olifink wrote:getting software for the machine is essentially impossible without flp
No you don't need floppy at all. Since I introduced the QL-SD interface, FAT32 formatted SDHC cards are the much faster and easier way.
Most QL hardware platforms, GC, SGC, Q68, Q40, Q60 support SDHC cards by now, and most emulators.
You find a huge QL software collection at:
http://www.dilwyn.me.uk/downloads.html
Here's a PC tool to copy downloaded software into the container file of a SDHC card:
http://www.wlenerz.com/qlstuff/QxlwinReader.zip
olifink wrote:without tetroids excellent works (currenly I have both TDI CF QubATA/QubIDE and SGC clone) the situation would be very sad
For the black original case, I understand this sentiment, that's why I started the thread. If a different case is an option, there's the Q68.
olifink wrote:as you need to pick one card, there is always a tradeoff (SGC has no ATA, TDI is slower and flp seems more unreliable)
You could get an (S)GC or clone and QL-SD.
olifink wrote:ATA connector (allow other ATA drives, like iomega rev, not only CF cards, enough adapters available)
Why ATA? On QL-style systems it is not faster than SDHC, just larger outline.
olifink wrote:One thing I found frustrating that there seem to have been many quite successful attempts at reasonable replacement or successor boards (Thor, Aurora, Q40, Q60), but nothing is available anymore and designs are not open for somebody to have a go at them.
Nothing? The Q68 is in full production.
olifink wrote:Also, most of the time the design is left out (which is why I admire what SpecNext is doing around the casing and keyboard).
The Spectrum Next case was never available - the Q68 case is.
olifink wrote:I realize that this is prohibitively expensive, so a more reasonable approach could be along the lines of the ZX Evolution board approach of making a board to fit readily available standard cases.
Exactly what I did with the Q68, I just wanted much more compact case, so I desigend own panels, look here:
https://www.qlforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=1919
Peter