Re: TI-H: New Calculator!!!
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Re: TI-H: New Calculator!!!
Becuase this would be an expermental calc I would rather build it myself
that purchasing it from some one else. that way I would learn more about
what goes on inside, and have the ability to correct any bugs in the
desgn (face it know one can build a perfect calc the first time through).
This gives me an Idea we could make this an on going design like lunix.
start off with a prlimanary design and add things. meanwhile update the
schemaitcs with the best modifcations. the thing will evolve in to a super
calc. every once in a while we could release a version to the public. What
do you think about this idea? do I need to do some more explaning?
-mj <matt.johnson@wmich.edu>
On Thu, 5 Mar 1998, Jon Olson wrote:
>
> Go for it. If the price is right, i'd love to buy one. I like the idea of
> having nice solder points in there, so i don't have to try soldering
> directly to the edge of a chip - ooh, phun :>. Or, if you could post the
> schematics, and let us build them ourselves, that'd be kewl too. I'd love to
> manufacture these things for people.
>
> -- Jon Olson
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Richard Piotter <richfiles1@hotmail.com>
> To: ti-hardware@lists.ticalc.org <ti-hardware@lists.ticalc.org>
> Date: Thursday, March 05, 1998 1:05 PM
> Subject: TI-H: New Calculator!!!
>
>
> >
> >Why not make a whole new calculator!!! You could buy a standard, off the
> >shelf Z80, add as much SRAM as you can fit into it, and use a large
> >Nonvolitle memory chip in place or ROM. Make the board and everything!!!
> >It can have built in solder spots for RS-232, Parallel, SPinTerface, and
> >DBA! add a cheap PIA (Peripheral interface adapter) to it and you could
> >have 3 8-bit ports to play with. Use a graphics module from Digi-Key or
> >Mouser, designed with built in EL backlighting. You could even pick a
> >small color one, or, you could use a VIC (Video interface chip) to make
> >NTSC color output. use an NTSC compatible LCD and have a video out that
> >could connect to a TV (great for presentations)!!! A SID (sound
> >interface device) would make a GREAT sound generator (12 bit I think!!!)
> >Even a simple MAX 038 wave form generator will work. Make it with a
> >crystal, and include an IRdA chip on the RS-232. Either use AAs or have
> >a high power battery. Big case, whatever!!! I have the skills to design
> >the hardware (probably). If it's realy something everyone's interested
> >in, who knows!!! The ROM could possibly look at the DBA (direct bus
> >access) port, to look for ROM cartridges, then look at a certain address
> >for internal ROM instructions, and then, finaly, if nothing is found,
> >request data over the calc net via RS-232. There should be a standard
> >link port added as well, if we can emulate the other calcs. Also, I
> >remember a LONG time ago, someone mentioned the Strong Arm processor.
> >Why not??? I heard it uses less power than a stock Z80 and is fairly
> >cheap as well! Who thinks it's worth a try??? Maybe we could emulate ALL
> >the calcs!!! One big calculator, with QWERTY keyboard and sound (sound I
> >think is one of the things that is not allowed on machines to be uses
> >for SAT tests). I don't know about emulation, but if we do it, we might
> >as well go all out! We'd have to mold a complete case, keys and all, and
> >we'd need to have them silk screened, but it would be worth it to have a
> >color, strong arm, sound capable, QWERTY, and everything else
> >calculator. We could MAKE the next calc rather than modify the old
> >ones!!!
> >
> >What does everyone think??? I have seen schematics of countless
> >computers, and I think it could be done!!!
> >
> >Richard Piotter
> >richfiles1@hotmail.com
> >
> >The Richfiles TI Page
> >http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Lakes/5081/Richfiles.html
> >
> >
> >______________________________________________________
> >Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
> >
>
>
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