Alexander Klock wrote: > When I bought it in 1989, I was fascinated by this machine, but in > this pre-internet-time I was not able to make some contacts to get > some news or software.
Even though in those days the German QL scene was really buzzing :-) > So now, I fell somehow "retro" and want to make a new start. I > already looked through the net and found a lot of unsorted infos, > most of it too complicated for me to understand. I'm not interested > in excessive hardware expansion. I just want to learn to code this > machine, because I think there's a lot of things possible with the > standard capabilities... What language? SuperBasic? > - Is there a way to get software from the net onto microdrive > cartridges, e.g. with a cable or something? This is a bit of a chicken and egg problem, it is possible using a serial lead, but the QL does not come with terminal software... though a simple basic program without much of a protocol might be sufficient for starters. On the other side you could use a PC with my QPC emulator (http://www.kilgus.net/qpc/), the demo can read files and write to the serial ports just fine. I think the max serial speed with an unmodified QL is however 9600 bps. But a disc interface really might be a more of a hassle free solution. > - I found some QL-World Scans with some game reviews in it. I'm > interested in collecting games for the (standard) QL, as most of them > don't seem to be just conversions from other systems but QL-specific > developments. Is there some source on the net for this or do I have > to buy them all, the real old stuff too? Personally I consider the stuff abandonware and have not much hesitations to giving it away, but I don't really have many games for the QL. > - Is anyone out there who would transfer software onto my own > microdrive cartridges, if I sent them to him? I could, I guess. If the drives in the basement QL are still working ;-) > - Does a normal atari-compatible joystick work with the QL? Yes, German QLs had the right connector and it was "plug and play". ;-) > - Is there a kind of SCART-cable available? (The TV output is so > terrible...) The TV output never was particularly good, I'd always prefer a monitor. > I'd be glad if someone could help me for a good start... > I'm curious and want to spend some fun time with this machine - don't > want to spend much money on hardware and stuff. Understandable. But nowadays it really gets difficult to bootstrap somebody with a vanilla QL because both the hardware and software has moved on quite much. All the best, Marcel _______________________________________________ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
