Re: What about a Controller? (was Emulators)

[Michael Mahon <mahon@cup.hp.com>]

RUBYWAND wrote:
> 
> Martin Gruen <z008729b@bcfreenet.seflin.lib.fl.us> writes ...
> 
> >>
> All this talk of apple emulators for other computers, has anyone tried to
> make a software based PC emulator for the GS?  Is it even possible?
> <<
> 
> Nathan Mates <nathan@subzero.winternet.com>  writes ...
> 
> >> ....
>    You could probably make some sort of PC emulator for a GS, but it'd
> be slower than molassas, have very little memory available, (most PC
> programs want 8MB of ram for starters, not even counting swap), and
> generally suck. Hardware is the only way to get ay sort of speed out
> of 'emulation,' ....
> <<
> 
> Henrik 'Ratte' Gudat <GUDATH@EZINFO.VMSMAIL.ETHZ.CH> writes ...
> 
> >>
> Emulators are often a pain and not intended for real computing. ....
> <<
> 
>      Okay; but, what about a GS --> PC (or Power Mac) controller? This
> would be a 2-board set, call it "GS OverLord" which plugs into GS and PC
> allowing the GS to sieze control of the alien machine.
> 
>      GSOL could use small, fast (cheap) RISC processors which would handle
> high-speed transfer of commands and data via a fiber optic link. With GSOL
> the GS would be able to access the PC's hard disk, diskettes, CD-ROM,
> Sound, ... resources. For example, it could send displays to the PC's SVGA
> monitor.
> 
>      The GS could load and save files on the PC hard disk, use the PC's
> printer, etc.. GS software could, even, control Windows and 'run' PC
> applications like NetScape.
> 
>      Transfer speed would be very good; so, new GS applications and Games
> written for GSOL could employ SVGA graphics and 32-bit 'Blaster sound.
> 
> 
> Rubywand

Hmmm.  All this could easily be done with a reasonably fast link
(parallel port to a *bidirectional* parallel card on the GS) and
some software...

Always try to keep it simple.

-michael

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This is my personal opinion, and does not in any way represent
the position of my employer, etc...