Search found 20 matches

by PaddyC13
Wed Oct 19, 2022 11:50 am
Forum: Sinclair Miscellaneous
Topic: Thoughts on the Amstrad takeover
Replies: 124
Views: 2828

Re: Thoughts on the Amstrad takeover

What amuses me is how we have gone full circle. The ZX80 and ZX81 were criticised for their non moving, flat keyboards. So much emphasis in the 80s was placed on “proper” keyboards and yet today, most of use flat, non moving keyboards on our phones and tablets. :D

Kind regards

Paddy
by PaddyC13
Tue Oct 18, 2022 1:09 pm
Forum: Sinclair Miscellaneous
Topic: Thoughts on the Amstrad takeover
Replies: 124
Views: 2828

Re: Thoughts on the Amstrad takeover

Amstrad computers were functional and performed in their designed task well. During that time, I used and sold CPC, PCW and their early X86 PCs. All of these were very usable and in most cases enjoyable. The PCW8512 flew out the door as it was so much bang for your buck (back then). Even the 3” disk...
by PaddyC13
Tue Oct 18, 2022 10:42 am
Forum: Sinclair Miscellaneous
Topic: Thoughts on the Amstrad takeover
Replies: 124
Views: 2828

Re: Thoughts on the Amstrad takeover

Personally I believe Amstrad pulled off a master stroke with the Spectrum. For a relatively small investment they acquired a machine that no doubt made them millions. The new keyboard addressed one of the biggest complaints about the original Spectrums and no doubt cost Amstrad very little given the...
by PaddyC13
Fri Jun 11, 2021 9:55 pm
Forum: Graphics
Topic: Just a quick mock-up of Falcon ZX screen
Replies: 6
Views: 565

Re: Just a quick mock-up of Falcon ZX screen

Stunning. It would be great on the Next in one of its turbo modes.

Kind regards

Paddy
UK
by PaddyC13
Mon Nov 19, 2018 4:44 pm
Forum: Sinclair Miscellaneous
Topic: Paul Farrow's website?
Replies: 7
Views: 2235

Re: Paul Farrow's website?

How strange. If I try the link for Chrome, IExplorer and Edge it does not work. I cannot even access PlusNet's main site. Even a PING to www.plus.net just times out. I am using BT Broadband - surely they have not blocked the site.

Paddy
by PaddyC13
Mon Nov 19, 2018 1:39 pm
Forum: Sinclair Miscellaneous
Topic: Paul Farrow's website?
Replies: 7
Views: 2235

Paul Farrow's website?

Hi Folks,

Does anyone know what has happened to Paul Farrow's website:

www.fruitcake.plus.com/

The link no longer works. Has Paul changed his URL for example?

Many thanks

Paddy
UK
by PaddyC13
Tue Oct 09, 2018 10:08 pm
Forum: Hardware
Topic: Bug Fixed ROM
Replies: 12
Views: 3512

Re: Bug Fixed ROM

Strange, the line ‘IF 1/2<>0.5 THEN PRINT “Bug”’ works in Basinc i.e. it does not print Bug? Is there actually a bug there? Comparing floating point numbers for equality is generally a bad idea on any computer. Is that what it's doing? Apparently this test should produce “Bug” on a standard 48K Spe...
by PaddyC13
Tue Oct 09, 2018 8:03 pm
Forum: Hardware
Topic: Bug Fixed ROM
Replies: 12
Views: 3512

Re: Bug Fixed ROM

Strange, the line ‘IF 1/2<>0.5 THEN PRINT “Bug”’ works in Basinc i.e. it does not print Bug?

Paddy
by PaddyC13
Tue Oct 09, 2018 1:35 pm
Forum: Hardware
Topic: Bug Fixed ROM
Replies: 12
Views: 3512

Re: Bug Fixed ROM

Hi Folks, As Paul pointed out, if you are going to use the ROM with Basinc then you need to be VERY careful as it relies on code being in the right place! As of today, the modified ROM has the following features: +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | THE ...
by PaddyC13
Mon Oct 08, 2018 3:58 pm
Forum: Hardware
Topic: Bug Fixed ROM
Replies: 12
Views: 3512

Re: Bug Fixed ROM

Hi Paul,

Yes, I read that whilst researching changes to the ROM. Personally, it is not a problem for me as I do not play many games and if I do then switching back to the standard ROM is not a big thing.

Many thanks

Paddy
by PaddyC13
Mon Oct 08, 2018 3:37 pm
Forum: Hardware
Topic: Bug Fixed ROM
Replies: 12
Views: 3512

Re: Bug Fixed ROM

Done a couple more changes... +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | THE SPECTRUM FORUM 48K ROM | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | | | Filename : 48.ROM | | Start Date : 08-Oct-2018 | | Version : 0.01 : 08-...
by PaddyC13
Mon Oct 08, 2018 1:12 pm
Forum: Hardware
Topic: Bug Fixed ROM
Replies: 12
Views: 3512

Re: Bug Fixed ROM

Thanks everyone. I was wondering if the Spectrum Community (re. Z80 experts! ;)) would like to collaborate on making a modified 48K ROM that has a few changes but remains compatible. So far I have made the following simple changes to the standard 48K ROM: The Spectrum Forum 48K ROM =================...
by PaddyC13
Sat Oct 06, 2018 5:21 pm
Forum: Hardware
Topic: Bug Fixed ROM
Replies: 12
Views: 3512

Bug Fixed ROM

Hi Folks, Is there a bug fixed 48K ROM that is totally compatible with the original? I have searched the internet but the ROMs I have found all seem to have extra functionality. I want to use this ROM in BasinC so it needs to have the same entry points. BTW, this is a great forum but how does it rel...
by PaddyC13
Fri Aug 03, 2018 11:02 am
Forum: Hardware
Topic: ZX Vega+ Discussion
Replies: 151
Views: 35755

Re: ZX Vega+ Discussion

Watched the video and I have to say I cannot believe RCL sent these devices out. The packaging alone is unbelievable - what a load of tosh calling it ethical! As for the device itself - total junk and an insult to Rick Dickinson's original concept and memory. I cannot believe I fell for this one and...
by PaddyC13
Tue Jul 10, 2018 1:03 pm
Forum: Programming
Topic: 3D Chess 2K18
Replies: 345
Views: 68648

Re: 3D Chess 2K18

Nope, not lost interest at all. I would love to see a full blown Chess game created with it though.

Paddy
by PaddyC13
Mon Jul 09, 2018 12:53 pm
Forum: Games/Software
Topic: Which games really pushed the Speccy?
Replies: 57
Views: 11444

Re: Which games really pushed the Speccy?

There were so many of what appeared at the time "firsts" in the 1980s. This was not just on the Spectrum but other machines as well. Most of us did not have the technical nous to determine if what was being done pushed the limits of the machine. For me, it was whether I went "wow"...
by PaddyC13
Mon Jun 25, 2018 1:56 pm
Forum: Sinclair Miscellaneous
Topic: Clive Sinclair: hero or zero?
Replies: 51
Views: 11056

Re: Clive Sinclair: hero or zero?

The QL is an interesting case. It falls between the two categories I mentioned in my last post: it democratised existing technologies and used new ones (Microdrives). It's also not clear to me if it just failed because of worse execution than the ZX computers, or because it was a business computer ...
by PaddyC13
Fri Jun 22, 2018 3:00 pm
Forum: Sinclair Miscellaneous
Topic: Clive Sinclair: hero or zero?
Replies: 51
Views: 11056

Re: Clive Sinclair: hero or zero?

Personally I believe Sir Clive was an ideas man and someone who made things happen. Sir Clive hired the talent to make his and/or their dreams reality. If it was not for Clive's drive and vision many of the projects would never have happened. There is no doubting that the ZX81 and Spectrum were a co...
by PaddyC13
Thu Jun 21, 2018 12:27 pm
Forum: Hardware
Topic: ZX Vega+ Discussion
Replies: 151
Views: 35755

Re: ZX Vega+ Discussion

I have to say I am surprised that Sir Clive has not stepped in sooner (or his son on his behalf). One can only think his health is not good and/or he has loyalty to the folks at RCL. I wrote off my £100+ long ago and do not expect to see the console or money again. If something turns up then it is a...
by PaddyC13
Thu Jun 07, 2018 10:17 am
Forum: Hardware
Topic: ZX Vega+ Discussion
Replies: 151
Views: 35755

Re: ZX Vega+ Discussion

Hi Folks, I think this is all very sad. When I read the latest message I sent an official request via Indegogo for a full refund. Not expecting to get my money back but you never know. Personally, I don't care who's fault all of this is - it is just a real shame that something so special has ended t...