[Aquarius] Any recent updates?

[barnieg]

It's amazing how quickly time seems to pass these days as I head towards the big 50 late next year! ?

 

I'm going to be working on some computer art for my final project at Uni (back to education after a long break) and hope to do something with the Aquarius and rexpaint, maybe one day robotwon 2525 will finally be finished ??

 

Anyone still working on Aquarius stuff it's been a bit quiet recently?

 

Barnie

[jaybird3rd]

I still have many plans for Aquarius hardware and software projects, but I started teaching full-time in Fall 2015, and for a variety of reasons, all of my creative energy and almost all of my free time ever since has had to go into that. This has been very frustrating to me, too, and I fully intend to take steps to remedy it this summer.

 

The projects that I have on my list include:

• A new Aquarius website, which would include information about the original hardware and software, and a series of tutorials for anyone interested in using the Aquarius as a way of exploring computer architecture and assembly language programming. I've been talking with a professional photographer and graphic designer, and I've also been collecting some very nice-looking photo-ready samples of the original hardware. I think it will be gorgeous when we can finally put it all together.
• An "internal Mini Expander" upgrade board: 32K of RAM, AY-3-8910, OS ROM and internal Extended BASIC selector, and possibly a keyboard interface and/or composite video and audio output. (Oh, and reprogrammable character graphics, too!)
• A 512K development cartridge, to make it easier to download and test new cartridge software from a PC.
• A "Mini Expander II" upgrade, which will be a drop-in replacement board for the original and would add lots of interesting new features (more of a long-term project).
• An improved version of my screen editor and character set editor, one that is (finally) good enough for public release.
• GAMES! I've had so many game ideas that it's been difficult to decide where to start, but I've narrowed the list down to three which would be an especially good match for the Aquarius. More would follow.

 

As I say, I want to make time to begin working on these later this summer. I hoped to have the website ready before the end of last year, and I need to work with my graphic designer on it while he's available, so I'll tackle that first. The hardware and software can be worked on in parallel (I can do some coding while I'm waiting for prototype boards to arrive, etc.), so I'll probably pick one of each as my next projects.

[barnieg]

Regarding the sound chip, there are boards available for the original zx spectrum to provide ay sound to the 48k models. I wonder how hard an adapter would be to create?

 

Saying that maybe an other option would be a small board for the Aquarius that provides just the sound chip and a pass through for those that don't want to open their machines.

Edited March 23, 2019 by barnieg

[1stage]

On 3/23/2019 at 6:47 AM, jaybird3rd said:

I still have many plans for Aquarius hardware and software projects, but I started teaching full-time in Fall 2015, and for a variety of reasons, all of my creative energy and almost all of my free time ever since has had to go into that. This has been very frustrating to me, too, and I fully intend to take steps to remedy it this summer.

 

The projects that I have on my list include:

• A new Aquarius website, which would include information about the original hardware and software, and a series of tutorials for anyone interested in using the Aquarius as a way of exploring computer architecture and assembly language programming. I've been talking with a professional photographer and graphic designer, and I've also been collecting some very nice-looking photo-ready samples of the original hardware. I think it will be gorgeous when we can finally put it all together.
• An "internal Mini Expander" upgrade board: 32K of RAM, AY-3-8910, OS ROM and internal Extended BASIC selector, and possibly a keyboard interface and/or composite video and audio output. (Oh, and reprogrammable character graphics, too!)
• A 512K development cartridge, to make it easier to download and test new cartridge software from a PC.
• A "Mini Expander II" upgrade, which will be a drop-in replacement board for the original and would add lots of interesting new features (more of a long-term project).
• An improved version of my screen editor and character set editor, one that is (finally) good enough for public release.
• GAMES! I've had so many game ideas that it's been difficult to decide where to start, but I've narrowed the list down to three which would be an especially good match for the Aquarius. More would follow.

 

As I say, I want to make time to begin working on these later this summer. I hoped to have the website ready before the end of last year, and I need to work with my graphic designer on it while he's available, so I'll tackle that first. The hardware and software can be worked on in parallel (I can do some coding while I'm waiting for prototype boards to arrive, etc.), so I'll probably pick one of each as my next projects.

It's like I'm hearing myself talk...

 

I now teach two classes a term (grad & undergrad) at California Lutheran University (in addition to the day job), and class prep is eating into my Aquarius and C64 modding time, dammit! (Oh, and the rework of my Space Invaders Deluxe cabinet, and the mods I'm planning for the Arcade1Up Star Wars cabinet coming out October 2019, oh and...

 

Here's my Aquarius-specific list:

• Aquarius mechanical keyboard (EASY, just time and patience)
• Aquarius (I) reproduction PCB (like-for-like replacement, but includes the half-dozen or so bodges Radofin did), and make the revised schematics, PCB layout, and Gerbers available as open source. (Eagle format. Sorry.)
• Aquarius II? - upgrade to Meanwell switched power supply, integrated 32k, controller ports, and 3-voice sound, mechanical keyboard, composite video (non-RF) and sound out (RGB too, if possible), modern SMD components, Jay's CHROM hack included, similar form-factor to the prototype model
• Program at least ONE game for the Aquarius (probably a Tetris clone, randomized Rogue-like top-down dungeon-crawler, or a puzzle like Pipe Dream)... not sure the language, tools, etc, but would like to show off the full set of features

Now to find the time...

 

- Sean

[jaybird3rd]

On 8/30/2019 at 6:18 PM, 1stage said:

It's like I'm hearing myself talk...

 

I now teach two classes a term (grad & undergrad) at California Lutheran University (in addition to the day job), and class prep is eating into my Aquarius and C64 modding time, dammit! (Oh, and the rework of my Space Invaders Deluxe cabinet, and the mods I'm planning for the Arcade1Up Star Wars cabinet coming out October 2019, oh and...

I know the feeling all too well.  I've managed to make a few preliminary steps on my own hardware and software projects since my earlier post on March 23rd, but even during the summer months, I find that teaching and the preparation it requires is an all-consuming occupation.  I still enjoy it enormously, but it has required a few concessions along the way.

 

I'm glad to say that I have made better progress on getting my Aquarius website ready.  My collection of photo-ready specimens of original hardware and software is nearly complete, and I've been discussing layouts and designs with my graphic artist.  I want to build something that is a step beyond other retro computer websites, most of which are leftovers from the early 2000s and which recycle the same tired old low-res 1980s magazine and catalog scans as every other website.  Mine will have all-new assets, and a design which can accommodate growth in a number of different directions that I have in mind.

 

On 8/30/2019 at 6:18 PM, 1stage said:

Here's my Aquarius-specific list:

• Aquarius mechanical keyboard (EASY, just time and patience)
• Aquarius (I) reproduction PCB (like-for-like replacement, but includes the half-dozen or so bodges Radofin did), and make the revised schematics, PCB layout, and Gerbers available as open source. (Eagle format. Sorry.)
• Aquarius II? - upgrade to Meanwell switched power supply, integrated 32k, controller ports, and 3-voice sound, mechanical keyboard, composite video (non-RF) and sound out (RGB too, if possible), modern SMD components, Jay's CHROM hack included, similar form-factor to the prototype model
• Program at least ONE game for the Aquarius (probably a Tetris clone, randomized Rogue-like top-down dungeon-crawler, or a puzzle like Pipe Dream)... not sure the language, tools, etc, but would like to show off the full set of features

Very exciting!  I've already given you a few thoughts of my own about the new mainboards, but I'll be curious to see what you come up with!  I've received a few inquiries from interested Aquarius programmers who want to make their own top-down dungeon crawlers, so I know there are others out there who would love to see such a game on the Aquarius.  The Aquarius is a system that lends itself well to puzzle games, and I've got a few ideas of my own along those lines.  But, as always, the challenge is finding the time ...