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Quite often a parallel interface is combined in one unit with 32K memory, disk controller, power supply, serial interface, and disk controller. It is in the long run cheaper and more convenient to buy everything at once; however, you can also add bit by bit.
More than likely you already own some sort of tape recorder. Itneed not be any special sort; even a stereo Walkman type will do so long as it is a model that records as well as plays. It does not have to be a cassette; open reel, 8-track, or even the audio only part of a VCR will work as well. The special cord between computer and tape recorder costs only about $5. One end fits in the back of your computer, next to the power input. Do not try to plug it into the joy stick port on the left side of the console. The other end of the tape recorder cord has three plugs: # record [microphone]# playback [headphone]# microphone on/off Some tape recorder cords branch to provide two sets of the above three plugs. This lets you hook up two cassette tape recorders. The microphone on/off plug is smaller than the other two. Many tape recorders do not have a remote microphone with an on/off switch. If yours does not you will have to manually turn the tape recorder off and on; you can let that plug dangle. The other two plugs are usually color coded to let you know which is Record and which is Play. If not, you have a 50/50 chance of hooking them up right the first time. You can mark them yourself when discovering which is which. Tape recorder file storage is much, much less expensive than disk. Disk drives are much, much faster than tape. Most people who start out with tape eventually switch to disk. However, the initial investment for beginning with tape (the $5 cord) is so very small you need not worry about money lost in switch over costs. With many tape recorders you will need to adjust tone and volume before obtaining a setting the computer (not WORDWRITER) will accept. There '''are''' a few tape recorders which are nearly impossible. Tape recorders without tone controls and those with automatic recording levels work as well. Any color or blac & white TV will work as a monitor. You canalso buy a Composite color monitor, consisting of an ordinary TVwithout the channel changer, tuner, and receiver parts. It is noclearer than regular TV, though; they are often more expensivedespite bing less than a full TV. If you use a TV you need tointerconnect with a special cord that comes with the computer. Ithas a cigarette pack size box with an on/off switch connecting tothe TV's VHF antenna scrws. It also has a channel 3 or 4selector switch. If you use a Composite monitor you need adifferent sord, one without the box. DO NOT buy an RGB (red,green, blue) monitor; they are clearer, but will not work with theTI 99/4A. If you buy a disk drive, too, you will have so many cables and
