Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!husc6!cfa!ward
From: ward@cfa.harvard.EDU (Steve Ward)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.nsc.32k
Subject: Re: 32K "do-it-yourself" kits...
Summary: Let's do it! ??
Keywords: The Ultimate Scrooge...
Message-ID: <1264@cfa.cfa.harvard.EDU>
Date: 8 Nov 88 16:23:19 GMT
References: <2613@sultra.UUCP> <477@unocss.UUCP> <39@gnome6.pa.dec.com>
Organization: Harvard-Smithsonian Ctr. for Astrophysics
Lines: 61


...
There does seem to be active interest in a low-cost approach to
implementing a 32K machine of some sort.  The idea of making it
compatible with PC hardware is a great way to keep the cost down.
There is all that chassis and peripheral and interface hardware
compatible with the PC/XT bus to be used, and many people probably
have such hardware.

It seems to me that the only to get such stuff is to make it ourselves.

We need volunteers to contribute to such an effort.

Here is what I can do:

Use a CAE system to generate schematics and printed circuit board
layout.  This will be made available on MSDOS disks in HPGL file
format for schematics and layout and also Gerber photoplot file
format for the artwork.  Probably, can also supply files in
Epson/IBM dot matrix format, though this is not useful for the
printed circuit board artwork except for documentation.

I can also help with the cpu board circuit design.

All this will be distributed public domain to whoever wants it.

Volunteers needed for the following:

Help with design specs (which 32K chips, also specific design help)
and circuit design -- National guys sending applications notes and
chip spec/data and programming docs would be a great start

Can anyone arrange Gerber photoplotting free or cheap?  This is not
very expensive but costs real bucks ($100 - $200)

How about making the PCB's?

The above two manuf. steps may have to be arranged by volunteers
contributing x bucks each and sending it out for fab.  I can coordinate
this activity.

Software programming volunteers --  need debug monitor, assembler, etc.

Issues need to be discussed:  I think there should either be two
versions, one with MMU and one without MMU, or a single version that
will work either way.  Real-time users may not need/want MMU and it
is not needed for most of the low cost OS's.  Accomodation for FPU
is mandatory.  These are two examples to get the ball rolling if not
the ire up.

Anyone volunteering or caring to criticize constructively please send
me email and I will summarize.

For the record I have no 32K use or design experience as I have been
and continue to be a user of Moto parts, but am interested in the 32K
parts.

For that matter, the same thing can be done using Moto parts and I
would be glad to make Schems and Artwork for both.

Steven Ward    ward@cfa.harvard.edu   (617)495-7392