General Stuff(tm)

[stephen_usher]

Better to be./safe than /sorry then :D

:lol:

[stephen_usher]

Just to see if I could I tried to get the latest version of the Memotech emulator MEMU to compile and run under macOS now that it supports SDL3.

Other than the two hours(!!!) to build the tools under MacPorts to actually compile SDL3 and then the program the hardest jobs were adapting the network filesystem access code to not have Linux-isms such as access4() and socket3(), getting cmake to look in the right place for libraries and adding a "Darwin" target and debugging the config file reading stuff which seems to blindly not set internal variable strings if the paths are wrong in the config file, just leaving NULL pointers instead.

Anyway, it boots and seems to work. The only real issue being the keyboard mapping assuming that the host has a numeric keypad. Lots of games use the keypad for control if there's no joystick.

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[rubber_jonnie]

Just to see if I could I tried to get the latest version of the Memotech emulator MEMU to compile and run under macOS now that it supports SDL3.

Other than the two hours(!!!) to build the tools under MacPorts to actually compile SDL3 and then the program the hardest jobs were adapting the network filesystem access code to not have Linux-isms such as access4() and socket3(), getting cmake to look in the right place for libraries and adding a "Darwin" target and debugging the config file reading stuff which seems to blindly not set internal variable strings if the paths are wrong in the config file, just leaving NULL pointers instead.

Anyway, it boots and seems to work. The only real issue being the keyboard mapping assuming that the host has a numeric keypad. Lots of games use the keypad for control if there's no joystick.


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Is that on an M series Mac?

[stephen_usher]

Yes, a MacBook Pro I bought just before I left work.

[rubber_jonnie]

Yes, a MacBook Pro I bought just before I left work.

Nice, M3, 4?

[stephen_usher]

Yes, a MacBook Pro I bought just before I left work.

Nice, M3, 4?

M3 Pro.

[PhilC]

I got myself a Mac mini M4 Pro and although its really over priced for what it is, its a bloody great bit of kit, so much faster than the previous iMac I had.

[rubber_jonnie]

I got myself a Mac mini M4 Pro and although its really over priced for what it is, its a bloody great bit of kit, so much faster than the previous iMac I had.

Very nice.

My daily driver is getting on now, a 14" MacBook Pro M1, but it is really fantastic, especially since I generally don't use desktops any more.

[stephen_usher]

Almost finished designing the kit of parts for the railway station platforms, just the surface drains to complete now.

IMG_4173.jpeg

The kit includes:

• Jig to help create a template for cutting the foam core. Basically runs along the rails and allows you to put a pen in a hole and draw on the paper template.
• Platform walls.
• Platform ramp walls, left-handed and right-handed.
• Platform coping stones (modelled directly from the manufacturer's drawing).
• "Concrete" platform surface drains.
• Jig to help place the coping stones at the correct distance from the wall.
• Jig to set the distance between the rails and the wall when finally fitting the completed platform onto the layout.

So, after getting 16mm thick foam core, by gluing 2x5mm and 2x3mm sheets together you put paper between the tracks where the platform is going to be and then run the jig along the rails with a pen or pencil in the hole. You can then cut along the lines to make the template to cut the foam. This will create a core for the platform.

Use the ramp walls to mark out the ramp and then use a hot wire cutter to make the ramps.

It's then a case of gluing the walls onto the sides of the foam core with the top of the wall units flush with the top of the foam.

You can then install the coping stones on the edges, using the jig to get them in the right position relative to the wall and glue them down. The strips of coping stones are joined with a single very thin layer so they can easily be cut off and made into single tiles if necessary if the platform is curved and for when the platform transitions into the ramp.

The drains can then be added to the top surface of the core.

Once this is done fine, dark grey tile grout can be used to fill over the surface acting as if it's asphalt. This will complete the platform.

The final jig can then be used when installing the completed platform on the layout, using the rails and the base of the wall as a guide.

[stephen_usher]

I decided to have a look at my old TT power supply which failed about 10 years ago.

Doing a quick check, the PSU was continuously going into short circuit protection. Checking the rails I found the +5V to be 0.4 ohm to ground.

Removing the caps connected to this rail made no difference and they generally checked out fine. However, removing the 1640 rectifier (on the +5V rail) removed the short. It looks like one side of the dual diode has died, so I'll have to get a replacement from RS. They're not cheap, about £10.