• Homebrew Computers

    From Abaffa@VERT/BAFFAQWK to DOVE-Net.Hobbies on Sun May 2 20:00:47 2021
    Hi There,

    I'm actually projecting and assembling homebrew computers.
    Does anyone share the same interest?
    From computer kits assembly to an entire CPU homebrew project I love
    this hobby :D

    Augusto Baffa

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ Baffa BBS... from old times...
  • From Dr. What@VERT/DMINE to Abaffa on Mon May 3 08:11:00 2021
    Abaffa wrote to DOVE-Net.Hobbies <=-

    I'm actually projecting and assembling homebrew computers.
    Does anyone share the same interest?
    From computer kits assembly to an entire CPU homebrew project I love this hobby :D

    Ya, I have 3 RC2014's (Pro, Zed, Mini - upgraded to the CP/M version). They were fun projects.

    I also have a 6502 VCF badge that I play with once in a while.

    I assembled an Altair-duino and PiDP-8. But both of those were mostly soldering practice since the computer parts are actually software emulated.


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  • From Augusto Baffa@VERT/BAFFAQWK to Dr. What on Tue May 4 16:40:43 2021
    This is great.. what is ur impressions about the RC2014 kit. There are
    many expansion boards to it...

    I assembled an Altair-Duino, PiDP-8 and PiDP-11. Now I'm looking for an IMSAI8080Esp from the high nibble :)

    On 03/05/2021 09:11, Dr. What wrote:
    Abaffa wrote to DOVE-Net.Hobbies <=-

    Ab> I'm actually projecting and assembling homebrew computers.
    Ab> Does anyone share the same interest?
    Ab> From computer kits assembly to an entire CPU homebrew
    project I love
    Ab> this hobby :D

    Ya, I have 3 RC2014's (Pro, Zed, Mini - upgraded to the CP/M
    version). They
    were fun projects.

    I also have a 6502 VCF badge that I play with once in a while.

    I assembled an Altair-duino and PiDP-8. But both of those were mostly soldering practice since the computer parts are actually software
    emulated.


    ... Your ex just called....she's with the IRS now.
    --- MultiMail/Linux v0.52
    ¨ Synchronet ¨ Diamond Mine Online BBS - bbs.dmine.net:24 -
    Fredericksburg, VA USA


    ---
    þ Synchronet þ Baffa BBS... from old times...
  • From Dr. What@VERT/DMINE to Augusto Baffa on Wed May 5 08:12:00 2021
    Augusto Baffa wrote to Dr. What <=-

    This is great.. what is ur impressions about the RC2014 kit. There are many expansion boards to it...

    I liked assembling them. They were easy, but not too easy. No SMD. All through hole parts.

    The end result is a really nice CP/M machine (or BASIC machine, depending
    on the options you buy). I took my RC2014Zed and housed it in a nice box
    with a 9" LCD and made a Kaypro-like setup.

    I assembled an Altair-Duino, PiDP-8 and PiDP-11. Now I'm looking for an IMSAI8080Esp from the high nibble :)

    The cool thing about the RC2014 is that it's not emulated. It runs on a real Z80 and works like a vintage computer.

    I like my Altair-Duino and PiDP-8, but really I just use them for blinkenlights most of the time.


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  • From poindexter FORTRAN@VERT/REALITY to Dr. What on Tue May 4 06:54:00 2021
    Dr. What wrote to Abaffa <=-

    Ya, I have 3 RC2014's (Pro, Zed, Mini - upgraded to the CP/M version). They were fun projects.

    I read up on those, I suppose I'll need to stick to a CP/M emulator on my Windows box for the time being. As much as I like playing with retro tech,
    I'm short on room.

    If I find a good condition working Sun 3, Sparc II or IPX locally, though - things may change. :)





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  • From Dr. What@VERT/DMINE to poindexter FORTRAN on Thu May 6 08:17:00 2021
    poindexter FORTRAN wrote to Dr. What <=-

    I read up on those, I suppose I'll need to stick to a CP/M emulator on
    my Windows box for the time being. As much as I like playing with retro tech, I'm short on room.

    If I find a good condition working Sun 3, Sparc II or IPX locally,
    though - things may change. :)

    I hear you. I want the scamdemic to be over so that I can stop having to
    work from home so I can renovate the Man Cave for more vintage computer
    space.

    All available storage space is already crammed with computers. I only have enough desk space to set up 4 vintage systems - 3 of which need to be more-or-less permanent. So one gets swapped out every week or so for
    a different project.

    And I have another Kaypro coming soon...


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  • From Darkman Almighty@VERT/BEERS20 to Abaffa on Tue May 4 17:59:00 2021
    Hi There,

    I'm actually projecting and assembling homebrew computers.
    Does anyone share the same interest?
    From computer kits assembly to an entire CPU homebrew project I love this hobby :D

    This sounds pretty cool. Closest I get to that is the raspberry pi. What computer kits are you able to obtain? Do tell more on this.

    ./)arkman /\lmighty.
  • From Augusto Baffa@VERT/BAFFAQWK to Darkman Almighty on Sun May 9 08:50:30 2021
    On 04/05/2021 14:59, Darkman Almighty wrote:
    This sounds pretty cool. Closest I get to that is the raspberry pi. What computer kits are you able to obtain? Do tell more on this.


    Hi Darkman,

    those are some "examples" of replicas. I've assembled an Altair-duino
    8800, PDP-8, PDP-11 and my own version of an ZX81. Now I'm looking for a IMSAI8080Esp.

    --------------------------
    Altair

    Altair-Duino 8800 https://adwaterandstir.com/altair/ (Very nice replica
    for these days... uses arduino)

    Altair 8800 Clone https://altairclone.com/ (replica of the original tech)

    Altair 8800c Clone https://deramp.com/altair_8800c.html (another great
    replica that uses the original tech)

    ---

    KenBak-1 Replica https://adwaterandstir.com/kenbak/

    ---
    DEC PDPs (uses raspberry pi)

    PDP-8 https://obsolescence.wixsite.com/obsolescence/pidp-8
    PDP-11 https://obsolescence.wixsite.com/obsolescence/pidp-11

    The creator is working on a PDP-10 replica now.
    ---

    IMSAI 8080 https://thehighnibble.com/imsai8080/ (replica that uses esp32)

    ---

    Digirule2u https://bradsprojects.com/digirule2/ pardon for this offtopic
    but it's a small computer in a rule very related to old panel computers
    (I ordered one but it's still on its way ...)

    ---

    Does any one know about other replicas?

    Ministrel is a replica of ZX81 but it's not being produced for while. http://www.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/Shop

    * BTW... I projected my own one replica of a ZX81 ant it's great...
    maybe I'll sell as a kit someday...

    -

    Harlequin is a ZX Spectrum Replica http://www.zxdesign.info/harlequin.shtml

    ---

    I've heard about some apple1 replicas... and I know that the guy from altairduino is creating his own version of an apple 1... --------------------------
    ---
    þ Synchronet þ Baffa BBS... from old times...
  • From poindexter FORTRAN@VERT/REALITY to Dr. What on Sun May 9 07:36:00 2021
    Dr. What wrote to poindexter FORTRAN <=-

    All available storage space is already crammed with computers. I only have enough desk space to set up 4 vintage systems - 3 of which need to
    be more-or-less permanent. So one gets swapped out every week or so
    for a different project.

    I can virtualize most anything on my home system; I can get a build of OpenSolaris, have DOSBOX running Windows 3.1, have a Windows95 VM - what I miss is the feel of a Sun type 5 keyboard, an optical mouse, the sound of a floppy disk seeking, the POST sounds of an IBM XT/AT system...


    ... The plains of Leonis are burning.
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  • From Dr. What@VERT/DMINE to poindexter FORTRAN on Mon May 10 08:52:00 2021
    poindexter FORTRAN wrote to Dr. What <=-

    I can virtualize most anything on my home system;

    I have virtual versions of most of my stuff. When I want to try out something or do some good development, I'll usually use those setups because it's
    just easier.

    But many times I just want to play with the original hardware.


    ... All women are automatically born with a shopping disorder
    --- MultiMail/Linux v0.52
    ■ Synchronet ■ Diamond Mine Online BBS - bbs.dmine.net:24 - Fredericksburg, VA USA
  • From Darkman Almighty@VERT/BEERS20 to Augusto Baffa on Tue May 18 17:59:00 2021
    those are some "examples" of replicas. I've assembled an Altair-duino 8800, PDP-8, PDP-11 and my own version of an ZX81. Now I'm looking for a IMSAI8080Esp.

    Altair-Duino 8800 https://adwaterandstir.com/altair/ (Very nice replica for these days... uses arduino)

    Altair 8800 Clone https://altairclone.com/ (replica of the original tech) Altair 8800c Clone https://deramp.com/altair_8800c.html (another great

    Thanks for that. I will have a look.. shop.. lol. :)

    ./)/\.
  • From poindexter FORTRAN@VERT/REALITY to Darkman Almighty on Wed May 19 07:34:00 2021
    Darkman Almighty wrote to Augusto Baffa <=-

    Altair-Duino 8800 https://adwaterandstir.com/altair/ (Very nice replica for these days... uses arduino)

    Altair 8800 Clone https://altairclone.com/ (replica of the original tech) Altair 8800c Clone https://deramp.com/altair_8800c.html (another great

    Thanks for that. I will have a look.. shop.. lol. :)

    I'm *really* tempted to get one of those replicas of an old midrange
    computer, powered by a Raspberry Pi. When I went to the West Coast Vintage Computer Fest a couple of years ago, people had fully booted and running IBM Mainframe consoles, powered by a Pi and running apps - this alongside an actual working IBM 1401 on the ground floor.


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  • From Phigan@VERT/FLUXCAP to poindexter FORTRAN on Sun May 23 22:42:04 2021
    Re: Re: Homebrew Computers
    By: poindexter FORTRAN to Dr. What on Sun May 09 2021 07:36 am

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  • From Phigan@VERT/FLUXCAP to poindexter FORTRAN on Sun May 23 22:43:45 2021
    Re: Re: Homebrew Computers
    By: poindexter FORTRAN to Dr. What on Sun May 09 2021 07:36 am

    miss is the feel of a Sun type 5 keyboard, an optical mouse, the sound of a

    Totally agree with this. Type 5s are so nice.

    floppy disk seeking, the POST sounds of an IBM XT/AT system...

    100% disagree with this :). Death to magnetic media and long X86-style POST!

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    ■ Synchronet ■ Fluxcapasitor BBS - Pdx, OR - fluxcap.synchro.net:5023
  • From PhazeVektor@VERT/PEDALION to poindexter FORTRAN on Mon May 24 17:54:00 2021
    Mainframe consoles, powered by a Pi and running apps - this alongside an actual working IBM 1401 on the ground floor.


    IBM okay with this? Suprised to hear that this was going on in a public
    event. In the past you haven't been able to emulate OS/360+ without license, iirc.

    I haven't touched mainframe for a few years, but I know that within a handful of years ago, I was looking at licensing z/OS for an application,
    and I recall some discussion around emulation, licensing and the like that
    gave our team a bit of headache.



    ~pv

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Linux/64)
    * Origin: Pedalion BBS
  • From Dr. What@VERT/DMINE to PhazeVektor on Tue May 25 08:18:00 2021
    PhazeVektor wrote to poindexter FORTRAN <=-

    IBM okay with this? Suprised to hear that this was going on in a public event. In the past you haven't been able to emulate OS/360+ without license, iirc.

    You can do whatever you want - as long as you don't sell it or distribute it. It's only then that you run afoul of Copyright/Patent laws.

    But I know that IBM did make emulators for many of their smaller mainframe systems. I knew of a project that ran a IBM System 36 emulator on an IBM-AT class machine.


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  • From Sbaitso@VERT/PORTOFCA to Augusto Baffa on Sat Aug 7 10:47:49 2021
    Re: Re: Homebrew Computers
    By: Augusto Baffa to Dr. What on Tue May 04 2021 04:40 pm

    I'm sure there is a wide range of options out there, but what do the kits, in general, cost? Are most of them all inclusive?


    On 03/05/2021 09:11, Dr. What wrote:
    Abaffa wrote to DOVE-Net.Hobbies <=-

    Ab> I'm actually projecting and assembling homebrew computers.
    Ab> Does anyone share the same interest?
    Ab> From computer kits assembly to an entire CPU homebrew
    project I love

    ---
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