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Switch the PS/2 ports to USB-A female

Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2023 4:07 pm
by mobluse
I asked Chat OpenAI https://chat.openai.com/: What is Commander X16?
Commander X16 is a retro-style computer and console built around the 65C02 microprocessor, which is a descendant of the original 6502 processor used in the Commodore 64, Atari 2600, and other classic computers and consoles. The X16 project is an open-source hardware and software project and it is designed to be fully compatible with Commodore 64 and it also has some enhanced features like USB, Ethernet, and an SD card slot for storage. The X16 also includes a built-in emulator for running Commodore 64 software, as well as its own native software. The goal of the project is to create a modern, open-source version of the Commodore 64 that can be used for both retro gaming and modern software development.
It's wrong because CX16 is not fully compatible with C64; only for BASIC programs without PEEK, POKE, and machine code. The X16 doesn't include a built-in emulator for C64 software.

X16 doesn't have Ethernet unless someone develops an expansion card.

The X16 computer also features two PS/2 ports for keyboard and mouse, which can be converted to USB sockets using passive adapters. However, these ports only function with keyboards and mice that support the PS/2 protocol, and are not truly USB ports. To ensure compatibility and cost-effectiveness in the long run, it would be more practical to replace the PS/2 ports with USB-A female ports, as most PS/2 compatible keyboards and mice already have USB-A male connectors. The downside to this is that users may mistakenly assume that they can plug in other USB devices that do not support the PS/2 protocol. (This paragraph was improved by ChatGPT.)

Re: Switch the PS/2 ports to USB-A female

Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2023 5:45 am
by Cyber
mobluse wrote: Sat Jan 21, 2023 4:07 pm The downside to this is that users may mistakenly assume that they can plug in other USB devices that do not support the PS/2 protocol.
This is one of the good reasons why it should be left PS/2 as it is now.

Re: Switch the PS/2 ports to USB-A female

Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2023 6:56 am
by Edmond D
mobluse wrote: Sat Jan 21, 2023 4:07 pm I asked Chat OpenAI https://chat.openai.com/: What is Commander X16?
The X16 also includes a built-in emulator for running Commodore 64 software, as well as its own native software. The goal of the project is to create a modern, open-source version of the Commodore 64 that can be used for both retro gaming and modern software development.


Somehow it missed that the X16 will be fun, no mater what one does with it.

Hallucination (artificial intelligence) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hallucina ... elligence)


PS - The X16 will be the coolest thing on the planet when it ships; no other computer would even come close. :P

Re: Switch the PS/2 ports to USB-A female

Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2023 4:34 pm
by BruceRMcF
Cyber wrote: Sun Jan 22, 2023 5:45 am
mobluse wrote: Sat Jan 21, 2023 4:07 pm The downside to this is that users may mistakenly assume that they can plug in other USB devices that do not support the PS/2 protocol.
This is one of the good reasons why it should be left PS/2 as it is now.
Precisely. And if you switch it, anyone that picks up a PS/2 keyboard in a thrift store or out of their pile of hoarded old stuff will then have to get the little passive adapter the other way.

The port as it is tells anyone who just sees a picture of the I/O ports that "it doesn't support USB", with the explanation somewhere to be found that some USB keyboards also support PS2 mode, if you get a cheap little converter from Amazon or "FleaBay".

And since those keyboards are still widely available but far from every USB keyboard nowadays, it would be pretty misleading to have those I/O ports show two USB-A ports when the board doesn't actually support USB at all.