QL FAQ part 0: introduction
Robert H. Klein
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comp.sys.sinclair FAQ list for the Sinclair QL computer
This FAQ list has last been modified at 1994-JUN-07
0 Introduction to the FAQ
0.0 Preface and forward
Dear reader,
this is the first (now reviewed) edition of the FAQ for the
Sinclair QL computer. Great parts are incomplete or I
haven't any idea about the topic. Perhaps you want to have
additional material in the FAQ. Many thinks may be unclear
or simply wrong; please don't blame me to much for this.
I don't have included the part about the Pointer Environment
yet, but Mr. Kettlewell gave me permission to use his
Pointer FAQ. As this has been posted some two months ago,
{I see no necessity to include it into this first posting.
I'll include it when I've got all your suggestions to the
FAQ and then post a update.} [Please be patient and wait
until July/August - I'm short of time until July]
If possible I'll include material about the QL filesystem
and more about SMS2 and QXL in the July/August update.
The use of the words QL or QDOS sometimes includes unwritten
that the actual topic also includes compatibles.
If you have any ideas, suggestions, criticism please mail me
<rok...@wilbur.zdv.uni-mainz.de>. (But please be patient
and rational, and keep short if possible: I've only a
limited diskspace.)
Well, now relax and enjoy.
Robert
0.1 Contents
* means, that I have not enough information to write
anything about the marked FAQ part or that I'll try to
do it in future.
0 Introduction to the FAQ
0.0 Preface and forward
0.1 Contents
0.2 Warranty information
0.3 Miscellaneous information
0.4 What's the Sinclair QL
0.5 Facts about the Sinclair QL
1 QL, QL Clones Hardware
1.1 QL
1.1.1 The Motorola MC 68008 CPU
1.1.2 The Intel 8049 IPC (or 8749)
1.1.3 ZX8301 (Peripheral Control)
1.1.4 ZX8302 (Peripheral Chip)
1.1.5 Microdrives
1.1.6 Power supply
1.1.7 Build Standards, Differences
1.2 Sandy Q-XT 640
1.3 CST Thor PC (later Thor 1)
1.4 Sandy 68000 PC (Futura, formerly QLT, never appeared)
1.5 CST Thor 20, 21
1.6 CST Thor XIV
1.7 Futura Data Centre QL emulator board for the Atari ST
1.8 Miracle Systems Gold Card
1.9 ICL One Per Desk (also Merlin Tonto or Computerphone)
1.10 Merz QVME Card
1.11 Miracle Systems QXL Card
1.12 Miracle Systems Super Gold Card
2 QL Device Operating System (QDOS) and Compatibles
2.1 QDOS
2.2 Minerva
2.3 Argos
*2.4 SMSQ
2.5 QDOS enhancements
2.5.1 SuperToolkit II
*2.5.2 Pointer Environment
*2.5.3 Hotkey System II
*2.5.4 Thing System
*2.5 SMS2
3 Programs for the QL / Compatibles
3.1 Emulators of other systems on the QL
3.1.1 PC Conqueror
3.1.2 The Solution
3.1.3 CP Mulator
3.1.4 Success
*3.1.5 Spectrum emulators ZM/HT etc
3.2 Psion Quartet
3.2.1 Quill Import/Export
4 dealers, clubs, magazines, ftp sites
4.1 Hardware dealers
4.2 Services
4.3 Software dealers
4.4 Club adresses
4.5 Magazines
4.6 QL Internet resources
0.2 Warranty information
In no circumstances will the maintainers of this FAQ be
liable for any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential
damage or loss including but not limited to loss of use.
stored data, profit or contracts which may arise from any
error, defect or failure of the FAQ or the information
supplied with it.
The FAQ maintainers have a policy of constant development
and improvement of their FAQ. Therefore, the right is
reserved to change the FAQ contents at any time and without
notice.
Each part of this FAQ may be reproduced in any form
whatsoever without the written permission of the FAQ
maintainers.
0.3 Miscellaneous information
Many thanks to all the people who helped me to put this
thing together, especially to:
Jennifer Louise Yockney <yock...@cs.man.ac.uk>
Richard J. Kettlewell <rjk...@phx.cam.ac.uk>
The abbreviation SQLW means Sinclair QL World.
Any suggestions, criticism please email to
rok...@wilbur.zdv.uni-mainz.de
0.4 What's the Sinclair QL
[from a leaflet from WN Richardson. Please don't blame
me -ed]
The Quantum Leap computer was launched by Sir Clive
Sinclair in 1984 aimed mainly at the business market rather
than the games market which dominated Spectrum sales.
The QL was (and still is) supplied complete with a suite
put together by PSION comprising of a fully functional
wordprocessor, spreadsheet, database and a business graphics
programs (bar charts, pie charts etc).
The concept of the QL is to plug in and go. The only
extra required to get started is a standard TV and 10-15
minutes time (i.e. to to start typing a letter).
There is a host of additional peripherals available for
the QL including printers, disk drives, monitors, interfaces
and specialist hardware and software. The QL has its own
magazine - "QL World" which carries interesting articles and
advertisements.
0.5 Facts about the Sinclair QL
[From a leaflet from WN Richardson. Please don't blame
me -ed]
Following his successes with the 'ZX' and 'SPECTRUM'
computers Sir Clive Sinclair produced the 'QL' -- 'Quantum
Leap' -- computer.
Although out if production now for some years it was
ahead of its time, and is still up-to-date in most respects,
and in use in the USA and many other countries. It is very
versatile and the basis for even more sophisticated versions
which are still being produced by independent designers. It
was intended for use by small businesses, students, and
hobbyists, and was remarkable value for money from the
outset. Today there are many businesses still buying QL's
rather than spend thousands on more elaborate systems.
It is extremely well supported with inexpensive programs,
some library ones only GBP 2, or free. They cover all kinds
of subjects from games to business, as well as graphics, and
the really complex. As supplied the QL includes four
standard programs. An excellent and quick to learn
word-processor 'QUILL'; a very useful spreadsheet: 'ABACUS';
a database filing system: 'Archive'; and 'EASEL' for
designing graphs. Help and advice is always available from
the active support group 'QUANTA'.
Since the 'QL' is now such outstanding value for money a
great number of owners have two: one in use and the other as
back-up, networked, or doing other jobs such as scientific
work or operating a modem. Many users are students of the
applications of computers, and the art of programming. The
'QL' improved BASIC 'SuperBASIC' encourages the design of
well structured programs, and is easy to write and read.
The small size and lightness of the 'QL' and the facility
to display on 'TV' or 'Monitor' aided by the built-in
microdrives makes it portable, for example between office
and home.
Emulator programs (such as 'PC Conquerer', 'The
Solution', 'CP/M', 'DiscOver', 'Multi-DiscOver', and
'AQmulator for Atari ST') enable files and programs to be
used to and from the 'QL', 'PCs' and most other computers.
There are also many specialist programs for accounting, desk
top publishing, graphic art, computer aided design, and
other subjects.
The QL can operate all devices such as printers and
modems via RS232 ports and where necessary interfaces. Disk
and hard-disk systems are available.
The QL is based on the famous Motorola 68008
microprocessor, and the basic machine has 128K of RAM
expandable by 768K using expansion cards without another CPU
on it, a ROM expansion port is provided. Two microdrive
units are built in for input and files. An expansion
connector allows up to six further microdrive units to be
added if desired. Other facilities are: two RS232 ports, a
network port, two joystick ports, and a built-in speaker.
The 'QL' is capable of multi-tasking and can utilise disc
systems. It provides 255 possible colour effects. Sound,
though of fixed volume, is controlable for duration, pitch,
oscillation between pitches, variable 'bounce' rates, and
distortion.
--
Robert H. Klein email: RoK...@MzdmzA.ZDV.Uni-Mainz.DE
papermail: Bluecherstrasse 24, D-56349 Kaub, Germany