LONG: New member with 2068
1 message · 2006-07-29 → 2006-07-29 · Yahoo Group era · View archive on archive.org
Participants: Rory McMahon
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. LONG: New member with 2068
Rory McMahon · Sat, 29 Jul 2006 00:31
Hi all,
Let me introduce myself. My name is Rory McMahon and I live in Elburn,
IL (about 40 miles west of Chicago). I am a new owner of a 2068 via eBay .
Here is my history with computers.
Back in the 80's, I purchased a TS1000 (soon after, 16k rampack) at
the local Kmart for $99. The feature I liked the most was the BASIC
'shortcuts' keyboard. I did write some small basic programs with what
limited graphics and RAM that it had. However, the limited keyboard,
and when the rampack got loose and the computer froze, I had put it
aside (and later sold it).
At school, we were using Apple II Bell & Howells. I would take home
assignments and convert them for use on the TS1000. I liked the Apple
because of the color graphics and games we would sneak in and play.
Tee-hee.
However, when it came to purchase a computer, I wanted color graphics,
so we bought a Atari 800 with tape drive. After many years, this was
my obsession to which I have a full basement of Atari computers and
software.
Nostalgia has brought me back to try a TS2068, which has come in the
mail. Being inquisitive, I unscrewed it and marveled at the simplicity
of the board. The OS is laid out a little different than the Atari's
but then its a different architecture. I wasn't aware that Sinclair
has rigorously stuck to the 'tape' drive. The slot in the back looks a
little daunting, but also learned that the peripheral that hook up to
the back slot are in short supply or hard to find.
So my questions to the group:
1.) What periperals (in design or in manufacture) allow for mass
storage, serial or parallel ports, or networking (event to a PC serial
port) are available? I am interested in the hardware aspect and like
to build pcb's if needed. I have a soldering station and a few fingers
left.
For example: I can hook the Atari to the PC (via serial connection)
and use the PC hardrive, modem and printer by using APE from
www.atarimax.com. I can store virtual disks of software by loading
images into emulated drives.
2.) Recommended web sites for software for productivity and software
development and a easy way to transfer from a PC or Mac to the machine?
I've got the machine and hookups to a TV, but looks like I will need a
cassette drive.
3.) Is there PC or Mac Software for emulating a tape drive or can I
just hook the mic and headphone directly to a sound card?
Thanks for your patience, and let me bend your ear. I look forward to
your replies.
Rory