Although I have already posted some messages in the forum, I thought it was time to introduce myself, never too late !
I was twenty at the start of the eighties, and hadn't the slightest idea of what to do for a living. It was quite distressing.
Then I incidently bought a ZX81 ready to build, and that was it ! I will learn computer programing.
As a lot of us did, I heavily modified the hardware with a Memotech 32K, a Memotech hires graphic card, a rickety "real" keyboard, and so on. As time went by, I went down to other computers, such as Grundy's Newbrain, Commodore C64, Amiga 500, and finally PCs.
Thirty five years later, during a relocation, I gave for free all my vintage computers to a friend who sold them all.
Now I'm 64 and retired (seems so strange to me to say, still can't believe it), and I'm progressively missing my old computers, particulary the ZX81 with his monochrome display and his cute black casing (not regretting the keyboard of course).
So I quite recently begun to restart a small collection, from original to emulated or built ones.
Here they are :
this is an original not working ZX81 I bought online (at a damn excessive price). I repared it of course, and add slight modifications : modern 5V regulator wich never heats, new flat keyboard much improved (ZX8-kdlx), and NE555-based output video.
This one is Raspberry pi A400 based, I glued printed double faces white keycaps, sprayed with matte varnish.
It boots in 4 seconds to the sz81 emulator.
This is a pi Nano based ZX81. Hardware case it so much smaller than the keyboard ! Boots in 16 seconds to emulator.
This one is an portable Acer One based ZX81. I have swapped original Linux system to DOS, so the emulator take only 3 seconds to boot into ZX81 mode.
This is the ZX81case I 3d printed, heavily sanded and matte varnished. I'm quite satisfied from the result, don't you think so ? I now includes a ZX81plus38 hardware that I have build, and is working just fine.
I am really happy having discovered this really nice forum, with so much interesting threads, and nice people too, always willing to help. As the amazing Dr Beep who is always astonishing me with his skills and sharing help, and the very helpful XavSnap who such a nice and productive person.
Well that's it for now, thanks everyone for welcoming me !
Standby alert 