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Messages - alberthrocks
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721
« on: August 07, 2010, 10:31:52 pm »
Micro SD is fine for this one. This is the "TONS OF FEATURES" calc  HAHAHAHA - GPU is embedded in the chip (or so I think, it's supposedly SoC), SO YOU CAN'T TAKE THAT AWAY FROM MOI!!!  (In reality, the GPU is really useful for handling 2D stuff. 3D stuff, if ever, will just include GUI animations. Think Compiz and the Clutter library.)
722
« on: August 07, 2010, 08:53:54 pm »
Oh no, this is going to have AAA replaceable batteries.
723
« on: August 07, 2010, 06:11:47 pm »
I've updated the poll for a clearer option. Revote if needed.
724
« on: August 07, 2010, 05:42:15 pm »
Well, students and schools. But even students won't exactly be tossing rechargeable batteries in - more likely disposable AAA batteries.
725
« on: August 07, 2010, 05:36:58 pm »
Except many people will use just regular AAAs.
726
« on: August 07, 2010, 05:02:50 pm »
It's not that we don't like fast - we do. But keep in mind that this product isn't designed for ourselves - it's for the students and educators. They don't care if it's 50 MHz or 20 MHz. They care about its look, its price, and its functionality.
20 MHz looks pretty good. It's already faster than TI's own calc, but MUCH faster with eZ80 itself.
727
« on: August 07, 2010, 04:39:07 pm »
UPDATE: This poll will end tonight. If you haven't already voted, please do so now! (8/9/2010 is the end date!)UPDATE: Majority says eZ80 50 MHZ, underclockable to 20 MHZ! Voting is now closed. This is now a final feature in OTZ80![This is a separate topic to help keep things organized.] What will the CPU be? It seems everybody has agreed to eZ80, so we'll use that. What clock speed will we use? There's only 2 choices here AFAIK (from http://digikey.com/PTM/PTMPartList.page?site=us&lang=en&ptm=6200&WT.z_ptm_structured=Buy%20Now%20Button): 20 mhz or 50 mhz? So VOTE: eZ80 20 mhz or 50 mhz? (Ignore the specs about memory for now. We'll decide on them in a later poll.)
728
« on: August 07, 2010, 04:35:56 pm »
Using Linux, yes. (And using Linux is the plan)
729
« on: August 07, 2010, 04:20:23 pm »
OK, we've really veered off path for this project. This is a hardware discussion, not software. We need a solid foundation (the hardware) before we even think about proceeding to software. That said, core things first: What will the CPU be? It seems everybody has agreed to eZ80, so we'll use that. What clock speed will we use? There's only 2 choices here AFAIK (from http://digikey.com/PTM/PTMPartList.page?site=us&lang=en&ptm=6200&WT.z_ptm_structured=Buy%20Now%20Button): 20 mhz or 50 mhz? So, choose: 20 mhz or 50 mhz?
730
« on: August 07, 2010, 04:10:59 pm »
@fb39ca4: Great idea! I'm not sure how the OS on the computer reads things, but if we just had a "virtual" FAT file system on the calc, it would be a smooth copy/paste transfer. 
Basically, there is no FAT filesystem on the calc - it's stored in a special way. However, when plugged in, it emulates a FAT file system, with folders like Applications, Programs, etc.
When someone copies to or from the calc, the calc will be notified, and in response, will recv/send FAT data. Receiving would save the file being sent, sending will save a calc file onto the computer.
Why can't we use FAT? A well-established filesystem might be a good idea.
Maybe, if it's workable. That's something SirCmpwn will have to decide. That will go into the software section for OTZ80.
731
« on: August 07, 2010, 04:04:21 pm »
I think we're pretty much on a consensus for TI compatibility: we'll use our own language and specs, with maybe some similarities from TI but more powerful. For apps and programs, we'll try our best with on calc/computer converters. No emulators, due to legal issues. That's pretty much it - we'll go back to this lovely question AFTER we're done with hardware prototyping, and have a serious, working OS on it. @fb39ca4: Great idea! I'm not sure how the OS on the computer reads things, but if we just had a "virtual" FAT file system on the calc, it would be a smooth copy/paste transfer. Basically, there is no FAT filesystem on the calc - it's stored in a special way. However, when plugged in, it emulates a FAT file system, with folders like Applications, Programs, etc. When someone copies to or from the calc, the calc will be notified, and in response, will recv/send FAT data. Receiving would save the file being sent, sending will save a calc file onto the computer.
732
« on: August 07, 2010, 03:39:41 pm »
We won't halt. We'll continue on with the OS building and hardware. But when we're done, we will eventually need to design a compat layer or converter. I really don't mind as long as Axe gets ported.  But for the other students at school? They will be wanting that "Mario" or "Pacman99" game from the other person's TI, and when they try transfering it (or downloading and installing it), they would be kind of pissed that the calc can't run it. Again, just my 2 cents on the topic.
I don't understand this. If someone has a Casio graphing calculator, for example, why would they expect to run games made for a TI graphing calculator?
This is Z80, the same core as the TI-8x series. We're not building a Casio. Although a new user base can fill the holes.... We won't halt. We'll continue on with the OS building and hardware. But when we're done, we will eventually need to design a compat layer or converter. I really don't mind as long as Axe gets ported. But for the other students at school? They will be wanting that "Mario" or "Pacman99" game from the other person's TI, and when they try transfering it (or downloading and installing it), they would be kind of pissed that the calc can't run it. Again, just my 2 cents on the topic.
Maybe converting can be done on-calc? then as soon as it recieves a TI-Basic program it will auto-convert it, conversion can also be done manually of course. Seeing what Axe can do I don't think it's as impossible as it sounds. I do recommend giving a warning stating that since this is not the native programming language for the calc errors may occur or something like that. We want them to develop for our platform but be able, just 'be able' to use old programs.
Second, If people like our calc then we are sure to get tons of games within no-time! we could even provide those by the masses with the release (not pre-installed but downloadable from a site).
Is anyone in for pretty-print functionality? I personally am altough I hated the speed decrease with ti's version, I am sure we can do better then TI though. For a student it would be a big plus too I think!
I like pretty print as long as it isn't as buggy and slow as the crappy TI OS is. @fb39ca4, JonimusPrime: Likely the easiest, but: 1) It's kind of illegal unless you own the calc, which can prompt lovely insane lawsuits from TI; 2) How will the regular student who doesn't know much know where to download, not even including if they know how to install/run it? As I've said, I'm only looking for bare compatibility. Nothing more, nothing less. If our calc is successful, I'm sure that plenty of people would jump on board and develop games, utilities, etc.
733
« on: August 07, 2010, 03:32:40 pm »
I think SirCmpwn and some other developers can just write a new OS for the new calc. If the base is vastly different, then we should just write a new one, but use KnightOS as reference.
Exactly! I completely agree. Don't underestimate the effort of writing a OS though! (I don't think you do but your text can be interpreted like that)
Oh no, it's VERY VERY VERY (continues infinitely) hard to design an OS. Remember people, don't design an OS, especially for x86 systems.
734
« on: August 07, 2010, 03:23:07 pm »
I think SirCmpwn and some other developers can just write a new OS for the new calc. If the base is vastly different, then we should just write a new one, but use KnightOS as reference.
735
« on: August 07, 2010, 03:18:55 pm »
We won't halt. We'll continue on with the OS building and hardware. But when we're done, we will eventually need to design a compat layer or converter. I really don't mind as long as Axe gets ported. But for the other students at school? They will be wanting that "Mario" or "Pacman99" game from the other person's TI, and when they try transfering it (or downloading and installing it), they would be kind of pissed that the calc can't run it. Again, just my 2 cents on the topic.
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