Re: [Ql-Users] CSME : The Track
You do seem to enjoy sending rail-related messages to a Sinclair QL related mailing list. It's causing much amusement. My worry is that when you don't get the anticipated responses, you'll feel ignored. So where did you mean to send this? Dave On Sat, Apr 24, 2021 at 10:47 AM Christopher Cave via Ql-Users < ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > Gentlemen > > I should have written earlier but there you are! My impression is that > the track itself is in good order and that the same is true of the coach > bodies and seats. The tools for maintaining and erecting the track were > present. To my mind the only question marks are against the coach bogies > which must surely be due an overhaul (particularly if the coaches were to > be included in any sale) and the braking capacity of the train > (especially if hauled by a steam loco with no brakes of its own - > electric locos stop quite quickly when the power is cut). > > Anyway thanks to you all for the work involved. If anyone is interested > on Tuesday we could try out Pop on the track. > > Christopher > > > ___ > QL-Users Mailing List > -- Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] Assembly eMagazine - Issue 8 now available
Something to read and enjoy in this otherwise troubling week. Thank you, Norm. Dave On Wed, Jan 13, 2021 at 8:54 AM Norman Dunbar via Ql-Users < ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > Greetings everyone. After a delay of a year and a bit, Issue 8 of the > irregular eMagazine on QL Assembly Language is now available for download. > > This (exciting?) edition covers: > > * Some more UTF8 stuff -- Wolfgang Lenerz has suggested some > improvements to the code in Issue 7, and this has been implemented. > > * Reversing the bits in a register. > > * Finding the next power of two. > > * Some stuff on randomisation and generating random integers. > > > The download is at > > https://github.com/NormanDunbar/QLAssemblyLanguageMagazine/releases/tag/Issue_8 > . > > > Enjoy. > > > Cheers, > Norm. > > -- > Norman Dunbar > Dunbar IT Consultants Ltd > > Registered address: > 27a Lidget Hill > Pudsey > West Yorkshire > United Kingdom > LS28 7LG > > Company Number: 05132767 > ___ > QL-Users Mailing List > -- Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] QL Today Assembly Language Book.
Norman, At your age you want to watch it. You might show your MSB, and the nurse might think it's your LSB. Dave On Sat, Jun 20, 2020 at 4:16 AM Norman Dunbar via Ql-Users < ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > :-) > > I'll have the nurses check! > > Cheers, > Norm. > -- > Sent from my Android device with K-9 Mail. Please excuse my brevity. > > On 20 June 2020 10:05:33 BST, Dilwyn Jones via Ql-Users < > ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > >> format of data in registers as having the most significant bit at the > >right end > >I do certainly hope your MSB is at the correct end, Norman :-D (ooer > >missus...!) > > > >Dilwyn > >___ > >QL-Users Mailing List > ___ > QL-Users Mailing List > -- Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] Select on
On Sat, Jun 20, 2020 at 3:03 AM Derek Stewart via Ql-Users < ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > Hi, > > Here is my un-subtle attempt, how about summing the ASCII codes for the > character string to be selected and use SELect ON to select the option > based on the sum total, for example: > > 10 a$="Goodbye" > 15 asum=0 > 20 FOR a=1 TO LEN(a$): asum=asum+CODE(a) > 40 SELect ON asum > 50 = 255: REMark ASCII Code sum for "Hello" > 51 PRINT "Hello World" > 60 = 364: REMark ASCII sum for "Goodbye" > 61 PRINT "Goodbye World" > 70 END SELect > ooGyebd = Goodbye goodbye <> Goodbye -- Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] Q40i/Q60 board availability
I'd buy one. DP On Fri, Jun 12, 2020 at 12:25 PM Peter Graf via Ql-Users < ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > Hi Jason, > > > I realize I'm 19 years late to the party, but does these boards exist > > anymore? > > Nice to hear that my good old design is still of interest. The Q60 still > exists and has a die-hard user base, but is no longer officially > manufactured. The Q40/Q60 version of the SMSQ/E operating system is > still maintained. > > It appears that your interest is not QL related, but more driven by the > 68060 CPU as such. Can you tell us a little more about it? Would you > want a QL operating system at all, or is 68K Linux preferred? > > > How hard would it be to get them made again? > > There is a slow-going effort to build a few more boards from leftover > parts, on a hobbyist basis. The outcome is hard to predict. > > From time to time, I vaguely consider designing a completely new 68060 > mainboard with modern HDMI video output, and SDHC cards instead of > floppy and IDE harddisk. Would such a machine come close to what you like? > > All the best > Peter > ___ > QL-Users Mailing List > -- Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] Memory cards and the Q60 (was Re: SMSQE 3.36)
I have everything needed right here. If anyone wants to take it on and gives me a part list, I'll make a care package. Dave On Mon, May 11, 2020 at 4:09 PM Thierry Godefroy via Ql-Users < ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > On Mon, 11 May 2020 15:38:42 -0500, Dave Park via Ql-Users wrote: > > > A small circuit can split the master/slave into two isolated masters > > that would work in most or all cases. Is this of interest as a possible > > solution? > > I thought about it but the problem is with finding all the deprecated > 40 pins connectors, designing the circuit (that would probably mandate > a double sided PCB), making it Lot's of troubles for a result that > is not even guaranteed. > > Another, better solution, would be an ISA bus extender for the Q40/Q60, > so that a second IDE controller card can be plugged (along the first > one and the Ethernet card); I still have a couple such IDE (in fact > IDE + serial + parallel ports) cards, but with the two slots already > occupied on the Q60, I cannot use them. > > But I still don't despair to find a memory card adapter that will allow > us to share the IDE bus and that does work... > > Thierry. > _______ > QL-Users Mailing List > -- Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] Memory cards and the Q60 (was Re: SMSQE 3.36)
A small circuit can split the master/slave into two isolated masters that would work in most or all cases. Is this of interest as a possible solution? Dave On Mon, May 11, 2020 at 3:35 PM Thierry Godefroy via Ql-Users < ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > On Thu, 23 Apr 2020 23:42:31 +0200, Peter Graf via Ql-Users wrote: > > > Fabrizio Diversi via Ql-Users wrote: > > > -As a slave I have a 4 GB Toshiba SD HC with a CF adapter Type II. > > > > Ah! Very good idea! With the right passive CF-IDE adapters, those might > > not suffer the same problem as the SD-IDE converters, which allow no > > slave. > > I'm afraid things are not *that* simple... :-( > > Based on Fabrizio's report, I bought and tried this adapter: > https://www.amazon.fr/gp/product/B06XD8ZP1P > > Sadly, when plugged into the IDE to CF Card adapter (duly configured as > a slave and which does cause a genuine CF Card to indeed behave as an > IDE slave device when plugged in this adapter), the SDHC+CF card adapter > combo behaves like if it is alone on the IDE bus, masking any other > device connected to it (in my case, an IDE HD configured as master). > > I also tried to configure the IDE-CF adapter as master and the DD as > slave, but the DD is still not seen on the bus when the SDHC+CF card > adapter combo is plugged into the IDE-CF Card adapter. > > I returned that device today since it's of no use at all to me... > > If Fabrizio could quote the brand and model of his working SDHC to CF > card adapter, it would save us a lot of troubles finding one that works > as intended... > > Thierry. > ___ > QL-Users Mailing List > -- Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] Assembly language eComic, issue 7, out now!
On Thu, Oct 3, 2019 at 2:41 AM Norman Dunbar wrote: > Hi Dave, > > On 03/10/2019 00:58, Dave Park wrote: > Apparently, I am a pedant's baddest nightmare. :o) > worstest nightmare! :P ;) -- Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] Assembly language eComic, issue 7, out now!
I think we have to remember that people didn't communicate as easily or freely then as we do today, so specifications were far more localized than we'd suspect. If sites had 8 hole punched tape readers, it would be a sensible use. When modems came along, and a parity bit was part of the modem's protocol, it freed up that 8th bit. Lots of people hacking it to their own purposes. Someone with the luxury of a CRT going, "h, I can generate extra characters, graphical elements, all sorts!" and before you know it, ASCII evolves by who communicates the best ;) Fun times! dp On Wed, Oct 2, 2019 at 3:18 PM Norman Dunbar wrote: > Hi Dave, > > strangely enough, I read that the 8th bit allowed parity as, the then, top > notch paper tapes could cope with an extra (8th) bit and it was put to good > use for a parity bit. I haven't read the various standards though, so > willing to be corrected. (Again!) > > > Cheers, > Norm. > -- > Sent from my Android device with K-9 Mail. Please excuse my brevity. -- Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] Assembly language eComic, issue 7, out now!
On Wed, Oct 2, 2019 at 12:38 PM Norman Dunbar via Ql-Users < ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > Hi Marcel, > > yes, I agree ASCII is indeed 7 bit. I have to confess that since the > early eighties - at least where I've been working or at college - it has > been considered 8 bit with all those extra characters above $7F. But I > sit corrected. (I like pedantry!) > Then pedantry you shall get! ASCII uses 7 bits of an 8 bit field for data. The 8th bit was initially defined to be used as a parity bit. People don't read the X3.2 standard, and usually start with the X3.4 standard. Which used "up to" 8 bits for data. -- Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] Wallpaper program
Having smaller, tiled images like the backgrounds often used on for example the Acorn Risc PC helps with this. That machine did a tremendous amount with a limit of 2MB of VRAM. Using smaller images actually increases the CPU load, so that was the trade-off. Memory or CPU. Pick one ;) Ah yes, fun times. Dave On Tue, Feb 19, 2019 at 6:26 AM Bob Spelten via Ql-Users < ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > Op Tue, 19 Feb 2019 11:19:19 +0100 schreef Dilwyn Jones via Ql-Users > : > > > Wallpaper Program > > > > Recent versionsof SMSQ/E from about version 3.00 feature high colour > and > > high resolution screens along with the new Window Manager. This makes > > them very suitable for displaying colourful and attractive background > > images behind your program windows. > > (...) > >The downside of using wallpaper on a high-colour system is the amount of > > memory it takes. (...) > > > Thanks Dilwyn for automating the wallpaper process. > > Just a word about memory and compressed images. > As other programs or other OSes appear to put compressed images straight > to the screen, I suspect they all need to keep a final uncompressed > version in memory to work. > The space demands may go unnoticed as other systems have more RAM to play > with. > This is also true for compressed sprites that WMAN2 processes directly. > Compressing _pic or _scr files is feasible but it's mostly WIN space that > is won. > > Bob > > > Download the Wallpaper software and a few example graphic files from > > http://www.dilwyn.me.uk/graphics/index.html > > > > -- > The BSJR QL software site at: "http://members.upc.nl/b.spelten/ql/; > > --- > Deze e-mail is gecontroleerd op virussen door AVG. > http://www.avg.com > > ___ > QL-Users Mailing List > -- Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] sBASIC overloading...
I think it depends on which types of variables you're coercing... In this case, because integers are stored as floats and are a wicked lie, ints and floats are already the same thing logically speaking. So the only invalid coercion is string to float where the string contents are of the wrong type. I wonder the history behind the shortcut? On Thu, Jun 28, 2018 at 1:01 AM, Wolfgang Lenerz via Ql-Users < ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > Hi, > > I can't help but wonder whether the time taken to parse all your > parameters to check whether they are the right type won't be longer than > having several procedures. > > Wolfgang > > > > > I'll make sure to respond right away in future, before I've fully > > understood the subtleties and implications of your replies. :D > > > > I was digesting the reply. I've been neck deep in developing a USB > keyboard > > solution for the QL - a project that has become a multi-headed beast that > > required getting into elements of the 8302/8049 relationship I just never > > knew I'd have to think about. Also neck deep in fence building after a > > neigborhood dog broke into the pen and killed many of my chickens. > > > > It does seem that coercion gives similar results - if everything is > passed > > as a string, it can be coerced however we'd like, as long as the data is > > checked for validity. > > > > It does seem the functionality of overloading can be implemented in > > roundabout yet still brief and readable ways. > > > > Thank you. > > > > > > > > On Tue, Jun 26, 2018 at 1:57 PM, Per Witte via Ql-Users < > > ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > > > >> So sorry for wasting my time trying to answer your question. It wont > happen > >> again. > >> > >> On 21 June 2018 at 16:38, Per Witte wrote: > >> > >>> Im not familiar with C++ overloading, but S*BASIC allows some > "parametric > >>> polymorphism", viz: > >>> > >>> dim x%(2): for i% = 0 to 2: x%(i%) = 9 - i% > >>> Test 'abc', 2.99, x% > >>> : > >>> def proc Test(a, b%, c) > >>> print a\ b% \ c, \ > >>> enddef Test > >>> : > >>> Result: > >>> abc > >>> 2.99 > >>> 9 8 7 > >>> > >>> The SBASIC compiler performs a number of additional passes to > >> SuperBASIC's > >>> parser, to end up with a much purer "executable". The compiled program > is > >>> not machine code, of course, it consists of fixed length tokens that > >> still > >>> need to be "interpreted". But all useless baggage has been eliminated > >> from > >>> the program flow, expressions teased into simple RPN steps, and > locations > >>> resolved to absolute addresses. So no, the size of the program or > >> distance > >>> to procedures does not effect the speed of execution. > >>> > >>> > >>> On 20 June 2018 at 22:35, Dave Park via Ql-Users < > >> ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com > >>>> wrote: > >>> > >>>> Hi all, > >>>> > >>>> How hard would it be to extend sBASIC functions to support C++ style > >>>> overloading? > >>>> > >>>> Separately, does the sBASIC in SMSQ or Minerva still scan for > >>>> procedures/functions from the beginning of the program, so earlier > >>>> FN/PROCs > >>>> have a speed advantage over later ones like in JM/JS? > >>>> > >>>> > >>>> -- > >>>> Dave Park > >>>> d...@sinclairql.com > >>>> ___ > >>>> QL-Users Mailing List > >>>> > >>>> > >>> > >> ___ > >> QL-Users Mailing List > >> > > > > > > > ___ > QL-Users Mailing List > -- Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] Hello Rich and Dilwyn, and anyone else interested
I thought this was a death announcement at first. Then it got weird. Dave On Mon, Jun 25, 2018 at 11:08 AM, paul via Ql-Users < ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > > Hello out there, Urs has left the Building. > > With him goes a 'working' QL PM code, the ROMs and the Dongle > melded into a single file that fired up in an emulator. > > Once he gets home and the box of stuff he also picked up, > including a 'PM' QL sorted out, he just might have some news > to share. He now has an intact naked QL motherboard also. > > > -- > Paul Holmgren > Music hits of Yesteryear > Abba --- Denture Queen > Tony Orlando --- Knock 3 Times On The Ceiling If You Hear Me Fall > Helen Reddy --- I Am Woman, Hear Me Snore > ___ > QL-Users Mailing List > -- Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] sBASIC overloading...
On Thu, Jun 21, 2018 at 3:13 AM, Jan Bredenbeek via Ql-Users < ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > SuperBASIC is quite unique in that it stores the *difference* in length of > a line compared to the previous line, along with its line number. This way, > because the current line length is also stored in a system variable, it can > search for lines in both backward and forward direction. So a proc/fn call > will be faster when the definition is closer to the calling line. This is > also mentioned in the Minerva documentation. Hmmm. Are they stored in a known order, eg: alphabetical or order of creation/declaration > You cannot define a proc/fn multiple times but you can check the type and > usage of a parameter using the PARTYP, PARUSE, PARNAM$ and PARSTR$ > functions in TK2 and act accordingly. An example of this is in my 'ls' > procedure which uses an extra parameter as a flag for recursive directory > searches. When this parameter is empty it only lists the current directory. I suppose it does reduce these stresses that while sBASIC has "strict" typing of variables, it allows easy transfer between variable types. It also has the concepts of undefined variables and defined but unset variables. Quite amazing for a language that fit in a very small part of 48K. -- Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] sBASIC overloading...
My reason for asking was, I was wondering if an analysis of how frequently functions were called, and from where, could affect how quickly they would be stepped to. I have seen this behavior in SuperBASIC on JM/JS and achieved often useful gains in improvements by placing the most frequently called functions at the beginning or the program. I was wondering if this was still true with the BASIC on SMSQ/Minerva. That let to the overloading question, which would allow the collapsing of many functions into a single function using polymorphism. On Wed, Jun 20, 2018 at 5:10 PM, Jan Bredenbeek via Ql-Users < ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > On 20 June 2018 at 22:35, Dave Park via Ql-Users > > wrote: > > > Hi all, > > > > Separately, does the sBASIC in SMSQ or Minerva still scan for > > procedures/functions from the beginning of the program, so earlier > FN/PROCs > > have a speed advantage over later ones like in JM/JS? > > > SuperBASIC (JM/JS/Minerva) stores line numbers along with proc/fn names in > the name table and can search backward and forward for them in the program. > So it merely depends on how far away the proc/fn definition is from the > calling code in terms of lines. > I don't know how SBASIC handles this but as it is said to be more a > compiler than an interpreter it could be very well different (the most > efficient way would of course be to store addresses rather than line > numbers but this could break if the program is changed and then > CONTINUEd/RETRYd). > > Jan. > > -- > *Jan Bredenbeek* | Hilversum, NL | j...@bredenbeek.net > ___ > QL-Users Mailing List > -- Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
[Ql-Users] sBASIC overloading...
Hi all, How hard would it be to extend sBASIC functions to support C++ style overloading? Separately, does the sBASIC in SMSQ or Minerva still scan for procedures/functions from the beginning of the program, so earlier FN/PROCs have a speed advantage over later ones like in JM/JS? -- Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] Q40 and Q60 video controller for flatscreen monitors
On Tue, May 1, 2018 at 12:26 PM, Peter Graf via Ql-Users < ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > Dave Park via Ql-Users wrote: > > > What are the frames per second and number of lines in the image? > > Originally 72 Hz, 512 visible lines. Even just counting the visible pixels, the upgrade position looks untenable. 512x256x72 = 9,437,184 dot clock 800x600x50 = 28,800,000 " 800x600x25 = 14,400,000 " 1080x720x30 = 19,440,000 " 1080x720x15 = 9,720,000 " 1080x720x12 = 9,331,200 " Hmmm, I see the limitation... It strikes me that 1080P at half intended frame rate, then externally frame doubling using new hardware on the output would give 1080P/24, /25 or /30, but... It requires an external frame doubler. That could be as simple as a pair of FIFOs and a small CPLD though. I wonder if 12fps would cause people to complain about responsiveness during online gaming ;) -- Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] Q40 and Q60 video controller for flatscreen monitors
I have delved into video conversion and signal processing in some detail for the QL, I have a few questions about the original signal: What are the frames per second and number of lines in the image? What 'legal' signal is it most similar to? Is it possible to alter the frame rate, and/or to supply a pixel clock signal? This could open up the option of DVI conversion. (I have never owned a QX0 and don't know if it uses a card or custom logic.) I'm just trying to understand the problem and why the LCD monitor won't sync the nonstandard signal. If it's just one aspect of the signal it may be easily fixable and retain full screen display. If there are multiple elements to the problem, then not. Having access to the pixel clock and being able to manipulate the frame rate to 30 FPS - or even better 60FPS - would be extremely useful. On Tue, May 1, 2018 at 9:47 AM, Wolf via Ql-Users <ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > Hi all, > > > > I have developed an alternative video controller for Q40 and Q60: > > > I've been testing this for a few months now. At last I can use the Q60 > with a more modern flatscreen with VGA and 1024*768 resolution. > > The image is correctly displayed, but the bottom third of the monitor > remains black (since the Q60 y resolution is 512 pixels, not 768). > > Kudos to Peter for making this work. > > Wolfgang > > > > On 01/05/2018 11:34, Peter Graf via Ql-Users wrote: > >> Hello, >> >> I have developed an alternative video controller for Q40 and Q60: >> >> http://qlforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=2=2434 >> >> All the best >> Peter >> ___ >> QL-Users Mailing List >> >> >> ___ > QL-Users Mailing List > -- Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] SMSQ/E 3.33
Maybe it's time to have an SMSQ functionality to check for and download SMSQ updates on request, or automatically if the user permits it? Dave On Mon, Apr 30, 2018 at 1:38 PM, Wolfgang Lenerz via Ql-Users < ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > Hi, > > I just re-upped the binary file. > > Wolfgang > ___ > QL-Users Mailing List > -- Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] FW: The wonderful Rick
; > Please also do pass on this email to any that you feel may wish to > know; > > > Rick had many, many friends across the broad spectrum of his work and > > > interests and I have tried to find as many emails as I can from his > > computer > > > but am sure I have left some out. > > > > > > > > > > > > And can I ask that - for the time being - please don't call as I simply > > > can't face talking right now, but I would dearly love to receive your > > > messages, emoticons and any photos or memories you wish to send of the > > > person who was - simply - the wonderful Rick, love of my life. > > > > > > > > > > > > And please take 5 minutes , raise a glass or 10 , and think about the > > > beautiful Rick, the one and only Viking and all the good times we have > > all > > > had with him. As they always say - but I do believe - he is watching > > over us > > > and sends love to you all and is only sorry that he was not able to see > > you > > > all before he left. > > > > > > > > > > > > XXX > > > > > > > > > > > > ___ > > > QL-Users Mailing List > > > > > > > -- > > Rich Mellor > > RWAP Services > > Specialist Enuuk Auction Programming Services > > > > www.rwapservices.co.uk > > > > ___ > > QL-Users Mailing List > > > ___ > QL-Users Mailing List > -- Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] Graphic objects and padding
It's almost like we need some kind of public "infobase" or "programmer's wiki" to make these nuggets easily searchable and reference-able. Where might we find something like that? PS: I offer free web hosting to anyone willing to run it. On Mon, Apr 16, 2018 at 9:47 AM, pjwitte via Ql-Users < ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > On 14/04/2018 20:01, Marcel Kilgus via Ql-Users wrote: > >> pjwitte via Ql-Users wrote: >> >>> If those who "wrote the book" on these matters arent able/willing to >>> pipe up, then we'll have to waste some time R-ingTFBs and doing the >>> tests ourselves. I'll be back. >>> >> "The books" were written so long ago, even the people who wrote them >> must usually spend some serious time to answer questions like yours. >> >> Regarding your question in the forum, the internal save area format >> always has a "spare" long-word after each line, fuck knows why. So >> that is why every line is 4 bytes longer, because it just writes out >> the internal format. But it doesn't matter really, the "increment" >> field in the file header is what's important, for all it's worth it >> can be one 65kb per line and should still work, the field must just >> match the data. If you construct a file yourself, use whatever line >> increment pleases you. >> >> The fog is slowly clearing :) Thanks for your input. I > assumed anyone "in the know" would just know the answer and > not have to waste precious hours figuring out what was > already known, as I did - and presumably many before me. > Trying to derive the rules from the various implementors > proved frought, as it seems that, for pragmatic reasons (or > perhaps to compensate for other's non-compliance) they > mostly have their own rules for outputs and acceptable > inputs. Anyway, once Im certain, Ill write it up, so no one > needs to ask or answer this again. > > Per > ___ > QL-Users Mailing List -- Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] FiFi
Can I bundle it with my WiFi card and call it WiFiFi? ;) Dave On Fri, Mar 30, 2018 at 9:30 AM, Derek via Ql-Users < ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > Hi, > I supplied FiFi as part of a licenced software package on the Q60. > Very nice software. > RegardsDerek > Original message From: Marcel Kilgus via Ql-Users < > ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> Date: 30/03/2018 13:37 (GMT+00:00) To: > ql-us...@q-v-d.com Cc: Marcel Kilgus <ql-us...@mail.kilgus.net> Subject: > Re: [Ql-Users] FiFi > > Am 30.03.2018 um 14:18 schrieb François Van Emelen via Ql-Users < > ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com>: > > Thank you. I suppose it is the same version as the one I bought many > year ago from Jochen Merz. > > Actually I know one user who has bugged Wolfgang so much that he did a few > updates recently ;) No, it's not me! > > Fifi is such an essential tool for me, I've used it at least a million > times to search through the vast sources that are SMSQ/E. > > Thanks! Marcel > ___ > QL-Users Mailing List > ___ > QL-Users Mailing List -- Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] QL-SD news
A Lattice JTAG programmer is all. On Thu, Mar 29, 2018 at 4:41 PM, Graeme Gregory via Ql-Users < ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > > > On Thu, 29 Mar 2018, at 10:29 PM, Marcel Kilgus via Ql-Users wrote: > > Speaking of only announcing stuff that basically already works, I have > > made huge progress regarding my work on QL-SD that I was going to > > write about today anyway: > > > > https://www.kilgus.net/2018/03/29/ql-sd-news/ > > > > Hope this is interesting to you all. > > > What is required to flash the CPLD (just in case I already have the > widgets here). > > Graeme > _______ > QL-Users Mailing List > -- Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] QL-SD news
This is amazing work! It also means I can stop my occasional work on my QL-SD version. I have no desire to sell a QL-SD into a crowded marketplace. Instead, I'd like to buy one for compatibility testing on Issue 8. This lets me focus on other projects that I have been neglecting this last month, due to life events. Dave On Thu, Mar 29, 2018 at 4:29 PM, Marcel Kilgus via Ql-Users < ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > Speaking of only announcing stuff that basically already works, I have > made huge progress regarding my work on QL-SD that I was going to > write about today anyway: > > https://www.kilgus.net/2018/03/29/ql-sd-news/ > > Hope this is interesting to you all. > > Cheers, Marcel > > ___ > QL-Users Mailing List > -- Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] Quanta eMag
I’ll be upset if it isn’t. I just recently paid to renew for 3 years. However, they have my utmost understanding. The magazine editor did recently pass away. I’d be happy to write a couple of things too. Dave On Friday, March 9, 2018, Derek Stewart via Ql-Users < ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > Hi, > > Has anyone received the recent Quanta eMags, the last one I received in > October/November 2017. My subscription is in date. > > I tried to email John Southern, but no reply, where he asked me to do an > article on the Q68. > > Is Quanta still running? > > -- > Regards, > > Derek > ___ > QL-Users Mailing List > -- Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] Sinclair QL for Everyone on Facebook
But instead, you work for Apple and they're already tracing the leak. :P Good luck finding work. ;) On Thu, Mar 8, 2018 at 2:16 PM, Darren Branagh via Ql-Users < ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > See, if we were on the Facebook group I could "laugh" at that :-) > > Darren. > > Sent from my Pipboy 3000. > > On Thu 8 Mar 2018 20:13 Dave Park via Ql-Users, <ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> > wrote: > > > *grins* > > > > Sent from my iPhone XI > > > > On Thu, Mar 8, 2018 at 2:07 PM, Darren Branagh via Ql-Users < > > ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > > > > > Nope. > > > > > > Especially since I actually use a Huawei P10 most of the time :-) like > > > now... > > > > > > Darren Branagh > > > > > > Sent from My Android Phone. > > > > > > On Thu 8 Mar 2018 19:59 Marcel Kilgus via Ql-Users, < > > > ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > > > > > > > Darren Branagh via Ql-Users wrote: > > > > > Darren Branagh > > > > > > > > > > Sent from My iPhone X. > > > > > > > > Is that footer mandatory for people working for Apple? ;) > > > > > > > > Marcel > > > > > > > > ___ > > > > QL-Users Mailing List > > > > > > > ___ > > > QL-Users Mailing List > > > > > > > > > > > -- > > Dave Park > > d...@sinclairql.com > > ___ > > QL-Users Mailing List > > > ___ > QL-Users Mailing List > -- Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] Sinclair QL for Everyone on Facebook
*grins* Sent from my iPhone XI On Thu, Mar 8, 2018 at 2:07 PM, Darren Branagh via Ql-Users < ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > Nope. > > Especially since I actually use a Huawei P10 most of the time :-) like > now... > > Darren Branagh > > Sent from My Android Phone. > > On Thu 8 Mar 2018 19:59 Marcel Kilgus via Ql-Users, < > ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > > > Darren Branagh via Ql-Users wrote: > > > Darren Branagh > > > > > > Sent from My iPhone X. > > > > Is that footer mandatory for people working for Apple? ;) > > > > Marcel > > > > ___ > > QL-Users Mailing List > > > ___ > QL-Users Mailing List > -- Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] TK2 v2.32
On Sun, Mar 4, 2018 at 2:54 PM, Marcel Kilgus via Ql-Users < ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > Well, the code only has the right timing from ROM as RAM is usually > slower. Same would be true for MDV code. > That'll stop being true when we copy ROM to 32 bit wide RAM. ;) However, I'm asking mainly for Issue 8, which runs the internal logic at 8 MHz. It has a minimal amount of faster internal DRAM to allow IO and video to work, and a larger amount of "external" DRAM that mirrors the internal RAM where that's useful. The external RAM is optional, so people don't need to pay for it if they don't want to, eg: if they're using a (S)GC. It would be nice to know how to adjust the timing - even if by successive approximation - until network and microdrives function correctly. -- Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] TK2 v2.32
Marcel, As I am working on accelerated boards, would you be willing to outline the tuning/timing issues and what code needs editing to achieve correct performance? How do you test? By successive approximation, or using a calculation? EG: Issue 8 runs the logic at 8MHz and the 8049 has a standard 11.0592 xtal (1/8th the price of an 11. xtal and still works) for baud rate generation. This allows the Issue 8 to eke out about 10% extra CPU performance by running the CPU a little faster. Sidebar: I've been learning about the dirty tricks the QL pulls by asserting /DTACK long before the data is actually ready in the hope it will be, and how this limits CPU speed. It's surprising what you can do with much faster RAM *and* a slight delay on the 8301's assertion of /DTACK will do. Passing /DTACK through all four inversions of a 78LS00 bought me a 33ns delay, and got me a bit of overclockability. That was a night, I can tell you! Catch is, how does the CPU tell where /DTACK is being generated from? (Nasta is a good teacher.) PS: "Overclockability" IS SO A WORD! :P Dave On Sun, Mar 4, 2018 at 9:59 AM, Marcel Kilgus via Ql-Users < ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > I have released a new (or actually two new) versions of TK2. > > One versions only includes the timing critical parts of the QL-NET > code and the rest can be LRESPRed afterwards. > > The other versions included the complete QL-NET code and misses the > "ED" SuperBasic editor instead, which can be LRESPRed afterwards. > > Depending on your QL-NET affinity you can chose which version you like > more, in the end both version have the same capabilities when the > missing parts are loaded. > > https://www.kilgus.net/2017/03/19/toolkit-ii-the-sequel/ > > Marcel > > ___ > QL-Users Mailing List > -- Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] R: Source code availability for Minerva v1.92 or v1.89?
I am running Marcel's replacement code right now on a prototype QL-SD and it certainly has different timing. I've successfully saved and loaded files a few times. Unfortunately, I'm down both a test QL and a QL monitor (vertical deflection went out so I get the horizontal line) and I need that test rig for testing the 4MB SuperRAM. On Sun, Mar 4, 2018 at 4:06 AM, François Van Emelen via Ql-Users < ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > Op 3/03/2018 om 23:47 schreef Marcel Kilgus via Ql-Users: > > Davide Santachiara via Ql-Users wrote: >> >>> As we are riding the wave do you see any chance to fix the palette bug in >>> Qmenu which was found by Giorgio Garabello a few weeks ago (cut and paste >>> below for your convenience)? >>> >> QMenu 8.05 is out >> >> https://www.kilgus.net/smsqe/qmenu/ >> >> Marcel >> >> ___ >> QL-Users Mailing List >> >> >> Thanks for the update. > > François Van Emelen > > > > ___ > QL-Users Mailing List -- Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] R: Source code availability for Minerva v1.92 or v1.89?
Would it be possible to send me a copy of this full repaired 64K ROM image by email, for testing? I will not distribute it. I'm trying to solve a qlnet issue and this might get me on the way... Please? :D Dave On Tue, Feb 27, 2018 at 3:05 PM, Davide Santachiara via Ql-Users < ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > Thank you Marcel also for this welcome fix of a really nusty bug! > > As we are riding the wave do you see any chance to fix the palette bug in > Qmenu which was found by Giorgio Garabello a few weeks ago (cut and paste > below for your convenience)? > > Kind regards > > Davide > > > Hi all, I found an error in the char_select menu of the extension 8.04 > menu > > The INK color of the character table remains black regardless of the > palette used. > > Can you check if it happens to you too? > > > ___ > QL-Users Mailing List > -- Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
[Ql-Users] New hardware announcement...
Hi all, I'll be making a new hardware announcement this Saturday 24th at 8pm UK time. To join in, see the videos/photos and ask questions, join us on the QL Forum chatroom at 8pm. This new piece of hardware is not a small thing*, it is not a clone of existing hardware but is completely new hardware for the BBQL. To get to the QL Forum chatroom, simply surf to qlforum.co.uk, then click on "Online Chat" at the top of the page, choose a screen name, and click join. Anything you type will be seen by everyone. *ok, it IS a small thing. 100x63mm, but that includes a through-connector, but it packs a punch for the size! -- Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] QL 2002 The DVD
Downloading now, since I probably have the fastest connection. I can re-host if you like, to reduce Dilwyn's bandwidth bill? Dave On Tue, Feb 20, 2018 at 3:44 AM, Dilwyn Jones via Ql-Users < ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > Darren Branagh has kindly given me permission to make available an .iso > image of "QL 2002 The DVD". Being an .iso image, you can burn your own copy > of the DVD for posterity with most DVD burner software. A scanned image of > the DVD sleeve is also available. > > It was originally released in 2002 by Q-Celt Computing in Ireland, edited > and produced by Stephen Reyal and Darren Branagh. > > The DVD was shot on location at the 2002 Quanta Annual General Meeting and > Workshop in Manchester and gives an insight into the QL scene at that time, > some 20 years after the QL was first conceived by Sinclair Research. > > Presented by Darren Branagh, there are interviews with key players in the > QL world, historical information, a tour around the dealers' tables and a > look in on the Quanta AGM itself. > > Please note that this is a very large file to download. The .iso image is > about 3GB in size even when zipped. > > My thanks to Simon Foster whose request to locate a copy of the DVD led to > me seeking permission to make this available. > > Download from http://www.dilwyn.me.uk/ql2002dvd/index.html > > Dilwyn > ___ > QL-Users Mailing List > -- Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] A polite request
I don't know... Having to read ALL THE THREADS sounds like an appropriate punishment for a man who is so neglectful of his poor, loving wife. In a far off land, all alone, just these young native men who are half naked all over the place, virile and free. Hell, got any of that wine left? :P Right, to the request! It's part of netiquette that if you drift a conversation of topic, you're supposed to rename the thread to cover the new direction. It should still nest under the original thread in mail readers. This is why I mostly use the forums I also hate it when people drift off topic within a thread! Also, have you guys been following my new hardware releases on the forums recently? On Wed, Feb 14, 2018 at 1:40 PM, Norman Dunbar via Ql-Users < ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > Good Evening All, > > my wife is currently in Central America, chasing sloths, and I've been > lambasted because she didn't get her Valentine's card. Go figure, it's > waiting here for he but that's not good enough - I should have hidden in in > her suitcase! > > That's just so you know what kind of night I'm having, plus, is pi55ing > down and I'm soaked having just (stupidly) decided to walk to the > supermarket. And back, with the shopping! > > > Right, the request... > > Please, please, please do not "hijack" a thread. Don't reply to a thread > and change the subject to something completely unrelated. Thanks. > > It's a complete pain in the backside (see, I'm being polite!) when I miss > out on some interesting topics because someone has replied to another > thread that I'm not following. > > It's especially painful when someone replied to my threads - I don't tend > to read my own stuff after the topic has come to a graceful conclusion, so > the new topic thread remain hidden within my ramblings. I just noticed a > new topic thread hidden in my recent "Assembly language ePeriodical Issue > 4" thread. > > I use Thunderbird, I have it configured to list emails in threads, and in > reverse date order with most recent first. If you start a new thread by > replying to another, and change the subject, your threaded topic ends up > hidden within the original topic thread and I miss out on stuff! > > Anyway, I just wanted to get that off my chest! > > Cheers, > Norm. > > PS. Yes, I have had a large glass of crisp white wine tonight! ;-) > > -- > Norman Dunbar > Dunbar IT Consultants Ltd > > Registered address: > 27a Lidget Hill > Pudsey > West Yorkshire > United Kingdom > LS28 7LG > > Company Number: 05132767 > ___ > QL-Users Mailing List > -- Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] QL-SD new driver
Marcel, would you be willing to share your modifications for QL-SD2? Dave On Fri, Feb 2, 2018 at 10:51 AM, pgraf--- via Ql-Users < ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > On 2 Feb 2018 at 16:25, Marcel Kilgus via Ql-Users wrote: > > > Well, I said I'd do it and apparently I did it: > > > > https://www.kilgus.net/2018/02/02/clonetastic-ql-sd-clone- > working-with-goldcard-clone/ > > What surprises me is this: "With the original Verilog code my clone > didn't work at all, so it's definitely not just the different chip." > > With a normal GC, the original QL-SD worked relatively well, > compared to the SGC. On some GC systems it was even fully stable > hardware-wise. So if we assume that the electrical characteristics > of the XC9572 play a minor role, why did it not work _at_all_? > > A significant difference between Original GC and Tetroid? > > Peter > > ___ > QL-Users Mailing List > -- Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] QL-SD new driver
Does this new driver support QL-SD with two SD cards? On Mon, Jan 22, 2018 at 8:37 AM, Alain HAOUI via Ql-Users < ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > Hi all, > Actually I am on the way to achieve a new browser (only browser now) for > all ql platforms and emulators which can deal with qubide or qlwa/qwa > multipartitioned devices or disk raw images, data cdrom or iso 9660 cd > images and qxl.win containers in any device or image. > It needs tk2, PE and should work on any ql platform with ~300kb of free > ram, under qdos or smsq. > For physical cdrom needs qubata driver or TG atapi/cdrom things. > Will be available within a few days. > Regards > Alain Haoui > Envoyé de mon téléphone > > De : Graeme Gregory via Ql-Users > Envoyé le :lundi 22 janvier 2018 14:41 > À : ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com > Cc : Graeme Gregory > Objet :Re: [Ql-Users] QL-SD new driver > > > > On Mon, 22 Jan 2018, at 9:41 AM, Wolfgang Lenerz via Ql-Users wrote: > > Hi all, > > > > I've released a new driver for QL-SD that uses standard qxl.win drives > > instead of Qubide ones. > > > > It's for Minerva only, though. > > > > You can download it from www.wlenerz.com/QLSD > > > And the next trick make qubide do the same :-D > > Graeme > ___ > QL-Users Mailing List > > ___ > QL-Users Mailing List -- Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] Q68 Baud
Once you're up into 230k territory, the quality of the cable starts making an extraordinary difference, even if there is UART support for that speed. On Sat, Jan 20, 2018 at 3:25 PM, Peter Graf via Ql-Users < ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > Hi Fabrizio, > > > configuring the driver in Win10 there are available different predefined > > speeds, including 460800, so I assume it should work at least from PC > side. > > I know, but that tells nothing about what the adaptor can physically > hanlde. I have a lot of experience with that, unfortunately. Nine out of > ten adaptors which allow to select such high speeds, can't even handle > 230 kBaud PC to PC reliably. > > Peter > ___ > QL-Users Mailing List > -- Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] Q68 Baud
I'm just happy that 230k has been shown to be physically possible on the Q68 hardware. When mine comes, I'll test it with my Q68 wifi/bluetooth dongle. If it works, I might make that the default configuration. I mean, it is literally 2x as fast. My serial wifi dongle and GPIO card (details on the QL Forum) will be available February 14th and cost £39. For those who don't follow the QL Forum, I am releasing a significant new item of hardware every week or two. So far, a buck regulator for £7, Minerva ROMs on carrier boards for £5, the last of the first batch of miniplanes (now sold out), a Q68 wifi, bluetooth and GPIO dongle with encryption engine, which can access secure sites, do DNS resolution, and is working internet on your Q68, Q40 or Q60. A QL version will be available in probably 2-3 months once more testing is done (but the 9600baud effective useful limit makes it a bit unpleasant for anything but moving small amounts of data). I have two *HUGE* new items coming up in the next few weeks :D All items go on sale February 14th, and will only be sold if in stock, ready to ship. Flat rate shipping from the US is £10, so this lets people order multiple items for a single shipping cost. All mail send by tracked express mail. On Sat, Jan 20, 2018 at 11:00 AM, Peter Graf via Ql-Users < ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > Hi Fabrizio, > > > Now playing with SMSQ/E sources, according Wolfgang suggestion > (Thanks) > > How do you come to the idea your SER-USB adaptor supports 460 kBaud, > even PC to PC? > > The required RS-232 line drivers are very seldom! > Peter > > ___ > QL-Users Mailing List > -- Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] Sandy SuperQBoard HD
As I said in the other place, if you do this and use a WD1772, you might get temperamental results. The VL1772 by VLSI is far more overclockable and runs significantly cooler when double clocked. I bought a bulk supply of them for SQBv4 ;) Dave On Mon, Jan 8, 2018 at 5:15 PM, Marcel Kilgus via Ql-Users < ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > Hi everybody, > > I described my quest for a HD capable Sandy SuperQBoard here: > > https://www.kilgus.net/2018/01/09/sandy-superqboard-now-in-hd/ > > Enjoy ;) > > ___ > QL-Users Mailing List > -- Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] QL ROM versions
"Copyright 1985 Sirius Cybernetics" is the same character length as "Copyright 1985 Sinclair Research." so it would be good internal security. Dave On Sat, Jan 6, 2018 at 8:30 AM, Dilwyn Jones via Ql-Users < ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > >> before the sale to Amstrad. It includes the copyright message 'Copyright > >> 1985 Sirius Cybernetics' (whoever they were). > > > > http://hitchhikersguidetoearth.wikia.com/wiki/Sirius_Cybernetics_ > Corporation > > > > So Im guessing it was a joke! > > > > Graeme > Ha ha! > > Various people have had the ROM itself working, but having read that I can > see how the name itself might have been a joke! > > Dilwyn > ___ > QL-Users Mailing List > -- Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] Some QL Newbie Questions: Modern video and storage upgrades for QL
There's a lot of forks in the road for you. There are emulators, that give you a functioning QL on your PC or Mac. Hundreds of times faster, modern storage, semi-modern display capabilities with higher resolutions and more colors. If you want to stick with original hardware, there's a few choices. For Black Box QL (BBQL) purists, there are QubIDE expansions that take CompactFlash cards, and a nifty thing called QL-SD that fits internally and offers one or two SD slots. There are Trump Card clones, Gold Card clones (an accelerator that replaces the CPU with a faster one, and adds 2MBytes of RAM. Finally, you can get a Q68 - it is a small hand-sized QL clone with VGA output, two SD slots, comes with a modern version of the QL operating system called SMSQ/E, and uses a PS/2 keyboard and mouse and standard VGA LCD monitor. There are at least three or four hobbyists like me producing new hardware even today, so the machines are well supported. If your keyboard membrane fails (they get brittle with age) you can easily buy a replacement. Hope this helps... Dave On Fri, Jan 5, 2018 at 7:26 PM, Michael R. Furman via Ql-Users < ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > Hello, I’ve been lurking on this list for many years and never posted, so > I thought I’d introduce myself before asking my QL Newbie questions. > > Even though I’m in the US I've grown up with (Timex/)Sinclair computers > around probably like many of you on this list. While it was not the first > computer I ever used or my favorite when I was a kid the first computer > that was fully 100% mine was a Timex/Sinclair 1000. In the mid to late > 80’s my dad and I belonged to the Group Using Timex Sinclair Cambridge of > Silicon Valley that met in Cupertino, CA. A few of the people had QL’s. > The user’s group coordinator used a QL to make the newsletter ( > https://archive.org/details/sincLink-v8-n7-1989-07 < > https://archive.org/details/sincLink-v8-n7-1989-07>) and I was always > jealous of a teenage programmer Mark Wahl that brought his QL with Amdek > RGB Monitor and dual floppy drive system to the club meetings and showed > off his nifty C programs (a few are mentioned in the newsletter) Mark > seemed like the kind of whiz that Linus Torvalds probably was back when he > was playing with his QL... > > I picked up a QL with a US power supply a few years ago off of Ebay. I > pulled it out of the closet around Christmas and it fired up and I could > still load all the micro drives that came with it. But using the RF TV > output is a bit underwhelming, and while i could use the micro drives I > want to leave them alone and use something more modern… > > What is the easiest way to connect a QL to a modern VGA or HDMI monitor? > > What hardware upgrades are currently available for connecting modern > storage like SD Card or Compact Flash to the QL? > > Are there any servers that run on a PC that act as a file server to the QL > over the serial port that could be used in place of floppy/CF/SD hardware? > We have this for our Tandy RadioShack TRS-80 computers, it’s called > DriveWire > > — > > Michael R. Furman > Email: n...@ocs.net > Phone: +1 (408) 480-5865 > > > ___ > QL-Users Mailing List -- Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] Ql-Users Digest, Vol 167, Issue 2
I did have an FB dongle around here once upon a time, but I haven't seen it in five years. Dave. On Fri, Jan 5, 2018 at 3:04 PM, pjwitte via Ql-Users < ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > Hehe! Spot on, Tobias > Per > > On 05/01/2018 15:49, Tobias Fröschle via Ql-Users wrote: > >> AF = Awfully faulty >> JM = jerkily mended >> JS = just stable >> MG = mainly good >> >> ;) (just joking) >> >> Tobias >> >> Am 05.01.2018 um 12:56 schrieb Norman Dunbar via Ql-Users < >>> ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com>: >>> >>> Hi Paolo, >>> >>> as far as I remember, the code letters for the various QL ROMs have been >>> named after: >>> >>> * Taxi Drivers used by Sinclair staff; >>> * Engineers at Sinclair; >>> * Women in the Sinclair offices. >>> >>> There may bo other "uses", but the letters in JM and JS etc are the >>> initials of certain people from the above list. I have not seen a full list >>> of the various names actually used though, so I can't tell you who JM and >>> JS were. Sorry. >>> >>> >>> HTH >>> >>> Cheers, >>> Norm. >>> >>> On 04/01/18 18:30, Paolo Del Bene via Ql-Users wrote: >>> >>>> Today's Topics: >>>> 1. Re: about JM and JS roms >>>> (Paolo Del Bene) >>>> 34 years are passed, and I haven't >>>> anymore a QL Sinclair from 27 >>>> years when my father before bought >>>> it for me and then he sold without to >>>> say nothing to me. >>>> I am here only to ask for what stand >>>> the name JM and JS in the roms. >>>> I haven't found any information >>>> about, if you can help me I'll be >>>> happy >>>> Happy GNU Year 2018 >>>> Paolo Del Bene iw0fzw >>>> >>> >>> >>> -- >>> Norman Dunbar >>> Dunbar IT Consultants Ltd >>> >>> Registered address: >>> 27a Lidget Hill >>> Pudsey >>> West Yorkshire >>> United Kingdom >>> LS28 7LG >>> >>> Company Number: 05132767 >>> ___ >>> QL-Users Mailing List >>> >> ___ >> QL-Users Mailing List >> >> >> >> > ___ > QL-Users Mailing List -- Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] Ql-Users Digest, Vol 167, Issue 2
Did the Tyche ROM ever get letters? On Fri, Jan 5, 2018 at 8:49 AM, Tobias Fröschle via Ql-Users < ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > AF = Awfully faulty > JM = jerkily mended > JS = just stable > MG = mainly good > > ;) (just joking) > > Tobias > > > Am 05.01.2018 um 12:56 schrieb Norman Dunbar via Ql-Users < > ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com>: > > > > Hi Paolo, > > > > as far as I remember, the code letters for the various QL ROMs have been > named after: > > > > * Taxi Drivers used by Sinclair staff; > > * Engineers at Sinclair; > > * Women in the Sinclair offices. > > > > There may bo other "uses", but the letters in JM and JS etc are the > initials of certain people from the above list. I have not seen a full list > of the various names actually used though, so I can't tell you who JM and > JS were. Sorry. > > > > > > HTH > > > > Cheers, > > Norm. > > > > On 04/01/18 18:30, Paolo Del Bene via Ql-Users wrote: > >> Today's Topics: > >>1. Re: about JM and JS roms > >> (Paolo Del Bene) > >> 34 years are passed, and I haven't > >> anymore a QL Sinclair from 27 > >> years when my father before bought > >> it for me and then he sold without to > >> say nothing to me. > >> I am here only to ask for what stand > >> the name JM and JS in the roms. > >> I haven't found any information > >>about, if you can help me I'll be > >> happy > >> Happy GNU Year 2018 > >> Paolo Del Bene iw0fzw > > > > > > > > -- > > Norman Dunbar > > Dunbar IT Consultants Ltd > > > > Registered address: > > 27a Lidget Hill > > Pudsey > > West Yorkshire > > United Kingdom > > LS28 7LG > > > > Company Number: 05132767 > > ___ > > QL-Users Mailing List > > ___ > QL-Users Mailing List > -- Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] Mode 33 to 32
33->32 the W would be the least significant bit of G, and that bit would be a copy of the most significant bit of G such that a full black pixel will be full black and a full green pixel will be full green so white can be white and not have a magenta tinge. This would cause a likely imperceptible green boundary line from 0 to 1 (which would be 10001). IMHO. On Fri, Dec 15, 2017 at 11:51 AM, pjwitte via Ql-Users < ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > I want to convert a mode 33 screen (Qxx) to mode 32 (QPC2) and visa versa. > I got this far with 33 to 32, but Im not sure this is the best translation: > > rem %grbw = mode 33 > rem %gggbrggg = mode 32 > > c$ = BIN$(PEEK_W(a), 16) > c$ = c$(3 TO 5) & c$(11 TO 15) & c$(6 TO 10) & c$(1 TO 2) & c$(16): rem = > %gggbrggw > > What do I do with 'w' in either case for best results? > > Per > > _______ > QL-Users Mailing List > -- Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] Q68 Notice 3 - Update
Yay! Mostly, glad your recovery is going well. Like most people, I am looking forward to finding out my position in the queue. Dave On Wed, Nov 15, 2017 at 5:50 AM, Derek Stewart via Ql-Users < ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > There are some new updated features of the Q68. > > > Q68 Features > > > Q68 Video modes: > > 0. Standard QL MODE 8 256x256 pixel (8 colours) > 1. Standard QL MODE 4 512x256 pixel (4 colours) > 2. Q40/Q60 highcolour mode 512x256 pixel (65536 colours) > 3. Q40/Q60 highcolour mode 1024x512 pixel (65536 colours) > 4. High resolution QL MODE 4 1024x768 pixel (4 colours) > 5. Aurora mode 1024x768 pixel, 256 (colours) > 6. Medium resolution highcolour mode 512x384 pixel (65536 colours) > > Monochrome display: > > In the standard QL modes and the high resolution mode 4, the Q68 offers > special monochrome display functions, in black & white, amber or green > colour, even if you attach a colour monitor. > > Sound: > > The Q68 provides a stereo sampled sound system. Digital-analog conversion > uses 20kHz sample rate and hardware FIFO buffering for up to 1024 samples. > Combined line / headphone output on jack socket. > > SDHC Drive Interfaces: > > The Q68 contains hardware for two independent SDHC card interfaces. > Fullsize card slots are provided for easier handling and copying of data > between two cards. One 4Gb SDHC Card Supplied with SMSQ/E Operating System. > > Realtime Clock: > > DS1374C-33 real time clock. > > Longlife super-capacitor for oscillator supply backup during power-off > Integrated recharge capability. > > > I/O Ports: > > Serial port with up to 115200 (46) Baud, external 9 pin SubD connector. > > I2C Interface: > > Internal 4 pin connector, hardware compatible with Minerva MKII I2C > devices. > > Extension Bus: > > The Q68 mainboard contains a parallel extension bus with 8 bit > data/address bus and control signals for the possibility of add-ons. > > Ethernet: > > The Q68 has an on-board CP2200 ethernet controller with integrated IEEE > 802.3 MAC and 10 Base-T PHY. At the time this manual was written, no Q68 > specific software support for the CP2200 was released. > > Board Size: > > The Q68 mainboard has a size of 8cm x 10cm and can be mounted in an > available case. > > Power Supply: > > The Q68 is powered by a standard regulated 5V supply with 2.1 mm coaxial > plug. > > Recommended Power Supply provide at least 1A for the devices that are > usually attached, for example keyboard, mouse and SDHC cards. > > Power supply not provided with Q68, due to country differences in voltage > and mains pin configuration. > > PS/2 Keyboard and Mouse: > > 6-pin female Mini DIN connector. > > Keyboard and mouse ports are separate, but to save space, a combined > connector with signals for both ports is provided. > > A standard PS/2 keyboard can directly be plugged into the mainboard. If a > mouse is also used, an additional PS/2 splitter cable is required. > > Note: Splitter cables for PC notebooks usually have the mouse signals > where the Q68 has keyboard. The mouse and keyboard require swapping, when > using such a cable. > > A Belkin PS/2 Splitter is available with the correct Q68 Keyboard > (Purple)/Mouse Green) colour designations. > > Mouse versions with scrollwheel are supported, but LEDs inside the > keyboard are currently not used. > > > Sales Information > - > > Batch 1 consists of 21 x Q68 boards, with options on Case and PS/2 > Splitter cable. > > I have created a pre-sales unconfirmed order list, based on the date of > the interest in purchasing a Q68. > > I will be contacting everyone in date order of the enquiry, commencing > 20/11/17, to confirm the Q68 order and give purchasing information. > > Purchasing can be made by Paypal or Bank Transfer, shipping costs be > calculated based on customer location. > > Q68 Batch 2, should be available in December/January > > > --- > Regards, > > Derek > ___ > QL-Users Mailing List > -- Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] QL MODE 8 Flash Bit
The flash bit acts as half a toggle for latching of the BGCOLOR in the
8301, ANDed with the other component, the 1Hz clock.
On Fri, Oct 27, 2017 at 2:42 PM, Jan Bredenbeek via Ql-Users <
ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote:
> On 27 October 2017 at 21:03, Peter Graf <pg...@q40.de> wrote:
>
> > > E.g. when a pixel has red colour with flash on, the rest of the pixels
> > > on the line will flash between the original pixel colour and red until
> > > the next set flash bit.
> >
> > The "until" is ambiguous. When that next pixel occurs, does it still use
> > the background colour of the previous pixels, or already the colour in
> > it's own colour bits?
> >
>
> The flashing is up to and including the pixel which has the flash bit on to
> turn flash off.
> This can be seen when PRINTing something with flash on. Each character is 6
> bits wide, but only the least significant ('rightmost') 5 bits are used as
> the leftmost bit is always 0. This is the bit used to turn flash on, and
> when flash is on the flash bit of the LSB (rightmost) bit is also on so
> flash is turned off after each character (even when you print multiple
> characters on the same line).
>
>
> > Also, is there any exact info about the blink frequency?
>
>
> I've tested this on a real QL and it looks like the blink frequency is
> 16/50th of a second which is a bit slower than the software-generated
> blinking of the window's cursor (12/50th second). So a complete blink cycle
> will be 32/50th second.
>
> Jan.
>
> --
> *Jan Bredenbeek* | Hilversum, NL | j...@bredenbeek.net
> ___
> QL-Users Mailing List
>
--
Dave Park
d...@sinclairql.com
___
QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] Q68 Advance Notice 3 - Delay
I hope you make a full recovery and your voice isn't permanently affected. Dave On Fri, Oct 20, 2017 at 4:33 AM, Martyn Hill via Ql-Users < ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > Good morning Derek > > What a nightmare for you - we wish you a speedy recovery. > > If there is still room left on your first 20 for Q68, could I ask to be > added (incl. the black case, but no need for the PS/2 splitter). > > Regards, > > Martyn. > > > On 20/10/2017 09:00, Derek Stewart via Ql-Users wrote: > >> There will be a slight delay in the availability of the Q68, which I >> stated in a previous message to be available on 09/10/2017 >> >> I have had medical problems, I went into hospital on 22/9/17, to have a >> throat operation. This should of been a one day operation. >> >> But there was a problem with the procedure they used and I ended up >> having a Tracheotomy Tube inserted into my airway to keep me alive. >> >> I stayed in The Royal Liverpool Hospital Intensive Care Unit for 12 days >> attached to a ventilator, which was assisting my breathing. >> >> The tube was removed and I was discharged home, to the care of a visiting >> District Nurse. The nurse changes the dressings daily. >> >> I have been home for 2 weeks and just now, starting to regain my strength >> and concentration. >> >> There was a notice posted on the QL Forum, regarding the delay, which >> obviously did not get to everyone. >> >> The new date will be 06/11/2017. >> >> Here is the link to the notice: >> >> http://www.qlforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=2=2120#p19180 >> >> I am sorry for the delay, I will try to update everyone on a regular >> basis. >> >> With regards to availability of the Q68. I have created a list of people >> who showed interest in date order. Which I will contact to arrange the sale >> of the Q68. >> >> > -- > "There are 10 types of people in this world. Those who understand binary > and those who don't." > > ___ > QL-Users Mailing List > -- Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] vDrive QL
They all sold out in minutes, which means they were priced too low. Dave On Sat, Sep 23, 2017 at 7:22 PM, Kurt K via Ql-Users < ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > I checked the link for the vDriveQL and all sold out, sadly, hopefully > more will be available in the future. > > Sent from my iPhone > > > On Sep 23, 2017, at 3:33 PM, RWAP Software via Ql-Users < > ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > > > > Charlie Ingley has now listed a batch of his vDriveQL units on > sellmyretro : > > > > https://www.sellmyretro.com/offer/details/vdrive-ql-28715 > > > > He has not yet listed the vMap. > > > > For those who have not come across this - the vDriveQL connects to the > QL microdrive expansion slot (and can be mounted in a ZX Microdrive case if > you like) and allows you to allocate microdrive image files to the QL > microdrive slots. > > > > The vMap is an extra board which plugs into the microdrive connectors on > the QL motherboard and allows you to move the slots allocated to the > internal microdrive units, so it is then easy to (say) run a copy protected > game from a microdrive image file on an SD card mounted in the external > vDrive. > > > > Rich Mellor RWAP Software www.rwapsoftware.co.uk www.sellmyretro.com > > > > > > ___ > > QL-Users Mailing List > > ___ > QL-Users Mailing List > -- Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] Fw: Stupid AND
Well, no it wasn't. And we're all kids of the 80s. Hit us up :D On Thu, Sep 21, 2017 at 1:41 PM, Ralf Reköndt via Ql-Users < ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > Sorry, was private ;-)) > > > > Am 21.09.2017 um 20:40 schrieb Ralf Reköndt: > >> Hi Dilwyn, >> >> after a very long time, I need again your help in identifying a song >> text. No need to hurry, if you ever get the time. I think, you may have >> heard this one in the 80s. >> >> Thank you. >> >> Cheers...Ralf >> > > ___ > QL-Users Mailing List > -- Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] Stupid AND
Your BASIC interpreter fits in 48K. With room to spare. On Tue, Sep 19, 2017 at 2:27 PM, Wolfgang Lenerz via Ql-Users < ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > Hi all, > > Just a rant about the SBasic AND operator. > > Suppose this: > > 10 a=0 > 20 b=10 > 30 if (a<>0 AND b/a=5) > 40 do_something > 50 end if > > Run it and what happens? > > You get an "overflow" error at line 30. > You get this error because it is trying to evaluate the second condition > (b/a) and failing as a=0 and you can't divide by 0. > > BUT WHY IS IT TRYING TO EVALUATE THE SECOND CONDITION IN THE FIRST PLACE? > > The first condition (a<>0) is NOT met and so, in any other programming > language I use, the second condition isn't even tested, as the result will > be "false" anyway because of this. > > Apparently though, Sbasic still also tests the second condition. > > G. > > Wolfgang > > > > > > > ___ > QL-Users Mailing List > -- Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] Returning to the QL
Welcome back, Daniel. :) On Sat, Aug 26, 2017 at 12:09 PM, Giorgio Garabello via Ql-Users < ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > Hi Daniel, welcome, you're back home :-D > I still use your program very often. > The community is small but very active, especially in the last two years > there is a new enthusiasm in the air, or at least that seems to me. > > Giorgio Garabello > > 2017-08-26 18:51 GMT+02:00 Daniel Baum via Ql-Users < > ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com>: > > > Hello, > > > > I originally bought a Sinclair QL some time in the mid 1980s. It was my > > main computer for a while, but I eventually replaced it with an Atari ST > > and it went into the attic. > > > > A few years later I got back into the QL. I used QPC1 and then QPC2 on > > whatever PC I had at the time. I gradually got interested in other > things, > > and then I seem to remember getting my first PC that had no diskette > drive > > and so I couldn't run QPC anymore. > > > > During this period (1998 apparently) I wrote a program called Qbase that > I > > am astonished to find is available from Dilwyn's site and is part of the > > Black Phoenix distribution. > > > > So, a while ago I thought I'd see what was happening in the QL world (or > > rather, if there still was one) and I found that it still existed and so > > here I am, configuring my boot file and trying to get my head around > > EasyPtr, again... > > > > Outside the QL World I am actually a professional programmer and also a > > linguist and researcher into automatic language analysis and speech > > analytics. > > > > It's nice to be reunited with the QL, and also to find so many familiar > > names still involved with it. > > > > I do already have a couple of questions, but I think they might be better > > in a separate thread. > > > > Regards to all, > > > > Daniel Baum > > ___ > > QL-Users Mailing List > > > ___ > QL-Users Mailing List > -- Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] Replacement Mouse
This logic and etc. are all built in on the SSQB (that's the SUPER SuperQBoard v4!) so it has a PS/2 port and a USB socket (PS/2 adaptor, USB only mice will not work)... Dave On Wed, Aug 16, 2017 at 10:54 AM, via Ql-Users <ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > Hi Derek > > Thanks for that. Making your own seems like a lot of work when USB to PS2 > adapters are dirt cheap. Yes I know the mouse would need to understand both > PS2 and USB protocols. That's the current PS2 combo mouse type. I will look > at the QIMI mouse connection on the Aurora board with the Atari/Amiga USB > adapter, but I am also still interested in the serial mouse if it it still > available. I will contact you off list about it. > > Cheers > > Duncan > > > > > > > > -Original Message- > From: Derek Stewart via Ql-Users <ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> > To: ql-users <ql-us...@q-v-d.com> > Sent: Wed, 16 Aug 2017 15:07 > Subject: Re: [Ql-Users] Replacement Mouse > > Hi Duncan,I do not have your email address. My email address is: > derek@q40.deThe USB to Atari/Amiga adapters work really well, fr > connection to QIMI the adapter must be in Atari mode. As the Amiga has some > lines going to different pins on the DB9 side.There are USB -> PS2 > adapters, which connect the USB +Data/-Data line to the PS/2 Data/Clock.See > this web link:http://www.instructables.com/id/USB-to-PS2-convertor/But > the USB mouse has to support PS/2 mode.I have not had much success with USB > to PS/2 adapters, I have lots of the USB to PS/2 Plug adapters, Maplin > Electronics sell them for £0.61, so could worth risk...-- Regards,DerekOn > 16/08/17 07:59, via Ql-Users wrote:> Hi Derek, looks like I don't have your > current email address as the email I have sent just came back undelivered. > Could you email me at the aol address you have for me as that is still the > same.> > Cheers> > Duncan> > ___QL-Users > Mailing List > ___ > QL-Users Mailing List -- Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] Replacement Mouse
Ooops, I thought that was a private email! *blush* On Tue, Aug 15, 2017 at 2:39 PM, Derek via Ql-Users < ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > > > Hi Duncan, > Still the sameemail address. > > > Regards, > Derek > > Original message > From: via Ql-Users <ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> > Date: 15/08/2017 20:34 (GMT+00:00) > To: ql-us...@q-v-d.com > Subject: Re: [Ql-Users] Replacement Mouse > > > Hi Derek, > > Yes I am interested, Have you changed your email address since the last > time I emailed you which would have been a while ago. > > Best Wishes > > Duncan > > > > > > > > -Original Message- > From: Derek via Ql-Users <ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> > To: ql-users <ql-us...@q-v-d.com> > Sent: Tue, 15 Aug 2017 18:47 > Subject: Re: [Ql-Users] Replacement Mouse > > Hi Duncan, > I have a 3 button serial mouse with DB9 connector. It was ysed on a Q60, > so any PC serial port will do. > Email if you want it. > RegardsDerek > Original message From: via Ql-Users < > ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> Date: 15/08/2017 10:09 (GMT+00:00) To: > ql-us...@q-v-d.com Subject: [Ql-Users] Replacement Mouse > Hi, > > I have been having a problem sourcing a replacement mouse for my Aurora > system. Serial mice have vanished even on ebay and also PS2/serial combo > mice scarce. Does anyone know is mice adapters for the Atari and Amiga will > work with Aurora/Qx0 serial ports? > > See link to ebay : http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/The-New-MKIV-Amiga-Atari-USB- > mouse-adapter-converter-with-mode-switch-jumpers-/ > 121413700949?epid=1788636590=item1c44 > > The adapter if it works allows use of easily obtained USB mice. > > Thanks > > > Duncan > ___ > QL-Users Mailing List > ___ > QL-Users Mailing List > > > ___ > QL-Users Mailing List > ___ > QL-Users Mailing List > -- Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] Replacement Mouse
I have designed an adapter that allows the use of PS/2 mice directly with the QL. It is actually a licensed development off of that MKIV adapter designed by Kevin Mount. If you're willing to wait a few weeks, could I send you a free sample to test? On Tue, Aug 15, 2017 at 8:48 AM, Derek via Ql-Users < ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > Hi Duncan, > I have a 3 button serial mouse with DB9 connector. It was ysed on a Q60, > so any PC serial port will do. > Email if you want it. > RegardsDerek > Original message From: via Ql-Users < > ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> Date: 15/08/2017 10:09 (GMT+00:00) To: > ql-us...@q-v-d.com Subject: [Ql-Users] Replacement Mouse > Hi, > > I have been having a problem sourcing a replacement mouse for my Aurora > system. Serial mice have vanished even on ebay and also PS2/serial combo > mice scarce. Does anyone know is mice adapters for the Atari and Amiga will > work with Aurora/Qx0 serial ports? > > See link to ebay : http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/The-New-MKIV-Amiga-Atari-USB- > mouse-adapter-converter-with-mode-switch-jumpers-/ > 121413700949?epid=1788636590=item1c44 > > The adapter if it works allows use of easily obtained USB mice. > > Thanks > > > Duncan > ___ > QL-Users Mailing List > ___ > QL-Users Mailing List > -- Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] PCB Design v7.52
After trying a couple of different companies, I use EasyEDA. Their web-based EDA tool isn't terrible either for smaller projects. Dave On Thu, Jul 27, 2017 at 4:50 PM, Norman Dunbar via Ql-Users < ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > Interesting, indeed. My boards were fine, so far, but I'll keep an eye out > in future. If I ever get time to finish my design! (I can't do it at work > in my lunch break!) > > Who does your boards now? > > > Cheers, > Norm. > -- > Sent from my Android device with K-9 Mail. Please excuse my brevity. > _______ > QL-Users Mailing List > -- Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] PCB Design v7.52
I'm an Englishman married to a Korean and my name is very Korean. She's a Korean married to a Brit and her name's Atwood - whiter than Casper! I used Osh Park twice. Both times I had minor quality issues with the boards that meant every board had to be checked carefully before assembly. Both times copper debris/incomplete etch where there shouldn't be. On Wed, Jul 26, 2017 at 4:30 PM, Norman Dunbar via Ql-Users < ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > I'm not an electronics expert, and I font play one on TV, but I never got > on with Eagle very well. I had the two layer limited board sized free > version. > > I use Fritzing these days and Kicad. It depends. For something quick and > dirty, I tend to drop into the former. For my ongoing attempt at a DIY > "Arduino" it's Kicad. > > Osh Park (no relation Dave?) do my boards for me. Good quality, free > postage too. > > > Cheers, > Norm. > > On 26 July 2017 21:00:41 BST, Dave Park via Ql-Users < > ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > >This amuses me as I just quit using Eagle this year because I could not > >stand it any more. > > > >And my educational license expired and they wanted HOW MUCH?!?!?! > > > >*cough* > > > >On Wed, Jul 26, 2017 at 2:49 PM, Marcel Kilgus via Ql-Users < > >ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > > > >> Dilwyn Jones via Ql-Users wrote: > >> > Malcolm Lear has made available an updated v7.52 of his PCB Design > >> program. > >> > Download from http://www.dilwyn.me.uk/graphics/index.html > >> > >> I will not quit using Eagle anytime soon, but I tried PCB Design > >> nonetheless and I must say the examples look pretty amazing. Good > >job. > >> > >> Cheers, Marcel > >> > >> ___ > >> QL-Users Mailing List > >> > > > > > > > >-- > >Dave Park > >d...@sinclairql.com > >___ > >QL-Users Mailing List > > -- > Sent from my Android device with K-9 Mail. Please excuse my brevity. > ___ > QL-Users Mailing List > -- Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] PCB Design v7.52
This amuses me as I just quit using Eagle this year because I could not stand it any more. And my educational license expired and they wanted HOW MUCH?!?!?! *cough* On Wed, Jul 26, 2017 at 2:49 PM, Marcel Kilgus via Ql-Users < ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > Dilwyn Jones via Ql-Users wrote: > > Malcolm Lear has made available an updated v7.52 of his PCB Design > program. > > Download from http://www.dilwyn.me.uk/graphics/index.html > > I will not quit using Eagle anytime soon, but I tried PCB Design > nonetheless and I must say the examples look pretty amazing. Good job. > > Cheers, Marcel > > ___ > QL-Users Mailing List > -- Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] Split big ROMs on Q40
Did you use the DIP or PLCC 27C4096 for this? On Fri, May 19, 2017 at 11:22 AM, Alain HAOUI <alain.ha...@free.fr> wrote: > With Peter Graf's indications and some AM27C4096 ships supplied by Derek > Stewart, I realized a little circuit permitting to have a global ROM size > of > 1 MegaBytes on Q40 with 2 big OSes (custom SMSQ/E) ROMed together (up to > 512KB each) and selectable from a case switch. > > > > You can find schematic and some details from forum : > > http://qlforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=20 > <http://qlforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=20=17547#p17547> =17547#p17547 > > > > Alain > > _______ > QL-Users Mailing List > -- Dave Park Sandy Labs d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] QL Forum online chat
That's a missing or malformed DKIM record. As yahoo.com and q-v-d.com are not the same domain name it is an issue. This explains it clearly: https://space.dmarcian.com/how-can-spfdkim-pass-and-yet-dmarc-fail/ On Mon, May 15, 2017 at 6:13 AM, Jan Bredenbeek <j...@bredenbeek.net> wrote: > On 15 May 2017 at 12:35, Graeme Gregory <gra...@xora.org.uk> wrote: > > > > > And to answer original question, the headers are intact and show it > > passing through yahoo.com SMTP server so its route matches its From: > > address. > > > > If you look at the headers your spam filter should tell you why it > > selected an email as spam. > > > There are a lot of headers but this is probably the interesting part: > (I use Gmail on my own domain) > > ARC-Authentication-Results: i=1; mx.google.com; >dkim=neutral (body hash did not verify) header.i=@yahoo.com; >spf=neutral (google.com: 69.163.254.50 is neither permitted nor > denied by best guess record for domain of > ql-users-boun...@lists.q-v-d.com) > smtp.mailfrom=ql-users-boun...@lists.q-v-d.com; >dmarc=fail (p=REJECT sp=REJECT dis=NONE) header.from=yahoo.com > Return-Path: <ql-users-boun...@lists.q-v-d.com> > Received: from diego.dreamhost.com (diego.dreamhost.com. [69.163.254.50]) > by mx.google.com with ESMTPS id o3si6247470pld.210.2017.05.13. > 12.18.44 > for <j...@bredenbeek.net> > (version=TLS1 cipher=AES128-SHA bits=128/128); > Sat, 13 May 2017 12:18:44 -0700 (PDT) > Received-SPF: neutral (google.com: 69.163.254.50 is neither permitted > nor denied by best guess record for domain of > ql-users-boun...@lists.q-v-d.com) client-ip=69.163.254.50; > Authentication-Results: mx.google.com; >dkim=neutral (body hash did not verify) header.i=@yahoo.com; >spf=neutral (google.com: 69.163.254.50 is neither permitted nor > denied by best guess record for domain of > ql-users-boun...@lists.q-v-d.com) > smtp.mailfrom=ql-users-boun...@lists.q-v-d.com; >dmarc=fail (p=REJECT sp=REJECT dis=NONE) header.from=yahoo.com > > Jan. > > -- > *Jan Bredenbeek* | Hilversum, NL | j...@bredenbeek.net > ___ > QL-Users Mailing List > -- Dave Park Sandy Labs d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] Turbo switch-bouton history
My apologies. I misunderstood. Dave On Fri, May 5, 2017 at 2:45 PM, Peter Graf <pg...@q40.de> wrote: > No. Alain wants to use the turbo switch, not the reset button. > > Am 05.05.2017 um 19:37 schrieb Dave Park: > > As the reset button is momentary, it will also take a bistable flipflop > > like a 7474... > > > > When I get back, I'll do you a little circuit. :) > > > > Dave > > > > On Fri, May 5, 2017 at 7:58 AM, <pg...@q40.de> wrote: > > > >> On 5 May 2017 at 14:47, Alain HAOUI wrote: > >> > >>>> You'd have to bend one pin of each EPROM, so they don't connect to the > >>> socket. Then connect both bent pins by wire with turbo switch and a > >> pullup. > >>> (The onboard ROM selector jumpered to "Normal Operation".) > >>> > >>> This sounds promising. Not afraid. Pins number please. Thanks > >> > >> Depends on size. Why not look into EPROM datasheet yourself? Simply > >> the highest addressline you've got. > >> > >> Peter > >> > >> ___ > >> QL-Users Mailing List > ___ > QL-Users Mailing List > -- Dave Park Sandy Labs d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] Turbo switch-bouton history
As the reset button is momentary, it will also take a bistable flipflop like a 7474... When I get back, I'll do you a little circuit. :) Dave On Fri, May 5, 2017 at 7:58 AM, <pg...@q40.de> wrote: > On 5 May 2017 at 14:47, Alain HAOUI wrote: > > > > You'd have to bend one pin of each EPROM, so they don't connect to the > > socket. Then connect both bent pins by wire with turbo switch and a > pullup. > > (The onboard ROM selector jumpered to "Normal Operation".) > > > > This sounds promising. Not afraid. Pins number please. Thanks > > Depends on size. Why not look into EPROM datasheet yourself? Simply > the highest addressline you've got. > > Peter > > ___ > QL-Users Mailing List > -- Dave Park Sandy Labs d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
[Ql-Users] QL2 info dump...
I did a fair bit of work on QL2 before hitting the wall in 2014. I recently went back over my documentation. While I still think the idea has merit, I don't know if it is something I can work on. For that reason, I thought I'd share some of the design decisions I'd made, for conversational purposes. At the time there was a long thread about possible changes to the QL expansion bus, which you can find here: http://qlforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=2=729 QL2 was to be a replacement QL mainboard. It was based around a full 68020 @ 33.33MHz. It was going to be laid out on a standard PCI card template, giving a connector of 120 pins (22+98) but in a manner not signal compatible with PCI. I dubbed it QLI. The connectors are solid, cheap, available. The QL2-BASE backplane was a simple "part-ATX" board with four passively connected PCI sockets, ATX powered. The board could be fitted behind the expansion port area of any miniATX, microATX case that could take four full-height cards. A PCI connector has 120 pins (22+98). The base had jumper connectors for sound+/-, ATX momentary switch, drive LED, power LED, reset button The pin-out of the bus brought out all needed control lines, D0:31 and A0:31. It could support a 4GB address range and work with *any* 68k CPU from 68008 to 68060. There were ground pins to both sides of the PCB every 2cm, and access to 5V @ 2A and 12V @ 1A per slot. The board was 4-layer, well grounded and very clean, signal-wise. It could sustain everything up to theoretical ~500MHz operation. QL-BASE could have been expanded later to SEVEN connectors while retaining signal integrity. The QL2-IO card implemented the main functions of the original QL, including video, ROM, serial, joystick, keyboard, sound but not microdrives. Sound +/-, /RST drive activity LED signals are also carried on the bus. It is required by the QL chipset that all components using DA0:7 be on a single card for obvious reasons. The QL2-CPU card implemented the CPU and optional expansion RAM. The QL2-EXP card would have implemented ethernet and USB - the part I am trying to bring to fruition this year and which le d me to dig this up. Any card could be upgraded independently without having to replace everything. The backplane would have been around $40. QL2-IO around $60, QL2-CPU around $60 (1MB) $80 (8MB) $100 (16MB). Others could have produced up to 4GB versions. It could have supported an Aurora re-implemented on a new PCB. It left wide open the option of creating new independent video hardware and ignoring the 8301 video function. Removing video handling from the 8301 so simplifies it that it could have been replaced by an aftermarket CPLD with 'relatively little work.' The AMP 5145154-1 pin out was: ROWA ROWB 1 GND GND 2 12V 12V 3 D30 D31 4 D28 D29 5 D26 D27 6 D24 D25 7 D22 D23 8 GND NC 9 D20 D21 10 D18 D19 11 D16 D17 === === 12 D14 D15 13 D12 D13 14 GND NC 15 D10 D11 16D8 D9 17D6 D7 18D4 D5 19D2 D3 20D0 D1 21 GND NC 22 SP0 SP1 23 SP2 SP3 24 FC0 FC1 25 FC2 /RST 26 GND NC 27 ASL RSVD 28 /NTRQ /WTRQ 29 DLED RSVD 30 SND- SND+ 31 GND NC 32 /RFSH POLL 33 RSVD /FTACK 34 RSVD /DSMC 35 /IPL0 /IPL1 36 SIZ0 SIZ1 37 GND GND 38+5 +5 39+5 +5 40 +12 +12 41 GND GND 42A0 A1 43A2 A3 44A4 A5 45A6 A7 46A8 A9 47 A10 A11 48 GND NC 49 A12 A13 50 A14 A15 51 A16 A17 52 A18 A19 53 A20 A21 54 GND NC 55 A22 A23 56 A24 A25 57 A26 A27 58 A28 A29 59 A30 A31 60 GND GND As you can see, there were 15 ground points so this interface would have had excellent grounding. (I am debating having the drive activity and sound connectors not be part of the bus.) Four +5V pins and two +12V pins would have allowed 5V @ 2A and 12V @ 1A. Designers could have also used the VGA power system to provide extra power to power hungry cards. The only card I could imagine needing it was a very large RAM card. Power had large decoupling caps at each slot. I left seven pins "NC" which were reserved and must be left not connected in all designs. I also had four pins labeled "RSVD" which were allowed to be connected and used for any private purpose. SPI or I2C comes to mind. With hindsight I would have made better provision for this. I thought it highly unlikely anyone would use over 256MB address lines over A27, so A28:A31 would also likely have been reserved in the final spec. I considered the option of multiplexing the data and address buses, but decided against it for reasons of development simplicity, scalability and flexibility. I based it heavily on Nasta and Peter's discussion about the ideal QL bus in the above linked thread . OH! And I planned to include the QL-net hardware. I forgot about that! -- Dave Park ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] Toolkit II v2.31
Marcel, Please, carry on! There are always people who lack appreciation for what you're trying to do. As the changes are more than cosmetic, I do think you should change the name to TK3 or something. People have a long history and set of expectations from TK2. Your changes are very worthwhile. On Fri, Mar 31, 2017 at 10:13 AM, Marcel Kilgus <ql-us...@mail.kilgus.net> wrote: > Peter Graf wrote: > >> It's fairly easy to built new versions, so nobody is stopping anybody > >> to make different releases. I do this for my own amusement, mostly. > > If mostly for your amusement, one more reason to give your stuff a > > different name. Not the traditional TK2 ROM, where major QL features are > > expected to work. > > You have convinced me, I will stop working on it. Thanks for saving me > a lot of time. > > Cheers, Marcel > > _______ > QL-Users Mailing List > -- Dave Park Sandy Labs d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] Stella
Tony So, what *IS* happening with Stella? With quiet deference, not personally knowing your policy on sacrifices, Dave On Wed, Mar 22, 2017 at 2:18 AM, Urs Koenig (QL) <q...@bluewin.ch> wrote: > Tony Tebby wrote: > > 5) The only real barrier is ignorance. The story of Android is > illustrative. If, in > > 2005, Google had known that they could have developed an entirely new > > operating system and had it up and running sooner than trying to kludge > > something out of Linux, would they have bought Android Inc. for $50M? Of > > course not, but they did not know. > First, glad to read from you again! > > Having to deal with all kind of Windows and Linux systems in my > professional > life, I must say that the pain is not big enough for most people and the > industry to rethink and restart. That's how human function, look at cars or > electricity for example. Even with global warming and GAU's like Chernobyl > and Fukushima rethinking and revolution are slow and with hurdles. > > Anyhow, I still spend approx. an hour a day to keep your legacy alive. The > QL/E distribution - made with my limited skills and capabilities - is an > offspring which is a handy thing to run, experience and show > what-could-have-been. At least those 500+ completed downloads since April > 2015 prove some interest is still there. > > http://sinclairql.net/repository.html#QLE > > Urs > > ___ > QL-Users Mailing List > -- Dave Park Sandy Labs d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] Stella
I was clued in by that whole no developments in twelve years aspect ;) One of those times I'm happy to be spectacularly wrong. :D Dave On Tue, Mar 21, 2017 at 7:33 AM, Peter Graf <pg...@q40.de> wrote: > Hello Tony, > > it is good to read something from you. > > > 1) You need a system development environment that > > a) will support different processors - ruling out assembler > > That depends on where one looks for a niche market. Things have changed > inasmuch small to medium sized FPGA have become large enough to contain > a whole 32 bit CPU. > > In addition to that, patents on the original 68000 have expired. > > Because of the high code density, I found the 68K architecture best > suited for use with the limited internal RAM resources of an FPGA. I > have tried several 32 bit architectures, and 68K allows the smallest > memory footprint. > > Within small to medium sized FPGA systems, having a real-time operating > system would often advantageous, but existing systems are simply too large. > > For such targets, the best would be an assembler written OS, still > allowing application code in C. Like SMSQ/E and C68, but capable of real > time operation and oriented toward embedded systems instead of personal > computing. > > > 2) You need to develop interface modules (drivers?) for a wide range of > > "peripheral" devices - the device manufacturers will not develop them > > for you. > > This also improves with FPGA - once there is a peripheral device in HDL > (Hardware Definition Language) you can at least keep it th the same for > the next product generation. > > > 4) You need to develop entirely different hardware architectures - this > > century, architectures have become ever more tightly dedicated to UNIX > > (Linux, Windows NT, ...) > > Maybe you can take the Q68 as a modest proof that a new hardware > architecture can be close to 68K and the driver requirements of an > assembler OS. I developed the Q68 as a hobby project, so is now 10 years > old. Therefore it can not demonstrate the lastest chip performance, and > of course the Q68 has a homecomputing flavour. > > But updated to latest chip generation, and adapted to an embdedded > application, such a system suddenly could make a lot of sense with Stella. > > > 1) A first version of the Stella core was coded in MC68000 assembler and > > benchmarked [...] > > So nothing would be better to continue development of the Stella than > the 68K architecture. > > > 3) There is still no end in sight to the discovery of new "exploits" in > > all sorts of Unix based devices. > > This is an important point. I have been joking with friends, that we > might have to go back to 68K for internet use, simply because the > architecture is too exotic to be exploited. Also, security requires > lowest possible complexity. > > All the best > Peter > > ___ > QL-Users Mailing List > -- Dave Park Sandy Labs d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] Stella
Hi Doug. I would. I have the SGC you gave me before, but it had an ever worsening memory glitch and became unusable over that year. It would have been really useful if it worked a few times, with trying to make my expansion compatible with it but not having a working one. Are you leaving the QL scene, or did you find an emulator replacement? What would you like for it? Dave On Sun, Mar 19, 2017 at 7:43 PM, Doug L <externa...@earthlink.net> wrote: > Dave, > Would you be interested in a complete QL system including SGC? > > Blurb on QL List got no response. > > If you don't remember, we had transactions long ago for which you > travelled to TN. > > Doug LaVerne 37830 USA > > Sent from my MetroPCS 4G LTE Android device > > On Mar 16, 2017 6:33 PM, Dave Park <d...@sinclairql.com> wrote: > > > > So, fair to assume it's a dead project that will never see the light of > day. > > > > Thanks all! > > > > Dave > > > > On Thu, Mar 16, 2017 at 4:10 PM, Norman Dunbar <nor...@dunbar-it.co.uk> > > wrote: > > > > > Sorry Dave, I seem to have an inability to use a tablet! The url was > > > supposed to be: > > > > > > https://web.archive.org/web/20050914114333/http://thgodef. > > > nerim.net/qdos/stella/intro.html > > > > > > but I suspect it's Arnauld's page on Thierry's site which you > mentioned. > > > > > > Cheers, > > > Norm. > > > -- > > > Sent from my Android device with K-9 Mail. Please excuse my brevity. > > > ___ > > > QL-Users Mailing List > > > > > > > > > > > -- > > Dave Park > > Sandy Labs > > d...@sinclairql.com > > ___ > > QL-Users Mailing List > ___ > QL-Users Mailing List > -- Dave Park Sandy Labs d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] Stella
So, fair to assume it's a dead project that will never see the light of day. Thanks all! Dave On Thu, Mar 16, 2017 at 4:10 PM, Norman Dunbar <nor...@dunbar-it.co.uk> wrote: > Sorry Dave, I seem to have an inability to use a tablet! The url was > supposed to be: > > https://web.archive.org/web/20050914114333/http://thgodef. > nerim.net/qdos/stella/intro.html > > but I suspect it's Arnauld's page on Thierry's site which you mentioned. > > Cheers, > Norm. > -- > Sent from my Android device with K-9 Mail. Please excuse my brevity. > ___ > QL-Users Mailing List > -- Dave Park Sandy Labs d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] Stella
That URL seems to lead nowhere, Norman. I did see a page from around 2005 with an outline of Stella, and have a zip file of the same info but with working graphics showing a lot of theoretical concepts. Dave On Thu, Mar 16, 2017 at 5:51 AM, Norman Dunbar <nor...@dunbar-it.co.uk> wrote: > You might have seen this, perhaps? > > https://web.archive.org/web/20050914114333/http > > > Cheers, > Norm. > -- > Sent from my Android device with K-9 Mail. Please excuse my brevity. > ___ > QL-Users Mailing List > -- Dave Park Sandy Labs d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List
[Ql-Users] Stella
Does anyone know what happened with Stella? I originally heard about it in the late 90's, I recall. I did some googling and all I can find is an archived page by Thierry Godefroy. Is it still a thing? -- Dave Park ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] QLis30 pledge...
Hello all! The QL is 30 event is upon us and it is time for us to meet our pledge commitments. The good news is that the event was organized a lot more economically than was originally thought. For that reason, and allowing for the QUANTA match on donated funds, it is expected that we only need to raise HALF the amount we originally pledged. Here is a reminder of the pledges that were made: Sandy Electronics / Dave Park£150 Mark Martin £ 30 Petri Pellinen £ 50 Doug L £150 Jiří Doležal £ 50 Kenn Van Hauen £ 70 TOTAL£500 Quanta Match £500 Available: £1,000 I have forwarded £75 (50%) now, and if the 50% pledges fall short, I'll make an additional top up donation immediately after the event, when the donations have been tallied. Your donations need to be submitted to the following PayPal address: *treasu...@quanta.org.uk treasu...@quanta.org.uk* If anyone has an objection to using PayPal, you can email treasu...@quanta.org.uk and make an alternative arrangement. Thank you everyone for pledging! Dave On Tue, Feb 4, 2014 at 10:16 AM, Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com wrote: Currently: Sandy Electronics / Dave Park£150 Mark Martin £ 30 Petri Pellinen £ 50 Doug L £150 Jiří Doležal £ 50 Kenn Van Hauen £ 70 TOTAL£500 Quanta Match £500 Available: £1,000 Now, who would like to organise an event? The risk is now very low. :) Dave Sandy Electronics On Tue, Feb 4, 2014 at 9:47 AM, Kenn Van Hauen vanha...@mac.com wrote: I am happy to contribute the remaining £70. Kenn Sent from my iPhone On 4 Feb 2014, at 15:26, Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com wrote: In light of this fabulous email from QUANTA, The pledge tally now stands at: Currently: Sandy Electronics / Dave Park£150 Mark Martin £ 30 Petri Pellinen £ 50 Doug L £150 Jiří Doležal £ 50 TOTAL£430 Quanta Match £430 Available: £860 Thank you QUANTA and everyone else so far. Just £70 more and we'd hit £1000! Dave Park Sandy Electronics On Tue, Feb 4, 2014 at 2:35 AM, John Gilpin thegilp...@btinternet.com wrote: Further to your emails Re: [QL-Users] QLis30 pledge..., I have great pleasure in advising you as follows: At a meeting of the QUANTA Committee on Sunday 02/02/2014, the topic of a Workshop to celebrate QLis30 was discussed and it was decided that if, due to Rich Mellor's ill health, we (QUANTA) will not be able to support his venture in Cambridge, then we would like to add our name to the QLis30 pledge such that we will match the fund up to a maximum of £500. It was also decided that QUANTA may offer further support by attending the event to show a QUANTA presence. This came about after much discussion regarding QUANTA's willingness to support such an event and how much we should be prepared to spend in order to differentiate between over-spending and not wanting to support both of which have received some criticism of late on this list. As we do not continually monitor this email list, please address any further correspondence tocommit...@quanta.org.uk - thanks. Kind Regards, John Gilpin. QUANTA Treasurer. treasu...@quanta.org.uk mailto:treasu...@quanta.org.uk On 06/01/2014 19:23, Dave Park wrote: Hehe, ok. Thank you even more! Currently: Sandy Electronics / Dave Park£150 Mark Martin £ 30 Petri Pellinen £ 50 Doug L £150 TOTAL£380 I think that is getting close to a good incentive for someone to organize a show, now. On Mon, Jan 6, 2014 at 12:04 PM, extdgl42 externa...@earthlink.net wrote: -Original Message- From: Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com Sent: Jan 6, 2014 10:33 AM To: ql-us...@q-v-d.com Subject: Re: [Ql-Users] QLis30 pledge... Mark, Petri, Doug, THANK YOU! Doug, I translated it as £133, but I'd consider it generally understood that you'd PayPal $200 and they'd do the conversion at current exchange rates at that time, so it might be more or less. Current running total of pledges: £363 On Mon, Jan 6, 2014 at 9:24 AM, DougL externa...@earthlink.net
Re: [Ql-Users] QLis30 pledge...
Thanks Mark! I sent £75 (which turned out to be $125)... The funds reported they will be available tomorrow. As a quick aside, if you choose send money to friends or family instead of a purchase, the event and you will pay much lower transaction fees - this leaves more of the money available to the organizers! Dave On Tue, Oct 7, 2014 at 12:11 PM, Mark Martin storycraf...@gmail.com wrote: You sent £20.00 GBP to treasu...@quanta.org.uk On Tue, Oct 7, 2014 at 12:04 PM, Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com wrote: Hello all! The QL is 30 event is upon us and it is time for us to meet our pledge commitments. The good news is that the event was organized a lot more economically than was originally thought. For that reason, and allowing for the QUANTA match on donated funds, it is expected that we only need to raise HALF the amount we originally pledged. Here is a reminder of the pledges that were made: Sandy Electronics / Dave Park£150 Mark Martin £ 30 Petri Pellinen £ 50 Doug L £150 Jiří Doležal £ 50 Kenn Van Hauen £ 70 TOTAL£500 Quanta Match £500 Available: £1,000 I have forwarded £75 (50%) now, and if the 50% pledges fall short, I'll make an additional top up donation immediately after the event, when the donations have been tallied. Your donations need to be submitted to the following PayPal address: *treasu...@quanta.org.uk treasu...@quanta.org.uk* If anyone has an objection to using PayPal, you can email treasu...@quanta.org.uk and make an alternative arrangement. Thank you everyone for pledging! Dave On Tue, Feb 4, 2014 at 10:16 AM, Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com wrote: Currently: Sandy Electronics / Dave Park£150 Mark Martin £ 30 Petri Pellinen £ 50 Doug L £150 Jiří Doležal £ 50 Kenn Van Hauen £ 70 TOTAL£500 Quanta Match £500 Available: £1,000 Now, who would like to organise an event? The risk is now very low. :) Dave Sandy Electronics On Tue, Feb 4, 2014 at 9:47 AM, Kenn Van Hauen vanha...@mac.com wrote: I am happy to contribute the remaining £70. Kenn Sent from my iPhone On 4 Feb 2014, at 15:26, Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com wrote: In light of this fabulous email from QUANTA, The pledge tally now stands at: Currently: Sandy Electronics / Dave Park£150 Mark Martin £ 30 Petri Pellinen £ 50 Doug L £150 Jiří Doležal £ 50 TOTAL£430 Quanta Match £430 Available: £860 Thank you QUANTA and everyone else so far. Just £70 more and we'd hit £1000! Dave Park Sandy Electronics On Tue, Feb 4, 2014 at 2:35 AM, John Gilpin thegilp...@btinternet.com wrote: Further to your emails Re: [QL-Users] QLis30 pledge..., I have great pleasure in advising you as follows: At a meeting of the QUANTA Committee on Sunday 02/02/2014, the topic of a Workshop to celebrate QLis30 was discussed and it was decided that if, due to Rich Mellor's ill health, we (QUANTA) will not be able to support his venture in Cambridge, then we would like to add our name to the QLis30 pledge such that we will match the fund up to a maximum of £500. It was also decided that QUANTA may offer further support by attending the event to show a QUANTA presence. This came about after much discussion regarding QUANTA's willingness to support such an event and how much we should be prepared to spend in order to differentiate between over-spending and not wanting to support both of which have received some criticism of late on this list. As we do not continually monitor this email list, please address any further correspondence tocommit...@quanta.org.uk - thanks. Kind Regards, John Gilpin. QUANTA Treasurer. treasu...@quanta.org.uk mailto:treasu...@quanta.org.uk On 06/01/2014 19:23, Dave Park wrote: Hehe, ok. Thank you even more! Currently: Sandy Electronics / Dave Park£150 Mark Martin £ 30 Petri Pellinen £ 50 Doug L
Re: [Ql-Users] QLis30 pledge...
And it's a donation - it's not like we need buyer protection ;) Dave On Tue, Oct 7, 2014 at 12:23 PM, Mark Martin storycraf...@gmail.com wrote: Yeah, I sent it as friend and family and got dinged £.10 for the international transfer -- they got the whole £20. I didn't mind :) On Tue, Oct 7, 2014 at 12:13 PM, Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com wrote: Thanks Mark! I sent £75 (which turned out to be $125)... The funds reported they will be available tomorrow. As a quick aside, if you choose send money to friends or family instead of a purchase, the event and you will pay much lower transaction fees - this leaves more of the money available to the organizers! Dave On Tue, Oct 7, 2014 at 12:11 PM, Mark Martin storycraf...@gmail.com wrote: You sent £20.00 GBP to treasu...@quanta.org.uk On Tue, Oct 7, 2014 at 12:04 PM, Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com wrote: Hello all! The QL is 30 event is upon us and it is time for us to meet our pledge commitments. The good news is that the event was organized a lot more economically than was originally thought. For that reason, and allowing for the QUANTA match on donated funds, it is expected that we only need to raise HALF the amount we originally pledged. Here is a reminder of the pledges that were made: Sandy Electronics / Dave Park£150 Mark Martin £ 30 Petri Pellinen £ 50 Doug L £150 Jiří Doležal £ 50 Kenn Van Hauen £ 70 TOTAL£500 Quanta Match £500 Available: £1,000 I have forwarded £75 (50%) now, and if the 50% pledges fall short, I'll make an additional top up donation immediately after the event, when the donations have been tallied. Your donations need to be submitted to the following PayPal address: *treasu...@quanta.org.uk treasu...@quanta.org.uk* If anyone has an objection to using PayPal, you can email treasu...@quanta.org.uk and make an alternative arrangement. Thank you everyone for pledging! Dave On Tue, Feb 4, 2014 at 10:16 AM, Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com wrote: Currently: Sandy Electronics / Dave Park£150 Mark Martin £ 30 Petri Pellinen £ 50 Doug L £150 Jiří Doležal £ 50 Kenn Van Hauen £ 70 TOTAL£500 Quanta Match £500 Available: £1,000 Now, who would like to organise an event? The risk is now very low. :) Dave Sandy Electronics On Tue, Feb 4, 2014 at 9:47 AM, Kenn Van Hauen vanha...@mac.com wrote: I am happy to contribute the remaining £70. Kenn Sent from my iPhone On 4 Feb 2014, at 15:26, Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com wrote: In light of this fabulous email from QUANTA, The pledge tally now stands at: Currently: Sandy Electronics / Dave Park£150 Mark Martin £ 30 Petri Pellinen £ 50 Doug L £150 Jiří Doležal £ 50 TOTAL£430 Quanta Match £430 Available: £860 Thank you QUANTA and everyone else so far. Just £70 more and we'd hit £1000! Dave Park Sandy Electronics On Tue, Feb 4, 2014 at 2:35 AM, John Gilpin thegilp...@btinternet.com wrote: Further to your emails Re: [QL-Users] QLis30 pledge..., I have great pleasure in advising you as follows: At a meeting of the QUANTA Committee on Sunday 02/02/2014, the topic of a Workshop to celebrate QLis30 was discussed and it was decided that if, due to Rich Mellor's ill health, we (QUANTA) will not be able to support his venture in Cambridge, then we would like to add our name to the QLis30 pledge such that we will match the fund up to a maximum of £500. It was also decided that QUANTA may offer further support by attending the event to show a QUANTA presence. This came about after much discussion regarding QUANTA's willingness to support such an event and how much we should be prepared to spend in order to differentiate between
Re: [Ql-Users] Anybody heard from Sandy Electronics (Dave Park)
*hugs all round* It's cool. There are a couple of orders I have screwed up. There are three orders that I know about so far which were shipped but not received, or shipped and the tracking shows delivered, but the person never received the package. There's also a large, heavy package I have been sitting on to send to Rich at RWAP. I have been away for a few weeks, having summer fun. I have a few emails mixed in with hundreds (was thousands) of spam emails. I got thousands of spam emails over a month ago when someone used my domain name for a spam attack and I got all the bounces from all over. Now I am getting the 1 month giving up bounces for lots of undeliverable spam. It's taken me a few hours over two days to get through the mailbox and delete all the spam and start replying to all the legitimate mail. To be clear - ANYONE who hasn't received their package, for whatever reason, is being offered a re-shipment with tracking, OR a full refund. Dave On Wed, Jul 30, 2014 at 1:46 PM, Ian Burkinshaw ian.burkins...@btopenworld.com wrote: Hi Everybody Sorry I meant to address Kenn only. Entirely my fault. It is not my intention to air dirty washing in public. But as you can see I will do if I do not get a reply from Dave soon. Dave, if you have a problem with me, please let me know what the issue is. I do not believe I have done anything to cause your lack of responce. But I could be wrong. So to everybody else please accept my apologies. Best Regards Ian Burkinshaw - Original Message - From: Ian Burkinshaw ian.burkins...@btopenworld.com To: ql-us...@q-v-d.com Sent: Wednesday, July 30, 2014 7:35 PM Subject: Re: [Ql-Users] Anybody heard from Sandy Electronics (Dave Park) Hi Kenn I have being trying the contact Dave Park over the last 48 hours with no luck at all. I am told he is there. I have receipted e-mails, but again no reply. I have been using his QL-Users e-mail and the e-mail service on his web site. You may have seen my e-mail on QL-User asking him to contact me, still no responce. I have even checked my spam files, nothing there. Have you heard anything ? My plan now is, I will write again with a warning that I will go fully public if he does not reply to me. If he has a problem with me then tell me. I have documentation that he has had my money, but I have no documentation that he has sent the products, my order history on his web site still shows 'processed', not 'shipped' at it should do. Best Regards Ian Burkinshaw - Original Message - From: Kenn Van Hauen vanha...@mac.com To: ql-us...@q-v-d.com Sent: Monday, July 28, 2014 8:14 PM Subject: Re: [Ql-Users] Anybody heard from Sandy Electronics (Dave Park) Ian, I find myself in the same situation. Regards Kenn Sent from my iPhone On 28 Jul 2014, at 19:17, Ian Burkinshaw ian.burkinshaw@btopenworld. com wrote: Sorry to bring this up. But placed an order with Sandy Electronics two months ago, I have not received the goods. I have placed an order before, with no problems. I have e-mailed Dave Park via two e-mail addresses, and no reply. So I feel I need to warn others. This is the last thing I wanted to do. However if I have missed something or something has happen to Dave then I am very sorry. I guess I will have to write off £96 Ian Burkinshaw ___ 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 ___ 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 -- Dave Park Sandy Electronics, LLC d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Anybody heard from Sandy Electronics (Dave Park)
I'm alive! Just got back from a two-part kayaking trip on the Lower Colorado River for ten days. My mailbox really blew up the last few days, apparently. After deleting the spam messages, I had 15 mails to take care of. In any case where I've shipped out an order and anyone hasn't received it yet, I will always offer to either re-ship or offer a full refund. My last unshipped order is on July 15th. If your order was from before then and you haven't got it, let me know so I can take care of you. Orders received since July 15th will be shipping tomorrow. I suppose in future I'll need to publish my plans to be away from home, though I don't like to advertise when my wife will be home alone. Dave On Mon, Jul 28, 2014 at 2:14 PM, Kenn Van Hauen vanha...@mac.com wrote: Ian, I find myself in the same situation. Regards Kenn Sent from my iPhone On 28 Jul 2014, at 19:17, Ian Burkinshaw ian.burkins...@btopenworld.com wrote: Sorry to bring this up. But placed an order with Sandy Electronics two months ago, I have not received the goods. I have placed an order before, with no problems. I have e-mailed Dave Park via two e-mail addresses, and no reply. So I feel I need to warn others. This is the last thing I wanted to do. However if I have missed something or something has happen to Dave then I am very sorry. I guess I will have to write off £96 Ian Burkinshaw ___ 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 -- Dave Park Sandy Electronics, LLC d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Which project to pursue
I've read everyone's replies, both public and private and I have thought on them for a while. If it's a non-QL project, I'll discontinue it and send on the info and anything I have bought to someone who could take it over. In the case of the ZX80 cover, I will mail it back to the original sender. Once that space is cleared, I'll solely focus on the QL hardware I listed above. Having room to move/breathe will be nice. Also, not spending money on those side projects will get me back on track with the core projects. You're right that Sandy isn't a profit-making enterprise. The company exists only for structure/tax/export/liability reasons, but the plan is very much to have a zero balance at the end of all the projects. Dave On Sun, Jun 1, 2014 at 4:29 AM, François Van Emelen francois.vaneme...@telenet.be wrote: Wolfgang Lenerz schreef op 1/06/2014 9:10: Hi Dave, I haven't comented on your question as to which project you should pursue since I feel that I'm not really concerned. I mostly use emulators nowadays, so new QL hardware that might be produced is not really something that I have much interest in, other than the general interest of a QL aficionado. SoI can't really comment on the individual projects themselves, also because I don't really know enough about them. However, since the silence to your question here seems to be so deafening, here's just my 2 cents' worth. First and foremost, I presume that making money isn't your main motivation in undertaking all of these projects, even if yours seems to be a commercial enterprise. If making money is important, then go with whatever promises the most return on your investment If not, you might want to go for what either promises the highest fun factor, or can be finished in the least time. That way, you will have a finished product which might help recover some costs, and also something to show to your customers. HTH Wolfgang ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm I second that. François Van Emelen ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm -- Dave Park Sandy Electronics, LLC d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
[Ql-Users] Sandy Electronics change of focus?
Hi all, I have been struggling with some things here at Sandy recently, and I decided I need to make some changes. One of the problems I have is that I have outlined a clear path of products I know we can deliver over time, but I have also taken on a lot of side projects. The side projects do take up a lot of my time, but they also are consuming all the money. UltimIDE could have been produced twice as quickly if I was sitting on the funds to do it, instead of spending those funds also on many and varied side projects. Another aspect of this: I have very limited space, and about half of my space is taken up with side projects. It has reached the point where I have no actual desk space to prototype or test on any more. My wife has asked me to move the QL system off the dining room table into my room and I just don't have the room to move it in! Removing all these other projects would free up much needed space and give me room to breathe and to be more organised with the remaining projects. For this reason, I am seriously considering slimming down operations to focus entirely on just a limited few projects. All other projects could be dropped, sold off at cost to recover the funds and pay to return samples and etc. Here's what could stay: Microdrive pads - until current batch runs out (I have just made a lifetime batch of 10,000) Minerva MK 1 Aurora SuperRAM, UltimIDE, UltraQ, QL2 Q-Regulator Here's what would get cut: Gold Card battery replacements (I w ould sell off the remaining prototypes) QL on a Disk (remaining stock w ould be sold off at lower prices) QL1.5 Minerva MK II ZX Printer belt ZX80 case replacement Software projects Here's what I am un decided on: A backplane relevant to current case/PSU designs Embedded p ower supplies - I have a batch. I welcome feedback/discussion on the above. My mind isn't firmly made up. I just think that I am not serving my customers very well and that I really need to focus on only a few lines of products. Also, I do not like the feeling of living paycheck to paycheck over the hardware projects because of money being frittered away on side projects that don't add to the pool. What do you think? -- Dave Park Sandy Electronics, LLC d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
[Ql-Users] Reverse auction at QLForum.co.uk
Hi all, I have the following three lots which will be sold at http://www.qlforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=6t=975 by reverse auction. The price will lower by 25p every hour or two until someone posts a reply I'll buy LOT X. Price is then due by paypal and will mail out by priority mail with tracking number same day. Cost of shipping is included in the price. As of right now: LOT 1: one new, unopened box of 10 TDK MF-2ED 4MB floppy disks -- £24.75 LOT 2: one new, unopened box of 10 TDK MF-2ED 4MB floppy disks -- £24.75 LOT 3: one open box of 7 unused TDK MF-2ED 4MB floppy disks --- £19.75 If you have an ED drive on your QL, these are extremely hard to find nowadays. It's especially hard to find them new in an unopened box Funds will be used directly to fund parts purchases for UltimIDE. -- Dave Park Sandy Electronics, LLC d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] R: QL Meeting 2014 - Italy: LIVE
All involved, I greatly enjoyed it, and will happily do it again. I also welcome any further questions people have. I just got a large order from one of the attendees, for which thank you, and I am going to treat myself to an ice cream then get to work preparing packages for shipment. Dave On Sun, May 18, 2014 at 11:51 AM, Davide Santachiara d.santachi...@libero.it wrote: Hi Dilwyn, It has been a pleasure you managed to attend the international session of the QL 2014 Italian meeting. I did not expect Skype allowed to manage quite successfully this type of videoconferencing. The skype session was attended by Dave Park from Texas (presenting all Sandy Electronics products), Michele Perini from Toronto Canada, Arvid Borretzen from Norway, Kenn Van Hauen (Germany I guess), you and 14 people here in Modena. Best regards Davide -Messaggio originale- Da: Ql-Users [mailto:ql-users-boun...@lists.q-v-d.com] Per conto di Dilwyn Jones Inviato: domenica 18 maggio 2014 18:35 A: ql-us...@q-v-d.com Oggetto: Re: [Ql-Users] QL Meeting 2014 - Italy: LIVE Hear hear. At the last minute I found myself able to join in the Skype group call and thoroughly enjoyed Dave's presentation. And special thanks to Michele and Davide (and occasionally Eros) for the translations. Dilwyn -Original Message- From: Kenn Van Hauen Sent: Sunday, May 18, 2014 5:26 PM To: ql-us...@q-v-d.com Subject: Re: [Ql-Users] QL Meeting 2014 - Italy: LIVE Thank you Davide for arranging a very interesting Skype session earlier...I really enjoyed hearing Dave talks us through his exciting product roadmap. Kind regards, Kenn On 18 May 2014, at 14:09, Davide Santachiara d.santachi...@libero.it wrote: Hi All, 14 people are attending in Modena the Italian 2014 QL Meeting. Michele Perini is attending via Skype from Toronto, Dave Park from Texas. Anybody who would like to join via skype the international videoconference with presentation from Dave Park should join WITHOUT video (audio only) the skype address dtm-technologies Start time is slightly earlier than planned: 15:30 local time which is twenty minutes from now Best regards Davide ___ 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 ___ 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 -- Dave Park Sandy Electronics, LLC d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Edinburgh is go!
Anyhow, that said, let's focus on the event before us! We have a freshly organized event by freshly enthused people with a fresh international audience. This requires a fresh approach. :) The AE stall is a non-starter for a couple of reasons: one, most people will be quite capable of repairing their own QLs, and 2: if someone DID bring a sick QL and ask for help, I am sure they would get it - without the formality and wasted space and effort of a formal table. I know several people have offered talks, and I am one of them. I am working on a series of topics, and a small slideshow. I will be showing it in proto form at the Italian get together that is happening this weekend, and I will keep it updated as things develop. I'm sure by the Edinburgh show, I will have quite a lot to show. Sorry I haven't been around the last couple of weeks. I got surprised in a dark alleyway by a bout of pneumonia and it almost had me. I'm getting better now and will be posting more regularly. Dave On Wed, May 14, 2014 at 10:27 AM, Geoff Wicks gtwi...@btinternet.comwrote: On 14/05/2014 12:31, j...@sinoda.demon.co.uk wrote: I had planned to attend Edinburgh, not to give a talk, but to gain information and learn. However, as I seem to fit all the criteria that Geoff has mentioned, I am happy if it is considered that I am not the target audience for QLis30. If the plan is that everyone must give a talk, as I do not have a talk planned I will not attend, but I still think the show will be fascinating and I wish you all the best. You are the sort of person we want at Edinburgh. You don't have to give a talk, but you have something valuable to contribute. I just don't think there is a role for AE at the event. Let me say that the 2012 Quanta AGM was when I decided that I would never go to another Quanta show. It was a two day event with nothing whatsoever planned on the Saturday. I spent most of the time wondering whether I could quickly devise a presentation and not having my original material with me eventually gave up and left the show early. (My QL project at the time was the Just Words! QL mapping page that I had felt was too much of a minority interest for a show presentation.) The next day there were two events planned, George Gwilt and Adrian Ives. I was impressed that Quanta managed to get Adrian to the show as his work was the hot topic of the time. Both presentations were badly attended - about half the people present stayed at their tables instead. After his talk Adrian gave a live demonstration at his table. There were just 6 of us interested. At the end of a show the committee had a post mortem. What was their answer in 2013? A carbon copy of the 2012 event! Best Wishes, Geoff ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm -- Dave Park Sandy Electronics, LLC d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Edinburgh is go!
Excellent. It looks like us QLis30 pledgers are going to have to pay up! :) Dave On Wed, May 7, 2014 at 11:01 AM, Geoff Wicks gtwi...@btinternet.com wrote: The Edinburgh QLis30 event is booked for 11th October 2014. This was the date that most people wanted. The venue is the Gyle Hall of the St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Glasgow Road, EH12 8LJ. The venue is on the main road from Edinburgh city centre to Edinburgh Airport and Glasgow. The bus service too and from the airport has a bus stop outside the church. We shall be posting a dedicated website giving details of accommodation and travel arrangements, but this is unlikely to be online before mid June. I need to go to Edinburgh to do some research and photography for the site. I am in Edinburgh on 31st May and 6th June so it is saves me time and money to wait until then. So far 17 people from 6 lands have expressed an interest so we have achieved our first aim of getting an international group of QL-ers together. There are Marriott and Holiday Inn hotels on the same bus route as the church but we shall publish detailed information of these and other hotels on the website. Also travellers from the continent may like two early details. Any one wishing to come by car may like to consider the overnight DFDS ferry from IJmuiden in the Netherlands to Newcastle. This would save a long drive in the UK. Any one thinking of travelling by Eurostar should note that the London terminal is next door to Kings Cross station with trains to Edinburgh. We hope to have Skype at the event, but none of the organisers has Skype experience. I hope to have this by October, Best Wishes, Geoff ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm -- Dave Park Sandy Electronics, LLC d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Fwd: QLis30 update
I would have thought with it being a holiday in Germany, if anything it would make travel and time off work arrangements a lot easier for our German friends. Sadly, I can't go (my citizenship won't be processed in time) but I'll be there electronically. Dave On Sun, May 4, 2014 at 2:47 PM, Peter Graf pg...@q40.de wrote: Oct 11 preferred. ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm -- Dave Park Sandy Electronics, LLC d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
[Ql-Users] QL backplanes....
I tried to start a discussion earlier on QL forum about QL backplanes, and asked people to send photos of their systems and tell me how they used them, and what factors made their decisions... I got a very poor response of zero to th at request. :) I have decided I phrased the question too narrowly. The area I am looking at is much wider than my question, so I have decided to rephrase the conversation in a new thread. QL2 looks like it will have some built-in expansion, possibly including two or three pre-decoded areas. It will need to be able to work as a swap-out replacement for QLs or Aurora in cased systems, while still fitting in the footprint of the original QL board so it can fit in a QL case. This implies an edge connector like the QL's own... Given the generally poor signal quality of the Qplane, and the (some say) uncomfortable layout of the Mplane, and the slew of new hardware soon looking for a spot in systems that are already full, I have to consider the possibility of a new backplane learning lessons from everything currently existing. I asked my question in the light of the above. I was hoping to learn what's important and what's not to most people. This doesn't just feed into a maybe new backplane, but also feeds into the ultimate design and expansion possibilities of QL2 itself. So, what do you think about expansion? What's the deal with your set-ups? What would you like to improve them? If you are both here and on QL Forum, please reply there: http://qlforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=2t=951p=7631#p7631 Thanks! -- Dave Park Sandy Electronics, LLC d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] QL backplanes....
I have put some thought into how cards would be supported. Given my access to 3D printers, I can do quite fancy things with ease now. :) I am inclined to use a microATX or picoATX case - they're small, easy to access and quite cheap. Dave On Sat, May 3, 2014 at 2:42 PM, Rich Mellor (RWAP) r...@rwapservices.co.ukwrote: I no longer use a QL with a back-plane - when I did have that set up it was to use an Aurora, Super Gold Card and QubIDE in a PC Tower Case. I also liked to have a spare slot for access to a QEP III for example (although I never had one at the time)... The main issue now is that ATX cases (for which this combination was designed I think) are now hard to find. The main problem I used to have with that original set up (and with other backplane setups I have looked at) was how each card is fitted into the backplane - typically with nothing to support them other than a bit of cardboard between each board, or maybe some plastic toothed strips which it was not always easy to attach onto the edge of the boards (due to chips near the edge) and quite often fell off in transit... On May 3, 2014 at 6:50 PM Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com wrote: I tried to start a discussion earlier on QL forum about QL backplanes, and asked people to send photos of their systems and tell me how they used them, and what factors made their decisions... I got a very poor response of zero to th at request. :) I have decided I phrased the question too narrowly. The area I am looking at is much wider than my question, so I have decided to rephrase the conversation in a new thread. QL2 looks like it will have some built-in expansion, possibly including two or three pre-decoded areas. It will need to be able to work as a swap-out replacement for QLs or Aurora in cased systems, while still fitting in the footprint of the original QL board so it can fit in a QL case. This implies an edge connector like the QL's own... Given the generally poor signal quality of the Qplane, and the (some say) uncomfortable layout of the Mplane, and the slew of new hardware soon looking for a spot in systems that are already full, I have to consider the possibility of a new backplane learning lessons from everything currently existing. I asked my question in the light of the above. I was hoping to learn what's important and what's not to most people. This doesn't just feed into a maybe new backplane, but also feeds into the ultimate design and expansion possibilities of QL2 itself. So, what do you think about expansion? What's the deal with your set-ups? What would you like to improve them? If you are both here and on QL Forum, please reply there: http://qlforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=2t=951p=7631#p7631 Thanks! -- Dave Park Sandy Electronics, LLC d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm Rich Mellor RWAP Software www.rwapsoftware.co.uk www.sellmyretro.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm -- Dave Park Sandy Electronics, LLC d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] QL backplanes....
It's not an issue for capacitors. Even when you bypass the voltage regulators on the QL and expansion cards, the smoothing capacitors on either side of the regulators are still in play. Dave On Sat, May 3, 2014 at 3:12 PM, Ralf Reköndt ralf.rekoe...@t-online.dewrote: I once had a kind of Mini-PC case, where I fitted a powersupply, an issue 5 board and a kind of backplane (with 6 plugs), unpowered with a separate left whole in the case to plug a QEP III into it (connected with a separate cable). The backplane was fitted with an SQB 513k plus an QFlash 64k EPROM card. All has worked well without problems. I always wasn't unsure about separate power or capacitors for such a backplane, of which I have read. I had none of that and I never run into problems. Cheers...Ralf - Original Message - From: Rich Mellor (RWAP) r...@rwapservices.co.uk To: ql-us...@q-v-d.com Sent: Saturday, May 03, 2014 9:42 PM Subject: Re: [Ql-Users] QL backplanes I no longer use a QL with a back-plane - when I did have that set up it was to use an Aurora, Super Gold Card and QubIDE in a PC Tower Case. I also liked to have a spare slot for access to a QEP III for example (although I never had one at the time)... The main issue now is that ATX cases (for which this combination was designed I think) are now hard to find. The main problem I used to have with that original set up (and with other backplane setups I have looked at) was how each card is fitted into the backplane - typically with nothing to support them other than a bit of cardboard between each board, or maybe some plastic toothed strips which it was not always easy to attach onto the edge of the boards (due to chips near the edge) and quite often fell off in transit... On May 3, 2014 at 6:50 PM Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com wrote: I tried to start a discussion earlier on QL forum about QL backplanes, and asked people to send photos of their systems and tell me how they used them, and what factors made their decisions... I got a very poor response of zero to th at request. :) I have decided I phrased the question too narrowly. The area I am looking at is much wider than my question, so I have decided to rephrase the conversation in a new thread. QL2 looks like it will have some built-in expansion, possibly including two or three pre-decoded areas. It will need to be able to work as a swap-out replacement for QLs or Aurora in cased systems, while still fitting in the footprint of the original QL board so it can fit in a QL case. This implies an edge connector like the QL's own... Given the generally poor signal quality of the Qplane, and the (some say) uncomfortable layout of the Mplane, and the slew of new hardware soon looking for a spot in systems that are already full, I have to consider the possibility of a new backplane learning lessons from everything currently existing. I asked my question in the light of the above. I was hoping to learn what's important and what's not to most people. This doesn't just feed into a maybe new backplane, but also feeds into the ultimate design and expansion possibilities of QL2 itself. So, what do you think about expansion? What's the deal with your set-ups? What would you like to improve them? If you are both here and on QL Forum, please reply there: http://qlforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=2t=951p=7631#p7631 Thanks! -- Dave Park Sandy Electronics, LLC d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm Rich Mellor RWAP Software www.rwapsoftware.co.uk www.sellmyretro.com ___ 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 -- Dave Park Sandy Electronics, LLC d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Things I have learned...
*grins* I appreciate the offer, truly, but I think I am going to do something simple yet capable with OpenOffice. Dave On Tue, Apr 29, 2014 at 2:36 PM, extdgl42 externa...@earthlink.net wrote: -Original Message- From: Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com Sent: Apr 28, 2014 5:02 PM To: ql-us...@q-v-d.com ql-us...@q-v-d.com Subject: [Ql-Users] Things I have learned... Hi all, I have learned a lot in starting a business. Some of the lessons have been hard. The biggest lesson has been getting postage right. Dealing with postal services from deep in the heart of Texas has been one of the must frustrating experiences. Packages that disappear, or that I visit the shipper a week after mailing and they're still sat there... I had a heart to heart with my mailman. He has become something of an acquaintance of mine, and I have broken the protective shield so I get the 'real deal' from him. The handwritten international mailing labels and customs forms are the problem. Handwritten labels are examined at the portal where they go on the plane so they have a security mindset. If the labels were computer generated, the details are pre-submitted to the USPS. If anything is flagged,they know before you even give USPS the package. SO: I have invested over $200 in a digital USB postal scale, postal account with stamps.com (a USPS provider, who allows me to enter and print the CN22 customs form on the same mailing label) and a 4x6 large format postal label printer. With these I'll get all the benefits of digital mailing, plus I no longer need to go to the post office. Instead, I can just hand the mail to my carrier and he'll scan it - it will be in the system already. Other benefits include easy tracking numbers and email notifications for my customers, reduced price insurance and it checks and formats international addresses correctly - something I suck at. I will switch over to this new system gradually during this week. The next problem I have is parts. I have thousands and thousands of components here. The SuperRAM alone has 19 different parts. Many parts are unique to one product, but some apply to more than one - like SMD BAT42 diodes, for example. The hard part is when i have two almost identical parts but with a small difference for different product lines. Until now, I have used divided trays/cases for each product. That 'sort of' works, but it also doesn't. They aren't suited to when I receive tape or reel components, which come on a long reel suited for automated machine mounting. I am loath to remove them from the reel to put them in the cases. Also, some components have no markings identifying them, so I mark the reels. I need to devise a system where I can identify and locate any component, easily and quickly. Where I can have a kit list to kit assembly packs for, say, 50 UltimIDEs. Some components will appear 5 or 8 times on an UltimIDE, so the kitting sheet should know how many, their component names, etc. I think I'll need to create a spreadsheet template for this. If it can also keep track of what the components cost on a per unit basis that would help me with cost accounting. In the mean time I have three wire rack shelves and a table surface covered in bags, reels, strips and cases of parts. Very unsatisfactory. I have the utmost respect for Rich at RWAP, who has hundreds of items and also very limited space. How does he do it? Dave -- Dave Park Sandy Electronics, LLC d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm I would offer to save you time, programming SS, whether Excel or Abacus or whatever ... but do not want to foist heartburn or worse on anyone :-) . Just notice the two pkges I right now mentioned. C++ at the local community college (some time ago) drove me crazy. Doug ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm -- Dave Park Sandy Electronics, LLC d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
[Ql-Users] Things I have learned...
Hi all, I have learned a lot in starting a business. Some of the lessons have been hard. The biggest lesson has been getting postage right. Dealing with postal services from deep in the heart of Texas has been one of the must frustrating experiences. Packages that disappear, or that I visit the shipper a week after mailing and they're still sat there... I had a heart to heart with my mailman. He has become something of an acquaintance of mine, and I have broken the protective shield so I get the 'real deal' from him. The handwritten international mailing labels and customs forms are the problem. Handwritten labels are examined at the portal where they go on the plane so they have a security mindset. If the labels were computer generated, the details are pre-submitted to the USPS. If anything is flagged,they know before you even give USPS the package. SO: I have invested over $200 in a digital USB postal scale, postal account with stamps.com (a USPS provider, who allows me to enter and print the CN22 customs form on the same mailing label) and a 4x6 large format postal label printer. With these I'll get all the benefits of digital mailing, plus I no longer need to go to the post office. Instead, I can just hand the mail to my carrier and he'll scan it - it will be in the system already. Other benefits include easy tracking numbers and email notifications for my customers, reduced price insurance and it checks and formats international addresses correctly - something I suck at. I will switch over to this new system gradually during this week. The next problem I have is parts. I have thousands and thousands of components here. The SuperRAM alone has 19 different parts. Many parts are unique to one product, but some apply to more than one - like SMD BAT42 diodes, for example. The hard part is when i have two almost identical parts but with a small difference for different product lines. Until now, I have used divided trays/cases for each product. That 'sort of' works, but it also doesn't. They aren't suited to when I receive tape or reel components, which come on a long reel suited for automated machine mounting. I am loath to remove them from the reel to put them in the cases. Also, some components have no markings identifying them, so I mark the reels. I need to devise a system where I can identify and locate any component, easily and quickly. Where I can have a kit list to kit assembly packs for, say, 50 UltimIDEs. Some components will appear 5 or 8 times on an UltimIDE, so the kitting sheet should know how many, their component names, etc. I think I'll need to create a spreadsheet template for this. If it can also keep track of what the components cost on a per unit basis that would help me with cost accounting. In the mean time I have three wire rack shelves and a table surface covered in bags, reels, strips and cases of parts. Very unsatisfactory. I have the utmost respect for Rich at RWAP, who has hundreds of items and also very limited space. How does he do it? Dave -- Dave Park Sandy Electronics, LLC d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] QL Meeting Italy
I would be happy to attend by skype and show a couple of prototypes and its and pieces. I could also mail ahead a couple of freebies for you to give away at the meet - something for everyone. Mail me off-list and we can work out the details. Dave On Wed, Apr 23, 2014 at 3:59 PM, Rich Mellor (RWAP) r...@rwapservices.co.uk wrote: Whereabouts are you planning on holding the show? I can email the QL users in Italy for you - maybe other countries if it is in the North! Rich On April 23, 2014 at 9:41 PM Davide Santachiara d.santachi...@libero.it wrote: Hi All, We are trying to organize a QL meeting in Italy on 18th of May (Sunday) very similar to the last one held in 2008. You will find information and a report on www.sinclairql.it - i.e. it will be something very informal with the main goal to spend a day together and having a good lunch in a nearby trattoria. However we would really appreciate if somebody from outside Italy would be willing to join us by teleconference presenting his products or latest software or hardware development. That could be easily (tbc) managed by skype or other videoconference systems as we did in 2008 with Daniele from the US. The date is not yet fixed in stone as we are trying to reach a minimum number of person to justify the effort but it appears likely so far. If anybody is interested in joining us with a telecon for a presentation please write me privately. Thanks in advance Kind regards Davide ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm Rich Mellor RWAP Software www.rwapsoftware.co.uk www.sellmyretro.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm -- Dave Park Sandy Electronics, LLC d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
[Ql-Users] Mail problems...
Hi all, I was searching my spam folder for valid mail and found a few emails from QLers. I marked them as not spam but they vanished into the ether. If you have emailed me in the last few days, and have not received a reply, please email me again :) -- Dave Park Sandy Electronics, LLC d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Ethernet chit chat...
Yes, Malcolm, the interface is at the socket level. Both of the devices have some pros and cons. I am still open to suggestions for other options. One thing I am not concerned about is the pitch and number of pins on the WS5300 or any other device. I don't hand solder SMD boards. I use a solder mask to apply paste, position the devices then flow them in an oven. I have done a fair amount of QFP100 and 1mm BGA work with no problems. Although the WS5300 is technically superior as a device (it is more modern, it acts as an ethernet co-processor) the work that has already been done with the CS8900A is very important. Without the work being done on drivers, extensions for languages, etc, it doesn't matter how fly the device is. The CS8900A has some support already. Peter, could you outline what is available for the CS8900A, please? This is why I have opened up the discussion. I dread these discussions :) but I am sat here with two equally good choices for two very different reasons. The WS5300 is a very persuasive CHIP, and the CS8900A has some very persuasive CODE. Since CODE is such a big problem... If the CS8900A is chosen, we'll have a less capable or future-proof device that has much work already done. If we choose the WS5300, it maybe has an extra ten years of useful life but we have to start from scratch with supporting code. That's the balance. On Tue, Apr 15, 2014 at 3:48 AM, Malcolm Lear malc...@essex.ac.uk wrote: Hi, I would think the most important criteria would be to choose a solution that reduces the software load on 68K. It seems after a brief look at the data sheets that the W5300's interface is at socket level, is that right? Malcolm On 14/04/2014 22:39, Dave Park wrote: I have been presented with two good contenders for an ethernet solution for the QL. There might be others; I am open to suggestions and may add more to the list. I would like there to be a *polite, friendly, respectful, constructive*debate about the relative merits of the two devices. Once you have expressed a view, that's enough. No need to restate it, unless you add something further. It is very important that discourse be *focused entirely*on solving the problem of getting ethernet onto the QL. Please read the data sheets and form an opinion about which would perform better on a QL at 7.5MHz or a SGC system at 25 MHz. There is already a TCP stack in existence; whether you wish to use it or not is a matter for you - one of the chips is a microcontroller that has its own stack. Here are the contenders: Wiznet WS5300 http://www.wiznet.co.kr/UpLoad_Files/Re ... _V128E.pdf versus Cirrus Logic CS8900 http://www.cirrus.com/en/pubs/proDatash ... 00A_F5.pdf If there is a clear consensus, I will assemble some functional prototype boards using the favored device, then send boards and documentation out to a limited number of people who express an interest in doing development work with them. There would be some gentle conditions: 1. You'd join a developer mailing list and report occasionally on progress you'd made to the other three people and me. Others could join the list to provide feedback, etc. The list would allow you to self-co-ordinate your efforts within the group. I would not be the boss of you. I would not own your work. There is no schedule or deadline. 2. Anything you do, once reaching a state of development greater than alpha, would be open source and freely distributable. A GIT repository or similar would be nice. 3. I would, upon release, host information and downloads at SinclairQL.com so people can explore the code or develop it further. If anyone develops anything to a point that it becomes possible to add ethernet to a future board, or standalone, I would work out a way to produce them for the community. If not, you can keep the card as a curio/plaything/collectible, or send it to someone else who has shown an interest. So, let's begin, shall we? ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm -- Dave Park Sandy Electronics, LLC d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Ethernet chit chat...
Please add the CP2200 to the list of devices under consideration. I did just look it up and it is comparable in features to the CS8900A. With a brief search, I might be able to buy CS2200-based ethernet cards and harvest all the components needed off them quite economically, for example. I am a little disheartened that ethernet on the Qx0 is not used by any QDOSMSQ* versions. Dave On Tue, Apr 15, 2014 at 4:18 PM, Graeme Gregory gra...@xora.org.uk wrote: On Tue, Apr 15, 2014 at 10:29:23PM +0200, Marcel Kilgus wrote: Wiznet: + TCP/IP included. Implementation of socket API for QL probably pretty easy. + Reliefs slow 68008 main processor. But then I seriously question what original QL owners are going to do with this thing anyway. - Only 4 parallel connections. That's 4 more than QLs usually have, but still not exactly many. - IPv4 only with no way to upgrade if it is ever deemed necessary. All in all I'd say a real Ethernet chip would be much more future-proof... if you can get the software for it working. Of course the W5300 is also a proper ethernet chip as well, linux has a driver for it not using the internal stack! G ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm -- Dave Park Sandy Electronics, LLC d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Ethernet chit chat...
That device, while cheap, has no 5v tolerance. The level translation, while simple to do, is relatively expensive in terms of components + board space. In the end, it erases most of the cost benefit. Also, it doesn't fit within the package profile of how UltimIDE and UltraQ will pair together to just have this extra board and connector sticking out somewhere. The components and socket would need to be integrated into the form factor. I do appreciate the thought, and for most other uses this would be the right choice. It just doesn't work for this specific application. It's hard to set out all the parameters that put boundaries on this up front, because if I explained every design goal and restriction and 'desired element' there really wouldn't be any choices left. Whatever is chosen, there will be some compromises and some people will be unhappy. I can just try to make an informed decision. In this case, an informed decision is the decision that most gives prospect of a usable QL ethernet system. Dave On Tue, Apr 15, 2014 at 5:13 PM, John Alexander acontractor...@yahoo.co.ukwrote: Could save a lot of dev effort and choose any one of the following http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40_sacat=0_nkw= arduino+ethernet_sop=2 Then your contribution is the base board to interface the Ethernet board to the QL. Idea been start from a cheap known good solution testable on another platform then work back to the QL with minimum outlay in dev gear On 15/04/14 22:45, Dave Park wrote: Please add the CP2200 to the list of devices under consideration. I did just look it up and it is comparable in features to the CS8900A. With a brief search, I might be able to buy CS2200-based ethernet cards and harvest all the components needed off them quite economically, for example. I am a little disheartened that ethernet on the Qx0 is not used by any QDOSMSQ* versions. Dave On Tue, Apr 15, 2014 at 4:18 PM, Graeme Gregory gra...@xora.org.uk wrote: On Tue, Apr 15, 2014 at 10:29:23PM +0200, Marcel Kilgus wrote: Wiznet: + TCP/IP included. Implementation of socket API for QL probably pretty easy. + Reliefs slow 68008 main processor. But then I seriously question what original QL owners are going to do with this thing anyway. - Only 4 parallel connections. That's 4 more than QLs usually have, but still not exactly many. - IPv4 only with no way to upgrade if it is ever deemed necessary. All in all I'd say a real Ethernet chip would be much more future-proof... if you can get the software for it working. Of course the W5300 is also a proper ethernet chip as well, linux has a driver for it not using the internal stack! G ___ 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 -- Dave Park Sandy Electronics, LLC d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Ethernet chit chat...
Yes please :) I have five WizNet WS5300 and five CP8900A here. I don't have any CS2200. Having another 20 or so is about $120 of reduced cost just for the chips alone, which is very attractive since I am trying to do this project as affordably as possible for buyers without making a profit myself. I'll mail you off-list. Dave On Tue, Apr 15, 2014 at 5:30 PM, Malcolm malc...@essex.ac.uk wrote: Dave, I think I have up to 25 Wiznet chips and unpopulated PCB's (SPI interface) unused from an abandoned project. You can have them if it helps. The PCB like all my designs was created using the QL PCBDesign software so it can easily be altered to the QL bus. On 15 April 2014 22:45:55 BST, Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com wrote: Please add the CP2200 to the list of devices under consideration. I did just look it up and it is comparable in features to the CS8900A. With a brief search, I might be able to buy CS2200-based ethernet cards and harvest all the components needed off them quite economically, for example. I am a little disheartened that ethernet on the Qx0 is not used by any QDOSMSQ* versions. Dave On Tue, Apr 15, 2014 at 4:18 PM, Graeme Gregory gra...@xora.org.uk wrote: On Tue, Apr 15, 2014 at 10:29:23PM +0200, Marcel Kilgus wrote: Wiznet: + TCP/IP included. Implementation of socket API for QL probably pretty easy. + Reliefs slow 68008 main processor. But then I seriously question what original QL owners are going to do with this thing anyway. - Only 4 parallel connections. That's 4 more than QLs usually have, but still not exactly many. - IPv4 only with no way to upgrade if it is ever deemed necessary. All in all I'd say a real Ethernet chip would be much more future-proof... if you can get the software for it working. Of course the W5300 is also a proper ethernet chip as well, linux has a driver for it not using the internal stack! G ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm -- Dave Park Sandy Electronics, LLC d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm -- Sent from my Android phone with K-9 Mail. ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm -- Dave Park Sandy Electronics, LLC d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Ethernet chit chat...
Thank you for being understanding, John. If we get to do ethernet, it will be integral to the UltraQ board and will be fitted to every UltraQ made. There would probably be a standalone board too, because it would be a horrible limitation to have to buy UltimIDE plus the UltraQ upgrade just to get ethernet - if for example you already have a SGC. Here are the physical/dimensional constraints: SuperRAM will initially be sold as a thru-conn interface for the QL. When the UltimIDE is released, it will have a riser to accept SuperRAM and, eventually, UltraQ. The riser version of SuperRAM will have a pin header facing down, instead of a DIN connector facing right. Same for the UltraQ. Converting a thru-conn SuperRAM to a daughtercard SuperRAM means removing the DIN connector to add the turned pins facing down, and adding a single solder bridge on the power supply (the riser feeds regulated 5v power.) UltimIDE will be sold with or without SuperRAM, and with or without UltraQ when that becomes available. Thus, a bare 0k or SuperRAM 896K equipped UltimIDE can be upgraded to a 4MB UltraQ with ethernet later, and the SuperRAM can be adapted for use in a BBQL, sold to someone with a bare UltimIDE, or possibly traded in for credit. *As currently planned*, the UltimIDE sticks out of the QL case a very small amount - about 20mm. The UltraQ will stick out slightly further, about 40 or 50mm. *This might change.* However, this creates a very low profile expansion and a not overly-long QL. This set-up can also be used in cased backplane systems. The intention is for the ethernet port to face backwards from the rear left corner of the UltraQ board. The floppy would face rearwards to the right of it. Both connectors would be mounted on the lower side of the PCB. LEDs would be on the top side of the PCB facing up, visible through a small slot in the black ABS cover. I hope to show veroboard mock-ups of the two boards in a few weeks, once SuperRAM is released. I have no preference for any chip, or hesitancy about any of the candidates. They're just chips that would have a schematic done then be incorporated onto a PCB that I'd assemble. I'm not going to be doing the drivers, it's all just hardware to me. The chip doesn't matter to me at all. It matters to whoever has to code for it. That's why I turned it over to you, humble code-tweakers. Which device is most likely to have code written for it that gets it to a useful state, be it a 'driver' or SuperBASIC routines that peek and poke their way to victory or assembly or whatever? Dave On Tue, Apr 15, 2014 at 5:34 PM, John Alexander acontractor...@yahoo.co.ukwrote: Several different designs there but the majority of the chips used are 5V tolerant I/O. I'm glad some one appreciates the thought just wondering why there's such a problem putting a single chip Ethernet port on a computer that it's taken 30 years to do it. Any way the IPv4 stack and more importantly the Apps will consume more effort than the physical interface and as said previously you can always test on a SLIP connection On 15/04/14 23:24, Dave Park wrote: That device, while cheap, has no 5v tolerance. The level translation, while simple to do, is relatively expensive in terms of components + board space. In the end, it erases most of the cost benefit. Also, it doesn't fit within the package profile of how UltimIDE and UltraQ will pair together to just have this extra board and connector sticking out somewhere. The components and socket would need to be integrated into the form factor. I do appreciate the thought, and for most other uses this would be the right choice. It just doesn't work for this specific application. It's hard to set out all the parameters that put boundaries on this up front, because if I explained every design goal and restriction and 'desired element' there really wouldn't be any choices left. Whatever is chosen, there will be some compromises and some people will be unhappy. I can just try to make an informed decision. In this case, an informed decision is the decision that most gives prospect of a usable QL ethernet system. Dave On Tue, Apr 15, 2014 at 5:13 PM, John Alexander acontractor...@yahoo.co.ukwrote: Could save a lot of dev effort and choose any one of the following http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40_sacat=0_nkw= arduino+ethernet_sop=2 Then your contribution is the base board to interface the Ethernet board to the QL. Idea been start from a cheap known good solution testable on another platform then work back to the QL with minimum outlay in dev gear On 15/04/14 22:45, Dave Park wrote: Please add the CP2200 to the list of devices under consideration. I did just look it up and it is comparable in features to the CS8900A. With a brief search, I might be able to buy CS2200-based ethernet cards and harvest all the components needed off them quite economically, for example. I am a little disheartened
Re: [Ql-Users] Ethernet chit chat...
On Tue, Apr 15, 2014 at 5:46 PM, John Alexander acontractor...@yahoo.co.ukwrote: If the parts are decided then the final choice is merely how many and how much as you state here No part is decided. It does look like the WS5300 has a couple of advantages, but a couple of people whose opinions I hold in high esteem prefer another device. Since it's about likelihood of coding, not the device itself, there's no clear actual leader. -- Dave Park Sandy Electronics, LLC d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Ethernet chit chat...
So, here's the summary of my thinking. From a coding point of view, one chip stands out from the others. If installed in a system, anyone who reads the datasheet can write a BASIC, C or ASM program that directly transfers data to and from the WS5300. No need to deal with a TCP/IP stack whatsoever. This naturally fits in with the QL design philosophy of having intelligent peripherals. It looks like, with even a little prompting, even a less skilled programmer like myself could get the WS5300 working at a basic level. That cannot be said for any of the other options presented. The second attractive thing about the WS5300 is that it can work as well on a 7.5MHz QL as a 25MHz one. The system overhead would be relatively light. Now, the reality is that the WS5300 does have some limitations; for example, it only supports 8 ports when used in intelligent mode. However, that limitation disappears if used in the same mode the other options are used in. Therefore it has the same development hurdles, no more and no less if used in that mode. I suspect the quick start nature of the WS5300 means we will quickly see new applications developed for it, or existing applications made aware of how to use it. The CS2200A which is used in the Qx0 is the other contender. What I struggle with is that this option has been available to owners for 15+ years and yet nobody has used it in QDOSMSQ... Since it is unsupported, using a different chipset doesn't create a compatibility split - which was something I expressly wanted to avoid. My fear is that the same thing will happen if the WS5300 is used. What if I build it and they don't come? So, currently, my thinking is to use the WS5300. It represents the best opportunities for use at the widest range of skill levels. It is easy to incorporate. It's just the path of least resistance. The feedback so far has been very interesting to read. I want to express my gratitude to you all for keeping things civil and constructive. I'll leave discussion open for another day. This period will be for anyone to raise a specific objection / deal-breaker to using the WS5300 *that hasn't already be addressed*. This isn't a democracy: Sandy get to decide what's a deal breaker, because Sandy will be making the commitment to build it and support it. I have a couple of very skilled advisors guiding me, and I trust their judgment. It will also be the time for those who are interested in doing any development work with the WS5300 to email me *off-list* with a two-paragraph outline of what they'd do if they had one: what they'd work on, and where they expect things to go with it in the future. You also need to give a commitment to the openness principles in the first post: 1. You'd join a developer mailing list and report occasionally on progress you'd made to the other three people and me. Others could join the list to provide feedback, etc. The list would allow you to self-co-ordinate your efforts within the group. I would not be the boss of you. I would not own your work. There is no schedule or deadline. 2. Anything you do, once reaching a state of development greater than alpha, would be open source and freely distributable. A GIT repository or similar would be nice. 3. I would, upon release, host information and downloads at SinclairQL.com so people can explore the code or develop it further. If I get more than 3-4 interested people I might have a couple more questions for some of you - or if your ideas are really great I might make a couple of extra prototypes. Remember, email me off-list if you're interested in the beta program. :) Thank you. On Tue, Apr 15, 2014 at 6:11 PM, Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com wrote: On Tue, Apr 15, 2014 at 5:46 PM, John Alexander acontractor...@yahoo.co.uk wrote: If the parts are decided then the final choice is merely how many and how much as you state here No part is decided. It does look like the WS5300 has a couple of advantages, but a couple of people whose opinions I hold in high esteem prefer another device. Since it's about likelihood of coding, not the device itself, there's no clear actual leader. -- Dave Park Sandy Electronics, LLC d...@sinclairql.com -- Dave Park Sandy Electronics, LLC d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
[Ql-Users] Ethernet chit chat...
I have been presented with two good contenders for an ethernet solution for the QL. There might be others; I am open to suggestions and may add more to the list. I would like there to be a *polite, friendly, respectful, constructive*debate about the relative merits of the two devices. Once you have expressed a view, that's enough. No need to restate it, unless you add something further. It is very important that discourse be *focused entirely*on solving the problem of getting ethernet onto the QL. Please read the data sheets and form an opinion about which would perform better on a QL at 7.5MHz or a SGC system at 25 MHz. There is already a TCP stack in existence; whether you wish to use it or not is a matter for you - one of the chips is a microcontroller that has its own stack. Here are the contenders: Wiznet WS5300 http://www.wiznet.co.kr/UpLoad_Files/Re ... _V128E.pdf versus Cirrus Logic CS8900 http://www.cirrus.com/en/pubs/proDatash ... 00A_F5.pdf If there is a clear consensus, I will assemble some functional prototype boards using the favored device, then send boards and documentation out to a limited number of people who express an interest in doing development work with them. There would be some gentle conditions: 1. You'd join a developer mailing list and report occasionally on progress you'd made to the other three people and me. Others could join the list to provide feedback, etc. The list would allow you to self-co-ordinate your efforts within the group. I would not be the boss of you. I would not own your work. There is no schedule or deadline. 2. Anything you do, once reaching a state of development greater than alpha, would be open source and freely distributable. A GIT repository or similar would be nice. 3. I would, upon release, host information and downloads at SinclairQL.com so people can explore the code or develop it further. If anyone develops anything to a point that it becomes possible to add ethernet to a future board, or standalone, I would work out a way to produce them for the community. If not, you can keep the card as a curio/plaything/collectible, or send it to someone else who has shown an interest. So, let's begin, shall we? -- Dave Park Sandy Electronics, LLC d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
[Ql-Users] Swap meet and update....
Hi all There will be an online Swap Meet where you can trade, sell, swap or even give away your unwanted gear, and maybe pick up a bargain! The event will happen on Thursday 1st May, from 6pm to 9pm UK time. All are welcome! Features include the presence of many people in the community who can do deals or answer questions, including: RWAP: a random selection of QL hardware, software and accessories! Sandy: auctioning off a prototype Sandy SuperRAM 896K expansion card, plus a quantity of tested, formatted microdrive cartridges with new felt pads! People like you: search your closets and draws and trade something you don't use for something you might! The swap meet will be held in the Marketplace section of QL Forum, and the auction and live action swapping will be happening in the chatroom. Forum: http://www.qlforum.co.uk/viewforum.php?f=4 Chat: http://www.qlforum.co.uk/mibbit.php If you want to publish lists of what you have to sell or trade, or what you're looking for, you can post them in this thread, or on the For Sale or Wanted sections of the marketplace in anticipation of the big event. Please hold the actual deal-making until May 1st, 6pm though! I know, it's an experiment. Let's see how it goes. There may well be a few well known 'celebrity faces' dropping by during the evening, so I am sure the conversation will be lively! :) Mark it on your calendars: May 1st, 6pm-9pm UK time. And now an update on developments at Sandy Electronics Microdrive felt pads These are our best seller. Over 100 packs shipped. Combining all unsolicited customer reports, we're seeing about a 70% success rate in making bad microdrives usable. Sales of these has now recovered the development cost and covered almost half the cost of developing SuperRAM. Battery adapters These are now shipping. I don't think any have arrived yet (they have to go by surface mail) but I can't wait to see peoples' reactions. They are available in SAFT red and QL black. QL on a Stick Dilwyn has updated QLoS to latest versions, and has also heavily updated the documentation. This is shipping now. Comes on a custom engraved black USB drive that looks the part. Minerva We had a small setback with the Minerva MK IIs which we're working hard to resolve. We will have a large batch of Minerva MK 1s available soon... SuperRAM SuperRAM is coming along nicely. It's a surprise extra project. Up to 896K of static RAM, simply the fastest RAM expansion for the black box QL. It shadows internal memory and video RAM too for an extra boost. Also, it has a through connector, so it can make any floppy interface into a Trump Card beater! Should be shipping in late June UltimIDE Not much to report here. There is progress. I have laser etched the CompactFlash cards that will be included. They look amazing. There will be a lot more to report in 3-4 weeks... :) If anyone has any questions about the swap meet or Sandy developments, I will happily answer them here... RWAP will have stock of felt pads, QL on a Stick, Minerva and SuperRAM as they become available. They will also be available direct from the Sandy store. I have made the decision to not list prices or link to sale pages because this is not an ad - it's an update. If the list-owner gives me permission to list prices or give links, I will do so in future, but only if there is something significant to announce. I will also not sell products until they are available to ship off the shelf. Thank you for reading! -- Dave Park Sandy Electronics, LLC d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] QLis30
Depending on when the event is held, I have two things to contribute: The first is money! I ran a pledge drive a couple of months ago, and $1000 has been pledged by various people to support a dedicated QLis30 show. If you book the hall and advertise the event, you'll receive my pledge at least a month before the event is due to happen. I'll also email the other people who made pledges to remind them of their pledge, and when their promise becomes due. You might need to outlay a bit of money for a while, but you can be reasonably confident of getting a good proportion of it back well before the show - you certainly shouldn't be running the show with cashflow problems. The second is new and returning products. In returning products, I have Minerva MK II with and without I2C, and the MPlane. The battery adapters are shipping this week. In new products that will be ready before your proposed date, there's the Sandy SuperMem, an 896K memory expansion that is highly configurable, very fast, and that has a through connector. I'll also be about ready to release UltimIDE by then, hopefully. There'll be more details and photos in next month's QUANTA magazine. I'll also be able to show progress on other projects, including showing prototypes and other inside info. Will this be a QUANTA event or independently organised? Dave On Sun, Mar 30, 2014 at 1:07 PM, Geoff Wicks gtwi...@btinternet.com wrote: Second attempt to avoid retyping: Holding an event in Edinburgh is to a certain extent risky. There is no large QL community within the immediate catchment area. This means we have to attract QL-ers from outside the area and I think these will be mainly the more active QL-ers whom you might term the movers and shakers of the QL community. One advantage of Edinburgh is that it is an interesting city and some may wish to extend their stay for a short holiday. There would also be plenty for partners to see elsewhere in the city when we are busy QL-ing. One problem for us is that we have no idea what numbers to expect. When I talked to George Gwilt last weekend he suggested anywhere between 10 and 50! Some indication of numbers would give us an idea of what to do at the event. It has been suggested that if we can get the developers and more active QL-ers together, we do not need an extensive program as they will automatically provide some of the content. An interesting argument worthy of discussion. HARDWARE Recently hardware is where most progress has been made and should have a prominent place at the event. Peter Graf would like to attend and Dave Park hopes to participate online. I think they will have much to contribute. GAMES I wrote my account of the last 5 QL years (www.gwicks.net/justwords.htm) with QLis30 in mind. One of the things that surprised me was that games have been an area of great progress. Rich Mellor has put a huge amount of effort into preserving and re-releasing vintage software and it also relevant is that many of the recent additions to Dilwyn's website have been software re-releases. I think this is worthy of a slot at QLis30. I would welcome ideas on how to build on this theme. SOFTWARE This is a difficult area as most of the recent software progress have been the emulators rather than new applications. Again I would be interested in suggestions on how to profile software at the event. Have there been any benefits from the loosening of the SMSQ-E licence restrictions? ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS I would like to have an internet facility at the event, but thought this might not be possible. However John Sadler has indicated that 2 of the possible 4 venues have WIFI. We may need some technical help. I think we could do far more electronically. As far as I know there has only been one online presentation at a QL show in Italy a few years ago. Quanta did set up a WIFI network at their 2012 AGM, but I don't think much use was made of it. I think, if they are interested, Quanta could have a valuable contribution to make following the constitutional change to permit electronic participation in all meetings. There has already been individual participation electronically at committee meetings and the AGM. At this years AGM there is a choice of participating personally; via Skype; or via telephone conferencing. An even more interesting development is that Quanta will soon have its first overseas committee member. In short if Quanta is interested in describing their electronic participation experiences then we should give them a slot. So far there have been few suggestions about the content of a QLis30 event. I hope this will provide a starter for more ideas. So your feedback, please, Best Wishes, Geoff ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm -- Dave Park Sandy Electronics, LLC d...@sinclairql.com
Re: [Ql-Users] QLis30
Will there be a Bring and Buy stall? On Sun, Mar 30, 2014 at 5:08 PM, Dave Park d...@sinclairql.com wrote: Depending on when the event is held, I have two things to contribute: The first is money! I ran a pledge drive a couple of months ago, and $1000 has been pledged by various people to support a dedicated QLis30 show. If you book the hall and advertise the event, you'll receive my pledge at least a month before the event is due to happen. I'll also email the other people who made pledges to remind them of their pledge, and when their promise becomes due. You might need to outlay a bit of money for a while, but you can be reasonably confident of getting a good proportion of it back well before the show - you certainly shouldn't be running the show with cashflow problems. The second is new and returning products. In returning products, I have Minerva MK II with and without I2C, and the MPlane. The battery adapters are shipping this week. In new products that will be ready before your proposed date, there's the Sandy SuperMem, an 896K memory expansion that is highly configurable, very fast, and that has a through connector. I'll also be about ready to release UltimIDE by then, hopefully. There'll be more details and photos in next month's QUANTA magazine. I'll also be able to show progress on other projects, including showing prototypes and other inside info. Will this be a QUANTA event or independently organised? Dave On Sun, Mar 30, 2014 at 1:07 PM, Geoff Wicks gtwi...@btinternet.comwrote: Second attempt to avoid retyping: Holding an event in Edinburgh is to a certain extent risky. There is no large QL community within the immediate catchment area. This means we have to attract QL-ers from outside the area and I think these will be mainly the more active QL-ers whom you might term the movers and shakers of the QL community. One advantage of Edinburgh is that it is an interesting city and some may wish to extend their stay for a short holiday. There would also be plenty for partners to see elsewhere in the city when we are busy QL-ing. One problem for us is that we have no idea what numbers to expect. When I talked to George Gwilt last weekend he suggested anywhere between 10 and 50! Some indication of numbers would give us an idea of what to do at the event. It has been suggested that if we can get the developers and more active QL-ers together, we do not need an extensive program as they will automatically provide some of the content. An interesting argument worthy of discussion. HARDWARE Recently hardware is where most progress has been made and should have a prominent place at the event. Peter Graf would like to attend and Dave Park hopes to participate online. I think they will have much to contribute. GAMES I wrote my account of the last 5 QL years (www.gwicks.net/justwords.htm) with QLis30 in mind. One of the things that surprised me was that games have been an area of great progress. Rich Mellor has put a huge amount of effort into preserving and re-releasing vintage software and it also relevant is that many of the recent additions to Dilwyn's website have been software re-releases. I think this is worthy of a slot at QLis30. I would welcome ideas on how to build on this theme. SOFTWARE This is a difficult area as most of the recent software progress have been the emulators rather than new applications. Again I would be interested in suggestions on how to profile software at the event. Have there been any benefits from the loosening of the SMSQ-E licence restrictions? ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS I would like to have an internet facility at the event, but thought this might not be possible. However John Sadler has indicated that 2 of the possible 4 venues have WIFI. We may need some technical help. I think we could do far more electronically. As far as I know there has only been one online presentation at a QL show in Italy a few years ago. Quanta did set up a WIFI network at their 2012 AGM, but I don't think much use was made of it. I think, if they are interested, Quanta could have a valuable contribution to make following the constitutional change to permit electronic participation in all meetings. There has already been individual participation electronically at committee meetings and the AGM. At this years AGM there is a choice of participating personally; via Skype; or via telephone conferencing. An even more interesting development is that Quanta will soon have its first overseas committee member. In short if Quanta is interested in describing their electronic participation experiences then we should give them a slot. So far there have been few suggestions about the content of a QLis30 event. I hope this will provide a starter for more ideas. So your feedback, please, Best Wishes, Geoff ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v
Re: [Ql-Users] QLis30
Geoff, Your words were eaten by a grue. Dave On Fri, Mar 28, 2014 at 2:12 PM, Geoff Wicks gtwi...@btinternet.com wrote: ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm -- Dave Park Sandy Electronics, LLC d...@sinclairql.com ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
