Will you help me with my Apple Newton Clone? - Macintosh Garden

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2009, October 12 - 3:03am

#1

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Euryale

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Will you help me with my Apple Newton Clone?

Sorry, I know this not precisely a Mac question but I've been looking on the internet for info
ALL day, and I have not found it, ( I can't believe there are no guides)
Anyway, the Newton and Mac are Family, so here it goes..

Just like every sunday, I go out to the Swap meet nearby (which is quite large by the way)
looking for Cheap Retro Electronics, and I found a TIMEX Sinclair 2068,
and this Newton Clone, it's the Sharp Expert Pad exactly like this:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1181/632450738_cdac9edc82.jpg

Here's another Pic I found:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sonnyhung/249415271/in/photostream/

I couldn't resist and bought both devices for the equivalent to $15 Dollars ($150 Mexican Pesos)
of course They Work! and they are in excellent conditions,

I've ALWAYS wanted a REAL Apple Newton, but as I've said before
it is extremely hard to find Older Apple hardware here in Mexico, so for now I'll settle with this
"little" Gizmo which I know it's a Relic but I really like it...

thing is, I don't know a thing about Newton OS,
and my questions are :

a) ...that was hoping you could point me out to a Newton OS 1.10 Guide, so I can learn
the Not-so-obvious-things it can do,
and if you own a Real Newton, send it to me, but I don't think you'd do that, so..

b) perhaps you can tell me what the AC adapter pinout is
exactly what sleeve is the Positive, and what is the negative, cuz I don't want to fry this thing ,

c) What the PCMCIA is for? I know it's a card, but is it only for expanding memory?

I guess that's all,
Excuse my off-Mac-Theme questions but I know you're good at this.

- Euryale

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2009, October 12 - 3:31pm

#2

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Attila

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It's all right to ask here. Actually I'm sure there's Mac software that is for interfacing with the Newton, and probably the eMate 300 too. Don't know anything about it myself, though. When I go home tonight I'll see if I have anything on my CD's to do with Newton stuff.

2009, October 12 - 3:56pm

#3

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Attila

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Lots of still active links for Newton; I'm assuming much of this must be the same or similar for the Sharp clone:

http://www.mrollins.com/newton.html
http://oldcomputers.net/apple-newton.html
http://www.unna.org/
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=50092

2009, October 12 - 10:11pm

#4

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Euryale

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Thanks Attila,
I checked those sites yesterday,
the most important info I'm after is the Newton OS Guide (like how to do stuff)
most of the sites just mention the specs over and over again on different models,
AC Adapter polarity, I already figure out this..
with my Multimeter, I just check the continuity flow of the Negative by touching the pins,

I'd like to know how upgradable the System is, because it has the version 1.10 and it has a terrible
handwriting recognition (haha, well I understand this considering it is the first version OS)
and I downloaded the Newton Mac/Win Connection kit,

I'd like to know if I can connect a Keyboard through the LocalTalk input it has,

the more I tinker with this, the more I like it, and the more questions pop up,
It's a fine piece of Engineering considering all the technology it has for it's time,
and the model doesn't look dated at all (just that is a bit Big)
I'll keep looking..

------------

I checked every PDF document you point me out and I finally found the one I was looking for!

Thanks Again!

2009, October 12 - 10:49pm

#5

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http://68kmla.net/

Among their forums is one specifically for Newtons.

2009, October 14 - 3:27pm

#6

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Attila

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I sent everything I could find to your Yahoo account, Euryale. Good luck!

2009, October 14 - 7:53pm

#7

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Euryale

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Ok Attila, Thanks a lot!,
I'll check it out.

Gee!, the first day I got this Gizmo, I was so excited that I think I absorbed so much info
that I learned almost everything about the Newton in one day,
I need to learn how to pace myself a bit, but these things are very addictive.

2009, October 15 - 3:58pm

#8

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Actually I'm curious about that Timex Sinclair you found. Does it work? I remember as a child one of my friends had an older brother with a white ZX80 when it was new. 1K RAM!!

2009, October 15 - 7:52pm

#9

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Euryale

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Thanks for the Newton stuff,
I've found several Apps I think they might be helpful, like the Database and the Newtkey
which it says it is the ONLY keyboard driver that can work with ALL Newton versions
including the Original Message Pad (Which is the model I have)
now, I just need to build the LocalTalk-Serial cable to connect it to the PC
So I have to ask my cousin to build it for me..
and also have to get the AC adapter, 'cuz it is very sensitive with the voltage,
as soon as the batteries go below 30% it wont start at all,
but I'm still very impressed by the Model, it looks and feels very Modern and Elegant,

About the Computer Sinclair 2068, yes it works but it doesn't come with the cartdrige,
and I read that programs can be saved/load using a Tape recorder,
but I have not tested doing it that way, also I need to learn the Basic it uses,
(I know Applesoft, thanks to the Apple //c I've had since long time ago)
So I just tested it a little, it looks more like a Keyboard rather than a real Computer,
Actually when I saw it, at first thought it was an Electronic Drum Machine,
So I pretty much bought it blindly, just because the seller gave me a good deal for both things,
and I learned about it as soon as I came home.

One more Retro Electronics for my Collection

By the way I found a PDF document with ALL the Schematics and all the Specs
of how this computer (TS-2068) works on the inside,
very interesting and very Technical, it even says Restricted Information.

if you want to take a look at it I'll send it to you,

I wish I could find a document like this for the Apple //

2009, October 16 - 11:39am

#10

spooky

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From what I can gather the 2068 is a clone of the ZX Spectrum with a few differences that make it incompatible with some software.

For all things Spectrum look here: www.worldofspectrum.org

If you want a recomendation for a game to try loading on it, try my personal favourite called Chaos.
http://www.worldofspectrum.org/infoseekid.cgi?id=0000894
That game is the reason I bought a ZX +2A off a friend as they didnt release that game for the C64.

2009, October 16 - 3:26pm

#11

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timex_Sinclair_2068

Yeah, it was one of many Sinclair models, which were marketed in the States (and elsewhere?) by Timex. It's a descendant of this model I saw at my friend's house:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinclair_ZX80

Back then all those computers seemed to work so easily with just about any tape recorder, but I don't know about now. You might have to find something vintage that hasn't been used much.

There's lots of interesting stories about Sir Clive Sinclair, the guy that kicked it all off in the UK for micros:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Clive_Sinclair

2009, October 16 - 4:37pm

#12

spooky

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If it's anything like my +2A (UK model) it'll only work with a stereo to mono plug.
On the plus side you could load games stored on an MP3 player if you convert the files back into proper audio files - tools for that are on the WoS site previously mentioned.
I've got an MP3 to tape converter that I use in my +2A (this model Spectrum has a built in tape recorder).

Each letter on the keyboard corresponds to a BASIC command, most keys have multiple BASIC commands accessed depending on what modifier key you hold down, such as Symbol Shift.

For example, to load a game you'd press the letter j followed by holding down symbol shift and pressing p twice, that'd put LOAD "" on screen, then press Return and play on your tape/CD/MP3 player.

Ask around on the world of spectrum site, they may know where you can get manuals, software etc.

On the down side, it sounds like it's incompatible with a lot of Spectrum software, the hardware isnt exactly the same, nor is the ROM.

Oh, and another site for you: http://www.timexsinclair.org/

2009, October 16 - 6:41pm

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Euryale

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Thanks for the reference Spooky! I'll check on that and download the Audios,
and yes I noticed the BASIC commands and square drawings on the Keys
and I'll experiment with that.

yes Attila, it's exactly this one:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timex_Sinclair_2068

when you look at it from far, it really looks like a BOSS Drum Machine,

and I have no problem with the tape player , I happen to have this nice Panasonic RQ-335
from the 80's like this one exactly:

http://articulo.mercadolibre.com.mx/MLM-31910980-_JM

and it's monophonic so I think that'll work,
and it will be the very first time I load/save a game on Tape,
I actually read about it in my History books!

Thanks a lot again both!

2009, October 20 - 5:10pm

#14

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It just occurred to me that the Software Recovery Disk that was recently uploaded had a whole bunch of Newton stuff on it. Also I had a couple more useful PDF files about Newtons. So I've smashed everything into one big archive of 80MB on megaupload.com for Euryale and anyone else who wants it:

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=W2W2KTEK

Have fun!

2009, October 20 - 6:17pm

#15

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Thank You Attila, I appreciate that,
I got your eMail..
I'm sure I'll have fun.

just finished downloading it.

2009, November 2 - 9:21pm

#16

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Thanks Attila for your help!

Finally, after several weeks of waiting , tinkering and testing, I've found an AC adapter that works with this Gizmo!
actually it is a very Beautiful Machine considering the year they came out and the technology involved,
At first thought the Handwriting Rec. was Terrible, but with time, it "learns"
and everytime gets more and more accurate,
I can't wait 'till I put together the serial cable and load it up with more Software...

I also added another PDA's to my collection yesterday Sunday,
I've got a Sharp Wizard OZ-5500 and a Handspring Visor de Luxe (orange)
That was the ONLY and first Visor I've ever seen here in Mexico,
though I've seen many Palms V, and Sony Clies which are common,
the Visor is a very Rare PDA here,
also I have an Apple ][ Emulator for the Palm OS 3 ready to be loaded.

Thanks again for your help.

2009, November 3 - 4:09pm

#17

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Attila

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No problemo.