DISCiPLE
Interface DISCiPLE, back and top view
Introduced1986
Memory8kB
ROM8kB
PortsParallel port, Shugart bus, Atari joystick port, 3.5mm Phone connector (audio) ZX Interface 1 computer network connector
ColorBlack

The DISCiPLE is a floppy disk interface for the ZX Spectrum home computer. Designed by Miles Gordon Technology, it was marketed by Rockfort Products and launched in 1986.[1][2][3]

Like Sinclair's own ZX Interface 1, the DISCiPLE was a wedge-shaped unit fitting underneath the Spectrum. It was designed as a super-interface, providing all the facilities a Spectrum owner could need. In addition to floppy-disk, parallel port printer interface and a "magic button" (see Non-maskable interrupt), it also offered twin joystick ports, Sinclair ZX Net-compatible network ports and an inhibit button for disabling the device.[4]

At the rear of the unit was a pass-through port for connecting further devices, although the complexity of the DISCiPLE meant that many would not work, or only if the DISCiPLE was "turned off" using the inhibit button.

The DISCiPLE was a considerable success but its sophistication (the device included 8kB of ROM)[4] meant that it was expensive and the plastic casing, located beneath the computer itself, was sometimes prone to overheating. These factors led to the development of MGT's later +D interface.

The DISCiPLE's DOS was named GDOS. MGT's later DOSs (G+DOS for the +D, and SAM DOS for the SAM Coupé) were backwards-compatible with GDOS. In later years a complete new system called UNI-DOS was developed by SD Software for the DISCiPLE and +D interfaces.[5] In October 1993 "The Complete DISCiPLE Disassembly" was published in book form, documenting the "GDOS system 3d" version.[6]

The popularity of the DISCiPLE led to the formation of a user group and magazine, INDUG, which later became Format Publications. Usergroups like INDUG/Format in the UK or DISCiPLE-Nieuwsbrief in the Netherlands produced enhancements such as extended printer support.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Hardware Feature #35 - The Disciple". Home Of The Spectrum Hardware Index. Retrieved 2023-03-31.
  2. ↑ "DISCiPLE Interface". Spectrum Computing.
  3. ↑ THE DISCIPLE - The multi-purpose interface from Miles Gordon Technology for Rockfort Products - INTRODUCTORY MANUAL (PDF). Rockfort Products. 1986.
  4. 1 2 Bisti, Luca (January 30, 2004). "DISCiPLE/+D TECHNICAL GUIDE". Ramsoft. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved March 31, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  5. ↑ UNI-DOS Manual (PDF). S. D. Software. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-21. Retrieved 2022-12-11.
  6. ↑ Biesma, J.R. (November 2005). "The Complete +D Disassembly". www.biehold.nl. Retrieved 2023-03-31.


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