If you need some more festive decorations for Christmas, why not power up your #JupiterAce/ #Minstrel4th and run AceSnow (inspired by Xsnow which adorned my Unix workstation in December for much of the 1990s). #retrogaming github.com/markgbeckett...

For reasons I have not got to bottom of, Tree Forth's support for Timex Sinclair 2040 printer is broken (even though ZX Printer support seems correct). I have swapped out Tree #Forth kernel for Sinclair BASIC version and now works as expected. Testing here on #Minstrel4th. github.com/markgbeckett...

With help of @robertprice.bsky.social , I've connected my Timex Sinclair 2040 printer to my @tynemouthsoftware.co.uk #Minstrel4th. ZX Printer was well-supported by #JupiterAce with lots of software, which I'll be exploring. www.robertprice.co.uk/robblog/usin... www.jupiter-ace.co.uk/sw_zxprinter...

Playing Centipede on Minstrel4th

It's also fastest and most reliable way to load games (or serious software) on #Minstrel4th. Games like my current favourite - #centipede github.com/markgbeckett...

Minstrel 4th running clock task in ZX81 Forth.

Close up if on-screen clock.

Doing a bit more experimenting with ZX81 #Forth multitasking on #Minstrel4th. Combined several example programs from user manual to make a real-time clock. A must-have for a personal computer in 2025! #retrogaming

`store` and `load` implemented, using #JupiterAce code, as it is more robust than ZX-Forth original. This means you cannot load screens from #ZX81, though you could load screens into Ace Forth (if you can think of a use for that). With that done, I can now start coding! #minstrel4th #retrogaming

ZX-FORTH running simple DO loop on #Minstrel4th (emulated).

Am pretty happy with how ZX-FORTH is running on #Minstrel4th. But, before I tackle any significant projects, I need to get `LOAD` and `STORE` working. They're still expecting a #ZX81 cassette interface. #retrogaming

#Minstrel4th has a very nice built-in Ace Forth, so why bother? Well, Tree Forth supports sophisticated multitasking, which could lead to some interesting projects.

I have ported Tree Forth/ ZX-Forth from #zx81 to #JupiterAce/ #Minstrel4th. With no display generation to worry about, #Forth runs amazingly well on Minstrel 4th. It can find all primes in first 500 integers, using Sieve of Eratosthene, in well under a second. #RETROGAMING github.com/markgbeckett...

This is my (currently hacked) port of ZX-Forth to #Minstrel4th / #JupiterAce. Not having to serve display means it is very fast. It can find primes in first 500 integers in less than a second! #retrogaming

Ultimate 8-bit maze game, now also available for #JupiterAce and #Minstrel4th. github.com/markgbeckett...

I have written a Forth implementation for the #JupiterAce/ #Minstrel4th, based on integer-arithmetic version on Rosetta Code website. I hoped it would be much faster than #ZX81 version, but sadly it is not. Anyone have ideas for improving it? github.com/markgbeckett... #retrogaming #mandelbrot

My work here is done. #zx81 Perilous Swamp on @tynemouthsoftware.co.uk #Minstrel4th #retrogaming

Been enjoying a game of Psion's Perilous Swamp for #ZX81 on my #Minstrel4th. Plays very nicely with enhanced display capabilities of Minstrel, though I still can't save the princess!

Steven Vickers also provided an implementation of common #forth word `.S` for inspecting the parameter stack (Jupiter Ace, Forth Programming, p. 143). This is one of the tools included in extended Forth ROM that ships with #Minstrel4th.

#minstrel4th version has a few bonus features, including support for a #Rex ranger finder and built-in map, showing #Rex's path.

The second #forth game for today is 4D Monster Maze, a port of Malcolm Evan's classic maze game to @tynemouthsoftware.co.uk #Minstrel4th. For purists, there is a 100% Forth version, though display routine defaults to using m/code to make game more responsive. #retrogaming

Seems an appropriate day to revisit some #forth -based games on #Minstrel4th, starting with #Tut-tut, which @zx81keyboardadventure.com inspired me to port to 100% Forth on #Ace / #Minstrel4th, here loaded from cassette tape cronosoft.fwscart.com/product/tut-...

No, but does PET version show footprints of where Rex has been (which was coded in Malcolm Evan's #zx81 original) but never visible to the player? #retrogaming #Minstrel4th

jupiter_ace/mpf-i at master · markgbeckett/jupiter_ace Software I have developed for the Jupiter Ace and Minstrel 4th - markgbeckett/jupiter_ace

And if you'd like to experience what it was like to use and program the MPF-1, you can run the MPF-1 ROM on the @tynemouthsw.bsky.social #Minstrel4th using this revised ROM that I have created, including the printer and EPROM programmer add-ons - github.com/markgbeckett...

End of development so here we are, the development of Jupiter Ace Tetriz is done. I have tested the Joystick-supporting version, I've played long enough to come up with a (undocumented) toggle for the music ;-). Both ke...

The end of development for my game #JupiterAce Tetriz #Minstrel4 #Minstrel4th #Minstrel4D #retro #z80 #8bit #8-bit
gldm.itch.io/tetriz/devlog/882764/end...

End of development so here we are, the development of Jupiter Ace Tetriz is done. I have tested the Joystick-supporting version, I've played long enough to come up with a (undocumented) toggle for the music ;-). Both ke...

The end of development for my game #JupiterAce Tetriz #Minstrel4 #Minstrel4th #Minstrel4D #retro #z80 #8bit #8-bit
gldm.itch.io/tetriz/devlo...

Polishing my Tetriz I have finally made some improvement in my tetriz game; here's the changelog: The most obvious change is the music during the gameplay... now I wonder if it could be annoying... The most challenging i...

new devlog post about my tetris version for #jupiterAce #minstrel4th #minstrel4D #developer #retro #z80 #8bit gldm.itch.io/tetriz/devlog/881103/pol...

Polishing my Tetriz I have finally made some improvement in my tetriz game; here's the changelog: The most obvious change is the music during the gameplay... now I wonder if it could be annoying... The most challenging i...

new devlog post about my tetris version for #jupiterAce #minstrel4th #minstrel4D #developer #retro #z80 #8bit
gldm.itch.io/tetriz/devlo...

Gameplay on my Minstrel 4th (with joystick) Since my Minstrel 4th has been greatly improved with the Joystick Module , here is the gameplay of Snakez++, played on the real hardware: the pure power of the z80 at your disposal! My wife playing...

#gameplay of #JupiterAce Snakez++ on the #Minstrel4th with the #Joystick module. #RC2014 #Minstrel #Minstrel4D
gldm.itch.io/jupiter-ace-snakez/devlo...

Gameplay on my Minstrel 4th (with joystick) Since my Minstrel 4th has been greatly improved with the Joystick Module , here is the gameplay of Snakez++, played on the real hardware: the pure power of the z80 at your disposal! My wife playing...

#gameplay of #JupiterAce Snakez++ on the #Minstrel4th with the #Joystick module. #Minstrel #Minstrel4D #RC2014
gldm.itch.io/jupiter-ace-...

#minstrel4th #jupiterace #joystick

YM2149 Sound Card 8 bit chip tunes for retro computers! - Z80 Kits YM AY Sound Card adds 8 Bit chip tunes to any RC2014 model. Use AY-3-8910 or YM2149 sound chip and program in BASIC, or play PT3 chip tunes

Next you will want one of these - z80kits.com/shop/ym2149-..., which allows you to enjoy the Boldfield Soundbox on your #Minstrel4th/ #Minstrel4D. Some notes on how to do this and software at github.com/markgbeckett..., plus I've patched #JupiterAce games Valkyr and Centipede. #retrogaming

The joystick module card by @tynemouthsw.bsky.social for my #Minstrel4th has arrived! #RC2014 #JupiterAce

Joystick support for Snakez++! - gldm.itch.io/jupiter-ace-... #indiegames #jupiterAce #minstrel4th #minstrel4D