“the HACKER” is an official publication

of the Timez/Sinclair User Group of Las YVegas-a non profit, educational organization. Subscription to the “HACKER” is $15.00 per year [12 issues) and includes membership to. TSUG of LY. Please remit to:

Ralph Hammer(treasurer) 2105 Oakwood Ave. Las Vegas, NY 89030

LET'S GET TOGETHER Feb. 18,1989------ 1-3 pm.

PC SIG------------ 3-4 pm. the public is FELCOME

Meetings are helid on the third Saturday ofeach month and include: a light-buffet lunch for members and guests. The meetings are heid at

2345 Moorpark Way, Henderson, NY —

BOARD of DIRECTORS:

CHRIS FENN =-------+---- 641-4082 RALPH HAMMER -------- 649-4127 SVEN NILSSON---------- 386-3054 STEVE SA WCHUE-------- 451-6676

om CONTRIBUTING STAFF:

STE¥YE SAWCHUK DAWN SAWCHUE RALPH HAMMER CHRIS FENN

EDITOR

-CO- EDITOR / MAILING PROGRAM EDITOR ART DIRECTOR

1656 MNN

Newsletter dedicated to the Sinclair family of computing

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SMUG EDITOR WINS HACKER CONTEST

Congrats goes to aor.

Mr. Bill Heberiein, editor of the SMUG Newsletter for suppling the correct answer to last months program contest. Bill actually came up with five possible errors. The one that we were looking for was line number was line 72 55. E Al

We of the HACEER, congratulate Bill for his effort. His return letter was dated Jan.2,1989. Bill will now receive his own annual subscription (12 issues} beginning this month.

The staff had fun running this contest and are thinking of doing the same soon. So watch for more upcoming programs. Maybe you will be next to receive a FREE year’s subscription to the HACKER N/L.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

rte etal

One ear heard A A it, and at the other, out it SA, => went.

ee i a eS LREN

HOW Ve

Your back aches, your neck stiff, your wrists hurt and your eyes are burning. Like many of the 15 million Americans who Spend their days in, front of their computers and the millions more work at home on personal computérs, may be wondering how far advances in technology have set back your health.

According to the January ‘89 issue of U.S. NEWS and WORLD REPORT, the following proceedures will help you when you're at the ole keyboard:

Eyes to screen--------------- 16-24" Line of sight te screen----- 10-20 deg. Keyboard tilt--------------- 0-25 deg. Floor to seat---------------- 16-19" Floor to typing surface------ 23-28"

Many other devices that can help relieve keyboard fatigue, can be purchased at many computer outlets and stores for the workstation. These gadgets can be such things as filters for the monitor, document holders, tilting shelves for the keyboard, footrests and many styles of chairs for your backside. The prices vary from around $7 to $1200

If computing is a form of relaxing or you do it for a paycheck, then do it right for the rest of your body.

Shape up that body in 89. Start with better equipment and.a neater

workstation. “DO IT RIGHT”

2

SATELLITE TRACKING PROGRAM AVAILABLE FOR FREE

The December issue of QZX Journal newsletter states that a

program is available for Timex

computers. This program is for those of you who are intersted in a

Satellite tracking system.

The “SAT-BAHN™ program information can be found in the Sept.'88 issue of QZK. If any of you are interested in this, all that is. needed from you, the reader, is a SASE. anda blank tape or formatted microdrive cartridge. The enclosure should match the following: 2¥81/TS1000/TS 1500--BLANK TAPE SPECTRUM /TS2068----- BLANK TAPE Q)L---------------------- BLANK TAPE

OR FORMATTED MICRODRIVE CART. Your requests can be sent to: QZX Journal 2025 O'Donnell Drive Las Cruces, NM 88001

THREE DEALERS 2 BOW OUT OF ~ =) SOFTWARE SALES

Word has come down the mail tubes, by way of the PLOTTER N/L, that Enighted Computers has sold all remaining stock of T/S software to WMJ DATA SYSTEMS. Bill Johnson of WM], stated that the Knighted folks were heavy into IBM

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clones and were finished with the sinclair line of software.

Rod Gowen, of RMG Enterprises, reports that he has Purchased all remaining rights and stock from E-Z Key and Foote Software, dealers in T/S products. Rod states that he will soon have it cataloged and ready for sale.

so, if you are looking for that something special program, contact RMG or WM] and see what just was purchased from the three other companies,

EAST COAST GROUP SPONSORS GIANT FEST

One of the greatest Fests to hit the East Coast, since Timex introduced the 2068 ; will be helg in the

Dc. area from Friday evening May 5, 1989 to Sunday May 7th. at the Howard Johnsons Motor Lodge in New Carrolton, Maryland, outside of Washington, DE. The event starts outa $17 per person opening banquet on Friday

night. The entrance fee will be $5 for

a one day pass and $7 for both days (Sat. & Sun.). Accomodations at the Motor Lodge are priced at $62 /day. The Eastern Seaboard and other Eastern States is where Timex introduced the little beast and spent most of their promotion efforts, Make early arrangments for this

ffair, as the event is expected to be

LARKEN ELECTRONICS LAUNCHES oy eed

Larry Eenny

has just unleashed |. sme. a new terminal /BBS program for the Larken System. This prograrn is now in its final testing stage and o should be a great new addition to the list of available telecommunications software.

The PLOTTER N/L states that according to Larry, this will opperate as either a EBS or as a standard terminal software. It eyen comes with a “chat mode", and with just a press of a key, you are in FULL term mode, It will operate a both 300 and 1200 baud (with an RS242 and Hayes Compatable modem). And will NOT drop characters at 1200 baud. It will also have “dump to disk” download.

This program will be available form several sources, LAREEN, ED GREY and RMG ENTERPRISES at a price of only $25.00 + shipping.

CAMBRIDGE COMPUTER EXTENDS SALES

Cambridge Computers have extended their International sales network by signing an exclusive distribution agreement with Stengel

Computer Technik (SCT) in West Germany. SCT has a network of more

Than 300 dealers in West Germany, including West Berlin.

The 248 now has official distribution in Italy, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Turkey.

TID-BYTES and NOT $50 NEW NEWS

Broke your computer? Why not check out the repair service and prices of:

PROMISED LAND ELECTRONICS DAN ELLIOT

ROUTE 1, BOX 117

CABOOL, MO 65689

Dan assures everyone that the turn around time is quite fast and cost is minimal

We received a post card from Tom Phillips in Jacksonville, Fla. listing some items for sale. They are as follows:

QL Printer- 3 ribbons, extra top cover, manual, looks brand new. $125. + $5. shipping

2050 Modem W/ case, Docs, and S/W $35. + 3 Shipping

MATHEVSON EEYBOARD I/F- 3 cable $35. + $3 shipping

66 Eey Eeytronics Keyboard- wired for 2068, full size numeric key pad $30 +3 shipping

2040 Printer- 21" cable, 2 rolls paper, power supply $25.+ 3 shipping

These are only a few items that Tom has for sale. Feel free to call him te check availabilty. (904) 739-2580 after 6:00 pm E.ST.

ama Sierra Nevada Airways aude GRAND CANYON THE ULTIMATE TOUR EXPERIENCE SAVE $PP), PER PERSON OFF OUR NORMAL PRICE

Tour includes pickup/dropoff at your hotel. Air tour of Grand Canyon aboard

our aircraft, land at the Grand Canyon Airport for a 3 1/2 hour land tour

along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, including a stop at one of the

beautiful lodges for lunch. This 6 hour tour normally departs at 10:30 am

returning to Las Vegas at 4:30 pm. Call us anytime 24 hours per day to arrange your

GRAND CANYON ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE

636-670)

|

Reg. Price $155.00 pp

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MasterCard

Mention the “HACEER™

a LAPTOPS ?

( (38

aU we) IT DEPENDS ON

eos THE SIZE OF y(cy YOUR LAP

re AND THE DEPTH

OF YOUR

A POCKETS. I

Ry Ao

Byee: Theresa Heisserman

Anyone who went to Comdex this year had te be impressed with the multitude of manufacturers sporting “LAPTOP COMPUTERS,” and as a user of the new “Lap” machines, I found some humor in the quest for the perfect “LAPTOP.”

For some unknown reason the average Joe upon hearing about a laptop computer might think this new breed of machine is called such because it fits on your lap. This also conjures ideas of portability, and golly jeepers maybe battery power!!! He would be surprised to find that it is all relative to the size of your lap and the depth of your pockets.

Toshiba, that famous Japanese manufacturer builds a “laptep” that has no trouble fitting on the lap of the average Green Bay Packer, whose travelling companion is Mr. Wizard. The T5100 will not only empty your pockets, but requires good ole electricity to operate on your lap. This is one baby that will not operate on your coast to coast flight, nor while you sit under the lights at

9

Rigley Field.

Compaq has unleashed its first “laptop” entry unte the world. The SLT246, 14 pounds of pure power, VGA backlit LCD screen, 20 or 40 meg drive, internal 2400 BPS modem, expandable RAM to 3.6MB, all this packaged to easily fit the lap of the average American Executive type. Of course let the company foot the bill for this beauty at $5999, or be sure itis insured in case you accidently leave it in the bar after Happy Hour. This beauty really doesn't even need your lap, with its Optional Desktop Expansion Base.

NEC unveiled two laptops, one for either end of the spectrum. The Prospeed 286 or 386 is all you ever wanted in a desktop computer but touted to be a “Laptop”, but don't expect your secretary to lug this unit around unless she is one of those sumo Wrestlers in her spare time. This laptop weighing in at a batten weight of 18 pounds (excluding the additional 3 pound battery) offers an EGA backlit LCD screen, 1.44mb 3 172" drive, 2 MB RAM expandable to 10MB, and guess what else, a 100MB internal Hard Drive, at only $7,500. In case your secretary happens to not have recently tried out for the wrestling team, NEC offers the Ultralite, a 4 1/2 pound cutie, running at 9.5 MHZ, 640K RAM with additional 1 MB dedicated RAM disk, 2400 BPS modem, LCD backlit CGA supertwist display, 3 1/2" external drive (the only way, aside from

laplink and the modem to get this little darling to give up its data) all this fora little less than $3,000. she's a cutie, but she ain't cheap.

Sharp Electronics is a company not to be passed over, they make laptops for everyone, and when ne one buys them, they just make more, more bigger, more faster, more expensive. Sharp introduced the PC4502 laptop that easily fits on anyones lap, it has a chargeable lead battery, two 3 1/2" drives, runs about &MHZ, 640K RAM, and a beautiful backlit LCD supertwist screen. This entry will just about go anywere you want fo take itand at less then $1100 you just may want to take it everywhere you go. Beware those hidden costs for this one, what you saw is what you got, no serial port (add $100), no color ‘mono adapter (add $260), no modem (add $400 for 1200B).. you can forget using this one on business trips and tampering with the hotel wiring unless you plan on getting that modem.

Now for a commentary from the auther on the LAPTOP she knows and lugs. The Amstrad PPC640, this long lean little item is quite a laptop, with its full size AT style keyboard (which explains why its long instead of deep), 640K RAM, 2 - 3 1/2" 720K drives, CGA adapter, serial and parallel ports, 2400 BPS modem, AC power, Cig Lighter adapter, and operates on 10 "C" cell batteries, LCD supertwist screen (but not backlit a

6

big drawback, but now an available W option for $335), and a carry case. This entry weighs in atabout 15 pounds. My pockets, well lighter by a little less than $1,000. This long little jewel has travelled coast to coast, through wind and rain, its taken a licking and itis still ticking! 50 Mr. Joe, it depends on the size of your lap, and the depth of your pockets, but something is out there, just for you tool! Reprinted from the BYTES N/L of the LAS VEGAS PC USERS GROUP.

THAT | AGAIN ll e

Last month, Chris Fenn’‘s article” | The Cambridge Mystery Machine" created its own mystery. As the text flowed inte the program that is used for this publication, it mysteriously omitted an entire sentence, therefor creating a whole different meaning. The story read about Dick Pountain's article called "The Intergration of a New Scale”. The Anamartic project that was discussed was a large disk of silicon that is utilized into smaller chips. The story should have read: was a disk of silicon that is utilized whole rather being split up into smaller chips. Apologies to Chris and its readers, if it caused any confussion on the part of the reader. ©

Må CAMBRIDGE NEW MM ENGLAND py

LAUNCHS SECOND jéj

WAVE ON VEGAS’ CES

Cambridge New England's president, Mare Giguere and Nigle Searle, Cambridge Directs representative, invaded Las Vegas with the 286 at the January Winter showing of the Consumers Electronics Show.

The 1989 CES hosted over 65,000 people with 1,472 exibits, in 776,000 square feet of floor space spread out over four locations Mare Giguere manned the Cambridge exibit as potential buyers stopped to view the capabilities of the newest of “laptops”. The display consisted of a continuous running video about the 288. As well as several hands on models and displays of the complete packages in an attache case showing a complete portable system small enough, yet still affordable.

As I stood by watching the potential buyers get the feel of the keys, and the compact-ness of the machine, most were amazed at the weight and the long lasting battery life of the laptop. Also many mentioned modem link -ups. And when they were told of the link-up capabilities to their other bigger computers, the buyers were impressed.

Marc also mentioned that the 268 packages now available are the:

PC Pack-------- @ $749.00

c

MacLite------------- $849.00 Portable Office------ $1369.00 (these are suggested retail prices) The PC Pack and the MacLite packages all come complete in its own attache case with file transfer programs and ready to use.

The Portable Office comes with a Diconiz InkJet Printer using plain paper, and file transfer programs These three packages are ready to go when you're ready.

Now that Cambridge has shown the 28§ at both COMDEZ and CES, | feel the word is out. And from what I saw at both shows, the small “laptop” will be a big hit among the users who are on the move and need info instantly.

MORE GOSSIP FROM AROUND

A Teliabiè source has reported that a DOS is being developed for the 233. No details as of this writing, are available, but as more develops we will keep you abreast of the outcome.

CHECK THIS OUT [Ww

Phil Wheeler has been busy these days as a SYSOP for a new BBS devoted to the 286. Phil now has an X-Modem program that can be used for the “laptop”. and is only $k. The newest version (1.1) is a faster program, allowing you to download

binary and also auto-dial to a Hayes compatable modem. This program is titled 288 TRM_BAS and is being updated all the time. Another program of interest is a 288 dissasembler by Phil.

Also on the board is a PATCH program. Actually there are two programs PATCH and PATCH 2.

PATCH 2 does however have an added feature. The second program is a screen dump, so you can send graphics to your printer and it alse has a line editor as well.

Both the PATCH and the 268 TRM_BAS are from the UE. So as you can see, Phil is working hard at his own board providing the 288 users with programs just like the big boys. So in case you haven't contacted the newest BBS around and you forget the phone number it’s: TORRANCE LAPTOP SUPPORT GP. 1-213-370-2754 8/1/N

CAMBRIDGE LAUNCHES (ge NEW PRODUCT

In case you havent subscribed to the 288. EPROM newsletter, here isa item of interest. According to the — N/L, around the end of Oct-88, Cambridge Computers launched a new product-not actually a computer product, but a satellite receiver ata price which should prove difficult to match. Cambridge's entry inte this new market puts them in direct competition with Sir Clives old

8

pd

parring partner Amstrad, whe are, alsa producing a receiver system. Cambridge's “dish” is in fact a flat square aerial (or squarial) just under two feet in diameter. It will be supplied with a tunning unit which will sit right next to the TY.

The outer case of the Cambr idge squarial is made of plastic, and a patented technological breakthrough has enabled them to design a receiver without a feedhorn which is found sticking out of the center of other dish receivers.

square receivers have the added advantage that they are not. directional as dish type receivers and thus easier to install and set-up. The basic package of the squarial and tuner will cost around $274 (U.S) this compares to Amstrads projected price of $370. (U.S)

Options include a $335 package that includes a infra-red remote control for channel changing, and a top-of-the-line model at $425 for stereo receiption, graphic equalizer and remote control. All versions of the receiver system are entirely of British design and although details of manufacturing had not been finalized at the time the 288 EPROM N/L was written (Nov-Dec '88) SCI, who makes the 788, would seem to be the favorite.

THIS SPACE AVAILABLE FOR YOUR COMMENTS: AND IDEAS...

eae We are eheow-up of members ‘atthe e theet, so if you don't have anything Gin evsta aie aa eaters te de on the 1th. of Feb., do show showing up-all four of us. While ~-.....¢...poursuppertahd show up.

Ralph Hammer wa s oa SD 155101 a ee ee disk-drive system, the gp

ERI PLE uF

the last ge L After 30 es nani minutes of disi cussing A rhat other x a > of z 1, A E À SOFTWA R E FFI NEEDS YOUR

User Groups were doing, we were

then summoned to two large platters H ELP of freshly baked las agna, fookedup | -BilPFerrebee reports in the bey pone other than Dawn, our l w : i afst issue of E. A ei =. newsletter

faithful co-editor and me ailing director, among other thii Sa

After the lunch, we ther! proceeded back into the com payee room to get back to the business at “a We then viewed gome

on Se ane on elPRalp Fa x

to study up on the Spectrum 646 program and hopes te es aw the

group its fuwe@biog: meeting onFeb” Alp brought a letter from Bill’ : Heberlein, the winner of the Hacker contest, and a print-out of the program. Bill listed the possitgk

g that he needs your help in getting a Too @@petition togèther, signed by all the r nbers of your users group, that

you are in full support of your T5 and want pat UE. to share their

cts with fhe WS. Writ} à letter Self or asa rd |

software companie hin the 0 open the doors to their produc ts. Tel them how you f eel.

a

correspondence tf the correct people hie ree support Bill in his aye Mrnaterial dinis cy agut@eems that nage isowo id. So do write as 4 user or as a group.

9

problems and the correction! the next issue for all to see. The meeting then concluded and John Sumpolic : POS left-overs home to enjoy at a later .

made. We will list the corrections in around 4:00 pm. with Sa ris,

ng th time. Allin all the meeting was very