What is it?

This add-on acts as a USB host, it buffers your keyboard input and enters the characters into the Minstrel.

Why did you make it?

The Minstrel 4th from Tynemouth Software is a modern Jupiter Ace compatible computer. It has a tactile keyboard which may be an improvement on the original Jupiter Ace keyboard, but the switches don't allow for fast typing.

The Jupiter Ace system doesn't buffer keyboard entry either which also limits the speed that you can enter characters.

What makes this special?

You can type as fast as you like using a modern keyboard with real keys and familiar layout. There's no need to refer to the Minstrel's layout, the character you type on the USB keyboard will be entered into the Minstrel.

What's more, you can connect a modern computer via serial using terminal software. This allows you to paste listings to the Minstrel, and gives you a 'paper tape' capture of everything you type into the Minstrel.

It will work with the Minstrel jumpered to 3.25 or 6.5 Mhz. (see the documentation for the tip about tapping F1 to switch to 6.5Mhz timing.) As shown in the pictures, it plugs directly into the RC2014 bus on the side of the Minstrel 4th, or one of the slots in a Minstrel 4D, or into an RC2014 backplane if you want to use more devices. (Tested working with the Jester Ace SD card interface).

Currently you can choose mapping for UK / US/International / DE (qwertz).

This is supplied assembled and ready to plug-and-play.

I'm supplying this along with a type-in game[1] - Grand Theft Cygnus,

[1]link to a pdf

Please note: This is designed to work specifically with the Minstrel 4th and 4D, not the Jupiter Ace itself or any other similar computer. This is tested and works happily with the Jester Ace, an SD card solution. To use both with the original Minstrel 4th you'll need a backplane (as shown in the pictures) and I can only recommend and support the genuine RC2014 backplane from z80kits. The listing is for the interface. It requires a USB A -> microUSB (aka On The Go adaptor) and, if you want to use the serial functionality, a 3.3v FTDI/CDC->USB adaptor. Neither of these are included. Obviously neither are keyboard or backplane. Like any other homebrew device for vintage and vintage-style computers, you plug this into your own hardware at your own risk.