The Grundy #NewBrain was an interesting #z80 based machine from 1982. One of its more remarkable features was a built-in single line display in addition to the video out, allowing for some portable use. The machine was targeted at business use and didn't get a large amount of platform specific software. It ran a version of #CP/M 2.2 with an efficient implementation giving it a large TPA. The platform also supports inverse characters, although without a specific control code to toggle so I need to manually track reverse character mode and toggle the top bit accordingly. With some gymnastics in memory management, a 50Hz timer is available, allowing me to count the ticks for the 10Hz timer expected by a full featured #Zmachine
Now that it's properly tested and running, you can download the latest addition to the #Vezza family from https://gitlab.com/sijnstra1/vezza and if you are curious about the NewBrain you can get the emulator and other info from https://newbrainemu.eu/new/

I've attached screenshots of the Bomber game in action, as well as the #Infocom classic A Mind Forever Voyaging.

While porting #Vezza for another #z80 platform (the Grundy #NewBrain), I noticed that there was an issue with the timer routine for the #MSX version. It turns out that the code was in there for the MSX version was using the MSX clock, however, it was not calculating the time properly, The MSX has a fine-grained timer which allows me to measure the time to the nearest 0.1 second as required for the #Zmachine standard. This makes the MSX version one of the few that I have written which supports the full fine-grained time requirement.

While for normal text adventures, this timer resolution might not make much difference, some of the fun post-#Infocom games, this distinction is used. One of the games that I've tested which works properly now is the `bomber.z5`, a real time game where you need to drop bombs from the plane to create a flat landing for your plane. Check the screenshot below for the action! Download the latest from https://sijnstra.itch.io/vezza
#retrogaming #retrocomputing

It's 1984 and my dad just finished his advertisement for the big Christmas computer fair. He had invested heavily in the Gemini series from #Gemini Microcomputers Ltd in England. I believe it was a #NASCOM compatible system, but the company unfortunately went bankrupt a couple of years later.

The 80s were full of opportunities and disappointments in the field of micro or even home computers. So many interesting ideas, so much competition and so few made it through. Everyone remembers the Commodore 64. Few remember the #Lynx, the #Enterprise, the #NewBrain or the #Gemini. Remember #CPM? No? #DOS won that race. Competition lead to better solutions which eventually gave us the computers we have today. Shoulders of giants and all that.

#vintagecomputing

Some 40 years ago, my dad took a leap and decided to import and resell the #Enterprise64 microcomputer from the United Kingdom. This was indeed the era of the "micro", and lots of options were available like the #Spectrum, #Amstrad, #NewBrain, #Lynx and numerous others. Unfortunately competition was hard, and the Enterprise was delayed for almost a year. Eventually they went bankrupt and all stock was exported to Eastern Europe where it got a second life among some very hard core enthusiasts. Very few were actually sold in Denmark - I would assume less then a hundred - and today I managed to get my hands on the third one in my collection. Inherited from his dad, the seller had no idea what to use this for. It's very much a special item, and very far from the mainstream like the Commodore 64. It is nevertheless a fascinating machine, sporting a #Zilog #Z80 with support for up to 2MB RAM. The operating system also contained IS-BASIC, and was a bliss to work with.

#80s #vintagecomputing

@vruz I'm curious to know how much Sinclairicity from the original Sinclair Radionics ideas was retained in the NewBrain in the final product released by Grundy to the market, if anything at all. Regarding Spectrumness, I would say it never had any.

https://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/5291/Grundy-NewBrain-AD/

#newbrain

A nostalgic review of #8bit computers from a Spanish computer #magazine back in 1985.

It included well-known computer models from classic brands such as #Sinclair, #Atari, #Oric, #Commodore, #Acorn, and #TexasInstruments, along with other fairly obscure ones like #Sord, #ColourGenie, #Lynx, or #NewBrain.

#retrocomputing