Rehashing an old Mario trick

July 11, 2023 | be3n

After watching the Mario movie with kids, i dropped original NES Super Mario Bros on them. They enjoyed the new (to them) gameplay, while marveling at the limitations: you cannot go back? With me remembering a surprising number of secrets, i got a bug in me to revive this ancient trick. Unfortunately, i wasn’t able to get it working correctly in the limited lives i had. Undaunted, i finally completed it just a few days later while waiting on an OS upgrade.

my favorite part was that it overflowed the numerals and became pictures when displaying the remaining lives. if you got too many extra lives, it ended the game.

Culture, pointless, retro, Software, technology

@stroughtonsmith made me Be the best VM i could Be!

March 21, 2022March 20, 2022 | be3n

It was a bit more of a pain than i remember it being back in college. After a subtle inspiration from @stroughtonsmith. I now have BeOS VM. there is an option to play connect four while installing (an unusual feature).

hardware, retro, Software, technology

What is old is new again! XP on an M1!

September 23, 2021September 28, 2021 | be3n

I’m doing experiments with UTM to create a single purpose XP system with zero network access. in this picture, i am trying to fix a damaged system while simultaneously installing a fresh one. eventually got it working like a champ, and now it’s almost as portable as an app. Huge thanks to 4PCTechs for your insights and archive of ancient drivers!

Culture, retro, technology, Video Games

My favorite game from 1987 is fun again thanks to updated FS-UAE!

April 7, 2021April 7, 2021 | be3n

This classic from my childhood has for some reason, never worked in emulation. Until now! i am finally able to play this game again after decades. it’s more challenging than i remember.

I even managed to complete a challenge that i could NEVER beat back in the day. Continue reading “My favorite game from 1987 is fun again thanks to updated FS-UAE!” →

art, Culture, hardware, retro, technology

My original shadowbox idea finally realized in all its glory!

April 2, 2021April 2, 2021 | be3n

This was actually the idea that started it all! It took me a while to finally complete it. I know that i am missing the serial mouse from the original Macintosh and 128. Despite having one, i decided to keep my 128 with all its pieces. Besides, i never touched one until after college. The mice represented here had my hands all over them most of my life. I am very happy with how it came out.

art, Culture, hardware, Raspberry Pi, Recreation, retro, revolution, Science, Security, Software, technology, Travel, Wi-Fi

Defcam 2.0 Preparation and more from Defcon 27!

August 12, 2019January 10, 2020 | be3n

So I did not “complete” my hat until very late Friday when i finally got it to announce its link status on its new set of 14 segment displays. It performed admirably all weekend. Thanks to Paul for safely transporting it to and from Vegas. I must also thank Stephen for his late night help on Wednesday. (tacos are not enough) Without his amazing soldering, i’d still be trying to figure out what i had done wrong. Here are some pictures from that night and the con to follow. . .

DC27 Villages - Rogues Village - Shuffle Theory

Continue reading →

hardware, pointless, Raspberry Pi, retro, technology

Cleaning out my office I found an ancient Asterisk Box!

February 22, 2019January 10, 2020 | be3n

Originally my router/PBX this Dell P4 was installed with some of the earliest Digium PCI analogue cards. This card supported both FXS and FXO modules, and i used them both in various configurations. One of the FXS modules is what allowed my housemate’s old rotary phone to connect to the house phone system. I loved testing the system by ringing his phone. The ringing of its actual bell, was a delight. That dell survived the infamous flood (by already being decommissioned). I think I paid over $200 for this card alone. Now i run Asterisk off my Raspberry Pi with a total hardware cost considerably less than that.

Culture, hardware, Media, retro, revolution, technology

Visiting iFixit and finally fixing my laptop!

January 13, 2019January 13, 2019 | be3n

I got the full tour, the place is amazing and far tidier then any workshop I have been in. They have pieces for nearly everything and almost everything in pieces. I got to try out their tools. I even touched their flame thrower!

It turns out this little bugger was the cause of all my problems or at least my technical ones. Once I got this guy replaced, my 2011 MacBook Pro was back kicking ass. Thanks Daniel you are awesome!

I brought this gift to show my appreciation, I hope you like it. It is TechStep diagnostic tool from Apple for testing and diagnosing vintage Macs. I don’t even remember what i traded it for nearly 20 years ago, but i never once used it. I hope you enjoy it and maybe even do something cool with it. I cannot wait to come back.

Culture, hardware, retro, technology

Got schooled at the Computer History Museum!

January 12, 2019February 22, 2019 | be3n

I learned so much from my visit. I spent nearly four hours there and still there is probably more to see. The tour guide taught much about the computers before my time.

Continue reading “Got schooled at the Computer History Museum!” →

art, Culture, hardware, Internet, Raspberry Pi, Recreation, retro, revolution, Science, Security, Software, technology, Travel, Wi-Fi

Back to reality after another amazing DEFCON!

August 15, 2018August 15, 2018 | be3n

I met a pile of incredible people. Bought some amazing toys (for science), some i’ve even got working. Saw some talks and demos. Talked to some of my heroes and listened to even more. I saw Ladar Levison talk about epoxying your ports and adding thermite to your hard drives. I played with the ECU of a fake car! now i just have finish building the DarkNet Badge! enjoy my pictures. The hat data is still being analyzed. I’ll try to build something out of it eventually.