[Coco] Introducing the next generation of Color Computer, the CoCo-X

[Bill Pierce]

Sounds good Gary. It's about time someone made a real effort to do this. Too bad it's 10-15 years too late as support would have been 100 fold or more.

Just as anyone else, I have 100 suggestions, but I'll wait to see where this goes... You did say there would be room for expansion, that's where my suggestions go.

Bill P

Music from the Tandy/Radio Shack Color Computer 2 & 3
https://sites.google.com/site/dabarnstudio/
Bill Pierce
ooogalapasooo at aol.com




-----Original Message-----
From: Gary Becker <Gary_L_Becker at yahoo.com>
To: coco <coco at maltedmedia.com>
Sent: Wed, Mar 20, 2013 3:11 pm
Subject: [Coco] Introducing the next generation of Color Computer, the CoCo-X


 
I just finished entering a project into KickStarter.com. This project is to 
develop the next generation Color Computer, the CoCo-X. This project develop a 
replacement main board for an existing Color Computer 3 case. The main board 
would include an FPGA to implement the Color Computer circuitry. As with the 
CoCo3FPGA, the max speed would depend on the chosen FPGA, the goal would be to 
run at least 20 MHz. The main board would also include an optional socket that 
would fit a 6x09E processor for users that needed cycle accurate computing. The 
speed would be reduced to match the processor in the socket. The main board 
would also include most of the original Color Computer 3’s original IO ports. 
The expansion slot would be implemented, but speed would be limited while 
accessing the slot. This first generation of main board will implement the Color 
Computer 3 basics. In the future, upgrades to the FPGA code to implement an 
extended feature set will be
 available.
 
Here is a list of planned IO ports:
 
CoCo3 Keyboard
Bit Banger / RS232 port
PS/2 Keyboard / Mouse port
Expansion slot
CoCo3 RGB and/or VGA
Joystick ports
Stereo Sound
 
If this project is to get started, your support will be needed. For the 30 days 
after KickStarter approves the project, the site will allow people to pledge 
money to fund the project. No money will be charged until the minimum funding 
limit is reached. There are two levels of funding. For a $25 pledge, you will 
receive a "Powered By CoCo-X" sticker. For a pledge of $250, you will receive 
one of the first replacement main boards to install into you own Color Computer 
3 case.
 
There have been discussions of the next generation of Color Computer for many 
years. A real alternative is finally here. But this can only happen with your 
help. I set the funding level low enough that it is doable, but high enough to 
get the component prices in range. The funding level might still seem high, but 
it does not seem to be worth getting started for less. It is all up to you. If 
you think this is the next generation of Color Computer, then show it and 
pledge. I will send out one more message as soon as the project is approved and 
funding begins.
 
Gary Becker

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