COMING NEXT WEEK: The J-CIA is finally shipping to regular folks!

https://retro8bitshop.com/product/j-cia64/?fbclid=IwAR3BCqSBv_AlSPH5-XD3LZJKsYDvOSD7ZFownOlYLlS49fSlpWO1zU-WQnE

There is just something so satisfying about printing out documentation and putting it into permanent binders. Don't know what that is, but I just like doing it.

@inari In this case, these binders are accessories to go with my Z180 CP/M machine build.

@tedchoward what are you using as a power source?

@tedchoward So under maximum CPU load, the power system can’t keep up with the demands of the logic and keeping the battery charged. Interesting. Kernel compiles are good for revealing this type of thing.

@tedchoward is the system capable of running if the battery is physically disconnected?

@tedchoward How's the battery life and feel of the keyboard? Screen nice and bright?

@tedchoward How long to rip through a Linux kernel compile?

I'm kind of looking at a Pinebook Pro (which has a bigger screen and much nicer keyboard), but I'm open to other options for a Linux-based portable for on-the-go coding. Also looking at used MacBook Airs, or Chromebook's, or whatever. Suggestions welcome.

Another option if I can find one at a good price is a used M1 Mac Mini, and then just use my existing MacBook Pro for on the go.

Pictured: Pinebook Pro US/ANSI keyboard layout, which is much more tolerable.

@drwho No, it's a generic AT clone case I bought off eBay and customized. The case badge I 3D printed and painted. The keyboard is a Commodore product, though.

Up and running again.

@drwho The right-hand bay holds the CD-ROM, Gotek USB floppy emulator, and a 3½" floppy drive. The left bay is internal, holding the SD-to-IDE board, which has a cable that goes out to a custom bracket on the back that holds the SD slot.

@drwho It's got a K6-2 CPU, but I'm after finding a faster chip for it. It's got 256MB of RAM, an S3 VIRGE/DX graphics card, Yamaha OPL3 sound card, 100BASE-T network card, four serial and two parallel ports, and a custom bit of kit I'm still working on that puts two SNES controller ports into an expansion slot.

@robdaemon Needs a more recent, patched version of GEM with proper window management.

@robdaemon What's the GEM GUI application API like, anyway? Is there a C interface?

@robdaemon I'll look it up. Might be fun to play with on my retro PC.

@robdaemon How does the multitasking work? Virtual terminals?