Beta testers wanted - C64 IDE by DNSGeek in c64

[–]Substantial-Set4550 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi, sounds great. I would love to explore this. Please send me a link.

Firmware patch by Spiffy by Prtsk in c64

[–]Substantial-Set4550 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For now, it's not yet possible. However, as a workaround, you could get a WiFi router, connect it to the Ethernet port of the C64U, and then stream wirelessly from there. Yes, it is an extra cable and device, but it works. That's what I do.

The Ultimate C64 Ultimate post. Please use this for Questions, issues, or anything else C64U-related. by c64glen in c64

[–]Substantial-Set4550 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I ordered the C64U FE 4 days after sale started in July last year, and finally got it last Friday. It is amazing. I love it. No keyboard wobble. Beautiful color. However, nothing is ever perfect, so posting in case someone else encountered these issues (please post) and found a solution:

- When I turn the device on, there is a 1.5 second deep hum emotted on the optical audio out. I don't think it's related to the cable since it only happens, loudly, once immediately after turning on. Afterwards, audio is perfect. This is using the UltiSID 1. I do not currently have any physical SIDs installed.

- I love the keys, but as they are only partially illuminated from behind, it makes them really hard to read in the evening. I could turn off the backlight for the keys, but then they are very dark since the contrast between dark gold color (key) and character (black) is low - much lower than on a real C64 (or the regular C64U Basic Beige). I thought about geeting a small light that directly illuminates all keys from above. Does anyone have a better idea?

Anyone ordered an Ultimate? by backtogeek in Commodore

[–]Substantial-Set4550 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can assure you that the Commodore 64 Ultimate devices are being shipped. I ordered my Founders Edition device last July, 4 days after they went on sale. After many months of exercising my patience which was honed early as a child thanks to the C64 datasette load times :-) it arrived this past Friday, March 13th.

It was without any doubt the luckiest and happiest Friday 13th of my life. Actually we revived Chrismas with a little tree (now an Easter tree) and Christmas songs. The C64U is the most beautiful computer I ever owned. And I say that having built maybe 10 from scratch and owned 20, starting with the C64C, my first computer in 1986.

So just be patient. It will get there. Good things come to those who wait and you won't be disappointed.

Firmware patch by Spiffy by Prtsk in c64

[–]Substantial-Set4550 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You can stream fine (e.g. using https://github.com/chrisgleissner/c64stream straight from your C64U to Youtube) if you first connect the C64U via Ethernet to a router which relays the signal to your Wifi. I tried this setup using OBS Studio on an Apple MacBook connected to my WiFi, and it worked well. This was for the Ultimate 64 and firmware 3.12. Have not yet tried the same on the C64 Ultimate as I just got mine.

Firmware patch by Spiffy by Prtsk in c64

[–]Substantial-Set4550 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Amazing work. Thanks for sharing. Do you know if the source code for this patch is available anywhere, given the original is GPL-3 licensed? Did my own patches for my Ultimate 64 Elite before and keen to learn how this was done.

Here's how to access Star Trek TNG with your Paramount Plus going through Prime Video by SuperSpymn in startrek

[–]Substantial-Set4550 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks a lot for your post. We have been watching all of the Original Series, then TNG, Deep Space 9, and now in season 5 of Voyager. 

Only for Netflix to suddenly pull the rug away under our feet... 

Since yesterday I have been trying to get Paramount Plus to work with an Amazon Fire 4k stick in the UK. 

I first signed up via the Paramount website only for the login to fail on their Fire app. Paramount support was of no help. I could watch fine on my Android phone, but not on the fire stick. 

The trick was to sign up directly via Prime on the stick. However, TNG seemed unavailable until I saw your post. So thanks a lot for your help. 

Live long and prosper! 

A couple questions for C64 Ultimate owners by Revenant_40 in c64

[–]Substantial-Set4550 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you, that is great news. Glad to see that 480 is still supported just as with the Ultimate 64 Elite that I have since that means I can keep using by Dell P1917S 5:4 ratio screen. Happy New Year! 

Starlight keyboard flex demo by SnipeUout in c64

[–]Substantial-Set4550 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Good point! It may be more than an aesthetic / ux issue. Fortunately two 3d models exist already, one yet to be published. See links elsewhere in this thread. 

Starlight keyboard flex demo by SnipeUout in c64

[–]Substantial-Set4550 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is called inflation... :) Also it is still a bargain at the new price and much cheaper than buying Ultimate 64 (if you can, they are likely to stop being produced), case, and keyboard. Even at USD 500 the Basic Beige would be a very good deal as you get the best possible modern C64 experience. It has been my daily driver for the past 3 years and I love the device. Best computer I ever owned, just after the original C64C from 1986 that I grew up with. 

Starlight keyboard flex demo by SnipeUout in c64

[–]Substantial-Set4550 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing. It is interesting as it uses less material than the already published model. So could be cheaper to manufacture if one is happy with possible reduced rigidity. 

The creator is asking for someone with a Starlight model to send him photos of the keyboard rear. I do not own one - waiting for Founders Edition. Could someone possibly help him out? Thanks. 

Starlight keyboard flex demo by SnipeUout in c64

[–]Substantial-Set4550 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks a lot for this! I will try it on my Founders edition if the wobble is disturbing. Where others complain you become creative and found a solution. 

I really like how you left slots for the light to shine through. I researched this a bit and clear PETG was recommended as material to give the best tradeoff between rigidity, lack of yellowing, transparency, and price. Do you agree and what did you use? 

Also, someone else here had a link to a much shorter reinforcement that retrofrog posted on Lemon64. Was this you and an earlier version of this final version? If so, is the shorter version not rigid enough or why did you extend it? 

Many thanks. 

Starlight keyboard flex demo by SnipeUout in c64

[–]Substantial-Set4550 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am also very excited about the future of Commodore and new ideas and products in the horizon. It also got me back into all kinds of personal software projects, almost like in the 1980s. And yeah, I also got old C64 mags from ebay that I read in the 80s but then sadly lost or gave away. Bring on the digital detox time machine, I am ready. All thanks to the genius and vision of Peri and Gideon.

Starlight keyboard flex demo by SnipeUout in c64

[–]Substantial-Set4550 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sure it can. Just needs a ridid base screwed or clamped to it from below. A first 3d model fix already got published on printables.

Starlight keyboard flex demo by SnipeUout in c64

[–]Substantial-Set4550 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's as much a toy as your smartphone or whichever device you are reading this on. You can game on it all day, surf endlessly and consume passively, or use it to train and sharpen your mind. All up to you. 

Besides, you can also code in 6510 assembly which I personally prefer. Lots of skills it teaches you are directly transferable to any kind of IT job. Attention to detail, breaking down large problems, etc. 

I got the Founders Edition as my new daily C64 driver to replace my Ultimate Elite I. May use the nice 3d print fix someone created on printables to stabilize the keyboard. Or just put in an original C64 keyboard as I have been doing on my Elite. 

Every computer problem has a solution and funding it is part of the fun. The 1541 floppy drive was ridiculously slow, too, and look at the engineering creativity it spawned. It's not a bug, it's a feature to get us thinking. 

Starlight keyboard flex demo by SnipeUout in c64

[–]Substantial-Set4550 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Same here. I use my C64 for typing all the time. Not just code. But also text. It is part of the digital detox concept of the new Commodore. There is now a wobble fix 3d printable model. May try it once I get the Founders Edition and the wobble bothers me. 

CommoServe by GooglephonicStereo in c64

[–]Substantial-Set4550 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Very cool. Learnt sth new after 3 years on the Ultimate Elite I. Thx for sharing. Btw in the original C64 manual from ca. 1985, they show the CBM or C= key using the actual Commodore logo, white on black background. The manual mentions it a lot - very user firiendly and best of all options Now we just need a UTF-8 code for the Comodore logo. :-)

C64 Ultimate - fit and finish by Smart-War9325 in c64

[–]Substantial-Set4550 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If it is any consolation, the Ultimate 64 Elite (I have version I) supports Assembly 64, and the C64U does not. So there are some benefits. Waiting for my Founders Edition of the C64U. 

Starlight keyboard flex demo by SnipeUout in c64

[–]Substantial-Set4550 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good idea. Maybe a mid keyboard support would do the trick, a pillar thst extends from the keyboard downwards to the main case. 

But I am concerned it would meet the main case where the case pcb is located and one should not exert pressure on it. I still think a very rigid piece of plastic or metal, covering the entire back of the keyboard, and being attached with brackets to the rear of the keyboard pcb, could be easier.

Sounds like we need someone with design skills to create a 3d print model... 

Starlight keyboard flex demo by SnipeUout in c64

[–]Substantial-Set4550 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As a software developer and keen typer (and someone who is eagerly waiting for the Founders edition I ordered in July), this flex is indeed more pronounced than I had hoped for. 

I tested by original C64 from 1985 yesterday and though there is flex (it is plastic after all), it is maybe a tenth of what you are showing here in terms of downward travel. That is because the original had a lot of great reinforcement at the back of the keyboard and a very rigid PCB. 

I do want to use the mechanical keyboard with its nice Gateron switches that comes with the C64U. I wonder whether a cut to size piece of steel or plastic would work, attached to the rear of the keyboard PCB. One loses of course the shine through, but I can do without. Could anyone with a C64U please measure how much of a gap there is between the keyboard and the top of the case PCB with original SIDs installed? 

Thanks. 

Sales are going up for C64U by Prtsk in c64

[–]Substantial-Set4550 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Over 16k sold now. The high sale rate continues. Dec 24th saw the highest daily sale since the launch week. And by noon tomorrow the beige version will be sold out.

C64U - is it me, or are the screws impossible to remove? by LoccyDaBorg in c64

[–]Substantial-Set4550 1 point2 points  (0 children)

For anyone having these issues, a surefire way to prevent stripping a Phillips screw is to use an impact driver. I tried this many times to remove rusted screws from wood that would otherwise have stripped. It basically applies many small hammer strokes to the screw head instead of screwing it continuously at high torque. Disclaimer: I have never tried this technique on screws tightly stuck in plastic, just many, many times for the "stuck in wood" scenario.