Like everyone here on #Mastodon or, more specifically, the #fediverse I noticed a certain increase of activity in my timeline and was pleased to see a few accounts I really missed from that other site actually show up here (hello @bbcmicrobot )

So for those of you who came here for some #retrocomp and #classiccomputing goodness, I have put together a little list of tags and accounts which you also may want to read / follow:

First, here's some content I "tooted" (that's how we say here) after I closed my account on birdsite:

In order to celebrate the 40th anniversaries of the #zxspectrum and the #commodore64 I built a replica of each sytem in the #dudebuildingaspeccy and #dudebuildingac64 series of toots.

As for interesting, #retrocomputing related accounts to follow, I'd like to recommend the following:

@jimblimey
@48kRAM
@retrotechtive
@peter
@mos_8502
@rc2014
@swissAlisha
@acn128
@ClipHaed
@scruss

Some nice bots:

@SIDMusic
@AYMusic
@bbcmicrobot

@rc2014 I see. You may want to check out my #dudebuildingaspeccy and #dudebuildingac64 threads in cas you missed 'em ...

@Firelion you may see me posting about #z80 and #mos6502 gear every now and then. just finished #dudebuildingac64 and #dudebuildingaspeccy a few weeks ago.

And another important utensil I found in the "special offers, need to go out" section of a german retro vendor: the "Dust Cover for ZX Spectrum" - and I was lucky to get the last but one, still in original packaging and mint condition!

#dudebuildingaspeccy
#harlequin128k
#zxspectrum

Wisdom of the day: "Jetpac" is actually very playable once you have a Kempston joystick interface.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jetpac

#jetpac
#harlequin128k
#zxspectrum
#dudebuildingaspeccy

Another great #game for the #zxspectrum is "Ossuary", which was released by Cyningstan in 2013. It's a rock solid #roguelike with all the important ingredients: magic items, various weapons, shields and dungeon levels full of monters to slay!

One needs to find out what combination of items will have the best effect on the endless stream of monsters, rising in strength as the player delves deeper and deeper into the dungeon. Being able to save and load games is a useful and appreciated feature and it doesn't spoil or make the game easier at all.

"Ossuary" is visually appealing, the colors and graphics are remarkable. Even more remarkable is the fact that this game will run on any Speccy - from the early 16K model to the +3 - putting it all in 16K of RAM is a feat!!

You can find the game here:

http://spectrum.cyningstan.org.uk/game.php?id=42

p.s.: forgive the slightly skewed image, using my mobile to photograph my 7" lcd the #harlequin128k is connected to.
#dudebuildingaspeccy

Now that I have a working machine and a whole week off, it's time for the old Commodore 64 kid to start exploring the (to me) new, fantastic and unknown world of ZX Spectrum gaming.

I'm using the "ZX Tape Player" #android app as a tape recorder replacement since it is also more comfortable than having to plug audio cables in the back of my PC.

So here is a photo of me flying a quick round of "Gunship" on the #harlequin128k #zxspectrum - it took me some time to get used to loading and "rewinding" the tape to load the individual missions but it works now.

I played this "simulator" on the #commodore64 back in the day but I must say the Speccy port of the game is a job well done! The wireframe 3d seems slightly faster on the Speccy (something I expected) and I am very impressed by the instrument graphics and the overall display of the cockpit.

It's amazing that after all these decades I even remembered how to start the engines and take off!

#dudebuildingaspeccy

Look what was in the mail today!

And it's working perfectly with my #harlequin128k build - so now I have a joystock interface and decent VGA video. Much better than the composite signal!

And since it's friday, I throw in a nice photograph (taken a few minuts ago) of the "Z80" corner on my desk ... #z80 #retrocomputing #dudebuildingaspeccy #zxspectrum

And this is the final result, put in that nice case I bought. Guess I'll have to make myself familiar with the very new entry to my collection ...

BTW: it looks cool, right? What do you think?!

#dudebuildingaspeccy
#harlequin128k
#zxspectrum

look what I found on the Diag ROM ...

#dudebuildingaspeccy
#harlequin128k
#zxspectrum

@f4grx thanks for your input - went looking for those "balls" immediately, fixed them and found one joint that was not properly soldered. Fixed that as well aaand ...

It. Is. Alive!

Whoooohooooooo!!!! Now I'm a Speccy owner!! Yay!!

#dudebuildingaspeccy
#harlequin128k
#zxspectrum

It's done. It's not working. I feel devastated.

Diag ROM is in but I'm not getting any video signal, so I' can't even tell if there is anything is working at all!

So tired, so disappointed. I can't see any obvious problems like maybe a cut trace or missing solder spots so I'm currently out of any ideas as what to do next.

#dudebuildingaspeccy
#harlequin128k

So, today I went for the final leg of soldering my Harlequin 128K #zxspectrum clone.

I've now added all the components, sockets, plugs, pin headers and whatnot. Time to take a short break and then carefully put all the ICs into their sockets. But hey, we're getting close ...

#dudebuildingaspeccy
#harlequin128k

just in case you're curious, here's the back of the Harlequin 128K board I am building. Note: what looks like scratches is actually feline hair 😅​

#dudebuildingaspeccy

More IC sockets and transistors added to my Harlequin 128K board. Replacement for R38 arrived and was added as well. Still short on three DIP14 high precision sockets, also missing another DIP32 socket - once more ordered fresh supplies.

next come the capacitors ... stay tuned!

#dudebuildingaspeccy

So I did some sunday morning solder work: I've added U47 which is a network resistor DIP and started to add the last few of the high precision sockets I had in stock. Now waiting for more to arrive next week.

But hey: slowly, very slowly this thing begins to look like a computer.

#dudebuildingaspeccy

Looking at yesterday's work I come to the conclusion that I could've soldered the PAL/NTSC converter (SMD) myself (this one was pre-soldered). The pads aren't too tiny and the component itself could easily be fixed with tape before soldering.

I don't say that this is an easy job everyone could manage to do, but I guess if you have some experience soldering ESPs this one shouldn't be too much of a problem.

#dudebuildingaspeccy

All diodes and resistors soldered, except for U47 which is a DIP and R38 for which I have ordered a replacement. That's it for today, taking a break now.

#dudebuildingaspeccy
#harlequin128k
#zxspectrum40

Today I eventually started to assemble the "Harlequin 128K" kit I ordered from ByteDelight.com

The image shows all diodes in place and I've also started to populate the board with resistors.

Unfortunately, I was a bit clumsy and bent the wire for R38 too hard so it broke off. And of course it's a value (68 Ohm) I don't have in stock so I had to order them online along with some fresh solder.

#dudebuildingaspeccy
#harlequin128k
#zxspectrum

Next week I'll have a few days off and will hopefully find the time to start my latest "build your own computer" project: the "Harlequin issue 2D" kit from "ByteDelight" in the Netherlands.

Today I took some time to check the kit contents and take a look at the manual: I'm very imperessed with the detailed instructions and hints for beginners as well as the overall quality, detail and packaging of the kit. Also, the one SMD component that is required for this kit (PAL/NTSC encoder) is already pre-soldered to the board.

The two packs of dutch "Stroopwafels" came as a little gimmick and will be enjoyed once the machine is assembled and actually works!

My plan is to take shots of my progress and comment on my experience soldering the board here on the fediverse.

Progress will depend much on my mood and interference of real-world issues, but if you want to follow the process, just look for the tag #dudebuildingaspeccy

#harlequin128k #zxspectrum #diy #electronics #kit