#psion3 — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #psion3, aggregated by home.social.
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New blog post :: https://www.kianryan.co.uk/2024-08-08-cartridge-software-for-the-psion-3/
We take a look at the cartridge software available for the Psion 3 Series devices.
Screenshots from on device, with a description of each.
(This one has taken a while)
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New blog post :: https://www.kianryan.co.uk/2024-08-08-cartridge-software-for-the-psion-3/
We take a look at the cartridge software available for the Psion 3 Series devices.
Screenshots from on device, with a description of each.
(This one has taken a while)
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Continued a bit in Emily Short‘s Bronze. It is very sluggish on the Psion but it’s a very atmospheric game. I have found only two items so far, and it seems the score is the number of rooms explored…?
#interactivefiction #psion #psion3 -
Continued a bit in Emily Short‘s Bronze. It is very sluggish on the Psion but it’s a very atmospheric game. I have found only two items so far, and it seems the score is the number of rooms explored…?
#interactivefiction #psion #psion3 -
How long was it ago that I last picked up Tristam Island? Two things that annoy me a bit: the inventory limit and illogical things. You have to look UNDER the boat and eat the seaweed. Why?? There were no hints that there might be something under the boat!
#interactivefiction #tristamisland #psion3 -
How long was it ago that I last picked up Tristam Island? Two things that annoy me a bit: the inventory limit and illogical things. You have to look UNDER the boat and eat the seaweed. Why?? There were no hints that there might be something under the boat!
#interactivefiction #tristamisland #psion3 -
There'll be a write-up later, but this started out as playing with OPL and ended up as building a full D&D party char stat generator for the Psion 3.
This was all done on (emulated) device with just the docs to hand. The in-built environment is *phenominal*, and makes on-device application development a breeze.
Multiple party members, dice rolls, stat assignment.
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There'll be a write-up later, but this started out as playing with OPL and ended up as building a full D&D party char stat generator for the Psion 3.
This was all done on (emulated) device with just the docs to hand. The in-built environment is *phenominal*, and makes on-device application development a breeze.
Multiple party members, dice rolls, stat assignment.
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A summary of my first impressions of #Psion's object oriented ecosystem for #EPOC16.
TL;DR: It feels janky, but I'm also a noob. Plus what about Objective-C?
I'm certain there's loads that I've missed with this. Do feel free to comment with constructive information.
#retrocomputing #retrodev #ObjectOriented #OOP #OO #ObjectiveC #programming #16bit #oldtech #smalltalk #epoc #psion3
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A summary of my first impressions of #Psion's object oriented ecosystem for #EPOC16.
TL;DR: It feels janky, but I'm also a noob. Plus what about Objective-C?
I'm certain there's loads that I've missed with this. Do feel free to comment with constructive information.
#retrocomputing #retrodev #ObjectOriented #OOP #OO #ObjectiveC #programming #16bit #oldtech #smalltalk #epoc #psion3
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Of course, if you want truly era-appropriate, genuine #Psion artwork, look no further than these gems.
(cc @blogmywiki)
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Of course, if you want truly era-appropriate, genuine #Psion artwork, look no further than these gems.
(cc @blogmywiki)
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I'll also be making a "2.21" with a few fixes, such as checking for includes properly.
I'm going to boldly say that my 2.21 version is the one you should use, but of course I'll distribute the older versions. I've definitely had projects that will compile with 2.00 but not with 2.20. I think these projects are more likely to compile with 2.21.
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I'll also be making a "2.21" with a few fixes, such as checking for includes properly.
I'm going to boldly say that my 2.21 version is the one you should use, but of course I'll distribute the older versions. I've definitely had projects that will compile with 2.00 but not with 2.20. I think these projects are more likely to compile with 2.21.
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#Psion poll!
I'm going to make a video about how to install the SIBO C SDK in #DOSBox, so that people can compile apps for #EPOC16 computers (Series 3/3a/3c/3mx, Siena, Workabout, MC range).
If you are one of the tiny number of people who might be interested in using this, which modern OS do you use?
I want to know so that I can tailor the tutorial.
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#Psion poll!
I'm going to make a video about how to install the SIBO C SDK in #DOSBox, so that people can compile apps for #EPOC16 computers (Series 3/3a/3c/3mx, Siena, Workabout, MC range).
If you are one of the tiny number of people who might be interested in using this, which modern OS do you use?
I want to know so that I can tailor the tutorial.
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I keep wondering whether to add a switch for the 5V Vbackup line to the SSD. It's there as an alterative to the on-board battery backup for RAM SSDs. It's not connected on ROM and Flash SSDs. Would it be useful to be able to turn it off? Not sure.
Allegedly Vbackup can also be used as an interrupt for peripherals on the 3a/c/mx by pulling it low. But AFAIK no SSD-sized peripherals exist (yet), so it was never used.
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I keep wondering whether to add a switch for the 5V Vbackup line to the SSD. It's there as an alterative to the on-board battery backup for RAM SSDs. It's not connected on ROM and Flash SSDs. Would it be useful to be able to turn it off? Not sure.
Allegedly Vbackup can also be used as an interrupt for peripherals on the 3a/c/mx by pulling it low. But AFAIK no SSD-sized peripherals exist (yet), so it was never used.
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Has anyone done any flex cable design in #KiCad?
I'm just thinking about a future project. I'd like to draw up a #Psion Series 3a/c/mx ribbon cable. I know places like PCBWay and JLCPCB will make them to order.
The second thing to go on a SIBO PDA is the ribbon cable (the first being, of course, the hinges). I think we need an open source one.
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Has anyone done any flex cable design in #KiCad?
I'm just thinking about a future project. I'd like to draw up a #Psion Series 3a/c/mx ribbon cable. I know places like PCBWay and JLCPCB will make them to order.
The second thing to go on a SIBO PDA is the ribbon cable (the first being, of course, the hinges). I think we need an open source one.
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@thelastpsion Is it possible to make your own series 3a/3c serial cable? Was trying to find info online but can't really find much #psion3 #psion #retrocomputing
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@thelastpsion Is it possible to make your own series 3a/3c serial cable? Was trying to find info online but can't really find much #psion3 #psion #retrocomputing
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#Psion fans! Which machine(s) do you own?
Please reply to this post with more details:
- Exactly which machine(s)?
- Do you use it/them regularly?
- What do you use it/them for?
- Anything else you'd like to add.#retrocomputing #Psion3 #Psion3a #Psion5 #Psion5mx #MC400 #Organiser #permacomputing
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#Psion fans! Which machine(s) do you own?
Please reply to this post with more details:
- Exactly which machine(s)?
- Do you use it/them regularly?
- What do you use it/them for?
- Anything else you'd like to add.#retrocomputing #Psion3 #Psion3a #Psion5 #Psion5mx #MC400 #Organiser #permacomputing
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Was thinking of making a video this weekend on installing #PsiWin in a WinXP VM and use a USB-RS232 adapter. Turns out someone's beaten me to it!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkMYmOT3qzs
Two things I'd like to add.
- PL2303 USB-RS232 adapters work best. I use a UGREEN one. A link to the driver is at the top of this page (works fine in XP): https://www.prolific.com.tw/US/ShowProduct.aspx?p_id=225&pcid=41
- The link to PsiWin in the video's description is dead. Use this instead: https://www.garethjmsaunders.co.uk/2021/03/09/where-to-download-psiwin-2-3-3/ -
Was thinking of making a video this weekend on installing #PsiWin in a WinXP VM and use a USB-RS232 adapter. Turns out someone's beaten me to it!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkMYmOT3qzs
Two things I'd like to add.
- PL2303 USB-RS232 adapters work best. I use a UGREEN one. A link to the driver is at the top of this page (works fine in XP): https://www.prolific.com.tw/US/ShowProduct.aspx?p_id=225&pcid=41
- The link to PsiWin in the video's description is dead. Use this instead: https://www.garethjmsaunders.co.uk/2021/03/09/where-to-download-psiwin-2-3-3/ -
For now I'm only focusing on making something that generates FEFS24 images (24-bit pointers). That covers 99.99% of #Psion Flash and ROM SSDs.
I've only ever seen a handful of very early (1989) Type I Flash SSDs using FEFS32, and they were made by Psion themselves for the #MC200 and #MC400.
Once I've nailed FEFS24, FEFS32 will be much easier.
RAM SSDs use #FAT12, so that's a whole different ballgame. So far I've just used mtools to generate working FAT12 volumes.
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Anyone remember the Graphic Adventure Creator?
Originally made for the #Amstrad #CPC, my experience of it was from a #YourSinclair covertape.
Anyway, it's been on my list to attempt porting it to #Psion #EPOC16 for ages. It's not top priority, but the machine is perfectly designed for playing #textadventure games (see @root42's escapades with #Infocom).
Be great if it could decompile and play old games, too.
#retrocomputing #Psion3 #adventure
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphic_Adventure_Creator
https://gac.interface1.net/ -
Anyone remember the Graphic Adventure Creator?
Originally made for the #Amstrad #CPC, my experience of it was from a #YourSinclair covertape.
Anyway, it's been on my list to attempt porting it to #Psion #EPOC16 for ages. It's not top priority, but the machine is perfectly designed for playing #textadventure games (see @root42's escapades with #Infocom).
Be great if it could decompile and play old games, too.
#retrocomputing #Psion3 #adventure
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphic_Adventure_Creator
https://gac.interface1.net/ -
Well, that keyboard membrane lasted all of 10 minutes. It was so sensitive that I was accidentally hitting a load of keys, and some keys were triggering twice.
I've just put in the membrane from my old 3mx - less than 5 minutes to swap out. It feels a lot more "definite". It needs a little more force, but it's easier to be accurate.
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#Psion pro tip: Although the backup battery in the 3c and 3mx is meant to be a CR2025, the trusty CR2032 will also fit snugly. I've been using them for years and never had a problem.
Handy if you want a little peace of mind for when your 2x AAs run out, or if you're a computer monkey like me with a stash of motherboard batteries.
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And we're done! Behold my new #DailyDriver.
Mods:
- Lid portion of hinge reinforced with JB Weld
- Swapped out "questionnaire" touchbar for the regular 3c/mx one
- Swapped out EL panel for newer one with better colourThe keyboard membrane feels a bit mushier than on my previous 3mx. I'll give this one a go for a few days, but I might swap it out.
The screen contrast is low by default, but increasing it 4 steps makes it usable.
Otherwise, I'm happy with it. 😊
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One of the hardest bits when putting together a #Psion Series 3 of any type: the springs. They're frustratingly tight to fit. You have to slot part of it into a tiny hole, but you're forced to push it in at an angle. You then have to fit the loop onto the back of the touchbar, while making sure the other end of the spring is in a good enough place. Then you have to clip that end of the spring into a slot. Do it wrong, and you could easily snap ageing ABS plastic.
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One of the hardest bits when putting together a #Psion Series 3 of any type: the springs. They're frustratingly tight to fit. You have to slot part of it into a tiny hole, but you're forced to push it in at an angle. You then have to fit the loop onto the back of the touchbar, while making sure the other end of the spring is in a good enough place. Then you have to clip that end of the spring into a slot. Do it wrong, and you could easily snap ageing ABS plastic.
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I also took the opportunity to try to fix my old daily driver 3mx's hinge.
A slightly bent pin split the ring part of the hinge. I've already tried to plastic glue the split part - there's no force directly on that part, so hopefully that will be strong enough. Right now I'm just re-attaching the hinge.
It's a bit of a mess and it might be too far gone for it to be reliable, but it's worth giving it a go.
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I also took the opportunity to try to fix my old daily driver 3mx's hinge.
A slightly bent pin split the ring part of the hinge. I've already tried to plastic glue the split part - there's no force directly on that part, so hopefully that will be strong enough. Right now I'm just re-attaching the hinge.
It's a bit of a mess and it might be too far gone for it to be reliable, but it's worth giving it a go.
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Well, here's the lid, waiting to dry. I'll put the 3mx back together tomorrow evening. Hopefully that will be enough JB Weld to prevent the delicate 25-year-old ABS plastic from tearing like Play-Doh, at least for a little while.
I could also do with a more protective case than the leather one. I'll have to keep an eye out on eBay.
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Well, here's the lid, waiting to dry. I'll put the 3mx back together tomorrow evening. Hopefully that will be enough JB Weld to prevent the delicate 25-year-old ABS plastic from tearing like Play-Doh, at least for a little while.
I could also do with a more protective case than the leather one. I'll have to keep an eye out on eBay.
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More hinge photos, this time comparing a good hinge with one that's snapped off.
As you can see, it's snapped a little further along than the corner, so I think I'm going to add enough epoxy to cover the space below the screw-hole, just to be on the safe side.
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More hinge photos, this time comparing a good hinge with one that's snapped off.
As you can see, it's snapped a little further along than the corner, so I think I'm going to add enough epoxy to cover the space below the screw-hole, just to be on the safe side.
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Broken hinges on Series 3 machines are very fiddly to repair. Positioning them so that they line up correctly, then propping them at the right angle so that the broken part doesn't move, is incredibly frustrating.
It's much easier to add the epoxy before the break happens. Prevent!
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Broken hinges on Series 3 machines are very fiddly to repair. Positioning them so that they line up correctly, then propping them at the right angle so that the broken part doesn't move, is incredibly frustrating.
It's much easier to add the epoxy before the break happens. Prevent!
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Through the back door we find the accordionist and he tells us the lone morrisman lost his handkerchief.
#interactivefiction #psion3 -
Through the back door we find the accordionist and he tells us the lone morrisman lost his handkerchief.
#interactivefiction #psion3 -
It turns out with the right proposition („over“), we can actually slide along the wire using the towel.
#interactivefiction #psion3 -
It turns out with the right proposition („over“), we can actually slide along the wire using the towel.
#interactivefiction #psion3 -
New Blog Post :: Connecting Your RC2014 to a Psion 5MX, Psion 3 or other RS232 Terminal.
https://www.kianryan.co.uk/2023-06-22-connecting-rc2014-to-psion-or-other-rs232-terminal/
We take two generations of Psion handhelds, and using a RS232 to TTL converter, connect them up to the RC2014 Z80 computer to use as terminals. Instructions given to replicate.
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New Blog Post :: Connecting Your RC2014 to a Psion 5MX, Psion 3 or other RS232 Terminal.
https://www.kianryan.co.uk/2023-06-22-connecting-rc2014-to-psion-or-other-rs232-terminal/
We take two generations of Psion handhelds, and using a RS232 to TTL converter, connect them up to the RC2014 Z80 computer to use as terminals. Instructions given to replicate.
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Time for another #PunyInform title. This time it’s „Morris“ by Dee Cooke.
You are in a pub and outside is a parade of Morris dancers, which you hate. So how do you get out of the pub then…?
https://ifdb.org/viewgame?id=7x6fjua7uixmfn2x
#interactivefiction #psion3 -
Time for another #PunyInform title. This time it’s „Morris“ by Dee Cooke.
You are in a pub and outside is a parade of Morris dancers, which you hate. So how do you get out of the pub then…?
https://ifdb.org/viewgame?id=7x6fjua7uixmfn2x
#interactivefiction #psion3