This part of the site is dedicated to Sir Clive Sinclair's enduring machine, and world's greatest home computer: the Sinclair ZX Spectrum.
Released in 1982, it was my first encounter with a real computer. I quickly came to terms with its quirky keyword entry system, and enjoyed programming it - as well as playing games on it. These were days when games took a full 6 to 10 minutes to load from an audio cassette, and where gameplay was (usually) more important than the graphics and sound.
Despite the fact that the Spectrum had just 48K of memory (I don't think an average sized Microsoft Word document will fit into that), the programmers were able to squeeze every last drop out of the machine's capabilities and push it to a whole new level. Fantastically atmospheric games, such as Lords of Midnight, Fairlight I, Contact Sam Cruise and Movie, were released during the mid-80s. As well as the classic platform games, such as Manic Miner, Jet Set Willy and Monty Mole.
I admit that I am a grumpy, pedantic, (reasonable, handsome) Yorkshireman, but for the most part I get fed up with modern games. The FPS genre held my interest for about 20 minutes, and I often find the beauty of modern games to be just graphics-deep. Gameplay is sadly lacking.
If you want to know more, here are a few useful links:
- Click here for the World Of Spectrum site. Everything you need to get started with the ZX Spectrum.
- For the CSSCGC 2005, clicky here.
- For the CSSCGC 2006, clicky here.
- For my archive of SpeccyBob material, this link may help.
- Fancy being an Unusual Lumberjack? Click here for my entry in the 2005 CSSCGC.
- Click here for Tayles' site and read his account of the Spectrum's Golden Years. Well written and well worth a read.
Other cool places to visit: YSRNRY, Crash Online, the Sinclair FAQ.
Naturally I'm 
.
All the main images on this site were made by me, apart from the picture of the ZX Spectrum at the top. It was hanging round on my hard disk, so I decided to put it to use. I don't know where I got it from or who made it, but if you do then please let me know and I'll gladly give credit where it's due.
