This is now December, and I decided to take a break with the Oriclopedia videos, so this is a small summary of what was published this year.
2019
The Oric Tape Nightmare
Sat 23rd November 2019
Let's talk about tapes, more specifically "Oric Computer Programs Stored on Tapes".
If you follow my Youtube channel, you know that I do have a significant amount of original Oric software on tapes, and that I've been buying tape players.
If you follow my Youtube channel, you know that I do have a significant amount of original Oric software on tapes, and that I've been buying tape players.
Fixing the SHV33 back cover
Sat 31st August 2019
When my Nokia 700 became unusable as a daily phone, I searched for an equivalent high-end compact mobile.
Unfortunately, all I could find (under 5" size) on the European market was either the iPhone SE, or ultra low spec mobiles running obsolete versions of Android.
Then I took a look at the Asian market and saw that they had plenty of mobiles that would match my requirement, except of course they were not available on the European market, which mean I had to import one.
Unfortunately, all I could find (under 5" size) on the European market was either the iPhone SE, or ultra low spec mobiles running obsolete versions of Android.
Then I took a look at the Asian market and saw that they had plenty of mobiles that would match my requirement, except of course they were not available on the European market, which mean I had to import one.
Modern Retro Software
Sat 29th June 2019
If you visit the Oric.org software page, you will quickly notice that the top 10 is mostly filled by software written after the commercial life of the Oric company.
Unfortunately, these high quality pieces of software have never been released in physical form - they only existed as digital files usable on emulators -, something I really was not happy about.
Unfortunately, these high quality pieces of software have never been released in physical form - they only existed as digital files usable on emulators -, something I really was not happy about.
Power Brexit
Sun 6th January 2019
A few months ago, when I started collecting Oric software, I realized that my old tape deck was starting to be very tired and unreliable. Then I spotted an auction for a "Binatone Data Recorder", which apparently had been recently serviced with new belts and power cable.
The form factor also seemed ideal to fit on my desk without taking too much room... the only problem was that it had one of the annoying UK plugs that require an adapter to fit in EU mains.
Time to fix that.
The form factor also seemed ideal to fit on my desk without taking too much room... the only problem was that it had one of the annoying UK plugs that require an adapter to fit in EU mains.
Time to fix that.
2018
Tape Storage Hacking
Thu 1st November 2018
I recently started collecting some specific pieces of Oric software for some future projects of mine, and obviously when you have to pay the "eBay Collector Premium Tax"(tm) you would rather not have all your tapes get crushed, broken, or fade out because of the sun.
The solution is simply to invest in some adequate storage systems, which ideally would also pass the "partner test".
The solution is simply to invest in some adequate storage systems, which ideally would also pass the "partner test".