Keep it simple, right? This version takes all the keyboard lines direct to the GPIO (with a switch for handling keyboard modes) and uses a Python script to scan the keyboard for presses which uses the python-uinput module to inject those keypresses into the kernel. Did I think Python would work? Not for a second. It did. Brilliantly. The new ZX Raspberry v2 is significantly more responsive and the Raspberry Pi Zero W has plenty of horsepower to run everything.
I also decided to move to RetroPie as the OS for this project as it is just so good and refined. Setup was a breeze and Fuse works perfectly. I’ve finally got rid of that dratted mouse pointer too. As a bonus, the bluetooth capabilities of the Zero W mean I could pair a PS3 controller and use it as a Kempston joystick. Again, never expected it to work. Again, worked perfectly.
My ZX Raspberry v2 made its debut at the second Milton Keynes Raspberry Jam last weekend.
Each Friday is PiDay here at Adafruit! Be sure to check out our posts, tutorials and new Raspberry Pi related products. Adafruit has the largest and best selection of Raspberry Pi accessories and all the code & tutorials to get you up and running in no time!
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Each Friday is PiDay here at Adafruit! Be sure to check out our posts, tutorials and new Raspberry Pi related products. Adafruit has the largest and best selection of Raspberry Pi accessories and all the code & tutorials to get you up and running in no time!