SYNTAX

Serving Timex-Sinclair Personal Computers

A PUBLICATION OF THE HARVARD GROUP

VOL. 5 NO. 3

ISSN 0273*2696

MAR. 1984

IN THIS ISSUE

ZIFF-DAVIS LOSES SYNC — PICTURE UNCLEAR

8K Programs

Asteroids . 8

Look Angles . 8

Visibell . 9

TS2068 Programs

Colorsort . 10

Lines . 10

Books In Print . 4

Classified Ads . 12

Dear Editor . 7

Editorial . 11

Hardware Hints

TS2 068 . 3

TS2 04 0 . 3

ZX-99 . 2

New Products and

Services . 3

News

Ziff-Davis Loses Sync..l Timex Tech Info Offer.. 1

Program Inprovements

Reusable Loops . 2

Software Hint

TS2068 . 3

Syntax Errors . 2

t Users' Groups . 2

I

Vendor Report . 2

Index of Advertisers

SYNC magazine, first announced in SYNTAX'S 2d issue, ceased publishing with the March/April 1984 issue. Founded by David Ahl, SYNC built on the resources of its sister publications & became a fast-growing, friendly competitor to SYNTAX. In fact, SYNC advertised in SYNTAX, Dec. 81, & SYNTAX had also advertised in SYNC, but after Ziff-Davis purchased SYNC, we could no longer advertise in SYNC, and ultimately in any Ziff computer group publication.

SYNC grew rapidly in circulation and ad pages, becoming the volume leader of ZX/TS support publications. At its death, SYNC was serving nearly 40,000 subscribers. Defiant to the last, Ziff-Davis officials failed to return our phone calls — we've no idea what they will offer you.

Separately, Ziff-Davis informed a major mailing list broker that the SYNC magazine subscriber names will not be available for purchase or rental as a separate list. Ziff- Davis will combine the lists with those of their other publications.

TIMEX TO OFFER TS2068 TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Doug Smith of Timex informs SYNTAX that the information in Timex Technical Memos 1-9 and the 3rd Party Software Guide will be amended corrected and then distributed through their Little Rock, AK service facility.’ The packet will be available (beginning in May) for an undetermined fee. No nondisclosure agreement will be required.

TS2068 schematics can be obtained now for $2.50 by writing the Little Rock repair facility at:

Timex Computer Corporation

Little Rock Product Service Center

Little Rock, AK 72203

Byte Back Co

9 I No nondisclosure agreement required for this.

1

SYNTAX ERRORS: Program 1 in Recipes for 2068 Advanced Video, Feb. 84, must be RUN twice right after loading from tape and gives a false error the first time.

In New Products and Services, Feb. 84, Andropos Technology's name is actually Apropros Technology.

PROGRAM IMPROVEMENTS

In Reusable Loops, Jan. 84, you ask for a memory efficient way to test a variable for "none of the above." Replace line 5 with:

The program will only GOTO line 6 if one of the relations in brackets holds true, otherwise it goes to 3.

R. F. Fraser-Smith, Chicago, IL

VENDOR REPORT

Timex will not produce the 2060 Interface, 2065 Microdrive, or 2080 Printer (announced in SYNTAX Jan. 84). The 2 05 0 Modem has been sold in some places but may have a heat sensitivity problem. 2020 Cassette Decks are available but offer no benefit over any good cassette deck and may have some design problems.

Hawg Wild Software intends to continue supporting the ZX/TS.

Marge Saylor of Compusa verified that they have a 35% charge for restocking unauthorized returns. Authorized returns that work according to their claims are charged 10-20%. Authorized returns that do not work have no restocking charge. This policy does not appear in their ads.

Thomas B. Woods plans to continue developing software for the ZX/TS and TS2068. See his announcement on page 3.

Simulsion (formerly Lamo-Lem Labs) has a new address: Box 2382, La Jolla, CA 92038. Their phone number is still 619/263-6591.

Quicksilva Inc. (426 West Nakoma, San Antonio, TX 78216, 512/340-3684) still has software available for the ZX/TS and games for the TS2068. They plan to market a software line for the QL including educational programs, utilities, and games.

ZX/TS USERS' GROUPS

To check for a local group that's not listed, or to announce a new group, call 617/456-3661 or write SYNTAX, RD 2 Box 457, Bolton Rd., Harvard, MA 01451. Send SASE for name of group in your area.

Andover, KS: Air Capital Users Group, c/o Randy Cummings, 124 W. 10th St., Andover, KS 67002, 316/733-0242 .

Louisville, KY: Bruce S. Chang, 6 Rio Vista Dr., Louisville, KY 40207, 502/458-6163.

Matawan, NJ: Aerco Disc Nationwide Users Group, c/o Burke Mawby, POB 49, Matawan, NJ 07747, 201/566- 7445 (bus), 201/583-4675 (res).

Amarillo, TX: New group forming, contact Joe E. Jenkins, 3100 Mockingbird, Amarillo, TX 79109, 806/355-3185.

HARDWARE HINT — ZX-99

A 10 Ohm, 1/4 Watt resistor in series with the hot lead of the ZX- 99 Tape Controller remote line may prevent the internal relay from sticking closed.

If you want to add this resistor without opening up your ZX-99, it can be fit inside the remote plug to the cassette deck.

Jay Siegel, Brooklyn, NY

2

NEW PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

PRO/FILE 2068 stores your database of up to 28,000 characters organized into files ("screens") and allows fast searching, user formatted printing, screen editing, and alphabetized file index. Available now, full documentation to come later, $29.95 cassette from Thomas B. Woods, POB 64, Jefferson, NH 03583, 603/586-7734.

ROMPAK now offers 5 ROMs for their $16.95 ROM cartridge board (see review SYNTAX Jan. 84): ZX PRO/FILE, Thomas Woods database program for ZX/TS ($24.95), TEXTWRITER word processor ($24.95), QUICKLOAD,

LOADS and SAVEs 16K in 30 seconds ($17.95 sep., included in PRO/FILE and TEXTWRITER ROMs) , VIRTUOSO music program ($15.95), and GRAPH IX PAK utility routines ($16.95).

Plans for 2716, 32, 64 EPROM programmer $15. ROMPAK Inc., Suite 100, 82 06 Blackburn Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90048, 213/653-9741.

CLS (POB 104, Cochituate, MA 01778) publishes a telephone directory of toll-free 800 numbers for leading high-tech computer firms ($3 PPD).

JRC SOFTWARE (POB 448, Scottsburg, IN 47170 812/752-6071, -5106) offers the TS1000 Incredible Super Tape ($24.95 + $.37 SASE) with over 20 programs, most in MC. Includes sound effects, system programs, an oscilloscope program, tape unlock, assembler, text editor, etc.

Similar package for TS2068s also available, including Hi-Res Lander, Oscilloscope, and The Great Graphics Show. All with a 10-day unconditional money-back guarantee.

Games to Learn By (POB 575, Williamsburg, MA 01096 413/268- 7505) offers 3 new TS2068 games: DeathChase (3-D motorcycle chase) for $19.95, Mystery Manor (graphic adventure) for $15.95, and Art for All Ages (2068 canvas) for $15.95.

Fidelity Brokerage Services (82 Devonshire St., Boston, MA 02109 800/343-8722) announces the first national home brokerage trading service, allowing subscribers to enter buy and sell orders on listed and OTC stocks and options 24 hours a day. Any terminal or computer with a modem may be used (MD-2 and ZX/TS or MD-68 and TS2068, for instance). Access is via TELENET. Available for a one-time subscrip¬ tion charge of $195, plus $.40/min. (business hours) or $.10/min (non¬ business hours) .

WHEN YOU ORDER...

Please mention that you saw it in SYNTAX. We can't grow unless advertisers know you read us.

SOFTWARE HINT — TS2068

To put the TS2068 (or ZX Spectrum) in caps mode (C cursor) from within a program, use: POKE 23658,8.

Reset with POKE 23658,0.

Randy Cummings, Andover, KS

HARDWARE HINT — TS2068

To use the ZX printer with the 2068, wire a 9VDC power supply to the printer (do not connect to edge connector) .

HARDWARE HINT — TS2040

Your TS2040 Printer can use the thermal paper sold by Radio Shack for use with their 40 column Color Computer printer.

AVAILABLE FROM SYNTAX...

If you get The Works before Apr. 15, you can select, absolutely FREE, any three products (including a 16K RAMpak, T he. ZX81/TS1 000 Home Computer Book, VU-CALC, Frogger, and many other Timex software titles) from the list on the back cover of SYNTAX, February 84.

3

ZX/TS RELATED BOOKS IN PRINT AVAILABLE IN THE UNITED STATES

* Review appeared in SYNTAX (consult our Dec. 83 Index)

+ Future title still scheduled for publication

- Out of stock but not out of print

McGraw-Hill Books, 1221 Ave. Americas, New York, NY 10020 212/512-2000

0-07-001698-4 An Introduction to Vu-Calc Spreadsheeting for the Timex- Sinclair 2000 & the Sinclair ZX Spectrum 0-07-001699-2 An Introduction to Visicalc Spreadsheeting on the ZX-81 & Timex-Sinclair 1000

*0-07-010831-5 Crunchers: 21 Games for the Timex Sinclair 1000 (2K) 0-07-022677-6 Gosubs: 100 Program-Building Subroutines in Timex-Sinclair BASIC

0-07-02 3959-2 Bogglers: 22 Smart Games (2k to 16k) in Timex-Sinclair BASIC

0-07-031449-7 ZX81-TS1000 Programming for Young Programmers

0-07-037444-9 Science & Engineering Programs for the Timex-Sinclair 1000: Professional Programs for the Timex Sinclair

0-07-044041-7 BASICS: A Guide to the Timex-Sinclair 1000 (2K)

Osborne McGraw-Hill, 2600 10th St., Berkely, CA 94710 800/227-2895 0-88134-106-1 ZX81, TS1000 Home Computer Book

Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632 201/592-2000 0-13-037318-4 Animation, Games, & Graphics for the Timex 1000 +0-13-081050-9 Brain Ticklers: Timex Sinclair 1000 Version 0-13-081000-2

0-13-164278-2 Computer Graphics for the TIMEX 1000 & Sinclair ZX-81 +0-13-477430-2 Introducing Timex-Sinclair 2000 Machine Code: How to Get +0-13-477422-1 More Speed & Power

+0-13-561853-3 Mathematical Problem-Solving with the Microcomputer:

Timex Sinclair 1000 Version +0-13-729582-0 Programming the Timex-Sinclair 2000 +0-1 3-7295 74-X

0-13-729673-8 Programming Projects for Your Timex-Sinclair 1000 0-13-729798-X Programs for Your Timex-Sinclair 1000 0-13-729780-7

0-13-729871-4 Programming Your Timex-Sinclair 1000 in BASIC 0-13-729863-3

0-13-918904-1 Thirty Games for the Timex-Sinclair 1000 0-13-918896-7

0-13-921759-2 Timex-Sinclair Interfacing: Tested Interfacing Projects 0-13-921742-8 for the ZX80, ZX81 & the Timex-Sinclair 1000 +0-13-921767-3 The Timex-Sinclair 2000 & How to Get the Most From It +0-13-921791-6 Timex-Sinclair 2000 Book of Games +0-13-921783-5

+0-13-921974-9 The Timex TS 2000: Your Personal Computer

Addison-Wesley Publishing Co., Jacob Way, Reading, MA 01867 617/944-3700

0-201-11064-4 Seventy Games for the Timex-Sinclair 1000 0-201-16479-5 Tantalizing Games for the Timex Sinclair 2000 + 0-2 01-14649-5 An Explorer's Guide to the Timex-Sinclair 1000 & the Timex-Sinclair 2000

Focal Press, 80 Montvale Ave., Stoneham, MA 02180 617/438-8464

0-408-01101-7 Learning BASIC with your Sinclair ZX80 0-4 08-0132 3-0 ZX Spectrum User's Handbook

0-408-01338-9 Introducing ZX80 Assembly Language Programming Bantam Books Inc., 666 5th Ave., New York, NY 10103 212/765-3535 *0-553-2 3241-X Mastering Your Timex-Sinclair 1000 Personal Computer

4

Dell Publ., 1 Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, New York, NY 10017 212/605-3000

0-440-52785-6 Games for Your Timex-Sinclair 1000 0-440-52794-5 Games for Your Timex-Sinclair 2000 New American Library, 1633 Broadway, New York, NY 10019 212/397-8000 *0-451-12138-4 The Timex Personal Computer Made Simple 0-451-12598-3 51 Game Programs for the Timex Sinclair 1000 & 1500

John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 605 3rd Ave., New York, NY 10158 212/850-6000 0-471-88730-7 What Can I Do with My Timex Sinclair 1000? Lots!: 56 0-471-88729-3 Programs for the Timex Sinclair 1000 & ZX81 0-471-89099-5 The Timex Sinclair 2000 Series Explored *0-471-89888-0 Byteing Deeper in Your Timex Sinclair 1000 Howard W. Sams, 4300 W. 62nd St., Indianapolis, IN 46268 317/298-5400 *0-672-21957-3 ZX-81 BASIC Book

0-672-22012-1 Timex-Sinclair 1000/ZX81 User's Handbook 0-672-22077-6 Timex-Sinclair BASIC Primer With Graphics 0-672-22225-6 Timex-Sinclair 2068 Beginner/Intermediate Guide Birkhauser Books, 380 Green St., Cambridge, MA 02139 617/576-6637 3-7643-3080-5 Timex Sinclair One-Thousand: Programs, Games, & Graphics 3-7643-3115-1 Machine Code & Better BASIC: For the Timex Sinclair 1000 & 2000

Hayden Book Co., 50 Essex St., Rochelle Park, NJ 07662 201/393-6000

0-8104-2102-4 Timex-Sinclair BASIC 0-8104-1064-8 Timex-Sinclair Color Graphics Tab Books Inc., Blue Ridge Summit, PA 17214 717/794-2191

0-8306-0108-2 A Kid's Manual for Programming the Sinclair-Timex 0-8306-0608-4 Computers

0-8306-0117-1 Using & Programming the ZX81-TS1000, Including Ready-to- 0-8306-0617-3 Run Programs 0-8306-0523-1 The Sinclair ZX81 +0-8306-0708-0 A Kid's First Book to the Timex Sinclair 2068 +0-8306-1708-6

0-8306-1623-3 Computer Companion for the Timex-Sinclair Computers Reston Publ. Co., 11480 Sunset Hills Rd., Reston, VA 22090 703/437-8900

0-8359-0348-6 BASIC Basics for the Timex Sinclair 1500 *0-8359-4255-4 Mastering Machine Code on Your Timex Sinclair 1500 +0—8359—7699—8 Timex Sinclair 2068, 1500, and 1000 Machine Language Programming and Interfacing

Melbourne House, 333 E. 46st St., New York, NY 10017 212/490-7957

*0-86161-101-2 Machine Language Programming Made Simple for the Sinclair 0-86161-103-9 Understanding Your ZX81 Rom *0-86161-113-6 The Complete Sinclair ZX81 ROM Disassembly 0-86161-102-0 Not Only 30 Programs for the ZX81 0-86161-118-7 The Ins & Outs of the TS1000/ZX81 0-86161-105-5 The Complete ZX81/TS1000 BASIC Course ARCsoft Publishers, POB 132, Woodsboro, MD 21798 301/845-8856 0-86668-020-9 One Hundred & One Timex 1 000-Sinclair ZX-81 Programming Tips & Tricks

0-86668-021-7 Thirty Seven Timex 1 000-Sinclair ZX-81 Computer Programs for Home, School & Office

0-86668-026-8 Timex-Sinclair Computer Games Programs

0-86668-027-6 Practical Timex-Sinclair Computer Programs for Beginners 0-86668-810-2 Timex-Sinclair Computer Program Writing Workbook Wayne Green Inc., Rt. 101 & Elm St., Peterboro, NH 03458 800/343-0728 0-88006-063-8 Converting to Timex-Sinclair BASIC 0-88006-065-4 Using the Timex-Sinclair 1000 & 1500

5

Simon & Schuster, 1230 Ave. Americas; New York, NY 10020 212/245-6400

0-671-47069-8 The Essential Guide to Timex/Sinclair Home Computers Que Corporation, 7960 Castleway Dr., Indianapolis, IN 46250 317/842-7162 -0-88022-016-3 The Timex-Sinclair User's Guide, Vol. 1 0-88022-028-7 Timex-Sinclair 1000 Pocket Dictionary -0-88022-029-5 Timex-Sinclair User's Guide, Vol. 2 0-88022-030-9 Timelost: Timex-Sinclair 1000 Version Datamost Inc., 8943 Fullbright Ave., Chatsworth, CA 91311 818/709-1202 0-88190-058-3 The Elementary Timex-Sinclair Dilithium Press, 11000 SW 11th St., Beaverton, OR 97005 800/547-1842 0-88056-090-8 The Sinclair ZX81 Book-Software Package: Programming for Real Applications, Also for the Timex Sinclair 1000 0-88056-107-6 Using & Programming the Timex Sinclair Computer 0-88056-113-0 How to Use the Timex-Sinclair Computer 0-88056-127-0 Control Things with Your Timex-Sinclair

0-88056-137-8 Thirty-Two BASIC Programs for the Timex-Sinclair Computer 0-88056-189-0

*0-88056-155-6 The Sinclair ZX-81: Programming for Real Applications, Also for the Timex Sinclair 1000

R.J. Brady Publishing, Rts. 197 & 450, Bowie, MD 20715 301/262-6300

0-89303-348-0 Brain Games for Kids & Adults Using the Timex-Sinclair 1000, 1500 & 2000 Series

+0-89303-874-1 Teach Yourself BASIC with the Timex-Sinclair Computer: A Beginner's Guide

0-89303-941-1 VU-CALC & VU-FILE (The Organizer): Getting Serious with Your Timex-Sinclair

Sybex Inc., 2344 Sixth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710 415/848-8233

*0-89588-099-7 Your Timex Sinclair 1000 and ZX81

Trillium Books, POB 921, Madison Sq., New York, NY 10159 212/684-7399 0-89824-058-1 Kids Working with Computers: Timex Sinclair BASIC Manual Book Co., 11223 South Hindry Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90045 213/410-9466 0-912003-16-2 The Timex-Sinclair User's Encyclopedia Cibbarelli, 11684 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, CA 91604 818/797-7654 0-913203-02-5 Introduction to Computer Programming for 0-913203-01-7 Information Services

Creative Comp., 39 E. Hanover Ave., Morris Plains, NJ 07950 2 01/54 0-0445

0-916688-23-2 Fifty Programs for the Timex-Sinclair 1000 *0-916688-26-7 The ZX-81 Companion *0-916688-33-X Getting Acquainted with Your ZX-81 0-916688-41-0 The Gateway Guide to the ZX-81 & ZX-80 0-916688-43-7 The Best of SYNC

0-916688-48-8 The Timex-Sinclair 1000 Idea Book +0-916688-66-6 The Working Timex-Sinclair 2068

Compusoft Publishing, 535 Broadway, El Cajon, CA 92021 619/588-0996

*0-932760-15-5 Learning Timex Sinclair BASIC for the Timex 1000 & the Sinclair ZX81

K.D.V.H.E. Publishers, POB 6788, Chicago, IL 60680 312/791-9065

0-932810-00-4 Timex Sinclair Statistics: 12 16K Programs Including Multifactor Analysis of Variance 0-932810-01-2 Timex Sinclair Statistics: 12 16K Programs 0-932810-02-0 For the ZX81, TS1000, TS1500, Including 0-932810-03-9 Multifactor Analysis of Variance (3 editions:

Data in REM, Data in Strings, and Data in Array)

Computer Engineering Services, POB 1222, Show Low, AZ 85901 No Phone *None The Expandable ZX80 and ZX81

6

DEAR EDITOR:

I could not believe the pullout of Timex until I read it in SYNTAX! It breaks my heart to see a superior product like the 2068 left an orphan. However, it was heartening to read your page 10 statement of intent. I whole¬ heartedly support your stand and will do all I can to support your publication.

I have always mentioned your name when I bought a product advertised in SYNTAX and there have been many occasions.

Looking forward to all future issues, I am yours truly,

Virginia T. Lake, Wilmington, DE

Is there any additional documentation available for the Timex Vu-Calc program? There must be a better description than the one that comes with the tape.

Don Durst, Kettering, OH

Our list of ZX/TS Books in Print (this issue) lists two books about Vu-Calc, ISBN 0-07-001698-4 for the TS2000 (presumably meaning 2068) and ISBN 0-89303-941-1 for ZX/TS.

I am trying to get a copy of the UK manual for the ZX Spectrum. The abbreviated 2068 manual does not cover the computer sufficiently and it may be doomsday before the Timex people come out with their own advanced manual. Of course, I am willing to buy the book if I knew where to get it.

Warren Fricke, Depew, NY

Sinclair's U.S. office cannot obtain Spectrum manuals for Timex customers since they do not support the TS2068. Timex will not publish the Advanced Programming Manual, however, they will make available technical information for the 2068 starting in May. Schematics are available now. See story, page 1.

After successfully using the old Sinclair ZX Printer for over a year, it finally gave out on me, and I decided to invest in the new Timex-Sinclair 2040 Printer.

I am very disappointed in the product, specifically because the print is too light. Does anyone know of a way to improve the printing quality of the TS2040, so that it prints a darker, heavier image, at least as readable as the old ZX printer?

Two separate phone calls to Timex have produced nothing but a "ho-hum" attitude. They don't seem to know anything about printing quality, and can't even tell me where I can buy replacement paper.

Dan R. Sullivan, Seattle, WA

TS2040S print darker on Radio Shack 40 column thermal paper. We use it at SYNTAX for all our listings.

I was shocked, as I'm sure many were, by the news that Timex was getting out of the computer business. And I'm worried about the alarming decrease in the SYNTAX'S size and ad volume. I almost feel I am the proud (?) owner of an unwanted orphan. Has my 16K ZX81 hit a dead end?

I hope not. The Timex Sin¬ clair line remains an excellent value. The departure of Timex has created an opportunity for smaller, low-overhead operations to step in and fill the need for continued support of the T/S line.

SYNTAX can play a badly needed role. People need to know what's happening. Who is selling, sup¬ porting, or developing what? Where can I get supplies and parts?

What's happening in the U.K.?

SYNTAX may be the only channel for distributing news and inform¬ ation to the T/S user community.

It would be, in effect, the organ for a nation-wide user's group!

Stephen Greene, N. Reading, MA

7

LOOK ANGLES — 8K/16K

Given the latitude, longitude, and local magnetic variation of a dish antenna and the longitude of a geostationary satellite, this program calculates the look angles (azimuth, elevation, and heading) for recieving signals.

Because the ZX/TS computes trig functions only in radians,

LOOK ANGLES converts all input into radians and all output back into degrees .

This program runs on the 2 068 without any changes after FIRST- LOAD ing. Adapted from a program published in ELECTRONICS. 8/25/82.

Lawrence D. Terry, Naples, FL

ASTEROIDS — 8K/16K

Here's a fast game written in machine code for ZX/TS machines.

Enter the first listing, then RUN and input the numbers in the POKE list. Enter lines 20-50 in the final listing over the old lines. SAVE the program on tape, then check the Syntactic Sum.

To play, RUN and avoid the asteroids by moving left and right (with 5 and 8). You get one point for each asteroid you avoid. Start a new game by pressing any key.

Craig Bird, Victoria, BC, Canada

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$

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1 1

)

*

8

»

In Stock! NEW MD-2B kit smart MODEM $119.95

• Send and receive Programs by Pb

• Copy Information into mernoty ijjf /

Print it, Review it. Save it on Tape ^ '

• Use Timex 2040 Printer or RS-232 **+*-«**

• No extra memory Required

See Review in Feb. ’84 SYNTAX • 2 FREE Hours on COMPUSERVE

COMPUSERVE PACKAGE WITH 5 FREE HOURS ONLY $39.95

NEW MD-68 FOR THE 2068

SAME FEATURES & SAME PRICE AS THE MD-2B

64-K MEMORY $109.95 k.t I ?Sp“lke.

the “ULTIMATE MEMORY’’ $119.95 assembled SEE REVIEW IN JANUARY ’84 SYNTAX

KEYBOARD without case . . . . . $39.95

GORILLA/BANANA PRINTER $199.95

w HD A /Til C Cassette & Book $16.95

rnU/rlLL including shipping

Clearly the Best File Management Program Avaiable. NEW PRO/FILE 2068 including shipping

A new version of the Popular ZX PRO/FILE Program with many new features for the 2068. Includes a 100 Page Manual.

RS-232 PRINTER INTERFACE Only $59.95 KIT $69.95 ASSEMBLED CONTROL MODULE 8 relays, 8 inputs, $59.95 KIT $69.95 ASSEMBLED

BYTE BACK CO. If VttgSH

Rt. 3, Boi 147, Brodla Road I a I

Laaavllla, S.C. 29070 I M ' I Hi

ORDER PHONE 803-532-5812 1

Add $4.95 shipping and handling

90 Day Warranty On All Moduias. 10— Day Ralurn Priviladge _

VISIBELL — 8K/1K

This reverses every character on the screen. Enter the first program, RUN and input the numbers in the POKE list. Then enter lines 5-80 in the second listing and RUN. Lines 20 & 30 reverse the screen; lines 50 & 60 set back to normal.

9

COLORSORT — TS2 068

LINES — TS2 068

These two programs do the same thing: POKE the attribute file with random colors, then sort the bytes, resulting in a display of the sort in progress on the screen.

Try BASIC COLORSORT first so you can see what happens. You can add a line 77 PAUSE 15 to get a better look at the sorting process. This version has a BEEP loop at the end so you'll know when it's done (it takes about 2 hours to RUN).

Now try M/C COLORSORT. You should be truly impressed. It finishes the sort in just a few seconds, PAUSES, and starts over.

Lloyd Painter, Quackertown, PA

Here's a program that counts on simple math to produce a random display of fans of color. It works by picking two pairs of points on the screen and drawing a series of lines between them. It leaves them on the screen for a while and then quietly picks up after itself.

SYNTAX is published monthly by a wholly-

owned subsidiary of The Harvard Group.

Syntax ZX80, Inc.

RD 2, Box 457, Harvard, MA 01451.

Telephone 617/456-3661.

12 issues, $29. Single issue, $4.

Publisher: Editor: Consulting Editor: Technical Consultant:

Kirtland H. Olson Eric K. Olson Ann L. Zevnik Kirtland H. Olson

© Syntax ZX80, Inc., 1984. All rights reserved. Photocopying prohibited. ISSN 0273-2696

OUR POLICY ON CONTRIBUTED MATERIAL

SYNTAX invites you to express opinions related to any Sinclair or Timex com¬ puter or peripheral, or the newsletter. We will print, as space allows, letters discuss¬ ing items of general interest. Of course we reserve the right to edit letters to a suitable length and to refuse publication of any material.

We welcome program listings for all levels of expertise, written in either Sinclair BASIC or Z80 machine code. Programs can be for any fun or useful purpose. We will test run each one before publishing it, but we will not debug programs; please send only workable listings. Programs submitted on cassette can be tested more quickly and with less chance of error.

In return for your listing, we will pay you a token fee of $2.00 per program we use. This payment gives us the nonexclusive right to use that program in any form, world-wide. This means you can still use it, sell it, or give it away, and so can we.

We will consider submissions of news and hardware or software reviews. Please keep articles short (350-400 words). Again, we reserve the right to edit accepted articles to suitable length. We will pay 7 cents per 6 characters, including spaces and punctuation, for accepted articles.

When you send in articles for possible publication in SYNTAX, please include the following information:

• How to operate the program, including what to input if it does not contain prompts.

• Whether you can run the program over again and how.

• How to exit the program.

• The Syntactic Sum (program published in June 81; send SASE for a free copy).

• What RAM size program requires.

• What ROM program uses (8K, 2068, Spectrum).

• For MC programs, what addresses must change to relocate the code and what ROM calls are used.

We pay for this explanatory text at the same rate as we pay for articles in addi¬ tion to payment for the program itself.

If you want us to return your original program listing or article, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Otherwise, we cannot return submitted material.

HOUSE RULES AT THE LAST CHANCE

During the next few weeks you will be inundated with bargains and off-price offers. Refer to your back issues of SYNTAX as you plan to deal with various vendors. Keep these points in mind.

Vendors who never got it right before do not improve as they leave the business. Undelivered orders are not bargains. Use charge-card or COD payments to give you some leverage, and act swiftly if your order is delayed.

Know the terms before you buy. As-is, where-is means you must know what you're buying.

Closeouts, selloffs and other quick-disposal schemes are not seen by sellers as the start of a long¬ term relationship. Sellers want volume, turnover, & low order cost. Do not bet against yourself by thinking they want future benefits.

Unsupported accessories may come at low prices, but can you do repairs? Will you get enough data? Timex computers & printers are good buys even at list price, but how about the tape recorder? Can you gain by buying it? What discount will equalize the value to one from a continuing manufacturer?

Full price for full value is not the worst deal — just watch.

Fill out the coupon below and mail to: SYNTAX, RD 2, Box 457, Harvard, MA 01451

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Make checks Payable to: □ Diner’s Club □ Mastercard

SYNTAX ZX80, Inc. □ American Express □ Access

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s3/84

YES! Please send me:

□ The Combination II (13 issues of SYNTAX and SQ

Winter 82-Summer 83) . . . . \ . S39

□ The Catch-up II (SYNTAX Jan. 82-Jan. 84, SQ Winter

82-Summer 83, plus binder) . $77

□ THE WORKS II (SYNTAX Nov. 80-Dec. 83, SQ Winter

82-Summer 83, plus 2 binders) . $97

□ 12 issues of SYNTAX . $29

□ 3 issues of Syntax Quarterly (Winter 82-Summer 83) .. $25

□ 1 issue Syntax Quarterly □ Winter 82 ( □ Spring 83

□ Summer 83 . . . $9

□ 1 Binder . $9 0 1 issue of Syntax . $4

Telephone orders call 617-456-3661

These offers expire 5/15/84 — SUBSCRIBE NOW.

SYNTAX

CLASSIFIED ADS:

Reach 1000s of ZX/TS users! Call SYNTAX for details: 617/456-3661

HOT Z-II FOR THE 2068 The best of the TS1000 machine utilities has migrated to the 2068. Assemble, disassemble, label, relocate, single step, print/save listings with this multi-purpose utility. HOT Z-II is the way to learn Z80 code and discover how the computer works. Just $24.95 + $2 ph from Sinware PO Box 8032, Santa Fe, NM 87504

FOR BEST PRICES ON TIMEX PRODUCTS CALL US ! Take advantage of Timex's closeouts on TS2040 Pr inters ,TS2 05 0 Modems ,TS2 068 1 s , RAM- PACKS ,TS1 000 ' s , sof tware ,etc . We accept VISA & MC. ZEBRA SYSTEMS. INC. (212) 296-2385 78-06 Jamaica Ave,Woodhaven,NYll421

CRYSTAL COAST SOFTWARE, Entertaining Educational , practical programs .Send « for FREE catalog, program listings; POB 233, MOREHEAD CITY, NC 28557

* STOCK MARKET KEY WEST * Newspaper data returns 22-Instant Charts;Each Chart covers 51-days. TSl 000+64K RAM MANUAL+CASSETTE $22.00 VERN TIDWELL 1303 WHITEHEAD KEY WEST, FLA. 33040

PRO/FILE UPDATES the newsletter for ZX Pro/File owners. Get mods, uses, enhancements, and explanations as they occur for $9.95/yr.

Get the PRO /FILE program for $16.95 on AERCO disk w/instructions $39.95 New PRO/FILE 2068 on tape $29.95 VISA/MC welcome-call (603) 586-7734 Tom Woods Box 64 Jefferson, NH 03583

** ADD MEMORY THAT WON'T FORGET 1 **

* Kit $34:90; additional 6116LP-3 *

* $8:50 each; ZX81/TS1000 female *

* connectors gold bifurcated $5.00*

* male extenders $1.50; HUNTER * *1630 Forest Hills Qkemos MI 48864*

**NAMES** A Genealogical File Program for the ZX-81 and T/S 1000. Holds complete data on 100 persons. Searches, lists and prints data. Requires 64K memory. Also available for TIMEX 2000 series (holds data on 70 persons). $30 pp. Send check or money order to V.T. Lake,

P.O.Box 351, Hockessin, DE 19707

ZX PRO/FILE CARTRIDGE $39.95 The #1 Timex database manager plus: QUICKLOAD-saves/loads a 16K file in 30 sec! Stores 1 MEGABYTE on 1 tape Next best thing to a disk. ..with 59 pg. manual. Send 39.95 + 2.75 sh to ROMPAK 8206 Blackburn Ave.

L. A. CA 90048 Send SASE for catalog

THE

H\RV\RD

GROLP

Bolton Road, Harvard. Mass. 01451

First Class

U.S. Postage

PAID

Harvard, MA Permit No. 8 01451

MR WILLIAM TOMLINSON {J

3635 R I VE REUSE DR. _ L

. T A CK 5 O MV 1 L. L E F L 3 2 2 i 1