Reviewing ZX-Review #3: ZS-256 Scorpion News and ATM Turbo Fixes

NEWS IN LATVIA

Now, a little information about what's new in Latvia. The only news so far is ZX-REWIEW N3. This issue contains the following goodies:

1. An interview with ZONOV, where he talks about ZS-256 SCORPION.
2. About ATM TURBO compatibility with hacked games.
3. A bit about TR-DOS.
4. A bit about sound sampling.
5. Etudes.
6. Forum.
7. Adventure Games review.
8. Continuation of the RPG review.
9. Description of two games.

Now briefly about each point individually.

In the interview, Sergejs Zonovs talks about ZS-256. The main point was that all future developments will only work on original SCORPIONs with turbo mode.

The first development discussed in the interview was a universal mouse and XT keyboard controller. The second development is a hard disk controller. This controller will differ from existing ones in that it will be designed to work with IS-DOS, TR-DOS, and CP/M.

In the article about ATM, the main cause of ATM turbo incompatibility with hacker loaders is cited as port #7FFd being decoded too completely. Then two options for resolving these problems are given:
1) Using software;
2) By cutting traces on the board.

In the article about TR-DOS, there is a track 0 backup program. The only thing to say about this article is that it includes a track formatting subroutine.

In the article about sound sampling, programs are provided that allow you to sample sound through port #FE, or simply put, through the TAPE IN input.

Etudes contains the following programs:
1) the shortest routine for smooth screen clearing;
2) various screen clearing routines;
3) a program that allows displaying an image on the screen like in the game TOTAL RECALL.

In Forum, the following problems are discussed:
1) whether the magazine should include companion disks with the source code of published programs;
2) how to prevent the loader from being interrupted with BREAK;
3) a bit about LASER SQUAD;
4) a bit about LORDS OF MIDNIGHT;
5) a program that can measure the length of the INT signal;
6) as always, something about ELITI.
And much more.

The Adventure games review covers the following programs:
1) TEMPLE OF TERROR;
2) RIGELS REVENGE;
3) STIFFLIP & Co;
4) MESSAGE FROM ANDROMEDA;
5) HUNCHBACK;
6) ADVENTURELAND;
7) MOVIE;
8) BORED OF THE RINGS;
9) HE-MAN;
10) EMERALD ISLE;
11) AFTERSHOCK;
12) SPIDERMAN;
13) HAMPSTEAD;
14) THE HOBBIT.

The article about RPGs covers the following topics:
1) rules in AD&D games, specifically regarding priests, clerics, and druids;
2) the most popular game in America. This game is somewhat similar to a card game;
3) how to create screen elements in RPG games.

Both reviewed games are management simulations:
1) BURRY McCUIGAN WORLD CHAMPION;
2) MULTI PLAYER SOCCER MANAGER.

And now, the long-promised ZX HARDWARES price review. Since the author of this article is heavily impressed by ZS-256, the magazine will mostly list prices that are in one way or another related to ZS-256:

1. ZS 256 SCORPION board (clone) - 25 Ls.

2. ZS 256 SCORPION board (official) - 35 Ls.

3. ZS 256 SCORPION assembled in a case with an MC 5305 disk drive - 80 Ls.

4. Printers - 35 Ls.

5. Screen video scanner (not seen on the market yet) - 12 Ls.

6. MC 5305 disk drive - 12 Ls.

7. SECAM encoder - 6 Ls.

8. Color monitor for ZX SPECTRUM with RGB input - 40 Ls.

9. MOUSE controller with mouse costs 8 Ls.

10. Switching power supply for five and twelve volts - 12 Ls.

11. Extended keyboard - 8 Ls.

Only those prices that are essential are mentioned here. Further information will follow in the next magazine. Since these prices were taken from the market, they may vary with different sellers. Therefore, prices may have a tolerance of 1-2 Ls.