I heard some of you talking about networking on MSX retros...

Man, I saw some of Sontano BBSes MSXvr videos - and these 8-bits look really cool. First, that MSXvr is some type of Raspberry Pi based hardware, with two cart ports that allow you to load original cart software...

GR8NET is a network cart/card that allows you to connect ethernet to your MSX or MSXvr... and has some MP3/audio capabilities... I'm new so I don't know exactly... but...

SymbOS looks really nice, too - like a 'current' OS for MSX hardware that has stuff like MP3 player, iRC, email, task manager, video and more... I wish we had a solution like this for C= hardware. [There are some projects, but nothing this polished TODAY...]

So; do many of ya'll use MSX hardware? And would you suggest getting into it? Heck, that GR8NET device even seems to have a server that you can load original software right over the interwebs... type in a command, game pops up. :P The whole setup looks really polished, active and nice.

C= is, too... but in my quick glance, MSX seems pretty freaking active. What regions used MSX hardware the most? I notice a lot of spanish-speaking MSX groups, is why I ask... anyway - I have interest... these 3 projects seem right up my alley.



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--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/06/07 (Raspberry Pi/32)
* Origin: 2o fOr beeRS bbS>>20ForBeers.com:1337 (21:2/150)

Hi!
MsxVR has 4 slots to insert originals cartridges, :)
MsxVR can emulate "the OBSONET cartridge", Obsonet its another ethernet cartridge similar GR8NET but more basic, also there exists "BaDCat Wifi Msx cartridge" that its another cartridge to connect your Msx computer to
internet.

If yoy have only the MsxVR you really got almost "all in one pack".

Msx community user its really active, there are users around the world, maybe more in:
Japan, Netherlands, Spain, Brasil (of course) :)

telnet sotanomsxbbs.org:23
*The last Msx user in Ibiza*

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Raspberry Pi/32)
* Origin: Sotano Msx BBS (21:1/150)

On 25 Jun 2021, paulie420 said the following...

I heard some of you talking about networking on MSX retros...

So; do many of ya'll use MSX hardware? And would you suggest getting
into it? Heck, that GR8NET device even seems to have a server that you
can load original software right over the interwebs... type in a
command, game pops up. :P The whole setup looks really polished, active and nice.

MSXVR is an ARM machine emulating an MSX on steroids. The guys behind this project did a great job, providing a good looking machine, boxed with SD
Card, manual and cables. You can get more information in https://msxvr.com

If you want a new machine, you can also search for Zemmix Neo, OCM or One
Chip MSX. There are a fr\ew FPGA based MSXs, derived from OCM, and usually
you can found them with these keywords.

But if you are electronics tinkering inclined, you can take a look at MSX
Omega (https://github.com/skiselev/omega) or GR8BIT (http://www.gr8bit.ru)

Finally, you can search and buy a second hand MSX. You can search for them in auction sites or in the Trading & Collecting section at https://msx.org. To have a good experience connecting it to BBS or as a generic text terminal, I recommend you to buy at least an MSX2. There are four MSX generations (MSX, MSX2, MSX2+ and MSX turboR) the msx.org can also help with information about each one.

C= is, too... but in my quick glance, MSX seems pretty freaking active. What regions used MSX hardware the most? I notice a lot of spanish-speaking MSX groups, is why I ask... anyway - I have interest... these 3 projects seem right up my alley.

I guess the most active communities are in Brazil, Japan, Netherlands and
Spain (alphabetical order). MSX computers sold well in those countries and
also in Argentina, Middle East, North Africa and South Korea. By being used
as classroom computers in USSR they were common there and we have good
projects coming from USSR former countries/citizens (GR8BIT and GR8NET are
from Russia)

If you have any doubt, feel free to ask!

Piter Punk
Message written in my Panasonic FS-A1ST with Tecnobytes Obsonet Network Card

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Raspberry Pi/32)
* Origin: Sotano Msx BBS (21:1/150)

Hi!
MsxVR has 4 slots to insert originals cartridges, :)
MsxVR can emulate "the OBSONET cartridge", Obsonet its another ethernet cartridge similar GR8NET but more basic, also there exists "BaDCat Wifi Msx cartridge" that its another cartridge to connect your Msx computer to internet.

If yoy have only the MsxVR you really got almost "all in one pack".

Msx community user its really active, there are users around the world, maybe more in:
Japan, Netherlands, Spain, Brasil (of course) :)

telnet sotanomsxbbs.org:23
*The last Msx user in Ibiza*

Yes, x1... first, thanks for fixing my account @ SotanoMSX BBS - its really a WEALTH of MSX knowledge there. The language barrier is a thing, but still a great resource even for me!

I love the MSXVR hardware; and have been researching some of the other MSX, MSX2 and MSX2.5 hardware systems available. Seems to be pricy, but active... and solid. I hope to jump in at some point; I just might need some help getting behind a system. :P

Seems like you can't just up and buy a MSXVR; but I did email the project OP... we'll see if maybe I can get in on PHASE 3 orders. I hope so.



|07p|15AULIE|1142|07o
|08.........

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/06/21 (Raspberry Pi/32)
* Origin: 2o fOr beeRS bbS>>20ForBeers.com:1337 (21:2/150)

MSXVR is an ARM machine emulating an MSX on steroids. The guys behind
this project did a great job, providing a good looking machine, boxed
with SD Card, manual and cables. You can get more information in https://msxvr.com

If you want a new machine, you can also search for Zemmix Neo, OCM or One Chip MSX. There are a fr\ew FPGA based MSXs, derived from OCM, and
usually you can found them with these keywords.

But if you are electronics tinkering inclined, you can take a look at MSX Omega (https://github.com/skiselev/omega) or GR8BIT
(http://www.gr8bit.ru)

Finally, you can search and buy a second hand MSX. You can search for
them in auction sites or in the Trading & Collecting section at https://msx.org. To have a good experience connecting it to BBS or as a generic text terminal, I recommend you to buy at least an MSX2. There
are four MSX generations (MSX, MSX2, MSX2+ and MSX turboR) the msx.org
can also help with information about each one.

Thank you so much, Piter Punk. I have seen your name/handle around a few places I frequent lately. Talking about retro computers and always supplying great info. THANK YOU for all 3 of your suggestions - I am a tinkerer and have always wanted to get into FPGAs so that MIGHT be a way in.

What way in would YOU suggest; I might not be an MSX rockstar, but I am heavy into retro computing and computing in general... nothing really scares me off. I do Arduino projects, a LOT with Pi's and I own a few retro hardware systems too... I think I'm ripe for joining this community, again aside from the language barriers at some of the cooler MSX spots that I've found.

If you have any doubt, feel free to ask!

Thank you much. OK, I'll bite. One thing I have an abundance of is Raspberry Pi machines. Is there any MSX love for Pi setups? Maybe thats a way I can jump in easily and immediately - from what I've found, I'm gonna have to wait awhile and get in line for an MSXVR... real MSX hardware is fairly pricey right now, too - although to ME that sounds like a great way in. :P That dang MSXVR tho... I know its a Pi inside; I assume the software is closed source???

Anyway, I really appreciate your response - VERY helpful info inside. :P I ask you about any MSX Pi love, and how would YOU jump in TODAY if you weren't already an MSXer? Appreciate you a lot. :P



|07p|15AULIE|1142|07o
|08.........

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/06/21 (Raspberry Pi/32)
* Origin: 2o fOr beeRS bbS>>20ForBeers.com:1337 (21:2/150)

Yeah Piter Punk!
That's a master-class message!

telnet sotanomsxbbs.org:23
*The last Msx user in Ibiza*

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Raspberry Pi/32)
* Origin: Sotano Msx BBS (21:1/150)

Also you can try to buy an Msx2 computer from ebay, if you do, then you will need a Mega Flash Rom cartridge, SD mapper cartridge, etc ... to put roms in the sd card and play play games. Take a look here. https://msxcartridgeshop.com/

telnet sotanomsxbbs.org:23
*The last Msx user in Ibiza*

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Raspberry Pi/32)
* Origin: Sotano Msx BBS (21:1/150)

https://misapuntesde.com/post.php?id=748

There is a tuto of how you flash a sd card to convert your pi in a Msx with OpenMSX emulator.

telnet sotanomsxbbs.org:23
*The last Msx user in Ibiza*

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Raspberry Pi/32)
* Origin: Sotano Msx BBS (21:1/150)

Also you can try to buy an Msx2 computer from ebay, if you do, then you will need a Mega Flash Rom cartridge, SD mapper cartridge, etc ... to
put roms in the sd card and play play games. Take a look here. https://msxcartridgeshop.com/

Awesome - thanks for that link, too. From what I see GR8NET is a mapper and modem/network... but not an SDcard image? Anyway, I am open to real hardware, too.

I got a reply from the MSXVR people and... they might POSSIBLY have hardware in late August; I've also notified them that I wanna get in line for a PHASE 3 production. Either way, I raised my hand... time will pass - I think one day I'll be typing on some form of MSX machine. :P Konami!!!



|07p|15AULIE|1142|07o
|08.........

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/06/21 (Raspberry Pi/32)
* Origin: 2o fOr beeRS bbS>>20ForBeers.com:1337 (21:2/150)

https://misapuntesde.com/post.php?id=748

There is a tuto of how you flash a sd card to convert your pi in a Msx with OpenMSX emulator.

Very nice - OpenMSX... :P This might be a way that I can experience some of the MSX software immediately. Thanks... I'm really good on Pi hardware and have setup many different OSes and emulation systems. I think this will be right up my alley.

Also, let me learn a little bit about MSX before jumping into real hardware or that virtualizer. That damn MSXVR, tho; looks so nice - I like yer videos that you post and... hope you keep em comin. :P

Thanks, x1pepe!



|07p|15AULIE|1142|07o
|08.........

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/06/21 (Raspberry Pi/32)
* Origin: 2o fOr beeRS bbS>>20ForBeers.com:1337 (21:2/150)

But if you are electronics tinkering inclined, you can take a look at MSX Omega (https://github.com/skiselev/omega) or GR8BIT
(http://www.gr8bit.ru)

Yes, yes, yes - these are up my alley. I've had a fun Sunday with MSX and hav ea couple emulation rigs STARTED. :P I find that a Raspberry Pi (with newer, optimized .xml's) is good for emulating MSX2.5 and am working on a suitable, temporary system to get me up to speed on the 'OS' and using software/hardware combinations... theres many mappers and sound cards to learn and decide on end desires.

The Omega is... OMG - This is 110% up my alley. While the MSXVR is also really tempting, to have real hardware... in this case that I build myself - is where I prefer to land! The Omega, man - what a great design. I'm blown away by it. I tried to get into the GR8BIT... while the GR8NET looks polished and well-explained, I couldn't really 'get' the GR8BIT project. Yes, theres some language barriers - but Eugeny is a really cool person and I wish I... clicked with his GR8BIT project a little more. Its messy and seems overly complicated - and I bet his... I bet theres more there than I am easily seeing. Like does the GR8BIT do MORE than simple MSX hardware? Ahhhh - anyway, I think the Omega is clean, crisp, ready and AWESOME.

I'll let ya'll know as I get into this - I'll be learning on emulation in the currrent... and either getting an MSXVR or building an Omega. The former makes me smile just a bit more, so...

Thanks for ALL The info this weekend, you two. It was so beneficial to have all your infos without having to hunt them all down myself. I found on my own some of the newer (2004+) software for MSX... and wow; Revelo's Snowboarding and Triton are all really impressive. Space Manbow & Aleste show me they were putting it down back in the day, too... I'm MSX pumped. :P



|07p|15AULIE|1142|07o
|08.........

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/06/21 (Raspberry Pi/32)
* Origin: 2o fOr beeRS bbS>>20ForBeers.com:1337 (21:2/150)