Re: A Challenge to all takers...

["Ranando King" <rk@magictouchcorp.com>]

Now that we've gotten the ususal round of nay-sayers to this
admittedly-recurring topic, let me itemize a few details.

1. I never mentioned development by committee. That's a recipe for slow &
expensive development, assuming the committee could even agree on anything
to begin with. I don't subscribe to such a useless idea. Instead, I'm going
to build for myself a computer of the nature I described before. What I'm
looking for in this group isn't market support but concept and possibly
design support from those of you with the time, patience, and interest.

2. I'm not trying to revive any particular computer design out there, so the
issue of backward compatibility is moot. It's not that I'm trying to make a
new Apple II. That's flatly impossible. The resulting computer will be a
completely new machine based on the *IDEALS* of the Apple II series that
made me fall in love with that machine in the first place. I want to develop
a computer nearly as powerful as modern machines, but still in keeping with
those ideals. That's the goal.

3. Who's going to write software, BIOS, OS, et. al for it? Me. And whoever
else happens to want to make one for themselves, and/or help me out with
this project. This is a hobbyist project. The result of this project will be
publicly released. If I happen to develop anything pattentable, then I'll
likely do something screwy like GPL those pattents. Don't ask how. Haven't
thought that far ahead yet. But the bottom line is that this will be
something anyone with the interest can build.

4. Why not just mod a current day game system for general purpose use and
write a new OS and software for that? Plenty of reasons, I don't know.
Choose one: a) lack of hardware documentation, b) lack of interest, c) lack
of appeal, d) lack of fun from building something myself.

5. What about current copyright and pattent issues? My motto for this
machine is, if I can't use the technology without paying some sort of
license fee, I'm not going to include it by default. Yes, that does mean I'm
not going to use a lot of things, but oh well. I've already thought beyond
most of those problems.

6. How is the (insert hardware here) going to be done? When I get to that
point, I'll post something here. I've learned that with a project of this
scale, it's best not to get ahead of yourself, or you'll get lost.

7. How much will it cost? What price range will it be in? Who said I was
going to sell them? Who said I was trying to make something to put to
market? If you've got these kinda questions, then you might want to re-read
the original post.

8. Will these machines be allowed outside the US? Who cares? Since I plan on
making the designs for this thing public, then someone outside the US can
get the design and build one for themselves.

Hopefully, this made my intentions a bit more clear. I'm still inviting all
responses, so say what you will, even if you think I'm a nut. ;-)

R.

"Ranando King" <rk@magictouchcorp.com> wrote in message
news:4228c2e0$1_2@news.vic.com...
> Talking with Michael Mahon in the 65020 thread has dredged up what is for
me
> some serious dislikes about the way systems are made these days. Now I've
> got a question and a challenge for all of you. Why can't we do it again?
Why
> can't we bring back everything we love about our Apple II's in a new
machine
> with enough power to compete with modern computers?
>
> Now before any of you frown on the idea, I'm not suggesting that we
actually
> try to build something that will be used to compete with the market, but
> rather something that, if it were introduced to the market, would be
> competitive in terms of functionality. I want to see if it's actually
> possible to do with computer design what probably should've been done in
the
> first place, increased capability without sacrificing elegance.
>
> While I'm not asking anyone here to take on any of the tasks that will be
> involved in designing such a beast, I would appreciate help in the
> development and refinement of the idea. I still have it in mind to build
> myself a computer from the ground up, something I will do when I have the
> occasion to purchase a Xilinx Spartan3 starter kit.
>
> Ideas?
> Comments?
> Think I'm a bit diluded?
>
>
> R.
>
>