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Repository Additions - Don McKenzie - 09-04-2024

Hi All,

Just joined as a new member, so I am searching my way around.

I believe there is a "don mcKenzie" folder in Repository Additions.

How do I navigate there, and how do I download or read this information?

Late edit. OK, all is coming together. I found that I have to wait for admin activation, then apply for full access, and then again wait for activation.

But the results WOW, you have done a lot of work, Alan. Well done.

I am also putting a page together for The Excalibur Computer.



Cheers Don...


RE: Repository Additions - ChickenMan - 09-04-2024

Hi Don and welcome to the forum Smile

You just need to apply for access to the Repository here https://microbeetechnology.com.au/forum/thread-15.html


RE: Repository Additions - Don McKenzie - 09-04-2024

Yes, thank you. I am catching up now. Have full access and I am looking around.

PS. And that is what a Junior member looks like. See the image on the left. :-)

Cheers Don...


RE: Repository Additions - apple2 - 14-11-2025

(09-04-2024, 09:52 AM)Don McKenzie Wrote: Yes, thank you. I am catching up now. Have full access and I am looking around.

PS. And that is what a Junior member looks like. See the image on the left. :-)

Cheers Don...

hi Don,

I'm a big fan of your work. My first electronics kit ever was one of your's (nothing like diving into the deep end). It's the PBUFF rev. E. which I built when I knew very little about electronics back around the early 80's. I did have an error in my build, having installed the axial electrolytic backwards in the PSU section and not knowing why it didn't work. Luckily I had a Telecom tech mate help me find the problem and after that it worked.

Years later I can recall reading the PBUFF EPROM on my Glen Pure designed Parallel Port EPROM Programmer and seeing the Oohey Goohey was a worm encoded message and had a good laugh. At the time I was looking for a way to remove the double backslash pause 'feature' because it was interfering with graphics dumps on my Apple II, and after reading some of you history recently I see that was removed later on.



In 2003 I redrew your circuit for the rev.E in Protel schematic which I discovered is in the Dontronics PBUFF .zip file now. You'll see my name in the title block. I'm pretty sure your data bit 6 & 7 swap trick was not corrected in my redrawn version so your secret is safe for now Smile. On looking at the circuit again there is probably other errors that I should fix too.

Recently I listened to the podcast between yourself and ACMS which was fascinating and brought back fond memories.

I know that you stopped producing those PBUFF boards due to improvements by printer manufacturers including buffers in their printers, however as a retro computer collector and builder I still have a place for sure a device on my older computers and printers.

I'm currently working on creating a pcb for the rev-K version of the PBUFF using the rev-K schematic and one overhead picture I have of it. I also have a pcb overlay for rev-G but it doesn't have the additional parts included in the rev-K design. I know that you're no longer providing user support so I hope you don't mind if I reverse engineer your board as best I can. I know it will have minor differences in component placement due to the amount of info I have available to me. I just started to use KiCad recently and still learning it. A photo or scan of the original PCB overlay would help but doesn't seem to be available.

Good luck with your recovery and your retirement. If it's anything like mine I found that I now have more work to-do than I ever did while I was employed. On the good side I am spending mine catching up on things that I never had the time or money to do while I was employed moving around the country every 4-5 years.

Don't worry, I've been tagged as a Junior too. Pretty sure you'll be up to speed soon Smile

regards,
Mark C.