It’s sad but true that the ZX81/TS1000 machines tend to be sensitive to overheating in the summer. With a solderless mod, you can in most cases cure the “summertime blues.” No, there’s no drilling and carving involved either. Most overheating problems can be attributed to the “workhorse” chip, or ULA (Uncommitted Logic Array) that co-ordinates
Let’s start our series on T/S reliability improvement with some simple but effective ways to make your basic machine virtually crashproof. If you’ve been using your machine for a while you’ve probably had times when the computer suddenly dies and nothing short of starting over will bring it back. I won’t belabor how annoying this
It’s a snap to connect an Atari-type joystick to the ZX81/TS1000; all it takes is direct connection to the keyboard lines. The problem with this is that only certain combinations are possible, and you cannot hook it up so that the joystick controls the “arrow” keys 5-8; as a result, software written for the computer,
Software Compatible Joystick Read More »
When it comes right down to it, there’s not much the ZX/TS computers can be criticized for. The commonest complaints about the machine are that, by its construction, it is quite prone to crashing (often at a very wrong time) as a result of physical movement. RAM packs are a prime candidate, or anything else
Well, folks, we were scooped by James Grosjean in SYNC magazine on the planned subject for this issue. So I’ll refer you to SYNC 3:5 page 80 for all kinds of nifty ways (some of which I hadn’t thought of) to save memory in your programs. We can thus go on to the next step
Of Flags and Strings and Other Things Read More »
One of the big advantages of the T/S machine is also one of its disadvantages; its five-byte floating point binary numbers allow for 10-place decimal accuracy, but take more space to store than four-byte numbers, What’s more, its BASIC uses floating point numbers, allowing calculated GOTO/GOSUB, FOR/NEXT in fractional steps, and other nifty things, But
Numbers Are No No’s Read More »
An important consideration in programming personal computers is memory economy. Unlike the big main-frames that offer virtually unlimited storage, you have only a limited RAM space at your ready disposal. Anyone who’s tackled a large project knows just how small 16K can seem. Fortunately, there are a few relatively “mechanical” techniques you can use to
The Memotech WP “Memotext” is the best one I’ve seen for the ZX81/TS1000 to date (and as of Thanksgiving, 1984, still is-ed.); after owning one for some time I can’t imagine life without it. Unfortunately, Memotech only provides the bare minimum of documentation and support needed to get your system working; there is little or
So, now that we can do screen dumps and engage the various printer control functions, how about a word processor? Sorry folks, but this is where your BASIC fails you utterly. It is just too slow for most people, especially if there is any input checking. So while there have been several valiant attempts at
A ‘CAVEMAN’ Wordprocessor Read More »
If you took the trouble to enter an alternate conversion table as described in the last issue, you already have the most of what it takes to do a screen dump. The BASIC “DEMO” listing below, shows the required subroutine at lines 7000-7120. Whenever you want a copy of the screen printed out, GOSUB 7000
In this series of articles, I’ll try to give you some information to help you use your printer system “to the max.” We’ll start with a discussion of the ASCII character set, and follow with some information about the Memotech Centronics Interface (CIF) which will demonstrate rudimentary methods of controlling the operation of your printer,
Controlling Your Printer Read More »
