For economic reasons, not every lake with a dam can support a hydroelectric power plant. Some rivers or creeks are dammed for flood control or simply for recreation, and don’t …read more (https://hackaday.com/2025/01/05/e-bike-motor-gets-new-life-as-hydro-plant/)

16-bit Linux-like Goodness
https://hackaday.com/2025/01/05/16-bit-linux-like-goodness/

We see many 16-bit retrocomputers around here based on Intel and Intel-like chips such as the 8086, 8088, V20, and similar. While they don’t seem very powerful by today’s standards, …read more (https://hackaday.com/2025/01/05/16-bit-linux-like-goodness/)

Atari 65XE In Laptop Form
https://hackaday.com/2025/01/05/atari-65xe-in-laptop-form/

For better or worse, Atari is no longer a household name in computing, but for a time in the 1980s, it was a huge mover in the industry. They not …read more (https://hackaday.com/2025/01/05/atari-65xe-in-laptop-form/)

Stacy’s Computer Has Got It Going On
https://hackaday.com/2025/01/05/stacys-computer-has-got-it-going-on/

According to [ClassicHasClass], the best way to open an Atari Stacy is to not open an Atari Stacy. Apparently, these old computers were not pleasant to work on. The cables …read more (https://hackaday.com/2025/01/05/stacys-computer-has-got-it-going-on/)

Reverse-Engineering the Polynomial Constants in the Pentium’s FPU
https://hackaday.com/2025/01/05/reverse-engineering-the-polynomial-constants-in-the-pentiums-fpu/

A diagram of the constant ROM and supporting circuitry. Most of the significand ROM has been cut out to make it fit. (Credit: Ken Shirriff)
" data-medium-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/righto_ken_shirriff_pentium_rom-overview-diagram-w700.jpg?w=400" data-large-file="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/righto_ken_shirriff_pentium_rom-overview-diagram-w700.jpg?w=800">Released in 1993, Intel’s Pentium processor was a marvel of technological progress. Its floating point unit (FPU) was a big improvement over its predecessors that still used the venerable CORDIC …read more (https://hackaday.com/2025/01/05/reverse-engineering-the-polynomial-constants-in-the-pentiums-fpu/)

Hackaday Links: January 5, 2025
https://hackaday.com/2025/01/05/hackaday-links-january-5-2025/

Good news this week from the Sun’s far side as the Parker Solar Probe checked in after its speedrun through our star’s corona. Parker became the fastest human-made object ever …read more (https://hackaday.com/2025/01/05/hackaday-links-january-5-2025/)

Perfecting 20 Minute PCBs with Laser
https://hackaday.com/2025/01/05/perfecting-20-minute-pcbs-with-laser/

Normally, you have a choice with PCB prototypes: fast or cheap. [Stephen Hawes] has been trying fiber lasers to create PCBs. He’s learned a lot which he shares in the …read more (https://hackaday.com/2025/01/05/perfecting-20-minute-pcbs-with-laser/)

Shining Through: Germanium and Gold Leaf Transparency
https://hackaday.com/2025/01/05/shining-through-germanium-and-gold-leaf-transparency/