Gunners TekZone Posted February 25 Posted February 25 (edited) On 2/24/2026 at 11:23 AM, maehw said: I stumbled across this dead cheap Interface A listing on eBay from a seller in the US: ~21 $, unknown state, no power supply Hah, small world. Not too long ago, I actually tried to buy this one... But got a message "The seller isn't accepting bids or offers from you" instead I have no idea why, I don't recognise the seller as someone I might have dealt with before... Might be a glitch as I do see the PayPal link try to show briefly I tried messaging, but never got a reply. Oh, well... I need to actually get my Apple and/or Pocket PC connection to my existing Interface-A, before I start worrying too much about finding another affordable one. Edited March 1 by Gunners TekZone Quote
amine Posted February 25 Posted February 25 (edited) I made a simple Basic program for controlling the Buggy with interfave A on Mo5 thomson computer. https://youtu.be/MCHaaqll480?si=olrjSXahVNb4Vd2a Edited February 25 by amine Quote
maehw Posted February 25 Posted February 25 15 minutes ago, amine said: I made a simple Basic program for controlling the Buggy with interfave A on Mo5 thomson computer. https://youtu.be/MCHaaqll480?si=olrjSXahVNb4Vd2a That's great! Are you willing to share the code and explain? Is it like controlling the direction by key presses? Quote
amine Posted February 25 Posted February 25 (edited) 21 hours ago, maehw said: That's great! Are you willing to share the code and explain? Is it like controlling the direction by key presses? Yes it allows you to control in real time your buggy by pressing your keyboard direction keys. //The first 4 lines are for initialization &H read the adress in hexadecimal// 1 POKE &H A7F3,0//swith data register to direction setting // 2 POKE &H A7F2,63 // set inputs and outputs lines // 3 POKE &H A7F3,4 // switch data register to level setting// 4 POKE &H A7F2,0 //reset data register levels// 10 PRINT "HELLO" 11 PRINT "ENTER A DIRECTION KEY" 20 A$=INKEY$ //this create a input variable// 30 IF A$=" " THEN 20 //loop on the key press// 40 IF A$ =CHR$(11) THEN POKE &H A7F2,10 //up key is is number 11, values poked depend on your interface A configuration here 10 is 8 + 2 meaning output 1 and 3 // 41 REM "FORWARD" 42 FOR T =1 TO 100 :NEXT T 43 POKE &H A7F2,0 // move for 1 sec and stop change the value 100 for the precision control// 50 IF A$=CHR(10) THEN POKE &H A7F2,5 // down key is number 10// 51 REM "BACkWARD" 52 FOR T =1 TO 100 :NEXT T 53 POKE &H A7F2,0 60 IF A$=CHR$(8) THEN POKE &H A7F2,8 //left key is number 8// 61 REM "LEFT" 62 FOR T =1 TO 100 :NEXT T 63 POKE &H A7F2,0 70 IF A$=CHR$(9) THEN POKE &H A7F2,2 //right key is number 9// 71 REM "RIGHT" 72 FOR T =1 TO 100 :NEXT T 73 POKE &H A7F2,0 74 IF A$="A" THEN POKE &H A7F2,0 // if key A is pressed interface A outputs are turned off// 80 GOTO 20 //loop for ever// Damn I really feel now like a MIT computer scientist 🤔 Edited February 26 by amine Quote
Toastie Posted February 25 Author Posted February 25 4 hours ago, amine said: Mo5 thomson computer That is quite a nice machine, I never heard of! And it runs MS BASIC 1.0 - I love the PEEKs and POKEs! This is really very interesting - so in France they also had a dedicated "school computer" as they had in Sweden - The Compis (and most probably elsewhere, but in Germany, if I am not mistaken). And @evank has to update his website Thank you very much for sharing! All the best Thorsten Quote
amine Posted February 26 Posted February 26 (edited) 18 hours ago, Toastie said: That is quite a nice machine, I never heard of! And it runs MS BASIC 1.0 - I love the PEEKs and POKEs! This is really very interesting - so in France they also had a dedicated "school computer" as they had in Sweden - The Compis (and most probably elsewhere, but in Germany, if I am not mistaken). And @evank has to update his website Thank you very much for sharing! All the best Thorsten I updated the code with precision control, pushing a key will trigger a FOR loop by changing the length of it you can control how far the buggy will move for each key press. It is not yet a PWM but by inserting some machine code in a data field we can do it. I think one should try with an Led and a speaker first. If I can change the speed of the buggy I want a Guinness world record. Edited February 26 by amine Quote
Toastie Posted February 26 Author Posted February 26 7 hours ago, amine said: It is not yet a PWM but by inserting some machine code in a data field we can do it. That would be super nice. 6809 machine code ... And there is even an emulator for the MO5: https://www.roug.org/retrocomputing/emulators/mo5 I have some BASIC code for simulating (very) slow "PWM" as done in the TCLogo machine code. It works, but as said, it is way too slow. Well, in DOSBox-X, I can crank up the speed of QBasic considerably ;) All the best Thorsten Quote
evank Posted February 26 Posted February 26 On 2/24/2026 at 8:26 PM, Gunners TekZone said: Oh, well... I need to actually get my Apple and/or Pocket PC connection to my existing Interface-A, before I start worrying too much about finding another affordable one. I can hook you up. I'll send you a private message. On 2/25/2026 at 11:56 AM, Toastie said: That is quite a nice machine, I never heard of! And it runs MS BASIC 1.0 - I love the PEEKs and POKEs! This is really very interesting - so in France they also had a dedicated "school computer" as they had in Sweden - The Compis (and most probably elsewhere, but in Germany, if I am not mistaken). And @evank has to update his website Thank you very much for sharing! All the best Thorsten I already updated it to include Compis ... several months ago. :) https://www.brickhacks.com/2.php One of these days I'll get around to uploading a table of all known-working systems with 9750 and their various nuances. I already made the table, just need to do some work on my website. It's waaaaaaay overdue. Quote
Toastie Posted February 26 Author Posted February 26 47 minutes ago, evank said: I already updated it to include Compis ... several months ago. :) Oh my, sorry! I totally wrongly assumed, @amine is PEEKing and POKEing around in BASIC 1.0 because there was no LEGO software for it ... Your website is so unbelievably helpful in referencing and identifying all the various 8-bit systems a) endorsed by TLG and b) all the systems you summoned in reply to your challenge. a) being much more important to me, as I find this really fascinating: What countries chose what route to get into school computing, and at what effort, cost, and - "success". All the best Thorsten Quote
amine Posted February 27 Posted February 27 (edited) 11 hours ago, Toastie said: Oh my, sorry! I totally wrongly assumed, @amine is PEEKing and POKEing around in BASIC 1.0 because there was no LEGO software for it ... Your website is so unbelievably helpful in referencing and identifying all the various 8-bit systems a) endorsed by TLG and b) all the systems you summoned in reply to your challenge. a) being much more important to me, as I find this really fascinating: What countries chose what route to get into school computing, and at what effort, cost, and - "success". All the best Thorsten Working on a 8bit computer is so satisfying. ASMR experience guaranteed. No boot time to wait, the computer is quiet , the keyboard is sweet, recording is on audio k7. Everyone should have this kind of machine at home. Heaven on earth !!! I am going to update my program today. I should have made many instructions on the same line using : not using new lines. The buggy is more responsive and the program is shorter. I am going to put the push button detection as well if I can make it work. Soon we will get a line follower from 1980 back in track for the 2026. You can change the speed without pwm just by charging the lengh of the steps. Use FOR T=1 to 1 or 10 or 100. Edited February 27 by amine Quote
amine Posted February 27 Posted February 27 (edited) Here is the updated program More responsive with a sensor detection, and speed control possible. You can change the speed without pwm just by charging the lengh of the steps. Use FOR T=1 to 1 or 10 or 100. The first 4 lines are for initialization &H read the adress in hexadecimal// 1 POKE &H A7F3,0//swith data register to direction setting // 2 POKE &H A7F2,63 // set inputs and outputs lines // 3 POKE &H A7F3,4 // switch data register to level setting// 4 POKE &H A7F2,0 //reset data register levels// 10 PRINT "HELLO" 11 PRINT "ENTER A DIRECTION KEY" 20 A$=INKEY$:B=PEEK(&H A7F2) //this create a input variable and check the sensor state// 30 IF A$=" " AND B=0 THEN 20 //loop on the key and sensor press, this is a wait until // 40 IF A$ =CHR$(11) THEN POKE &H A7F2,10:FOR T=1 TO 100:NEXT T:POKE &HA7F2,0 //up key is is number 11, values poked depend on your interface A configuration here 10 is 8 + 2 meaning output 1 and 3 // 41 REM "FORWARD" // move for 1 sec and stop change the value 100 for the precision control// 50 IF A$=CHR(10) THEN POKE &H A7F2,5:FOR T=1 TO 100:NEXT T:POKE &HA7F2,0 // down key is number 10// 51 REM "BACkWARD" 60 IF A$=CHR$(8) THEN POKE &H A7F2,8:FOR T=1 TO 100:NEXT T:POKE &HA7F2,0 //left key is number 8// 61 REM "LEFT" 70 IF A$=CHR$(9) THEN POKE &H A7F2,2:FOR T=1 TO 100:NEXT T:POKE &HA7F2,0 //right key is number 9// 71 REM "RIGHT" 74 IF A$="A" THEN POKE &H A7F2,0 // if key A is pressed interface A outputs are turned off// IF B=64 THEN POKE &H A7F2,5:FOR T=1 TO 1000:NEXT T:POKE &HA7F2,0 // if sensor is pressed go back for 3 seconds 80 GOTO 20 //loop for ever// Line follower is next on the line !!! The algorithm of the line folower is If the sensor see the white table then move forward If the sensor see the black tape then turn https://youtube.com/watch?v=BFAx3TDKs00&t=378&feature=shared Edited February 27 by amine Quote
maehw Posted February 27 Posted February 27 Hi everyone, thanks for providing more code and explanations. I've now taken a look into LEGO TC logo. Also thanks @evank for the reference guides for both Interface A and B! Can someone please guide me how to use the emulator on https://archive.org/details/LEGO_TC_Logo? How can I navigate a page (e.g. "TURTLE")? It seems that the cursor only moves in the lower part (the "command center" as it's called IIRC.. maybe mixing it up with the name of the input field in ControlLab though). Cheers Mäh Quote
amine Posted February 27 Posted February 27 50 minutes ago, maehw said: Hi everyone, thanks for providing more code and explanations. I've now taken a look into LEGO TC logo. Also thanks @evank for the reference guides for both Interface A and B! Can someone please guide me how to use the emulator on https://archive.org/details/LEGO_TC_Logo? How can I navigate a page (e.g. "TURTLE")? It seems that the cursor only moves in the lower part (the "command center" as it's called IIRC.. maybe mixing it up with the name of the input field in ControlLab though). Cheers Mäh This is what I figured out so far. On apple2ts emulator Altgr +F flip card for edit procedure AltGr +U going to top windows AltGr +D going to bottom windows AltGr +6 delete project Quote
maehw Posted February 27 Posted February 27 12 minutes ago, amine said: This is what I figured out so far. On apple2ts emulator Altgr +F flip card for edit procedure AltGr +U going to top windows AltGr +D going to bottom windows AltGr +6 delete project Perfect, thanks! Alt + U/D does the trick on the MacBook I am currently working on. Cheers! Have a nice weekend everyone Quote
Toastie Posted February 27 Author Posted February 27 1 hour ago, maehw said: Have a nice weekend everyone You too! Quote
Gunners TekZone Posted March 1 Posted March 1 (edited) On 1/28/2026 at 1:25 PM, Gunners TekZone said: Certainly!! And thanks for the invite to explore these cards potential Interface-A use here. Well... A bit of an update on my "Can I use this smaller random board for LEGO I/O in lew of a proper 9767" saga. Recently I finally had the focus to finish mapping out the pinouts on the smaller board: Dropbox link of PDF I then tried to get AI to help me toggle some LED's with this board (as I am sooo No0b concerning Apple IIe stuff)... Either the AI is braindead, or I am?... But it keeps telling me that the port sockets where numbered backwards (7-1 right to left). And while trying to determine why nothing was woking, It wanted to confirm I was probing the correct Pin for DEV SEL (Pin 41) on whatever socket I was testing... as it was telling me it was on the component side of the board (NO, it is not). Needless to say "we" didn't get far, and never toggled any LED's... Just tweaked my patience a bit Time to do more Googling, and I did find a YT video of some guy that designed a great Apple IIe Signal Diagnostics Board (that I could use to nail down the signals and programming bits). Alas, there doesn't appear to be any follow up video or info where to get the kit? Oh well... This topic is on the Interface-A (which is my ultimate goal toward controlling an such via my APCO IIe clone, and a board I either mod or build myself). Thus the trials and errors and errors, and errors... But short of purchasing a genuine 9767 (and only because it seemed cool at the time, but that thought fizzled out... And my wallet is thanking me ) I currently refuse to spend big $$ on a reproduction board like Blocko. It just seems too much for what it is and I am simply not that desperate to run LEGO on the Apple. To me, this is about learning the workings design and building process, with what I have on hand, more so than just slapping existing parts in. BTW, the larger of the two boards was intended to become a donor for the 6522A IC's, to eventually make my own repo of a 9767 (still in the plans). But now I might switch my testing to it and see if it reacts any better with AI assistance?? I'll keep on plugging at it. On 2/24/2026 at 5:26 PM, Gunners TekZone said: Hah, small world. Not too long ago, I actually tried to buy this one... But got a message "The seller isn't accepting bids or offers from you" instead BTW, I didn't really need or plan on getting another one, but I just found and ordered my 2nd Interface-A... Original box (Cool, but just going to sit on a shelf, empty, alongside my 1st one) with PSU and OG cable for $104 CAD SHIPPED! ... I simply couldn't ignore that price! I think I might dedicate it for my Sharp PC-G850VS I/O to Int-A testing... While I give the Apple a timeout Edited March 1 by Gunners TekZone Quote
Toastie Posted March 1 Author Posted March 1 10 minutes ago, Gunners TekZone said: To me, this is about learning the workings design and building process, with what I have on hand, more so than just slapping existing parts in. So there are at least two of us! I do see and do it the exact same way you are choosing: Either I get the (as "Unobtanium categorized") items, such as 9771 for very low money + S&H of course, or I will take the "trail and error, error, error ... success!" route. OK, success may not be the final result, but for sure the learning curve took steep inclines! And that is all what counts. AI may be of help - or maybe not. I recently got so much nonsense regarding "reset button for a C64" from Google's AI - it was telling. Old and swiftly emerging stuff (back in the days, as the C64, Apple II, and other systems - heck, that was the >fun<!) seems not to be the realm of AI. I prefer the human brain guided search when it comes to old stuff. You know the arbitrary diversions, deep dives, just for fun searches. And yes, the "what I have at hand approach" is another rewarding experience. 3D printing? Sure. But maybe there is a scrap part somewhere? Buying the perfect fit part for some task? Sure. But maybe a used part, having the functionality, will do? With some mod, or apparently less nice look? Sure. However, it depends on perspective: Used parts generally look good to me ... Just keep posting what you are either struggling with or you have accomplished. Or you are searching for. I am in. All the best Thorsten Quote
maehw Posted March 3 Posted March 3 Hi everyone! I've got a question about LEGO TC logo. There's the `talkto` (short `tto`) command to select the output port(s) to be operated on (switched on/off, flash, etc.). The reference manual states: "There are nine outlet ports (A, B, C, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)". In my understanding A/B/C can be used bi-polar, e.g. to attach motors whose direction can be changed (`rd`, `setodd`, `seteven`) -- i.e. enabling to turn them CW and CCW. And ports 0-5 can be used in a uni-polar fashion, e.g. switching motors only on and off. When I use the LEGO TC logo Apple //e emulator, I get the error message "Can't use adjacent ports" for `tto 0` and `tto 1` (or `tto "0` and `tto "1`) while the other outlet port names work fine. Is that a bug or is there a reasonable explanation for that? Cheers Mäh Quote
evank Posted March 3 Posted March 3 @maehw your understanding is correct. Can you show us your full code? Quote
maehw Posted Tuesday at 06:14 PM Posted Tuesday at 06:14 PM 4 hours ago, evank said: @maehw your understanding is correct. Can you show us your full code? I wasonly entering those commands directly into the lower part. On the 'TURTLE' page if that is relevant — but actually without explicitly executing procedures from that page. Quote
Toastie Posted Tuesday at 07:12 PM Author Posted Tuesday at 07:12 PM 8 hours ago, maehw said: When I use the LEGO TC logo Apple //e emulator, I get the error message "Can't use adjacent ports" for `tto 0` and `tto 1` (or `tto "0` and `tto "1`) while the other outlet port names work fine. Is that a bug or is there a reasonable explanation for that? Hmm - that seems to be a bug? When I use either TCLogo within the DOSBox-X emulator or directly on my IBM XT with 9771 card, I don't get that error. At least not, when I type "tto 1" then "on" and then "tto 0" and "on" in direct mode. Does this lead to the error you mentioned in your post? Best Thorsten Quote
amine Posted Thursday at 06:11 PM Posted Thursday at 06:11 PM (edited) On 3/3/2026 at 7:14 PM, maehw said: I wasonly entering those commands directly into the lower part. On the 'TURTLE' page if that is relevant — but actually without explicitly executing procedures from that page. On the turtle page you shouldn't use the talk to primitives because there are already prewriten procedures to move the turtle. I think it is TFD for turtle forward plus the time in tenth of seconds. https://youtu.be/PZuiDuDywHw?is=nnlBi6n9QZ1Yd5B7 Edited Thursday at 06:12 PM by amine Quote
Gunners TekZone Posted Saturday at 01:29 AM Posted Saturday at 01:29 AM (edited) Well, I was a trigger pull away from an OG 9767 (partially because it would have tickled my senses using an original $$$$$ LEGO relic in a $50 clone APCO IIe) But thank heavens divine intervention triggered some common sense, and my bank account can stop acting like I am murdering it (for now at least ). The Blocky option is bat crap crazy priced for what it is, so not even going there. And alas... I simply haven't been having any results trying to figure out how to use those two random Apple I/O boards I have. Turns out the smaller one was for a braille "display" and the larger was a part of a "general purpose?" external interface setup for "whatever". But between my inexperience with all things Apple, and AI being mostly useless with assisting in my attempts to communicate to them. I am setting aside the smaller for future experiments, and stealing the 6522s from the larger one. Thus I have acquired all the parts (IC sockets and some discrete components not shown)... But this was the "easy" part towards making my own Apple II / IIe 9767 board... Or two... I just need to await a clear'ish brain-fog free moment when I can trust my pin mapping skilz, and it is "safe" to handle the soldering iron But I better hustle... My 2nd Interface-A is on the way, and I don't want to mess with my Commodore setup (I soooo lazy ) Edited Saturday at 07:58 AM by Gunners TekZone Quote
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