Compiled source of Handy Development Kit

Hi everyone,

Having acquired an original Handy Development Kit, I spent some serious time investigating and getting acquainted with the original development tooling. I managed to compile the original examples (which was easy enough) and got the .bin converted to .rom, then to .lnx files with encryption added. That was a slightly different route than D Scott Williamson took (as reported in his post http://atariage.com/forums/topic/212245-new-old-lynx-technology-demos-with-source-and-tools/), since I wanted to create rom images that you could put on a real EEPROM and run in the Lynx (either with a Flashcart or by burning a ROM, although strictly speaking you can run .o files on Lynxman's Flashcart with his latest firmware update).

The examples were originally intended to be run on the Pinky/Mandy combination. I will manage to do that in about 3 weeks, when I get the Amiga 2000 prepped. The .bin images that the asm assembler tool creates has a "weird" format that cannot be run directly in Handy. So, I took the boot/title screen from the digidemo sample and put it on all the samples, except for the testcart sample, that has its own simple boot screen. Then ran the bin file through the HandyROM utility with custom made .hsf files. Finally added the encrypted header after having changed the boot screen to run at $2400. Some source files needed to be changed, because they would initialize zeropage memory (in the "weird way").

The boot screen is a simple blue screen, so nothing fancy there. I compiled the files as 256KB images to make it trivial to add the encrypted header (not the microloader by wookie, but the hacked Epyx loader). Check them out. Here's a short description of each of the files:

• Digidemo: experiment with around 5 digitized samples. You might recognize the Klax samples.
• Mandel: Mandelbrot fractal generator that is also in Chip's Challenge (type MAND as the level code)
• Testaudio: plays a simple sound effect.
• Testcart: Loads four different files from the cart and displays the short text that is in them. Demonstration of the cartridge file system
• Testcontrols: Will crash as it does a HBRK (0x13) that is used in Howard boards to invoke a hard break. Included for completeness.
• Testhmusic: Plays 4 great tunes (sink2, summer, roadrace and liberty). You really need to listen to this, preferably on a real Lynx.
• Testhprint: Demonstration of text printing using the HPRINT macros.
• Testredeye: Shows how to do a logon screen where players can connect in a lobby (like in the retail games, where the lobby is usually the start screen). After that is completed, you can fly little planes across the screen. See pictures.
• Testsprite2: Some sprite capabilities.
• Song_sfxall: Made this from one of the music demos. Listen to this! Cool stuff for 1989.

The pictures show the testredeye logon screen and the planes (the red and green blurs).

Let me know what you think. I never saw these roms, so I thought it would be a nice release. Also, speak up if anyone is interested in the fixed sources and compile instructions.