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Re: A blast from the past sort of - Altairduino build.

Posted: 01 Mar 2024 11:21
by rubber_jonnie
HigashiJun wrote: 01 Mar 2024 10:33 I've been quite busy these last few days, and exhausted on my weekends...
I can relate. I'm training 3 times a week for Karate and on Wednesdays I'm in the office, which is a 2 1/2 hour commute each way, so I often don't want to do a lot at the weekends, but I do find sitting and working on stuff relaxing at least, and it doesn't take a lot of energy.

I just try and get 'moments', even if they are just 5 or 10 minutes to do stuff.

I have to admit though, there are times when I just don't feel it and don't do anything.

Re: A blast from the past sort of - Altairduino build.

Posted: 01 Mar 2024 11:44
by stephen_usher
If it feels like a chore then do something else.

Having multiple hobbies is good for that as it allows you to recharge the enthusiasm by changing to a different one.

Re: A blast from the past sort of - Altairduino build.

Posted: 01 Mar 2024 11:56
by rubber_jonnie
stephen_usher wrote: 01 Mar 2024 11:44 If it feels like a chore then do something else.

Having multiple hobbies is good for that as it allows you to recharge the enthusiasm by changing to a different one.
Indeed. And there have been plenty of times where I just didn't want to do retro stuff, so did something else instead. Also, I do tend to flit around projects simply because I come to a point where things are very meh! and I have to step away. The OSI is one of those at the moment, but having had quite a few good wins (MZ-700, C128 & TRS-80 Coco), I think I can come back to it soon.

First I need to do this build though :)

I do find building super relaxing, though troubleshooting is exciting as long as it doesn't go on too long!

Re: A blast from the past sort of - Altairduino build.

Posted: 01 Mar 2024 22:39
by HigashiJun
I have different hobbies, but there are some days I really don't feel like doing something,,,

And there are some days I'm really in the mood but cannot do anything because of lack of time or other life stuff.

It would be really great to have his own room, with all the tools ready to use, and not to unpack and pack everything every time I want to solder something.

:(

Re: A blast from the past sort of - Altairduino build.

Posted: 01 Mar 2024 23:20
by rubber_jonnie
HigashiJun wrote: 01 Mar 2024 22:39 I have different hobbies, but there are some days I really don't feel like doing something,,,

And there are some days I'm really in the mood but cannot do anything because of lack of time or other life stuff.

It would be really great to have his own room, with all the tools ready to use, and not to unpack and pack everything every time I want to solder something.

:(
Having to pack/unpack stuff must be a huge pain in the rear :(

Re: A blast from the past sort of - Altairduino build.

Posted: 01 Mar 2024 23:27
by HigashiJun
@rubber_jonnie

Yeah, it really is...

Re: A blast from the past sort of - Altairduino build.

Posted: 01 Mar 2024 23:28
by rubber_jonnie
HigashiJun wrote: 01 Mar 2024 23:27 @rubber_jonnie

Yeah, it really is...
Hopefully when times are difficult you can live vicariously through the posts on here :)

Re: A blast from the past sort of - Altairduino build.

Posted: 01 Mar 2024 23:39
by rubber_jonnie
OK, progress :)

I managed to snaffle a bit of time earlier and I am this far in. This is the front of the front panel:

IMG20240301165544.jpg
IMG20240301165544.jpg (286.68 KiB) Viewed 1144 times

And this is the rear, including Arduino:

IMG20240301165555.jpg
IMG20240301165555.jpg (275.73 KiB) Viewed 1144 times

Of course the Arduino is the heart of things, but this is a key point in the build as I can run the 1st test, which passed:

IMG20240301165442.jpg
IMG20240301165442.jpg (198.17 KiB) Viewed 1144 times

I'm at the stage that requires the expansion board, which is like a mini S100 backplane, however the PCB was missing from the kit, and in the post. I should however be able to get most of the case assembled, so I'll see what I can do about that tomorrow.

I have to say the build manual is excellent and very descriptive, so well done to the producers of the kit.

It's funny how this machine looked so futuristic when I saw it in the computer dept of the college I was visiting, but now seems so primitive. Brings back some good memories though, even though I just saw it once and it was powered off.

Here I am 40 years later building a replica, funny how these things go around.

Re: A blast from the past sort of - Altairduino build.

Posted: 02 Mar 2024 04:09
by HigashiJun
rubber_jonnie wrote: 01 Mar 2024 23:28 Hopefully when times are difficult you can live vicariously through the posts on here :)
:D

Re: A blast from the past sort of - Altairduino build.

Posted: 02 Mar 2024 04:09
by HigashiJun
rubber_jonnie wrote: 01 Mar 2024 23:39 OK, progress :)

I managed to snaffle a bit of time earlier and I am this far in. This is the front of the front panel:


IMG20240301165544.jpg


And this is the rear, including Arduino:


IMG20240301165555.jpg


Of course the Arduino is the heart of things, but this is a key point in the build as I can run the 1st test, which passed:


IMG20240301165442.jpg


I'm at the stage that requires the expansion board, which is like a mini S100 backplane, however the PCB was missing from the kit, and in the post. I should however be able to get most of the case assembled, so I'll see what I can do about that tomorrow.

I have to say the build manual is excellent and very descriptive, so well done to the producers of the kit.

It's funny how this machine looked so futuristic when I saw it in the computer dept of the college I was visiting, but now seems so primitive. Brings back some good memories though, even though I just saw it once and it was powered off.

Here I am 40 years later building a replica, funny how these things go around.
Looks good !