In the dim, dark recesses of many a school stockroom, I suspect that there are many little ZX81s just waiting for suitable software to come along that will justify their purchase and, once again, see their emergence to sit alongside their more gradiose counterparts.

For many schools, the humble Sinclair was perhaps a first attempt to enter the computer age and, whilst proving to be ideal beginners' machines, they have been quickly superceded by more sophisticated models. It has long been felt by many teachers however that this, now relatively simple machine, still has a great deal of potential for use within the classroom. It is with some pleasure therefore that I am able to review programs like this that aim to see the dusting off of many ZX81s.

This program helps the pupil to tell the time. From MPT Software, a newcomer on the educational scene, it's called Time With The Pirates. Essentially this is a drill and practice type program with a little carrot at the end of a test-game.

It is a little difficult to see just which age range this is aimed at, but lower juniors should be able to cope sufficiently well, although a fair reading ability is required for both the on-screen instructions and the fairly detailed instruction sheet that accompanies the program. It is suggested by the author that parental help my be required some some children.

The program has six leves, each of the first five dealing with and testing a different point, the sixth level consists of a five-question test with a graphic reward of pirates (or the child if they didn't score highly) walking the plank.

In order the levels deal with "O'clock", "Quarter Past", "Half Past", "Quarter To" and "Minutes Past/To". The program loaded easily and, given the limitations of the ZX81's graphics, it is nicely laid out. The pictures of the clocks are clear and a good attempt has been made to cater for such things as the offset minute hand at quarter past the hour.

There are, however, certain aspects of the program which are not so good. Several spelling mistakes in on-screen instructions are the first notable error and programs of this nature should be thoroughly checked before release. The program is not fully error-trapped and will accept certain inputs that should have no effect but actually do! Apart from these small points, the program runs well and actually seems to achieve what it sets out to do.

In addition, because of the necessity for accurately spelt inputs, it also aids spelling, although care must be taken with spacing of answers. The comprehensive instructions therefore need to be read carefully and it is likely that teacher-parent help will be needed until the pupil is familiar with the programs.

The 'carrot' is a nice little graphics routine but as it is the same for every test I suspect that a child would soon lose motivation. In conclusion, this is a reasonable program for the reinforcement of skills already learnt and could conceivably be used by small groups within the classroom. I do not see it taking over from traditional methods of learning/teaching time but at the price is certainly worthy of consideration.