you, and if you follow my suggestion you will no longer be a "program junky" and you will get rid of all that "junk" gathering dust where-ever it is stored.

Send it to me.

Bye ! 930126

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Gilliam Y. Parrish

Route 1, Box 705 Beggs, OK. 74421 UJSA.

May 10, 1993

Mr. George F. Chambers, Secretary Toronto Timex Sinclair Users' Group 14 Richome Court Scarborough, Ontario M1K 2Y1 Canada

Re: Timex/ Sinclair Computers Dear George,

I think I found a solution to my (possible) problem of having too small a power supply for that ZX Printer. The manual says the printer needs 9V, 1.2 amps; unfortunately, even the "large" TS/ZX standard power supply is just 1 amp. My discovery came in a second hand shop, in the form of the Mattel Aquarius home computer. You may never have heard of them; they were discontinued almost as soon as they hit store shelves ("One of the shortest lifespans of any computer," according to COMPUTE i magazine). They were a low-end model, with 4K, "chicklet" keyboard, sparse BASIC, designed for cassette storage, etc. They utilized a one-key entry of BASIC commands (actually, CONTROL + the needed key) just like the TS/ZX, but they also allowed typing in the commands letter by letter, a feature I appreciate. One unusual aspect of the model was the printer port; the computer was designed for yet another incarnation of the simple and cheap Alphacom narrow-paper thermal printer (like the T/S 2 040) , but the connector is a single mini- phono jack. How can a printer get all the signals it needs through a single line?? Anyway, the computer had a cartridge port designed to accept a couple of expansion boxes Mattel had waiting in the wings (to add joysticks, extra RAM, improved sound capability, and on the deluxe expander, disk drives) , and for that reason Mattel may have given the model a larger power supply than it really needed. The power supply, which does not disattach (and hence can't get away from the unit in garage sales) states that it produces 8.8VDC, 1.2 amps (as well as minor amounts of other obscure voltages, being .15 amps of 16VDC, and .01 amps of -19VDC) . A quick meter check reveals that amperage from the Aquarius unit is indeed significantly higher (and even voltage is a tad HIGHER, not lower) compared to a standard 9V, 1 amp supply. So, it's an easy solution to lack of a 1.2 amp power supply to get an Aquarius, cut off the power supply and cord, and install the right connector for TS/ZX use; the proper wires to solder to the needed mini-phono plug are clearly indicated on the unit (red to center, black to the outside) . It's also a cheap solution: since these computers were

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never popular, they might be $2-$3 if you happen to run across one, and since nobody is actually using these things, you can likely spot one up for grabs if you know to look for them. I picked up two; I'm keeping an Aquarius intact for no particularly good reason, and I've almost completed surgery on the other.

On a different topic, remember the "Hobbit"? That was the Spectrum clone being produced in the former Soviet Union, that was supposed to be "available for export" someday. Well, the day has apparently come. I noticed in the April, 1993 edition of Update! that the Hobbit is now available in the UK through ADB Russian Services, 17 Stortford Rd. , Great Dunmow, Essex CMS IDA, Great Britain. (I assume they must have touched all the legal bases with AMSTRAD before they could sell it there.) It is supposed to be fully 48K Spectrum compatible, but it has 64K RAM, 64K ROM, a QWERTY keyboard but with both Roman and Cyrillic characters on it, built-in CP/M and FORTH as well as BASIC, and the capability to handle either 5 1/4" or 3 1/2" drives as well as a cassette. (I doubt the extra RAM will get much workout; as I reported last year following my trip to the UK, the vast majority of Spectrum software remains 48K compatible despite the sale of many Spectrum units with 128K by AMSTRAD over the years.) The Hobbit is £79.00 and the optional 5 1/4" drive is £59.00; that translates to something like US $123.25 (CN $156.50) for the computer and US $92.00 (CN $117.00) for the drive. The good old T/S 2068, which can be picked up used for far less money and then equipped with a Spectrum ROM, remains a much lower cost alternative for North Americans who wish to try Spectrum computing — and isn't it nice to have a computer that's so much in demand that it's still in production in 1993, rather than one that was discontinued in

1984?

By the way, we had discussed whether I wanted to make my new term of membership retroactive to when my last term ended in '92, or to make it effective for the coming year. I asked to have it started as of "now" (around the beginning of April) and not retroactively, so I would be paid up for the coming 12 months. And I think that's what you understood me to say, since you (correctly) did not send past newsletters. However, whoever filled out my membership card (your Treasurer? I can't make out the name) , which you forwarded to me last time, apparently did not understand since the card lists my term as 5/92 to 5/93 instead of 4/93 to 4/94. Please don't let my membership expire on me again! !

Sincerely, Gil Parrish

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FREENET PLUGS OTTAWA IN

Starting today, anyone with a computer and modem can connect with a network of databases - free by Dominique Lacasse - Citizen business writer

Turn on, boot up, and dial out. "Community comput ing" is here.

As of today, Ottawa becomes one of only about a dozen cities anywhere in the world to have a non-prof it , community comput i ng network. A phone call to a single Ottawa number will plug anyone with a computer and a modem into a network of data-bases and in format ion prov iders from around the region, across the U.S., and ult imately, the world. Virtually unlimited two-way information - free.

The National Capital FreeNet was to make it's public debut today with a ceremony at regional government headquarters this morning.

it may not be an "e lectron ic highway", but Ottawa's FreeNet is a crucial fork in the road to the E lectron ic Village, an interact ive public library for the computer generation.

Ottawa's network is modelled on successful experiments in community computing in the U.S. It was spearheaded by a group of parleton University professors and the school's director of computing and information services and is run entirely by volunteers.

After more than a year of planning, fundra is ing, and scroung ing, Ottawa's FreeNet is now a reality, with a powerful host computer and 20 telephone lines to handle the expected rush. There are an estimated 100,000 PCs in households in the greater Ottawa region, and likely just as many in bus i ness and government offices.

The network has already been running experimentally at Carleton for several months and has met with wide acceptance. Ottawa's FreeNet has about 1,000 registered users now and about 100 new applications are received every day, accord ing to David Sut her land, National Capital FreeNet chairman and director of comput ing services at Car let on.

"This thing has gained critical mass", says Sutherland, who only recently decided to double the number of phone lines in time for today's launch as donations and inquiries poured in. "It's had an overwhelmingly positive public response."

Sutherland says he expects registrations to mushroom following today's invitation to the public to join the network.

He says he expects the FreeNet will have at least 10,000 registered users by the end of it's first year. In C leve land, Ohio, where the first FreeNet was launched in the mid-80' s, there are more than 35,000 registered FreeNet users and tens of thousands more who occas ional ly use the system as "guests " .

"We keep hearing we're in the information age", says Sutherland. "These (networks) are the windows that will allow it to come into peoples i ives. "

Ottawa's FreeNet, which runs on equ i pment donated by Sun M i crosyst ems and Nepean-based Gandalf Data, already has a mix of databases, from regional government agendas and tender documents and community group bul let ins, to exotic items such as news reports from Radio Free Europe and an "artificial intelligence" program on epilepsy from the Federal Commun icat ions Research Centre.

And only recently, the (Ottawa) Citizen joined a growing number of information prov iders exper iment ing with the system. The Citizen's FreeNet offerings include brief guides to local sports, entertainment and community events, as well as capsule reviews of movies, restaurants, and w ines.

The Ottawa Public Library's catalogue is also available online through the FreeNet and the library has installed three terminals at its main branch that will allow people without computers at home or work to explore FreeNet. D iscuss ions are also underway to put terminals in schools throughout the region.

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Ottawa's FreeNet also provides a gateway to other FreeNets, i nc lud i ng C I eve land ' s and a new one in V ictor ia, the only other one in Canada.

Using Internet, a network that links researchers around the world, FreeNet users can visit distant computer systems without incurr ing long distance charges.

Being free has it's price, however. Because the network only has 20 telephone lines, users may find logging onto the system frustrating, even impossible, at peak times. Sutherland says new lines will be added if demand warrants and sufficient funds can be found.

Some government funding has been received and more is expected , says Sutherland. The goal is to eventually have one full-time paid adm in i strator to manage the network, as several U.S. FreeNets have done.

Sutherland says he hopes the FreeNet will "make the community work better" by promoting the free exchange of information and ideas. He says he hopes the network will make the use of information technology "part of the county's culture, someth ing people are comfortable with for the rest of their I ives" .

Logging on to FreeNet You need a computer and a modem to gain access to FreeNet. Use these settings to connect: Phone (613) 780 3733 Modem Sett ings: r

-Baud Rate: 2400, 1200, or 300

-Data Bits: 8

-Parity: None

-Stop Bits: 1

Important notice: Once connection has been established, you may have to hit the Return or Enter key up to FIVE times.

Log on as "guest" the first time. You can become a registered user by following the instructions available on-line under the "Adm in ist rat ion" menu.

This material was retyped from an article in the Ottawa Citizen.

One of our members, Jacques Croteau, writes, "I include an article in the Citizen of Ottawa, about FreeNet. It seems wonderful, but I know only one person who has succeeded in logging on... at 3 o'clock in the morning, before it was advert ised 1 1 It seems very busy.

He also penned a note as follows: "New network in Ottawa. I hope you have more success than me in reaching it. I have called about 50 times without result . "

"(613) 788 3947 - This number was given on radio for the net work . ... bu a I ways busy. "

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RS 2 3 2 I/O Rev is i ted

Rene Bruneau

A couple of errors crept into the schematic for the RS232 article found in the last issue of Sine-Link. The revised circuit diagram is shown below. I also ran into difficulties sourcing the 9 .8403 MHz crystal and found that a 4.920 MHz crystal would work, but the PCB had to be revised to get the proper baud rates again.

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pq Hill rJ Mill

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COMPONENT LAYOUT

PCB LAYOUT

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RS-232 CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

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SUPER DISK LABELLER

Now this little thing I do not have, but I include it here just in case someone wants to get it at the same time as SUPER DISK INDEXER, and as it is mentioned in my QLIPS message in this issue.

SUPER DISK LABELLER

Print neat labels for your floppy disks, showing the filenames present on the disk in columns, in small text, in up to 6 layout styles. You can edit and annotate the text of the label, add headings and notes as required. The layout can be previewed to the screen before printing. Filenames can be sorted into order, or grouped (e.g. Quill "_doc" files together) for a neat, professional appearance. The printer driver is fully reconf igurable for different label sizes and printer control codes. Drivers are supplied for 9 pin and 24 pin dot matrix printers. Suitable for use with our floppy disk labels on printer feed backing, and most disk label sizes. Can print on label rolls up to 4 labels wide. One of our best selling programs, in fact, everyone should have one, and no wonder! "A good, well thought out package, representing excellent value for money" (QL World review, October 1991). Needs at least 128k extra memory. Supplied with printed 20 page manual. Disk Labeller is an ideal companion program for our Disk Indexer program described elsewhere in this catalogue, so that you can both catalogue your disks and tidily label them too. Don't forget about our quantity discounts available for buying more than one program at a time!

SUPER DISK LABELLER (on disk) ... £10.00

Printer roll of 100 disk labels for use with above program £2.50

(no extra postage to pay if ordering at the same time as other items, or add £0.50 postage if just ordering labels)

SINCLAIR CLAN CREST

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AN AMERICAN SPECTRUM

(THE TIM EX SINCLAIR TS 2068)

The Spectrum was launched here in Britain back in the spring of 1982. It was a massive advance over its' forerunner the ZX81 and, for the first time ever, allowed affordable home computing.

It really was a complete breakthrough Up until then everyone thought of computers as big mainframe machines with gigantic reel to reel storage, only for use in government departments or large bank head offices. The Spectrum, smaller than a hard backed book and using standard music cassettes really did bring the computer age home to a new generation.

Of course success is nearly always imitated. And the Timex Corporation, who brought modern digital watches to the masses with an affordable price tag decided the the time was right to introduce the idea of a small home computer to North America. Out of this desire and a partnership with Sinclair Re- search here in old blighty a new machine, The Timex Sinclair TS 2068 was born - well almost.

In 1983 the TS 2068 was launched with the familiar Z80A CPU and the same overall operating system as the Spectrum - with equivalent sound and processing abilities to the 48K version. Yet there were differences which made the TS 8068 unique to the US Market.

ADD - ONS

Because of the pace of computer develop ment in the US the TS 2068 has had a very wide range of peripherals and add on features developed for it. Parallels can be drawn between it and the Hobbit • Russia's unofficial Spectrum copy, made as a serious business computer to compete at a much lower price level with PCs and 4> thus equipped with facilities to £&t** ■ . use PC disk drives, be

^ '""* . . linked up to PCs and run

complicated Databases and other business software.

Although the TS 2068 >. ✓ . was primarily

designed

to run using tape loading and saving like our very own Speccy, rather than developing a machine with increased memory cap- acity like the 128K machine here, American and Canadian boffins simply added on external RAM or linked it up to PC 3.5 or 5.25 disk drives allowing masses of extra memory.

Our contact in America, Bob Shade, who runs _a top photo- graphy outfit in Philadelphia actually uses his TS 2068s to oper- ate photographic equipment for complicated still work, among other things. Also, because of the problems of Spectrum incom- patibility Bob actually runs a Spectrum Emulator on his TS 2068 whenever he wants to run Speccy games or software. He, like many other North American users have brought the machine far beyond the realms of the simple kid's 'home computer' which the Speccy is primarily viewed as here.

Unfortunately for the TS 2068 the pace of PC technology far outstripped it and as these machines became more accessible to the home market as the standard business/home machine (if you use one in the office why not use it at home too) the popu- larity of the Sinclair went out the window.

However, as well as communicating with similar machines the TS 2068 can also reach out and touch several other computers like the PC and Macintosh using MACIink and PCIink. This is done by running programs on the host machine and connecting it up to the TS, in a similar way to that described for linking up Hobbits.

Although the TS 2068 has now been out of production for quite a few years there is still a reas- onably strong user group in both the US and more predominantly in Canada. This user group produces most of the new software for the machine and includes Bob Shade himself who has de- veloped a label maker program to make his life easier in the photography business. A Canadian company a) which supports the TS 2068 with communications /' devices, memory upgrades etc. is LARKEN ELEC- /' TRONICS who have a bewildering array or peripherals / for the machine.

* USER GROUPS

Addresses to contact user groups for fanzines and information are: Toronto Sinc-Linc, Editor, Timex-Sinclair Users Club, 1 4 Richome Court, Scarborough, Ontario, Canada M1 K 2Y1 . Also: Update Magazine PO Box 1095, Peru, Indiana, USA 46970. They deal with Z88 (QL) and TS 2068. Or: Long Island Sinclair Timex Users Group, C/O Harvey Rait. 5 Peri Ln., Valley Stream, NY, USA 1 1581 . And finally SLIX - Sinclair Information Exchange, C/O William W. Miller, 6675 Clifford Drive. Cupertino, CA 95014-4530 USA. Remember the Timex/Sinclair is not directly Spectrum com- patible but there are a lot of similarities. If you want to find out more why not write to one of the user groups. If you're a pro- grammer why not investigate writing something for them? Wow... The Speccy goes international)

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TORONTO TIMEX-SINCLAIR USERS CLUB Hay 14, 1993

14 Richome Court. Scarborough, Ont. H1K 2Y1

Lbs Cottrei I

108 River Heights Drive

Cocoa, Fl 32922

Dear Les?

Th^vnS-- qou for the $20 cash for membership renewal , And also •[■•hank uou for the next few Pages of the barken LKDOS disassembly. We are psiftino a f*w paqes in each issue of the newsletter. One can have too much of a good thing!! I arn still holding your most recent contribution of the disassembly, since Jeff has eunough to go on for now.

Two of the items you asked for have been taken,, But I am sending the

» I !OUJ to Write your own adventure programs" book,, You may find it

. int-wpAHna,. 'Rut if you. are really serious about it, maybe you should ..,;,:,!,' me for "a copy of the Professional 1 Adventure Writer, a program put out for the Spectrum,, It has very heavy documentation for it also, maybe SO pages. or bo.

Sincerel y ?

George Chamber-

2-5

I r- \ 1/