Post by hydrophilic on Feb 27, 2016 4:44:24 GMT
The latest (Epsilon) version of SAM 128 is now available for download. The download is a 96K ZIP file which includes source code, binary files, and of course a D64 disk image with SAM 128, Reciter 128, and the BASIC Wedge (plus several BASIC demos).
Thanks to the BASIC Wedge, now using SAM/Reciter is just as easy on the C128 as it was on the C64. In fact, my BASIC wedge is more flexible. For example, you can use any BASIC expression as an argument with any command (for example, SAY or KNOBS). (On the C64, you were generally limited to literal values only, and as a special exception you could use a scalar variable with SAY).
It automatically detects machine configuration (NTSC/PAL/1MHz/2MHz/20MHz) upon install. If you change configuration after install, be sure to use CPUFIX (or manually make changes to various internal variables with NOISES and TIMEBASE). Note: the 20MHz refers to the Super-CPU running at full-speed... I am still uncertain how reliably SAM will detect this! (That is, expect bugs if you use a Super-CPU.)
Wanna try it out? Then do this:
Note that SAM/Reciter only has a limited concept of numbers. In general, it only knows the numbers zero through ten (0~10)... it can only speak "64" and "128" because of special dictionary entries! More importantly, you can expect only(?) about 95% of random English text to be pronounced correctly... this is because (in regards to spelling), the English language has more exceptions than rules!
Thanks to the BASIC Wedge, now using SAM/Reciter is just as easy on the C128 as it was on the C64. In fact, my BASIC wedge is more flexible. For example, you can use any BASIC expression as an argument with any command (for example, SAY or KNOBS). (On the C64, you were generally limited to literal values only, and as a special exception you could use a scalar variable with SAY).
It automatically detects machine configuration (NTSC/PAL/1MHz/2MHz/20MHz) upon install. If you change configuration after install, be sure to use CPUFIX (or manually make changes to various internal variables with NOISES and TIMEBASE). Note: the 20MHz refers to the Super-CPU running at full-speed... I am still uncertain how reliably SAM will detect this! (That is, expect bugs if you use a Super-CPU.)
Wanna try it out? Then do this:
- Download and un-zip SAM 128 (Epsilon)
- Attach the D64 to VICE (or copy it to a physical disk [or SD card])
- Turn on your C128 and enter RUN"*",U8 (change 8 if you need)
That will install SAM+Reciter+Wedge. Now your Commie can speak "any" English phrase with a simple command like:
]SAY "I AM SAM, FOR THE COMMODORE 128."
Now I could just give a lame excuse, like your C128 is a meager 8-bit computer, but really, the insane spelling of English words goes far beyond the 8-bit barrier. See, for example, the list of words that (32-bit) SAM can not say correctly