FozzTexx

https://mastodon.fozztexx.com/@fozztexx

Fascinated by technology whether it is from the future or the past. #Maker of many things. http://RetroBattlestations.com & http://Insentricity.com

Public Key

npub12cnlpqqm40n4dgukyeg47m5cru34d5y90yw8ytjdj47nzczwzxxsqhfgpx

NIP-05 Address

fozztexx_at_mastodon.fozztexx.com@momostr.pink

Profile Code

nprofile1qqs9vflssqd6he6k5wtzv52ld6vp7g6k6zzhj8rj9exe2lf3vp8prrgpzemhxue69uhhyetvv9ujumn0wd68ytnzv9hxgpy8259

Publishing to

relay.nostr.band

Author Public Key

npub12cnlpqqm40n4dgukyeg47m5cru34d5y90yw8ytjdj47nzczwzxxsqhfgpx

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Last Notes

2024-10-14 17:31:21

Seriously DreamHost? You haven't heard the news? https://every.to/p/the-disappearance-of-an-internet-domain
https://mastodon.fozztexx.com/system/media_attachments/files/113/306/955/594/035/671/original/d581db78d9c2a942.png

2024-07-02 18:44:45

Can't believe it but I'm reverse engineering another schematic. It's an #AppleII Prometheus Versacard which provides serial/parallel/clock. Hangs when I try to use it even though 74xx chips test fine. Today it is refusing to map in the ROM to $C800, must be something wrong with the latching. At least boolean logic is something I can get my head around, unlike trying to make sense of power supplies that are built on physics side-effects.
#RetroComputing #VintageComputing #electronics
https://mastodon.fozztexx.com/system/media_attachments/files/112/718/333/266/195/817/original/98715930d603f738.png
https://mastodon.fozztexx.com/system/media_attachments/files/112/718/358/194/689/529/original/26b4454ccf07fbcb.jpg

2024-06-26 19:27:57

Using #Wozamp to play an mp3 through an Apple IIe. Madness! Just an ordinary IIe with ordinary Super Serial Card.
The IIe speaker is too quiet. Can barely hear the music over the Systen Saver fan on the side. Need a way to hook up amplified speakers.
#RetroComputing #VintageComputing #AppleII #Apple2
https://mastodon.fozztexx.com/system/media_attachments/files/112/684/568/991/738/761/original/7c2dbb923f2d400a.mp4

2024-06-11 02:03:51

Why are twisted pair ethernet cables that can directly connect two computers called “crossover” cables and not “null hub" or “hub eliminator" cables?
https://mastodon.fozztexx.com/system/media_attachments/files/112/595/529/138/682/767/original/b991242958e4b335.png

2024-06-10 00:19:38

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Of course when the ACIA says that the transmit register is empty that doesn’t mean that it’s not still transmitting. 🤦‍♂️ #RetroComputing #VintageComputing #electronics
https://mastodon.fozztexx.com/system/media_attachments/files/112/589/457/046/609/726/original/b36adbf75c09d728.jpeg

2024-06-09 21:33:36

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Ok, the DTR turning on while RTS was still on was caused by not waiting for the transmit buffer to be empty. If there’s still something in the buffer the request to change state of RTS is not immediate. #RetroComputing #VintageComputing #electronics
https://mastodon.fozztexx.com/system/media_attachments/files/112/588/804/129/609/796/original/88815f9158d3c1ae.jpeg

2024-06-09 20:52:33

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I also love hang the AppleTalk Workstation card in the IIe, makes for an easy workflow. Just compile on the Linux box with cc65, convert the AppleSingle output to AppleDouble, and immediately load the new version on the IIe. No need to shuffle floppies or SD cards. #RetroComputing #VintageComputing #electronics

2024-06-09 20:47:32

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I feel like I’m close. I can get the QuickTake to wake but for some reason during sending the hello the Apple IIe is turning DTR on while RTS is already on. That causes the QuickTake to see a reset signal and it starts the wake sequence again.
I’ve got DTR tied to CTS since the HP4957A doesn’t show the DTR line on the monitor. (Sure glad I found this mode though!) on the top line the gap between hex digits is where DTR suddenly turns on.
#RetroComputing #VintageComputing #electronics
https://mastodon.fozztexx.com/system/media_attachments/files/112/588/622/650/826/817/original/7fed981d30260996.jpeg
https://mastodon.fozztexx.com/system/media_attachments/files/112/588/623/001/620/514/original/a51e9b6cf8491b4e.jpeg

2024-06-08 21:57:40

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Made a program to let me transmit & receive on the IIe and also directly control the RTS & DTR lines on the Super Serial Card. Just a simple proof of concept of using the diodes to keep the RTS & DTR off while still being able to transmit & receive on the IIe.
#RetroComputing #VintageComputing #electronics
https://mastodon.fozztexx.com/system/media_attachments/files/112/583/236/489/586/902/original/fea52fc04fde3c9d.mp4

2024-06-08 20:03:41

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Discovered that the HP 4957A has a mode that will also report changes on 4 of they control lines. This will be *very* useful! #RetroComputing #VintageComputing #electronics
https://mastodon.fozztexx.com/system/media_attachments/files/112/582/788/286/532/953/original/12c6bd332653bbf9.jpeg

2024-06-07 21:41:46

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The ACIA in the Super Serial Card is designed around half-duplex communication so it disables transmit when software turns off RTS. My idea is to use DTR to make RTS appear low when transmit is enabled, and vice-versa when receiving.
This is the schematic. Three modes: a single serial connection to the QuickTake; two serial ports as needed by the IIc; or a hack of combining RTS+DTR which should work with the SSC (after I hack the serial driver).
#RetroComputing #VintageComputing #electronics
https://mastodon.fozztexx.com/system/media_attachments/files/112/577/511/624/710/918/original/964b35105261b9b6.png

2024-06-07 21:20:36

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Not the most beautiful but it should work for testing. As long as I’m careful not to twist it too much anyway. #RetroComputing #VintageComputing #electronics
https://mastodon.fozztexx.com/system/media_attachments/files/112/577/428/416/747/697/original/92939cd8b4e9044e.jpeg

2024-06-07 20:39:27

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The switch has a single common which can be tied to one of 3 other terminals. #RetroComputing #VintageComputing #electronics
https://mastodon.fozztexx.com/system/media_attachments/files/112/577/266/268/738/227/original/d03ab4a2265ff2f2.mp4

2024-06-07 20:31:44

Got some DP3T switches so I can make a super fancy Apple II to QuickTake camera serial adapter with diodes. #RetroComputing #VintageComputing #electronics
https://mastodon.fozztexx.com/system/media_attachments/files/112/577/236/261/804/716/original/708da621ac544011.jpeg

2024-06-06 16:15:57

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Found the switcher! It was with the Sega Master System because of course it was.
https://mastodon.fozztexx.com/system/media_attachments/files/112/570/567/733/411/182/original/284986f07e9558e0.jpeg
https://mastodon.fozztexx.com/system/media_attachments/files/112/570/568/186/819/293/original/cab13adfce39e918.jpeg

2024-06-06 16:12:29

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Wait, I *must* have a DB25 switch box, I used it at the party that I bought the 3D glasses for in 2017! I used it to switch the game controller between the consoles. Where did I lose it to?
(Also since then I had an idea to make the controller switching automatic and know what channel the TV is tuned to but haven’t yet gotten back to that project. Sigh.)
https://mastodon.fozztexx.com/system/media_attachments/files/112/570/553/894/806/573/original/cc221e6f38b036a1.jpeg
https://mastodon.fozztexx.com/system/media_attachments/files/112/570/554/119/765/169/original/e5b60d7f8f3d7800.jpeg
https://mastodon.fozztexx.com/system/media_attachments/files/112/570/554/343/280/610/original/0bd4cae325eb47ce.jpeg
https://mastodon.fozztexx.com/system/media_attachments/files/112/570/554/565/434/049/original/dd82dcf08256f1b4.jpeg

2024-06-06 15:58:22

Up in the attic looking to see if I have a 4-way DB25 switch box (apparently I don’t) and look what I found! I KNEW I had a set of Sega Master System 3D glasses and didn’t need to buy another set several years ago! #RetroGaming
https://mastodon.fozztexx.com/system/media_attachments/files/112/570/498/295/110/189/original/04a5d38d3e35968b.jpeg
https://mastodon.fozztexx.com/system/media_attachments/files/112/570/498/805/957/402/original/4a3ec4eece03fa15.jpeg

2024-06-05 22:15:25

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The speed difference between 1.9.8 and 2.5.0 of @npub1x7q…58s2's QuickTake program is unbelievable. This makes me even more motivated to do another #RetroComputerDay where I use only an obsolete computer the entire day and nothing else!
#RetroComputing #VintageComputing
https://mastodon.fozztexx.com/system/media_attachments/files/112/566/319/358/557/060/original/cd406493fcc4050c.mp4

2024-06-05 19:04:26

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IIc+ quickly consumed the space. Got out the FloppyEmu, QuickTake 100 and 150. Everything is plugged in, time to play! #RetroComputing #VintageComputing
https://mastodon.fozztexx.com/system/media_attachments/files/112/565/568/355/971/460/original/793a56534ee20c9d.jpeg

2024-06-05 16:46:14

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So much room for activities! That should be enough space to setup a IIc.
https://mastodon.fozztexx.com/system/media_attachments/files/112/565/024/917/012/233/original/983033cd3b26cecd.jpeg

2024-06-05 16:31:32

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Hey, there's a computer under that mess!
https://mastodon.fozztexx.com/system/media_attachments/files/112/564/967/131/023/726/original/c4bf9281f410756c.jpeg

2024-06-05 16:23:40

Today's mission: clean off part of my workbench so I can setup my Apple IIc or IIc+ and mess around with the latest QuickTake stuff from @npub1x7q…58s2. (And maybe Wozamp too.) Woodworking plans on hold because of heat wave expected to be >100F, so can't work in garage. Could work on Toshiba 3200SX power supply, but I want to play instead of work. 😀
https://mastodon.fozztexx.com/system/media_attachments/files/112/564/936/217/710/343/original/1e57b41497069edb.jpeg

2024-06-05 14:48:45

Happy birthday to the #AppleII computer! Can you spot all the easter eggs I've hidden in this photo?
#RetroComputing #VintageComputing
https://mastodon.fozztexx.com/system/media_attachments/files/112/564/562/945/506/229/original/e1131b1c33be12fc.jpeg

2024-06-03 14:08:50

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Currently 1985 is the last printed magazine article for a build-your-own computer with schematics.
@npub1jtp…wk08 pointed me to http://dunfield.classiccmp.org/mmint/index.htm which is a Z80 based computer which is capable of running CP/M.
@npub182h…tk2u suggested that c’t magazine may have an article with a 68k computer called the KAT-Ce, but I haven't been able to find the issue it was in.
@npub166l…s9md mentioned the MicroMite with a PIC32 microcontroller from 2014. https://www.siliconchip.com.au/Issue/2014/May
#VintageComputing #RetroComputing

2024-06-03 02:18:22

What was the *last* printed magazine article to publish detailed plans for building your own computer, and when was it? 1990s? Early ‘80s? I’m talking about plans with detailed schematics and PCB layouts, like the Mark-8 or COSMAC ELF. #VintageComputing #RetroComputing