Playpower a "new" 6502 based computer.

[syntacsugar]

hi everybody,

i wasn't sure where to post this either here or in the other console section. but since this is more to do with programming i posted it here. not specifically pc engine but at least its 6502 related.


so i've been working on learning 6502 assembler for a few weeks now, and to my surprise i found something really interesting. apparently theres a new open source 6502 computer/console being developled by the people at playpower. and it does the usual has basic, uses tv as monitor, has a gui and mouse. it's being marketed as a learning computer but obviously it has potential as a diy gaming machine. and from what i've read its called a "$10 computer". but it seems to be a takeoff from the famicon/nes or famicomputer that wasnt' released in the us. neways theres tons of info about it and here are some links.


http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2009/03/12-computers-ba.html

http://playpower.org/playpower-brief.pdf

http://playpower.org/

http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2009/03/in_the_maker_shed_tv_computer_72_pi.html



also a little side note. as a person who is really into computer history i  think it's pretty amazing how sometimes certain technology keeps ...living on even though others think its obsolete, case in point the whole homebrew scenes. and how certain things revolve in cycles...being popular, going away,then coming back, that seems to be happening alot with the diy and hacker ethic coming back into vogue ...but i hope someone else finds this just as interesting and inspiring as i have.

[Sensei]

That is really, really interesting.  A famiclone used to teach computer skills in the developing world.  I am going to donate something to this project.  I think this is a great idea.

[syntacsugar]

at the playpower site theres also links to volunteer for coding, art, or music or even testing. i think it's brilliant, and weird cause i've been watching "computer chronicles" and looking like jeez look what people were able to do with a computer that they could get from kmart. i was also wondering when a cheap computer would be released cause even i can't afford the "cheap" 800 dollar computer i see in all the magazines. i think when you buy one they give part of the money back to playpower which then uses it to help people. its about 50 dollars ...still cheap, but still if you added a flash cart it would be an easy/cheap setup to get started developing quickly ..i think i might buy one or a couple of these. i hope they release a assembler cart for it that would be cool.


computer chronicles links if anyone wants to check it out:

http://www.archive.org/details/computerchronicles

episodes with nec/pc engine stuff:

game consoles episode:

http://www.archive.org/details/videogames_2

"funny part when guy is making weird sounds when he plays mickey mouse and also when he gets really quite at pc engine demo"


turboduo episode/intro to the cd rom:


http://www.archive.org/details/CDROM10.3

[Keranu]

I've had those Computer Chronicles episodes saved for years, they're awesome to watch!

[Arkhan]

ima have to get me one of those famiclones to diddle around on.

When old hardware sees a very helpful revival, its always a great thing.

especially if it means a new wave of assembly gurus.

[guyjin]

Computer Chronicles was an awesome show. There were many years I didn't miss an episode. (it was the only thing good to watch after Saturday morning cartoons. )

[syntacsugar]

yeah there wasn't anything on really after cartoons went off.. its a shame there's nothing like computer chronicles out now..well there's g4 but since i'm not at university i don't get any of the extra cable channels, i've also heard though its not what it used to be anyways.