BBC Concept Keyboard PODD

[klintworth]

I have a version of Podd for the Arc, and in the manual it mentions there's a BBC version with the Concept Keyboard. Anyone have this? I've searched and can't find it, not even on FlaxCottage educational archive.
Thanks, Paul
PS I have an 8ft table showing Acorn wares so this might be my education offering for the Retro Computer Show! Also planning to show Hybrid Music System, Valiant Turtle and games.

[flaxcottage]

Deffo exists.

There is an entry in the Educational Software Catalogue on page 248.

I'd love a copy for the educational archive.

[klintworth]

Thanks, John!
Just have to track down a copy ....!
I'll check my floppies, but I think I only have the standard Acorn or ASK ones. The Arc version & manual is produced by ESM

[james]

It’s mentioned here https://cat.spludlow.co.uk/File.aspx?sh ... 2db6c17019

Though having identified it, I’m afraid I don’t understand where you’d actually find it.

[james]

Ah. It appears to be downloadable from https://ia804505.us.archive.org/view_ar ... p_orig.zip though on a tablet, I can’t tell if it’s any use.

[flaxcottage]

Downloaded the disc image.

It is FSD so I need to boot up BeebJIT to convert to HFE and then use a GOTEK to check it out on a real machine. Sounds like fun.

[flaxcottage]

Converted to HFE and it runs OK in BeebJIT.

Now to get out my CK, make a work disc, edit an overlay and check it out.

@klintworth
It is looking like the ARM manual is the same as the BBC version. The program probably runs under emulation. Would it be possible to scan the manual and post it? I can then convert to a PDF for the Educational Archive.

[flaxcottage]

Had a look at CKPodd. The FSD image was unprotected and so it has been converted to SSD. The software was checked using a concept keyboard on a Master and everything appears to be working.

The system disk appears to have some example CK overlays. The download contains a work disc image with an overlay file called "Test". "Test" has been checked and works.

The next step is to produce a blank overlay sheet for the overlay editor program.

[james]

Would it be possible to scan the manual and post it?

There’s the manual in text format referencing the CK at https://everygamegoing.com/txt/info/bbc ... m/Podd.txt

[klintworth]

Converted to HFE and it runs OK in BeebJIT.
@klintworth
It is looking like the ARM manual is the same as the BBC version. The program probably runs under emulation. Would it be possible to scan the manual and post it? I can then convert to a PDF for the Educational Archive.

Great work, John & James! I'll scan the manual and give CK Podd a whirl!
Many thanks, Paul

[klintworth]

More info - I’d forgotten how expensive BBC s/w was back in the day! (1992)

[flaxcottage]

Yes, prices were high, And different depending where one bought stuff. My catalogue has the BBC price as £23.50. Not very different from your catalogue but still OUCH!

No wonder teachers were the greatest pirates of the 1980s and 1990s.

[klintworth]

Here's the full manual.

CKPodd manual 1-compressed.pdf

(9.56 MiB) Downloaded 8 times