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Gizmo

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Joined: 05/06/2004
Location: Australia
Posts: 5078

Posted: 01:33pm 01 Jun 2012

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Quote So you *want* the Maximite to evolve but you *don't want* it to evolve?

Yes but "Make haste cautiously". Things that evolve to quick in the IT industry do often loose their direction.

Quote What will happen when the composite monitors do dry up? Do we think think that the other microcontroller boards will support composite.

Wont happen in the next 10 years. The reason they are so cheap now is production is increasing to suit the car market.

Quote I was quite happy with VHS tape but the world turned on me and I was forced to switch to DVD. Now I wouldn't look back.

Cant record on a cheap DVD player, and besides, isn't BlueRay the new in thing? I still use my VHS for recording, its easier.

Quote I know what you're saying Gizmo but as Geoff highlighted, there is the MiniMaximite and the current Maximite. These are very powerful and any updates to the language will most probably follow through to these but colour is something you can't stop unless we want to stop the Maximite as well... do we?

Dont put words into my mouth Nick, I've supported the Maximite from day one! I'm just stating my case of how I and I know many others use it.

So long as there is a MiniMaximite, and devices like the CGMMSTICK and DuinoMites, then I'll be happy. The Maximite is perfect as it is as far as I'm concerned, Geoff has done a fine job and I'll be using Maximites for years.

Glenn

The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago, the second best time is right now.
JAQ

Nick

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Joined: 09/06/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 512

Posted: 01:49pm 01 Jun 2012

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I agree with everything you say.

Unfortunately, change is inevitable and this is one industry where change happens often... and with haste.

Colour on the Maximite was on the cards for the Maximite from early on and Geoff has had it in his plans for some time. It's not a hasty decision. And the decision to drop composite I'm sure has good reasons, both technical and practical.

But as we said, the original Maximite (+ clones) are still available.

I would have loved it the computer industry had stopped evolving in 1984. I had finally reached a stage where I was a proficient Z-80 programmer on my TRS-80 Model 1. Then I opened my window and found Tandy had discontinued my beloved Model 1 and had gone to a Colour System, The TRS-80 Color Computer.

After much moaning and groaning, I decided to embrace this new technology and made the switch.

Guess what!? If happened again to me in 1992!

The TRS-80 Color Computer was discontinued!

rhamer
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Joined: 06/06/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 174

Posted: 02:20pm 01 Jun 2012

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Gizmo said

Geoffg said
On Gizmo's concern regarding composite video. I could not implement colour composite video, it is far too complex - so I left it out of the Colour MM. But that is not a problem as the Colour MM will not replace the monochrome versions. Products like the CGMMSTICK should be around for a long time and I plan to have two versions of MMBasic 4.0 - one for the mono MM and one for the colour MM. It just means that you will not be able to have colour composite.

Geoff

I understand composite colour is going to be too difficult to implement, its a feat of engineering brilliance that we have B/W video from a chip with no built in video circuitry at all! My concern was we will loose a composite output of any kind in future Maximites. I'm more than happy with the current low resolution B/W composite output, it makes the Maximite a more versatile little computer for my applications, like control and interfacing. You cant beat a combination like a CGMMSTICK and a $25 composite monitor, its a awful lot of microcontroller for something that fits into the palm of your hand. It's brilliant!

This combination of a tiny microcontroller programmed in easy to follow BASIC, a composite output and keyboard interface is unique as far as I know, and to me opened up a lot of doors for future projects. I'm worried that we'll loose that for the sake of a few vocal users wanting more and more graphics features that can easily be found with any cheap 2nd hand laptop.

Glenn

+ 1

Rohan Hamer
HAMFIELD Software & Hardware Solutions

Makers of the Maximite Expander.

http://www.hamfield.com.au

bigmik

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Joined: 20/06/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 2914

Posted: 03:37pm 01 Jun 2012

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Geoffg said
I thought of colour coding the text for the full screen editor but then I realised that the editor needs as much memory as it can get.

Geoff

@Geoff,

Would it be feasible to add a `cheap' serial/i2c/SPI/other driven RAM chip that could be used for storing `memory overflow'?

Certain things such as the editor's data could be stored in there, the speed limitation wont be too much to worry about...

It could also have other benefits such as to store programmable characters that can be `swapped' rapidly (enough) to create an illusion of animation.

Yes it would add to the cost slightly but may be a good addition... Even if the PCB (and firmware) supported it and the user fitted it at a later stage if they desired..

Regards,

Mick

Mick's uMite Stuff can be found >>> HERE (Kindly hosted by Dontronics) <<<

Geoffg

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Joined: 06/06/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 3194

Posted: 04:35pm 01 Jun 2012

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bigmik said Would it be feasible to add a `cheap' serial/i2c/SPI/other driven RAM chip that could be used for storing `memory overflow'?

A good idea and yes we could use external memory chip(s). But I believe that would have limited practical use because of its slow access. In the current prototype eight colours leaves plenty of free memory (enough for a 500 to 1000 line program) so it is hard to justify more cost and complexity.

I believe that the attraction of the current Maximite is its simplicity with lots of features and I don't want to loose that unless there is a very good reason. Perhaps in a Mk III version?.

Geoff

Geoff Graham - http://geoffg.net

bigmik

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Joined: 20/06/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 2914

Posted: 04:46pm 01 Jun 2012

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Geoffg said

A good idea and yes we could use external memory chip(s). But I believe that would have limited practical use because of its slow access. In the current prototype eight colours leaves plenty of free memory (enough for a 500 to 1000 line program) so it is hard to justify more cost and complexity.

I believe that the attraction of the current Maximite is its simplicity with lots of features and I don't want to loose that unless there is a very good reason. Perhaps in a Mk III version?.

Geoff

Geoff,

I agree you dont want to lose the fact of a simple design.. but consider these (with 100MHz clock)

SPI 64kB Flash

Now I wont profess to having a lot of experience (errr actually none) but these are in a standard 8pin dip that anyone can solder in easilly and come out at 75c each in 1 off qty (from Farnell even).. That shouldnt add too much to the cost (nothing if the chip is not supplied as the artwork could support it and not have the part supplied).. I think the idea of Nicks color editor sounds worth the effort and it `may' have other benefits as well..

Anyway, I know what you mean though... you implement this feature then someone else has another simple idea and so on and eventually you have Frankenstien's monster

Regards,

Mick

Edited by bigmik 2012-06-03

Mick's uMite Stuff can be found >>> HERE (Kindly hosted by Dontronics) <<<

djuqa

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Joined: 23/11/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 447

Posted: 05:05pm 01 Jun 2012

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Remember that a camel is a horse designed by a committee
1 of the best features of the Maximite is the connectivity options especially the 26pin socket.
The success of the Arduino platform and a lot of the earlier designs is the shield socket. NOT the built-in sections.
Keep as many extras as add-ons and options.
Each $2 chip does NOT add only $2 to the end product cost.
Edited by djuqa 2012-06-03

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