Exploring ideas - Modern 'retro' computing for makers

[Andy Lock Farm]

I've been exploring the "new retro" computing scene. Imagine a computer that costs as little as $50, with none of the clutter of a desktop.

Distraction free computing, hardware hacking, education or even music synthesis.

Booting straight into focussed, task based software - from BBC BASIC to modern document editing.

Interfacing like an Arduino, without needing a separate development environment.

Planned with an upgrade path in mind - from portability to programmable groovebox.

Whilst the Pi is ubiquitous, is there a gap between that and the embedded microcontrollers we throw at projects? Would you be interested?

After the success of Cerberus ( https://www.thebyteattic.com/p/cerberus-2080.html ) we are looking at developing a 'next generation' platform that could form the basis of a range of interesting devices. This is very early days, but feedback and support would be very much welcome.

Some concept drawings - from bare bones box to portable, with full mechanical keyboard.

Andy

[Crispin Sinclair]

Can’t really help at all, but looks like great idea!!!

 

Best,

Crispin

 

Crispin Sinclair

9 The Footpath

Coton, Cambs CB23 7PX

Tel: 07870 536958

 

From: office-hours...@googlegroups.com <office-hours...@googlegroups.com> On Behalf Of Andy Lock Farm
Sent: 15 September 2021 10:26
To: Office Hours @cammakespace <office-hours...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [office-hours-cammakespace] Exploring ideas - Modern 'retro' computing for makers

 

I've been exploring the "new retro" computing scene. Imagine a computer that costs as little as $50, with none of the clutter of a desktop.

Distraction free computing, hardware hacking, education or even music synthesis.

Booting straight into focussed, task based software - from BBC BASIC to modern document editing.

Interfacing like an Arduino, without needing a separate development environment.

Planned with an upgrade path in mind - from portability to programmable groovebox.

Whilst the Pi is ubiquitous, is there a gap between that and the embedded microcontrollers we throw at projects? Would you be interested?

After the success of Cerberus ( https://www.thebyteattic.com/p/cerberus-2080.html ) we are looking at developing a 'next generation' platform that could form the basis of a range of interesting devices. This is very early days, but feedback and support would be very much welcome.

 

Some concept drawings - from bare bones box to portable, with full mechanical keyboard.

Andy

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[Andy Lock Farm]

It's rather blown up on Twitter - 12,000 views and counting. Seems to be a popular concept.

We have a number of people on board to design the thing, but mechanical design is very raw, and anyone with FPGA or music synthesiser experience would be very welcome. 

The challenge now is to turn the concept into a more concrete design, and figure out a road map (and a way to make it financially viable at whatever scale it ends up taking). This could be a part time open source 'fiddle', but there could be a commercial side to it if we can drive the interest forward.

Andy

[Ward Hills]

Sounds very interesting.  Well worth a discussion.

To view this discussion on the web, visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/office-hours-cammakespace/9203d5de-beb3-4678-be52-a7f17412c634n%40googlegroups.com.

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Dr Ward Hills
@wardhills
Skype: wardhills
w.h...@jbs.cam.ac.uk