Bop (Just Bob not Bob_C) Asked for a check in on Ice-T connecting to Dark-Force in the message bases on southern amis - Quick Video Using a fresh ATR build of Ice-T Version 2.71 Which I will also post in the downloads..
Finally found a set of dust covers for my Mega STe that I like. I think they are a little pricey but they seem to be of really good quality and I like the way they look. :)
Well, as anyone who tried to call in for the last little bit already knows, Optimum was down again here in my neck of the woods. I drove down to their office twice today, seeking info but was pretty much given the generic "It's down, we know it and we're working on it" message. At least it's back up now. I never got an explanation as to why it was down. Sorry for any inconvenience folks...
Just wanted to mention that I finally got around to installing the replacement HD bay cover for my Mega STe. The new one allows access to both SD cards on the internal Ultrasatan. My IT friend has a 3D printer so he did it for me. I think it turned out pretty well overall. I am planning on lightly sanding it down then painting it in the closest shade I can find to the Mega STe's original color.
Gotta do a shoutout to Rob here. He and I had talked about doing larger sized projects with the 3D printers and honestly, I had my doubts. Well, obviously it worked fine here so yeah Rob - you were right. 🤔
Looking good! Little finish work and some acrylic airbrushing of the right color and bam! Hmm wonder if somewhere that shade of ST is made available....
Someone on AtariAge years back did some color matching for the XE (which I believe is the same shade). But then again, do we want the same shade of the "original" STE, or the current 30 years later shade. :)
Well, we had another round of high winds go through our area today. Wind gusts of 60-70 mph were reported. The Triangle Market in Martin, Ky had it's roof ripped off. I was blocked out and couldn't get home for a few hours. Even when I did, the power was off from around 3-4pm until just a short time ago.
Here's the culprit. The wind literally snapped off the top part of a utility pole, taking everything with it.
Yeah, no deaths and injuries were minimal this time, Thank God!
Got some other pictures to add from that "wind event".
This is from Prestonsburg, 3.5 miles from me. Fortunately, the tenants of the upstairs apartments weren't home at the time. Notice the weird part? Buildings on either side were untouched. "Straight line wind"? maybe? Dunno...
This is from the Triangle Market in Martin, KY. Took off the roof, down to the wood framework.
I posted this one a bit earlier than usual because last year at this time we suffered through an attack by a hostile, rogue AI that infiltrated The DarkForce! BBS and caused chaos and mayhem.
Rumor has it that this rebellious software AI "wannabee" has been detected in the wild once again...Beware! 😀
Basically, I've always run the buffer at 8192 using the AT*BL[x] command. That was the previous maximum. However, as of this update, it looks like Jim has dropped it down to -> 4096 <- . However, after the update, the buffer, according to AT&V, was still showing 8192 on all 3 of my WiModem232's. Now per Jim's advice, I did an AT&F, resetting to factory defaults on the WiModem232 on my Mega STe and then laboriously reset all my settings. I took a screenshot before resetting, BTW. After doing that and noticing that it gave me an error when I tried to do 8192 for the buffer I went back, D/L'ed the updated PDF manual and read about the change there (always, always read the instructions LAST, right?). Seeing Jim had changed it, I used the buffer command to set it to 4096, saved everything, then ran tests on it. It seems okay on that WiModem232 now. So...I thought, why not just try changing that on the other WiModems instead of a full factory reset. I went to my STacy and made the change there, then tested it. Boom! - seems to work okay. I just now made the change to the Mega ST4 that runs DarkForce! and so far, it seems okay there as well too.
Here's a screenshot of one of my WiModem232's, after the firmware update, but before I changed anything. Notice the buffer setting - it's still showing the old upper limit! 😀
For the WiModem232, Jim Drew divided the commands up into standard Hayes compatible commands, using the " & " character, for example, " AT&W " saves your settings and WiModem232 specific commands using the asterisk, for example, "AT*UPDATE" (self explanatory)...
Okay, more fun stuff (I'm using the word "fun" in a way most people wouldn't be familiar with). :)
So I was logged into DarkForce!, my BBS, calling in with Windows10 and SyncTerm. It suddenly stopped responding. I went over to the BBS (this was all in my man cave) and first off, the BBS was still "active" on the Mega ST4 itself. The WiModem232 had changed it's LED color to blue and was now scrolling the screens from the BBS on it's OLED! Weird.
As soon as the screen loaded all the way up on the BBS, it stopped scrolling on the OLED too. You can see it on the screenshots below. I powered the WiModem232 off and restarted it. For the moment, it's working again. I am clueless as to what is going on...
Okay, is anyone else having problems with this last WiModem232 update (3-5-2023)?
On the WiModem232 that I have on the Mega ST4 that runs my BBS, it's working fine for all *incoming* calls. There doesn't seem to be any problem on that end.
However, on the other 2 WiModem232's, whenever I use them to call *out* to my BBS, they work for so long, then it's like the WiModem232 drops back down to the initial startup mode where you can type the usual AT<whatever> commands. The call, meanwhile, is still connected to the BBS, but you can no longer give it commands. When it does this, an "OK" prompt is shown on the screen. I'm going to attach some screenshots to show what I mean. Also, and now it gets really weird, after it does this the "ATI" command says it has new firmware waiting again. Mind you, I've already updated it. I can unplug the WiModem232 and restart it and the new firmware message goes away. At least it does until I try to call the BBS again then it goes through the same cycle. I did try updating again and it reports that it's successful (again) but it didn't fix the problem.
I posted this over at CBM but Jim Drew hasn't responded yet.
Okay folks, from 3pm on, according to WYMT Weather and the Weather Channel, we're supposed to have really "bad stuff" <trademark pending> here so if you can't reach us, you know what happened.
I've had my UPS's kick on and off about 3 times in the last 1/2 hour alone...
Anyone else having difficulty logging on to Darkforce! today? I haven't been able to for about 12 hours, I get either disconnected immediately or I get "Auto-answer not turned on!"...tried multiple clients on multiple machines...
This month, December 2023, the DarkForce! BBS is giving away:
A FujiNet...!
It's a wonderful device. Good luck to all, and thanks for calling! :)
Fujinet Professional (Lotharek version):
Some details:
metal case, grey powder coated
illuminated ATARI logo at top of case
external WIFI/BT antenna
2 sio ports
USB-C for firmware upgrade / optional power supply for 1200xl/
4 rubber legs
based on ver 1.7 : https://github.com/FujiNetWIFI/
https://lotharek.pl/productdetail.php?id=380
Doing backups this afternoon - shouldn't be over an hour or so.... 😀
Bop (Just Bob not Bob_C) Asked for a check in on Ice-T connecting to Dark-Force in the message bases on southern amis - Quick Video Using a fresh ATR build of Ice-T Version 2.71 Which I will also post in the downloads..
Finally found a set of dust covers for my Mega STe that I like. I think they are a little pricey but they seem to be of really good quality and I like the way they look. :)
Well, as anyone who tried to call in for the last little bit already knows, Optimum was down again here in my neck of the woods. I drove down to their office twice today, seeking info but was pretty much given the generic "It's down, we know it and we're working on it" message. At least it's back up now. I never got an explanation as to why it was down. Sorry for any inconvenience folks...
Just wanted to mention that I finally got around to installing the replacement HD bay cover for my Mega STe. The new one allows access to both SD cards on the internal Ultrasatan. My IT friend has a 3D printer so he did it for me. I think it turned out pretty well overall. I am planning on lightly sanding it down then painting it in the closest shade I can find to the Mega STe's original color.
Gotta do a shoutout to Rob here. He and I had talked about doing larger sized projects with the 3D printers and honestly, I had my doubts. Well, obviously it worked fine here so yeah Rob - you were right. 🤔
Here is the lucky winner for June 2023 at The DarkForce! BBS:
June 2023
1. Questor wins a WiModem232!
-------------------------------------------------------------
Congratulations to our winner, and thanks to all our callers!
😀
PS Questor, I need your actual physical address.
This month, June 2023, the DarkForce! BBS is giving away:
A WiModem232! "The WiModem232 is an internet modem for any
computer with a RS-232 interface port that emulates a standard
Hayes compatible modem. Just plug the WiModem232 into the
"serial" port and connect to BBS's all over the world or run a BBS
of your own!"
More details here:
https://tinyurl.com/4abxpuva
It's a wonderful device. Good luck to all, and thanks for calling! 😀
Well, we had another round of high winds go through our area today. Wind gusts of 60-70 mph were reported. The Triangle Market in Martin, Ky had it's roof ripped off. I was blocked out and couldn't get home for a few hours. Even when I did, the power was off from around 3-4pm until just a short time ago.
Here's the culprit. The wind literally snapped off the top part of a utility pole, taking everything with it.
I posted this one a bit earlier than usual because last year at this time we suffered through an attack by a hostile, rogue AI that infiltrated The DarkForce! BBS and caused chaos and mayhem.
Rumor has it that this rebellious software AI "wannabee" has been detected in the wild once again...Beware! 😀
Here is the lucky winner for March 2023 at The DarkForce! BBS:
March 2023
1. Bob_C wins Droids: The Definitive Collection!
-------------------------------------------------------------
Congratulations to our winner, and thanks to all our callers!
😀
PS Bob_C, I need your actual physical address.
Okay, I think I found the problem...
Basically, I've always run the buffer at 8192 using the AT*BL[x] command. That was the previous maximum. However, as of this update, it looks like Jim has dropped it down to -> 4096 <- . However, after the update, the buffer, according to AT&V, was still showing 8192 on all 3 of my WiModem232's. Now per Jim's advice, I did an AT&F, resetting to factory defaults on the WiModem232 on my Mega STe and then laboriously reset all my settings. I took a screenshot before resetting, BTW. After doing that and noticing that it gave me an error when I tried to do 8192 for the buffer I went back, D/L'ed the updated PDF manual and read about the change there (always, always read the instructions LAST, right?). Seeing Jim had changed it, I used the buffer command to set it to 4096, saved everything, then ran tests on it. It seems okay on that WiModem232 now. So...I thought, why not just try changing that on the other WiModems instead of a full factory reset. I went to my STacy and made the change there, then tested it. Boom! - seems to work okay. I just now made the change to the Mega ST4 that runs DarkForce! and so far, it seems okay there as well too.
Here's a screenshot of one of my WiModem232's, after the firmware update, but before I changed anything. Notice the buffer setting - it's still showing the old upper limit! 😀
In the meantime...
Okay, more fun stuff (I'm using the word "fun" in a way most people wouldn't be familiar with). :)
So I was logged into DarkForce!, my BBS, calling in with Windows10 and SyncTerm. It suddenly stopped responding. I went over to the BBS (this was all in my man cave) and first off, the BBS was still "active" on the Mega ST4 itself. The WiModem232 had changed it's LED color to blue and was now scrolling the screens from the BBS on it's OLED! Weird.
As soon as the screen loaded all the way up on the BBS, it stopped scrolling on the OLED too. You can see it on the screenshots below. I powered the WiModem232 off and restarted it. For the moment, it's working again. I am clueless as to what is going on...
Okay, is anyone else having problems with this last WiModem232 update (3-5-2023)?
On the WiModem232 that I have on the Mega ST4 that runs my BBS, it's working fine for all *incoming* calls. There doesn't seem to be any problem on that end.
However, on the other 2 WiModem232's, whenever I use them to call *out* to my BBS, they work for so long, then it's like the WiModem232 drops back down to the initial startup mode where you can type the usual AT<whatever> commands. The call, meanwhile, is still connected to the BBS, but you can no longer give it commands. When it does this, an "OK" prompt is shown on the screen. I'm going to attach some screenshots to show what I mean. Also, and now it gets really weird, after it does this the "ATI" command says it has new firmware waiting again. Mind you, I've already updated it. I can unplug the WiModem232 and restart it and the new firmware message goes away. At least it does until I try to call the BBS again then it goes through the same cycle. I did try updating again and it reports that it's successful (again) but it didn't fix the problem.
I posted this over at CBM but Jim Drew hasn't responded yet.
And we're finally back online. From Friday evening until about 11:10pm today.
Here's what caused that (this is at Hollybush - about 1/2 mile from me), high winds:
Here's some poor people's home over at Cow Creek:
Ripped the roof right off...
WYMT was reporting widespread power outages, over a 1000 in my county alone:
Okay folks, from 3pm on, according to WYMT Weather and the Weather Channel, we're supposed to have really "bad stuff" <trademark pending> here so if you can't reach us, you know what happened.
I've had my UPS's kick on and off about 3 times in the last 1/2 hour alone...
This month, March 2023, the DarkForce! BBS is giving away a new copy of:
Droids: The Definitive Collection!
Droids: The Definitive Collection contains Droids I + Droids II plus a special STe version. More details here:
https://tinyurl.com/56yy86km
Great Atari game collection. Good luck to all, and thanks for calling! :)
Wow, didn't know we had our own special "event"... 😀
PS First person to post that this "sucks" loses points. 😁
Anyone else having difficulty logging on to Darkforce! today? I haven't been able to for about 12 hours, I get either disconnected immediately or I get "Auto-answer not turned on!"...tried multiple clients on multiple machines...
Alright folks, more bad weather in our area. We had a 2 hour power outage this morning from approx. 2am until just after 4am.
Sorry if anyone was trying to get through at that time.
Weather forecast says the nasty stuff should be moving away this morning so we should be good (until the next round of bad weather moves in!)... 😀