[Coco] Why do a next Gen CoCo? was Any news on the so called CoCo4 or NextCoCo

[Frank Pittel]

Mark,

I think you missed an important reason for why the coco3fpga is becoming the
"coco4" that people have wanted for over a decade.  The reason is simply that it's
actually being done. A lot of people have talked about doing something but Gary
has taken the bull by the horns and acted.

The Other Frank


On Fri, Nov 19, 2010 at 10:26:10AM +1100, Mark McDougall wrote:
> On 19/11/2010 9:50 AM, Steve Bjork wrote:
> 
> >Oh, there is some talk about FPGA board approach can run programs about 10
> >times faster. Big deal! I can build a Linux box for the price of a FPGA
> >board that will run software 1,000's times faster with better graphics,
> >sound and the Internet to boot. But the FPGA board has no (or little)
> >interface for CoCo hardware. (if I reading the messages right.) Nor will it
> >use any modern computer technology directly. Not much of a next gen CoCo.
> 
> With much respect Steve, what you describe has IMHO as much to do
> with being a Coco 4 as it does an Atari 2700, or an Amiga 5000, or a
> Nintendo 128.
> 
> >As you can see, the CoCo4.com project was all about unlocking modern
> >computer technology in the same the computers did back in the 80's.
> >Something that modern computer designers just don't do any more.
> 
> That's great, and I would imagine definitely what some people would
> be looking for in a "Coco 4".
> 
> The real problem here is not people "pulling in different
> directions" but rather making the mistake of trying to define the
> "Coco 4" as a single product/project that encompasses the
> wishes/goals of everyone that is interested in the Coco.
> 
> As you point out Steve, the first step is to define what you're
> trying to do. In your case, you've done that with your "Coco 4"
> project. Now everyone else has to do the same, and then get together
> to work out:
> 
> (1) How many different projects are required to achieve this
> cross-section of goals. Obviously the less the better.
> 
> (2) Decide if there are any common aspects that can be designed into
> each distinct project/product, in order to both reduce the
> development effort and provide as much cross-compatibility as
> possible.
> 
> The real reason that Coco3FPGA is the defacto standard atm is that
> it is the only tangible "Coco 4" project. And the real reasons the
> DE1 is the defacto standard are because they're cheap, a few coco
> people have one, and Gary is actively supporting it. Personally, I
> think it's a good start.
> 
> As I said, this doesn't embody everyone's idea of what a Coco 4
> should be - and that obviously includes you Steve - and I certainly
> understand. I have ideas of my own that are to a large degree along
> these (Coco3FPGA) lines, but diverge down the track towards your
> "Coco 4" project. But that's a long-term goal.
> 
> Regards,
> 
> -- 
> |              Mark McDougall                | "Electrical Engineers do it
> |  <http://members.iinet.net.au/~msmcdoug>   |   with less resistance!"
> 
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