Hacker News Reader

Comment by meheleventyone | Hacker News Reader

I still have my ZX Spectrum, it’s the very first computer I ever programmed on and the first I made games for. It basically defined my entire life path.

View on HN

Same here:

https://blog.steve.fi/how_i_started_programming.html

I don't have a physical machine any more, but I have a framed print of the keyboard hanging on the wall behind me, and I've got a single-board Z80-based system running CP/M 2.x on the shelf to my side.

Even now I still go back and play "Chaos" under emulation every month or two. I'm looking forward to introducing our child, currently five, to some of the classic games in the future. He's young enough that they'll be impressive as he's seen nothing more modern. I hope.

Came here to post exactly this :D I also have the collection of Microhobby magazines I copied game listings for, and learned programming by osmosis at a very young age :)

> Learned programming by osmosis

I'm too young for what you guys are talking about, but I've always have trouble articulating how I got [sucked] into computing. It feels like I did a similar thing with HN and the internet in general.

I think osmosis is one of my new favorite ways to put it hehe.

As an old guy, I'd say computers where a pretty unknown thing when we got them... That was new and niche when it all started. So we had the feeling of entering something totally new. But we were alone, on different computers, so a lot of islands...

I guess with internet, it's more like joining something that's rolling on but as big as an ocean..

Times ! they're changing !

I don't consider myself a "collector" but I have in my shelf a good pile of Microhobby and Micromania issues from the golden age too. Also I have a few "Programación Actual" issues, but from a later stage (end of 90s IIRC)

Same here, still have mine too and sometimes play a bit with it for old times' sake. I still remember how mesmerised I was when an uncle let me play with his Spectrum, and how happy I was when I got my own for my 10th birthday and my dad made me work through the basic manual.

Exactly the same. I’ve added to my collection over the years and am eagerly awaiting my ZX Spectrum Next Issue 2

Same here. :-)

It still turns on, however, approx. 90% of the keys don't function anymore.

That's very common. The keyboard membrane material loses its flexibility over time and cracks, breaking continuity of the embedded conductive traces.

Replacements are sold on ebay and online retro stores. I've had to replace the membranes on both my acquired Speccys.

That's why the ZX Spectrum clone I had used keys with magnets and reed switches. Super smooth, quiet, indestructible.

Great! I did not know that replacements are available for ZX Spectrum. Mine is ZX spectrum+, hopefully would be able to find for that too.

Looks like they have those here:

https://retroradionics.co.uk/#!/Zx-Spectrum-48k-&-128k-toast...

I've only seen the Sinclair ZX81. If the ribbon cable is similar (and it sure looks similar from a cursory image search) you should be able to fix the keyboard with just two electronics-related items, a multimeter with continuity mode and electrically conductive tape.

On the ZX81, the metal on the ribbon cable is exposed on one side. Which means you can put one multimeter lead somewhere close to the bottom of each trace, and the other lead you trace along the exposed wire. If your multimeter stops showing continuity, you know you have a break there and if you look really hard you should be able to see it.

If you have a lot of breaks close to the connector (quite likely), take a pair of scissors and cut off the part with the break and plug the remainder of the ribbon cable back in. Otherwise, cut the electrically conductive tape into a thin slice and tape that over the affected spot. (Soldering won't work, you'll just melt the ribbon cable).

Looks like you can order entire replacement keyboard membranes for a reasonable sum at [1].

[1]: https://www.sintech-shop.de/en/48k-keyboard-membrane/a-3025

Is Matthew Smith your hero?

Most definitely mine too.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com