Amazing Altair-Duino Kit Update 07/12/2019 Chris at AdWaterAndStir.com has outdone himself, and given the Altair-Duino kit a real update in time for the Vintage Computer Fair, with not one but two different versions of the kit. Both include new acrylic cases which really look the part, replacing the standard bamboo box that while entirely serviceable didn't quite have the stability and presence of these cases. The "Standard" kit has a slimline case, with cool transparent back. The "Pro" version adds a slightly deeper case but also a
Chris at AdWaterAndStir.com has outdone himself, and given the Altair-Duino kit a real update in time for the Vintage Computer Fair, with not one but two different versions of the kit. Both include new acrylic cases which really look the part, replacing the standard bamboo box that while entirely serviceable didn't quite have the stability and presence of these cases. The "Standard" kit has a slimline case, with cool transparent back. The "Pro" version adds a slightly deeper case but also a
The IMSAI 8080esp 06/30/2019 Not long after the Altair was released, a company called IMS Associates released the IMSAI 8080. It's considered by many to be the first "clone" personal computer, because of its similarity to the Altair - and it also used the same internal bus, which came known as the S100 bus as a result. Having two similar computers on the market, probably helped both of them, allowing third parties to create new and interesting cards such as the Cromemco Dazzler.. But anyway.. ..I mention it as I just
Not long after the Altair was released, a company called IMS Associates released the IMSAI 8080. It's considered by many to be the first "clone" personal computer, because of its similarity to the Altair - and it also used the same internal bus, which came known as the S100 bus as a result. Having two similar computers on the market, probably helped both of them, allowing third parties to create new and interesting cards such as the Cromemco Dazzler.. But anyway.. ..I mention it as I just
Terminal settings 06/30/2019 It's possible - and recommended by me at least! - to use your Altair with a dedicated terminal. You might miss out on some of the flexibility that you get when using it with a PC/Mac over USB, but you get a more authentic and less distracting experience. No emails! No twitter! No notifications! I have my system set up with a DEC VT510 terminal and keyboard I was lucky enough too find for sale on Amazon of all places. I found a WYSE terminal in a local computer recycling center, but the CRT was
It's possible - and recommended by me at least! - to use your Altair with a dedicated terminal. You might miss out on some of the flexibility that you get when using it with a PC/Mac over USB, but you get a more authentic and less distracting experience. No emails! No twitter! No notifications! I have my system set up with a DEC VT510 terminal and keyboard I was lucky enough too find for sale on Amazon of all places. I found a WYSE terminal in a local computer recycling center, but the CRT was
More Terminal projects 06/12/2019 Always in search of the perfect terminal, I had another go with acrylic, a Raspberry Pi and a cheap LCD screen and came up with this: There's a serial port that connects directly to the port on the Altair-Duino, and it defaults to 9600baud so once you flip the right switches, the Altair uses it as the primary terminal. Ideal for playing Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, for example. You can read about making your own on GitHub where I posted the plans. However, smug as I was about this DIY
Always in search of the perfect terminal, I had another go with acrylic, a Raspberry Pi and a cheap LCD screen and came up with this: There's a serial port that connects directly to the port on the Altair-Duino, and it defaults to 9600baud so once you flip the right switches, the Altair uses it as the primary terminal. Ideal for playing Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, for example. You can read about making your own on GitHub where I posted the plans. However, smug as I was about this DIY
Zork and using the MITS Disk Operating System 05/14/2019 Saving Zork Game Progress “How playing Zork taught me how to use the MITS disk operating system” In this brief tutorial I'll go over using the virtual disks supported by the Altair-Duino emulator. I'll assume that you have a display (a serial terminal, or a serial link via the USB or Serial ports using a serial terminal on your computer) connected to your Altair, so you can see text and enter commands. Some variations might be introduced depending on the exact version of David Hansel's
Saving Zork Game Progress “How playing Zork taught me how to use the MITS disk operating system” In this brief tutorial I'll go over using the virtual disks supported by the Altair-Duino emulator. I'll assume that you have a display (a serial terminal, or a serial link via the USB or Serial ports using a serial terminal on your computer) connected to your Altair, so you can see text and enter commands. Some variations might be introduced depending on the exact version of David Hansel's
Just in Case... 05/07/2019 If you have built yourself an Altair-Duino version of the Altair 8800, you might be looking in envy at the original blue/grey metal case of the original, or at the case of the almost perfect - but expensive - clones. And while the AdwaterAndStir.com kit has a beautiful front panel, the wooden case is not perhaps as flashy as you might want. That might change very soon though: Chris from AdWaterAndStir has announced he is experimenting with laser-cut acrylic cases, and boy, they look great. I've
If you have built yourself an Altair-Duino version of the Altair 8800, you might be looking in envy at the original blue/grey metal case of the original, or at the case of the almost perfect - but expensive - clones. And while the AdwaterAndStir.com kit has a beautiful front panel, the wooden case is not perhaps as flashy as you might want. That might change very soon though: Chris from AdWaterAndStir has announced he is experimenting with laser-cut acrylic cases, and boy, they look great. I've
Portable Altairs 05/07/2019 What does the Altair fan who needs to carry their beloved 8-bit computer around with them do? Unplug everything, and bring a portable monitor? That's not going to work on a plane or in a train, is it? Bottom line: where's the Altair equivalent of a laptop? Well I have good news for you, Altair-Addict, and several options: although you might have to wait a little to get your hands on them. First of all, there's the digirule2 from Brad who has just said he's going to be making a new batch of
What does the Altair fan who needs to carry their beloved 8-bit computer around with them do? Unplug everything, and bring a portable monitor? That's not going to work on a plane or in a train, is it? Bottom line: where's the Altair equivalent of a laptop? Well I have good news for you, Altair-Addict, and several options: although you might have to wait a little to get your hands on them. First of all, there's the digirule2 from Brad who has just said he's going to be making a new batch of
A laser-cut plastic case for the Altair-Duino? 04/25/2019 In this video on YouTube, Matt from Element14 laser-cuts a plastic case for his Altair-Duino and it looks pretty darn great. There's a discussion on Google Groups about trying to build more, in case you are interested! I know I am.
In this video on YouTube, Matt from Element14 laser-cuts a plastic case for his Altair-Duino and it looks pretty darn great. There's a discussion on Google Groups about trying to build more, in case you are interested! I know I am.
DIY serial terminal Follow-up 04/25/2019 I was able to improve my mini serial terminal a little. Here's what I did: Switched from a "large" Raspberry Pi to a much smaller Raspberry Pi Zero. Note: You really need to find a non-Wireless enabled Pi Zero for best results - the terminal software discussed below doesn't support newer Zero models with WiFI. Found an excellent serial port adaptor for the Pi Zero on PiHut. Here's the link. I soldered mine directly to the Zero to make single unit. Worked perfectly, first time. Installed the
I was able to improve my mini serial terminal a little. Here's what I did: Switched from a "large" Raspberry Pi to a much smaller Raspberry Pi Zero. Note: You really need to find a non-Wireless enabled Pi Zero for best results - the terminal software discussed below doesn't support newer Zero models with WiFI. Found an excellent serial port adaptor for the Pi Zero on PiHut. Here's the link. I soldered mine directly to the Zero to make single unit. Worked perfectly, first time. Installed the
