Nostr notes by paulrickards

Truchet țile curves have to be one of my favorites, diving over ...

2026-04-06T15:20:07Z

Truchet țile curves have to be one of my favorites, diving over and under with endless paths to explore.

CMYK ink on 11”x15” watercolor paper using a vintage HP 7585B pen plotter generated and controlled with Python.

Available in my shop: https://shop.paulrickards.com/truchet-tiles/

#PenPlotter #GenerativeArt #CreativeCoding #MastoArt #Art #ArtForSale #Artist #ArtForSaleByArtist #PenPlotterArt #PenPlot #NoAI #TruchetTiles #TilingTuesday

Oooh, will you be cloning this card next? I hope? 😊

2026-03-21T21:50:14Z

In reply to nevent1q…wr9s
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Oooh, will you be cloning this card next? I hope? 😊

Wondering if it's because that printer shows as type ...

2026-03-18T17:51:34Z

In reply to nevent1q…lew8
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Wondering if it's because that printer shows as type "imagewriter" all lower case? It's the only one I see that does that. All others are mixed case "ImageWriter"

Thanks! Interesting one of the same columns glitching on yours ...

2026-03-11T03:21:46Z

In reply to nevent1q…nd9x
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Thanks! Interesting one of the same columns glitching on yours too.

Do you have a photo of your 2300c with the glitchy stripes you ...

2026-03-10T14:17:29Z

In reply to nevent1q…patq
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Do you have a photo of your 2300c with the glitchy stripes you can share with me? Thx!

Oh no! Sorry about the ImageWriter. I think @npub1xq6…s6hw had ...

2026-03-09T21:24:31Z

In reply to nevent1q…patq
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Oh no! Sorry about the ImageWriter. I think dan 💾 (npub1xq6…s6hw) had something similar happen but it fixed itself IIRC?!

@npub10ma…m2tk Hey did you ever recap the display in your ...

2026-03-09T04:12:57Z

LikesOldMacs (npub10ma…m2tk) Hey did you ever recap the display in your PowerBook 2300c? Mine is telling me I need to I think.. I opened it about a year ago but couldn’t figure out how to disassemble the LCD.

My sheet feeder fails to load about 50% of the time so it's ...

2026-03-06T18:46:25Z

In reply to nevent1q…tpk9
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My sheet feeder fails to load about 50% of the time so it's not been a great thing to leave connected to #GlobalTalk because it'll just sit there in an error state after failing to load paper.

My guess is the rubber rollers inside aren't grabbing the paper as well as they did in the past.

Contemplating the difficulty level of cloning the A-Max-II card ...

2026-03-03T16:21:10Z

Contemplating the difficulty level of cloning the A-Max-II card (Macintosh Emulator) for the Amiga.

I see 6 GALs on the card which may present a challenge. Have those been dumped?

Anyone have one they'd want to jettison?

https://amiga.resource.cx/exp/amax2

#MARCHintosh #RetroComputing #VintageApple #VintageMac #Amiga #CommodoreAmiga

CMY Carousel showing a flowing field of ribbons of hatched color, ...

2026-02-22T17:02:58Z

CMY Carousel showing a flowing field of ribbons of hatched color, swirling around a center vortex.

CMY archival inks on 11x15 watercolor paper using a vintage HP 7585B pen plotter generated and controlled with Python.

Available in my shop: https://shop.paulrickards.com/cmy-carousel-series/

#PenPlotter #GenerativeArt #CreativeCoding #MastoArt #Art #ArtForSale #Artist #ArtForSaleByArtist #PenPlotterArt #PenPlot #NoAI

I couldn't find any, so please enjoy the sounds of this Mac ...

2026-02-15T20:48:48Z

I couldn't find any, so please enjoy the sounds of this Mac Plus booting from the internal floppy drive I made. Sound on!

#VintageApple #VintageMac #RetroComputing #ASMR

Mac and TinyMac. #VintageApple #VintageMac #RetroComputing ...

2026-02-10T17:41:36Z

In reply to nevent1q…2aka
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Mac and TinyMac.

#VintageApple #VintageMac #RetroComputing #TinyMac

The top of the Maclock includes a touch sensitive area that would ...

2026-02-08T23:18:14Z

In reply to nevent1q…8lkv
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The top of the Maclock includes a touch sensitive area that would turn the backlight on and off, this area marked in red. It doesn’t move, it’s just plastic.

Underneath is a board that is likely difficult to remove, embedded with glue. It has two leads coming off of it.

Without seeing the board, can you theorize how it works and how it could be utilized with a Raspberry Pi GPIO?

#RetroComputing #VintageApple #VintageMac

Obligatory flying toasters. #RetroComputing #VintageApple ...

2026-02-08T22:30:16Z

In reply to nevent1q…qx6x
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Obligatory flying toasters.

#RetroComputing #VintageApple #VintageMac #TinyMac

Two tiny Macs, my converted one and an unmodified Maclock. ...

2026-02-08T21:40:23Z

In reply to nevent1q…ldnt
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Two tiny Macs, my converted one and an unmodified Maclock.

#VintageApple #VintageMac #RetroComputing #TinyMac

More #TinyMac: - Swapped in a Raspberry Pi 3A+ for the Pi Zero 2 ...

2026-02-08T17:26:15Z

In reply to nevent1q…24q8
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More #TinyMac:

- Swapped in a Raspberry Pi 3A+ for the Pi Zero 2 W. Slightly faster and has 5GHz WiFi which is so much better.

- Mounted the LCD/Pi to the back of the front case with some hot glue.

- Kept the front floppy switch as a power switch when floppy is inserted.

- Installed a LX-2BUPS (2x18650 UPS) inside for power, exposed a USB-C port on the back for charging.

#RetroComputing #VintageApple #VintageMac

More #TinyMac progress. Wired up some smol speakers to a smol ...

2026-02-08T17:02:06Z

In reply to nevent1q…9j9k
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More #TinyMac progress. Wired up some smol speakers to a smol audio amp.

Designed and printed a volume knob in the style of the original to fit the B50K pot. Biggest issue is how to mount it inside (the amp board has no mounting holes).

The amp turns out to be too noisy, I can hear WiFi and BT traffic. Also draws about 300mA even when the volume knob is switched off.

I think I'll leave it out.

#RetroComputing #VintageApple #VintageMac

Hey maybe the #TinyMac works well enough to be a #GlobalTalk ...

2026-02-05T19:25:44Z

In reply to nevent1q…q76h
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Hey maybe the #TinyMac works well enough to be a #GlobalTalk router? Certainly uses a lot less power (avg. about 400mA with screen on).

#VintageApple #VintageMac #RetroComputing

So sheep_net seems to work great for AppleTalk traffic but ...

2026-02-05T16:35:06Z

In reply to nevent1q…tzdg
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So sheep_net seems to work great for AppleTalk traffic but struggles with TCP/IP. It'll work for a few seconds then stop.

Curiously, running tcpdump on the machine causes it work, presumably because it puts the interface into promiscuous mode. And enabling promiscuous mode manually also works.

No mention of that on the project page, but that was 10 years ago.

#RetroComputing #VintageApple #VintageMac

https://github.com/cebix/macemu/tree/master/BasiliskII/src/Unix/Linux/NetDriver

To make a Mac, I'm using a Pi Zero 2 W, a Waveshare 2.8" ...

2026-02-04T15:52:28Z

In reply to nevent1q…hps6
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To make a Mac, I'm using a Pi Zero 2 W, a Waveshare 2.8" DPI LCD, and the MacintoshPi image which includes Basillisk II and SheepShaver already installed, and they work without X11 running, perfect for the thin-resourced Pi Zero.

https://jm.iq.pl/macintoshpi-mac-os-7-8-9-for-raspberry-pi/

One thing that was missing was AppleTalk support but I solved that by installing sheep_net from these instructions. And works over WiFi!

https://www.ecliptik.com/blog/2025/Live-Laugh-Localtalk-with-Basilisk-II/

#VintageApple #VintageMac #RetroComputing

A while back I bought two of those Maclocks with the intention of ...

2026-02-04T15:45:06Z

A while back I bought two of those Maclocks with the intention of modding one into a tiny Mac. After seeing the success of Gary :party_porg: (npub1m72…u75y) I decided to give it a go.

Opening the case is definitely the hardest part. Gary said to use guitar picks to start, so I began on the bottom and opened a gap to get a stronger metal spudger inside to lift up the rear case to release the six clips (circled in third pic) from the front. We're inside!

#VintageApple #VintageMac #RetroComputing #Maclock

I'm amazed at how fast it prints to Soft Serve. A single page ...

2026-01-22T15:44:33Z

In reply to nevent1q…6sm4
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I'm amazed at how fast it prints to Soft Serve. A single page document in SimpleText at Best quality in under 5 seconds! PDF available a second after that.

Here's a video of QEMU 7.1 printing to Soft Serve (stats output in the terminal window above).

#ImageWriterII #RetroComputing #VintageApple #VintageMac

Still debugging the Soft Serve ImageWriter virtual printer, ...

2026-01-21T00:08:13Z

In reply to nevent1q…58hk
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Still debugging the Soft Serve ImageWriter virtual printer, trying to make it "well behaved." If you're on #GlobalTalk and have a moment to test, send me a test print at Biosrhythm zone.

#RetroComputing #ImageWriterII #VintageApple #VintageMac

First successful ImageWriter II print to my Soft Serve ...

2026-01-19T21:43:26Z

In reply to nevent1q…zxgl
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First successful ImageWriter II print to my Soft Serve ImageWriter spooler over #GlobalTalk! Thanks to dan 💾 (npub1xq6…s6hw) for helping me test it!

#ImageWriterII #VintageApple #VintageMac

Hey that looks better! I forgot I had to trim the Ethernet frames ...

2026-01-19T16:59:07Z

In reply to nevent1q…l7hz
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Hey that looks better! I forgot I had to trim the Ethernet frames if they were less than 60 bytes long. It was including spurious null characters in the output causing it to add weird characters.

Next I'll try sending it to a real ImageWriter II and see if it prints correctly.

#ImageWriter II #VintageApple #VintageMac

More progress! A Mac now happily sends ImageWriter II print data ...

2026-01-19T06:08:37Z

In reply to nevent1q…9p0g
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More progress! A Mac now happily sends ImageWriter II print data successfully to my terrible Python script.

Cobbling the output together with the "iwem" PostScript ImageWriter emulator, I'm getting something that roughly resembles the original!

#ImageWriterII #VintageApple #VintageMac #Pytyhon

Hamburger, döner, bento, kebab, meatball: aka the junk drawers. ...

2026-01-06T23:22:24Z

Hamburger, döner, bento, kebab, meatball: aka the junk drawers.

I've tricked netatalk's pap into thinking my terrible ...

2026-01-06T04:20:18Z

In reply to nevent1q…zkqu
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I've tricked netatalk's pap into thinking my terrible Python script is an ImageWriter II on EtherTalk, enough so that it will reasonably send a print successfully.

An actual Mac printing to it: not so much. Still some kinks somewhere.

But, progress!

#RetroComputing #VintageApple #VintageMac

Still casting strange Ethernet packets into the void to mimic an ...

2026-01-05T18:40:14Z

In reply to nevent1q…cwf0
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Still casting strange Ethernet packets into the void to mimic an ImageWriter on EtherTalk. Figured out I didn't implement AARP which is why requests didn't make it back to the printer-- whoops.

We now pass netatalk's papstatus test and can pretend we have a color ribbon and sheet feeder installed if we'd like.

#RetroComputing #VintageApple #VintageMac

Added some node startup things like ZIP GetNetInfo and NBP BrRq ...

2026-01-03T04:38:08Z

In reply to nevent1q…awvm
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Added some node startup things like ZIP GetNetInfo and NBP BrRq to announce the the printer over AppleTalk in hopes that would work but no.

It can be found, but clients never reach out to make an OpenConn request.

I've tried printing from emulation and netatalk pap.

Hoping someone more versed in AppleTalk will see something obvious I'm missing.

So far, the fake ImageWriter is proving frustrating, likely ...

2026-01-02T21:17:45Z

In reply to nevent1q…2j3y
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So far, the fake ImageWriter is proving frustrating, likely because of my limited skill set.

I can get the printer to show up reliably in the Chooser, responding to NBP LkUp requests with NBP LkUp-Reply packets. But the host never sends a PAP ATP OpenConn request and eventually times out.

Admittedly, I'm missing a lot of the AppleTalk stack which might have something to do with it.

I have a hardcover copy of Inside AppleTalk on the way.

#RetroComputing #VintageApple #VintageMac

Getting a fake AppleTalk ImageWriter to show up in the Chooser ...

2026-01-01T18:13:17Z

Getting a fake AppleTalk ImageWriter to show up in the Chooser took longer than it should have.

#RetroComputing #VintageApple #VintageMac #GlobalTalk

Staying warm in front of the 1-bit glow of the Lisa and the Yule ...

2025-12-23T20:05:12Z

Staying warm in front of the 1-bit glow of the Lisa and the Yule log with MacFLIM.

#RetroComputing #VintageApple #VintageMac #AppleLisaClone #AppleLisa

Writing zen, where the only distractions are Flying Toasters when ...

2025-12-19T22:59:48Z

In reply to nevent1q…jsdj
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Writing zen, where the only distractions are Flying Toasters when you're idle 😉

Word 5.1a isn't too bad at 640x200 resolution. The UI is unobtrusive, crisp and legible, and big enough to touch.

#RetroComputing #VintageApple #VintageMac

I also cobbled together a systray icon for the battery status ...

2025-12-16T22:10:14Z

In reply to nevent1q…smyu
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I also cobbled together a systray icon for the battery status using Python. It retrieves the battery info from the Power Management Hat over serial and updates the systray icon as needed. The tooltip shown appears when you mouse over or tap the battery icon.

#Typeframe #CyberDeck #WriterDeck

I added an internal speaker (from an old iPad) and headphone jack ...

2025-12-16T21:56:20Z

In reply to nevent1q…44p5
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I added an internal speaker (from an old iPad) and headphone jack to my Typeframe. Since I used a Pi 5 with no on-board analog audio, I used a USB audio dongle.

I was delighted to learn of the simplicity of switching 3.5mm headphone jacks. They have 5 poles instead of 3. The audio source and internal speaker are wired to the headphone jack pins. They're normally closed and the internal speaker works. Plug in headphones, it switches. So simple!

#Typeframe #RaspberryPi #WriterDeck #CyberDeck

Yep, it runs MacOS 7.5 really wide 🙃 #typeframe ...

2025-12-12T04:07:50Z

In reply to nevent1q…lgdv
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Yep, it runs MacOS 7.5 really wide 🙃

#typeframe #RetroComputing #cyberdeck #writerdeck #FlyingToasters #VintageApple #VintageMac

Some more shots of the Typeframe. #typeframe #cyberdeck ...

2025-12-11T22:51:46Z

In reply to nevent1q…gygq
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Some more shots of the Typeframe.

#typeframe #cyberdeck #writerdeck

The Typeframe is modeled after the Epson PX-4 and looks like a ...

2025-12-11T22:30:56Z

In reply to nevent1q…j492
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The Typeframe is modeled after the Epson PX-4 and looks like a twin. The 7.9" LCD is also a touchscreen. I chose a Raspberry Pi 5 and an inexpensive ready-made keyboard. It's all powered by a 10 Ah battery and charges with USB-C. And lots of 3D printing and cable management.

More info. to build your own: https://www.typeframe.net/

#typeframe #cyberdeck #writerdeck

Ever since I saw the Typeframe (a DIY writerdeck or cyberdeck), I ...

2025-12-11T22:22:37Z

Ever since I saw the Typeframe (a DIY writerdeck or cyberdeck), I wanted to build one. And so I did! I tweaked the design here and there to fit what I had on hand and my tastes. Here's the result. I'm pleased with how it turned out.

#typeframe #cyberdeck #writerdeck

Your periodic reminder that there were typewriter pen plotters. ...

2025-12-04T21:01:39Z

Your periodic reminder that there were typewriter pen plotters. Yes, a typewriter that would draw text. Or a plotter with a keyboard attached, depending on your view.

I've collected a few, plus other oddities with pen plotters in them. Have a look:

https://biosrhythm.com/?p=2143

#RetroComputing #PenPlotter

I drew a hat (with a dodgy pen) with my tiny #PenPlotter ...

2025-12-04T19:59:53Z

I drew a hat (with a dodgy pen) with my tiny #PenPlotter

https://xoxo.zone/@scruss/115659570829036175

Four Commodore 8-bit machines running 10 PRINT. #RetroComputing ...

2025-12-01T20:42:21Z

Four Commodore 8-bit machines running 10 PRINT.

#RetroComputing #CommodorePET #C64 #VIC20 #C128 #Commodore64 #SX64 #10PRINT

.jpeg or .jpg? Poll follows. ...

2025-11-17T19:42:11Z

.jpeg or .jpg? Poll follows.

Today's oddware: The HP Infrared Access Point: NetBeamIR. ...

2025-11-15T16:56:00Z

Today's oddware: The HP Infrared Access Point: NetBeamIR. With this monolith-looking box with a HAL 9000 aperture on the front, you can bridge IrDA devices with Ethernet! Who needs WiFi?! 😁

#RetroComputing

How did these work out? I could use a few for Newtons/eMates if ...

2025-11-10T01:53:10Z

In reply to nevent1q…85nm
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How did these work out? I could use a few for Newtons/eMates if you have extras.

Picking up this project from two years ago, I finally printed a ...

2025-10-27T16:42:19Z

In reply to nevent1q…9yt6
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Picking up this project from two years ago, I finally printed a bezel and key set for my PocketCHIP. I printed it with Polar Retro Platinum and used waterslide decals for the key tops and badge with Univers 57 font.

Update: I collected the models and the art for the waterslide decals in one place:

https://www.printables.com/model/1461477-pocketchip-macintosh

#RetroComputing #VintageApple #VintageMac

More often than not, pages that come up in search results now are ...

2025-10-25T15:51:20Z

More often than not, pages that come up in search results now are clearly written by AI tools. They all have the same structure, pattern, and cadence to them that set off alarm bells for me. So I move on. I fear that soon there will be nothing left to move on to.

Oh wow, I remember that site! I think I bought those Web Player ...

2025-10-21T13:57:51Z

In reply to nevent1q…xzwj
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Oh wow, I remember that site! I think I bought those Web Player appliances there after Virgin went out of that business.

Rainy Saturday morning modeling has yielded this battery cover ...

2025-10-11T19:49:18Z

Rainy Saturday morning modeling has yielded this battery cover for many PowerBook 1xx laptops.

https://www.printables.com/model/1442096-powerbook-140-180c-battery-cover

#RetroComputing #VintageMac #VintageApple #3DPrinting

Stamps, stamps, stamps! #RetroComputing #3DPrinting ...

2025-10-08T12:30:20Z

In reply to nevent1q…zucp
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Stamps, stamps, stamps!

#RetroComputing #3DPrinting

LaserWriter 8 Page Setup #RetroComputing #3DPrinting #Clarus ...

2025-10-08T03:09:12Z

In reply to nevent1q…0ggf
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LaserWriter 8 Page Setup

#RetroComputing #3DPrinting #Clarus #Moof

That’s somewhat better. 100% infill (was 20%) and top iron at ...

2025-10-07T19:53:20Z

In reply to nevent1q…wkwf
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That’s somewhat better. 100% infill (was 20%) and top iron at 20% flow (was 10%). Also using the TPU (85A) manufacturer settings file for Bambu P1S.

#RetroComputing #3DPrinting

Tried to make a stamp today with my 3D printer using PLA for the ...

2025-10-07T18:58:44Z

Tried to make a stamp today with my 3D printer using PLA for the handle and TPU for the stamp. Results are meh. Maybe the flow rates aren’t right which leaves the gaps. I did use the iron feature on the top layer too.

#RetroComputing #3DPrinting

🐖 Start pig-mode? #RetroComputing #ResEdit #VintageApple ...

2025-09-17T22:31:20Z

🐖 Start pig-mode?

#RetroComputing #ResEdit #VintageApple #VintageMac

Haha wow buy in bulk! I think that will work in a Newton? I could ...

2025-09-09T18:09:01Z

In reply to nevent1q…vjme
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Haha wow buy in bulk! I think that will work in a Newton? I could use a couple of those.

My tiny plotter works! I finished most of the controller board ...

2025-09-07T19:06:03Z

In reply to nevent1q…en8n
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My tiny plotter works! I finished most of the controller board last night. It’s running GRBL for ESP32 so I can send jobs over WiFi or BT. Still some clean up and tweaks to the case to make maintenance easier.

It follows B. Dring’s project from 2019 but modified for this tiny plotter.: https://www.buildlog.net/blog/2019/09/inktober-2019-project-post-1/

What should I name it?

#RetroComputing #PenPlotter

Been working on a case for the tiny ALPS pen plotter mechanism. ...

2025-09-07T00:47:44Z

Been working on a case for the tiny ALPS pen plotter mechanism. It takes 2.25” wide receipt roll paper. Electronics will go beneath. Might add a roll paper holder. Maybe a battery pack too?

#RetroComputing #PenPlotter

A visual and textual browser/search for BYTE magazine. Clever way ...

2025-08-26T20:37:06Z

A visual and textual browser/search for BYTE magazine. Clever way to present this vast amount of printed material!

https://byte.tsundoku.io

#RetroComputing #BYTEMagazine

I'm not certain it's the right color. I thought the ...

2025-08-25T20:47:15Z

In reply to nevent1q…20ck
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I'm not certain it's the right color. I thought the darker/more yellow color was the original Lisa case color.

I just noticed today that the case for my #AppleLisaClone seems ...

2025-08-25T19:47:17Z

In reply to nevent1q…kldl
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I just noticed today that the case for my #AppleLisaClone seems to be.. painted? It's lighter in color than the first front I purchased. I didn't really pay much attention to it at first but I noticed the HD activity LED light pipe was painted over..!

I mean, it's not a bad paint job as far as these things go. But, why?

#RetroComputing #VintageApple #AppleLisa

Was there ever a FireWire/i.Link/1394 flash thumb drive? Not a ...

2025-08-22T15:03:45Z

Was there ever a FireWire/i.Link/1394 flash thumb drive? Not a portable 2.5" SSD, but like a USB thumb drive.

#RetroComputing

Rate my battlestation! This is a Sony Anycast Station AWS-G500HD ...

2025-08-20T02:39:37Z

Rate my battlestation!

This is a Sony Anycast Station AWS-G500HD from 2007. It's essentially a Sony luggable PIII 933Mhz PC that runs Linux 2.4.20 with a ton of FPGAs to do the heavy lifting of a video switcher. Plus glorious physical buttons, faders, dials, and removable keyboard. Oh, and a jog wheel.

#RetroComputing

Neat! Was it AppleTalk aware? If so, that would be fun to try ...

2025-08-18T16:30:46Z

In reply to nevent1q…ztt4
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Neat! Was it AppleTalk aware? If so, that would be fun to try over #GlobalTalk

Moody disjointed EA logo in KPT Bryce, MacOS 9 #RetroComputing ...

2025-08-18T16:23:48Z

Moody disjointed EA logo in KPT Bryce, MacOS 9

#RetroComputing #EA #VintageMac #VintageApple

It's an "install an old version of Linux" kind of ...

2025-08-17T19:56:24Z

It's an "install an old version of Linux" kind of day. TWM really takes me back..

#RetroComputing

TIL the Kensington Turbo Mouse can use a billiard ball. ...

2025-08-14T16:28:29Z

TIL the Kensington Turbo Mouse can use a billiard ball.

#RetroComputing #VintageMac #VintageAP

Reverse image search has been killed? It was one of the last ...

2025-08-01T15:24:10Z

In reply to nevent1q…uprq
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Reverse image search has been killed? It was one of the last remaining things to verify image sources in this post-AI hellscape. We’re so fucked.

just rewind it first ...

2025-07-28T20:53:47Z

In reply to nevent1q…tkwr
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just rewind it first

Nostr event nevent1qqsrnagc6m2djmp66h7u6n3gjeyeptn9ugftv40cdkta7g09cmqepxgzyzmdks4yvdq2pm5p57xa4vd8r3jfy5ams7694whpnnhzqcjz9xhng7natzq

2025-07-28T19:34:00Z

In reply to nevent1q…q66d
_________________________

https://www.printables.com/model/1368681-rewind-your-floppy-disk-a-nanoraptor-design

oh no ...

2025-07-28T18:26:59Z

In reply to nevent1q…7jrq
_________________________

oh no

I had one and really really liked everything about it. Sad I sold ...

2025-07-26T13:12:49Z

In reply to nevent1q…02dk
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I had one and really really liked everything about it. Sad I sold it.

Right? eBay is even worse! Seems like there's a market to ...

2025-07-25T16:39:08Z

In reply to nevent1q…zwzk
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Right? eBay is even worse! Seems like there's a market to bring a new version out.

The AYAB (All Yarns Are Beautiful) project just released the 1.0 ...

2025-07-25T16:18:42Z

In reply to nevent1q…vx4c
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The AYAB (All Yarns Are Beautiful) project just released the 1.0 software and some interface boards for the Brother KH-9XX line just this past March. So cool!

https://www.ayab-knitting.com/

Makes me wish there was a local maker space where I could connect with someone who has knitting experience to mesh with my electronics/software experience.

Thanks to Mike Coats 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇪🇺🌍♻️ (npub14j3…2nd9) for the tip!

Found some tools for "electro-knit" detailed by Becky ...

2025-07-25T15:39:40Z

In reply to nevent1q…3pgn
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Found some tools for "electro-knit" detailed by Becky Stern and Lenore (npub1m2z…vh9q) Looks like the Brother KH-9XX line used a Tandy floppy disk interface to load/save patterns and can be emulated via inverted TTL RS-232. Fun!

https://learn.adafruit.com/electroknit

Every now and then I see cool vintage computerized knitting ...

2025-07-25T14:50:51Z

Every now and then I see cool vintage computerized knitting machines and think it would be cool to get one to create generative knits but I’m a complete n00b to knitting. I like the idea of modern solutions to vintage knitting machines. It seems to have peaked in the mid 2010s from my view.

Any advice for what to know, what to buy, what to avoid? Thx!

Probably a unique blend of #RetroComputing and #kntting

I published the 3D model for the Apple Scanner lid locking key I ...

2025-07-09T15:10:11Z

In reply to nevent1q…f8rc
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I published the 3D model for the Apple Scanner lid locking key I made. Hope this helps someone when repairing theirs!

https://www.printables.com/model/1349905-apple-scanner-lid-locking-key

#RetroComputing #VintageApple #VintageMac

I mentioned the Apple Scanner got damaged in transit. The corners ...

2025-07-06T19:24:04Z

In reply to nevent1q…52up
_________________________

I mentioned the Apple Scanner got damaged in transit. The corners got beaten up pretty bad. Worst was the lid which separated from the unit. The curved hinge apron also cracked on one side. I attempted to reattach it with epoxy. It's holding for now but it feels fragile. The hinge is attached using two plastic "keys" and one broke. Epoxy didn't work so I modeled and 3D printed the part. It only took 8 iterations to get it right 😅

#RetroComputing #VintageMac #VintageApple

I’ve been testing the Apple Scanner with my Quadra 605 err.. ...

2025-07-06T18:42:01Z

In reply to nevent1q…n3uw
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I’ve been testing the Apple Scanner with my Quadra 605 err.. Classic/040 and noticed it wouldn’t work with Soft 475 Overclock enabled. Turns out I need to also move a resistor on the motherboard to divide the SCSI clock by two. Afterwards, the scanner worked perfectly at 33 and 40MHz!

Soft 475 Overclock info: https://stuffandnonsense.elephantandchicken.co.uk/?p=2519

#RetroComputing #VintageApple #VintageMac

The Apple/Abaton Scanner takes about 2 mins 10 secs for a full ...

2025-07-06T18:17:50Z

In reply to nevent1q…xxth
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The Apple/Abaton Scanner takes about 2 mins 10 secs for a full 8.5"x14" page, 8-bit 300DPI scan as a TIFF.

#RetroComputing #VintageMac #VintageApple

Is there a place where vintage Mac 3D printable parts are ...

2025-07-04T22:47:20Z

Is there a place where vintage Mac 3D printable parts are collected in one place?

#RetroComputing #VintageMac #VintageApple

It also seems to have a very forgiving depth of field. Here's ...

2025-07-03T22:37:11Z

In reply to nevent1q…h42s
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It also seems to have a very forgiving depth of field. Here's a fully populated motherboard plopped right on top of the glass platen. The PCB itself is about 14-17mm away from the glass (depending on which corner you measure).

#RetroComputing #VintageApple #VintageMac

Yeah it's quite decent! I had one of these (original, not ...

2025-07-03T22:09:02Z

In reply to nevent1q…899t
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Yeah it's quite decent! I had one of these (original, not upgraded to 8-bit) a long time ago and used it a lot for black and white photos. I don't think I realized it at the time that it was only 4-bit!

Software has been located! 🎉 Thanks to @npub1yqw…ywz8 who ...

2025-07-03T22:01:47Z

In reply to nevent1q…ys8m
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Software has been located! 🎉

Thanks to vga256 (npub1yqw…ywz8) who found an archive on Discmaster that contained several drivers and a desk accessory. We're making scans!

Here's a 300DPI 8-bit scan of the back of The Print Shop box, cropped and converted to JPG (no other edits).

#RetroComputing #VintageMac #VintageApple

Yes! That contained several drivers and a Scan desk accessory. ...

2025-07-03T21:53:45Z

In reply to nevent1q…t7jp
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Yes! That contained several drivers and a Scan desk accessory. Thanks for locating that. I missed that when I looked through Discmaster.

Hey thanks! I tried that first one but it doesn’t seem to work. ...

2025-07-03T20:13:51Z

In reply to nevent1q…uyga
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Hey thanks! I tried that first one but it doesn’t seem to work. The chooser extension has a Test Scanner button but does nothing. The scanning app says it can’t communicate with the scanner 🫤

Interesting idea to use it under OS X!

So, now I'm searching for the software for this Apple/Abaton ...

2025-07-03T18:56:13Z

In reply to nevent1q…pgj8
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So, now I'm searching for the software for this Apple/Abaton 300/GS scanner. I found the Everex (they bought Abaton) site had the software available in 1996 but it's not been archived.

Anyone have this or are able to find it elsewhere?

Thanks for a boost!

#RetroComputing #VintageApple #VintageMac

Hmmm.. this sticker on the front is a clue. After some searching, ...

2025-07-03T18:50:02Z

In reply to nevent1q…h09h
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Hmmm.. this sticker on the front is a clue. After some searching, I found this ad in MacWorld Oct 1989 special issue.

Abaton would sell you an upgrade (new motherboard?) of your original Apple Scanner to convert it from 4-bit to an 8-bit scanner! Wild!

#RetroComputing #VintageApple #VintageMac

Curiously, the AppleScan software doesn't find it. And even ...

2025-07-03T18:42:24Z

In reply to nevent1q…s0xy
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Curiously, the AppleScan software doesn't find it. And even more curious, the scanner shows itself as a "Abaton Scan 300/GS" in SCSIProbe. Not sure, but I expected it to say "Apple" as the vendor!

#RetroComputing #VintageMac #VintageApple

It suffered some damage on the way here, unfortunately. The lid ...

2025-07-03T18:37:32Z

In reply to nevent1q…m32w
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It suffered some damage on the way here, unfortunately. The lid hinge cracked and the front corners took some abuse.

Still, it has the classic Snow White design language like its other siblings like the ImageWriter II, ImageWriter LQ, and LaserWriter II that I just love.

#RetroComputing #VintageApple #VintageMac

Remember the green lamp it used? Happy this one still works as it ...

2025-07-03T18:32:57Z

In reply to nevent1q…rrlm
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Remember the green lamp it used? Happy this one still works as it seems those lamps are not made anymore.

#RetroComputing #VintageApple #VintageMac

New addition of old: The Apple Scanner, the original monochrome ...

2025-07-03T18:31:07Z

New addition of old: The Apple Scanner, the original monochrome SCSI scanner from 1988 in all of its Snow White glory.

#RetroComputing #VintageApple #VintageMac

I'm looking to pick up a HP Draftmaster II, RX, MX, RX+, or ...

2025-06-10T15:58:00Z

I'm looking to pick up a HP Draftmaster II, RX, MX, RX+, or MX+ pen plotter. Do you have one or know someone that does and wants to part with it? I'm in the US Mid-Atlantic region.

Thanks for a boost!

#PenPlotter #VintageComputing

Today I’m starting a big plot on the @npub14ue…52ya ArtFrame ...

2025-06-07T15:13:00Z

Today I’m starting a big plot on the Bantam Tools (npub14ue…52ya) ArtFrame Panorama, a monster of a plotter with a 24” x 72” plot area. Excited to see a plot that is as tall as I am!

I’ll be here at the Bantam Tools Machine Arts Gallery in Peekskill NY today. Stop by if you’re in the area. 👋

#PenPlotter

When viewed close up, it’s an abstract series of modulated ...

2025-06-03T20:49:55Z

In reply to nevent1q…5qg2
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When viewed close up, it’s an abstract series of modulated horizontal lines with hatch marks in them. From a distance, the line work collapses into a recognizable portrait (at least for me).

#PenPlotter

I’ve long admired the old ALDUS logo from the early PageMaker ...

2025-06-03T19:03:29Z

I’ve long admired the old ALDUS logo from the early PageMaker days on the Mac. I’ve used that style to create a #PenPlotter rainbow portrait of Alan Turing for pride month.

CMYK on 11”x15” watercolor paper using a vintage HP 7585B pen plotter generated and controlled with Python.

Available in my shop, in the Wildcards gallery. https://shop.paulrickards.com/wildcards/

#GenerativeArt #CreativeCoding #MastoArt #Art #ArtForSale #Artist #ArtForSaleByArtist #PenPlotterArt #PenPlot #NoAI

While at System Source Computer Museum, I refined some macrodata ...

2025-04-30T21:23:24Z

In reply to nevent1q…wwng
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While at System Source Computer Museum, I refined some macrodata on this lovely Data General Dasher terminal.

#RetroComputing

I think I figured it out! Here's what I changed. Frequencies: ...

2025-03-26T04:09:05Z

In reply to nevent1q…q5cz
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I think I figured it out! Here's what I changed.

Frequencies:
let callerFrequencies = [2025, 2225, 2125];

Reverse the bits of each byte:
for (i = binaryStr.length-1; i >= 0; i--) {

The stop bit is a mark (1) and not a space (0):
callOscillator.frequency.setValueAtTime(callerFrequencies[1], timing);

With that, it decodes on my Atari 830 acoustic modem!

From what I can see, this line does correctly convert the ASCII ...

2025-03-26T01:19:48Z

In reply to nevent1q…nj6p
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From what I can see, this line does correctly convert the ASCII value to binary.

var binaryStr = byte.toString(2).padStart(8,0);

It then adds the start and end bits so that gives us 10 bits (8,N,1).

Maybe there's something else I'm missing?

Thx but I don't think that array is used for the Bell 103 ...

2025-03-26T01:13:54Z

In reply to nevent1q…4lwd
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Thx but I don't think that array is used for the Bell 103 encoding, just the RTTY encoding.

The Bell 103 encoding function does appear to be converting the ASCII to the proper 8-bit binary values, tho.