Re: life extension of old computers thanks to opensource Contiki

["Peter de Vroomen" <peterv[at][spamblock]jaytown[dot]com>]

I think that 8-bit processors are not really interesting anymore. The only
reason to use an 8-bit processor might be that the systems and the processor
are so simple, that there is a lot of educational value. Everyone can learn
to understand a computer by starting on 8-bit processors.

However 16-bit processors are much more interesting. They are hardly any
more complicated than 8-bit processors, but they do offer some very
interesting extra's. More processing power, more memory, divide/multiply
instructions, instructions for structured ASM programming, and even memory
management (although often rather crude). All that, while hardly being more
complicated than an 8-bit system (software and hardware wise).

There is only one 8-bit exception. I agree with David Murray that the
DTV/C-one is such an advanced 8-bit system, that it could be worthwile to
port Contiki to that.

I think that maybe it might be feasible to convert the C-one's design into a
16-bit system with an 68010 processor. Imagine having a 16MHz 68010
processor with 2 SID's (stereo through a mixer), 2 enhanced VIC's (two
overlayed graphics planes, like the CD-i), 16Mb memory and 16-bit
peripherals! And running Contiki. That would be a system that could actually
DO something worthwile, other than being educational!

Stepping up to 32-bit systems is not worthwile (for running Contiki) imo.
The next step in educational value would be something like a 32-bit ARM7
processor/core. But the new Minix 3 is probably just too much for Contiki to
contend with.

PeterV