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Looking for a collaborator

Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2018 9:24 am
by mz-80a
Hi all,

I have been working on my own Fast Loader project for the MZ-80A. It works pretty well. It is targeted towards unmodified machines, so stock MZ-80As. No additional hardware needed. It works pretty well at 2x speed (about the best I can get out of the MZ hardware, I think the problem with going faster is due to the quality of the analogue to digital converter rather than the 8255 itself). What I need is someone who can convert the program to the MZ-700 while retaining compatibility with the MZ-80 (full credits given to you in the physical release as well). If anyone would like to get involved with this then please let me know. If we work together than I will naturally provide current source code file and documentation. It'd be nice to get this project finished soon as I have some nice ideas for how the physical product will look and I want to just get it out there for people to try.

Thanks!

Re: Looking for a collaborator

Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2018 9:58 am
by hlide
Do you want the same fast loader for MZ-700? working with a genuine tape drive? Mine is not working but my Arduino can emulate a genuine one very easily so I can help you in this regard. From what I understand, you want to adapt your code so it can work on MZ-700, don't you? Not a big deal, I can do that. The tape drive of my MZ-800 works so I can even plug it on my MZ-700. And, of course, I also have an MZ-80 K if you also want an adaptation too.

Re: Looking for a collaborator

Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2018 10:00 am
by hlide
And if you're not against open source, you could also put your final source and documentation in GitHub SHARPENTIERS and be a member.

Re: Looking for a collaborator

Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2018 10:20 am
by mz-80a
I'm not sure about the open source thing yet. The end product will be a rather nice looking physical release which will be sold (plus free download) through my Sharpworks store. I've put a lot of time and energy so far into this (although development has stalled for a while). I will think about it though. There's probably no harm in open sourcing it. Yes, basically, I need this program to work on the MZ-700. It'd be useful to have another pair of eyes on my source code to see if there's something I could be doing better anyway. But the basic side of the collaboration is to ensure that the timings of reading from the cassette work out to be the same as the MZ-80 so that the tapes from an MZ-80 can be read on the 700 and vice versa. I do have an MZ-80K so will be trying it on that soon. Let me know if you're interested.

Re: Looking for a collaborator

Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2018 10:21 am
by mz-80a
I was thinking of giving away the source code anyway with purchases of the physical release.

Re: Looking for a collaborator

Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2018 10:54 am
by hlide
I can help you whatever your decision. You said it is a physical product: you mean like a ROM to insert?

If so, be aware that MZ-80 K and MZ-700 may not have a socket for the $E800-$EFFF area. I think it is specifical to MZ-80 A.

Re: Looking for a collaborator

Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2018 11:18 am
by mz-80a
I know all that :) Yes, the physical release is a cassette + User ROM. (I wasn't going to give that away yet, but it doesn't really matter). That'd be great if you could help! I'll be in contact.

Re: Looking for a collaborator

Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2018 1:45 pm
by mz-80a
I've nearly finished the documentation and can share with you very soon, probably in the next day or two. Thanks for offering to help!

Re: Looking for a collaborator

Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2018 7:01 pm
by hlide
I'm looking forward to seeing more ;).

Re: Looking for a collaborator

Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2018 9:43 am
by mz-80a
Just sent you a private message here :) (in case you don't have notifications switched on)