Hi from Norfolk, UK

[LinuxJedi]

Hi all,

My real name is Andrew and I normally work on Open Source database software.

When I left my previous company in August I needed a new hobby to recover. I decided to repair / refurbish dead computers from my youth. I had never had anything from the 16bit era (I went from a BBC Micro to a 486) so I started working on Amiga 500/500+ machines (I also have an STe on my desk to repair over Christmas). I kept the first 500+ I repaired for myself which I'm using to try upgrades on (ones that won't damage the original machine at least).

I came across a faulty TF534 in my travels which I repaired, that led me to this forum and assembling a TF536 (which was a great experience). I look forward to similar builds, more hardware to problem solve / fix and maybe designing my on boards one day (probably not anything as complex as the accelerators though).

[rubber_jonnie]

:welcomewave:

[JezC]

:swave:

Welcome on board!

If I ever get all my STF/FM repairs completed, I have an A500 & A500+ to fix... plus my original BBC model B and extras...

[LinuxJedi]

:swave:

Welcome on board!

If I ever get all my STF/FM repairs completed, I have an A500 & A500+ to fix... plus my original BBC model B and extras...

I actually restored a BBC Master 128 (branded with "BBC Radio" markings) before I started working on the A500s :)

[zChris]

Welcome Andrew.

/zChris

[DoG]

Hello and welcome.

[Steve]

@LinuxJedi
Welcome & great to see an open source software dev joining in :) While working on your Atari I hope you get time to play with the open source Atari OS MiNT. I will link you to some information below to get you started:

Freemint project GitHub:
https://freemint.github.io/
Sparemint RPM software archive of unix apps:
https://freemint.github.io/sparemint/sparemint/

Vincent Riviere's mint cross tools and compiled software/sources:
http://vincent.riviere.free.fr/soft/

Guide for installing Freemint completely manually, also helps you understand all the components to build a system:
https://sites.google.com/site/probehous ... -for-atari

'Distros':
Easy to use multi-tasking baseline Mint Vanillamint:
https://atari.joska.no/VanillaMiNT/
(Is just the kernel and desktop for multitasking & driver/filesystem driver support. Good for just 'using' the machine for multitasking)

Full Mint eco-system with Unix tools, command line, bash, ext2 drive, RPM archives and software 'EasyMint':
https://atari.grossmaggul.de/home.php?l ... e=easymint
(The full package if you want all the unix tools and development tools)

ST Mint (Like the above easymint but a bit lighter and better for 68000 cpus)
https://subsole.org/st_mint

Of course you will have the best experience with an 030 cpu or higher with fast-ram, so perhaps you can put a TF upgrade on your ST in the future. It also helps to have connectivity software and/or networking which you can achieve with either NetUSBee or Lightning ST ( https://www.exxosforum.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2063 - with lightning ST with can have IDE and USB support, also drivers for peripherals like external CD rom, USB flash, USB keyboard/mouse etc )
edit: just noticed you have an ste, so most of these upgrade options are for an stfm due to the cpu package.
Anyway... yeah a lot to take in. Just wanted to let you know all the awesome stuff available for a developer on the Atari platform :)

[LinuxJedi]

@LinuxJedi
Welcome & great to see an open source software dev joining in :) While working on your Atari I hope you get time to play with the open source Atari OS MiNT. I will link you to some information below to get you started:

Anyway... yeah a lot to take in. Just wanted to let you know all the awesome stuff available for a developer on the Atari platform :)

Wow! Thanks for all the links! Going to be a little bit of a learning curve for me as I'm more used to working on database cores and engines as well as building clouds :)

I've never owned an ST before, this one was given to me by a friend recently who had a few of them. All I know is that it has been upgraded to have 4MB and it locks up when it gets warm (apparently with the old RAM too). So I figure it will be an interesting challenge to figure out. And yes, may need to do a little bit of converting to get a TF into an STe, not sure on where the journey will take me yet.

[Steve]

That's great :) Well if you ever get stuck or confused with Mint I'm here to help. Would be cool for your blog to NFS network your Atari to your Linux box & have telnet/or/ssh login :)