{"id":81,"date":"2024-08-20T12:02:36","date_gmt":"2024-08-20T10:02:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hacking.museum\/?p=81"},"modified":"2024-08-23T19:32:16","modified_gmt":"2024-08-23T17:32:16","slug":"ping-google-from-a-computer-older-than-the-internet-because-why-not","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hacking.museum\/index.php\/2024\/08\/20\/ping-google-from-a-computer-older-than-the-internet-because-why-not\/","title":{"rendered":"Ping Google from a Computer Older than the Internet: Because Why Not?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Ah, the ZX81\u2014a humble piece of early 1980s tech that has the raw computing power of\u2026 well, not much. With 1KB of RAM, no color, and a display that can charitably be described as “monochrome,” this machine is as retro as it gets. And yet, in true hacker fashion, we decided to take this relic from the past and make it do something utterly ridiculous: ping Google.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, that’s right\u2014this 1981 machine, older than the internet itself, is now communicating with the world’s largest search engine. How, you ask? With a little help from Zeddynet, a miraculous hardware extension that drags the ZX81 kicking and screaming into the modern era. Let\u2019s take a trip back in time, with a detour through today\u2019s digital landscape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ZX81: Computing Before the Web Was Even a Thing<\/strong>
First, let\u2019s appreciate the sheer absurdity of the ZX81 trying to communicate with Google. Released by Sinclair Research in 1981, this tiny, affordable computer was the gateway for many into the world of computing. But with its 1KB of RAM (expandable to a mind-blowing 16KB!), it wasn’t exactly built for heavy lifting. This machine was designed for basic computing tasks\u2014literally, since it ran on BASIC\u2014and was mostly used for home coding, games, and light data processing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And by light, I mean very light. The ZX81 had no graphics capability beyond simple black-and-white text, and loading programs took longer than most of your Zoom meetings. Still, it was beloved by many, and it paved the way for home computing as we know it today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But let\u2019s be clear: in 1981, the idea of \u201cnetworking\u201d was still far off for the average home user. The internet hadn\u2019t even been invented yet (well, not in the way we understand it now). The ZX81, with its limited power and lack of networking features, was never intended to touch the vast digital oceans we now swim in daily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enter Zeddynet: A 21st Century Lifeline for a 1980s’ Computers<\/strong>
So how did we get a ZX81 to ping Google? The answer lies in Zeddynet, a brilliant hardware extension that, quite frankly, works like magic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Created by a genius who decided the ZX81 needed to make its mark on the modern internet, Zeddynet is an Ethernet networking board that attaches to the ZX81 and gives it a whole new lease on life. It provides the machine with networking capabilities, allowing it to communicate with modern infrastructures over the internet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, a computer designed before most people knew what a modem was can now talk to the cloud, thanks to this little board. The Zeddynet brings “nearly full” Ethernet support to the machine. This means we can now run networking applications on a computer that predates the concept of networking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Glorious Ping: ZX81 Says \u201cHello\u201d to Google<\/strong>
So we thought: why not test the ZX81\u2019s newfound power in the most fun way possible? We decided to send a ping to Google\u2019s infrastructure, because what could be more fitting for a machine from the early \u201880s than having a conversation with a tech giant that wouldn\u2019t exist for another decade?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the Zeddynet board installed and some networking code written in BASIC (because, of course, we\u2019re doing this old-school), we managed to get the ZX81 to successfully send network requests across the web. The process involved carefully crafting a tiny “sort of” TCP\/IP stack within the limits of the ZX81\u2019s meager resources, but hey, that\u2019s part of the fun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The result? Success! Our ZX81, a machine that can barely handle displaying text, managed to ping Google and get a response. Sure, it took a bit of time, and the ZX81 isn\u2019t exactly built for speed, but that didn\u2019t stop us from grinning ear to ear when we saw those beautiful words: Reply from Google.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zeddynet: Bringing the ZX81 into the Internet Age<\/strong>
Let\u2019s give credit where it\u2019s due. The real hero of this story is the Zeddynet board, which performs miracles that no ZX81 owner from 1981 could have ever dreamed of. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As far as we know, The Zeddynet electronic board, designed for the Sinclair ZX81, was primarily developed by a community of enthusiasts, notably Siggi<\/strong> and other contributors in the Sinclair retrocomputing space. This network card allows the ZX81 to connect to modern networks, bringing retro hardware into the internet age. Siggi, in particular, played a key role in developing the Zeddynet hardware and adapting the system for network usage\u200b (Sinclair ZX World<\/a>)\u200b (more detailed on its history on ZX81 Keyboard Adventure<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re interested in more technical details, the design discussions and development updates are shared within the Sinclair retrocomputing forums.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s why it\u2019s such a game-changer:<\/strong>
Ethernet Connectivity: This is the big one. Zeddynet adds Ethernet support, giving the ZX81 the ability to communicate over the internet. It\u2019s like handing a rotary phone a smartphone and saying, \u201cNow play nice together.\u201d<\/strong>
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Ease of Use: The board integrates seamlessly with the ZX81, providing a straightforward way to connect it to modern networks. No more fiddling with ancient peripherals\u2014just plug it in, and you\u2019re ready to go.
Thanks to Zeddynet, we\u2019ve turned a computer from the pre-internet dark ages into a fully functional (if hilariously slow) networked machine<\/strong>. And that brings us to the question: why?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Ping Google? Because We Can<\/strong>
Why would anyone want to do this? The answer is simple: because we can. There\u2019s something deeply satisfying about making an ancient piece of technology do things it was never designed to do. It\u2019s a reminder that innovation doesn\u2019t always mean throwing out the old\u2014sometimes, it means building on top of it in creative and unexpected ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plus, let\u2019s face it, it\u2019s just plain fun to see a machine from the Reagan era talking to Google\u2019s sprawling, ultra-modern infrastructure. The irony is delicious, and the challenge? Even better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Want to See It in Action? Check Out Our Demo!<\/strong>
Curious to watch a ZX81 from 1981 ping Google? We\u2019ve got you covered. Watch the full video of our ZX81 running with Zeddynet, connecting to the internet, and successfully pinging Google\u2019s servers. You\u2019ll get to witness the process from start to finish, including the delightful screeches and beeps that let us know we\u2019re dealing with a computer from a time when basic meant BASIC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[Watch the Video Here!]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

note : As you watch the ZX81 in action, you might notice some delightful video hiccups. Don’t worry\u2014it’s not your internet connection! The occasional screen jumps are due to the ZX81\u2019s struggle to sync properly with this damn modern LCD screen. Turns out, bridging 1981 tech with today\u2019s displays isn\u2019t as seamless as we\u2019d like! But hey, we\u2019re working on it. So, enjoy the nostalgic vibes and forgive the occasional \u201cretro glitch\u201d\u2014consider it part of the charm!<\/sup><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n