George Beckett
@markgbeckett.bsky.social
I am an academic, computational scientist, and research-programme manager, working in high-performance computing, though often found tinkering with 1980s 8-bit micros.
Doing a bit more experimenting with ZX81 #Forth multitasking on #Minstrel4th. Combined several example programs from user manual to make a real-time clock. A must-have for a personal computer in 2025! #retrogaming
November 17, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Doing a bit more experimenting with ZX81 #Forth multitasking on #Minstrel4th. Combined several example programs from user manual to make a real-time clock. A must-have for a personal computer in 2025! #retrogaming
ZX #Forth has built-in printer support and allows user to provide their own printer driver. By setting this to `TX`, I can easily send data to PC. For those following along, you can get ROM from github.com/markgbeckett... and I will provide some instructions soon to get you started. #retrogaming
November 11, 2025 at 8:49 PM
ZX #Forth has built-in printer support and allows user to provide their own printer driver. By setting this to `TX`, I can easily send data to PC. For those following along, you can get ROM from github.com/markgbeckett... and I will provide some instructions soon to get you started. #retrogaming
Now I can `store` and `load` screens, I can do some experimentation. I've started with @tynemouthsoftware.co.uk Software Serial Card and borrowed the send- and receive-character routines from @tynemouthsoftware.co.uk modifued ROM.
November 11, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Now I can `store` and `load` screens, I can do some experimentation. I've started with @tynemouthsoftware.co.uk Software Serial Card and borrowed the send- and receive-character routines from @tynemouthsoftware.co.uk modifued ROM.
`store` and `load` implemented, using #JupiterAce code, as it is more robust than ZX-Forth original. This means you cannot load screens from #ZX81, though you could load screens into Ace Forth (if you can think of a use for that). With that done, I can now start coding! #minstrel4th #retrogaming
November 10, 2025 at 7:40 PM
`store` and `load` implemented, using #JupiterAce code, as it is more robust than ZX-Forth original. This means you cannot load screens from #ZX81, though you could load screens into Ace Forth (if you can think of a use for that). With that done, I can now start coding! #minstrel4th #retrogaming
Am pretty happy with how ZX-FORTH is running on #Minstrel4th. But, before I tackle any significant projects, I need to get `LOAD` and `STORE` working. They're still expecting a #ZX81 cassette interface. #retrogaming
November 8, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Am pretty happy with how ZX-FORTH is running on #Minstrel4th. But, before I tackle any significant projects, I need to get `LOAD` and `STORE` working. They're still expecting a #ZX81 cassette interface. #retrogaming
#Minstrel4th has a very nice built-in Ace Forth, so why bother? Well, Tree Forth supports sophisticated multitasking, which could lead to some interesting projects.
November 2, 2025 at 8:21 PM
#Minstrel4th has a very nice built-in Ace Forth, so why bother? Well, Tree Forth supports sophisticated multitasking, which could lead to some interesting projects.
I have ported Tree Forth/ ZX-Forth from #zx81 to #JupiterAce/ #Minstrel4th. With no display generation to worry about, #Forth runs amazingly well on Minstrel 4th. It can find all primes in first 500 integers, using Sieve of Eratosthene, in well under a second. #RETROGAMING github.com/markgbeckett...
November 2, 2025 at 8:14 PM
I have ported Tree Forth/ ZX-Forth from #zx81 to #JupiterAce/ #Minstrel4th. With no display generation to worry about, #Forth runs amazingly well on Minstrel 4th. It can find all primes in first 500 integers, using Sieve of Eratosthene, in well under a second. #RETROGAMING github.com/markgbeckett...
The other oddity is that ZX-Forth's `WHILE` loop is backwards. The loop continues so long as the test is false, which is non-standard (and confused me for a while).
November 1, 2025 at 10:12 PM
The other oddity is that ZX-Forth's `WHILE` loop is backwards. The loop continues so long as the test is false, which is non-standard (and confused me for a while).
What is most odd with this screenshot of the Sieve of Eratosthenes (algorithm for computing primes), running in ZX-Forth in EightyOne emulator? #retrogaming
November 1, 2025 at 6:47 PM
What is most odd with this screenshot of the Sieve of Eratosthenes (algorithm for computing primes), running in ZX-Forth in EightyOne emulator? #retrogaming
Have been re-reading this recently. I like the style and it has some thoughtful exercises.
October 20, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Have been re-reading this recently. I like the style and it has some thoughtful exercises.
Testing out my new #MinstrelInputMonitor from @tynemouthsoftware.co.uk for a game of #PerilousSwamp. #zx81 #retrogaming
October 19, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Testing out my new #MinstrelInputMonitor from @tynemouthsoftware.co.uk for a game of #PerilousSwamp. #zx81 #retrogaming
I think a lot of thought and effort went into this program. A shame it didn't get more exposure, though good it has been saved. #FastLife runs nicely on #Minstrel4D with #ZX81 ROM. I'm still to get a good, vibrant colony: maybe I should change the parameters?
October 18, 2025 at 8:39 PM
I think a lot of thought and effort went into this program. A shame it didn't get more exposure, though good it has been saved. #FastLife runs nicely on #Minstrel4D with #ZX81 ROM. I'm still to get a good, vibrant colony: maybe I should change the parameters?
Making good progress with disassembly of Tree Forth/ ZX Forth ROM for #ZX81 and #Minstrel3. Disassembly is about two thirds done and source now builds for PAL and NTSC, both original and improved code. #forth #retrogaming github.com/markgbeckett...
October 10, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Making good progress with disassembly of Tree Forth/ ZX Forth ROM for #ZX81 and #Minstrel3. Disassembly is about two thirds done and source now builds for PAL and NTSC, both original and improved code. #forth #retrogaming github.com/markgbeckett...
I am currently enjoying the simplicity and early aesthetic of #PerilousSwamp. Also, is the only game I have seen with checksum to confirm loaded correctly! #retrogaming
October 6, 2025 at 7:12 PM
I am currently enjoying the simplicity and early aesthetic of #PerilousSwamp. Also, is the only game I have seen with checksum to confirm loaded correctly! #retrogaming
Ultimate 8-bit maze game, now also available for #JupiterAce and #Minstrel4th. github.com/markgbeckett...
October 3, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Ultimate 8-bit maze game, now also available for #JupiterAce and #Minstrel4th. github.com/markgbeckett...
My shift is done, but there is still a couple of hours to catch #doorsopenday at #roeopen. Last entry at 4:15pm.
September 28, 2025 at 12:57 PM
My shift is done, but there is still a couple of hours to catch #doorsopenday at #roeopen. Last entry at 4:15pm.
And now we have a real astronomer to help answer the crazy diversity of questions people come up with. Everything from weather in Northern Chile to naming newly discovered stars! #roeopen #doorsopenday
September 28, 2025 at 12:17 PM
And now we have a real astronomer to help answer the crazy diversity of questions people come up with. Everything from weather in Northern Chile to naming newly discovered stars! #roeopen #doorsopenday
September 28, 2025 at 9:00 AM
One of coolest features of Tree Forth (and H Forth) is support for proper multitasking (on a humble #TS1000/ #ZX81). The manual includes example stack monitor, which displays current stack contents every few seconds, while you continue to debug your #Forth project, in the built-in screen editor.
September 11, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Have been delving into Husband #Forth, a replacement ROM for #ZX81. It would not run out of box on @tynemouthsoftware.co.uk #Minstrel3, so I have set out to find out why. A work in progress, but I now have both H Forth (and its TS100 predecessor, Tree Forth) running on the Mistrel3! #retrogaming
September 11, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Have been delving into Husband #Forth, a replacement ROM for #ZX81. It would not run out of box on @tynemouthsoftware.co.uk #Minstrel3, so I have set out to find out why. A work in progress, but I now have both H Forth (and its TS100 predecessor, Tree Forth) running on the Mistrel3! #retrogaming
One of these. Was great!
September 3, 2025 at 8:43 AM
One of these. Was great!
When you read blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2025/08/mini..., you quickly realise there is scope to "modify" the ZX81 display to a certain extent. Here I've pushed it just a little too far, but you hopefully get the idea. #zx81
August 25, 2025 at 11:23 AM
When you read blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2025/08/mini..., you quickly realise there is scope to "modify" the ZX81 display to a certain extent. Here I've pushed it just a little too far, but you hopefully get the idea. #zx81
There is a near-equivalent version based on Husband Forth ROM - github.com/markgbeckett...
August 25, 2025 at 11:16 AM
There is a near-equivalent version based on Husband Forth ROM - github.com/markgbeckett...
And Sony still has the manual on their website (CFD-120L)
July 17, 2025 at 8:26 PM
And Sony still has the manual on their website (CFD-120L)
Today is #embraceyourgeekness day, which I will celebrate with a game of #Centipede on the #Minstrel4D; written by Colin Dooley and ported (w/ sound and joystick support) to #Minstrel4D and code for spider finished by me - github.com/markgbeckett... #retrogaming
July 13, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Today is #embraceyourgeekness day, which I will celebrate with a game of #Centipede on the #Minstrel4D; written by Colin Dooley and ported (w/ sound and joystick support) to #Minstrel4D and code for spider finished by me - github.com/markgbeckett... #retrogaming