~--// AMiGA 500 \\--~

I am finally an Amigan again! Not that emulation hasn't worked the last 10-11 years 😛  almost native speed these days (with input-lag of course).

I have to admit though, having the original hardware cannot be beat.

Original Amiga 500 - Norwegian keyboard version.

512 KB memory-expansion PCB.

RGB>SCART converter cable with L/R RCA sound-plugs.

Getting an Amiga to display (correctly) on a big screen LCD TV (40-60" with decent built-in scaler), requires an RGB + RCA (stereo sound) > SCART adapter-cable, as shown in the picture above. The scaler in the TV also has to support sub-480p resolutions, as the Amiga outputs from 320×256 (mainly used for games) to 640×512 for PAL (704×576 with over-scan).

The video below shows the picture-output in 16:9-format, which is incorrect.

Video of the game "Jumping Jack 'Son", loading a "cracktro"

The video above (excuse the quality, I used my Google Pixel XL to record it 😛 I don't own any fancy capture-equipment / -cards) depicts what was (at the time) a very normal sight.

Back in the day (late 80s / early 90s) cracking crews left a "business card" on their cracked software distributions (3.5" diskettes).

Diskettes loading what is now called a "cracktro" (or "crack intro").

"A small introduction sequence added to cracked software. It aims to inform the user which "cracking crew" or individual cracker removed the software's copy protection and distributed the crack. Such intros grew very complex, sometimes exceeding the size and complexity of the software itself." (ref. wikipedia).

"Crack intros only became more sophisticated on more advanced systems such as the Commodore Amiga, Atari ST, and some IBM PC clone systems with sound cards. These intros feature big, colorful effects, music, and scrollers."

Kickstart v1.3 ROM installed.

Thank the powers that be for aspect-ratio control 😊 running the Amiga 500 at 16:9 did NOT look good (just look at the cracktro-video above for an example), 4:3 please! Thank you Sony!

"Cable-management"

Video of the game "Turrican II" loading + title-music


Video of the game "Golden Axe" loading + title-music


Video of the game "Mortal Kombat" loading + title-music + player-select

Linux Presentation Day!

Although... we actually don't host Linux Presentation Day here in Norway, I'd like to make people aware of this event however possible. So to the few who actually reads this blog, you're welcome ;) :P

https://linux-presentation-day.org/

Full-range monitor speakers

Klipsch RP-160M monitor speakers with Scandinavian-produced stands 👍 (NorStone).

I have never experienced monitors that kick you in the nuts with the woofers, but these definitely do! Both on hard drop-kicks and low frequency emissions (LFO).

Not to mention the middle-notes, which sound fantastic on these speakers. Having Klipsch' patented LTS (Low Travel Suspension) horns also helps to better define high-notes.

Although they are only 100W / 8Ω, they pack some seriously loud volumes, even without distortion!

Thumbs up! 👍👍👍

Panorama(-ish) picture of my rig(s):

Happy 27th! :D

Linux celebrates another birthday today—27 years!

https://opensource.com/article/18/8/happy-birthday-linux

https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2018/08/happy-birthday-linux-27

Ubiquiti UniFi

Recently acquired a Ubiquiti UniFi AP-AC-PRO (1750 Mbps) wireless access-point, by recommendation from a professional friend. Telling me these things have ALL the pro-features of the more expensive APs around. And I have to admit, they... just work 👌 and very, very good I might add.

Even Linus Torvalds (yes, THAT Torvalds) uses these, because they are incredibly configurable for both simple and (very) advanced setups, and rock-solid in operation.

PoE+ (48V/24W) required though, as the USB-interface is misleading, it does not power the unit at all. Ubiquiti does not include a PoE+-injector with their APs, and does not specify this on the packaging either. But that was the only annoyance about them.

For the unit-price, you get a lot of features and functions compared to other "prosumer" choices.

And best of all: it runs Linux. Yes, this prosumer wifi-ap runs open-source software.

P.S. - 17th of August:

Acquired another AP for better coverage, as there are some rooms in the basement with sound isolation in the roofs. The signals got better, and reached through the intended rooms.

Also enabled mesh-networking (even though it was a beta-feature), and it got even better!

Ubiquiti FTW!

ZipStick®

1987 ZipStick® joystick. This yellow buttoned joystick uses micro-switches and has a triple fire action, and is THE best joystick I have ever used / abused. It can withstand practically ANYTHING!

Got hold of a near-mint copy (a few scratches on the housing and dirt beneath the screws), which tested OK and working on an Amiga A600 + Amiga A1200. SCORE!

Amiga-gaming will be a pleasure with this accessory! ;) :D