Wrote this awhile back.  Still some bugs but i was kinda surprised that no one had done it yet:

https://github.com/geos64128/geochess

Double the Z80 clock speed in your Commodore 128 (youtube.com)

Good to see you, Lance!

Copied from comp.sys.cbm (because Im lazy):

Hey folks,
A little contribution Id like to share...

http://sourceforge.net/projects/c128guilib/

Ive been working on a text GUI C library for the 128's VDC, using
CC65.  Its still young and has bugs, but in its current state, you can
create overlapping windows, create controls like labels, textboxes,
etc, and respond to user interaction via callback functions.  Im no
GUI expert, but its taking really good shape and I feel its at a point
where it should be opened up to the community to improve and solidify
the code.  So, if you like what you see, I welcome more developers to
help me out and really make this into something nice.  It is built to
simulate object oriented development.  The library comes with a simple
test application so you can see how it works.

The upload to sourceforge is in VC++ 2008 project (you dont need it,
but Visual Studio rocks...)  The project allows you to build and
compile CC65 projects directly inside Visual Studio.  (See Clean.bat
and Compile.bat for paths which you will need to adjust for your copy
of CC65).  After compilation, just DLOAD"OUTPUT" and run.

Anyway, if anyone is interested in joining the project, Id love the
help.  I have *no clue* how to administer sourceforge, so help there
would be good too.  Consider the source code itself to be the current
documentation

Thanks,

X

Below is some sample code:

#include <stdio.h>
#include <string.h>

#include "vdc_gui.h"

void txtBox1_keyPressed(TEXTBOX *textBox, BYTE c);
void txtBox1_onEnter(TEXTBOX *textBox);

WINDOW *win1, *win2;

int main (void)
{
    int x;

    TEXTBOX* txtBox1;

    fast();
   
    // Set the background color to blue
    VDC_BackColor(VDC_DBLUE);
   
    // Generate a background pattern
    for(x=0;x<2000;x++)
        VDC_Poke(x,225);
   
    // Create the windows
    win1 = CreateWindow(5,5,20,10,VDC_WIN_BORDER_LINE);
    win2 = CreateWindow(18, 12, 41,5, VDC_WIN_BORDER_LINE);
   
    // Create the controls
    CreateLabel(win2, 2, 2, "this is a demo of the vdc gui library.");
    CreateLabel(win1,2,5,"name:");
    txtBox1 = CreateTextbox(win1,8,5,10);

    //Add callback to handle key events
    txtBox1->OnKeyPress = txtBox1_keyPressed;
    txtBox1->OnEnter = txtBox1_onEnter;

    //Show the windows
    ShowWindow(win1);
    ShowWindow(win2);

    // Begin message processing
    WinMain(txtBox1->base);


    return 0;
}


A quick note about the code..
After setting up the windows and controls, the WinMain() function is
the message loop which handles the user input and message dispatch
(callbacks, etc).  This function *should* put the focus on the first
"focus-able" control.  I hadnt gotten that far yet, so for sake of the
demonstration, i just sent in the control I want to have focus.  So
thats a bug .

Also, adding "buttons" should be trivial given the current
structure... just havent finished it yet.  I was really excited just to
get callbacks working properly (function pointers).  Dropdown lists,
and other more complex controls should be just building on the current
structure.
 
Beyond all that, there's no reason it couldnt be modified to support
the 40 col screen either.. just havent gotten that far... the idea of
a text GUI library for the 80 col screen, and learning GUI development
in general has been my primary focus here.  Ive had fun, and you guys
have done so much for the community, that I wanted to give back a
little.  Hope you all find it as interesting and useful.

Thanks
X

yeah, I hate vi.. but someone did a good thing and brought it to the 128/64...

http://singularcrew.hu/vi65/

Hey guys,

Ive updated the commodore programming wiki with a rundown on how BASIC stores floating point numbers in, what I think is the simplest explanation.  Id appareciate your feedback.  You can check it out here:

http://commodore64.wikispaces.com/Floating+Point+Storage+In+BASIC

I cant afford it.. but maybe one of you can.  Let me live through your wallet...

http://cgi.ebay.com/CMD-SuperCPU-128-for-the-Commodore-64-128_W0QQitemZ110428003039QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item19b6059adf&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Hey guys, was just curious.  I have a C128 hooked up to an RGB monitor, and id like to use the same monitor with my Amiga 2000.  Looking at the pins from the following sites:

http://pinouts.ru/Video/AmigaVideo_pinout.shtml
http://project64.c64.org/hw/C128%20pinouts.txt

It looks like I only need to create an adapter for the monitor cable (its built for the 128), that connects the pins as such:

Amiga pin 6 -> cable pin 6 (intensity)
Amiga pin 7 -> cable pin 3 (red)
Amiga pin 8 -> cable pin 4 (green)
Amiga pin 9 -> cable pin 5 (blue)
Amiga pin 11 -> cable pin 8 (H synch)
Amiga pin 12 -> cable pin 9 (V synch)
Amiga pin 20 -> cable pin 1 & 2 (ground)

Will this work, or will I fry my monitor?

I know that the plus 4 and C16 are closely related, but are they so closely related that there's no point in an emulator for the 16? Ive not seen one included with VICE.

Any of you who may frequent the Digg/Slashdot/Reddit communities are invited to join this new Commodore Reddit:

http://www.reddit.com/r/Commodore/

Slow getting started, but it would be good to see it grow.

Anyone know how those things like Blitz and BASIC-64/128 worked?  I understand pure ML generation, but the P-code they talk about somewhat confuses me.  Is it really just more of a BASIC optimizer?

Does anyone know if block copy is soley for copying a contiguous portion of vdc ram?  Im working on a windowing library, and if this is true, then to save the screen under the window, I would need to execute a block copy X times, where X = number of rows that the new window will take up.  Is this correct?

Hey folks, my next project is a windowing library for CC65 for the 128.  So far its coming along pretty well.  Goal is to have a CC65 library that will emulate much of the old-style DOS visual GUIs that existed back then...at least to the extent that the VDC can handle with reasonable speed.  Ill post more as I make progress.

Some great source code to the ACE operating system can be found here:

http://www.csbruce.com/~csbruce/cbm/ftp/c128/os/ace/src/sys/
http://www.csbruce.com/~csbruce/cbm/ftp/c128/os/ace/src/apps/

I traded a few emails with him.  Seems like a good guy.  ACE rocks as well.  Didnt know if any of you had this or not, but theres some nice stuff in that code.

As stated earlier, I have an Amiga 1500, now an Amiga 2000 thanks to a A2091 SCSI hardcard, and a US power supply from Ebay.  But I cant create Workbench disks.  Is there any kind soul out there with an Amiga, that wouldnt mind creating a set of 2.04 WB disks for me? I have the 3.1 ROM.  PM me if you will.

hey guys, I recently got an Amiga 1500, and was wondering what card I need to turn it into a full 2000 unit?  (For a harddrive).  Im looking on ebay, so if you have any links, please share.

Hey guys, Im finishing up a windows service that acts as a modem, much like BBS Server or Jim's tcpser4j.  Ill post both an installer and the source.  Ive tested it with Desterm, dialing out, and C-Net BBS 10.0 answering, and all seems to work well.  The other programs are absolutely terrific, but I wanted one that would always be running as a service, and of course im a C# guy.  The code isnt the most beautiful thing in the world, but it does the job, and I welcome comments or improvements. 

In addition to basic Hayes commands, I also am considering adding some additional commands like DIR, etc to access the PC from the Commodore.  Anyway, will post shortly.

Thanks

Xlar54

http://www.pagetable.com/?p=53

We all know you can transfer disk images to real floppies, but Im wondering is there a way to "poke" cartridge images into memory on the 64 or 128? These images are basically just ML, so it seems logical to me without knowing exactly how cartridges work.  Only way I could see it not working, is if carts are accessed through registers (like the VDC chip) instead of memory mapped, but I dont think this is the case.  Any thoughts?

Working on a Wiki for C64/128 programming related info.  At first, it was meant just for myself as a personal reference, but since its out there, might as well provide the link.  ALL of the info there has been obtained from somewhere else (including here).  I wish indeed I had all that knowledge, but thats exactly why I need a reference.

http://commodore64.wikispaces.com

Right now, its a private wiki, meaning only those I provide access to can edit the pages.  Let me know if you want to contribute.  For now, Im just trying to get it off the ground.

Being somewhat bored this evening, I decided to pit Sargon II against the Chess Titans app that comes with Vista.  Im pleased to say that Sargon beat the snot out of Chess Titans.  In fairness to Vista, CT was set to "Basic" or "Novice".  But still... they ought to be ashamed

Reposted here as its a "trick":

I found this from the Ahoy May 87 issue:

1 REM C64 version
2 FOR J = 679 TO 679+22:READA:POKEJ,A:NEXTJ:END
3 DATA 104,104,169,255,133,74,32,138,163,154,201,141
4 DATA 240,3,76,224,168,104,104,104,104,104,96

1 REM C128 version
2 FOR J = 4864 TO 4864+23:READA:POKEJ,A:NEXTJ:END
3 DATA 104,104,104,104,169,141,32,170,79,240,5,162
4 DATA 12,76,60,77,32,80,80,160,5,76,89,80

To demonstrate how to get out of requiring a RETURN statement, after you run one of the above, try this:

10 GOSUB 20
20 A=A+1:PRINT A:SYS 679:GOTO 10

(substitute 4864 if using a 128).  What youll find instead of an out of memory error, is that the need for a RETURN has been removed from the stack.

Anyone have d64s of this?

Ok, in BASIC try this:

PRINT 3 = 3

The answer is, of course, true, or '-1'

Why is the following false (0)

PRINT 3 = SQR(9)

The real answer requires more than just one sentence

Hey guys, just tossing out a programming challenge...hope you guys are open to it...

Ive been working with reading the disk directory using the U1 command, and its just not fast enough for an app Im working on.  Id like to get some more speed out of it.  So the challenge is this:

1. Write a reusable subroutine in BASIC only
2. For now, just a 1541 disk (no 1581s or 1571s)
3. Return the disk name in DN$ and disk ID in ID$
4. Return an array of filenames on the disk in FI$()
5. Use FAST mode
6. Uncompiled

Im using TI$ for timing (not the best, but it gives me some idea for comparison).  I have my code down to 11 seconds for 12 files on disk, and to me this is way too slow.

Any takers?

If a window is established on the 128, all normal printing occurs within it. To get out of the window, poke to location 235 as in:

110 WINDOW 0,19,39,20
120 PRINT"IN WINDOW" : GETKEYA$
130 POKE 235,1: PRINT
140 PRINT"OUT OF WINDOW": GETKEY A$
150 POKE 235,10: PRINT
160 PRINT"INSIDE AGAIN"

paraphrased from an old RUN magazine issue

Ive looked around the net at various 1541 interfaces, and one thing Im confused about... why hasnt someone simply (and i use that term very loosely) taken the motherboard out of a 1541, and modified it to write to an HD or SD card, etc.. meaning have something actually intercept the low level drive manipulations and translate them for a different device.  Seems this would give really good compatibility.  Since the 1541 is essentially a computer in its own right, it seems that interfacing to it directly should be possible.  Thoughts?

Hey, so I pulled my 7404 interface out of storage (been awhile).  Found one of my leads needed resoldering...did that, and hooked it up.  Ran a serial line from the interface to the PC, but the PC cant seem to talk to the interface.. nothing.  I cant remember - do I need a null modem interface between the PC and the 7404 interface?  I vaguely remember that I had one, but cant find it. (I would think I would have stored them together if I did need it).  But it makes sense that I would.

Have any of you seen this site:

http://c64preservation.com/

?

Im a little confused.  This person wants you to scan your originals, and send the image to him.  He doesnt post links to download the files (that I can see).  Is this "preservation", just for him?

In that case, I have a Commodore Hardware Preservation site Im working on.  Send me your hardware. :/

For some reason I remember reading that this one is extremely rare.  Do you guys concur, or am I mistaken?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250307955726

Is there any C128/64 software to create 1541 images from D64 files?  I have some D64s on my 64HDD drive, that I would like to move to an actual floppy disk.  What options are there for doing this?

Just logged on to Borderline BBS... Andrew's dial up in CA.  At 1200 bps, man does that bring back memories.  Did some searching around for other dial ups, obviously none were local.. still trying to figure out why in the day and age of internet access, cell phones and the like, why long distance charges still exist.  Rather ridiculous if you ask me.  Still, if you havent tried this, dust off the modem and give them a call - his web page below:

http://cottonwood.servebbs.com/

Great work, Andrew, on keeping this alive.  Expect a call periodically   Just gotta figure out how to circumvent the dial up charges...magickjack...hmmm...

Not sure if this is 64 mode only...

10 rem detect
20 forx=2to5:poke57088+x,x:nextx
30 forx=5to2step-1
40 ifpeek(57088+x)<>xthenx=1
50 nextx
60 ifx=0thenprint"no reu"

http://www.lantronix.com/device-networking/external-device-servers/uds1100.html

Im probably waaaaay behind on this one, but this looks interesting.  An ethernet->serial bridge. Anyone used anything like this on their 64/128?


Or even better: go wireless!

http://www.neteon.net/Products/125-157-204/Vendors-LANTRONIX-WirelessDeviceServer

I have been holding source code for a GW-BASIC-like interpreter for some time (couple of years).  When I was working on it, my goal was to make it as GW-BASIC-like as I could.  At this point, Im thinking Id rather convert it to CBM v2 BASIC. As-is, you can run GW-BASIC programs under it, with very little modification.  Would anyone be interested in seeing it modified to execute Commodore programs?  Its based on an old BASIC, written in C, and Ive modified the code to run under .NET 3.5. 

SYS/USR wouldnt actually do anything, as Im not so much interested in writing an 6502 emulator... just enough to run pure BASIC programs.

Hey guys,

One thing thats been bothering me a little, is that alot of folks are coming out with some great new hardware, but I can never remember who is selling what, and how to get in touch with them, etc.  Would it make sense at this point, to put up a new forum board where people can advertise things they are manufacturing for sale?  Some folks are posting out on comp.sys.cbm, here, etc.. kinda scattered.  Cables, drives, expansion boards, VGA adapters, etc.. things like that.  Not auction stuff - but new developments.  What do you think?

X

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gQozw40Mso

My son found this one...

Hey guys,

I have bought a 1764 RAM expander off Ebay, but its just the board.  It works fine - dunno how it lost its case.  Just tossing out there, if anyone has an old broken RAM expander that is collecting dust, I could use the case.  PM me if so.

Thanks

X

Im curious - in speed terms, how does a SCPU 64 or 128 compare to the speed in VICE's warp mode, ignoring I/O of course? Anyone know?

Slightly non-politically correct, but funny anyway, if you like MADTv:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWRwwSsDz0Q

Well, I purchased an old used Mac, a PowerMac G3, which has OS 9 on it.  Ive never even touched one of these things before mind you.. always a C= and PC user.

I want to start by saying Im not here to start a flame war over computers... we all have our reasons for picking our poison, so try and understand my point of view.

I am not impressed.

Im actually glad I bought a used machine, one that didnt even have the CD anymore.  Why?  Because the first thing I needed to do was scrub the machine and reinstall the OS - a great learning experience on the ins-and-outs of a machine.  But finding a CD is next to impossible.  First, I had to find out which version of the OS the machine will take, then I find that its pretty much impossible to find.  Some will run 9.0, some run 9.1...etc... old world vs new  world... ABP vs USB... I was *expecting* to turn it on and it just "worked", like the ads always say. 

So of course, I went out to Apple's website.  They are so busy hocking OSX, that there is very little support for OS9.  Not too surprising, as Microsoft has dropped Win NT support, etc.  But even in the Apple online "store", trying to find a copy to buy is pretty hard to do. In some cases, under certain phases of the moon, they want you to buy OSX that comes *with* OS9. (huh?!?).  I could always just go OSX, but its pretty clear to me that an older machine like this will crawl with a newer OS.  I find that it will support up to OS 10.2 or some odd revision number :/

At this point, I have a doorstop.  It will boot the existing install, but wont do much because some file named OTUtilityLib cant be found. Quicktime doesnt work.  Microsoft Office, which was apparently installed, doesnt work. Nada.  I can manage files, sure...but that hardly makes a computer useful.  Im happy to say my C128 is more useful to me than this thing. Not even internet access, even though it has an ethernet port built-in.

Im not comparing Microsoft to Apple by any means.  But Apple has tried to sell itself as a low maintenance system, that anyone can just "use".  What I have found, is that, just like Microsoft, you still need to learn quite a bit, and be prepared to jump through some hoops here and there to "use" their products. 

I am still WAY too new to Macs to know if I like them.  But what I have learned through this very enlightening process, is that they aren't exactly what they claim to be.

Hey guys,
Ive added some links to the Links section for telnet BBSs.  If you have more you'd like to have added, just reply here. These were from an older list and are verified as of today. 

Hey guys,

Just wanted to let you know I finally figured out how to get VICE to run Image BBS. Next steps is to get the various verions of C-Net and C-Net 128 running it as well.  I have a stock system running now at:

74.51.1.199 Port 25232 (yes obscure, but this is really just for you guys to see it working)

Its pretty simple and requires no hacking to VICE.  Just a custom +.modem file, and a bridge program to answer calls and forward them to VICE.  Feel free to check it out.   No gaurantees on availability though, as I dont have a dedicated box to run it from.  (any takers?)  If interested, Ill put up the D61/D81 images and bridge program for people to play around with.

Thanks

X

I saw at another site, that some Atari developer has released the source code to an old Atari version of Donkey Kong.  Details here:

http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=130904

This got me thinking... anyone know anyone, who might be willing to release the source code for commercial commodore software?  By now, almost eveything is available in some ...form... <cough>D64</cough>..  So maybe they'd be willing to release the code if its still around.  What applications or games would you like to see the source code on?

This community would not be complete without this video..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBGIQ7ZuuiU

..uoos puno?? sbu??? bu?u?n? ?q p1no?s pu? ???q ?? ?nq...?1?u? ? ?? ?o? u?op ?p?sdn u??q ?pu?? ? sbu??? s? ?1???1 ? u??q ...s?nb ???os

Subject line says it all.  Hope everyone had a good holiday.

X

Been playing around with flexidraw today, and it got me wondering... with the advent of todays tablet pcs, flash games, the Wii, Nintendo DS, etc... why more games were not made back then which used this kind of technology.  Many applications might use the pen, primarily graphics apps, but today everything is touch screen.  Its interesting to see the joystick is a thing of the past, yet the pen (in some form) has overtaken the joystick in usage.

Theres been some discussion on the Commodore's inability to deal with speeds above 1200bps.  I used to own one of the 2400 bps modems, and I gotta say, it was terrific.  Not sure how they managed to pull it off, but it definitely was possible. Anyone have any thoughts on these modems and how they managed to get over the supposed 1200bps barrier?

Looking to pick up some 5 1/4" disks for 1541/1571 drives, as well as some for the 1581 drive.  Can someone advise on a reputable source?