Letters

ON U.K. IMPORTS

I need some assistance! It concerns all these helpful books written by the English for the English, then sold to unsuspecting Americans — like me. It seems no one has bothered to edit these programs to be useful to Americans. I hope your experts will warn us of software which is useful only to the English.

Bert Passanante
Wilmington, Delaware

We agree, Bert, some English publishers have not been fair to us over here. That’s one of the key reasons we decided to publish Timex Sinclair User. And yes, whenever we review a product we certainly warn users if it is U.K. specific. Many publishers have taken time to edit their products for our market and we will point these out tool Until we’ve looked at more software and books all we can suggest is read our reviews. Also, let us know of any really bad examples of this problem so we can inform our readers.

OVERWORKED

I purchased my ZX81 in the late fall of 1981 and received it just before the end of the year. The 16K came a little later, and I used it too much because the keyboard went out at the end of the first year. The enter FUNCTION key gradually failed so that first the function failed, then LET, and finally ENTER.

All is not lost however, as I have just ordered a T/S1000 for delivery next week to solve the immediate problem.

I am almost 78 years old and have no interest in games and such but I am interested in engineering and mathematics to the extent that I spend a lot of time converting programs for use on my TRS-80 Model I and the ZX81.

Thomas A, Rogers
Morro Bay, California

Thomas, your persistence is to be admired. We, like you, believe in the T/S1O0O/ZX81. We hope your new machine stands up to your input!

We’re glad to hear you want more articles about math and engineering — we’re planning to put them in as often as we can.

READER SERVICE

How can I obtain copies or subscriptions to Electronics & Computing? Their ad which I recently saw gave no address.

Joe K. Bair
Oak Ridge, Tennessee

True, they did not give an address, but we did give them a Reader Service Card Number. At the front and back of your magazine you will see cards labelled “Reader Service Card”. By circling 21, printing your name and address on it and mailing it to us, we will send you the information you want. We did if for you this time. Let us know if the system works.

SUPPORT FROM S.C.

I was pleased to hear about your publication. I have subscribed to Sinclair User but found it difficult to use because it is written for the United Kingdom. I am looking forward to receiving your publication.

Sandra H. Bonner
Spartanburg, S.C.

Well, thank you, Sandra! We agree that North American T/S 1000/ZX81 users deserve a magazine of their own. There sure of enough of us. We hope we live up to the high standards of our U.K. cousin, Sinclair User. Let us know if there is any special type of articles you would like to see. Till then, happy programming!

RAMIFICATIONS

Can the Timex Sinclair 16K RAM be used directly with the Sinclair ZX81? I need to know because the T/S 16K RAM is available in my local store.

Joseph J. Wiedmann
Springfield, Virginia

Yes! The T/S 16K RAM is completely compatible with the ZX81. For more information take a look at our review of some RAM packs in the June issue (In Search of a Golden Memory, page 12), Let us know what new and wonderful things you do with your 16K RAM.

ON THE 2040

I am a subscriber to your magazine, Will using the silverized electrosensitive paper in my Timex 2040 printer harm the unit? Should I wait until the plain type of Timex paper is available?

Ernest Weaver
Ashland, Maine

Glad you’re a subscriber, Ernest! About your paper problem — yes the electrosensitive paper will harm your unit. The Timex Sinclair 2040 printer is designed to accept special paper. See our review of the T/S 2040 in this issue.

PRICING RAMS

I bought a Sinclair in a kit ($100] and married it to a keyboard. Now I desperately want to expand to 16K. I used to see them advertised for $49 but that was a year ago. Can you assist? Thanks,

Robert D Evins
South Gate, California

We did a quick “thumb-through” of our premier issue and found many companies were advertising 16K, 32K and 48K RAM packs. The prices range from $41.50 to over $150. Like the saying tells us, “You pays your money and you lakes your choice.”

COSMOS REVISITED

I was concerned that the recent review of our program Cosmos (May, Software) indicated there is a bug in the program.

There is no bug in Cosmos. The problem was related to a poor quality tape reproduction error. In an effort to maintain strict quality control procedures, Mindware is bringing all tape production in-house.

Rod Haden
Natick, Massachusetts

Thanks for the letter. We tried the new samples you sent us, Rod, and they’re great? No problems! No bugs! We certainly agree that quality control is essential in the reproduction of cassette programs. After playing Cosmos (we couldn’t get our reviewer to stop) we now give it a three-star rating.