Everything is still for sale, sans the MPU unit.

I certainly feel most comfortable with XP. I can tweak it to run quite smoothly, and compatibility is never an issue. However, during that latest install on my laptop a few months ago, I experienced some initial difficulty in getting Windows to activate online. That kinda scared me. It worked after about the 4th try, but I know that there will come a day when XP won't activate online or over the phone. This has been in the back of my mind for the past few weeks. Unless a patched or hacked version is made available, that will be the end of it. Then again, buy that time, I'll (hopefully) be using something different.


I've used nothing but Windows since the beginning. I bought a Mac SE from a garage sale years ago to see what an Apple was like, and thought it great, but their hardware is painfully overpriced. So, I stuck with MS.

I tolerated all the annoyances for many years. But dammit... I've had enough. After awhile, you tend to forget all that is required to keep a Widows PC running properly.

You have to install several different programs to keep viruses, and spyware/adware out, make sure they update their definitions regularly, you defrag, run disk cleanup, run checkdisk, clean the registry, wrestle with windows defender, chase down .dll files, reinstall printer drivers, update windows, scan for viruses, scan for spy/adware, disable the unnecessary processes to free up resources, the list goes on. And despite your best efforts, windows always becomes markedly slower as time goes on. You also have to reactivate if any major hardware changes are made.

Nothing short of ridiculous.

To remedy all of this, I'm going to do something I should have done many years ago: I'm buying an Amiga.

There are new motherboards currently being made, and the Amiga OS is at version 4.1. Lean, efficient, rock solid performance, and security through obscurity. I've yet to see a better-designed operating system. I can only dream of where we'd be had the management not gone bad.

I've decided to grab an A1200 with the works. Wanted one back in the day, but when the company went bust, it scared people off (good news for MS and Apple). The dedicated user base has kept it alive all these years, and development continues. While I don't expect them to make a large comeback, they are a totally viable option that is literally plug and play, and can run circles around the resource-hungry operating systems of today. Plus I'll be able to use Deluxe Paint in its native environment.  Not an end-all solution by any stretch, but it will accomplish my day to day tasks with considerable ease.

From what I am finding out, the idea may not just be a pipe dream. http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/~ak621/DOS/DOS-Fal.html

Indeed, I was viewing the contents of what was left on the drive using Linux. Fortunately, what was lost is easily
replaced, though the consolidated arrangement I kept everything in will take some time to duplicate.   

All of the precious family photos and the like were safely transferred to the thumb drive, so I can hardly complain about the somewhat superfluous data that was lost. Replacing that portion will be inconvenient at the most, but quite doable.

Once the files were safely backed up, I took the drive and formatted it on an XP machine. It now operates perfectly again.

Linux somehow changed the file system of the drive while retaining most of its contents. Since I frequently use USB hard drives between computers, this posed quite the problem. Being left with no viable alternative, I begrudgingly installed XP in the interests of compatibility. Certainly, I am far better off with it than I ever was with Vista. Boot time is  just a scant 7 seconds to Vista's 15. Granted, I made all of my usual tweaks to keep things lean after installing.

I shudder to think what I'd do when Microsoft stops activating new installations of XP. I may do something rash like switch back to Windows 98SE. I hated to let go of that OS.

Despite not having a place on my hard drive, I still love to run Linux off the CD to browse the web with great speed.

Until I can come up with a more permanent solution, this arrangement will do.   

Going through this little fiasco has got me thinking how great it would be if the world still ran on DOS. Stuff just seemed to work without the hassles back then. No updates to worry about, drivers could be downloaded from the BBS easily enough... life was good. And when you wanted to modify something, you got right under the hood and got your hands dirty, changing things around in the AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS. I took it all for granted then.

Very helpful stuff, Marten. Most appreciated.

 
The switch to Linux has created some issues, however.

In my all-out rage with Vista, I may have been a bit
hasty in abolishing it.

My USB hard drive (full of the stuff I
backed up before dumping Vista) will no longer function
when plugged into a computer running any variant of
Windows. It will now only function under Linux. I believe
this was caused by my copying an ISO file from Linux to
the hard drive. When attepting to view the contents
of the drive in Windows (tried two other PC's running XP),
A little dialog bubble will pop up and inform me that the
hard drive is all but corrupt. Certainly, it was operating
just fine before I tried to copy a file from Linux to the
drive. It would appear then, that Linux has somehow currupted
my USB drive with its own filing system. I also notice that
some files are missing. I salvaged what was left and placed
it all  on a USB thumb drive. Hardly convenient.

For now, I'm going to install XP pro, and do my usual security
tweaks. I may install Linux beside XP, but for now, I am
finding that I can't operate without Microsoft.

I see what you mean now, MI.


As an aside. I am typing this post from true DOS using
the Arachne web browser for DOS and Linux. The FreeDOS
operating system is quite excellent, and comes with a host
of different software utilities.

While not an end all solution, I do enjoy it.

If only there existed a version of DOS that was totally
modern, and designed for today's hardware. Modern GUI,
etc. Certainly would be the ultimate.


Just when I thought I could get out from under Microsoft's
thumb, I am now fleeing back, tail between my legs.

   

I am now free and clear of windows, and have things running quite nicely now. I was unable to get the MInt distro to reliably connect to the Internet with the laptop I'm using, so went with a copy of Mandriva I had on hand. It certainly is more responsive than Windows. I'll use this one for the time being until I decide what's what with Mint.

No DAW in this distro, but I'm not terribly concerned with that, as I am also an FL Studio follower. There is a program for Linux called Wine; which allows one to run a great deal of the windows apps on Linux with little effort and minimal tweaking. I imagine the stability with multiple VST's is rather good, too. This program is actively being improved for enhanced compatibility. I am unfamiliar with DAW's

Microsoft has lost some market share with their recent releases, and Linux is gaining steam slowly but surely. Aside from games (though Wine plays a great deal of them with a high frame rate), Linux does everything else. Perhaps not with the extended features of Windows software (I love Photoshop), but for the most part, "there's an app for that". 

Good call on openfiler. When time allows, I have every intention of setting it up.

It just feels great not to have Microsoft and the NSA nosing around my stuff. Microsoft is so tied in with the government it isn't funny.

I stumbled across this article when searching for Linux distros. I have to agree entirely with its implications.

http://www.theforbiddenknowledge.com/microsoft/index.htm


 

A bit of a rant, but I would venture to say that I'm not alone in my sentiments...

For the past fifteen years, I, like so many, have relied exclusively on Microsoft operating systems. Starting with Windows 3.11 meshed with DOS 6.22, we would upgrade in protest to the successive replacements only when software and hardware became painfully antiquated. Once Windows XP was patched up to my satisfaction, I migrated from 98SE to XP Pro in '04, then to Vista in '08. My experience with it has not been without trial. From the very start, it has been a struggle. I am finding it increasingly difficult to tolerate, much less get anything done. I envision more of the same with Windows 7. The final nail in the coffin occurred just a few minutes ago. Windows defender popped up telling me that a trojan had wormed its way past my highly fortified defenses. When prompted to quarantine or remove the offending file, I chose the latter. Upon successful removal, Windows Defender informed me that I had just joined Microsoft SpyNet, and now hold Basic Membership status. It went on about how my computer's security has been greatly enhanced due to the automatic reporting of malicious files, and that on only the rarest of occasions, some personal information may be "inadvertently" collected.  I was assured I have nothing to fear, for Microsoft would never furnish such information to any third party, nor would they ever dream of using it to identify me. I immediately opened up my registry, located the appropriate entry, switched of SpyNet, and rebooted. It didn't work. The trojan is back, and gaining ground. My anti-virus software has joined in the excitement with great fanfare.

This is, without question, the very last straw. Ready the lifeboats lads, we're bailin' out. OGG and MIDI files first.
 
I have been familiarizing myself with Linux, and find it to be vastly superior in so many ways. I had long harbored curiosity about it, but never got around to actually testing it out until a few months ago. To say that I'm impressed would be an understatement. The compatibility, support, performance, and efficient operation of Linux is staggering. I look forward to replacing windows with it and washing my hands of Microsoft indefinitely.

I highly recommend http://linuxmint.com/. It has a familiar interface which makes for an easy transition.

 
Freedom awaits

I agree entirely and wholeheartedly. The Riviera is little more than an ill-fated mess, a total abomination of audio engineering, and a waste of perfectly good silicon. It is sonic processing at its absolute worst.

  And that's why I use one.   

 Seriously, though. This thing sounds sweet paired with a small vacuum tube power amp. It easily reproduces sound with fidelity that is on par with cards twice its price. It records with equal results.

 Don't knock it 'til ya try it.

 It would indeed work perfectly. The computer has been sold, but the card and breakout box are still for sale.

It'd like $125.00

I just run a quad speaker setup, leaving the versajack free for stereo line input from the mixer.

I recommend the Turtle Beach Riviera 5.1 PCI card. At $30 USD, it's a sure bet. I have used one for the past few years, and remain totally impressed with the sound quality and ease of use. It works perfectly with DOSBox and an MT-32. It is also dead quiet.

 There is also the $60 USD Turtle Beach Montego PCI 7.1 with Dolby Digital Live. I've often thought about upgrading to one, but must admit my total satisfaction with the Riviera.

You can't go wrong either way.

I'd like $350 for the MT-32.


For the mixer, I'd take $500. I know that in this economy, there's no chance of breaking even on anything, but it all has to go. 

The Fairlight CMI won't be going anywhere. 


Here are some pictures:

Hey everyone,

 
 I've parted with a great deal of my audio equipment already, and I think some of the remaining items may be of particular interest to you guys.


Paramount of which is my MT-32 (with proper ACB adapter), modified by Real World Interfaces. I can say without reservation, that this MT-32 is superior in every way to a stock unit.

 I would venture to say that the particular specimen in my possession is one of the finest in existence, both cosmetically, and functionally.


It comes with a substantial amount of documentation from RWI explaining, in implicit detail, all modifications made and their intended uses/advantages.


Despite the modifications made to this unit, it still operates in a way that one would expect regarding loading sysex, playing games, etc.

 One advantage with loading sysex is that the buffer overflow issue has been taken care of by RWI. I'll make some scans of a few pages of the documentation if there is enough interest to warrant it.    

Price is $275 obo



- Carvin FX1644 analog mixer. Price is $250 obo

16 channels, 4 buses, plenty of effects sends, etc.

The thing is an absolute monster. It is styled no differently than the old inline mixing consoles from the 70's. It even has the stock hardwood side covers on either end. In exceptional condition. Due to its powerful transformers, this mixer makes everything sound big and very 70's. Drums just pop, bass is well defined, and the EQ on both the channels and final mix output is superb.



- M-Audio Delta 1010 Audio interface. Totally complete and used only once. Perfect condition. Price is $285



- Alesis MMT-8 Sequencer, works perfectly. $120



EDIT: Prices adjusted.





 

I miss the whole shebang. Being rather young when I was playing these games, the voice acting was a welcome treat. These days, I don't mind its absence in some games.

 I just started playing Longbow today after years of being away from it. It felt like I was back in the 90's all over again. I just can't get into any of the games released today. Not like the oldies.

 Its a bygone era that ended far too quickly. The old games always had a great story ( well... except for QFG1). Today, that isn't a point of focus with game designers.


As a matter of fact, I think I'll go play longbow.   

I've always been a fan of RGs. Nice one, Brandon. I think a change of avatars is in order.

That MT-32 with the four extra output jacks has most likely had some modifications done by a company called Real World Interfaces. My MT-32 looks exactly the same. I can't remember the full extent of the modifications, I'll have to dig out the documentation that came with mine. A lot was done to greatly improve upon the original MT-32 design.

 After using this modified example, I could never go back to using a stock MT-32. These modifications should have been part of the design all along.

I certainly wouldn't use it. Not when a real MT-32 is so easily acquired.

MUNT has a ways to go before it can approach MT-32 quality. It sounds alright for some games, but it is still lacking.