Re: [Ql-Users] 57 images of dismantling a Sinclair ZX-81.
I liked the following comment by one observer and couldn't put it better myself Those were great times before the internet and IBM-compatibles distracted us from real computing. One of Dave's survey questions asked about the internet and although it is a useful resource, I have lost many an evening looking at one site which is hardly productive (entertaining maybe). Ignorance is bliss (Matrix, but maybe from somewhere else also), I really do not know many benefits of the QL having full access to the 'web' compared to other more pressing priorities. Lee - Back to the QL- - Original Message - From: Norman Dunbar To: ql-us...@q-v-d.com Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2011 8:10 AM Subject: [Ql-Users] 57 images of dismantling a Sinclair ZX-81. http://www.techrepublic.com/photos/sinclair-zx81-teardown/6196127?tag=nl.e101 Cheers, Norman. ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] 57 images of dismantling a Sinclair ZX-81.
Lee Privett wrote, on 23/Feb/11 08:46 | Feb23: I liked the following comment by one observer and couldn't put it better myself Those were great times before the internet and IBM-compatibles distracted us from real computing. One of Dave's survey questions asked about the internet and although it is a useful resource, I have lost many an evening looking at one site which is hardly productive (entertaining maybe). Ignorance is bliss (Matrix, but maybe from somewhere else also), I really do not know many benefits of the QL having full access to the 'web' compared to other more pressing priorities. No 'maybe' about it. My first thought was, of course, Shakespeare, but it is in fact the closing lines by Thomas Gray (16th c) from http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Ode_on_a_Distant_Prospect_of_Eton_College where ignorance is bliss, 'Tis folly to be wise. You should have wasted some prime internet time Googling for that (8-)# Tony -- QBBS (QL fido BBS 2:257/67) +44(0)1442-828255 t...@firshman.co.uk http://firshman.co.uk Voice: +44(0)1442-828254 Fax: +44(0)1442-828255 Skype: tonyfirshman TF Services, 29 Longfield Road, TRING, Herts, HP23 4DG ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] 57 images of dismantling a Sinclair ZX-81.
Maybe I wanted to remain ignorant :-) Lee - Back to the QL- - Original Message - From: Tony Firshman To: ql-us...@q-v-d.com Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2011 9:20 AM Subject: Re: [Ql-Users] 57 images of dismantling a Sinclair ZX-81. Lee Privett wrote, on 23/Feb/11 08:46 | Feb23: I liked the following comment by one observer and couldn't put it better myself Those were great times before the internet and IBM-compatibles distracted us from real computing. One of Dave's survey questions asked about the internet and although it is a useful resource, I have lost many an evening looking at one site which is hardly productive (entertaining maybe). Ignorance is bliss (Matrix, but maybe from somewhere else also), I really do not know many benefits of the QL having full access to the 'web' compared to other more pressing priorities. No 'maybe' about it. My first thought was, of course, Shakespeare, but it is in fact the closing lines by Thomas Gray (16th c) from http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Ode_on_a_Distant_Prospect_of_Eton_College where ignorance is bliss, 'Tis folly to be wise. You should have wasted some prime internet time Googling for that (8-)# Tony -- QBBS (QL fido BBS 2:257/67) +44(0)1442-828255 t...@firshman.co.uk http://firshman.co.uk Voice: +44(0)1442-828254 Fax: +44(0)1442-828255 Skype: tonyfirshman TF Services, 29 Longfield Road, TRING, Herts, HP23 4DG ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] 57 images of dismantling a Sinclair ZX-81.
Tony Firshman wrote, on 23/Feb/11 09:20 | Feb23: Lee Privett wrote, on 23/Feb/11 08:46 | Feb23: I liked the following comment by one observer and couldn't put it better myself Those were great times before the internet and IBM-compatibles distracted us from real computing. One of Dave's survey questions asked about the internet and although it is a useful resource, I have lost many an evening looking at one site which is hardly productive (entertaining maybe). Ignorance is bliss (Matrix, but maybe from somewhere else also), I really do not know many benefits of the QL having full access to the 'web' compared to other more pressing priorities. No 'maybe' about it. My first thought was, of course, Shakespeare, but it is in fact the closing lines by Thomas Gray (16th c) .. and I am clearly in bliss, as it is 18th c (8-)# from http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Ode_on_a_Distant_Prospect_of_Eton_College where ignorance is bliss, 'Tis folly to be wise. You should have wasted some prime internet time Googling for that (8-)# Did anyone on the list actually go to Eton then? Tony -- QBBS (QL fido BBS 2:257/67) +44(0)1442-828255 t...@firshman.co.uk http://firshman.co.uk Voice: +44(0)1442-828254 Fax: +44(0)1442-828255 Skype: tonyfirshman TF Services, 29 Longfield Road, TRING, Herts, HP23 4DG ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] 57 images of dismantling a Sinclair ZX-81.
On 23 Feb 2011, at 13:51, Tony Firshman wrote: where ignorance is bliss, 'Tis folly to be wise. You should have wasted some prime internet time Googling for that (8-)# Did anyone on the list actually go to Eton then? At one of the schools I went to I met another pupil, a violinist, who had nearly gone to Eton instead. George ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] 57 images of dismantling a Sinclair ZX-81.
gdgqler wrote, on 23/Feb/11 15:20 | Feb23: On 23 Feb 2011, at 13:51, Tony Firshman wrote: where ignorance is bliss, 'Tis folly to be wise. You should have wasted some prime internet time Googling for that (8-)# Did anyone on the list actually go to Eton then? At one of the schools I went to I met another pupil, a violinist, who had nearly gone to Eton instead. Where was that - Harrow (8-)# Tony -- QBBS (QL fido BBS 2:257/67) +44(0)1442-828255 t...@firshman.co.uk http://firshman.co.uk Voice: +44(0)1442-828254 Fax: +44(0)1442-828255 Skype: tonyfirshman TF Services, 29 Longfield Road, TRING, Herts, HP23 4DG ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] 57 images of dismantling a Sinclair ZX-81.
On 23 Feb 2011, at 16:14, Tony Firshman wrote: Where was that - Harrow (8-)# Sedbergh, actually. George ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] 57 images of dismantling a Sinclair ZX-81.
At 16:16 23/02/2011 +, you wrote: Where was that - Harrow (8-)# Sedbergh, actually. My brother-in-law went there, a rugged institution I believe. Sarten. ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] 57 images of dismantling a Sinclair ZX-81.
At 17:57 23/02/2011 +, you wrote: My brother-in-law went there, a rugged institution I believe. Sarten. Sparten, sorry ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] 57 images of dismantling a Sinclair ZX-81.
On 23 Feb 2011, at 17:57, David Tubbs wrote: Where was that - Harrow (8-)# Sedbergh, actually. My brother-in-law went there, a rugged institution I believe. Sarten. A cold breezy place. We used to have to run up a hill called Winder when the weather was too bad for ruggered games. George ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] 57 images of dismantling a Sinclair ZX-81.
Pressing priorities like getting my current real QL(s) up to a standard that substantially exceeded my 84/85 version (which was a handmade internally expanded to 640K machine and that was it) so that I can get the remainder of the microdrive data off the microdrives on to floppies, use the QL as a reasonable test bed for software written using emulation. Anything off the web I need then I use a trouble free (ha-ha) Mac/PC/IPhone/iPad/Linux system and transfer it to emulation or to the QL. Getting it on to the QL is still the hardest for me, Floppy is my immediate project, following that the SD interface currently discussed here is one of the next, along with the Minerva upgrade (maybe at the end of March Tony/Rich?), I am tempted by the Gold Card possibility but would prefer SGC if there was one or anything NEW or even a replacement SGC in that area, mainly for graphic improvement to the QL (and speed) above the basic 4/8 colour mode. this is all so that I can get back to pro gramming stuff like you are doing Dave but not for the original QL. So anything hardware related to the QL is of interest except for access to the internet, I like having the QL back in my possession, it acts as a constant and partial inspiration for me, but not to collect dust like it is for some others, a definitely not as a commodity to appreciate in value, that is my viewpoint. Lee - Back to the QL- - Original Message - From: Dave Park To: ql-us...@q-v-d.com Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2011 6:23 PM Subject: Re: [Ql-Users] 57 images of dismantling a Sinclair ZX-81. On Wed, Feb 23, 2011 at 2:46 AM, Lee Privett lee.priv...@gmail.com wrote: I really do not know many benefits of the QL having full access to the 'web' compared to other more pressing priorities. Pressing priorities like what? :) I'm asking because I want to include as many relevant questions as possible in the next survey. Who is the current Quanta magazine (acting) Editor? Dave ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] 57 images of dismantling a Sinclair ZX-81.
see there is another thing, if only I had JS ROMs :( Lee - Back to the QL- - Original Message - From: Dave Park To: ql-us...@q-v-d.com Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2011 6:57 PM Subject: Re: [Ql-Users] 57 images of dismantling a Sinclair ZX-81. On Wed, Feb 23, 2011 at 12:52 PM, Lee Privett lee.priv...@gmail.com wrote: Pressing priorities like getting my current real QL(s) up to a standard that substantially exceeded my 84/85 version (which was a handmade internally expanded to 640K machine and that was it) so that I can get the remainder of the microdrive data off the microdrives on to floppies, use the QL as a reasonable test bed for software written using emulation. Anything off the web I need then I use a trouble free (ha-ha) Mac/PC/IPhone/iPad/Linux system and transfer it to emulation or to the QL. Getting it on to the QL is still the hardest for me, Floppy is my immediate project, following that the SD interface currently discussed here is one of the next, along with the Minerva upgrade (maybe at the end of March Tony/Rich?), I am tempted by the Gold Card possibility but would prefer SGC if there was one or anything NEW or even a replacement SGC in that area, mainly for graphic improvement to the QL (and speed) above the basic 4/8 colour mode. this is all so that I can get back to pro gramming stuff like you are doing Dave but not for the original QL. So anything hardware related to the QL is of interest except for access to the internet, I like having the QL back in my possession, it acts as a constant and partial inspiration for me, but not to collect dust like it is for some others, a definitely not as a commodity to appreciate in value, that is my viewpoint. Good, detailed answer :) I have been talking to Tony (Lau is AWOL) about Minerva 2. I would really like to do a Minerva ROM board that allows you to choose to boot either Minerva 1.98 or JS ROMs, since it's always handy to have both. If I can get permission and licenses, I'll be doing that. If SMSQ/E fit in 64KBytes I'd be talking to Jochen too, but it doesn't... Dave ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] 57 images of dismantling a Sinclair ZX-81.
I have been talking to Tony (Lau is AWOL) about Minerva 2. I would really like to do a Minerva ROM board that allows you to choose to boot either Minerva 1.98 or JS ROMs, since it's always handy to have both. If I can get permission and licenses, I'll be doing that. If SMSQ/E fit in 64KBytes I'd be talking to Jochen too, but it doesn't... Dave Strangely enough there was a board able to do just this job. It was designed and built by members of the old QL East Anglia (QLEA) group, the only two names I can remember were former Quanta Chairman Syd Humphreys (?) and Geraint Jones. I used to have one of these in a QL which has since gone to that great Sinclair graveyard in the sky. It was a small board with sockets for a Minerva and JS ROM (and probably a couple of other components, I don't really remember). A small toggle switch and two colour LED on the back of the case selected which ROM to use. Its name was the QLEA ROM Switcher, if anyone remembers any more about it - might be on Rich's QL Wiki in the Hardware section. Dilwyn Jones ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] 57 images of dismantling a Sinclair ZX-81.
On Wed, Feb 23, 2011 at 1:11 PM, Lee Privett lee.priv...@gmail.com wrote: see there is another thing, if only I had JS ROMs :( The card I'm proposing could hold a 128KByte or 256KByte PROM. By manually switching one (128K) or two (256K) Address lines, I can manipulate any 64K block of the PROM to appear at $. Thus, it would be perfectly possible to have a JM+TK2, JS+TK2, Minerva+TK2 image, and a spare 64K area. I could go further and allow people to submit a preference for order, toolkit, etc. If they supplied the image (which implies they owned it) I could build the image and burn the PROM to suit. I keep saying PROM because I have a box of 1000 256KByte PLCC PROMS in the workshop, so they're essentially free... I just need to check out the chip select lines on the two ROM sockets to see how they operate - someone has said that in the $8000 socket, CS asserts for the entire 32K block, but to me that suggests a conflict with the ROM port. I'll want to check it out, unless someone can definitively explain the address decoding logic from $ to $C000... Tony? Back on topic, I was amused by how in describing the ICs of the ZX81, the poster included the date and location codes... EG: P8233 indicates the IC was made in the Philippines in week 33 of 1982. You just need to look up each manufacturer to find out what the country/factory codes are. And the big metal thing? It's a heatsink. Dave ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] 57 images of dismantling a Sinclair ZX-81.
That sounds great Dave, so what help do you need from me (that I can do)? Lee - Back to the QL- - Original Message - From: Dave Park To: ql-us...@q-v-d.com Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2011 8:07 PM Subject: Re: [Ql-Users] 57 images of dismantling a Sinclair ZX-81. On Wed, Feb 23, 2011 at 1:11 PM, Lee Privett lee.priv...@gmail.com wrote: see there is another thing, if only I had JS ROMs :( The card I'm proposing could hold a 128KByte or 256KByte PROM. By manually switching one (128K) or two (256K) Address lines, I can manipulate any 64K block of the PROM to appear at $. Thus, it would be perfectly possible to have a JM+TK2, JS+TK2, Minerva+TK2 image, and a spare 64K area. I could go further and allow people to submit a preference for order, toolkit, etc. If they supplied the image (which implies they owned it) I could build the image and burn the PROM to suit. I keep saying PROM because I have a box of 1000 256KByte PLCC PROMS in the workshop, so they're essentially free... I just need to check out the chip select lines on the two ROM sockets to see how they operate - someone has said that in the $8000 socket, CS asserts for the entire 32K block, but to me that suggests a conflict with the ROM port. I'll want to check it out, unless someone can definitively explain the address decoding logic from $ to $C000... Tony? Back on topic, I was amused by how in describing the ICs of the ZX81, the poster included the date and location codes... EG: P8233 indicates the IC was made in the Philippines in week 33 of 1982. You just need to look up each manufacturer to find out what the country/factory codes are. And the big metal thing? It's a heatsink. Dave ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] 57 images of dismantling a Sinclair ZX-81.
Dave Park wrote: I just need to check out the chip select lines on the two ROM sockets to see how they operate - someone has said that in the $8000 socket, CS asserts for the entire 32K block, but to me that suggests a conflict with the ROM port. I'll want to check it out, unless someone can definitively explain the address decoding logic from $ to $C000... Tony? My proper schematics copy is at my parents and all online versions are appallingly bad scans... but so far it looks like A14 is routed to a second CE on the 23128 (CE2, active high, acting as A14 for the chip here) and A15 is connected to -CE (Pin 20, active low!) on the 23256 and CE (Pin 20, active high!) on the 23128. ROMOEH is connected to -OE for both chips, so it seems to decode the whole lower 64k. The ROM port will have to do its own decoding it seems. All this trickery finally explains to me why my innocent try to just put a 27256 and a 27128 as replacement in 10 years ago were bound to fail... Cheers, Marcel ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] 57 images of dismantling a Sinclair ZX-81.
At 21:47 23/02/2011 +0100, you wrote: All this trickery finally explains to me why my innocent try to just put a 27256 and a 27128 as replacement in 10 years ago were bound to fail... Marcel, Pity I cant show my implemtation, two 27512's with a buffer chip to invert the enables. Switchable between Minerva and MG, both with TKll ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] 57 images of dismantling a Sinclair ZX-81.
On Wed, Feb 23, 2011 at 1:04 PM, Marcel Kilgus ql-us...@mail.kilgus.netwrote: Dave Park wrote: I have been talking to Tony (Lau is AWOL) about Minerva 2. I would really like to do a Minerva ROM board that allows you to choose to boot either Minerva 1.98 or JS ROMs, since it's always handy to have both. If I can get permission and licenses, I'll be doing that. Minerva is under the GPL. QDOS is free to use everywhere except North America, but permission can apparently be sought (see http://www.dilwyn.me.uk/qlrom/index.html ). It's not just about explicit legal permission. Having the nod from Tony (who did the original boards) and Lau, and Paul Holmgren, is important to me. I am trying to focus my limited resources on the needed items. Until such time as I win the lottery, getting good advice from them, and others like Marcel and Rich Mellor and Daniele is just... Smart. Right now I'd say I am a little naive and have missed out on a big chunk of QL history. Just being thorough and doing due diligence... Dave ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
