One of the most popular things to do on a multi-media, quad-core or better, 64-bit PC nowadays is to use the application Twitter to share your thoughts, feelings or whatever you like with your friends and followers, as long as it fits into 140 characters or less. And after the Sinclair ZX Spectrum got a Twitter client to use with the SpectraNet adapter (tinyurl.com/Speccy-Twitter), it wasn't going to be long before one appeared on a Commodore 64. In fact, the latest Contiki build works not just on the C64 but also the C128 and Apple lle, providing you have the correct Ethernet adapter for the technology, of course.

Unlike the original Contiki operating system, which was fully integrated, the latest programs are stand-alone files, which has certain benefits and also disadvantages too. Look at what it's doing and it's all very clever stuff, as Contiki 2.4 has the following: dhcp client, web server, web browser, wget, smtp client, irc client and finally a Twitter client.

Along with getting hold of compatible hardware add-ons, you will need some networking knowledge to set this up, so if there's enough interest in this, then I'll provide a rough guide via the Micro Mart forums at forum.micromart.co.uk. Otherwise, if you feel confident that you can work things out for yourself, head over to cbm8bit.com/contiki to grab the latest build. You must enter the relevant parameters into the web form and it will create the disk images for you, and you will then need a way to transfer them to the real hardware. This is something I've done with Commodore computers, but I've never used an Apple IIe other than writing some BASIC programs. Again, use the forums if you need some help and advice with regard to transferring disk images to your C64 or 128.

Looks like I'd better sign up to Twitter after all.

"John Kavanagh here from CPC Oxygen (www.cpcoxygen.net)... I'm not sure where to start, but I have a suggestion... in recent months people have put together many electronic projects, making retro type computers and consoles, mostly based around the Parallax Propeller Micro controller, some simulating retro computers like the Spectrum. It's not as difficult as you might think either; for a simple computer all you need is a propeller Microprocessor, EPROM chip, PS/2 socket, VGA socket, strip board and a few resisters/capacitors and upload a version of BASIC to it and you have a simple retro-style computer. Here it is in action:

tinyurl.com/Propeller-Speccy - Parallax Propeller programmed to emulate a Spectrum, and probably small enough to fit inside a real spectrum too! tinyurl.com/Propeller-SiD - Emulating the SID sound chip.

What's great about the Propeller chip is that it can output any graphics you can think of, VGA, Component, RGB, using different refresh rates, etc. The chip can also produce sound. Basically all you need is the chip and an EPROM and you're set to go. Since it has eight cores, one core could be programmed to handle video, another keyboard/joystick input, another for sound, making programming it very simple.

I'm currently working on making a simple computer based on the Parallax Propeller which I will put on the net, using about 20 worth of components. If you want I will forward you the link when it's finished. My goal is to create a computer similar to the Amstrad CPC with BBC type basic, and runs software from an SD card. The finished hardware will be very simple to produce: two IC's, bit of soldering on to strip board, attach a few sockets and done.

There are also ready-built consoles based on the chip, which are a little more complex. Take a look at www.xgamestation.com. In my opinion they're too expensive and complex!

You can read more about the Parallax Propeller at tinyurl.com/Parallax-Propeller.

Hope the above is of interest to you; it's retro computing/gaming that one can make oneself.

Regards,

John (via e-mail]"

Shaun says: Thanks for the e-mail John, and good luck with the project. Yes, this is all very interesting, and who knows, after learning some assembly perhaps some of the readers would like to build their own retro-styled computer or clone?

That's it for this week. If you have any comments regarding this column, or ideas you'd like to share, then contact me directly at shaunb@micromart.co.uk.