• Tag Archives Sinclair

  • Sinclair User (April 1982)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: Sinclair User – Issue Number 1 – April 1982

    Sinclair produced a very popular line of computers in the U.K. starting with the ZX-80 then the ZX-81 and finally the ZX Spectrum. There were a couple of other more enhanced Spectrums afterwards but those had limited success. This is the first issue of Spectum User which was one of the major magazines in the U.K. dedicated to those computers. In 1982 it was just the ZX-80 and ZX-81. The April 1982 issue includes:

    • Sinclairvoyance – An introduction to the magazine and speculation about what is ahead for Sinclair computers.
    • Software Scene – New software this month includes 3D Labyrinth, a maze game requiring the 16K RAM expansion to play on the ZX-81; two new bargain collections of software on tape that will run in the default 1K of the ZX-81 including a collection of games (Laser Blast, Alien Crawler, Ghost Hunt and Torpedo) and a collection of more productive software (Bank Budget and Car Log); a ZX-81 version of Monopoly; a new programming language called Window Language; a faster version of Defender from Quicksilva; a new chess game called ZXchess II; and more.
    • Hardware World – New hardware this month includes a kit for preventing screen flicker with the ZX-80; the ZX-99 expansion which adds the ability to connect four tape recorders and adds a RS323C port; a variety of add-ons from Quicksilva including a 3K RAM expansion, a sound board, programmable graphics board and more; an add-on kit that allows sound to be routed to your TV via the RF modulator; an improved keyboard; a more reliable tape recorder for data; a 32K RAM expansion; and more.
    • Inside Sinclair – An interview with the person responsible for technical support for the 250,000 ZX-81 owners.
    • Microfair Mania – The ZX Microfair is a two day event featuring 70 exhibitors and 7,000 attendees.
    • Starting From Scratch – A guide for new owners of the ZX-81. It covers setup, some info about BASIC, saving programs and more.
    • Helpline – Technical questions answered about memory addressing and reusing the same data with multiple programs.

    • School Spot – A look at how ZX-81s are being used in schools across the U.K.
    • Eight Pages of Programs – Eight type-in programs including: Intercept, a simpler version of Missile Command for the ZX-80; Star Swerver, a game for the ZX-81 in which you must steer your spaceship around the stars; Square Root, a program for solving square roots on the ZX-81; Graph Plotter, a program for the ZX-81 capable of plotting curves when given a formula; Othello, a computerized Othello/Reversi for the ZX-81; Blackjack for the ZX-81; and Old Forty-niner, a version of draughts on a 7×7 board for the ZX-81.
    • Business – How one person turned their ZX-81 into a business machine by adding 16K RAM, printer, tape recorder for data storage, and a better keyboard among other things.
    • Conversion – An article on how to convert your programs from the ZX-80 to the ZX-81. Mostly this involves having enough memory and converting and PEEKs and POKEs that address memory directly.
    • Books – A look at some books for ZX-80/81 owners including “Getting Acquainted with Your ZX81”, “Stretching Your ZX81 or ZX80 to its Limits”, “The ZX81 Pocket Book”, “The ZX81 Companion”, and others.
    • Software Overview – An overview of some of the best commercial software currently available on the market.
    • Hardware Overview – Same as above, except for hardware.
    • Competition – A competition in which you can write a program for a chance to win a super Sinclair printer.
    • Prestel – British Telecom sponsor a competition to develop the best Prestel adapter for the ZX-81. Prestel was a service for downloading programs.
    • Mind Games – A look at computer chess on the ZX-81 in the first article of a regular column that will cover games that make you think.

    …and more!


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  • Sync (January/February 1981)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: Sync – Volume 1, Number 1 – January/February 1981

    The Sinclair line of computers was extremely popular in the U.K. during the 1980s in part due to their low price. They also made their way to the U.S. via Timex but failed to achieve much success. While the the first Sinclair computer, the ZX80 was very cheap at the time, it was also very limited with only 1K of memory and a membrane keyboard among other limitations. Commodore’s VIC-20 was introduced only a year later as another inexpensive competitor. While it was somewhat more expensive than the ZX-80, at least initially, it had far superior built in sound and graphics capabilities and more RAM (though the CPU was slower, at least for some things). The VIC-20 would go on to be the first computer to sell 1 million units.

    Despite the limited success of Sinclair computers in the U.S., they would still have a couple of magazines that covered them. Sync is one of those and the January/February 1981 issue includes:

    • Interview With Clive Sinclair – The man behind Sinclair computers. In addition to the ZX80 and future computer products, he also mentions flat-screen TV technology though he is still referring to CRT technology.
    • Sinclair ZX80 – A detailed review of the ZX80. Being a magazine dedicated to the machine I’m not sure it is really impartial. The key technical specs are a 3.25MHz Z80 CPU and 1KB of RAM.
    • Building a MicroAce – The MicroAce was a ZX80 clone that, at least initially, came in kit form. This article takes you through the steps to build it.
    • Hurkle – A type-in game for the ZX80 in which you must find a beast called a hurkle in a 10×10 grid. You are given a direction after each guess.
    • Converting From Other Basics – BASIC was not the same on all machines the the ZX80 in particular had a more limited BASIC than most computers. This article explains how to translate some missing commands into something that can be used on the ZX80.
    • Editorial – Unsurprisingly, a bright future predicted for the ZX80.
    • Dealing Out a Conversion – Details on how to convert a BASIC program (a card game originally published in a Book by Creative Computing) into something that will work on the ZX80.

    • Nicomacus – A type-in program that implements a mathematical puzzle called a “boomerang” (the computer guesses the number you are thinking of).
    • A Weekend With the ZX80 – From setup to running software to programming.
    • The SYNC Challenge – SYNC challenges readers to rewrite Hammurabi from Creative Computing’s “BASIC Computer Games” so that it will work on the 1K ZX80.
    • Crash Cursor – Origin – Intro to a comic strip to be featured in SYNC.
    • Castle Doors – A type-in program that gives you a sort of randomized adventure.
    • Draw a Picture – A type-in program that gives you a simple drawing program for the ZX-80.
    • Dollars & Cents, Pounds & Pence – A type-in educational program that test the students ability the add currencies.
    • LED Load Monitor – When loading programs from cassette tape, the appropriate volume setting had to be figured out by trial and error. This tutorial shows you how to install a couple of LEDs that light up when the level is correct making this a bit easier.
    • New Peripherals for the ZX80 – New items for the ZX80 include mention of a 3″ CRT and a new 8K Basic ROM.
    • 30 Programs for the ZX80 – A Review – A book with 30 type-in programs for the ZX80.
    • Linsac’s Game Packs – A Review – A review of two game packages that each consist of 6 to 7 games.
    • Resources for ZX80 and MicroAce – A list of currently available products for the ZX-80.

    …and more!


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  • Timex Sinclair User – Issue Number 3

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: Timex Sinclair User – Issue Number 3

    The Sinclair ZX81 and Spectrum were extremely popular computers in the U.K. during the 1980s and even early 1990s. However, while there were variations of those machines released in the U.S. by Timex, they were sometimes incompatible, had relatively limited software compared to other machines like the Commodore 64, Apple II and TRS-80 and only had very limited success. Timex Sinclair User was a magazine dedicated to these machines and issue number 3 includes:

    • Timexpectations – Software Blues
    • Letters – On U.K. imports, tape recorders, 16K RAMS and the new 2040
    • Software – 3D-Orbiter, Galaxia, ZX-Data Finder and other programs reviewed
    • Cover: T/S Goes to Camp – Ellen Vanstone reports on computer camps that offer the T/S 1000
    • Books – Four colorful, inviting, fun-filled books from Usborne
    • In-Depth – Fred Blechman previews the prototype of the 2000, the Spectrum
    • Focus – Timex Sinclair User rates home management software
    • Hardware 1 – The Timex Sinclair 2040 printer reviewed
    • How to Program – John Gilbert on simple ways of sorting data
    • Program Printout – Dice, Flashcard, Kingdom and five other exciting programs listed
    • Project – Build your own graphics generatorusing inexpensive components
    • U.K. Window – In Britain, prices continue to drop on Sinclair components
    • News – Timex is increasing after-sale support for its products
    • Hardware 2 – 6 Keyboards Compared: Which is the one for you?
    • Starting Out – Tips for beginners
    • Hints & Tips – Warren Smith prescribes ways to prevent overheating
    • Bulletin Board – News and information of interest to T/S users

    …and more!


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