Well, now you know that SWN is among the publications that survived the Timex “crash.” Thank God that we’re not the only one, though; we are extremely fortunate to have several respectable publications that still support “our” machines, But first, who didn’t make it? At the top of the list, of course, is SYNC Magazine. Ziff-Davis is trying to get you to switch your subscriptions to either “Creative Computing” or “Computers and Electronics.” I should mention, however, that recent issues of both have been disappointing to Sinclair/Timex users, It seems that ZD has dropped the “line” like a hot potato. If you haven’t committed yourself yet, I suggest asking for a refund, since the options they give you don’t provide what you paid for, and that is support for your machines. If you have traded your Sync subscription for one of the others, write to the editor of that mag and tell him in no uncertain terms that you WANT ZX/TS support. Another “deadie” is Timex-Sinclair User magazine, though rumors still persist that it is being revived, (I doubt it, myself, and didn’t really find it all that great anyway.) TS USER (the newsletter) has also bombed, right after staunch assurances that it would continue, But that’s about it; the rest are still around, and determined as ever to keep on going. Following is a summary of some of the stillavailable publications. Why would I “plug” the “competition?” Quite simply, because we don’t view the others as competitors, rather as colleagues; ‘as I said before, no one publication can cover it all, and if you’re really serious you should support ALL of the sources listed. By pulling together and supporting each others’ efforts we ALL benefit.
- SYNTAX, The Harvard Group, Boulton Road, Harvard, MA 01451. This is the “Wall Street Journal” of the Sinclair-Timex world. They have been around since “day one,” and in spite of ups and downs over the years still continue to be the best barometer of Sinclair-related goings-on to be found anywhere. If you’re not a long-term Syntax subscriber, you should get “The Works” which includes every issue to date, plus the three issues of the ill-fated (unfortunate, as it was excellent) Syntax Quarterly magazine. You’ll need these issues of SQ as background to the upcoming John Oliger articles in SWN. Most of the “tricks” and programming tips we now take for granted first appeared in Syntax. Perhaps what I like most about it, though, is the quality of the journalism; you won’t find any half-baked rumors or “National Enquirer”-type stuff here. It may seem a little expensive, but when you look at what it must cost to maintain world-wide information sources, etc. in addition to the usual expenses, it starts looking more reasonable.
- TS HORIZONS, 2002 Summit Street, Portsmouth, OH 45662. This is a relative “newcomer” to our field, appearing just shortly before the Timex withdrawal, I’m glad its publisher, Rick Duncan, decided to keep it going, as it’s a nice little mag at a very reasonable $12/year (12 issues) rate. Of all the survivors, this is the one most oriented toward beginners, though there are also “heavier” articles for the more experienced. TS Horizons has a pleasant, homey “air” about it, and provides a good offset to the rather formal flavor of Syntax.
- COMPUTER TRADER MAGAZINE, 1704 Sam Drive, Birmingham, AL 35235. [DO NOT confuse “the Trader” with “The Computer Shopper”; not the same thing at all.] This is by far my favorite of the generalinterest computing magazines. It is the friendliest, most informative publication available, and one which the flashy but fluffy mags “on the stands” would do well to emulate. It was started just a couple years back by Chet Lambert, and began as a small product flyer. Chet has since nurtured it into a 100+ page magazine, complete with color covers and the other “amenities.” Through it all, it has maintained a “grassroots” philosophy and a friendly attitude that doesn’t talk down at the reader. Most importantly, for our purposes, is that the magazine dedicates a good deal of space to Sinclair/Timex support. In the current issue (June 1984) there are six dedicated TS articles, as well as ads for aftermarket TS suppliers. Meanwhile, it will expose you to what is going on in the other micro “communities” (Atari, Apple, Commodore, Kaypro, TRS-80). Also, an emphasis on amateur radio makes this a great mag for the “hard-hacker” and the communications experimenter. A real bargain at $15 for 12 issues,
Besides the mags, there are many informative newsletters available. Most are published by User Groups, and VERY FEW, if any, ceased publication when Timex quit. In fact, there are probably MORE good newsletters available than there were a year ago. Subscribe to several of these; this is the best way I know to find out about new discoveries as they are being made. Some of my favorites are listed below.
- QZX, 2025 O’Donnell Drive, Las Cruces, NM 88001. (The Journal Covering Amateur Radio and Sinclair Computers.) Are you interested in communications using your ZX/TS? Well, QZX will show you how to do it. Morse code, RTTY (radio-teletype), calculations (antennas, filters, you name it), satellite tracking… it’s all there. There is of course a QZX net, on which you short-wave listeners might pick up some tips. Then, it won’t be long, if you aren’t a ham already, before you practice that ole Morse code and bone up for the FCC “ticket” to get on the net yourself. It’s custom-made for anyone wanting to communicate on the TS (and on a budget), If you’re a ham, and own a ZX/TS, you’ll find QZX worth many times its price of $15 per 12 issues, If you’re not a ham, but you like electronics, then you’ll still find a lot of “beef” here for your related projects (e.g. video, control, data transmission, etc.)
- TSUG Newsletter, c/o Doug Dewey, 206 James St., Carrboro, NC 27510. From the high-tech “Research Triangle” in North Carolina comes this info-packed general interest User-Group publication. This is is almost a model for others; the publication is professional but friendly, and often includes some fascinating surprises (enclosures provided by suppliers, samples of other publications, etc.). The TSUG organization is a “model,” also; in the interest of efficiency they have legally acquired Not-for-Profit status, part of the reason they can send you TSUG Newsletter at the low membership fee of $10/year.
- SYNAPSE, Central PA TS User Group, c/o Bill Russell, RD 1 Box 539, Centre Hall, PA 16828, If you’ve dealt with G. Russell Electronics, you’ve probably seen SYNAPSE, It’s one of the smaller periodicals, but don’t let its small size fool you. These guys manage to cram more real content in 8 half-size pages than some mags put into 200 pages of fluff. Still one of my favorites, Subscription; $12 per year (12 issues) plus this gets you on GRE’s mailing list.
- LIST, Long Island Sinclair-Timex Group, c/o Paul Donnelly, 10 Idle Day Drive, Centerport NY 11721. This latest addition to the Sinclair-related newsletters has appeared for only a few issues so far, but I must say I’m impressed. Under the leadership of Paul Donnelly, it provides excellent support for the more advanced as well as the beginning user. As an example of the quality of material to expect, see Paul’s review of the ENER Z board in this issue. Another of Paul’s articles appears in the next issue; and since in the publishing world “reprinting is the sincerest form of flattery,” you should already know what I think of Mr. Donnelly’s work. Subscriptions to L.I.S.T. Newsletter is $12/year and includes membership in the group.
The following publications are either magazines or newsletters, and have been added “after the fact” to this list, to provide even more choices for you. Contact them for more information about their content, etc.-ed.
- CATS, PO Box 725, Bladensburg, MD 20710. $12.00/yr.
- SUM, 3224 NW 30th Ave., Gainesville, FL 32605. $12.00/yr.
- BASIC Computer Programs, 3705 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL 33137. $12.95/yr bi-monthly.
- Sincus News, PO Box 523, Owego, NY 13827
- Time Designs, 29722 Hult Road, Colton, OR 97017. $3.00 for first issue.
- Timelinez, PO Box 1312, Pacifica, CA 94044, $12.00/yr.
That’s about all the space we have this time, We’ll continue to keep you informed of other periodicals in future issues; meanwhile, if you have a newsletter, send us a copy for our reports and reviews. By the way, you may notice that my “list of favorites” is very close to the one in a similar article in our pilot issue over a year ago; fancy that! Small world, eh?