New Speccy

It's me (Mr.Brain) again, muddying the waters here :).

I would really like to know how people see the further development of Spectrum? For my part, I can propose to design a new board with maximum
approximation to open architecture.
For this, the following is proposed:

Make a new (no other way) motherboard, which will
represent several connectors (for example 6) for connecting devices
supporting the new bus (let's call it ZX-BUS++), several connectors (presumably 4), according to the ZX-BUS standard (for connecting screw controllers, PC keyboards and GS), possibly a pair of connectors in the ISA standard (for a modem and a multi-card) and several microcircuits for the correct functioning of the bus and a clock signal generator for peripheral devices. That's all with the motherboard. ITS cost will be very low. And the whole highlight should lie in the ZX-BUS++ bus itself, but more on that later. Everything else, and this is the processor, memory, video memory, disk drive controller, etc., will
be inserted into the connectors of the motherboard. For example, the processor unit will be a board with a z80 on board (at least at first), a microcircuit for organizing the processor's ability to access memory over 64Kb (port #7FFD and similar) + an interrupt controller. More,Perhaps the ROM will also be located here (not yet decided). Another board will house an eight-channel DDP controller (or two 4-channel ones:) and accompanying accessories. The next board is RAM (anything from RU5 to SIMM or
FLASH), it will contain a reasonable amount of memory and everything needed for sampling and regeneration. Another board is TR-DOS. And finally - a board responsible for the image on the screen or, more simply, a video card (it can support both a Pentagon standard screen and various extensions - 512x192, two colors per byte and other graphic extensions. It is also possible to install your own memory on it so as not to load the bus). In short, we get the same Pentagon (or Scorp), but only separated into blocks, with the possibility of replacing any block (read functional unit) with a more powerful and productive one.
As for software compatibility - at the initial stage we can guarantee almost 100% (in any case, no lower than that of other Speck clones), then we plan to move away from the classical architecture Spectrum (for the better, of course).
At the moment, all this is in its infancy (for now only in
my head). And it is described out of interest to know the reaction of the people. I would like to discuss the need for such a rework (otherwise people may be gathering already
tomorrow forRS/Amiga go). If anyone likes the idea, suggest
signals that in your opinion are necessary to organize the system bus.
At the moment, the following have been added:

A16-A20
DRQ0-7
INT0-6 (number 7 is used for frame interrupt)

The most important question: what will Spectrum be like tomorrow? 8, 16 or 32
bit. Let's decide on this. I would suggest 16 bits (for further development), but for this you will have to resort to some technical tricks (in principle, simple).
There is another sore point - the Operating System. A new computer
will
need a new operating system. And all programs MUST be written under it (especially those working with new hardware - DDP, multicards, video cards, etc.)
I assume NeOS to play this role (if the authors agree, of course, and further correct it to be able to work with completely different devices). And let them slow down the program at the initial stage. As hardware improves (installation of a good video card, sound card, more powerful processor [not a Pentium, of course]), your programs will work faster and be able to work on improved configurations.
The entire project is supposed to be done in bulk (of course, to reduce the cost). In principle, it will be possible to develop several variants of printed circuit boards - loose andfor example, on PLM (here it depends on the desire/possibility of the manufacturer). Moreover, the computer will be built in such a way that its various
parts can be produced by individual manufacturers (for example, the TR-DOS controller
can now be purchased from Nemo). Only the tire should be common. Those who don't want to spend money or work with their hands can take steps to install a
new bus in their old computer, but then they will have problems in the form of climbing into the computer with a scalpel and cutting off obsolete blocks in order to eliminate conflict with those just installed in the connector of the new bus.

Now for those who like to flame - I am in a sober mind and sound
memory and “...I am responsible for my market...” (c) the other half of the people, so those who like expressions: “No one needs all this, it will work poorly, and in general, for that kind of money, I’d rather upgrade my Pentium” may not wait for an answer from me (unless they get really annoyed). I offer not a cheap
alternative to the Amiga/PC, “...I offer creativity...” (c) S. Veremeenko.
Those who love the Spectrum, who want this word to be uttered repeatedly in the future, who love eight-bit technology, who want to do something other than play KVAKU - join us.

Sincerely,Dmitry.

Friday July 23 1999 21:33, Dmitry Pavluhin ─── All:

[.....]
DP> The most important question: what will the Spectrum be like tomorrow?
"- This is a sailor, his clothes are naval.
- Oh well? Did you want to meet the bishop here?" (C) m/f Treasure Island.
This is all to say that the computer you are describing is no longer a Spectrum.
Not even its distant clone... As offensive as it may sound, the Spectrum
has a closed architecture. And you offer a computer with an open...

DP> 8, 16 or 32 bit. Let's decide on this.
The Z80 processor is 8-bit... What else is needed?

DP> I would suggest 16 bits (for
DP> further development), but for this you will have to go to some
DP> technical tricks (in principle, simple).
And who says that they are complex? It just won't be a Spectrum anymore.

DP> There is another sore point
DP> - the Operating System. A new computer will need a new operating
DP> system. And all programs MUST be written for it
Hmmmmm... So they “should”? What if I write something like an old lady
tp-dos? :))

DP> possibilities of working with completely different devices). And let the program be slowed down at the
DP> initial stage.
...and let no one be confused by the fact that after this slowdownthere will be no second
stage.

DP> a more powerful processor [not a Pentium, of course]) your programs will work
DP> faster and will be able to work on improved configurations.
"Did the boy save the skullcap? Where is the skullcap?" (C) anecdote
Who would write such software?

DP> Now for those who like to flame - I am of a sober mind and sound
DP> memory and “...I am responsible for my market...” (c)
The only problem is that you are not the first...

Good luck! Evgeny.

■ The night is shorter than the day... The day will kill me... The world of illusions burns down in it. (C) Aria.

And why was it necessary to yell so much 23 Jul 99 21:33, Dmitry Pavluhin,
if All hears very well

DP> Make a new (no other way) motherboard, which will be
DP> to represent several connectors (for example 6) for connecting devices
DP> supporting the new bus (let's call it ZX-BUS++), several connectors (pre-

IMHO there is no need to create new standards, as a bus you can use
the bus currently used in Kai (NEMO_BUS) if I'm not mistaken.

DP> positive 4), according to the ZX-BUS standard (for connecting controllers
DP> screws,
DP> PC keyboard and GS), possibly a couple of connectors in the ISA standard (for a modem and

But what about the AU? As for ISA - 2-3, it’s most likely not useful anymore.

DP> multi-cards) and several microcircuits for the proper functioning of the
DP> bus
DP> and a clock signal generator for peripheral devices. This
DP> is all about the
DP> motherboard. ITS cost will be very low. And the whole
DP> highlight
DP> should lie precisely in the ZX-BUS++ bus itself, but more on that later.

If it’s not a secret, the approximate cost (and what kind of highlight :) )?

DP> Everything
DP> the rest, and this is the processor, memory, video memory, drive controller
DP> and
DP> etc., will be inserted into motherboard connectors. For example
DP> processorthe
DP> block will be a board with a z80 on board (at least at the first
DP>), a microcircuit for organizing the processor’s ability to access memory

I think it’s better to leave the z80 only with a higher clock frequency.

DP> over 64Kb (port #7FFD and similar) + interrupt controller. Also,
DP> it is possible that the ROM will also be located here (not yet decided). On another
DP> board

[..oh..]

DP> As for software compatibility - at the initial stage you can
DP> guarantee almost 100% (in any case, not lower than that of

With the Pentagon?

DP> other
DP> clones of Speck), then it is planned to move away from the classical architecture
DP> Spectrum ma (for the better, of course).

Well, we probably should...

[...]

DP> The most important question: what will Spectrum be like tomorrow? 8, 16 or 32
DP> bit. Let's decide on this. I would suggest 16 bits
DP> (for
DP> further development), but for this you will have to go to some
DP> technical tricks (in principle, simple). There is another sore point

What about software compatibility.

DP> - Operating System. A new computer will need a new
DP> operating
DP> system. And all programs MUST be written for it (especially

...

DP> the role of HeOS (if the authors agree, of course, andthey will also correct it
DP> for

I agree, especially since the work on it, apparently, is not standing still.

DP> for that kind of money I’d rather upgrade my Pentium" answer from

Well, I don’t have a Pentium :) But the question of cost, I think, is important. For
100-150 cu. I don’t think they will buy a Spectrum (how many have they bought Sprinters?).
But 40-50 is a more reasonable price.

WBR, Sergey. [ZX]
FIDOnet - 2:451/19.2
e-mail - gri...@mail.ru

... Blessed are the callers, for they are will connect

One day, Wednesday July 28, 1999 07:35, Evgeny Milun wrote to Dmitry Pavluhin:
...
skip

DP>> 8, 16 or 32 bit. Let's decide on this.
EM> The Z80 processor is 8-bit... What else is needed?

I don’t understand what are the psychological problems with using a Z-chi
bit >8? All other platforms are moving forward in this matter, but
Spectrum is not allowed! look - almost all platforms started the same way, with a small 8-bit CPU. and what about today? Today even refrigerators are equipped with a 16-bit processor! I’m not calling for replacing the z80 with, for example, a z180 or z380 tomorrow. No. there is simply no problem as such. Spectrum will remain Spectrum, even if you change the CPU to
180. The platform is characterized not by the hardware, or rather to a lesser extent by the hardware, but by the people
who work on it. people will remain the same, but iron will advance somewhat. after all, the PC did not become non-PC when the 86th was replaced by the 186th,
286th, etc. it's just _evolution_! and there is no escape from this. this will need to be done. maybe not now, not tomorrow, but in the next year or two, until the last spektrumists-non-fans leave. as long as there is a market for such a computer.

DP>> I would suggest 16 bits (for

23 Jul 1999 you wrote here:

DP> In short, we get
DP> the same Pentagon (or Scorp), but only separated into blocks, with the possibility of replacing any block (read functional unit) with a more powerful and
DP> productive.
...
DP> let the programs slow down at the initial stage. As
DP> hardware improves (installation of a good video card, sound card, more
DP> powerful processor [not a Pentium, of course]) your programs will work faster and
DP> will be able to work on improved configurations.
...
DP> Now for those who like to flame - I am of a sober mind and sound
DP> memory and "...for my market I answer..."(c) the other half of the people, so
DP> lovers of expressions: "Nobody needs all this, it will work poorly, and in general, for that kind of money I’d rather upgrade my Pentium" I may not get an answer from
DP> (unless they really annoy me). I offer a not
cheap
DP> alternative to the Amiga/PC, "...I offer creativity..." (c) S. Veremeenko.

? It's a strange creativity - poking boards in pursuit of performance.
Here really, how can one not remember the PC/Amiga? Why are they worse than what you proposed? You just can’t collect them “loosely.” But the same thingwill inevitably happen to your “subject” when he “matures”. You are only proposing to follow
the path of the PC/Amiga, but with ZILOG. :-/

DP> Those who love the Spectrum, who want this word to be uttered repeatedly in the future, who love eight-bit technology, who want something for-

So, what does “eight-bit” have to do with it? You immediately suggest installing at least a 16-bit bus.

All the best.
Sincerely Roman.

EM> Hmmmmm... So they “should”? If I write something for the old lady
EM> tr-dos? :))

I think that if you implement a similar project, then you

will not have the desire to write under TR-DOS :).

DP>> the ability to work with completely different devices). And let the program be slowed down at
DP>> at the initial stage.

EM> ...and let no one be embarrassed that after this slowdown
EM> there will be no second
EM> stage.

The brakes will only be due to the operating system :(. This is not for me, but for the
authors of operating systems. I’m just trying to propose an idea for the development of Spectrum, which implies development of not only the hardware, but also the software, since one is impossible without the other. And the second stage will happen by itself if the first one succeeds. Now, for example, many have made themselves a 512 x 192 mode. Many would like to do it for themselves, but there is no desire to cut the computer or grab a soldering iron. In my version, it would look like this: instead of the video controller board, we insert a new one, where the same controller is supplemented for different modes:
512 x 192, bytes per point, etc. The only question is the price. However, not even local craftsmen could produce such things, but sell new cards for old ones with a small additional payment (the details are almost the same).The question is, does anyone actually need it (the development of Speck)? Many people have two or more computers at home, for them the development of Spec is not relevant.

DP>> a more powerful processor [not a Pentium, of course]) your programs will
work
DP>> faster and will be able to work on improved configurations.

EM> "Did the boy save the skullcap? Where is the skullcap?" (C) anecdote
EM> Who is going to write such software?

There are only about 20 Sprinters out there and they are writing software. And in my computer
you can install the same z380 (or you can also have a z80 - that’s whoever wants it), and with faster
operation, it is code compatible with the z80. That is, the owner of a computer with a z380 will not feel any discomfort in using software from classic
Spec (excluding undocumented commands). Taking care of various hardware will fall on the shoulders of the OS.

AI> I don’t understand what are the psychological problems with using Z-ki
First of all, it’s the psychological problem - “This is not a Spectrum anymore.”

[.....]
AI> look - almost all platforms started
AI> the same way, with a small 8-bit CPU. and what today?
So what? Generations of processors change every 2-4 years. A computer with
the previous generation is practically junk...

AI> does not exist. Spectrum will remain Spectrum, even if you change the CPU
AI> to 180th. the platform is characterized not by hardware, or rather to a lesser extent by hardware,
AI>, but by the people who work on it.
For the first time I hear that computer architecture (and hardware
compatibility of programs) is determined not by a specific hardware embodiment, but by
"people"...

AI> people will remain the same, but hardware will move forward somewhat.
16-bit applications practically do not run under 32-bit
Windows NT. Does this mean anything?

AI> after all, the PC did not become a non-PC when the
AI> 86th was replaced with the 186th, 286th, etc. it's just _evolution_!
Actually, the 286th was precisely a _revolutionary_ leap. And precisely in comparison
with the 86th and 88th... But all the others - 386, 486, Pentiums - are evolutionary.

DP>> (pre-

SO> IMHO there is no need to create new standards, as a bus you can
SO> use
SO> the bus currently used in Kay (NEMO_BUS) if I’m not mistaken.

I suggest just adding a few contacts to the kay/scorpion bus
for further expansion. It will look, for example, like an e-isa slot in a PC -
62 contacts - isa and another 34 contacts with signals for 16-bit
devices have been added. If I fit in, then these are the connectors that will be ZX-BUS++

SO> But what about the AU? As for ISA - 2-3, most likely it won’t be useful.

ay has not been canceled by anyone in Spectrum yet - it will be on the processor board.

SO> If it’s not a secret, the approximate cost (and what is it? highlight :) ) ?

The highlight is the very idea of open architecture. And the new bus will
allow you to change any functional blocks of the computer to others. It is not yet clear about the cost. We need to do it first, and then talk about the price.

SO> I think it’s better to leave the z80 only with a higher clock frequency.

Yes, even Motorola :). At most you can plug in a z380 with a frequency of 18 MHz, but
it executes many commands twice as fast as similar z80s.

DP> Why won’t it happen. Looks like you didn't understand the idea. This will be the Spectrum, but
DP> with the ability to replace functional blocks. What will grow out of it later -
DP> I can’t say, but for now it’s a real Spectrum.

Before the first of the “main” blocks are remade!
Now Spec - Z80, 128K, VG93, AY. This is the core.
Everything else is still improvements. Perhaps in the future it will become the same standard
512-1024K according to #7FFD, or 512*192 - I don’t know, life will tell. (There are still cries about support for 48K machines!)

There is, imho, such a danger: you replicate your basket of slots, people
will start creating - a dozen machines with a Z380, a dozen with a cartoon instead of a VGshka...
Who will write software for all this?!! Have you seen how many screams are heard here when you try to make a program only for RAM more than 128K? The authors give up
give up on them.

Spek is a non-profit computer. And if Ivan Mak strains to provide the Sprinter with at least the basic software, then your computer will only destroy the platform.
There is no need to “harness the cart before the horse”! Let's wait for the full
OS first! Only after this can you start talking about your New Speccy.

Damn, and again, how can a Spectrumist not get into the hardware directly!.. ;)

DP> One does not interfere with the other. What I propose can be Speck and KAy and
DP> even Sprinter. In any case, at the very beginning it will be a Spectrum of pure
DP> water, but we’ll see how it grows further - we’ll see.
Maybe then it’s better to stop at Sprinter? :)

DP> insert a new one, where the same controller is added for different modes:
DP> 512 x 192, bytes per point, etc.
This is just clear. The question is, is it possible to do something similar based on the architecture of the Spectrum? So that it would not just be a “Video Slot”, but rather a universal one. Or does each device have its own slot?

DP> points for the old ones with a small surcharge (the details are almost the same). But that’s not the question
DP>, the question is, does anyone at all need it (the development of Speck)
DP>?
It is necessary. Just which one?

DP>> productive.

RM> ? It's a strange creativity - poking boards in pursuit of performance.

RM> Here, really, how can one not remember the PC/Amiga? Why are they worse than
RM> proposed

RM> by you? You just can’t collect them “loosely.” But the same
RM> will inevitably

RM> happen to your “subject” when he “matures”. You only
RM> propose to go

RM> along the

RM> PC/Amiga path, but with ZILOG. :-/

What is bad about the Amiga way :) (see ORIGIN)? Although in fact they went a different way there, not mine :). And now the Amiga is at a crossroads, and no one knows how it will end :(. We are not able to influence this process. But we can influence our own brainchild. And determine the paths of its development.
And then, why don’t you like creativity of this kind - I came up with a new video controller (or video card). I assembled it, plugged it into the connector without raping the computer - and it works ;-)~.

On Dmitry Pavluhin wrote to Sergey Orlov:

SO>> With the Pentagon?
DP> With anything, I am inclined to Pentagon screen scans.

By the way, about the screen. If you take up the work, write, I’ll tell you how to make an extension on two microcircuits so that it outputs data to the border. And on them it will be possible to make a synchronization and INT regulator.
So that by simple reprogramming into RAM both Pentagon and Scorpio could
be set.

Wow! The Protoss are attacking my Zerlings! It's time to get going. Ivan... data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=ru&q=http://www.atlant.ru/peters&source=gmail&ust=1785433342583000&usg=AOvVaw0ZcnSUfqeBrOcpqG2LMGLW">www.atlant.ru/peters *

IM> By the way, about the screen. If you take up the work, write, I’ll tell you
IM> how to make an extension on two microcircuits so that it outputs data to the border
IM>. And on them it will be possible to make a synchronization regulator and
IM> INT. So, with a simple reprogramming into RAM and Pentagon
IM> and Scorpio could be set.

Not by washing, but by rolling (with) people.
By adding a couple more plm and a few alluvial ones - it will become a sprinter :)
So why bother when a ready-made one is sold for just x bucks :)

Best regards,
Renat

Wow! The Protoss are attacking my Zerlings! It's time to get going. Ivan... data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=ru&q=http://www.atlant.ru/peters&source=gmail&ust=1785433342585000&usg=AOvVaw3qomLNfAN2Q6U1X3iIP2M4">www.atlant.ru/peters *

RM>> for x bucks :)

IM> Shh.. You'll spill all my politics! :))

Why are they embarrassed? :) I hope you'll pay for advertising? :)

Sincerely,
Renat

RM>> along the PC/Amiga path, but with ZILOG. :-/

DP> What is bad about the Amiga way :) (see ORIGIN)? Although in fact there is another-

There is no point in driving everyone else to your platform.
When I get tired of poking around with Spec, when I just want to dump money and poke boards, I’ll buy a PC.

DP> And then, why don’t you like creativity of this kind - I came up with a new-
DP> video controller (or video card). I assembled it, plugged it into the connector without raping the
DP> computer - and it works ;-)~.

My opinion is this: Speck now is actually an amateur radio computer (it is not produced anywhere except
Peter). If its configuration changes as dramatically as you suggest, then we will get the platform fragmented into smaller and not very compatible branches (more like twigs). And this, given its small number
and
virtual absence of commercial software producers, is a collapse. And, also
the lack of a unified and cool OS. :(((
It’s another matter if the computer is mass produced. Fully assembled.
And the price is $50, no more. Then of course.
And in this situation you just need a Pentagon-2 board.

DP> will not be needed). The main thing at this stage is to choose the right direction of
DP> development.

You know, paradoxically, but it seems to me that Speck is now developing in
a very right direction. The only thing that is needed is at leastsometimes
launch production and make not super-cool monsters, but simply formalize
culturally those developments that have taken root and developed among the people.

RM> Before remaking the first of the “main” blocks!

That’s why I’m going to make a standard for the bus and for the processor unit myself.
The OS should take care of the periphery.

RM> There is, imho, such a danger: you replicate your basket of slots,
RM> people
RM> will start creating - a dozen machines with Z380, a dozen with cartoon instead
RM> VGshki...
RM> Who will write software for all this?!! Have you seen how many screams are heard here
RM> when
RM> you try to make a program only for RAM more than 128K? The authors give up on them
RM>.

I imagine it this way: I am developing a bus and a processor unit. And with this I set the “tone”. The rest is for those interested.

RM> There is no need to “harness the cart before the horse”! Let's first wait for
RM> full
RM> OS! Only after this can you start talking about your New Speccy.

While I’m doing my project little by little, the OS will develop. Moreover (I hope) its
authors will know about my project and will (even subconsciously) focus
on what awaits them in the future :).

RM> Damn, and again, how can a Spectrumist not get into the hardware directly!.. ;)

Such a Spectrumist will have to control himself. I think he will be upset by the inability of the program on other computers. At the moment
there is a tendency for programmers to writeprograms running
on as many computers as possible. So what you are talking about is not
a problem.

Sincerely, Dmitry.

Wow! The Protoss are attacking my Zerlings! It's time to get going. Ivan... data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=ru&q=http://www.atlant.ru/peters&source=gmail&ust=1785433342588000&usg=AOvVaw1C2J4CnqrUNPK4BRppbb7O">www.atlant.ru/peters *

IM> Yeah. :) minus beer for sending software over the Internet. :))

If anyone doesn’t remember, I don’t drink beer. So thank you :)
By the way, those guys who were traveling on the Samara train through Ivanovo
asked how much the Peters paid for the software. And they even mentioned a figure of
200 rubles (per mega, probably:)...

Sincerely,
Renat

RM> If anyone doesn’t remember, I don’t drink beer. So thank you :)
RM> By the way, those guys who were traveling on the Samara train through Ivanovo
RM> asked how much the Peters paid for the software. And they even quoted a figure of
RM> 200 rubles (per meg, probably :)...

I ask you both to stop advertising
and not discuss commercial issues here.

All the best.
Sincerely, Roman Milukov.

RM> You know, paradoxically, it seems to me that Speck is developing
RM> now in
RM> a very right direction. The only thing you need is at least

Yeah, in the right one - 5 OS, 6 types of HDD controller, a bunch of modifications to the video controller, a bunch of memory expansions over 128 KB. Exactly - we are going where
we need to - into oblivion.

RM> sometimes
RM> launch production and not make super-cool monsters, but simply
RM> formalize
RM> culturally those developments that have taken root and developed among the people.

“Nothing lasts forever under the sun.” (c) I don’t remember whose. So now, every year, a new board should be created when new improvements appear?

Sincerely, Dmitry.

DP> Such a Spectrumist will have to control himself. I think he will be upset
DP> by the program not working on other computers. At the moment
DP> there is a tendency for programmers to strive to write programs
DP> that work
DP> on as many computers as possible.

Wrong. Initially, a program on Speck begins to be made “for oneself”! (Except
dem! And commercial programs - are there many of those?) And when people find out about the project,
cries begin that someone won’t work this way or that way, then it happens that
the author simply abandons the project.
If you don’t get to the hardware directly, there will be brakes. Then an upgrade similar to the PC-shnom will begin. And on Spec it's a complete ass. Then everything will finally fall on the PC
and
.

Oh! I'm just waiting for a beer... :(
;)))))

[Team Kelly] [I ZX]
Hasta la vista.
Tim Kelly

What I meant, I wrote,
I'll turn my pockets out - make sure.
(c) V. Vysotsky

... tim_...@mail.ru 500:622/1@zxnet http://www.chat.ru/~tim_kelly

DP> Where did you see the phrase “people, buy an Amiga” in my letter? I'm not pushing anyone
DP> anywhere
DP> - what kind of computer to have at home is everyone's personal business. I actually have two computers on
DP> - Amiga and Spectrum, one monitor and one power supply. They work
DP> simultaneously -
DP> temporarily. If only we could make one keyboard for everyone - it would be absolutely cool.
DP> So
DP> so I’m thinking - what platform do I have? ;). Both computers
DP> work simultaneously.
DP> I switch the monitor from one to the other with the button. :-).

Have you tried connecting both the Spec and the Amiga to the same monitor at once?

Well, BYE for you, Dmitry!

Yuri Nazarenko/Rezidnet/Discovery group
e-mail : Yuri_Nazar...@zxnet.spb.ru

DP> That’s what I would say - I want a new computer, but not more than $50 - everyone would
understand you,

:) Well, you don’t understand!
Personally, I don’t want a new computer. I like mine, it can still handle a lot of bells and whistles. ;)
I said that assembled Spectrums would sell quite well at
prices of no more than $50.

DP> Yeah, in the right one - 5 OS, 6 types of HDD controller, a bunch of modifications to the video
DP> controller, a bunch of memory expansions over 128 KB. Exactly - we are going where
DP> we need to go - into oblivion.

That was such a legendary period, now everything is not like that.
In order:
The OS is the only mass one for now - is-dos. :(
HDD controller - too, really only one - Nemovsky. Although it would not hurt to modify it a little
And this is not a controller, but a buffer. There is no particular problem with it, the software
does not directly access it, so the circuit is not very important.
Memory expansion - #7FFD.
Of course, owners of Scorpios, Pros and others may object, there is everything
other (and better), but I listed only what is actually currently used by people when modifying any 48-128K computer. And if you consider that all the
companies except KAI have bent, then their standards can be considered as dead-end
branches of evolution.
The only thing is the video controller :( It’s difficult to say here, because it is too
attached to the circuit variant. The existing 512*192pix is difficult to recognize as at least some
standard, because ittoo tied to the Pentagon board. This is more of a temporary solution from the realm of “the need for invention is cunning.” In other variants there are difficulties with
its implementation (except for Pro - there it seems to be simple). Yes, and it is monochrome.
And
it would be advisable to get out onto the border. And text mode wouldn't hurt. In short, there are problems with the video controller. :(

One day, Fri Aug 13 1999 06:45, Roman Milukov wrote to Dmitry Pavlukhin about [New
Speccy]:

RM> Personally, I don’t want a new computer. I like mine, it will withstand many more
RM> bells and whistles. ;) I said that Spectrums in assembled form will
RM> buy quite well at a price of no more than $50.

they will not buy well enough even at a price of $20 :(

RM> That was such a legendary period, now everything is not so.
RM> In order:
RM> The OS is a mass-produced one for now - used. :(

not mass-produced. I don’t use ;)
massive - tr-dos, although it is not a system.

RM> HDD controller - too, really one - Nemovsky.

but on the contrary, Zonovsky...

RM> Although it was not bothered by b
RM> Memory expansion is important - #7FFD Of course, Scorpio owners,
RM> Pros and others may object, there is all sorts of other things (and so on). better),
RM> but I listed only what is actually currently used by people when
RM> modifying any 48-128K computer.

ah, then yes, but... the number of those who do this is insignificant compared
with those who stick ready-made things into Scorp.

RM> And if you consider that all the offices except
RM> KAI have bent, then their standards can be considered as dead-end
RM> branches
RM> of evolution.

Scorpio, it seems, is not bent, and if it is bent, then what - everything is in the trash,
inventing something new?

RM> The Pentagon board is already 8 years old! And it was developed without taking into account that there would be
RM> improvements!

that’s why it turns out to be a barn :(

All the best.
Dmitry.

... LD..X-TRADE... [ZX]

DL> ah, then yes, but... the number of those who do this is insignificant
DL> compared to those who stick ready-made stuff into Scorpio.

...Have you looked further than St. Petersburg and ZX-Net? :-/

DL> Scorpio, it seems, has not bent. and if it bends, then what - everything is in the trash,
DL> we invent something new?

Well, I don’t know then. I get the information about bending the Scorpio-ZX from FIDO, while the St. Petersburg people are screaming about it.
There is no need to invent the bicycle, of course, but the #1FFD imposed by Comrade Zonov, for example, will simply be quietly forgotten.

_/*A*/_ _/*thing*/_ _/*it was*/_ _/*so*/_...
_/*Once upon a time*/_, _/*13-Aug-99*/_ _/*in*/_ _/*06:45:38*/_,
Roman Milukov _/*wrote*/_ Dmitry Pavluhin

RM> The only thing is a video controller. :( It’s difficult to say here, because it
RM> is too
RM> tied to the circuit variant. The existing 512*192pix is difficult to recognize at least
RM> as some kind of
RM> standard, because it is too tied to the Pentagon board. This is more of a
RM> temporary
RM> solution from the area of “the need for invention is cunning”. In other variants, difficulties
RM> is available with
RM> its implementation (excluding Pro - it seems to be simple there). And it
RM> is monochrome.
Starting from the fourth version of the boards, the _expanded_ _screen_ in _Profi_ is _color_.
In earlier models, it is also very easy to set the color, and for those who especially
want it, it can then be brought to a palette of _256_ _colors_. using
_only_ _four_ _chips_ (a piece of the circuit from the fifth version)
RM> And
RM> it would be desirable to get to the border. And the text mode would not hurt. In short,
RM> there are problems with the
RM> video controller :(

But I don’t like it - I don’t like it and that’s it :(. And no one
will convince me that it is better than others. And for example, in our region
it is not widespread at all.

RM> The HDD controller is the same, really only one - Nemovsky. Although it wouldn’t hurt to modify it a little
RM>. And this is not a controller, but a buffer. There are special problems with it no,
RM> software
RM> does not directly access it, so the circuit is not very important.
RM> Memory expansion - #7FFD.
RM> Of course, owners of Scorpios, Pros and others can object, there are
RM> all sorts of things

The controller from the same Scorp can be easily connected to any computer,
the problem is only with software - so that the HDD can work without ProfROM. But the same problems exist with the Kaevsky controller. For me, for example,
Is-Dos is not an alternative.

RM> is different (and better), but I listed only what is actually used now
RM> by people when modifying any 48-128K computer. And if you consider,
RM> that's all
RM>. offices other than KAI are bent, then their standards can be considered as
RM> dead-end
RM> branches of evolution.

Yeah, Sinclair Research is also bent. From your words, Speck is generally a stupid branch of
evolution :). It’s a standard, it’s a standard in Africa, and it doesn’t matter who created it.
And then recently in ZX.SPECTRUM a dispute arose: what port is this Kempston
joysticksitting? And although even everywhere they already wrote that #DF, due to addressing in the
48th
Spectrum in the A5 category of the processor, some continue to claim that
#1F, they say this is the case in many circuits :). But in fact, #1F was obtained
I don’t remember in which version of Speck, thanks to the work of the craftsmen who inserted
BB55 there. This is where non-standard #1F came from.

YN> Haven't you tried to connect both Spec and Amiga to one monitor
YN>?

So I wrote that I have one monitor for Spec and Amiga. It
has two sockets installed. Speck is connected to one, Amiga to the other. There is a button on the front panel (P2K with four groups of contacts). This is the button I
switch the monitor between two computers.

Sincerely, Dmitry.

17 Aug 1999 you wrote here:

AS> Starting with the fourth version of the boards, the _extended_ _screen_ in _Profi_ -

I know all this. That's why I said that just 512*192pix will not be enough. But on the other hand, it is very easy to implement, unlike the complete Profako
regime. Therefore, it can be installed directly on the board. But it’s a big problem to install Profakovsky
-
and then it can’t practically be replaced if someone
a video controller with an accelerator, for example, offers.

AS> Once upon a time, Pentagon-128 boards were sold with
AS> music on them, but for some reason they didn’t catch on :(

I don’t even have those saw.

RM>> There is only one massive OS for now - is-dos. :(

DP> But I don’t like it - I don’t like it and that’s it :(. And no one
DP> will convince me that it is better than others. And for example, in our region
DP> it is not widespread at all.

Well, what are we talking about! I don’t like it either, but there is no other one yet!

DP> The controller from the same Scorp can be connected to any computer without any problems,

DP> The problem is only with the software - so that the HDD can work without ProfROM. But the same problems exist with the Kaevsky controller. For me, for example, Is-Dos is not an alternative.

Yes, the alternative is to sit without a screw at all.
Or another alternative - PC (Or Amiga? ;)
Although you can use Is-Dos there. you'll go away.

DP> Yeah, Sinclair Research is also bent. From your words, Spec is a stupid
branch of
DP> evolution :). There is practically no one of us that fully complies with the Sinclair
Research satandarts of the 128th Spec! Just remember the #FF port ;)
And in fact, for RAM above 128K there is not one, but a bunch of different
standards - there is NO single standard! Therefore, it doesn’t matter which of them you use
in
_new_computer! Now software and drivers have been developed for all of them. It has become a rule
of good form to automatically configure the program for the RAM expansion port...
Therefore, the main criteria should be ease of programming, speed
of work and simplicity of the hardware implementation.
It is the height of irrationality to include a whole bunch of existing standards in the board!
The _Necessary_ program will very quickly be adapted to the only standard
that will be included in the new board.

DP> A then recently there was a debate in ZX.SPECTRUM: what Kempston
DP> port is the joystick on? And although even everywhere they already wrote that #DF, because of the addressing in
...
DP> BB55. This is where the non-standard #1F came from.

What difference does it make to you? Well, let there be decryption one bit at a time, and the programs must
be written under #1F so that it works for everyone.