RC2014 Community Newsletter
Issue 3

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In This Issue

RC2014 Mini
Derby Mini Maker Faire
SD Memory Dump Module
Retro Challenge
Troubleshooting
Computerphile Video
Community Support
Feedback

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You are receiving this email because you signed up to the RC2014 Community Newsletter or have bought an RC2014 homebrew computer, and I think you'll enjoy reading this - However, I fully understand that nobody likes spam. Although I don't expect to send these more than once a month, if you do chose to click the unsubscribe link at the bottom, Mailchimp will honour it.

RC2014 Mini

The most exciting news this time around is the launch of a new RC2014 last month. The RC2014 Mini has the same specifications as a regular 'Full Monty' RC2014 with Pi Serial Terminal, but on a single board. That means 55% less soldering! It even has the same 40 way bus connector so is compatible with existing RC2014 modules.
It is available on Tindie now for $77, but if you order one before the end of November, you can get it for just $60 with with the discount code CLASSICMINI

Derby Mini Maker Faire

Derby held it's fifth and largest ever Mini Maker Faire last month and there was some truly amazing things on display there.

The RC2014 stall saw a lot of activity, as we got to talk to both new and existing RC2014 users. Thanks to all those involve for making it a fantastic day!

SD Memory Dump Module

After several prototypes, the SD Memory Dump Module is finally available!*
This Module allows the entire 64k of address space to be dumped to SD card, or loaded from SD card to memory. Not only is this great for saving the BASIC programs you have been working on, but if used with a 64k RAM-Only RC2014, allows different ROM images to be used without the need for burning EPROMS!
It is available on Tindie now for $32.88, but if you order before the end of November, you can get it for just $28 with the discount code ESSDEEDUMP
The firmware can be found on GitHub. It is functional, but fairly limited at this stage. If you can help improve on it, please get in touch.

* Supply problems with the file selector dial means these will ship on Monday

Retro Challenge 2016/10

In the last news letter, the upcoming Retro Challenge was mentioned. This has now been and gone, and I would like to congratulate the winner... however, the judges have been inundated with amazing entries this year, that they are yet to announce the winner. Somebody somewhere, though, will be getting a RC2014 kit as their prize as soon as the winner is announced.
Whilst both myself and Scott failed to make any significant RC2014 entries this time around, Moop did amazing things with getting his RC2014 talking to an SD card, all with classic logic chips! In true Retro Challenge style, it all got a bit frantic by the end of the month. Read about it here

Troubleshooting

Every successful RC2014 build fills me with joy. Sadly, though, not every RC2014 springs in to action the first time power is appied, so there is now a troubleshooting section on the RC2014 website. This should help get to the bottom of what is or isn't working and what needs to be done about it.
It is still a work in progress though, so if you have any tips that should be included, please let me know.

Computerphile Video

The Computerphile Youtube channel were very happy with the RC2014 based video I did for them a few months ago (and Extra bits) and I was invited back recently. This time to talk about the Sinclair range of computers. Whilst this may not explicitly RC2014 related, there's a lot of Spectrum in the DNA of RC2014 and some of you may find it interesting.

Community Support

Got a question about the RC2014? A project you want to share with other RC2014 users? Need to find some software that runs on your RC2014? Or just want to see what other RC2014 owners are up to?

Google Groups and GitHub are starting to become vibrant parts of the RC2014 infrastructure. Why not join up today?

Feedback

We'd love to hear feedback about your RC2014, this newsletter or anything else. Please use the email or Google Group links at the top of this email to get in touch.

RC2014 Community Newsletter Issue 3