Josh Carter Workbench

One engineer's notes on code, radios, keyboards, motorcycles, and anything else worth taking apart.

JOSH CARTER · BOULDER, CO
UPDATED JAN 2026
Magic Cap

Magic Cap Device Gallery

This page lists many of the Magic Cap devices which existed at some time or another, including both production machines and prototypes. Sony HIX-300 Sony's first Magic Cap device, never released to …

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Magic Cap

Zodiac Prototype

Operating System: Magic Cap 3.x (Rosemary), small screen version Pros: Half the size of other units, fantastic keyboard. Cons: Small screen, no PC Card slots, no backlight, no rechargeable battery. …

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Magic Cap

Apollo Prototype

Operating System: Magic Cap 3.x (Rosemary) Pros: Simply enchanting paint job, second-generation guts, backlit screen. Cons: Fragile prototype plastics. History As mentioned in the DataRover 840 …

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Magic Cap

Rosemary Software Archive

This is an archive of stuff pulled from kelp.icras.com before it went down. Currently it's (almost) exactly as it existed on kelp, no better, no worse. An invaluable resource for new DataRover owners. …

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Magic Cap

Magic Cap Mailing List

All Magic Cap device owners should join the mailing list. It’s low traffic these days, and there are several experts who can answer most any question. Join or browse the archives here: …

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Magic Cap

Updating the Datarover 840F (flash) ROM

Thanks to Alasdair Dunlap-Smith for writing this FAQ entry. Many people (myself included) have reported problems installing packages on the Datarover 840F. It seems lately many people have gotten …

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Books

Hacking MacOS X Tiger

Scott Knaster's new book Hacking Mac OS X Tiger is out! I had the great pleasure of contributing to two chapters in this book; one on creating Dashboard widgets and another on creating Spotlight …

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Magic Cap

DataRover 440: "Gemini"

Operating System: Magic Cap 3.x (Rosemary) Pros: Clamshell design, hardware keyboard, screen folds completely back for tablet-like use. Cons: Lame keyboard, no PC Card slot, somewhat lame NiMH …

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Magic Cap

DataRover 840: "Apollo"

Operating System: Magic Cap 3 (Rosemary) Pros: Good screen with cover, great battery, second-generation guts. Cons: Not many. History The saga of getting a second-gen production device seemed to never …

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Magic Cap

Sputnik Prototype

Operating System: Magic Cap 3 (Rosemary) Pros: Manly paint job. Same fit and finish as PIC1000, but custom second-gen guts inside. Cons: Same awful screen as as PIC1000. History Sputnik is …

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Magic Cap

Panasonic NeoNet

Operating System: Magic Cap 1.5 Pros: Great form factor – very slim. Cons: No rechargable battery. History Nobody wanted to admit to creating NeoNet. It was the nameless, parentless child of… who? …

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Magic Cap

Sony PIC-2000: "Oak"

Operating System: Magic Cap 1.5 Pros: Great backlit screen, two PC Card slots, great battery, superb fit and finish. Cons: Faster than PIC1000, but still slow. History PIC-2000/Oak was an eagerly …

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Magic Cap

Sony PIC-1000: "Cedar"

Operating System: Magic Cap 1.0 Pros: Great battery, great rubberized paint. Cons: Awful low-contrast screen, Extra-slow-mo user experience. History The PIC-1000 has rightfully earned its place as a …

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Motorcycling

Motorcycle Rider Training

Spring is upon us – albeit intermittently in Colorado – and the motorcycles are out, including mine. I started riding last October, and I started the best way possible: with a class. Following is my …

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Magic Cap

Motorola Envoy Models

Thanks to Wayne Sanderson for writing this FAQ entry. Question: I know there are two kinds of Motorola Envoy. Which is which- How are they different physically? Internally? Question: I want a Motorola …

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Books

Great Ideas in Computer Science: A Gentle Introduction

Back in my university days I had the great honor of contributing to one of my professor’s textbooks, Great Ideas in Computer Science by Dr. Alan Biermann. I contributed to the Simulations chapter, …

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Magic Cap

Importing Text Files into your Magic Link

Thanks to Wayne Sanderson for writing this FAQ entry. Question: I want to transfer text files from my desktop computer to the Notebook on my MagicCap Communicator. What’s the best way to do this? …

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Magic Cap

Internet Email and Web Browsing

Thanks to Wayne Sanderson for writing this FAQ entry. Question: How do I connect to the Internet, use email, and browse the web? [Magic Cap 1.0/1.5]

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