# DISCiPLE

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DISCiPLE Interface DISCiPLE, back and top view Introduced 1986 Memory 8kB Read-only memory 8kB Ports Parallel port, Shugart bus, Atari joystick port, 3.5mm Phone connector (audio) ZX Interface 1 computer network connector Color Black

The **DISCiPLE** is a [floppy disk](/source/Floppy_disk) [interface](/source/Electrical_connector) for the [ZX Spectrum](/source/ZX_Spectrum) [home computer](/source/Home_computer). Designed by [Miles Gordon Technology](/source/Miles_Gordon_Technology), it was marketed by Rockfort Products and launched in 1986.[1][2][3][4]

Like Sinclair's own [ZX Interface 1](/source/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](/source/Parallel_port) printer interface and a "magic button" (see [Non-maskable interrupt](/source/Non-maskable_interrupt)), it also offered twin [joystick](/source/Joystick) ports, Sinclair ZX Net-compatible network ports and an inhibit button for disabling the device.[5]

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 8[kB](/source/Kilobyte) of [ROM](/source/Read-only_memory))[5] 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](/source/%2BD) interface.

The DISCiPLE's [DOS](/source/Disk_operating_system) was named **GDOS**. MGT's later DOSs (*G+DOS* for the +D, and *SAM DOS* for the [SAM Coupé](/source/SAM_Coup%C3%A9)) 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.[6] In October 1993 "The Complete DISCiPLE Disassembly" was published in book form, documenting the "GDOS system 3d" version.[7]

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

## See also

- [Beta Disk Interface](/source/Beta_Disk_Interface)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["DISCiPLE Interface"](https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/entry/1000117/Hardware/DISCiPLE_Interface). *Spectrum Computing*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** [*THE DISCIPLE - The multi-purpose interface from Miles Gordon Technology for Rockfort Products - INTRODUCTORY MANUAL*](https://ia600604.us.archive.org/view_archive.php?archive=/1/items/World_of_Spectrum_June_2017_Mirror/World%20of%20Spectrum%20June%202017%20Mirror.zip&file=World%20of%20Spectrum%20June%202017%20Mirror/sinclair/hardware-info/d/DISCiPLEInterface_UserManual.pdf) (PDF). Rockfort Products. 1986.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Jenkins, Chris (November 6, 1986). ["Hardware - This Disciple is no Judas"](https://worldofspectrum.org/archive/magazines/popular-computing-weekly/45/5#22). *Popular Computing Weekly*. p. 22.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Hardware - Disciple with the right connections"](https://worldofspectrum.org/archive/magazines/sinclair-user/60/0/1987/3/0#50). *Sinclair User*. March 1987. p. 50.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-mgt_tech_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-mgt_tech_5-1) Bisti, Luca (January 30, 2004). ["DISCiPLE/+D TECHNICAL GUIDE"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160304090119/http://ramsoft.bbk.org.omegahg.com/tech/mgt_tech.txt). *Ramsoft*. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved March 31, 2023.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_bot:_original_URL_status_unknown))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [*UNI-DOS Manual*](https://web.archive.org/web/20110721112654/http://www.sinclair.hu/speccyalista/konyvtar/kezikonyvek/MGT_PlusD_Disciple_UniDos_Manual.pdf) (PDF). S. D. Software. Archived from [the original](http://www.sinclair.hu/speccyalista/konyvtar/kezikonyvek/MGT_PlusD_Disciple_UniDos_Manual.pdf) (PDF) on 2011-07-21. Retrieved 2022-12-11.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Biesma, J.R. (November 2005). ["The Complete +D Disassembly"](https://www.biehold.nl/rudy/plusd/plusd.htm). *www.biehold.nl*. Retrieved 2023-03-31.

v t e Sinclair computers, derivatives, and clones Sinclair Research / Science of Cambridge MK14 ZX80 ZX81 ZX Spectrum (ZX Spectrum+, ZX Spectrum 128) QL Amstrad ZX Spectrum +2 ZX Spectrum +3 Licenced systems ZX Spectrum Vega ZX Spectrum Vega+ Timex Corporation T/S 1000 T/S 1500 T/S 2068 (TC 2068) TC 2048 TC 3256 Cambridge Computer Z88 Lists of clones ZX80/81 clones ZX Spectrum clones QL clones Compatible or related systems ZX80 based: MicroAce, TK80, TK82, NE-Z80 ZX81 based: Apply 300, AS-1000, Lambda 8300, CP-200, CZ 1000, CZ 1500, CZ 1000 plus, CZ 1500 plus, NE-Z8000, Ringo R-470, TK82C, TK83, TK85 ZX Spectrum based: ATM, Pentagon, CZ 2000, CZ Spectrum, CZ Spectrum plus, Didaktik, Dubna 48K, Hobbit, Scorpion ZS-256, Sprinter, Kay 1024, Komputer 2086, TK90X, TK95, Robik, ZX Spectrum Next, ZX Touch QL based: CST Thor, One Per Desk, Q40/Q60 Other: SAM Coupé, Jupiter Ace Sinclair Research peripherals ZX Printer ZX Interface 1 ZX Interface 2 ZX Microdrive Timex peripherals TS2040 Printer TS2050 Modem FDD Disk Drive FDD3000 Disk Drive Other peripherals Beta Disk Interface DISCiPLE MB02 Rotronics Wafadrive Multiface Kempston Currah SpecDrum RAM Music Machine Stack Light Rifle Magnum Light Phaser People Clive Sinclair John Pemberton Rick Dickinson Richard Altwasser Steve Vickers

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [DISCiPLE](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DISCiPLE) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DISCiPLE?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.