Suppor t For sinclair 27281 - spectrum - @L ord
ial adsinciasir 1088 - 15366 - 2668 Tonputers
VOLUME §
xX EBZCUG x «x
GIF GRAPHICS DECODING- ENCODING NOW AVAILABLE TO SINCLAIR GL USERS
By Horm Lehfeidt
Programmer Don Thompson has once agaim come to the aid and rescue of Sinclair GL users.
He has released GIF decoding and encoding programs for this ma— chine.
{For those who may mot recall, GIF -—-—- Graphics Interchange For— mat —-- is a@ new protocol estab— lished by CompuServe as a means for the exchange of graphics screens among disc-—simtlior- compu— ters. A GIF file begins with a header which describes the size of the image that follous and the colors employed. The decoder must thon adapt the image for display on the receiving compu— ter .>
Gon's program for accomplishing the complicated decodina task uses sophisticated algorithms thet make mathmaticl conversions of the pixel counts of images created on other computers so that their geometry is preserved on the GL screen. In addition the program contains a pallette of 64 stipples which greatlu ex-— pand the color capabilites of the QL. In many cases, the dis— Played QL image is nearly indis— tinguisable for the original Picture created on graphical ty more sophisticated machines.
At present, Don's programs are available to CompuServe subscr i- bers in Data Library 6 of CLUB SIG for only the cost of the connect time necessary to doun— load them.
Don stresses that it is impor t— ant to read the accompanying BOC file before attemptina to use the programs.
——
Y 5
ISSUE &
THE JOINT NEWSLETTER OF THE THREE TIMER-SINCLAIR USER GROUPS
Ey 4
$1.68
. & *
SEPTEMBER 1987
IN THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA ook PG ok ok x*x* SUS TUG x
VARIES TYPE STYLES ON 2068 SCREEN OR PRINTER
“FONTMARN'
By Hora Lebfeldt
“Font Manager ,* Jack Dohaney* s tatest achievement is a program Fer creating, editing and print— int te screen or printer an end— less variety of type styles.
As supplied by Jack, the program includes two libraries of tventy Fents each. But the type design possibilities of the program are unlimited.
Once the program is loaded and running, « particular type Font may be ‘activated.* Subsequent output te screen or printer will be in the font selected.
The key to the printing opera— tion is a nev printer driver us— ing your printer’s graphics mode For all printing. A Fringe bene— Fit of this scheme is that, for the First time, users of £0-—co— lum printers vill be able toa LPRINT and LLIST the Full Timex— Sinclair cheracter set.
Order “FONTMAN' directly From: Jack Dohaney 390 Rutherford Ave. Redweed City, CA 94061 Or call Jack ot (415) 367 7781 For Further details.
SRN NK IK INK INI OK OK KA ONY Inside This Issue:
eet:
su
QUIKSORT - Courtney Du Beis’ sub-routine far
rapid sorting of large arrays on the 2668.
o
3-0 WIRE-FRANE GRAPHICS - Tim Suenson's @L Program for drawing and manipulating objects om the @L screen. 4
os oe Onan adie dba:
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| IMELIWEZ HEWSLETTER stdin ladiatad [2:7]
FROM THE AUGUST 1987 CATS N/L
TS2ZO68 |ns and Out's
BY JAMES JONES
In developing an analog joy- stick using the ZIP compiler, I found that the routine included in the instructions for reading the joysticks is silly. The same machine code is produced by the compiler with the BASIC functions and is usable by the BASIC interpreter with:
3000 OUT 245, 14: LET K= IN(246 + player * 256)
Notice then to read the left jJay- stick:
3000 OUT 245, 14: LET K= IN 502
The right joystick: 3000 OUT 245, 14: LET K= IN 758
And perhaps most importantly both joysticks at the same time:
3000 QUT 245, 14: LET K= IN 1014
That is:
3000 OUT 245, 14: LET K= IN (246 + 3 * 256)
The joysticks are effectively ORed. This could make for some interesting games.
James Jones
2242 Locust Amarillo, TX 79109 Amarillo TSUG
FROM THE AUGUST 1987 PLOTTER N/L OF CLACKANAS COUNTY, OREGON.
COLOR-GRAY SCALE POKE numbers 1-4 into 23692 With a FOR-NEXT Loop to get ali > colorssqrayst. To get BRIGHT add 64 to each number, FLASH add 128, and ta- gether add i¢2.
> >
IN DEFENSE OF PUBLIC DOMAIN SOFTWARE by PETE FISHER
FROM THE CHICAGO AREA T/S GROUP N/L
~=Shareware/Fairwares-
A fairly new phenomena which has emerged in recent years is the concept of Shareware, also called Fairware or Freeware. In this case, the program is freely exchanged among users, as long as it’s accompanying “commercial message” remains intact. This message Simply states, "If you liked this program and found it useful, please send $X.00 to the author ati(and gives the address). Many people, of course, never pay. They end up missing out on updates, corrections, bug "fixes" and good quality D0C's. This is the main advantage of Fairware over normal PO. It's a living, ongoing thing with support.
The most famous T/S Fairware author is Jack Dohaney. He
calls his enterprise, “Jack's Fairware’ and he's currently offering over 20 titles. You can get his latest Catalog by sending a $.A.$.£. to Jack at; 390 Rutherford Av. /Redwood City, CA 94061. My personal favorites are his MSCRIPT upgrade (which I'm using to write this) and the RLE Decoder/Encoder prograe called QRL-the best available at this tiae.
Jack describes Fairware this way,"FAIRWARE is. CONDITIONAL public-domain user-supported software that is NOT exactly free. FAIRWARE costs whatever the USER feels is a fair price for what he or she received.
"The MAIN IDEA behind Fairware is that support is a two- way street: user and author should support each other, for their mutual benefit... ."
1 1 i 1 i | I I i I t i U t i 4 i i trwonN Go @ eity i i in tr wonmnmmnmvuwdowaoet | | t ! he ui ' ' i 4 { 1 (onc egru Mem i al i cat ye eee eee ! i i € ' I J 4 ' | I SaAHNN TNONR ! i) i Seg ee eee i t 1 tf i i i} i 1 1 Iw PM ein Nom | i iT Ii MNMMM | mmm i i 1 f i » oe <a | t t bod ft iT w oogor ; ¢ toa | MIT NNN IE NN (ez 1 1 i 'aq ii ' ! 1 i ison Oo SaAwM | th i [Nw baw Pa OO i i 1 i | { ' ! 1 i \ { Se NM TM I if i} fost 1 Ol AA et tet et | i 1 | [ 0 i { 1 1 j i i ! at f I Slt ANMeTNWORN | I i ' I | i On Ct | ! i t i t) ' i | { j i ' Sern MwTNvwn : i | i i i 1 ate ete | 1 I iT 1 i | i f i | { l i i ! i i I i H i i 1 1
TIMELINE?
3-D WIRE FRAME GRAPHICS By Tim Swenson
The program listed below allows a person to define a 3-D object, draw it on the screen, and rotate it in three different planes.
The heart of the program lies in how the object is represented. Two arrays hold the information for the object. An vertex array (list> holds all of the vertices. An edge array ‘list)> holds the two endpoints of the edges. The edgel array refers back toa the vertex list for the actual points. It only holds the number of the vertex.
Lines 100 to 1030 in the program holds the definition of a cube and some values for variables used by the program. Look at the diagrams and the the two lists to see how the cube is defined. More complex figures will take more information.
The center of the cube is €O,0,0). This can be changed by the user, The variables XX, YY, and ZZ define the center that the user chooses.
There are four procedures in the program. They are treated as keywords. Ta display the object the user can type in directly, or in a progran, DISPLAYSD. ROTX, ROTY, and ROTZ rotate the object in radians held by the variable ROT. The program says that ROT is 20, its wrong. It should be in radians, like PI/10. Just to refresh your memory PI/2 is 90 degrees.
When a rotation procedure is called the object is spun in the axis defined. Since the Z axis is pointing out of the screen, rotating the object will make it appear to spin like it is ona turntable and you are looking down on it. I hope this is clear.
The variable D2 changes how
* @L PROGRAM 3138
large the object is on the screen. The larger the number the smaller the object.
When you run the program as it is, nothing appears to happen. All it has done is to load the array with the data and set up the variables. Type ROTX, ROTY, and then DISPLAY3D. You will now see the cube at an angle.
Have fun with the program. If you have any questions feel free to contact me. Its hard to summarize a lot of material ina short article.
VERTICES
Pe Gabe Leck? @= (-1,1;10 3= ¢1,-1,1> 4= ¢€1,1,1> 5= (1,1,-2b> 6= (1,-1,-1) Y= <2], hy = 1? B= (-1,1,-1)
EDGE LIST
1= 4,2) 2= (2,4)
3= (4,3) 4= (3,1)
5= (7,8) 6= (8,5)
7= (5,6) 8= (6,7)
9= (7,1) 10= (6,3) 1i= (5,4) 12= (8,2)
IMELINEZ
100 DiM vertex (100, 3)
110 DIM edge (200,2)
190 RESTORE
200 READ xcenter, ycenter
210 READ di, de, rot
220 READ xx, yy, 22
230 READ vertexcount
240 FOR loop = 1 TO vertexcount
250 FOR loope = 1 TO 3
260 READ vertex ‘loop, loop2)
270 NEXT loope
280 NEXT loop
290 READ edgecount
300 FOR loop = 1 TO edgecount
310 READ edge (loop, 1>
3290 READ edge (loop, 2)
330 NEXT loop
19900 DATA 40,40,1,10,29
1919 DATA 0,0,0
LOCO DATA, 64-1, 71g de tk
Vg dig ty he dey del pd a
cog roe ee
1030 DATA 12,1
3 34'D3 056 O50, 7
9000 DEF ing PR P
,
ay
9010 FOR loco TO vertexcount S020 x1 = vertex loop, 1) *COS ‘rot >-vertex loop, 2)*SIN (rot)
2030 yio= vertex (loop, 1)*SIN (rot) +yvertex (loop, 2) COS (rot)
9040 vertex(loop,1) = xl
9950 vertex(loop,2) = yl
99690 NEXT loop
9090 END DEFine rotz
9100 DEFine PROCedure roty
9110.. FOR loap = 1 TO
vertexcount
9120 xl = vertex (loop, 1) *COS Crot)-vertex (loop, 3)x*SINCrot> 9130 Zi = vertex ‘loop, 1)x*SIN ‘rot)+vertex (loop, 3) xCOS (rot? 9149 vertex(loop,1> = x1 9150 vertex<(loop,3) = 21
9160 NEXT loop
9190 END DEFine roty
9200 DEFine PROCedure rotx 9210 FOR loop = 1 TO
vertexcount
9220 yl = vertex (loop, 2>xCOS (rot)-vertex (loop, 3) xSINCrot> 9230 zl = vertex(loop, 2)*SIN Crot)>+vertex (loop, 3) *COS (rot) 9240 vertex(loop,2) = yl 9250 vertex(loop,3) = zl
QL PROGRAM 319
9260 NEXT loop
9290 END DEFine rotx
9300 DEFine FuNction transx €x,d1,d2>
9305 LOCal xprime
9310 xprime = (xxd2)/dl
9315 RETurn xprime
9320 END DEFine transx
9330 DEFine FuNction transy fy,da1,d2>
9335 LOCal yprime
9340 yprime = Cyx*d2)>/dl1
9345 RETurn yprime
9350 END DEFine transy
9400 DEFine PROCedure display3d
9405 CLS
9410 FOR loop = 1 TO edgecount
9420 LET pointl = edge (loop, 1)
9430 LET pointe = edge (loop, 2)
9435 LET xl = vertex (pointl, 1) OR
9440 LET xl = transx(x1,d1,d2)
9445 LET x2 = vertex (point2, 1) - xx
9460 LET x2 = transx(x2,d1,d2)
9455 LET yl = vertex(point1,2) ~ YY
9460 LET yl = transy‘y1l,d1,d2>
9465 LET y2 = vertex (point2, 2) mee
9470 LET y2 = transy‘y2, dil, d2)
9480 LINE xl+xcenter, yl+ycenter TO xe+xcenter, y2t+tycenter
9490 NEXT loop
9495 END DEFine display3d
Pou re invited to the
: Nu TIMEX/SINCLAIR NINI-FAIR
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1987 9:86 A.M. TO 6:86 P.M.
Seattle Masonic Temple S616. Pine St... Seattle, WA
al el
Seminanrs—Bealers—Liser Groups Door Prizes—Demonsetrations
$3.86 —- Under 12 Free
{266> 2324-8116 for info. A,
IAELIREZ -
P U G N EF WwW Ss
by Walt Gaby
I missed the June meeting. But George Mockridge was kind enough to pitch in and report on it.
Since June, there have been two meetings. Here is a brief report on each of them.
kk Rk Rk Kk RK KR RK KK OK OK
At the July meeting, Norm Lehfeldt made a plea for help in putting out the newsletter. If you want to make a contribution, please let him know!
Norm also led a discussion on the idea of sponsoring a T/S Computer Faire in the San Francisco Bay Area. Bob Orrfelt is looking into possible facilities.
Jack Dohany indicated that he would like to see a workshop which reviewed programming languages other than BASIC. As examples, he mentioned FORTH, Assembly, Pascal, Cc, Turtle, and DLAN.
zk kK RK KE KR KK KOR OK
At the August meeting, there was more discussion on the proposal for a T/S Computer Faire. Group consensus felt that Silicon Valley would be the best location. Bob gave a summary report on his find- ings regarding facilities.
Jack Dohany demonstrated his new font program...it is terrific!!! If you are interested, call Jack at (415) 321-7684.
Re ek RK RE RH HEH KH HR
Next meeting date: SEPTEMBER 20. See you there!!!
CLUB NEWS | 320]
Sinclink
4% New GUTS/SV Workshop aeetings. GUTS/SV is starting a workshop aeeting program on Wednesday nights when the regular aeeting at ‘Star by the Sea’ Catholic Church in Alviso is not scheduled. These aeetings will be held at aeabers houses tor rks interested in special projects the aeaber holding the meeting is working on. Check Andy’s BBS for the schedule.
Ai ies 1 att biasl
erry Greenlee ws. isplays U4 Carl Rink cvssoces Areal TS Flight Siaulator
* New newsletter subscription rates. $15 per year for everyone, to help pi for the new Software library projects which are now available to all subscribers.
% GUTS/SV news:
49 870826 aeeting at Alviso ’Star by the Sea’ Catholic Church.
Meeting Attendees: Oliver Chaplin, Mark & Natalie Wahl,
Terry Greenlee, Andy Hradesky, Bil) Miller.
$43 Mark Wah) deaced his 128 coluan display for the 752068 on _ *s Moaochrose Nonitor. It looked pretty readable.
$33 sis Haag deaonstrated the Gaee "PHASOR’ on the 151500 and the 1$1510 Command Cartridge Adapter (loaned by Bob Orrfelt) and the Coaaand Cartridge progras ‘Flight Siaulator’.
$35 Bill Miller demonstrated Mark Wahl’s new prograe ’P1’, which prints the first sector of each Watadrive file to the 152040 printer, the Wafadrive Centronics Port, or a Watadrive DATA file to easily find out what each prograg on the Wafer is lin case you can’t figure it out from the File Nase). It also prints the sectors in Last In First Out (LIFO) order so that the newest files are printed out first. Thanks to Mark for putting this progras in the GUTS/SV Library. Naybe he will do a program like this for the other TS Nass Storage Devices?
4% Welcome to new Subscriber Mel Richardson of Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
Nel found out about us froa the ‘Subscribe to TIMELINEZ/SincLink!? classified ad in TIME DESIGNS MAGAZINE 8705/06 P40.
Thanks to renewing subscribers Dave Means of Freeont, Ca and Jim Wheeler of San Jose, Ca,
ALWIS@ SEWAGE DISPOSAL By,
Bho ~ ew & wre
'@ = ee
Sep tember:
19 Sundoy 1:66 P.M.
Peninsula Users Group 24 Thursday 7:38 P.M.
East Bow 2X81 Users Group
Catt Russ Enaiish for Location 36 Wednesday 7:80 P.M.
Silicon Vatltey Group
Star of the Sea Church, Alviso
October:
i? Sunday 1:60 FM. Peninsula Users Group Peninsula Hospital, Burl ingame
22 Thursday 7:30 F.M.
East Gay 2X81 Users Group
Call Russ English for tocatioan
25 Wednesday 7:00 P.M.
Silicon Vatltey Group Alvise
Star of the Sea Church:
November : 21 Sunday 1:60 P.M. Peninsula Ucers Group
Feninsula Hospital, Buri ingame
Important Notice:
Due to Thanksaiving on Thursday
November 26, East Bay and Siticon Valley meetings may be camcetlled or changed. Call one
of the officers for tate info.
Is it time te renew your membership?
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Pe Se
IMELIWEZ
john Ezike hos reminded me that there cre a number of mem— bers in each group who are a Little behind in their dues. Fifteen bucks isn’t veru much ta support club activities for a yeo>, 50 check your status and cough up if it's your turn. Also out of taunm subscribers are re- minded that they need pay oniyu ten bucks a year to continue re— ceiving °TIMELINEZ."
George Mockridge has for— warded a clipping from a recent issue of Investor's Daily with the headline ‘Sinclair to re—-en— ter British Market." There are about three sentences describing the 285 -- the new Sinclair tap— top. Pardon me for saying so, but it appears that this machine is turching on to the market in the some way as the QL --— Months and years of advance hype, re— Peatediy delayed introductions, Promised features omitted from machines finaliy delivered, etc.
Toam curious enough to bur one when they arrive, but I am still asking the question: will Sir Clive be remembered as a MCcim who bod ONE realiu great idea -—— the 2HS1>
loam sorry to have to report that plans for a T/WS Fest in the Gay Area in 1986 appear to howe fallen through. Those of us who oe been working on the Plan have retluctantiy concluded that none of us as the time free to devote to the project that it Would require.
Nanaging Editer: Edifers: EGZUE: John Ezike PUG: George Neckridge
SOSTHG: Bill Miller
B.S.Aa.
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Published neathig by the Tinex/Siaclair User Creeps in the Sem Freacisco-Geklend-San Jase areas. Seal te all correat seabers,
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“ “TRE EDITOR'S SWAN SONG
Donald S. =210 Clover Drive S.W.
Cedar Rapids
322
Bob Orffelt is to be commend— ed on all of his efforts in ga- ther ing and presenting options to the members of our ad hoc committees.
Maybe another ver.
T have one ather unpleasant dutyu -- it is to report that
this is the last issue of “TIMELINEZ’ that I will be edit— ing.
Increasing pressures at work and some perzcandal obliantions mean that something has to go and I'm afraid that ‘TIMELINE2’ is it. I hope to be able to con— tinue an occasional contribution to the newsletter and I urge you to do the same. It cannot con— tinue unless we all participate.
As of this writinas no new editor has been selected. I am veru/sorru that I could not have continued as editor for a Longer Period.
If I may; I'd tike to offer a vord of advice oan behalf of the next editor: everyone who con— tributes to *‘TIMELINEZ' be avare of the editor's re— quirements and attempt to acco—
modate them . ies ar of cone : SuMrtAgQ poets thes
Edi ters—ottt—st___ atl moke—thetr jab . : ee a:
eas iar. %
Ya\ 7
NHL
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