I can assure you this retro Battlestation is fully operational.

It also includes, not depicted or easily seeable, a sd2iec adapter, an Exos V3 module and a 154i floppy disk.

Time to play some Rainbow Arts classics!

  • JustAnotherKay@lemmy.world
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    3 days ago

    Could we get a closer look at that keyboard/terminal? I’ve been thinking about picking one up to toy with lately

      • JustAnotherKay@lemmy.world
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        3 days ago

        Mostly the triple usage of each button, I find that concept super fascinating. I know we’ve kept some of it with the modifier keys but it’s not the same lol

        Edit to add: Thank you for the picture! I gotta go poke around the docs for this bad boy a bit to glean some more info off those buttons

        • Num10ck@lemmy.world
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          3 days ago

          i think its quadriple usage if you include upper case and lower case letters with shift. the graphix alternatives i believe used the commodore key + shift.

          poke 646, peek 162

        • umbraroze@lemmy.world
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          3 days ago

          I always preferred the C64C style keyboard where the graphics characters were in the top of the keycaps. This is my C64G (old breadbin style chassis but with C64C style colouring and keycaps):

          Commodore 64G

          Quick summary: You get the left graphics character with the Commodore key (bottom left corner), and the right character with Shift key. By pressing Commodore+Shift, you swap between upper case + graphics characters mode and the upper case + lower case mode, applying to the entire screen (so you can’t actually use the right graphics characters in that mode).

          Fun thing: To switch to another text colour you press Ctrl + number keys, with 8 colours available there, just as in the VIC-20. However, there’s also another set of colours available with Commodore + number keys, for another 8 colours. I guess with Jack Tramiel’s penny pinching, they didn’t bother to mark those on the keys when making the next gen system.

        • macniel@feddit.orgOP
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          3 days ago

          One interesting fact about that board is that the shift lock actually locks in place once you pressed it and springs back up on the second press.

    • macniel@feddit.orgOP
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      3 days ago

      Yeah me too, that is after I figured out that the volume control is the wrong way e.g. turning it anticlockwise increase the volume while turning it clockwise reduces the volume:D

  • lydon_feen@lemm.ee
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    4 days ago

    Quickshot!

    The greatest joystick ever made, ever, period. Ever.

    Such a classic! I had one with my ZX Spectrum.

    • Deebster@infosec.pub
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      4 days ago

      They always used to break for us, and we’d have to go back to the trusty Competition Pro:

      Competition Pro retro joystick with a black base,  red handle and two red buttons

      • macniel@feddit.orgOP
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        3 days ago

        Mine always misalign after a while, so that I can’t get input when I push the stick forward.

        I just ordered a sega master system controller, should be fully compatible.

        The Competition Pro is great :)

        • Captain Aggravated@sh.itjust.works
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          3 days ago

          I just ordered a sega master system controller, should be fully compatible.

          I would avoid using a Sega gamepad with a Commodore computer. 1. the pinouts are different, especially where the +5V line is. 2. Master System controllers have pull-up resistors, where Atari standard controllers just leave pins floating. This can screw with the keyboard. Apparently some controllers use active circuitry which require the +5V line. I have even heard of them borking the CIA chip in the Commodore.

          My advice would be to get a proper controller that has internal microswitches rather than the cheaper contacts that wear out.

          • macniel@feddit.orgOP
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            3 days ago

            Mhm so you know a gamepad that’s fully compatible with the ç64? Playing jump and runs with a joystick just feels so utterly wrong.

        • HairyHarry@lemmy.world
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          3 days ago

          The Competition Pro is great :)

          It truly is. Also, IF those micro switches for the buttons ever broke, you could easily replace them.