Internet and the QL

[SinclairSociety]

Don't know enough yet about what the QL can and can't do, but is there a way to get the QL on the Internet these days for some basic things...

eMail
IRC
Limited Web Surfing to older Text sites

Stuff like that.

I see with Spectranet the ZX Spectrum line can these days.

Curious what the QL can do.

TJ

[Dave]

There's a couple of people doing serial to ESP32 or ESP8266 modules. I am using the ESP32 module. It works. The QL serial ports, while decent for the time, absolutely crawl by today's standards.

Me and at least one other person are working on faster solutions for the problem.

[SinclairSociety]

Am I wrong but I seem to remember I saw some little black box that did something like you explain. Is this device still something made and for sale? One that comes with all needed to connect? TJ

[vanpeebles]

Petri Pellinen had a fully working ethernet card running on irc directly. Sadly not been seen around for a while

[Derek_Stewart]

Hi,

The QL SERial port could connected to an Internet aware computer with a null modem lead.

The host Internet computer should TCPSER running which turns the serial port into a Hayes compatible modem that uses TCP for transmission connections.

The QL will use a terminal programme like QTPI will think it connecting to a Modem.

Just need an Internet BBS or web site to connect to the Internet host computer.

I would use PC running Linux, but a Raspberry PI with serial port connected to the expansion port may work.

Time permitting, I was going resurrect my old BBS and run it on a QL connected to the Internet. Or maybe a website on the QL????

[Artificer]

That's interesting. There is also this.

"Retro Wifi SI - Internet and Wifi networking for old or retro computers with a serial port (or rs232). Get your old computers online such as Amiga, Atari, Commodore, IBM compatible PCs, MSX, Amstrad, Sinclair Spectrum etc. Access the internet via Wifi on most types of older computers with a serial port.

For sale here is latest R2 Retro Wifi SI fully pre-built kit. Specs and instructions available from http://www.simulant.uk/shop/retro-vinta ... compatible"


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Retro-compute ... ctupt=true

Thought about trying it but without anywhere useful to browse with QTPI did not.

Cheers

[Dave]

That's hilarious.

This unit was developed by my neighbors Bo Zimmerman and Carlos Santiago. Bo is working on the QL version firmware with me. He's my secret weapon

Note: this unit is based on the ESP8266, which we have abandoned in favor of the ESP32.

Also note they refuse refunds and they refuse warranty. They are required to offer refunds as a "distance seller". I have alerted Bo Zimmerman (author of the software they're using) and he's sending them a snotty email. I mean, c'mon, if you buy something on the internet and it doesn't work, you have a legal right to return it for a full refund. It's UK law.

[Derek_Stewart]

Hi,

It looks great. But a little expensive, when a Radpberry PI Zero and USB to Serial adapter can be bought for under £12.00

However, I might have a look at it.

[Artificer]

Hi,

I agree it looks a bit expensive especially with no returns if non functional. Dave while you are correct in reality UK/EU law only extends as far as national boundaries unless you have deep pockets.

I already have a RPi, serial Pihat and USB serial cable etc and have been looking at python as the software to connect Q60 to RPi and then on to printer and WiFi.

But as earlier where to go after the connection is made?

Cheers

[Dave]

I agree it looks a bit expensive especially with no returns if non functional.

We reached out to the guy and he's changing his policy. He does full returns and refunds for 14 days.

I'm making a fresh batch of mine. It comes with a QL cable, so, there is that. It also has a DB9 connector, so if/when faster serial comes along with a useful driver it will work with that too. My current "serial port" is a brute force discrete logic parallel<>serial shifter into a 2K FIFO that clocks the data in and out at 1,500,000 bps. It's clunky, and not right for "civilian use" - and also it's expensive, bulky and often trips up, with no handshaking or error detection/correction.