AUGUST 1992 £1.95 SORWARE FILE MicroEmacs Omenu

FOUNTS OF WISDOM teXl87 comes into the 90'5

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Birthday Party! 10 YEARS OFTHE SINClAlR SPECTRUM IVIEETINGS worth the trip just to browse through Various talks took place on the the contents of such stands. stage area during the day, including An interesting device was avail- Dave Walker's discussion of his Uvelyin able from the QLEA stand. QLEA is excellent public domain C-68 C, the East Anglia Quanta sub-group. language compiler for the QL and The QL ROM Switching Board is a Chris Boutal's talk on the fascinat- small peB which fits inside the QL ing subjects of Genealogy and his and allows you to have two QL roms best-selling QL Genealogist pro- present, including a Minerva, which gram. Fred Toussi also gave a talk can be selected at the flick of a switch on text87 Plus4. and a reset. A two-colour led indica- Due to the bad weather all over the Dilwyn Jones reports from the re- tor tells you which rom is in use. The country during the week before, this cent Quanta workshop in London benefit of this to users and software was not the best attended of Quanta writers is that software testing is sim- workshops, although they are al- plified - there is no need to dismantle ways great fun to attend. Quanta your QL to change roms to test a workshops are planned for Newcas- The recent workshop on the year, so we eagerly await them. program, or run a program which tle-upon- Tyne, Nottingham and .. 30th of May 1992in a church hall Their well known Expanderam card will not run with a Minerva installed, Thetford later this year and possi bly, in North Kensington was organ- and Trump Card will now be pro- for example. The device is modestly by the time you read this, more ven- ised by the London group affili- duced and sold by Qubbesoft - Ron priced at £25.00 plus a fitting charge ues will have been added. Why not ated to Quanta, the UK QL User Dunnett told me that the good news (unless you fit it yourself). go along and join in the fun? Group. The venue was easily is that there will be a modest price accessible both by car and by reduction on these two items. See public transport. this month's QL Scene for more Quanta workshops are mini- details. shows where members (and often Fred Toussi of Software87 dem- other users) can come along and onstrated and sold the Plus4version The Spectrumls meet other QL users, meet QL of the word processor text87. This traders to buy items for their QLs, is a remarkable program, well wor- ask questions, get help with their thy of a demonstration the next time problems and attend informal you see Fred at a QL show. lectures and discussions organ- CL Systems exhibited their Birlhday ised on a wide variety of subjects. CQVI QL Video Digitiser, now Non-members can come along available in a version compatible too - admission is usually free with the Gold Card. Mr Lang sam- and there is no obligation to join pled pictures onto disk for custom- Simon Goodwin held a birthday party Quanta, although you may want ers, using a video camera. TF Serv- for the Sinclair ZX Spectrum - 10 to do so when you see all the ices were selling a new device called activity and benefits which can Hermes. This is a direct replace- years old this May. be obtained from membership of ment chip for the 8049 IPC unit in the group. the QL, providing a number of im- Most of the well-known QL provements. It helps to solve the traders came along to setup shop, serial input problems on the QL, including Digital Precision, giving split-input baud rates on both Miracle Systems, DJC, EEC, serial ports, and much improved Qubbesoft, QBits, Liberation keyboard de-bounce. It can provide Software, CGH Services, CL three input/output lines and many Systems and Software 87. more features. The price was £25 .00. Freddy Vachha of Digital Contact TF Services for further Precision gave an all-day dem- details. Tony Firshman said that onstration of his company's soft- both the standard Minerva eprom ware for the QL and talked at and the MKII version are still sell- length on a number of subjects. ing well. Miracle Systems showed their CGH Services' stand had a range of hardware for the QL. number of leisure programs for the The Gold Card is now apparently QLanda selectionofQL magazines selling very well following the such as the QL Technical Review, ",. recent price reduction to £225. QL Leisure Review and the Inter- Miracle were displaying what I national QL Report, an informative think was the smallest QL serial- magazine originating in the USA, to-parallel printer port converter but with subscribers all over the I have ever seen - the circui try world. was small enough to fit into the cover of the printer connector. Second users The device I saw was only the prototype unit, but we believe it Several traders were selling a will be on sale soon. number of second-user bits and pieces for the QL. QBits and Trump swap Qubbesoft, for example, both sold various items of software, hardware. Miracle may be launching a spares and old books and maga- number of new QL products this zines - several visitors said it was

18 Sinclail'/Ql World August 1992 MEETINGS

Britain's best-selling computer, the Sinclair ZX Spectrum, cel- ebrated its tenth birthday this May, at a party organised by ZX enthu- siasts in Cambridge, the Spectrum's birthplace. The Spectrum followed Sinclair' s ZX 80 and ZX 81 computers, and was known internally as the ZX 82. A decade on, after some seven million sales of Spectrum vari- ants, ZX 92 was the obvious name for the anniversary re-union. Spectrums, emulators, clones and eager users gathered at the Boat House pub, beside the river Cam. Star guests included John Mathieson, who joined in 1981, wrote the origi- nal Spectrum brochure and tested , the ZX rom before its release a decade ago. MGT founder Bruce Gordon brought old prototypes of his SAM micro, the true successor to the Spectrum, and new hardware under development. modification exposed - an extra voice synthesiser, donated by stration at ZX 92 was a double- Party music chip soldered upside down beside Betasoft. emulation, with the QL Spec- the main logic array, needed to trum emulator running sweetly The party featured a soundtrack make early production keyboards Spectrum CD under the Public Domain Qdos of Spectrum-generated music, in- work. emulator for the Amigal-The cluding Prokofiev's March of the Downstairs in the bar another Codemaster's Spectrum Com- Qdos emulator was developed Capulets rendered for 128K sound Spectrum development was earn- pact Disk package attracted atten- by Rainer Kowalik of Berlin; it chip by muso Jon Bates, and ing its living. Delegates spotted tion. This reads games from a lacks sound and supports only Overture for Toad, an atmos- the Treble Top pub game, a com- normal CD player, linking the four colours, so some of the pheric MIDI sequence in the style mon arcade machine built around headphone socket to the Spectrum Spectrum hues appeared as stip- of Philip Glass. the Flare One circuit board. This port. You get 30 machine- ples, but otherwise the double- Cheetah's excellent Specdrum super-Spectrum was invented in code games, including several big emulation seemed perfect. was used on many tracks, as were 1987 by three former Sinclair de- hits, for £20 including the inter- the RAM Music Machine and signers. It uses the same Z80B face, ably demonstrating the size ZX on the PC home- brewed software for effects processor as the SAM Coupe, plus and economies of scale of the and digital delays. Coventry band custom graphics and sound hard- Spectrum market. Andy Wright's ZX emulator Relevant POS contributed catchy ware. The range and quality of Spec- for the CPC range made pop via their home- made interface The party attracted many lumi- trum software has encouraged mi- a showing, alongside similar for Wasp synthesisers, making a naries from the Spectrum sub- cul- cro users to develop 'emulation' programs for the SAM Coupe, personal appearance with fans in ture, with a great spread of back- packages that let them run ZX pro- which was designed to run 48K tow. grounds and ages. The youngest grams on other computers. William Spectrum programs from the Jamaican reggae and ska were delegate was no older than the James' excellent Spectrum emu- start. Bruce Gordon brought the represented by Norman Hall, plus computer, while the oldest had re- lator for the Sinclair QL was on original SAM prototype, hand- guitar polemic from TlITO, with tired before the ZX range was born. display, running ZX BASIC and built on four circuit boards, with former Crash and Sinclair User Fanzine writers included John popular games from QL disk. This hundreds of TIt chips standing minion Garth Sumpter on vocals. Wase and Nev Young of Format, emulator should reach the public in for the custom ASIC in pro- Blues songs from Mel Croucher of David Ledbury of ZAT, veteran domain once documentation and duction models. He also dis- Automata recalled the spirit ofZX adventurer Margot Porteus and software to transfer ZX memory played the latest model, shorn Microfairs. Even Doctor Who Fractal guru Ettrick Thomson. snapshots from disk have been fi- of MIDI and TV circuits to fit a made a contribution, in the shape Commercial competition was for- nalised. paperback-sized board, and in- of an out-take from Automata's gotten, as Glen Cook and Andy Already, Dave Barker's public- tended for process-control ap- classic Deus Ex Machina, narrated Wright discussed contrasting ap- domain QSPEC software is capa- plications. by Jon Pertwee! proaches in their SAM Game De- ble of reading ZX cassette files No less than three emulators John Mathieson brought two rare sign suites, due soon from Betasoft and screens into memory, via the for IBM pes turned up at the variants of the Spectrum: a white and Glenco. QL network port. QSPEC is avail- party, via Germany, Spain and 48K model, produced to celebrate ZX 92 was arranged by able from CGH Services and other Holland, along with hardware the millionth machine produced, Sinclairphile and one-time Crash PD libraries. Spectrum file con- emulators for minority British and a unique Spectrum Plus, also tipster Simon N Goodwin (me), version programs are also avail- designs like the Memotech MTX moulded in white plastic as an ex- and recorded for posterity by local able from Quanta (disk Comms and Tatung Einstein. It is still periment when Sinclair considered media and Jon Pillar of Your Xfer 2) and CGH Services (Con- early days for emulation software, changing the case colour for the Sinclair. Awards of software, nections disk 1). and you need a fast processor to new model. publications and hardware were The Commodore Amiga has ZX match the speed of the original The original 'Issue One' Spec- shared in a Spectrum-moderated emulators of its own, developed micro, but the future looks rosy trum made an appearance, with draw. Top prize was a rare and by Digimail of Milan, but the most as programs proliferate and chips the last-minute 'dead cockroach' valuable Currah Microspeech technically impressive demon- rise to the challenge.

17 Sinclair/QL World Augusl1992 QL World DilwynJones Computing (reader services) 0248354023 Subscriptions and back issues Home Budget, Vision Mixer, Ql 086983677 Genealogist, Textidy, Spellbound and 'HARDWARE Quanta others. User Group, support. Care Electronics ImaQLate Software Hon. secretary, Phil Borman. 0923672102 42 Albion Street, Broadstairs, Kent CT10 0933460690 1NE. Peripherals and accessories. Thor International Biograph. 010 4533 930305 Jochen Merz Software 010 4533 937544 01049203501274 Digital Precision QUAtari Emulators, utility and games 081-5275493 SOFTWARE software. Discs, interfaces, drives, keyboards, Lear Data Systems Athene Consultants RAM expansions. 6 Southview Green, Bentley 0705511439 EEC Ltd Ipswich, Suffolk IP9 2DR ARK Distribution 0753888866 Qtris 098379496 Qls, peripherals, accessories Liberation Software Archivist, Master Spy and other business Miracle Systems 0815467795 and utility software. 0904423986 Basic compiler (QLib) and utilities. Call Us What You Like Trump Card interface, , Progs (Van Auwera) 55 Greenan, Shaws Road, Belfast BT11 hard disc drive. . 010 32 16 48 8952 (Belgium) 8LX. No telephone, Superspy. Strong Computer Systems The Painter, The Clipart, Data-Design, Care Electronics 0267231246. Qractal. 0923672102 S.P.E.M QFILE software. Miracle hardware, Via Aosta 16',10154 Torino, Italy. Apartado 2110 p-1103 Lisboa Codex, peripherals, utilities. +39 11 857924 Fax +39 11280009 MS-Link and Discopy. Portugal. CGH Services Ql disk interfaces, ram, eprom QL Supersoft 0559384574 holders. 0256475992 Adventures. QLAF, DIY Toolkit. TF Services Spell, Numbers, Superdraw. Compware 071 7249053 Qubbesoft PO 0270582301 Repairs, spares, peripherals. 38 Brunwin Road, Rayne, Braintree, Task Swopper, Mega Toolbox, Expert, TK Computerware Essex CM7 5BU System Shell, Speedscreen and others. 0303812801 Public domain software. COWO Electronic Peripherals. SO Microsystems 0104145211478 (Switzerland) 0462422897 QTop, Atari Ql emulator, Thor support Business software including General Digital Precision ledger. Small Traders' Packllnvoicer 081-5275493 and Stock Accounting. Turbo Basic compiler, Desktop Software 87 Publisher, Editor, Eye-Q Graphics. Sprite SERVICES generator, Super Forth, Better Basic, 33 Savernake Road, London NW3 2JU Professional and Super Astrologer, Text 87 and updates. Talent Software Adman Services Media Manager, Supercharge, ," 0952255895 Blocklands, Droidzone, Aracadia, 0303813883 Joe Atkinson Reversi, Backgammon, Master Bridge Utilities, games. 36 Ranelagh Road, London W5 5RJ Tutor, C-M Emulator, C compiler, TK Computerware Roms, mdvs and all spares. lightning speed enhancer, Perfection. 0303812801 Suredata DJW Software Add-ons, spares, software. 081-9025218 0256881701 WO Software Repairs. Homebanker 053481392 IVIIVI lV nuu MICRO ADS Redundant due to GoldCard. QL UNEXPANDED original Expanderam 512K plus programs plus extras. Back up I Cumana DID interface £40.00 MDV's plus extra drives. No the two. Call Keith on 081-302 MDV failures since new. AH 2266. version, have changed to Miracle Systems QL hard disk 'Amiga' for video titling. Give it 40m only £349 GWO save a good home. MICRO ADS £100 pff original price just over Tel 051-3392853. 12 months use. Contact Paul FOR SALE OLJS in KBL-128PC Merdinian Forge House, box 768K T.card dual disk Dual Charine Heath, Ashford, Kent. MDV PC keyboard battery clock, 0233712857. colourmonitor8058printer, QL System (JM) 512K Serial suite taskmaster SL Spellbound MICRO ADS HARD DISK BACKUP AND FILE MANAGER with subdirectories, Printer (80cps) Tandata euroword, QL home finance QL listings, etc. Needs tool kit. £20 on 31f2" disk, £15 Quanta members. . Some spares, manual tandata modem £310.00 C. Turner, 43 Hamesmoor Rd., Mytchett, Camberley, Surrey. including languages, cashg buyer collects. Tel: 0243 0252 541968. Assemblers, Games, Books 771680 and Documentation. Offers for QL JM SYSTEM, comprising all or part? CUB 895 colour monitor, super Tel 0252 724184 Toolkit cartridge, centronics QTop by ~ ELECTRONIC QL System for sale, Three printer interface, clock battery QL's, Trump Cardz, Minerva, back up kitplus fitting QTop The definitive User-Front-End V1.I) SFR 70.-- Two Disk drives, Books, Mags, instructions. Not fitted. Psion The QL's equivalent to WINDOWS on MS-DOS PC's. The system-manager offers the mainmenus DESK, package £135. Tel 0233 DEVICES, FILES, JOBS, KEYBOARD, PROGRAMS, MY PROGS, TOOLS and OPTIONS with ROM Toolkit 2, Software etc. over) IQ sub-menus. QTop is ideal for Gold-Card or Harddisc users as it supports real Sub-Directories. The £275 ono. Phone Terry 0332 626713. powerful QJUMP extended Pointer Environment is included and all its facilities are supported. Comprehen- 511273 (Derby) sive 41 page manual. QL REAL TIME ArcED The professional Text-Editor V2.6 SFR 39.-- The Text-Editor especially for programmers. Written in fast, reentrant machine code (only 20KE). DIGITIZER Comprehensive 29 page manual. QL ROMS AND SPARES Digitize moving pictures in real lime. Transforms QL inloa ExeQtor The Super-Ql, in a limited edition/ask for quotation. ROMS, MGE (Spanish. MGF (French), MGG video printer or 3-D image digilizer via a video camera/recorder We use the QL PCB, GOLDCARD, QIMI & Mouse, JFC K90 & MF-2 Keyboard, up to 3 discdrives and a "Digitizes in .02 secs. (German), JS (English), £20 each. JM (English), harddisc (option) to build the Super-Ql, in a Towercase.QTop and ArcED are included on the system disc. £10 '256x256 resolution in Blevels Ask for free product information. Software is available on 3.5" or 5.25" disc. AIl our products are compatible MDVS. Complete OL MDV Subunit £20, head * Full, 1/4 or 4x 1/4 screen modes El and chassis £10, Microswitch £2, Motor £6. , Screen updale - 5 or 2.7 frame/sec £99 with all QL compatible computer. Free updates and user-support. Please specify English or German version. Rubber & Plastic Roller £2. MDV2 Stand-of '1:1 grey leveIQ-pinprinlerdump. Prices including P&P. Send orders with cheques to drawn in SFR to: spacer + srew £2. ULA £5. Tr 4,5,6,7 set £2. , Inlertaces 10 QLROM PORT . MDV pcb inc, ULA £11. Prices include UK * Runs on unexpanded QL and muitilasks. COWO Electronic postage. Send SAE for price list of all OL spares. , P&P 3.00 UK, 9.00 overseas, state MDV or FLP CL SYSTEMS, 403 CHAPTER ROAD, DOUIS HILL Urs Kdnig, Miinsterstrasse 4, CH-6210 Sursee, Tel 045-211478 Joe Alkinson, 36 Ranelagh Road, Ealing, LONDON NW2 5NG TEL: 081 459 1351 or contact TK Computerware (UK) and QLympic Computer Systems (Germany) London W5 5RJ (Mail Order Only). r------, ADVERTISE YOUR SECONDHAND QL EQUIPMENT FREE OF CHARGE. COMPLETE THE FORM BELOW (NO FAX'S OR PHOTOCOPIES ACCEPTED. PRIVATE SALES ONLY)

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Slnclalr IOLWorld July 1992 49