Re: [M100] Replacement rubber feet / Peg Leggs

[C. Magaret]

I believe the expression "Model T" was coined by Rick Hanson of Club 100 fame 
(also a car nut), and it's both a reference to "Tandy" and the fact that the 
Ford Model T was the first affordable and commercially successful automobile.  
I.e., the Model 100 is the Model T of laptop computers.

Cheers,
CAM

> On Dec 30, 2020, at 14:58, Joshua O'Keefe  wrote:
> 
> On Dec 30, 2020, at 2:49 PM, Scott McDonnell  
> wrote:
>> I’ve heard the term “MEWS” used several times. What does that stand for and 
>> why is the M100 called a Model T?
> 
> I’m new around here compared to most, but I think I have this right:
> 
> MEWS is the Micro Executive Workstation, a marketing name for the Model 100.
> 
> The etymology of the “Model T” term is a little more unclear to me.  I do 
> know that the “Tandy” branded models (as opposed to the TRS-80 branded Model 
> 100) don’t seem to use the word “Model” in the name.  The 102 is actually a 
> “Tandy 102” and the 100 is actually a “TRS-80 Model 100”.  Because of this if 
> you’re trying to be accurate you would use terms like M100 but T102.  I 
> myself am not fussy about this kind of thing and I consider my 102 to be a 
> TRS-80 because I think of Radio Shack computers as TRS-80s in my head.

Re: [M100] Replacement rubber feet / Peg Leggs

[John R. Hogerhuis]

On Wed, Dec 30, 2020 at 2:59 PM Joshua O'Keefe 
wrote:

> On Dec 30, 2020, at 2:49 PM, Scott McDonnell 
> wrote:
>
> I’ve heard the term “MEWS” used several times. What does that stand for
> and why is the M100 called a Model T?
>
>
> I’m new around here compared to most, but I think I have this right:
>
> MEWS is the Micro Executive Workstation, a marketing name for the Model
> 100.
>
>
Yep.


> The etymology of the “Model T” term is a little more unclear to me.  I do
> know that the “Tandy” branded models (as opposed to the TRS-80 branded
> Model 100) don’t seem to use the word “Model” in the name.  The 102 is
> actually a “Tandy 102” and the 100 is actually a “TRS-80 Model 100”.
> Because of this if you’re trying to be accurate you would use terms like
> M100 but T102.
>

Yes. I always say M100 and T102. That's how they are badged. I wouldn't say
T100 or M102.

I'm guessing "Model T" was more a Rick Hanson (Club100 founder) thing...
since he liked classic cars. I guess the T goes for Tandy or TRS-80.

-- John.

Re: [M100] Replacement rubber feet / Peg Leggs

[Joshua O'Keefe]

On Dec 30, 2020, at 2:49 PM, Scott McDonnell  wrote:
> I’ve heard the term “MEWS” used several times. What does that stand for and 
> why is the M100 called a Model T?

I’m new around here compared to most, but I think I have this right:

MEWS is the Micro Executive Workstation, a marketing name for the Model 100.

The etymology of the “Model T” term is a little more unclear to me.  I do know 
that the “Tandy” branded models (as opposed to the TRS-80 branded Model 100) 
don’t seem to use the word “Model” in the name.  The 102 is actually a “Tandy 
102” and the 100 is actually a “TRS-80 Model 100”.  Because of this if you’re 
trying to be accurate you would use terms like M100 but T102.  I myself am not 
fussy about this kind of thing and I consider my 102 to be a TRS-80 because I 
think of Radio Shack computers as TRS-80s in my head.

Re: [M100] Replacement rubber feet / Peg Leggs

[Scott McDonnell]

No worries at all. 

From: Joshua O'Keefe
Sent: Wednesday, December 30, 2020 5:44 PM
To: m...@bitchin100.com
Subject: Re: [M100] Replacement rubber feet / Peg Leggs

On Dec 30, 2020, at 2:34 PM, Scott McDonnell  wrote:
Nobody is ‘sane’. We are all crazy.

This right here is something I agree with enthusiastically.

Speaking of which, I hope I didn’t come off disagreeably.  I was hoping to 
offer a counterpoint to the notion that the M100 is awkward for regular use 
here in 2020, as I regularly use it!  I, too, was a Commodore kid although I 
got my start on the TRS-80 Model I and kept an interest in Radio Shack products 
over the years.  I remember encountering a Model 102 some time around 1987 or 
1988 and thinking of it as outmoded and kind of uninteresting (being a respin 
of a 1983 design — ancient history by 1988) compared to other machines I could 
get my hands on.

Some number of years later my opinion of the system has changed and I do the 
vast majority of my writing with it.

Re: [M100] Replacement rubber feet / Peg Leggs

[Scott McDonnell]

CoCo kid. Always drooled over the M100 ads and at Radio Shack, but couldn't 
afford one until they were for sale on ebay. The MEWS was priced for business 
use.


I’ve heard the term “MEWS” used several times. What does that stand for and why 
is the M100 called a Model T?

Scott

Re: [M100] Replacement rubber feet / Peg Leggs

[Joshua O'Keefe]

On Dec 30, 2020, at 2:34 PM, Scott McDonnell  wrote:
> Nobody is ‘sane’. We are all crazy.

This right here is something I agree with enthusiastically.

Speaking of which, I hope I didn’t come off disagreeably.  I was hoping to 
offer a counterpoint to the notion that the M100 is awkward for regular use 
here in 2020, as I regularly use it!  I, too, was a Commodore kid although I 
got my start on the TRS-80 Model I and kept an interest in Radio Shack products 
over the years.  I remember encountering a Model 102 some time around 1987 or 
1988 and thinking of it as outmoded and kind of uninteresting (being a respin 
of a 1983 design — ancient history by 1988) compared to other machines I could 
get my hands on.

Some number of years later my opinion of the system has changed and I do the 
vast majority of my writing with it.

Re: [M100] Replacement rubber feet / Peg Leggs

[John R. Hogerhuis]

On Wed, Dec 30, 2020 at 1:52 PM Scott McDonnell 
wrote:

> Well, hopefully my impression didn’t upset anybody. That was not the
> intention. I am sure I will get used to it.
>
>
>

Not really. Just a case of the vapours. I'll recover.


> As I think I had mentioned before, I was a Commodore kid in the 80s and
> had never touched or seen an M100 in person. So, I was always used to CRTs
> or backlit color LCDs. This is new for me.
>
>
>

CoCo kid. Always drooled over the M100 ads and at Radio Shack, but couldn't
afford one until they were for sale on ebay. The MEWS was priced for
business use.

-- John.

Re: [M100] Replacement rubber feet / Peg Leggs

[Scott McDonnell]

That part was just meant to be humor. Sorry if it didn’t come across that way.

Nobody is ‘sane’. We are all crazy.

Scott

From: C. Magaret
Sent: Wednesday, December 30, 2020 5:32 PM
To: m...@bitchin100.com
Subject: Re: [M100] Replacement rubber feet / Peg Leggs

Hi Scott, I'm sorry if I came across as reactionary, but I for one wasn't 
offended.  It's certainly not my place to judge how people participate in this 
hobby, I just found it amusing when you described that "most sane people these 
days" would be using the PC for development work for the M100, when one of the 
most effective ways for me to relax is to immerse myself into learning assembly 
language on the M100 and programming directly on the machine.

And thanks for your review about using the aluminum frame with the M100, I 
expect I'll pick one of those up as a result.

Best,
CAM



> On Dec 30, 2020, at 13:52, Scott McDonnell  wrote:
> 
> Well, hopefully my impression didn’t upset anybody. That was not the 
> intention. I am sure I will get used to it. 
>  
> As I think I had mentioned before, I was a Commodore kid in the 80s and had 
> never touched or seen an M100 in person. So, I was always used to CRTs or 
> backlit color LCDs. This is new for me.
>  
> The fact that I have not seen anyone try to backlight or frontlight an M100 
> tells me that this was not really an issue for most users.
>  
> And yeah, I noticed that the most comfortable position was actually on my lap 
> looking straight down on the LCD, so it would be perfect for sitting in a 
> comfy chair typing.
>  
> Scott
>  
> From: C.Magaret
> Sent: Wednesday, December 30, 2020 4:31 PM
> To: m...@bitchin100.com
> Subject: Re: [M100] Replacement rubber feet / Peg Leggs
>  
> I can vouch that the original peg legs tilted the M100 at a much greater 
> angle than the built-in angle of the NEC.
>  
> I know my sanity has been hotly debated (at least by my family), but I guess 
> this makes it official:  I must be bonkers, because I enjoy programming 
> directly on this thing.  Granted, I usually sit with it in a comfy chair 
> under a nice light, and I still need to jiggle the contrast knob 
> occasionally, but the experience is comfortable enough.  The joy I personally 
> get from retro-computing comes from using the devices themselves, not from 
> working through a modern computer as a surrogate, and the M100’s diminutive 
> form factor makes it so practical for this.  On the couch, in bed, on the 
> deck, at the dining room table ... I can play with the M100 anywhere.
>  
> Best,
> CAM
>  
> 
> On Dec 30, 2020, at 13:00, John R. Hogerhuis  wrote:
> 
> 
>  
>  
> On Wed, Dec 30, 2020 at 12:21 PM Scott McDonnell  
> wrote:
> Aluminum laptop stand arrived today. It fits between the rear feet just 
> right. The bottom feet rest right on the aluminum frame. The rubber grips on 
> the stand keep the M100 from moving. It puts the keyboard at a comfortable 
> typing angle. Well, as comfortable as an M100 can get anyway. A little bit 
> taller would probably be perfect.
>  
> So, maybe you guys will find this interesting or at least amusing hearing a 
> perspective from a newbie to the M100:
>  
> I can’t imagine myself ever typing a program out on this thing! You can 
> either get the viewing angle just right or the typing angle just right, but 
> so far I have been unable to achieve both. The original purpose of this thing 
> was for journalists to type up their articles. I bet that was just painful. 
>  
>  
> Never found that to be a problem with good overhead lighting and a M100 or 
> T102.
> 
> Adjusting the contrast knob has always been enough for me given a flat 
> surface.
> 
> I've never used the add-on legs.
> 
> The T200 I have more problem with the viewing angle.
>  
> The NEC units do incline the display (and keyboard) a bit, but I'm guessing 
> not as much as the peg legs?
>  
> Don't know how the peg legs or NEC incline compare to your aluminum frame.
>  
> -- John.

Re: [M100] Fast graphics?

[Stephen Adolph]

Ken, thanks for reminding us where that was!
I was trying to find it on your site yesterday.  I had a bunch of emails
from 2015, but I lost track of this.

Ken, I'll contact you off list... I have a couple of questions regarding
use.
thanks
Steve

On Wed, Dec 30, 2020 at 2:15 PM Ken Pettit  wrote:

> Also, I developed a fast graphics library called AsciiPixels.  It is
> callable from BASIC and allows you to define images using BASIC strings.
> Then it uses the accompanying .CO with calls to plot the defined graphic
> "sprites" at specific X,Y locations.  I had posted a preliminary copy in my
> Personal Libraries section a few years back (it's still there).
>
> Ken
>
> On 12/30/20 12:22 AM, Philip Avery wrote:
>
> I make use of direct-LCD driver programming in my Solitaire port to M100.
> It's a Basic program that has a partnered .CO program which displays the
> cards. You can find it here:
>
> http://club100.org/memfiles/index.php?=0==Philip%20Avery
>
> Bear in mind this is a mostly Basic program, but when the card starts to
> be drawn, it is pretty much instant. This was a huge improvement over using
> the ROM Set routine which does a single pixel at a time.
>
> I presume you're conversant in 8085 assembly language as there are
> considerations in moving a sprite anywhere on the screen. I can provide the
> source to SOLCR3.CO if you so desire.
>
> Philip
>
> On 30/12/2020 1:33 pm, Hiraghm wrote:
>
> Awhile back, someone in the list was talking about fast display routines
> for the Model T.
>
> I know the LCD is slow in displaying graphics, but I was wondering if
> anyone could share some assembly language examples of fast display writes.
> The Model T doesn't have a bitmap mode, and even if it did, screen writes
> would still be slow.
>
> I was watching this video by the 8-bit guy concerning his new "Attack of
> the PETSCII Robots" game, where he explained redefining characters to make
> the graphics for the PET, Vic-20 and C64.
>
> Attack of the PETSCII Robots part 2
> 
>
> I'm pretty sure you can't do that with the Model T unless you have a REX,
> and maybe not even then.
> Now, the Model T does have graphics characters, but to move a "sprite" on
> the screen smoothly would involve, I believe, a lot of calculation as to
> what graphics characters to use and when.
>
> I've limited my game ambitions thus far to text or strategy (Oregon Trail
> rewritten to "Organ Trail"; a port of a C64 Master of Orion type game,
> "Reach for the Stars", which used * for stars). Still working on both).
>
> But that game of his makes me want to do more graphical games without
> substituting ascii characters a la rogue.
> Even a 4 character sprite rather than the 9 characters he uses would be
> good if it could be written fast enough.
>
> Being able to create a condense font as view80 does would also be very
> handy.
>
> So I'm hoping someone out there has learned some tricks for quick graphics?
>
> I'm reading the Hidden Powers book, but am still scratching my head a bit
> about writing to the display.
>
> Thanks for any info or advice.
>
>
>
>

Re: [M100] Replacement rubber feet / Peg Leggs

[C. Magaret]

Hi Scott, I'm sorry if I came across as reactionary, but I for one wasn't 
offended.  It's certainly not my place to judge how people participate in this 
hobby, I just found it amusing when you described that "most sane people these 
days" would be using the PC for development work for the M100, when one of the 
most effective ways for me to relax is to immerse myself into learning assembly 
language on the M100 and programming directly on the machine.

And thanks for your review about using the aluminum frame with the M100, I 
expect I'll pick one of those up as a result.

Best,
CAM



> On Dec 30, 2020, at 13:52, Scott McDonnell  wrote:
> 
> Well, hopefully my impression didn’t upset anybody. That was not the 
> intention. I am sure I will get used to it. 
>  
> As I think I had mentioned before, I was a Commodore kid in the 80s and had 
> never touched or seen an M100 in person. So, I was always used to CRTs or 
> backlit color LCDs. This is new for me.
>  
> The fact that I have not seen anyone try to backlight or frontlight an M100 
> tells me that this was not really an issue for most users.
>  
> And yeah, I noticed that the most comfortable position was actually on my lap 
> looking straight down on the LCD, so it would be perfect for sitting in a 
> comfy chair typing.
>  
> Scott
>  
> From: C.Magaret
> Sent: Wednesday, December 30, 2020 4:31 PM
> To: m...@bitchin100.com
> Subject: Re: [M100] Replacement rubber feet / Peg Leggs
>  
> I can vouch that the original peg legs tilted the M100 at a much greater 
> angle than the built-in angle of the NEC.
>  
> I know my sanity has been hotly debated (at least by my family), but I guess 
> this makes it official:  I must be bonkers, because I enjoy programming 
> directly on this thing.  Granted, I usually sit with it in a comfy chair 
> under a nice light, and I still need to jiggle the contrast knob 
> occasionally, but the experience is comfortable enough.  The joy I personally 
> get from retro-computing comes from using the devices themselves, not from 
> working through a modern computer as a surrogate, and the M100’s diminutive 
> form factor makes it so practical for this.  On the couch, in bed, on the 
> deck, at the dining room table ... I can play with the M100 anywhere.
>  
> Best,
> CAM
>  
> 
> On Dec 30, 2020, at 13:00, John R. Hogerhuis  wrote:
> 
> 
>  
>  
> On Wed, Dec 30, 2020 at 12:21 PM Scott McDonnell  
> wrote:
> Aluminum laptop stand arrived today. It fits between the rear feet just 
> right. The bottom feet rest right on the aluminum frame. The rubber grips on 
> the stand keep the M100 from moving. It puts the keyboard at a comfortable 
> typing angle. Well, as comfortable as an M100 can get anyway. A little bit 
> taller would probably be perfect.
>  
> So, maybe you guys will find this interesting or at least amusing hearing a 
> perspective from a newbie to the M100:
>  
> I can’t imagine myself ever typing a program out on this thing! You can 
> either get the viewing angle just right or the typing angle just right, but 
> so far I have been unable to achieve both. The original purpose of this thing 
> was for journalists to type up their articles. I bet that was just painful. 
>  
>  
> Never found that to be a problem with good overhead lighting and a M100 or 
> T102.
> 
> Adjusting the contrast knob has always been enough for me given a flat 
> surface.
> 
> I've never used the add-on legs.
> 
> The T200 I have more problem with the viewing angle.
>  
> The NEC units do incline the display (and keyboard) a bit, but I'm guessing 
> not as much as the peg legs?
>  
> Don't know how the peg legs or NEC incline compare to your aluminum frame.
>  
> -- John.

Re: [M100] Replacement rubber feet / Peg Leggs

[Scott McDonnell]

Well, hopefully my impression didn’t upset anybody. That was not the intention. 
I am sure I will get used to it. 

As I think I had mentioned before, I was a Commodore kid in the 80s and had 
never touched or seen an M100 in person. So, I was always used to CRTs or 
backlit color LCDs. This is new for me.

The fact that I have not seen anyone try to backlight or frontlight an M100 
tells me that this was not really an issue for most users.

And yeah, I noticed that the most comfortable position was actually on my lap 
looking straight down on the LCD, so it would be perfect for sitting in a comfy 
chair typing.

Scott

From: C.Magaret
Sent: Wednesday, December 30, 2020 4:31 PM
To: m...@bitchin100.com
Subject: Re: [M100] Replacement rubber feet / Peg Leggs

I can vouch that the original peg legs tilted the M100 at a much greater angle 
than the built-in angle of the NEC.

I know my sanity has been hotly debated (at least by my family), but I guess 
this makes it official:  I must be bonkers, because I enjoy programming 
directly on this thing.  Granted, I usually sit with it in a comfy chair under 
a nice light, and I still need to jiggle the contrast knob occasionally, but 
the experience is comfortable enough.  The joy I personally get from 
retro-computing comes from using the devices themselves, not from working 
through a modern computer as a surrogate, and the M100’s diminutive form factor 
makes it so practical for this.  On the couch, in bed, on the deck, at the 
dining room table ... I can play with the M100 anywhere.

Best,
CAM

On Dec 30, 2020, at 13:00, John R. Hogerhuis  wrote:




On Wed, Dec 30, 2020 at 12:21 PM Scott McDonnell  
wrote:
Aluminum laptop stand arrived today. It fits between the rear feet just right. 
The bottom feet rest right on the aluminum frame. The rubber grips on the stand 
keep the M100 from moving. It puts the keyboard at a comfortable typing angle. 
Well, as comfortable as an M100 can get anyway. A little bit taller would 
probably be perfect.
 
So, maybe you guys will find this interesting or at least amusing hearing a 
perspective from a newbie to the M100:
 
I can’t imagine myself ever typing a program out on this thing! You can either 
get the viewing angle just right or the typing angle just right, but so far I 
have been unable to achieve both. The original purpose of this thing was for 
journalists to type up their articles. I bet that was just painful. 
 

Never found that to be a problem with good overhead lighting and a M100 or T102.

Adjusting the contrast knob has always been enough for me given a flat surface.

I've never used the add-on legs.

The T200 I have more problem with the viewing angle.

The NEC units do incline the display (and keyboard) a bit, but I'm guessing not 
as much as the peg legs?

Don't know how the peg legs or NEC incline compare to your aluminum frame.

-- John.

Re: [M100] Replacement rubber feet / Peg Leggs

[C.Magaret]

I can vouch that the original peg legs tilted the M100 at a much greater angle 
than the built-in angle of the NEC.

I know my sanity has been hotly debated (at least by my family), but I guess 
this makes it official:  I must be bonkers, because I enjoy programming 
directly on this thing.  Granted, I usually sit with it in a comfy chair under 
a nice light, and I still need to jiggle the contrast knob occasionally, but 
the experience is comfortable enough.  The joy I personally get from 
retro-computing comes from using the devices themselves, not from working 
through a modern computer as a surrogate, and the M100’s diminutive form factor 
makes it so practical for this.  On the couch, in bed, on the deck, at the 
dining room table ... I can play with the M100 anywhere.

Best,
CAM


On Dec 30, 2020, at 13:00, John R. Hogerhuis  wrote:
> 
> 
> 
> On Wed, Dec 30, 2020 at 12:21 PM Scott McDonnell  
> wrote:
>> Aluminum laptop stand arrived today. It fits between the rear feet just 
>> right. The bottom feet rest right on the aluminum frame. The rubber grips on 
>> the stand keep the M100 from moving. It puts the keyboard at a comfortable 
>> typing angle. Well, as comfortable as an M100 can get anyway. A little bit 
>> taller would probably be perfect.
>> 
>>  
>> 
>> So, maybe you guys will find this interesting or at least amusing hearing a 
>> perspective from a newbie to the M100:
>> 
>>  
>> 
>> I can’t imagine myself ever typing a program out on this thing! You can 
>> either get the viewing angle just right or the typing angle just right, but 
>> so far I have been unable to achieve both. The original purpose of this 
>> thing was for journalists to type up their articles. I bet that was just 
>> painful. 
>> 
>>  
>> 
> 
> Never found that to be a problem with good overhead lighting and a M100 or 
> T102.
> 
> Adjusting the contrast knob has always been enough for me given a flat 
> surface.
> 
> I've never used the add-on legs.
> 
> The T200 I have more problem with the viewing angle.
> 
> The NEC units do incline the display (and keyboard) a bit, but I'm guessing 
> not as much as the peg legs?
> 
> Don't know how the peg legs or NEC incline compare to your aluminum frame.
> 
> -- John.

Re: [M100] Replacement rubber feet / Peg Leggs

[John R. Hogerhuis]

On Wed, Dec 30, 2020 at 12:21 PM Scott McDonnell 
wrote:

> Aluminum laptop stand arrived today. It fits between the rear feet just
> right. The bottom feet rest right on the aluminum frame. The rubber grips
> on the stand keep the M100 from moving. It puts the keyboard at a
> comfortable typing angle. Well, as comfortable as an M100 can get anyway. A
> little bit taller would probably be perfect.
>
>
>
> So, maybe you guys will find this interesting or at least amusing hearing
> a perspective from a newbie to the M100:
>
>
>
> I can’t imagine myself ever typing a program out on this thing! You can
> either get the viewing angle just right or the typing angle just right, but
> so far I have been unable to achieve both. The original purpose of this
> thing was for journalists to type up their articles. I bet that was just
> painful. 
>
>
>

Never found that to be a problem with good overhead lighting and a M100 or
T102.

Adjusting the contrast knob has always been enough for me given a flat
surface.

I've never used the add-on legs.

The T200 I have more problem with the viewing angle.

The NEC units do incline the display (and keyboard) a bit, but I'm guessing
not as much as the peg legs?

Don't know how the peg legs or NEC incline compare to your aluminum frame.

-- John.

Re: [M100] Replacement rubber feet / Peg Leggs

[Scott McDonnell]

Yes, I am aware of the contrast adjustment and agree that it has a wide range 
of adjustment. The keyboard itself is fine. Getting it at a comfortable angel 
makes typing comfortable. 

It’s more about the LCD being inset, I think. I have to put a lamp directly 
above the LCD to be able to see the top line or first and last column 
(depending on the angle of the room lighting. The shadows are the main issue.

It’s probably just more that I am not used to it. I imagine the corrections 
that need to be made are automatic for you guys at this point. 

It is what it is and I wasn’t knocking the M100. The thing is a technological 
marvel of its time. Just giving an impression of a first-time user in 2020.

Scott M.
From: Joshua O'Keefe
Sent: Wednesday, December 30, 2020 3:31 PM
To: m...@bitchin100.com
Subject: Re: [M100] Replacement rubber feet / Peg Leggs

On Dec 30, 2020, at 12:21 PM, Scott McDonnell  
wrote:
I can’t imagine myself ever typing a program out on this thing! You can either 
get the viewing angle just right or the typing angle just right, but so far I 
have been unable to achieve both. The original purpose of this thing was for 
journalists to type up their articles. I bet that was just painful. 

I first want to make sure you're aware that the dial on the right side of the 
machine adjusts the LCD viewing angle, and it has a pretty generous range of 
adjustment.

I do a lot of typing on my 102 and I would not characterize it as painful.  
While the keyboard isn't quite as good as some of the high end keyboards I have 
around the house (I have a collection of Model Ms that see daily use and I have 
a couple of Matias ALPS-alikes for the Macs when they are docked) the 102 
keyboard is the best laptop keyboard I have ever used.

I consider it a joy to type on, and the screen adequate if slow for programming 
and writing tasks.  I am constantly looking for excuses to do something on the 
102 rather than a bigger computer.

Re: [M100] Replacement rubber feet / Peg Leggs

[Joshua O'Keefe]

On Dec 30, 2020, at 12:21 PM, Scott McDonnell  
wrote:
> I can’t imagine myself ever typing a program out on this thing! You can 
> either get the viewing angle just right or the typing angle just right, but 
> so far I have been unable to achieve both. The original purpose of this thing 
> was for journalists to type up their articles. I bet that was just painful. 

I first want to make sure you're aware that the dial on the right side of the 
machine adjusts the LCD viewing angle, and it has a pretty generous range of 
adjustment.

I do a lot of typing on my 102 and I would not characterize it as painful.  
While the keyboard isn't quite as good as some of the high end keyboards I have 
around the house (I have a collection of Model Ms that see daily use and I have 
a couple of Matias ALPS-alikes for the Macs when they are docked) the 102 
keyboard is the best laptop keyboard I have ever used.

I consider it a joy to type on, and the screen adequate if slow for programming 
and writing tasks.  I am constantly looking for excuses to do something on the 
102 rather than a bigger computer.

Re: [M100] Replacement rubber feet / Peg Leggs

[Scott McDonnell]

Aluminum laptop stand arrived today. It fits between the rear feet just right. 
The bottom feet rest right on the aluminum frame. The rubber grips on the stand 
keep the M100 from moving. It puts the keyboard at a comfortable typing angle. 
Well, as comfortable as an M100 can get anyway. A little bit taller would 
probably be perfect.

So, maybe you guys will find this interesting or at least amusing hearing a 
perspective from a newbie to the M100:

I can’t imagine myself ever typing a program out on this thing! You can either 
get the viewing angle just right or the typing angle just right, but so far I 
have been unable to achieve both. The original purpose of this thing was for 
journalists to type up their articles. I bet that was just painful. 

I also noticed that the LCD is inset pretty far under the plastic lens and what 
that means is that the angle of the room lighting is important because it casts 
black shadows on the LCD. Almost impossible to get rid of the shadows except 
with a direct-on lamp.

I imagine I will be doing all my development like most sane people these days: 
on the PC and testing in an emulator before running it on the hardware. 
Obviously back in its day, that was not an option, so kudos to those 
programmers that did it on the actual hardware.

Makes me wonder why kind of crazy aftermarket products there must have been to 
try to solve the lighting issue? Things like those clip on lamps for the 
Gameboy? Lol

Scott M.

From: C. Magaret
Sent: Tuesday, December 29, 2020 4:00 PM
To: m...@bitchin100.com
Subject: Re: [M100] Replacement rubber feet / Peg Leggs

These are interesting options, and I'm curious to hear how your experiment with 
the aluminum laptop stand works out.

Re: the adhesive stands you also mentioned, once they're applied to an M100, 
does the M100 still fit in its original slipcase?

Cheers,
CAM


> On Dec 29, 2020, at 12:37, Scott McDonnell  wrote:
> 
> These stands are great. My only issue is that you need to stick one of them 
> to the battery door. I guess that really isn’t a problem, though. I like the 
> height and they tilt the M100 just a little bit even when folded. I like them 
> because they will stay with the computer and I don’t have to try to keep 
> track of them. Satisfied.
>  
> https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07ZJ3CYB3
>  
> I have not received this yet to try out. 
> https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08DM1S3SC
>  
> I have a feeling that this is going to interfere with the placement of the 
> feet and just not work out well without modifying it. But I figured I can 
> always use it for one of my laptops if it doesn’t work out for the M100.
>  
> Scott M.
> 

Re: [M100] Fast graphics?

[Ken Pettit]

Also, I developed a fast graphics library called AsciiPixels.  It is 
callable from BASIC and allows you to define images using BASIC 
strings.  Then it uses the accompanying .CO with calls to plot the 
defined graphic "sprites" at specific X,Y locations.  I had posted a 
preliminary copy in my Personal Libraries section a few years back (it's 
still there).


Ken

On 12/30/20 12:22 AM, Philip Avery wrote:
I make use of direct-LCD driver programming in my Solitaire port to 
M100. It's a Basic program that has a partnered .CO program which 
displays the cards. You can find it here:

http://club100.org/memfiles/index.php?=0==Philip%20Avery

Bear in mind this is a mostly Basic program, but when the card starts 
to be drawn, it is pretty much instant. This was a huge improvement 
over using the ROM Set routine which does a single pixel at a time.


I presume you're conversant in 8085 assembly language as there are 
considerations in moving a sprite anywhere on the screen. I can 
provide the source to SOLCR3.CO if you so desire.


Philip

On 30/12/2020 1:33 pm, Hiraghm wrote:


Awhile back, someone in the list was talking about fast display 
routines for the Model T.


I know the LCD is slow in displaying graphics, but I was wondering if 
anyone could share some assembly language examples of fast display 
writes. The Model T doesn't have a bitmap mode, and even if it did, 
screen writes would still be slow.


I was watching this video by the 8-bit guy concerning his new "Attack 
of the PETSCII Robots" game, where he explained redefining characters 
to make the graphics for the PET, Vic-20 and C64.


Attack of the PETSCII Robots part 2 



I'm pretty sure you can't do that with the Model T unless you have a 
REX, and maybe not even then.
Now, the Model T does have graphics characters, but to move a 
"sprite" on the screen smoothly would involve, I believe, a lot of 
calculation as to what graphics characters to use and when.


I've limited my game ambitions thus far to text or strategy (Oregon 
Trail rewritten to "Organ Trail"; a port of a C64 Master of Orion 
type game, "Reach for the Stars", which used * for stars). Still 
working on both).


But that game of his makes me want to do more graphical games without 
substituting ascii characters a la rogue.
Even a 4 character sprite rather than the 9 characters he uses would 
be good if it could be written fast enough.


Being able to create a condense font as view80 does would also be 
very handy.


So I'm hoping someone out there has learned some tricks for quick 
graphics?


I'm reading the Hidden Powers book, but am still scratching my head a 
bit about writing to the display.


Thanks for any info or advice.

Re: [M100] Star Blaze 100

[Kevin Becker]

I believe it is in the member library section of Club 100.


On Wed, 2020-12-30 at 13:21 +, dano none wrote:
> 
> Does anyone have a copy of this software they are willing to share?
> 
> Off and On, for a couple of months, I've been looking for a copy on
> Ebay. 
> I've not seen one come up, and it seems to be the only game for the
> 100, that Radio Shack ever sold.
> 
> Thanks,
> Dan
> 

[M100] Star Blaze 100

[dano none]

Does anyone have a copy of this software they are willing to share?

Off and On, for a couple of months, I've been looking for a copy on Ebay.
I've not seen one come up, and it seems to be the only game for the 100, that 
Radio Shack ever sold.

Thanks,
Dan

Re: [M100] Fast graphics?

[Philip Avery]

I make use of direct-LCD driver programming in my Solitaire port to 
M100. It's a Basic program that has a partnered .CO program which 
displays the cards. You can find it here:

http://club100.org/memfiles/index.php?=0==Philip%20Avery

Bear in mind this is a mostly Basic program, but when the card starts to 
be drawn, it is pretty much instant. This was a huge improvement over 
using the ROM Set routine which does a single pixel at a time.


I presume you're conversant in 8085 assembly language as there are 
considerations in moving a sprite anywhere on the screen. I can provide 
the source to SOLCR3.CO if you so desire.


Philip

On 30/12/2020 1:33 pm, Hiraghm wrote:


Awhile back, someone in the list was talking about fast display 
routines for the Model T.


I know the LCD is slow in displaying graphics, but I was wondering if 
anyone could share some assembly language examples of fast display 
writes. The Model T doesn't have a bitmap mode, and even if it did, 
screen writes would still be slow.


I was watching this video by the 8-bit guy concerning his new "Attack 
of the PETSCII Robots" game, where he explained redefining characters 
to make the graphics for the PET, Vic-20 and C64.


Attack of the PETSCII Robots part 2 



I'm pretty sure you can't do that with the Model T unless you have a 
REX, and maybe not even then.
Now, the Model T does have graphics characters, but to move a "sprite" 
on the screen smoothly would involve, I believe, a lot of calculation 
as to what graphics characters to use and when.


I've limited my game ambitions thus far to text or strategy (Oregon 
Trail rewritten to "Organ Trail"; a port of a C64 Master of Orion type 
game, "Reach for the Stars", which used * for stars). Still working on 
both).


But that game of his makes me want to do more graphical games without 
substituting ascii characters a la rogue.
Even a 4 character sprite rather than the 9 characters he uses would 
be good if it could be written fast enough.


Being able to create a condense font as view80 does would also be very 
handy.


So I'm hoping someone out there has learned some tricks for quick 
graphics?


I'm reading the Hidden Powers book, but am still scratching my head a 
bit about writing to the display.


Thanks for any info or advice.