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Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : Dumb Thoughts...
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IanT Senior Member  Joined: 29/11/2016 Location: United KingdomPosts: 108 |
I've already inflicted myself on the "Games programmers" thread once - so I thought it would be rude to interrupt that thread again. However, I read Geoffs introductory paragraph over again and wondered what I would do given the means (e.g. any practical ability in this area) "I am planning an upgrade to the Colour Maximite using the MZ processor and a modified version of Peter Mather's port of MMBasic to the MZ (ie, the Micromite eXtreme). The idea is to retain the factors that made the Maximite so popular (VGA, colour graphics, etc) and upgrade the processor and MMBasic to produce a BASIC computer that is a super version of the TRS-80, Apple II, etc. Something that would be a fun computer to play around with and good for general computing, games, etc without the complexities of Windows or Linux." So I went away and had another look at the 'eXtreme' manual & spec and to be honest they look pretty damned good as they are to me. But if Geoff and (the UK Based Dev Team of people that calls itself) 'Matherp' decide to upgrade Sprites, well it doesn't detract from anything, so why object? But I did still further ponder what I might like to see if it was at all possible. A friend of mine (who also builds large model locos) is very enthusiastic about 'NodeMCU' - which to my simplistic understanding is a Wi-Fi chip that also has the ability to host Arduino. It can be programmed in Arduino or something called LUA (?) but it does seem to be making a stir in Arduino circles. When he mentioned this to me (in connection with his C&C system) I thought about it but decided I would prefer to do anything similar with a RPi Zero-W running MMB instead. I'd have more power, tons of memory and still be using (mostly) my preffered HLL (MMB). Being a complete 'Dummy' I really don't know what's actually possible but eventually I will have to get to grips with all this Wi-Fi stuff and hopefully by then, 'Someone' will have made it dead easy for me to do so. So when thinking about what "All Singing & Dancing" Comms & I/O any new 'eXtreme' SBC should provide me with, it occurred to me that there could be a very interesting plug-in 'Option' available for it (should anyone decide to accept this Mission Ethan). If a 40pin 'GPIO' was added to the eXtreme SBC, would it be possible to have a RPi Zero-W as a co-processor system? It could provide Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and HDMI Graphics capabilities to the 'Extreme' board - as well as possibly providing some SD storage, extra RAM and of course a 1Ghz CPU also running MMB. In the UK they are just under £10 ($10 in the US?) and you get a lot of (very hard to match) functionality for your money. I'd still like my access to the real world via the 'eXtreme' but access to the outside world (via Wi-Fi & Bluetooth) would be very useful too. To turn the idea on its head - the 'eXtreme' could act as an I/O 'Hub' for the RPi - it just depends how you want to look at it. Of course, this is probably a very Dumb idea but I'm afraid I have them all the time. It's probably what Dummies are for - to come up with stupid ideas that smart people would never consider. OK - back to Lurking again...thank you once again for all the nice goodies you've already given us Geoff & Matherp... Regards, IanT |
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Grogster Admin Group  Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9610 |
That's the problem, really. There is some 'Design-by-committee' going on here, and that is pretty normal for ANYTHING, if the original poster asks for opinions of a hardware design.  The ideas people are thowing into the mix are all relevant IMHO, it's just that with the above committee kind of design, nothing ever gets easily agreed upon, as different people push for different features that THEY like. There is nothing wrong with that really, but come crunch time, when a decision IS made, then those that missed out push to have the decision changed back!   You can't win!  The Pi-0 is a beautiful bit of hardware, and I have said before that it would just about be impossible to beat it's hardware features and speed for the cost. THIS is where a big bit of the discussion is. Price of the finished article. I think it is generally accepted by all(if you'll pardon my presumptuousness!), that the Pi-0 is a better nexus of hardware, but there is still something for keeping it all on one chip as Geoff is talking about - even though it would cost ten times as much as a Pi-0. To some extent, comparing the Pi-0 hardware to the proposed new beast is apples and oranges. They are so different at a hardware level, it is like comparing a Cessna to an Airbus A380! You can easily see why the pro-Pi people(say that fast ten times!) are suggesting it, cos it would make a very neat, small AND CHEAP unit - a no brainer, really. But you can also see why the pro-PIC32 people push that one. Total control of the design, no need for an underlying Linux, instant-on feature, and very respectable performance and memory specs for a 'One-chip' solution. I'm REALLY torn, as I like BOTH ideas very much. I'm not so worried about cost personally, but that is just me, and many others would be. It does come down to cost at the end of the day I think. A simplistic point of view perhaps, but one that 95% of all customers WILL concern themselves with the most. The saga continues....... Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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TassyJim Guru  Joined: 07/08/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 6283 |
There are lots of choices for displays. I use a few RPi's with multiple micromites hanging off them. The micromites do the data acquisition and the RPi does some long term storage and networking. None of the Pi's have monitors. Any graphics are done on PCs. Usually Windows. An Android device connecting to micromites via Bluetooth or WiFi is another method I have dabbled with. Jim VK7JH MMedit |
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| IanT Senior Member Joined: 29/11/2016 Location: United KingdomPosts: 108 |
"There is some 'Design-by-committee' going on here, and that is pretty normal for ANYTHING, if the original poster asks for opinions of a hardware design. The ideas people are thowing into the mix are all relevant IMHO, it's just that with the above committee kind of design, nothing ever gets easily agreed upon, as different people push for different features that THEY like." Yes, I have to agree Grogster - and my apologies if I've muddied the waters.. Whilst I'm certainly a Dummy here, in other 'places' I do know quite a bit more about some things and will admit to getting tired of the many who offer their ideas, whilst so few have the ability (or willingness) to actully help make them happen. My last 'collaboration' didn't go too well I'm afriad. We started out to design and build a large scale "portable" railway track. My prototype design was built and fitted easily in the boot of my small hatchback car. It was deemed "not scenic" enough - so was added to. The final "exhibition" layout needs a hired truck (and HGV driver) to move it and a large storeage space (which is many miles away). So I shall shut up and wait patiently for whatever Geoff and Matherp decide they would like to do - and whatever that is, I'm sure it will be very good. Regards, IanT |
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| cosmic frog Guru Joined: 09/02/2012 Location: United KingdomPosts: 302 |
You can also get espBASIC for this now! Link Dave. |
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| IanT Senior Member Joined: 29/11/2016 Location: United KingdomPosts: 108 |
Thanks Dave - I'll have a closer look. Regards, IanT |
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Azure Guru Joined: 09/11/2017 Location: AustraliaPosts: 446 |
I think the discussion that has followed the questions from Geoff while not conclusive will provide great input to Geoff (and Peter) on what they will decide to implement. This discussion does not have to be in total agreement, which to me is testiment to the many different uses the MM platform gets put to use in. I think everyone should contribute their thoughts, ideas and suggestions as it may spark some great idea or a general feeling there is a need which Geoff and Peter may choose to put into the next winderful release of MMBasic features. |
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| SteveA Regular Member  Joined: 10/03/2017 Location: United KingdomPosts: 48 |
I didn't get on with espBasic, I'm now experimenting with B4R it's free and runs on ESP8266 and Arduino - https://www.b4x.com/b4r.html There are also versions for PC, Android and IOS. It's a steeper learning curve than espBASIC, but it does appear so far to be more stable, development is ongoing and the community forums are more active. |
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| Boppa Guru Joined: 08/11/2016 Location: AustraliaPosts: 814 |
Its funny, I still havent actually used anything except the 28 pin original DIL one! Mostly because I am mostly using it as a simple and easily programmable controller and to date havent needed to control any more lines than the original can handle! If/when I get my new place underway (it will be when, just a case of when when will be lol) and I intelligentise the entire house (if thats even a word!) I may have to look at its bigger brothers but to date the DIL package has been all I needed (and its sooo easy to work with- I mean it needs the ic and a cap and power to run....how much cheaper can you get a programmable controller for- the case usually costs more than the electronics!) |
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