Turgen System 8.8.x Adventures

[baktra]

A package of prototypes #002 of TSFX for the standard tape records.

 

There are three games in the package. The Spark Bugs game is recorded using the LBE system, others are the traditional combination of the TSCBL loader stored as a boot file, followed by the respective binary load file.

While testing, I've realized that the LBE binary loader is not compatible with AltirraOS. I've included the necessary changes that guarantee compatibility.

 

I also realize that when the recording is in progress, the screen display should change. A single line that says 'Recording...' should do.

For turbo systems, it was not necessary, because the screen always goes dark.

 

 

tsfx_standard_proto002.zip

[baktra]

TURGEN 9.2.21 is out.

The biggest news is the initial support for TSFX made of items of the Standard plugin.

 

Good news

• You can now create TSFX from project items of the Standard plugin
• Since recording standard tape records can take considerable time, instead of staring at a blank screen, you will see "RECORIDNG..." on screen during the process.

Not Everything Is Perfect, though

• The transfer speed always defaults to 600 bd. Advice on how to go around this is welcome.
• The IRG durations can be slightly off (but not by much).

Other News

• The LBE binary loader is now compatible with AltirraOS. No more invalid command errors.

 

What the ... is TSFX?

Tape self-extractors allow you to record files on tapes, when the only tape recorder you have on hand is the data recorder.

The Tape self-extractors are binary load files that work as follows:

• Load the self-extractor from a universal cartridge, disk drive, or disk drive replacement device
• Connect a data recorder to your Atari computer
• Insert a blank tape in the data recorder, press PLAY+RECORD.
• Press START to record the program held within the self-extractor on tape.
• Wait until the recording is complete

 

[thank you]

https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2024/05/1984s-kontrabant-2-for-zx-spectrum-is-broadcast-on-fm-radio-in-slovenia-today/

 

@baktra imagine that, games on the radio!  apologies if this should go someplace else, but it made me think of this topic.

[baktra]

2 hours ago, thank you said:

https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2024/05/1984s-kontrabant-2-for-zx-spectrum-is-broadcast-on-fm-radio-in-slovenia-today/

 

@baktra imagine that, games on the radio!  apologies if this should go someplace else, but it made me think of this topic.

Belongs here, TURGEN could be used to prepare such broadcast for Atari computers.

 

In 80s, in several countries, software was occassonally  broadcasted through TV or radio as part of computer or youth programs.

[baktra]

For release 9.2.22, I am preparing the following innovations:

• For the AST plugin, there will be one new option for the Unerring Master (UM) turbo.
  When selected, TURGEN will restructure the input binary file so that no data block will be longer than 42 KB. The restructuring will be performed in-memory, so that the original binary file is not changed. UM is prone to extremely long data blocks (more than 64 KB). These long blocks then do not fit in .CAS files (.CAS files are restricted to 64 KB per chunk), and mainly TSFX. To limit the block size, TURGEN "injects" INIT segments and small DATA segments with just one RTS instruction. As expected, the restructuring might not work for some binary files.
• There will be three TSFX creation styles instead of two.
  1. Standalone TSFX. This works as before
  2. One TSFX per project item. This is new. This will create one TSFX for each project item. TURGEN will automatically determine if a standalone or composite TSFX is to be created for the item. The output TSFX file name and screen title will be generated automatically, like for the standalone TSFXes.
  3. From all project items, create one single composite TSFX. This works as before.

The innovation for the TSFXes has a lot of potential, because in the future, you will be able to create a TSFX that records a cassette boot file with Turbo Blizzard loader followed by Turbo Blizzard records. Of course, you can accomplish the same even now, by creating two separate project items, but it is clumsy. Also, it will be possible (with some limitations) to create a TSFX from a .CAS file that holds both standard and turbo records.

 

[baktra]

Behold the 9.2.22 with the innovations described above.

- Three TSFX creation styles

- Block size relief for UM