|
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Yes, its been awsome learning how to make it work through the front panel. I've built other kits before, but this gives me the vintage feeling better than anything else I have done.
I really want to easily retain the ability to enter and execute programs through the front panel only. I was thinking of installing a small toggle switch on the back plate to allow the switching of no terminal - terminal setting. From what I'm reading, it is necessary to have that set correctly to execute a program from the front panel because it then knows to start execution at 0000 as opposed to the monitor. Do you concur with this? Is there another way to get the same result? |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
I like the front panel too, but it doesn't really have the functionality to do anything useful. It is missing the examine_next, deposit_next, and start_at_address functions that are pretty much essential, and are available in the PROM monitor. It's handy to have a front panel to debug the hardware when things aren't working, and in that sense the 680 front panel is more useful than the one on the 8800, which requires a functioning CPU to do anything.
Geoff. |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Have you used basic? Or VTL-2?
I have never used the assembler / editor yet. I use a software assembler on a Windows computer and upload the paper tape image file. The memory upgrade board is a pretty nice spoiler... A few seconds to boot basic vs 13 minutes with an audio cassette player. Have you tried your upgrade board out yet with the updated flash monitor? I tested every single upgrade board by booting and loading basic. |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
I havn't played with VTL-2 yet, but I'm looking forward to it. I have used the new flash monitor and loaded basic. The convience is nice. Now I get to finish assembling the back panel tonight. I didn't want to button everything up until I was sure everything was OK.
|
|
|