techtravels.org

inital results on error correction

While I have yet to actually implement the full-scale error correction as I want to, I did some manual tests today. I basically took a track that I was erroring out on, and swapped in 1-bit away values for the bad bytes.  In some cases, it appeared...

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thinking about cross-platform support

To make this accessible to everyone, I’d really like to add support for more than just Windows.  I thought that Java would be my ticket to freedom here, but that is turning sour real fast. From what I’m able...

motor speed variation tests

I collected roughly 1,000 index pulses from the Sony MPF920-E with one common floppy inserted. The motor speed variation was very very small.  I am impressed as to the accuracy. Across 967 index pulses, all were within...

sanding a 556 timer IC to expose the die

So tonight, just for the fun of it, I decided to sand, by hand, a 556 timer IC. I just bought an extremely inexpensive microscope and was very interested to see what pictures I could get from it. Unfortunately, for me...

Getting closer….

So a few versions later, trying some different failed attempts, I am finally starting to get a little closer.  Here’s the best video I’ve got so far, but my image is still scrolling. If I can fix the...

PCBs have arrived!

Just in time for Christmas, the PCBs have arrived from China.  I used Seeed Studio (Fusion PCB Service) and they look pretty good.  Here’s the first look at them. I’m just about to solder one up, so wish me...