Post B4WDcRaKMdBmclIEZk by soapdog@toot.cafe
(DIR) More posts by soapdog@toot.cafe
(DIR) Post #B4W4Cpt0UUEOsPkE5o by mntmn@mastodon.social
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idea i wish i had time for: a little pcb that converts any old computer (8/16/32bit) into a network terminal UI to interface with any modern CRUD/database/API (i imagine a library of community developed software adapters that run on that pcb or on a server), so any old machine could be used for speedy data lookup/entry.
(DIR) Post #B4W4NFNSZOq2pdx9bk by mntmn@mastodon.social
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parts of this already exist of course, for all retro platforms there are serial- or bus-to-net/wifi adapters, there are BBS style gateways for the web, frogfind etc. but i don't know of a toolkit to make these talk to something like inventree over API
(DIR) Post #B4W4Y6wUGtk3rAW88m by mntmn@mastodon.social
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the most comfy way would be if the thing would bring its own ROM with the software that's needed, and which renders the (T)UI. for c64 this would be an expansion port cartridge, for amiga zz9000 could easily do this, on PCs it could be an ISA/PCI card, for classic Mac NuBus etc
(DIR) Post #B4W4n0AviIj1DFNCIS by mntmn@mastodon.social
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the only downside is that the old machines use a lot more power than modern laptops/tablets, especially the CRTs, and they take more space. so you'd need to do a calculation of electricity cost and CO2 exhaust of keeping an old machine running vs the cost of trashing it and using a new machine
(DIR) Post #B4W4wQ1Czxx3yDJgDw by andi@snac.sonnenmulde.at
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The best starting point would probably something like the https://fujinet.online/ because it enjoys the widest adoption across many retro platforms.#retrocomputing #fujinet
(DIR) Post #B4W4wQDyEW9ybnHs7E by mntmn@mastodon.social
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@andi right, that was the name, thanks! there's also Plato, not sure if related
(DIR) Post #B4W59lv8sV59fAqWiu by mntmn@mastodon.social
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i imagine the UI a bit like this, or like old filemaker https://www.visidata.org/
(DIR) Post #B4W6fkb5QyLCmNHHxA by invernomut0@mastodon.uno
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@mntmn I don’t think that even some years of a digital device consuming 5kWh/day can offset the amount of CO2 necessary to dispose and recycle an old device and allow production of a new one.
(DIR) Post #B4W6gqV4yJwLNQzS1w by gentooza@mastodon.social
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@mntmn well what are we really saying when talking about energy?Only the plug current?The petrol and water needed for designing , making and transportation of new hardware?The minerals extraction? The wars related to this? The ecological damage?Now there are less manufacturers than before, achieving competitive top edge technology. This is more closed source firmware, less social justice, more techno-billioners... This count as energy?Truly it's a debate
(DIR) Post #B4W7OCiqE86wkW6OfY by mntmn@mastodon.social
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@gentooza in terms of energy, lets only look at the running cost, and lets assume green energy. in terms of CO2, i think there should be calculators for new devices (i'm sure they're not perfect, but can maybe give an indication).
(DIR) Post #B4W7XUtk1F4xj7dEcy by mntmn@mastodon.social
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@invernomut0 right, that's also my feeling
(DIR) Post #B4WDcRaKMdBmclIEZk by soapdog@toot.cafe
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@mntmn couldn’t something pretending to be a serial modem be able to achieve this for all platforms at once? Just using serial comms and ansi escape codes or the equivalent terminal codes for the platform?
(DIR) Post #B4WGHfQG1LwJK1Mq6S by tehfishman@ioc.exchange
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@mntmn @invernomut0 But the vibes would be unassailable.
(DIR) Post #B4WXDktlPynGMqtCQy by Life_is@no-pony.farm
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@mntmn@mastodon.socialThe idea is certainly original. But I don’t see the point. 95 per cent of people always have a smartphone with them. The idea could be implemented as software on those. The other 5 per cent of people are either computer-shy or, for other reasons, unable to use a computer. So they wouldn’t benefit from it either. On the other hand, more and more information displays are now appearing at bus stops and train platforms in Germany. These feature an e-paper display in a reinforced casing and a battery that lasts four years. They cost €4,000 each. Building something similar more cheaply using discarded e-paper devices would be a useful project. This would also benefit those who avoid computers, as it has the look and feel of a standard paper notice.
(DIR) Post #B4WychGUlGb16JdgtE by mntmn@mastodon.social
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@soapdog depends on the system/connection speed. even TUIs are quite slow at low baud rates. also you probably want at least partial unicode (?)
(DIR) Post #B4WyfLHYwutbn7OrK4 by mntmn@mastodon.social
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@samtygier thx! that's quite interesting
(DIR) Post #B4WyhUlGg2gRllJxaa by mntmn@mastodon.social
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@soapdog (i.e. c64 user port has 9600 baud max iirc, expansion port can do much more of course. amiga serial port i think max 56kbaud?)
(DIR) Post #B4XqlqKrnm1NMbUhhA by soapdog@toot.cafe
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@mntmn yeah they can be slow af. I was just wondering about it cause a serial modem is something you can just wip up on a protoboard and is easier to experiment with to test a concept. I think I can build one, but I could never build an internal expansion card, haven't put any points into that skill :3 Might attempt to build the serial version and test it with my eMate 300 =^.^=