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1 { Thought of the month:
1 { In 1981, the ZX81 popped up. This look a lot better but still suffered from its flashing display. The new computer cost `70.Undercutting the ZX80 price by 30 quid. Again, this had 1k ofRAM but 8k of ROM. The machine was slow, but still managed tosell around 500,000 machines in its first year.
1 x Best Wishes,
1 u In 1989, MGT launched the SAM COUPE. This was to be the superspeccy but it never really took off. Although there are a largeamount of users and support is good on the PD front. It has alsojust been offered for sale again. Lets wish it te best of luck. MGT later went 'BUST'. Soon after, Sam Computers was created tobring back the Sam. Sadly, this company also failed.
1 t Darren Randle. (Editor.)
1 q In 1983, more developments. The JUPITER ACE sprung up costing`80, another clone! The issue 3 speccy was sold, it now rancooler and featured a louder beep. Prices were cut to `100 for the 16k and `130 for the 48k. Next up was the TIMEX TMS-1500,$80, 8K ROM, 16K RAM. Basicly a ZX81 with a better keyboard. Itdied a quick death. The next effort: The TIMEX TMS-2068,$150-200. It had 24K ROM and 16K/48K RAM. It featured betterBASIC and sound but didn't like half of the software. The UK PALTV version was never sold.
1 merge d1"news"
1 m The future of the Speccy now looks very bleak. No one isquite sure what the future holds, we will just have to wait andsee. For more information read CRASH issues: 78 and 79.
1 m GO ON, PRESS THE SPCE BAR!
1 h In the early days, (1980) the first Sinclair computer were born.The ZX80 was a cheap nasty looking computer, the case was whiteand featured white painted strips at the rear which possed as anair vent. When first released, the ZX80 cost `100. The machinehad 1k RAM and 4k ROM. Its graphical display was very limited.It carried only Black & White graphics (Screen 32 x 24) and hadno sound chip. The total sales for this machine totaled around50,000 units. The ZX80 was designed by Jim Westwood.
1 g GETTING TO THE BOTTOM OF THINGS:
1 f In 1984, the Spectrum Plus lept out. This cost `180 with resetbutton and a better box and new keys.
1 d*"NEWS.C2"
1 d*"NEWS.C"
1 ^ When you eat a POLO, where does the hole go?
1 [ 1985, Spectrum plus price was cut to `130 and 16k machines andthe rubber keys were scrapped. Then the 128 was born. A hugeleap in memory and sound. This cost `180, featured 32k ROM and128K RAM. Loads of new ports were added for good measure. Hardlyanyone liked the new screen editor. (128 basic)
1 X The new +2 came out in 1988 and was slighty less compatable with48 software. This was also a problem for +3 users. Sir Clivereleased his latest creation, the SINCLAIR PROFESSIONAL PC200.This was 16 bit, it boosted 512k memory, one 3.5 disc drive,four colours and CGA graphics. It never took off, mainly becuaseno one understood what use it was. It couldn't be used as abusiness computer because of its small memory and it was no goodfor games because it only had four colours. NOT one of Sinclairsbest ideas.
1 U This months feature is a look at the life of the Spectrum.
1 U NOW PRESS SPACE TO LOAD IN THE NEXT SECTION.
1 U 1987 saw the release of the Spectrum +3. `249, 3 inch discdrive. This had a problem with the sound chips. Often musicsounded currupted and noisy. Later in the year, prices were cutto `199. Some store offered it for `180.
1 R Next issue: August 1st 1993.
1 Q In 1986, the Spectrum 128 +2 sprung into life. This was basiclythe 128 in a new box and a tape deck wedged onto it. 250,000machines were sold in the first year. This was also the firstAMSTRAD Spectrum. (Our question is, was it a good idea forSinclair to sell his computers to Amstrad?)
1 Q 1982 saw the release of the TIMEX TMS-1000. (A licensed ZX81)This was released in America and cost $100. This was a big hit. Then followed possibly the most important development inSincliar computers, the birth of the SPECTRUM range. For the sumof `125 you could buy a 16k speccy, for `175 you could get yourhands on a 48k speccy. (With 16/48 RAM and 16k ROM) The newSpectrum was cheap and powerfull. It now featured COLOURgraphics (16 colours) and a BEEP. 60,000 issue 1 Spectrums weresold. No-one liked the rubber keys though...
1 P Other interesting facts: Most vampire goats are called Vincent.
1 N Our research team informs us, THE GREEN TURNIP FISH can often besighted in alotments across the Northfleet area.
1 L The following years saw the death of the +3, this was so Amstradcould sell more of their new CPC 6128 range. (No chance...)
1 F PROGRAM CONTENT (C) 1993 NEON PUBLISHING/RASPUTIN PD.
1 ;"Sorry about the spelling mistakes...":
1 ;"SINCLAIR NEWS ISSUE 1."'
1 ;"RASPUTIN PD, 166 VALLEY DRIVE, GRAVESEND, KENT, DA12 5SH":
1 ;"Press 'P' to pause text & space to load next block."
1 ;"Loading: 48/128 +2 tape ver 1.0. Please wait.":
1 ;"(C) 1993 Neon Publishing & Rasputin PD Software."
1 23638-753":
1 23637+256*
1 - 2 > THE GREEN TURNIP FISH.
1 ( EDITOR: DARREN RANDLE.
1 & 4 > THE MONGOLIAN FRUIT HORSE.
1 & 3 > THE MARROW SHAPED CAT.
1 " 5 > THE VAMPIRE GOAT. (ALSO SPOTTED IN WILTSHIRE!)
1 for next issue. Send us your letters, views, reviews, moans,tips and cheats, film reviews and anything else that you thinkpoeple might enjoy. The next issue will be available on the 1stof August. For a copy send a TAPE/DISC, 20p coin and a STAMPEDS.A.E to the usual address.
1 Well, thats about it for this issue. PLEASE! send usletters, reviews or anything you think people may findinteresting. Send all 'STUFF' to our usual address. See you nextmonth. BYE! My express thanks go to YOU! for taking the time toread this magazine. Any comments on SINCLAIR NEWS will be mostwelcome.
1 The price of the ZX81 was cut to `50 and the TMS-1000 price wasslashed to $40.
1 The orange Emu is infact yellow!
1 The computer had a few horrid features, such as the lack ofkeys, the screen flashed when you typed something and the casewas bendy. Despite the above, the ZX80 sprawned a clone. Thiswas the MICRO ACE. This cost only `80 and featured 2k of RAM. A16k RAM pack was also produced for the MICRO ACE, the problemwith this was it enjoyed 'falling off' when you least wanted itto...
1 The +2 also slowly died out. Crash magazine was swallowed up by Sinclair User, they later closed and now Your Sinclair will soonbe closing. For those of you who wondered what happened to theSinclair QL, that was killed when Amstrad took over. This was onthe 7th of April 1986. Sinclair computers were brought for 4million pounds. This gave them the rights to make the Spectrumsand to kill the QL.
1 THE GOOD 'OL DAYS....
1 TEXT DRIVER: PUBLIC DOMAIN.
1 Still here? RESET YOUR COMPUTER!
1 It would be a good idea to reset your computer
1 Don't forget, we need anything and everything
1 As most of you know, the Sinclair range of computers are nowjust under 13 years old.
1 People voted for John Major. (WHO???)
1 1 > THE ORANGE EMU.