NotesHere how to install your Mainframe Lab in a few steps. We are going for the MVS but if you prefer you can use the VM/370, the process is the same.FeedEmbedUnfurl
NotesJohn, my co-founder at Set Side B, has released a dump of NEARLY the complete Commodore 64 magazine-on-disk items from the legendary LOADSTAR zine:FeedEmbedUnfurl
NotesThere's a small house ( ⌂ ) in the middle of IBM's infamous character set Code Page 437. "Small house"—that's the official IBM name given to the glyph at code position 0x7F, where a control character for "Delete" (DEL) should logically exist. It's cute, but a little strange. I wonder, how did it get there? Why did IBM represent DEL as a house, of all things?FeedUnfurl
NotesSo we’ve managed to pick up an arbitrary educational computer off the side of the road, figure out its ROM pinout, make a composite mod for it, and draw pixels to the screen. Why am I still feeling dissatisfied? It’s because I don’t have printf working still.FeedUnfurl
NotesMicroW8 is a WebAssembly based fantasy console inspired by the likes of TIC-80, WASM-4 and PICO-8.
The initial motivation behind MicroW8 was to explore whether there was a way to make WebAssembly viable for size-coding. (Size coding being the art of creating tiny (often <= 256 bytes) graphical effects and games.) The available examples so far are all in this space, however, I very carefully made sure that all design decisions make sense from the point of view of bigger projects as well.Unfurl
NotesThe Sorbus Computer started with the idea on building a very simple and cheap 65C02 based computer. It was intended to show the operation of the CPU for a talk about historic computers during a talk and workshop (slides blow). Unfurl
NotesOK, I have to admit this this is a strange collection. In the late 1980's and early 1990's, I worked for Kmart behind the service desk and the store played specific pre-recorded cassettes issued by corporate. This was background music, or perhaps you could call it elevator music. Anyways, I saved these tapes from the trash during this period and this video shows you my extensive, odd collection.Unfurl
NotesExplore the golden age of home computing with Compute!’s Gazette. Dive into archives of classic articles, game listings, and programming tutorials from the legendary magazine. Relive the 8-bit era and discover the roots of modern technology.FeedEmbedUnfurl
Noteswhile doing my daily hackaday.com reading, I discovered the W65C265SXB board, a modern microcontroller with a 6502 (actually 65C816) at its core. I did a really good job resisting buying one for a while, but eventually gave in. To put this board to use I decided to put up this page with 3 small projects (added a 4th more recently) to show off some things that can be done with this newer 6502 chipUnfurl
NotesBy default, the parser does string interpolation using the characters < (less than) and > (greater than). The cleverness of this is debatable: these characters are also used for I/O redirection, which can quickly make things confusing. Luckily, the parser also accepts the directives .BRA and .KET, each followed by a single character, which lets the programmer override the default interpolation characters. The terms BRA and KET are most likely borrowed from Dirac notation. Unfurl
Notes This paradoxical duality of writing commercial software and cracking games defines the complex and often incomprehensible attitude towards copyright or intellectual property - for lack of a better word - on the demo scene. Unfurl
NotesIn this article, I'm going to try to work out exactly how 6502 Elite was developed over the years, by looking for clues in the original source code and digging through the game binaries. Software archaeology, here we come...Unfurl
NotesMilkyTracker is an open source, multi-platform music application for creating .MOD and .XM module files. It attempts to recreate the module replay and user experience of the popular DOS program Fasttracker II, with special playback modes available for improved Amiga ProTracker 2/3 compatibility.Unfurl
NotesThat was solved recently when I bought an Amiga 1000 on eBay. This is the long-overdue story about how I restored, fixed, and upgraded it and my future plans. If you’re the rabbit hole type, I added as many links and references as I could so you can dive deeper into the Amiga world. I hope you enjoy reading it.Unfurl
NotesOld Commodore 64 BBS graphics are not easy to find. A lot of it was probably never saved, and there’s not really any obvious place for it online either. So I was thrilled to get a whole bunch disk images from Sixx: more than 1,000 PETSCII graphics and animations! I’ve gone through it, removed duplicates, identified artists, etc, and captured it as images and videos. I’m not done yet, but I’m presenting it as is. FeedEmbedUnfurl
NotesThis publication contains quantity recipes and other information useful to food service personnel to prepare meals in schools participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). Recipes are generally in 50 and 100 portion size Unfurl
Notes Aside from the technical curiosity, it would seem that Hilligoss Bakery is actually well-appreciated in its local Brownsburg community for the quality of its pastries and not simply the oddity of using a "microcomputer" originally released in 1982— though to Hilligoss' credit, the shop actually opened back in 1974, which would make the Commodore 64s a year-eight acquirement at the earliest. We can only suppose that further upgrades haven't been needed since.FeedUnfurl
NotesMost people don’t have a land line anymore, nor are there many BBS’s online that are connected to the old phone system, so the only option is using VoIP to connect them. However if you read online, most people say it’s either not possible or would be painfully slow.
So, let’s see if we can get something working.FeedEmbedUnfurl
NotesHello and welcome back to The Cool Blog. For once I’m finally doing something other than operating systems and instead and back to doing something that shouldn’t be done. Dial-up over Discord.Unfurl
NotesThe core of the Amiga Operating systems consists of the three major components Exec (scheduling, memory management, IPC), Intuition (GUI library) and AmigaDOS (process and file management). AmigaDOS is based on the Tripos operating system which Commodore bought because development of their own DOS subsystem failed to meet deadlines. In this article, I am presenting searchable PDFs of the very rare Tripos manuals (638 pages) as well as the AmigaDOS manual (304 pages). Comparing the two documents will share some insight in the relationship between Tripos and Amiga OS.FeedEmbedUnfurl
NotesThe problem with Advent of Code is that it is a waste of time. Most of the puzzles are in the realm of either string processing (somewhat applicable to programming), logic puzzles (not really applicable to most programming), or stupid gotchas in the input format (annoyingly, very applicable to most programming). So to combat this a lot of people use Advent of Code as an excuse to learn a new programming language that they wouldn't otherwise have a reason to use.Unfurl
NotesAfter 39 years, console modders have begun to develop ways to use the Nintendo Entertainment System’s infamous expansion slot, a key example of vestigial manufacturing. In honor of this amazing feat, which is being used to add Bluetooth and Famicom Disk System support to the console, I thought it might be good to take a look back at this fascinating wrinkle of history. Today’s Tedium ponders the legacy of the NES Expansion Port, and where it’s going next.FeedUnfurl
NotesPaged Out! is a free experimental (one article == one page) technical magazine about programming (especially programming tricks!), hacking, security hacking, retro computers, modern computers, electronics, demoscene, and other similar topics.FeedUnfurl
NotesWhen it comes to music production, the '80s will probably be remembered for great synths, rubbish synths, great music and terrible music. What it probably won’t be remembered for is its contribution to the history of computer music making. This is, frankly, wrong. Here's why…FeedUnfurl
NotesFor many of us, video games were a potent point of introduction to the world of music production. We take a look back at the games and consoles that have inspired music-makers over the yearsFeedUnfurl
NotesWhile the design is admittedly pushing the definition of what can realistically be called a “badge,” there’s a lanyard attached so it’s technically wearable. If the idea of being surrounded by a bunch of nerds wearing tiny modems around their necks is as enticing to you as it is to us, you’ll absolutely be among friends during this Philadelphia-area hacker con.FeedEmbedUnfurl
NotesHaving decided the retro late-80s early-90s theme for JawnCon 0x1, the inspiration for the badge seemed almost immediately obvious: the iconic, venerable Hayes SmartModem oozes industrial design of the era and is instantly recognizable to any of us who grew up when computers had the decency to shriek like digital banshees to let us know when they were plotting against us. Unfurl
NotesSIDKick is a versatile sound device for C64s and C128s: it serves as a drop-in replacement for the SID 6581/8580 sound chips, and at the same time provides Sound Expander-emulation (Yamaha OPL-based FM sound), a MIDI interface and can control LED stripes. It is based on a Teensy 4.1 and makes no compromises with regard to quality: the emulation is based on reSID and fmOPL. It also comes with a few extras.Unfurl
NotesWith interviews of Commodore engineers and with its insightful look at C64 games, music, and software, from Summer Games to International Karate to Simons' BASIC, Too Much Fun will appeal to those who used a Commodore 64, those interested in the history of computing and video games and computational literacy, or just those who wish their technological devices would last longer.Unfurl
NotesIn November of 2022, Eye of the Beholder for C64 and C128 dropped like a dragon roar heard 'round the realm. In this video I demonstrate what is one of the best ways to fully enjoy this incredible gaming experience. I use vintage hardware with a touch of modernity for the storage option.EmbedUnfurl
Notes Anyway, in this video I demonstrate what - for me - is the ultimate way to play this incredible game. In fact, I'll say it. I think it is easily the greatest game ever made for the C128. And, in my opinion, the C128 is the best way to play it - rather than the much more common C64 - for several reasons. FeedUnfurl
NotesCan some chargers damage my device? Yes. Not all, but definitely some. The damage is caused by the RG35XX Plus mistakenly detecting that some USB C chargers are an external device (like a USB gamepad) that needs power, and trying to apply 5V to the charger itself. This can result in either or both the RG35XX Plus and the charger to heat up - sometimes just a bit, sometimes enough to damage components or the nearby battery. Read below for an explanation about how this happens.
If I want to be safe, what chargers are definitely going to be okay to use? Anything that uses a cable with USB A on one end, and USB C on the other. The voltage and current rating of the charger itself makes no difference. This doesn't mean that no other setups will work (for instance, most tethered USB C chargers, or non e-marked C<->C cables will), but using an A<->C cable is the only straightforward way for most people to be sure.
Is there a mod to enable charging on all USB C chargers? Yes, but you lose the ability to power other devices from the USB C port on the RG35XX Plus, and it involves soldering tiny SMD components.
Is this relevant to other RG35XX family devices? Probably, but I don't know - I've only had a look at the RG35XX Plus. Specifically, mine is marked as a "RG35XX Plus V6.0, 2024-01-09" inside on the PCB.
NotesThat dream stuck with me, and after years of being a professional web developer I started learning NES development. (I got a strong nudge in the right direction from Nathan Altice’s excellent I Am Error.)
I Am Error. It was hard to know where to begin. There were plenty of resources around the internet, but they were all incomplete or inaccurate in some way. I got started with bunnyboy’s “Nerdy Nights” series on the NintendoAge forums. Then I found tepples’ NROM template on GitHub, and started learning the ca65 assembler. After months of struggling to understand PPU writes, attribute tables, and scroll registers, it all started to click. I’m glad that I had the experience of fighting with these concepts to learn on my own, but I wish that I could have had a guide that started from scratch and taught all of the essentials of NES development.Unfurl
NotesIn a recent post I talked about how I was able to quickly create a sideways scrolling arcade game with the help of Amazon Q Developer. I was talking to a few folk online who had got in touch to know more, and the subject turned to whether Amazon Q Developer could write a different kind of game, one that would run on the first computer I ever owned, the Commodore 64. Well there was only one way to find out, so I spent around an hour experimenting and this post is what I learned. Buckle up for some retro computing fun!Unfurl
NotesI wanted to put together all my learning and build a music player for the RC2014. This will run using my RC2014 Classic 2 computer. It uses the LCD Driver Module, and the YM2149 Sound Card Module from Z80Kits. In addition, it also uses my ROM board, and of course the Rotary Encoder Module.FeedEmbedUnfurl
NotesInfinite Mac is a collection of classic Macintosh and NeXT system releases and software, all easily accessible from the comfort of a (modern) web browser.Unfurl
Notes ANTIRUINS Engine is a minimal game engine for the SEGA Dreamcast. The goal of this project is to offer an easy access to the SEGA Dreamcast as a creative platform. The engine can be programmed with Lua, an fast and flexible programming language. This greatly reduces the friction associated with prototyping game on the Dreamcast. Unfurl
How to create a Mainframe Lab
LOADSTAR COMPLEAT | Extra Future
Why is there a "small house" in IBM's Code page 437? - GlyphDrawing.Club -blog
The VTech Socratic Method | Leaded Solder
Usenet_Reborn: A Rust lang TUI usenet nntp client
This blog is hosted on a Nintendo Wii
MicroW8
The Sorbus Computer
nurpax - Dirty tricks 6502 programmers use
Home - Compute!'s Gazette Magazine
Michael Kohn - modern 6502
Using a ZX Printer on an RC2014 - Robert Price
Nine Explained
BRA and KET: String Interpolation in AmigaDOS | datagubbe.se
The Vectrex Computer - AmigaLove
Copyright and the Demo Scene | datagubbe.se
The Elite source code family tree - Elite on the 6502
MilkyTracker | About
Building a Frankenstein 64 - Celso Martinho
The first perfect computer - Celso Martinho
BBS PETSCII, 1986-1993 (WIP) | text-mode.org
Indiana bakery still using Commodore 64s originally released in 1982 as cash registers — Hilligoss Bakery in Brownsburg sticks to the BASICs | Tom's Hardware
Getting a dial-up modem working with VoIP – Peter Mount's Blog
Tripos, the Roots of AmigaDOS – pagetable.com
Advent of Code on the Nintendo DS
Programming the C64 with Visual Studio Code - Retro Game Coders
The NES Expansion Port Is Finally Emerging From The Darkness. Why Now?
The Tube Computer
Paged Out!
Trackers, video games, soldering irons and bitter rivalries: 5 reasons why the '80s was the ultimate decade for computer music-making | MusicRadar
“It’s rumoured to have been used by everyone from Björk to Aphex Twin”: The history of making music with video games consoles | MusicRadar
The JawnCon 0x1 Badge Dials Up A Simpler Time | Hackaday
JawnCon0x1: The Modem Badge
The History of the Commodore 64 in Twelve Objects
Eye of the Beholder for Commodore 128 - Ultimate Gaming Rig Setup - YouTube
Famicom Party | Introduction
Community | Back to the future: Writing 6502 assembler with Amazon Q Developer
RC2024 – Part 15 – Building A Music Player That Uses The Rotary Encoder Module - Robert Price
Engine — ANTIRUINS
Jerrold Cable TV Boxes - The Retroist