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It's a fair guess that 2020 hasn't turned out the way that any of us expected, and quite rightly it is getting a lot of criticism. But, in this thread I want to focus on some of the good things which have happened here at RC2014 Towers in the last 12 months #2020Highlights
2020 started off with the launch of the Limited Edition RC2014 Mini After Dark. And what a good start that was!
That wasn't the only new product launched. The RC2014 Mini CP/M Upgrade Kit which came out a couple of months ago has been hugely popular! https://www.tindie.com/products/semachthemonkey/rc2014-mini-cpm-upgrade-kit/ #2020Highlights
The RC2014 Classic saw a makeover too, and the RC2014 Classic ][ came out in the summer. Same great homebrew Z80 functions, but looking sleeker. #2020Highlights https://www.tindie.com/products/semachthemonkey/rc2014-classic-ii-homebrew-z80-computer-kit/
![The RC2014 Classic saw a makeover too, and the RC2014 Classic ][ came out in the summer. Same great homebrew Z80 functions, but looking sleeker. #2020Highlights https://www.tindie.com/products/semachthemonkey/rc2014-classic-ii-homebrew-z80-computer-kit/](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EqlcgOxXcAcDP96.jpg "The RC2014 Classic saw a makeover too, and the RC2014 Classic ][ came out in the summer. Same great homebrew Z80 functions, but looking sleeker. #2020Highlights https://www.tindie.com/products/semachthemonkey/rc2014-classic-ii-homebrew-z80-computer-kit/")
![The RC2014 Classic saw a makeover too, and the RC2014 Classic ][ came out in the summer. Same great homebrew Z80 functions, but looking sleeker. #2020Highlights https://www.tindie.com/products/semachthemonkey/rc2014-classic-ii-homebrew-z80-computer-kit/](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EqlciFtXUAIAd-D.jpg "The RC2014 Classic saw a makeover too, and the RC2014 Classic ][ came out in the summer. Same great homebrew Z80 functions, but looking sleeker. #2020Highlights https://www.tindie.com/products/semachthemonkey/rc2014-classic-ii-homebrew-z80-computer-kit/")
![The RC2014 Classic saw a makeover too, and the RC2014 Classic ][ came out in the summer. Same great homebrew Z80 functions, but looking sleeker. #2020Highlights https://www.tindie.com/products/semachthemonkey/rc2014-classic-ii-homebrew-z80-computer-kit/](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EqlcrAHXIAA0G9s.jpg "The RC2014 Classic saw a makeover too, and the RC2014 Classic ][ came out in the summer. Same great homebrew Z80 functions, but looking sleeker. #2020Highlights https://www.tindie.com/products/semachthemonkey/rc2014-classic-ii-homebrew-z80-computer-kit/")
![The RC2014 Classic saw a makeover too, and the RC2014 Classic ][ came out in the summer. Same great homebrew Z80 functions, but looking sleeker. #2020Highlights https://www.tindie.com/products/semachthemonkey/rc2014-classic-ii-homebrew-z80-computer-kit/](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EqlcsPnWMAAzmdh.jpg "The RC2014 Classic saw a makeover too, and the RC2014 Classic ][ came out in the summer. Same great homebrew Z80 functions, but looking sleeker. #2020Highlights https://www.tindie.com/products/semachthemonkey/rc2014-classic-ii-homebrew-z80-computer-kit/")
Other new products were a bit more low key, but still great. Including the AY-3-8910 to AY-3-8912 adapter, and the AM9511A APU maths coprocessor #2020Highlights
Some things in 2020 were just done for the fun of it. Like buying a bunch of these Pixel Purses and turning them in to a LED display #2020Highlights
On a more serious note, there was a huge shortage of PPE equipment at the start of the summer. The team at @Kitronik had a great design for laser cut face shields, so my laser cutter saw a hell of a workout #2020Highlights
By the end, I'd made over 650 face shields, which were given out to local nursing homes, doctors surgeries, pharmacies, vets, and other key locations. I didn't charge anything, but I did set up a Ko-Fi page to help cover material costs https://ko-fi.com/semachthemonkey #2020Highlights
I also put my laser cutter to good use making a minature picnic table for the local birbs and squrrrrls :) #2020Highlights
Meanwhile, a new 3D printer arrived, which expanded the possibilities of what I could now make in house. #Ender3Pro #2020Highlights
One of the first things I made was a matrix to cover the Pixel Purse displays and link 3 of them together as one panel. It really looks great with some diffused perspex in front of it! #2020Highlights
Talking of diffused perspex - I was finally able to finish my #Antescher Coffee Table. This is a 3D map of the ZX Spectrum game 3D Ant Attach, and has ambient LED lighting around the edge. Nice :) #2020Highlights
What started off as a silly idea about toilet rolls also ended up being a really fun project. Building a RC2014 backplane around in a circle gave me some CRAYzy ideas... #2020Highlights
... What if... now hear me out here... I used a flexible PCB from @oshpark to make a semicircular backplane, 3D printed some end caps and turned it in to a CP/M machine? Eh? #2020Highlights
Gotta be honest, I'm really pleased with how this came out. The Z80 running it isn't nearly as powerful as the Cray-1 it is a homage to, but the Pi Zero running the display is much more powerful :) #2020Highlights
I didn't just get to build my own projects. This little solar soil sensor from @curiouselectric was great fun to build, and sends out a beep when the houseplants get thirsty https://www.curiouselectric.co.uk/blogs/news/developing-the-solar-soil-sensor #2020Highlights
Building Maxwells Cradle from @extkits was also thoroughly enjoyable. https://extkits.co.uk/product/maxwells-cradle-kit/ #2020highlight
I also discovered that you can't put photos and videos in the same tweet. So a 2nd mention of Maxwell's Cradle just because making the video was also enjoyable :)
Remember the Pixel Purse displays? Well, they're now an ANSI compatible serial terminal! Pretty cool, eh? #2020highlights
2020 also had some time for puzzle fun, like this 12 sided Examinx Rubiks Cube. Over 16 hours to solve, but very enjoyable #2020highlights
To try to get some routine in to this crazy year, I decided that every Sunday Night was #LaserdiscNight as an excuse to go through and watch all the laserdisc films in my collection. Over halfway through now!
Did I mention that I like building other peoples kits too? The Open Book from @josecastillo was a real blast to build. I love the project! https://www.tindie.com/products/joeycastillo/the-open-book-pcb-bare-pcb/ #2020highlight
Oh, and I also make things for other peoples projects too, like this fancy laser cut case for @tynemouthsw Mini Pet https://www.tindie.com/products/apehat/perspex-case-for-stand-alone-mini-pet #2020highlight
Thank you for baring with my through this year, and this thread. Both of which seem to be much longer than they should be! I hope you all have a fantastic 2021, and I'll leave you with this Lego Minifig and a collection of IC tube stoppers!
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!
