Dallas Time on the ZX81

A ZXIO Project: Intefacting with a DS12C887Keeping track of the current date/time on a ZX81 serves no useful purpose in 2024, thus making it the perfect project for a ZX81, the perfect project for the ZXIO V2 interface cards and the perfect use of everybbodies favourite clock chip the Dallas DS12C887.The Dallas Semiconductor DS12C887 RTC modules are well-known in retro computing circles for their integrated real-time clock and their gradually...

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ZXIO V2 Experimenters Kit Out Now

 After working extensively on the ZXIO Blog series, I aimed to create a memory-mapped I/O board ideal for experimenting with ZX BASIC, as the ZX81 lacks the ability to use IRQ-mapped devices without resorting to machine code routines. The end result is the ZXIO V2, which is based on the use of an 8255A Programmable Peripheral Interface IC. Apparently, I wasn't the only one wishing for such a device. The blog series was extremely...

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Cronosoft Releases: Minoss Knossoss for the ZX81 on Tape

Cronosoft has announced the release of Minoss Knossoss for the ZX81 on Tape. You can now dive deep into the legendary labyrinth and embark on an unforgettable adventure that brings the rich mythology of ancient Minoan Crete to life on your ZX81.Minoss Knossoss the ZX81 game Released on Tape by Cronosoft For any great release you need exceptional cover art: I produced the base artwork for the cover of the physical release, featuring...

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ZX81 Game: Minoss Knossoss

Having had Tut-Tut successfully ported to numerous 8-bit systems, it feels fitting to elevate the gaming experience by launching a sequel to the original tomb-raiding puzzle adventure in the form of 'Minoss Knossoss'.Minoan Archaeology with the ZX81Life on the ancient history speaking circuit had grown dull. Tired of recounting your successes at the tombs of Tut-Tut, you yearned for the exciting life of a practical archaeologist. Now,...

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ZXIO Interface for the ZX81: Part 6

 ZXIO-TalkBot and ZXIO V2 (with minor revisions)ZXIO-TalkBotAlright, we've got our reliable ZX81 all decked out with the ZXIO V2. Now, let's kick things up a notch - how about introducing an SP0256 (the original retro) speech chip to the party? This little marvel can transform pre-defined sounds (allophones) into speech, bringing a whole new layer of excitement to our setup.Prior to designing the Talkbot, I made a slight modification...

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Tut-Tut: Egyptomania the RC2014 Way

Sheila Dixon unwraps a spooktacular new version of Tut-Tut, the modern Retro classic, playfully bringing 'Egyptomania' to the premier home-built computer of the modern Retro era, the RC2014.Tut-Tut Level Ruby Rhod playing on the RC2014What's New is Old when Tomb RaidingWhy let the ancient microcomputers of the Pharaohs have all the fun when there are splendidly modern Z80 machines ready to embark on the Tut-Tut adventure. With the...

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ZX81 Bus Extender: The Expansion Board Solution

Adding expansion boards to the back of a ZX81 is always a slightly terrifying business, a fear compounded with each consecutive item tacked behind the little wedge.The wobbly expansion of expansions is a near unsolvable problem when using off the (distant in time and space) shelf products, however, when building our own expansions there's really no need to suffer. What's the answer to the wibbly wobbly's? Why a decently designed Bus Extender...

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Tut-Tut: Tomb Raiding on the Vic-20

A New Version of a Modern Retro ClassicGiven the resounding success of my little game of Tut-Tut on platforms such as ZX Spectrum, ZX81, Jupiter ACE, and the commendable port by Tynemouth Software's Dave Curran to the Commodore PET, it was an inevitable progression to broaden the game's horizons and introduce it to the illustrious Vic-20, the "Wonder Computer of the 1980s."New to Tut-Tut? What's this Game About?As the digging season of...

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ZXIO Interface for the ZX81: Part 5

IO Boards Comparison, Featuring Hitachi LCDsNow that we have 2 differing IO boards, why not put them in a side by side comparison. I figured a good test of the board would involve a simple communications project, such as writing out to a character based HD44780 compatible LCD screen.An HD44780 LCD panel is a character-based liquid crystal display that can display 16 characters per line and up to 2 lines of text. It is widely used in embedded...

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