Summer retrocomputing summary
=============================

This summer I have been trying to use some of older computing platforms.

I  still don't  recognise later  SGI computers  (these like  the O2  or
Octane with  the IRIX  6.5) as  the old ones.  I still  use the  O2 for
actual work.

But I have started to use the SGI Indigo more actively: I have moved my
"newer" Indigo (a 64bit  one) to the summer house and use  it as a main
computer here. The Indigo  itself is OK for this task  (I still have to
set up  some things like Czech  language support for the  LaTeX and the
OpenGL support  for the  Gtk+) but  the issue  has been  data exchange.
There is no  network ad no other computer with  a removable media drive
(a floppy,  a Zip  or the  USB). So I'm  experimenting with  the SCI2SD
solution.

The other  platform is the Cambridge  Z88. I have got  a working system
with a  serial cable  an some  software. I also  have a  dedicated text
editor with  a spell  checking control.  Thus I have  been using  it to
write some short English texts and to experiment with the PipeDream and
the BBC Basic.

I still  use the  PSION Organiser  II devices. One  serves as  an alarm
clock (and for  my OPL experiments) and the other  one (with a printer)
is used as a kitchen/shopping computer.

I also started and played with  my PSION MC400 laptop. It was necessary
to replace  the batteries (after  2! years  of infrequent use).  Then I
ported some of  my OPL programs from the Organiser  II> Well, they only
required to add procedure statements.

An  another thing  has been  the  Apple IIe.  I have  got the  European
version from  Italy. It looks as  new, it is unbelievably  clean and it
seem to work. Bu I don't have a compatible RGB monitor. I have tried to
connect it to the  video input of my SGI O2. It sort  of worked (I have
bad experiences  with my A/V board  from the past so  I didn't expected
any wonders... And there have been no  wonders: I can see upper part of
Apple ][ screen but not the lower one where the AppleSoft prompt should
be expected and  screen updates are also too random;  it behaved in the
same way when I tried other devices  so it should not be problem of the
Apple). I  tried my LCD TV  but it of course  does not work, too.  So I
ordered an original Sup'r'mod RF modulator. It seems to I'm not able to
connect it to any  of my screens, though. So now I'm  trying to find an
alternative solution. In  meantime i have got several  goodies for this
Apple (a time  card and so) but I  still don't have a ProDOS  or DOS (I
wasn't a part of  package to my surprise - there was  only some sort of
demo  diskette  from  the  Apple).  So this  is  still  an  open  story
(September update:  I have managed  to work it  with a modern  cheap RF
modulator.  Screen image  is far  from  excellent but  it is  perfectly
readable.  The new  problem  is non-working  keyboard:  it cannot  emit
correct key code for the Return key).

There is  no progress in the  USSR computing. I have  some new adaptors
which  should  allow to  connect  the  Elektronika  BK-0010 to  a  tape
recorder but  I have  not prepared  all necessary  things, yet.  I also
collected  a  components  to  made  a modern  storage  device  for  the
Elektronika MK-90 but  it requires soldering to there is  also still no
progress.

I'm  not sure  it  the Power  Macintosh  6100  is old  enough  to be  a
retro-computer but I have replaced  the timekeeper battery and repaired
some of its plastics. It still runs as usual.

And  it's summer  with  lot of  sunlight  so  I'm able  to  use my  old
AlphaSmart Pro with in old LCD screen.  So I'm typing this text on that
device.



P.S. The text was edited, spell-checked and formatted in the Vim on the
IRIS Indigo. I still have to learn about the AlphaSmart as it sometimes
changes words  to upper case and  adds some symbols into  the text. But
the AlphaSmart Pro is not a bad typewriter replacement, by the way.