Commodore Flyer

Flyer firmware version 1.1.8 is now ready for public distribution with the following updates:

• REL File Support
• D64 Error Block Support
• IEEE-488 Protocol Fix
• Minor Bug Fixes

To update your Commodore Flyer firmware, check out an earlier post of mine where I provide details on how-to update your Flyer firmware over the internet.

You can also check out the Flyer Firmware release notes page for specific updates and fixes from previous versions.

A new port of the Flyer IRC client for the PET/CBM is now available for download on the Flyer product page. It currently supports 80 column, 32K (or greater) models only.

For those wondering, we also have the Flyer IRC PET CBM client available on the Commodore Flyer download page as well.

There’s just something so cool about doing real stuff online with such a classic machine! Is this the first PET on the modern ‘net? I can’t imagine so, but who knows.

Source: Brandon – Retroswitch.com

Nicely done Brandon. PET owners around the world are probably rejoicing at this news and if they don’t own a Flyer already, they’ll probably want one for sure now!

Note: For official Flyer customer support, sales and service, contact Retroswitch directly.

Retroswitch has released an updated version of the Commodore Flyer Cloud Server Application for Windows with the following updates and fixes:

• Fixed bugs dealing with disk/program filenames which contained spaces.
• Fixed media scan to now recognize D64s w/extra error blocks correctly.

If you are a Windows user and also own a Flyer Internet Modem, you’ll want to grab the latest Cloud Server Application from the Retroswitch Flyer product page.

We’re keeping our fingers crossed that at some point there will be an Apple Mac and Linux version of the Flyer cloud server application.

Both the Telnet and IRC clients have been posted on the Retroswitch Flyer product page for download. These are 100% custom written for the Flyer in C/asm and are currently available for the Commodore 64 (and Commodore 128 in C64 mode).

Native ports for the Commodore 128 and 16K+ PETs are planned for the future.

Use the Retroswitch contact page to drop Brandon a line and let him know what machines you’d like to see supported first, any issues or feature requests you might have, and any suggestions for future Flyer apps!

This past week Brandon over at Retroswitch was able to make good progress on the Flyer IRC client. Here’s a current photo showing a screenshot:

Basic stuff is there – line wrapping, member list, and a small command set (current version supports more commands than are shown in the screenshot).

The Commodore Flyer IRC client currently displays up to 128 channel members (w/ scrolling), and can only join 1 channel at a time currently (really just a UI limitation – could definitely use feedback/suggestions on how to present multiple channels).

Brandon would really like to coordinate testing with a few people to get feedback, work out any bugs and prioritize the next block of commands to be added. Anyone interested should contact him via the Retroswitch contact page.

After checking out Sean’s Commodore Flyer speed tests using the SX-64 Christmas Demo, I wanted to do my own using a variety of other programs and games.

For my speed tests I used the Top 5 voted games on Lemon64 comparing the Flyer against the 1541 Ultimate (1541u):

1. IK+ (sequel to International Karate)
2. Maniac Mansion
3. Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders
4. Pirates!
5. Last Ninja 2

For the setup, I used my C64 that has the option to enable or disable JiffyDOS and since the Commodore Flyer and 1541u both support JiffyDOS, this seems to be a fair test.

My time results are in the following order: Flyer (no JiffyDOS), Flyer (JiffyDOS on), 1541u (no JiffyDOS) and 1541u (JiffyDOS on). Take a look:

IK+ (sequel to International Karate) published in 1987 by System 3:

Maniac Mansion published in 1987 by Lucasfilm Games:

Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders published in 1988 by Lucasfilm Games:

Pirates! published in 1987 by MicroProse Software:

Last Ninja 2 published in 1988 by System 3:

As you can see from my speed tests above, the Flyer is definitely faster than the 1541u on all counts. It seems to be twice as fast when JiffyDOS is enabled.

Something to note is the 1541u is 100% emulation of a real 1541 disk drive and since Flyer by design is faster then a real 1541, it makes sense for it to be a little faster.

Flyer firmware version 1.1.7 has been in beta testing since February 23, 2012 however it’s now ready for public distribution as a maintenance release with the following updates:

• Directory formatting fixes
• NET-AVAIL command fix: Now includes IEC cached byte in count (if any)
• TCP channels now send packets on EOI (was per byte)
• New NET-STAT command: Returns bytes available and connection status
• New status: Firmware command – returns current firmware version
• Added additional TCP error handling

To update your Commodore Flyer firmware, check out an earlier post of mine where I provide details on how-to update your Flyer firmware over the internet.

You can also check out the Flyer Firmware release notes page for specific updates and fixes from previous versions.

Thanks to Commodore Flyer user Marc Honey for creating the network Flyer modem PDF cheat sheet:

The Commodore Flyer modem cheat sheet is in the Adobe PDF format. If you do not have a PDF viewer already installed, please download a free copy of Acrobat Reader.

About a week ago Retroswitch released the Commodore Flyer Cloud Server Application for Windows and today we have an update with the following updates and fixes:

• Directory scan for disks and programs now recursive.
• Fixed bug when receiving multiple disks in a single upload package from Flyer.
• Fixed unterminated disk listing returned to Flyer when downloading disk(s).
• Fixed issue with some error messages not getting returned to the Flyer (for display on the LCD).

If you are a Windows user and also own a Flyer Internet Modem, you’ll want to grab the latest Cloud Server Application from the Retroswitch Flyer product page.

At some point Brandon will release an Apple Mac and Linux version of the Flyer cloud server application.

Since the Flyer Internet modem and disk drive emulator was released into the wild back in November 2011 there have been a handful of firmware updates that included new features and enhancements. Now there is an updated user’s guide covering all the new features:

So what are you waiting for? Head over to the Flyer product page to grab your Adobe PDF copy of the 1.1 Flyer User’s Guide today!