ZXpand File Browser

Any discussions related to the creation of new hardware or software for the ZX80 or ZX81
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kmurta
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ZXpand File Browser

Post by kmurta »

Hello all,

I'm developing a file browser for ZXpand interface and would like to share it with you.

Although not complete, it is already fully operational and allows to completely change the way we interact with ZXpand.

Now you can browse the structure of the file system in a practical and intuitive way, without the need to type any command or to set manually the working directory because, once you enter a directory, this becomes the working directory.

The layout and operation is similar to the file browser of XZ81 emulator (I just like it) with some minor changes:
zxfb.jpeg
zxfb.jpeg (22.81 KiB) Viewed 16476 times


To navigate up and down in a directory list, use the keys "Q" and "A" respectively; to open a file or directory, use the key "NEWLINE". To return to BASIC, press BREAK. And to load a program and disable the ZXpand ROM, use the key combination SHIFT + NEWLINE (only for .P files).

At present, ZXFB is able to open three types of files:

- .P files (programs)
- .SCR files (standard screen file - 793 bytes fixed)
- .HRG files (HRG screen file - 6144 bytes fixed)

Are planned the support to .bin and .txt files, to be added in a next release.

The ZXFB is stored at memory address 8192 and can be run from BASIC with RAND USR 8192 command.

For now that's all, hope you enjoy it and find it useful.


Kelly Murta
http://zx81.eu5.org

P.S.:
My thanks to Sir Morris for having made ​​available the source of the ZXpand ROM, without which the ZXpand File Browser could not be possible.


ZXFB Beta 2: Mon Dec 19, 2011

Added support to cursor keys '6' and '7' to move down/up and '0' to open the file/directory.

The RAMTOP address can be changed with the key 'R' and then typing the new RAMTOP address. This empty the machine stack and clear BASIC variables, but don't reset the zeddy ;)

Added support to .BIN files: just select the .BIN file, press NL/0 and type the destination address.

To do: Delete command; view of .TXT files.
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zxfbb2.p
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Last edited by kmurta on Tue Dec 20, 2011 2:58 am, edited 1 time in total.
1 x ZX81, 2 x TK85 , 1 TK82C, 1 TK95, 1 x Alphacom 32 printer, 1 x ZXpand
ZeXtender board, Joy81 - Programmable Joystick Controller, Turbo Sound 81
http://zx81.eu5.org
https://toddysoftware.itch.io/
sirmorris
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Re: ZXpand File Browser

Post by sirmorris »

Wow! I wanted something like this!

Thanks Kelly - I'm loving it :D
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Andy Rea
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Re: ZXpand File Browser

Post by Andy Rea »

Very Very nice...

I think i have found the only zxpand auto loading program i need :D

Thank you for doing this

Andy
what's that Smell.... smells like fresh flux and solder fumes...
Moggy
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Re: ZXpand File Browser

Post by Moggy »

Tried it on a card with say a dozen or so folders and files no problems.
Tried it with a card I use for storing song files (2000+) then it throws a wobbly, a limit to the amount of files/folders it can address perhaps?

Thanks to Sir Morris' auto load routine instant access brilliiant :D

Moggy
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kmurta
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Re: ZXpand File Browser

Post by kmurta »

Moggy wrote: Tried it with a card I use for storing song files (2000+) then it throws a wobbly, a limit to the amount of files/folders it can address perhaps?
You're right!
Currently the ZXFB can address 256 folders / files. I Can increase this number, but not much due to the limit of available memory for directory list. This is something to consider for an upcoming release.

Kelly
1 x ZX81, 2 x TK85 , 1 TK82C, 1 TK95, 1 x Alphacom 32 printer, 1 x ZXpand
ZeXtender board, Joy81 - Programmable Joystick Controller, Turbo Sound 81
http://zx81.eu5.org
https://toddysoftware.itch.io/
sirmorris
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Re: ZXpand File Browser

Post by sirmorris »

Hi Kelly - did you consider using RAM above 32k?

C
Moggy
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Re: ZXpand File Browser

Post by Moggy »

kmurta wrote:
Moggy wrote: Tried it with a card I use for storing song files (2000+) then it throws a wobbly, a limit to the amount of files/folders it can address perhaps?
You're right!
Currently the ZXFB can address 256 folders / files. I Can increase this number, but not much due to the limit of available memory for directory list. This is something to consider for an upcoming release.

Kelly

Hi Kelly.

Sorry if I sounded like I was complaining :oops:
This is a beautiful piece of work and ,like I said in an earlier post, thanks to sir Morris I don't even have to load it , just switch on and it's there. :D :D
Many thanks.

(I'm also Still having fun with Toddy forth on real Zeddy)

Regards
Moggy
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siggi
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Re: ZXpand File Browser

Post by siggi »

kmurta wrote:Hello all,

I'm developing a file browser for ZXpand interface and would like to share it with you.
I did something similar for the USB interface, used by some persons of the German ZX-Team:

http://forum.tlienhard.com/phpBB3/viewt ... 4101#p4101

Siggi
My ZX81 web-server: online since 2007, running since dec. 2020 using ZeddyNet hardware
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kmurta
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Re: ZXpand File Browser

Post by kmurta »

sirmorris wrote:Hi Kelly - did you consider using RAM above 32k?
Yes, I considered it but I prefer to leave this area completely free to the user and concentrate the code and data for the file browser at 8-16K RAM.
Moggy wrote: Sorry if I sounded like I was complaining :oops:
Don't worry, I did not think that ;)
Moggy wrote: This is a beautiful piece of work and ,like I said in an earlier post, thanks to sir Morris I don't even have to load it , just switch on and it's there. :D :D
The ZXpand autoload is a really cool thing, thanks Sir Morris :D
Moggy wrote: (I'm also Still having fun with Toddy forth on real Zeddy)
I'm glad you're having fun with the Toddy Forth, was a pleasure for me to develop it.

Kelly Murta
1 x ZX81, 2 x TK85 , 1 TK82C, 1 TK95, 1 x Alphacom 32 printer, 1 x ZXpand
ZeXtender board, Joy81 - Programmable Joystick Controller, Turbo Sound 81
http://zx81.eu5.org
https://toddysoftware.itch.io/
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kmurta
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Re: ZXpand File Browser

Post by kmurta »

siggi wrote: I did something similar for the USB interface, used by some persons of the German ZX-Team:
Siggi
A nice work, congratulations! :D
1 x ZX81, 2 x TK85 , 1 TK82C, 1 TK95, 1 x Alphacom 32 printer, 1 x ZXpand
ZeXtender board, Joy81 - Programmable Joystick Controller, Turbo Sound 81
http://zx81.eu5.org
https://toddysoftware.itch.io/
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