Mk.14 -> Acorn System 1 -> ZX81(kit)+16k+printer -> Sharp MZ-80A -> QL. My ZX81 tape interface was reliable once I'd set the recorder levels correctly. The wobbly RAM pack problem was solved with a large strong rubber band all the way around the edge of the ZX81 to keep the RAM pack off the surface. The printer wasn't very good - several lines in long listings would be almost unreadable. I only bought the QL on impulse because Dixons were selling them for 150 pounds with a free dot matrix thermal printer. I didn't realize how fast a thermal print would fade! If you wanted to keep anything you had to photocopy it. Having said that I have some listings I kept in a folder which are still readable - maybe they became fossilized or something :) The Sharp outlived the QL whose keyboard membrane broke. At the time I didn't know they could be replaced so the machine just got stuck in the loft and forgotten about, eventually cannibalized for parts - I kept any chips that were in sockets, and the microdrives. The Sharp eventually got sold at a jumble sale for 20 pounds, working, with 5.25" dual floppy but broken integral cassette.
> Ah the good old days !! Sure were, mostly, I think. Yeah, must've been. Well definitely old anyway. Ian. > -----Original Message----- > From: Norman.Dunbar > Sent: 21 November 2001 14:38 > To: ql-users > Cc: Norman.Dunbar > Subject: RE: [ql-users] Q40/Q60 keyboard interface > > > Mine was : > > ZX81->Spectrum->QL > > I only ever dabbled in the electtronics and built a > controller or I/O board > out of some magazine or other for the ZX81 then modified it for the > Spectrum. The only bit I ever did was slap a load of LEDs > (and resistors) > onto the thing to make a set of flashing lights. Ah the good > old days !! > > Norman. > > ------------------------------------- > Norman Dunbar > Database/Unix administrator > Lynx Financial Systems Ltd. > mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Tel: 0113 289 6265 > Fax: 0113 289 3146 > URL: http://www.Lynx-FS.com > ------------------------------------- > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Tony Firshman [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] > Sent: Wednesday, November 21, 2001 2:00 PM > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Re: [ql-users] Q40/Q60 keyboard interface > > Mine was the UK101 - an unbelievable number of ICs with dodgy sockets. > The QL took over from that, and was ultra reliable in comparison. > This email is intended only for the use of the addressees > named above and > may be confidential or legally privileged. If you are not an > addressee you > must not read it and must not use any information contained > in it, nor copy > it, nor inform any person other than Lynx Financial Systems or the > addressees of its existence or contents. If you have > received this email > and are not a named addressee, please delete it and notify the Lynx > Financial Systems IT Department on 0113 2892990. > Visit our website at http://www.ubswarburg.com This message contains confidential information and is intended only for the individual named. If you are not the named addressee you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. Please notify the sender immediately by e-mail if you have received this e-mail by mistake and delete this e-mail from your system. E-mail transmission cannot be guaranteed to be secure or error-free as information could be intercepted, corrupted, lost, destroyed, arrive late or incomplete, or contain viruses. The sender therefore does not accept liability for any errors or omissions in the contents of this message which arise as a result of e-mail transmission. If verification is required please request a hard-copy version. This message is provided for informational purposes and should not be construed as a solicitation or offer to buy or sell any securities or related financial instruments.
