#retrogaming fans: I am doing #runthemonth (runthemonthme.prostatecanceruk.org/fundraising/...). In spirit of @sinclairresearch.bsky.social #TGIF, I will donate £5 for each retro message-of-support, created for a 1980s micro ( #ZX81, #VIC-20, #JupiterAce, ...) posted in January (capped at £100 GBP)

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...

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...

`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

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

Pleased to say that Minstrel 4th kits are now available from z80kits.com home of RC2014.

That's a great way to buy the kit because you can also get all the relevant RC2014 modules and backplane bundled together from the same place.

z80kits.com/shop/tynemou...

#RC2014 #JupiterAce #ZX80 #ZX81 #Z80

One thing people new to #Forth struggle with is the use of the stack. Boldfield included a useful routine, called "stackdemo", on the demo cassette they shipped with #JupiterAce, which gives you a live view of parameter stack, so you can see how commands affect it. #retrogaming

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

Final #forth game is an odd one. I think, based on opening screen, it is called A-mouze-in-mase: a maze game for #JupiterAce with very little provenance, including an unknown author. github.com/markgbeckett...

Playabe on #JupiterAce, #Minstrel4D, or in an emulator. Things can get pretty hectic with a spider, a flea, and centipedes.

Work on Colin Dooley's #JupiterAce port of #Centipede is complete. #retrogaming github.com/markgbeckett...

Jupiter Ace home computer with a white plastic case, black keyboard, and red branding. Connected to a CRT monitor displaying Forth programming code. Released in 1982, it was unique for using Forth instead of BASIC, setting it apart from other home computers of the era. Image by Dutra de Lacerda, alias Factor-H, licensed under Creative Commons.

The Jupiter Ace (1982) used Forth instead of BASIC. Would programming in schools have changed if Forth had been more widely adopted? Who preferred Forth? And WHY are these so madly expensive now?

#JupiterAce #Forth #RetroComputing #80sTech

Nicely written exploration of some good games for #JupiterAce, including mention of a couple of my own ports. youtu.be/DRMLR1nhe2g?... #retrogaming

Having disassembled Colin Dooley's port of #centipede for the #JupiterAce (and #Minstrel4D), and discovered an unused spider graphic, I've been working to restore the spider feature and (hopefully) fulfil Colin's vision for this great game! I will share a TAP version soon. #retrogaming

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...

pocket guide forth : Steve Vickers (computer scientist) : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive Quick reference for forth-83 and forth-79. Looks like the isbn has been given out twice.

Pocket Guide to FORTH by Steven Vickers 1984
#JupiterAce #ZXSpectrum #ZX81

archive.org/details/fort...

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-...

Gameplay on my Minstrel 4th (with joystick) I have finally received my Joystick Interface Card for Minstrel 4th! After some soldering, here we have the ultimate game machine! So I had to test it with my version of Pac-man... the gameplay was re...

#gameplay of my own Pac-man version on the #Minstrel 4th #JupiterAce : gldm.itch.io/jupiter-ace-pac-man/devl...

Gameplay on my Minstrel 4th (with joystick) I have finally received my Joystick Interface Card for Minstrel 4th! After some soldering, here we have the ultimate game machine! So I had to test it with my version of Pac-man... the gameplay was re...

#gameplay of my own Pac-man version on the #Minstrel 4th #JupiterAce : gldm.itch.io/jupiter-ace-...

#minstrel4th #jupiterace #joystick

Here is a picture of the Jupiter Ace 4000. This North American version has the right RF modulator for North America and a 120V power supply. These were built in small numbers as I see "800 total" on a lot of websites. "Forth" was the base programming language. #vintagecomputer #retrocomputer

Here is a picture of the internals of the Jupiter Ace 4000. It is marked as "Issue 1" and I am guessing a date code of 18th week of 1983. The lower portion of this picture is the keyboard portion of the PCB. The upper portion is the main part of the motherboard. AT the top of the picture is carboard coloured paper. This is part of the top and bottom shield as it has a metallized surface on the other side for FCC purposes, I suppose.

This picture shows a screen with the output of the Forth VLIST command. This is a list of vocabulary used by the Forth language on the Jupiter Ace 4000. My website with more pictures is at https://vintagecomputer.ca/jupiter-ace-4000/

Some time back, I acquired a Jupiter Ace 4000. This is the North American version of the #JupiterAce. While it's a similar form factor to the ZX Spectrum, it's unique in that it's base language is Forth and not the BASIC that would have been the norm back in the day.

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

Centipede game running on Minstrel 4D

Hopefully Colin Dooley will be happy for me to try to complete his excellent port of #Centipede to #JupiterAce, by adding in the spider feature and Boldfield joystick support. Should then run well on @tynemouthsw.bsky.social #Minstrel4D.