Possible lost software found?
9 messages · 2010-03-09 → 2010-03-29 · Yahoo Group era · View archive on archive.org
Participants: zxbruno, AB9MS, ab9ms, Marvio Santos, keithwatson2, Fred
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] Possible lost software found?
Marvio Santos · Tue, 9 Mar 2010 18:36:
I haven't heard of it, and a search on the web didn't produce anything... Very exciting to have "new" software to play with!! :)
To: [email]
From: [email]
Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 22:29:22 +0000
Subject: [ts2068] Possible lost software found?
I found a small box in my basement that had my old TS2068 tapes.
One I've not found at http://www.worldofspectrum.org/ is a
two pass compiler/assembler. Called "Compass"
Its copyrighted 1984
JRC Software
PO BOX 448
Scottsburg, IN 47170
I tried the tape and it loaded perfectly. Not bad for "unreliable" 26 year old analog tape. Anyone else own or have heard of this software?
I've not found it online anywhere, but admit I might have just missed it.
If no one knows of a site hosting it I will submit it to the archives.
The other 7 tapes are programs I had wrote back in the 80's. I've not yet had time to go through the tapes and discover what is stored on them. So exciting! I'm hoping there is a backed up copy of a Star Trek text adventure game I remember playing back them.
Lewis
ab9ms
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Hotmail: Powerful Free email with security by Microsoft.
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2. Possible lost software found?
ab9ms · Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:29
I found a small box in my basement that had my old TS2068 tapes.
One I've not found at http://www.worldofspectrum.org/ is a
two pass compiler/assembler. Called "Compass"
Its copyrighted 1984
JRC Software
PO BOX 448
Scottsburg, IN 47170
I tried the tape and it loaded perfectly. Not bad for "unreliable" 26 year old analog tape. Anyone else own or have heard of this software?
I've not found it online anywhere, but admit I might have just missed it.
If no one knows of a site hosting it I will submit it to the archives.
The other 7 tapes are programs I had wrote back in the 80's. I've not yet had time to go through the tapes and discover what is stored on them. So exciting! I'm hoping there is a backed up copy of a Star Trek text adventure game I remember playing back them.
Lewis
ab9ms
3. Re: Possible lost software found?
keithwatson2 · Wed, 10 Mar 2010 01:23
I used Compass a lot in my early years working with the Timex 2068, that is until Timemachine became available. Compass was very slow to work with but it did work well for what I used it for. Because it was written in BASIC it was easy to modify when you had a need to do so. I did modify quite a bit it to suit me and make it easier to use with the AERCO DD interface. Just the name "Compass" and JRC Software caused me to look for the manual for the software. I think I bought this software at the first Timex Computerfest in Cincinnati right from the author who had a display there (it was there or the next Timex Computerfest, not sure which).
In any case, I am not aware that it is hosted anywhere else.
Keith
--- In [email], "ab9ms" <ab9ms@...> wrote:
>
> I found a small box in my basement that had my old TS2068 tapes.
> One I've not found at http://www.worldofspectrum.org/ is a
> two pass compiler/assembler. Called "Compass"
> Its copyrighted 1984
> JRC Software
> PO BOX 448
> Scottsburg, IN 47170
>
> I tried the tape and it loaded perfectly. Not bad for "unreliable" 26 year old analog tape. Anyone else own or have heard of this software?
> I've not found it online anywhere, but admit I might have just missed it.
> If no one knows of a site hosting it I will submit it to the archives.
>
> The other 7 tapes are programs I had wrote back in the 80's. I've not yet had time to go through the tapes and discover what is stored on them. So exciting! I'm hoping there is a backed up copy of a Star Trek text adventure game I remember playing back them.
> Lewis
> ab9ms
>
4. Re: [ts2068] Re: Possible lost software found?
AB9MS · Sat, 20 Mar 2010 17:37
Sorry for the delays. Lots of different things going on. I went through one side of one tape... I got the Star Trek text adventure game saved. Its also got a couple of revisions of a word processor I was writing at the time. I haven't found it yet, but I recall writing a program for my mother to inventory her stamp collection she had at that time. I still got 6 hours of tapes to go through and inventory yet. Oh, and Traveling Salesman Problem taken for an ~1983 issue of Byte mag and Relativitics Spacelines (near speed of light time dilation) program from another 80s mag. Also, severial solar energy related programs.
Tons of stuff to dig through yet. I remember letting the computer run for days computing Fractals as well. I am hoping those are saved on the tapes somewhere yet.
Lewis
--- On Sat, 3/20/10, zxbruno <[email]> wrote:
> From: zxbruno <[email]>
> Subject: [ts2068] Re: Possible lost software found?
> To: [email]
> Date: Saturday, March 20, 2010, 6:14 PM
> Hi Lewis. Have you had a chance to
> check the contents of the other tapes? I would love to see
> those programs, even the home-made ones. And it would be
> great to have Compass preserved. Please let us know if you
> need help doing this.
>
> --- In [email],
> "keithwatson2" <keithwatson@...> wrote:
> >
> > I used Compass a lot in my early years working with
> the Timex 2068, that is until Timemachine became
> available. Compass was very slow to work with but it
> did work well for what I used it for. Because it was
> written in BASIC it was easy to modify when you had a need
> to do so. I did modify quite a bit it to suit me and
> make it easier to use with the AERCO DD interface.
> Just the name "Compass" and JRC Software caused me to look
> for the manual for the software. I think I bought this
> software at the first Timex Computerfest in Cincinnati right
> from the author who had a display there (it was there or the
> next Timex Computerfest, not sure which).
> >
> > In any case, I am not aware that it is hosted anywhere
> else.
> >
> > Keith
> >
> > --- In [email],
> "ab9ms" <ab9ms@> wrote:
> > >
> > > I found a small box in my basement that had my
> old TS2068 tapes.
> > > One I've not found at http://www.worldofspectrum.org/ is a
> > > two pass compiler/assembler. Called
> "Compass"
> > > Its copyrighted 1984
> > > JRC Software
> > > PO BOX 448
> > > Scottsburg, IN 47170
> > >
> > > I tried the tape and it loaded perfectly.
> Not bad for "unreliable" 26 year old analog tape. Anyone
> else own or have heard of this software?
> > > I've not found it online anywhere, but admit I
> might have just missed it.
> > > If no one knows of a site hosting it I will
> submit it to the archives.
> > >
> > > The other 7 tapes are programs I had wrote back
> in the 80's. I've not yet had time to go through the
> tapes and discover what is stored on them. So
> exciting! I'm hoping there is a backed up copy of a
> Star Trek text adventure game I remember playing back them.
> > > Lewis
> > > ab9ms
> > >
> >
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
> [email]
>
>
>
5. Re: Possible lost software found?
zxbruno · Sat, 20 Mar 2010 23:14
Hi Lewis. Have you had a chance to check the contents of the other tapes? I would love to see those programs, even the home-made ones. And it would be great to have Compass preserved. Please let us know if you need help doing this.
--- In [email], "keithwatson2" <keithwatson@...> wrote:
>
> I used Compass a lot in my early years working with the Timex 2068, that is until Timemachine became available. Compass was very slow to work with but it did work well for what I used it for. Because it was written in BASIC it was easy to modify when you had a need to do so. I did modify quite a bit it to suit me and make it easier to use with the AERCO DD interface. Just the name "Compass" and JRC Software caused me to look for the manual for the software. I think I bought this software at the first Timex Computerfest in Cincinnati right from the author who had a display there (it was there or the next Timex Computerfest, not sure which).
>
> In any case, I am not aware that it is hosted anywhere else.
>
> Keith
>
> --- In [email], "ab9ms" <ab9ms@> wrote:
> >
> > I found a small box in my basement that had my old TS2068 tapes.
> > One I've not found at http://www.worldofspectrum.org/ is a
> > two pass compiler/assembler. Called "Compass"
> > Its copyrighted 1984
> > JRC Software
> > PO BOX 448
> > Scottsburg, IN 47170
> >
> > I tried the tape and it loaded perfectly. Not bad for "unreliable" 26 year old analog tape. Anyone else own or have heard of this software?
> > I've not found it online anywhere, but admit I might have just missed it.
> > If no one knows of a site hosting it I will submit it to the archives.
> >
> > The other 7 tapes are programs I had wrote back in the 80's. I've not yet had time to go through the tapes and discover what is stored on them. So exciting! I'm hoping there is a backed up copy of a Star Trek text adventure game I remember playing back them.
> > Lewis
> > ab9ms
> >
>
6. Re: [ts2068] Re: Possible lost software found?
AB9MS · Sat, 27 Mar 2010 06:06
What software (linux or winXP) do you suggest to convert a cassette tape to TZX fortmat data file. Do I record a wav file then convert or is there one the can do it on the fly. I tried a couple (name escapes me at the moment) using WINE and got a TZX file but when I converted it back to test it had loading errors. Do programs that make a TZX for spectrums also work for TS2068 tapes? Just need a point in the right direction.
Lewis
--- On Sat, 3/20/10, zxbruno <[email]> wrote:
> From: zxbruno <[email]>
> Subject: [ts2068] Re: Possible lost software found?
> To: [email]
> Date: Saturday, March 20, 2010, 6:14 PM
> Hi Lewis. Have you had a chance to
> check the contents of the other tapes? I would love to see
> those programs, even the home-made ones. And it would be
> great to have Compass preserved. Please let us know if you
> need help doing this.
>
> --- In [email],
> "keithwatson2" <keithwatson@...> wrote:
> >
> > I used Compass a lot in my early years working with
> the Timex 2068, that is until Timemachine became
> available. Compass was very slow to work with but it
> did work well for what I used it for. Because it was
> written in BASIC it was easy to modify when you had a need
> to do so. I did modify quite a bit it to suit me and
> make it easier to use with the AERCO DD interface.
> Just the name "Compass" and JRC Software caused me to look
> for the manual for the software. I think I bought this
> software at the first Timex Computerfest in Cincinnati right
> from the author who had a display there (it was there or the
> next Timex Computerfest, not sure which).
> >
> > In any case, I am not aware that it is hosted anywhere
> else.
> >
> > Keith
> >
> > --- In [email],
> "ab9ms" <ab9ms@> wrote:
> > >
> > > I found a small box in my basement that had my
> old TS2068 tapes.
> > > One I've not found at http://www.worldofspectrum.org/ is a
> > > two pass compiler/assembler. Called
> "Compass"
> > > Its copyrighted 1984
> > > JRC Software
> > > PO BOX 448
> > > Scottsburg, IN 47170
> > >
> > > I tried the tape and it loaded perfectly.
> Not bad for "unreliable" 26 year old analog tape. Anyone
> else own or have heard of this software?
> > > I've not found it online anywhere, but admit I
> might have just missed it.
> > > If no one knows of a site hosting it I will
> submit it to the archives.
> > >
> > > The other 7 tapes are programs I had wrote back
> in the 80's. I've not yet had time to go through the
> tapes and discover what is stored on them. So
> exciting! I'm hoping there is a backed up copy of a
> Star Trek text adventure game I remember playing back them.
> > > Lewis
> > > ab9ms
> > >
> >
>
>
7. Re: Possible lost software found?
zxbruno · Sat, 27 Mar 2010 18:04
Here's a tutorial that might help:
http://www.tzxvault.org/help.htm
MakeTZX can convert audio from the "line in" socket to TZX in real-time, but I always get better results when working with a WAV file. Also, instead of the Cooledit program mentioned on that tutorial, you could your favorite audio editor. Audacity, for example, is freeware.
--- In [email], AB9MS <ab9ms@...> wrote:
>
> What software (linux or winXP) do you suggest to convert a cassette tape to TZX fortmat data file. Do I record a wav file then convert or is there one the can do it on the fly. I tried a couple (name escapes me at the moment) using WINE and got a TZX file but when I converted it back to test it had loading errors. Do programs that make a TZX for spectrums also work for TS2068 tapes? Just need a point in the right direction.
> Lewis
>
>
> --- On Sat, 3/20/10, zxbruno <zxspectrum128@...> wrote:
>
> > From: zxbruno <zxspectrum128@...>
> > Subject: [ts2068] Re: Possible lost software found?
> > To: [email]
> > Date: Saturday, March 20, 2010, 6:14 PM
> > Hi Lewis. Have you had a chance to
> > check the contents of the other tapes? I would love to see
> > those programs, even the home-made ones. And it would be
> > great to have Compass preserved. Please let us know if you
> > need help doing this.
> >
> > --- In [email],
> > "keithwatson2" <keithwatson@> wrote:
> > >
> > > I used Compass a lot in my early years working with
> > the Timex 2068, that is until Timemachine became
> > available. Compass was very slow to work with but it
> > did work well for what I used it for. Because it was
> > written in BASIC it was easy to modify when you had a need
> > to do so. I did modify quite a bit it to suit me and
> > make it easier to use with the AERCO DD interface.
> > Just the name "Compass" and JRC Software caused me to look
> > for the manual for the software. I think I bought this
> > software at the first Timex Computerfest in Cincinnati right
> > from the author who had a display there (it was there or the
> > next Timex Computerfest, not sure which).
> > >
> > > In any case, I am not aware that it is hosted anywhere
> > else.
> > >
> > > Keith
> > >
> > > --- In [email],
> > "ab9ms" <ab9ms@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > I found a small box in my basement that had my
> > old TS2068 tapes.
> > > > One I've not found at http://www.worldofspectrum.org/ is a
> > > > two pass compiler/assembler. Called
> > "Compass"
> > > > Its copyrighted 1984
> > > > JRC Software
> > > > PO BOX 448
> > > > Scottsburg, IN 47170
> > > >
> > > > I tried the tape and it loaded perfectly.
> > Not bad for "unreliable" 26 year old analog tape. Anyone
> > else own or have heard of this software?
> > > > I've not found it online anywhere, but admit I
> > might have just missed it.
> > > > If no one knows of a site hosting it I will
> > submit it to the archives.
> > > >
> > > > The other 7 tapes are programs I had wrote back
> > in the 80's. I've not yet had time to go through the
> > tapes and discover what is stored on them. So
> > exciting! I'm hoping there is a backed up copy of a
> > Star Trek text adventure game I remember playing back them.
> > > > Lewis
> > > > ab9ms
> > > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
8. Re: Possible lost software found?
zxbruno · Sat, 27 Mar 2010 18:18
Almost forgot: MakeTZX works great under Windows, but I'm not sure if Wine handles the utility as well as the "real" Windows o.s.
"Do programs that make a TZX for spectrums also work for TS2068 tapes? "
Correct. :)
--- In [email], "zxbruno" <zxspectrum128@...> wrote:
>
> Here's a tutorial that might help:
>
> http://www.tzxvault.org/help.htm
>
> MakeTZX can convert audio from the "line in" socket to TZX in real-time, but I always get better results when working with a WAV file. Also, instead of the Cooledit program mentioned on that tutorial, you could your favorite audio editor. Audacity, for example, is freeware.
>
> --- In [email], AB9MS <ab9ms@> wrote:
> >
> > What software (linux or winXP) do you suggest to convert a cassette tape to TZX fortmat data file. Do I record a wav file then convert or is there one the can do it on the fly. I tried a couple (name escapes me at the moment) using WINE and got a TZX file but when I converted it back to test it had loading errors. Do programs that make a TZX for spectrums also work for TS2068 tapes? Just need a point in the right direction.
> > Lewis
> >
> >
> > --- On Sat, 3/20/10, zxbruno <zxspectrum128@> wrote:
> >
> > > From: zxbruno <zxspectrum128@>
> > > Subject: [ts2068] Re: Possible lost software found?
> > > To: [email]
> > > Date: Saturday, March 20, 2010, 6:14 PM
> > > Hi Lewis. Have you had a chance to
> > > check the contents of the other tapes? I would love to see
> > > those programs, even the home-made ones. And it would be
> > > great to have Compass preserved. Please let us know if you
> > > need help doing this.
> > >
> > > --- In [email],
> > > "keithwatson2" <keithwatson@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > I used Compass a lot in my early years working with
> > > the Timex 2068, that is until Timemachine became
> > > available. Compass was very slow to work with but it
> > > did work well for what I used it for. Because it was
> > > written in BASIC it was easy to modify when you had a need
> > > to do so. I did modify quite a bit it to suit me and
> > > make it easier to use with the AERCO DD interface.
> > > Just the name "Compass" and JRC Software caused me to look
> > > for the manual for the software. I think I bought this
> > > software at the first Timex Computerfest in Cincinnati right
> > > from the author who had a display there (it was there or the
> > > next Timex Computerfest, not sure which).
> > > >
> > > > In any case, I am not aware that it is hosted anywhere
> > > else.
> > > >
> > > > Keith
> > > >
> > > > --- In [email],
> > > "ab9ms" <ab9ms@> wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > I found a small box in my basement that had my
> > > old TS2068 tapes.
> > > > > One I've not found at http://www.worldofspectrum.org/ is a
> > > > > two pass compiler/assembler. Called
> > > "Compass"
> > > > > Its copyrighted 1984
> > > > > JRC Software
> > > > > PO BOX 448
> > > > > Scottsburg, IN 47170
> > > > >
> > > > > I tried the tape and it loaded perfectly.
> > > Not bad for "unreliable" 26 year old analog tape. Anyone
> > > else own or have heard of this software?
> > > > > I've not found it online anywhere, but admit I
> > > might have just missed it.
> > > > > If no one knows of a site hosting it I will
> > > submit it to the archives.
> > > > >
> > > > > The other 7 tapes are programs I had wrote back
> > > in the 80's. I've not yet had time to go through the
> > > tapes and discover what is stored on them. So
> > > exciting! I'm hoping there is a backed up copy of a
> > > Star Trek text adventure game I remember playing back them.
> > > > > Lewis
> > > > > ab9ms
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
>
9. Re: [ts2068] Re: Possible lost software found?
Fred · Mon, 29 Mar 2010 21:39
Hi,
On 28/03/2010, at 0:06, AB9MS wrote:
> What software (linux or winXP) do you suggest to convert a cassette tape to TZX fortmat data file. Do I record a wav file then convert or is there one the can do it on the fly. I tried a couple (name escapes me at the moment) using WINE and got a TZX file but when I converted it back to test it had loading errors. Do programs that make a TZX for spectrums also work for TS2068 tapes? Just need a point in the right direction.
You can also try audio2tape from fuse-utils in Linux if you like.
Fred