17 May
2020
17 May
'20
2:13 p.m.
Gentlepeople,
I've been having problems with broken LK201s, so as a workaround I created an adapter
that connects to a standard PC USB keyboard and makes it look like an LK201. It's
based on an Arduino (specifically, Adafruit Trinket M0, an amazingly tiny yet powerful
small microprocessor).
It's working at this point, though it needs a few small software tweaks to make it
complete. I'm going to turn my breadboard into something slightly more polished.
Question to the list: is this something that would be of interest to others? If yes, I
can make the design available. Perhaps the PCB layout and parts list. I don't think
I want to get into building units for others, though.
paul
17 May
17 May
2:31 p.m.
On 2020-05-17 17:13, Paul Koning via cctalk wrote:
Gentlepeople,
I've been having problems with broken LK201s, so as a workaround I created an adapter
that connects to a standard PC USB keyboard and makes it look like an LK201. It's
based on an Arduino (specifically, Adafruit Trinket M0, an amazingly tiny yet powerful
small microprocessor).
It's working at this point, though it needs a few small software tweaks to make it
complete. I'm going to turn my breadboard into something slightly more polished.
Question to the list: is this something that would be of interest to others? If yes, I
can make the design available. Perhaps the PCB layout and parts list. I don't think
I want to get into building units for others, though.
Sure, I would be interested ...
Actually, would even like the other way around too, connecting a working
lk201 to a pc ... ( so the terminal emulation works nicer)
Cheers
3:12 p.m.
On Sun, 17 May 2020, emanuel stiebler via cctalk wrote:
Actually, would even like the other way around too,
connecting a working
lk201 to a pc ... ( so the terminal emulation works nicer)
Well, you just need a serial port adapter + power. See also:
<http://www.netbsd.org/docs/Hardware/Machines/DEC/lk201.html>. Linux even
has a driver that is ready to use, see e.g.:
<http://www.wickensonline.co.uk/app/index.html#/linuxlk>.
Or do you want to drive the PC (e.g. interact with the boot firmware) too
with that keyboard?
Maciej
3:33 p.m.
On 2020-05-17 17:13, Paul Koning via cctalk wrote:
Gentlepeople,
I've been having problems with broken LK201s, so as a workaround I created
an adapter that connects to a standard PC USB keyboard and makes it look
like an LK201. It's based on an Arduino (specifically, Adafruit Trinket M0,
an amazingly tiny yet powerful small microprocessor).
It's working at this point, though it needs a few small software tweaks to
make it complete. I'm going to turn my breadboard into something slightly
more polished.
Question to the list: is this something that would be of interest to others?
If yes, I can make the design available. Perhaps the PCB layout and parts
list. I don't think I want to get into building units for others, though.
I would be interested. I have one dead LK201, one flaky LK201 and a dead
LK401. PCB and parts list okay, I can build it myself.
Mike Loewen mloewen at cpumagic.scol.pa.us
Old Technology http://q7.neurotica.com/Oldtech/
2:43 p.m.
On Sun, May 17, 2020 at 5:13 PM Paul Koning via cctalk
<cctalk at classiccmp.org> wrote:
I've been having problems with broken LK201s, so
as a workaround I created an adapter that connects to a standard PC USB keyboard and makes
it look like an LK201
Question to the list: is this something that would be of interest to others? If yes, I
can make the design available. Perhaps the PCB layout and parts list.
Yes
I have a number of Rainbows, DECmates, VT220s, VT240s, etc. I also
have some LK201s but fewer every year as they die.
I don't think I want to get into building units
for others, though.
Completely understandable. Building them at home with a Trinket as a
base doesn't sound difficult, PCB or point-to-point.
I look forward to seeing the design.
-ethan
3 p.m.
Well there is never any harm in publishing this kind of work!
-----Original Message-----
From: cctalk <cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org> On Behalf Of Paul Koning via
cctalk
Sent: 17 May 2020 22:13
To: cctalk at classiccmp.org
Subject: LK201 emulation
Gentlepeople,
I've been having problems with broken LK201s, so as a workaround I created
an
adapter that connects to a standard PC USB keyboard
and makes it look like
an
LK201. It's based on an Arduino (specifically,
Adafruit Trinket M0, an
amazingly
tiny yet powerful small microprocessor).
It's working at this point, though it needs a few small software tweaks to
make
it complete. I'm going to turn my breadboard into
something slightly more
polished.
Question to the list: is this something that would be of interest to
others? If
yes,
I can make the design available. Perhaps the PCB
layout and parts list.
I don't
think I want to get into building units for others,
though.
paul
3:11 p.m.
Paul -- I'm very interested in this. I'd love a USB keyboard adapter that acts
like an LK201.
If anyone wants a PS/2 keyboard adapter that emulates an LK201, there's Peter
Bosch's Arduino Nano based lk201emu: https://github.com/peterbjornx/lk201emu
His writeup on this is still in the Wayback Machine:
https://web.archive.org/web/20180703165508/https://peterbjornx.nl/vtkbd/
I can no longer find a copy of Peter's schematic for this online, but at some point I
grabbed a copy of it, which I'm attaching here as schem.pdf .
-- Ron
3:12 p.m.
Hi Paul,
I'm interested and would be happy to get a batch of boards done (at
least 20 to get the per board price down).
They'd be bare boards though so people would have to source their own
parts and build them themselves.
Thanks,
Todd
On 5/17/2020 5:13 PM, Paul Koning via cctalk wrote:
Gentlepeople,
I've been having problems with broken LK201s, so as a workaround I created an adapter
that connects to a standard PC USB keyboard and makes it look like an LK201. It's
based on an Arduino (specifically, Adafruit Trinket M0, an amazingly tiny yet powerful
small microprocessor).
It's working at this point, though it needs a few small software tweaks to make it
complete. I'm going to turn my breadboard into something slightly more polished.
Question to the list: is this something that would be of interest to others? If yes, I
can make the design available. Perhaps the PCB layout and parts list. I don't think
I want to get into building units for others, though.
paul
3:15 p.m.
On Sun, May 17, 2020 at 3:13 PM Paul Koning via cctalk <
cctalk at classiccmp.org> wrote:
Gentlepeople,
I've been having problems with broken LK201s, so as a workaround I created
an adapter that connects to a standard PC USB keyboard and makes it look
like an LK201. It's based on an Arduino (specifically, Adafruit Trinket
M0, an amazingly tiny yet powerful small microprocessor).
It's working at this point, though it needs a few small software tweaks to
make it complete. I'm going to turn my breadboard into something slightly
more polished.
Very cool!
Question to the list: is this something that would be
of interest to
others? If yes, I can make the design available. Perhaps the PCB layout
and parts list. I don't think I want to get into building units for
others, though.
I can't speak for others, but I need, I want, I gotta have.
Warner
6:09 a.m.
Paul Koning wrote:
Gentlepeople,
I've been having problems with broken LK201s, so as a workaround I created
an adapter that connects to a standard PC USB keyboard and makes it look
like an LK201. It's based on an Arduino (specifically, Adafruit Trinket M0,
an amazingly tiny yet powerful small microprocessor).
It's working at this point, though it needs a few small software tweaks to
make it complete. I'm going to turn my breadboard into something slightly
more polished.
Question to the list: is this something that would be of interest to others?
If yes, I can make the design available. Perhaps the PCB layout and parts
list. I don't think I want to get into building units for others, though.
I also find myself with several flakey LK201s.
To be honest, I wouldn't be interested in replacing them with PC keyboards.
I'd prefer to get my LK201s back in action.
If the issues are in the keyswitches or the flexi-print stuff connecting them
to the electronics, it looks like it will be nearly impossible to do anything
with them.
However, if it turns out that the issues are in the electronics part of the
keyboard and they are not easily repairable for one reason or another, I may
be interested in a drop in replacement for the original electronics.
I've opened up one of mine just now and extracted the PCB. There are eight
10 microfarad axial electrolytic capacitors on it. Each of them has some green
salty corrosion deposits on one or both of their leads while the leads on the
other components are bright and shiney. If I had spares available, I would
try replacing these components and see if it makes a difference. I unsoldered
them anyway in case they cause damage to the PCB. Most of them measured ok
on the capacitance range on my multimeter but one of them reads only 3.5
microfarads.
Regards,
Peter Coghlan.
paul
7:32 a.m.
On May 18, 2020, at 9:09 AM, Peter Coghlan via cctalk
<cctalk at classiccmp.org> wrote:
...
I also find myself with several flakey LK201s.
To be honest, I wouldn't be interested in replacing them with PC keyboards.
I'd prefer to get my LK201s back in action.
If the issues are in the keyswitches or the flexi-print stuff connecting them
to the electronics, it looks like it will be nearly impossible to do anything
with them.
Yes, and that is the case with mine. I know from years past that those switches are
vulnerable to contamination.
However, if it turns out that the issues are in the
electronics part of the
keyboard and they are not easily repairable for one reason or another, I may
be interested in a drop in replacement for the original electronics.
Since that wasn't my scenario I haven't tried to do that. It seems easy enough.
The main issue is that you need a controller with enough I/O lines to run the scan. A
BeagleBone would be ample; an Arduino might not be.
paul
1:31 p.m.
Paul Koning wrote:
I fear it may be the same with mine. Most of mine seem to behave as if keys
are intermittently stuck down but no amount of tapping, shaking etc seems
to help.
Fair enough. Sorry for the digression.
Regards,
Peter Coghlan.
On May 18,
2020, at 9:09 AM, Peter Coghlan via cctalk <cctalk at classiccmp.org> wrote:
...
I also find myself with several flakey LK201s.
To be honest, I wouldn't be interested in replacing them with PC keyboards.
I'd prefer to get my LK201s back in action.
If the issues are in the keyswitches or the flexi-print stuff connecting them
to the electronics, it looks like it will be nearly impossible to do anything
with them.
Yes, and that is the case with mine. I know from years past that those
switches are vulnerable to contamination.
However, if it turns out that the issues are in
the electronics part of the
keyboard and they are not easily repairable for one reason or another, I may
be interested in a drop in replacement for the original electronics.
Since that wasn't my scenario I haven't tried to do that. It seems easy
enough. The main issue is that you need a controller with enough I/O lines
to run the scan. A BeagleBone would be ample; an Arduino might not be.
paul
1:37 p.m.
On Mon, May 18, 2020 at 8:32 AM Paul Koning via cctalk <
cctalk at classiccmp.org> wrote:
Yea. I have one LK201 that I fried the controller board on by connecting
12V to the wrong lead and popping a few components off the board... I've
replaced the exploded ones and it still doesn't work :( Would be cool to be
able to use it again...
Warner
However, if it
turns out that the issues are in the electronics part of
the
keyboard and they are not easily repairable for
one reason or another, I
may
be interested in a drop in replacement for the
original electronics.
Since that wasn't my scenario I haven't tried to do that. It seems easy
enough. The main issue is that you need a controller with enough I/O lines
to run the scan. A BeagleBone would be ample; an Arduino might not be.
1:40 p.m.
I would absolutely be interested in this - while I'd love to use original hardware
where possible, it's not always easy to get peripherals at the same time as machines.
A long term dream of mine is to build some sort of general-purpose box that can make
connections to arbitrary vintage computer keyboard/mouse/video ports, and connect in to
modern HDMI & USB peripherals to make it easier to just pull a machine off the shelf
and get going.
On May 17, 2020, at 5:13 PM, Paul Koning via cctalk
<cctalk at classiccmp.org> wrote:
Gentlepeople,
I've been having problems with broken LK201s, so as a workaround I created an adapter
that connects to a standard PC USB keyboard and makes it look like an LK201. It's
based on an Arduino (specifically, Adafruit Trinket M0, an amazingly tiny yet powerful
small microprocessor).
It's working at this point, though it needs a few small software tweaks to make it
complete. I'm going to turn my breadboard into something slightly more polished.
Question to the list: is this something that would be of interest to others? If yes, I
can make the design available. Perhaps the PCB layout and parts list. I don't think
I want to get into building units for others, though.
paul
2:20 p.m.
Do you guys want original LK201s, or other keyboards that LOOK like LK201s
in the caps and layout, or converters?
I am a little confused... LK201 clones do not have the clip offset on the
terminal connector, so you would have to replace the connector. I have no
idea if the protocol, voltage, etc is the same.
Cindy
-----Original Message-----
From: cctalk [mailto:cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Sophie
Haskins via cctalk
Sent: Monday, May 18, 2020 3:41 PM
To: Paul Koning; General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts
Subject: Re: LK201 emulation
I would absolutely be interested in this - while I'd love to use original
hardware where possible, it's not always easy to get peripherals at the same
time as machines. A long term dream of mine is to build some sort of
general-purpose box that can make connections to arbitrary vintage computer
keyboard/mouse/video ports, and connect in to modern HDMI & USB peripherals
to make it easier to just pull a machine off the shelf and get going.
On May 17, 2020, at 5:13 PM, Paul Koning via cctalk
<cctalk at classiccmp.org> wrote:
Gentlepeople,
I've been having problems with broken LK201s, so as a workaround I created
an
adapter that connects to a standard PC USB keyboard and makes it look
like an LK201. It's based on an Arduino (specifically, Adafruit Trinket M0,
an amazingly tiny yet powerful small microprocessor).
It's working at this point, though it needs a few small software tweaks to
make
it complete. I'm going to turn my breadboard into something slightly
more polished.
Question to the list: is this something that would be of interest to
others? If
yes, I can make the design available. Perhaps the PCB layout
and parts list. I don't think I want to get into building units for others,
though.
paul
--
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
https://www.avast.com/antivirus
2:27 p.m.
On May 18, 2020, at 5:20 PM, Electronics Plus via
cctalk <cctalk at classiccmp.org> wrote:
Do you guys want original LK201s, or other keyboards that LOOK like LK201s
in the caps and layout, or converters?
I am a little confused... LK201 clones do not have the clip offset on the
terminal connector, so you would have to replace the connector. I have no
idea if the protocol, voltage, etc is the same.
I think you're confused between terminals and keyboards.
LK201 keyboards don't have offset clips (MMJ connectors). Instead, they use a
standard telephone handset connector.
What I was talking about is a way to use a PC USB keyboard in place of an LK201, when your
last remaining real LK201 has just failed. That involves a USB jack, a LK201-compatible
handset jack, some electronics, and software to speak the protocols involved. That's
what I have just prototyped.
paul
2:45 p.m.
On Mon, May 18, 2020 at 5:28 PM Paul Koning via cctalk
<cctalk at classiccmp.org> wrote:
What I was talking about is a way to use a PC USB
keyboard in place of an LK201, when your last remaining real LK201 has just failed. That
involves a USB jack, a LK201-compatible handset jack, some electronics, and software to
speak the protocols involved. That's what I have just prototyped.
I would make a few of these. Could be handy at a VCF if your LK201
dies, or doesn't fit in your luggage.
-ethan
2:48 p.m.
On Mon, May 18, 2020 at 3:46 PM Ethan Dicks via cctalk <
cctalk at classiccmp.org> wrote:
On Mon, May 18, 2020 at 5:28 PM Paul Koning via
cctalk
<cctalk at classiccmp.org> wrote:
I'd want a couple of these, especially if it let my Rainbow boot 'headless'
otherwise. I've been experimenting with different LCD displays in an effort
to replace the VR201 display with that. If I could then plug in any old
keyboard I had laying around (USB or PS/2) that would be really nice...
Warner
What I was talking about is a way to use a PC USB
keyboard in place of
an LK201, when your last remaining real LK201 has just failed.
That
involves a USB jack, a LK201-compatible handset jack, some electronics, and
software to speak the protocols involved. That's what I have just
prototyped.
I would make a few of these. Could be handy at a VCF if your LK201
dies, or doesn't fit in your luggage.
3:06 p.m.
Readymade cables exist to allow Wyse and other terminal keyboards to work on USB. Would a
reverse of this work?
-----Original Message-----
From: cctalk [mailto:cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Warner Losh via
cctalk
Sent: Monday, May 18, 2020 4:48 PM
To: Ethan Dicks; General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts
Subject: Re: LK201 emulation
On Mon, May 18, 2020 at 3:46 PM Ethan Dicks via cctalk <
cctalk at classiccmp.org> wrote:
On Mon, May 18, 2020 at 5:28 PM Paul Koning via
cctalk
<cctalk at classiccmp.org> wrote:
I'd want a couple of these, especially if it let my Rainbow boot 'headless'
otherwise. I've been experimenting with different LCD displays in an effort
to replace the VR201 display with that. If I could then plug in any old
keyboard I had laying around (USB or PS/2) that would be really nice...
Warner
--
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
https://www.avast.com/antivirus
What I was talking about is a way to use a PC USB
keyboard in place of
an LK201, when your last remaining real LK201 has just failed.
That
involves a USB jack, a LK201-compatible handset jack, some electronics, and
software to speak the protocols involved. That's what I have just
prototyped.
I would make a few of these. Could be handy at a VCF if your LK201
dies, or doesn't fit in your luggage.
2:43 p.m.
On Mon, May 18, 2020 at 5:20 PM Electronics Plus via cctalk
<cctalk at classiccmp.org> wrote:
Do you guys want original LK201s, or other keyboards
that LOOK like LK201s
in the caps and layout, or converters?
I am a little confused... LK201 clones do not have the clip offset on the
terminal connector, so you would have to replace the connector. I have no
idea if the protocol, voltage, etc is the same.
LK201 keyboards and variants (LK401, clones, etc) have a narrow 4p4c
"handset jack" connector, not offset like an MMJ serial connector.
The power is +12V, the serial protocols are the same. I've used
LK401s on VT220s and Rainbows, I've used LK401s and LK201s on a Planar
terminal with an "LK201" input jack. That part is standard.
Speaking for myself, I have a pile of devices (DECmates,
Professionals, Rainbows, VT220, VT240...) that have a 4-place narrow
handset jack for a keyboard, and most of them are expecting an LK201.
I also have a large assortment of LK201s (with and without the WPS/EDT
"Gold Key" keycaps) and 1-2 smaller but compatible keyboards. Every
time I pull an LK201 off the shelf, I'm wondering if it's going to
work. I have 2-3 dead ones for sure. I think at least one of them
has a dead matrix because IIRC, it was causing "4 - keyboard error"
until I dismantled it and unplugged the mylar keyboard matrix sheet.
I suspect that the paint layer has either oxidized to high
resistance/open circuit or there's a short somewhere. I haven't
investigated that further. I am also aware of some electronics
failures. I can obviously mix and match bits to have as many working
keyboards as possible, but that is a finite decreasing number.
What I would find handy in one regard is being able to use a PS/2 or
USB modern keyboard on 1980s DEC equipment as if I was plugging in an
LK201.
I would also probably employ a device that I could plug a real DEC
keyboard into but that talked PS/2 or USB to be able to use that with
a modern machine. One application would be to use it with Simh or
even just a dumb terminal emulator (Glass, etc) with a real terminal
feel.
I might employ a device that replaced the electronics in a dead LK201
but I wouldn't need that many of them.
-ethan
-----Original Message-----
From: cctalk [mailto:cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Sophie
Haskins via cctalk
Sent: Monday, May 18, 2020 3:41 PM
To: Paul Koning; General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts
Subject: Re: LK201 emulation
I would absolutely be interested in this - while I'd love to use original
hardware where possible, it's not always easy to get peripherals at the same
time as machines. A long term dream of mine is to build some sort of
general-purpose box that can make connections to arbitrary vintage computer
keyboard/mouse/video ports, and connect in to modern HDMI & USB peripherals
to make it easier to just pull a machine off the shelf and get going.
On May 17, 2020, at 5:13 PM, Paul Koning via
cctalk
<cctalk at classiccmp.org> wrote:
Gentlepeople,
I've been having problems with broken LK201s, so as a workaround I created
an
adapter that connects to a standard PC USB keyboard and makes it look
like an LK201. It's based on an Arduino (specifically, Adafruit Trinket M0,
an amazingly tiny yet powerful small microprocessor).
It's working at this point, though it needs a few small software tweaks to
make it complete. I'm going to turn my breadboard into something slightly
more polished.
Question to the list: is this something that would be of interest to
others? If
yes, I can make the design available. Perhaps the PCB layout
and parts list. I don't think I want to get into building units for others,
though.
paul
--
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
https://www.avast.com/antivirus
3:34 p.m.
Sophie said
I would absolutely be interested in this - while
I'd love to use original hardware where possible, it's not always easy to get
peripherals at the same time as machines. A long term dream of mine is to build some sort
of general-purpose box that can make connections to arbitrary vintage computer
keyboard/mouse/video ports, and connect in to modern HDMI & USB peripherals to
make it easier to just pull a machine off the shelf and get going.
There is a project that seems to be going along the same idea, http://www.kbdbabel.org/
Steve.
3:47 p.m.
On 2020-05-18 17:34, Steve Malikoff via cctalk wrote:
Sophie said
Except that I can tell you from experience that not all 4p4c terminal
keyboards are interchangeable. I you plug a Wyse into a Televideo, or
vice versa, the keyboard will not work, and sometimes causes a small
fire....
Cindy
I would absolutely be interested in this - while
I'd love to use
original hardware where possible, it's not always easy to get
peripherals at the same time as machines. A long term dream of mine is
to build some sort of general-purpose box that can make connections to
arbitrary vintage computer
keyboard/mouse/video ports, and connect in to modern
HDMI & USB
peripherals to make it easier to just pull a machine off the shelf and
get going.
There is a project that seems to be going along the same idea,
http://www.kbdbabel.org/
Steve.
5:27 p.m.
On Mon, May 18, 2020 at 6:47 PM sales--- via cctalk
<cctalk at classiccmp.org> wrote:
On 2020-05-18 17:34, Steve Malikoff via cctalk wrote:
That is very true. DEC LK201/LK401, etc, and compatibles are all +12V
devices with +12V and gnd on specific pins (not mirrored or
mirror-safe). I have, as I mentioned, a Planar terminal, an ELT-320.
It is a third-party device with an LK201 socket (and a PC-AT keyboard
socket - either one can be used). Other vendors are free to do as
they please because they expect to sell you a device with their
keyboard. I'm sure some are +5V devices and many are +12V. Doesn't
take much of a difference to cause problems, especially if your +12V
line isn't current-limited.
Making a universal keyboard interface definitely faces some physical challenges.
-ethan
There is a project that seems to be going along
the same idea,
http://www.kbdbabel.org/
Steve.
Except that I can tell you from experience that not all 4p4c terminal
keyboards are interchangeable. I you plug a Wyse into a Televideo, or
vice versa, the keyboard will not work, and sometimes causes a small
fire....
5:33 p.m.
On Mon, May 18, 2020 at 6:34 PM Steve Malikoff via cctalk
<cctalk at classiccmp.org> wrote:
There is a project that seems to be going along the
same idea, http://www.kbdbabel.org/
Interesting starting point, but I tried to browse the code and it
flashed up instructions for how to use cvs or rsync to pull the code
down.
Last substantial update seems to be from 2009. Lots of 8051 source.
Not impossible to still find those, but a little on the chunky side
for this decade.
One could learn much from reading the code and inspecting the
schematics, I'm sure.
-ethan
6:21 p.m.
If anyone is interested in taking over my PS/2 mouse to DEC mouse adapter
(tested working on VAXStation, should also work on VT340+, etc)
https://bitbucket.org/tinyscsi/decmouse/raw/fc73c57dce5926ac1ab9f0958ba82cf…
You could implement both keyboard and mouse on one controller that has two
serial ports (I use Teensy's)
On Mon, May 18, 2020, 8:34 PM Ethan Dicks via cctalk <cctalk at classiccmp.org>
wrote:
On Mon, May 18, 2020 at 6:34 PM Steve Malikoff via
cctalk
<cctalk at classiccmp.org> wrote:
There is a project that seems to be going along
the same idea,
http://www.kbdbabel.org/
Interesting starting point, but I tried to browse the code and it
flashed up instructions for how to use cvs or rsync to pull the code
down.
Last substantial update seems to be from 2009. Lots of 8051 source.
Not impossible to still find those, but a little on the chunky side
for this decade.
One could learn much from reading the code and inspecting the
schematics, I'm sure.
-ethan
9:49 p.m.
Sophie Haskins wrote:
A long term dream of mine is to build some sort of
general-purpose box
that can make connections to arbitrary vintage computer
keyboard/mouse/video ports, and connect in to modern HDMI & USB
peripherals to make it easier to just pull a machine off the shelf and
get going.
I'm kind of moving in this direction a tiny bit. I have a set of
software emulators that I install on Raspberry Pis. My idea is that
they should boot straight into the emulator and connect to a host
computer over the network.
19 May
19 May
6:13 a.m.
On May 19, 2020, at 12:49 AM, Lars Brinkhoff <lars
at nocrew.org> wrote:
Sophie Haskins wrote:
My first LK201 emulation was on a BeagleBone Black. That works fine with limitations.
The Linux keyboard device driver imposes its own set of machinery between the actual
keyboard and the program (even in "raw" mode), for example doing autorepeat.
I'll make that code available too for anyone who wants it.
paul
A long term dream of mine is to build some sort
of general-purpose box
that can make connections to arbitrary vintage computer
keyboard/mouse/video ports, and connect in to modern HDMI & USB
peripherals to make it easier to just pull a machine off the shelf and
get going.
I'm kind of moving in this direction a tiny bit. I have a set of
software emulators that I install on Raspberry Pis. My idea is that
they should boot straight into the emulator and connect to a host
computer over the network.
21 Jun
21 Jun
10:18 a.m.
On May 17, 2020, at 5:13 PM, Paul Koning via cctalk
<cctalk at classiccmp.org> wrote:
Gentlepeople,
I've been having problems with broken LK201s, so as a workaround I created an adapter
that connects to a standard PC USB keyboard and makes it look like an LK201. It's
based on an Arduino (specifically, Adafruit Trinket M0, an amazingly tiny yet powerful
small microprocessor).
It's working at this point, though it needs a few small software tweaks to make it
complete. I'm going to turn my breadboard into something slightly more polished.
Question to the list: is this something that would be of interest to others? If yes, I
can make the design available. Perhaps the PCB layout and parts list. I don't think
I want to get into building units for others, though.
paul
Ok, I have a working device. The whole design can be found on Github:
https://github.com/pkoning2/lk201emu
As I mentioned before, I'm not providing parts, kits, or devices.
Comments and feedback will be appreciated.
paul
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days inactive
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participants (15)
-
amp1ron＠gmail.com -
cctalk＠beyondthepale.ie -
dk＠thewaffleiron.net -
emu＠e-bbes.com -
ethan.dicks＠gmail.com -
imp＠bsdimp.com -
lars＠nocrew.org -
macro＠linux-mips.org -
mloewen＠cpumagic.scol.pa.us -
paulkoning＠comcast.net -
robert.jarratt＠ntlworld.com -
sales＠elecplus.com -
sophaskins＠sophaskins.net -
steven＠malikoff.com -
tsg＠bonedaddy.net