Re: A universal 65C816-based computer?

[Franke <hans.franke@mch20.sbs.de>]

MikeC schrieb:
> Anyway, I've been following the message threads on comp.sys.cbm about
> the CommodoreOne (C-One) computer by Jeri Ellsworth. I noticed a similar
> discussion here under "20 MHz 65816."

Well, Jeri displayed the C1 at KFest in a seperate session. The
reaction was quite positive, and some thoughs where done around
the idea to do a IIgs compatible core for the C1.

> I was wondering, is any interest in a universal 65c816-based computer
> with it's own hardware specs, operating system and application software?

A new one? Naa, I don't think that's worth even the time to talk
about. To my opinion there are only two possible ways:

a) Designing a new system that is intended to be a 100% GS replacement.
b) Developing a IIgs alike core for the C1

a) means doing a new motherboard that offers all the functionality of
the existing IIgs, includeing all the Ports and slots. The real gain
would be faster speed and maybe faster slots. I'ts doable, but most
definitly not a job feasable in one or two weekends.

b) in contrast using the C1 as hardware basis and adding a IIgs alike
core would not only offer more performance, but also add to the C1
hardware sales, and thus enhancing the possibility of future support
for the platform. The backdraw is that a lot of interfaces are missing
and some of them (slots, ADB, Smartport) might be cruical for transition
toward the new platform.

After all, the A2 was a bit more elaborate than the C64.

> I assume that a IIgs emulation mode would be available since they would
> share the same processor. However, would people here be at all
> interested in programming "native mode" applications on a system like
> the C-One?

The IIgs is a bit more than the CPU only. Also, unlike the C64, where
quite a lot programmes took controll of the machine at whole, ProDOS
and even more GS/OS did provide an environment way more like other
modern OSes (Linux, Windows, MacOS - in fact, for some time GS/OS
was ahead of MacOS in development).

It's always easy to go from a simple to a more sophostcated environment,
than the other way around (like it is geting used to earn more money
instead of less :) If it would be possible to port GS/OS to the C1,
it's rather a question if other (the C64 people) would join that.

> I guess if you've had some experience in programming a IIgs, how hard
> would programming on a C-One be?

Again, for most parts, the Apple II Hardware was less advanced than
the basic C64 (1976 design vs. 1983), if we except of course the sound
capabilities of the IIgs. The main difference is the OS. ProDOS allone
is way ahead of anything I've ever seen for a C64 and GS/OS adds
everything
else.

Regarding GS/OS and the toolbox functions, well behaveing programms are
quite machine independant and may be ported without _any_ adaption to
a C1 offering the same OS environment.  It's the same technology that
made the Mac relativly hardware independant.

Now, who ports GS/OS...

Gruss
H.