[cctalk] Re: Nova and Eclipse Emulator beta release

[Jay Logue via cctalk]

Thanks for doing this!  I do have a few questions regarding emulator 
software:


- You mention that the emulator combines "the SimH project structure" 
with Wild Hare's commercial code.  I take this to mean that the emulator 
is an extension of simh to support the listed DG processors and 
devices.  Can you clarify which version (and ideally commit id) of simh 
is this based on?


- I noticed that the license document available on the dgbeta 
 page only covers the legacy 
software produced by DG.  Given the inclusion of commercial code in the 
simh executables, can you clarify what license the emulator binaries are 
released under? (Ideally this would be published along side the legacy 
license text).


- Do you envision at some point publishing the simh emulator changes as 
a pull request to the simh project (presumably under the simh license)?


Again, thank you for your efforts here.  It's great to see this software 
opened up to hobbyist use.

--Jay


On 11/10/2022 5:47 PM, Bruce Ray via cctalk wrote:


Wild Hare Computer Systems is pleased to announce the public beta 
release of its Data General Nova and Eclipse emulator.


This emulator allows the full range of DG 16-bit Nova and Eclipse 
computer software to run on Microsoft Windows and Linux platforms, and 
will become a major part of Wild Hare's increased efforts to preserve 
Data General's significant contributions to computer history.


The emulator combines portions of Wild Hare's commercial products with 
the SimH project structure to create a single emulator for the 16-bit 
Nova and Eclipse computers.  The program supports a wide range of 
features, including:


Processors:

    unmapped Nova, SuperNova, Nova 1200, Nova 800, Nova 2, Nova 3, Nova 4
    mapped Nova 840
    mapped Nova 3/D
    mapped Nova 4/X
    Eclipse S/130
    Eclipse S/140
    Eclipse S/150
    Eclipse S/120
    Eclipse Desktop Generation Model 20 and Model 30


Peripherals:

    TTI/TTO    primary console (TeleType) input/output
    RTC    real-time clock
    TTI1/TTO1    secondary console (TeleType) input/output
    PTR    paper tape reader
    PTP    paper tape punch
    PLT    plotter
    LPT    line printer
    MTA    mag tape unit
    DSK    fixed-head disks
    DKP    moving head disks
    DEP    Desktop Generation disks
    DZP    popular "Zebra" moving head disks
    QTY    4060 "Quad" asynchronous multiplexers
    ALM    4255 Asynchronous Line Multiplexers


Software:

    Operating Systems

    DOS    Novas (first DOS written for Nova)
    URDOS    RDOS for Novas and Eclipses (in unmapped mode)
    MRDOS    RDOS for Mapped Nova 840
    NRDOS    RDOS for Mapped Nova 3/D and Nova 4/X
    ZRDOS    RDOS for Mapped Eclipses
    MP/OS    Nova 4
    DG/RDOS    Eclipses
    AOS    Eclipses
    MP/AOS    Eclipses

    Languages

    ASM (Assembler)
    MAC (Macro Assembler)
    ALGOL
    DG/L
    FORTRAN 4
    FORTRAN 5
    FORTRAN 77
    Extended BASIC
    Business BASIC
    MP Pascal
    SP Pascal
    COBOL
    Interactive COBOL (ICOBOL)
    PL/1
    RPG II
    IDEA
    INFOS II
    CEO

Prior Data General knowledge is beneficial to using the emulator and 
corresponding DG software.  For convenience, Wild Hare has created 
container files of pre-configured operating system environments and 
their corresponding languages to minimize the time needed to enjoy the 
full DG "experience".


This "beta-level" software release is intended to gather user feedback 
to help guide future product development.  Bug reports, comments, 
suggestions, ridicule and giggles can be sent to 
b...@wildharecomputers.com.


Further information is contained in the emulator beta release web page:

www.NovasAreForever.org/dgbeta



Bruce Ray
Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc.
Denver, Colorado USA
b...@wildharecomputers.com

...preserving the Data General legacy: www.NovasAreForever.org

[cctalk] Re: Seeking a Sun monitor with 13W3 interface

[D. Olsson via cctalk]

Hi,

I really appreciate the reply! What an amazing community and mailing list here 
for keeping retro computing alive!

> I have a GDM1604B40 monitor (Sony Trinitron design) with a 13W3 connector.
> I don't know if it works or not.

I'm glad to hear there still are some out there! :) 

> It is missing the on/off switch which I
> borrowed to repair my DEC VR297.

Not ideal that it's missing the on/off switch. But it does sounds like it was 
worth it for saving a DEC VR297 :) Good one!

> It is located on the east coast of Ireland on the EU side of the border.
> It weighs about 28kg.


I'm located in France. So Ireland isn't the ideal location from here :) But 
I've made a note and will reach out again unless I find a whole/complete 
monitor within driving distance from France :)

Thanks again!

Best regards,

DO.

[cctalk] Inline Serial Device?

[W2HX via cctalk]

Hello all,

I am looking for a device that sits transparently in an RS-232 serial line and 
upon seeing a particular code go over the serial line ((or sequence of codes) 
will actual a relay (or a transistor). Something with two DB25s or DE9s and is 
configurable to what code will trigger the output? Some kind of box?

Does anyone know of such a thing? I guess it could be cobbled up with a 
microcontroller, but hoping to just get something "off the shelf."
Thank you

73 Eugene W2HX
Subscribe to my Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@w2hx

[cctalk] Re: Inline Serial Device?

[Bill Degnan via cctalk]

not that it's easy but a raspberry pi could be set up to watch the serial
line.

On Fri, Nov 11, 2022 at 4:16 PM W2HX via cctalk 
wrote:

> Hello all,
>
> I am looking for a device that sits transparently in an RS-232 serial line
> and upon seeing a particular code go over the serial line ((or sequence of
> codes) will actual a relay (or a transistor). Something with two DB25s or
> DE9s and is configurable to what code will trigger the output? Some kind of
> box?
>
> Does anyone know of such a thing? I guess it could be cobbled up with a
> microcontroller, but hoping to just get something "off the shelf."
> Thank you
>
> 73 Eugene W2HX
> Subscribe to my Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@w2hx
>
>
>
>
>

[cctalk] Re: Inline Serial Device?

[Nigel Johnson Ham via cctalk]

Or even cheaper, and Arduino uno

cheers,

Nigel


Nigel Johnson, MSc., MIEEE, MCSE VE3ID/G4AJQ/VA3MCU
Amateur Radio, the origin of the open-source concept!
Skype:  TILBURY2591


On 2022-11-11 16:24, Bill Degnan via cctalk wrote:

not that it's easy but a raspberry pi could be set up to watch the serial
line.

On Fri, Nov 11, 2022 at 4:16 PM W2HX via cctalk
wrote:


Hello all,

I am looking for a device that sits transparently in an RS-232 serial line
and upon seeing a particular code go over the serial line ((or sequence of
codes) will actual a relay (or a transistor). Something with two DB25s or
DE9s and is configurable to what code will trigger the output? Some kind of
box?

Does anyone know of such a thing? I guess it could be cobbled up with a
microcontroller, but hoping to just get something "off the shelf."
Thank you

73 Eugene W2HX
Subscribe to my Youtube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/@w2hx

[cctalk] Re: Inline Serial Device?

[Fred Cisin via cctalk]

Something quite similar, . . .  (probably a hassle to switch over) I had a 
KVM switch, that permitted two computers to share one keyboard mouse, 
monitor, and speakers. DE15, two USB ports and a headphone jack (IOGear 
GCS632U?)  It apparently watched for a hotkey from the keyboard to 
activate switching.


I replaced it with one that had a physical pushbutton for switching (would 
have preferred a DT switch, with visible positions, so that you know which 
one is selected, not bouncing back and forth until it's what you want)




On Fri, 11 Nov 2022, W2HX via cctalk wrote:


Hello all,

I am looking for a device that sits transparently in an RS-232 serial line and 
upon seeing a particular code go over the serial line ((or sequence of codes) 
will actual a relay (or a transistor). Something with two DB25s or DE9s and is 
configurable to what code will trigger the output? Some kind of box?

Does anyone know of such a thing? I guess it could be cobbled up with a microcontroller, 
but hoping to just get something "off the shelf."
Thank you

73 Eugene W2HX
Subscribe to my Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@w2hx

[cctalk] Re: Inline Serial Device?

[Paul Koning via cctalk]

Perhaps cheaper still, a Raspberry Pico.  Those go for $4, which even for the 
smaller Arduinos is hard to beat.

paul

> On Nov 11, 2022, at 4:29 PM, Nigel Johnson Ham via cctalk 
>  wrote:
> 
> Or even cheaper, and Arduino uno
> 
> cheers,
> 
> Nigel
> 
> 
> Nigel Johnson, MSc., MIEEE, MCSE VE3ID/G4AJQ/VA3MCU
> Amateur Radio, the origin of the open-source concept!
> Skype:  TILBURY2591
> 
> 
> On 2022-11-11 16:24, Bill Degnan via cctalk wrote:
>> not that it's easy but a raspberry pi could be set up to watch the serial
>> line.
>> 
>> On Fri, Nov 11, 2022 at 4:16 PM W2HX via cctalk
>> wrote:
>> 
>>> Hello all,
>>> 
>>> I am looking for a device that sits transparently in an RS-232 serial line
>>> and upon seeing a particular code go over the serial line ((or sequence of
>>> codes) will actual a relay (or a transistor). Something with two DB25s or
>>> DE9s and is configurable to what code will trigger the output? Some kind of
>>> box?
>>> 
>>> Does anyone know of such a thing? I guess it could be cobbled up with a
>>> microcontroller, but hoping to just get something "off the shelf."
>>> Thank you
>>> 
>>> 73 Eugene W2HX
>>> Subscribe to my Youtube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/@w2hx
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 

[cctalk] Re: Inline Serial Device?

[Fred Cisin via cctalk]

Or even cheaper, a dumpstered/e-waste PC

On Fri, 11 Nov 2022, Nigel Johnson Ham via cctalk wrote:


Or even cheaper, and Arduino uno

cheers,

Nigel


Nigel Johnson, MSc., MIEEE, MCSE VE3ID/G4AJQ/VA3MCU
Amateur Radio, the origin of the open-source concept!
Skype:  TILBURY2591


On 2022-11-11 16:24, Bill Degnan via cctalk wrote:

not that it's easy but a raspberry pi could be set up to watch the serial
line.

On Fri, Nov 11, 2022 at 4:16 PM W2HX via cctalk
wrote:


Hello all,

I am looking for a device that sits transparently in an RS-232 serial line
and upon seeing a particular code go over the serial line ((or sequence of
codes) will actual a relay (or a transistor). Something with two DB25s or
DE9s and is configurable to what code will trigger the output? Some kind 
of

box?

Does anyone know of such a thing? I guess it could be cobbled up with a
microcontroller, but hoping to just get something "off the shelf."
Thank you

73 Eugene W2HX
Subscribe to my Youtube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/@w2hx

[cctalk] Re: Inline Serial Device?

[Chuck Guzis via cctalk]

I suspect that a cheap minimal MCU could not only do the job, but do it
by scavenging power from the RS232 signal lines (like old serial mice
did).  It's really surprising how miserly these things can be with power
requirements nowadays.

I keep a big jar around that's full of blue- and black pill MCU boards,
as well as a few of the more capable STM32F4 and F7 boards.Nowadays,
everything seems to look like a job for an MCU.

I recall that a couple of years ago, either ED or EDN had an open
question about whether it was preferable to replace NE555s with small
MCUs--the parts price between the two being negligible.

--Chuck

[cctalk] Re: Inline Serial Device?

[Wayne S via cctalk]

Black box may have something. They had something similar where you could call 
in via phone and activate a switch to reboot a computer.

Sent from my iPhone

> On Nov 11, 2022, at 13:40, Fred Cisin via cctalk  
> wrote:
> 
> Or even cheaper, a dumpstered/e-waste PC
> 
>> On Fri, 11 Nov 2022, Nigel Johnson Ham via cctalk wrote:
>> 
>> Or even cheaper, and Arduino uno
>> 
>> cheers,
>> 
>> Nigel
>> 
>> 
>> Nigel Johnson, MSc., MIEEE, MCSE VE3ID/G4AJQ/VA3MCU
>> Amateur Radio, the origin of the open-source concept!
>> Skype:  TILBURY2591
>> 
>> 
>>> On 2022-11-11 16:24, Bill Degnan via cctalk wrote:
>>> not that it's easy but a raspberry pi could be set up to watch the serial
>>> line.
>>> On Fri, Nov 11, 2022 at 4:16 PM W2HX via cctalk
>>> wrote:
 Hello all,
 I am looking for a device that sits transparently in an RS-232 serial line
 and upon seeing a particular code go over the serial line ((or sequence of
 codes) will actual a relay (or a transistor). Something with two DB25s or
 DE9s and is configurable to what code will trigger the output? Some kind of
 box?
 Does anyone know of such a thing? I guess it could be cobbled up with a
 microcontroller, but hoping to just get something "off the shelf."
 Thank you
 73 Eugene W2HX
 Subscribe to my Youtube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/@w2hx

[cctalk] Re: Inline Serial Device?

[Fred Cisin via cctalk]

On Fri, 11 Nov 2022, Chuck Guzis via cctalk wrote:

I keep a big jar around that's full of blue- and black pill MCU boards,
as well as a few of the more capable STM32F4 and F7 boards.Nowadays,
everything seems to look like a job for an MCU.



The MCU has replaced the hammer!
. . . "To a man with a HAMMER|(big jar of blue and black pill MCUs), 
everything looks like a NAIL|(job for an MCU)"

[cctalk] Re: Inline Serial Device?

[Wayne S via cctalk]

Something like this…

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Box-Corporation-Modified-SWED98174-Cos-II-Code-Operated-Serial-Switcher-/165759564735?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0


Sent from my iPhone

On Nov 11, 2022, at 14:00, Fred Cisin via cctalk  wrote:

On Fri, 11 Nov 2022, Chuck Guzis via cctalk wrote:
I keep a big jar around that's full of blue- and black pill MCU boards,
as well as a few of the more capable STM32F4 and F7 boards.Nowadays,
everything seems to look like a job for an MCU.


The MCU has replaced the hammer!
. . . "To a man with a HAMMER|(big jar of blue and black pill MCUs), everything 
looks like a NAIL|(job for an MCU)"

[cctalk] Re: Inline Serial Device?

[Chuck Guzis via cctalk]

On 11/11/22 14:00, Fred Cisin via cctalk wrote:
> On Fri, 11 Nov 2022, Chuck Guzis via cctalk wrote:
>> I keep a big jar around that's full of blue- and black pill MCU boards,
>> as well as a few of the more capable STM32F4 and F7 boards.    Nowadays,
>> everything seems to look like a job for an MCU.
> 
> 
> The MCU has replaced the hammer!
> . . . "To a man with a HAMMER|(big jar of blue and black pill MCUs),
> everything looks like a NAIL|(job for an MCU)"

Probably true--there are commodity light bulbs and flashlights with MCUs
in them.  The price of the Chinese OTP ones has dropped to a few
cents--less than a package of chewing gum.

"Silicon is cheap" is the motto of our times.

--Chuck

[cctalk] Re: Inline Serial Device?

[W2HX via cctalk]

Thanks to everyone who responded. And thanks to Wayne for the black box 
suggestion. I have actually been thinking about that very product. What it does 
is switch a master port to one of several other ports. Not far from what I'm 
seeking. I was thinking of buying one of these and hacking it to trigger a 
relay instead of a change of port. But before I went down that path, I thought 
I'd ask if anyone knew something more fit for purpose. Seems not and either 
this black box unit with a hack or a mcu might be my options.

Thanks all!


73 Eugene W2HX
Subscribe to my Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@w2hx

-Original Message-
From: Wayne S via cctalk  
Sent: Friday, November 11, 2022 5:08 PM
To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts 
Cc: Wayne S 
Subject: [cctalk] Re: Inline Serial Device?

Something like this…

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Box-Corporation-Modified-SWED98174-Cos-II-Code-Operated-Serial-Switcher-/165759564735?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0


Sent from my iPhone

On Nov 11, 2022, at 14:00, Fred Cisin via cctalk  wrote:

On Fri, 11 Nov 2022, Chuck Guzis via cctalk wrote:
I keep a big jar around that's full of blue- and black pill MCU boards,
as well as a few of the more capable STM32F4 and F7 boards.Nowadays,
everything seems to look like a job for an MCU.


The MCU has replaced the hammer!
. . . "To a man with a HAMMER|(big jar of blue and black pill MCUs), everything 
looks like a NAIL|(job for an MCU)"

[cctalk] Re: Inline Serial Device?

[Bill Gunshannon via cctalk]

On 11/11/22 16:24, Bill Degnan via cctalk wrote:

not that it's easy but a raspberry pi could be set up to watch the serial
line.


Probably overkill.  I think it could be done with an arduino.

bill

[cctalk] Re: Inline Serial Device?

[Bill Gunshannon via cctalk]

On 11/11/22 16:52, Wayne S via cctalk wrote:

Black box may have something. They had something similar where you could call 
in via phone and activate a switch to reboot a computer.



If they do it probably costs about $500.  Blackbox is not the company
they used to be.  (From someone who still has a lot of things floating
around here from them like short haul modems!!)

bill

[cctalk] Re: Inline Serial Device?

[Bill Gunshannon via cctalk]

On 11/11/22 17:07, Wayne S via cctalk wrote:

Something like this…

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Box-Corporation-Modified-SWED98174-Cos-II-Code-Operated-Serial-Switcher-/165759564735?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0



Looks like some kind of serial port switcher.  Not really what
W2HX was looking for.

bill

[cctalk] Re: Inline Serial Device?

[Cameron Kaiser via cctalk]

>>> I am looking for a device that sits transparently in an RS-232 serial line
>>> and upon seeing a particular code go over the serial line ((or sequence of
>>> codes) will actual a relay (or a transistor). Something with two DB25s or
>>> DE9s and is configurable to what code will trigger the output? Some kind of
>>> box?
>>
>> not that it's easy but a raspberry pi could be set up to watch the serial
>> line.
>
> Or even cheaper, and Arduino uno

I second the Arduino recommendation. I have a Power Mac G4 with a serial dongle
that drives an Arduino Nano-based IR blaster. It sends serial commands to it
and the blaster transmits a signal to the room air conditioner. Should be easy
to adapt the GPIO pins to a relay. Arduino programming and interfacing is
pretty straightforward.

https://oldvcr.blogspot.com/2022/10/ir-controlling-new-air-conditioner-in.html

-- 
 personal: http://www.cameronkaiser.com/ --
  Cameron Kaiser * Floodgap Systems * www.floodgap.com * ckai...@floodgap.com
-- The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws. -- Tacitus -