Timex Sinclair Survival Column

As Sinclair owners, we start 1985 in quite a different position than we were in at the beginning of 1984. At that time, Timex had just made the T/S 2068 available, and was promising to support it to the hilt. We were all looking forward to Timex’s modem, 80 column printer, solid state software, and, most of all, microdrives.

Now, one year later, Timex is out of the picture except for the name which adorns our computers. However, the picture is not as bleak as many would have you believe. While it is true that Times is no longer producing anything for the computer, the third party developers have come on strong and even now, ten months after Timex’s withdrawal, new compatibles are being introduced.

Two such software packages, originally contracted for by Timex, have been licensed and released for the T/S 2068. Both programs were developed by Micro-Systems, Inc., and are versions of programs also available for the TRS-80 and IBM PC. Timex, having developed a sophisticated computer, wanted software that could utilize the true capacity of the unit, and contracted with Micro-Systems to adapt two of their programs to run on the T/S 2068. The original plan was for the software to be released as Command Cartridges. Let’s look at them one at a time.

The first is a word processing program called MSCRIPT. This program utilizes the 64 column capability of the T/S 2068. Written entirely in machine code, MSCRIPT is very fast, and includes the features that are most desired in a word processing package. Designed to work with the AERCO Centronics interface, MSCRIPT prints to a full size printer rather than the T/S 2040 printer. It comes in a vinyl case containing three tapes—a program tape and two others. Also included in the case is a 70 page user’s manual.

The program LOADs in two parts; a title page and then the main portion of the program. Once LOADed, you see the main text entry/edit screen. This screen is black with a flashing “C” cursor in the upper left hand corner, and a line of information along the bottom. When the program first starts, this screen is set to a 64 column window, with 22 lines from top to bottom. Line 23 shows you the current TAB settings. The 24th line displays the current cursor position- within the window, the actual column the cursor is in (the line length is not limited to the 64 columns displayed on screen) and the actual line within the document. This line also reminds you how to access the HELP menu.

Most of your composing and editing will take place on the main screen, with the majority of the editing functions available without switching screens. MSCRIPT features a full screen editor which allows you to move the cursor (via the T/S 2068’s four arrow keys- CAPS SHIFT 5, 6, 7, & 8) to the position of the desired changes, and just overtype the existing text. Often, this is the extent of the required changes. If, however, you must insert more text than you have room for, you must open up an insert block into which you can type (on screen) as much as is necessary. To do this, you must press FUNCTION-I. Since the T/S 2068 does not have a FUNCTION key, it is replaced by depressing both the CAPS SHIFT and the SYMBOL SHIFT keys at the same time, and then the letter key indicated. The majority of the editing functions may be accessed in this manner. Pressing FUNCTION-H will show you the list of FUNCTIONS that are available to you.

Writing with MSCRIPT is quite easy. To get started all you do is type. Words that don’t fit on a line are automatically moved to the next line—so rapidly that you do not have to pay any attention to make sure that the program is keeping up with you. Although I am not a speed demon when it comes to typing, I have lost characters while using other word processing software. This has never occurred using MSCRIPT. In fact, one of the few complaints I do have with this software is the fact that the auto-repeat on the space bar is so sensitive that I often have to delete extra unwanted spaces. When you reach the end of a paragraph, or other block of text, pressing the ENTER key takes you to the next line, leaving a backslash (\) to indicate a carriage return.

The more sophisticated editing features are accessed directly from the text entry/edit screen using the FUNCTION simulation. FUNCTION-B allows you to mark the beginning and/or the end of a block of text. This block can be reproduced and/or inserted at any point in the text, or deleted with a single keystroke. FUNCTION-U causes marked blocks to be unmarked. FUNCTION-T moves the cursor to the first line of the document, while FUNCTION-E moves the cursor to the last line of the document. FUNCTION-I opens an insert block for your additional text, and FUNCTION-M merges two blocks of text. The FUNCTION-I / FUNCTION- M combination is probably the most used set of editing features. When an insert block is opened, and text is added, the merge function brings the text back together again.

Another powerful feature of MSCRIPT is the ability to embed printer codes within the text of the document. Printer codes are the codes that a computer transmits to the printer causing it to change the style of print (italics, double width, etc.), or perform certain tasks see your printer’s manual for its unique abilities). Since each printer has its own set of codes, MSCRIPT allows you to define them, and use the codes for your specific printer. This is accomplished using the FUNCTION-G combination. MSCRIPT comes with two printer instructions built in. These cause the text to double strike, or be underlined. You may want to compare this method of underlining with the underlining you get by im- bedding codes, as the MSCRIPT underline is a series of unconnected underlines, while your printer might be capable of an uninterrupted style.

Other FUNCTION codes are explained in the manual, but one important one, that only applies to. T/S 2068, is FUNCTION-8. Although the manual is well-written, and very easy to understand, it was not specifically written for the T/S computer. The first page of the manual explains the Timex adaptations of the FUNCTION key and COMMAND key, but one application seems to have slipped past. That is the ability to utilize the TAB functions. Even though the full use of TABs are well explained, including the setting of the TABs, the TAB keyword on the Timex is inaccessable, and the replacement function is not mentioned. In a recent telephone conversation with Micro-Systems, the mystery was solved. The CAPS SHIFT / SYMBOL SHIFT combination used with the right cursor arrow (found on the “8” key) accomplishes the TAB. This is the only fault I found with the manual, which is an excellent document for both the experienced word processor, as well as the complete word processing novice.

You may also set or change many printing parameters directly from the text entry/edit screen. You may change the line length, left margin, justification, centering, and much more by simply making the proper entries on the screen. You can insert headers, footers, and page numbering as well. Changing the format is so quick and easy that you will not hesitate to format your document for fear of complicated procedures. A few editing procedures do occur from a screen designated the MSCRIPT Command Menu. From here, you have a number of abilities available to you. The command Menu is the place from which you LOAD and SAVE your documents. If you often send form letters that are created by putting together a number of stock paragraphs (boilerplate), you can load them one after another by using the APPEND DOCUMENT command. Suppose you find that you have misspelled a word throughout your document, and you want to correct it at each occurrence. You would use the FIND STRING command, followed by the CHANGE STRING command. This replaces all occurrences of the old string with the new string (global search and replace). The manual gives you some interesting uses for this feature. You can set the TAB positions from the Command Menu, or change the width of the window on which you can make your entries. This does not affect the width of your printout, but makes it easier to visualize your final document. You can set your window to a length of up to 230 columns, and when the cursor reaches the edge of the window, the text scrolls automatically. I have found, however, that in order to actually see how your final document will appear, you have to set the window to one column more than the number of columns on the printed page. The Command Menu also allows you to restart the program entirely.

This screen also gives you some information about the current status of your document: Memory used (this column used 16770); Memory free (starts at 18439): Window size: Word count; Line count; Current document (name). The status of the TABs set is shown on the bottom, as it is on the text entry/edit screen. You access this menu by pressing CAPS SHIFT and BREAK. A word of advice here-depress the CAPS SHIFT key before the BREAK so you avoid causing a space on the text entry/edit screen which would occur by pressing the BREAK key alone.

The final screen is the MSCRIPT Print Menu. The current print values are shown, and may be changed from this menu. (Remember that they may also be changed from within the text of the document.) The parameters you may set from here are justification (yes/no); page length; left margin; line spacing; single sheet (yes/no); page spacing: line length; and page number. Pressing ENTER causes the document to be sent to the printer. MSCRIPT comes with the AERCO print driver built in.

The complaints I have about MSCRIPT are few, and minor. The excellent manual compliments this program well. Of the many word processing packages available for the T/S 2068, this has to rate at the top of the list. (I have heard good things about Tasword II, but since I have never seen a copy, I cannot comment here.) MSCRIPT is available from 21st Century Electronics (6813 Polk Street; Guttenberg, NJ 07093: (201) 869-2616.

The second program by Micro-Systems was one of the most eagerly awaited for the T/S 2068. When Timex went out of the computer market, the modem became available through Westridge Communications. It came with what became known as SMART TERMINAL I software. This was the basic software needed to communicate with other computers. Lacking in this package was the ability to store telephone numbers, or upload (send the contents of a buffer to another computer) and download (store what another computer is sending to you in a buffer). Timex had planned to release a Command Cartridge with these capabilities- SMART TERMINAL II. Today, Anchor Automation holds the license to market the modem and both of these programs. When the modem was made available, it came with the SMART I software, and most people anxiously awaited the arrival of SMART II. After months of delay (we were told that the “manual was being written), it was finally released. Unlike the SMART I program which had an easy to understand manual, SMART II had a manual which did not explain any of the new features. With SMART II, you now could upload and download text and programs, but the only reference to utilizing this ability was in one line which says; “The buffer controls listed above are self-explanatory.” The entire use of the conversion routine is summed up on the same page in the following manner; “There is also a HEX. REM, NONE conversion routine.” I certainly could not determine the use of these features from those instructions, and by the mail and online messages I was receiving. I was not alone. The manual stated that if there were any questions on the use of the software, to contact Micro-Systems, and a telephone number (incorrect)was given. A telephone call to Micro-Systems produced the following results.

Micro-Systems is NOT supporting SMART II. It seems that when they were originally contracted Timex to write the software, they had a good deal in which they received a per sale royalty. When Timex gave up, they licensed the software to Anchor for a one time license fee, with no royalty agreement. Anchor, however, did not purchase support, and as such, Micro-Systems will not train their technical staff in the use of the T/S 2068. Only Mark Lautenschlager (general manager) and Steve Pagliarulo (author of SMART I & II, as well as MSCRIPT) are familiar with the T/S 2068. However, Micro-Systems is not to be looked at as the villain in this, as they have indeed done much to alleviate our problems. An offer was made to Anchor to have two of their technical staff fly to Micro-Systems to be trained in the use of the software. In addition, Jim Warren of Anchor has been designated to act as liaison between the two companies, and he can call Micro-Systems with any problems, and have his questions answered. If you have a question about the program, you should call Jim Warren, since the responsibility of support rests with Anchor.

Yet, Micro-Systems is offering a good deal of support even though their official line is (rightfully) that it is not their responsibility. Micro-Systems operates a BBS on which exists a Timex sub-board (Section 2). You may access this board and ask questions about the opera- tion of the program. Your questions will be answered by Steve Pagliarulo. There are also a number of T/S 2068 programs which you may download. The telephone you are calling a system that uses prompts, and wish to utilize this feature, you then enter the proper character. You may find, however, that you will have to transmit the initial prompt as you may have missed the host system’s transmission when you are out of terminal mode. Finally you will be asked for a delay speed. You may have to experiment a bit since sending too fast may cause problems including taking you offline. When you have responded to these questions, press ENTER twice to return to terminal mode, and the data will then be transmitted. There you have it, the story of two programs by the same author; one well documented and looking like the excellent program that it is. The other -very poorly documented caus- ing problems for whoever buys it. (Mterm-the true name of SMART II- for the T/S 2068 is more powerful, with a larger buffer than its counterpart for the IBM-PC.) This is a very dramatic demonstration of the importance of proper documentation.