Spec Switch

Your Spectrum

USEFUL IMPRESSIONS It's obvious that Flet-Elec Computer Programs can think of vastly more uses for a pen with a switch in it, than most of us. What it offers, for around £50 at first, is an extension to the Spectrum which can detect the operation of up to eight switches. "These can be optical, magnetic, heat sensor or cold sensor, push-to-make or push-to-break, or any combination", the maker observes. The first two offerings are: a pen, and a wheel. It's at this point that it becomes clear that their imaginations are better equipped to understand people's problems than most. "The pen switch is a specially designed pen, and connects to the main device via a lead, which is of some three metres but can be extended to almost any length. It has a normal ink refill, and will operate as a pen." It will also enable an estimating program to count the number of times you press the pen into paper "so for example, to carry out an estimate in building services, it's necessary to take off quantities of material. Therefore, lay out drawing, set computer with software running, then select item to be counted, and using the pen, tick each item on the drawing - and as the item is ticked, the quantity is added up. On conclusion go to the next item." The company has thought of lots of other applications, too, but you get the idea. Contact them on [redacted].