Q. Can you please tell me if it is possible to use my typewriter as an input keyboard? I have a 48K Spectrum with Kempston Centronics interface, and also a Silver Reed EX43N with IF/40 interface, and am using Spectext for word processing.

If it is possible, could you please suggest how I should begin to achieve this?

S. A. Young
London, NW6

A. We're not aware of any way this could be done; however, we reckon that the best way of achieving something along these lines would involve connecting the typewriter to the Spectrum through an RS232 interface, and using the typewriter as a terminal. But in order to do this you need a typewriter with a full send and receive capability, which means it has to have the circuitry built in to scan for keypresses and send them to the Spectrum; but the Silver Reed hasn't got this facility.

The Brother EP44 is an example of a printer/typewriter that will allow you to do this, and there are a few others around, but in this case you seem to be out of luck.