12 Jun
2006
12 Jun
'06
6:24 a.m.
Ethan Dicks wrote:
Can't help that one, but even with the FP6120,
it's cheaper than
typical ePay prices for an -8/e. It depends on how much you want to
run code on hardware as opposed to an emulator.
I like hardware you can touch.
The FP6120 is still PDP-8 speed, not 10 or 100x faster
as FPGA or emulator Version too.
I do like it when the board sellers make a "bare
board and
difficult-to-find/custom parts kit" - that's how I did the FP6120
(board, plexi, and paddle switches) and the SBC6120 (board and
stackable connector) and the Elf2K disk board (board, stackable
connector, and CF socket). I know kit makers aren't gouging on
popcorn parts, but there's a certain amount of handling, etc.,
involved with ordering, re-packaging, etc., that they do need to
recover. If I already _have_ the stuff on hand, I'm happy to order
the minimal amount of parts with a bare board. Of course, it helps
that I have my own EPROM burner, etc., which not every hobbyist has,
especially beginners.
That is also very handy. I think the limiting problem for
DIY PCB's is the lack of good inexpensive PCB and Schematic
layout software. Now that everything is going surface mount ... sigh
Hmm what about using a gazzillion 3 input NOR gates for a very tiny
Flip/Chips :)
-ethan
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