Re: Future //

[frankc <frankc@srv.net>]

Arkain wrote:

> I know what you mean. One of the appealing factors for me of the A2 line was
> that it was simple to write small, but effective programs. Although I like
> the GUI concept, it does tend to complicate things. That's why I started
> this project. I want to bring back the simplicity of the A2 series, but with
> more power behind it.
>
> I thought about augmenting the design for a 65832 with stuff to make it
> handle multitasking. I quickly realized that that was overkill since all I
> really need is a high resolution timer! It will handle 8bit mode as an A2e
> enhanced, 16bit mode as an A2GS, and its own new native 32bit mode.
>
> Arkain
>
> "Phoenyx" <quazar@dcnet2000.com> wrote in message
> 398E221F.C4B731E4@dcnet2000.com">news:398E221F.C4B731E4@dcnet2000.com...
> > In spite of the fact that it has no GUI of it's own, I can accomplish
> > a lot in Linux, either from the command line or Midnight Commander. No,
> > X doesn't count since it's actually separate from the Linux system. I
> > can also say the same for MsDos. It's a shame that people feel they
> > need the GUI to be able accomplish anything with their computers.
> > Perhaps I have been around to long, but I really prefer many of the old
> > text oriented programs. They tend to not have the software bloat that
> > most GUI applications do. Plus, I don't need all those little extras
> > that keep getting added every time a new version comes out.
> >
> > As for the laptop GS, I can practically do all that now. My laptop can
> > access the net with or without X and I can run GS and 8 bit programs at
> > a very respectable speed in Kegs. They only thing it can't do is use
> > the net from the GS emulator. Given the time and desire, I could make
> > it do that too.
> >
> > I'm not trying to discourage a new II though. I think the system should
> > support both modes PLUS it's own mode. This way you can have all those
> > things you want and maybe, I can have a version of Linux ported to run
> > on it.
> >
> > --
> >
> > Thank you for your time and interest. I hope it was helpful
> > or at least interesting.
> >
> > Phoenyx,
> >
> > Apple2 user since March 1984
> >
> > Links to Phoenyx's pages:
> > preferred..... http://zip.to/Phoenyx_A2
> > alternate..... http://www.tinyangeldesigns.com/Apple2

With the "native 32 bit mode" you could build the kernel using Linux.  This
would give you the support base to update the OS as the hardware matures.
Another item that would be interesting are the RTOS extensions.  Could this be
a hook for exstemely fast emulation of old hardware (6502/65816)?

BTW, I believe Linux would work on the GS as is.  There is a port of Linux for
the 8088.