Machina Speculatrix

Adding extended memory to a homebrew computer The CPU in your homebrew microcomputer can access more memory than you might at first think, so long as you arrange things the right way.

How I added extended ROM and RAM to my #6502 #homebrew computer. (Medium sub required.)

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#tech #technology #maker #computer #electronics #retrocomputing #retro #hobby

Creating a smart servo controller for robotics Servo motors give your machine agency, so long as you can control them.

Playing around with servos - my latest article on Machina Speculatrix (Medium sub required).

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#tech #technology #maker #computer #electronics #microcontrollers #hobby #robotics

Inventing a serial protocol for smart sensors We need to talk. And when I say ‘we’, I mean smart sensor devices and their microcontroller overlords.

My latest article (Medium sub required): I made a serial protocol for a #robotics projects. I'm not saying it's a *good* idea...

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#coding #programming #tech #maker #robot #tech #technology #computer #electronics #microcontrollers #hobby

SparkFun cuts ties with Adafruit in harassment dispute : Adafruit claims SparkFun aims to shoot the messenger for criticizing corporate tolerance of intolerance

Looks like I won’t be placing any more orders at #Sparkfun after its disgraceful behaviour towards #Adafruit.

www.theregister.com/2026/01/15/s...

#maker #electronics #teensy #makers #hacking

Using a Raspberry Pi for storage on a homebrew computer There are many options for mass storage with a homebrew microcomputer. So why not ignore them all and make your own?

Using a #RaspberryPi to give my 6502 machine some file storage. (Medium sub required)

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#tech #technology #maker #computer #electronics #homebrew #microcontrollers #hobby

AVR Basics: Introduction to coding for modern AVR microcontrollers The ‘new generation’ AVR chips are fast and powerful but require a slightly different approach when coding in C/C++.

My latest article in Machina Speculatrix: working with 'new generation' or 'modern' AVR microcontrollers. (Medium sub required).

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#tech #technology #maker #computer #electronics #homebrew #microcontrollers #hobby #coding #programming

Today I shall mostly be focusing on developing a new #serial protocol for #robots. And wrapping presents. But mainly the serial thing.

#maker #robotics #tech #technology

Making smart sensors for robotics Sensors are key to intelligent robots, but they become really useful when they have some smarts of their own

I decided to resurrect a #robotics project, but this time I'm starting with 'smart' #sensors. Here's my first article (Medium sub required).

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#tech #technology #maker #computer #electronics #homebrew #microcontrollers #hobby

AVR Basics: Programming the AVR 0-series with UPDI The AVR0 microcontrollers work a little differently to the chips you might be used to. But making the switch isn’t hard.

My latest piece in Machina Speculatrix - #programming #AVR 0-series #microcontrollers via UPDI (Medium sub required).

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#maker #tech #technology #makers #computer #electronics #homebrew #hobby

A homebrew CPU board with flash ROM Replacing an EEPROM with flash memory to hold the operating system makes development faster. How hard can it be?

My latest article in Machina Speculatrix (Medium sub required). Using flash instead of an EEPROM. It sort of worked.

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#tech #technology #maker #computer #electronics #homebrew #microcontrollers #hobby

A better homebrew serial port, but still obsolete It can happen that, just as you’re getting comfortable with a piece of technology, they take it away.

Making a better #serial port for my #6502 #homebrew #computer. Still obsolete, though. (Medium sub required.)

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#tech #technology #maker #electronics #hobby

From the archive: WordStar 2000 Plus reviews Software bloat is not a new thing: it was happening as far back as 1988.

My reviews of WordStar 2000 Plus from 1988. Apparently I actually liked it! (Medium sub required.)

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#tech #technology #computer #software #retrocomputing #vintagecomputing #review

Yeah, I did check the rise and fall times with the scope. All looked good. I'm glad to say the issues had since been resolved and everything's working great.

Screengrab of logic analyser software showing signals in an electronic device

Gah! So the prototype worked, and all the signals on the new PCB are doing what they're supposed to. But it ain't working.

Must be a timing thing.

Don't mind me. Just grumbling out loud.

#tech #technology #maker #computer #electronics

Getting to grips with real-time clocks So I decided that I’d like to add a real-time clock to my homebrew computer. How hard could it be?

New article on Machina Speculatrix (Medium sub required). Battling RTC chips

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#tech #technology #maker #computer #electronics

Close-up photograph of red printed circuit boards.

Another day, another new batch of PCBs. These ones have me slightly intimidated, but I hope to write about them soon on Machina Speculatrix.

mspeculatrix.substack.com

#tech #technology #maker #electronics

Pro tip: Don’t shave in the vicinity of a breadboard. That is all.

#electronics #maker #tech #technology

Abstract photograph of a metal surface with areas of rust some of which hint at the former presence of text.

Can you read it?

linktr.ee/zolachrome

#photography #originalphotography #artphotography #abstract

Maybe we need to update #RTFM. Manuals are rare these days. The information you need is online, as PDF datasheets, forum posts, Git gists. It should be RTFAI (‘Available Information’). Perhaps just RTFI. Or we could just say ‘Read’, followed (if you feel strongly) by FFS. RFFS?

#tech #technology

Creating a dev board for an ATmega microcontroller Experimenting with tiny, surface-mount microcontrollers is a lot easier with a breakout board.

Trying to make it easier to play with an SMD microcontroller. New article on Machina Speculatrix (for subscribers).

mspeculatrix.substack.com/p/creating-a...

#electronics #maker #microcontroller #AVR #tech #technology #PCB

A collection of purple printed circuit boards.

Any day you get new PCBs is the post is a good day. I’ll be writing about these soon.

mspeculatrix.substack.com

#tech #technology #maker #electronics #pcb

AVR programming: a dev environment The toolset you use to program a microcontroller is a very personal choice. This is what I landed on.

This is how I go about writing #code for #AVR #microcontrollers. (For subscribers).

mspeculatrix.substack.com/p/avr-progra...

#tech #technology #maker #computer #computer #programming #coding #atmega

Elliott 405: Mainframe computing 1950s-style A small treasure trove of documents gives a taste of computing the vintage mainframe way.

A trip back to 1950s-style #mainframe #computing. New article for subscribers in Machina Speculatrix.

mspeculatrix.substack.com/p/elliott-40...

#tech #technology #maker #computer #computer #retrocomputing #vintagecomputing

Fun with chips: SN76489 sound generator IC Audio is an important component of a computer’s power. And producing sound can be surprisingly simple.

New piece in Machina Speculatrix (for subscribers).

mspeculatrix.substack.com/p/fun-with-c...

#tech #technology #maker #electronics

From the archive: Amstrad PPC 640 review This was one of the strangest PCs I ever used. Luckily, I didn’t have to use it for long.

Back in the day I got to review the #Amstrad PPC 640. Seems like I wasn't impressed.

mspeculatrix.substack.com/p/from-the-a...

#tech #technology #computer #computer #retro #retrocomputing #vintage #vintagecomputing #review

Finding myself increasing drawn towards the #AVR 0-series #microcontrollers, especially the small but capable ATtiny1604. I'm toying with the idea of a breakout board for it. Should I do it?

#tech #technology #maker #electronics

Today I shall mostly be hanging my head in shame at having reversed the polarity of the power wires going to a #sensor. That sensor is now having a lie down, perhaps forever.

#tech #technology #maker #electronics

Zolatron: A homebrew computer of my own There’s no better way to understand computers than to design and build one of your own. All you have to do is go back in time.

Starting to move my #homebrew #computer posts over to Substack.

mspeculatrix.substack.com/p/zolatron-a...

#tech #technology #maker #computer #computer #retro #retrocomputing #vintage #vintagecomputing

The joy of AVR 8-bit microcontrollers Microcontrollers are becoming insanely fast and capable. But there’s something about the simpler types that appeals.

Why I love microcontrollers. Starting to move the Machina Speculatrix blog to Substack.

mspeculatrix.substack.com/p/the-joy-of...

#tech #technology #maker #computer #computer #electronics #code #coding #programming

Creating a serial interface for a homebrew computer It’s not really a computer unless it has input and output. And a serial interface can handle both of those tasks.

My first attempt at a serial interface for my #homebrew computer. (Medium sub required.)

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#tech #technology #maker #computer #computer #retro #retrocomputing #vintage #vintagecomputing