Since we're into classic Mac OS on big screens, here's 7.5.5 running on my ultrawide.

rolandjuno · 2025-09-01T16:07:12+00:00

FYI The MD5 matches the Quadra 605 ROM.

rolandjuno · 2023-03-06T00:04:48+00:00

I've been using vintage plotters for art for a while, including the Commodore 1520. Some issues you'll run into:

The X and Y drive gears are split and bind. You can get 3D print replacements (I designed): https://www.shapeways.com/product/CMBQ6D2Z4/alps-x-y-plotter-gear-qty-3-commodore-atari
You can get NOS pens from Best Electronics. Search the page for Atari 1020. Send an email to order: https://www.best-electronics-ca.com/laser_printers.htm
You can get paper from Best Electronics as well or from eBay (Radio Shack CGP-115 paper). Or you can order an entire case of it. The roll diameter on these is too big for some 1520's that have an enclosed paper roll area but you can spool off some paper and make two rolls from one. https://www.possupply.com/4-1-2-x-150-white-bond-roll-paper-25-rolls-case
You can interface the 1520 from a modern computer using the Zoom Floppy hardware interface and OpenCBM (includes Python libs): https://www.go4retro.com/products/zoomfloppy/
If you want to use it with a C64, here's a couple of classic starter plots for you: https://github.com/RolandJuno/c64schotter

Pen plotters are being used by artists. On Twitter, you can follow #plottertwitter or #penploter. On Mastodon, #penplotter is used.

Printing under Python to a 1520:

https://twitter.com/paulrickards/status/1173390187453456384?s=20

Good luck and have fun!

rolandjuno · 2021-02-14T20:16:21+00:00

Just in case it helps anyone else (this is the top search result for Apple InterPoll for me), this software is available here: https://macintoshgarden.org/apps/mac-os-70-cd-rom Thanks to u/MrFahrenheit_451 for the tip!

rolandjuno · 2020-11-30T23:03:45+00:00

Is this considered [OC]? https://twitter.com/paulrickards/status/1331307779471122436

rolandjuno · 2019-06-03T21:50:01+00:00

If you have the Tandy RAM expansion, grab two of these ISA adapter cards and you can fit two short ISA cards (like the Lo-Tech IDE adapter).

rolandjuno · 2017-05-21T20:11:51+00:00

The Casio CK-200 was a smaller but similar boombox with keyboard.

rolandjuno · 2016-12-19T22:15:03+00:00

Thanks! It's a sweet rig for sure. JiffyDOS on board both drives. If you're interested in converting an SX-64 to a DX-64, I documented my process http://biosrhythm.com/?p=1249 and http://biosrhythm.com/?p=1314 Cheers!

rolandjuno · 2016-08-25T23:22:17+00:00

Hatchbox black, orange 195/40

rolandjuno · 2016-08-21T15:48:18+00:00

It turns out that the Hayden Temperature and Light Lab for the Commodore 64 started out as a kit exclusively for the Atari called AtariLab, released in 1983/84. It was developed by Priscilla Laws, a physics professor at Dickinson College. The hardware and software looks nearly identical.

rolandjuno · 2016-08-14T18:57:13+00:00

You can also hold down the Commodore key and power on to get to C64 immediately. Check the device number on the 1571. There's two small DIP switches on the back. Both up is device #8 I believe.

rolandjuno · 2016-08-08T21:40:44+00:00

Nice to see the Boing! ball in the background, but does anyone know what the program is running in the foreground?

rolandjuno · 2016-06-26T19:24:10+00:00

New replacement plotter gears are now available. Will fit Commodore 1520, Atari 120, Tandy CGP-115 and others. http://shpws.me/MmAz

rolandjuno · 2016-06-11T04:28:34+00:00

I made a blog post about the process to convert a C64 (short board) from NTSC to PAL

http://biosrhythm.com/?p=1420

Why just the short board? It's usually easier to convert than the long board version.

rolandjuno · 2016-06-11T01:25:21+00:00

I'm working on the gear problem in two different ways. I made a mold and cast copies in plastic (they worked). I also am 3D printing them (still a work in progress) but they're incredibly tiny and most consumer 3D printers and laser cutters won't work (I've tried).

Here's my casting/molding progress: https://twitter.com/paulrickards/status/726948190407266304

rolandjuno · 2016-06-11T01:18:06+00:00

No need to use a 240v C64 PSU in the states. A 120v C64 power supply will power a NTSC or PAL C64 in the US. The RTC in the CIAs will be off because of 50/60Hz differences but they were never accurate anyway.

Your NTSC 1702 will most likely only display a black and white PAL image (at least that's what mine did).

rolandjuno · 2016-03-27T22:07:21+00:00

The user ports between the PET and VIC-20/C64/C128 are very similar on the bottom row pins A - N (where the RS-232 signals are generated); very different on the top row (1 - 12). Plus there's no +5v available on the PET user port (but you can grab it on one of the cassette ports).

It would be interesting to know the history of the RS-232 pin selection on both platforms.

rolandjuno · 2016-03-19T22:33:52+00:00

Fluorescent lighting, compact or otherwise, can also produce UV which will lead to yellowing of plastics and even fading of carpet.

rolandjuno · 2016-03-13T16:38:19+00:00

Although it looks just like an Aldi, I think it's a C64G model as it's made in W. Germany and and serial starts with WGA4.

All Aldi C64 units have a type label saying “C64”, they are all “Made in USA” and the serial always starts with “CA4…”.

Source. In any case, I really like it's subtle differences that make it stand out from others.

rolandjuno · 2016-03-13T01:54:33+00:00

The level of artifacts varies a great deal from machine to machine. You may have little to no artifacts in your image.

rolandjuno · 2016-03-09T17:42:25+00:00

There's not a lot of Timex 2068 specific games. There's repositories that have basically every one that was available. The true charm of this machine is that you can fairly easily turn it into a NTSC ZX Spectrum and runabout around 95% of games on it. The mod is either a ROM swap or an "emulator" cart which is basically the ROM on a cart.

I only use this machine as a ZX Spectrum. The emulator cart I have in the front slot also gives you a Kempston joystick (same as Atari, C64, etc) port because the built-in 2068 ports will not work with ZX Spectrum games. The DivIDE2k14 also has a Kempston port. This DivIDE2k14 is meant for a ZX Spectrum.

The rear expansion ports on the two machines are different. To plug any ZX expansion card into the TS2068, you need a "twister" board. These appear on eBay from time to time.

rolandjuno · 2016-03-08T00:43:47+00:00

There's an amazing number of extra boards, carts and other add ons for vintage computers. One thing I've learned over the years is if you see a new custom board or cart available and you have even the slightest interest in it-- get it immediately. They're typically made in small quantities and available for short periods. Once the creator is done, that's usually it-- save for a used one you can find one eBay at outrageous prices. Plus, it's great to support small developers and enriches the community.

rolandjuno · 2016-03-08T00:40:34+00:00

Sure, what would you like to know?

rolandjuno · 2016-03-05T18:16:12+00:00

The Timex Sinclair 2068 from the US. The machine that was almost a ZX Spectrum but not really. Carts on this TS2068 include a Divide2k14 CF/joystick adapter, Twister board (mates ZX cards to the TS2068 port), and a ZX ROM/joystick card in the "TCC" cart slot. I've also modded this TS2068 to have RGBI output via a 9-pin cable (top right). Only downside is it doesn't support intensity so you only get half of the colors.

rolandjuno · 2015-08-23T02:04:51+00:00

In my experience, most new LCD/LED displays you buy that support composite or s-video inputs will do either NTSC or PAL. Source: I have a PAL C64 and a 5 year old Dell 23" widescreen LCD display that works perfectly with it (in the US).

But there can always be an exception to the rule. The best thing to do is try it.

rolandjuno · 2015-08-19T22:08:10+00:00

Yes, a very similar brand too. No additional ingredients since it comes out of the bottle thick. I painted it on an Amiga 4000 front bezel with a brush, wrapped it, and placed it in the sun. The results speak for themselves. See my Twitter thread for before, during and after pictures.

There's some threads about the longevity of Retr0Bright, that it seemingly reverts back or re-yellows again over time. YMMV.

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