Date: Thu, 1 Nov 2007 15:43:36 -0700 (PDT) From: David Griffith <dgriffi at cs.csubak.edu> Subject: modern serial terminal I'm thinking of a device about the size of a couple CD jewel cases that has two serial ports, a ps/2 or usb port, VGA port, power jack, and perhaps a JTAG header concealed within. This device is a regular RS232 serial terminal. Plug in a monitor, keyboard, and something talking rs232 and you're ready to go. Inside there would be a microprocessor, some ram, some flash, and an FPGA to take care of glue logic and talking to the VGA port. The FPGA would be loaded with the digital schematics of a particular terminal and its firmware, for instance, a Wyse 85 or 99GT (my favorites). That would get you most of the usual emulations. How hard would it be to create something like this? How much would it cost? --------------------------- Take an old Laptop, remove the screen and you're in business. Probably wouldn't cost anything, especially if the screen's broken; boot & run You've even got a built-in keyboard for those times you can't find the main one. (and, if it's still got a parallel port, a parallel ASCII keyboard if you need one), And you could probably listen to your favourite CD while you're working... A little bigger than two jewel cases but a cinch to upgrade... Not to mention one less land-fill item... m