I'm a confused noob, where do I start?!

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I'm a confused noob, where do I start?!

I bought a Replica 1 (Apple 1 Replica) from Briel Computers a little under a year ago and made an awesome case for it, and I've written some programs in BASIC for it, but I want to do more and I don't know where to start! Here are some of my main questions:
1. Is there a way to store programs on the Replica 1?
2. Why is it when I transfer programs from my PC to my Replica 1 that a lot of the code gets jumbled up and typically renders the program unusable?
3. Are there any cool perepherals I can make or get that can make the Replica 1 more fun? I do know how to solder
4. Are there any other cool recommendations you guys have for doing cool stuff with the Replica 1?
5. Any advice?
I am just a 15 yr old with knowledge of programming and only a little knowledge of hardware so please go easy on me!

Thanks for the help! :mac:
Tyler

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Re: I'm a confused noob, where do I start?!

In answering #3, how are you doing the transfer? And also consider that Apple Basic is Tokenized.

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Re: I'm a confused noob, where do I start?!

I bought a Replica 1 (Apple 1 Replica) from Briel Computers a little under a year ago and made an awesome case for it, and I've written some programs in BASIC for it, but I want to do more and I don't know where to start! Here are some of my main questions:
1. Is there a way to store programs on the Replica 1?
2. Why is it when I transfer programs from my PC to my Replica 1 that a lot of the code gets jumbled up and typically renders the program unusable?
3. Are there any cool perepherals I can make or get that can make the Replica 1 more fun? I do know how to solder
4. Are there any other cool recommendations you guys have for doing cool stuff with the Replica 1?
5. Any advice?
I am just a 15 yr old with knowledge of programming and only a little knowledge of hardware so please go easy on me!

Thanks for the help! :mac:
Tyler

Hello Tyler,

1.
did you view this page:
http://dreher.net/?s=projects/CFforApple1&c=projects/CFforApple1/main.php
and read it ?
2.
Keatah just has given the hint abouut the fact of tokenized Apple Basic.....
3. :
have you seen this:
http://www.harrowalsh.de/Elektronik/APPLEBOX/appleboxApple1expansions.htm
related to this topic:
http://www.applefritter.com/content/interest-3-expansion-cards-mimeoapple1
and read it ?
4.
and have you taken a view to:
http://www.applefritter.com/content/mysterious-sync-apple-1-manual-diagnostic-card-apple-1
and read it ?

just some proposals....
sincerely speedyG

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Re: I'm a confused noob, where do I start?!

Well there really are three way to store and load software on a replica-1.

The first and most common is using the serial port and sending and receiving keyboard strokes and video. The issue you may be having is most likely related to your usb to serial adapter and buffering. If you can't disable the buffering (some drivers let you) you may need to add a transmit delay to the sending of data. Something between 10-30 ms per character and maybe 50-100ms per line. You will need to experiment.

The second most common is the use a CFF1A card which will store your data on mass media but will provide a less than vintage feel.

Finally the cassette adapter is a good way to go. The biggest issue is that if you do not have an ATX supply you will need a minor hack to get the ACI working, I put it up a few months ago on the Briel support forum, but basically you steal a negative voltage from the Max232 chip on board. The only issue is that you really can't use the serial concurrently it draws too much current from the max232. You will need to use a ps/2 keyboard. You could also just use a max232 and to create its own supply and leverage the builtin inverter and voltage pump. A perfect little project for the breadboard area. Just note that if you don't use briel's ACI and use the one from a Mimeo, you will need to swap out your EEPROM for a name brand EPROM because the EEPROM causes too much noise for the ACI to work.

I prefer the cassette adapter on my replica-1. More vintage. But then again I have a "tricked" out replica-1 with a white 6502 and a "big blue" giant sprague 5300uf cap to smooth out my supply voltage from my crappy wall wart.

Good luck,
Corey

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Re: I'm a confused noob, where do I start?!

Sorry for sounding like an idiot, but what does tokenized mean?

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Re: I'm a confused noob, where do I start?!

Thanks everyone for the great help. Feel free to hit me in the head for not knowing/finding all of this information. Thanks!

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Re: I'm a confused noob, where do I start?!

I can vouch for the CFFA1, it is an amazing device and made using the Replica 1 so much easier. I had used a serial cable and a USB-Serial converter but that was not optimal as I would often have erros loading longer programs unless I put in large character and line delays which made loading programs take a long time.

With the CFFA1 I simply plugged it in, put in a 2GB CF car, fired up the Replica 1 and entered the CFFA 1 menu. I formatted using the CFFA1 and can now save and load programs with a couple of keystrokes and they dont take long to load at all.

I highly recomend the CFFA1

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Re: I'm a confused noob, where do I start?!

Sorry for sounding like an idiot, but what does tokenized mean?

simple explenation:
if you transmit the command "print" you can do it by ASCII codes "p"+"r"+"i"+"n"+"t"
or if it´s transmitted as Token it`s represented by one single hex-code => "E5"
by definition: a TOKEN is a command that is represented by one single hex-byte

all Apple Basic commands are "reserved words" and therefor they are transmitted as Token....

but the reciever does not understand Tokens and therefor the code gets scrambled because the reciever believes to get ASCII code...

speedyG

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Re: I'm a confused noob, where do I start?!

Oh ok that clears things up a bit. I think that might be part of my problem, thanks for pointing it out.

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Re: I'm a confused noob, where do I start?!

I've heard a lot of good things about the CFFA1 so I think I might get one. It's a little expensive, but hey, seems like its worth the investment. It plugs into the expansion slot right?

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Re: I'm a confused noob, where do I start?!

Yes, and it comes preconfigured for the Replica 1. Just plug it in and insert a CF card, power on the Replica 1 and you are ready to go!

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Re: I'm a confused noob, where do I start?!

I've heard a lot of good things about the CFFA1 so I think I might get one. It's a little expensive, but hey, seems like its worth the investment. It plugs into the expansion slot right?

and there is another realy nice gimmick with the CFFA1 card.....

you may load a normal PC with the software "Ciderpress" and then
- if the CFcard is inserted in a USB-cardreader at the PC -
you may transfer lots of software availiable for the Apple-1 directly
to the CF card and then use it at your replica-1 ...

speedyG

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Re: I'm a confused noob, where do I start?!

Ok, that is way cool. Similar to the feature on the Altair 8800 by Briel Computers, only that uses an SD card. Seems like this will make the Replica 1 much easier to use

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Re: I'm a confused noob, where do I start?!

Confused noob: seems that you're in NY, so I sent you an email about our user group MARCH, where you can meet some other Rep1 and Mimeo owners.

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Re: I'm a confused noob, where do I start?!

For issue #1 you could also use a ram chip that has a little battery in it so it saves when you turn the apple I off.

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Re: I'm a confused noob, where do I start?!

Good Evening All,

I'm not sure about resurecting this thread, but I bought an Apple Computer 1 board from a fellow in Japan earlier this year and I have been thinking about working on it.

Here's the thing; I'm not sure if I should go the "Authentic" route or not.

I would rather build it with newer parts and gain the experience than try to build it to original specs and maybe never finish it.

Comments or suggestions, as usual, are welcome.

Steven Smile

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Re: I'm a confused noob, where do I start?!

Hello Steven,

just to make the decision easy:

if you start the easy way, just order the Apple-1 part kit from Unicorn for 666,00 U.S.Dollars and
put yourself before to the emaillist... with a monthly bonus code you may save another 25,00 Dollar
for any order above 200 bucks.

yeah that´s expensive.... but you then will have the complete set of ICs and all the other stuff....
not that old but as close as possible.....

if you start with correct sockets and datestamped ICs you won´t get it for less than at least 1500 bucks...
and even then it won´t be white ceramic CPU.....

if you get level that high it will require at least 2500 bucks or more.....

and we didn´t even spend a minute time waste thinking about periods required to find correct items......

if you just want to use that box and not build up for legacy to a museum.... the choice should be rather simple.....

speedyG

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