[Coco] Using DriveWire to write network software

[Mark D. Overholser]

On 29-Mar-17 16:32, RETRO Innovations wrote:
> On 3/29/2017 2:01 PM, Mark D. Overholser wrote:
>> On 29-Mar-17 10:56, RETRO Innovations wrote:
>>
>>
>> It would be nice to target the 6551 ( RS-232 Pack ), but since only
>> the Dragon Computers have that Included as a Standard Item, there are
>> many, many more CoCos than RS-232 Packs..  But all the CoCo's have the
>> Bit-Banger Port..  I am aiming to Support Both...
> Which a cart can do:
>
> Drop a small uC on the PCB.  Users can drive the Wifi conn or Ethernet
> conn via the bit banger *OR* use the native IO interface via the cart port.
>> The Hayes AT Command Set is a nice "standard" to support..  It
>> "theoretically" be expanded to support just about anything...
> It already has.  the esp8266 uses Hayes, any everyone who tethers their
> phone to their PC uses the Hayes modem set.
>>

I have Three ESP8266s, but haven't hooked them up...   I need to get 
some Level Shifters....  Although if a 3.3VDC device is NOT 5VDC 
Tolerant, a simple Resistor in Series can drop the Voltage enough to get 
it to operate..

>> What was you Offering Price for your RS-232 Pack??
> Never got around to pricing it.  Can, if there is interest.
>
> Don't get me wrong, I'm not looking to drum up business.  I am just
> trying to satisfy the following goals:
>
>   * Cheap (<$50.00)
>   * Compatible (old SW should work with it)
>   * Flexible (Don't want to game?  No problem, you can Telnet BBS, or
>     telnet from OS/9)
>
> In the day, the bit banger and the RS232 Pak were the ways to connect to
> the outside.  That's the best place to focus efforts.
>

I agree with this approach, to a point...

With an Ethernet or WiFi connection, and a Flash Chip ( EEPROM ), you 
could design a Network Bootable Device..

An Ethernet device like the W5100 could Map its 16K of Buffers in to 
unused Memory space on a 4K CoCo, ( or 4K Apple ][ ), and have a fairly 
nice gaming experience..  Very Retro, and Modern..


> Jim
>
>
> --
> RETRO Innovations, Contemporary Gear for Classic Systems
> www.go4retro.com
> store.go4retro.com
>


MarkO