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

[John Orwen]

What does the expansion port mean ?
Would it be for a small cable to connect to a Tandy Multi-Pak Interface to 
that would allow expansion for a floppy disk pak, a hard drive pak and or an 
Orchestra 90 pak ?  That would be absolutely awesome if it did!

-----Original Message----- 
From: Gary Becker
Sent: Wednesday, March 20, 2013 2:11 PM
To: coco at maltedmedia.com
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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