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From: bdale@winfree.UUCP (Bdale Garbee)
Newsgroups: net.micro.ns32k
Subject: Re: Help (?) for a beginner
Message-ID: <87@winfree.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 17-Sep-86 09:24:49 EDT
Article-I.D.: winfree.87
Posted: Wed Sep 17 09:24:49 1986
Date-Received: Fri, 19-Sep-86 23:28:08 EDT
References: <367@PSUECL>
Reply-To: bdale@winfree.UUCP (Bdale Garbee)
Organization: Bdale's Berkeley Box, Colorado Springs, CO
Lines: 44

In article <367@PSUECL> mrb@psuecl.BITNET writes:
>I would like to get familiar with the 32-bit microprocessors (hardware &
>software, etc.).   Jameco Electronics is selling the NSC Series 32000 designer
>kits for $59.95 (32016) and $79.95 (32032).
	The kits are $57 and $75 respectively from distributors, if you know
	of one to talk to.  I picked up one 32016 and a pair of 32032 kits at
	that price.

>Your comments/assistance/warnings/caveats/suggestions are eagerly appreciated
>and awaited.
	caveats:
		All the parts in the kits are 6Mhz parts, at least 10Mhz
		32016 parts are available... I was disappointed, but not
		surprised... should be plenty fast enough for you to have
		fun playing with.  I figure that with lots of DMA for I/O,
		it should go fast enough for my target prototype as well...

		The Tiny Development System stuff seems to want com ports
		based on 8251A USARTS.  I guess this is ok, but would have
		been MUCH nicer if they added hooks for custom I/O routines.
		For what I'm doing, Z8530's are so much nicer.

		Think about what, if any, software you will have to run on
		the box when you're done.  I have a Symmetric 375, and so
		have a full BSD C compiler/assembler/linker that should be
		easy to use generating ROM-able code for my target(s).  Not
		sure what else is available, as I've never looked.  As much
		as I like the 32XXX family, the 68XXX family at least has
		CP/M 68K and OS9 available... think about it.

The bottom line?  If you want to get into 32XXX hardware, the kits are neat.
They come with loads of docs, plus a listing of a turbo-pascal program for a
PC that will talk to TDS for uploading/downloading code from a PC.  6Mhz parts
are a drag though.  If you are not a 32XXX fan but are just looking to get in
to this level of hardware, look at 68XXX stuff.  A simple single board with
68000 8-10Mhz, a couple serial ports, disk, and a bunch of memory makes a
VERY nice OS9 box...  Software is THE issue.

-- 


Bdale Garbee, N3EUA		phone: 303/593-9828 h, 303/590-2868 w
uucp: {bellcore,crash,hp-lsd,hpcsma,pitt,vixie}!winfree!bdale
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