ZoomFloppy response has been overwhelming, and we became swamped with orders. We needed help to push through the last shipments, but I don’t want to pay a lot for staff. After considering various options, I found these two underage workers who seemed interested in product fulfillment opportunities. I think I can pay them less than minimum wage and skip FICA and withholding. I’ll take care of their medical benefits and investments, though.
Seriously, those who are getting the final batch of boards might notice the stickers on the packages are a bit mis-aligned, those were lovingly packed by Belle2. All units were programmed and tested for functionality by Brent1. Staff member Brent programming and testing ZF units
Also shown is the temporary worldwide headquarters for RETRO Innovations. Advanced Technology in Action!
Though not immediately useful, to help with the development of IEEE drive support for ZoomFloppy, I acquired a small batch of IEEE connectors for the store.
I’m continuing to looks for a cheaper source of connectors, but they aren’t in huge demand, so the options might be limited.
The first 25 ZF units arrived on January 12, and the remaining units arrived January 20th. At present, 66 orders have been sent out, and 20 more will go out this weekend. Shown at left is a record 41 orders shipped out this morning.
We appreciate the interest and orders. It’s become obvious a new order is in order.
To help with questions about driver installation and/or usage,we’ve listed some resources on the product information page at http://www.go4retro.com/projects/zoomfloppy/. In addition to a FAQ, there is a Google Group for questions and discussion. Please consider joining and learning more about this product.
Although parts were delayed due to a Blizzard in the Midwest this past weekend, I was able to construct ZoomFloppy #1 Monday night. Though one hopes for first attempt success, that is not often the case. It was indeed not the case for this construction.
When I designed the board, I knew the 0402-sized surface mount components were small, 1/4 the size of the 0804-sized components I normally utilize for SMT designs. Still, it’s a bit academic until one actually tries to solder the parts. At a size that is seems near my eye’s minimum ability to resolve details, the components truly tested my soldering abilities. For comparison, my finest iron tip is 1/32″, and the parts were about the same size as the tip. Still, I was able to place each component on the board.
When first powering up the unit, it did register as a USB device, and I was quickly able to load the required firmware. However, upon re-insertion, the unit registered as “xum1541 (ZOOMFLOPPY)” and demanded USB drivers I did not have. Since it was late, I left the project at that point and solicited help from Nate (the project designer) and others.
Tuesday night, I had learned what version of OpenCBM to load on the PC, the correct USB drivers had been sent to me in a ZIP file, and progress was made. The correct drivers were loaded, and OpenCBM commands were issues to the device.
Sadly, initial tests failed. Before assuming the worst, I checked all solder joints, and measured impedences, on the assumption I had soldered a component incorrectly. During the inspection, I noticed two resistors attached to the IEC lines were shorted to each other, thus effectively shorting the IEC lines together. After resolving that issue, the unit successfully passed the tests by transferring data from the drive ROM to the PC.
With no need to spin a new PCB, I released the 98 first batch units to production and ordered the required parts for assembly. The plan is to quickly assemble 25 units and potentially ship before end of year, with the rest coming quickly in January. Since the 2×8 header X3 was nominal in cost, I ordered it for inclusion in assembly.
Sale price target is $35.00, and I will add a pre-order option in the store shortly. Given the ease of installation and configuration, I predict significant sales. This device eliminates the need to fiddle with parallel port settings, trying to remember a myriad of differently lettered adapters, and a need to maintain older systems with legacy ports for disk access purposes.
Though I rely on the storefront for sales management, I have not tried out some of the features of the system. I’ve noticed for quite some time that the storefront offers coupon management, and I’ve wanted to put on a sale during the Holiday season. Thus, I’m trying out the coupon system by offering a sale from now until the end of December 25th, 2010 (or until specific stock runs out) on 64NIC+ cartridges. Use coupon ‘NICSALE” during checkout to receive $10.00 off each 64NIC+ purchase. Buy 2 or more and see if it correctly applies a $10.00 reduction for each NIC purchased.
Sales at the recent ECCC show depleted stock of the uIEC/SD units. Normally, I order more stock when quantities get below 20 or so units, but I was not paying as much attention to the stock level while relocating. Sadly, I ran out, but I have ordered 100 more units and they should be here in a few weeks.
Brain Innovations has moved to a new location outside of Sioux Falls, SD. Though much work remains to be done, the new location will allow siting of a better design facility. Plans include offices, design area, and climate controlled space to set up multiple retro computer configurations for testing purposes. Above all, area will be devoted to parts stock and product assembly, as well as tooling for milling cases for products.
Construction must wait until Spring, but design work can continue through the Winter.
With the selection of a new location complete, I now turn attention to filling the backlog of orders placed over the past month. I appreciate the patience of all our customers.
I have recently accepted a new position out of state, which necessitates a relocation and all of the changes associated with a move and new position. Design will continue, but I may be unable to fill orders during the transition period. Thus, if you’ve been putting off a purchase, note that it is likely I will not be able to fill orders from July 16th to August 16th.
I thought I’d compose a quick note to let folks know that 64NIC+ Ethernet cartridges are in stock once again and the new X-Pander 3 3/4 slot cartridge port expander is finally in stock. I’m working to add 24/28 pin headers and cartridge cases to the store inventory.
Many apologies for the lack of postings, but I was preparing for the Cincinnati Commodore Computer Club EXPO (C4 EXPO), which happened over Memorial Day weekend, and I am just now getting caught up on postings.
Two weeks prior to the show, I shifted all focus to ensuring newly produced products would be available at the show. X-Pander3 expansion boards and 64NIC+ network cards were in production, but delivery had been delayed a week or so. This seems to always happen prior to a show, without fail. I spent evenings obtaining manufacturing and shipment statuses, making last minute parts purchases, and packing for the show.
The week prior to the show was spent traveling to Ohio, taking in some sights (Kings Island, for example), and spending time with the family. Since we were already on the road, I rescheduled last minute product shipments from China to arrive at the hotel before the show.
Though not the only reason, it is true I offer products for sale to finance these trips. I can enjoy catching up with old and online friends and relaxing and enjoying the hobby. This year was no different. I arrived mid afternoon on Friday, with the show room already open and a few folks setting up systems. Over the years, I’ve learned how to pack lighter, so my tables didn’t take too long to setup. Then, I spent time finishing some products for the show and chatting with the early arrivals.
I called it quits early Saturday morning (1AM or so Central), getting back to the room before 9:30AM. Traffic was lighter than usual, and seemed light all day. Sales were nominal, but steady. JiffyDOS sales were hampered by issues with my Willem programmer (after I returned home, I determined the configuration switches were faulty), preventing me from flashing some of the JiffyDOS versions.
Jim and Oliver working on project
Traffic stayed light all day, which is a bit disappointing because this is the second year traffic has been light. By afternoon, sales dissipated and I spent time fighting with the programmer. Oliver VieBrooks (Six of Style) came over late afternoon and we brainstormed on project ideas. Thus began the prototyping portion of the show. Given that sales had stopped, I decided to start on a project right then, and continued through the normal annual Saturday “C4 EXPO Golden Corral” dinner period (to be fair, I probably would have went, but we’d already enjoyed GC as a family earlier in the week).
Later in the evening, I worked on a project for Leif Bloomquist. Since the Fall ECCC ’09 show, Leif and I have been working to bring his VIC-20 MIDI cartridge to fruition. The main issue with the original design is the UART utilized, a MC6850 that is hard to source and pricey. I suggested rewriting the drivers to use the much more common 16X50-style PC UART ICs. I’d source a batch of them, but still needed to wire up one to Leif’s board so he could test.
By Sunday, I was out of energy, having worked on two prototypes the previous night. Thus, I packed up and left without much fanfare.
Seeing friends and talking hobby is always nice, but I feel the Memorial Day slot for this show hurts it quite a bit. Traffic was light, as previously noted, and sales were likewise light. Surprisingly, the Louisville crowd didn’t show, which hurt attendance more.
