> > It would be dead simple to make an adapter
to convert a standard PC serial keyboard
> > into an ASCII/strobe parallel interface - you get the added benefits of having
lots of
> > extra keys, and the ability to assign whatever codes you like to them.
:
> I was pondering that. More than likely someone on
this list has already done
> exactly that. Speak now. ;-)
I did it with an XT. Read a character and print it to
LPT, in a loop.
Dave's mention of building a circuit would certainly be a smaller, more
"elegant" solution.
Yeah, but an old PC is cheaper (ie: free), much faster to build (all you need
to make is the LPT->keyboard interface cable), already in a box and better
looking (at least compared to MY that my homebrew creations).
It's not such a bad idea.
Yes, it will draw more power than a itty-bitty dedicated controller, but for
the application we are discussing, it's unlikely to see high duty-cycle use.
You could write the program to run under DOS and autoexec it from a
floppy, no need for hard drive or monitor. Tuck the PC under the bench,
and just turn it on when you need it.
Dave
--
dave06a (at) Dave Dunfield
dunfield (dot) Firmware development services & tools:
www.dunfield.com
com Collector of vintage computing equipment:
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