tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29902429873533143822024-02-24T14:02:23.885-05:00RetroChallengeJohn W. Linvillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06733985097169878581noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990242987353314382.post-51730707552499583542023-11-01T12:52:00.015-04:002023-11-01T14:01:40.659-04:00This Is the End!<p>Time's up, light pens down!</p>
<p>You did it... we are at the end of another great month of the RetroChallenge! Despite the limited number of entries, we had great participation this year, which is the way we really like it.</p>
<p>I will always remember this RetroChallenge as the one where I completely ignored my project and instead met up with urbancamo on his visit to Southern California. We did a version of "October Offline" as we checked out the <a href="https://www.midway.org/">USS Midway Museum</a>, ate a bunch of <a href="http://tacoselgordobc.com/">Mexican food</a>, and went to an (American) football game to see the <a href="https://www.therams.com/">Los Angeles Rams</a> and Ice Cube. What a great time, and a great guy to co-host this event with!</p>
<p>As promised, if you participated in the challenge, you can vote for the winners. Take a look at the <a href="https://www.retrochallenge.org/p/entrants-list-202310.html">project links in the Entrants List</a> and then <a href="https://forms.gle/3p34rMT3Ev6DvMAR8">cast your vote on the RC2023/10 ballot</a>. Make sure to get your vote in on or before Tuesday, November 7 (conveniently Election Day here in the USA), and we will award prizes based on the vote and the organizer's favorites. <a href="https://twitter.com/urbancamo">urbancamo</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/ep00ch">ep00ch</a>, and an <a href="https://acms.org.au">ACMS</a> board member will be spending next couple of weeks reviewing and writing up all of the projects. Stay tuned for results!</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCJtKo9l517yWWcfnWMFwoyJMIEJH65rVZvxGWhFcNIzF3-ogN56Zsb5Xm44t4oAF6T9iPh538mGwEPFM6N88yMrqT-IA_elshRSGGk3ydOf3_2Jf8e5rrYNsRJ8FRt6e-2V9iot5NwqaHcnSbKShzI9lgI7V86K2EJEYxBILm8vHGVezDbxfg_tkfyGw/s2016/midway_repair.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="mannequin repairing radio on aircraft carrier" border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCJtKo9l517yWWcfnWMFwoyJMIEJH65rVZvxGWhFcNIzF3-ogN56Zsb5Xm44t4oAF6T9iPh538mGwEPFM6N88yMrqT-IA_elshRSGGk3ydOf3_2Jf8e5rrYNsRJ8FRt6e-2V9iot5NwqaHcnSbKShzI9lgI7V86K2EJEYxBILm8vHGVezDbxfg_tkfyGw/s400/midway_repair.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Radio Repair room on the USS Midway... at least somebody is getting their project done!<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhYfVKoqcnt7gkvReICwYApgrrobdzR8XykqQ0JHZvh10fUW0jnut3UZlw6VomrfMT3EyxUCHFoZfuy7Cu-0_9HKtXc_35Tm41XWcixNAF3-OPf65Ml41nTxtoQIb_7dzSQdUcPcHO_fozdXr9_jdCTXIiXF77LpeO4w9Ipirpo8CO1H4TH4ctZqV/s1540/RC_300Baud2.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="1540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhYfVKoqcnt7gkvReICwYApgrrobdzR8XykqQ0JHZvh10fUW0jnut3UZlw6VomrfMT3EyxUCHFoZfuy7Cu-0_9HKtXc_35Tm41XWcixNAF3-OPf65Ml41nTxtoQIb_7dzSQdUcPcHO_fozdXr9_jdCTXIiXF77LpeO4w9Ipirpo8CO1H4TH4ctZqV/s400/RC_300Baud2.png"/></a></div>epoochhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06765059549332407655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990242987353314382.post-17190669567020630732023-10-16T16:47:00.006-04:002023-11-01T13:25:28.643-04:00RC2023/10 Halftime Update!<p>We have a small group of contenders this year and it is nice to see that they are nearly all making great progress. I also really appreciate the variety of projects this year. If you are making progress and have some blog posts we missed, let us know in the comments.
</p>
<p>Mousepad prizes have been ordered, and we can expect to have a few prizes from the <a href="https://acms.org.au">Australian Computer Museum Society</a> as well!
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZW4q7yYw09TF6xzLJhBwqialMSxgz1ib53WlMUU3e3lq_uhftuvrIDI4pveMI_YHOzvasMubXCQPzbMSqcEz31XgFMdgOYgJzZjJkfR4OJHtRD-j9YwqzHSU6U4EiiQoBAyS5cmjc5qVwkrHwJDt3gWeX9FJB77TCldSXKfTD-lO5uXFTlHK9MLYucMQ/s1140/icm_fullxfull.582652406_702bkfo5qsw8cc84w4cw.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="760" data-original-width="1140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZW4q7yYw09TF6xzLJhBwqialMSxgz1ib53WlMUU3e3lq_uhftuvrIDI4pveMI_YHOzvasMubXCQPzbMSqcEz31XgFMdgOYgJzZjJkfR4OJHtRD-j9YwqzHSU6U4EiiQoBAyS5cmjc5qVwkrHwJDt3gWeX9FJB77TCldSXKfTD-lO5uXFTlHK9MLYucMQ/s320/icm_fullxfull.582652406_702bkfo5qsw8cc84w4cw.png"/></a></div>
<p>Here is the halftime update (after the break), or just keep an eye on the <a href="https://www.retrochallenge.org/p/entrants-list-202310.html">RC2023/10 Entrants List</a>!
</p>
<span><a name='more'></a></span>
<style>
body { font-family: Monospace; }
.icon { width: 125px; height: 125px; object-fit: cover; float: left; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; }
.preish { display: block; white-space: pre-wrap; }
.initial { color: DimGrey; }
.halftime { color: GoldenRod; }
.final { color: Maroon; }
.entryr { vertical-align: top; }
.entryd { text-align: left; color: black; border-bottom: 1px solid lightgrey; }
</style>
<table>
<tr>
<th style="border-bottom: 1px solid black;">Status: Making Progress...</th>
</tr>
<tr class="entry">
<td>
<a id="Granz"></a>
<a href="https://zappbots.altervista.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=458">Granz <img src="https://forum.vcfed.org/data/avatars/m/12/12249.jpg?1661395829" class="icon" alt="RC 2023/10's avatar">
</a>
: <a href="https://twitter.com/@retrocheng">@retrocheng</a>
<br>
Platform: MS-DOS, x86<br>
<p class="preish">Project : I think that I will commit to using MS-DOS on a daily basis (I did this throughout the late 1980s and into the 1990s, in several different professional positions.) I plan on connecting my chosen system (see first post in my blog thread) to the internet (maybe through an ESP modem.) Then I will try to figure out how to post to my thread (or some other) to keep my blogging up.</p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>Granz is keeping us well updated with his endurance challenge and is making great progress getting his Zenith Z-Star configured and connected to peripherals. Reading the the good book and dealing with cursed CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files... what a combo! Happy birthday!</em></p>
<br>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entry">
<td>
<a id="Etno"></a>
<a href="http://af.fr.eu.org/etno/">Etno <img src="http://af.fr.eu.org/etno/assets/images/vg5k.png" class="icon" alt="RC 2023/10's avatar">
</a>
<br>
Platform: VG-5000µ<br>
<p class="preish">Project : Using an emulator to develop for a retro-machine can easily result in code that runs smoothly but not on the real hardware. I will try to build an interface for the VG-5000µ which injects a binary and grabs the display in an automated way. Thus exercising the real graphics chip (EF9345). I want to compare the resulting images with the output of emulators running the same code.</p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>Etno has built up a clean looking breadboard for his VG-5000µ ROM emulation device "hot ROM". Nice progress!</em></p>
<br>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entry">
<td>
<a id="Gerg%C5%91"></a>
<a href="https://gergo.erdi.hu/projects/homelab/">Gergő <img src="https://gergo.erdi.hu/files/avatar-picassohead.png" class="icon" alt="RC 2023/10's avatar">
</a>
: <a href="https://twitter.com/@gergo_erdi">@gergo_erdi</a>
<br>
Platform: HomeLab-2<br>
<p class="preish">Project : I'll be making a game (or maybe several) in Assembly for the Hungarian HomeLab-2 computer from 1982. </p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>Gergő just barely got us his first post in time for this half-time update. Looking forward to more content here!</em></p>
<br>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entry">
<td>
<a id="JKnightandKARR"></a>
<a href="https://zappbots.altervista.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=462">JKnightandKARR <img src="https://zappbots.altervista.org/forum/download/file.php?id=262" class="icon" alt="RC 2023/10's avatar">
</a>
<br>
Platform: Zenith Z-Star EX<br>
<p class="preish">Project : Repair an old Zenith laptop for DOS and WIndows 3.1x gaming</p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>How many Z Stars does Granz have?! JKnightandKARR got an early start on things and is still battling replacement drives and batteries. Hopefully the parts he ordered will do the trick!</em></p>
<br>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entry">
<td>
<a id="ep00ch"></a>
<a href="https://apple-crapple.blogspot.com/search/label/RC2023%2F10">ep00ch <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh09z47o5QwmCMLW75TRokFZPwGPzN7zibXOlvf1MZZDGDxT0MRqUnrqdo3J0UZ2MbrDeiSTESwhzwAb_fbPRbC3lWEL2Ykk06KnKnkwfRo6K49ZC6F8W25aNql_QjxVA4uVWn5vW-CYH8ZgeIVcVqjJWPCjwVdrnoICVZAf1-FP4BqdeQJb15Mu6s-5w/s1600/SYN-MBC020.jpg" class="icon" alt="RC 2023/10's avatar">
</a>
: <a href="https://twitter.com/@ep00ch">@ep00ch</a>
<br>
Platform: Synertec MBC020<br>
<p class="preish">Project : I will focus on some 6502 projects, mostly my Synertek MBC020 ExorBus board. I never got it working correctly as a terminal: skewed video and no keyboard yet. Let's see if I can get all of this working properly!</p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>epooch got us one post with some fixes to his Synertec MBC020. Hopefully he can get a keyboard working with it!</em></p>
<br>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entry">
<td>
<a id="Kerry"></a>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083309868214">Kerry <img src="https://scontent-lax3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/386318835_292498886870438_6078367065659727043_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5f2048&_nc_ohc=gkK8NqgBxUsAX8bX300&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.xx&oh=00_AfB8LR-2vH5ukBsYjYoH-IxAdSgfgqmutO2R8r3YZaNDBA&oe=6531FA77" class="icon" alt="RC 2023/10's avatar">
</a>
<br>
Platform: DEC PDP11<br>
<p class="preish">Project : I have spent hundreds of hours repairing a PDP11/10 CPU box which is now working. It is lonely for a peripheral and I have just the thing, a PC05 high speed paper tape punch/reader.
I am hoping to get it cleaned, repaired and interfaced to my PDP11/10 and loading the DEC pdp11 paper tape basic. Utilising another previously restored paper tape punch I will be creating the tape and the absolute loader to suit.</p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>After "getting his bits together" and punching some necessary paper tapes, Kerry is working hard on the restoration of his PC05 paper tape reader and has a lot of video updates to show his progress. I am really enjoying the multidisciplinary effort on this one! His short videos are definitely worth watching.</em></p>
<br>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entry">
<td>
<a id="Digitalrampage"></a>
<a href="https://forum.acms.org.au/t/rc23-several-restoration-challenges/514">Digitalrampage <img src="https://acmsforum.b-cdn.net/original/2X/1/1095bc3b49f7e06b59b4352b2524fca63d5da532.jpeg" class="icon" alt="RC 2023/10's avatar">
</a>
<br>
Platform: Multiple <br>
<p class="preish">Project : I’m attempting to setup an ISP, restore a broken Micro PC 286, fix a PowerBook 2300 PPC laptop and others</p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>DigitalRampage has added to his list of things to do by damaging the power supply on his 286 Carry-I terminal PC. At least he got a bit of time playing Leisure Suit Larry.</em></p>
<br>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entry">
<td>
<a id="TiredGeezer303"></a>
<a href="https://twitter.com/ElonIsEvil303">TiredGeezer303 <img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F7YwoF8aQAAW-HF?format=jpg" class="icon" alt="RC 2023/10's avatar">
</a>
: <a href="https://twitter.com/@ElonIsEvil303">@ElonIsEvil303</a>
<br>
Platform: iBook g4, IBM Netvista circa 2003<br>
<p class="preish">Project : Doing the endurance challenge!! Trying to use my iBook g4 and NetVista computer for all of my computing with a few exceptions for work, texts, phone calls, etc. </p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>TiredGeezer made some initial progress with his Net Vista PC, installing Debian 10, but I fear we may have lost him. Give us some more updates!</em></p>
<br>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entry">
<td>
<a id="Cefiar%20(aka%20Stuart)"></a>
<a href="https://forum.acms.org.au/t/retrochallenge-2023-10-applix1616-restoration-documentation/503?u=cefiar">Cefiar (aka Stuart) <img src="https://static.theblower.au/accounts/avatars/110/568/992/461/324/437/original/0c485fb702356b7d.jpg" class="icon" alt="RC 2023/10's avatar">
</a>
<br>
Platform: Applix1616<br>
<p class="preish">Project : Restoration/rebuild of an Applix1616 kit computer that hasn't been powered up in years. Cleaning, checking all components, redoing bodge wires, etc, through to booting the system and hopefully accessing files on a SCSI attached volume (on a BlueSCSI V2).</p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>Cefiar is making awesome progress with his handsomely minimalist Applix1616. Great photos and great content here, as he basically re-solders the entire logic board and installs a BlueSCSI card. Keep up the great progress!</em></p>
<br>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entry">
<td>
<a id="paulscottrobson"></a>
<a href="https://sinclairlc3.blogspot.com/">paulscottrobson <img src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/4Sfj9gmLyS0/sddefault.jpg" class="icon" alt="RC 2023/10's avatar">
</a>
<br>
Platform: Sinclair LC3 <br>
<p class="preish">Project : Try to recreate the Sinclair LC3 unreleased prototype as accurately as possible. There's not much information, but some intelligent guesswork will do. I have inquired of both of the main people involved, not "for information" but to ask if my thoughts and guesses were right. If it changes, it changes, that'll teach me to write code that can be adapted easily. I'll write some games and system software for it.</p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>Paul is back with another ambitious entry! He gave us some great background posts about the Sinclair LC3 and his choices for period appropriate components. Finally a post about video RAM and sprites before we might have lost him. We are looking forward to more progess on this project!</em></p>
<br>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entry">
<td>
<a id="John%20Honniball"></a>
<a href="http://anachrocomputer.blogspot.com/">John Honniball <img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1195202672/flickr2_400x400.png" class="icon" alt="RC 2023/10's avatar">
</a>
: <a href="https://twitter.com/@anachrocomputer">@anachrocomputer</a>
<br>
Platform: Compukit UK101<br>
<p class="preish">Project : I built a Compukit UK101 from a kit in February 1980. 43 years later, I'm going to write a demo program for it. Something snazzy that'll wow the onlookers.</p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>Only one great background post about the Compukit UK101 so far. John usually makes a late surge, so we won't count him out yet.</em></p>
<br>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entry">
<td>
<a id="LambdaMikel"></a>
<a href="https://hackaday.io/project/192655-picoram-2090">LambdaMikel <img src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/lambdamikel/picoram2090/main/pics/dropin.jpg" class="icon" alt="RC 2023/10's avatar">
</a>
<br>
Platform: Busch Microtronic<br>
<p class="preish">Project : My goal is to create a multi-purpose expansion for the Busch Microtronic Computer (1981, 4bit). I already have a Raspberry Pico set up to emulate the Microtronic's 2114 SRAM. The Pico enables me to store and restore Microtronic memory dumps as files to resp. from SDcard, in milliseconds (the cassette interface takes minutes for a decent program!) By "snooping" the address bus and SRAM (which the Pico emulates), the Pico also knows the instruction currently being executed by the Microtronic. I can hence turn the Pico into co-processor, adding new op-codes to the original Microtronic. I plan to add op-codes for OLED display output, sound, speech synthesis, a Real Time Clock, as well as bank switching. The goal is to have a working prototype at the end of the Challenge month that can then be turned into a PCB (consisting of a Pico, OLED display, loudspeaker am op-amp, SDcard, speech chip, and a few buttons for the user interface). </p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>LambdaMikel gave us a thorough log post and video right at halftime. He demonstrates the voice function and fully functional SD card. He even has the RPi Pico interfaced with the Busch Microtronic allowing it to run programs directly from the to RPi. Great work so far!</em></p>
<br>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th style="border-bottom: 1px solid black;">Status: Non Starter</th>
</tr>
<tr class="entry">
<td>
<a id="MacEffects"></a>
<a href="http://MacEffects.net">MacEffects <img src="https://maceffects.com/cdn/shop/files/MacEffects_360x.png" class="icon" alt="RC 2023/10's avatar">
</a>
<br>
Platform: Apple Lisa<br>
<p class="preish">Project : Restore a non-working Apple Lisa 2/5</p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>Hmm, not sure where I should be looking for updates here.</em></p>
<br>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
epoochhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06765059549332407655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990242987353314382.post-69814150037953004362023-10-01T01:47:00.007-04:002023-11-01T13:25:37.909-04:00RC2023/10 IS ON!<p>RetroChallenge 2023/10 has begun!
<p>It's the 1st of October somewhere, we have a few solid RetroChallengers, and I expect we will have many more joining us this week. <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScaCJdpIb1LBYLXPrv9vFvB54L_rRO3-F-dgAKIkDKSYNzqOA/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.917589023=RC+2023/10">It's not too late to enter!</a> NOW, GET STARTED!
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/urbancamo">urbancamo</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/ep00ch">ep00ch</a> and Adrian from <a href="https://acms.org.au">ACMS</a> will be working hard to keep <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23retrochallenge">everyone updated</a> and get you timely halftime and final summaries and results.</p>
<p>Shout-out to the <a href="https://acms.org.au">Australian Computer Museum Society</a> for incorporating the RetroChallenge into their membership activities.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFDjpVZduMHhznbqGdwBler0PlLYnrw_jhiFaP9eEJ05-8z-MMbKTc_iPh7-U00wXf30C1MzGtCgdeVDs5jRzxOFDZvppgZ454WhWrcR2jCbxIEZdePNjI6yGpHvoPi1hcccipcLFi5YDwgoW61uppliZjA_edvWDaPsNVOi_94QvsKWTV4tTgM7Gmypg/s3885/RC2023-10_mp.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="3252" data-original-width="3885" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFDjpVZduMHhznbqGdwBler0PlLYnrw_jhiFaP9eEJ05-8z-MMbKTc_iPh7-U00wXf30C1MzGtCgdeVDs5jRzxOFDZvppgZ454WhWrcR2jCbxIEZdePNjI6yGpHvoPi1hcccipcLFi5YDwgoW61uppliZjA_edvWDaPsNVOi_94QvsKWTV4tTgM7Gmypg/s400/RC2023-10_mp.jpg"/></a></div>epoochhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06765059549332407655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990242987353314382.post-91101949115583475132023-09-15T01:38:00.006-04:002023-10-03T12:01:41.946-04:00Announcing RetroChallenge 2023/10!We are happy to announce RetroChallenge for the month of October 2023! Brought to you again by hosts <a href="https://twitter.com/urbancamo">urbancamo</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/ep00ch">ep00ch</a>, and now members of the <a href="https://acms.org.au">Australian Computer Museum Society</a> board! Thanks to Adrian Franulovich from ACMS for offering to assist with keeping things rolling along smoothly.
<h2>About RetroChallenge</h2>
<p>In a nutshell, the RetroChallenge is a loosely disorganised gathering of RetroComputing enthusiasts who collectively do stuff with old computers for a month.
<p>The event is very much open to interpretation… individuals set their own challenges, which can range from programming to multimedia work, hardware restoration to exploring legacy networking, or just plain fooling around. It really doesn’t matter what you do, just so long as you do it.
<p>Take a look at the <a href="http://www.retrochallenge.org/p/retrochallenge-rules.html"> "rules" for the RetroChallenge</a> for basic guidelines.
<h2>RetroChallenge 2023/10 Theme Categories</h2>
<p>We have two theme categories for this event: <a href="#Endurance">Endurance Challenge</a> and <a href="#Offline">October Offline</a>. These category will be judged and awarded separately from the standard entries. If your project qualifies, enter it into one of the theme categories! Otherwise, enter in the <em>General</em> category and just do your own retro thing. Check out <a href="http://www.retrochallenge.org/p/entrants-list-202210.html">last year's List of Entries</a> for some examples.
<a id="Offline"></a>
<h3>October Offline</h3>
<b>Take a break from online social media!</b><br>
<p>Enhance your mental health by taking a break from online social media. Use the opportunity to check out a local makerspace, computer museum, or computer user-group meeting and share your project with real people. Maybe get your old computers fixed up and lead a scout meeting about vintage computers, or, you could base your project around some need of your local computer museum. Whatever it is, give up social media and be truly social!
<a id="Endurance"></a>
<h3>Endurance Challenge</h3>
<b>Really use your retro-computer for a month!</b><br>
<p>Getting back to the ideals of the orginal RetroChallenge, we are challenging you to use your vintage computer for a month doing normal stuff like word processing, budgeting, sending emails, surfing the web, gaming, dot matrix printing, etc. Document what you did, what works, what doesn't, and what solutions you found. We will want to see lots of update posts, but we don't expect much engineering. <a href="http://cqbbs.ddns.net">The Captain's Quarters II BBS</a> has kindly provided a forum as an option for your low-bandwith progress logs. As a final nod to the original RetroChallenge, the best blogger for this category will be based on popular vote!
<h2>Prizes</h2>
<p>ACMS will be digging up some prizes and we may have some RC 2023/10 mousepads for the "winners".
<h2>How to Enter</h2>
<p>Fill out the <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScaCJdpIb1LBYLXPrv9vFvB54L_rRO3-F-dgAKIkDKSYNzqOA/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.917589023=RC+2023/10">Entry Form for Contestants</a> and save the link at the end in case you want to update or change your information. Let us know in the comments if you have any issues signing up.
<div style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScaCJdpIb1LBYLXPrv9vFvB54L_rRO3-F-dgAKIkDKSYNzqOA/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.917589023=RC+2023/10">Sign Up Now!</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhomh-5-7e_ZlhggsQay3rx0e7HjnBRBXyd3TiEvqZBcwgIr_mH2CoNp3vi_Le-9Q9NuINbfPlN4ruElQZhNXI92wYhDzgvznTYqPpnz5zI6tZqM_lt0s8Ora65Z3GJQ5pm1keWOG5CMR3kJaUlRHljM_n6PZ6afX5Qki5Fe7qKJa2akbiUFlKvaC-ky_Y/s1200/2023%20qrcode.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhomh-5-7e_ZlhggsQay3rx0e7HjnBRBXyd3TiEvqZBcwgIr_mH2CoNp3vi_Le-9Q9NuINbfPlN4ruElQZhNXI92wYhDzgvznTYqPpnz5zI6tZqM_lt0s8Ora65Z3GJQ5pm1keWOG5CMR3kJaUlRHljM_n6PZ6afX5Qki5Fe7qKJa2akbiUFlKvaC-ky_Y/s400/2023%20qrcode.png"/></a></div>epoochhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06765059549332407655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990242987353314382.post-92111887965248378622023-09-01T19:10:00.001-04:002023-09-15T02:17:01.302-04:00RC2022/10 Results
<p>The popular vote results for RC2022/10 are in! Eek... we almost started RC2023/10 without the write-up for 2022.
<p>Remember, if you didn't finish the month but made progress on a project you should be proud. If you did finish, you should be very proud.
</p><p>Stay tuned for details on the RC2023/10!
</p><p>Results (grouped by category, then grouped by final status, no particular order besides that) after the break:</p>
<span><a name='more'></a></span><p><br />
<style>
.icon { width: 125px; height: 125px; object-fit: cover; float: left; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; }
.preish { display: block; white-space: pre-wrap; }
.initial { color: DimGrey; }
.halftime { color: GoldenRod; }
.final { color: Maroon; }
.entryr { vertical-align: top; }
.entryd { text-align: left; color: black; border-bottom: 1px solid lightgrey; }
</style>
<table>
<th style="border-bottom: 1px solid black;">Category: Endurance Challenge</th>
</tr>
<tr class="entryr">
<td class="entryd">
<a id="Paleoferrosaurus"></a>
<a href="http://punch.paleoferrosaurus.com/">
<h4>Paleoferrosaurus</h4>
<img src="http://paleoferrosaurus.com/collection_files/image006.jpg" class="icon" alt="Paleoferrosaurus's avatar">
</a>
twitter : <a href="https://twitter.com/@Paleoferrosaur">@Paleoferrosaur</a>
<br>
Platform: Wright Line 2600 Card Punch - IBM 024 Keypunch - Related Unit-Record Equipment<br>
<p class="preish">Project : An endurance challenge utilizing punch card equipment, unit-record equipment, and batch processing in a mainframe environment. </p> <hr style="border: none; border-top: 1px dashed;">
<p class="preish initial">Initial Comments: <em>Paleoferrosaurus is back with an endurance challenge with... punch cards?! I cant wait to see this!</em></p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>Paleoferrosaurus is battling aged rubber and plastic in his Documation M200, but has given us a wonderful series of videos and posts documenting his various card and tape punch systems and his card scanning technique. He even shared a small library of BASIC programs that he has managed to liberate from their punched cards. Awesome job, keep up the great work! MSW: Paleoferrosaurus sure has some nice toys. The YouTube videos are short and sweet demonstrating various paper to computer interfaces.
</em></p>
<p class="preish final">Final Comments: <em>Great work on a variety of card and paper tape readers, minicomputers, and even some more modern microcontrollers. Still battling the ravages of decaying rubber, Paleoferrosaurus managed to establish some useful workflows, and get a few conversion and transfer utilities programmed up and shared. What a wonderful look at this era of computing!</em></p>
<p class="preish">Final Status: <em>Prize "Winner"!!</em></p>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entryr">
<td class="entryd">
<a id="epooch"></a>
<a href="https://apple-crapple.blogspot.com/search/label/RC2022%2F10">
<h4>epooch</h4>
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh70p-LhpEd7v4zFrZiM-7p4a5_lm1IVn9W1zWJSrro0G8K7ecfsDnofhWKShIB2Opju1bgTeorigMoGvKyOzBtcZKoRZV6HSSefFBolZkrgqgRnq5Y2FMZHp7eFSQpthtmr2wWZQ2f9WgtCajdIHog401eAFI_y-ytOjdaA9Wn0KuvmbMbfSkSMXvZJw/s400/MC-10.jpg" class="icon" alt="epooch's avatar">
</a>
twitter : <a href="https://twitter.com/@ep00ch">@ep00ch</a>
<br>
Platform: Radio Shack TRS-80 MC-10<br>
<p class="preish">Project : Change of plans! I just bought a Radio Shack TRS-80 MC-10 Micro Color Computer and I intend to spend the month using it, connecting it, and upgrading it. </p> <hr style="border: none; border-top: 1px dashed;">
<p class="preish initial">Initial Comments: <em>Last time it was a mouse-based project and we know how well that went...</em></p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>Good series of posts demonstrating how epooch is getting aquainted with his TRS-80 MC-10 and getting it connected to his Mac.
MSW: epooch has a cassette server online, something I would consider if I had an FC-6 for the FX-850P. They appear to be fairly rare! BASIC programming on his Tandy MC-10 rounds up the entry so far.</em></p>
<p class="preish final">Final Comments: <em>epooch started strong with his new MC-10, with lots of progress and updates on connectivity projects. He was able to program up an MC10 binary to audio conversion utility, a cassette server, and a small Minesweeper game. Although he lost momentum at halftime, he ended with a schematic for an MC-10 to EXORbus adapter. Great effort! </em></p>
<p class="preish">Final Status: <em>Finished the Month!</em></p>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th style="border-bottom: 1px solid black;">Category: General</th>
</tr>
<tr class="entryr">
<td class="entryd">
<a id="ShaneMcRetro"></a>
<a href="https://forum.acms.org.au/t/portable-all-in-one-geocities-web-server/">
<h4>ShaneMcRetro</h4>
<img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/3740261242/1679bc3506b1bd011153507af6a1563d.png" class="icon" alt="ShaneMcRetro's avatar">
</a>
Affiliation: <a href="https://acms.org.au" target="_blank">Australian Computer Museum Society</a>
<br>
twitter : <a href="https://twitter.com/@ShaneMcRetro">@ShaneMcRetro</a>
<br>
Platform: 386/486/P1<br>
<p class="preish">Project : My goal is to create an all-in-one GeoCities Apache web server that fits in the palm of your hand. RetroChallenge 2021/10 was a test run, it went darned well. We need our retro hardware, 386/486 and newer, to be able to revisit the internet of our past.</p> <hr style="border: none; border-top: 1px dashed;">
<p class="preish initial">Initial Comments: <em>Recreating the 1990's internet wasn't enough for Shane McRetro. Now he wants to put it in his pocket!</em></p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>Despite Ubuntu version incompatibilities Shane continues last year's project with some great blogging and a sweet looking Argon One server using a Raspberry Pi 4.
MSW: Shane makes good progress recreating a corner of vintage t'internet in a tiny box.</em></p>
<p class="preish final">Final Comments: <em>Shane had an awesome entry last year and followed it up with more! His dial-up portable geocities is the perfect blend of nostalgic internet and modern tech. I am very impressed at the amount of data he had to merge and modify to get all of the links working. Make sure to check out his finale video and the randomizer "Mega Jump" link. </em></p>
<p class="preish">Final Status: <em>*** Grand Prize! ***</em></p>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entryr">
<td class="entryd">
<a id="Mark%20C"></a>
<a href="https://altair680onet3400.blogspot.com">
<h4>Mark C</h4>
<img src="https://acmsforum.b-cdn.net/original/1X/440838998e12a37db0a6f9f4c8ae5e31c12063a4.jpeg" class="icon" alt="Mark C's avatar">
</a>
Affiliation: <a href="https://acms.org.au" target="_blank">Australian Computer Museum Society</a>
<br>
Platform: Heathkit ET-3400 Microprocessor Trainer<br>
<p class="preish">Project : Create an improved ETA-3400 Memory I/O Accessory with more RAM and relocated ROM. Patch and port 8K ALTAIR 680 BASIC to run on the improved Memory I/O Accessory using the established Fantom II monitor.</p> <hr style="border: none; border-top: 1px dashed;">
<p class="preish initial">Initial Comments: <em>Mark C is back with another practical ET‑3400 Trainer upgrade. At what point will he be fully trained on the MC6800?</em></p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>Lots of great updates here with everything from GAL address decoder programming to some Tiny BASIC. Mark is really making great progress and doing some informative blogging here!
MSW: Mark is working around TinyBASIC limitations to bring us a version of Star Trek - oh and lots of PCB design work too!</em></p>
<p class="preish final">Final Comments: <em>So great to see the little Heathkit ET‑3400 trainer finally grow up to be a real computer! Mark C provided some great blogging on his very successful project.</em></p>
<p class="preish">Final Status: <em>Prize "Winner"!!</em></p>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entryr">
<td class="entryd">
<a id="urbancamo"></a>
<a href="https://urbancamo.github.io/casio-basic/rc2022_10">
<h4>urbancamo</h4>
<img src="https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/114889?v=4" class="icon" alt="urbancamo's avatar">
</a>
twitter : <a href="https://twitter.com/@urbancamo">@urbancamo</a>
<br>
Platform: Casio FX-850P<br>
<p class="preish">Project : This project is to create a parser for BASIC using the programming language Scala and the parser library fastparse.</p> <hr style="border: none; border-top: 1px dashed;">
<p class="preish initial">Initial Comments: <em>println("Good luck urbancamo!!")</em></p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>Urbancamo made the jump from mini-computers to pocket computers and started with the laborious work of getting all his Casio BASIC documention into an easy-to-use state. Great start! MSW: As for me, I'm still transferring the Casio FX-850P manual online, covering all parts that are interesting from a Casio BASIC perspective!</em></p>
<p class="preish final">Final Comments: <em>urbancamo gave us an entertaining deep dive into the CASIO FX-850P. From publishing an online manual for BASIC programming and creating a CASIO character set to Unicode converter, and a serial cable for the very capable calculator, he really stuck to his project this time. Great work!</em></p>
<p class="preish">Final Status: <em>Prize "Winner"!!</em></p>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entryr">
<td class="entryd">
<a id="SuperNick"></a>
<a href="https://forum.acms.org.au/t/retrochallenge-2022-10-data-general-dasher-386-25k-restore">
<h4>SuperNick</h4>
<img src="https://i.imgur.com/kilEBUc.jpeg" class="icon" alt="SuperNick's avatar">
</a>
Affiliation: <a href="https://acms.org.au" target="_blank">Australian Computer Museum Society</a>
<br>
Platform: 386<br>
<p class="preish">Project : I’m going to attempt to restore functionality of a Data General Dasher 386-25K Model 91862 PC from the early 1990s. There’s no POST as far as I can tell but it does power on, even though there looks to have been some liquid damage after opening it. I’d be keen to play some Microsoft Solitaire if I can get this beast purring again.</p> <hr style="border: none; border-top: 1px dashed;">
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>SuperNick started late, but already has put in the time to give us some background on his Dasher, and clean the motherboard. Lots of intricate trace repair work in his future!</em></p>
<p class="preish final">Final Comments: <em>SuperNick gave us a ton of photos while documenting his progress restoring a Data General Dasher 386-25K PC. After a bunch of capacitor relacements and hard work, the computer ended the month with the same problems it started with. Oh well, RetroChallenge is all about the journey (in circles)! </em></p>
<p class="preish">Final Status: <em>Prize "Winner"!!</em></p>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entryr">
<td class="entryd">
<a id="Abraham%20Vreugdenhil"></a>
<a href="https://avretro.wordpress.com/">
<h4>Abraham Vreugdenhil</h4>
<img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/676115045529595904/R3rw8SJL_400x400.jpg" class="icon" alt="Abraham Vreugdenhil's avatar">
</a>
twitter : <a href="https://twitter.com/@a_avretro">@a_avretro</a>
<br>
Platform: 1 Bit microprocessor<br>
<p class="preish">Project : Last winter i build a system around the mc14500b 1-Bit Motorola 1-Bit microprocessor. Now it is time to organize all the information about this project to make this available for the wide audience.</p> <hr style="border: none; border-top: 1px dashed;">
<p class="preish initial">Initial Comments: <em>We 8-bitters have it good... Let's see what Abraham can do with just 1 bit. I'm looking forward to some ladder logic for that line-following robot!</em></p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>Abraham gave us one great post on the MC14500b processor. We want to see more videos and details on your robot!</em></p>
<p class="preish final">Final Comments: <em>Abraham's project ended up being a great reference and 'how-to' for development with the MC14500b 1-bit microprocessor. This little processor has intrigued me in the past, but the learning curve seemed steep with its very limited market niche. Abraham's great posts are encouraging me to take another look at it!</em></p>
<p class="preish">Final Status: <em>Finished the Month!</em></p>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entryr">
<td class="entryd">
<a id="CDP1802"></a>
<a href="https://cdp1802.net/projects/98cl/sound/26k/26k.html">
<h4>CDP1802</h4>
<img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1410398351540076546/BPFaOqJ-_400x400.jpg" class="icon" alt="CDP1802's avatar">
</a>
twitter : <a href="https://twitter.com/@Cosmac1802">@Cosmac1802</a>
<br>
Platform: NEC PC-9801/9821<br>
<p class="preish">Project : Diving deep into PC-9801 sound cards, specifically the PC-9801-26(K). Cloning hardware, learning the Sound BIOS, learning how the computer communicates with the card, and maybe even interfacing a new sound chip to the system! Also possibly various other small PC98-related projects in case of downtime or burnout.</p> <hr style="border: none; border-top: 1px dashed;">
<p class="preish initial">Initial Comments: <em>Welcome to the RetroChallenge! We can't wait to hear that PC-9801!</em></p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>Looks like CDP1802 might be just getting started at the halfway point.</em></p>
<p class="preish final">Final Comments: <em>CDP1802 made some great progress after halftime, but he removed his project posts. Too bad.</em></p>
<p class="preish">Final Status: <em>Finished the Month!</em></p>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entryr">
<td class="entryd">
<a id="Tim%20Holyoake"></a>
<a href="https://z80.timholyoake.uk/retrochallenge-2022-10/">
<h4>Tim Holyoake</h4>
<img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1526574653120053248/4FeLHAKC_400x400.jpg" class="icon" alt="Tim Holyoake's avatar">
</a>
twitter : <a href="https://twitter.com/@psychotimmy">@psychotimmy</a>
<br>
Platform: Compukit UK101<br>
<p class="preish">Project : A re-implementation from scratch of “The Valley“, as published in Computing Today magazine, April 1982. I originally started working on this during August, but the project has fallen by the wayside since. The RetroChallenge seems an ideal opportunity to start this project again. No cheating – everything will be / has been typed in by me (and debugged!), just as I did in 1982 on my Sharp MZ-80K.</p> <hr style="border: none; border-top: 1px dashed;">
<p class="preish initial">Initial Comments: <em>Projects that have "fallen by the wayside" are our speciality here at the RetroChallenge! Hopefully you get more nostalgia than carpal tunnel doing all of that typing-in.</em></p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>Great screenshots show off Tim's progress on this BASIC adventure.
MSW:After the marathon typing event that saw Tim enter 14 pages of BASIC, Tim has been ticking off his to-do list for this fun little adventure/barbarian game on his UK101.</em></p>
<p class="preish final">Final Comments: <em>Tim excelled this RetroChallenge, giving us great regular posts and awesome progress. After typing in the game, he made some nice improvements and ended with getting it to run as a 16K version. Awesome job- one of my faves!</em></p>
<p class="preish">Final Status: <em>Finished the Month!</em></p>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entryr">
<td class="entryd">
<a id="Harry%20Culpan"></a>
<a href="https://rc202210.culpan.org/">
<h4>Harry Culpan</h4>
<img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/620609572143820800/hvyJsFSh_400x400.jpg" class="icon" alt="Harry Culpan's avatar">
</a>
twitter : <a href="https://twitter.com/@hculpan">@hculpan</a>
<br>
Platform: MS-DOS<br>
<p class="preish">Project : Redoing a programming project I did 30ish years ago: Implenting CARDIAC for MS-DOS using Turbo C++ to experience how the programming experience and I as a programmer have changed in 3 decades.</p> <hr style="border: none; border-top: 1px dashed;">
<p class="preish initial">Initial Comments: <em>Emulated cardboard! Is this "the metaverse” that I have been hearing so much about?</em></p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>Wow, looks like Harry is almost done and we are only at the halfway mark! Clean-looking interface for his CARDIAC emulator.
MSW: Harry is implementing a simulator of a card based educational aid and decided he needed vintage PC hardware to match his Turbo C++ dev environment.</em></p>
<p class="preish final">Final Comments: <em>Harry made amazing progress on his CARDIAC cardboard computer empulator project and topped it off with a neat looking paint program named "Splatter". He showed tons of dedication, using Turbo C++ and MS-DOS. Be sure to check out his half-time CARDIAC video. Great work!</em></p>
<p class="preish">Final Status: <em>Finished the Month!</em></p>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entryr">
<td class="entryd">
<a id="jrbtrs80"></a>
<a href="https://jrbtrs80.wordpress.com/">
<h4>jrbtrs80</h4>
<img src="https://jrbtrs80.files.wordpress.com/2022/09/m4_ucis.jpg" class="icon" alt="jrbtrs80's avatar">
</a>
Platform: TRS-80 Model 4<br>
<p class="preish">Project : Repair and upgrade Universal Computer Interface System (UCIS) components and connect to I/O bus of TRS-80 Model 4. Confirm successful execution of BASIC test programs as described in the book.</p> <hr style="border: none; border-top: 1px dashed;">
<p class="preish initial">Initial Comments: <em>"Universal Computer Interface" - Oh no! Now there are 15 competing standards!</em></p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>Some great photos here of jrbtrs80's repairs and modifications to his UCIS boards.</em></p>
<p class="preish final">Final Comments: <em>jrbtrs80 spent the month adapting his UCIS system to run on his TRS-80 Model 4. After the delicate task of connecting up an external bus using an IDC50 Breakout Board, he repaired some of the accessory cards and ended up with a working system! Great intro to this unusual system.</em></p>
<p class="preish">Final Status: <em>Finished the Month!</em></p>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entryr">
<td class="entryd">
<a id="Pawlicker"></a>
<a href="https://pleromanonx86.wordpress.com/">
<h4>Pawlicker</h4>
<img src="https://pleroma.social/images/pleroma_logo_vector_nobg_nopan.svg" class="icon" alt="Pawlicker's avatar">
</a>
Platform: Sun4u (Sun Ultra 45 Workstation)<br>
<p class="preish">Project : I'm going to make a Pleroma instance (https://pleroma.social, same protocol as Mastodon) run on the last Sun SPARC workstation model made, a Sun Ultra 45. I literally came up with this idea last night right before October 1st but tomorrow is Saturday and I'm off work and I'll be able to start on it and have a nice post up then. If I can't get it working there, I've got various other vintage non-x86 systems I can attempt it on.
This is also interesting because Pleroma and ActivityPub/the fediverse is the true future of social media and decentralized like e-mail is. It's also much better than Twitter.
https://bae.st/@pawlicker</p> <hr style="border: none; border-top: 1px dashed;">
<p class="preish initial">Initial Comments: <em>I like the Twitter vs. Pleroma/Mastadon rivalry going on this year. Welcome to the RetroChallenge Pawlicker!</em></p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>MSW: Debian and BSD variants on vintage Sparc hardware - impressed so much progress has been made knowing what a massive time sink this sort of thing is!</em></p>
<p class="preish final">Final Comments: <em>Pawlicker's project / free speech manifesto took on a whole new light upon the release of twitter files shorrtly after he wrapped up. That he managed to get his Sun Ultra 45 /SPARC "ewaste" running Pleroma and had some time left to do some work on installing GNU Social.</em></p>
<p class="preish">Final Status: <em>Finished the Month!</em></p>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entryr">
<td class="entryd">
<a id="48kRAM"></a>
<a href="https://www.vintageboot.net/tag/rc2022-10/">
<h4>48kRAM</h4>
<img src="https://static-cdn.jtvnw.net/jtv_user_pictures/ad098a94-3c21-44b8-99ab-a224d55574ed-profile_image-70x70.png" class="icon" alt="48kRAM's avatar">
</a>
twitter : <a href="https://twitter.com/@48kRAM">@48kRAM</a>
<br>
Platform: BBC Master 128<br>
<p class="preish">Project : An amazing friend sent me a BBC Master 128 earlier this year, but it needs some TLC. Let's see if I can get it up and running fully in a month.</p> <hr style="border: none; border-top: 1px dashed;">
<p class="preish initial">Initial Comments: <em>Who's this friend, how do I meet them, and do they have any more vintage computers lying around?</em></p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>48kRAM has his BBC Master 128 on the bench and is documenting his progress via his twitch live streams... This might be a first for the RetroChallenge!
https://www.twitch.tv/48kram</em></p>
<p class="preish final">Final Comments: <em>Although we did not see many blog posts, 48kRAM kept us updated on his entertaining twitch streams. After lots of probing and chip swapping he made great progress, and ultimately ended up with a working BBC Master 128!</em></p>
<p class="preish">Final Status: <em>Finished the Month!</em></p>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entryr">
<td class="entryd">
<a id="leaded%20solder"></a>
<a href="https://www.leadedsolder.com/tag/retrochallenge-october-2022">
<h4>leaded solder</h4>
<img src="https://www.leadedsolder.com/assets/avatar.jpeg" class="icon" alt="leaded solder's avatar">
</a>
twitter : <a href="https://twitter.com/@leadedsolder">@leadedsolder</a>
<br>
Platform: NEC mini5 word processor<br>
<p class="preish">Project : In Japan, NEC released a series of word processors that are actually secret CP/M computers. I've bought two, so I will try and run Zork on one, and fix another. Why bother buying a broken one? It came with Tetris. Yep, Tetris for a word processor, which I plan to dump.</p> <hr style="border: none; border-top: 1px dashed;">
<p class="preish initial">Initial Comments: <em>Word processor Tetris? Is it text based? Like, you drop the L's and T's and I's down the display? I need to see this...</em></p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>Leaded Solder has a great start here with an extensive write-up on the shipping damage repair of his NEC "wapuro".
MSW: Fascinating blog on restoring Japanese vintage word processors!</em></p>
<p class="preish final">Final Comments: <em>Leaders Solder had another solid RetroChallenge entry. What great coverage of the NEC mini5 lin e of CP/M-based word processors archiving software and the instrucitonal video, assembly programming and repairing a mini5SX! Nice work!</em></p>
<p class="preish">Final Status: <em>Finished the Month!</em></p>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entryr">
<td class="entryd">
<a id="Colin%20Maykish"></a>
<a href="https://hackaday.io/project/187588-flounder-z180-sbc">
<h4>Colin Maykish</h4>
<img src="https://cdn.hackaday.io/images/2635371664596770161.jpg" class="icon" alt="Colin Maykish's avatar">
</a>
Platform: Zilog Z180<br>
<p class="preish">Project : I'm building a single-board computer based around the Zilog Z180. My goal is to have a working prototype by the end of the challenge that includes serial ports, an LCD display and PS/2 keyboard input. Stretch goals: USB storage, and getting a PCB manufactured.</p> <hr style="border: none; border-top: 1px dashed;">
<p class="preish initial">Initial Comments: <em>Another fish-named project from Colin! I just bought a CH376S dev board for my MC-10! Excited to see how far he gets...</em></p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>MSW: The Z180 PCB has gone to production. Schematics, PCBs, firmware, breadboards oh my! </em></p>
<p class="preish final">Final Comments: <em>Colin Made amazing progress on his Flounder SBC. Starting with a mess of wires, to a CAD PCB, to real PCB, to working computer all in a month! Awsome job!</em></p>
<p class="preish">Final Status: <em>Finished the Month!</em></p>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entryr">
<td class="entryd">
<a id="Dare"></a>
<a href="https://github.com/jaylogue/retro-fuse/wiki/Development-Blog">
<h4>Dare</h4>
<img src="https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/636485" class="icon" alt="Dare's avatar">
</a>
Platform: Xenix<br>
<p class="preish">Project : Add support for Xenix filesystems to my retro-fuse project. Retro-fuse is a user-space filesystem (FUSE) for accessing ancient unix filesystems on modern OSes. I need to learn how to install and run Xenix systems in simulation, reverse-engineer their filesystem layouts, and adapt existing ancient Unix code to read and write these filesystems.</p> <hr style="border: none; border-top: 1px dashed;">
<p class="preish initial">Initial Comments: <em>TIL that Microsoft licensed XENIX expecting that UNIX would be its operating system of the future when personal computers became powerful enough. Oddly, it was Apple that ended up with the Unix OS. Anyway, looks like a useful project!</em></p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>Dare is just getting the ball rolling here. Hopefully we will see some progress as the month progresses.</em></p>
<p class="preish final">Final Comments: <em>Even though jay had some IRL prorities that limited his time with the RetroChallenge, he made some prgress documenting the start of of his XENIX FUSE module and getting an emulator up and running. See you next time!</em></p>
<p class="preish">Final Status: <em>Finished the Month!</em></p>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entryr">
<td class="entryd">
<a id="Digitalrampage"></a>
<a href="https://forum.acms.org.au/t/retrochallenge-2022-10-getting-my-apple-network-server-300-prototype-running/248">
<h4>Digitalrampage</h4>
<img src="https://www.applefritter.com/files/images//deepdishfront-526_0.jpg" class="icon" alt="Digitalrampage's avatar">
</a>
Affiliation: <a href="https://acms.org.au" target="_blank">Australian Computer Museum Society</a>
<br>
twitter : <a href="https://twitter.com/@digitalrampage">@digitalrampage</a>
<br>
Platform: Apple AIX<br>
<p class="preish">Project : I want to get my Prototype ANS 300 AppleNetwork Server running and sharing some files! I want to explore AUX/AIX and see what the 90s had to offer</p> <hr style="border: none; border-top: 1px dashed;">
<p class="preish initial">Initial Comments: <em>What a cool machine! I always though A/UX was so strange and cool. I can't wait to see this running.</em></p>
<p class="preish final">Final Comments: <em>DigitalRampage overcame alot of obstacles just to get AIX to boot. A lot of helpful blogging here. Good thing he had 3 (!) ANS logic boards lying around.</em></p>
<p class="preish">Final Status: <em>Finished the Month!</em></p>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entryr">
<td class="entryd">
<a id="Sergey"></a>
<a href="https://github.com/skiselev/sandy_river_486">
<h4>Sergey</h4>
<img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1548743326039359489/T6GK-iNv_400x400.jpg" class="icon" alt="Sergey's avatar">
</a>
twitter : <a href="https://twitter.com/@SergeKise">@SergeKise</a>
<br>
Platform: Intel 486<br>
<p class="preish">Project : Design an open-source integrated ATX 486 motherboard with built-in graphics, Ethernet, and sound</p> <hr style="border: none; border-top: 1px dashed;">
<p class="preish initial">Initial Comments: <em>Sergey decided to become a PC clone manufacturer in the 1990's. Sounds like a complicated and wonderful project!</em></p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>MSW: Sergey is creating an open source 486 mboard. Back in the day I worked for a company that did the same thing. Kudos!</em></p>
<p class="preish final">Final Comments: <em>Serge is well known for his expertise with vintage Intel systems. Awesome to have him join us and make great progress, ultimately releasing v0.4 of his open-source ATX 486 motherboard. Great work!</em></p>
<p class="preish">Final Status: <em>Finished the Month!</em></p>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entryr">
<td class="entryd">
<a id="phil%20butler"></a>
<a href="https://www.realtime.com.au/retro/index.php/2022/10/05/miniscamp-maximite/">
<h4>phil butler</h4>
<img src="https://www.realtime.com.au/public/static/scmp/images/image1.png" class="icon" alt="phil butler's avatar">
</a>
Affiliation: <a href="https://acms.org.au" target="_blank">Australian Computer Museum Society</a>
<br>
Platform: SC/MP Miniscamp and Maximite<br>
<p class="preish">Project : Like me, you may have a 1977 EA Miniscamp microcomputer tucked away. It is fun to get out every now and again, but it is very tiresome having to enter in the machine code via the front panel switches.
And also like me, you probably have a Maximite computer tucked into the same cupboard next to the Miniscamp.
This simple interface will allow the Maximite to drive the front panel switches of the Miniscamp, thereby allowing the tedious procedure of programming the Miniscamp to be programmed, and for those programs to be stored on the Maximite and quickly loaded into the Miniscamp.
Other goals:
- Expand the RAM
- Run KITBUG
- Add a USB serial interface</p> <hr style="border: none; border-top: 1px dashed;">
<p class="preish initial">Initial Comments: <em>Well that definitely is an handsome scamp of a microcomputer! I love that the "Mini" scamp is 10 times the size of the "Maxi" mite. What a pair!</em></p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>Phil gave us a ton of documentation on what appears to be a completed project. More than enough details here to make your own interface.</em></p>
<p class="preish final">Final Comments: <em>So much beautiful brushed metal! In fact Phil's entire project write up and pictures are a beautiful how-to for his multi--generational hobby computer solution.</em></p>
<p class="preish">Final Status: <em>Finished the Month!</em></p>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entryr">
<td class="entryd">
<a id="CraigB"></a>
<a href="https://vintage-computer-garage.com">
<h4>CraigB</h4>
<img src="https://vintage-computer-garage.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/VCG_LOGO_IIc_Image.jpg" class="icon" alt="CraigB's avatar">
</a>
Affiliation: <a href="https://acms.org.au" target="_blank">Australian Computer Museum Society</a>
<br>
twitter : <a href="https://twitter.com/@craigtbradley">@craigtbradley</a>
<br>
Platform: Apple II and Macintosh<br>
<p class="preish">Project : I will be attempting to boot an Apple IIe from an AppleShare file server. The twist is I will be using an Apple IIe Card installed in a 68K Macintosh to boot via LocalTalk to AppleShare Server 3.03 running on an SE/30. I will also be trying to do it all with original hardware and software. I have a stretch goal of trying to do this via firstly LocalTalk and then Ethernet.</p> <hr style="border: none; border-top: 1px dashed;">
<p class="preish initial">Initial Comments: <em>Great convoluted project... I love this idea!</em></p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>As with many RetroChallenge entries, Craig has encountered a repair project just start his actual project.
MSW: CraigB is having to call on his parts bin to get a MAC LC475 to play ball!</em></p>
<p class="preish final">Final Comments: <em>I love that CraigB used an old Mac to netboot an even older Apple IIe inside another old Mac! It is surprising to recall the longevity that the Apple II had in its various forms. Nice work with this Rube Goldberg configuration!</em></p>
<p class="preish">Final Status: <em>Finished the Month!</em></p>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entryr">
<td class="entryd">
<a id="Mars"></a>
<a href="https://bit16.net/rc2022/10/">
<h4>Mars</h4>
<img src="http://bit16.net/rc2018/09/cat644board.jpg" class="icon" alt="Mars's avatar">
</a>
Platform: CAT-644<br>
<p class="preish">Project : Continuation of previous 8-bit retro computer project from RC 2018 and RC 2019</p> <hr style="border: none; border-top: 1px dashed;">
<p class="preish initial">Initial Comments: <em>Mars has dusted off his SBC to make some more progress. We can't wait to see how it turns out and if he can get that OS finished.</em></p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>One post from Mars to get us up to speed with his SBC project. MSW: Mars solved his VGA sync problem with the old 'turn it off and on again!</em></p>
<p class="preish final">Final Comments: <em>Mars made some good progress on his KittyOS for the CAT-644. This is certainly a big project to tackle. We hope to see him again next time!</em></p>
<p class="preish">Final Status: <em>Finished the Month!</em></p>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entryr">
<td class="entryd">
<a id="Cameron%20Bonde"></a>
<a href="https://forum.acms.org.au/t/retrochallenge-2022-10-the-captrex-vectrex-screenshot-device/">
<h4>Cameron Bonde</h4>
<img src="https://acmsforum.b-cdn.net/original/1X/d570013cc338a223d0b46a636f6f105b3a8924f3.jpeg" class="icon" alt="Cameron Bonde's avatar">
</a>
Affiliation: <a href="https://acms.org.au" target="_blank">Australian Computer Museum Society</a>
<br>
twitter : <a href="https://twitter.com/@Octamed">@Octamed</a>
<br>
Platform: Vectrex<br>
<p class="preish">Project : The Captrex! How do you take a screenshot of a vector based games console? Hmmmm</p> <hr style="border: none; border-top: 1px dashed;">
<p class="preish initial">Initial Comments: <em>Vectrex + plotter = a match made in heaven!</em></p>
<p class="preish final">Final Comments: <em>I loved this idea, and I am even more impressed that Octamed had such great results. It is really nostalgic to watch that plotter working away.</em></p>
<p class="preish">Final Status: <em>Finished the Month!</em></p>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entryr">
<td class="entryd">
<a id="Pendleton115"></a>
<a href="https://forum.acms.org.au/t/retrochallenge-2022-10-halloween-mac/281">
<h4>Pendleton115</h4>
<img src="https://forum.acms.org.au/user_avatar/forum.acms.org.au/pendleton115/90/64_2.png" class="icon" alt="Pendleton115's avatar">
</a>
Affiliation: <a href="https://acms.org.au" target="_blank">Australian Computer Museum Society</a>
<br>
twitter : <a href="https://twitter.com/@pendleton115">@pendleton115</a>
<br>
Platform: iMac G4<br>
<p class="preish">Project : Learning how to “recolor” an iMac G4 Chassis</p> <hr style="border: none; border-top: 1px dashed;">
<p class="preish final">Final Comments: <em>No working iMacs were injured in the making of Pendleton115's Jack O' Lantern! I was horrified for a moment, but the cute pumpkin face speaks for itself, and very appropriate for the month!</em></p>
<p class="preish">Final Status: <em>Finished the Month!</em></p>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entryr">
<td class="entryd">
<a id="mich181189"></a>
<a href="https://michaelcullen.name/post/">
<h4>mich181189</h4>
<img src="https://michaelcullen.name/images/me.jpg" class="icon" alt="mich181189's avatar">
</a>
twitter : <a href="https://twitter.com/@mich181189">@mich181189</a>
<br>
Platform: Windows 2000/XP<br>
<p class="preish">Project : I want to make a Twitter client for Windows 2000/XP (maybe also 98 if I can find time to make some widgets that work on 2000 but not 98). I started this a while ago but didn't get all of it finished. Maybe Retro Challenge is enough of a motivation to revive it?
It's going to be an awful twitter client, but I think it should work!</p> <hr style="border: none; border-top: 1px dashed;">
<p class="preish initial">Initial Comments: <em>Grackle68K was born from the RetroChallenge too! Great project idea.</em></p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>mich181189 might have bitten off more than he can chew with this project, but he has given us a few posts keeping us upated on his struggle.
MSW: mich181189 uses the phrase 'discustingly modern' to describe what he is planning on doing - for his 'awful' twitter client. Just remember, beauty is in the eye of the beholder!</em></p>
<p class="preish">Final Status: <em>Stalled</em></p>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entryr">
<td class="entryd">
<a id="%40thejpster"></a>
<a href="https://hackaday.io/project/180407-neotron-pico">
<h4>@thejpster</h4>
<img src="https://cdn.hackaday.io/images/2569531623947964107.jpg" class="icon" alt="@thejpster's avatar">
</a>
twitter : <a href="https://twitter.com/@therealjpster">@therealjpster</a>
<br>
Platform: Neotron Pico<br>
<p class="preish">Project : I will get the system booting to a prompt with “load” and “dir” commands reading off the SD card.</p> <hr style="border: none; border-top: 1px dashed;">
<p class="preish initial">Initial Comments: <em>I suggest making up new file system command names to really make your DOS stand out from the others. Oh, and cryptic errors when someone gets it wrong! Ahh, the good ol' days...</em></p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>"You can now apply to be a Beta Tester and get a free Neotron Pico Kit!"
MSW: jpster makes progress with keyboard and sound on the Neotron Pico.
</em></p>
<p class="preish">Final Status: <em>Stalled</em></p>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entryr">
<td class="entryd">
<a id="John%20Honniball"></a>
<a href="http://anachrocomputer.blogspot.com/">
<h4>John Honniball</h4>
<img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1195202672/flickr2_400x400.png" class="icon" alt="John Honniball's avatar">
</a>
twitter : <a href="https://twitter.com/@anachrocomputer">@anachrocomputer</a>
<br>
Platform: 6502/6809/68008<br>
<p class="preish">Project : Design and build a retro-computer using an 8-bit microprocessor. Stick to 5V and 2.54mm DIL parts. Complete the schematic and PCB design so that I can send it off to be manufactured. Make a start on the firmware too.</p> <hr style="border: none; border-top: 1px dashed;">
<p class="preish initial">Initial Comments: <em>Ambitious project to design and build a computer! Some of my favorite choices in processors represented here.</em></p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>MSW: John ponders on what goodness he should have for his 6502/6809 SBC design.</em></p>
<p class="preish">Final Status: <em>Stalled</em></p>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entryr">
<td class="entryd">
<a id="Tom%20Raidna%20"></a>
<a href="https://traidna.wordpress.com/">
<h4>Tom Raidna </h4>
<img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1212471067337535490/s8XjRcI7_400x400.jpg" class="icon" alt="Tom Raidna 's avatar">
</a>
twitter : <a href="https://twitter.com/@traidnacomputes">@traidnacomputes</a>
<br>
Platform: TI99/4A with 1 meg SAMS card and TIPI<br>
<p class="preish">Project : Setup TI99/4A with 1 Meg SAMS side car and TIPI drive emulator, run my MUMPS from last RetroChallenge, and code an embedded text editor into MUMPS utilizing SAMS card which will require use of memory mapping techniques. </p> <hr style="border: none; border-top: 1px dashed;">
<p class="preish initial">Initial Comments: <em>Another great looking MUMPS project from Tom. Let's see how wide that TI99 can get!</em></p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>MSW: Tom gets his hands on a NOS TI99 - well jeal!
</em></p>
<p class="preish">Final Status: <em>Stalled</em></p>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entryr">
<td class="entryd">
<a id="ryfox"></a>
<a href="https://foxboy.dev/retrochallenge/index.html">
<h4>ryfox</h4>
<img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1477470545339813890/3okRZLRf_400x400.jpg" class="icon" alt="ryfox's avatar">
</a>
twitter : <a href="https://twitter.com/@ryfoxbread">@ryfoxbread</a>
<br>
Platform: Macintosh<br>
<p class="preish">Project : I intend on using this month to learn how to program for vintage Mac OS, specifically System 7 and Mac OS 8/9. Most likely will be some simple game like Pong, or some kind of useful utility application. I've wanted to do this for a while but never had enough motivation, so RetroChallenge seems to be the perfect time to get started on this :3</p> <hr style="border: none; border-top: 1px dashed;">
<p class="preish initial">Initial Comments: <em>RetroChallenge IS the perfect time to get started on learing Classic Mac programming... that's when I learned!</em></p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>After a very rewarding start, ryfox seems to have stalled a bit. Hopefully we have more updates.
MSW: Need to see more on vintage MacOS programming ryfox!</em></p>
<p class="preish">Final Status: <em>Stalled</em></p>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entryr">
<td class="entryd">
<a id="BleuLlama"></a>
<a href="https://www.wintergroundfairlands.com/search/label/rc2022-10">
<h4>BleuLlama</h4>
<img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1573312014763626496/SWN1Gtfg_400x400.jpg" class="icon" alt="BleuLlama's avatar">
</a>
twitter : <a href="https://twitter.com/@yorgle">@yorgle</a>
<br>
Platform: Amiga, C64<br>
<p class="preish">Project : Finally play through all of the Activision game "Hacker"</p> <hr style="border: none; border-top: 1px dashed;">
<p class="preish initial">Initial Comments: <em>1337 H4x0r BleuLlama pwned 7h3 47421v1510n! This is super rewarding to finish a game as an adult that you could never quite finish as a kid. Good luck!</em></p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>Wow! Taking a very dilligent approach to tackling this game, with great maps and a google sheet with all of the actions available in any location. Unfortunately, I missed the twitch live stream.
MSW: BleuLlama is playing Hacker on Amiga, mapping it and streaming at times.</em></p>
<p class="preish">Final Status: <em>Stalled</em></p>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entryr">
<td class="entryd">
<a id="Johann"></a>
<a href="https://youtube.com/c/TheBasementChannel">
<h4>Johann</h4>
<img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1403687734229692422/1aYmZQYX_400x400.jpg" class="icon" alt="Johann's avatar">
</a>
Affiliation: <a href="https://acms.org.au" target="_blank">Australian Computer Museum Society</a>
<br>
twitter : <a href="https://twitter.com/@thebasement___">@thebasement___</a>
<br>
Platform: Macintosh OS 6.0.8<br>
<p class="preish">Project : My goal is to create a drag and drop file sharing network between my 1989 Mac SE (6.0.8) and my 2017 iMac (13.6)</p> <hr style="border: none; border-top: 1px dashed;">
<p class="preish initial">Initial Comments: <em>I need this! Very practical project from Johann. I hope he gets it working.</em></p>
<p class="preish">Final Status: <em>Non Starter</em></p>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entryr">
<td class="entryd">
<a id="jl2022"></a>
<a href="https://github.com/jlacms2022/retrochallenge2022">
<h4>jl2022</h4>
<img src="https://s.uvlist.net/l/y2007/04/36933.jpg" class="icon" alt="jl2022's avatar">
</a>
Affiliation: <a href="https://acms.org.au" target="_blank">Australian Computer Museum Society</a>
<br>
Platform: Apple II<br>
<p class="preish">Project : Using a modern dev language such as Python to recreate an Apple II adventure game and to learn more about Python and also how Apple II adventure games were structured, designed and built (GULP!!!!)</p> <hr style="border: none; border-top: 1px dashed;">
<p class="preish initial">Initial Comments: <em>Ah, the great adventure of whitespace syntax errors!</em></p>
<p class="preish">Final Status: <em>Non Starter</em></p>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
</body>
<p>If you were initially tagged as a "Non Starter," we likely stopped checking up on you. But, if you did make some progress that we did not consider, please let us know!
</p><p>All winners will be contacted soon so we can send out your mousepads and prizes!:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwiKqg3UcpTbUcIn29Vta1L9QnwMjsyZmzY3uQOI3EYA8HBPKYlAWQZagJt9aWP4y9xUx3rz0utjpoV4X3Oa7oGPfRXuOyKNnmDShzoGEhsSCOPrlqRFPjA7R8-XAK61a1_yorz1zTcg/s1140/BB736B09-1FFF-4779-A875-42DF09E8C636.jpeg"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="760" data-original-width="1140" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwiKqg3UcpTbUcIn29Vta1L9QnwMjsyZmzY3uQOI3EYA8HBPKYlAWQZagJt9aWP4y9xUx3rz0utjpoV4X3Oa7oGPfRXuOyKNnmDShzoGEhsSCOPrlqRFPjA7R8-XAK61a1_yorz1zTcg/s400/BB736B09-1FFF-4779-A875-42DF09E8C636.jpeg" /></a></p><p></p>epoochhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06765059549332407655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990242987353314382.post-37763878107536017792022-11-01T11:59:00.017-04:002022-11-10T00:19:36.593-05:00Finish Line!<p>Time's up, soldering irons down!
<p>We did it! Another great RetroChallenge with some fine projects and great participation. Urbancamo and I were especially impressed with how few non-starters we had with nearly everyone makig <em>some</em> progress on their retrocomputing projects.
<p>Now, I promised we would have a vote for the Endurance Challnge, but with only two participants this doesn't make sense. Instead, we will open the voting up to the General Category too! So, get your vote in on or before Tuesday, November 8 (conveniently Election Day here in the USA), and we will award prizes based on the vote and the organizer's favorites. <a href="https://twitter.com/urbancamo">urbancamo</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/ep00ch">ep00ch</a> will be spending next couple of weeks reviewing and writing up all of the projects. Stay tuned for results!
<p>If you participated in this RetroChallenge, you can <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScw6AKLOKFFg_3qzE8cbyrhPTVMvURRiNLrxBGBJgyIqhEfYA/viewform?usp=sf_link">cast your vote on the RC2022/10 ballot</a> after reviewing the <a href="https://www.retrochallenge.org/p/entrants-list-202210.html">project links in the Entrants List</a>.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhYfVKoqcnt7gkvReICwYApgrrobdzR8XykqQ0JHZvh10fUW0jnut3UZlw6VomrfMT3EyxUCHFoZfuy7Cu-0_9HKtXc_35Tm41XWcixNAF3-OPf65Ml41nTxtoQIb_7dzSQdUcPcHO_fozdXr9_jdCTXIiXF77LpeO4w9Ipirpo8CO1H4TH4ctZqV/s1540/RC_300Baud2.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="1540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhYfVKoqcnt7gkvReICwYApgrrobdzR8XykqQ0JHZvh10fUW0jnut3UZlw6VomrfMT3EyxUCHFoZfuy7Cu-0_9HKtXc_35Tm41XWcixNAF3-OPf65Ml41nTxtoQIb_7dzSQdUcPcHO_fozdXr9_jdCTXIiXF77LpeO4w9Ipirpo8CO1H4TH4ctZqV/s400/RC_300Baud2.png"/></a></div>epoochhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06765059549332407655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990242987353314382.post-89147791387205787812022-10-16T15:27:00.002-04:002022-11-10T00:20:27.973-05:00RC2022/10 Halftime Update!<p>With 30 solid entries we have witnessed a great start to RC2022/10! There are some really cool obscure systems at the fringe of the 8 bit era represented here, and plenty of 16 bit projects. I am really enjoying the cross-over connectivity or emulation projects from barely retro systems to very retro devices. We are glad to see great progress from so many of the participants!</p>
<p>Mousepad prizes have been ordered, and I expect to have a few tech tools available for winners as well:
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZEI6u4_CooxWEXzjCqa1I9eJzMignI6wMlrVyEB41py3_xCT3ik9lQVpaE1VkRYd7hjNe5MxZ3oOtMNUBrzrFbVsPCWRch0gmuEtYX1E9ADBkzkNIq2exzEiMJEZ9GvtzQsPOyIUAKkbkZxBP2ZyENYUdukYdmo9lkN6GI5NJqhDcwT5I_ZfXW3V/s1140/icm_fullxfull.483319769_c64drh1m260wc0swoc4c.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="760" data-original-width="1140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZEI6u4_CooxWEXzjCqa1I9eJzMignI6wMlrVyEB41py3_xCT3ik9lQVpaE1VkRYd7hjNe5MxZ3oOtMNUBrzrFbVsPCWRch0gmuEtYX1E9ADBkzkNIq2exzEiMJEZ9GvtzQsPOyIUAKkbkZxBP2ZyENYUdukYdmo9lkN6GI5NJqhDcwT5I_ZfXW3V/s400/icm_fullxfull.483319769_c64drh1m260wc0swoc4c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<p>Here is the halftime update (after the break), which we have miraculously provided at <em>halftime</em>! If you are making progress, and have some blog posts we missed, let us know in the comments.
</p>
<span><a name='more'></a></span>
<br />
<iframe height="10000" id="entry_list" scrolling="no" src="https://script.google.com/macros/s/AKfycbx7j4AWdt79yrBiZENxBQrG8j8qsnyrZj_WNGQ-CxBgUMujcfF0R_bxduq4dYpysPNJ/exec" style="border: none;" width="102%"></iframe>
</div>
epoochhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06765059549332407655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990242987353314382.post-33560391434591049372022-09-30T16:38:00.002-04:002022-11-10T00:22:41.900-05:00RC 2022/10 IS GO!<h2>RC2022/10 Starts Now!</h2>
<p>It's the 1st of October somewhere. We have a <a href="https://www.retrochallenge.org/p/entrants-list-202210.html">strong line-up</a> of RetroChallengers, and it's not too late <a href="https://forms.gle/VHBd8QCurYTMAkoK8">to enter</a>! NOW, GET TO IT!</p>
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/urbancamo">urbancamo</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/ep00ch">ep00ch</a> will be <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23retrochallenge">tweetin' updates</a> and get you timely halftime and final summaries and results. </p>
<p>Another shout-out to the <a href="https://acms.org.au">Australian Computer Museum Society</a> for incorporating the RetroChallenge into their membership activities.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhw8V6aAKVz_a_xrs1yFPOUI4sdmiPljff-E9KB3rBvAigo07sNFeM5uiLQq6pwq0TiizEK1sFpo8o8-8eNjzeRaQ_veNufnT5xX23WTtZgQU7LH5mT6ZkCdyJJknzgYwOkyCYmHySGt2dQ-BupxrENiPCjHN5UDLo_jeVfML7uKgFZGZQH4QtaPe/s1190/s-l1600-5.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="997" data-original-width="1190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhw8V6aAKVz_a_xrs1yFPOUI4sdmiPljff-E9KB3rBvAigo07sNFeM5uiLQq6pwq0TiizEK1sFpo8o8-8eNjzeRaQ_veNufnT5xX23WTtZgQU7LH5mT6ZkCdyJJknzgYwOkyCYmHySGt2dQ-BupxrENiPCjHN5UDLo_jeVfML7uKgFZGZQH4QtaPe/s400/s-l1600-5.jpg"/></a></div>epoochhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06765059549332407655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990242987353314382.post-53535239764429997172022-09-09T17:22:00.011-04:002022-09-20T00:14:01.618-04:00Announcing RetroChallenge 2022/10!<p>We were going have it in January, but why wait?! We are happy to announce RetroChallenge for the month of October 2022! Brought to you again by hosts <a href="https://twitter.com/urbancamo">urbancamo</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/ep00ch">ep00ch</a>.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2HUeTmgKNzdJlpEbclBkBjQzrEgfFQ60k0P0BeYARJ4Mthbqb22_cegQO4BSQG0d44VUa-hFBw3bsUKJYnjt4UlS0D3KBGv-sjT2P3yZQSYBjqh3ya8U3TmgDWZ6HKSKMoy4althEiFCw-yQjlQBg4XveBXqIiN22f_beLbNN_R0nRC6iOggWzqaF/s653/RC2022-10.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="600" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="653" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2HUeTmgKNzdJlpEbclBkBjQzrEgfFQ60k0P0BeYARJ4Mthbqb22_cegQO4BSQG0d44VUa-hFBw3bsUKJYnjt4UlS0D3KBGv-sjT2P3yZQSYBjqh3ya8U3TmgDWZ6HKSKMoy4althEiFCw-yQjlQBg4XveBXqIiN22f_beLbNN_R0nRC6iOggWzqaF/s600/RC2022-10.jpg"/></a></div>
<h2>About RetroChallenge</h2>
<p>In a nutshell, the RetroChallenge is a loosely disorganised gathering of RetroComputing enthusiasts who collectively do stuff with old computers for a month.
<p>The event is very much open to interpretation… individuals set their own challenges, which can range from programming to multimedia work, hardware restoration to exploring legacy networking, or just plain fooling around. It really doesn’t matter what you do, just so long as you do it.
<p>Take a look at the <a href="http://www.retrochallenge.org/p/retrochallenge-rules.html"> "rules" for the RetroChallenge</a> for basic guidelines.
<h2>RetroChallenge 2022/10 Theme Categories</h2>
<p>We have one theme category for this event: <em>Endurance Challenge</em>. This category will be judged and awarded separately from the standard entries. If your project qualifies, enter it into the theme category! Otherwise, enter in the <em>General</em> category and just do your own retro thing. Check out <a href="http://www.retrochallenge.org/p/entrants-list-202110.html">last year's List of Entries</a> for some examples.
<a id="Endurance"></a>
<h3>Endurance Challenge</h3>
<b>Really use your retro-computer for a month!</b><br>
<p>Getting back to the ideals of the orginal RetroChallenge, we are challenging you to use your vintage computer for a month doing normal stuff like word processing, budgeting, sending emails, surfing the web, gaming, dot matrix printing, etc. Document what you did, what works, what doesn't, and what solutions you found. We will want to see lots of update posts, but we don't expect much engineering. <a href="http://cqbbs.ddns.net">The Captain's Quarters II BBS</a> has kindly provided a forum as an option for your low-bandwith progress logs. As a final nod to the original RetroChallenge, the best blogger for this category will be based on popular vote!
<h2>Prizes</h2>
<p>We have will have some RC 2022/10 mousepads and maybe some more donated items for the "winners".
<h2>How to Enter</h2>
<p>Fill out the <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScaCJdpIb1LBYLXPrv9vFvB54L_rRO3-F-dgAKIkDKSYNzqOA/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.917589023=RC+2022/10&entry.522150563=General">Entry Form for Contestants</a> and save the link at the end in case you want to update or change your information. Let us know in the comments if you have any issues signing up.
<div style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScaCJdpIb1LBYLXPrv9vFvB54L_rRO3-F-dgAKIkDKSYNzqOA/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.917589023=RC+2022/10&entry.522150563=General">Sign Up Now!</a></div>epoochhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06765059549332407655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990242987353314382.post-42792187997371628502022-09-01T22:08:00.071-04:002022-09-16T15:55:08.723-04:00RC2021/10 Results<p>The results for RC2021/10 are in! Sure, they are very delayed, but new babies and new jobs can do that. <a href="https://twitter.com/urbancamo">urbancamo</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/ep00ch">ep00ch</a> were really impressed by the skill and ingenuity displayed in all of the entries. Not to mention the sheer number of entries we received! If you didn't finish the month but made progress on a project you should be proud. If you did finish, you should be very proud. Based on the level of documentation many of you provided, I think we collectively made an indelible contribution to the computer hobby in general.
</p><p>Special thanks to <a href="https://juiced.gs">Juiced.GS</a> and <a href="https://acms.org.au">Australian Computer Museum Society</a> for their promotion and particpation.
</p><p>Stay tuned for details on the RC2023/01 Winter Warmup!
</p><p>Results (grouped by category, then grouped by final status, no particular order besides that) after the break:</p>
<span><a name='more'></a></span><p><br /></p><div>
<iframe height="17000" id="entry_list" scrolling="no" src=" https://script.google.com/macros/s/AKfycby76w0OBhMDKUMSUimigbYLOfsuIKpWT7rD2uHVC3KkWdMjw7rhqYPkHBULWKvf-4V1/exec" style="border: none;" width="102%"></iframe>
</div>
<p>If you were initially tagged as a "Non Starter," we likely stopped checking up on you. But, if you did make some progress that we did not consider, please let us know!
</p><p>All winners will be contacted soon so we can send out your mousepads and prizes!:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwiKqg3UcpTbUcIn29Vta1L9QnwMjsyZmzY3uQOI3EYA8HBPKYlAWQZagJt9aWP4y9xUx3rz0utjpoV4X3Oa7oGPfRXuOyKNnmDShzoGEhsSCOPrlqRFPjA7R8-XAK61a1_yorz1zTcg/s1140/BB736B09-1FFF-4779-A875-42DF09E8C636.jpeg"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="760" data-original-width="1140" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwiKqg3UcpTbUcIn29Vta1L9QnwMjsyZmzY3uQOI3EYA8HBPKYlAWQZagJt9aWP4y9xUx3rz0utjpoV4X3Oa7oGPfRXuOyKNnmDShzoGEhsSCOPrlqRFPjA7R8-XAK61a1_yorz1zTcg/s400/BB736B09-1FFF-4779-A875-42DF09E8C636.jpeg" /></a></p><p></p>epoochhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06765059549332407655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990242987353314382.post-15780919747582687192021-10-31T13:04:00.005-04:002022-09-06T17:15:49.536-04:00Finish Line!<p>Time's up, logic probes down… we made it to the finish line of RC2021/10! We have been very impressed with the level of expertise and progress that so many of you made! <a href="https://twitter.com/urbancamo">urbancamo</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/ep00ch">ep00ch</a> will be spending next couple of weeks reviewing and judging all of your great projects. Stay tuned for results!epoochhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06765059549332407655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990242987353314382.post-86957397400029241842021-10-17T18:34:00.029-04:002022-09-06T17:16:30.576-04:00RC2021/10 Halftime Update!<p>Wow, 44 entries! What an amazing group of projects we have for this episode of RetroChallenge. You may have seen our advertisement in <a href="https://juiced.gs">Juiced.GS magazine</a>, and due to their kindness, we now have 2 copies of the September 2021 issue to provide as prizes!
<p>Due to the awesome response, entries to the event are now closed. But, you can still review the <a href="https://www.retrochallenge.org/p/entrants-list-202110.html">current entry list by category with our comments</a>.
<p>Here is the halftime update, which we have miraculously provided at <em>halftime</em>! Entries are categorized by whether they are making progress or not. If you are making progress, and have some blog posts we missed, let us know in the comments.
<div>
<style>
.icon { width: 125px; height: 125px; object-fit: cover; float: left; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; }
.preish { display: block; white-space: pre-wrap; }
.initial { color: DimGrey; }
.halftime { color: GoldenRod; }
.final { color: Maroon; }
.entry { vertical-align:top; }
</style>
<table>
<tr>
<th style="border-bottom: 1px solid black;">Status: Making Progress...</th>
</tr>
<tr class="entry">
<td>
<a id="Just4Fun"></a>
<a href="https://hackaday.io/project/177988">Just4Fun <img src="https://cdn.hackaday.io/images/resize/600x600/7040761617548217084.jpg" class="icon" alt="Just4Fun's avatar">
</a>
: <a href="https://twitter.com/@Just4Fun_J4Fun">@Just4Fun_J4Fun</a>
<br>
Platform: 68008 CPU + CP/M-68K homemade SBC<br>
<p class="preish">Project : The 68k-MBC is an easy to build 68008 CPU SBC (Single Board Computer), using only easy to find TH parts.
It follows the same "concept" of the previous Z80-MBC2 (https://hackaday.io/project/159973) and V20-MBC (https://hackaday.io/project/170924) boards, using a PIC18F47Q10 MCU as EEPROM and "universal" I/O emulator (so a "legacy" EPROM programmer is not needed).
You can choose between two main HW configuration options: Lite or Full. Lite HW configuration option allows to build a 3 ICs 68008 system running CP/M-68K.
Short demo video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4DA7k4Jmoc</p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>Just4Fun managed to knock out some software updates and documentation for his retro SBC.
MSW: lots of great blogging here with software, hardware and printing with easily available parts. I used to have a SBC M68K board based on the original motorola reference design but this is so much more advanced!
</em></p>
<br>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entry">
<td>
<a id="Paleoferrosaurus"></a>
<a href="http://phreak.paleoferrosaurus.com">Paleoferrosaurus <img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/94/IBM_7090_computer.jpg" class="icon" alt="Paleoferrosaurus's avatar">
</a>
: <a href="https://twitter.com/@Paleoferrosaur">@Paleoferrosaur</a>
<br>
Platform: Western Electric Model 551 PBX<br>
<p class="preish">Project : Update, automate, and hopefully not deflagrate…</p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>After removing all of the rat-based "patina" from his 551 PBX last month, Paleoferrosaurus has been documenting telephone circuits, how his PBX functions, and laying down a finish on the walnut woodwork. Just when we thought he was going to break all of the RC rules, he shows us a nice TI 99/4A BASIC program to generate MF and DTMF tones. And, like any proper RetroChallenge, his entry gets side-tracked by another RetroChallenge, as he fixes his TI 99/4A power supply. Great progress!
MSW: oh wow, is he using LaTeX for his blog? I'm in awe! The project is really good too!
</em></p>
<br>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entry">
<td>
<a id="Mu0n"></a>
<a href="https://mu0n.github.io/ForayInto68k/ress/">Mu0n <img src="https://i.imgur.com/tIOPZEB.png" class="icon" alt="Mu0n's avatar">
</a>
: <a href="https://twitter.com/@JuneauMichal1">@JuneauMichal1</a>
<br>
Platform: Compact Macintosh<br>
<p class="preish">Project : Reverse engineer the Studio Session (From Bogas Productions, 1986) file format for a playthrough, driven mostly by C code.</p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>Mu0n is making great progress reorganizing his code and getting some sound out of his Studio Session Analyzer Program.
MSW: love the look of this blog, proper Mac monochrome goodness!
</em></p>
<br>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entry">
<td>
<a id="Lee%20Adamson"></a>
<a href="https://odysee.com/$/list/c87133ad90a84a5cdb8e978758c1f8b27dbbdc3f">Lee Adamson <img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-72RrIXEAw_bSs?format=png&name=small" class="icon" alt="Lee Adamson's avatar">
</a>
<br>
Platform: Unix (build platform), VMS BASIC Plus 2 (original source), CP/M on TRS-80 Model II (target)<br>
<p class="preish">Project : I have an ongoing project to port Dan Lawrence's "DND", an early CRPG (circa 1976), to a cleaner C codebase so that I can extend and improve the game, while still targeting old hardware via z88dk and cc65.
My RetroChallenge entry is a subproject within this larger project: To get the code-so-far building for CP/M and running on a TRS-80 Model II, even if all of the game mechanics aren't completely ported by then. If my "real" Model II doesn't have enough memory, I'll have to either build a bigger RAM card for it or use an emulator.</p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>Lee provides a very thorough review of the DND code showing how it operates, including spells, the combat loop, and line of sight. Not sure if he has written any code this month (he seems to be distracted by his amateur radio repairs), but he has certainly provided the background for any future contributors to the project.
MSW: Just watching the videos now and I'm hooked, great history of this RPG.
</em></p>
<br>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entry">
<td>
<a id="Mark%20Wickens"></a>
<a href="https://urbancamo.github.io/rc2021_10">Mark Wickens <img src="https://wickensonline.co.uk/static/pictures/profile-picture.jpg" class="icon" alt="Mark Wickens's avatar">
</a>
: <a href="https://twitter.com/@urbancamo">@urbancamo</a>
<br>
Platform: DEC VAX<br>
<p class="preish">Project : Analysing my Amateur Radio QSOs using VAX/APL 4.0</p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>Not sure if Mark is making progress. It looks like he had a problem with his APL configured LK201 keyboard and got stumped. Or, maybe he's just distracted by the DEC Legacy 2021 event he is running this month.
MSW: keyboard is fixed, VAXstation plugged in and running, totally distracted to have done anything else!
</em></p>
<br>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entry">
<td>
<a id="jskists"></a>
<a href="https://hackaday.io/project/181627-project-millrace">jskists <img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1124769615714881542/f4bpydyp_400x400.jpg" class="icon" alt="jskists's avatar">
</a>
: <a href="https://twitter.com/@jskists">@jskists</a>
<br>
Platform: RC2014<br>
<p class="preish">Project : Take the RC2014, and design/build modules so that the RC2014 can run the Jupiter ACE ROM image unmodified.
Yes, it’s easy enough to run a Jupiter ACE in an emulator, on a Raspberry PI, but where is the fun in that? I want to learn how the 80’s computer worked! I’m a software engineer, by trade, so hardware design is quite unknown to me…
I perfectly accept that this probably is not very challenging, to most. Personally, I think that real challenge is, for me, to actually finish something…</p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>Great background and progress on jskists' RC2014 based Juper ACE work-alike "MillRACE IO".There are even some glamour shots of the in-progress prototype boards!
MSW: The screen layout template is a work of art! Plenty going on here: hardware, software, works of art, looking forward to seeing if the dream come true!
</em></p>
<br>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entry">
<td>
<a id="Jim%20Gerrie"></a>
<a href="https://jimgerrie.blogspot.com/">Jim Gerrie <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVyLQZrvyOChuLhcFOF62av7E45HQInEzC7Kj9PY6wapUW_YQu8DmoiJ5EKyxf-cSQamSQxOAt7WEQ4xHA53cPcBVa5qAxxV3wWHCLD5PFQ_GNkaSg28Mlo3eSc6uLEu8v_a2MCPv9IeSE/s288/freecell.png" class="icon" alt="Jim Gerrie's avatar">
</a>
<br>
Platform: TRS-80 Micro Color Computer (MC-10)<br>
<p class="preish">Project : I hope to blog about a couple of projects this month and next as part of RetroChallenge 2021, and possibly also of Septandy. The main project involves my port of Freecell from some QBasic source I found on the Net. I am also working a port of a 4K adventure game "Cavernes" for the TRS-80 Pocket computers. The source is from the French computer magazine Trace from the early 80s. </p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>Seems likely that Jim is actually stuck in the cave from his port of the text adventure game "Les Cavernes", as we have only just now seen an update from him.
MSW: What Jim doesn't know about BASIC isn't worth knowing! One teaser update, we want more Jim!</em></p>
<br>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entry">
<td>
<a id="Tom%20Raidna%20"></a>
<a href="http://andiarsoftware.Wordpress.com">Tom Raidna <img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1212471067337535490/s8XjRcI7_400x400.jpg" class="icon" alt="Tom Raidna 's avatar">
</a>
: <a href="https://twitter.com/@TraidnaComputes">@TraidnaComputes</a>
<br>
Platform: TI 99 4/a <br>
<p class="preish">Project : Write a minimal MUMPS language interpreter in TMS 9900 assembler - which I’m just learning, that will run as 8k cartridge on SD card in a flashrom99 in TI 99 4/a. Cross assembly using Asw.exe and p2bin.exe under wine on a mac. Will use classic99.exe emulator for testing. </p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>Just when the TI99/4A and its sidecars seemed to have side-tracked Tom's project, he got us an update!
MSW: MUMPS on a TI! This is madness! I love it, clearly a MUMPS expert if Tom can't do it no one can!
</em></p>
<br>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entry">
<td>
<a id="Phillip%20Stevens"></a>
<a href="https://feilipu.me/2021/08/15/8085-cpu-on-the-z80-bus/">Phillip Stevens <img src="https://cdn.tindiemedia.com/images/resize/-c5MW9T8TMZJnyiaBlZpw6mr3l0=/p/full-fit-in/1782x1336/i/40215/products/2021-08-25T06%3A04%3A30.428Z-IMG_1567.jpg?1629846878" class="icon" alt="Phillip Stevens's avatar">
</a>
: <a href="https://twitter.com/@_feilipu">@_feilipu</a>
<br>
Platform: RC2014 - 8085 - Am9511A APU<br>
<p class="preish">Project : 1. Extend my Sept 2021 8085 CPU Module for RC2014 to support the Am9511A APU (Floating Point Module). 2. Build driver support to allow it to be used from C, BASIC, and assembly.</p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>Phillip has provided a couple of solid updates on his 8085.
MSW: a consistent blogger (no mean feat) the 8085 isn't a chip I know much about bit it looks like he has a good handle on it.
</em></p>
<br>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entry">
<td>
<a id="AussieSmitty"></a>
<a href="https://github.com/AussieSmitty/RetroChallenge/wiki/Using-a-1983-Commodore-64-to-control-a-remote-control-car">AussieSmitty <img src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/AussieSmitty/RetroChallenge/main/C64%20RC%20car%20control%20retro%20project.jpg" class="icon" alt="AussieSmitty's avatar">
</a>
<br>
Platform: Commodore 64<br>
<p class="preish">Project : Using the C64 to control a remote control car. Control of the RC car can be via a joystick and recorded (to a floppy disk) for autonomous 'play back' by the C64. The C64 will use RS232 to a microcontroller with a wireless transceiver that can connect to the RC car.</p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>It looks like AussieSmitty has been cranking out code, but we are still waiting on a status update for the month. Wait! -- Tons of good RC updates in the Word doc in the repo. Love this entry (even though I hate Word)! </em></p>
<br>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entry">
<td>
<a id="Sean%20Billings"></a>
<a href="https://megadon.co.uk/rc2021-10/">Sean Billings <img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1285571453505634304/tdTU72vC_400x400.jpg" class="icon" alt="Sean Billings's avatar">
</a>
: <a href="https://twitter.com/@seanybillings">@seanybillings</a>
<br>
Platform: Dragon 32<br>
<p class="preish">Project : My challenge is to learn about the Dragon 32 I/O and interface to some electronics.
I am specifically looking at the Cartridge Port, but may also venture into the Printer and Joystick ports too!</p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>Sean is making great progress with his experiments on the Dragon I/O port. Glamour shots of protoboard and lots of jumper wires abound!
MSW: doing some interesting pivoting trying to get around technical challenges, minimalist blog is just fine in documenting this interesting project.
</em></p>
<br>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entry">
<td>
<a id="MarkO"></a>
<a href="http://retrochallenge.markoverholser.com/">MarkO <img src="https://www.markoverholser.com/img/os2small.gif" class="icon" alt="MarkO's avatar">
</a>
: <a href="https://twitter.com/@MarkO_">@MarkO_</a>
<br>
Platform: Tandy Color Computer ( all models )<br>
<p class="preish">Project : Writing drivers in MC6809/HD6309 Assembler for a Wiznet5100 NIC.</p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>MarkO is cleaning up some experimental code, but hasn't given us much insight into what he is doing yet. CocoFEST is coming soon, Mark!</em></p>
<br>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entry">
<td>
<a id="MooTheFish"></a>
<a href="https://forum.acms.org.au/t/power-computing-mac-clone-restoration-of-sorts/78">MooTheFish <img src="https://i.imgur.com/g0tYK4I.jpeg" class="icon" alt="MooTheFish's avatar">
</a>
<br>
Platform: Power Computing Macintosh clone<br>
<p class="preish">Project : Clean and diagnose the issues with the computer, currently it does not power up. My plan is to strip the computer down, clean everything, then reassemble and diagnose the power issues and return this computer to its former glory, as well as discover its past life. </p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>Moo's loaded PowerComputing tower is looking much better, but not quite booting yet. Hopefully it just needs a resistor.</em></p>
<br>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entry">
<td>
<a id="Paul%20Robson"></a>
<a href="https://aquariuscomputer.blogspot.com/">Paul Robson <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1cKixbBvR-Rwc4jT_BRrak2TmQE2028B7OF9sWlg7viw_eQ_NUnh5pyfyxk-8M1AwHfZw1KM36DSAttqOQlPofRtJWGdaCiaK_mVrfo9u2abgn2Fv9Kr9HZYGtwusW3W45K_xXEY4ZA6HAZ2jhCzFYFsGxJszRzyZitMV41sWxGyL1s34QEXEL2cj=w400-h300" class="icon" alt="Paul Robson's avatar">
</a>
: <a href="https://twitter.com/@paulrobson63">@paulrobson63</a>
<br>
Platform: Mattel Aquarius<br>
<p class="preish">Project : Going to write some homebrew games and maybe other stuff.</p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>Paul is making great progress extending a Z80 emulator to emulate an Aquarius on an ESP32. He already has it outputting video!
MSW: Nice project this, looking to see whether he is able to iron out the annoying niggles you always get with emulators!</em></p>
<br>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entry">
<td>
<a id="Pendleton115"></a>
<a href="https://forum.acms.org.au/t/macintosh-classic-restore-and-rascuzzi-upgrade/82?u=pendleton115">Pendleton115 <img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/530679878626988032/VsguARaE_400x400.png" class="icon" alt="Pendleton115's avatar">
</a>
: <a href="https://twitter.com/@Pendleton115">@Pendleton115</a>
<br>
Platform: Macintosh Classic<br>
<p class="preish">Project : I will be restoring a Macintosh Classic and installing a Rascuzzi Hard Drive adapter.</p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>The Classic's logic board is looking great after its bath, but we want to see it boot from SD card! </em></p>
<br>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entry">
<td>
<a id="europlus"></a>
<a href="https://europlus.zone/category/retrochallenge/rc2021-10/">europlus <img src="https://europlus.zone/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/IMG_2085.png" class="icon" alt="europlus's avatar">
</a>
: <a href="https://twitter.com/@apple2europlus">@apple2europlus</a>
<br>
Platform: Apple ][<br>
<p class="preish">Project : Project : 1. europlus Refurbapalooza Resurrection – my Apple ][ europlus refurbishment project has edged along since my last Retrochallenge entries, but I've started to kick up the pace. Can I get all my boards tested by the end of Retrochallenge 2021/10?!
2. Lockdown WOzFests – to celebrate Retrochallenge 2021/10, I will schedule the next two WOzFests for 2 October and 30 October. Retrochallengers from around the globe should connect in to detail their plans at WOzFest 21, then describe the pain of how they went all awry at WOzFest 22! If we're out of lockdown, I'll have attendees! Share the love, pain, frustration, triumphs!
3. Pirated software manual scans – I have a 13cm pile of photocopied Apple ][ software manuals from WOzFest attendee Neville to scan and upload to the Internet Archive.
4. Applesaucing – Similarly, I have a metric buttload of disks to image with my Applesauce, gotta just get back to it.
5. [NEW]Citizen Science – Floppy disks vs Magnets: I’ve seen discussion of magnets affecting disks, I’ve done it myself, and I jokingly place bad disks on WOzFest HQ’s fridge with HD magnets. But magnets are all around us now, and those into software preservation have to be careful. Join me as I test the effects of the various common (and maybe not so common) magnets in our modern lives on the media we’re here to preserve. If you have equipment to flux image a disk, and some magnets laying around, add your data to the pool so we can spread the warning far and wide – disks and magnets are not BFFs!
Yes, five projects is an extra-crazy load to take on, but I'm crazy! Aim for the stars and you'll blow up on the launchpad, I always say!
Details on the WOzFests can be found at https://europlus.zone/wozfest/wozfest-rc21-10-wozfest-22/
[UPDATE]: DM me on Twitter for the Google Meet link for the two Friday prep days before WOzFest RC 21/10 and WOzFest 22 and the WOzFests themselves.</p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>europlus managed to organize a successful WOzFest, but seems to have hit some technical hurdles with his applesaucing.</em></p>
<br>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entry">
<td>
<a id="Retrobits"></a>
<a href="https://www.retrobits.com/">Retrobits <img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1142628535/mp3rbp_400x400.jpg" class="icon" alt="Retrobits's avatar">
</a>
: <a href="https://twitter.com/@RetroEarl">@RetroEarl</a>
<br>
Platform: Altair 8800bt<br>
<p class="preish">Project : The goal is to control an 8x5 NeoPixel (RGB LEDs) array from an Altair 8800bt, using an Arduino to connect the two. The Altair/Arduino connection uses a MITS parallel I/O from back in the day, called an "88-4PIO".</p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>Earl gave us one interesting post at the beginning, but left us wanting more. We need an update!</em></p>
<br>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entry">
<td>
<a id="Michael%20Wessel"></a>
<a href="https://hackaday.io/project/180252-a-retro-authentic-microtronic-emulator">Michael Wessel <img src="https://cdn.hackaday.io/images/6200501627751466676.jpg" class="icon" alt="Michael Wessel's avatar">
</a>
<br>
Platform: Busch Microtronic<br>
<p class="preish">Project : A fully retro-authentic yet modern reimplemenation of the classic 1981 4bit educational single board computer. Hex in machinecode with a 7segment bubble display like its 1981!</p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>MSW: one of the leading contenders this, the blog photos are beautiful and he's making real progress with some wonderful videos... definitely one to watch.</em></p>
<br>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entry">
<td>
<a id="Kyle%20Farrell"></a>
<a href="https://ultratroninator3000.wordpress.com/">Kyle Farrell <img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1443632335040040960/IDP0KSFI_400x400.jpg" class="icon" alt="Kyle Farrell's avatar">
</a>
: <a href="https://twitter.com/@ultratroninator">@ultratroninator</a>
<br>
Platform: Eighties nostalgia... retro gaming, arcade games<br>
<p class="preish">Project : Alphanumeric LED displays, discrete LEDs, switches, arcade buttons, rotary knobs and selectors. All wired up to a Holtek 16K33 for key scan and LED display. Raspberry Pi Zero under the hood to make it all happen. Modern stuff, yeah. Front panel with silly scifi references, retro games being developed for play on the LED displays, sounds from eighties arcade machines, fun stuff like that.</p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>MSW: ultratroninator3000 - what a brilliant retrocomputer name, if only I could pronounce it! A good mix of software and hardware going on here, wonderful photos too.</em></p>
<br>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entry">
<td>
<a id="Mark%20C"></a>
<a href="http://rev3ng.blogspot.com">Mark C <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisxaNN8KrqDtIzGdlGVqXKb0W8UktBbha2rKgsOnUPvzWycb0Wf19vVJb2AfscFgN4tm5ZcYPIMCUs_PE77KCAFs26OdBAYOzQyoZBZNZlDdBVkM-QJpLIipBK1SYWXT814kOOl4kQtKngXTWrYAo33gEBzxkHaQi4VpVIyE3Jf-YEaJzlWqL961bu=s640" class="icon" alt="Mark C's avatar">
</a>
<br>
Platform: ET-3400 Microprocessor Trainer<br>
<p class="preish">Project : Create a small 24pin drop in replacement ROM for the original MCM6830A mask ROM.</p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>MSW: Mark is currently struggling with an 8K limit so coming up with a modern solution, lots of blog posts, a very interesting read.</em></p>
<br>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entry">
<td>
<a id="leaded%20solder"></a>
<a href="https://www.leadedsolder.com/">leaded solder <img src="https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/423811?v=4" class="icon" alt="leaded solder's avatar">
</a>
: <a href="https://twitter.com/@leadedsolder">@leadedsolder</a>
<br>
Platform: ColecoVision clone (Leako)<br>
<p class="preish">Project : I will finally get around to documenting and releasing the BOM, KiCad files, assembly guide, and Gerbers for my ColecoVision clone</p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>MSW: DIY joysticks and Time Pilot, one of my favourite arcade games ever!</em></p>
<br>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entry">
<td>
<a id="equant"></a>
<a href="http://equant-retrochallenge.blogspot.com/">equant <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS2skwioPbtDY7rowNjhetfaXQj1d-1bZki8kkQ7UxGBurKLLHH0HTLJPnuX42sSinzg2m1lbM4b62YfRtjNEQbqld8KhyphenhyphencKFanB4m7YwISDXg035fAniTIJAWFfP3wJ-xNEJmUbeZJwrh/s2048/PXL_20210903_013130137.jpg" class="icon" alt="equant's avatar">
</a>
: <a href="https://twitter.com/@humantissue">@humantissue</a>
<br>
Platform: Apple //e, 68k Macs (System 6/7)<br>
<p class="preish">Project : I have two "Publish It!" goals... (1) Document the Apple II expansion card I've been working on this year. By "document" I mean usages docs and example code on github, but also a narrative summary of the project including success and failures. (2) Git all of my previous RetroChallenge projects (e.g. Grackle68k, 68kmpc) up on github.</p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>Only one early post about his Apple //e expansion card.</em></p>
<br>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entry">
<td>
<a id="roughana"></a>
<a href="https://a2-roughana.blogspot.com/">roughana <img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/323759713/Andrew_400x400.png" class="icon" alt="roughana's avatar">
</a>
: <a href="https://twitter.com/@roughana">@roughana</a>
<br>
Platform: Apple ][<br>
<p class="preish">Project : Document how to contribute to the Total Replay compendium, and solicit contributions from the community.</p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>roughana is getting some good work done making sure Total Replay is a nicely packaged playable game archive.</em></p>
<br>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entry">
<td>
<a id="Jeremy%20Barr-Hyde"></a>
<a href="https://jbretro.wordpress.com">Jeremy Barr-Hyde <img src="https://forum.acms.org.au/user_avatar/forum.acms.org.au/jeremybh1/120/23_2.png" class="icon" alt="Jeremy Barr-Hyde's avatar">
</a>
: <a href="https://twitter.com/@captaineos">@captaineos</a>
<br>
Platform: Apple ][ and Macintosh<br>
<p class="preish">Project : Upload of post-processed scans - Macintosh posters, books, manuals and box art</p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>MSW: Some wonderful scanned documents here, I've done some scanning myself and it is a thankless task, except Thank you!</em></p>
<br>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entry">
<td>
<a id="Anthony%20Beckett"></a>
<a href="https://abeckettrc2021.blogspot.com">Anthony Beckett <img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1443134019021918212/tJVnwsDO_400x400.jpg" class="icon" alt="Anthony Beckett's avatar">
</a>
: <a href="https://twitter.com/@abeckett">@abeckett</a>
<br>
Platform: Commodore<br>
<p class="preish">Project : I have been archiving the magazine library of the Commodore Computer Users Group of Queensland (Cursor Magazine) for nearly a year and to be honest, have been falling behind. I'd love punch out the rest of the magazines left - 30-40 of them - and get them uploaded on archive.org.</p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>Feeling the pain of the demise of Amiga as a commercial prospect, not something you really want to re-live!</em></p>
<br>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entry">
<td>
<a id="Matteo%20Trevisan"></a>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1037074167091860">Matteo Trevisan <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3nFEq2G2uEMw60tIXokT7WcBPiOP3eNv0J6jI3vbxJ0Z6ZPtrsYs49ayHyZxE1urFeL4NcPAH6Hz47YWk8VmdB1WeRPLyWKqpNUvMzLtcnqitg4UU3hLcVV-NzCqPj5nDBEiU-U6-mMH9c5HIWuj4DeF71ChGj8CZnLKDz7e62onkrVkpXJGKris/s200/244141609_10226016967881827_265224216563480279_n.jpg" class="icon" alt="Matteo Trevisan's avatar">
</a>
: <a href="https://twitter.com/@Toolkitman">@Toolkitman</a>
<br>
Platform: Windows XP<br>
<p class="preish">Project : Build a Racing Cars 3D GAME with a 3d compiler</p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>MSW: Interesting start, would be great to see how this pans out!</em></p>
<br>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entry">
<td>
<a id="epooch"></a>
<a href="https://apple-crapple.blogspot.com/search/label/RC2021%2F10">epooch <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0uw2FtPq4Nx3roi8VRy94WPuU1gAUfUQidQHLkqKZ1gEEf-y-AiC_wure2vIYmr-yeSSEqAoeVkJYaMYZUzEi5zVzeIx3pzoxasttKyJzrdt6Pc2SphCTts4Sw9El4RMaU2Hnrpbna6N6/s453/Zaurus_Mouse.png" class="icon" alt="epooch's avatar">
</a>
: <a href="https://twitter.com/@ep00ch">@ep00ch</a>
<br>
Platform: Sharp Zaurus SL-5500<br>
<p class="preish">Project : Use the Sharp Zaurus SL-5500, directly mounted on a serial mouse, as video display/keyboard/mouse to interact with VNC running on the Zaurus to control my Mac.
To Do List:
Dig the Zaurus out of my "Sell on eBay" bin.
Replace the battery (barely lasted 30 mins new)
Install a mouse driver
Get a serial mouse connected and working with VNC.</p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>Not sure you can call this progress, but there is definitely good documentation of the lack of progress, and a functional stylus!</em></p>
<br>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entry">
<td>
<a id="Mr2021"></a>
<a href="https://forum.acms.org.au/t/bringing-a-pentium-mmx-sbc-industrial-pc-back-to-life/71?u=mr2021">Mr2021 <img src="https://acmsforum.b-cdn.net/original/1X/d424693ee1b30baa0eedd6db2344449740103620.jpeg" class="icon" alt="Mr2021's avatar">
</a>
<br>
Platform: Pentium MMX SBC<br>
<p class="preish">Project : Bringing a Pentium MMX SBC (industrial PC) back to life </p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>MSW: Ah the old Dallas clock chip issue, who thought it was a good idea to embed a battery in a chip!</em></p>
<br>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entry">
<td>
<a id="ShaneMcRetro"></a>
<a href="https://forum.acms.org.au/t/geocities-rebuild/83">ShaneMcRetro <img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/3740261242/1679bc3506b1bd011153507af6a1563d_400x400.png" class="icon" alt="ShaneMcRetro's avatar">
</a>
: <a href="https://twitter.com/@ShaneMcRetro">@ShaneMcRetro</a>
<br>
Platform: 386 / 486 Computer<br>
<p class="preish">Project : Retro computers need websites to visit. That is what this project is all about. Recreating websites that are compatible with older web browsers.</p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>MSW: Fascinating project this to bring Geocities back to life, comprehensive blog with some amazing detail!</em></p>
<br>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entry">
<td>
<a id="Jon%20Co"></a>
<a href="https://forum.acms.org.au/t/retrochallenge-2021-10-entry-powermac-g4-repair/84?u=jon">Jon Co <img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLX7Q5ekU_JkFNwgePhnct9TmJdueTw8YDBZDBbQ65eEj29FC5nXv9y0X2AWyFqy2B6snfpii_ZNQIlUT7KiS-4kDtG92r6AdVmnSAq7arYYmeD1JuJX7YHBS4ro4KXcQ6P-rOCBCk3HjbcJEkhTtNEfmQ=w366-h702-no?authuser=0" class="icon" alt="Jon Co's avatar">
</a>
<br>
Platform: PowerMac G4<br>
<p class="preish">Project : I recently received this PowerMac G4 that powers on, but has no video. I want to get it working/usable again.</p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>MSW: Powermac restoration that needs more TLC than just replacement caps! Get that mouse to light!</em></p>
<br>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entry">
<td>
<a id="Josh%20Malone"></a>
<a href="https://www.vintageboot.net/category/retrochallenge/">Josh Malone <img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1321896964846477315/hp85bd9u_400x400.jpg" class="icon" alt="Josh Malone's avatar">
</a>
: <a href="https://twitter.com/@48kRAM">@48kRAM</a>
<br>
Platform: Gateway 2000 GP6-400<br>
<p class="preish">Project : Windows 98 Gaming PC build</p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>MSW: I've happily forgotten what a PITA getting a PC to run games was back in the days of Win98 - rather you than me!</em></p>
<br>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th style="border-bottom: 1px solid black;">Status: Non Starters</th>
</tr>
<tr class="entry">
<td>
<a id="Michael%20Mulhern"></a>
<a href="https://www.jongleur.co.uk/blogs/programming/retrochallenge-2021-10-1786/">Michael Mulhern <img src="https://www.jongleur.co.uk/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/George-Washington-300x169.jpeg" class="icon" alt="Michael Mulhern's avatar">
</a>
: <a href="https://twitter.com/@the_jongleur">@the_jongleur</a>
<br>
Platform: Apple ][<br>
<p class="preish">Project : "1786!"
The ink on the 1783 Paris Treaty is barely dry. George Washington as the Commander-in-Chief has to rebuild the Continental Army, garner support of the States and their Militias, battle internal strife of those that wish to see the the newly founded Union brought down with the assistance of foreign powers.</p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>No updates yet. I'm not even convinced that this is a legitimate bit of Australian history.</em></p>
<br>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entry">
<td>
<a id="James%20Ots"></a>
<a href="https://hackaday.io/project/181707-aug-computer-1">James Ots <img src="https://cdn.hackaday.io/images/resize/600x600/4469241501715941223.jpeg" class="icon" alt="James Ots's avatar">
</a>
: <a href="https://twitter.com/@jamesots">@jamesots</a>
<br>
Platform: An imaginary one (FPGA)<br>
<p class="preish">Project : It's the early 1980s, it's nearly Christmas, and everyone is releasing new computers. Management has decided we need a new computer too. I have one month to create it from scratch. Some corners may need to be cut.
Back in the present day… I'm going to try creating a 1980s style 8-bit computer from scratch using an FPGA board. I've already developed a new 8-bit CPU, which I've named the AUG processor after my great grandfather, August Maramaa (https://bit.ly/3kde9dy) I'll need to write some kind of operating system. Maybe a text only system which connects to a terminal. Maybe it's the 1970s? Maybe connect a PCW keyboard to it. Maybe add colour graphics and a sound chip? Maybe struggle with VHDL coding and give up? Who knows.</p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>An early OOPS and resulting sparks left James struggling to meet his deadline for the '82 Christmas sales season. </em></p>
<br>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entry">
<td>
<a id="Adrian%20Franulovich"></a>
<a href="https://forum.acms.org.au/t/entry-creating-a-global-resource-on-shipping-vintage-tech/56/2">Adrian Franulovich <img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1308227512934133761/d2WLtU8n_400x400.jpg" class="icon" alt="Adrian Franulovich's avatar">
</a>
: <a href="https://twitter.com/@digitalrampage">@digitalrampage</a>
<br>
Platform: Community resource for all vintage tech<br>
<p class="preish">Project : To create a global resource to help people ship vintage technology correctly and safely to avoid further damage and destruction to our already deteriorating and shrinking supply of original vintage technology.</p>
<br>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entry">
<td>
<a id="Peter%20Irwin%20"></a>
<a href="https://pirwinibmworksaust.blogspot.com/">Peter Irwin <img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WjQRTOaV3pk/YVBtKsBNN4I/AAAAAAAAasQ/pFtdrGZ6L6kuE2NdRGyWJCC9p_BOTFnrACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/1632660773823779-0.png" class="icon" alt="Peter Irwin 's avatar">
</a>
<br>
Platform: IBM PS1 <br>
<p class="preish">Project : I am restoring this system to original specifications, I have a complete system with matching printer. </p>
<br>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entry">
<td>
<a id="Scott%20Lawrence"></a>
<a href="https://geodesicsphere.blogspot.com">Scott Lawrence <img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1428873842693337092/DEzTYdcp_400x400.jpg" class="icon" alt="Scott Lawrence's avatar">
</a>
: <a href="https://twitter.com/@yorgle">@yorgle</a>
<br>
Platform: RC2014<br>
<p class="preish">Project : I'm planning on tying up a bunch of loose ends in my RC2014 system landscape. I have a few unbuilt modules, some storage solutions I've started working on (ie, my "vampire" system that runs over the same communications channel as the serial console) and so on.</p>
<p class="preish halftime">Halftime Update: <em>Good intentions, but no retro progress yet.
MSW: No idea what is going on here but the lights are very pretty!</em></p>
<br>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entry">
<td>
<a id="John%20Honniball"></a>
<a href="http://anachrocomputer.blogspot.com/">John Honniball <img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1195202672/flickr2_400x400.png" class="icon" alt="John Honniball's avatar">
</a>
: <a href="https://twitter.com/@anachrocomputer">@anachrocomputer</a>
<br>
Platform: Compukit UK101, modified with 6809 CPU<br>
<p class="preish">Project : It's been several years since I did anything with the modified Compukit UK101 with the 6809 CPU. The hardware is undocumented and the software is in a Subversion repo on a machine I no longer use. Time to get it working again! Draw the schematic, get the code into Git, update it, burn some EPROMs, make a video.</p>
<br>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entry">
<td>
<a id="Bread80"></a>
<a href="http://bread80.com">Bread80 <img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1230098034320662529/nDmqDUC2_400x400.jpg" class="icon" alt="Bread80's avatar">
</a>
: <a href="https://twitter.com/@bread80com">@bread80com</a>
<br>
Platform: Amstrad CPC<br>
<p class="preish">Project : Finish, document and publish reverse engineered Amstrad CPC firmware ROMS in a state that can be modified and assembled.</p>
<br>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entry">
<td>
<a id="Colin%20Maykish"></a>
<a href="https://hackaday.io/project/181802-herring-6502-computer">Colin Maykish <img src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/crmaykish/herring-6502/main/assets/images/logo_black_256.png" class="icon" alt="Colin Maykish's avatar">
</a>
<br>
Platform: Homebrew 65C02-based computer system<br>
<p class="preish">Project : My goal for this challenge is to document the hardware and software design of my recent computer build, the Herring 6502. Additionally, I'd like to implement custom graphics hardware for it on an FPGA.</p>
<br>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entry">
<td>
<a id="Murray"></a>
<a href="https://forum.acms.org.au/t/ausborne-user-group/62?u=murray">Murray <img src="https://ia903407.us.archive.org/BookReader/BookReaderImages.php?zip=/20/items/vol14_202105/vol1%3A4_jp2.zip&file=vol1%3A4_jp2/vol1%3A4_0000.jp2&id=vol14_202105&scale=4&rotate=0" class="icon" alt="Murray's avatar">
</a>
<br>
Platform: OSBORNE<br>
<p class="preish">Project : To scan all issues of the AUSBORNE newsletter. The ACMS found many issues of these newsletters during the relocation of our items from previous storage locations, and they need to be archived.</p>
<br>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entry">
<td>
<a id="Chillers"></a>
<a href="https://forum.acms.org.au/t/first-computer-game/72">Chillers <img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1370543396255756291/c-r1A1n8_400x400.jpg" class="icon" alt="Chillers's avatar">
</a>
: <a href="https://twitter.com/@disdev">@disdev</a>
<br>
Platform: All Turing Complete machines<br>
<p class="preish">Project : I want to come up with a strict, unambiguous set of metrics to determine the world's first implemented computer game. The history is messy, but I think my metrics will make things clear. There are lots of "one of the first" Wikipedia articles, but no definitive winner.
I will then use the metrics to determine the winner.</p>
<br>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entry">
<td>
<a id="Paul%20Pritsis"></a>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10161004157532786&type=3">Paul Pritsis <img src="https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/242271544_10161131587067786_3173681889895838408_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=0debeb&_nc_ohc=rQ9PFY26pjIAX8ksm4l&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-1.xx&oh=5e8b4a85787092457c41c9800b881b50&oe=61770E78" class="icon" alt="Paul Pritsis's avatar">
</a>
<br>
Platform: Commodore Amiga 2000HD<br>
<p class="preish">Project : Rebuild my 30+ year old Amiga 2000HD.</p>
<br>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="entry">
<td>
<a id="Cynde%20Moya"></a>
<a href="https://aama.net.au/blog/">Cynde Moya <img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FAmbQzgUcAAXRmJ?format=jpg&name=large" class="icon" alt="Cynde Moya's avatar">
</a>
: <a href="https://twitter.com/@cyndemoya">@cyndemoya</a>
<br>
Platform: Amiga 4000<br>
<p class="preish">Project : I have 2 Amiga 4000 computers that I would like to return to working order. New batteries, recapping, refurbishing the drives, and whatever else that need to be done to make at least one of them go.</p>
<br>
<br>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
</div>
epoochhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06765059549332407655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990242987353314382.post-37184608197893451642021-09-30T19:32:00.005-04:002021-10-31T13:01:42.837-04:00RC2021/10 IS GO!<h2>RC2021/10 Starts Now!</h2>
<p>It's October 1st somewhere. We have a <a href="https://www.retrochallenge.org/p/entrants-list-202110.html">strong line-up</a> of RetroChallengers, some <a href="https://www.retrochallenge.org/2021/09/ooh-look-prizes.html">great incentives</a>, and it's not too late <a href="https://forms.gle/VHBd8QCurYTMAkoK8">to enter</a>! Between the restorations, new hardware and software, and the inpiring documentation efforts, I expect that the projects in this RetroChallenge will be a valuable contribution to the Retro-Computing community. Make sure to post regular updates, or you will get left behind... NOW, GET TO IT!</p>
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/urbancamo">urbancamo</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/ep00ch">ep00ch</a> will be working hard on their own projects, but will make sure to keep <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23retrochallenge">tweetin' updates</a> and get you timely halftime and final summaries and results. </p>
<p>Special shout-out to the <a href="https://acms.org.au">Australian Computer Museum Society</a> for incorporating the RetroChallenge into their membership activities.</p>
<h2>LET'S BOSS THIS!</h2>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc1EuZzXVHLtTOiTq7bldq3U1JBO9OVDlq7alcrsZqocjb3oOgvBxW2gC7rvJOjXKTwtW1rPBDkF2bUkqzWuiDqu730-vynDvt0piWOttFSUxwN1iMJImlHDS2alPIcByOpQ8ccfTuYL8/s448/gates_mug_bw.png"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="364" style="padding: 0px 25px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc1EuZzXVHLtTOiTq7bldq3U1JBO9OVDlq7alcrsZqocjb3oOgvBxW2gC7rvJOjXKTwtW1rPBDkF2bUkqzWuiDqu730-vynDvt0piWOttFSUxwN1iMJImlHDS2alPIcByOpQ8ccfTuYL8/s400/gates_mug_bw.png"/></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmU9Pgjv2OTaSE6HBJ8KCgrCtu1Iq_SSNji-qNuiFK9n2SKlVUy3d4-O4I9dVqmEZAYcnq2hGEjY4x20iLraNt7SXjdHiZ-MivGW6LNu3Bt25ptyB7o_k1OEa-Llm_K6j8xUbHjCP7RGQ/s1275/RC2021-10_QP.png"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="975" style="padding: 0px 25px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmU9Pgjv2OTaSE6HBJ8KCgrCtu1Iq_SSNji-qNuiFK9n2SKlVUy3d4-O4I9dVqmEZAYcnq2hGEjY4x20iLraNt7SXjdHiZ-MivGW6LNu3Bt25ptyB7o_k1OEa-Llm_K6j8xUbHjCP7RGQ/s320/RC2021-10_QP.png"/></a>epoochhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06765059549332407655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990242987353314382.post-16100590600719894562021-09-02T00:11:00.002-04:002021-10-17T19:18:59.542-04:00Ooh, Look... Prizes!<p> We are one month away from RC2021/10! <a href="https://forms.gle/VHBd8QCurYTMAkoK8">Get your entry in</a> and wait patiently until October.
<h2>Prizes</h2>
<p>'Winner' in any category gets a RC2021/10 custom mousepad:</p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwiKqg3UcpTbUcIn29Vta1L9QnwMjsyZmzY3uQOI3EYA8HBPKYlAWQZagJt9aWP4y9xUx3rz0utjpoV4X3Oa7oGPfRXuOyKNnmDShzoGEhsSCOPrlqRFPjA7R8-XAK61a1_yorz1zTcg/s1140/BB736B09-1FFF-4779-A875-42DF09E8C636.jpeg"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" data-original-height="760" data-original-width="1140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwiKqg3UcpTbUcIn29Vta1L9QnwMjsyZmzY3uQOI3EYA8HBPKYlAWQZagJt9aWP4y9xUx3rz0utjpoV4X3Oa7oGPfRXuOyKNnmDShzoGEhsSCOPrlqRFPjA7R8-XAK61a1_yorz1zTcg/s400/BB736B09-1FFF-4779-A875-42DF09E8C636.jpeg"/>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPA89JQSRCPaOOdSwQBRXcBimIsRoWOLYLhZF_HKJWsRtiwTs0K_SZomiwPfjexDuC4NusxNHMM6Y3xlvPR0lnlbzfdEBsZoJhWEjE9ucdqLK2Ji-ZMzbNt10P5x_rUq1ILV3oKb-DRCw/s2048/IMG_1149.HEIC" ><img alt="" border="0" height="240" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPA89JQSRCPaOOdSwQBRXcBimIsRoWOLYLhZF_HKJWsRtiwTs0K_SZomiwPfjexDuC4NusxNHMM6Y3xlvPR0lnlbzfdEBsZoJhWEjE9ucdqLK2Ji-ZMzbNt10P5x_rUq1ILV3oKb-DRCw/s320/IMG_1149.HEIC"/></a>
<p>Additional bonus prizes:
<ul>
<li> <a href="http://www.xgecu.com/en/TL866_main.html">XGecu TL866II+</a> Universal programmer
<li> <a href="https://espotek.com/labrador/product/espotek-labrador-board/">Espotek Labrador</a> USB Oscilloscope / Logic Analyzer
<li> <a href="https://store-usa.arduino.cc/products/arduino-uno-rev3/">Arduino UNO</a> R3
<li> <a href="https://juiced.gs">Juiced.GS magazine</a> September 2021 issue
</ul>epoochhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06765059549332407655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990242987353314382.post-68322619299378537892021-08-14T17:03:00.029-04:002021-09-28T00:34:02.621-04:00Announcing RetroChallenge 2021/10!<p>We are excited to announce the return of the RetroChallenge for the month of October 2021! Brought to you by veteran host Mark Wickens and rookie Eric Poch.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_4nd7jD84rTIjKBqrezOW9Pj77c_V2ThKqa5FlHjrAf4j2rtsCOtCld3q-VH54eC9pAHT9LtnMMOk_IENxOypeZ53-9_-1L0TS8B7sqz-LiyVBBesvfbpDXtambTImGWa8XRKNvhPnA/s858/letsbossthis.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="496" data-original-width="858" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_4nd7jD84rTIjKBqrezOW9Pj77c_V2ThKqa5FlHjrAf4j2rtsCOtCld3q-VH54eC9pAHT9LtnMMOk_IENxOypeZ53-9_-1L0TS8B7sqz-LiyVBBesvfbpDXtambTImGWa8XRKNvhPnA/s400/letsbossthis.jpg"/></a></div>
<h2>About RetroChallenge</h2>
<p>In a nutshell, the RetroChallenge is a loosely disorganised gathering of RetroComputing enthusiasts who collectively do stuff with old computers for a month.
<p>The event is very much open to interpretation… individuals set their own challenges, which can range from programming to multimedia work, hardware restoration to exploring legacy networking, or just plain fooling around. It really doesn’t matter what you do, just so long as you do it.
<p>Take a look at the <a href="http://www.retrochallenge.org/p/retrochallenge-rules.html">revised "rules" for the RetroChallenge</a> for basic guidelines.
<h2>RetroChallenge 2021/10 Theme Categories</h2>
<p>We are introducing two theme categories for this event: <em>The Millennials</em> and <em>Publish It!</em> These categories will be judged and awarded separately from the standard entries. If your project qualifies, enter it into one of the theme categories! Otherwise, enter in the <em>General</em> category and just do your own retro thing. Check out <a href="http://www.retrochallenge.org/p/entrants-list-202110.html">this year's List of Entries</a> for some examples.
<a id="millennials"></a>
<h3>The Millennials:</h3>
<b>Systems Released Circa 1998-2002 </b><br>
<p>Finally some love for those millennials! Believe it or not, Mac OS X 10.0 and Windows 2000/XP are just over 20 years old and qualify for the RetroChallenge. Rather than turning up our noses at these systems' garish GUIs and baroque data bus widths, we are showcasing them! So, pull that 1st Gen iPod out of your desk drawer, fire up your trusty Zaurus SL-5500, drag that iMac G3 out of mothballs, or go find your old ThinkPad 570, and get computing like it's 1999!
<a id="publish"></a>
<h3>Publish It!:</h3>
<b>Publish Your Old RetroComputing Project</b><br>
<p>Many of us have had some time during quarantine to play on our vintage computers, but there is never enough time to properly document or share our work. This is your opportunity! Start documenting a retro project that you have been working on since the start of the pandemic, set-up and share a git repository with the code for your old Apple IIe game, publish a schematic of the s-100 bus card you designed, or even scan and share that pile of rare vintage computer magazines and manuals you've been collecting. As long your project <em>was</em> retro-computer related and your focus is on sharing code or documentation for it for the first time, you are in, even if you completed the project long before October 1st!
<h2>Prizes</h2>
<p>We have some useful tech tools that we will be awarding as prizes (USB Logic Analyzer, Arduino UNO, TL866II+ IC programmer) and will hopefully have some RC 2021/10 mousepads and some more donated items for the "winners".
<h2>How to Enter</h2>
<p>We are trying out a <a href="https://forms.gle/VHBd8QCurYTMAkoK8">New Entry Form for Contestants</a>. Fill it out and save the link at the end in case you want to update or change your information. Let us know in the comments if you have any issues signing up.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://forms.gle/VHBd8QCurYTMAkoK8" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="Entry Form Button" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="50" data-original-width="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU4gKzZu6mjLD4Bi5jR0MvPSFFkMGmOxa6JH8ZYdCl7b61KG2XKykrYalPras_V8c8cRVxcVkblPa1HkkG1gjYuZGNpCurK4Y5I-dnT7u7dchjARMOeeWol8PkEuNcGeiXjsadjmK8cgLX/s320/RC10-2021Form.jpg"/></a></div>epoochhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06765059549332407655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990242987353314382.post-90186842754692676352020-08-20T15:50:00.003-04:002021-08-14T12:53:25.590-04:002020/04-05 Results!<p>First, I would like to appologize to everyone for taking so long to write up these results. The world is in such a crazy state right now, I am have able to barely keep up with the things I need to do. I hope you all understand, and I wish you all good health.</p><p></p><p>I encourage everyone to keep working on their projects when they have the time. And, feel free to re-enter an existing project for a future retrochallenge... as long as there is new progress to be made.</p><p></p><p>Thanks everyone! Stay safe.<br /></p><p></p><p><br /><br /><b>Best Hardware</b><br /><br />Just4Fun : <a href="https://hackaday.io/project/170924">https://hackaday.io/project/170924</a> : V20-MBC a computer that supports 8080 and 8088 code. Very interesting and challenging project, with good documentation. It looks like anyone can just download the files and build their own!<br /><br /><br /><b>Best Software</b><br /><br />Paul Robson : <a href="https://projecteris.blogspot.com">https://projecteris.blogspot.com</a>/: Homebrew microcomputer named Eris with graphics and a few games. I'm putting this is the software category, because the computer existed prior to the retrochallenge... This retrochallenge was about programming it for graphics and games.<br /><br /><br /><b>Weirdest</b><br /><br />Decle : <a href="https://rotldrc.blogspot.com">https://rotldrc.blogspot.com</a>/ : Accessing the hidden debugger baked into a videogame cartridge.<br /><br /><br /><b>Honorable mentions:</b><br /><br />Matteo Trevisan : <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/219393786064645">https://www.facebook.com/groups/219393786064645</a> : TINA chatbot. When I started this retrochallenge 'unofficially,' I put a theme up of time travel. Matteo delivered on this, and created an Eliza-themed chatbot, with some custom hardware. The chatbot is also emulatable in a web browser, and is embedded on archive.org. <a href="https://archive.org/details/tina_20200531">https://archive.org/details/tina_20200531</a><br /><br /><br />Raphael Assenat : <a href="https://www.raphnet.net/divers/retro_challenge_2020_04/index_en.php">https://www.raphnet.net/divers/retro_challenge_2020_04/index_en.php</a> : first time MSX user. He does a good overview of the MSX computer, how to set it up, hardware pics. Anyone who is considering getting into MSX, might want to read this page to familiarize themselves with the system.<br /><br />Jim Gerrie : <a href="https://jimgerrie.blogspot.com/">https://jimgerrie.blogspot.com/</a> : He is a very prolific author of MC-10 software, and delivers good documentation.<br /><br /><br /><b>Biggest Tease</b>:</p><p><br />Eric Smith (COSMAC ELF) <br />This project looked very promising, and had a<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/_brouhaha_/albums/72157713909338553/with/49811226053/"> good photo gallery</a>, but despite a few emails by me, his website is not up and running. I'm also interested in COSMAC computers myself, and one of my previous entries to the retrochallenge was the 'COSMAC ORC.' I really wanted to see what was going on here. I guess, with the photos, I did get to see what was going on, but I really wanted to read the details. And that's why this project was a big tease.</p><p></p><p><br /><br /><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990242987353314382.post-58745129848199099802020-06-02T23:07:00.003-04:002021-08-14T12:53:33.602-04:00Time's UpI hope you all had fun with this distraction. I'll be looking at all the entries in detail soon. Apologies if it takes a little while... I have a lot of crazy things going on right now, we all do.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990242987353314382.post-36040715146048394142020-05-25T19:58:00.004-04:002021-08-14T12:53:40.596-04:00Last WeekThere's one week left. If you don't like your picture, summary, the link is broken, or I somehow missed your entry, please let me know. Good luck everyone!<br />
<br />
Send any missing entries or comments to m at mwsherman dot com<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990242987353314382.post-41591413591455996662020-05-15T16:01:00.003-04:002021-08-14T12:53:13.220-04:00Third Quarter ReportThere are about two weeks left, so I wanted to say a few things about the projects I've been watching. I've broken them up in to a few categories.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Homebrew Computers</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Building your own computer... starting with chips.<br />
<b></b></div><p>
<br />
<b>Eric Smith </b>(COSMAC ELF) <b><a href="https://whats.all.this.brouhaha.com/category/computing/retrocomputing/retrochallenge/">(blog)</a></b> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/_brouhaha_/albums/72157713909338553/with/49811226053/">(photo album)</a><br />
His website is still
not working, but there is a photo gallery. It seems he has constructed
several COSMAC ELF front panels. I hope he gets his site running soon,
as I have built an ELF before, and want to see what he does with it.<br />
<br />
<b>Paul Robson: </b>(Eris computer) <a href="https://projecteris.blogspot.com/">https://projecteris.blogspot.com/</a><br />
An amazing entry. This is writing games for a homemade computer system called Eris based off an ESP32. The amount of work needed to create your own platform, and then make use of it is not to be trivialized.<br />
<br />
<b>Scott Baker</b>: (z80 FPGA)A Z80 in an FPGA. <b><a href="https://retrocomputingforum.com/t/z80-fpga-project/1172">Scott Baker (forum blog) </a></b> <a href="https://github.com/scottlbaker/x820">(Github)</a> It seems to
be working great, its even running Conways Game of Life. (On a sad
note, John Conway has recently passed away from COVID-19... The world
has lost an interesting mind.)<br />
<br />
<b>Just4Fun</b> (V20/8088 SBC) <span class="u_b en_0 C4_Z2aVTcY" data-test-id="message-from"><span class="D_F rtlI_dz_sSg" data-test-id="email-pill"><a href="https://hackaday.io/project/170924"><b>(link)</b> </a></span></span> They are building a single board computer that
works either with in 8088 or a V20 CPU. Best as I can tell, the V20 is
a faster 8088 that also has a build in 8080 emulation mode. This is
interesting, as it is essentially two computers in one.<br />
<br />
</p><div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Retro Coding</b></div><p>
Writing programs for old platforms.<br />
<br />
<b>Jim Gerrie</b> (MC-10 gaming) (<b><a href="https://jimgerrie.blogspot.com/">link)</a></b>:<br />
Jim never dissapoints... His
devotion and dedication to the MC-10... a system most prople ignore is
incredible. This system is seriously lacking in power compared to its
big brother, the CoCo, but the creativity involved to make working
adventure games on this platform is something to see.<br />
<br />
<b>Mark Wickens </b>(VAX Projects):<a href="https://www.wickensonline.co.uk/rc2012sc/">(link)</a> Successfully porter lunar lander to an emulated VAX. This is pretty cool.<br />
<br />
<b>Matteo Trevisan</b>
(Chatbot): <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/219393786064645">(link)</a> A chatbot loosely based on ELIZA for early Apple
computers. This is double-retro... A 1960's program adapted for a
1980's computer.<br />
<br />
<b>Pim van Tend</b>: (Forth on HP) (<a href="https://gitlab.com/pimvantend/metaforth-77/-/wikis/home">link</a>)<br />
Pim had a previous
project where he got Forth working on an HP simulator. This time
around, he is expanding it from a limited Forth to Forth-77.<br />
</p><p><b>Decle : </b>Accessing hidden debugger built into World Championship Baseball for Intellivision. (<a href="https://rotldrc.blogspot.com/">https://rotldrc.blogspot.com/</a>)<br />
<br />
</p><div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Retro Platform </b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Getting to know an older system, setup and possible repair.</div>
<br />
<br />
<b>Beniamino Cenci Goga</b>: (playing with old Apple computers) <a href="http://www.ispezioneperugia.it/mac/start/">http://www.ispezioneperugia.it/mac/start/</a><br />
This
one is interesting to me because its around old Macs. I never did much
with Apple computers, but we had them in school when I was a kid, so it
is a bit nostalgic for me. Reading thru his progress, it makes we want
to pick up an old Mac and play around.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Raphael Assenat</b> (First time MSX User) (<a href="https://www.raphnet.net/divers/retro_challenge_2020_04/index_en.php">https://www.raphnet.net/divers/retro_challenge_2020_04/index_en.php</a>)<br />
An impressive demo of what the MSX can do. I picked up a MSX on ebay about a year ago, but never did much with it. Included are hacks on getting TAP images into real hardware without a real tape... I'll need to do this soon.<br />
<br />
<b>Richard Loxley </b>(Osborne 1 repair) (<a href="https://www.richardloxley.com/2020/04/05/retro-challenge-2020-04/">https://www.richardloxley.com/2020/04/05/retro-challenge-2020-04/</a>)<br />
Richard is making a second attempt at fixing a pair of broken Osborne computers. Not much progess has been written yet, but I hope there is an update soon to read. Interestingly, the Osbourne computers were build in my hometown of Hayward, CA.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Raw SBC</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Taking a premade single board computer, and building it into a working system.<b> </b></div>
<br />
<b>Abraham Vreugdenhil </b>(Z80 SBC Program Loader) <a href="(https://avretro.wordpress.com/">(https://avretro.wordpress.com/</a>)<br />
He is building a little hardware necessary to load programs onto an old Z80 single board computer, the MPF-1b. <br /><b></b><br />
<br />
<b>Eric Pooch </b>(CMS 9619A SBC running OS9) (<a href="https://apple-crapple.blogspot.com/search/label/RetroChallenge_2020%2F04">https://apple-crapple.blogspot.com/search/label/RetroChallenge_2020%2F04</a>)<br />
Another program-a-raw-SBC-board project. Eric has gotten the OS9 shell running on a 9619.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Emulators</b></div>
<br />
Simulating old hardware the best we can.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Tobias Langhoff </b>(Dream 6800 Emulator) (<a href="https://tobiasvl.github.io/tags/#dream-6800">https://tobiasvl.github.io/tags/#dream-6800</a>)<br />
<b></b><br />
Latest update... He is learning 6800 assembly language. Earlier, he already had some games running in the emulator.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Jeff Salzman</b> (MOBIDIC simulator) (<a href="http://www.vintagevolts.com/retrochallenge-rc201809/">http://www.vintagevolts.com/retrochallenge-rc201809/</a>)<br />
Jeff is continuing a previous project to emulate a MOBIDIC computer. The MOBIDIC is an early "portable" computer, from when portable meant a whole truck trailer.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Unstarted</b></div>
<br />
Please update your blogs... I want to see what you are doing.<br />
<br />
<b>Mark Overholser</b> (Apple ][ Projects)<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Niels Mosele </b>(Unknown Project)<br />
<b></b><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990242987353314382.post-54043984913813570412020-05-14T17:54:00.004-04:002021-08-14T12:53:06.159-04:00Two weeks left!There are still 2 weeks in the retrochallenge! I have updated the entries page with everything I have seen so far... If there is a broken link, you don't like the picture, or I somehow missed your entry, please let me know. It's also not too late to enter... Happy coding / soldering!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990242987353314382.post-34598754129076491322020-04-06T15:41:00.003-04:002021-08-14T12:52:56.073-04:00RetroChallenge 2020/04<h2>
</h2>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hi everyone! I've like to thank John and Michael for running previous Retrochallenge events. I started this on unofficially as the RetroChallengeRetry, and much to my surprise, I have been welcomed to make it official! I started under a different set of rules, but similar to this retrochallenge. You can conform to either the traditional retrochallenge rules in the top link above, OR the rules listed on </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://mwsherman.com/RCR/2020/04/">http://mwsherman.com/RCR/2020/04/</a></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">-Mark Sherman </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<h2>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Extended thru the end of May 2020! </b></span></h2>
<h2>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></h2>
<h2>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Entries </span></h2>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
Send entries to m at mwsherman dot com. Subject line: ( RC2020)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The intention is a friendly competition where everyone can follow
each other's blogs and watch progress. Don't wait until the last minute
to send your link... or we will all be bored. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.retrochallenge.org/p/entrants-list-202004-05.html">Entries</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990242987353314382.post-15637095405946692019-09-11T20:27:00.001-04:002019-09-24T20:44:28.894-04:00RC2019/10 - Greetings and Welcome<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hello to all past contestants, visitors, and others. Firstly I'd like to thank John for all the hard work that he has done for the Retro Challenge, and I'd like the officially declare RC2019/10 is open for entries.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">If you plan to join us in the RC2019/10 competition, now is the time to make yourself known. Feel free to refer to our "</span><a href="http://www.retrochallenge.org/p/retrochallenge-rules.html" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c;">RetroChallenge Rules</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">" page for reminders, but the basics are "do something interesting with an old computer, and blog about it for month". As announced for RC2019/03 micro-controllers now qualify under similar conditions to video game consoles (i.e. made in the previous century).</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Whatever you are going to do, please send me an email describing:</span><br />
<ol style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Your name (or alias);</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Your picture (or I'll find something online);</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Your Twitter handle (if applicable);</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Your blog location (for project updates); and</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A brief synopsis of your project.</span></li>
</ol>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">I will produce an entrants list that looks a bit like the one from </span><a href="http://www.retrochallenge.org/p/entrants-list-201809.html" style="background-color: white; color: #4d469c;">RC2019/03</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">, so use that as a guide for the level of information needed. Please send the information requested above to me via email to </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">michael</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"> at </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">jongleur</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"> dot </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">co </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">dot</span><b style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"> uk</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"> -- figuring-out how to decode that address is your first test ;)</span></span><br />
<h2 style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; color: #444444; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px -15px; padding: 0.6em 15px 0.5em; position: relative;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">
Get Things Rolling!</span></h2>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Well, then, that's all for now -- just about 3 weeks until the start of the competition! Currently I do not have any prize donations to announce, but I am hopeful as always that our retro-oriented friends will come through with some great prize offerings. Don't worry! Remember, the competition is it's own reward... :-)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Anyway, get your entry to me, order your parts, and make any necessary preparations. October will soon be upon us!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cheers,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Michael Mulhern</span></div>
jongleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03031226677277626625noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990242987353314382.post-90993815451049362342019-07-24T17:32:00.001-04:002021-08-14T12:52:42.890-04:00RC2019/03 -- Results & Transitions...I've been doing a 'less than stellar' job on the last few RetroChallenge events. I could make excuses involving aging teenagers, demanding work schedules, etc. But in any case, I just have not been able to make RetroChallenge a priority for a while...<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">RC2019/03</span></span></b><br />
<br />
But first things first -- let's screw the cap on the last event, before we officially move on to whatever is next.<br />
<br />
As is customary, I would like to acknowledge a few "<i>winners</i>" (in no particular order):<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Tom Raidna</b></li>
<b>
</b>
<li><b>Abraham Vreugdenhil</b></li>
<b>
</b>
<li><b><span style="font-size: small;">Raphaël Assenat</span></b></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: small;">And also, a few "<i>honorable mentions</i>":</span><br />
<ul>
<li><b><span style="font-size: small;">Richard Loxley</span></b></li>
<b>
</b>
<li><b><span style="font-size: small;">Mark Sherman</span></b></li>
<b>
</b>
<li><b><span style="font-size: small;">Brandon Blodget</span></b></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;">I would also like to offer "<i>special recognition</i>" to 'qguv and utz' and to Marcel van Kervinck. I'm pretty sure that these are two great projects, but I'm not sure that I ever could really wrap my head around them -- that is probably "just me". Nevertheless...good work, and thanks for sharing your projects with us!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;">I apologize to the "winners", as I have no prizes lined-up for them. I'll owe you a beer (or similar beverage or other tasty treat), should we ever meet in person. I'm not _that_ hard to find, if you are desperate to claim your prize... :-)</span></span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Moving On</span></span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;">So with that, I officially proclaim RC2019/03 closed. The next event had been christened as RC2019/09 and scheduled for September. Whether or not that plan remains intact will depend on someone else, as I have decided to withdraw from my role as an organizer of this event. September or not, I'm fairly certain that RetroChallenge events will continue -- so watch this space, and monitor the @RetroChallenge Twitter feed!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;">I have asked Michael Mulhern to take the reigns, and he has agreed to do so. Whether or not Michael accepts some help from the VCF folks or anyone else will be up to him. I definitely wish him (and/or his successors) well, and I will offer whatever aide and support that seems appropriate. Anyway, hopefully we will be hearing more soon...</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">RetroChallenge Forever</span></span></b> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: medium;">Until then, get to cleaning your soldering tools, organizing your parts bins, and planning your code. How else will you make a good showing at the next RetroChallenge?</span>John W. Linvillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06733985097169878581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990242987353314382.post-86219156440396858892019-04-02T15:01:00.002-04:002021-08-14T12:54:17.067-04:00RC2019/03 -- Judging BeginsMarch has passed and April is here. Our month of retro-frivolity is over! Once again, real-life intruded on me enough to keep my project from flourishing. However, many of our competitors saw much more success than I did...<br />
<br />
<h3>
Still A Bit Longer</h3>
<br />
Even though I sometimes need some help with judging, I always try to ensure that someone comments appropriately on every entry. Competitors are sharing a bit of themselves and of their time by participating, and everyone deserves some attention and a bit of feedback. I hope that everyone can appreciate that this takes time and consideration over a few days. The half-time report came quicker than usual this time, so let's all hope to see that streak continue!<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
End Of Summer</h3>
<br />
I know that some of you will drift away after reading this, so let me go ahead and remind everyone that the next scheduled RetroChallenge event will happen in September of this year. I know that the schedule has moved around a bit over the past few events, but I think that we are all settled-in to the April-September groove well enough for now. So if you can't be bothered to wait for the RC2019/03 results, then check back here in time for the September event. We should be collecting entries for RC2019/09 starting in August!<br />
<br />
As for the final results from RC2019/03 -- stay tuned!John W. Linvillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06733985097169878581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2990242987353314382.post-31842250457794662982019-03-25T16:20:00.006-04:002021-08-14T12:54:30.016-04:00RC2019/03 -- Halftime ReportOk, it's 10 days past "half" time...but this is better than nothing, right? :-)<br />
<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Comments In Blue</span></h3>
<br />
To see the judge's comments, go to the <a href="http://www.retrochallenge.org/p/entrants-list-201903.html">entrants page</a>. I have added my comments in blue text. I don't think I've been too critical, or stepped on anyone's toes, but sometimes it can be hard to tell for sure -- no offense intended! Please presume that at worst, I might be poking a little fun. But honestly, for the most part there are great projects which deserve nothing but good things to say.<br />
<br />
If you do feel the need to reply, then send me an email. I'm happy to add your rebuttal!<br />
<br />
<h3>
Back To Work</h3>
<br />
So anyway, enjoy the respite while you consider my thoughts on your project and take a moment to look at your competitor's projects as well. There is some great fun and amusement to be had. But honestly, no project feels as good as a finished project -- are you done? If not, then you've got (almost) one more week...get busy!John W. Linvillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06733985097169878581noreply@blogger.com0