Re: Super GS

[Phoenyx <quazar@dcnet2000.com>]

Hi Roy,

> Not necessarily, as 68K Mac software could run on the PowerPC. If
> I had a choice of CPU for a new //gs, and a true 32 bit 6502
> wasn't available, I'd opt for the DEC Alpha. However, given the
> work done with emulating a //gs on the PowerPC, it might make more
> sense to do a new motherboard based on the PowerPC.

I forget who mentioned this but there was talk of a programmable cpu
which would be very cool for creating the next generation of Apple
II systems. If not then we are stuck with using a standard cpu. In
this case, cost might be a consideration. There are some very
powerful cpu's available, many of which can theoretically execute
the majority of GS emulation internally. That is, they have enough
resources which could handle this. Of course, I have the newer x86
cpu in mind and it would require a specific OS which could interface
the cpu with the motherboard hardware.

Years ago I was playing around with a neat little compiler called
c--. I created a simple 6502 chip emulator with it. I used registers
as the 6502 registers for basic emulation. It was a simple code and
unfortunately I no longer have it but it was pretty cool. It ran in
MsDos and the only real problem was i/o access which played havoc
with the cpu timing. I guess my point is, with a combination of the
right hardware and software a new system is possible. Which brings
up the question, is it worth the cost?

Of course, I'm defining 'new system' as either a motherboard
replacement or an accelerator card which is basically a whole GS on
the card (as mentioned in a different message from someone else).

Although I know only a little about the Alpha cpu, I think it might
be suitable for a new system. One benefit here, Kegs is supposed to
work on this CPU and I know that Linux will. This would allow for a
solid sub-structure for hardware access via Linux and more
specifically, Kegs could handle a lot of the GS coding required to
interface with GSOS. However, this is still emulation and it seems
that many people want a hardware solution.

I have heard of new appliances where a minimal Linux system was
embedded to control the device by running special software. So, why
not blend an embedded Linux and any routines necessary for emulating
the GS in the rom of this new system? This way you now have a
motherboard replacement which GSOS will think is a real GS.

I think it would be a shame if future generations of computer users
never knew how it felt in the 'pre-historic' era of computing.

> Of course, I don't expect anything to be done in my life time.  :)

We can only hope, in the meantime, we still have a decent amount of
the original still around. At least as long as we can keep them from
going to the dump. Also, there are some excellent emulators for
those who don't have the real thing for whatever the reason.

-- 

Cheers and best wishes,
Phoenyx

Have you fed your Apple today?

Phoenyx's Pages are back online...

It seems the ZIP.TO link was down for a while.
It is now working again. This is the preferred
link to my site. You may also use the direct link.

http://zip.to/Phoenyx_A2
http://www.tinyangeldesigns.com/Apple2