paulrickards

Artist exploring vintage plotters with modern code. Retrocomputing repair and collecting. Mixes the best of new and old. He/him #RetroComputing #PenPlotter #c64 #nobot #nobots #noai 🏳️‍🌈

Location: Delaware, USA
Shop: https://shop.paulrickards.com
Blog: https://biosrhythm.com
Buy me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/paulrickards

Public Key

npub1kmd59frrgzswaqd83hdtrfcuvjf98wu8k3dt4cvuacsxys3f4u6qdw3fq6

NIP-05 Address

paulrickards_at_mastodon.social@momostr.pink

Profile Code

nprofile1qqstdk6z5335pg8wsxncmk435uwxfyjnhwrmgk46uxwwugrzgg567dqpz3mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerpd46hxtnfduqs6amnwvaz7tmwdaejumr0dsrzrdx9

Publishing to

relay.damus.io

nos.lol

Author Public Key

npub1kmd59frrgzswaqd83hdtrfcuvjf98wu8k3dt4cvuacsxys3f4u6qdw3fq6

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Last Notes

2026-03-21 21:50:14 UTC

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Oooh, will you be cloning this card next? I hope? 😊

2026-03-18 17:51:34 UTC

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Wondering if it's because that printer shows as type "imagewriter" all lower case? It's the only one I see that does that. All others are mixed case "ImageWriter"

2026-03-11 03:21:46 UTC

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Thanks! Interesting one of the same columns glitching on yours too.

2026-03-10 14:17:29 UTC

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Do you have a photo of your 2300c with the glitchy stripes you can share with me? Thx!

2026-03-09 21:24:31 UTC

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Oh no! Sorry about the ImageWriter. I think @npub1xq6…s6hw had something similar happen but it fixed itself IIRC?!

2026-03-09 04:12:57 UTC

@npub10ma…m2tk Hey did you ever recap the display in your PowerBook 2300c? Mine is telling me I need to I think.. I opened it about a year ago but couldn’t figure out how to disassemble the LCD.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/197/258/318/058/342/original/59fef1898706cb59.jpeg

2026-03-06 18:46:25 UTC

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My sheet feeder fails to load about 50% of the time so it's not been a great thing to leave connected to #GlobalTalk because it'll just sit there in an error state after failing to load paper.
My guess is the rubber rollers inside aren't grabbing the paper as well as they did in the past.

2026-03-03 16:21:10 UTC

Contemplating the difficulty level of cloning the A-Max-II card (Macintosh Emulator) for the Amiga.
I see 6 GALs on the card which may present a challenge. Have those been dumped?
Anyone have one they'd want to jettison?
https://amiga.resource.cx/exp/amax2
#MARCHintosh #RetroComputing #VintageApple #VintageMac #Amiga #CommodoreAmiga
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/166/144/322/205/426/original/d6c1a794a31f4ab0.jpg

2026-02-22 17:02:58 UTC

CMY Carousel showing a flowing field of ribbons of hatched color, swirling around a center vortex.
CMY archival inks on 11x15 watercolor paper using a vintage HP 7585B pen plotter generated and controlled with Python.
Available in my shop: https://shop.paulrickards.com/cmy-carousel-series/
#PenPlotter #GenerativeArt #CreativeCoding #MastoArt #Art #ArtForSale #Artist #ArtForSaleByArtist #PenPlotterArt #PenPlot #NoAI
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2026-02-15 20:48:48 UTC

I couldn't find any, so please enjoy the sounds of this Mac Plus booting from the internal floppy drive I made. Sound on!
#VintageApple #VintageMac #RetroComputing #ASMR
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/076/594/523/396/053/original/b8fec407790191e5.mp4

2026-02-10 17:41:36 UTC

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Mac and TinyMac.
#VintageApple #VintageMac #RetroComputing #TinyMac
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/047/554/424/326/062/original/6d2f8e59d28ac0f2.jpeg

2026-02-08 23:18:14 UTC

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The top of the Maclock includes a touch sensitive area that would turn the backlight on and off, this area marked in red. It doesn’t move, it’s just plastic.
Underneath is a board that is likely difficult to remove, embedded with glue. It has two leads coming off of it.
Without seeing the board, can you theorize how it works and how it could be utilized with a Raspberry Pi GPIO?
#RetroComputing #VintageApple #VintageMac
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/037/554/808/998/578/original/06cdac84271ff705.jpeg
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2026-02-08 22:30:16 UTC

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Obligatory flying toasters.
#RetroComputing #VintageApple #VintageMac #TinyMac
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/037/371/592/822/060/original/b3a09de6f0e7e3d4.mp4

2026-02-08 21:40:23 UTC

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Two tiny Macs, my converted one and an unmodified Maclock.
#VintageApple #VintageMac #RetroComputing #TinyMac
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/037/136/557/273/533/original/86f9d0821752523b.jpeg

2026-02-08 17:26:15 UTC

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More #TinyMac:
- Swapped in a Raspberry Pi 3A+ for the Pi Zero 2 W. Slightly faster and has 5GHz WiFi which is so much better.
- Mounted the LCD/Pi to the back of the front case with some hot glue.
- Kept the front floppy switch as a power switch when floppy is inserted.
- Installed a LX-2BUPS (2x18650 UPS) inside for power, exposed a USB-C port on the back for charging.
#RetroComputing #VintageApple #VintageMac
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/036/169/960/617/629/original/0937956598707482.jpeg
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2026-02-08 17:02:06 UTC

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More #TinyMac progress. Wired up some smol speakers to a smol audio amp.
Designed and printed a volume knob in the style of the original to fit the B50K pot. Biggest issue is how to mount it inside (the amp board has no mounting holes).
The amp turns out to be too noisy, I can hear WiFi and BT traffic. Also draws about 300mA even when the volume knob is switched off.
I think I'll leave it out.
#RetroComputing #VintageApple #VintageMac
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/036/061/784/666/618/original/8b6fcd48863c3bee.jpeg

2026-02-05 19:25:44 UTC

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Hey maybe the #TinyMac works well enough to be a #GlobalTalk router? Certainly uses a lot less power (avg. about 400mA with screen on).
#VintageApple #VintageMac #RetroComputing
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/019/650/044/390/425/original/ca2fa99912ce6b96.jpeg

2026-02-05 16:35:06 UTC

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So sheep_net seems to work great for AppleTalk traffic but struggles with TCP/IP. It'll work for a few seconds then stop.
Curiously, running tcpdump on the machine causes it work, presumably because it puts the interface into promiscuous mode. And enabling promiscuous mode manually also works.
No mention of that on the project page, but that was 10 years ago.
#RetroComputing #VintageApple #VintageMac
https://github.com/cebix/macemu/tree/master/BasiliskII/src/Unix/Linux/NetDriver
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2026-02-04 15:52:28 UTC

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To make a Mac, I'm using a Pi Zero 2 W, a Waveshare 2.8" DPI LCD, and the MacintoshPi image which includes Basillisk II and SheepShaver already installed, and they work without X11 running, perfect for the thin-resourced Pi Zero.
https://jm.iq.pl/macintoshpi-mac-os-7-8-9-for-raspberry-pi/
One thing that was missing was AppleTalk support but I solved that by installing sheep_net from these instructions. And works over WiFi!
https://www.ecliptik.com/blog/2025/Live-Laugh-Localtalk-with-Basilisk-II/
#VintageApple #VintageMac #RetroComputing
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/013/151/745/491/213/original/719377d2cb38ea04.jpeg

2026-02-04 15:45:06 UTC

A while back I bought two of those Maclocks with the intention of modding one into a tiny Mac. After seeing the success of @npub1m72…u75y I decided to give it a go.
Opening the case is definitely the hardest part. Gary said to use guitar picks to start, so I began on the bottom and opened a gap to get a stronger metal spudger inside to lift up the rear case to release the six clips (circled in third pic) from the front. We're inside!
#VintageApple #VintageMac #RetroComputing #Maclock
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/013/105/148/044/998/original/976c886edca9b037.jpeg
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2026-01-22 15:44:33 UTC

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I'm amazed at how fast it prints to Soft Serve. A single page document in SimpleText at Best quality in under 5 seconds! PDF available a second after that.
Here's a video of QEMU 7.1 printing to Soft Serve (stats output in the terminal window above).
#ImageWriterII #RetroComputing #VintageApple #VintageMac
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/115/939/505/485/738/370/original/d6a1186c800c2d2c.mp4

2026-01-21 00:08:13 UTC

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Still debugging the Soft Serve ImageWriter virtual printer, trying to make it "well behaved." If you're on #GlobalTalk and have a moment to test, send me a test print at Biosrhythm zone.
#RetroComputing #ImageWriterII #VintageApple #VintageMac

2026-01-19 21:43:26 UTC

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First successful ImageWriter II print to my Soft Serve ImageWriter spooler over #GlobalTalk! Thanks to @npub1xq6…s6hw for helping me test it!
#ImageWriterII #VintageApple #VintageMac
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/115/923/936/491/158/187/original/26371a76e023d9e7.png

2026-01-19 16:59:07 UTC

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Hey that looks better! I forgot I had to trim the Ethernet frames if they were less than 60 bytes long. It was including spurious null characters in the output causing it to add weird characters.
Next I'll try sending it to a real ImageWriter II and see if it prints correctly.
#ImageWriter II #VintageApple #VintageMac
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/115/922/763/290/043/344/original/b290c096f698f2e6.png
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2026-01-19 06:08:37 UTC

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More progress! A Mac now happily sends ImageWriter II print data successfully to my terrible Python script.
Cobbling the output together with the "iwem" PostScript ImageWriter emulator, I'm getting something that roughly resembles the original!
#ImageWriterII #VintageApple #VintageMac #Pytyhon
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/115/920/256/266/289/641/original/48d741d311474a98.png
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2026-01-06 23:22:24 UTC

Hamburger, döner, bento, kebab, meatball: aka the junk drawers.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/115/850/707/300/481/327/original/78f346dee98b110f.png

2026-01-06 04:20:18 UTC

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I've tricked netatalk's pap into thinking my terrible Python script is an ImageWriter II on EtherTalk, enough so that it will reasonably send a print successfully.
An actual Mac printing to it: not so much. Still some kinks somewhere.
But, progress!
#RetroComputing #VintageApple #VintageMac
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/115/846/219/063/438/611/original/ef942832ad3c5f5e.png

2026-01-05 18:40:14 UTC

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Still casting strange Ethernet packets into the void to mimic an ImageWriter on EtherTalk. Figured out I didn't implement AARP which is why requests didn't make it back to the printer-- whoops.
We now pass netatalk's papstatus test and can pretend we have a color ribbon and sheet feeder installed if we'd like.
#RetroComputing #VintageApple #VintageMac
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/115/843/942/893/261/818/original/ad0b50110aad6ff4.png

2026-01-03 04:38:08 UTC

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Added some node startup things like ZIP GetNetInfo and NBP BrRq to announce the the printer over AppleTalk in hopes that would work but no.
It can be found, but clients never reach out to make an OpenConn request.
I've tried printing from emulation and netatalk pap.
Hoping someone more versed in AppleTalk will see something obvious I'm missing.

2026-01-02 21:17:45 UTC

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So far, the fake ImageWriter is proving frustrating, likely because of my limited skill set.
I can get the printer to show up reliably in the Chooser, responding to NBP LkUp requests with NBP LkUp-Reply packets. But the host never sends a PAP ATP OpenConn request and eventually times out.
Admittedly, I'm missing a lot of the AppleTalk stack which might have something to do with it.
I have a hardcover copy of Inside AppleTalk on the way.
#RetroComputing #VintageApple #VintageMac

2026-01-01 18:13:17 UTC

Getting a fake AppleTalk ImageWriter to show up in the Chooser took longer than it should have.
#RetroComputing #VintageApple #VintageMac #GlobalTalk
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/115/821/182/967/991/340/original/312430df52c96a6f.png

2025-12-23 20:05:12 UTC

Staying warm in front of the 1-bit glow of the Lisa and the Yule log with MacFLIM.
#RetroComputing #VintageApple #VintageMac #AppleLisaClone #AppleLisa
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/115/770/660/691/670/796/original/3ce9a30846ff06a3.mp4

2025-12-19 22:59:48 UTC

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Writing zen, where the only distractions are Flying Toasters when you're idle 😉
Word 5.1a isn't too bad at 640x200 resolution. The UI is unobtrusive, crisp and legible, and big enough to touch.
#RetroComputing #VintageApple #VintageMac
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/115/748/692/066/461/178/original/923352ebd07ce465.jpeg
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2025-12-16 22:10:14 UTC

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I also cobbled together a systray icon for the battery status using Python. It retrieves the battery info from the Power Management Hat over serial and updates the systray icon as needed. The tooltip shown appears when you mouse over or tap the battery icon.
#Typeframe #CyberDeck #WriterDeck
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/115/731/515/664/917/163/original/43a8ef00d200313f.jpeg

2025-12-16 21:56:20 UTC

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I added an internal speaker (from an old iPad) and headphone jack to my Typeframe. Since I used a Pi 5 with no on-board analog audio, I used a USB audio dongle.
I was delighted to learn of the simplicity of switching 3.5mm headphone jacks. They have 5 poles instead of 3. The audio source and internal speaker are wired to the headphone jack pins. They're normally closed and the internal speaker works. Plug in headphones, it switches. So simple!
#Typeframe #RaspberryPi #WriterDeck #CyberDeck
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/115/731/457/498/835/853/original/4d193a06a0bbfa7a.jpeg
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2025-12-12 04:07:50 UTC

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Yep, it runs MacOS 7.5 really wide 🙃
#typeframe #RetroComputing #cyberdeck #writerdeck #FlyingToasters #VintageApple #VintageMac
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/115/704/619/177/610/590/original/e818241f736b5fe1.jpeg
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2025-12-11 22:51:46 UTC

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Some more shots of the Typeframe.
#typeframe #cyberdeck #writerdeck
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/115/703/370/799/169/259/original/48c84580a3208e84.jpeg
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2025-12-11 22:30:56 UTC

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The Typeframe is modeled after the Epson PX-4 and looks like a twin. The 7.9" LCD is also a touchscreen. I chose a Raspberry Pi 5 and an inexpensive ready-made keyboard. It's all powered by a 10 Ah battery and charges with USB-C. And lots of 3D printing and cable management.
More info. to build your own: https://www.typeframe.net/
#typeframe #cyberdeck #writerdeck
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/115/703/274/802/291/946/original/e9b9e966845dc6ef.jpeg
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2025-12-11 22:22:37 UTC

Ever since I saw the Typeframe (a DIY writerdeck or cyberdeck), I wanted to build one. And so I did! I tweaked the design here and there to fit what I had on hand and my tastes. Here's the result. I'm pleased with how it turned out.
#typeframe #cyberdeck #writerdeck
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/115/703/261/259/205/346/original/2ef3aadbcd76b418.jpeg
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/115/703/261/744/136/499/original/f94f173ffdc853a0.jpeg

2025-12-04 21:01:39 UTC

Your periodic reminder that there were typewriter pen plotters. Yes, a typewriter that would draw text. Or a plotter with a keyboard attached, depending on your view.
I've collected a few, plus other oddities with pen plotters in them. Have a look:
https://biosrhythm.com/?p=2143
#RetroComputing #PenPlotter
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/115/663/305/215/478/228/original/6c1270466522e91a.jpg

2025-12-04 19:59:53 UTC

I drew a hat (with a dodgy pen) with my tiny #PenPlotter
https://xoxo.zone/@scruss/115659570829036175
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/115/663/060/710/487/012/original/4b70b0eed00b1278.jpeg

2025-12-01 20:42:21 UTC

Four Commodore 8-bit machines running 10 PRINT.
#RetroComputing #CommodorePET #C64 #VIC20 #C128 #Commodore64 #SX64 #10PRINT
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/115/646/237/157/249/311/original/dca230d1ae6a1ee9.jpeg

2025-11-17 19:42:11 UTC

.jpeg or .jpg? Poll follows.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/115/566/727/863/580/676/original/be883f024144a71f.png

2025-11-15 16:56:00 UTC

Today's oddware: The HP Infrared Access Point: NetBeamIR. With this monolith-looking box with a HAL 9000 aperture on the front, you can bridge IrDA devices with Ethernet! Who needs WiFi?! 😁
#RetroComputing
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/115/554/742/080/907/701/original/72ba0b3de95331dd.jpeg

2025-11-10 01:53:10 UTC

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How did these work out? I could use a few for Newtons/eMates if you have extras.

2025-10-27 16:42:19 UTC

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Picking up this project from two years ago, I finally printed a bezel and key set for my PocketCHIP. I printed it with Polar Retro Platinum and used waterslide decals for the key tops and badge with Univers 57 font.
Update: I collected the models and the art for the waterslide decals in one place:
https://www.printables.com/model/1461477-pocketchip-macintosh
#RetroComputing #VintageApple #VintageMac
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/115/447/102/675/784/339/original/3b892ec1e2b1fdee.jpeg
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2025-10-25 15:51:20 UTC

More often than not, pages that come up in search results now are clearly written by AI tools. They all have the same structure, pattern, and cadence to them that set off alarm bells for me. So I move on. I fear that soon there will be nothing left to move on to.

2025-10-21 13:57:51 UTC

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Oh wow, I remember that site! I think I bought those Web Player appliances there after Virgin went out of that business.

2025-10-11 19:49:18 UTC

Rainy Saturday morning modeling has yielded this battery cover for many PowerBook 1xx laptops.
https://www.printables.com/model/1442096-powerbook-140-180c-battery-cover
#RetroComputing #VintageMac #VintageApple #3DPrinting
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/115/357/258/218/909/862/original/1c0b88be7025749e.jpeg

2025-10-08 12:30:20 UTC

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Stamps, stamps, stamps!
#RetroComputing #3DPrinting
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2025-10-08 03:09:12 UTC

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LaserWriter 8 Page Setup
#RetroComputing #3DPrinting #Clarus #Moof
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2025-10-07 19:53:20 UTC

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That’s somewhat better. 100% infill (was 20%) and top iron at 20% flow (was 10%). Also using the TPU (85A) manufacturer settings file for Bambu P1S.
#RetroComputing #3DPrinting
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/115/334/619/938/867/584/original/0bf6bea7e4e33b98.jpeg

2025-10-07 18:58:44 UTC

Tried to make a stamp today with my 3D printer using PLA for the handle and TPU for the stamp. Results are meh. Maybe the flow rates aren’t right which leaves the gaps. I did use the iron feature on the top layer too.
#RetroComputing #3DPrinting
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/115/334/408/297/851/819/original/efeca08d3ce38fd9.jpeg

2025-09-17 22:31:20 UTC

🐖 Start pig-mode?
#RetroComputing #ResEdit #VintageApple #VintageMac
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/115/221/978/153/348/808/original/57a36b0e01182278.png

2025-09-09 18:09:01 UTC

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Haha wow buy in bulk! I think that will work in a Newton? I could use a couple of those.

2025-09-07 19:06:03 UTC

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My tiny plotter works! I finished most of the controller board last night. It’s running GRBL for ESP32 so I can send jobs over WiFi or BT. Still some clean up and tweaks to the case to make maintenance easier.
It follows B. Dring’s project from 2019 but modified for this tiny plotter.: https://www.buildlog.net/blog/2019/09/inktober-2019-project-post-1/
What should I name it?
#RetroComputing #PenPlotter
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/115/164/553/656/260/169/original/459759a11d71b291.mp4

2025-09-07 00:47:44 UTC

Been working on a case for the tiny ALPS pen plotter mechanism. It takes 2.25” wide receipt roll paper. Electronics will go beneath. Might add a roll paper holder. Maybe a battery pack too?
#RetroComputing #PenPlotter
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/115/160/246/864/516/398/original/efe1a536948a4561.jpeg

2025-08-26 20:37:06 UTC

A visual and textual browser/search for BYTE magazine. Clever way to present this vast amount of printed material!
https://byte.tsundoku.io
#RetroComputing #BYTEMagazine

2025-08-25 20:47:15 UTC

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I'm not certain it's the right color. I thought the darker/more yellow color was the original Lisa case color.

2025-08-25 19:47:17 UTC

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I just noticed today that the case for my #AppleLisaClone seems to be.. painted? It's lighter in color than the first front I purchased. I didn't really pay much attention to it at first but I noticed the HD activity LED light pipe was painted over..!
I mean, it's not a bad paint job as far as these things go. But, why?
#RetroComputing #VintageApple #AppleLisa
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/115/091/107/307/796/929/original/778085bbf9847640.jpeg
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/115/091/111/931/822/154/original/7239eb28d9d57383.jpeg

2025-08-22 15:03:45 UTC

Was there ever a FireWire/i.Link/1394 flash thumb drive? Not a portable 2.5" SSD, but like a USB thumb drive.
#RetroComputing

2025-08-20 02:39:37 UTC

Rate my battlestation!
This is a Sony Anycast Station AWS-G500HD from 2007. It's essentially a Sony luggable PIII 933Mhz PC that runs Linux 2.4.20 with a ton of FPGAs to do the heavy lifting of a video switcher. Plus glorious physical buttons, faders, dials, and removable keyboard. Oh, and a jog wheel.
#RetroComputing
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/115/058/623/151/084/467/original/df42541c4d2af0ec.jpeg

2025-08-18 16:30:46 UTC

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Neat! Was it AppleTalk aware? If so, that would be fun to try over #GlobalTalk

2025-08-18 16:23:48 UTC

Moody disjointed EA logo in KPT Bryce, MacOS 9
#RetroComputing #EA #VintageMac #VintageApple
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/115/050/675/709/806/493/original/4333435c60ef4caf.png

2025-08-17 19:56:24 UTC

It's an "install an old version of Linux" kind of day. TWM really takes me back..
#RetroComputing
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/115/045/856/248/699/820/original/64476a8269a29bb9.png

2025-08-14 16:28:29 UTC

TIL the Kensington Turbo Mouse can use a billiard ball.
#RetroComputing #VintageMac #VintageAP
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/115/028/052/745/287/014/original/3dfc89553ebbd652.jpeg
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/115/028/075/142/025/808/original/4d7287cb4ece3023.jpeg

2025-08-01 15:24:10 UTC

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Reverse image search has been killed? It was one of the last remaining things to verify image sources in this post-AI hellscape. We’re so fucked.

2025-07-28 20:53:47 UTC

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just rewind it first
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/114/932/841/281/115/064/original/9aa103634e7f7433.jpeg

2025-07-28 19:34:00 UTC

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https://www.printables.com/model/1368681-rewind-your-floppy-disk-a-nanoraptor-design

2025-07-28 18:26:59 UTC

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oh no
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/114/932/265/708/345/374/original/77ca74e262d51286.png

2025-07-26 13:12:49 UTC

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I had one and really really liked everything about it. Sad I sold it.

2025-07-25 16:39:08 UTC

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Right? eBay is even worse! Seems like there's a market to bring a new version out.

2025-07-25 16:18:42 UTC

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The AYAB (All Yarns Are Beautiful) project just released the 1.0 software and some interface boards for the Brother KH-9XX line just this past March. So cool!
https://www.ayab-knitting.com/
Makes me wish there was a local maker space where I could connect with someone who has knitting experience to mesh with my electronics/software experience.
Thanks to @npub14j3…2nd9 for the tip!

2025-07-25 15:39:40 UTC

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Found some tools for "electro-knit" detailed by Becky Stern and @npub1m2z…vh9q Looks like the Brother KH-9XX line used a Tandy floppy disk interface to load/save patterns and can be emulated via inverted TTL RS-232. Fun!
https://learn.adafruit.com/electroknit

2025-07-25 14:50:51 UTC

Every now and then I see cool vintage computerized knitting machines and think it would be cool to get one to create generative knits but I’m a complete n00b to knitting. I like the idea of modern solutions to vintage knitting machines. It seems to have peaked in the mid 2010s from my view.
Any advice for what to know, what to buy, what to avoid? Thx!
Probably a unique blend of #RetroComputing and #kntting

2025-07-09 15:10:11 UTC

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I published the 3D model for the Apple Scanner lid locking key I made. Hope this helps someone when repairing theirs!
https://www.printables.com/model/1349905-apple-scanner-lid-locking-key
#RetroComputing #VintageApple #VintageMac

2025-07-06 19:24:04 UTC

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I mentioned the Apple Scanner got damaged in transit. The corners got beaten up pretty bad. Worst was the lid which separated from the unit. The curved hinge apron also cracked on one side. I attempted to reattach it with epoxy. It's holding for now but it feels fragile. The hinge is attached using two plastic "keys" and one broke. Epoxy didn't work so I modeled and 3D printed the part. It only took 8 iterations to get it right 😅
#RetroComputing #VintageMac #VintageApple
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/114/807/877/400/494/850/original/8154a7089bf82af9.jpeg
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/114/807/880/435/585/271/original/d21329510230fb21.jpeg
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/114/807/881/475/719/365/original/99538533eb773752.jpeg
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/114/807/911/144/734/027/original/3123ab4cf6e44390.jpeg

2025-07-06 18:42:01 UTC

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I’ve been testing the Apple Scanner with my Quadra 605 err.. Classic/040 and noticed it wouldn’t work with Soft 475 Overclock enabled. Turns out I need to also move a resistor on the motherboard to divide the SCSI clock by two. Afterwards, the scanner worked perfectly at 33 and 40MHz!
Soft 475 Overclock info: https://stuffandnonsense.elephantandchicken.co.uk/?p=2519
#RetroComputing #VintageApple #VintageMac
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/114/807/734/986/083/911/original/ba5c83d542ad61e9.jpeg

2025-07-06 18:17:50 UTC

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The Apple/Abaton Scanner takes about 2 mins 10 secs for a full 8.5"x14" page, 8-bit 300DPI scan as a TIFF.
#RetroComputing #VintageMac #VintageApple
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/114/807/646/333/870/972/original/5d38663f7e71f24f.jpg

2025-07-04 22:47:20 UTC

Is there a place where vintage Mac 3D printable parts are collected in one place?
#RetroComputing #VintageMac #VintageApple

2025-07-03 22:37:11 UTC

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It also seems to have a very forgiving depth of field. Here's a fully populated motherboard plopped right on top of the glass platen. The PCB itself is about 14-17mm away from the glass (depending on which corner you measure).
#RetroComputing #VintageApple #VintageMac
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/114/791/673/902/579/106/original/bd69247c026c1510.jpg

2025-07-03 22:09:02 UTC

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Yeah it's quite decent! I had one of these (original, not upgraded to 8-bit) a long time ago and used it a lot for black and white photos. I don't think I realized it at the time that it was only 4-bit!

2025-07-03 22:01:47 UTC

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Software has been located! 🎉
Thanks to @npub1yqw…ywz8 who found an archive on Discmaster that contained several drivers and a desk accessory. We're making scans!
Here's a 300DPI 8-bit scan of the back of The Print Shop box, cropped and converted to JPG (no other edits).
#RetroComputing #VintageMac #VintageApple
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/114/791/528/985/069/401/original/0fdc9a22f8116ee1.png
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/114/791/542/574/033/651/original/b87435800f0f9a21.jpg

2025-07-03 21:53:45 UTC

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Yes! That contained several drivers and a Scan desk accessory. Thanks for locating that. I missed that when I looked through Discmaster.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/114/791/517/973/718/567/original/e0128dadce499c43.png

2025-07-03 20:13:51 UTC

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Hey thanks! I tried that first one but it doesn’t seem to work. The chooser extension has a Test Scanner button but does nothing. The scanning app says it can’t communicate with the scanner 🫤
Interesting idea to use it under OS X!

2025-07-03 18:56:13 UTC

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So, now I'm searching for the software for this Apple/Abaton 300/GS scanner. I found the Everex (they bought Abaton) site had the software available in 1996 but it's not been archived.
Anyone have this or are able to find it elsewhere?
Thanks for a boost!
#RetroComputing #VintageApple #VintageMac
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/114/790/814/528/435/946/original/4a3f4c50097e40e9.png

2025-07-03 18:50:02 UTC

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Hmmm.. this sticker on the front is a clue. After some searching, I found this ad in MacWorld Oct 1989 special issue.
Abaton would sell you an upgrade (new motherboard?) of your original Apple Scanner to convert it from 4-bit to an 8-bit scanner! Wild!
#RetroComputing #VintageApple #VintageMac
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/114/790/773/503/554/630/original/e855042163025c14.jpeg
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/114/790/773/788/189/420/original/1757636209ad58f9.jpg

2025-07-03 18:42:24 UTC

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Curiously, the AppleScan software doesn't find it. And even more curious, the scanner shows itself as a "Abaton Scan 300/GS" in SCSIProbe. Not sure, but I expected it to say "Apple" as the vendor!
#RetroComputing #VintageMac #VintageApple
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/114/790/759/673/498/193/original/fbd5c16a926c6b6a.png

2025-07-03 18:37:32 UTC

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It suffered some damage on the way here, unfortunately. The lid hinge cracked and the front corners took some abuse.
Still, it has the classic Snow White design language like its other siblings like the ImageWriter II, ImageWriter LQ, and LaserWriter II that I just love.
#RetroComputing #VintageApple #VintageMac
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/114/790/739/268/966/273/original/f381af976a83c837.jpeg

2025-07-03 18:32:57 UTC

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Remember the green lamp it used? Happy this one still works as it seems those lamps are not made anymore.
#RetroComputing #VintageApple #VintageMac
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/114/790/728/573/015/201/original/83d62e6bd24313f0.jpeg

2025-07-03 18:31:07 UTC

New addition of old: The Apple Scanner, the original monochrome SCSI scanner from 1988 in all of its Snow White glory.
#RetroComputing #VintageApple #VintageMac
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/114/790/717/204/899/725/original/3c0b485a0b863eda.jpeg
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/114/790/717/837/104/477/original/350655db040e89fc.jpeg

2025-06-10 15:58:00 UTC

I'm looking to pick up a HP Draftmaster II, RX, MX, RX+, or MX+ pen plotter. Do you have one or know someone that does and wants to part with it? I'm in the US Mid-Atlantic region.
Thanks for a boost!
#PenPlotter #VintageComputing

2025-06-07 15:13:00 UTC

Today I’m starting a big plot on the @npub14ue…52ya ArtFrame Panorama, a monster of a plotter with a 24” x 72” plot area. Excited to see a plot that is as tall as I am!
I’ll be here at the Bantam Tools Machine Arts Gallery in Peekskill NY today. Stop by if you’re in the area. 👋
#PenPlotter
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/114/642/698/136/232/723/original/021a0ad44c08b0c6.jpeg

2025-06-03 20:49:55 UTC

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When viewed close up, it’s an abstract series of modulated horizontal lines with hatch marks in them. From a distance, the line work collapses into a recognizable portrait (at least for me).
#PenPlotter
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/114/621/375/575/516/296/original/793b394db6fd776a.jpeg
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/114/621/377/514/421/615/original/23f62b4fb7d4bdc3.jpeg

2025-06-03 19:03:29 UTC

I’ve long admired the old ALDUS logo from the early PageMaker days on the Mac. I’ve used that style to create a #PenPlotter rainbow portrait of Alan Turing for pride month.
CMYK on 11”x15” watercolor paper using a vintage HP 7585B pen plotter generated and controlled with Python.
Available in my shop, in the Wildcards gallery. https://shop.paulrickards.com/wildcards/
#GenerativeArt #CreativeCoding #MastoArt #Art #ArtForSale #Artist #ArtForSaleByArtist #PenPlotterArt #PenPlot #NoAI
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/114/620/965/441/071/250/original/dcfd3a154b9e21fd.jpg

2025-04-30 21:23:24 UTC

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While at System Source Computer Museum, I refined some macrodata on this lovely Data General Dasher terminal.
#RetroComputing
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/114/429/003/987/584/754/original/a2c2145c0b692253.jpeg
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/114/429/004/017/810/847/original/0bb8c885d06da923.jpeg

2025-03-26 04:09:05 UTC

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I think I figured it out! Here's what I changed.
Frequencies:
let callerFrequencies = [2025, 2225, 2125];
Reverse the bits of each byte:
for (i = binaryStr.length-1; i >= 0; i--) {
The stop bit is a mark (1) and not a space (0):
callOscillator.frequency.setValueAtTime(callerFrequencies[1], timing);
With that, it decodes on my Atari 830 acoustic modem!

2025-03-26 01:19:48 UTC

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From what I can see, this line does correctly convert the ASCII value to binary.
var binaryStr = byte.toString(2).padStart(8,0);
It then adds the start and end bits so that gives us 10 bits (8,N,1).
Maybe there's something else I'm missing?

2025-03-26 01:13:54 UTC

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Thx but I don't think that array is used for the Bell 103 encoding, just the RTTY encoding.
The Bell 103 encoding function does appear to be converting the ASCII to the proper 8-bit binary values, tho.

2025-03-26 00:59:31 UTC

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Thanks, I have it. What I was referring do is contributing changes back via git.