The Last Psion | AlexMar 11, 2023

Did you write code for #Psion machines in the #80s and #90s?

We're calling for you to open source your code!

I'm working with a group of enthusiasts, building a library of information about the SIBO/EPOC16 platform. Your old code could give valuable insight, as well as encourage people to write new code.

We're especially interested in old C and #x86 #assembly.

Upload it to your public repository of choice, and set it free!

#retrocomputing #retrodev #16bit #pda #laptop #epoc16 #sibo #oldcode

Show threadAlan Clifford 🏌️‍♂️🦈 📷Mar 27, 2023
@thelastpsion
@benc
Three Psion programs here http://clifford.ac/software.html
together with the registration code for Alarm Enhancer.
Alan Clifford's Software Page

Show threadAlan Clifford 🏌️‍♂️🦈 📷Mar 28, 2023
@thelastpsion @benc
These appear to be all binary files. Can't remember how these were created. Maybe the source code is still on the Psion?
Show threadBen CliffordMar 28, 2023

@pitchingniblick @thelastpsion the originals were probably .OPL files ...

The .OPA file has this near the start:
C:\PSION\ENHANCER\VERSION6.39\ENHANCER.OPL

which looks more like a DOS hard-drive path than an on-psion path.

Show threadThe Last Psion | AlexMar 28, 2023
@benc @pitchingniblick Do you remember if the OPL files were protected from decompilation (RevTran)?
Show threadAlan Clifford 🏌️‍♂️🦈 📷Mar 28, 2023

@thelastpsion @benc

Hmmm?
Raspberry Pi --> dosbox --> revtran --> ENHANCER.OPA

Show threadThe Last Psion | AlexMar 28, 2023
@pitchingniblick @benc Fail. 😞
Show threadThe Last Psion | AlexMar 28, 2023
@pitchingniblick @benc Correction: semi-fail. It has created a ~2300 line file, with quite a few missing symbol errors. But the main logic is there.
Show threadAlan Clifford 🏌️‍♂️🦈 📷Mar 28, 2023
@thelastpsion @benc
Alarm Enhancer runningn on my Macbook!
Show threadThe Last Psion | Alex

@pitchingniblick @benc The next release of MAME has the beginnings of a SIBO emulator. Unlike the old Psion one, it's a complete emulation of hardware. You need an EPOC16 ROM file to get it booting, but that's obtainable if you (or someone you know) has an original machine and a serial cable.

Getting apps onto it is tricky - no RS232 yet. If you have an SSD it's possible to dump that with an Arduino UNO or a Series 3a/c/mx. I'm planning on writing an SSD image creator very soon.

Mar 28, 2023 at 9:04pmWeb