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Post by Jeff Ledger on Jul 1, 2006 12:12:20 GMT -5
Here's a topic request for a future podcast...
How about one on the TRS-80 Model 100/102/clones?
I've got one of these little buggers that I can't seem to put down. 32K ram, built-in BASIC, LCD screen, {and my personal favorites } a keyboard with full sized keys, and runs of 18+ hours off standard batteries!
It's part of my "computers in everyday use" experiment, so I'm adding some support to my TVBBS webbrowser to support WAP pages to the unit. I figure with some creative RS232<->Ethernet<->Wireless it could become a rather powerful modern tool. The plastic's a little faded, so it looks like a good candidate for some Kylon fuzion paint soon.
Anyone else here got one of these?
Jeff
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Post by Robin Harbron on Jul 1, 2006 13:21:37 GMT -5
Anyone else here got one of these? Well, I've got two, does that count? But yes, neat little machine, and last time I checked (3 or 4 years ago) it still had a very strong following, and a good web presence from it's fans/users. It was especially popular with travelling journalists due to it's (relatively) good keyboard, light weight, and long battery life. No other machine had such a good balance of those three important areas.
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doug
Full Member
Posts: 136
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Post by doug on Jul 1, 2006 13:50:50 GMT -5
I've got a 102 that is in near new condition. Bought it on eBay for a song. It is missing the AC adapter and fake leather cover though. Funny you mention this computer today because I've been browsing the net learning about burning my own ROMS for the 100/102 and the PX-8. It seems that most of the ROM software is available on the net and all one needs is a burner, eprom, and terminal. software. A useful site for the Model 100 is www.club100.org. They've got downloads, docs, etc. as well as a store. Regards,
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Post by retrobits on Jul 1, 2006 16:31:08 GMT -5
Hey all,
I'd love to do a podcast episode on the Model 100/102/etc, and will put that on the list to do soon.
I will need to read up, and chat with some folks about this model. Anyone have any particular features that you'd like me to talk about? For instance, I believe I heard that the Model 100 has a crisp LCD screen. The PX-8, in contrast, has a screen that can be difficult to read under low lighting.
This machine apparently does have a very strong following today. I'd read a while back (I think it was in Wired mag) about someone who refurbishes the units to the best possible state and resells them.
- Earl
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Post by retrobits on Jul 1, 2006 16:36:44 GMT -5
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Post by gmoon on Jul 1, 2006 22:33:20 GMT -5
I picked one of these up a few years ago. One line on the LCD is flxxed ( I dropped it ) These were legendary at the newspaper where I used to work. Reporters continued to use them well into the mid 90's. They didn't require any updates. The batteries lasted forever. And If I recall (haven't played with it for a while) you could turn off the power without saving the story, and it would still be there when you switched it back on. They were, and still are, much loved by a group of people who distrust technology. [edit - sp]
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Post by Jeff Ledger on Jul 2, 2006 23:43:28 GMT -5
Rack up one more point toward prime-time use of the M100! Just created a little Perl script that allows me to email pre-prepared email messages from the text editor on the m100, then transmit them whenever I'm connected to "home-base" I'm sure the script could be used for any ASCII based retro-computer with an RS232 port. You PX-8 guys might be able to do something similar. I'm creating the email in the M100 text editor, with the format of the email address on the first line, the subject on the second, then the rest of the message. I log into my Linux box using Leif's BBS Server (http://www.jammingsignal.com/files/) and use this script: (http://bbs.petscii.com/m100smtp.txt) -- Once the script is launched, I start the file "upload" from the M100, and then type '/s' after it's done to send the message. The only drawback is that I had to reduce the speed to 300 baud to keep from getting "framing errors" Not sure where this bug is, it's a minor issue for this application. Now to convert my gmail reader to a stand-alone ASCII script.
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detnyre
Junior Member
detnyre
Posts: 99
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Post by detnyre on Jul 9, 2006 10:42:28 GMT -5
I believe the Microsoft Basic in the Model 100 was the last version of BASIC that Bill Gates personally worked on.
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doug
Full Member
Posts: 136
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Post by doug on Jul 9, 2006 14:10:43 GMT -5
I believe the Microsoft Basic in the Model 100 was the last version of BASIC that Bill Gates personally worked on. I read that too. In fact, I think I read that it was the last piece of coding he did period.
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