Re: [M100] New zebra strips for M100 display ? any interest?
I would be interested in four pairs if this ever gets rolling. Best, CAM -- C.A. Magaret Sent from my newfangled mobile technogizmo. Please forgive any typos, inelegant brevity, or nonsensical auto-corrections. > On Jul 7, 2021, at 14:39, Jamie Nichol wrote: > > Peter, > > Looks like a pair of new zebra strips will cost $6 with usps shipping to > contiguous USA. > > Manufacturer is fujipoly. Better quality supplier. > > I’d love to sign you up for a dozen, once testing looks good. > > Anyone else interested at this price? > > —Jamie >
Re: [M100] printer music
Indeed, that was one of my unusual pastimes back in the ‘90s. The Apple ImageWriter II was my axe of choice. One of my housemates would then sample it with his EMU Emax and fold it into other songs. CAM -- C.A. Magaret Sent from my newfangled mobile technogizmo. Please forgive any typos, inelegant brevity, or nonsensical auto-corrections. > On Jan 20, 2021, at 10:27, Peter Vollan wrote: > > > Has anyone here ever made music with dot matrix printers? >
Re: [M100] Retrobrighting. To do or not to do?
Agreed. The M100 was originally that off-white color, so I don’t think it will get much whiter than that. CAM -- C.A. Magaret Sent from my newfangled mobile technogizmo. Please forgive any typos, inelegant brevity, or nonsensical auto-corrections. > On Jan 3, 2021, at 05:01, Jeffrey Birt wrote: > > > Looks nice! > > Jeff Birt > > From: M100 On Behalf Of Scott McDonnell > Sent: Sunday, January 3, 2021 4:10 AM > To: m...@bitchin100.com > Subject: Re: [M100] Retrobrighting. To do or not to do? > > I don’t know if this picture will embed or not, but this is the result of my > retrobright. I decided not to remove the LCD lens because it looked too easy > to crack trying to pry it away from the glue. So I just masked it off. I > thought it would turn out whiter, but I think the natural color is off-white. > Here it is beside a non-whitened case: > > https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MZCpylAc7sEgBvqDzL0j89Z7oVEL8uc_/view?usp=sharing > > > > From: Scott McDonnell > Sent: Friday, January 1, 2021 11:13 AM > To: m...@bitchin100.com > Subject: Re: [M100] Retrobrighting. To do or not to do? > > Since I will be ordering the Novus polish, I guess I will order some white > epoxy as well to fill in the burn mark on this case. > > I started disassembly and see that I will need to be careful of the little > speaker inside. No way to remove that without breaking some plastic. > > I also need to make funeral arrangements for the spider that apparently chose > the M100 as its preferred final resting place. > > Scott M. > > From: Joshua O'Keefe > Sent: Friday, January 1, 2021 10:57 AM > To: m...@bitchin100.com > Subject: Re: [M100] Retrobrighting. To do or not to do? > > On Jan 1, 2021, at 7:48 AM, Scott McDonnell > wrote: > > I am going to remove the LCD lens and badge first. > > If you're going to have the clear piece out already, I come to very highly > recommend Novus 3 step plastic polish to buff out any scratches or wear on > it. I had light to moderate "micro" scratches on my LCD lens and even with > my fairly poor buffing technique I was able to almost completely rejuvenate > the part using steps 2 and 3. > >
Re: [M100] Replacement rubber feet / Peg Leggs
I can vouch that the original peg legs tilted the M100 at a much greater angle than the built-in angle of the NEC. I know my sanity has been hotly debated (at least by my family), but I guess this makes it official: I must be bonkers, because I enjoy programming directly on this thing. Granted, I usually sit with it in a comfy chair under a nice light, and I still need to jiggle the contrast knob occasionally, but the experience is comfortable enough. The joy I personally get from retro-computing comes from using the devices themselves, not from working through a modern computer as a surrogate, and the M100’s diminutive form factor makes it so practical for this. On the couch, in bed, on the deck, at the dining room table ... I can play with the M100 anywhere. Best, CAM On Dec 30, 2020, at 13:00, John R. Hogerhuis wrote: > > > > On Wed, Dec 30, 2020 at 12:21 PM Scott McDonnell > wrote: >> Aluminum laptop stand arrived today. It fits between the rear feet just >> right. The bottom feet rest right on the aluminum frame. The rubber grips on >> the stand keep the M100 from moving. It puts the keyboard at a comfortable >> typing angle. Well, as comfortable as an M100 can get anyway. A little bit >> taller would probably be perfect. >> >> >> >> So, maybe you guys will find this interesting or at least amusing hearing a >> perspective from a newbie to the M100: >> >> >> >> I can’t imagine myself ever typing a program out on this thing! You can >> either get the viewing angle just right or the typing angle just right, but >> so far I have been unable to achieve both. The original purpose of this >> thing was for journalists to type up their articles. I bet that was just >> painful. >> >> >> > > Never found that to be a problem with good overhead lighting and a M100 or > T102. > > Adjusting the contrast knob has always been enough for me given a flat > surface. > > I've never used the add-on legs. > > The T200 I have more problem with the viewing angle. > > The NEC units do incline the display (and keyboard) a bit, but I'm guessing > not as much as the peg legs? > > Don't know how the peg legs or NEC incline compare to your aluminum frame. > > -- John.
Re: [M100] WP-2
I repeatedly had issues with the WP-2 keyboards inserting ghost characters when typing relatively fast (appx. 80wpm or faster). I really wanted it to work as a portable writing tablet, but that issue was a deal-breaker for me. I tend to use an Alphasmart Neo for this nowadays, which is completely great for this function, but it doesn’t have that retro-tech charm. CAM -- C.A. Magaret Sent from my newfangled mobile technogizmo. Please forgive any typos, inelegant brevity, or nonsensical auto-corrections. > On Nov 16, 2020, at 06:10, Chris Fezzler wrote: > > > Agree. And as an occasional writer, I seem to recall that the processing of > the text on the screen at times doesn't keep up with the keystrokes. > > That said, it is a nifty little device for what it is. > > On Monday, November 16, 2020, 08:43:39 AM EST, Josh Malone > wrote: > > > On Mon, Nov 16, 2020 at 1:21 AM Brian K. White wrote: > > > > > On 11/16/20 12:18 AM, Nick Shaner wrote: > > > any report on keyboard quality versus the model t? I really appreciate > > > this timely thread because I've been looking at the WP-2 of late. > > I'm not a typist so I can only say it isn't exceptionally bad in some > > way. There's a few youtube videos that review it though. > > > I find the keyboard on mine to be not nearly as good as the M100. I > assume they're all the same type, but mine at least is a rubber-dome > keyboard vs the M100's keyswitch one. That said, it's not actually > "bad"... just not as good as the M100 by a good bit. > > -Josh >
Re: [M100] SPAM-LOW: Re: Spare copy of Lien’s M100 book
Excellent, thanks for the update. CAM -- C.A. Magaret Sent from my newfangled mobile technogizmo. Please forgive any typos, inelegant brevity, or nonsensical auto-corrections. > On Nov 3, 2020, at 15:05, Jeffrey Birt wrote: > > Thanks very much Craig. BTW, your two boxes arrive today. I'll start on them > this weekend. > > Jeff > > -Original Message- > From: M100 On Behalf Of C. Magaret > Sent: Tuesday, November 3, 2020 4:43 PM > To: m...@bitchin100.com > Subject: SPAM-LOW: Re: [M100] Spare copy of Lien’s M100 book > > Hi Jeff, there's an excellent chance that I will be able to post the book to > you tomorrow, I'll update you when that time comes. Don't worry about any > shipping reimbursement, you're doing me a huge favor by recapping those M100s > of mine. > > Best, > Craig > > >> On Nov 2, 2020, at 08:19, Jeffrey Birt wrote: >> >> In Missouri, 65401. >> >> Jeff >> >> -Original Message- >> From: M100 On Behalf Of Peter Vollan >> Sent: Monday, November 2, 2020 10:11 AM >> To: m...@bitchin100.com >> Subject: Re: [M100] Spare copy of Lien’s M100 book >> >> I am in Seattle. Where are you? >> >>> On Mon, 2 Nov 2020 at 04:55, Jeffrey Birt wrote: >>> >>> Hi, >>> >>> >>> >>> If it is still available, I would gladly take you up on the offer. >>> >>> >>> >>> Jeff Birt >>> >>> >>> >>> From: M100 On Behalf Of C.Magaret >>> Sent: Sunday, November 1, 2020 9:13 PM >>> To: m...@bitchin100.com >>> Subject: [M100] Spare copy of Lien’s M100 book >>> >>> >>> >>> Hello folks, >>> >>> >>> >>> In cleaning out the workshop, I found that I have a spare copy of David >>> Lien’s “The TRS-80 Model 100 Portable Computer” that I’m willing to part >>> with for the cost of shipping from Seattle, USA. Any takers? >>> >>> >>> >>> Cheers, >>> >>> CAM >>> >>> >> >> >> > > > >
Re: [M100] Spare copy of Lien’s M100 book
Thanks Jeff, it’s yours. I already have your mailing address, so I’ll get in touch directly with an update. I’ll likely ship it tomorrow or Wednesday. Best, CAM -- C.A. Magaret Sent from my newfangled mobile technogizmo. Please forgive any typos, inelegant brevity, or nonsensical auto-corrections. > On Nov 2, 2020, at 08:20, Jeffrey Birt wrote: > > In Missouri, 65401. > > Jeff > > -Original Message- > From: M100 On Behalf Of Peter Vollan > Sent: Monday, November 2, 2020 10:11 AM > To: m...@bitchin100.com > Subject: Re: [M100] Spare copy of Lien’s M100 book > > I am in Seattle. Where are you? > >> On Mon, 2 Nov 2020 at 04:55, Jeffrey Birt wrote: >> >> Hi, >> >> >> >> If it is still available, I would gladly take you up on the offer. >> >> >> >> Jeff Birt >> >> >> >> From: M100 On Behalf Of C.Magaret >> Sent: Sunday, November 1, 2020 9:13 PM >> To: m...@bitchin100.com >> Subject: [M100] Spare copy of Lien’s M100 book >> >> >> >> Hello folks, >> >> >> >> In cleaning out the workshop, I found that I have a spare copy of David >> Lien’s “The TRS-80 Model 100 Portable Computer” that I’m willing to part >> with for the cost of shipping from Seattle, USA. Any takers? >> >> >> >> Cheers, >> >> CAM >> >> > > >
Re: [M100] Dealing with yellowed case
I’ve done some painting of portable electronics (specifically an Alphasmart Neo) with good success. I followed the advice of using automotive spraypaints, designed for dashboards, upholstery, etc. I’m not intimately familiar with the chemistry, but allegedly the paint bonds with the plastic for better longevity, and is slightly pliable, so it’s less likely to chip off. I’ve had two Neos painted this was for years now, and they both look great. Here’s an example of what I used: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/4678615243/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8=1 CAM -- C.A. Magaret Sent from my newfangled mobile technogizmo. Please forgive any typos, inelegant brevity, or nonsensical auto-corrections. > On Oct 13, 2020, at 05:25, Erik van der Tier wrote: > > Hi, > > I’ve done the retrobrite on my T102 with some success. I have no idea if it > really made the plastics more brittle, but it didn’t get rid of all the > yellow although it was a huge improvement. But two weeks ago, I’ve gone > another direction with it and spray painted it mat-black. I’m very happy with > the results. I had actually sent a mail to this list, but it never seemed to > have gotten through. I used basic ’Spectrum spray paint’ and Spectrum primer. > After about 2 weeks of regular work I haven’t seen any degradation of the > paint job so far (I did go for many layers). Anyway, I can recommend this > approach as for me, I’m very happy with the result. The T102 looks like a > completely new machine. You do lose the decals below the function keys (not a > problem for me…). > > Erik > > > > >> On 13 Oct 2020, at 13:13, Michael Kohne wrote: >> >> I've got an M100 with a severely yellowed upper shell, and I'm >> wondering what remediation possibilities I have. >> >> I've heard of retrobrite, but I've also heard that it can make >> plastics more brittle. For something that's a portable computer, >> brittle (even if only slightly more than original) sounds like a bad >> idea. >> >> Had anyone ever tried painting one of these shells? Are there paints >> that would hold up to actual use? It'd be like painting the case on a >> keyboard, and I'd worry that it was going to chip or rub off very >> quickly. >> >> I poked around the mechanical keyboard community and found references >> to using Krylon's Fusion paints, anyone have any experience with them? >> >> Also, does anyone know what kind of plastic the M100 shell is? I'd >> like to find some similar plastics to experiment with before I risk an >> M100 shell. >> >> -- >> Michael Kohne >> mhko...@kohne.org >> >> Anything real you do that's important will be scary. Having kids. >> Getting married. Donating a kidney. Writing a book. Do it anyway. - >> Neil Gaiman >
Re: [M100] Model 100 converted to NSC800 (aka Z80) part 2
Amazing work, Steve, it’s inspiring. Thanks for the update. CAM -- C.A. Magaret Sent from my newfangled mobile technogizmo. Please forgive any typos, inelegant brevity, or nonsensical auto-corrections. > On Oct 4, 2020, at 06:23, Stephen Adolph wrote: > > > The NSC800 does need slightly different main ROM code compared to 80C85. The > interrupt functions are different. I've patched the main ROM, and you can > see the "Mike Stein" adapter there, allowing a 27C256. Again plug and play. > > <20201004_075734.jpg> > > > So with this set up, I have (as far as I can tell) a fully working Model 100. > The only hardware difference is that the Cassette port does not work at all. > There is no SID or SOD signal on the NSC800. > > Of course the major difference is that the NSC800 supports all of the Z80 > opcodes but none of the 80C85 undocumented opcodeswhich are quite popular > in a lot of M100 software! > > So, I'm finding that a lot of native M100 3rd party software like ROMs, and > utilities like TS-DOS and TEENY don't run on NSC800. Ah, so be it. > > So to be honest if you want an M100 to run M100 applications then... this is > not for you. > But, if you want to run CP/M, well, this has potential! > > To complete this as a CP/M rig, I have done a 2 more things. > 1) I've added a REXCPM. I use it only for CP/M, no REX functionality > 2) I have implemented a new BCR hack for video. More on this later. > 3) I use MVT100 to drive an external LCD. > > <20201004_081229.jpg> > > So here you see a few things ;). > The M100 is attached to MVT100 via a 9 pin serial cable plugged into the BCR > port. > The MVT100 is sending a VGA signal to the monitor. > I've installed a "slightly modified" version of Philip Avery's M100 CP/M > > And, on the LCD you can see the startup screen for Turbo Pascal. PROVING it > is a Z80! > > A bit more about some of this. > Why did I change the BCR hack? Well, the original hack used the SOD signal > on the 80C85, which does not exist on the NSC800. So, I redesigned the hack > to use the REMOTE control for the Cassette. Now it works for both processor > types. This hack consists of a single wire + a capacitor, and does not > impact use of the cassette for 80C85. > What changes did I make to CP/M? > Philip has already provided a variant of M100 CP/M that removes all 8085 > undocumented opcodes, so what I changed was the "CASS" external video code, > to use the new BCR hack. > > For CP/M, you always have to define your terminal. In the case of MVT100, > you need to configure applications to use the control codes of MVT100, which > are... VT100. > > Anyhow that's a catch up for you all on this project. > All I can say is, it seems like there are thousands of ways things can find a > way to not work. But it is satisfying when you get enough of the problems > out of the way. > > With all of these changes, I can revert this laptop to a standard M100 by > swapping the processor and the ROM. The BCR hack can remain and has no > impact on standard operation. > > Steve
Re: [M100] NDC800 conversion was Re: dual CPU project
I agree, it’s fabulously mind-boggling. The recent activity alone on this list has been inspiring. CAM -- C.A. Magaret Sent from my newfangled mobile technogizmo. Please forgive any typos, inelegant brevity, or nonsensical auto-corrections. > On Jul 24, 2020, at 17:07, Chris Fezzler wrote: > > > My head is spinning with the innovation taking place here the last 10 years. > > On Friday, July 24, 2020, 03:59:21 PM EDT, Stephen Adolph > wrote: > > > yah I think so. It is only slightly larger than the 40 pin socket. should > drop it place. > > I can share the mods I made to the M100 ROM. You might have a hard time to > get a working ROM for NEC. > The reason why is that, on the M100 ROM, I have a patch that creates a BIG > HOLE. I found an optimization in how the video code worked, and my patch > makes something like 170 bytes free in the ROM. > I use that hole to embed code to work around the various changes to back out > / change the calls that use SIM and RIM. > > (The M100 rom does not make use of the undocumented commands of the 8085. > > So it is a good challenge for you Gary- Modify the NEC ROM to work with > NSC800. > > ..Steve >
Re: [M100] ALL NADSBoxes SHIPPED!
Likewise, I’m giddily anticipating its arrival. CAM > On Oct 17, 2019, at 15:13, Gary Hammond wrote: > > Awesome job Ken, and a big THANKS. > Looking forward to it arriving. > Cheers > Gary > > >> On 18 October 2019 10:47:01 AM Ken Pettit wrote: >> >> Hey Gang, >> >> All NADSBoxes were shipped today via USPS Priority Mail. They should be >> arriving with 3-5 business days I believe. >> >> Ken > > >
Re: [M100] NADSBoxes
Ken, thanks for your persistence with this. I’m psyched to hear the final announcement. Cheers, CAM
Re: [M100] WP-2 screen issue
I don’t mind the “stiffness” of the WP-2 keyboard, but I can’t stand the “ghosting characters” issue. I’ve been through about four different WP-2s, and all of them would randomly insert characters when I was typing. Absolutely inexcusable for a dedicated word processor. Cam > On Jan 30, 2019, at 13:37, John R. Hogerhuis wrote: > > > >> On Wed, Jan 30, 2019, 1:22 PM Anthony Coghlan > Thanks, John - I see a brief mention of that in the service manual also. >> I’ll take a chance on hopefully that being the case, or something else >> relatively easy to debug and fix. >> >> Convincing my wife of the wisdom of my decision or the need for “yet another >> vintage gadget” might end up being the more difficult part. > > > At least they're cheap and compact. How much is a Wp2 now? When I was in > acquisition mode they were about $14. > > Also make sure you plan to spend another few dollars for the ram upgrade to > 128k. > > One nice thing about the wp2 is it can read and write files to Tpdd > emulators. LaddieAlpha is fully tested with wp2 > > My only problem with wp2 is I wish the keyboard were less stiff. > > -- John.
Re: [M100] Tandy Model 100
Hi Rafael, I believe I have a spare that I can part with. I’m out of the country for work at the moment, but when I return on Friday I can take a look. /CAM -- Sent from my newfangled mobile technogizmo. Please forgive any typos, inelegant brevity, or nonsensical auto-corrections. > On Oct 21, 2018, at 16:17, Rafael Arena wrote: > > Yes, I believe you are correct the screen seems to be failing. There are > parts of the screen that have different contrasts. When i adjust the contrast > those area get brighter and darker but not at the same rate. Do you know > where I can get a spare screen? Besides purchasing another unit from eBay? > > Thank you,
