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Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!tektronix!ogcvax!omsvax!puck
From: puck@omsvax.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.micro.zx
Subject: Hardware Manual and a query
Message-ID: <736@omsvax.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 9-Nov-83 16:30:28 EST
Article-I.D.: omsvax.736
Posted: Wed Nov  9 16:30:28 1983
Date-Received: Fri, 11-Nov-83 21:31:18 EST
Organization: Intel Corp, Hillsboro, OR
Lines: 57

I have a Timex/Sinclair 1000, and happened to pick up a little book that
has more hardware information in it than any other book I've seen (by the
way, I haven't seen the Explorer's Guide to the ZX81).  It's titled 'The
Ins and Outs of the Timex TS 1000 & ZX 81', by Don Thomasson and subtitled
'A Hardware Manual for TS 1000 & ZX81'.  The book is published by
Melbourne House.

The text on the back cover describes the contents of the book (reprinted
without permission, of course):

	"THE INS AND OUTS OF THE TS1000/ZX81 contains the complete circuit
	diagram of this amazing microcomputer, as well as a full discussion
	of the unorthodox methods which are used in making this microcomputer
	do what it does.

	"Don Thomasson discusses the structure of the TS1000/ZX81, and how
	you can add additional memory and expand its capabilities.

	"The book also includes a number of projects which demonstrate the
	potential of this microcomputer, from using it to control a model
	train set, right through to connecting it to a printer."

	This is the only book I've seen in bookstores that contains the
internals of the TS 1000/ZX81.  It also gives plenty of information for
adding peripherals.  I still can't believe where I found it:  I was
browsing through the book section of the local K-MART!  Even there, I
found the price a little steep ($11.95), but it seems to be worth it.

	Since I've paid for my admission to this newsgroup with the above
information, I have a question I'd like to put to the readers here:  Just
what do you people *do* with this "marvel of electronics design"?
(Quoted from the aforementioned hardware book.)  I've owned one for a
year, and have yet to find any real use for it.  I'd appreciate hearing
from someone who has come up with a purpose for owning a TS 1000/ZX81.
I'm not terribly interested in hearing about games on it; it seems as
though most *any* other micro would handle them better than the Sinclair
in terms of graphics and memory capabilities (although arguments against
this position are welcome, of course!).

	If you do have a use for it, tell us about it, including any
hardware modifications you made and why.

	I'd like to see the responses posted to the net, as this has been a
pretty dead newsgroup lately, but I will summarize and post any responses
mailed to me.


puck (never could spell that word right),
also known as Jerry Wheeler

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