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IHARDWARE REVIEW QL Delta Disk Ray Elder goes to sunny Staines to investigate Technology Research's new interface. 'Hello?' 'Hello,' said a voice. 'It's been a long time.' 'Yes,' I said, not having any idea what had been a long time and wondering which of my sins had found me out. 'John Rutherford speaking, TRL.' the voice said, I breathed easy knowing we weren't going to go through the 'Bet you don't know who this is' routine. 'Why don't you come down and see our new QL disk interface?' John continued, and so, a year after I last travelled to Staines I found myself ambling west to visit Technology Research once again. On arrival, nothing had changed outwardly, but inside the building the company had changed rooms and I once more wandered the maze that is Unit 1 8, When I arrived, the first thing that struck me was the neatness and comfort compared to their previous abode. I was ushered into the main office where it was pleasant to renew the acquaintance of John, Steve Tam and Steve Mok. Also to meet C. Tang the production manager and Y. Cheuk the marketing director. Many happy moments passed discussing the state of computing in general, the QL in particular, and their interface in brief. I left with not only the Delta interface for the QL but also a new version of the Spectrum disk interface, the Beta Plus. 'There are a few surprises in that one for you,' said Steve with a glint in his eye. I took the Delta manual home to read, because by the time I got to the office it was well past 6,00pm (overtime accountant please note) and anyway I prefer to read instruction manuals before trying things out, it can save a lot of frustration and even expense! It took about twenty minutes to read the whole thing, I liked the simple informative manner in which it had been written — no previous knowledge is assumed — and not only are connecting and operating in- structions given, but also an outline of disk handling and disk drive types. Although it helps if you have a little computing knowledge I felt that someone who had bought a QL to use for business and had no knowledge of BASIC would be able to operate this system without too many problems. After reading the manual, even without access to a machine to try things out, 1 felt I could operate the system. Theory The Delta Interface in basic form contains the Disk Operating System (DOS), a parallel printer port (Centronics) and a RAM Disk system. Extra on board memory of 64K or 1 28K can be supplied as an optional feature. The DOS was written by one of the QDOS (the QL's operating system) authors and is therefore fully compatible with both QDOS and the microdrive operations. Any choice of disk drive, 5.25", 3.5", 3", single or double sided, 40 or 80 track, and any combination of up to four drives can be used. The interface automatically determines which type is being used and performs accordingly. Provided that the disk size is the same, many disk drive files are compatible, ie. a file written on a 40T SS drive can be read on an 80T DS drive. And, an auto boot facility is also provided. Most of the operating com mands, except for a few special functions, are the same as the existing microdrive commands. All you have to do to use the disk drive is to use 'flp' instead of 'mdv' in SAVE/LOAD commands. If you are using the printer port or the RAM disk then use 'par' or 'ram' instead of 'mdv', These commands are mixable, so COPY-mdv 1-file TO flp 1 -file will copy 'file' from microdrive 1 to disk drive 1. The names of these devices can be swapped around so that built in SAVE/LOAD functions may operate without program modification, ie. FLP-USE mdv will output everything to disk when a microdrive command is issued. Clever! Practice The interface is a neat unit designed in the same style as the QL, once plugged in it looks like part of the machine. On the left hand side of the case is the connector for the cable from the disk drive and at the back is the connector for the printer cable. The whole lot was assembled in less than ten minutes. Although the printer inter face is one of the lesser functions of the l/F it is very important as most printers on the market use this format, RS232 systems are available but usual ly cost extra to fit. This worked a treat and a par ticularly useful function was the ability to specify the size of the print buffer. This can be to any size, memory permitting (and here the extra 128K was useful), and the result is that a lot of text can be held ready while the printer is operating, but the QL is left Iree for other purposes, The documentation was a lit tie sparse on information here, and a bit of trial and error was needed to get all the operations I wanted, but finally everything came together. Bought separately, such an interface is priced at around £39.95. RAM disk Another extra, but again a very powerful one, is the ability to use a RAM disk. If a program is going to make many accesses to disk files during its operation then an area of memory (again the extra 1 28K was useful) can be used instead of the disk. This is created by giving it a number from 1 to 8 and specifying its size in sectors. All the disk information is transferred, altered, deleted or created in this area until the program is finished, at which point the whole lot can then be transferred back to disk. This has two main advantages, first an incredible increase in speed, access is vir tually instanianeous, and secondly less disk use means less wear and less chance of cor rupted files. A little more sophisticated knowledge is required to use this and it's an op lion that is probably only really usable by accomplished pro grammers. Of course, it's a valuable facility for commercial software houses to use in their programs. Disk drive The amazing versatility in the tolerance of drive types is handy if you already own a drive. The only thing that is not too clearly stated is that the drive MUST have its own power supply. Using this was as easy as the manual led me to believe, the increase in speed and reliability was comforting. Although we have not tested it for a long period of time, I have been using TR's Spectrum interface for a year now and it has not failed once, therefore 1 have every reason to trust in the reliability of their QL interface. In fact it was a joy to use, and if this had been used instead of microdrives when the QL was first launched, Sinclair Research would have had a hard time keeping up with the orders. Now that it is here it should make a great difference to the machine's potential. I hope software houses will make use of the facilities provided when designing their programs, and all users should consider this unit as being an important purchase. At the back of the manual is a wealth of technical information which hard/software experts will find invaluable. I may even abandon the Spectrum and Tasword II now that I have a reliable medium for storing text on the QL. The QL plus the Delta Disk drive means business! Delta Disk Interface £129.50: with 64K RAM ex tension, £199.00: with 128K extension £249.50, All prices are inclusive of VAT, but add £4.00 for p&p. Technology Research Ltd, Unit 18, Central Trading Estate, Staines, Middlesex TW1 8 4XE. • 16 ZX COMPUTING DECEMBER,JANUARY 1985
POOLS PREDICTION Outputs, best draws, homes and aways. Features analytical draw finder. Prints team form comparison graphs. Analyses and graphs results every week. Takes full account of midweek games and "cup" matches between main league teams. Promotion/relegation option. (Can be used from season to season). Easy to use, even for beginners. Gives paper printout of predictions if required. Full back-up service. 48 WINS (309 DIVIDENDS) received by author so far. "This is the best and most scientific of any program I have seen" - Mr R A P. (Secretary, Orpington Computer Club). "Once again, thank you for one of the best investments I have made" -Mr D.L.B (Feltham). "I would like to congratulate you on your excellent service - it is a rare thing these days" - Mr L.G.P. (Shrewsbury) "I found your program very professional and user friendly -1 am very satisfied with it" - Mr B.D. (Spalding). RACING PREDICTION An easy to use predictor, by the same author, for the flat racing season. No knowledge of racing required Input information from any daily newspaper. Holds data on draw advantage and ground conditions for 37 British courses. Self-teaching program is never out-of-date. Customers report wins of up to 33/1. Ask for: British Pools £11.95 Australian Pools £11.95 Flat Racing £11.95 Allow 7 day* (or delivery. Chequea, P.O.* payable to Rombeal. Or quote Acceat Eurocard Maitercard number. Ovarttat customer* please add £1 tor p&p Romtwtt. Dept. ZX, 2, Welland Crolt, Bleeder, Oxon., 0X6 8GD. Avaiiablo (or 46 Spectrum British Pools also uvula Die lor Commodore 64 ROTRONICS WAFADRIVE • Dual 128K storage • Fast, reliable access • Centronics and RS232 ports • FREE Spectral Writer wp package • FREE blank water Blank walers 16ME2 49| 64K(E2 128K |£2 99) Heathrow Nightflne II [14.SS Space Wars Seiddab Attack Luna Attack £14 95Bear Bovver Wong'sloopylaundiy WoildCup £9 95 Melbourne Dra«v£9 9S Star&ike £7 95 ZAPP(Assemblei Disassembler/Monrtor) £19 9SSrier ockE14 95HS232leadETO 95 Centronics lead £12.95 Mugsy £9.95 Stock Manager' £19 95FinanceManager* £19 95 Aflflress Manager '£19.95VAT Manager' £19.95 "80column version MASTERFILE HOME & BUSINESS FILING SYSTEM The most versatile database for the 48K Spectrum • Up to 36 User-Defined screen/print formats per file, and each can display different selection of fields, in different sequence. • High efficiency data packing, no wasted filespace. • Super fast, multi-level file search, record selection capability, • Up to 51 columns, and 22 lines per record can be displayed. • From 1 to 22 records at a time can be shown on screen. • Up to 128 characters per field, 36 fields per record. • Compatible with Tasman, Euroelectronics and Kempston printer interfaces, and adaptable for most disc systems. "... the best database for the <strong>spectrum</strong> is now even better." Sinclair User, Jan '85 Design your own print layout with MF-PRINT. For Masterfile version 09. increases the number of columns fo 136- and has numeric editing and column totals Almost no reduction in soace available for data • Masterfile version 09 £14.95 Tr « proQrarns are sen on cassefte oy return • MF-Print £6.95 detailed rrarxiai Prices include VAT • Masterfile with MF-Print £19.95 and P&P anw»nefe All available for trie <strong>spectrum</strong> j.) a&o avaiiabe trom eoding oonpute< stores wvttvn Ei^coe • Enhanced version available lor Amstrad at £24.95 17 ZX COMPUTING DECEMBER/JANUARY 1985 I Aiprices>flciu3eVA1andp • p Pieasemake your cheque POpayabietoSMT Orquote Access.Barciaycardnumber Wnieyourname and add ress clea i ly Please alow 2B days lor delivery SMT FREEPOST. Greens Norton, Towcesler Northants, NW286R IS L —• J MICRODRIVE COMPATIBLE , Campbell Systems (Dept. ZX) C t p n n C 57 Trap's Hill, Loughton, Essex ^i^/i I lvJ p=^IG10 1TD, England. Tel: 01 508 5058 cs SMT Jpe ^ Casters. O Q coWec^ In ecovds. \ddd\e s ides- v StaroP* \M'\n© ) C ^ Te\eP ' Uste- V 3 Gar _ c WO.
Page 1: The Magazine For All Sinclair users
Page 4 and 5: welcome Ray says hello. Editor: Ray
Page 6 and 7: At last as we all knew would happen
Page 8 and 9: short visit my Spectrum was working
Page 10 and 11: A letter from Eclipse Software SHOP
Page 12 and 13: Framed The Gordon Microframe is one
Page 14 and 15: HARDWARE Getting into Print through
Page 18 and 19: HARDWARE The Spectrum Beta Plus Dis
Page 20 and 21: USA NEWS Across the Pond by Mark L.
Page 22 and 23: QL HARDWARE Micro Peripherals QL Di
Page 24 and 25: (SPECTRUM GRAPHICS! Screen Master F
Page 26 and 27: top of the display in such a way th
Page 28 and 29: ZE USR ST: RETURN 1670 RANDOMIZE US
Page 30 and 31: 3^30 LET G*=INKEY
Page 32 and 33: Animation is the process that puts
Page 34 and 35: 10 REM CUBOID DRAWING 20 LET OX-=30
Page 36 and 37: (SPECTRUM GRAPHICS! Spirogram Movin
Page 38 and 39: FF6B 31 FF6C B9 FP6D 01 FF6E EB FF6
Page 40 and 41: As we see this old year out and wel
Page 42 and 43: zapping Your Graphics zx looks at s
Page 44 and 45: Light Screen Part Nine: by Toni Bak
Page 46 and 47: Overall then, it would seem that th
Page 48 and 49: JA01EJ je FE|0 JOBJ )»1EJ 18AP FSO
Page 50 and 51: ^ m HARDWARE — The Perfect Keyboa
Page 52 and 53: the wrong size and pressure. It loo
Page 54 and 55: BINARY AND HEX Binary and Hex The A
Page 56 and 57: Yes, of course, and in exactly the
Page 58 and 59: SOUNDS speakeasy Kai Webber has com
Page 60 and 61: IU 9 RECORD MODE 20 ORG 32768 SOUND
Page 62 and 63: JURY we, the jury Daley Thompson's
Page 64 and 65: The Rats Hodderand Stoughton £7.95
Page 66 and 67:
SOUNDS The Sound Of Music John Ains
Page 68 and 69:
+5V Figure 1 Diagram of 'he 8912 PS
Page 70 and 71:
SOUNDS HEX DISASSEMBLY OF *C0MMRH0S
Page 72 and 73:
F8E4 030F 1710 OUT .« FAE6 23 FRE7
Page 74 and 75:
Harwood's Hypothesis This month we
Page 76 and 77:
ZX81SCENE ZX81 Chatterbox Julian Ch
Page 78 and 79:
OL into The Archive The QL's flexib
Page 80 and 81:
endproc proc search_file seek find
Page 82 and 83:
EDUCATIONAL REVIEWS Mike Edmunds gr
Page 84 and 85:
Anthony Marlow from Cheshire has se
Page 86 and 87:
0« , o < SANTA'S CAME Derek Mearns
Page 88 and 89:
199 RETURN "PI0 REM SCREEN 1 902 BR
Page 90 and 91:
1 , X} INK 2J »F« •: FOR F-L TO
Page 92 and 93:
k / , %* ' Id W Y f t t il / V /„
Page 94 and 95:
The lure of thai yellow stuff, I ca
Page 96 and 97:
96 1730 IF CDODR THEN GO TO 4000 19
Page 98 and 99:
SPECTRUM GAME Pim Quakkelaar gives
Page 100 and 101:
Z": FOR z=l TO LEN z*: PRINT AT 8,z
Page 102 and 103:
+ .3) 2420 NEXT r 2425 IF b(t,1) =b
Page 104 and 105:
18! PRINT AT 1, 11 "H"1 AT 2,t|"_I"
Page 106 and 107:
i a a • • • • w !.V. fflf W
Page 108 and 109:
ZX81 STRATEGY 321 I F Di = 3 THEN G
Page 110 and 111:
110 34.40 NEXT -5 LE (3 ; i:• = a
Page 112 and 113:
HARDWARE REVIE Derek Mearns has bee
Page 114 and 115:
IF YOU USE YOUR COMPUTER TO PLAY GA
Page 116 and 117:
ZX81 club Dear Editor, In March of
Page 118 and 119:
Conversion (PROGRAMMING TIPS) tips
Page 120 and 121:
Lineage: 40p per word E 3 Semi disp
Page 122 and 123:
SPECTRUM RGB OUTPUT MODULE THE LEAD
Page 124:
SPECTRUM AMSTRAD Jl\0_l_ sales dept
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