[NTLK] USB to Newton Interconnect cables

[L.W. Brown]

I still have an old Mac Powerbook with IR to help maintain more connectivity options, but many folks do use PC.
Most folks I’ve heard from have relied on things like running old OSs in an emulator, or keeping an old box - getting Newt data into a modern OS still seems the big hurdle…


> On Feb 4, 2016, at 5:19 PM, David Arnold <davida at pobox.com> wrote:
> 
> That’s a reasonable question.
> Are you using a Mac or a PC?
> 
> 
> 
> d
> 
>> On 5 Feb 2016, at 11:59, L.W. Brown <lwb at mac.com> wrote:
>> 
>> Ultimately, the issue for me comes down to what might be done with such a tool:
>> If there were methods to actually work with the Newt's OS or programs using a modern OS, then I'd love a couple!
>> But, I don't recall hearing that a good method exists. And if the Newt remains basically uncommunicative, then there seems to be no point...
>> 
>> 
>> Sent from 6s+
>> 
>>> On Feb 4, 2016, at 16:51, David Arnold <davida at pobox.com> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Hi all,
>>> 
>>> I’ve been investigating the possibility of making a batch of USB (type A) to Newton Interconnect cables, with an embedded FTDI USB-RS232 convertor.
>>> 
>>> These would support direct, dongle-less connection of an MP2000, MP2100 or an eMate300 to a modern Mac or PC.  With recent versions of OSX and Windows (and almost any version of Linux) the FTDI serial adaptor drivers are built in, but they’re also freely available from FTDI.
>>> 
>>> Pricing is still TBD, but it’s looking like it won’t be as cheap as I’d like: the Interconnect plugs are being quoted at about USD20 each, so a cable will likely cost at least USD30 to make, plus shipping and a share of the fixed costs.  I’m still trying to bring that price down, but for now let’s say USD35 each.
>>> 
>>> Is anyone interested in these?  How many would you like?
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> d
>>> 
>>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>>> 
>>> http://newtontalk.net/
>>> http://twitter.com/newtontalk
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>> 
>> http://newtontalk.net/
>> http://twitter.com/newtontalk
> 
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> 
> http://newtontalk.net/
> http://twitter.com/newtontalk