Bootstrap/386 is a Bootstrap v2/3/4/5(in progress) theme to make webpages look like they are from the gentler, less distracting time of the 1980s. Does a great job of making a website look like an MS-DOS application running on a somewhat slow PC. Resembles the Borland Turbo UI in many ways. The Javascript even looks fairly configurable.
I'm Simone, pronounced like see-mow-nay
on the internet my nick name is usually syx. I was born in Taranto (Italy) where I lived most of my life. I moved to Dublin (Ireland) 8 years ago where I currently work as a software engineer. I have a degree in computer science from University of Bari.
In my free time I like to practice inline skating and roam around the streets of Dublin on my Rollerblades. Being Ireland such a great hiking location I enjoy exploring the countryside and hike the amazing Wicklow mountains.
I'm passionate about retrocomputing, when I get the chance I collect old computers from the 80s. I try to learn old programming languages and paradigms, imagining what life was like before the slick miniaturized fancy tech we use today. I'm also really fond of skeuomorphic design of 90s and early 2000s UIs.
There's some fun stuff going on here.
mTCP is a set of TCP/IP applications for personal computers running PC-DOS, MS-DOS, FreeDOS, and other flavors of DOS. The applications include a DHCP client, FTP client and server, HTTP getter and server, IRC client, netcat implementation, network drive share client, ping utility (natch), packet sniffer, SNTP client, and telnet client.
mTCP runs on all variants of DOS including IBM PC-DOS, Microsoft MS-DOS, DR-DOS and FreeDOS. All of these applications will run well on the oldest, slowest PC that you can find - I routinely use them on an IBM PCjr made in 1983 because nothing beats the fun of putting a 39 year old computer on the Internet.
People are using mTCP for goofing off and for real work. If you have a DOS machine that needs to send data across the network mTCP can help you get that done. Besides its utility to vintage computers I have heard of people using it to transfer lab data from dedicated industrial PCs, allowing backups to be run on old machines, and sending sales reports from the branch offices of a retail store to a central server.
Don't have a vintage computer laying around? No problem! mTCP applications will run in a variety of virtual and emulated environments. It has been tested with modified DOSBox builds, VirtualBox, VMWare, and QEMU. See the documentation for the details.
mTCP applications should work on any IBM PC compatible personal computer running DOS. To be more specific, an IBM PC compatible with an 8088 or better CPU, 96KB to 384KB of system memory depending on the application, DOS v2.1 or newer, and a network interface that has a packet driver like NDIS or ODI.
Retro7zip is a native backport of 7-Zip for DOS and Win32c that runs on old Microsoft operating systems. Will run on MS-DOS, FreeDOS, PC-DOS, SvarDOS, or OS/2. Will run on Windows 95 through NT4.
ClassicZoo is a modern-day fork of the 1991 game creation system ZZT, aiming to stay close to the original ZZT 3.2 and Super ZZT codebases, while supporting modern systems and providing valuable quality-of-life improvements. Native support for DOS and new non-DOS platforms, modern and retro alike! Includes Windows, Linux, PC-9801, and the Amiga. Built-in online browser for searching worlds, complete with a list of recommended worlds for ZZT newcomers. Increased limits - multi-megabyte worlds, 256 boards per world, 64-kilobyte boards. Significantly more powerful built-in editor than the original ZZT, with syntax highlighting, copying/pasting, improved documentation, exposing undocumented functionality. Stability and user experience improvements - while not compromising compatibility with existing worlds.
A dongle that plugs into a Centronic 50 SCSI port. You plug a microSD card into it and it shows up as a SCSI drive. Some models have a wifi interface on board, too.
AMB stands for "Ancient Machine Book". It is an extremely lightweight file format meant to store any kind of hypertext documentation that may be comfortably viewed even on the most ancient PCs: technical manuals, books, etc. Think of it as a retro equivalent of a *.CHM help file.
This web page holds the format specification, as well as reference tools to work with the format: AMB (the reader) and AMBPACK (archive packer/unpacker). All tools are published under the terms of the MIT license.
Replacement keycaps for the Commodore C64 and 64C. Available in multiple colors when they're in stock (because they're popular). Includes the regular keys, the big keys (CTRL, RESTORE, left and right SHIFT, RETURN, and the spacebar), and the function keys on the right-hand side.
The SwinSID Nano is one of many modern replacements for the failing original parts in a Commodore 64. If you have no sound from your C64, or if the sound isn't right (often parts of the chip fail, such as one voice or the filter) then you may need to replace your SID (sound interface device). Original parts are sought-after and therefore are now very expensive.
The SwinSID Nano b is Tolaemon's improvement on the SwinSID Nano. It's mostly indistinguishable from more expensive options (see my comparison video). It has the same footprint as the original chip, it has an LED on the underside (I use amber) and a startup chime.
The SID is usually socketed on the C64 board, so this should be a simple swop, but do check your board because if you have to desolder the original chip, replacement is a more involved process. I use socket-friendly pins.
Note that the SwinSID doesn't handle the analogue paddle input so that's a consideration if rotary paddles are important to you.
Original and genuine MOS 6526A from new old stock (NOS). They are usually found online as "used" but these chips are part of a new stock withdrawn in the years 1988/1990 from Commodore Semiconductor Systems factory. I guarantee that these chips are really NOS and I also attach in the photo the import tag of the parent company with the relevant production lot.
All the CHIPS are from the same batch (4286 206A).
PLS100N (PHILIPS) is pin to pin interchangeable with all original C64 PLA (for example MOS 906114-01 or Signetics N82S100). These PHILIPS PLS100N are NOS (new old stock). All PLS100N are still in their original tubes and boxes (data code 1999,that is the last production).
Greaseweazle allows versatile floppy drive control over USB. By extracting the raw flux transitions from a drive, any (eg. copy-protected) disk format can be captured and analyzed - PC, Amiga, Amstrad, PDP-11, musical instruments, industrial equipment, and more. The Greaseweazle also supports writing to floppy disks, from a range of image file formats including those commonly used for online preservation (ADF, IPF, DSK, IMG, HFE, etc).
Reads and writes 3", 3.5", 5.25", 8" disks (with suitable drive and cable). Buffered outputs, for communicating with older 5.25" and 8" disk drives. Integrated power connector for directly powering most 3.5" disk drives. Write-enable jumper can be removed for safer preservation of precious vintage disks. Supports flippy-modded 5.25" drives. Supports Disk-Change detection as used by Rob Smith's integration into the WinUAE Amiga emulator. 3 user-definable outputs (eg. 8" interface REDWC signal). 100% factory tested, and tested again by me before shipping.
The MechBoard64 is a replacement keyboard for the Commodore 64. The keyboard is based on microswitches from Gateron, lasercut aluminum brackets that are anodized in black and a black PCB. The MechBoard64 consists of 123 individual pieces and 200+ soldering points connect it all. The MechBoard64 fits perfectly in breadbox and C64C slim cases.
SMD components are already soldered in place. Through-hole components need to be attached. Does not come with keycaps.
Introducing the WiFi Retromodem, an innovative solution that seamlessly replaces the PCB in your existing external Hayes Smartmodem. With our latest Version 3.2 PCB, experience a nostalgic journey with added simulated audio featuring dial tone, DTMF dialed digits, ringing and the 1200 baud connect cadence. Based on GitHub ZiModem V3.7 sources, its supports baud rates up to 115,200. WiFi Retromodem provides a non-destructive way to allow older serial based computers to connect to a BBS on the internet via telnet.
Includes external 5V 1A power supply.
A standard USB mouse can be transformed into a 1351 for the C64 or a mouse for Amiga and Atari computer; a regular USB gamepad can be used as a joystick for your favorite games. The adapter can learn which buttons to use from the gamepad through its programming mode, allowing any USB device to be used as a joystick.
When in joystick mode, even a mouse can be used for games like Zak McKracken or Maniac Mansion that utilize a pointer. This way, even if the game doesn't natively support a mouse, you can still use it. The reverse is also possible: games and programs like Eye of the Beholder or GEOS that expect a mouse can be used with a joystick in mouse mode.
The adapter has a USB-C connector, so if you want to use a mouse or joystick with a standard USB (USB-A) connection, you'll need a converter. If you already have a converter, any will work just fine. However, if you don't have one and would like to purchase it along with the adapter, you can select the appropriate option.
There are two options: the classic one that works only on Commodore 64 and is with the THT board or the new version that works also for Amiga and Atari in a new beautiful SMD package.
A passive board that sits under the 6522 VIA in the Commodore 1541 disk drive allowing the device ID number to be changed without cutting the jumpers on the 1541 mainboard and instead routing the signals to two pairs of pin headers, which can then be used with jumpers or wired to DIP switches. The two sets of pin headers determine the device ID. They can then be opened or closed using pin header jumpers or wired to external DIP switches (may require cutting the 1541 case).
It is possible to use DIP switches without modifications to the 1541 case but it's not ideal. The fuse holder has some space between the case and holder which is just enough to sneak some 24AWG or thinner wires through. Obviously this is not the best way to do it, but it doesn't block access to any of the ports, and doesn't require any case cutting.
These are designed as a drop-in replacement for the original aging and power hungry ROMs. Unlike other designs and 28 to 24 pin EPROM adapters, these hide all the ugly stuff out of sight to provide the cleanest possible look. Power consumption is around 5mA (25mW) vs the 70mA (350mW) of the original mask ROMs. As such these run completely cool and consume a fraction of the power, ensuring they will almost certainly outlast all the originals and help lower the overall temperature of your machine.
Variants
Not suitable for the C64 shortboard rev. 250469 or the 1541-II.
Old'aVista is a search engine focused on personal websites that used to be hosted on services like Geocities, Angelfire, AOL, Xoom and so on. In no way it should compete with any of the famous search engines as it's focused on finding historic personal websites. The data was acquired by scraping pages from the Internet Archive. I basically used a node application I built with some starting links and I saved all the links I found in a queue and the text from the pages in the index. Old'aVista's design is based on the 1999 version of the defunct Altavista search engine. The name of the website itself is a wordplay on Altavista. My original idea as to get old search engines and make them functional again, but I decided to make this website its own thing while maintaining the nostalgia factor.
This is a community-run resource to help you fix access to the internet and the Windows Update service on earlier versions of Windows. Since Windows XP was discontinued in 2014, followed by Windows 7 in 2020, Microsoft has closed services they depend on, such as Windows Update. There are also design flaws with these earlier versions of Windows Update, which make them difficult to get working on new installations.
Legacy Update can install all relevant updates necessary to fix access to the Windows Update service on unsupported versions of Windows. These versions of Windows may display the error “Windows could not search for new updates: Windows Update encountered an unknown error” with error code 80072EFE, or may simply never finish checking for updates. Legacy Update identifies the updates your system lacks, and installs them automatically, restoring the Windows Update service to full functionality.
Windows Update provides many optional and recommended updates, in addition to drivers for your system, but Windows XP and 2000 can only install critical security updates through the built-in Automatic Updates feature. Legacy Update revives the original Windows Update website - the only way to see and install every update available for your system. Legacy Update also restores access to Windows Ultimate Extras on Windows Vista Ultimate.
Legacy Update also restores connectivity to some websites in Internet Explorer, and other programs that use the Windows built-in networking functionality. This includes Windows Product Activation on Windows XP and Windows Server 2003, allowing you to activate these versions of Windows online in seconds (a legitimate product key is still required).
Just want to appreciate the nostalgia of the classic Windows Update website? Legacy Update can also be installed on Windows 10 and 11. This works even on versions of these OSes that have removed Internet Explorer. Legacy Update won’t modify your Windows 10 or 11 installation.
SvarDOS is an open-source project that is meant to integrate the best out of the currently available DOS tools, drivers and games. DOS development has been abandoned by commercial players a long time ago, mostly during early nineties. Nowadays it survives solely through the efforts of hobbyists and retro-enthusiasts, but this is a highly sparse and unorganized ecosystem. SvarDOS aims to collect available DOS software and make it easy to find and install applications using a network-enabled package manager (like apt-get, but for DOS and able to run on a 8086 PC).
Once installed, SvarDOS is a minimalistic DOS system that offers only a DOS kernel, a command interpreter and the most basic tools for system administration. It is then up to the user to install additional packages. Care is taken so SvarDOS remains 8086-compatible, at least in its most basic (core) configuration.
SvarDOS is published under the terms of the MIT license. This applies only to SvarDOS-specific files, though - the auxilliary packages supplied with SvarDOS may be subject to different licenses (GPL, BSD, Public Domain, Freeware...)
SvarDOS is a rolling release, meaning that it does not adhere to the concept of "versions". Once the system is installed, its packages can be kept up-to-date using the SvarDOS online update tools (pkg & pkgnet).
Read-only Github repo: https://github.com/SvarDOS/core