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.
2019
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".
2017
Refactoring
Wed 17th May 2017
There are quite many similarities between writing software and building hardware.
In both case you cannot really do a good job at it until you actually get to know most of the requirements, which is why we generally use plans, models or prototypes: They help us understand what has to be done.
In this particular case, the issue was the way we built the storage containers at the back of the car.
In both case you cannot really do a good job at it until you actually get to know most of the requirements, which is why we generally use plans, models or prototypes: They help us understand what has to be done.
In this particular case, the issue was the way we built the storage containers at the back of the car.
Creature Comfort
Sun 23rd April 2017
In a camper van, comfort is important.
A comfortable bed, air circulation and blinds are definitely important, but it's often the small things that makes the difference.
A comfortable bed, air circulation and blinds are definitely important, but it's often the small things that makes the difference.
2016
Meet the Carputer
Sun 25th September 2016
If during your childhood you dreamt of having a car that could talk like in Knight Rider, you may soon be satisfied.
Considering how fast the technology improves, fully autonomous cars are not far ahead, but that's not going to magically transform a 50 years old car into a talkative friend!
Considering how fast the technology improves, fully autonomous cars are not far ahead, but that's not going to magically transform a 50 years old car into a talkative friend!
2014
Beds and Storage
Sun 6th July 2014
Time to address the important topic of the storage and sleeping solutions.
Losing this just for the sake of a camper conversion used a couple of weeks each year does not sound very optimal.
The concept
One of the interesting things about the Valp, is that it's a perfect small utility vehicle: It's about the same size as normal car, but you can fit an impressive amount of thing inside.Losing this just for the sake of a camper conversion used a couple of weeks each year does not sound very optimal.
Audio system
Mon 23rd June 2014
A decent audio system is part of the comfort of modern vehicle.
Components selection
Obviously, since we had nothing at all, we had to select and buy all the necessary parts: Fridge installation
Tue 10th June 2014
Camping without fresh beverage or food is not nice.
Chosing the fridge
After having checked the various type of solutions available (portable cooler plugged on the cigarette lighter, absorption coolers than runs on multiple power sources, special fridges running on 12v, etc...) we finally decided that the best for us was to actually go for a good old standard 220 volt fridge, just smaller - so it would fit in our installation. Renewable energy
Mon 2nd June 2014
So, we decided to try the solar energy to power our vintage camper van.
As for the general design of the camper, I dived back in the swampy fields of humankind's collective knowledge to extract information about hooking up solar panels.
I have to admit that I was not impressed.
I would have thought that this was a mostly solved problems, but it appears that the field is a giant mess of conflicting informations about do's and don'ts, so in the end I had to take a leap of faith and take sides.
As for the general design of the camper, I dived back in the swampy fields of humankind's collective knowledge to extract information about hooking up solar panels.
I have to admit that I was not impressed.
I would have thought that this was a mostly solved problems, but it appears that the field is a giant mess of conflicting informations about do's and don'ts, so in the end I had to take a leap of faith and take sides.