Kev Armstrong
@kevarmstrong.bsky.social
UK based programming person.
I'm a big fan of retro computers, old consoles, emulation and cats
I'm a big fan of retro computers, old consoles, emulation and cats
Cleaning and testing Famicom cartridges is a nice relaxing change when the day has been long and somewhat annoying.
November 1, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Cleaning and testing Famicom cartridges is a nice relaxing change when the day has been long and somewhat annoying.
Cleaning out the garage I found a box of old PC games including the first PC I game I ever bought, the budget re-release of Golden Axe.
October 12, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Cleaning out the garage I found a box of old PC games including the first PC I game I ever bought, the budget re-release of Golden Axe.
WonderSwan Color Tetris is amazing. It could be better than the Gameboy version even.
September 28, 2025 at 8:10 PM
WonderSwan Color Tetris is amazing. It could be better than the Gameboy version even.
Basically Mr Do! Is a hero and he should be in more games.
September 13, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Basically Mr Do! Is a hero and he should be in more games.
I’m no PSU expert but at least two of these components look like they may have ceased to be. Probably wise for me to find something newer to replace this
August 18, 2025 at 7:08 PM
I’m no PSU expert but at least two of these components look like they may have ceased to be. Probably wise for me to find something newer to replace this
I was inspired by @breakintoprogram.co.uk and his Tatung Einstein cross compiler demo at RetroFest a few months ago and bought one from eBay. Now I must figure out how to clean it up and fix all the probably broken bits before I even do the interfacing side. The kitchen hob makes a good workbench.
August 17, 2025 at 12:51 PM
I was inspired by @breakintoprogram.co.uk and his Tatung Einstein cross compiler demo at RetroFest a few months ago and bought one from eBay. Now I must figure out how to clean it up and fix all the probably broken bits before I even do the interfacing side. The kitchen hob makes a good workbench.
All of the literary classics in one place.
August 11, 2025 at 9:05 AM
All of the literary classics in one place.
Reasonably well cleaned up Amiga 500. Still not turned it on but have some upgrades in the post.
July 27, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Reasonably well cleaned up Amiga 500. Still not turned it on but have some upgrades in the post.
It really is the worst smell.
July 11, 2025 at 8:11 PM
It really is the worst smell.
I finally own an Atari STE.
I had a STFM as a teenager and was always jealous of those with stereo sound and relatively easy RAM upgrades. It needs a very deep clean and who knows what else, but it's still cool.
I had a STFM as a teenager and was always jealous of those with stereo sound and relatively easy RAM upgrades. It needs a very deep clean and who knows what else, but it's still cool.
June 24, 2025 at 5:50 PM
I finally own an Atari STE.
I had a STFM as a teenager and was always jealous of those with stereo sound and relatively easy RAM upgrades. It needs a very deep clean and who knows what else, but it's still cool.
I had a STFM as a teenager and was always jealous of those with stereo sound and relatively easy RAM upgrades. It needs a very deep clean and who knows what else, but it's still cool.
I've finally filled the missing part of my childhood gaming experience with an amazingly well made Mypinballs repro Mr. Do! board. All I need now is enough space for a cabinet. And the cabinet. And some way of hiding the cabinet from my Wife.
June 23, 2025 at 9:02 AM
I've finally filled the missing part of my childhood gaming experience with an amazingly well made Mypinballs repro Mr. Do! board. All I need now is enough space for a cabinet. And the cabinet. And some way of hiding the cabinet from my Wife.
Finally have a ZX81 replacement membrane. Sometimes the postal service randomly takes weeks to deliver things, usually for all the fun packages
June 16, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Finally have a ZX81 replacement membrane. Sometimes the postal service randomly takes weeks to deliver things, usually for all the fun packages
Today's delivery is a ZX81.
I have no idea exactly what I should be doing with it with regards to restoration/upgrades but I'm pretty sure having the power input be exactly the same connector type as the ear/mic socket is probably something that should be changed at a minimum.
I have no idea exactly what I should be doing with it with regards to restoration/upgrades but I'm pretty sure having the power input be exactly the same connector type as the ear/mic socket is probably something that should be changed at a minimum.
June 6, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Today's delivery is a ZX81.
I have no idea exactly what I should be doing with it with regards to restoration/upgrades but I'm pretty sure having the power input be exactly the same connector type as the ear/mic socket is probably something that should be changed at a minimum.
I have no idea exactly what I should be doing with it with regards to restoration/upgrades but I'm pretty sure having the power input be exactly the same connector type as the ear/mic socket is probably something that should be changed at a minimum.
Finally got myself a vinyl copy of one of my favourite @wearedelasoul.com albums. It's timeless.
May 31, 2025 at 8:59 PM
Finally got myself a vinyl copy of one of my favourite @wearedelasoul.com albums. It's timeless.
Looks like you might have some HTTPS certificate issues
May 13, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Looks like you might have some HTTPS certificate issues
My dream of building a house out of used Super Famicom is getting closer.
May 13, 2025 at 8:52 AM
My dream of building a house out of used Super Famicom is getting closer.
I acquired a few Japanese Gameboy carts for this week's lunchtime gaming
May 12, 2025 at 12:09 PM
I acquired a few Japanese Gameboy carts for this week's lunchtime gaming
My pre-order of the Tang Retro Console arrived. It's smaller and requires less guff plugged in than the MiSTer so it might actually fit on my desk. The lack of a working SD Card slot is very disappointing though, the USB passthrough solution is not going to survive much abuse.
May 5, 2025 at 12:55 PM
My pre-order of the Tang Retro Console arrived. It's smaller and requires less guff plugged in than the MiSTer so it might actually fit on my desk. The lack of a working SD Card slot is very disappointing though, the USB passthrough solution is not going to survive much abuse.
Last bit of space for Mega Drive games. I must choose wisely.
April 25, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Last bit of space for Mega Drive games. I must choose wisely.
Oh no, more dead ZX Spectrums. This batch had a legit Kempston joystick interface, which I had never seen in person before.
April 15, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Oh no, more dead ZX Spectrums. This batch had a legit Kempston joystick interface, which I had never seen in person before.
I've re-potted one in the world's smallest pot but I don't have much hope.
April 13, 2025 at 12:57 PM
I've re-potted one in the world's smallest pot but I don't have much hope.
A "totally legit" way of playing Super Mario World.
April 12, 2025 at 4:01 PM
A "totally legit" way of playing Super Mario World.
I finally got B.A. his van!
(I will also get a bonus divorce if my wife finds out)
(I will also get a bonus divorce if my wife finds out)
April 5, 2025 at 1:22 PM
I finally got B.A. his van!
(I will also get a bonus divorce if my wife finds out)
(I will also get a bonus divorce if my wife finds out)
Followed by a Megadrive delivery from Japan!
April 2, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Followed by a Megadrive delivery from Japan!
A nice big delivery from Retroleum to this weekend's ZX repair session. Nice!
April 2, 2025 at 8:24 AM
A nice big delivery from Retroleum to this weekend's ZX repair session. Nice!