Lecture: How I ported Space Invaders to a video game console from 1978, 2021-07-10, 19:00
Hi all, you're invited to the Update computer club[0] public lecture series "Updateringar"[1]! Update is a Swedish computer club founded in 1983 whose members tinker with all kinds of computers, from Raspberry Pi to PDP-12. The club has a big collection of historic computers. In this lecture series we'll talk about everything related to computers: Historic and modern computers, operating systems, programming, hardware projects, creating art with computers, building a computer museum, and more. When: 2021-07-10, 19:00 CEST Where: https://bbb.cryptoparty.se/b/upd-0mo-m2u-aq8 How I ported Space Invaders to a video game console from 1978 Bjarni walks us through his recent port of the arcade classic to the Philips Videopac, a second-generation video game console. He explains the hardware limitations and shows tricks used to get around them — unlike in the arcade machine there is no frame buffer, and the functionality of the hardware sprites is severely constrained on the Videopac. The development of the port was done on real hardware with a home-made USB-connected game cartridge. Bjarni Juliusson (Update) The lecture is free and open to everyone. Upcoming: 2021-08-14, 19:00: The Whirlwind I. Angelo Papenhoff (Humboldt University of Berlin) Hope to see you there, Anke [0] http://www.update.uu.se/index_eng.html [1] https://www.update.uu.se/wiki/doku.php/projekt:updateringar
Re: FTGH for pickup in So Cal: PDP-11/44, Macs, Atari ST, RiscPC, ...
On 7/6/21 6:14 PM, Cameron Kaiser via cctalk wrote: re. Acorn RPC 700 for anyone reading, I may still have a logic board or two for these over in England. No real ETA for getting them US-side, though (and chances are that they have battery issues, too). It's still on the market if people want to give it a shot. Well if anyone happens to be heading from your part of the country to Minnesota in the near future and has a RPC 700-sized space in their trunk... would be happy to discuss transport fees :-) They are notorious for battery destruction - perhaps not as bad as an Amiga 4000, but I expect that's the most likely problem with it. I've actually got an original paper copy of the techref over in the UK, although I think that's all scanned in and online these days.
Re: FTGH for pickup in So Cal: PDP-11/44, Macs, Atari ST, RiscPC, ...
> > There is also a big Kennedy disk next to it but I don't know if they > > originally went together. > > Just to satisfy my curiosity, is that SMD or something else? I *think* so but I'm not an expert on these things by any means. This was an attempt to gain expertise. Oh well. > re. Acorn RPC 700 for anyone reading, I may still have a logic board or two > for these over in England. No real ETA for getting them US-side, though > (and chances are that they have battery issues, too). It's still on the market if people want to give it a shot. -- personal: http://www.cameronkaiser.com/ -- Cameron Kaiser * Floodgap Systems * www.floodgap.com * ckai...@floodgap.com -- All generalizations are false, including this one. -- Mark Twain ---
Re: FTGH for pickup in So Cal: PDP-11/44, Macs, Atari ST, RiscPC, ...
I'm now four reservations deep on the DEC stuff, so I think we can consider that to have a home, and a couple for the S-100 and CoCo, and the STacy is going to someone who might be able to restore it. However, the other systems are still available! List reposted below minus reserved items. Also, adding on a Solbourne S4100 (untested). I haven't looked to see what is in it, can do that for someone who is interested. > Well, the pandemic turns everything upside down and we're looking at new > employment, a new place and probably having to slash a few things. First on > the chopping block is to consolidate and downsize storage. > > These systems and peripherals are all free to a good home; all you have to > do is pick them up. Pick up any and all, with priority given to those who > are interested in multiple units. I've tried to describe them as > completely as possible. A few items have "on your honour" conditions. I'm > also giving priority to classiccmp readers before I post public elsewhere. > > The items are in various places over the Riverside-San Bernardino area in > Southern California depending on where and when I acquired them, so send me > an off-list E-mail and we'll figure it out based on their location. > > THESE ITEMS NEED TO BE GONE IN THE NEXT MONTH. If you need a little > extra time, we can work something out; I'd rather not scrap what someone > has an interest in, but obviously with a likely move approaching, the > sooner the better. > > =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= > NOT WORKING: > Acorn RiscPC 700 and Castle Iyonix PC. Like the AM S-100 system, I got this > when I had more money but not enough time, and now I have neither. They > need specialist restoration as neither system powers on, and it doesn't > appear to be (just) the PSU. In particular, the RiscPC came to me with a > leaky board battery which may have something to do with it. Both systems > appear heavily upgraded but I don't have any inventory. If you are > interested, it is expected you will be restoring the systems and not just > turning around to part them out; there aren't that many of these machines on > this side of the Atlantic (on your honour). Please take both units; you > will get a big box of software and RiscPC artifacts from the previous owner > as well. > > WORKING: > Snow iMac G3 (600MHz, 512MB RAM). Works fine, comes up in stock 10.3.9. Needs > a new PRAM battery but in good shape otherwise. Add your own USB keyboard and > mouse. This was a gift from a good buddy, so it goes to you with the > understanding you will try to find it a home if you don't want it instead > of trying to sell it (on your honour). Everyone should have the joy of an > original iMac. > > POSSIBLY WORKING: > Mega ST4 with Megafile 60 and SC1224 and SM125 monitors. These are a bit > yellowed and the keyboard is thrashed. Also, the TOS is on a separate card > with two leads that got loose and I don't know where they go (probably to +Vcc > and a select pin). Thus, can't test the monitors or the hard disk, but the > system does power on, and the hard disk does power up and makes happy hard > disk noises. No idea what's on it. The SM125 puts on a power light and does > appear to try to make a picture, though its previous owner separated it from > its stand for some reason. The SC1224 sounds like the flyback is bad but may > be serviceable. Includes ST mouse and hard disk cable. No manuals or > software. If you want this unit, you need to take everything including the > monitors. > > NOT WORKING: > Breadbox NTSC Commodore 64, in original box with power supply. Last time > I powered it up, it generated a garbled display that suggested either bad > RAM or PLA. You get to find out. > > PARTIALLY WORKING: > Quad G5 2.5GHz x2x2, 8GB RAM, Nvidia 6600. Got whacked in shipping and one > side of the case is damaged. No hard disk. Does power on and starts Apple > Service Diagnostics fine, but the fans roar like the MGM lion and while there > is no obvious leak you will need to service the liquid cooling system -- > you're > not thermal calibrating your way out of this one. Has the wireless card. > Aftermarket optical drive needs "help" when you eject it. Add your own USB > keyboard and mouse. > > NOT WORKING: > Macintosh SE/30 (marked "Lake Washington"). 8MB RAM. Powers on and bright > display on the monitor but Simasimacs immediately. Probably fine with a recap. > Case yellowed as hell. I think I removed the hard disk, but if not, hey, > free hard disk. Add your own ADB keyboard and mouse. > > NOT WORKING: > Macintosh SE/30 (marked "Clover Park"). Also used to be my file server but > then Simasimaced and now doesn't put a picture on the screen at all. > Undoubtedly needs a recap and may need other repairs based on the funny > pulsing of the system fan when connected to power. I think it had 4MB of RAM, > don't recall exactly. I think I removed the hard disk, but if not, hey, free > hard disk.
Re: FTGH for pickup in So Cal: PDP-11/44, Macs, Atari ST, RiscPC, ...
I'll be in Laguna Seca racing in 2 1/2 weeks and will have means to haul large stuff. Can come down your way some days before or after. I'd be happy to take the PDP-11/44 at least four disk packs lots of paper tape 8" floppies, TU58 the big Kennedy disk and the DEC VT100. Would you please let me know if this time frame will work for you, Cameron? thx jake (415)952-5372 On Mon, Jul 5, 2021 at 10:30 PM Cameron Kaiser via cctalk < cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote: > Well, the pandemic turns everything upside down and we're looking at new > employment, a new place and probably having to slash a few things. First on > the chopping block is to consolidate and downsize storage. > > These systems and peripherals are all free to a good home; all you have to > do is pick them up. Pick up any and all, with priority given to those who > are interested in multiple units. I've tried to describe them as > completely as possible. A few items have "on your honour" conditions. I'm > also giving priority to classiccmp readers before I post public elsewhere. > > The items are in various places over the Riverside-San Bernardino area in > Southern California depending on where and when I acquired them, so send me > an off-list E-mail and we'll figure it out based on their location. > > THESE ITEMS NEED TO BE GONE IN THE NEXT MONTH. If you need a little > extra time, we can work something out; I'd rather not scrap what someone > has an interest in, but obviously with a likely move approaching, the > sooner the better. > > > =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= > > POSSIBLY WORKING: > PDP-11/44 with at least four disk packs and lots of paper tape and 8" > floppies, > sitting on top of what I think is a TU58. I never got the chance to fire > it on. > You will need a truck, probably a cart and definitely a hernia belt. There > is > also a big Kennedy disk next to it but I don't know if they originally went > together. > > POSSIBLY WORKING: > DEC VT100. This got bashed around a little and the case is a little loose, > and I don't know if it works, but it's an honest to Ford VT100. > > NOT WORKING: > Alpha Micro S-100 system. I got this when I had more money with the > intention of rehabilitating it when I had more time, and now I have less > of both. It will work for other S-100 cards. Whatever cards and devices > are in there are all yours. They are heavy steel drawers and it can take > big cards. There are two boxes; please take both. > > NOT WORKING: > Acorn RiscPC 700 and Castle Iyonix PC. Like the AM S-100 system, I got this > when I had more money but not enough time, and now I have neither. They > need specialist restoration as neither system powers on, and it doesn't > appear to be (just) the PSU. In particular, the RiscPC came to me with a > leaky board battery which may have something to do with it. Both systems > appear heavily upgraded but I don't have any inventory. If you are > interested, it is expected you will be restoring the systems and not just > turning around to part them out; there aren't that many of these machines > on > this side of the Atlantic (on your honour). Please take both units; you > will get a big box of software and RiscPC artifacts from the previous owner > as well. > > WORKING: > Snow iMac G3 (600MHz, 512MB RAM). Works fine, comes up in stock 10.3.9. > Needs > a new PRAM battery but in good shape otherwise. Add your own USB keyboard > and > mouse. This was a gift from a good buddy, so it goes to you with the > understanding you will try to find it a home if you don't want it instead > of trying to sell it (on your honour). Everyone should have the joy of an > original iMac. > > NOT WORKING: > Atari STacy, disassembled. I was working on the system to replace the > hard disk and one of the power headers got shifted which put 12V on a 5V > line. Guaranteed this liberated some magic smoke from the motherboard or > a yet-to-be-detected fuse somewhere, but the keyboard, RAM card, screen > and such were all functional at the time I effed up and probably still are. > You will get it in a fabulous Office Depot box with "STacy" written on it > using a half-dead Sharpie. > > POSSIBLY WORKING: > Mega ST4 with Megafile 60 and SC1224 and SM125 monitors. These are a bit > yellowed and the keyboard is thrashed. Also, the TOS is on a separate card > with two leads that got loose and I don't know where they go (probably to > +Vcc > and a select pin). Thus, can't test the monitors or the hard disk, but the > system does power on, and the hard disk does power up and makes happy hard > disk noises. No idea what's on it. The SM125 puts on a power light and does > appear to try to make a picture, though its previous owner separated it > from > its stand for some reason. The SC1224 sounds like the flyback is bad but > may > be serviceable. Includes ST mouse and hard disk cable. No manuals or > software. If you want this unit, you need to take everything including the > m
Re: FTGH for pickup in So Cal: PDP-11/44, Macs, Atari ST, RiscPC, ...
On Jul 6, 2021, at 2:06 PM, Paul Koning wrote: > >> On Jul 6, 2021, at 4:57 PM, Zane Healy via cctalk >> wrote: >> >> On Jul 5, 2021, at 7:30 PM, Cameron Kaiser via cctalk >> wrote: >>> >>> UMAX Astra 2100U flatbed USB scanner with power supply. Powers on. Works >>> with classic Mac OS but probably most systems. No driver disc. >> >> >> This should be usable on modern systems using “VueScan”. > > Yes, the VueScan manual confirms that. > >> For those of us that have old scanners, “VueScan” is the greatest piece of >> software ever. > > I'll second that. Very impressive, incredible breadth of support and a > really good value for the money. > > It includes (and does well) wild stuff like scanning negatives or > transparencies, something that other scanner software often claims to do but > doesn't necessarily deliver. > > paul To scan negatives or slides, you need a transparency adapter, and I believe that was optional on the scanner in question. Which reminds me, I really should dump my old UMAX S-6 with the transparency adapter (and normal lid). I’d kept it around, as it would have allowed me to scan 4x5 or 8x10 negatives (I now have an Epson scanner for 8x10 negatives). VueScan gives me results very close to SilverFast 8, with none of the headaches. If anyone is crazy enough to want a UMAX S-6 SCSI scanner that does 300 dpi, that can scan transparencies, give a shout. I used it on a PowerMac 8500/180 and a PowerMac G4/450. I haven’t used it in about 20 years, so no idea if it still works. Zane
Re: FTGH for pickup in So Cal: PDP-11/44, Macs, Atari ST, RiscPC, ...
> On Jul 6, 2021, at 4:57 PM, Zane Healy via cctalk > wrote: > > On Jul 5, 2021, at 7:30 PM, Cameron Kaiser via cctalk > wrote: >> >> UMAX Astra 2100U flatbed USB scanner with power supply. Powers on. Works >> with classic Mac OS but probably most systems. No driver disc. > > > This should be usable on modern systems using “VueScan”. Yes, the VueScan manual confirms that. > For those of us that have old scanners, “VueScan” is the greatest piece of > software ever. I'll second that. Very impressive, incredible breadth of support and a really good value for the money. It includes (and does well) wild stuff like scanning negatives or transparencies, something that other scanner software often claims to do but doesn't necessarily deliver. paul
Re: FTGH for pickup in So Cal: PDP-11/44, Macs, Atari ST, RiscPC, ...
On Jul 5, 2021, at 7:30 PM, Cameron Kaiser via cctalk wrote: > > UMAX Astra 2100U flatbed USB scanner with power supply. Powers on. Works > with classic Mac OS but probably most systems. No driver disc. This should be usable on modern systems using “VueScan”. For those of us that have old scanners, “VueScan” is the greatest piece of software ever. For a one time purchase, you get free updates, and it supports pretty much all scanners, with the exception of highly specialized ones such as my Kodak Pakon F135+ (originally used in Kodak Kiosks). Zane
Re: FTGH for pickup in So Cal: PDP-11/44, Macs, Atari ST, RiscPC, ...
On 7/5/21 9:30 PM, Cameron Kaiser via cctalk wrote: There is also a big Kennedy disk next to it but I don't know if they originally went together. Just to satisfy my curiosity, is that SMD or something else? I've got at least one Q-bus SMD controller so have been keeping an eye out for drive for a few years. I am in Minnesota, however, so logistics surely a no-go; if it was close enough for me I'd be jumping on the 11/44 and also the Alpha Micro! re. Acorn RPC 700 for anyone reading, I may still have a logic board or two for these over in England. No real ETA for getting them US-side, though (and chances are that they have battery issues, too). Jules
RE: Atari ST & MegaFile with Minix?
Whilst I am not an Atari "expert" I still own an STE and a have owned a Mega which died and a TT which I sold. In hardware terms there is very little difference between a Mega and an ST. As far as I know, given the same memory, all the games work on both and they really exercise the hardware. The first obvious difference is 3Mb of memory but that shouldn't cause problems. The second is that I would expect a Mega to have a blitter. Not all did but could the space occupied by the blitter be a problem. Lastly has the Mega had any modifications made? That could also cause issues.. .. and I assume TOS finds the drives on both machines Dave G4UGM > -Original Message- > From: cctech On Behalf Of r.stricklin via > cctech > Sent: 06 July 2021 05:37 > To: General Discussion: On-Topic Posts > Subject: Atari ST & MegaFile with Minix? > > I was playing with ST Minix (v1.1, based on PC Minix v1.3). I didn’t have any > luck with Minix (neither the boot program nor the kernel) detecting the > MegaFile (60 or 30, both the same outcome) on the Mega 4. Both MegaFiles > worked fine with Minix on the 1040ST. > > So there must be some difference (timing?) between the ST and Mega. > There are some usenet posts speculating on the cause of this, as well as > contradictory user reports on whether it is known to work or not. So I’m not > sure what to make of this. > > But Minix is pretty tight in 1 MB RAM, so I would like to understand why it > shouldn’t work on the Mega 4. > > Any Atari ST experts on the list who can shed any light on why this might be > the case? > > ok > bear. >
Atari ST & MegaFile with Minix?
I was playing with ST Minix (v1.1, based on PC Minix v1.3). I didn’t have any luck with Minix (neither the boot program nor the kernel) detecting the MegaFile (60 or 30, both the same outcome) on the Mega 4. Both MegaFiles worked fine with Minix on the 1040ST. So there must be some difference (timing?) between the ST and Mega. There are some usenet posts speculating on the cause of this, as well as contradictory user reports on whether it is known to work or not. So I’m not sure what to make of this. But Minix is pretty tight in 1 MB RAM, so I would like to understand why it shouldn’t work on the Mega 4. Any Atari ST experts on the list who can shed any light on why this might be the case? ok bear.
