The Sinclair QL Forum

Derek_Stewart wrote: Wed Dec 04, 2024 1:28 pm ... so you're not part the Next project to produce this SMSQ/E file system

No.

I tend to be my own project

tofro wrote: Wed Dec 04, 2024 1:32 pm I tend to be my own project

And you are very good at that.

I know that you tend to be satisfied to just overcome the basic challenge for yourself, and can't always take the time to release. But your FAT32 driver is a jewel which deserves a release even more than other projects. I'd be very happy to see it someday.

As for the Spectrum Next, the FAT32 secret has been lifted, those are specific programs based on the FATFS library, not a QL-side driver.

I've just installed the upgrade on my KS1 Next.

Things to note:

Trying to make the SD card on a Mac won't work correctly. The OS will create hidden files and directories on the SD card before you can copy the QXL.WIN file and so the core will see a corrupted drive. You'll need to do this using Linux or Windows.

Native SD filesystem access is via two programs on the QXL.WIN virtual hard drive, sdir and scopy which you have to 'ew' with arguments. The documentation doesn't state how scopy handles executables.

The keyboard mapping is a bit clunky. I'm going to have to use a key-guide on a piece of paper to remember them.

You will need your HDMI display in 16:9 aspect ratio, unlike when you're using the Next in Spectrum mode.

Otherwise it's all good.

I've just noticed that they now have a write up of the latest core and how to use it is on the spectnext site: https://www.specnext.com/sinclair_ql-qs/

Update: and the firmware downloads are working again.

Hi everyone!

Just to share that the guide to QL and Spectrum networking has just been updated with material on the Spectrum Next/QL-Core network support.

You can find the updated guide in the post here: viewtopic.php?t=5089

Martyn.

Peter wrote: Thu Dec 05, 2024 11:11 am As for the Spectrum Next, the FAT32 secret has been lifted, those are specific programs based on the FATFS library, not a QL-side driver.

It was never a secret to begin with
We're still thinking of ways to leverage the complete FatFS library in order to allow full access to the Next side of things and save ourselves from the ugliness of win container files. Alternatively a modified ATR device driver may do the trick as well. BTW: there are two ongoing "challenges" having a White ZX Spectrum Next as prize. A fat32 driver for the QL qualifies as an entry as it must be something that's usable by any part of the official distribution and the QL core is part of it. That is if someone is looking for a reason to get themselves a white ZX Spectrum Next
Only thing is that said driver would have to be open source and available to all.

All Sinclair ptoducts were Black...

Is a White Spectrum Next something special?

Derek_Stewart wrote: Wed Jan 08, 2025 3:48 pm All Sinclair ptoducts were Black...

Is a White Spectrum Next something special?

It is but not due to functionality. There will be no more made ergo they're highly sought after by collectors (in other words; if you get one then you can sell it for a couple grand at least)

QuantumLeapGR wrote: Wed Jan 08, 2025 4:45 pm

Derek_Stewart wrote: Wed Jan 08, 2025 3:48 pm All Sinclair ptoducts were Black...

Is a White Spectrum Next something special?

It is but not due to functionality. There will be no more made ergo they're highly sought after by collectors (in other words; if you get one then you can sell it for a couple grand at least)

not a good selling policy, this excludes geniue users who want use the system.

Derek_Stewart wrote: Wed Jan 08, 2025 6:12 pm

QuantumLeapGR wrote: Wed Jan 08, 2025 4:45 pm

Derek_Stewart wrote: Wed Jan 08, 2025 3:48 pm All Sinclair ptoducts were Black...

Is a White Spectrum Next something special?

It is but not due to functionality. There will be no more made ergo they're highly sought after by collectors (in other words; if you get one then you can sell it for a couple grand at least)

not a good selling policy, this excludes geniue users who want use the system.

The white ones were never for sale really; we auctioned some off to cover all the tax expenses we had out of pocket subsidising VAT for EU users. We only made them for the team but there was an absolute minimum we had to make that's how we were left with a few. Two are given as prizes to people that will innovate and three more (2 + 1 for next year) were given out to Crash live attendees.
The actual Next we make and sell is through KS funding of which the 3rd round will be around April. So there will be more Nexts to buy to those who want the genuine article. That being said it's an open system and we support the creation of clones (there are 5 major ones and there are more coming soon) so I don't see how it affects anyone who wants to get to use the system. If you want a Next, you can buy one right now for about $100 (Xberry π)