Qweremin: A C64-Based Qwerty Theremin Blends Old and New

2025-09-01

Following a 2022 C64-based theremin project, the author created the Qweremin, a novel instrument merging the classic theremin with a qwerty keyboard. The Qweremin addresses the theremin's notorious difficulty, improving volume control precision and responsiveness using external DACs. The article also recounts a chance encounter with legendary game composer Rob Hubbard, resulting in an autographed clamp for the instrument.

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TTY Demystified: A Deep Dive into the Linux Console

2025-08-26

This article provides a comprehensive explanation of the Linux TTY subsystem. Tracing its history from 19th-century stock tickers to modern virtual terminals, it details the roles of UART drivers, line disciplines, TTY drivers, and signal handling. The article also covers process states, job and session management, flow control, and blocking I/O, using clear diagrams and examples. It unravels the complexities of the Linux console, offering deep insights for developers and advanced users.

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Development Console

Playing the NES with a Family BASIC Keyboard: A Retro Hardware Hack

2025-01-17

Linus Akesson connected a Family BASIC keyboard to an NES using a custom adapter to play its unique triangle waveform live. He details the adapter's creation, covering the Family BASIC keyboard's matrix layout, the NES controller port's signal characteristics, and the use of an ATtiny85 microcontroller for multiplexing and serializing the signals. The result? A successful performance of a tune called "Platform Hopping," showcasing impressive retro hardware hacking skills.

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Hardware