Stuff and Things.

[PhilC]

Thanks @JezC , that's the one.

@PhilC No problem - just booted up my PC to sort my Mum's (computer) problems remotely....

Sorting my mums computer problems usually ends up with buying a new one

[JezC]

Sorting my mums computer problems usually ends up with buying a new one

Not for me anymore...just more things to confuse her...
She still struggles with Windoze 10...I thik she was happier just using DOS & Windows 3.1 - but aren't we all?

She now has her favourite view of her webmail client back & has been reminded how to log into her online banking account...and I've even shown her some options for corded phones and extension leads so that she can have a phone with her in the lounge in the evening (which won't run out of charge after 20 minutes of talking & can be heard ringing above the TV)...

Usual 'support' calls are typically 40+ minutes so I think I got away lightly this evening

Next thing will be to buy her a proper mouse rather than have her try to cope with the track pad (which must be the Devil's own invention on pretty much all recent laptops).

[JezC]

I think I was too

@JezC No me!

I think we will have to agree to differ ...or split the difference & swap one of my keyboards for one of your Megas, then we will both have two of everything...

[rubber_jonnie]

@JezC No me!

I think we will have to agree to differ ...or split the difference & swap one of my keyboards for one of your Megas, then we will both have two of everything...

Think I'm keeping the Megas....

[PaulJ]

I think we will have to agree to differ ...or split the difference & swap one of my keyboards for one of your Megas, then we will both have two of everything...

Think I'm keeping the Megas....

I don't understand the reasoning of people thinking the mega keyboards are so valuable.. more than the computer..?? They have been on EvilBay for $250.00. All one needs is a Eiffel to have a superior solution at a fraction of the price. Of all the Atari 16 bit computers the Mega is my favorite.

[PaulJ]

Think I'm keeping the Megas....

I don't understand the reasoning of people thinking the mega keyboards are so valuable.. more than the computer..?? They have been on EvilBay for $250.00. All one needs is a Eiffel to have a superior solution at a fraction of the price. Of all the Atari 16 bit computers the Mega is my favorite.. guess I love the form factor. I have two and neither came with a keyboard which isn't a issue since they have been upgraded to Eiffels.

[JezC]

I bought my first Mega kbd new from System Solutions when I put my Falcon in a Lighthouse case & then picked up a second one a couple of years back for a reasonable price & then the third came with a Mega ST4 (and lots & lots of MIDI s/w & a Megafile 60...with a duff SM124 ).

They're definitely not worth what people try to get for them but for me they do feel much better & more durable than the standard keyboards.
They also happen to fit on top of my MIDI master keyboard & don't obstruct any buttons/sliders, so that is a massive plus for me.

I've considered the Eiffel solution too but so far haven't had to commit to one (but most people seem to give positive feedback) - mostly due to lack of funds stemming from the purchase of & for the H4s...

[JezC]

Think I'm keeping the Megas....

Fair enough - I like the Mega keyboards so I will keep bidding on reasonable Mega boxes & hope to get another one...eventually!

[rubber_jonnie]

@JezC Aye, Mega KBD prices are insane, hopefully my new case will let me at least pretend I have one

Both of my megas to buy were about £120 total, so paying double that for a KBD is insane. I have an eiffel and it's excellent, so much so that I have ordered another, but I think Olivier Gossuin is having some parts delivery problems, so it probably won't be available for a bit, especially since I ordered an ST test harness too. At least it's likely I will have been paid by the time it's available to order

[rubber_jonnie]

Cool, my package quarantine is over, so I've opened up my recently acquired 520STFM. It all runs too, but needs a damn good clean. And a kbd repair, but otherwise works great. TOS 1.04, a C070789 rev F board with empty spaces waiting for me to upgrade to 1MB.

The weirdy kbd case I got is just that. Weirdy. It has a PCB inside for an original 520ST kbd with a long connector, and a 5 pin din out with the a pair of joystick ports and a reset switch. There is also some sort of logic chip, so I need to have closer look at it all.

I'm thinking I build a new pcb so I can hook in a normal kbd for use with the Mega ST and work round that.

Typical though, all my RJ11 cables are 2 wire only, so more rooting around my big box o' cables required.