Chaotic Progress Report

Nothing fancy here, just a quick report on what I've been doing over break. It's been an insane few weeks, playing like 15 hours per day and learning so much! I'll add more details later and push out some gitlab updates, but here's a partial synopsis (this is all just most-recent memories): MACRO-11: learning how to use system services for I/O and other things; how to assemble and link (tkb) under RSX11, getting arguments from BASIC programs, returning function values RSX-11M: getting around, making accounts and directories, getting TCP/IP working, getting Kermit (sort of) working DEVICE DRIVERS: defining the xxDRV and xxTAB macro files; reading packets; specifying functions; reading BUF,LEN,... arguments from QIO$ macros; starting to explore interrupt handlers EDIT/EDT: learning how to use command mode, the GOLD key, cofiguring Putty to use VT100 keycode for the numeric keypad, searching, cut/paste, quick movements INDIRECT FILES: using variables, testing conditions, prompting for input, command line arguments, conditional operations BASIC-PLUS-2: compiling, buillding, ODL overlay files, debugging, calling Macro code, passing arguments by reference, include files PHYSICAL ASSEMBLY: the usual soldering, testing, debugging, de-soldering, re-soldering, etc. 3-D PRINTING: mostly small widgets for surrounding USB connectors, LCD display panel, etc. READING! Forced to work without google search, often without searchable PDFs, which has been oddly nice! Actually reading entire pages of documentation, instead of just asking for the 1-2 sentences that may be most relevant, has offered a broader view of things. It' feels surprisingly good to actually read a technical document, instead of (effectively) skimming it for specific pieces of information. It's a slower process, but the overall payoff seems greater.