64K RAM
Dear Editor:
I enjoy reading your magazine because of its great insight into the needs of its readers. You do a great job of providing information on the many uses and expansion possibilities of the TS1000, and you have done a marvelous job of giving inspiring suggestions for getting the most out of our simple yet powerful 2K computers. Some of your programs for those with 16K of power are really out of this world.
Yet I am at a loss to know how to feed my hungry 64K of computing power, and you can be sure I am not alone in this search for power. Many of us out here feel the TS1000 is as good as any other computer on the market, but we would like to know what we can do with our 64K RAM packs to make our computers operate more effectively.
George Bilokonsky
[address omitted]
Columbus, OH
“Using RAM Packs” in this issue is a start, and we would welcome other articles on the topic.
The ZTX-750 Transistor
Dear Editor:
I believe I have an answer for J. L. Peeler (SYNC 4:1). The equivalent transistor for the ZTX-750 or ZTX-752 may be Radio Shack’s RS-276-2032.
Stephen Wilson
[address omitted]
Linwood, NJ
Dear Editor:
I was able to purchase the Ferranti ZTX-750 PNP transistor (used in the voltage converter section of the 16K RAM schematic in SYNC 1:5) from Myco Vickers, 8040-3 Deering Ave., Canoga Park, CA 91304 (213/340-2043). Also I switched the BA221 rectifier with an 1R30S1.
Better yet, as suggested by David Ornstein, avoid the voltage converter altogether by using Intel 2118 5V RAMs (if you can find them; they are no longer being manufactured).
Spuh Poyn
[address omitted]
Van Nuys, CA
Say What
Dear Editor:
In “Say What” by Brad Bennett (SYNC 3:6) the seven lines 800-830 (the CLEAR FILES routine) can be replaced by one line 800 RUN. This is all that is needed to clear the variables. Not only will this save programming space, but the RUN command is much faster than the Basic routine. In place of the audio amplifier, I found that the tape recorder hookup described by Ron LeMon in “AUDISY” in the same issue works fine for either program.
Gregory T. Blocker
[address omitted]
Page, AZ
TS2068
Dear Editor:
WOW!
That’s my reaction to the TS2068.
However, a prediction: the TS1000 and 1500 are not dead, by any means. Those of us who are into computing tend to forget the mass market is looking for a feature/price ratio they like—and maybe they do not care about color and sound.
I intend to continue using my TS1000, though I have just gotten a TS2068, and will probably buy a TS1500 for developing programs for it and the TS1000; my kids will, I am sure, use the TS1000.
The conversion of one of my programs to run on the Apple IIe took more than 20 hours. The transfer to the TS2068 took four hours. Part of the difference is due to the need to store data on disks with the Apple, but part of it is due to the letter-by-letter entry of keywords, the lack of syntax checking on line entry, the loss of program data when a syntax error is encountered during a test run, and the need for extra symbols and letters such as LEN (A$) instead of the TS LEN A$. I have used the IBM PC, too, and it is not much better (if it is at all better) in this respect. Let’s hear it for Timex Sinclair Basic!
SYNC has far and away the most and best material for TS users. The general interest computer magazines tend to ignore it—their mistake, I think.
John G. Sandell
[address omitted]
Moorestown, NJ
Bulletin Boards
Dear Editor:
Are there any free bulletin boards out there that can be accessed by a modem such as the Byte-Back MD-1? Perhaps SYNC should publish of list of them including the phone number, the city location, the SYSOP name, and whether the board has uploading/downloading program capabilities.
Joseph Lavinus
[address omitted]
Arlington, VA
We will publish information on bulletin boards and services accessible by modems in our Resources Column. Full details should be sent to: “Resources.”