50 Timex programs uploaded to groups.yahoo.com/group/ts2068/files/Software/
8 messages · 2005-11-13 → 2005-12-11 · Yahoo Group era · View archive on archive.org
Participants: Andrew Owen, Timex, Tarquin Mills, Φοίβος Ρ. Ντόκος, \, alvin albrecht
Preserved from the Timex/Sinclair 2068 Yahoo Group (2001–2019), which is no longer online. Text reproduced from the archive.org archive; email addresses masked.
Messages
1. Re: [ts2068] 50 Timex programs uploaded to groups.yahoo.com/group/ts2068/files/Software/
Timex · Sun, 13 Nov 2005 16:15
On Nov 13, 2005, at 1:32 PM, Andrew Owen wrote:
> I've also created a TS1000-TS15000 directory in case anyone wants to
> upload any software written for those machines. Finally, my thanks
> to Alvin
> Albrecht and Johnny Red for supplying the original images.
>
> Enjoy!
I don't have more, because they are a kind of rare in Portugal.
Some of them were offered by Jack Boatwright.
Johnny Red, Portugal
2. 50 Timex programs uploaded to groups.yahoo.com/group/ts2068/files/Software/
Andrew Owen · Sun, 13 Nov 2005 13:32
It occured to me that while I'm waiting for a host for these titles I might as well
post them to the files section here. To be clear, these titles are still in
copyright. Distribution permission has been granted for them - but it wasn't
granted to me (it was either granted to the WoS archive - or to Alvin Albrecht).
I am hoping to see them all in the WoS archive eventually but until then here
they are.
Although I have copies of each title in multiple formats I have only posted the
.TZX version (or the .Z80 version where .TZXs are unavailable). These can be
readily converted to .TAP for use with emulators that don't support TZX using
TZX2TAP but can also be used with a real machine using PlayTZX.
The .Z80 files come in two varieties; NTSC (TS2068) and PAL (TC2068).
Where a program works on both machines both files are supplied. However,
some programs require specific timing to play the music correctly, in which
case only one version is supplied.
The whole archive only takes up 3% of the available file space on the group
and there's only one title available online which is missing (it's a demo on
www.zxdemo.org that uses the TC2048's Hi-Colour mode but I can't
remember the name of it).
I've also created a TS1000-TS15000 directory in case anyone wants to
upload any software written for those machines. Finally, my thanks to Alvin
Albrecht and Johnny Red for supplying the original images.
Enjoy!
3. Re: [ts2068] 50 Timex programs uploaded to groups.yahoo.com/group/ts2068/files/Software/
Tarquin Mills · Fri, 25 Nov 2005 20:22
Andrew Owen wrote:
> It occured to me that while I'm waiting for a host for these titles I
> might as well post them to the files section here.
They are now available at http://www.speccyverse.me.uk/comp/accus/timex/
Enjoy!
--
Tarquin Mills (Chairman)
ACCUS (Anglia Classic Computer Users Society)
http://www.speccyverse.me.uk/comp/accus/
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/Spectrum/ (We want a Spectrum +4)
4. Re: [ts2068] 50 Timex programs uploaded to groups.yahoo.com/group/ts2068/files/Software/
Φοίβος Ρ. Ντόκος · Sat, 10 Dec 2005 23:41
Has anyone actually tried them?
Some of them work but most do not, or they have problems (at least on my
TS2068s).
For example IK+ has triple sprites, Cybernoid2 the main ship sprite
appears a mess (not to mention attribute clash not present on the
Spectrum), CyberChase gives me R Tape Loading Error (although it appears
to run after typing RUN), I did also try Commando today and it appears to
work although there are sprite trails on the enemy sprites, but it is
playable.
One upside is that for the Z80 files, T.Kacz' Z802TZX converter
+ turboloader works pretty well. It did a reliable 427% of the original
speed (gave me less than a minute of loading time in many of these
programs)
Anyone volunteers of writing a compatibility database (or should I do it
myself) :-)
Phoebus
--
Using Opera's revolutionary e-mail client: http://www.opera.com/mail/
5. Re: 50 Timex programs uploaded to groups.yahoo.com/group/ts2068/files/Software/
Andrew Owen · Sun, 11 Dec 2005 08:48
--- In [email], Phoebus R. Dokos (Öïßâïò Ñ. Íôüêïò) <phoebus@d...>
wrote:
>
> Has anyone actually tried them?
I tested them all with FUSE and my real Spectrum SE in TC2068 mode.
> Some of them work but most do not, or they have problems (at least on my
> TS2068s).
I would be very surprised if this is the case. If the TZXs don't work then I suspect the files
have been corrupted during uploading. The case with the snapshots is another matter.
They were created to work under the Warajevo emulator and may behave differently on a
real TS2068 - some of them are timed only for the TC2068. Motos requires the Spectrum
emulator cartridge to be present.
> For example IK+ has triple sprites,
There are supposed to be three sprites - you and two opponents. Do you mean something
different?
> Cybernoid2 the main ship sprite
> appears a mess (not to mention attribute clash not present on the
> Spectrum)
Not sure about the ship, but the attribute clash may be due to a timing issue (the program
is designed to function at 50hz) which is not showing up under emulation.
> CyberChase gives me R Tape Loading Error (although it appears
> to run after typing RUN),
Is that one of the PD ones? In any case - I got no R Tape errors during testing.
> I did also try Commando today and it appears to
> work although there are sprite trails on the enemy sprites, but it is
> playable.
Again, the trails may be due to timing issues which simply don't show up under the
Warajevo emulator. The downside of not having a way to switch to 60hz in software (give
me back my Atari ST).
> One upside is that for the Z80 files, T.Kacz' Z802TZX converter
> + turboloader works pretty well. It did a reliable 427% of the original
> speed (gave me less than a minute of loading time in many of these
> programs)
I used divIDE to load them in under two seconds. But I also used it for TAP versions of the
TZXs. All the TZXs use the standard loader and can be converted to TAP. I'm not sure why
any of them would fail to load.
> Anyone volunteers of writing a compatibility database (or should I do it
> myself) :-)
As I don't have a real TS2068 I would appreciate a list of any that don't work, or don't work
as expected. With the snapshots, don't include the PAL versions, as these certainly won't
work as normal on a TS2068 (they are timed for the TC2068). If you email the details to
me I'll send you my original files of the ones you are having troubles with. Then at least we
can be sure the files weren't corrupted after uploading.
Cheers!
-Andrew
6. Re: [ts2068] Re: 50 Timex programs uploaded to groups.yahoo.com/group/ts2068/files/Software/
\ · Sun, 11 Dec 2005 09:03
Την Sun, 11 Dec 2005 03:48:12 -0500,ο(η) Andrew Owen
<[email]> έγραψε:
> --- In [email], Phoebus R. Dokos (Öïßâïò Ñ. Íôüêïò)
> <phoebus@d...>
> wrote:
>>
Hi Andrew,
<snip>
>> Some of them work but most do not, or they have problems (at least on my
>> TS2068s).
>
> I would be very surprised if this is the case. If the TZXs don't work
> then I suspect the files
> have been corrupted during uploading. The case with the snapshots is
> another matter.
The TZXs appear fine. However I will verify each one separately and have
the results tabulated before I let you know if they do not.
> They were created to work under the Warajevo emulator and may behave
> differently on a
> real TS2068 - some of them are timed only for the TC2068. Motos requires
> the Spectrum
> emulator cartridge to be present.
>
Hmmm that also makes sense now. It follows that if any sort of real
archive is to be created, then each program's requirements (like the
presence of a Spectrum cartridge) needs to be pointed out.
>> For example IK+ has triple sprites,
>
> There are supposed to be three sprites - you and two opponents. Do you
> mean something
> different?
Actually I did not. You are right. I must have confused it with "The Way
of the Exploding Fist". I had seen IK once but never played it myself
unlike TWOTEF which I owned (and I may add obliterated ;-) ) on my Speccy.
Apologies for the erroneous comment.
>
>> Cybernoid2 the main ship sprite
>> appears a mess (not to mention attribute clash not present on the
>> Spectrum)
>
> Not sure about the ship, but the attribute clash may be due to a timing
> issue (the program
> is designed to function at 50hz) which is not showing up under emulation.
I see. The main sprite looks though indeed messed up (trash instead of
image... it looks completely random and not shifted). A quick Disassembly
could probably fix that.
>> CyberChase gives me R Tape Loading Error (although it appears
>> to run after typing RUN),
>
> Is that one of the PD ones? In any case - I got no R Tape errors during
> testing.
No it is not PD (At least it doesn't mention it anywhere and it doesn't
look like it... it has ultra smooth animation of the main sprite as well,
which for its era shows a lot of work being put into it)
>
>> I did also try Commando today and it appears to
>> work although there are sprite trails on the enemy sprites, but it is
>> playable.
>
> Again, the trails may be due to timing issues which simply don't show up
> under the
> Warajevo emulator. The downside of not having a way to switch to 60hz in
> software (give
> me back my Atari ST).
Hehe, at least it plays (I love Commando ;-)
>> One upside is that for the Z80 files, T.Kacz' Z802TZX converter
>> + turboloader works pretty well. It did a reliable 427% of the original
>> speed (gave me less than a minute of loading time in many of these
>> programs)
>
> I used divIDE to load them in under two seconds. But I also used it for
> TAP versions of the
> TZXs. All the TZXs use the standard loader and can be converted to TAP.
> I'm not sure why
> any of them would fail to load.
>
The Ultra Loaders did not fail. The standard ones though did ;-)
>> Anyone volunteers of writing a compatibility database (or should I do it
>> myself) :-)
>
> As I don't have a real TS2068 I would appreciate a list of any that
> don't work, or don't work
> as expected. With the snapshots, don't include the PAL versions, as
> these certainly won't
> work as normal on a TS2068 (they are timed for the TC2068). If you email
> the details to
> me I'll send you my original files of the ones you are having troubles
> with. Then at least we
> can be sure the files weren't corrupted after uploading.
I will begin work on the database, but I will need help from TC2068 and
TC2048 owners to verify compatibilities.
I will set it up later in the week (see below) on my website and let you
know.
As for the files thank you for the offer. I will let you know very soon as
I am on a standard (modem) connection now. I recently moved houses and my
DSL hasn't caught up with me yet (Once you get used to the always on,
3Mbps connection you seriously get frustrated with the modem), Once the
DSL is back online I will let you know.
Cheers,
Phoebus
P.S. I will start modifying one of my TS2068s soon to make a Spectrum SE.
I will let you know of my progress. One thing I need to get is a FDD
interface. Are the schematics on the website viable for creating a DIY one
or should I look elsewhere? Speaking of SE, is there any manual of the SE
Basic anywhere?
7. Re: [ts2068] Re: 50 Timex programs uploaded to groups.yahoo.com/group/ts2068/files/Software/
alvin albrecht · Sun, 11 Dec 2005 14:34
> >> Some of them work but most do not, or they have problems (at least on
>my
> >> TS2068s).
Heh heh. Well I can confirm they will all work as they should on a 2068...
with spectrum emulator cartridge. I'm the one that tweaked those games
to work with 2068 hw many years ago -- they weren't tweaked to run
on a plain 2068 but to use the 2068's AY chip and joysticks only. Whether
they work on a native 2068 or not I couldn't say.
Regarding the 50/60Hz issue -- most of the time it doesn't matter, but
occasionally you'll see games with especially bad flicker or with special
effects that don't work the way they should (eg border effects in
Aquaplane or rainbow effects happening in the wrong part of the screen).
Corruption of the sprites, if not caused by a tape transfer error, is
a sure indicator that a spectrum emulator is required.
There are also several modifications of multiloaders like Myth, RType,
FB's Boxing, etc on WOS that use the JLO disk to load levels, which
is not included in Andrew's zip.
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8. Re: 50 Timex programs uploaded to groups.yahoo.com/group/ts2068/files/Software/
Andrew Owen · Sun, 11 Dec 2005 22:31
--- In [email], "alvin albrecht" <aralbrec@i...> wrote:
> Heh heh. Well I can confirm they will all work as they should on a 2068...
> with spectrum emulator cartridge. I'm the one that tweaked those games
> to work with 2068 hw many years ago -- they weren't tweaked to run
> on a plain 2068 but to use the 2068's AY chip and joysticks only. Whether
> they work on a native 2068 or not I couldn't say.
The only one that seems to require the Spectrum Emulator is Motos, but I've only been
able to test that under emulation. I couldn't find the genuine Spectrum Emulator online
(only the Spectrum ROM in the Dock bank) so I made a new LROS Spectrum Emulator. In
theory it should be possible to do a BBC Basic LROS as there is a version of BBC Basic Z80
that can run from the dock bank. I haven't had any luck yet. I've had a modicum of luck
with a 128 Basic emulator (running the original (Spanish) 128 editor in the dock bank) but
still have some bugs.
> Regarding the 50/60Hz issue -- most of the time it doesn't matter, but
> occasionally you'll see games with especially bad flicker or with special
> effects that don't work the way they should (eg border effects in
> Aquaplane or rainbow effects happening in the wrong part of the screen).
> Corruption of the sprites, if not caused by a tape transfer error, is
> a sure indicator that a spectrum emulator is required.
Or further patching. For instance it should be possible to convert the IF2 based games to
LROS carts, and I'm fairly sure Manic Miner and Jet Set Willy use minimal ROM calls.
> There are also several modifications of multiloaders like Myth, RType,
> FB's Boxing, etc on WOS that use the JLO disk to load levels, which
> is not included in Andrew's zip.
Really? I thought I had everything tracked down. Martijn has agreed to host Timex stuff on
the World of Spectrum so if any more titles surface they can be uploaded there.
Thanks again to Alvin for all the hard work over the years.
BTW, does anyone have a fast bit of code for displaying a 6x8 font in 512x192 mode?
Basic64 is rather slow. Plus, can anyone suggest a way to test from software if the machine
is running at 50hz or 60hz?