Springtime is knocking at the door, so we did some very early spring-cleaning 🧹

RC-BOX BBS, the world's first (and currently only) Bulletin Board System to run on real RC2014 hardware (Z80 based Homebrew Kit) utilizing oldie-but-goldie CP/M 2.2 has seen a minor update:

- new "read latest bulletin" prompt after login, skip the bulletin if you don't want to read it / already read it

- fixed total line count at message output

- raised max lines per message from 48 to 64 (at 64 columns per message line)

- added some essential software to the file base (for those brave enough to try x/ymodem downloads).

Visit us using your favourite terminal program. Heck, we have no ANSI so even a teletype will do!

connect to: rc2014.ddns.net on TCP port: 2014

#rc2014
#rc2014bbs
#rcbox
#bbs
#CPM80
#Zilog
#Z80

Initially, I was just fooling around, creating code snippets to see how it all may fit together. Quick, dirty hacks you know.

But somehow things got more and more refined and today I was able to test my little two-word #textadventure #game #parser by walking between two rooms.

Written using #gforth but also works with #dxforth on #cpm80

#forth
#retroprogramming

Finished implementing a very simple line editor for DX-BBS. Sure, there's much room for improvement but at least the core functionality is now in there and works.

Time for a cuppa ... 🫖

#DXBBS
#Forth
#RetroCoding
#BBS
#RC2014
#Z80
#CPM80

It sounds simple but I had to tackle a very annoying and naughty bug. But hey:

A)bort L)ist S)ave now works after entering the message

#DXBBS
#DXForth
#Forth
#BBS
#RetroCoding
#CPM80
#RC2014

... went back to my #DXBBS codebase today after taking a longer break from my hobbyist #coding activities. I updated the code for displaying text (ASCII) files which is now less bloated.

I also started to format and add comments to the code. I already did that long before and it helped big time when coming back to it today.

Convinced myself that my custom message base implementation isn't too bad at all but needs formatting and comments for the sake of sanity (and readability).

#BBS
#Forth
#RetroCoding
#RC2014
#CPM80

My Canon V20 can run Microsoft MSX-DOS. Yes, believe it or not there was a DOS for the MSX and it was binary compatible with CP/M-80.

#retrocomputing #8bit #MSX #CanonV20 #DOS #MSXDOS #MSDOS #cpm80

Trying to debug an errant CP/M system when all you've got is PIP ...
(I honestly think the BIOS isn't built correctly somehow, as commands seem to fail silently)

#RetroComputing #Intel8080 #cpm80

My Apple 2 clone is fully assembled and operational  

Most of the apple 2 parts pile are test and repaired and is in fully working condition, except for mainboard, psu (the one I already repaired but it kind of broke again lol) and keyboard, which need some ancient parts that I don't have rn or have to 3D print one in case of keyboard key caps.

Currently running Apple DOS 3.3 (for saving Applesoft BASIC programs on disk) and CP/M stuff, like WordStar, SuperCalc, Z80 Assembler, MBASIC/BASIC Compiler, FORTRAN-80, COBOL-80 and Turbo Pascal.
I using c2t (https://github.com/datajerk/c2t) to create Apple 2 disk from 140K disk image on new floppy disk and some old Apple 2 games flippy disk that suffered from bit rot (the game are available in various Apple 2 software archive).

And yes, This Apple 2 equip with a Thai 80 column card (the card have Thai font ROM installed in inverse ROM socket of Vindex Videoterm clone).
As I try to experiment with various keys combination to get it to type and display Thai but it seems both firmware didn't support it at all :c
I have to resort to a BASIC program to print all characters for it to display any Thai text.

Look like in the past, this kind of Thai system in Apple II didn't build Thai support in to the firmware of 80 column card, they just modify the font ROM to add Thai characters and code custom software for it. Possibly to reduce hardware modification as much as possible and for compatibility with western made software.

There was Thai software for Apple 2 that run on CP/M that I known, the first Thai word processor first released in 1982 called Thai Easy Writer (ขวัญใจนักพิมพ์ดีด) from Kasetsart University, with Yuen Phuworawan as the project leader. This program was written in BASIC and have been ported to various micro computers in that era.
I do have v4.1 and non working v4.2 PC DOS version from 1986, but the Apple 2 CP/M version might be lost, unless me or someone found the disk somewhere and archive it...

Seems I'll have to write software my self if I want to demonstrate it 
Maybe port my unfinished Rajavithi Word PC recreation in C (https://github.com/kytulendu/RajavithiWordPC) from DOS to CP/M would do it, If only I have time and energy to start re-implement the editor...
(Rajavithi Word PC is Thai WordStar clone that run in DOS, first release in 1986, which version 1.x display in Thai 8 line text mode like Thai Easy Writer)

Also, I reverse engineered the PSU schematic used in my Apple 2 clone https://github.com/kytulendu/AppleII-GIANT-PSU incase someone found this PSU in their Apple 2 clone and want some documentation for it.

#apple2 #retrocomputing #cpm80