ScreenType Data Transfer Process

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Transferring data to and from your favorite Apple II is easy, thanks to technologies like ADTPro, the Uthernet adapter, FTP, and the CFFA3000.  In fact, these technologies make data transfer too easy, hopelessly ruining the retro experience where 1200 baud is fast and data is supposed to spin in tiny circles at 300 RPM.

I’m pleased to announce the new ScreenType™ data transfer process, featuring complete electrical isolation between your computing systems, an accuracy rate rarely exceeding 98%, and a personal promise that your hair will fall out or gray prematurely.  Here’s the process for transferring Apple II programs:

  1. Display your program on the screen.  If your program is in Applesoft BASIC, type “LIST”.  If your program is in machine language, type “CALL-151” to start the system monitor.  Then,  enter the starting address and press “return” to list your program in hexadecimal notation.
  2. Quickly hit CTRL-S to stop the listing before any of it scrolls off the screen.
  3. Type in the listing on another computer.
  4. Quickly hit CTRL-Q to resume the listing.  Then, hit CTRL-S again to stop the listing before any of it scrolls off the screen.  If you’re too slow with CTRL-S and part of the listing scrolls off the screen before you type the code in, start over.  Yes, you could just list the program one screen full at a time rather than do the CTRL-S/CTRL-Q dance, but that’s no fun.
  5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 until you’ve re-typed the entire program.
  6. Hope and/or pray that you typed everything exactly right.  If not, start over at step 1.  If you get disheartened, remember that this is the “true retro experience” much like typing in games from magazine listings using a keyboard with broken arrow and backspace keys.  Be happy that you have a real keyboard and CRT rather than punch cards.

With minor adaptations, you can apply this process to any program or data file on any computer.  Want to pirate Windows 7?  No problem … just don’t ask me for help with the typing.

The ScreenType process in progress for Peter’s KansasFest HackFest program

Magnetic Media – Do Not X-Ray | Do Not Bend

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I just received the latest issue of Juiced.GS and found this stamped on the envelope.

This is 2012.  Almost nobody even knows what “magnetic media” is anymore.  This stamp could be a foreboding sign:

You’re walking down a dark alley.  Rats, scratching for a bite, scurry behind the overflowing dumpsters.  Somewhere in the shadows there’s a raspy breathing sound.  A windowless padlocked door has an old handwritten sign:  “Magnetic Media”  Beneath that, barely visible under rust brown splotches: “Do Not X-Ray | Do Not Bend”.   A cold mist has settled on the ground.

Thankfully, the envelope contained, nestled between the full-color cover pages of Juiced.GS, a 5¼” floppy disk in a hand-made sleeve with Drift, an original Apple II program with all new music, graphics, ASCII art, and easter eggs.

KansasFest 2012

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KansasFest was a non-stop blast of fun, knowledge, and friends.

I presented a session on solar powering an Apple II.  To make room for luxuries like cups and water in my 70 square foot van, I had to put my Apple IIs in storage.  Due to a bit of luck, I managed to find an Apple IIc on Craigslist in Salt Lake City.  Under a nasty layer of dirt, I found a good condition ROM FF machine with a 9″ monochrome green monitor, ImageWriter printer, assorted disks, and assorted manuals.  I solar powered this machine and am currently enjoying retro-computing overlooking the The Grand Teton.  The presentation slides are here, and Ken’s video recording will be on the KansasFest website.

This year’s event was exceptionally (and pleasingly) busy with barely an idle moment, and I’m not sure how to enumerate the awesomeness.  David, Earl, and Carrington recorded a live episode of RCR.  Juiced.GS announced another year of publication.  Ken and Mike of Open-Apple shared bloopers.  Vince helped me build a Replica Micro-KIM.  Martin released a new game and a nifty new programming language.  Geoff schooled us on toolsets, CDAs, and NiftyList.  Brian gave us an inside look into his Firefly documentary and the filming of Serenity.  Randy shared his long history with Apple II software, Beagle Bros, and Appleworks.  Romero captivated the audience with his stories of Apple II gaming and influence on modern gaming.  Alex shared his robot, WALTR, and other projects.  I got a shiny New Apple II User’s Guide.  I bought a SuperProto prototyping card.

I look forward to next year and am inspired to continue my Apple II related projects.

Van Projects

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My work on robots and the Apple II has been quiet lately, but I’ve been busy.  My latest project is a conversion van, which I will live in full-time.  The goal is to be self-sufficient, including power and Internet connectivity, anywhere in the U.S. for at least a week.  Sure, my house will be small, but my backyard will be huge.  To achieve this, I’ve been working on several projects.

  1. Solar Power – The van carries a battery bank, solar array, and optional charging from the alternator.  I’ve spent time analyzing my power requirements, understanding how the components connect and work together.  I’m installing a battery monitor to measure charge and discharge rates.  It’ll be interesting to see how the system performs compared to my predictions.
  2. Two-way Radio – Since I’ll be traveling in places well off the beaten path, I’m installing a ham radio for emergency communication and staying connected.  I just got my first amateur radio license, KD0QXJ.
  3. Integrated computer – I’m integrating a small computer into the van to provide backup service for a laptop, wireless access point, firewall and router for a satellite Internet connection, and file server.  Also, the computer provides monitoring and data logging for internal temperature sensors, GPS receiver, battery monitor, and solar charge controller.  The goal is to monitor all the major systems of the van from a tablet computer to reduce the number of control panels mounted on the walls, consolidate monitoring in one convenient location, and capture historical data.

These projects are coming together very soon, and I’ll share details as I get them.

Brains! Boards!

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Mike Willegal recently announced the new Brain Board with Wozanium Pack, and I bought one even though I don’t yet own a compatible Apple II, II+, or IIe.  It’s always exciting to see new products, whether hardware, software, podcasts, websites, or projects, for the Apple II.  The Brain Board allows you to replace the firmware, normally found in ROM chips on the motherboard, with different firmware.  Early Apple II and II+ computers used functionality like this to switch between Integer and Applesoft BASIC. Mike has cleverly coupled the “swap out the firmware brains of my Apple II” function with his custom “Wozanium Pack” firmware that replicates the functions of an Apple I!

I haven’t built the board yet, but I’m initially impressed with the quality of the kit and detailed manual.

KansasFest 2011 Countdown NDA

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April is a good month for the Apple II. KansasFest registration opens. Juiced.GS ships a new issue in beautiful color. Open-Apple ought to release a new podcast soon. Brain Boards ship. Briel’s MP3 player for the Apple II is coming soon. What’s next?

How about an NDA, or New Desk Accessory, for GS/OS that counts the days remaining until KansasFest 2011?

Download your NDA now with Orca/C source code in either a disk image (PO) or ShrinkIt archive (SHK).