Hi from Norfolk, UK

[LinuxJedi]

Hi all,

My real name is Andrew and I normally work on Open Source database software.

When I left my previous company in August I needed a new hobby to recover. I decided to repair / refurbish dead computers from my youth. I had never had anything from the 16bit era (I went from a BBC Micro to a 486) so I started working on Amiga 500/500+ machines (I also have an STe on my desk to repair over Christmas). I kept the first 500+ I repaired for myself which I'm using to try upgrades on (ones that won't damage the original machine at least).

I came across a faulty TF534 in my travels which I repaired, that led me to this forum and assembling a TF536 (which was a great experience). I look forward to similar builds, more hardware to problem solve / fix and maybe designing my on boards one day (probably not anything as complex as the accelerators though).

[rubber_jonnie]

[JezC]

Welcome on board!

If I ever get all my STF/FM repairs completed, I have an A500 & A500+ to fix... plus my original BBC model B and extras...

[LinuxJedi]

Welcome on board!

If I ever get all my STF/FM repairs completed, I have an A500 & A500+ to fix... plus my original BBC model B and extras...

I actually restored a BBC Master 128 (branded with "BBC Radio" markings) before I started working on the A500s

[zChris]

Welcome Andrew.

/zChris

[DoG]

Hello and welcome.

[Steve]

@LinuxJedi
Welcome & great to see an open source software dev joining in While working on your Atari I hope you get time to play with the open source Atari OS MiNT. I will link you to some information below to get you started:

Freemint project GitHub:
https://freemint.github.io/
Sparemint RPM software archive of unix apps:
https://freemint.github.io/sparemint/sparemint/

Vincent Riviere's mint cross tools and compiled software/sources:
http://vincent.riviere.free.fr/soft/

Guide for installing Freemint completely manually, also helps you understand all the components to build a system:
https://sites.google.com/site/probehous ... -for-atari

'Distros':
Easy to use multi-tasking baseline Mint Vanillamint:
https://atari.joska.no/VanillaMiNT/
(Is just the kernel and desktop for multitasking & driver/filesystem driver support. Good for just 'using' the machine for multitasking)

Full Mint eco-system with Unix tools, command line, bash, ext2 drive, RPM archives and software 'EasyMint':
https://atari.grossmaggul.de/home.php?l ... e=easymint
(The full package if you want all the unix tools and development tools)

ST Mint (Like the above easymint but a bit lighter and better for 68000 cpus)
https://subsole.org/st_mint

Of course you will have the best experience with an 030 cpu or higher with fast-ram, so perhaps you can put a TF upgrade on your ST in the future. It also helps to have connectivity software and/or networking which you can achieve with either NetUSBee or Lightning ST ( https://www.exxosforum.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2063 - with lightning ST with can have IDE and USB support, also drivers for peripherals like external CD rom, USB flash, USB keyboard/mouse etc )
edit: just noticed you have an ste, so most of these upgrade options are for an stfm due to the cpu package.
Anyway... yeah a lot to take in. Just wanted to let you know all the awesome stuff available for a developer on the Atari platform

[LinuxJedi]

@LinuxJedi
Welcome & great to see an open source software dev joining in While working on your Atari I hope you get time to play with the open source Atari OS MiNT. I will link you to some information below to get you started:

Anyway... yeah a lot to take in. Just wanted to let you know all the awesome stuff available for a developer on the Atari platform

Wow! Thanks for all the links! Going to be a little bit of a learning curve for me as I'm more used to working on database cores and engines as well as building clouds

I've never owned an ST before, this one was given to me by a friend recently who had a few of them. All I know is that it has been upgraded to have 4MB and it locks up when it gets warm (apparently with the old RAM too). So I figure it will be an interesting challenge to figure out. And yes, may need to do a little bit of converting to get a TF into an STe, not sure on where the journey will take me yet.

[Steve]

That's great Well if you ever get stuck or confused with Mint I'm here to help. Would be cool for your blog to NFS network your Atari to your Linux box & have telnet/or/ssh login