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en:oqtadrive [2021/09/28 08:27]
xelalex [OqtaDrive]
en:oqtadrive [2023/01/24 08:25] (current)
xelalex
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 ====== OqtaDrive ====== ====== OqtaDrive ======
  
-//**A Sinclair-Microdrive-Emulator**//, **Alexander Vollschwitz**+//**A Sinclair Microdrive Emulator**//, **Alexander Vollschwitz**
  
-{{:oq-microdrive.jpg?300&direct |Microdrive}}+{{:oq-microdrive.jpg?310&direct |Microdrive}}
  
-The //Sinclair ZX Microdrive// is a magnetic mass storage media, that uses small endless tape cartridges. It was initially released as an external drive for the //ZX Spectrum// in 1983. The //Sinclair QL//, released one year later, came with two internal Microdrives installed. Already back then, Microdrives were regarded as somewhat unreliable, which makes working with them quite challenging today, almost 40 years later.+The //Sinclair ZX Microdrive// is a magnetic mass storage media, that uses small endless tape cartridges. It was initially released as an external drive for the //ZX Spectrum// in 1983. The //Sinclair QL//, released one year later, came with two internal Microdrives installed.
  
-{{ :oq-cartridge.jpg?360&direct|Microdrive cartridge}} +{{ :oq-cartridge.jpg?350&direct|Microdrive cartridge}} 
-{{ :oq-cart-cass.jpg?360&direct|size comparison}}+{{ :oq-cart-cass.jpg?350&direct|size comparison}}
  
-In particular the tape cartridges are often no longer usable. This prompted the development of a Microdrive emulator. Different from existing "modern day" mass storage solutions for //Spectrum// & //QL//, the goal was to create a fully transparent and "historically correct" emulation of the Microdrive. Using this emulator should not feel different from using a real Microdrive. For that reason, it works on the level of the hardware Microdrive interface, and does not employ any system hooks on the //Spectrum/QL//.+Already back then, Microdrives were regarded as somewhat unreliable, which makes working with them quite challenging today, almost 40 years later. In particular the tape cartridges are often no longer usable. This prompted the development of a Microdrive emulator. Different from existing "modern day" mass storage solutions for //Spectrum// & //QL//, the goal was to create a fully transparent and "historically correct" emulation of the Microdrive. Using this emulator should not feel different from using a real Microdrive. For that reason, it works on the level of the hardware Microdrive interface, and does not employ any system hooks on the //Spectrum/QL//.
  
 ===== Profile ===== ===== Profile =====
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 ^ Technology | endless magnetic tape | ^ Technology | endless magnetic tape |
 ^ Capacity | max. 128KB, typ. 70-80KB | ^ Capacity | max. 128KB, typ. 70-80KB |
-^ Tape | 1.9mm x 5m |+^ Tape | 1.9mm x 5m, 76cm/|
 ^ Format | 2 tracks | ^ Format | 2 tracks |
  
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 ^ Hardware | //Arduino Nano// | ^ Hardware | //Arduino Nano// |
 ^ Software | firmware in //C//, daemon in //Golang//, web UI based on //Bootstrap// | ^ Software | firmware in //C//, daemon in //Golang//, web UI based on //Bootstrap// |
-^ Project Home | [[https://github.com/xelalexv/oqtadrive|GitHub]] |+^ Project Home | [[https://oqtadrive.org|Home]], [[https://codeberg.org/xelalexv/oqtadrive|Codeberg]] |
 ^ Contributors | Alexander Vollschwitz (developer/maintainer), Tom Dalby (PCB & case design, testing), Stephan Preuß (testing) | ^ Contributors | Alexander Vollschwitz (developer/maintainer), Tom Dalby (PCB & case design, testing), Stephan Preuß (testing) |
 ^ License | GPL-3.0 | ^ License | GPL-3.0 |
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 {{ :oq-family.jpg?680&direct |family gathering}} {{ :oq-family.jpg?680&direct |family gathering}}
  
-Here are a few members of the "//OqtaDrive// family" (built by [[https://www.tomdalby.com/|Tom Dalby]]) - left and rear: all-in-one config in original and 3D printed case, front: minimal configuration for connecting to PC+Here are a few members of the "//OqtaDrive// family" (built by [[https://www.tomdalby.com/|Tom Dalby]]) - left and rear: standalone config in original and 3D printed case, front: minimal configuration for connecting to PC
  
 ===== Development ===== ===== Development =====
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 ==== Open Sourcing ==== ==== Open Sourcing ====
  
-{{ ::oq-pcbs.jpg?300&direct|from all-in-one to micro}}+{{ ::oq-pcbs.jpg?300&direct|from standalone to micro}}
  
-Beginning of May 2021 support for the //QL// was complete and the adapter could automatically detect //Spectrum// and //QL//, as desired. After many refactorings the code base was also cleaned up enough to warrant publishing on [[https://github.com/xelalexv/oqtadrive|GitHub]]. From the start it was important to me to make this project available under a free license, so anyone interested in this could built it.+Beginning of May 2021 support for the //QL// was complete and the adapter could automatically detect //Spectrum// and //QL//, as desired. After many refactorings the code base was also cleaned up enough to warrant [[https://codeberg.org/xelalexv/oqtadrive|publishing]]. From the start it was important to me to make this project available under a free license, so anyone interested in this could built it.
  
-By open sourcing, //OqtaDrive// could also win the first contributors. Tom Dalby designed several PCBs for various configurations along with models for 3D printing cases - from an //all-in-one// config with //Raspberry Pi// onboard to a minimal //micro// version. Stephan Preuß relentlessly tested many pre-releases, on //Spectrum// and //QL//, and found quite a few bugs. And not to forget all the discussions that sprang up over the collaboration, which were important for the direction of //OqtaDrive//. For example, initially I wasn't really interested in an //all-in-one// config that could be controlled via a web UI. But due to Tom's and Stephan's suggestions and friendly nudging, this is today my favorite config. :-D+By open sourcing, //OqtaDrive// could also win the first contributors. Tom Dalby designed several PCBs for various configurations along with models for 3D printing cases - from //standalone// config with //Raspberry Pi// onboard to a minimal //micro// version. Stephan Preuß relentlessly tested many pre-releases, on //Spectrum// and //QL//, and found quite a few bugs. And not to forget all the discussions that sprang up over the collaboration, which were important for the direction of //OqtaDrive//. For example, initially I wasn't really interested in an //standalone// config that could be controlled via a web UI. But due to Tom's and Stephan's suggestions and friendly nudging, this is today my favorite config. :-D
  
 ===== Status ===== ===== Status =====
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   * Install script for Linux   * Install script for Linux
  
-{{ :oq-standalone.jpg?640&direct |all-in-one}}+{{ :oq-standalone.jpg?640&direct |standalone}}
  
 ===== Virtual Exhibition Desk ===== ===== Virtual Exhibition Desk =====
  
-[[:hier_link_einfuegen|To the virtual exhibition desk]]+{{ ::oq-micro.jpg?280&direct|micro}}
  
-Here, you will find the times and days when the room is open to have a look at the exhibition, for questions, discussions and chit chat with the exhibitor.+[[https://bbb.vcfb.de/b/xel-c5e-y6s-m3u|To the virtual exhibition desk]]
  
 ==== Availability Times ==== ==== Availability Times ====
  
 ^ Day       ^ Time            ^ ^ Day       ^ Time            ^
-|Saturday    | 00:00 - 00:00  | +|Saturday    | 10:00 - 12:30 / 13:30 19:00 | 
-|Saturday    | 00:00 00:00  | +|Sunday      | 10:00 - 18:00 |
-| | +
-|Sunday      | 00:00 - 00:00  | +
-|Sunday      | 00:00 - 00:00  | +
  
 ==== Demo Times ==== ==== Demo Times ====
  
-This section contains a table in case special the exhibitor wants to show demos at specific times to a general audience.+{{ ::oq-config-internal.jpg?400&direct|built-in in Interface 1}} 
 +{{ ::oq-config-external.jpg?400&direct|standalone}} 
 + 
 +There are no scheduled demo slots right now. We'll just decide on the spot, depending on number of visitors and interestI'll be showing original Microdrives and various //OqtaDrive// configurations hands on. I'm also planning to build an //OqtaDrive// adapter live :-P
  
 ^ Day       ^ Time            ^  Demo          ^ ^ Day       ^ Time            ^  Demo          ^
 |Saturady    | xx:xx  | xxx | |Saturady    | xx:xx  | xxx |
-|Saturday    | xx:xx  | yyy | 
-| | | | 
-|Sunday      | xx:xx  | xxx | 
 |Sunday      | xx:xx  | yyy | |Sunday      | xx:xx  | yyy |
 +
  
en/oqtadrive.1632810463.txt.gz · Last modified: 2021/09/28 08:27 by xelalex