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ADDRESS
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ROUTINES
Information and Chairmen — Trea$ury Note$
Input/Output — by Abed Kahale
Carol & Frank Davis
QL Show-
Files
Z88 Source Book 3
ADDRESS
9
12
15
16
Files
TheTS-2068 SCLD
QL Hacker's Journal
Unclassified Ads
E-Mail List
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Cathedral Red RoGk, Sedona, AZ
ZXir QLive Alive! ©
Established 1991 The Timex/Sinclair NorthAmerican User Groups Newsletter
T/SNUG Information
We wish to support the following platforms:
ZX-80/81, TS-1000, Spectrum, TS-2068,
Z88 and QL. tf you have any questions about
any of these fine Sinclairs, contact the:
Chairman
Chief Motivator
Donald S. Lambert
738 Gunnar Ln.
Forsyth, EL 62535
(217) 875-8043
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2455 Medallion Dr.
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10984 Collins PI.
Delta, BC V4C 7E6 Canada
604 583-2819
QL PD Library
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835 Foxwood Cir.
Geneva. IL 60134-1631
630 232-6147
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41634 Amberiy Dr.
Mt. Clemens, Ml 48038
— ==GATOR=—
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613 Parkside Cir.
Streamwood. IL 60107-1647
630 837-7957 Work 847 576-8068
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ZXir QLive Alive!
Is the newsletter of T/SNUG, the Timex/Sinclair North American
User Groups, providing news and software support to the T/S
community in a VO LUME of four newsletters per year;
beginning with the Spring (March) issue.
T/SNUG's main goal is to preserve and encourage
the use of Sinclair computers by providing an open
forum for the exchange of knowledge, building and
maintaining of software libraries. Providing vendors,
repair s ervice and members with free ad space.
It is the user groups and individual subscribers, rather than the
vendors, that provide the pecuniary' support for this newsletter.
Vendors and developers receive this newsletter free of charge,
though contribution from vendors and user groups is gratefully
accepted. Please support our vendors and service providers
whenever possible.
If you have a problem or you have solved a problem, please share
it with the rest of us. No probl em will be considered unimportant.
IJdiJor Treasii IhiblisSier
ou can keep T/SNUG alive by an annual contribution of $14
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Send check to:-
ABED KAHALE
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ies are available for $1.50 each postpaid.
IliMMMMMH
Send in your articles and inputs by disk, hardcopy mail, or e-mail
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E-mail: AKalia le@jiino.com
1 8 m mm m
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M of March 17, 2002, we have a balance of $356
ZXir QLive Alive!
Spring 2002
Input/Output
Hello Abed
I just got the current issue of the newsletter. It
looks great as always! I am so very sad to hear of
Fred Henn's death. We had corresponded many
times regarding Timex computers and he was always
very helpful and seemed very genuine. He even
wrote me a few times just to see how I was doing.
The Timex/Sinclair community has truly lost a great
person.
Also, could you please update my email address
to doidyl@juno.com. I hardly check my Yahoo
account anymore because it is always filled with
Spam! I noticed in the letters section that someone
was inquiring about some software. I will contact
him and see how I can help.
Thanks Abed and I hope all is well with you.
Lu k e Perr y
Dear Abed,
I enjoy even 7 issue of QLive although my near
vision does not allow me to use my Timex/Sinclair
pieces anymore. Your Winter 2001 issue is
testimony that computer basics are still helpful as
well as enjoyable. I do miss the programming effort
I used to enjoy and the wonderful tilings (very
amazing in fact) that my TS 1000/1 500 and TS2068
(also two QLs) equipment use to open my eyes and
mind. Keep up the good work Sincerely
Earl Kielglass
(i was a WWII fighter pilot [P47 Thunderbolt]
Tel 480 838-4 3 08 )
In a message dated 2/20/02
Carol and Frank Davis were involved in a bad
accident Early Sunday morning while leaving town.
Condition is bad and they are last known at Intensive
Care Unit at Dukes Hospital.
The guy who hit them is not expected to live.
Mike Ingall
Sales manager angelitejprod@lycos.com
FWD Computing _
Let me give an update.
It appears that the hospital sent them home
much to soon, something having to do with
insurance only pre-authorizing so many days and the
doctor not wanting to challenge it. They had Frank's
sister take them to a doc they know in Kokomo, IN
and he had the files faxed over to him from the
Duke's Hospital in Peru (where they were treated).
Looking thru the files they found that the tests
showed the bottom vertebrae crushed on Frank, an
MRI needed to check out the next two up from there
as they felt they were also damage, the sternum in
his chest is cracked, cracked ribs with 4 on the right
side and 3 on the left. With Carol, it is 3 vertebrae
cracked or partially crushed, neck injuries due to the
feet of no air bag on the passenger side, crack ribs on
right side, cracked sternum, and Monday being
tested for one, if not 2 partially detached retina of
her eyes. This doctor sent copies of these reports and
sent them, as well as the Davis's to another doctor
for checking and he verified the same. Tomorrow is
another doc appointment for Frank and Carol on
Friday.
When Frank and Carol left the hospital they
were not told of any of the possible spinal injuries,
or sternums, only that they would probably be a little
sore there for a few days and here is a prescription
for Hydrocodene for it and that Carol seemed to
suddenly have very high blood pressure. So much
for medical ethics, and as far as insurance goes. ..well
these days that is a story worse than the bad jokes
told about lawyers.
There you have what I know straight from them
and Frank's sister who just got back to their house
after a less than exciting day of trips to docs.
Mike Ingall
Cards and notes should be sent to:
Frank & Carol Davis
FWD Computing
P.O. Box 17
. - ^ e ^co JN_46958_
Both Carol and Frank were signed up for a
number of computer shows in the upcoming months
and asked me to say that they hope to still make it to
some of them. They lost (it is still being tallied up
for insurance) over $17 thousand in software as well
as the Dodge Grand Caravan they usually hauled
stuff to shows in, so their will be a few obstacles.
As their sales manager I know they had been
signed up for 2 shows they already missed, the AGI
Show in Anderson, IN and the LaPort HamFest in
Laport, IN. They were next scheduled for an AGI
Show in 2 1/2 weeks at Lafayette, IN. At this time
that is doubtful, but a very slim chance, as Frank and
Carol usually enjoy doing these show's and have
many friends at them.
They were also signed up and paid for the
Dayton ComputerFest in March and AmigaExpo in
Maryland the end of March as well as planning on
the CocoFest in May in a place North of Chicago. It
ZXir QLive Alive!
3
Spring 2002
is hoped they will make some of these.
So, go ahead and send cards, notes etc, to the
Mexico. IN address. Thanks all,
Mike Ingall
Just a short update.
Carol has been told that she does not have detached
retinas in her eyes, but that they were damaged. She
is scheduled for re-checks even- two months to see if
it is permanent. Both are healing, but not as fast as
they would like and are in physical therapy 3 days a
week.
Both are still being checked by their prospective
docs once a week also. Not yet ready to drive.
They may make an appearance at the Dayton
ComputerFest next weekend. They have someone to
drive them, do the manual labor and take them back
to the hotel if too tired out or in too much
discomfort. This is not for certain. Guess they just
hate to give up. Still needs doc approval.
If they do not make it their they are still wanting to
make the Amiga Exp020G2 in Maryland a few
weeks after that. Wish them luck, they have
appreciated hearing of well wishes for them as well
as cards and flowers, etc. Thanks.
Mike Ingall
In a message dated 3/13/02
Looks like me and my van are carrying Frank
and Carol to Dayton. So, they will be there. They are
both moving better but a little sore from the physical
therapy.
Paul Holmgren
paiilhol m@ameritech . net
CL Show
EINDHOVEN - Saturday 23rd March 10:00 - 16:00
Plein College St Joris, Roostenlaan 296
The Netherlands
Motorway A2. N69 junction (opposite the zoo)
Tel: +31 40-2442309 (Sjef vdM)
This is possibly now the longest standing QL
show venue, and despite scares, the venue is
guaranteed for the next three years. Peter Graf is
planning to attend. Some QL traders will be staying
(as usual) at the Eindhoven Hotel (was Motel), and
visiting a very cheap local Chinese buffet (eat all
you can) after the show. Map:
<URL:http://w\\ r \v.map24.de/map24/?streetO=rooste
nlaan&zipO=&cityO==eindhoven&countn-0=nl&gcf=
l&maptype=JAVA&x=13&>=4>
Roostenlaan runs N/S and the junction with
Florenlaan is marked at the center of the map. St
Joris College is 200m South of this junction on the
right opposite the zoo. The approach from the A2
(via N69) is North up Aalsterweg past the
Eindhoven Hotel, turn right onto Vesaliuslaan and
right onto Roostenlaan.
I will have my usual selection of new QL
hardware (Minerva, I2C interfaces, Hermes,
SuperHermes, Mplane, ROMDisk etc) and second
hand hardware/books. I also have QL colour
monitors.
I will also bring my expertise and spare/tools,
so bring your broken QLs etc for repair. I am also
building a disk drive outfit for someone, so will have
quite a bit of disk drive hardware.
http^/wvw.firshmaii.demon.co.uk
http ://w-ww.qbranch.demon. co.uk
Linedesign Clipart CD - A full CD of the
finest clipart ever produced for the QL. Over 600
Megabytes of Data, and literally hundreds of files,
crammed onto just one CD. They are in LineDesign
formats, and a wide variety of topics - national flags,
star signs, business clipart, humorous clipart, all of
which are ideal for work or fun - perfect for
designing that church flyer or committee newsletter
RRP £15, Show Price just £12.
Interactive Fantasy CD - The work of
Phoebus Dokos, this is a great CD for the Adventure
Gamer, and contains hundreds of INFOCOM
adventure games, approx 150Mb of them, ported
over from the PC. Includes the full ZIP interpreter
with which to play them, and instructions. Lifetime
updates are available FREE via email from Phoebus
- ask for details. SPECIAL PRICE :- £10
The Zexcel Spectrum Emulator CD - A
CD based on the popular ZX Spectrum Computer
emulator for the QL by Ergon in Italy- play all your
old Spectrum favourites on your QL - thousands of
Spectrum Games are included, inc. The classic Jet
Set Willy and Manic Miner, and even Utility
Programs, Word processors. Desktop Publishing etc.
The latest version of ZeXcel for the QL is also
included - months of fun for only £10 !!
World Of Z88 CD - The work of Andy Davis
of Alchemist Research fame. A new Collection of
programs for the Cambridge Z88 Computer - almost
2,000 files, including MS-DOS and Windows Z88
Emulators, EPROM Images, Games, Utilities, the
Z88 User Library, Sourcebook, Photographs, press
cuttings, and old adverts from the Z88 past.
Available now for Just £8!
mailto: tony@frrshman.demon.co.uk
http ://www. firshman.demon.co.uk
Voice: +44(0)1442-828254 Fax:+44(0) 1442-82825 5
TF Services
29 Longfieid Road
Tring, Herts, HP23 4DG
United Kingdom
ZXir QLive Alive!
4
Spring 2002
The Z88 Source Beck
Section 3
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
Memory Organization
The Z88 is based on a Z80 processor running at
3 .2876 MHz. Hie Z80 lias a 16-bit address buss and can
directly address 64K of memory. The Z88 can use up to
4Meg of memory by having 256 banks of 16K. The Z88
can address 4 such banks at one time. The 64K logical
address space is divided into the following 4 16K
segments:
Segment 0: Logical addresses &0000 - &3FFF
Segment 1: Logical addresses &4000 - &7FFF
Segment 2: Logical addresses &80G0 - &BFFF
Segment 3: Logical addresses &C000 - &FFFF
BASIC'S program workspace is arranged in the following
manner:
&FFFF
| BASIC Interpreter I
I - |
* *
* *
I- i &c000or&4000 HIMEM
I Stack !
Unused Memory
Heap
Current! im.it of HEAP
LOMEM
Program
Workspace for Intero.
Memory Page#' s What
TOP
PAGE &2300
&20Q0
Max
Used
00 -IF Internal ROM
20 -3F Internal RAM
4 0 -7F Slot 1
80 -BF Slot 2
CO -FF Slot 3
5.12K 12 8 K
512K 32K
1024K
1024K
1024K
When a Z88 lias 128K or more RAM it becomes an
expanded machine.
Below are the differences between an expanded and
unexpanded machine.
Property
Expanded Unexpanded
Size of BASIC
Max Map Width
User Chars
Value of EOF
40K
256 pixels
64
1
8K
80 pixels
16
0
Putting RAM in Slot 2 or 3 does not expand the machine
(only 8K for BASIC) but does increase memory size. The
unexpanded machine can use 64 user characters, but if an
80 pixel map is used the last 48 of these will be
overwritten by map information when PipeDream is used.
Reducing the map width to 64 pixels, or not using the map
at all allows for free use of all 64 user characters.
EPCCA4S
One key note about EPROMs that I ran across that is fairly
important to note: when putting (blowing) flies on an
EPROM energy consumption is actually less than when
you are regularly using the Z88. The extra power needed
to blow the EPROM is balanced by the fact that the screen
is shutdown when blowing the EPROM. Most people felt
that blowing EPROMs was a battery draining effort.
Devices
These devices are listed in the User Manual but they are
kind of hidden This is a good place to bring them up
again.
1NP.0 the keyboard
OUT.O the screen
ROM.0 the 128K ROM built in
COM.0 serial port
PRT.O serial port (output only)
NUL..0 unknown
To see the list of all devices on the Z88 (including
additional RAM), in Filer select Catalogue Files and give a
file name of :*/ . Use a file name of :ROM.0//* to see
what appears to be a list of Z88 applications. Even though
the use of :NUL.O is unknown, I'll guess that it is similar
in usage to the Unix device known as /dev/null. /dev/null
is a device to send all your unwanted output to the
proverbial bit bucket. If a program provides output that
you don't need, you can redirect it to /dev/null and it will
never appear.
ZS8 Internals
If you were to open up your Z88 (don't do tins lightly),
here is what you would see:
There are four chips in the Z88. From left to right
they are:
tint m;m - 32kram
IJLA - Uncommitted Logic Array. Tins chip is a specially
made chip for the Z88. It replaces a number of stock
chips. Sinclair/Canibridge is known for having ULA chips
in virtually every computer.
Z80 CPU - This is a CMOS version for the Z88 that uses
less power than a regular Z80
Next to the ROM chip is the Supercap Capacitor. This is
the power reservoir when changing the batteries. Below
the expansion port is the speaker (see the small ring of
holes on the back of the computer). Next to the ULA are
the two eight-way keyboard connectors into which go the
ZXir QLive Alive!
5
Spring 2002
ribbon cables from the keyboard. Unlike the membrane
keyboard of the Spectrum, ZX81 and the QL, the plastic
molded keyboard actually conducts electricity and makes
the electrical connection. Below the keyboard connectors
are the two crystals used for timing.
AC Power Supply
The Z88 lias a plug-in for an external AC adapter. When
the adapter is plugged in, power is taken from it and not
the batteries.
Hie specifications for the adapter are:
6 Volts DC
300 - 500 milliamps
Positive center
Most Radio Shack stores or other electronic
stores should carry such an adapter. The one that I
use is a universal adapter. It lets me switch the
voltage and the polarity. It also has 4 different plugs.
Radio Shack has two adapters that will work with the
Z88. The Universal AC adapter ( #23-1635HT )
plugs into an AC wall outlet. The Universal DC
adapter ( #270-1 5 60HT ) fits into your car lighter
socket and allows }^ou to externally power your Z88
while you ride in a car ( I don't recommend doing
much with the Z88 while you drive :-) ). If you need
the DC adapter to reach further there is a 10 ft
12VDC extension cord (#270-1 5 36HT). Even with
the car turned off. the Z88 should not be too much of
a dram on the car battery .
Batteries
Some have suggested using rechargeable batteries in the
Z88. The standard NiCad batteries do not put out enough
imiph to keep the Z88 up and going for too long
One partial solution was to use 2 regular AA batteries
and three special 1/2 AA rechargeable batteries from
Sanyo. They would put out a total of 6.2 Volts, just over
me 6 volts of new batteries. Some adapters are needed to
make the l A AA batteries fit into a recharger. Spacers with
90 Ohm resistors were made to fit batteries into the
recharger. This is detailed in the first issue of PipeLine,
the Z88 magazine put out for a short time by Tim Woods.
There is a new type of rechargable alkaline battery
available called RayOvac Renewal. These are real alkaline
batteries that can be fully charged up to 25 times. They
will give you the full power you need, better than NiCad
batteries. I've never used them, but I'm sure they are more
cost effective than buying new batteries all the time.
The external AC adapter port on the Z88 is designed
to take 6 volts, just like it gets from die 4 AA batteries.
This means that almost any 6 volt power source could be
hooked up to the Z88. Tins includes such sources as a 6
volt Gel Cell, a pack of 4 1.5 volt D cells (see next
section), or even a solar cell that generates 6 volts. The
electrically inclined can work up almost any device.
Z§8 External Cattery
Box:
As mentioned above, an external battery pack can be made
for the Z88. I have built such a pack using 4 D cells. I
could have used a large rechargeable 6 volt cell, but I
wanted to keep to using standard batteries. To get the 6
volts for the Z88, all I needed was 4 1.5 volt batteries.
Most standard batteries (A, AA, C, D) are 1.5 volts. I went
with D cells because they were about the biggest I could
get and did not cost that much more than C cells.
After looking at various electronic surplus places, I
found that good old Radio Shack had exactly what I
needed. Basically I needed a batter)- holder, a box to keep
it in, and an adapter plug to fit the Z88 . Below is the parts
list for this project:
270-627 Experimenter Box (6.25 , x3.75"x2")
270-396 D Battery Holder (6 Volt)
274-1569A Coaxial DC Power Plug (male) 5.5mm OD
2 Lead wire (same gauge as on an AC adapter)
3/8" thick Foam Rubber
4 Screws
4 Rubber Feet
The battery holder does not fit square in the box it fits
in at a slight angle. The box is plastic with a metal cover.
I wanted to call the metal cover the bottom. Since it would
be easier to mount the plastic battery holder on the plastic
box than the metal plate, I mounted the battery holder
upside down in the box with plastic model cement (use
lots).
To let the lead wires out , I drilled a small hole near
the top of one end of the box. (Since I put this all together
upside down, it looked like I drilled near the bottom of the
box.)
The two wires coming from the batten- holder are not
long enough to reach out of the box, so I ran the other wire
into the box and attached it to the battery wires. To make
a good connection I twisted the wires together, put some
solder on the joint, and wrapped them with electrical tape.
To keep the wire from being pulled out of the case, I
wrapped some electrical tape on the 2 lead wire so it would
not allow the wire to be pulled through the hole.
The length of the lead coming from the box to the
plug can be as long as you want. I went with a fairly long
lead about 20 inches. I connected the plug to the other end
of the 2 lead wire. The Z88 requires that the inner part of
the plug is positive ( be sure to get tins right or you might
blow your Z88 ). It would be useful to use 2 lead wire
with one lead marked ( usually with a painted stripe down
it's length ). The positive lead coining from the battery
holder is the red one. I soldered the wires on and then ran
some electrical tape around between the two connecting
points. I wanted to make sure that I did not get a short in
the system.
Once I had tins all hooked up I put the batteries in the
holder and, using a multimeter, checked to make sure that I
was getting 6 wits on the plug. Since the batteries were
fresh, I was actually getting about 6.5 volts.
I did not want the batteries to fall out, especially
since they were going to be hanging upside down, so I put
in some foam rubber to support the batteries and the
battery holder. I did not glue the rubber to the metal cover,
since some glue will eat foam rubber, plus I did not feel a
need to have the rubber mounted.
The screws stock out beyond the cover and would
ZXir QLive Alive!
6
Spring 2002
scratch a table surface, so I got some stick-on rubber feet
to prevent this . The metal cover is fairly tight and fits the
box well. To make it easier to get the lid off 1 created a
small notch in the cover with a metal file. I did it just big
enough to get mv fingernail in and be able to prv the cover
off.
cells, I'm not too sure. I do know it will be far more
economical than using lots of AA's.
Lantern Catteries
I've found two different types of 6 Volt lantern batteries.
The first is a square batten-' about 1.5 inches per side and
about 2.5 inches tall. The second is about the same height
as the first but about 3.5 inches wide ( like a tall brick).
These batteries have either little springs or metal poles for
the positive or negative leads.
Since they are 6 Volt, they are perfect: for the Z88.
What is needed to hook them to the Z88 is:
DC Power Plug (same as mentioned above)
2 lead wire (same as mentioned above)
Micro Alligator Clips
Solder the DC power plug to the wire the same as
above. Then solder the micro alligator clips to the wire.
Be sure to mark which wire is positive and negative. You
can buy color coded alligator clamps, but I prefer to mark
each wire with some tape and the + and - symbol. This
way I don't have to remember that the red lead is positive
(or is that negative?). Now just hook the clamps to the
battery and plug into the Z88. I have no idea of how many
hours you will get out of either battery (I'm guessing its
lot's). If you can't find these batteries, try a local
campmg/outdoor store. Thev should have them.
CARE Of THE Z8§
Cleaning
After having the Z88 a short time, you will probably
notice that the keyboard seems to attract dust like a
magnet It's not easy to keep clean. I've heard some
discussions on how best to clean it.
Some have suggested using a Q-tip and plain water. I
like to use a Q-tip and rubbing alcohol. Others have
suggested using a vinyl protectorant like Son-Of-A-Gun or
Armor All. I don't know how these will affect the
keyboard, so use at your own risk.
Just don't plan on keeping the keyboard clean
always. Just a few days after I cleaned mine, it looked like
I had never cleaned it
As for the screen, ideas range from blowing on it,
using compressed air, using tissue, and using the same
stuff you use to clean a pair of glasses. I find a tissue and
some clean water to be good enough.
There was mention of how sunlight affects the Z88.
It seems that sunlight heats up the screen and takes more
power to make the letters dark. Just blocking the screen
from direct sunlight should fix this.
I have no concrete numbers on the temperature range
that the Z88 can handle, but I would guess that it should
not be allowed to get too hot or too cold. Leaving it in
direct sun in a parked car is a definite no-no. I have read
that letting a LCD panel get below freezing causes bubbles
in the panel and permanently damages the panel. Don't
Total cost for the project (not including batteries and
wire) was under 7 dollars. Since I took my time to get
evenlhing right, it took me about 1 hour to build the
battery box.
Exactly how many hours I will get out of the 4 D
leave your Z88 in the car overnight in the dead of winter.
If the keyboard seems a bit sluggish or non-responsive, it
could be the fault of the membrane beneath the keyboard
being dirty Hie entire rubber keyboard can be taken off
and cleaned underneath. Do this at your own risk and
don't do it during any warranty period.
The Z88 has been known to crash when having a
constant pressure on it's keyboard for a long time while it
is turned off. I've only experienced this with a Z88 that
had other problems, but not my current Z88 (I have not
tested it). I've picked up a "Topper' to prevent this from
happening (see products below). The "Topper" is a plastic
cover that fits over the Z88 and protects the keyboard and
screen.
Of course, one of the biggest no-no's with the Z88 is
dropping it. I do not know how much shock the Z88 is
designed to take, but I doubt it is very much. Hie screen
would probably be the first item to be damaged. LCD
screens are fairly fragile and do not take well to being
dropped. The motherboard can probably take a fair
amount of shock. The biggest worry about the
motherboard would be a drop on the edge of the Z88. This
might cause some fair amount of cracking in the case and
motherboard.
TRAVELING WITH THE Z8S
I carry my Z88 as part of my briefcase. With it I
carry a few extra items.
Batteries: Since it's hard to tell when the batteries
will go out on me, I like to keep a set of fresh batteries
around. It is nice to know that I can quickly pick up more
batteries if I have to. In reading one book on laptops, one
contributor mentioned that traveling with a laptop that
used off-the-shelf batteries was better than traveling with a
laptop with rechargeable batteries. Most off-the-shelf
batteries are available almost anywhere in the world. With
rechargeable batteries, you need to have a converter to
plug the charger into the local electrical system (which can
be quite odd in some countries).
External Battery Pack: Since I sometimes use my
modem with the Z88, I often find places where there is
room to plug in the modem and a lamp, but not the Z88
AC adapter. The external battery pack is great for this. It
is also good to run the Z88 almost anywhere for extended
periods of time.
AC Adapter. Since I want to make the batteries last
as long as possible, I like to use the AC adapter when I
can. Especially if I am using the serial port, as this is one
of the major power drains for the Z88.
Cables: I always carry a Z88-PC cable so that I can
transfer any documents to/from the Z88 and my PC at
work. I never know if I have to use ray Z88 to keep
meeting notes. Sometimes I carry a serial printer cable just
in case I need to use a printer while on the road.
To keep the cables wrapped up fairly small I needed
ZXxr QLive Alive!
7
Spring 2002
some cable ties that were reusable. Most cable ties are for
single use only so they were out. I made my own cable
ties by sewing two pieces of Velcro together, hook on one
side and pile on the other. When used, the inside pile will
grip the outside hook (or vice versa). My wife's sewing
machine could not handle the thick thread and the tough
Velcro, so I had to do the sewing by hand. With a little
patience I was able to make enough cable ties.
ProComm: Since most places have PCs, I like to
cany 7 a copy of ProComm on 5 l A and 3 Vi disks. With the
cable and software, I have all that I need to transfer
documents.
Modem: I use the modem to dial into my Unix system at
work with my Z88 so I can read my mail while I'm on the
road
Printer: I have an older Diconix Inkjet printer that
works with the Z88. Once I get it repaired I plan to carry it
with the Z88.
Here are some other items to take into consideration
when traveling with the Z88:
❖ Theft of theZ88. The main reason I bought the Z88
was because of it's size and weight This also means that
it can be stolen fairly easily. Don't leave your Z88 just
lying around. Besides the physical theft, having your Z88
stolen means that your files go with it, too. You no longer
have access to those files, which can be critical if they
were important to you. It also means that the thief now has
your files. I doubt anyone will be keeping state secrets on
a Z88, but this is something to consider.
❖ Lighting. Since the Z88 has no baeklit screen you
will need a light source wherever you use the Z88. Buying
a laptop light will solve tins problem.
❖ Airport Security. I keep my Z88 in my brief case
when I pass it through airport security. So far no one has
asked if I was carrying a laptop. When traveling with
another laptop, I was asked to turn it on so they could see
that it worked and was not a bomb. Just because I was not
asked to turn my Z88 on, don't expect to be so lucky. Be
ready to take it out and turn it on. There is also the worry
about the X-rays from the seamier zapping the Z88. I've
heard from a lot of people that the X-rays are fairly
harmless. Your biggest worry is the motors driving the
belt in the scanner. But, if you are concerned, take out
your Z88 and ask for a hand laptop check. Airport security
should be used to this.
I XHT NAT SERIAL
I I Vlt I S
If you are taking your Z88 on the road, it would be nice to
also have a printer and/or modem. There are a number of
portable printers and modems on the market that are
designed to work with any laptop with a serial device.
There are a couple of good magazines devoted to laptop
users, like Portable Office and Mobile Computing, and
cany ads for a lot of portable printers and modems . Check
your local newsstand or library.
Printers
Most portable printers are battery powered and can be used
anywhere. The only one that I've used is the Kodak
Diconix ink jet printer. It's printer quality is just a bit
better than normal dot matrix. Most portable printers will
be of the ink jet type.
For serial printers, a Z88 cable can be made or
bought for the Z88 (see the pinouts listed earlier). For
parallel printers a serial to parallel cable can also be
bought. For QL users, the Miracle Serial to Parallel
adapter will also work with the Z88. This adapter is
designed to work on either SER1 or SER2 of the QL.
Luckily it also works just fine on the Z88. Since 1 already
had this adapter for my QL, I was really happy that it
worked with the Z88. One less cable to buy.
If you don't want to carry a portable printer or can't
afford one, then there are ways to be able to print while on
the road Carry a serial to parallel cable and a regular
serial (9-25 pin) cable so that you can print to almost any
printer. If you are staying in a hotel, ask them if they have
a printer you can use. You could also carry cables to
download the file to a PC and then print out. There are a
number of commercial services that offer short tenn rental
of computers and printers. MailBox Etc. and Kinko's
usually have self-service computers and printers. Other
copier places might have them.
Modems
There are a variety of modems called "pocket" modems.
These are modems that plug directly to the serial port and
are powered by a 9-volt batten 7 . I have even heard of one
that uses the power from the phone lines. Hooking one of
these to the Z88 will require a small adapter cable but this
need not be too long. There are even some battery
powered FAX/modems available. Make sure that you get
a plain text Fax modem. Most fax modems require input
data be in the form of a CCITT Fax 3 image format. Some
fax modems will take plain text, convert it to Fax 3 image
format and send it. Check any of the more popular
computer magazines for more info on small modems.
Using your modem on the road is getting easier.
Some hotel rooms have data jacks built into the phones.
For those that don't, the phones are on RJ-1 1 jacks, instead
of being hard wired into the wall. Beware that the phone
jacks might be in an out of the way place, like behind the
headboard of the bed. Be sure to cany some length of
phone wire and a female-female connector so you can
hook together two phone hues. Pay phones are starting to
have data jacks in them. The newer credit card-only
phones should have data jacks. Don't expect the phone in
the phone booth to have data jacks. If you plan to use
these type of phones, there are some acoustic handsets
available that end in an PJ-1 1 jack.
In some of the "standard" laptop magazines I've read
some discussion about hooking up modems to digital
phone lines and how they can destroy your modem. When
talking about digital phone lines, the topic of PBXs comes
up. I don't know the specifics of digital phone lines and
exactly why the would zap your modem, but there are a
few products on the market that plug into the phone jacks
to confirm that they are in fact non-digital and are safe for
your modem. These devices are not cheap, so you may
want to research it fiirther before buying one of them.
To be Continued
ZXir QLive Alive!
8
Spring 2002
ARCHIVES
What Alienates the TS-2068
The SCLD
(The jjjtandard £ell Logic JJevice has not been available for years)
Bv Victor M.S. Acuha - Buenos Aires
Some words about myself. I was a student at CIE (Cleveland Institute of Electronics), in Electronics
Engineering course. I worked since 1 986 in the computers field, and really I am an expert in repairing TSs.
The topics I send in this letter are about repairing of SCLD IC. Evidently the troubles generator in the TSs
is the SCLD IC. In the service shop I encountered about 60% of TS's failures were over it, and like it change
cost about $30. ( I have many of them, and I did a special iron to remove them), when the price of the machine
began to fall, an option was to design circuits specifically to repair parts of it. Now a working TS-2068 cost
around $50. The TS repair market, practically doesn't exist. The total number of machines imported to my
country was around 5,000.
Principally, the SCLD problems are:
A. No Interrupts (every -17 ms.) from SCLD to CPU and then failure. No keyboard
B. One or more rows of keyboard do not work. SCLD does not read or its data lines are open .
C. No cassette. Does not read data from the cassette player.
D. The refresh circuit built into the SCLD for the high memory bank ( 32, 768-85, 535 ) A7R doesn't work.
The machine initializes, but the programs crashes. This is the most destructive failure, and commonly only
reparable by changing the SCLD. Yes, it is my great discovery ! ! Thanks, thanks, ..
Keyboard Problem
A) The SCLD provides via INT (Pin 16 Z80) signal that is necessary to scan the keyboard. This signal is
generated in every field of the screen (l/60 th sec). But if it isn't, the CPU never read the keyboard. More
explanations about it are in the Technical Manual. Originally, I tested taking the signal from the vertical synch,
but it doesn't work well. Then I designed a circuit from a 555 timer, and it worked O. K . The circuit is:
220K
47 nF
outfit v<p)d
H \
To pm 16 CfV
One Or More Keys Do Not Work
B) If the keyboard fails only in some rows, and one is sure that the problem is in the data lines, (via
oscilloscope level test, for example) and not in the keys itself, then the solution is to build a circuit that overlaps
the SCLD keyboard circuit. The keyboard uses DO to D4 to scan the KB0 to KB4 lines, in the port 254 . This
corresponds to AO = 0 . Then the circuit is:
ZXirQLive Alive!
Spring 2002
mo
AO
FROM KEYBOARD Kb Vtaaf line.
PAT A LINE ( POD4).
KEYS COt UMN£ PAT A LihCS
M
N
0
0/1
- PI
a/3 - X Kb2 - .92
7/4
ea - v km -
04
Will not Read the Cassette Recorder
C) The cassette input view from CPU is the same port as the keyboard, but in the D6 bit. All we need to do, is
amplify the audio input, decode the 254 ports and couple it to D6 . Then the "dead" cassette comes to work.
The circuit is:
/mo
m
AO
3 x mna
To ph 16 sap
connect the
%o kI>b pom. &y , Lfig„
Cut necesary)
1N4H6
IK
41 7
any NPN
14
to 6€iP pin 60
74LS36?
(<t 7415125)
EXTRA: Like some TSs are more deaf than others, and in general all are "hard" to hear (Sure, I designed,
sold, and made money with a signal improver, LG-02). In the cassette input Timex put only two diodes to
ground CR25/26 (I don't know why, only two), for bias the input of SCLD circuit, to protect the input
electronics, and to conform the input signal. The solution I encountered was to add one diode in series between
them. Commonly I de-soldered one end of one diode and add one more between it and the hole in the board-
remember in the same polarity direction. Conclusion: with the three diodes my TS became an excellent machine.
Before
CP 2£
0—1
After
o-
CM. 25 APDEP DIODE
... * If
ft ? i i
-o
ZXir QLive Alive!
10
Spring 2002
D) The refresh problem was hard to find in the beginning, but with an oscilloscope and understanding of
memory and Z80 devices, finally I win. The TMS 4416 was a new chip when it was used in the design of the
TS-2068. And has been the Z80 best 8 bits micro, than it has inside, the refresh counter necessary to maintain
the data in the dynamic memories, the combination was perfect. But when it was designed, only seven bits
w ere used for this counter . It is O.K. for 41 16, 4164 family (it needs only seven bits to refresh all cells), but in
the "new" 4416 family eight bit was needed. In the low f memory block, constantly reading to form the video, it
makes the necessary refresh reading. But in the high memory block the SCLD makes the eight bit necessary for
a complete refresh cycle (the A7R). When it fails, the machine can't maintain its data integrity^ and crashes.
The first thing to do is to confirm that the problem is this, I made a little program that displays this problem
in the form of lost UDG data, simply making ail bits set in UDG, the lost information are seen like white dots
inside them.
First input this program line:
10 PRINT " ABCDEFGHI JKLMNOPQRSTU
(all letters in UDG mode)
Then input this command line:
FOR A = UDG "A" TO UDG "U" : POKE A, 255: NEXT A
(ENTER & RUN)
Now all letters must be black boxes, and in the upper left side of the screen, you can see a coarse black line,
2 1 characters long. Every time you type RUN and ENTER you refresh the display area, taking the UDG
information from its original address ( high memory block). Running a program every minute if you can see
how- the white spots start to appear, your machine has the refresh problem .
Second build and install the next circuit:
V2 74L3D7
OUTPUT A?K
TO FIN 213 U11
APPRESS 7 GENERATOR
far Z&O C!
j { OUT SIGNAL FROM SCtp }
The circuits given represent hours of high tech research, they are copyrighted to my mind. I send them to you
for a help in your troubles, (and for my TS's USA folks, of course). You should not use them commercially
without my acceptance except for repairs.
ZXir QLive Alive!
11
Spring 2002
QL Hacker's Journal
Supporting All QL Programmers
#34 December 2001
The QL Hacker's Journal (QHJ) is published by Tim
Swenson as a service to the QL Community.. The
QHJ is freely distributable. Past issues are available
on disk, via e-mail, or via the Anon-FTP sender.
garbo.uwasa.fi. The QHJ is always on tlie look out
for article submissions.
QL Hacker's journal
do Tim Swenson
2455 Medallion Dr.
Union City, CA 94587
sweesonfei&iianseiconi
http://www,geociu^xoni/SiliconValley/Pines/5S65/
ML
Editor's Fom
hi the- second time in the life of the QHJ. 1 have
Hp allowed a whole year to go between issues.
When I started the QHJ 10 years ago. I knew
something like this might happen, therefore I made
the QHJ a free publication. This has kept any off
any outside pressure to get the next issue out. I
really only have to deal with my own pressure, i
think we all have cycles of dedication to projects
Sometimes when we start a. project we can't put it
clown, other times we can't, pick it up. For the last
vear 1 really have not had the drive to do some
programming. Other tasks have filled my time and
interest. Even with some forced time off from work
(yea. I'm one of the victims of the failed new
economy), I have not really spent time doing
programming work ,
""^jUt, I have found the time to brush off an old
dssue that I've been working on for almost 9
'montlis, I took the time to sit dow n and finish
it This issue focuses on freeware release of
TURBO, the SuperBasic compiler. Pve been
involved with the release by editing the manuals for
both TURBO and the TURBO Toolkit.
^Remembering hearing about the possible re-
ffiKreleasc of TURBO in QL Today back in early
i 12000. At the QL 2000 show in October 2000, 1
happened to run across George Gwilt. 1 asked him
about TURBO and hinted that I'd like to get a copy,
if possible. Soon I had TURBO and George's
Pointer Environment TURBO Kit. TurboPTR. Not
being a previous TURBO user, I needed a manual to
figure out how to use it.
pik imon Goodwin send me his original manuals,
kwhich I edited to reflect the new TURBO.. I
'plan to use TURBO for ail my programming
projects. I'm hoping that a totalh freeware
SuperBasic development package (TURBO,
TURBO 'Toolkit, TURBO Config, and TurboPTR)
will encourage a more QLer's to start programming
(kind of like what C68 did for C programming on
the QL). As of this issue, I plan to make the QHJ an
electronic only publication and sent out a prist copy.
This pretty much only affects the US readers, as I
sent very few issues outside the US. I believe that
most readers have a way to access the QHJ via web
or e-mail
Turbo Compiler
£g*JURBO, the SuperBasic compiler, lias been
updated and released for almost a year Simon
Goodwin is the original author with a few
others contributing to the final released product, by
Digital Precision, George Gwilt has taken the
source code and updated the program to work on the
newer QBOS and SMSQ/E systems
TURBO comes in the following packages:
- TURBO Toolkit 3 3!
-TURBO 4.10
- TURBO and TURBO ToolKit manuals
- TUR BO Config
- TurboPTR
- TURBO Utilities
- Task Commander
URBO Toolkit (TTK) has been updated by
Mark Kniaht and must be loaded for TURBO
to am. The manuals for TURBO and TURBO
Toolkit, have been updated to reflect the new
versions. TURBO 'Config and TurboPTR are new-
tools written by George Gwilt. TURBO Utilities is a
collection of tools for use with TURBO compiled
programs Task Commander is a tool that allows a
TURBO compiled program to become a
KEYWORD.
ike Qliberator, TURBO compiles off a program
^already loaded into SuperBasic, Unlike Qlib, a
work file does not need to be created first.
TURBO is comprised of two parts, the parser and
the code generator. The> are two separate
executables, but are linked when using the
CHARGE TTK keyword. The parser has the main
user interface to TURBO, In the parser the user can
change various compile options, including
where the destination executable will go and the
runtime name of the executable (as displayed by trie
JOBS command)..
ZXirQLive Alive!
12
Spring 2002
lot of the compile options can be set within die
iSuperBasic program itself, using TTK keywords
starting with T
taskm
TURBO_ buffersz, TURBO_ob jfil and
TURBO repfii Other commands like IMPLICIT!
and IMPLICIT 0 /*, inform TURBO how to treat
variables. IMPLICIT 0 /*, varl, var2* tells TURBO to
treat these variables as integer variables (varl%,
var2%). By default, SuperBasic variables are treated
as floating point, but TURBO knows that most
variables do not need to be floating point and that
most programmers do not take the time to use the
percent sign in their programs. The IMPLICIT%
allows the programmer to continue to not use the
percent sign, but tells 'TURBO to handle the variable
as an integer, thereby saving space (integers are
smaller than floats) and runtime.
Major Differences with QHb
*! - Ho Linking &§ Extensions (Toolkits)
TURBO does not support the linking of SuperBasic
extensions into an executable. With QHb, the
extension can be linked and become part of the
executable. The major reason for doing this is to
include commercial extensions (like Qmenu, and
QPTR), into an executable without having to
distribute the extension separately. If an extension
has to be distributed separately, then a license fee is
usually required by the owner of the extension.
|dt is also done not to require that an extension is
i loaded before the executable is run. If you have
Ian extension that you think the user will rarely
use and not want to install, linking into the
executable mak.es it transparent to the user.
hie downside is that if the extension gets
update
then ine older version will si
in the
executable. Keeping the extension out of the
executable will allow the extension to be updated
and not require a recompile. Some older QL
programs are rendered inoperable due to an older-
extension clashing with SMSQ/E.
2 - Fussier about SuperBasic
Qlib can compile almost any SuperBasic that would
run on the QL. TURBO is fussier about what
SuperBasic code it will, compile.
An example is how file names are used. In
SuperBasic a file name does not need to have quotes
around it. In TURBO, they are needed.
Qlib - open #3 .win I _fi!e ext
TURBO - open #3>inl _"file_cxt'
Plus TURBO has a number of keywords (from
TURBO Toolkit) that help TURBO know more
about the application. They have a tendency to give
the program a more TURBO feel With Qlib, any
compiler directives are put in REMark statements
and not using keywords
3 - Sxesiitalsle Speed
fhc major benefit that TURBO has over Qlib, is
that resultant executable is faster than one
compiled by Qlib,. I had no first hand
knowledge of this difference so I decided to compile
a program with both Qlib and TURBO and compile
the time it took to run the program For the test 1
used the Ratciiff/Obersheip Pattern Matching
algorithm as listed in QHJ # I . The main function is
percent alike() The program I wrote called the
function 1000 times, using the arguments of
Pennsylvania and Penciivania. Since I was using a
Q40 as a test machine, I needed the program to run
long enough to give me some meaningful numbers.
1000 times turned out to be long enough,
jre is a table of the results:
SBASIC 12 sees.
Qlib 8 sees.
TURBO 5 sees.
The test program is below :
100 LET x - DATE
110 OPEN #3, scrjLOOxlOOalOOxlOO
120 BORDER #3,2", 2: INK #3,4: PAPER
#3,0 : CLS #3
130 FOR 1 = 1 to 1000 14 0 LET
wordpercent -
percent alike ( "Pennsylvania",
"penci Ivaneya" }
150 END FOR 1
160 LET y = DATE
170 PRINT #3, "Time : ";y-x
180 FOR z = 1 TO 4000 : LET test" =
COS(z) : END FOR 2
190 CLOSE #3
2 00 DEFine FuNction
percent alike (a$,b$)
210 LOCal total
220 total - num alike (a$,b$)
2 30 RETURN int (
t ot a 1 / ( LEN ( a $ ) +LEN (b$ ) ) * 1 0 0 j
240 END DEFine percent alike
250 DEFine FuNction num. _a like (a$,
b$ }
2 60 LOCal total, temp$, al, a2,
bl, b2, large$
270 total = 0
280 IF a$=b$ THEN RETURN
LEN(a$) *2
2 90 IF LEN(a$)=l AND LENfb$)=l
THEN RETURN 0
300 IF LEN (a$ ) > LEN (b$ ) THEN
310 temp$ = a$
320 aS - b$
330 bS = terap$
ZXirQLwe Alive!
13
Spring 2002
34 0 END IF
350 IF LEN(a$)=l THEN RETURN (a$
INSTR b$)
3 60 large$ - f ind_gt_com$ (a$, b$)
370 IF large? = '""THEN RETURN 0
38 0 length - LEN(large$)
390
400
410
420
430
total = length*2
al
largeS INSTR a$
a 2 - al + length
bl = large$ INSTR b$
b2 = bl + length
440 IF (al>l) OR (bl>l) THEN
450 total = total-f num_alike (a$(l
TO (al-1)), b$(l TO (bl-1)))
460 ENDIF
4 70 IF (a.2<>LEN (a$ ) f 1 ) OR
(b2<>LEN fb$) +1) THEN
480 total = total+nun>_alike (a$ (a2
TO) , fo$ (52 TO) )
4 90 ENDIF
5 00 RETURN total
510 END DEFine percent _alike
52 0 DEFine FuNction find gt com$
(a$, b$)
530 LOCAL temp$, i, j, temp- large$
5 40 IF LEN(a$) > LEN (b$ ) THEN
5 50 temp$ = a$
5 60 a$ = b$
57 0 b$ = tempS
580 ENDIF
5 90 LET large$=""
600 FOR i = 1 TO LEN ( a$ )
610 FOR j = i TO LEN { a $ )
620 temp = a$(i TO j) INSTR b$
630 IF (tempOO) AND (LEN (a$ { i TO
j ) ) >LEN ( large$ ) ) THEN .1 arge$=a$ (i
to, j)
640 END FOR j
65 0 END FOR i
660
67 0
RETURN
'MP
.La.
DE
rand gt com
in general, using TURBO takes a little more work
than using Qliberator Both can compile simple
I programs witliout any changes, TURBO gives
the programmer a little more control over the end
product with a variety of commands that control how
the executable is compiled.. The end result is that
TURBO is more powerful than Qliberator, but. the
power comes at the price of needing to know more
about TURBO to get to that power.
TURBO manuals do a pretty good job of
documenting TURBO and the use of the
various TURBO Toolkit commands. In some
places it does go into a little too much detail for the
average programmer
Converting from Qlib to TURBO can take time and
be a little painful . for some there may not be a need
to convert over, as QLib may be working just fine
for them. But as TURBO keeps being updated the
Qlib user may hit a problem with Qlib on newer
platforms. Plus, I think there is an advantage to
using a freeware compiler.
Turbo Conflg
y^lURBO does not support standard Qjump
Config Blocks. George Gwilt has
created TURBO Config, a tool that allows
Config blocks to be added to
TURBO compiled programs After creating some
data statements that get merged with the source
code, another tool takes the Config block
information and adds it to the compiled program.
T CONFIG_DATA is the program that takes your
Config bock definition and creates two files. The
first is the data statements with dummy data, holders.
The second file is the actual data that, will be put into
the Config block. T CONFIG_LOAD is the
program that takes the Config block data and puts it
into the compiled program.
The process goes something like this :
8 Write your program,
■ Use T CONFIG _D ATA to create the DATA
statements and to define the data,
■ Merge the DATA statements with your
program.
38 Compile the program.
» Use T CONFIG. JLO AD to load the Config
block data into the executable,
(he Config block data is read by using READ
statements and selecting the right item by
using RESTORE statements. Due to the way
strings are stored, they must be read twice, with the
second read getting the real string. Below is an
example:
10 RESTORE 1000
20 READ intl
3 0 READ int2
4 0 RESTORE 1004
50 READ st. ring 1$
60 RESOTRE 1006
70 READ string 2$
: READ stringl$
: READ string2$
"Int #1: ";int.l
"Int #2: ";int2
"String #1 : ,r ;stringl$
"String #2: ";string2$
100 PRINT
110 PRINT
120 PRINT
130 PRINT
140 STOP
998
M.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I i I I 1 ! ! 1 ! ! I ! ! ! ! I I ! I i
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
DATA "$' , #*", "ctest
ZXir QLive Alive!
14
Spring 2002
q. 1+ «
•-ii-ica j.. is.
Inteaer
1002 DATA -4444: REMar k
Integer
1004 DATA "XX", "00000000000'
1006 DATA "XX", "111111111114
w i. £ V-i
j*JUR80 is not compatible with all SuperBasic
extensions, esp, those with array parameters or
return values through parameters, QPTR is
one such set of extensions. So, to create Pointer
Environment programs using TURBO. George
Gwiit has written TurboPTR. which is a freeware
replacement to QPTR.
(urboPTR is comprised of the following
elements:
TPTR - a set of extensions
TPTRJBAS - a set of SuperBasic routines
that get merged with your program,
TPIR.___SETF.TASK - a program that helps setup the
window definitions (inc. sprites and such).
TurboPRT also comes with some example sprites
and three examples programs
I'm not a PE programmer so I can't say much about
TurboPTR other than I hope to find the time to try it
out.
Task Commander
fesk Commander is a utility that will convert a
TURBO compiled program into a resident
extension or Toolkit, that can be RESPRed
and seen as a new keyword in SuperBacis.
Task Commander will produce a keyword that will
vwm
produce the same citect
Commander is not designed tor creating iibrarj
extension with many keywords. The program is
fairly simple and only does this one thing.
Documentation comes with the program that quickly
explains how to use the program and even how it
works.
Turbo Utilities
nother zip file contains a number of other
TURBO utilities: LIBRARY MANAGER.
iDATASPACE and UtiiitvTask
The zip file does not come with documentation, and
briefly explains the programs:
LIBRARY MANAGER - pulls out procedures
from large SuperBasic programs.
DATASPACE - used to adjust the data space
requirements in programs already compiled..
Utility task - Neat little utility program that does
three things:
Charager Graphics Editor, Sound Effects Editor, and
Toolkit Default Editor,
Turbo Sypport Page
$o assist in the support of TURBO., Fve created
a TURBO Support Page on my web page
The page will list the various reported bugs to
both TURBO* and TURBO Toolkit Each bug will
list what it is, what platform the bug has been seen
on (QDOS, SMSQ/E, etc), and the status of work on.
the bug. Using this page should take some work off
of George Gwiit and leave him to concentrate on
actually fixing bugs.
My web page is:
www.geocities.com/SilicoiiVaIley/Pines/5865
l^^ M ^^^PP^^Mi' . Ads
Place your ads here, it Ss frees
Please inform and/or update the Editor of any changes in your ad/s
We have been a part of the Sinclair scene since 1982, repairing
ZX Spectrums for Sinclair Research in England.
We provide Sales. Service, and Software for the
QL, Spectrum, M-81 ami %S»
www. members.tripod.com/hescomputing/hes 1 . html
E-Mail 7460 1.153 5@compuserve.com
Hours of Operation is Monday - Friday 1300 hrs. to 2100
hrs. central tune zone.
Phone 210 661-4376
Heme Electronics Service
John R. Rish
5222 Kazen Dr.
San Antonio TX 78219 USA
Pro llif|ifal Electronics
323 SE 28th Ave.
Portland, Oregon 97214
503-232-3200
Pro Act Consulting
2660 N. Houghton Rd.
Tucson, AZ 85749
520-749-5395, fax 520-749-3626
email <proactmd@aol.com>
The John Oliger Co,
11601 Widbey Dr.
Cumberland IN 46229
ZXir QLive Alive!
15
Spring 2002
2068 User Cartridge
DISK BOARDS "A" & "B"
2068 Parallel Printer Port
2068/SPECTRUM Joystick Port
DFh Mapped Universal I/O Port board
User Manual only : $5.00 (Read before you buy)
joliger@mindspring.com
NESQLUG
New England Sinclair QL Users Group
Ed Kingsley, Editor
16 Highland Avenue
Saugus MA 01906
(781) 233-3671 EdK4@aoi.com
ARCHIVE Based QL Software
QLerk - A complete financial program
DBEasy - A menu based database system
DBProgs - A toolkit of ARCHIVE procedures
DBTutor - A general purpose learning program
Bill Cable
Wood & Wind Computing
RR3 BOX 92
Cornish NH 03745 USA
Phone (603) 675-2218
Domino Cubes Z 8 8
Hardware & Software
352 7 th Ave. 15 th Fir.
New York, NY 10001
Phone 212 631-7563
Fax 212 947-5069 Voice mail pager 917 490-8407
Domino.cubes@excelsior.net
QL Hacker's Journal
Supporting All QL Programmers
Timothy Swenson, Editor
2455 Medallion Dr.
Union City, CA 94587-1914
swensonto@geocities.com
http://www.geocities.com/SiiconVailey/Pines/5865/
Peter Liebert-Adelt
LUETZOW STR 3
D-38102 BRAUNSCHWEIG
GERMANY
Email: pjiebert@t-oniine.de
ht1p://home.t-oiilme.de/nome/p.Mebei1/zx-team.htm
Amateur Radio: DK4BF(ffiDB0FC ,#NDS.DEU.EU
.foclicit Aliens inffwisrc
SMSQ/E for the QXL Go Id Card
SMSQ/E for the Super
QL Games & Upgrades QL Applications
ProWesS + Applications
Jochen Merz Software
Im stillen Winkei 12
47169 Duisburg, Germany
8 0203-50201 1 Fax 0203-50201 2
Credit Cards accepted
http:/A\ 7 ww.j-m-s.com/smsq/ e-mail smsq@j-m-s.com
Items for the Timex\Sinclair Computer
Timeworks Programming kit #1 For T/S 1000 & ZX81 $4.95
Mindware Gulp Game Timex 1000 & Sinclair ZX81 $4.95
Timex Horace & The Spiders for the 2068. $5.95
Chess (16K RAM) qty 5 price $2.95 ea
MC, VISA, American Express. Phone 717-748-1747
Keith Electronics
224 North Grove St
Lock Haven, PA. 17745
OIL
QL Today is published by Jochen Merz Software. The
representati ve in Britain is Miracle Systems Ltd.
English Office
Miracle Systems Ltd.
20 Mow Barton
Yates, Bristol, UK BS17 5NF
Editor
Diiwyn Jones
41 Bro Emrys
Tai-Y-Bont. Bangor, Gwynedd, UK LL57 3YT
Zebra Systems,, Inc.
122 W26 th St. Suite. 904
New York, NY 10001
Basics of Timex Sinclair 1500/1000 BASIC
BASIC Basics for the Timex/Sinclair 1500/1000
Computer Interfacing Technique in Science TS-1500/1000
u s T/S inventory
JOHN J SHEPARD III
281 130 th ST
OGDEN I A 50212
< jshepard@wccta.net >
Mostly QL &TS-2068
JACK BOATWRIGHT
67325 FRYREAR RD
BEND OR 97701
< jboatno4@outiawnet.com >
Mostly ZX-81/TS-1000 & TS-2068
ZXirQLive Alive!
16
Spring 2002
£s if D
— J .JJL. A.
n ^Ly ii.^.A\\. JJL JXvk .JJL
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/l jl V -1.L A H. jJL
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ji«4 .11,^1 1,1. , Ik^y Ll.
Anderson. Paul
paiKlersa@peakpeak, coin
Kahaie, .Abed
akaliale@iuno , com
Anson. Gerald
jeirya@aztec.asu.edu
Kealv. Harriet Joan
lTjkealy@rionet.org
Barker Robin
robin(S)c!i~ren. demon, co. uk
Kenny, Larry
iarkes@stomi..ca
Bennett. Dave
dave975(Siaft\net
Kingsiey. Ed
edk4@aol.com
Boatwright Jack
jboatno4@outlawn.et com
Knvszek. Theodore
unrteenthfSlworldnet.att net
Boehm, Ai
albertboelnn@juno.com
Kondrac, Mike
mkandnsorraol .com
Boehm, Bill
boehin@pih. af. mil
Konig. Urs
iirs.koeiiig@agrodata.ch
Burrell Jeff
.jbun^ellf^endocardial.com
Kwitkowski, Phillip
pkwitkowski@ihotmail.com
Cable, Bill
cabie@cy berportal net
Lambert Donald
dsiambert@emaiimsn com
Carpio, Juan
?uanchnscanS'!ya'hoo.com
Lancaster, Garry
dharkhig@delphi.com
Castro Antonio
ca strox@portoweb, com, br
Lanciault, Francois
n-ancois.laneiaalt{Sfenergies.alstom.ca
CatottL Giristopher
kd4ace@oonipuserve, com
La Verne. Melvin
mlaveme@usit.net
Chambers. George
gfchamb@pathcom.coin
Lebowitz, Dave
dkl@dpliv.com
Collins, Bill
hcoMinsiSihome, ifx.net
Lessenberry. Gary
gi743@aol.com
Coltreii Les
jacottrell@cfl .rr.com
Fegiey , Ruth
ruth .fegiev@worldnet.aii.iiet
€i tiz-Figueioa, Jaime
crazfigaer@aoL com
Liebert-Adeit Peter
PeterfSlzx81.de
Dansby, Andrew
adansbvfS5atlantic.net
Liebert-Ade.lt, Peter
p.Iiebert@t-onIine.de
Davis, Frank
fdavisTSiiquestnet
Mallow Bob
74776. 2342@compuserve.com
Delliez. Carlo
carlo@spase.nl
Matthias. Jaap
nijaap@iatan-coinputer. de
Donaldson. John
goodolejohn@*avenew. com
McBrine, William
wiscbrineiSiciark. net
Dorinson, Mark
74200 .2 5 7@jcompuserve com
McKelvey, William
mckelveyw@delphi.com
Dunbar, Douglas
dldiffiban%rodlgy. aei.
Merz. Jochen
jmerz@t-online.de
DuPuy, James
dupuy@ipi pel i ne . con i
Mikoiajczyk, Dean
deamn97493fSiaol.com
Encarnado, Joao
timex. pt@mail telepac. pi
Miller, Seymour
seymiI@de!pM, com
England. William
wenglandfSiiname.com
Mills. Frank
effeiu4 1 7@yahoo.com
Fegiey, Ruth.
qlrutli@hotmaiI .com
Muth. Bob
bobkeeper 1 @aol com
Feng, Al
aifeng@3un0.com
Norton. Gary
gnorton@rsacc.net
Fink. Mike
domino. cubeSi@excelsior.net
Norton, Gary
gnorton@world. std . com
Fink. Mike
dGinino.cobes@pomiblank.com
Parrish, Gil
gil. pairish@abaiiet ..org
Firshman. Tonv
tQny@lirshman. demon.co. uk
Pashfoon. Nazir
«azir.pashtoon^ingrain.micaro.eom
Florit. Louis
floot@iuiixville.com
Payne. Josh
joshpayiie@big.foot.com
Franke. John
j . m, rraiike@iarc, nasa. gov
Pazmino. John
John. pazimno@,moondog. com
Ganger, Gary
gangerg@dina.org
Perrv. Luke
Doidy l@ijuno.com
Gilbert, Robert
weena@netzero. net
Pem r . Russ Jr
slapdash@eiitef act. com
Gillespie. Dong
aa43 1 (Siclevelaid.freenet.edu
Ranipolla. Joe
jprainpoiUa@iblazenet.net
Girnius, William
gimius_w@.bls. gov
Rister. Wiif
wiif, rigter@powertechiabs.com
Goodwin, Glen
glenatacnie@aol.com
Rish, John
7460 1.153 5@compuserve.coni
Gowen, Rod
aw723@osfn.org
Shepard. Jay
jshepard@wccta.net
Haberly. Duncan
duncaiifS^nilitary. coin
Simon. Thomas
73 1 77, 33 3fSicompuserve.com
Haberly, Duncan
duncan@.militaiy. com
Skapinski, Thomas
tskapins@jjuno. com
Harbit, Ken
krli03@cvip.fresiio.coin
Sollv. David
k david sollvfSiliotniail.coni
Harris. Paul
pHi@J0nsl5.JE9.co.uk
Slegman. Dan
danesteg@juno.com
HenderiighL Mike
mikehendi'Simicrosoft . com
Swenson, Tim
swensont(S).lansetcom
Herre. Cv
Cylierre@aol.coni
Swentko, Wally
wswentkof«aiiaroon.tc.iuim.edu
Holmgren. Paul
pauIiioIm@indy. net
Swoger, Robert
rswoger@aoi.com .
Horton. Will
willliorti5iaol.com
Tavlor. Jeff
jetaylor@mdrobotics.ca
Hoshor. Dave
dnhoshor@raex, com
TEJ Computer
tej@jps.net
Humphreys. Rod
ioo3i@padficcoast.net
Thoresen, Jeff
74200.257iSiconipusen-e.com
ImpellizerrL John
jimpelIizerri@compusen-e. com
Waldman, Stephen
brogine@hotmaiL com
Jaap. Mattliias
mattliias_JaapSililis.Mi.schule.de
Walterman, Don
waltermcSjLxjaetconi.com
Jonas, Mike
mjonas@bbn. com
Watson, Keith
keith__w : alson@ijiino,coni
Jones, Dilwvn
dilwyn jones@dj . softnet.co.uk
Webster, Robert
nvebs 1 iSinefzero.net
Jones. Terrv r
tionesfScinanie . com.
Zimmerman, George
2zunmer92 8@aoL com
Kaczor, Jon
jazkaczonSiaoLcom
Bill McKelvey
mckelveyw@delplii.com
ZXir QLive Alive!
17
Spring 2002
1 1
a*
imex/Sinclair s
New Color Computer
The T/S 2068 is an il under-$200 i} basic computer
offering many features missing on the 1000
m
Ttir; new Times Sinclair 2068 Per-
sonal Color Computer is much
different than She computer Orig-
inally announced at a trade show in Jan-
uary'! 98 3 as the "Timcx Sinclair 2000/"
The computer has gone through a great
I metamorphosis. Those of yo« having
I Times UXKk will find that the things
By f ree/ Blechman
$ 148.32, Although in June, a T/S 2048
was also announced (with I6K HAM
instead of 48.K, and for $50 jess), it ap^
pears that only the TV'S 2068 will be
available at this time.
Most of the keys do muittpk duly, since j
single-keyword entry is provided tor j
over 150 BASIC commands and slate-
merits. Most keys perform five different
functions, while seven keys have %n
functions Functions arc identified by
one of .six different Setters that appear
withiti the block cursor.
llllllllll
IPwlllPS
1111 '»".■!
sag
1
SIS
1
Si
■ 'V. • -'J V '
ft >.feA.
Bitl
*y : j
safest
■ US
- Is ' i
5 . .„
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ZXir QLive Alive!
18
Spring 2002
