ZBasic & ZX-24 Longevity/Popularity
Posted: 01 January 2018, 15:27 PM
Sometime in 2008 I got into microcontrollers and bought several ZX-24Ps, a USB-TTL Interface Module and a nice Parallax project board. I used them on several projects at the time. I’ve since been distracted from that interest but now am needing to get back into it. My father-in-law gave me an Arduino-UNO and I downloaded the software for Mac and was off and running in minutes. Then I stumbled on all my old hardware I had previously used. It brought back all the joyful memories of using those ZX-24s on this Parallax project board with all it’s easy to access extras!
At first I was delighted to think I could just jump back into this field using the original equipment I had invested in but am getting the idea it may not be that easy. The first reality check I was reminded of was the serial interface hurdle using a Mac. I’ve always used a Mac and can’t remember what software I was using to program the ZX-24. Both Parallels and Wine are familiar titles as I remember using them in the distant past but have no use for them now and have been happy to leave all windows applications behind. I’ve also continued to upgrade my Mac hardware so in the computer industry it was eons ago that I was successfully programming these ZX-24Ps I have.
I’ve spent all the time available to me during this holiday season trying to get this USB-TTL Interface Module to work on my newer PowerBook running OS 10.12. I’ve been wrestling with the latest Wine download available which seems to run the ZBasic IDE ok but the “Status: current port COM1 is invalid” dialog found in the “Serial Port Options” window stays on persistently. I’ve downloaded and installed the latest FTDI FT232R drivers for Mac. I’ve spent the week searching the web and WineHQ for help. While it is evident that the COM1 issue is a prevalent hurdle, non of the answers that have seemed to help others in the resent years have proven helpful to me. I’ve even tried Cross Over’s version of Wine but to no avail. I need to go back to work tomorrow and am getting the ideal that I may need to just resign myself to the idea that it may be time to move on with what is currently being used and easily implemented in my situation. I don’t think the Arduino was as popular when I got into this as it is now. I thought I’d put this out here on this forum as one last attempt to get some answers.
Thanks for your help!
At first I was delighted to think I could just jump back into this field using the original equipment I had invested in but am getting the idea it may not be that easy. The first reality check I was reminded of was the serial interface hurdle using a Mac. I’ve always used a Mac and can’t remember what software I was using to program the ZX-24. Both Parallels and Wine are familiar titles as I remember using them in the distant past but have no use for them now and have been happy to leave all windows applications behind. I’ve also continued to upgrade my Mac hardware so in the computer industry it was eons ago that I was successfully programming these ZX-24Ps I have.
I’ve spent all the time available to me during this holiday season trying to get this USB-TTL Interface Module to work on my newer PowerBook running OS 10.12. I’ve been wrestling with the latest Wine download available which seems to run the ZBasic IDE ok but the “Status: current port COM1 is invalid” dialog found in the “Serial Port Options” window stays on persistently. I’ve downloaded and installed the latest FTDI FT232R drivers for Mac. I’ve spent the week searching the web and WineHQ for help. While it is evident that the COM1 issue is a prevalent hurdle, non of the answers that have seemed to help others in the resent years have proven helpful to me. I’ve even tried Cross Over’s version of Wine but to no avail. I need to go back to work tomorrow and am getting the ideal that I may need to just resign myself to the idea that it may be time to move on with what is currently being used and easily implemented in my situation. I don’t think the Arduino was as popular when I got into this as it is now. I thought I’d put this out here on this forum as one last attempt to get some answers.
Thanks for your help!