One thing I discovered with the C64 Maxi was how more important is the physical factor then the perfect emulation. The fact the thing has a C64 keyboard maintains the illusion it’s an authentic device.
PaulHoule 22 hours ago [-]
My only in-person memory of the the /// was that, circa 1981 or so, I went to a short-lived 'Computerland' store on the outskirts of town and they had one that they were too afraid to demo because they were afraid it would burn up. They sure were willing to demo the ][, I remember playing
Very few people experienced an Apple ///. The most interesting physical feature was the dual speed arrow keys. Press and hold, they auto-repeat. Press harder and they auto-repeat faster.
kappetrov 21 hours ago [-]
That is indeed quite interesting.
kappetrov 22 hours ago [-]
I could absolutely do Apple II & Apple /// Compatibility!
rbanffy 21 hours ago [-]
I’m looking for keyboard design tutorials to replicate some classic keyboards. Idea is for modern use, but replicating a /// would be an interesting project. Very few people had direct experience with those machines.
Besides, I could probably make it work with the original Apple II/III keyboards.
rbanffy 18 hours ago [-]
Actual /// keyboards are rare, and it’d be a crime to dismantle a /// for that.
Now, putting the board inside the chassis of a dead ///, is an interesting idea.
kappetrov 4 hours ago [-]
Yeah, but it'd be harder to manufacture then.
rbanffy 53 minutes ago [-]
And dead /// cases aren't abundant anyway.
kappetrov 39 minutes ago [-]
I think a PS/2 Keyboard would go the best -- Still retro, but still easily buildable and findable today.
kappetrov 21 hours ago [-]
This computer can actually work with a PS/2 Keyboard. By the way, I emailed you if you want to continue further discussion :D
rbanffy 21 hours ago [-]
Cool, but I don’t know how to make a PS/2 keyboard either :-(.
ferguess_k 20 hours ago [-]
Sounds interesting. However, since the target audience is technical people, I suspect a lot of us would just do the emulation by ourselves.
It would be much more interesting (and more expensive) if it's native.
kappetrov 38 minutes ago [-]
I was also planning to make a native version as you described -- But still keeping it hackable (using off the shelf and easily findable parts like the WDC 6502), but still keep it around below $60. (Still cheaper than ones on the market.. $300 - $400...)
One thing I discovered with the C64 Maxi was how more important is the physical factor then the perfect emulation. The fact the thing has a C64 keyboard maintains the illusion it’s an authentic device.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raster_Blaster
Besides, I could probably make it work with the original Apple II/III keyboards.
Now, putting the board inside the chassis of a dead ///, is an interesting idea.
It would be much more interesting (and more expensive) if it's native.