hkz

- #developer 💻
- #book collector 📖
- #fleamarket enthusiast 🕰️
- #electronic #retro junk hoarder 🕹️
- lazy #hamradio operator 🎙️
- #hotpeppers lover 🌶
- Part-time #farmer 👨🏻‍🌾

In no particular order.

If you feel like it, support my projects with ko-fi at https://ko-fi.com/hkzlab ☕

Public Key

npub179kfv9zdedgpzpqqqm96vf5a5pj04dm3lzqfx042am6paay0rs7q75akkw

NIP-05 Address

hkz@social-chinwag-org.mostr.pub

Profile Code

nprofile1qqs0zmykz3xuk5q3qsqqdjaxy6w6qe86kacl3qyn864waaq77j83c0qpz3mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerpd46hxtnfduqs6amnwvaz7tmwdaejumr0dsjl5p4n

Publishing to

relay.damus.io

nos.lol

Author Public Key

npub179kfv9zdedgpzpqqqm96vf5a5pj04dm3lzqfx042am6paay0rs7q75akkw

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Last Notes

2026-10-21 19:16:57 UTC

I swear I love looking at the "thought traces" of the LLMs I have to use at work.
Hmm: hmm, hmm? Hmm!
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/117/480/493/070/789/257/original/6f41d54838c1db9c.jpg

2026-10-09 17:21:39 UTC

Cooking golden chanterelle mushrooms for dinner, they'll go with polenta.
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/117/412/099/008/570/980/original/4756ddaf4c5dea38.jpg

2026-10-08 17:23:33 UTC

Last fair I bought two laptops: a smashed up one for me (you can see it in the photo, it's actually a T495, not a T14) and another in better shape, for a colleague.
I was able to get them both for 350€ total, and I just finished replacing the ripped out speaker and cracked touchpad in mine.
Colleague's one was a real (Intel based) T14 and just needed a cleanup/thermal paste replacement.
I admit I am tempted to upgrade this one to become a real T14, but... I mean, it works and came cheap. Unless I find a cheap mobo it would just feel a waste.
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/117/406/426/341/112/077/original/9a230a8e948781a8.jpg
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/117/406/433/351/409/064/original/02d592a66062bcd4.jpg
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/117/406/433/409/448/829/original/0bc51deec3175761.jpg

2026-09-05 13:27:16 UTC

Found one of Goliath's variable caps
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/117/218/656/831/206/569/original/86ed9e2e155c747f.jpg

2026-08-29 07:15:56 UTC

Great.
I fucked up my right shoulder raising a coffee cup.
This hurts both the body and the self esteem.

2026-08-28 11:38:20 UTC

Nice dirty calculator that got rained on.
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/117/172/931/562/708/325/original/dc7e0baa2c57c2bb.jpg

2026-08-12 19:03:46 UTC

I need to thank someone that vibecoded their way to production for having woken up with messages on the phone by distressed managers (though luck people, DND active) and for having racked up 12h today.
"AI is a force multiplier" my ass.

2026-08-08 14:12:29 UTC

Wait. How the fuck did they do this.
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/117/060/291/032/269/404/original/99813f7d16a28bac.jpg

2026-08-02 20:27:17 UTC

Was mentioning to my wife that we should really look into officially converting our vegetable garden to "organic". Certification and all, mostly to gain access to some markets.
On the purely practical level, it doesn't change a thing about how we work. We're already much stricter than what the organic regulation asks to be.
As usual, the issue lies elsewhere: to certify yourself as organic, you need to also buy plants and seeds certified as such (or, if impossible to find within the region, ask for a waiver).
Problem is that the local sellers only deal with huge farms.
They sell plants by the thousands, not tens we need.

2026-08-01 15:25:48 UTC

I'm supposed to finish disassembling and cleaning this.
#caturday
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/117/020/921/970/815/319/original/9be0516993003072.jpg

2026-07-26 18:57:06 UTC

Ooooh people. Let's hope we sell decently.
Rest is overrated.
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/987/800/050/156/730/original/c1ade5288afe62b6.jpg

2026-07-24 11:55:57 UTC

XT!
I'll make sure to look under the mainboard, but I expect the water ingress to have been minimal in this one.
I'm almost tempted to swap in a working motherboard I repaired years ago: the one inside here has not been checked yet, and probably has at least the usual shorted caps issue
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/974/815/129/897/381/original/87456cb7929520a0.jpg

2026-07-20 06:16:41 UTC

Well this does not look too good.
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/950/832/297/555/370/original/c9379d03e47e74e4.jpg

2026-07-17 17:29:55 UTC

Wooot, look what I found while cleaning up some cardboard boxes destroyed by the thunderstorm mess: a #cosmacelf reimplementation.
This one, to be precise: https://github.com/tebl/RC1802-Cosmac-ELF
Cleaned it up, seems to work fine!
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/936/496/503/285/782/original/12e58b9f3b10027f.jpg

2026-07-15 18:07:37 UTC

I might have to postpone my next projects. Looks like I'm short of a roof.
Looks like I was lucky enough, given that I was underneath that mess during the thunderstorm.
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/925/312/002/977/134/original/ce8f0d327b8fb9d7.jpg
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/925/312/337/120/345/original/a38636184d89ea61.jpg

2026-07-10 15:09:34 UTC

It's time to release the #RAMpager! An MTU banked RAM expansion card for the #KIM1 computer.
This board allows up to 1MB of memory via a 4KB banked window (with different read/write controls, so you can write to a page while reading from another!).
https://codeberg.org/hkzlab/KIM-1_RAMpager
As usual, thanks to #PCBWay for sponsoring the project via PCB production.
If you wish to donate even small amounts, it's always appreciated and you can do so via ko-fi.com/hkzlab
I use that mainly to pay components for these projects.
Enjoy!

2026-07-09 20:07:40 UTC

Today I was reminiscing with a colleague how big of idiots we were when younger.
He's one year older than me, but we went to the same high school.
We got the habit of stealing chemicals from the labs to mix black powder in-house.
With an electric blender.
Then we welded a makeshift mortar, went in the open country, middle of nowhere, and shot rocks at the crumbling walls of an old ruin.
Whoever brought down more bricks won.
Lucky i still got all my appendages.

2026-07-05 10:20:58 UTC

Surprisingly, got my whole family on #chatmail, #deltachat client precisely (while I use #arcanechat).
And it wasn't even me pushing for it, we needed to discuss something via secure channels, got them the choice between signal (secure but centralized) and DeltaChat (decentralized, "invite only", preferred by me) and they just switched.
It means that, between them and some of my colleagues, I have now switched my main messaging to Delta/Arcanechat.
I'll have to keep WhatsApp installed because it is used by some of my seldom contacted people (few colleagues, suppliers, etc), but back in the launcher drawer it goes!

2026-07-04 21:35:46 UTC

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@nprofile…hl5m mimolette! I need to try it. Last trip I made to the French market organized yearly near here I could not find it :(

2026-06-26 13:41:23 UTC

I had this great idea of taking out my grills in this fine weather (38°C) and scrape, clean and oil them.
Might even light a fire this evening.
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/816/683/518/647/303/original/05d2785eb3e8f0cf.jpg

2026-06-25 19:44:17 UTC

Second time I set-up a phone in a month.
I recently replaced my work phone with a 3rd hand Pixel 8 Pro, and had to keep that stock because one of the work apps requires Play Integrity, same thing for some public administration apps (idiots).
But yesterday I found out that a local chain was having a discount on the 10A, stackable with another offer "bring any old phone and get an additional discount", so I brought in old fleamarket junk and got a replacement for my Pixel 6 that was going out of support. And given that this is my "private" phone, I can install #GrapheneOS!
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/812/426/927/473/045/original/ed39ff2ba23e45a1.jpg

2026-06-21 18:29:21 UTC

The bees in our garden are really suffering the heat. They're in the shade all day, but still, have a look at how they cling on the outside of their houses.
#farm
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/789/506/684/268/883/original/19cea1f4a6ce1315.jpg

2026-06-13 18:37:53 UTC

Fastest way to end up in the list of blacklisted phone numbers in my phone or ignored contacts on my IMs is coming up with ideas on how I should spend the free time I'm not volunteering for you.
Like, for example, bringing me a computer that I need to "please please check" and, while at it "here is my daughter's computer just because while you're at it why not both?"

2026-06-08 19:03:52 UTC

In this moment I am feeling deeply envious.
#catsofmastodon
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/716/030/554/374/141/original/43620398e51cbd54.jpg

2026-06-07 18:22:02 UTC

One of the last things before taking a shower and eating dinner is cleaning up this crate of #garlic.
It'll be used to cook black garlic, via a process of slow cooking in high humidity that lasts slightly less than two weeks.
It's supposedly very healthy, but that's not really what matters in this case: me and my wife love the taste (and she avoids garlic in every other form!).
#farm
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/710/199/046/846/619/original/2e852f12ad3b86db.jpg
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/710/211/845/505/031/original/ac71d0a81e8f4a72.jpg

2026-06-07 16:36:17 UTC

SNEK!
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/709/783/392/764/633/original/b5cdf1a6eb0bb305.jpg
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/709/793/994/942/153/original/2a13b96dd85d6684.jpg

2026-06-07 06:26:46 UTC

Well, if even my wife, on her own accord goes out of her way to change the default search engine from Google to DDG, it means someone at Google fucked up.
And I swear I had no part in this. I found out today because she asked me to tweak the settings for her on the phone.

2026-06-06 08:56:02 UTC

- reply

@nprofile…hl5m In fact, having the ability to share the account between multiple devices is a big plus over signal already that won a person over.

2026-06-06 08:46:18 UTC

- reply

@nprofile…hl5m not using voice/video calls here, but I found a couple of contacts that wished to try and it's working quite fine.
In fact, I'm trying to increase the number of contact making use of it.

2026-06-01 17:45:14 UTC

This is impressive.
What you see in photo is a #sd2iec identical to the one I assembled for my C64 and C128.
And it's listing files.
From the #KIM1.
And probably an 1541 would work just as well.
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/676/082/068/118/860/original/f395a35634132e91.jpeg
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/676/084/305/789/990/original/d05a6864ad89d67a.png

2026-05-31 20:09:14 UTC

This #deltachat is intriguing. I need to convince some of my contacts to try it with me.

2026-05-22 15:35:13 UTC

Oh god I have so many bytes now
#kim1
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/618/957/055/593/119/original/bd440c8c5daadf94.jpg

2026-05-21 17:42:15 UTC

Finally screwed the #Kim1 to the slab of plywood, with motherboard and PSU.
Now I need to start work on expansion boards!
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/613/791/564/864/464/original/8b7162b529e5000f.jpg

2026-05-19 18:44:30 UTC

Made my risotto with cheese and strawberries
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/602/713/553/349/497/original/fda8095fdf65fbbd.jpg

2026-05-19 16:14:26 UTC

The new revision of the #MiSCUSI SCSI card for #apple2 works! (Almost fully SMD SCSI card with active termination)
This one uses CMOS 53C80 controllers (easier to get in PLCC format than the NMOS ones, tested several zilog and an AMD one), replaces the 'LS133 with something cheaper to get and shuffles around some components.
I was even able to test the fuse protection 😬
It's currently running some games on my Delta Apple2e clone using #BlueSCSI .
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/602/103/140/923/207/original/64cedcb9492c9eec.jpg

2026-05-10 09:15:41 UTC

Hmmm.
Ok, I am now pretty sure that yesterday I cracked one of my floating ribs.
It'll be a few fun days now.

2026-05-03 09:58:41 UTC

I just ran into a very weirdly behaving keyboard.
It's a "gaming" RGB/mechanical very compact keyboard that i found at the fleamarket this morning.
Works fine in BIOS/UEFI, works fine under a windows machine.
Doesn't work under Fedora 44. Even though it's detected perfectly fine.
Weeeeird.

2026-04-21 19:15:35 UTC

Surprisingly, today FedEx came earlier than scheduled and brought me the new revision of my Tauntingboard (mockingboard clone for #Apple2).
This one includes a few fixes and tweaks (including an optional phi2 circuit that uses a 74LS74 instead of the original inverter delay).
I need to complete a few things that are taking space on my workbench before I get to this though.
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/444/276/134/413/854/original/bcd17430a0e7fa28.jpg

2026-04-20 19:25:30 UTC

Ok, I definitely won't go on with my computer kit today.
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/438/668/663/795/498/original/740e9c549a67bd95.jpg

2026-04-11 16:31:44 UTC

"I sent you to buy cat food"
"Yes"
"Then why is there a commodore in you backseat?"
"Yes"
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/387/022/317/067/180/original/df22cd5de8efb468.jpg

2026-04-09 09:02:28 UTC

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@nprofile…ggeh ...truly impressive.
I find BGAs quite scary still.

2026-04-08 22:10:52 UTC

Ah BTW. Today I got these in a box.
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/371/370/413/934/620/original/5df345d67c7d8b41.jpg

2026-04-07 19:52:48 UTC

It's truly impressive how totally unrelated events in my life distribute and configure themselves to utterly maximize my frustration, anxiety and discomfort.
Just in case, if someone is up there and reading: *bravo* you fucking bastard(s).

2026-04-05 08:57:44 UTC

Hmm. Seems we have a surplus of savoy cabbage. I'll try to ferment them, let's see what I get with the same procedure I use for sauerkrauts. I'll add fresh garlic. Lots of it.
I wonder if I still have some fresh horseradish roots left...
But anyway, not today. Wife told me not to dare to work today...
#farm

2026-04-03 17:37:27 UTC

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@nprofile…r9vg hmmmm not really. If you know how to treat them.
Boiling them, peeling them, then pasteurizing them in jars with a solution of the correct PH level and salt (also add flavouring, onion, pepper, chili, etc) made me able to preserve them for at least 3 years.
The highest risk is that if you don't get tue correct lid, you risk it corroding before you eat the contents...

2026-04-03 17:15:16 UTC

Ooook. This maaay be a sign that people around here are getting worried.
Two cars in a single day that stopped by (and believe me, we have shit roads to get here, so you were actively searching) with people asking if we're selling eggs and how much a piece.

2026-04-03 16:33:48 UTC

Errands done. Took all of my afternoon. Now it's time to do some cooking: I picked some mushrooms from the hay ball.
My plan is noodles with these and a bit of sausage.
#farm #food
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/341/729/463/869/929/original/bef215fa6e2ad8a6.jpg

2026-04-02 10:15:05 UTC

Remember the PS4 someone fucked up by flooding the HDMI connector with solder?
I guess it's time to test the repair.
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/334/581/331/549/459/original/cfae91a47d3492cb.jpg
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/334/580/867/114/183/original/6ac62d3d40ee2fcd.jpg

2026-03-28 11:44:17 UTC

Retro #caturday!
Benny tests the new AT junk I brought home
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/306/618/458/014/295/original/007c066da9af8d52.jpg

2026-03-25 18:12:47 UTC

Hmm... These little ones seems to be SOT523, and the marking looks like an "AmA" to me.
Can't find any match. Does these ring a bell to anyone?
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/291/148/897/149/763/original/14a9da08439b51d6.jpg

2026-03-24 19:10:16 UTC

Just so you all know...
After very limited bodging, I was able to get the #FoxSCSI board (by @nprofile…je5l naturally) recognized by the Delta and to boot from it using a #BlueSCSI on my Delta #apple2 clone!
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/285/718/569/502/160/original/7f6ca314ca9d1427.jpg
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/285/723/350/186/775/original/1ee13f9cb873176e.jpg

2026-03-05 19:50:36 UTC

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@nprofile…l7em it's an Italian clone of the Apple //e. The original project asked for a 6502, mine has a 65C02: https://codeberg.org/hkzlab/NE_Delta_Schematics

2026-03-05 19:37:41 UTC

I reconstructed this computer from board scans and schematics found in an Italian magazine from the '80s.
I fixed some of its design flaws and patched its ROMs.
I designed a keyboard for it.
I soldered every single PCB you see connected to it (and the mainboard too).
All so that I could use it to telnet into a #BBS without using the PC I have 50cms on the right.
I'm a totally stable person.
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/178/231/907/393/040/original/5ed5afab30cca989.jpg

2026-03-02 18:00:18 UTC

ffffffffuuu... 🥲
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/160/880/792/618/779/original/2c8d7708505590db.png

2026-02-25 06:35:03 UTC

Ok, #apple2 #retrocomputing people of the fediverse, I need some help.
If any of you has a few minutes and an Apple II SCSI card (picture attached), I'd like some help to buzz out a connection.
You'll notice a ceramic disc capacitor, C7, near U2B (74LS08).
In the schematics I have, that cap is not present. I'd appreciate the following:
1. Value of the cap (or whatever is written on top)
2. Buzz out the connections: I guess one leg goes to GND, what about the other?
Thanks a lot everyone, boosts appreciated!
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/129/862/666/985/767/original/da56a2c5618da4d1.png

2026-02-02 17:34:43 UTC

So... This may be a rather trite question, but...
How do you call a #commodore16 with 64kB of RAM?
Because it looks like the SRAM Adapter decided to work on the first try. Which surely means it's going to break in nasty and difficult to debug ways.
#mod #retrocomputing
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/002/212/017/254/724/original/bd35f2783b2bde9e.jpg
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/116/002/217/529/602/086/original/2985ba521ae552db.jpg

2026-01-30 15:58:03 UTC

The #FlaccidOstrich repository is now public! https://codeberg.org/hkzlab/Flaccid_Ostrich
The Flaccid Ostrich is a clone of #FloppyEmu, a floppy/smartport emulator for #apple2 and #Macintosh computers.
Thanks to #PCBWay for having sponsored the PCBs for this project!
I recreated the schematics to repair my original unit, and while I was at it, I decided to build a clone using THT technology, just in case someone wants some DIY.
Have fun! If you like my work, feel free to throw a few credits to me via Ko-Fi (link in bio) ☕. I use them to buy components for the projects I work on and release for everyone to use.
They really, really help.
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/115/984/848/929/918/570/original/9285ada643f676d2.jpg

2026-01-23 20:49:17 UTC

I updated the BOM on the Delta Redux repository: https://codeberg.org/hkzlab/NE_Delta_Schematics/src/branch/main/LX780_Delta/bom.md
Mainly removed lots of references to replacements with 'HCT ICs, as I was able to verify an increased instability with expansion cards with them installed.
Better doing a build with the 'LS family (with two exceptions, noted in the BOM).

2026-01-03 10:35:02 UTC

People of the Fediverse, I need your advice.
My FIL undergoes dialysis every other day. He reads on an ereader during the therapy to pass time, because he can hold the device with a single hand and it is usually lighter than a book.
He's also an eldery person, he has issues adapting to touch interfaces.
I have collected all the button based kindles I could from fleamarkets. I repair them where possible, but their batteries are all dying.
I need advice on a **button based** ereader that is either economical (risk of drop is real) so I can buy spares, or resistant enough to survive drops. #ebook #ereader #kindle #accessibility

2026-01-02 23:02:26 UTC

I'm officially an old fuck now.

2025-12-31 19:26:09 UTC

Heh, and this explains why I'm seeing the Delta losing keystrokes when running with software that frequently accesses softswitches in the $C01x range. (Screenshot taken from the usual "Understanding the Apple IIe").
The machine should reset the keyboard strobe (latched into the IC30A FF) when $C010 is read or when any address in range $C01x is written.
But the Delta does not care if it is a read or a write. Any access to $C01x will reset the strobe, thus potentially losing a new keypress.
I need to gate the reset using the R/~W line and some logic...
Probably a small patch board will suffice.
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/115/815/799/667/726/193/original/e45cbf12c6c0540a.png
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/115/815/802/187/501/893/original/28c1223858acab8d.png

2025-12-20 18:43:11 UTC

Oh, that's curious.
I ran into this graphical corruption with the A2DVI. I wonder who's the culprit here.
If you see https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=qFOykHnNJ70, minute 40:55, once you drink the slow fall potion, the colour should change.
In the Delta composite B/W output I see no issue, but the A2DVI does this weird corruption effect.
I wonder if someone could test this with A2DVI on a real Apple II.
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/115/753/358/980/238/922/original/0ccc11ae17e1e3b2.jpg
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/115/753/359/217/867/884/original/86c21030dfc6c1d4.jpg

2025-12-19 13:40:19 UTC

Quick pause to go back home before going out again. The #A2DVI got here.
...and it works just fine on the Delta clone.
Just so you know.
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/115/746/505/967/964/906/original/00897b4478838d38.jpg

2025-12-15 15:58:15 UTC

Finally labeled every keycap in the Delta Redux #mechanical #keyboard !
I also took the occasion to release the repository for everyone: https://codeberg.org/hkzlab/DELTA_Redux_KB
As you can see, this was sponsored by #PCBWay, all of it. Without them, I'd be months behind on this project.
For those that do not follow ramblings, the Delta (https://codeberg.org/hkzlab/NE_Delta_Schematics) is an italian #apple2e clone, whose PCB I have redrawn and schematics reconstructed.
This is a keyboard for it! Thanks to @nprofile…gl85 , as I based my work off his Datanetics replica.
If you like what I do, consider supporting me on ko-fi, it really helps me when I need to buy components.
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/115/724/381/337/228/168/original/6294e6a6055c1d2e.jpg

2025-12-14 10:43:18 UTC

Found at the #fleamarket today. These were all junked, here is how they were sold:
- Power light only from the #SNES (I bet a dead PPU or CPU)
- #Megadrive 2 in unknown conditions (seller did not have any accessory). The pokemon decals on it are especially ironic.
- #Playstation(s) no power or unable to read discs
- #Commodore16 is "dead"
No time to check them myself now.
I have cats to feed, mushrooms to cook and keycaps to label.
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/115/717/486/559/684/973/original/988fd2a280d8b457.jpg

2025-12-12 12:34:22 UTC

A paper on how to reuse interpreters to get inform v3/5 games on your Apple II:
https://www.kansasfest.org/wp-content/uploads/apple_ii_inform_paper.pdf
There's just a slight issue: the linked tool used to interleave v5 story files on floppy images can no longer be downloaded.
The original URL is http://3.buric.co/interlz5-001.zip, archive.org doesn't seem to have it.
Please, tell me that someone here has it...

2025-12-10 16:31:46 UTC

And now that I tweaked the firmware code that handles the AKD output on the keyboard, I can finally play Prince of Persia decently.
With great results, you see.
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/115/696/219/743/131/791/original/8ac9f0a0c91d4bf3.jpg

2025-12-09 20:35:28 UTC

Keyboard for the Delta computer (PCBs sponsored by #PCBWay!) arrived, assembled and... It's surprisingly working!
I can finally talk with the Delta (an Apple IIe clone)!
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/115/691/511/199/174/616/original/df31065b005ee51a.jpg
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/115/691/511/230/985/699/original/c07296e2bc67bba5.jpg

2025-12-06 08:11:32 UTC

Out of curiosity, for all the #nes or #famicom people here...
Is there a single place where one can find (most of the) news on new games/homebrew for the platform?
It seems info regarding new releases is quite scattered: some things one finds on reddit threads, some one finds on kickstarter, some are the usual "top something new releases" on youtube...
It's dispersive.

2025-11-28 15:33:45 UTC

And here I show you the DELTA running a pair of modified Apple IIe enhanced ROMs.
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/115/628/046/823/502/339/original/03c03414dbcf70e8.jpg

2025-11-27 21:47:54 UTC

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@nprofile…x4wz mine has a 65C02 in currently. No issue.
Of course it would be ideal to check all the differences between its roms and the unenhanced IIe ROMs, then check if the changes can be ported to the IIe enhanced ROMs and install those.
But one thing at a time. I need to get the keyboard built and working first.

2025-11-27 20:59:15 UTC

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@nprofile…x4wz it is. 80 columns straight out of the box.

2025-11-27 20:32:57 UTC

I've begun adding the BOM files to the DELTA repo. I added the two small video boards for now.
Tomorrow I'll start working on the BOM for the mainboard.
Then I'll share the gerbers on #PCBWay also and contact them for the keyboard. I just placed a small Mouser order for the components I was missing to build it.
https://codeberg.org/hkzlab/NE_Delta_Schematics

2025-11-23 13:49:05 UTC

A taiwanese "Laptop 3120" from the #fleamarket.
Regardless of the naming, you don't want this thing on the top of your lap.
It's heavy. It has a 286, plasma display, HD + floppy. Probably CGA video.
It's also very dead.
Well, it powers on. I can hear the hd spinning up, but that's it.
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/115/599/320/233/573/742/original/5bfeabeb5a54d95e.jpg

2025-11-22 20:55:46 UTC

A generalized power outage in the middle of the weekend.
Fuck.
FUCK!

2025-11-19 17:15:14 UTC

I have decided to note down the differences with an original Apple IIe on a file in the repo.
I may be misunderstanding things, I may be reading the schematic wrong, or the designers might have really taken shortcuts.
Still, I will keep this updated. If any Apple II expert wants to chime in and have a look, it'd be appreciated.
https://codeberg.org/hkzlab/NE_Delta_Schematics/src/branch/main/Apple2e_differences.md

2025-11-16 19:35:25 UTC

So, summing up, the DELTA Redux finally started up.
Once I cleared the short, I was able to use ATF16V8 PLDs without problems. Only change I made to the BOM is replacing the 74LS04 in the oscillator circuit with an ALS04. No matter what LS04 I put in, the frequency tended to drift. ALS04 or plain 7404 are stable.
Video is 50Hz (BTW, all the rebadged 6545, minus one, work) as expected. Frequency can probably be changed by modifying the initialization of the CRTC.
This is the most I can do without a keyboard, which is going to be the next part of the project.
Thanks again to #PCBWay, they really helped by sponsoring this.
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/115/561/006/509/588/651/original/7dc3c1744fca88f9.jpg
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/115/561/005/776/642/870/original/242f146dfc8712f2.jpg

2025-11-08 07:30:31 UTC

So, I need to choose a 6545 to plug in the DELTA.
I have 5 ICs that are supposedly 6545s, all made of rebadgium, all from AliExpress, all pretend to be by Rockwell.
Here is a photo of the top and bottom.
I will make a poll, help me choose how to suffer.
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/115/512/882/306/757/799/original/11e4cf68cd9fdcf0.jpg
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/115/512/882/389/167/032/original/f2c1efcb59fec257.jpg

2025-11-07 18:20:07 UTC

Nice eh?
Now guess who's the dumbass that forgot to order a Tang Nano 20k.
I guess playing with this, like the DELTA Redux, will have to wait for next month. I just got the bill from the vet and... Yeah. Next month.
This is the project, if someone is interested: https://github.com/ryomuk/TangNanoDCJ11MEM
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/115/509/782/737/763/142/original/7de0dbb95a72ade1.jpg

2025-11-02 14:41:52 UTC

If you're following my work on getting a DELTA computer clone up and running, you'll know that I need a keyboard for it. An ASCII keyboard that is, and ideally capable of generating the codes used by an Apple IIe keyboard.
I've designed one using cherry mx footprints. I am now thinking about the rigidity of the PCB:
Even though I added holes for posts upon which to mount the kb, I fear a standard 1.6mm PCB will probably flex too much an will get annoying to use.
I'm considering a 2.0mm PCB. Maybe that'll be enough. Has anyone ever dabbled in building keyboards? Any tips/advice?
For reference, this board is 13mm x 35.6mm.
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/115/480/597/296/266/442/original/94e04424b76f5d9d.png

2025-11-02 13:01:59 UTC

Trip to the #fleamarket, found a few nice things.
One is this poor #gameboy pocket.
- fucked polarizer
- some battery damage
After a thorough cleanup the thing started and works decently, but the polarizer will have to be changed. Or the whole LCD, if easier to source.
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/115/480/204/718/615/501/original/f0e3e8c67c01ea95.jpg
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/115/480/216/470/175/731/original/310a6f50ffc47f6d.jpg
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/115/480/218/750/642/913/original/9372d813a7f3f3ea.jpg

2025-10-19 09:48:54 UTC

Cheapest C64 I found in more than a decade: 5€.
The guy told me "it was in flooded with the rest of my basement. No idea if it survived. Good luck."
#fleamarket
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/115/400/198/119/242/542/original/c9b7d97d18384d9e.jpg

2025-10-17 16:16:54 UTC

TK2048 V3.0 has been released.
This version adds support for my VDP board.
You can find everything at https://codeberg.org/hkzlab/TK2048
It's probably something that interests a grand total of 1 person on the whole planet (including me) but hey, I had to find something to test the board, right?
As usual, any credit you can throw me at https://ko-fi.com/hkzlab is greatly appreciated, especially since I had to slow down a few things to keep up with a particularly shitty real life in the last months!
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/115/390/398/455/121/578/original/5f0ff2af7d4bce26.jpg

2025-10-14 16:30:08 UTC

Just got back from the vet, and I got told something that I knew was coming, but I really did not want to hear.
Two of my friends won't be with me much longer. It'll be a very hard winter, I have serious difficulties handling losses.

2025-10-10 11:59:32 UTC

An interesting book came in today.
This'll come in handy sooner or later.
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/115/349/750/914/311/918/original/40b911df39f2c4cd.jpg

2025-10-09 18:23:10 UTC

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Almost done...
only 1338 wires to go.
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/115/345/597/042/831/428/original/5c6c0ccaba3c1523.png

2025-10-09 12:16:21 UTC

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I've decided to try the "filleted tracks" feature that was introduced recently in kicad (8, i think?) to try follow closely the original traces of the DELTA.
It looks good, but it'll take quite a bit to do everything.
In the meantime, I've already fixes imprecisions/mistakes found in the original schematics that are not there in the PCB.
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/115/344/149/346/303/811/original/8a96a4bf7b5c2535.png

2025-10-08 20:34:29 UTC

much tracks. such fun.
Now, any advice on a sane way to get curved tracks in KiCad?
It's mostly a thing i'm curious about: I'm not dead set in simulating the handtraced tracks for this, and actually probably wont, as it is not meant to be an 1:1 repro (I am changing a few footprints and the silkscreen anyway).
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/115/340/443/342/998/505/original/72b53f3a2770c6eb.png

2025-10-08 06:41:32 UTC

Today I woke up with the central heating dead.
Cold shower. Had to heat the water to shave with the stove.
Fuck morning.

2025-10-07 16:56:32 UTC

Ok, this is fantastic.
The person that sent me the EPROM/PLDs for the Delta computer just came back and sent me a huge zip file containing
- Remade Gerbers for the Delta
- high resolution scans for the naked PCBs
There's no remade schematics.
I am now asking him if everything can be released. I can use the gerbers and the scans to doublecheck my schematic and actually release a project that can be modified (and the schematics searched) so one can create a personalized Delta.
Fingers crossed everyone!

2025-10-03 15:10:44 UTC

HMMMM...
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/115/310/868/405/674/790/original/648a0b2f0b527c96.jpg

2025-10-02 18:47:22 UTC

So, now that I have a TMS9918A board for the TK2000, I want to make use of it in my 2048 port: TK2048 https://codeberg.org/hkzlab/TK2048
I was reading around at what might be the best video mode to use, and was thinking about "Graphics I" mode.
Game grid built via 8x8 tiles, with doubled sprites to provide drawings over the tiles.
Problem is, the grid is 5x5, so I guess I'll have to swap the sprites around and suffer some flickering to work around the 4-sprites-per-line limitation.
Advice from VDP experts here? opinions?

2025-10-01 19:41:21 UTC

I may be tired, I may be a 6502 noob... But I'm also VERY perplexed now.
The two snippets of code you see in the picture work differently.
The top one, currently commented, always consistently produce the correct result.
The one below, consistently produces garbage on the VDP, setting the wrong color or nothing at all.
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/115/300/601/872/462/476/original/8ba5f2f3d9dab281.png

2025-06-13 11:03:51 UTC

Lunch break #Nintendo 2DSXL repair.
Found at the flea market: "shoulder buttons are mushy and don't work". It has traces of having crashed on the floor exactly over the buttons.
And indeed, one is completely ripped from the PCB, pads and all, and the other just partially detached.
Wanted to solder the TK2000 keyboard today, but thanks Poste Italiane for fucking up all my plans, so this'll have to do.
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/114/675/711/159/720/749/original/626ae59dfc59c01a.jpg

2025-06-02 20:43:30 UTC

We have several mulberry trees in our fields.
They are nice trees but a bit problematic, as they often cause me to interrupt my work to eat the mulberries.
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/114/615/702/447/229/736/original/8ca7e9c2f340a5a0.jpg
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/114/615/703/428/734/758/original/eacae3431abe9954.jpg

2025-03-29 08:42:04 UTC

Humid electronics in the morning at a fair!
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/114/244/823/803/428/980/original/96504900d3423a25.jpg

2025-03-22 19:06:52 UTC

Yes, my SRAM adapter for the C128 works!
Seems I've ran out of 'HCT00s... Will have to search for one to validate the board with it.
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/114/207/628/021/701/326/original/c8cc4c4512d56542.jpg
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/114/207/639/410/232/329/original/de17f5b8226ee8bd.jpg

2025-03-17 17:19:41 UTC

I present you the FRANKMICOM!
I resurrected the Famicom from which I stole crystal, CPU and PPU using clones (UA6547 for the CPU and WDL6528 for the PPU), and it works!!
But this isn't the fun part, that part is the fact that it works great by using the PPU digitizer by c0pperdragon, even though the PPU is a clone!
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/114/178/893/780/184/260/original/457e57a448b7860b.jpg
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/114/178/905/409/820/771/original/ebca8de203ba02d7.jpg

2025-02-14 17:26:36 UTC

Released the Rev 1 of my #Amiga500 "IDE activity LED injector" adapter.
It includes a small, optional improvement that uses 3 SMD components in addition to the rest, mainly a buffer for the IDE /ACTIVITY signal: I found that, with some of my SD card adapters, the signal was low enough when inactive (active low, remember) to leave the activity LED faintly lit.
If one doesn't care, a jumper can be bridged and the additional components left out.
https://github.com/hkzlab/A500_IDE_led
#A500
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/114/003/405/097/259/695/original/cb04a0417c2ebee1.jpg
https://static.chinwag.net.au/media_attachments/files/114/003/405/478/213/096/original/ecb73183db342e29.jpg

2025-01-26 11:21:35 UTC

#Amiga 500 IDE drive led injector is also up!
https://github.com/hkzlab/A500_IDE_led