One of the factors against buying a ZX81 is the time it takes to load a 16K program. The Fast Load Save routine from Musamy, for the 16K and up to 64K ZX81, will speed the rate of saving and loading considerably.

The program will load at varying speeds, as some tape recorders cannot cope with the accuracy needd in conveying baud rates of up to 4,800 to the ZX81. The baud rates available using the fast load routine vary from 2,400 to 4,800 on a scale of one to ten. That variable baud rate can be changed if you buy a more sensitive and more expensive tape recorder.

The routine will also give you a verify routine such as the one used on the Spectrum. That means that once you have "saved" a program on tape you can verify the tape copy with the original before doing any "NEW"ing. It means you can re-save the program without having to type it in again.

Also included on the tape is a tape loading aid. It acts as a companion to the Fast Load Save and will help you to test playback levels on your tape recorder. It will also test how 'noisy't he recording of your program is.

Fast Load Save is availabe from Musamy Software, 11 Brettenham Avenue, Walthamstow, London E17 5DG. It costs £6 for both the loading aid and the Fast Load or £3 for only the loading aid.