Vectrex BASIC

On Nov 28, 12:11 pm, "Richard Hutchinson"
<richard.hutchin... RemoveThis @dsl.pipex.com> wrote:
> >Is this an already released cartridge or is this still work in
> >progress?
>
> AFAIK still an early WIP.
>
> It uses the PS/2 keyboard interface -
>
> http://home.socal.rr.com/kokosplace/vectrex/vectrexkey.html
>
> Richard H.

Hi VectrexMad,

Richard is correct, it is still a WIP. If you have other questions
feel free to ask. It is not a "compiler" like Martijn is working on
with his impressive VecOS (which I am anxious to see) but is an
interpeter that runs on the vectrex like the home computers of the day
had. It uses a cart with extra RAM although I have a version that
runs on a standard cart (VecFlash). It will require the PS/2 interface
hardware. Speaking of which, Richard, I need to buy a replacement PS/
2 adapter. I think mine has problems.

Ken
 >> Stay informed about: Vectrex BASIC 

I have been thinking about working on an improved Vec keyboard interface.
It would use a serial interface to the VEC (9600 baud?) instead of the
bit-banging method.
This should simplify Vec programming and free up some memory.
I can work on this if you think it would be useful.

Kokovec


<keng.TakeThisOut@sourceoneinternet.com> wrote in message
news:dc5a31eb-c701-4f43-9e20-b6e9082cdf2b@d27g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
> On Nov 28, 12:11 pm, "Richard Hutchinson"
> <richard.hutchin....TakeThisOut@dsl.pipex.com> wrote:
>> >Is this an already released cartridge or is this still work in
>> >progress?
>>
>> AFAIK still an early WIP.
>>
>> It uses the PS/2 keyboard interface -
>>
>> http://home.socal.rr.com/kokosplace/vectrex/vectrexkey.html
>>
>> Richard H.
>
> Hi VectrexMad,
>
> Richard is correct, it is still a WIP. If you have other questions
> feel free to ask. It is not a "compiler" like Martijn is working on
> with his impressive VecOS (which I am anxious to see) but is an
> interpeter that runs on the vectrex like the home computers of the day
> had. It uses a cart with extra RAM although I have a version that
> runs on a standard cart (VecFlash). It will require the PS/2 interface
> hardware. Speaking of which, Richard, I need to buy a replacement PS/
> 2 adapter. I think mine has problems.
>
> Ken
 >> Stay informed about: Vectrex BASIC 

>I need to buy a replacement PS/2 adapter.

I've just shipped one out to you today.


>I can work on this if you think it would be useful.

Go for it ! - I still think it's got a lot of potential. I'd love to see
something like a text adventure on the Vec.





Richard H.
 >> Stay informed about: Vectrex BASIC 

On Nov 29, 10:31 am, "Richard Hutchinson"
<richard.hutchin....DeleteThis@dsl.pipex.com> wrote:
> >I need to buy a replacement PS/2 adapter.
>
> I've just shipped one out to you today.
>
> >I can work on this if you think it would be useful.
>
> Go for it ! - I still think it's got a lot of potential. I'd love to see
> something like a text adventure on the Vec.
>
> Richard H.

Thanks Richard.

As for a new keyboard interface, I agree with Richard, Go for it. I
think the keyboard has real potential too. Do you have some hardware
in mind?

Ken
 >> Stay informed about: Vectrex BASIC 

On Dec 2, 8:34 pm, k....TakeThisOut@sourceoneinternet.com wrote:
> On Nov 29, 10:31 am, "Richard Hutchinson"
>
> <richard.hutchin....TakeThisOut@dsl.pipex.com> wrote:
> > >I need to buy a replacement PS/2 adapter.
>
> > I've just shipped one out to you today.
>
> > >I can work on this if you think it would be useful.
>
> > Go for it ! - I still think it's got a lot of potential. I'd love to see
> > something like a text adventure on the Vec.
>
> > Richard H.
>
> Thanks Richard.
>
> As for a new keyboard interface, I agree with Richard, Go for it. I
> think the keyboard has real potential too. Do you have some hardware
> in mind?
>
> Ken

Ken,
that BASIC interpreter of yours sounds cool...Will there be a
possibility to save and load BASIC programs via VecFlash, or even more
retro still use an input/output line available on the ROM Cartridge
bus to connect a cassette recorder for program storage?
regards
VectrexMad!
 >> Stay informed about: Vectrex BASIC 

I'm using a PICu as the keyboard interpreter/buffer.
It also has 256K of on-board EEPROM which can also be used for game save
data.
The firmware for the PIC is 80% complete and has works fairly well.
I have not had the chance to interface the unit to a Vec.
I can use the VecVox serial routines to talk to the keyboard interface but I
will need to write a serial RX routine to read the keyboard data. I haven't
written Vec code in a while so this may take some time.

I have also been thinking about a few other projects like a mouse interface
and maybe a wireless adapter for the controllers.
Of course all of this if I can actually find the time to work on this stuff.

Kokovec


<keng.RemoveThis@sourceoneinternet.com> wrote in message
news:1e1089ad-426e-40a8-8a3b-e6af6c32abc7@d4g2000prg.googlegroups.com...
> On Nov 29, 10:31 am, "Richard Hutchinson"
> <richard.hutchin....RemoveThis@dsl.pipex.com> wrote:
>> >I need to buy a replacement PS/2 adapter.
>>
>> I've just shipped one out to you today.
>>
>> >I can work on this if you think it would be useful.
>>
>> Go for it ! - I still think it's got a lot of potential. I'd love to see
>> something like a text adventure on the Vec.
>>
>> Richard H.
>
> Thanks Richard.
>
> As for a new keyboard interface, I agree with Richard, Go for it. I
> think the keyboard has real potential too. Do you have some hardware
> in mind?
>
> Ken
>
 >> Stay informed about: Vectrex BASIC 

On Dec 2, 5:31 pm, vectrex....DeleteThis@fastmail.fm wrote:
> On Dec 2, 8:34 pm, k....DeleteThis@sourceoneinternet.com wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Nov 29, 10:31 am, "Richard Hutchinson"
>
> > <richard.hutchin....DeleteThis@dsl.pipex.com> wrote:
> > > >I need to buy a replacement PS/2 adapter.
>
> > > I've just shipped one out to you today.
>
> > > >I can work on this if you think it would be useful.
>
> > > Go for it ! - I still think it's got a lot of potential. I'd love to see
> > > something like a text adventure on the Vec.
>
> > > Richard H.
>
> > Thanks Richard.
>
> > As for a new keyboard interface, I agree with Richard, Go for it. I
> > think the keyboard has real potential too. Do you have some hardware
> > in mind?
>
> > Ken
>
> Ken,
> that BASIC interpreter of yours sounds cool...Will there be a
> possibility to save and load BASIC programs via VecFlash, or even more
> retro still use an input/output line available on the ROM Cartridge
> bus to connect a cassette recorder for program storage?
> regards
> VectrexMad!-

Thanks for your interest. Saving and loading programs is on my to-do
list. I did actually look at building an interface to save and load
programs on cassette. That would very reminiscent of my early
Commodore VIC 20 days. I spent a lot of time loading and saving to
cassette. I don't think the Vectrex can save back to the VecFlash.
The basic interpeter can access a basic program embedded in the ROM
with the basic interpeter. I did quite a bit to test the interpeter
to test it before paraJVE had keyboard support.

Ken

Ken
 >> Stay informed about: Vectrex BASIC 

On Dec 3, 12:01 pm, "kokovec" <dsiew....DeleteThis@socal.rr.com> wrote:
> I'm using a PICu as the keyboard interpreter/buffer.
> It also has 256K of on-board EEPROM which can also be used for game save
> data.
> The firmware for the PIC is 80% complete and has works fairly well.
> I have not had the chance to interface the unit to a Vec.
> I can use the VecVox serial routines to talk to the keyboard interface but I
> will need to write a serial RX routine to read the keyboard data. I haven't
> written Vec code in a while so this may take some time.
>
> I have also been thinking about a few other projects like a mouse interface
> and maybe a wireless adapter for the controllers.
> Of course all of this if I can actually find the time to work on this stuff.
>
> Kokovec
>

That sounds really impressive!

Ken
 >> Stay informed about: Vectrex BASIC