To answer the question of what I envision doing with the Model 100… The computer serves two purposes for me, the first being nostalgia. As I mentioned, the Model 100 was my second computer, and I sometimes just like to mess around and mentally time travel to my youth and the formative years in my tech journey. I also like to code a little and mess with hardware a little. I like to write simple programs in BASIC to teach myself things, and I’m learning Assembly Language on my CoCo.
I’m also a bit of a tinkerer and maker. I like to build circuits and robots and gadgets, mostly on the Arduino platform. I have recently begun assembling my own PCBs with old school EPROMS that plug into the CoCo cartridge slot and can run programs or hold data. I 3D print a lot of the non-electronic parts I use. All of that being said, I am somewhere between novice and competent in most of the things I’ve listed. Now I have a few more simple questions to get me started… 1. Are there any recommended sources for a null modem cable? I would prefer the PC end to terminate in a USB plug, so I believe it will require a serial to usb converter somewhere. Also, any good online information and/or tutorials that walk through the null modem cable file transfer stuff? 2. Aside from this mailing list, are there any other good Discord servers, subreddits or forums that are active? I am already on the Slabtop Computer Discord server, so looking any others. 3. Is there a new/different OS available for the Model 100? Do you have to swap out the rom chip to do this? Thanks in advance!
