Atari Lynx HOWARD DEV SYSTEM for sale

[woolfman]

Just came across this...anybody interested?

 

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?ff3=4&pub=5574883395&toolid=10001&campid=5336500554&customid=&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.at%2Fitm%2F251199297258%3FssPageName%3DSTRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT%26_trksid%3Dp3984.m1423.l2649

[108 Stars]

I would love to have this. No cash though.

[the.golden.ax]

Would it help you, or anyone else program Lynx games? Or is it just a thing to have?

 

I wondering because I think that you could easily get members to chip in and help get it.

[108 Stars]

No, it isn't neccessary for that. Zaku was made with one, but that was more of a novelty factor I believe. I just think it would be a neat item to have in your collection; like who knows what games we all know may hve been programmed with this very unit?

 

So it's really just a gimmick you can't get very often.

[+Gemintronic]

That is, if it actually works. eBay description says it is untested.

[the.golden.ax]

Yeah, I have a big blue Sega Mars Dev unit that was used to make Toughman Contest. I don't care for the game, or EA that much so I don't even know why I still have it honestly. It's just a thing.

[108 Stars]

Yeah, I have a big blue Sega Mars Dev unit that was used to make Toughman Contest. I don't care for the game, or EA that much so I don't even know why I still have it honestly. It's just a thing.

 

But it's a damn COOL thing. And you even know what game was made with it!

I'd never part with such items.

 

 

 

That is, if it actually works. eBay description says it is untested.

 

Yes, it does not look too shiny and well preserved.

The one in this thread looks different: http://www.atariage.com/forums/topic/201213-interest-check-atari-lynx-development-kit/

 

It also has two boxes; I wonder if both are united on the same board on the one on eBay?

Edited December 20, 2012 by 108 Stars

[solidcorp]

The first one is indeed a Howard board, the second one you post looks like a Handy unit. The Howard board was the first devkit I ever used in a multi-threaded windowed development environment with source level debugging. The thing is crammed full of PALs and GALs - programmable logic that got me interested in TTL, then CMOS, then PLD/PAL/GAL, then FPGA. I believe it's named after the engineer that designed the board.

[108 Stars]

Thanks for the info, Mr Williamson!

Just out of curiosity, do you have any idea how many of these were made? The Lynx did not get a hell lot of 3rd party support, so I'm guessing not too many.

 

Also, about Howard and Handy: What were the differences? I'm not a tech guy, but there must be a reason for two different dev kits existing. Was Howard used first and later they switched to Handy or something?

[adolobe]

Thats actually my Lynx dev listing on ebay. I had it listed here on the market place for a couple weeks with no real interest.

[adolobe]

That is, if it actually works. eBay description says it is untested.

 

It worked the last time I used it but that was 4 years ago.

Edited December 21, 2012 by adolobe

[adolobe]

But it's a damn COOL thing. And you even know what game was made with it!

I'd never part with such items.

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, it does not look too shiny and well preserved.

The one in this thread looks different: http://www.atariage....evelopment-kit/

 

It also has two boxes; I wonder if both are united on the same board on the one on eBay?

 

The on in that link is a Pinky/Mandy dev system. Those came out later down the road. Much like the Raptro then Alphine Jaguar Dev system

[adolobe]

Thanks for the info, Mr Williamson!

Just out of curiosity, do you have any idea how many of these were made? The Lynx did not get a hell lot of 3rd party support, so I'm guessing not too many.

 

Also, about Howard and Handy: What were the differences? I'm not a tech guy, but there must be a reason for two different dev kits existing. Was Howard used first and later they switched to Handy or something?

 

You have it a bit mixed up. The Handy was the lynx code name. There was a Howdy that was nothing more than a screen some simple logic and buttons crammed into a Lynx Shell that was plugged into the howard dev system. The first lynx setup was Howard/Howdy then later it was Pinky/Mandy

 

Here is some information for you

http://devkits.handh...i_LynxPinky.htm

 

Some additional info

 

Q. What was the Lynx developer's kit like?

 

A. Hardware:

- Commodore Amiga computer: 3M RAM and hard disk.

- "Howard" board: A parallel-interface module that has the electronics

of the Lynx, also with debugging tools. A large PC board inside of

a metal case with power supply, and connections on the back for

cable to connect to the Amiga, and to the "Howdy" unit ($5,000).

- "Howdy" unit: Either a small PC board in a plastic case with buttons

and a Lynx display, or a modified Lynx. Essentally a self-contained

"Handy" (Lynx) unit, with cables to allow the "Howard" board to monitor

system behavior.

- "Pinky/Mandy": A discounted "Howard" board setup that allows programs to

be loaded and executed. Pinky and Mandy can only download and execute

programs that are in Handy RAM or a simulated Handy ROM cart. Minimal

debugging support ($500).

Edited December 21, 2012 by adolobe

[108 Stars]

You have it a bit mixed up. The Handy was the lynx code name. There was a Howdy that was nothing more than a screen some simple logic and buttons crammed into a Lynx Shell that was plugged into the howard dev system. The first lynx setup was Howard/Howdy then later it was Pinky/Mandy

 

Thanks, I knew about Handy being the Lynx codename. It's just that solidcop in the other post wrote "handy" instead of "Mandy", so I believed the devkit might have had the same name. solidcorp worked at Atari at the time specifically on Lynx-related stuff and did Toki, STUN Runner and another game that slipped my mind just now, so he's a bit of an authority in terms of Lynx back in the day and I just took his post without questoning. He just mixed it up then/made a typo.

 

Interesting information, thank you very much.

[solidcorp]

Thanks for straightening me out there, your details are right on. I should have known better, I was head of Lynx Developer support, but that was a long time ago. Were you an original Lynx developer? Might we know each other?

 

 

We only used Pinky/Mandy for audio development and QA while I was there because of the limited debugging ability.

 

I don't know how many Howard boards or Pinky/Mandy's were made but I unearthed my Howard Development kit this morning just to check the serial number for this thread. Can you find it in this pile of Atari/N64/PlayStation/SNES/Genesis/GameBoy+ game development equipment? (those scrolls are the original Bubsy level design storyboards)

 

 

There it is!

 

 

It is #028

 

Stating the obvious here: Some Lynx development documentation is here http://www.atariage.com/Lynx/archives/developer_docs/index.html?SystemID=LYNX

 

I have no way of knowing if the Howard board still works, my Amiga 3000's motherboard was destroyed by the all-too-common leaking motherboard battery problem. I did recover the data from the hard disks and the source for my three Lynx games from floppies but that is a story from another thread.

 

The link in the original post is not working for me, did the Howard board sell, and for how much?

 

Cheers!

[108 Stars]

Looks like it didn't sell.

[adolobe]

Thanks for straightening me out there, your details are right on. I should have known better, I was head of Lynx Developer support, but that was a long time ago. Were you an original Lynx developer? Might we know each other?

 

 

We only used Pinky/Mandy for audio development and QA while I was there because of the limited debugging ability.

 

I don't know how many Howard boards or Pinky/Mandy's were made but I unearthed my Howard Development kit this morning just to check the serial number for this thread. Can you find it in this pile of Atari/N64/PlayStation/SNES/Genesis/GameBoy+ game development equipment? (those scrolls are the original Bubsy level design storyboards)

 

 

There it is!

 

 

It is #028

 

Stating the obvious here: Some Lynx development documentation is here http://www.atariage....l?SystemID=LYNX

 

I have no way of knowing if the Howard board still works, my Amiga 3000's motherboard was destroyed by the all-too-common leaking motherboard battery problem. I did recover the data from the hard disks and the source for my three Lynx games from floppies but that is a story from another thread.

 

The link in the original post is not working for me, did the Howard board sell, and for how much?

 

Cheers!

 

Nice collection you have there look as busy an cluttered as mine.

 

I wasnt a Lynx programer but its a funny store how I came to acquire this. The guy who I purchased my Home from in San Diego was. When it was closing escrow I asked if I could have some stuff dropped off and storage into the garage and he agreed. When he saw it was a massive Atari ST, Jaguar, and Arcade collection he offered to sell me lots of his old stuff. In total he sold me the Lynx Dev setup, Amiga computer, Jaguar Dev Setup, 2 Falcons, one TT, a box full of documents, about two dozen Atari Binders, and two storage totes full of floppy disk, and old Atari games.

 

He had a couple Kiosk units and store display items but he he wouldnt sell those sadly.

[+selgus]

Your garage looks a lot like mine Scott... old game development hardware in boxes.

[carmel_andrews]

Nice Atari 8bit cart you have there Mr Williamson (in the box marked Apples, ironically)