Well, I FINALLY got around to setting up my Z-100 and going through all of the stuff, primarily in the interest of getting used to the general operation and then playing the games.

Opened up:

Closed:

Unfortunately, after plugging it in, it briefly made a noise as if powering up, and then nothing after that. I attempted to open it up and either remove or bypass the power supply (since I have spares of various vintage), but it's really a tight case and screwed in in a configuration that is not particularly easy to tamper with. I gave up. When I mentioned this a little while ago on the SEBHC mailing list group, it was suggested that I check the power supply voltages. If they checked out, that would not be the cause of the issue(s). Naturally, I don't really know how I'd do that. I think one of the things I have to move on my to do list somehow is learning basic electronics if I'm to maintain the type of overall collection I have at present...

I guess I'll either look for an opportunity in the future to re-open it again, preferably with someone more experienced at my side, or just wait for another unit to eventually pop up for a reasonable price on eBay, then sell this one. Of course, I seem to have the worst luck with anything Heathkit (save for the Hero Jr. robot of all things, which works well for me), so I may give up on my whole Heathkit collection at some point down the line. With that said, I have some items that I really like in the Z-100 portion of my collection (particularly since my focus is primarily on games), so I'd really love to make use of them. Here's a very casual inventory I just did, which should be pretty much everything:

Les bird sent along the following update from the SEBHC Google group regarding his Heathkit H89 Emulator (I recommend checking it out just to get to try out some classic CP/M and HDOS games. Screenshots below!):

Les Bird has just put up a detailed Web page on the construction of his amazing Heathkit H-8 clone computer, affectionately dubbed the H8-2000, using his newly created PCBs. As a fan and collector of these types of systems - which certainly includes the H-8 - I've been following this work with much interest (and some personal investment--more on that later) on the SEBHC Google Group. Check it out here.

Filed strictly under "fun" rather than a true contest, I was wondering if anyone can figure out the one (1) thing missing from this highly collectible Heathkit H8 computer system. The fact that the top cover is missing does not count, since I removed it so the inside of the system could be seen. In actuality, this unit is self-contained and ready to function as intended save for one key item. First correct answer to describe that key item gets a round of applause from all AA'rs and admiration from your fellow geeks everywhere!

You can view the images here. I highly recommend that after you click on an individual photo in the set that you go to "All Sizes" and pick "Original Size" to get the maximum detail.

As a lifetime technophile primarily interested in computers and videogames, another area that has always intrigued me, but been generally hands-off due to the various barriers to entry, is home robotics. There were some delightful robots and kits in the early to mid-80's to go along with the personal computer boom. However, the personal robotics boom was short lived and ultimately a much smaller niche than even the fledgling personal computer business at the time, dooming them to the domain of the truly hardcore. Today, toy and personal robots and robot kits from the likes of Tomy and Heathkit are still very much in demand. Much more recently, Lego made a strong impact in the home robotics and hobbyist field with their Mindstorms technology and Radio Shack carries an aggressive line of kit robots and accessories. Bottom line, today hobbyist robotics is stronger than ever and more practical than ever, though is still awaiting that "killer app" to truly push it into the mainstream.