OOOO The Boston Computer Society

SINCLAIR-TIMEX USER GROUP NEWSLETTER

Volume = Issue 4

Very Late April 1984

A common recreation among pro- grammers has been the one-liner; a short program structures so as to be complete with only one line

number. Indeed, the number is only

necessary to allow LISTing. Since

Sinclair BASIC allows lines of any

length up to the limits of memory, the challenge is not as great as when characters per line are lim- ited to 88, as in PET BASIC, for example. However, one must still structure each one liner to make maximum use of IF/THEN and FOR/ NEXT plus other BASIC routines while avoiding GOTO and GOSUB.

This one line program produces a surprising variety of displays and also illustrates the animation possibilities of the OVER command on the T/S 2068. Let's have some more of these!

ONE-LINERS page 7

MARCH HIGHLIGHTS

Group Director Sue Mahoney opened the March meeting with a description of membership in the Beston Computer Society. For those non-member readers out there, BCS menbership is $24 a year. Members receive a subscription to the society’s bimonthly magazine “The Computer Update", membership in all BCS user and special interaat groups, subscriptions to any two of those group’s newsletters, as well as access to a variety of discounts and special member programs. To join oer for more detailed information call 36é7- @0680 or write: BCS, One Center Plaza, Boston, MA 02108.

Marty Warner—Dubay, formerly of Timex and now with Timex retailer Games to Learn By, reported to the group about the condition of the Timex community. Among many interesting observations, she estimated that 45-50 thousand TS2068’s had been sold by then, 10-15 thousand more were in Timex’s warehouse, and that 90,000 were still at the factory in Korea. Games to Learn By can be reached at 413-268-7505 in Williamsburg, MA.

HIGHLIGHTS page 3

3

(OCS The Boston Computer Society

Annual membership in The Boston Computer Society includes all mailings from two user/special interest groups (attendance at monthly meetings 1s unlimited) Ol Regular (1 yea:). $24

Ol Regular (2 year). $45

O Regular @ year}, $62

Ci Youth (under 18). $15

OD Overseas. $48

OG Sustainng. $120 O Corporate, $200

CJ Lifetime, $2000

O Family, $36

Sign me up for these special interes: grouy CApple/Boston PA iccntoan U Atari Cc

= Commodore GOhie Scientitic

11 Digital Equipment OOsbome

U Displaywriter J 9trona

LU 80/Boston (TRS-80) inelait/Timex

1 Hewlett-Packard ‘Litexas Instruments OIBM PC AVictor

N Kaypro Oother

Sign me up tor these special interest groups: C Artificial Intelligence O Medical/Dental

Business O Pascal

‘CO Consultanis/Entrepreneurs CReat Estate

OCPM Oi Roboties

C Database O Science & Engineering O Education Social Impact

CO FamilyHome O Telecommunications OGraphies C Taining/Documentation OiInvestment OUNK kC

OLegal Other

Gogo

> Center Plaza Boston, Massachusetts 02108

*#* ZX PRO/FILE *** a 16K+ file manager for the Timex

ZX PRO/FILE is a machine language data base that gives you tremendous versatility:

*instant access to any file stored in memory *files of any size in the same program cun *single or multiple word search capabilities *ordered file displays ° *comprehensive programmable printer functions

A 59 page manual comes with the cassette. In it are complete instructions, examples, directions for upgrading to larger memories, modifications, program listings, and a detailed exptanation of how the program works. There's even an intro- duction to machine coding for beginners.

ZX PRO/FILE is the best file manager you can get for your Timex. In fact, users report that it provides data handling functions found only on the most sophisticated systems.

, 2 WRITE FOR INFO ON Prices just $16.95 New 2068 Versiontt Let me send you full specifications. Write to:

Thomas B. Woods P.O. Box 64, Jefferson, NH 03583 Phone: (603) 586-7734

Computer :

2 [ame

Sa aS

10 REM ** Simmel air

This is my last issue as editor of this publication. The demands of my career and other activities in the BCS ha made it necessary for me to pa on the newsletter Fesponsibilities to another.

Will Stackman, who has been active in our group from very early on, will take over as editor. I’m sure his personal touch will add much to it’s value and depth. His broad range of knowledge about not only the 8/T community but all of Personal computing makes him a valuable asset to us all. I’m looking forward to reading this letter in the future.

This newsletter is important. It serves an important role in the Sinclair computer community. Now that there’s no central exchange for users to communicate through ( like Timex, SYNC, or TS User Magazine) our groups and newsletters are more important than ever.

Well over a thousand people read this letter every month. But it is Now more difficult than ever to put it out on a regular basis. You readers @ more than just subscribers to this publication. It is YOUR newsletter. It will go on enly if you make some sort of contribution to it.

Write an article, review a product, write a letter to the editor, simply give the editor some feedback about Sinclair computing. All these things can make a tremendous difference.

Let’s get involved! You can make the difference!

JTL 30 -

Ole

ObBoston

© Computer pociety

This newsletter is produced to inform group members of the agenda and logistics of future meetings, as well as to recap and amplify the information provided at the meetings. It also provides a forum for members and interested parties to communicate what thay have Learned or developed relating to Sinclair and Timex computing. Meetings are open to the public {nan-member admission is $3)4 however attendees are encouraged to j0in the Boston Computer Society (BCS) This newsletter is free to members. Back issues are one dollar each,

DIRECTIONS TO MEETING: The S-T User Group meets in the Large Science Auditiorium (Room @/2/ 009) of the University of Massachusetts, Boston Harbor Campus. It is located only 3 miles from downtown Boston and easily accessible by public and Private transportation. From the north or west, take the Southeast Expressway to Exit 17. Turn left onto Columbia Raad. Follow construction signs to get to Morrissey Boulevard in the direction of UMASS and the Kennedy Library. Bear right on traffic island, get in the right two lanes, following UMass/ Boston signs. Turn left at the light into Campus. From the south, take Morrissey Boulevard northward to the campus. On the MBTA, take the Red Line (Ashmont Train)? to Columbia Station. Transfer to the free University shuttlebus in the T parking lot

ea | /

ONE-t INERS from page 1 GETTING SERIOUS WITH wrourR PS toma AND 1TS1500 review by Will Stackmar

Tf computer manufacturers would support manuals for their proprietary software of this Grade they would not only sel) fore software but more computers tao. If you want to make real us@ of your T81000/1500 of 7x81 for spreadsheet use this bool Will walk you through bath VU- CALC and VU-FILE (The Organizer).

The author supplies reproducable worksheet templates which allow the user to set up spreadsheets of surprising complexity or manipulate inventories.

One caveat: the spreadsheet template folded inte the back is — Slightly too large to xerox on @ 3/2 by 14 (legal size Paper). Have the supplied version raduced slightly on a fancy Machine (for under a dollar) and then use that to make working versions.

We’?ll get into some detailed notes on Gettting Serious next manth,

VU-CALC and VU-FILE (The Organizer) by Robert BV, Masters, Robert J, Brady Ca., Bowie, MD 20715.

ee es |

The Sinclair Timex User Group

Sue Mahoney Director

c/o BCS Office or 203-755-2699

Jack Hodgson Publisher /Editor P.O. Box S26 Cambridge, MA 02236 617-354-7899

John Kemeny

User Group Correspondent 284 Great Road, Apt. DS Acton, MA 01720

Allan Cohen Meeting Coordinator 617-961-3433

The Sinclair Timex Newsletter is published monthly by the Sinclair Timex User Group of the Boston Computer Soctaty. Membership in the BCS is 624 per year which includes a subscription to its magazine “The Computer Updata" and subscription to two of its group newsletters (such as this one).

Advertising space is available in this publication on a limited, first come first served basis. The rate is %40 per Quarter page. At this time no other ad sites are available. For detailed rate and discount information contact the Advertising Manager or the Fublisher.

HIGHLIGHTS from page 4

Bob Masters, &@n original member of our group, spoke briefly about his recently published book about VU-CALC and VU-FILE. Bob has invited anyone

sted in reviewing the book in touch with him for a review copy. Contact him c/o this newsletter or at the meeting.

Dave Wood, another faithful member, had his TS book cancelied at the last minute. He is thinking about self- publishing it. This reporter read an early draft and it’s a great TS1000 machine language resource. Contact Dave at the meeting or c/o this newsletter.

It was reported that SYNTAX will try to continue publishing, subject to advertiser support. So tell ‘em you heard about it in SYNTAX.

The Machine Code Group lives! It’s in the process of locating a new permanent home. For up to the minute info call dack Hodgson at 417-354-7899. Also ask him about the Machine Language Newsletter.

Finally, John Kemeny, who has

b corresponding with other TS user groups for # couple years now, is thinking about trying to create an index for the 4 foot stack of TS publications he's got in his living roam. "There's lots of great stuff in there if we only had a reliable way to find a particular peice."

To help John with this project contact him at the meeting or at the address listed for him on page 2.

ae ee ee ee

OTHER SINCLAIR-TIMEX USERS GROUPS

Whether they are called Sinclair—-Timex or Timex/Sinclair, User or Users or User*s or Users”, Group or Club or Society, there are a great many support organizations like our group located around the country and Canada.

We know, because we’ve been keeping a list and exchanging newsletters with many of them. You can find these publications in our library.

When Timex closed shop, and Sync and Timex-Sinclair User (not to be confused with TS USER) magazines folded, the general consensus was that Users Groups need to communicate more than ever.

While we have scrupulously maintained the confidentiality of our list, we feel that at this time it is more vital that communications be improved. The following is a list of the most active users groups — groups with whom we regularly exchange newsletters, correspondence and phone conversations. In addition, a much larger list of users groups (and former users groups?) is available from John Kemeny. Just send him a SASE.

Croup Name; Contact Person; Mailing Address; City, State and Zip Code

ZX/TS User Group;Sergio Perez Davida;P.0. Box 38;Puerto Real, PR 00740

BCS Newsletter Exchange; John Kemeny; 284 Great Road Apt. D-5;Acton, MA 01720 Mitre-Bedford Sinclair—Timex;Ed Lindsay;P. 0. Box 208;Bedford, MA 01730

BES Sinclair~Timex; Sue Mahoney, Director;One Center Plaza;Boston, MA 02108

BCS Sinclair-Timex;Jack Hodgson;P. 0. Box 526 ;Cambridge, MA 02238

SE Mass Computer Soc;David Mitchel1;382 Locustfield Rd.;East Falmouth, MA 02536 CQ 2X ~ Nashua Radio Club;Bill Burden, WBIBRE;11 Briand Dr.;Nashua, NH 03063 New Haven Sinclair Study Group;Chris Baldwin316 Lewis St.;New Haven, CT 06513 RRRREEEC GCRHREE RK Rone Zimmermann;115 Russet Dr.;Guilford, CT 06437

Computer Study Group;Matthew Quinlan; 227 McKinley Avenue;New Haven, CT 06515 North Jergey;Larry W. Burkhart ;133 Christopher St.;Montclair, NJ 07042

;Laura Bajor;10 Marion;Short Hills, NJ 07078

Morris County Users;Larry Spencer;6 Forest Ct.;Morris Plains, NJ 07950

2X Users of America;Michael Wilson;626 Water St.;New York, NY 10002

ZX Users Group of NY;George Coronado;P.0. Box 560, Wall St.;New York, NY 10005 DATAMERICA Company;;312 East 84 St. #1A;New York, NY 10028

Albany Sinclair User’s Group;Ron Barnard;36 Tanglewood Road;Albany, NY 12205 SINCUS;Gary Ennis, Editor;P.0. Box 523;0wego, NY 13827

Pittsburgh Computer Club;Dick Welsh;1605 Middlecrest Dr.;Glenshaw, PA 15116 Synapse;Bill Russell;RD 1, P.O, Box 539;Centre Hall, PA 16828

Washington Area Users;Steve Wyatt;P.0. Box 6239;Washington, DC 20015

Capital Area Timex/Sinclair;Ellen S. Rogers;P.0. Box 725 ;Bladensburg, MD 20710

Se een |

Central Virginia Users;Herb Miller;Rt. 1, P.O. Box 192;Troy, VA 22974

Hampton Roads User Group;Jim Langston;146 Hawthorne Dr.;Newport News, VA 23602 Roanoke Area Users;Richard McGlothlin;P.0. Box 1165;Roanoke, VA 24011

SLUG;Gary S. Preston I1;Route 1, P.O. Box 21;Glade Hill, VA 24092

Triangle Sinclair Users Group;Douglass Dewey;206 James St.;Carrboro, NC 27510 Southeast Regional;Kathy Fitzgerald;880 Johnson Ferry Road;Atlanta, GA 30342

T U G;Joe Williamson, Skipper’s Electr;3708 Newberry Rd. ;Gainesville, FL 32607 2X/T Southeast Region;Ralph M. Coletti;869 Levitt Parkway ;Rockledge, FL 32955 ZX Forum;Bob Pearsal1;9220 Fountain Road;Lake Worth, FL 33463

TAMBAM;Mel Routt;P.0. Box 644;Safety Harbor, FL 33572

Chatanooga Area Users;Dan Williams;P.0. Box 1321;Collegedale, TN 37315

ATSU of Central Ohio;Gary Solomon;1281 Yellowwood Dr.;Columbus, OH 43229

Syntym Cleveland Area Users;Dick Sieg;19502 Thornridge Av.;Cleveland, OH 44135 TS Horizons;Richard Duncan; 2002 Summit St.;Portsmouth, OH 45662

sRichard Berg;915 Sunset Dr.;Anderson, IN 46011

TS User;Yagsee Publications;P.0. Box 155;Vicksburg, MI 49097

5X. Allen Ward & Lonnie Misner;520 Tulane #205;Grand Forks, ND 58201

Circle Chess Group;A. F. Stanonis;P.0. Box 63;Des Plaines, IL 60017 S.U.N.;William James Wright;2170 Oak Brook Circle;Palatine, IL 60067

TSZ Users Group;Dave Hallas;P.0. Box 10363;Kansas City, MO 64111

Kansas City User;Carl E, Mutch;4701 Northwest Linden Road;Kansas City, MO 64151 Sinclair Users Network;Patrick Murphy;4903 Walker;Lincoln, NE 68504

Greater New Orleans Users;E.V. Sandy Blaize;417 Ridgewood Dr.;Metaire, LA 70001 Gulf Coast Users;c/o Norris Electronics;144 Terry Dr.;Slidell, LA 70458

Users Group of Oklahoma;Patrick Spera;Tinker AFB T-148;Tinker A.F.B., OK 73145 3M. Mark Wasicsko;Texas Wesleyan, School of Education;Fort Worth, TX 76105 Houston (West) Users;David Bonner;13327 Rain Lilly Lane;Houston, TX 77083

QZX ;Alex Burr K5XY, Physics Dept;Box 30, New Mexico State;Las Cruces, NM 88003 jDr. George Kuby;P.0. Box 34545;Los Angeles, CA 90034

South Bay Users;John Peterson; 2316 Walnut Av.;Manhattan Beach, CA 90226 Syneware;Fred Nachbaur;P.0. Box 5177;El Monte, CA 91734

Z-West;;P.0. Box 2411;Vista, CA 92083

STUMP;William M. Pierson;HHC, DLIFLC 104-46-7719;Presidio of Monterey, CA 93940 jGeorge Mockridge;263 Gateway #107;Pacifica, CA 94044

TSUNAMI ;Walter Gaby;3325 Pierce St.;San Francisco, CA 94123

jPaul Perrault3;947 Clara Dr.;Palo Alto, CA 94303

Portland Area Users;Mike Veine;P.0. Box 3153;Portland, OR 97208

Clackamas TS Users;Robert E. Evans;2615 SE Courtney Rd. #19;Milwaukee, OR 98222 3John W. Palmer;Comp 53 Site 15 Castle Acres $S3;Fredericton NB, Canada E3B 5W9 jAlan Wright;470 Granville St., Suite 611;Vancouver, Canada V6C 1V5

TS Users Vancouver;J. Brohman;108-1205 Johnson;Coquit lam, Canada V3B 6E6

Vimont Laval Users;;125 DePiemont 2;Vimont Laval, Ganada H7M 1B7

Toronto TS Users Club;Greg Lloyd;P.0. Box 7274, Stn. A;Toronto, Canada M5W 1X9 jHeinz G. Oeder;305 Radisson;Chateauquay, Canada J65 1W6