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Retro computing and gaming, sci-fi books, tv and movies and other geeky stuff.Hardware Manual and a query
https://www.megalextoria.com/forum2/index.php?t=rview&goto=128080&th=53562#msg_128080
Message-ID: <736@omsvax.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 9-Nov-83 16:30:28 EST
Article-I.D.: omsvax.736
Posted: Wed Nov 9 16:30:28 1983
Date-Received: Fri, 11-Nov-83 21:31:18 EST
Organization: Intel Corp, Hillsboro, OR
Lines: 57
I have a Timex/Sinclair 1000, and happened to pick up a little book that
has more hardware information in it than any other book I've seen (by the
way, I haven't seen the Explorer's Guide to the ZX81). It's titled 'The
Ins and Outs of the Timex TS 1000 & ZX 81', by Don Thomasson and subtitled
'A Hardware Manual for TS 1000 & ZX81'. The book is published by
Melbourne House.
The text on the back cover describes the contents of the book (reprinted
without permission, of course):
"THE INS AND OUTS OF THE TS1000/ZX81 contains the complete circuit
diagram of this amazing microcomputer, as well as a full discussion
of the unorthodox methods which are used in making this microcomputer
do what it does.
"Don Thomasson discusses the structure of the TS1000/ZX81, and how
you can add additional memory and expand its capabilities.
"The book also includes a number of projects which demonstrate the
potential of this microcomputer, from using it to control a model
train set, right through to connecting it to a printer."
This is the only book I've seen in bookstores that contains the
internals of the TS 1000/ZX81. It also gives plenty of information for
adding peripherals. I still can't believe where I found it: I was
browsing through the book section of the local K-MART! Even there, I
found the price a little steep ($11.95), but it seems to be worth it.
Since I've paid for my admission to this newsgroup with the above
information, I have a question I'd like to put to the readers here: Just
what do you people *do* with this "marvel of electronics design"?
(Quoted from the aforementioned hardware book.) I've owned one for a
year, and have yet to find any real use for it. I'd appreciate hearing
from someone who has come up with a purpose for owning a TS 1000/ZX81.
I'm not terribly interested in hearing about games on it; it seems as
though most *any* other micro would handle them better than the Sinclair
in terms of graphics and memory capabilities (although arguments against
this position are welcome, of course!).
If you do have a use for it, tell us about it, including any
hardware modifications you made and why.
I'd like to see the responses posted to the net, as this has been a
pretty dead newsgroup lately, but I will summarize and post any responses
mailed to me.
puck (never could spell that word right),
also known as Jerry Wheeler
Responses to:
ogcvax \
microso \ !omsvax!puck
uwvax /
hplabs /
]]>2013-10-11T22:11:07-00:00Re: Hardware Manual and a query
https://www.megalextoria.com/forum2/index.php?t=rview&goto=128081&th=53562#msg_128081
Message-ID: <365@hammer.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 29-Nov-83 18:50:55 EST
Article-I.D.: hammer.365
Posted: Tue Nov 29 18:50:55 1983
Date-Received: Thu, 1-Dec-83 04:52:42 EST
References: <736@omsvax.UUCP>
Organization: Tektronix, Wilsonville OR.
Lines: 13
I have been using my ZX81 as a doorstop. It does a very good job and
has not shattered from any impact. I highly recommend the ZX81 for
your doorstop needs.
It really makes me mad to think that I paid $200 for the ZX81 and
16K RAM pack and haven't used it for anything. Hell, I can't even
get it to load a tape half of the time.
BTW, I have a copy of Frogger (unused) and some other commercial programs
that I would like to sell cheap. Interested parties should contact
David Elliott
tektronix!tekecs!dce
]]>dce2013-10-11T22:11:07-00:00Re: Re: Hardware Manual and a query - (nf)
https://www.megalextoria.com/forum2/index.php?t=rview&goto=128086&th=53562#msg_128086
Message-ID: <592@inmet.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 9-Dec-83 22:46:49 EST
Article-I.D.: inmet.592
Posted: Fri Dec 9 22:46:49 1983
Date-Received: Sun, 11-Dec-83 01:14:36 EST
Lines: 9
#R:hammer:-36500:inmet:6300001:000:229
inmet!alpert Dec 2 11:09:00 1983
What should make you even madder is that the Timex/Sinclair
TS1000 (newer version of the ZX81) has been selling for
around $15.00. (I saw this personally not long ago at a local
computer store in Tewksbury, MA).
Bob Alpert
]]>alpert2013-10-11T22:11:07-00:00