More Timex Sinclair

Dust off the modem, in just a few short weeks as the temperature cools, telecomputing activity zooms to new heights. Each year fall and winter months set new precedents in telecommunicating as the leaves change and a young mans fancy turns to (indoor sports).

Interestingly enough, new and exciting TS BBSs, and BBSs with TS SIGs continue to spring up. You will find a current list of those numbers in this article in addition to a review of BBS software. As always—additional reviews, tips and user support.

Willie Jones and Paul Holmgren (both principals in the 1987 TS Fest) have created an exciting BBS program that runs on the unexpanded TS 2068. The program is currently on-line running the Indiana Sinclair/Timex User’s Group BBS at (317) 898-3903. ISTUG was formed by fest organizer Frank Davis following the successful Cincinnati Fest.

The program grew out of experimenting with Tinyboard. In the usual Sinclair (let’s see what I can do with this) determination, and countless hours of design, testing, rewriting and debugging, they have produced a fast and functional program that anyone can utilize.

The BBS program features a real time clock that advances itself at midnight, a 40 message-message base, a quick message scan feature, users log, and instant printout of log-ons and sysop messages. Unfortunately, there have been no provisions made for up/downloads, although Willie tells me he is working on that revision now.

Very thorough documentation accompanies the program that details step by step how to make necessary changes to customize your BBS. At this writing the program is available for $16 from Willie Jones, 10126 E 33rd St., Indianapolis, IN 46236. Or call (317) 897-9225-VOICE. Mention that you read about it in the Computer Shopper and he will ship for only $14 complete.

Also before beginning a new season of telecommunicating—a few tips. If you have a TS 2040 printer and a 2050 modem, you will notice that the ribbon and cable lengths restrict their placement next to your computer. Naturally most folks will place the printer on top of the modem to conserve space, but a word of warning. In case you haven’t noticed, leaving the printer on for any extended period will heat up the modem (the original cases have no ventilation holes) and the modem may lock up on you. If this happens simply disconnect the printer and modem, and place the modem in a cool spot. If you’re unlucky you’ll have to go chip shopping. Periodically remove and check all connections to ensure a clean contact.

In order to make Mterm more user friendly, here’s a helpful suggestion from the Hampton Roads newsletter. It’s very easy to mistake (E)rase buffer for the (E)xit to basic command, wiping out your buffer. This short program changes the on screen prompt from Exit to basic to Quit to basic:

POKE 54510,81 = “Q”
POKE 59569,81 = “Q”
POKE 59575,113 = “q”
POKE 59576,117 = “u”

Save as Mterm code 54016, 9218.

I have included a comprehensive listing of TS BBSs and BBSs.

As always, please refer to the Computer Shoppers BBS list each month for changes, updates and new listings—and please dial carefully.

Most BBSs now offer expanded services and QL bases. If it’s been a while since you have logged onto a system, you’ll generally be pleased with the constant changing and upgrading. There is an awful lot of good public domain programs on-line.

While the best policy is to just jump in and get your feet wet, I will always recommend picking up a copy of Pete Fischer & Steve Ishii’s Guide to T/S Telecommunications. The guide provides an in-depth look at set up, log-on, up and down loads as well as etiquette and the story behind each BBS.

I have recently noticed the number of uploads for our computers to CompuServe has dwindled. In fact the only categories that continue to grow are RLE graphics and the QL materials available. For us to continue to grow and exchange ideas, more quality BBSs are needed. Starting one up isn’t that difficult. There are a number of fine BBS programs available or quite simply contact an existing BBS in your area and suggest adding a TS SIG if there is available disk space. Generally a SYSOP will be receptive to the suggestion provided they recieve continued support.

For Spectrum owners, a few programs worth noting. First Trivial Pursuit. Very true to the original board game and with enough visuals to keep it interesting, however I must mention that as it’s of English origin, many of the questions concern European topics. Now since my wife was born in London, I must say that the gameplay was rather lopsided. I think that for once she actually began to refer to my computer rather affectionately.

All in all, Trivial Pursuit is a fine game, and if you regard it as an educational experience it’s a good investment.

Another example of this cultural clash is Pub Games for the Spectrum computer. The package is a compendium of pub games from abroad; bar billiards, table football, dominoes, pontoon, poker and skittles. Unless you have a rule book handy or are familiar with the games, the documentation is very weak.

Again while I enjoyed both tapes, it does take a rather rare bloke to fully appreciate them. Both are available from Curry Computer Company, (602) 978-2902.1 must also add that I feel that Rob & Debbie Curry do an outstanding job in obtaining a wide variety of quality programs from abroad.

User Tips And News

As you may already know. Sir Clives latest from the Cambridge Computer Company is available. The Z88 Laptop PC is available by mail order for around $300. The unit weighs in at less than two pounds and the PC’s dimensions are approximately 11 1/2″ x 8 1/4″, and features a Z80 CPU with 128K ROM. Advance reviews indicate that the keys are slightly smaller and styled while it also offers an expansion bus, RS 232 port, and ports for ROM/RAM cartridges for storage and memory expansion.

Also unique is the Epson liquid crystal 100 column by 8 line display and the fact that the PC is IBM compatible. Watch for additional hands on reviews here as soon as I get my (hands on)…

For QL owners this month a few tips to pass along. In order to switch from TV to monitor display—POKE 163890, 0:NEW. To switch from monitor to TV POKE 163890,127: NEW.

When writing in superbasic on the QL, to switch from upper case to lower case POKE 163976,0. Then to switch from lower case to upper case POKE 163976, (any other number). And finally to the caps lock mode POKE 163976,65535.

Here is another technique to try when you want to stop the screen from scrolling (although this is not documented), type CNTRL and F5 at the same time, to start the screen in motion again hit any key.

As always keep an eye here on the Computer Shopper as we continue to grow and offer Sinclair, Spectrum and Amstrad owners with the very latest in gossip, reviews, tips, techniques and information.

Timex/Sinclair users are invited to use the new Computer Shopper Group on Delphi. We intend to give you folks a section in the database on the Forum. There will also be Timex/Sinclair Conferences. We intend to make the Delphi Group more exciting than any other for all users of Classic Computers. So come on in. The Computer Shopper Group is the place to find out all about your favorite machines. Stan Veit the WASWIZ of CEMSIG is the Chief SYSOP and he promises you a great group.