This summer I have been trying to use some of older computing platforms.
I still don't recognise later SGI computers (these like the O2 or
Octane with the IRIX 6.5) as the old ones. I still use the O2 for
actual work.
But I have started to use the SGI Indigo more actively: I have moved my
"newer" Indigo (a 64bit one) to the summer house and use it as a main
computer here. The Indigo itself is OK for this task (I still have to
set up some things like Czech language support for the LaTeX and the
OpenGL support for the Gtk+) but the issue has been data exchange.
There is no network ad no other computer with a removable media drive
(a floppy, a Zip or the USB). So I'm experimenting with the SCI2SD
solution.
The other platform is the Cambridge Z88. I have got a working system
with a serial cable an some software. I also have a dedicated text
editor with a spell checking control. Thus I have been using it to
write some short English texts and to experiment with the PipeDream and
the BBC Basic.
I still use the PSION Organiser II devices. One serves as an alarm
clock (and for my OPL experiments) and the other one (with a printer)
is used as a kitchen/shopping computer.
I also started and played with my PSION MC400 laptop. It was necessary
to replace the batteries (after 2! years of infrequent use). Then I
ported some of my OPL programs from the Organiser II> Well, they only
required to add procedure statements.
An another thing has been the Apple IIe. I have got the European
version from Italy. It looks as new, it is unbelievably clean and it
seem to work. Bu I don't have a compatible RGB monitor. I have tried to
connect it to the video input of my SGI O2. It sort of worked (I have
bad experiences with my A/V board from the past so I didn't expected
any wonders... And there have been no wonders: I can see upper part of
Apple ][ screen but not the lower one where the AppleSoft prompt should
be expected and screen updates are also too random; it behaved in the
same way when I tried other devices so it should not be problem of the
Apple). I tried my LCD TV but it of course does not work, too. So I
ordered an original Sup'r'mod RF modulator. It seems to I'm not able to
connect it to any of my screens, though. So now I'm trying to find an
alternative solution. In meantime i have got several goodies for this
Apple (a time card and so) but I still don't have a ProDOS or DOS (I
wasn't a part of package to my surprise - there was only some sort of
demo diskette from the Apple). So this is still an open story
(September update: I have managed to work it with a modern cheap RF
modulator. Screen image is far from excellent but it is perfectly
readable. The new problem is non-working keyboard: it cannot emit
correct key code for the Return key).
There is no progress in the USSR computing. I have some new adaptors
which should allow to connect the Elektronika BK-0010 to a tape
recorder but I have not prepared all necessary things, yet. I also
collected a components to made a modern storage device for the
Elektronika MK-90 but it requires soldering to there is also still no
progress.
I'm not sure it the Power Macintosh 6100 is old enough to be a
retro-computer but I have replaced the timekeeper battery and repaired
some of its plastics. It still runs as usual.
And it's summer with lot of sunlight so I'm able to use my old
AlphaSmart Pro with in old LCD screen. So I'm typing this text on that
device.
P.S. The text was edited, spell-checked and formatted in the Vim on the
IRIS Indigo. I still have to learn about the AlphaSmart as it sometimes
changes words to upper case and adds some symbols into the text. But
the AlphaSmart Pro is not a bad typewriter replacement, by the way.
