DevilishDesign
@devilishdesign.bsky.social
Collector & repairer of vintage computers and the odd typewriter.
Was @Devilish_Design over on the bird site.
Warning! This profile might contain images of exploded RIFA capacitors!
Was @Devilish_Design over on the bird site.
Warning! This profile might contain images of exploded RIFA capacitors!
Reposted by DevilishDesign
The back of a Sphere computer was a mess. Why? There was no "backplane"-- no slots. The whole system was loomed together with 14-connector ribbon cables, and the cards sat in loose slots. Moving the system could easily wiggle out a pin or two somewhere, and maybe the computer wouldn't start up.
November 8, 2025 at 5:07 PM
The back of a Sphere computer was a mess. Why? There was no "backplane"-- no slots. The whole system was loomed together with 14-connector ribbon cables, and the cards sat in loose slots. Moving the system could easily wiggle out a pin or two somewhere, and maybe the computer wouldn't start up.
Reposted by DevilishDesign
This is my Total Microcomputer Model 4000 computer. Technically the last of a rare Motorola 6800 based home computer that was a pioneer in an "all-in-one" computer. Six days left on @bzotto.bsky.social Kickstarter for his book detailing Sphere Corporation here: www.kickstarter.com/projects/bzo...
November 7, 2025 at 4:08 PM
This is my Total Microcomputer Model 4000 computer. Technically the last of a rare Motorola 6800 based home computer that was a pioneer in an "all-in-one" computer. Six days left on @bzotto.bsky.social Kickstarter for his book detailing Sphere Corporation here: www.kickstarter.com/projects/bzo...
Reposted by DevilishDesign
Yes!! Learn about the quick rise and sudden fall of Sphere-- and then the even faster rise and fall of this mysteriously related Total Microcomputer Model 4000--in this cool book coming soon. Santo has kindly contributed information and imagery to the book. Great stories. Check it out!
This is my Total Microcomputer Model 4000 computer. Technically the last of a rare Motorola 6800 based home computer that was a pioneer in an "all-in-one" computer. Six days left on @bzotto.bsky.social Kickstarter for his book detailing Sphere Corporation here: www.kickstarter.com/projects/bzo...
November 7, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Yes!! Learn about the quick rise and sudden fall of Sphere-- and then the even faster rise and fall of this mysteriously related Total Microcomputer Model 4000--in this cool book coming soon. Santo has kindly contributed information and imagery to the book. Great stories. Check it out!
Reposted by DevilishDesign
Hello! I'm very proud to announce that my yearslong research project into the lost Sphere computer, corporation, and community has launched a crowdfunding campaign today for a professionally-printed hardcover book, with a compelling narrative and images! www.kickstarter.com/projects/bzo...
Go Computer Now! – The Story of Sphere Computers
A book telling the extraordinary story of Sphere, a 1970s Utah personal computer maker far ahead of its time—until its sudden collapse.
www.kickstarter.com
October 15, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Hello! I'm very proud to announce that my yearslong research project into the lost Sphere computer, corporation, and community has launched a crowdfunding campaign today for a professionally-printed hardcover book, with a compelling narrative and images! www.kickstarter.com/projects/bzo...
Reposted by DevilishDesign
A beautiful case with an Elektor Junior came into my collection.
August 7, 2025 at 10:06 AM
A beautiful case with an Elektor Junior came into my collection.
Reposted by DevilishDesign
With the Digitus KIM-1 on the left, center first version, right Rev A
August 5, 2025 at 10:46 AM
With the Digitus KIM-1 on the left, center first version, right Rev A
Reposted by DevilishDesign
Being a bit lazy today but I really need to sort through this box of boards
July 31, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Being a bit lazy today but I really need to sort through this box of boards
Reposted by DevilishDesign
You can’t beat an MK-14 for a wonderful piece of history. I’m really looking forward to getting this one working again 😍
July 29, 2025 at 6:37 PM
You can’t beat an MK-14 for a wonderful piece of history. I’m really looking forward to getting this one working again 😍
Reposted by DevilishDesign
The National Museum of Computing at Bletchley held a sale day to shift some of their unwanted stock and raise money for the museum. I went along to see if I could pick up a bargain.
A huge thank you to the sponsor of this video www.pcbway.com
A huge thank you to the sponsor of this video www.pcbway.com
SALE DAY at The National Museum of Computing in Bletchley
YouTube video by More Fun Fixing It
youtu.be
July 25, 2025 at 11:10 AM
The National Museum of Computing at Bletchley held a sale day to shift some of their unwanted stock and raise money for the museum. I went along to see if I could pick up a bargain.
A huge thank you to the sponsor of this video www.pcbway.com
A huge thank you to the sponsor of this video www.pcbway.com
Thanks to @tnmoc.bsky.social for putting on a most excellent jumble sale! I've picked up a couple of projects that will keep me busy for a while 😀
July 19, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Thanks to @tnmoc.bsky.social for putting on a most excellent jumble sale! I've picked up a couple of projects that will keep me busy for a while 😀
Reposted by DevilishDesign
Only the RS232 expansion to get and I can move on to another obsession 😂
July 15, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Only the RS232 expansion to get and I can move on to another obsession 😂
If you see this, quote with a time travel movie that's not BACK TO THE FUTURE.
July 15, 2025 at 10:25 AM
If you see this, quote with a time travel movie that's not BACK TO THE FUTURE.
Reposted by DevilishDesign
Write once, run anywhere! (1/2)
At #retrofest a few weeks ago I really enjoyed the setup @devilishdesign.bsky.social had with an Altair 8800 using a teletype as the user interface. He very kindly printed me off a listing of his BASIC Mandlebrot generator.
At #retrofest a few weeks ago I really enjoyed the setup @devilishdesign.bsky.social had with an Altair 8800 using a teletype as the user interface. He very kindly printed me off a listing of his BASIC Mandlebrot generator.
July 13, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Write once, run anywhere! (1/2)
At #retrofest a few weeks ago I really enjoyed the setup @devilishdesign.bsky.social had with an Altair 8800 using a teletype as the user interface. He very kindly printed me off a listing of his BASIC Mandlebrot generator.
At #retrofest a few weeks ago I really enjoyed the setup @devilishdesign.bsky.social had with an Altair 8800 using a teletype as the user interface. He very kindly printed me off a listing of his BASIC Mandlebrot generator.
Woohoo! Microsoft BASIC 2 loaded from paper tape! 😀
July 5, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Woohoo! Microsoft BASIC 2 loaded from paper tape! 😀
Copy of the tape made. Let's try and load it 😟
July 5, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Copy of the tape made. Let's try and load it 😟
Going through some old paper tapes and found this. It's version 2 of Microsoft BASIC from 1975. Version 1 was never released to the public which makes this Microsoft's first commercial product and it's not been archived anywhere! Time to break out my tape reader... 🙂
July 5, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Going through some old paper tapes and found this. It's version 2 of Microsoft BASIC from 1975. Version 1 was never released to the public which makes this Microsoft's first commercial product and it's not been archived anywhere! Time to break out my tape reader... 🙂
Reposted by DevilishDesign
What's the best thing to do on a sunny day at the seaside?
Visit @shortcircuit.org.uk of course!
Join me and my pal Thomas as we poke around a vintage computer "Gallery" and chat to the amazing people behind it.
We also had ice creams and a lovely seaside lunch.
Visit @shortcircuit.org.uk of course!
Join me and my pal Thomas as we poke around a vintage computer "Gallery" and chat to the amazing people behind it.
We also had ice creams and a lovely seaside lunch.
Short Circuit Roadtrip - Visiting a Retro Gallery/Collection/Shop/Museum
YouTube video by More Fun Making It
youtu.be
July 5, 2025 at 11:12 AM
What's the best thing to do on a sunny day at the seaside?
Visit @shortcircuit.org.uk of course!
Join me and my pal Thomas as we poke around a vintage computer "Gallery" and chat to the amazing people behind it.
We also had ice creams and a lovely seaside lunch.
Visit @shortcircuit.org.uk of course!
Join me and my pal Thomas as we poke around a vintage computer "Gallery" and chat to the amazing people behind it.
We also had ice creams and a lovely seaside lunch.
This morning, I have been mostly testing Apple II disk drives. They all work! 😯
June 28, 2025 at 10:44 AM
This morning, I have been mostly testing Apple II disk drives. They all work! 😯
Reposted by DevilishDesign
If you didn't get to come to RetroFest last weekend, check out this webpage which now has links to YouTube videos filmed at the event. We're looking forward to next year's event!
www.retrofest.uk/
#Swindon #retro #computer #Festival
www.retrofest.uk/
#Swindon #retro #computer #Festival
RetroFest UK - 2025
Are you a collector, enthusiast or user group would like to exhibit at Retrofest - click below to register your interest.
www.retrofest.uk
June 8, 2025 at 8:00 AM
If you didn't get to come to RetroFest last weekend, check out this webpage which now has links to YouTube videos filmed at the event. We're looking forward to next year's event!
www.retrofest.uk/
#Swindon #retro #computer #Festival
www.retrofest.uk/
#Swindon #retro #computer #Festival
Reposted by DevilishDesign
One source for totally lost games is the desk-sized Noval computer by Gremlin Industries.
I just finished going over that portion in my book and it bums me out that none of the software is preserved. There were really advanced arcade and educational games on it.
I just finished going over that portion in my book and it bums me out that none of the software is preserved. There were really advanced arcade and educational games on it.
June 6, 2025 at 5:19 PM
One source for totally lost games is the desk-sized Noval computer by Gremlin Industries.
I just finished going over that portion in my book and it bums me out that none of the software is preserved. There were really advanced arcade and educational games on it.
I just finished going over that portion in my book and it bums me out that none of the software is preserved. There were really advanced arcade and educational games on it.
He may not be a Red Arrow but John does make exceedingly good videos. This one on the OSI Superboard II & UK101 is well worth a watch.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=93XW...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=93XW...
OSI Superboard II and the UK101
YouTube video by GlassTTY
www.youtube.com
June 6, 2025 at 5:46 PM
He may not be a Red Arrow but John does make exceedingly good videos. This one on the OSI Superboard II & UK101 is well worth a watch.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=93XW...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=93XW...
Reposted by DevilishDesign
Want to see how my weekend went?
Hours of driving.
Hotel room trying to kill me.
AMAZING Retro Festival.
Superb fun!
Hours of driving.
Hotel room trying to kill me.
AMAZING Retro Festival.
Superb fun!
A BRAND NEW Retro Festival in the UK
YouTube video by More Fun Fixing It
youtu.be
June 3, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Want to see how my weekend went?
Hours of driving.
Hotel room trying to kill me.
AMAZING Retro Festival.
Superb fun!
Hours of driving.
Hotel room trying to kill me.
AMAZING Retro Festival.
Superb fun!
All set up and ready for Retrofest tomorrow! 🙂
May 30, 2025 at 3:13 PM
All set up and ready for Retrofest tomorrow! 🙂
Reposted by DevilishDesign
It's RetroFest 2025 THIS WEEKEND!! Why not stop by and say hello. www.retrofest.uk
RetroFest UK - 2025
STEAM - Museum of the Great Western Railway, Swindon
www.retrofest.uk
May 29, 2025 at 9:13 PM
It's RetroFest 2025 THIS WEEKEND!! Why not stop by and say hello. www.retrofest.uk
Getting things ready to take to Retrofest. Less than a week to go! Yikes!!
May 25, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Getting things ready to take to Retrofest. Less than a week to go! Yikes!!