Bene!
Sembra che ce l'abbiano fatta!
Non è una soluzione elegante, ma a questo punto, chissene frega :-)
---------- Forwarded message ---------
Da: Kickstarter <no-reply@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: dom 23 giu 2019 alle ore 18:56
Subject: Project Update #48: ZX Spectrum Next by Henrique Olifiers
To: <zx.eugenio@xxxxxxxxx>
The Keyboard’s Final Solution – If you’ve closely following the keyboard
saga (for the avoidance of a stronger adjective), you may recall from the
previous update (
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1835143999/zx-spectrum-next/posts/2505665
) that we had several solutions in testing for the keyboard membrane, such
as interlaced contact points, pacman contact points and so on. While we
were hopeful that one of the membrane designs would have solved the
problem, we’ve now tested these solutions and none of them provide the
accuracy we require, they all failed. The keyboard engineers at the
manufacturing company suggested that the silicone domes under the keys were
to blame, as their contact point was too narrow to ensure the entirety of
the contacts on the membrane were being pressed. They devised a new,
revised dome, and were about to work on its mould when we stopped the
process. Basically, we suspected we would spend another couple of months on
the V2 dome solution and end up in the same place. There was also a
significant risk that larger domes would change the feel of the keyboard, a
no-go scenario for the project. Therefore we scrapped the contacts and
domes avenues altogether, and decided for a radical solution that, despite
not being as elegant as one would like, it’s guaranteed to solve the
problem once and for all, allowing us to move ahead and wrap up our Nexts
manufacturing. The Next Keyboard now has a third contact strip with two new
lines, adding all the composite keys as unique keys, dispensing the special
contacts, third layer, larger domes, etc. This is a definitive solution
that we can implement fast by simply widening a slot on the case and
reworking the membrane to route the composite keys to the new two added
lines. Therefore, the keyboard blocker to the project is now solved at
last. We’re making the changes required to the case and membrane, agreed
with SMS the manual soldering of the 2-pins connector on J15 during
assembly, and once these are done we’ll trigger the mass production of the
keyboard to ship them for assembly at Nottingham. It has been a hellish
long road to this solution, and we owe huge thanks to Allen Albright and
Garry Lancaster for pushing for the solution and firmware changes to make
it work, perhaps taking a page from Amstrad's lessons; and for every backer
who has been holding its patience in check with this keyboard issue for so
long. We couldn't ask for a better community, and have a huge debt of
gratitude to every backer. Now, onto some great new stuff for the Next,
because our project don't stop! Printer: Pipsta/Next ====================
If you have a Next with an ESP module and a spare Raspberry Pi (Model 2 or
3) and you're REALLY REALLY missing your ZX or Alphacom32 printers, Garry
Lancaster and Darran Rimron have a treat for you! First you need to get
ahold of a Pipsta kit from http://www.pipsta.co.uk ;(
http://www.pipsta.co.uk/ ;) and then go to
https://specnext.dev/tutorials/using-a-pipsta-wireless-printer/ to read the
tutorial Garry wrote. This will enable you to do basic printing from your
WiFi enabled ZX Spectrum Next. But that's not where everything ends...
because Darran Rimron took it upon himself to make the Pipsta print regular
ULA -AND- Layer 2 screens both in portrait AND landscape mode. Since Darran
was in a very good mood, he also decided to throw in optional dithering to
emulate L2 colours more accurately. Do yourselves a favour and rush to:
https://github.com/StalePixels/PrintStopPipsta to get the latest code
(which is compatible with Garry's original code). Here's a nice video with
Darran's 14th and finally successful try: New SD Card Image distribution
site =================================== Phoebus, answering the call of
users asking for a smaller download that's already tested to work with a
variety of SD cards, created a site specifically geared towards that (and
CSpect users that can now read SD card images directly) located at:
www.zxspectrumnext.online/cspect/ ( http://www.zxspectrumnext.online/cspect/
) which contains images of the distribution (together with instructions of
installation onto a card) in a variety of sizes (2,4,8 and 16Gb images
available). Also, in order to coincide with the next (pun definitely
intended) distribution version coming out Sunday 23 June 2019, the site
will also contain a new "Games Only" distribution called "Next Classics"
which will be constantly updated to include all the latest games and
playable demos for Next and NxtZXZVM. This way you don't have to mess
around rearranging your main SD card just to update your games! Getting the
best HDMI mode ========================== A new "testcard" feature has been
added to the firmware, which cycles through all the video modes supported
by the Next and allows you to choose the one that displays best on your
monitor. This will be run the first time you ever turn your Next on, after
which the details will be saved onto your SD card and used automatically in
the future. You can also choose to run it again by holding down a
particular key when turning on or restarting, which is useful if you are
going to use your Next with a different display. The Mutant Next: a
firmware expansion ===================================== Other recent
improvements to the firmware include an increase in the number of supported
"personalities" that your Next can assume (from 15 to 32) and the ability
to abort changes to the startup options if you have made a mistake or
change your mind. NextZXOS update =============== A new version of NextZXOS
is currently undergoing testing and will be available soon. It includes two
new "dot" commands which can convert NextBASIC programs to plain text and
back again. This allows you to easily view or edit your NextBASIC programs
on any other computer, and then re-import and run them on the Next. Lords
on the Next ================= Matt Davies, with the help of Simon Buttler
on the art front, continues apace on the Lords of Midnight for the Spectrum
Next. You can follow the game on the official site here:
http://thelordsofmidnight.com/blog/tag/zx-spectrum-next/ Next update
=========== We'll get the new keyboard membrane done, produce and ship
those keyboards to the UK. The next update should feature a lot of
keyboards going somewhere at last!
[image: Utility spacer]
[image: Kickstarter]
<https://emails.kickstarter.com/mpss/c/DwE/6TYCAA/t.2sp/5L5uU2ucQFGv1H-PjR00uw/h0/Kvh8eyEDYxccobuZZtapCapiCTt1zUTZ1STvm-2BU-2BsnMG1pW6mPuUzYz6NUb-2F3JMukUS5ZnnRUYrS1n2vUZsy-2B3jjvQSsP2pnU6QMShf3exKoqcariG7wPZZTtyiGl-2Fu0>
The Keyboard’s Final Solution
<https://emails.kickstarter.com/mpss/c/DwE/6TYCAA/t.2sp/5L5uU2ucQFGv1H-PjR00uw/h1/Kvh8eyEDYxccobuZZtapCUX-2Buyj4rUau9-2F7EUH2fWjGnuUjZnM0d8uQFfFAgQWnJ51yktlBZoYhMyj5bXWEQk6ssSA5I1bcTuqQzAsQUJMN6XDXzOYdNWX1aQ6ohU2NZXRy2ltOIq7VSMV3azOp-2FfqEiir1pxTqVgBHZ7GzTmGuBdHf5Nw20a0e-2FRj-2FMghYi>
[image: 913c183ed0fc203be779f623715ada05 original.jpg?ixlib=rb 2.0]
Posted by Henrique Olifiers
Jun 23, 2019
[image: External link]
<https://emails.kickstarter.com/mpss/c/DwE/6TYCAA/t.2sp/5L5uU2ucQFGv1H-PjR00uw/h2/Kvh8eyEDYxccobuZZtapCUX-2Buyj4rUau9-2F7EUH2fWjGnuUjZnM0d8uQFfFAgQWnJ51yktlBZoYhMyj5bXWEQk6ssSA5I1bcTuqQzAsQUJMN6XDXzOYdNWX1aQ6ohU2NZXRy2ltOIq7VSMV3azOp-2FfqEiir1pxTqVgBHZ7GzTmGuBdHf5Nw20a0e-2FRj-2FMghYi>
View
on Kickstarter
<https://emails.kickstarter.com/mpss/c/DwE/6TYCAA/t.2sp/5L5uU2ucQFGv1H-PjR00uw/h3/Kvh8eyEDYxccobuZZtapCUX-2Buyj4rUau9-2F7EUH2fWjGnuUjZnM0d8uQFfFAgQWnJ51yktlBZoYhMyj5bXWEQk6ssSA5I1bcTuqQzAsQUJMN6XDXzOYdNWX1aQ6ohU2NZXRy2ltOIq7VSMV3azOp-2FfqEiir1pxTqVgBHZ7GzTmGuBdHf5Nw20a0e-2FRj-2FMghYi>
If you’ve closely following the keyboard saga (for the avoidance of a
stronger adjective), you may recall from the previous update
<https://emails.kickstarter.com/mpss/c/DwE/6TYCAA/t.2sp/5L5uU2ucQFGv1H-PjR00uw/h4/Kvh8eyEDYxccobuZZtapCUX-2Buyj4rUau9-2F7EUH2fWjGnuUjZnM0d8uQFfFAgQWnJ51yktlBZoYhMyj5bXWEQk4BVfnivY2cbmktkwpC1Wa8-3D>
that we had several solutions in testing for the keyboard membrane, such as
interlaced contact points, pacman contact points and so on. While we were
hopeful that one of the membrane designs would have solved the problem,
we’ve now tested these solutions and none of them provide the accuracy we
require, they all failed.
One of the new membranes, with the interlocked contacts for the composite
keys
The terrible failure rate of the composite keys persists with the new
membranes.
You came full of hope into this world, but failed to impress, I'm afraid.
The keyboard engineers at the manufacturing company suggested that the
silicone domes under the keys were to blame, as their contact point was too
narrow to ensure the entirety of the contacts on the membrane were being
pressed. They devised a new, revised dome, and were about to work on its
mould when we stopped the process.
While this might have worked, it could also negatively affect the feel of
the keyboard, which would be a no-go for us.
Basically, we suspected we would spend another couple of months on the V2
dome solution and end up in the same place. There was also a significant
risk that larger domes would change the feel of the keyboard, a no-go
scenario for the project. Therefore we scrapped the contacts and domes
avenues altogether, and decided for a radical solution that, despite not
being as elegant as one would like, it’s guaranteed to solve the problem
once and for all, allowing us to move ahead and wrap up our Nexts
manufacturing.
The Next Keyboard now has a third contact strip with two new lines, adding
all the composite keys as unique keys, dispensing the special contacts,
third layer, larger domes, etc. This is a definitive solution that we can
implement fast by simply widening a slot on the case and reworking the
membrane to route the composite keys to the new two added lines.
A simple, yet genious solution...
We'll have to widen the slot on the case, but our friends at the plastics
company will help with that.
The engineer's mockup of the new membrane
This is where the new contacts will go, although in reality they will have
the same aligment as the larger keyboard connector, so no twisting of the
new tail unlike what's shown here.
Therefore, the keyboard blocker to the project is now solved at last. We’re
making the changes required to the case and membrane, agreed with SMS the
manual soldering of the 2-pins connector on J15 during assembly, and once
these are done we’ll trigger the mass production of the keyboard to ship
them for assembly at Nottingham.
It has been a hellish long road to this solution, and we owe huge thanks to
Allen Albright and Garry Lancaster for pushing for the solution and
firmware changes to make it work, perhaps taking a page from Amstrad's
lessons; and for every backer who has been holding its patience in check
with this keyboard issue for so long. We couldn't ask for a better
community, and have a huge debt of gratitude to every backer.
Now, onto some great new stuff for the Next, because our project don't stop!
Printer: Pipsta/Next
If you have a Next with an ESP module and a spare Raspberry Pi (Model 2 or
3) and you're REALLY REALLY missing your ZX or Alphacom32 printers, Garry
Lancaster and Darran Rimron have a treat for you! First you need to get
ahold of a Pipsta kit from http://www.pipsta.co.uk
<https://emails.kickstarter.com/mpss/c/DwE/6TYCAA/t.2sp/5L5uU2ucQFGv1H-PjR00uw/h5/WZpFN2IEnpokHI1oWmq6oGpUtUgwXCzgJKSwo-2FhPQfU-3D>
and then go to
https://specnext.dev/tutorials/using-a-pipsta-wireless-printer/
<https://emails.kickstarter.com/mpss/c/DwE/6TYCAA/t.2sp/5L5uU2ucQFGv1H-PjR00uw/h6/V59xRbhlKIqxNaDX-2FdYHQak3Re-2F70jNOPyAqhnghaN9AL5DJPZMzjS7pMNvArhDiR7Tnmclgr5uApcrPiXzY-2BA-3D-3D>
to read the tutorial Garry wrote. This will enable you to do basic printing
from your WiFi enabled ZX Spectrum Next. But that's not where everything
ends... because Darran Rimron took it upon himself to make the Pipsta print
regular ULA -AND- Layer 2 screens both in portrait AND landscape mode.
Since Darran was in a very good mood, he also decided to throw in optional
dithering to emulate L2 colours more accurately. Do yourselves a favour and
rush to: https://github.com/StalePixels/PrintStopPipsta to get the latest
code (which is compatible with Garry's original code).
Here's a nice video with Darran's 14th and finally successful try:
[image: 54e655b416af1a04865df58eacd1b762 h264 high.jpg?ixlib=rb
2.0.0&mark=https%3a%2f%2fd3mlfyygrfdi2i.cloudfront.net%2frendered play
button]
<https://emails.kickstarter.com/mpss/c/DwE/6TYCAA/t.2sp/5L5uU2ucQFGv1H-PjR00uw/h7/Kvh8eyEDYxccobuZZtapCUX-2Buyj4rUau9-2F7EUH2fWjGnuUjZnM0d8uQFfFAgQWnJ51yktlBZoYhMyj5bXWEQk6ssSA5I1bcTuqQzAsQUJMN6XDXzOYdNWX1aQ6ohU2NZXRy2ltOIq7VSMV3azOp-2FfqEiir1pxTqVgBHZ7GzTmGuOHzbh-2F8W5Rc7yIMAFXa3oP5wa0pGWFVSjiUl8vUQL5Q-3D-3D>
New SD Card Image distribution site
Phoebus, answering the call of users asking for a smaller download that's
already tested to work with a variety of SD cards, created a site
specifically geared towards that (and CSpect users that can now read SD
card images directly) located at: www.zxspectrumnext.online/cspect/
<https://emails.kickstarter.com/mpss/c/DwE/6TYCAA/t.2sp/5L5uU2ucQFGv1H-PjR00uw/h8/nY4m9X-2F30NzxFg1Vxfaf9jzvqN00zD8hV10WUCMdAfEbJP3E7COQQ4TukRxdpdLa>
which contains images of the distribution (together with instructions of
installation onto a card) in a variety of sizes (2,4,8 and 16Gb images
available).
Also, in order to coincide with the next (pun definitely intended)
distribution version coming out Sunday 23 June 2019, the site will also
contain a new "Games Only" distribution called "Next Classics" which will
be constantly updated to include all the latest games and playable demos
for Next and NxtZXZVM. This way you don't have to mess around rearranging
your main SD card just to update your games!
Getting the best HDMI mode
A new "testcard" feature has been added to the firmware, which cycles
through all the video modes supported by the Next and allows you to choose
the one that displays best on your monitor. This will be run the first time
you ever turn your Next on, after which the details will be saved onto your
SD card and used automatically in the future. You can also choose to run it
again by holding down a particular key when turning on or restarting, which
is useful if you are going to use your Next with a different display.
Signal received loud and clear!
The Mutant Next: a firmware expansion
Other recent improvements to the firmware include an increase in the number
of supported "personalities" that your Next can assume (from 15 to 32) and
the ability to abort changes to the startup options if you have made a
mistake or change your mind.
NextZXOS update
A new version of NextZXOS is currently undergoing testing and will be
available soon. It includes two new "dot" commands which can convert
NextBASIC programs to plain text and back again. This allows you to easily
view or edit your NextBASIC programs on any other computer, and then
re-import and run them on the Next.
Lords on the Next
Matt Davies, with the help of Simon Buttler on the art front, continues
apace on the Lords of Midnight for the Spectrum Next. You can follow the
game on the official site here:
http://thelordsofmidnight.com/blog/tag/zx-spectrum-next/
<https://emails.kickstarter.com/mpss/c/DwE/6TYCAA/t.2sp/5L5uU2ucQFGv1H-PjR00uw/h9/nw9blGVatjGWxokDkHDpNaxybfldSU-2B6XS6mOR6XISGP80Onpmse7mYwbG-2FolMDQrTGY96eTqoa-2Fjehz9Mz8gg-3D-3D>
Better than Winter, I'm positive of this!
Next update
We'll get the new keyboard membrane done, produce and ship those keyboards
to the UK. The next update should feature a lot of keyboards going
somewhere at last!
Show support and stay involved—let Henrique Olifiers know you read this
update.
[image: Heart red3x] Like
<https://emails.kickstarter.com/mpss/c/DwE/6TYCAA/t.2sp/5L5uU2ucQFGv1H-PjR00uw/h10/Kvh8eyEDYxccobuZZtapCUX-2Buyj4rUau9-2F7EUH2fWjGnuUjZnM0d8uQFfFAgQWnJ51yktlBZoYhMyj5bXWEQk597TlnyfVad7K8ZxcLddOgH-2FEXmRSED5O2OrjgkICTYfhH3LOW5zHCIVoCw4lfY926mNbkBBkR2E0gLpwF2atzFAurLMnbuw4JW4erLG51HDvUEMH6AhNJUvEP9vhUEl00ngINVCEVb2hvWbiHcX8IbgxXP3A-2FUFXRmahZISyi-2FpiFKuvbI4GM9QpBjGQBuh0fAAy4cBQ-2F2iyLicUgcNZ7QdOlSt03BtAgsdLw1-2BLRfjahS48jIKv0iNwOXSiHZLgcPy5TbN9-2BIQRElwjkiriY9sMcQG4N3s-2BP9J-2B5TANqRxOHsUEwfqq9I-2BJ60dF-2F0ynXnenmdvwar8yOKk4Q54kY-3D>
or comment
<https://emails.kickstarter.com/mpss/c/DwE/6TYCAA/t.2sp/5L5uU2ucQFGv1H-PjR00uw/h11/Kvh8eyEDYxccobuZZtapCUX-2Buyj4rUau9-2F7EUH2fWjGnuUjZnM0d8uQFfFAgQWnJ51yktlBZoYhMyj5bXWEQkwEqVjRGxpJJ8z2N6yERG2fqijMTkrjeQ10-2B-2Fl-2FExWi9-2FwlKS-2BA5uFiLG5u9JGEEOLy1vARwBrkfIKXorycZLTpQOshFiklQJuXgWsmgm4eVsgWFPX3TYDRMgTNhqNPsv8YmdmwRhydRfViDmWy-2Bvw8-3D>
[image: Utility spacer]
Don't want to receive updates from this project? That's okay, you can
unsubscribe.
<https://emails.kickstarter.com/mpss/c/DwE/6TYCAA/t.2sp/5L5uU2ucQFGv1H-PjR00uw/h12/Kvh8eyEDYxccobuZZtapCTjkjtIVbC-2FcEexVC0pzQ9mz4EP-2B1cp46B2P8NvUUdnKuA8pNIpEqwDTg8-2FojTSZK-2FOWLV63HM6p-2Fb6vksBUcjlcXN2fIS19II8udSOI9gQVaE6-2BbpRyVm3h8wRhAAu-2Bknd-2FD7RxCcfTRLPyNQO3Co3lkViWf-2BrV0EAj-2FY5FUZ2oErg3dRAYYKdIvG9Yr8dpIq2YlrX4jg9ekSo82OPjDhTcSyP5y3L7RGRbVbn07D5VGRiREQbKrHJzEdH3U7-2BXsNeJrlbORWAZdgvTqRr67045XYSqIXV8maFu52f85ehvGU3MLN-2FVH-2FIp3sh5fRdfMA-3D-3D>
[image: Instagram]
<https://emails.kickstarter.com/mpss/c/DwE/6TYCAA/t.2sp/5L5uU2ucQFGv1H-PjR00uw/h13/XScFdUygk9lHI7pfxHKkZLxwk9SrBs7jae3h7EKt0Da83uZiy7udEwEpTsbdyfjn>
[image:
Facebook]
<https://emails.kickstarter.com/mpss/c/DwE/6TYCAA/t.2sp/5L5uU2ucQFGv1H-PjR00uw/h14/HE2UYZIDTZxfLuJ8qHDFiE6TXyKSQfFtNvxvZHBFHED7gU76uJazXLjfF-2Fe-2Fa-2FNu>
[image:
Twitter]
<https://emails.kickstarter.com/mpss/c/DwE/6TYCAA/t.2sp/5L5uU2ucQFGv1H-PjR00uw/h15/94d0KlU9iJ-2FHN3q9PYEl6y0kdZ-2FdLLXzQqSU7OqcE1beCL034-2F4xajDXkLx4335i>
Kickstarter, PBC · 58 Kent St, Brooklyn NY 11222
Contact us
<https://emails.kickstarter.com/mpss/c/DwE/6TYCAA/t.2sp/5L5uU2ucQFGv1H-PjR00uw/h16/Kvh8eyEDYxccobuZZtapCdpD0L8F0NFihPji7KzNjCsF8z1kELc7si8W6NEH3fb2TXsewtNTptnOsDlOHTS-2B0ADpcmFmZBvEL2iN-2B76yj6WG-2BY2bebEm6HvUV6CHpP44>
We're
hiring
<https://emails.kickstarter.com/mpss/c/DwE/6TYCAA/t.2sp/5L5uU2ucQFGv1H-PjR00uw/h17/Kvh8eyEDYxccobuZZtapCak-2BKbWeucWwDSMmrqgtqAFDnpc9TwG8QDzEEuWBY3TZj5tlAuT9Px6BHc7gZIKqrOJ8vYefJAvigzcbpO6Ew6c4DCvkaWf9CMLJOD48GkSD>
Subscribe to our newsletters
<https://emails.kickstarter.com/mpss/c/DwE/6TYCAA/t.2sp/5L5uU2ucQFGv1H-PjR00uw/h18/Kvh8eyEDYxccobuZZtapCQnKEr5xdVslz78QVpw-2B6cRwCgMJ5GBpeEKNl-2BsLmcarAphg2Bi8l-2Fi9558yuhj3eCR9EDzOn7-2BCTlZzUhl-2B6QHL2Du-2FtPDgl9kjHx7XW1mW>
<https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail>
Mail
priva di virus. www.avast.com
<https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail>
<#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>
