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[vbriel]

Thanks for asking questions guys, it was like a cave in here for a while, thought I was talking to myself

Full sized version will be offered as a single board and front panel bezel, and also as a full sized case that will hold a PC system, AKA the AltairPC. It's really early to price something that I don't even have a current prototype of, but just the front panel will be somewhere around $199-$250. The full case will depend on where I can get a case made at a good price. Completely custom cases do cost money to be made. The first prototype AltairPC that I made was simply a hacked up desktopcase, not good enough for any production.

Here's my plan moving forward:

1. Finish the Altair 8800 micro, go into production on that. (by June)
2. Convert the design over to a larger single board deisgn
3. Adjust/remove features on the single board design as needed
4. Adjust firmware code for the added LED's to be more Altair like
5. Check with protocase company on having custom case made

Most of the hard work is done, this is easier stuff to do, these steps just take longer.

On the AltairPC version, I don't think it needs the Pocketerm section, just a serial port. This will change how firmware gets flashed, but it's still possible to be able to update firmware.

Remember, the AltairPC isn't going to be some full Altair S100 box system, Grant already offered that. The AltairPC will be a PC case with an Altair front panel. Get your retro fix with modern hardware.

Nothing on the full sized version is set in stone yet, so your opinions do carry weight here. Yes, I make the final call, but it was people speaking out and contributing info that got me to change the micro back to using toggle switches. If I just can't do something, or don't like the idea, I'll say so, but if I there's something the full size will need in features I haven't mentioned, speak up, please.

Vince

[vbriel]

Doing work on the NTSC composite video section. The VT100 code will not be very good there, just can't do all the commands at the moment.

What I can do is full color. Not just a color for the entire screen but each character can have its own color on the display. So, you will be able to set 22 different colors and I'm working on X,Y plotting of characters and X,Y get character functions.

The manual for this thing is going to be 300 pages.

Vince

[Bill Loguidice]

The toggle switches were definitely a relief, Vince, as honestly, that's what I'm personally after -- a cheap (or, to put it better, "inexpensive") and reliable way to experiment with classic-style switch-based computing. As far as I know, there will be no cheaper way to do that than your micro version.

It's a good question about the goals of the full-sized project in light of what the micro will offer. I'll probably want a full-blown "macro" model as well, but given the way you're describing it, the question of value (personal or otherwise, again perhaps a better word is "purpose") comes up, particularly in light of it not being similar to what Grant offers/offered. I suppose when you're ready to devote time back to the full-sized model, it would be helpful feedback-wise if you state what your basic intentions are, and then we can offer our own thoughts of what might be helpful, or even necessary.

Anyway, great work as always, as looking forward to all of it...
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Bill Loguidice
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[vbriel]

New prototype board due in Monday. I already have the switches to build another board. I'm waiting on the front panel bezel now too, should be in any time. Once I get them in and I know they work, I'll post pictures.

I made one small firmware change that fixes RAM access so it only turns on the onboard RAM chip if it looks at memory below $8000.

More to come soon...

Vince