Has anyone in the CP/M usenet community played with modern z80
homebrew builds with CP/M boot ROMS and flash memory. How do they work
for you and all that mumbo jumbo.
In article <878qc8y96x.fsf@rpi3>,
Daniel <me@sc1f1dan.com> wrote:
Has anyone in the CP/M usenet community played with modern z80
homebrew builds with CP/M boot ROMS and flash memory. How do they work
for you and all that mumbo jumbo.
I've played around with CP/M on the Agon Light which seemed to work well enough. Couldn't get the serial interface to work but other than that it
was a very easy to use and fast(!) platform.
Patric
Ultimately, I'd like to build a homebrew machine physically modeled
after a trs-80 data terminal/model 4p. So, a case that holds an LCD
screen and a keyboard with a standard modern qwerty layout as well as
the hardware. It is going to be a tall project.
Has anyone in the CP/M usenet community played with modern z80
On 3/3/26 2:00 PM, Daniel wrote:
Has anyone in the CP/M usenet community played with modern z80
Well, instead of purchasing something, you can write your own CP/M
emulator and put it in ROM. It's an interesting experience.
When you say 'modern Z80' - that doesn't really make a difference.
CP/M specs state it should run on an 8080 - which means any Z80 should
run the code. The tricky part is creating a BIOS for your particular hardware environment. Digital Research (who made CP/M) produced an 'Alteration Guide' to help users with this process.
And I have a Gotek on one of my Osbornes. Very convenient. But I
don't use them on all my machines. I prefer to keep the drives
running.
...
I'm considering the RC2014 since it's a great all-around card and can do other things with its daughter board design language. Still learning
about it.
...
John <john@somewhere> writes:
On 3/3/26 2:00 PM, Daniel wrote:
Has anyone in the CP/M usenet community played with modern z80
Well, instead of purchasing something, you can write your own CP/M
emulator and put it in ROM. It's an interesting experience.
When you say 'modern Z80' - that doesn't really make a difference.
CP/M specs state it should run on an 8080 - which means any Z80 should
run the code. The tricky part is creating a BIOS for your particular
hardware environment. Digital Research (who made CP/M) produced an
'Alteration Guide' to help users with this process.
And I have a Gotek on one of my Osbornes. Very convenient. But I
don't use them on all my machines. I prefer to keep the drives
running.
/snip
I'm considering the RC2014 since it's a great all-around card and can do other things with its daughter board design language. Still learning
about it.
For my build, I'll need to find a nice LCD panel no larger than 15
inches viewable for what I'm envisioning. I considered finding an older
LCD panel but modern models use less power. A requirement is low
power consumption and fanless operation.
Already have the keyboard model identified from another project.
Once I have the lcd figured out, I'll be able to spec out the
chassis and overall build/aesthetics.
Daniel
sysop | air & wave bbs
finger | calcmandan@bbs.erb.pw
I'm considering the RC2014 since it's a great all-around card and can do other things with its daughter board design language. Still learning
about it.
For my build, I'll need to find a nice LCD panel no larger than 15
inches viewable for what I'm envisioning. I considered finding an older
LCD panel but modern models use less power. A requirement is low
power consumption and fanless operation.
Already have the keyboard model identified from another project.
Daniel <me@sc1f1dan.com> wrote:
I'm considering the RC2014 since it's a great all-around card and can do
other things with its daughter board design language. Still learning
about it.
For my build, I'll need to find a nice LCD panel no larger than 15
inches viewable for what I'm envisioning. I considered finding an older
LCD panel but modern models use less power. A requirement is low
power consumption and fanless operation.
Already have the keyboard model identified from another project.
Interesting! I've been pondering getting into RC2014 lately, as part
of my exploration of permacomputing.
How do you plan to interface the LCD to the system? From what I've
gathered, the RC2014 normally uses a serial terminal as its interface,
so I'm guessing you'll need to somehow interface keyboard and LCD to
the serial port? I'm thinking 'simple microcontroller that drives the
LCD and reads keystrokes and acts as a serial terminal to the RC2014'.
What are your thoughts?
gmc@metro.cx (Koen Martens) writes:
Interesting! I've been pondering getting into RC2014 lately, as part
of my exploration of permacomputing.
How do you plan to interface the LCD to the system? From what I've
gathered, the RC2014 normally uses a serial terminal as its interface,
so I'm guessing you'll need to somehow interface keyboard and LCD to
the serial port? I'm thinking 'simple microcontroller that drives the
LCD and reads keystrokes and acts as a serial terminal to the RC2014'.
What are your thoughts?
I haven't gotten that far yet. The project is on the back burner while I finish a previous project that's mid-way. What I learn from this project
will help with my rc2014 build.
Of course, I need to get one first and dick around with it.
There are so many add-on cards to the rig I still need to investigate.
Is the rc2014 open source? I mean, can I get the plans and get a pcb manufactured or do I have to order it from the dude? It's a bit pricey.
What does permacomputing mean?
The software is all open source though (although I guess CP/M itself
is not).
Daniel <me@sc1f1dan.com> wrote:
gmc@metro.cx (Koen Martens) writes:
Interesting! I've been pondering getting into RC2014 lately, as part
of my exploration of permacomputing.
How do you plan to interface the LCD to the system? From what I've
gathered, the RC2014 normally uses a serial terminal as its interface,
so I'm guessing you'll need to somehow interface keyboard and LCD to
the serial port? I'm thinking 'simple microcontroller that drives the
LCD and reads keystrokes and acts as a serial terminal to the RC2014'.
What are your thoughts?
I haven't gotten that far yet. The project is on the back burner while I
finish a previous project that's mid-way. What I learn from this project
will help with my rc2014 build.
Of course, I need to get one first and dick around with it.
There are so many add-on cards to the rig I still need to investigate.
Indeed. I just pulled the trigger and ordered a 'pro' kit, which comes with the backplane, cpu module, rom module (which includes the ROM code needed
for CP/M), RAM module, RTC module and a CF card module. I got a few extra modules as well, such as a VGA interface module and wifi module, but I
intend to hook up an LCD and keyboard to it, but haven't really thought
that out yet. I'd like to keep it as simple as possible.
And yeah, I've got plenty of projects to work on as well, we'll see when
and how I get to it :)
Is the rc2014 open source? I mean, can I get the plans and get a pcb
manufactured or do I have to order it from the dude? It's a bit pricey.
From what I can see, the schematics for all the modules are available as
PDF files, but I haven't seen any CAD files. It's all very simple and straight-forward though, so not too much effort to create your own
schematics in your CAD program of choice and create your own gerbers.
The software is all open source though (although I guess CP/M itself
is not).
What does permacomputing mean?
Well, depends on who you ask I guess. There's a lot that goes into it,
but let me summarise to say that it's about making computing more sustainable. It's a movement that's fed up with the tech industry's
wasteful strategy of planned obsolence, but also a movement that
considers that the global supply chain on which modern computing
relies might one day go away.
For me, the RC2014 and similar projects fit in because they use
simple components and create systems that can be understood and
maintained by an individual rather than requiring teams and teams
of people across many huge companies to produce and maintain.
gmc@metro.cx (Koen Martens) writes:
Indeed. I just pulled the trigger and ordered a 'pro' kit, which comes with >> the backplane, cpu module, rom module (which includes the ROM code needed
for CP/M), RAM module, RTC module and a CF card module. I got a few extra
modules as well, such as a VGA interface module and wifi module, but I
intend to hook up an LCD and keyboard to it, but haven't really thought
that out yet. I'd like to keep it as simple as possible.
Wow great job. So how many daughterboards can fit on the backplane and
which ones do you intend on standardizing?
For me, the RC2014 and similar projects fit in because they use
simple components and create systems that can be understood and
maintained by an individual rather than requiring teams and teams
of people across many huge companies to produce and maintain.
I did look up permacomputing in the meantime. For me, I want a device
that will work the same the day I start using it than years later. And
with my day-to-day OS (linux) changing ever-so-rapidly, I want to find methods of living with older os's that are the opposite. CP/M seems to
fit that bill, especially with all the modern software being written for
the platform, that I've read about.
I look forward to exploring the cp/m world. There's a decent online
emulator that I play with occasionally. And there's a RC2014 BBS that
I'll poke around in too. I asked the sysop some questions but he replied
with 'read the fucking manual.' I guess some people don't like to have conversation anymore.
[trim]
[...] And there's a RC2014 BBS that
I'll poke around in too. I asked the sysop some questions but he replied
with 'read the fucking manual.' I guess some people don't like to have conversation anymore.
Just a small remark at the very end of the post, not about CP/M as
such. (My first computer was a Kaypro with CP/M.)
Yes, this seems to be a growing problem online. I am an elderly person
and do not always think of some ways of doing things that are outside
my experience, so I ask a question in an online forum. Often I get a
response of RTFM or "Google is your friend" (even though I tend to use
other search engines). It seems like the interpersonal touch has gone
away for some people. Sad.
Paul Bartlett <bartlett@panix.com> wrote:
[trim]
Paul Bartlett <bartlett@panix.com> wrote:
Yes, this seems to be a growing problem online. I am an elderly person
and do not always think of some ways of doing things that are outside
my experience, so I ask a question in an online forum. Often I get a
response of RTFM or "Google is your friend" (even though I tend to use
other search engines). It seems like the interpersonal touch has gone
away for some people. Sad.
Fortunately, we still have usenet! Allow me, someone who has never
ran CP/M (apart from a short session yesterday in an RC2014
emulator) to pick your brain then!
[trim]
And what other useful software can you recommend on CP/M?
I'm really a blank slate when it comes to CP/M, and online archives
of CP/M software are usually just a dump of troves of files with
cryptic filenames and no description that tell me little about
what the software does.
Paul Bartlett <bartlett@panix.com> wrote:
Is there such a thing as a terminal emulator for CP/M? There must
be, right? I mean, a program that allows one to (probably via
a modem on serial) dial in to a remote machine and supports things
like VT100 and/or ANSI?
On Fr 15 Mai 2026 at 06:17, Koen Martens wrote:
Paul Bartlett <bartlett@panix.com> wrote:
Is there such a thing as a terminal emulator for CP/M? There must
be, right? I mean, a program that allows one to (probably via
a modem on serial) dial in to a remote machine and supports things
like VT100 and/or ANSI?
You could use kermit. There are versions for almost every CP/M computer
that ever existed. And there is source, of course.
'Andreas
To be honest, I can't help a lot. I was a simple user of CP/M, not a
real hacker, and I haven't touched it since 1999. Whatever skills I
had are now woefully out of date, and I never used any hardware except
my old Kaypro 4, a dot matrix printer that sounded like angry bees, and
a 300 baud dialup modem powered by a 9 volt battery(!). I mostly just
used the software suite (the "Perfect" series and the S-BASIC compiler
which I only used once) that came with it and one or two other programs
I downloaded from somewhere I no longer recall. That is about all, so
maybe someone else on this forum can be of more assistance.
On Fr 15 Mai 2026 at 06:17, Koen Martens wrote:
Paul Bartlett <bartlett@panix.com> wrote:
Is there such a thing as a terminal emulator for CP/M? There must
be, right? I mean, a program that allows one to (probably via
a modem on serial) dial in to a remote machine and supports things
like VT100 and/or ANSI?
You could use kermit. There are versions for almost every CP/M computer
that ever existed. And there is source, of course.
On 5/15/26 2:42 AM, Andreas Eder wrote:
You could use kermit. There are versions for almost every CP/M computer
that ever existed. And there is source, of course.
There is a huge history of modem to modem communications before the
Internet was opened up to the public. Check the repositories like
Walnut Creek. BBSs (Bulletin Board Systems) and RCPM (Remote CP/M
sites) where you could take control of a CP/M system over the phone
lines were common.
Paul Bartlett <bartlett@panix.com> wrote:
[trim]
a 300 baud dialup modem powered by a 9 volt battery(!). I mostly just
I still have a matrix printer :) It needs some love though. A modem
powered by a 9 volt battery? That's odd! My first modem was also
300 baud, but I think it was an ISA card (it's been a while).
used the software suite (the "Perfect" series and the S-BASIC compiler
which I only used once) that came with it and one or two other programs
I downloaded from somewhere I no longer recall. That is about all, so
maybe someone else on this forum can be of more assistance.
Ah, there you go! The "Perfect" series and S-BASIC, I didn't know about
them but now I do!
Andreas Eder <a_eder_muc@web.de> wrote:
On Fr 15 Mai 2026 at 06:17, Koen Martens wrote:
Paul Bartlett <bartlett@panix.com> wrote:
Is there such a thing as a terminal emulator for CP/M? There must
be, right? I mean, a program that allows one to (probably via
a modem on serial) dial in to a remote machine and supports things
like VT100 and/or ANSI?
You could use kermit. There are versions for almost every CP/M computer
that ever existed. And there is source, of course.
I will certainly give that a go. I've tried using kermit in the past, on
DOS I believe, but I never got the hang of it. Time to change that I
guess!
Cheers,
Koen
Keep in mind Kermit was less popular than the XMODEM,YMODEM,etc.
protocols. Most people that used BBSs back in the day never touched
Kermit. Many 'communication programs' abounded. They generally could control a modem (usually the Hayes protocol ATDT, etc.), and had phone number libraries, so you could quickly call and connect to your favorite machines. You could leave messages for other users, as well as upload/download files.
The XMODEM series remained popular even into the early PC era.
Applications like Procomm for PC-DOS used it.
Daniel <me@sc1f1dan.com> wrote:
gmc@metro.cx (Koen Martens) writes:
Indeed. I just pulled the trigger and ordered a 'pro' kit, which comes with >>> the backplane, cpu module, rom module (which includes the ROM code needed >>> for CP/M), RAM module, RTC module and a CF card module. I got a few extra >>> modules as well, such as a VGA interface module and wifi module, but I
intend to hook up an LCD and keyboard to it, but haven't really thought
that out yet. I'd like to keep it as simple as possible.
Wow great job. So how many daughterboards can fit on the backplane and
which ones do you intend on standardizing?
It depends on which backplane you get. The pro one fits 12 slots, but
there's an 8- and 5-slot version available as well.
For me, the RC2014 and similar projects fit in because they use
simple components and create systems that can be understood and
maintained by an individual rather than requiring teams and teams
of people across many huge companies to produce and maintain.
I did look up permacomputing in the meantime. For me, I want a device
that will work the same the day I start using it than years later. And
with my day-to-day OS (linux) changing ever-so-rapidly, I want to find
methods of living with older os's that are the opposite. CP/M seems to
fit that bill, especially with all the modern software being written for
the platform, that I've read about.
I hear ya! It's as if some people think completely redisning the UI of whatever every month or so makes for a great user experience. I'm getting tired of relearning everything each time I turn the machine on.
I'm curious about the software offerings though, haven't looked into
that much yet. Do you have any tips on where to look?
I look forward to exploring the cp/m world. There's a decent online
emulator that I play with occasionally. And there's a RC2014 BBS that
I'll poke around in too. I asked the sysop some questions but he replied
with 'read the fucking manual.' I guess some people don't like to have
conversation anymore.
That's a pity. Where's the RC2014 BBS? The whole noveau-BBS scene is something I also plan to get into at some point, but there's only
so much time in a day.
Is there such a thing as a terminal emulator for CP/M? There must
be, right? I mean, a program that allows one to (probably via
a modem on serial) dial in to a remote machine and supports things
like VT100 and/or ANSI?
I'm curious about the software offerings though, haven't looked into
that much yet. Do you have any tips on where to look?
Is there such a thing as a terminal emulator for CP/M? There must
be, right? I mean, a program that allows one to (probably via
a modem on serial) dial in to a remote machine and supports things
like VT100 and/or ANSI?
Koen Martens <gmc@metro.cx> wrote:
I'm curious about the software offerings though, haven't looked into
that much yet. Do you have any tips on where to look?
There's some modern CP/M software on my homepage: http://t3x.org/t3x/0/programs.html
There's QTERM and other programs for serial connections. You usually
don't use a terminal emulator, though, because you use a real terminal
(or emulator) to communicate with CP/M. SO if you want VT100, just
connect a VT100 terminal to your CP/M machine. :)
The only communications program (to my knowledge) for CP/M that performs
any terminal emulation is QTERM by David Goodenough. It does a very
good job of emulating a DEC VT-100 for cursor control and to some extent translating graphics characters into best-fitting ASCII equivalents.
Note that CP/M modem programs typcially must be customized for your
system's serial port hardware and console terminal. Sometimes there
are libraries of ready-to-assemble patch files (or which maybe need a
minor tweak).
I came across QTERM recently, in the sense that it was mentioned in the
patch guide for rogue for CP/M by the same guy. It indeed talked about patching in routines to do cursor movement etc. Interesting approach.
I came across QTERM recently, in the sense that it was mentioned in the
patch guide for rogue for CP/M by the same guy. It indeed talked about patching in routines to do cursor movement etc. Interesting approach.
Nils M Holm <nmh@sraddha.invalid> wrote:
There's QTERM and other programs for serial connections. You usually
don't use a terminal emulator, though, because you use a real terminal
(or emulator) to communicate with CP/M. SO if you want VT100, just
connect a VT100 terminal to your CP/M machine. :)
The only 'terminal' I have is a DECwriter :)
I'm on the lookout for an actual VT100 though. ~20 years ago you'd
stumble upon one on every street corner and they were giving the away
by the pallet load, but it seems they're a bit more rare nowadays.
Keep in mind Kermit was less popular than the XMODEM,YMODEM,etc.
ZMODEM was the preferred one due to efficiency, until bimodem came
along, which let you upload, download & chat at the same time!
Keep in mind Kermit was less popular than the XMODEM,YMODEM,etc.
Indeed. My CP/M single board computer came with a program
with X/Y modem built in.
Friends were Kermit advocates but that was like early Linux.
Open source but all roll-your-own.
ZMODEM was the file transfer protocol rethought/redesigned based on the technical advancements (i.e. faster and error correcting modems, faster computers, etc.).
Fun Fact: Kermit already had many of the features that ZMODEM had long before ZMODEM existed. Ex: batch file transfers, I don't remember what ZMODEM called it, but Kermit called it "Sliding windows" where blocks
were sent before the prior blocks were acknowledged.
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