11 replies to this topic

[davidcalgary29]

I recently bought a SIO2SD device for my modded 600XL, and it's completely revitalized my interest in the system. I actually moved my computer into my bedroom so that I can enjoy at least 60 minutes with Dr. Mario every night.

Is there anything that you've bought recently, for any system, that's refreshened your interest in a classic system?

[OldSchoolRetroGamer]

I LOVE when new tech helps you get more out of old tech! Sadly I have the CD Flash ADAPTER with 4 GB card for an Amiga but have yet to obtain one for a decent price lol. I really look forward to it though, amazing to think back in the day with my A1200 I was amazed to have a 2.5 ' 120GB Hard drive now I have a fully loaded 4GB CF card waiting!

I DO have several Flash cards for consoles (2600 / Colecovision / Genesis / Pre- ordered TurboEvedrive) and those certainly add to the convenience and ease of use for my classic consoles!

Would love to get some storage solutions for my C64 and Atari computers at some point. I agree there is definitely a rush you get and a revitalized interest in a system when you have added a nice modern accessory for it!

[magnusfalkirk]

The CFFA3000 card for the Apple II. I've got it installed in my GS. I love having the ability to use a compact flash card and a flash drive with the GS. What's even more convenient is using an extension cord for the flash drive so I don't have to open up the computer to remove the flash drive. Now instead of having to transfer disk images back to real 5.25 floppies, or 3.5 floppies, I can run them directly on the computer using the CFFA3000.

Theere's also a SmartPort device for the IIc, IIc+ and IIGS that will let you use a USB drive for running disk images. I'll probably eventually add one of those to my IIc+.

[jaybird3rd]

The CFFA3000 looks very interesting.  I've been getting more into the Apple ][ machines recently, so I might just have to pick one up!

The APE/ProSystem tools helped to reignite my interest in the Atari 8-bit computers.  I never exactly lost interest in them, but dealing exclusively with floppies was making the experience wearisome.  I bought my first version of APE in the late 90s, and it was so amazing to be able to simulate disk drives, printers, and other peripherals through a single serial port on an inexpensive DOS PC.  I still use it regularly.

I also enjoy classic consoles more thanks to the various multi-carts I've tried, especially the Atarimax Ultimate SD cartridge for the Atari 5200 and Chad Schell's Cuttle Cart 3 for the Intellivision.

[dustfilledhobo]

I love the uIEC for the c64.  Also, I am currently playing around with ADTpro to get my Apple //c up and running.

[macgoo]

I think the interfaces that allow gigabytes of games on SD cards or hard drives for ST/Amiga games (+ converted games like WHDload files etc) are probably at the top of my list too, making gaming as convenient as emulator based gaming but allowing you to retain the original hardware (which is always something special).

[Feralstorm]

I like to use my Amiga 4000 in a somewhat serious capacity, but moving files between it and my other systems was a bit of a chore, restricted to floppies or ZIP disks I rarely used on anything else, so I used the Amiga much less than I would have liked to. Then I got a DENEB USB card for the 4000, which made things much easier popping flash drives between Amiga, Mac, Linux, Pegasos, and whatnot, and my Amiga is getting more use even today.

[wood_jl]

I absolutely share in the enthusiasm for new-fangled devices, for old computer (and game consoles, too!).

When I was living in Anchorage, I knew several people who had Atari computers - although not nearly as many as Apple and Commodore.  When "the world went PC"  (or Mac!) I was the only holdout.  I had sold part of my Atari computer collection (which I regret) and the drives I had left all had issues.  "The Internet" wasn't popular (esp. the WWW) and I was the only person I knew who still had an interest in the A8.  Unfortunately, nobody was even remotely interested in working on my stuff.   How bad was the Atari life, before Atariage!!! Because I didn't know anybody who still used A8 and no AtariAge, it was very sad.  I didn't know about SIO2PC until it was very old.  As a matter of fact, when I learned about AtariAge I learned about SIO2PC and it was then that Steve at Atarimax (what a fantastic guy) told me that he was developing the USB version, so I waited for it.

The Atarimax USB SIO2PC is the device that "reeled me back in" to Atari8.  Although SIO2PC was old hat to some, it was new to me, and this was (about 2007) when RS232 serial ports had been dropped from the laptops, and a laptop was the only computer I had.   I was instantly hooked.  It was like a dream-come-true - to have **RELIABLE** fast storage and make the PC serve up the Atari.  No more bad disks, and "Warp Speed"  (or even standard speed) with zero seek time!!

From there, I've been pretty much an addict for the new technology that makes the old computers' storage reliable, as well as convenient and fast.  Next, how about getting rid of the PC tether, and how about some of this new tech for some of the other machines I shoulda/woulda/coulda ended up with.

Although I was a wall-eyed A8 fanboy who (before the onset of at least some maturity) ignorantly turned his nose up the other systems, I later-understood that the Apple and Commodore computers would probably have served me well and pleased me, too.   The modern tech makes it very easy (and reliable) to explore these machines, now!

The fact that you can download the entire software library (pretty much) for all of these machines complements the new technology, rather impressively.   I'm referring to the ability to painlessly (and reliably) use disk images.  You would have had to either buy or copy these physical disks, and they'd number in the thousands, when they worked!

Now that you can download the entire run of your favorite computer magazines (another absolute dream), there's an almost endless quantity of stuff to explore.  Read old ads and reviews, then locate the disk image and try it out.....ANYTHING.  Totally impossible (unless you grew up wealthy) in the old days.

After getting hooked, here's my modern devices which give me almost unlimited enjoyment:

Atarimax USB SIO2PC and APE software for A8
Atarimax Flash Cartridges for A8
Sdrive (Sdrive NUXX, specifically) for A8
SIO2SD (bare, cased by Lotharek, cased Micro version by santosp)
1541 Ultimate for C64 (this is a particularly impressive product)
HxC SD-card Floppy Emulator (on the Atari ST, and Amiga 500 - very impressive for both)
CFFA3000 for Apple II (although I don't have Apple II yet)

I also have a collection of A8 enhancements that I'm unable to install.  

I was never a huge console gamer, in the old days.  However, the flash memory devices make it easy and practical (in very recent times) to check out all the stuff that I missed, and knew little or nothing about.  I am impressed with:

Harmony Cartridge for Atari 2600
PowerPak for NES
Atarimax SD cartridge for Colecovision (edit: forgot this!  Have too many devices, evidently)
Master Everdrive for Sega Master System (finally!  SG-1000 games easily on a real machine!)
Everdrive MD for Sega Genesis
Super Everdrive for Super Nintendo
Everdrive 64 for N64


With all of that stuff, there's no realistic way I'm ever going to have the time (or lifespan) to actually check out everything.  It's difficult to get bored, now!   This stuff wasn't exactly free, but for the sheer quantity of exploration it permits, it's really a huge bargain for your entertainment dollar.



I really love this stuff!   Sorry I went on so long!

Edited by wood_jl, Tue Jul 24, 2012 9:20 PM.

[JamesD]

I'd have to say the CFFA and 4MB RAM boards in my IIgs made it a lot more usable.  Now I've ordered a CFFA 3000 so I can use floppy emulation and the CFFA is going to one of my other Apple II machines.  Not sure if it will go in the II+ or Franklin Ace 1000.

Drivewire is pretty slick on my CoCo but one of these days I'll have to break down and buy a CF or SD adapter.

I can't wait for the Incognito board for my Atari 800.

[desiv]

Yeah, there's lots...
The various multicarts of course...

One of the one's I've been having fun with recently is the MAS Player Evolved for my Amiga.
Basically, it's a parallel port MP3 player, so I don't have to strain my 1200's CPU to play MP3s.

I'm even able to play shoutcast streams from the internet on my 1200, which is just neat.. (to me..)

And since it doesn't use any of the Amiga's sound channels, it's kind of like getting 2 more sound channels.  

Also, I've used serial to ethernet adapters to get my older computers on the internet (so-to-speak).
They can connect to telnet BBSes using my old modem software.

In fact, last week, a member of another forum and I played the Amiga game Firepower using modem emulation over the Internet.
She lives in  (er.. I should remember...) one of the Carolinas. (North I think??)    I live in Oregon..  (Latency around 150 to 200 ms)
The game played slow (my device had to be set to 1200 baud or the game wouldn't recognize it) and we couldn't use the CHAT panel.  It would error it out.
But other than that, it was pretty fun and very reminiscent of the old days..  

desiv

Edited by desiv, Wed Jul 25, 2012 9:26 AM.

[Keatah]

CFFA3000 is a good choice. I also put together a direct USB connection between the PC and the //e. I'm not sure what to do with it other than transfer files back and forth though.

[macgoo]

Feralstorm, on Tue Jul 24, 2012 7:52 PM, said:

I like to use my Amiga 4000 in a somewhat serious capacity, but moving files between it and my other systems was a bit of a chore, restricted to floppies or ZIP disks I rarely used on anything else, so I used the Amiga much less than I would have liked to. Then I got a DENEB USB card for the 4000, which made things much easier popping flash drives between Amiga, Mac, Linux, Pegasos, and whatnot, and my Amiga is getting more use even today.

If you have an Amiga 1200 or 600 it's very easy to find compatible PCMCIA network cards and then network your Amiga to the rest of the world. OK easy is a relative term, easier than getting an IBM PC-AT with DOS 6.22 or an Apple Mac v1 that is