[Coco] Why do a next Gen CoCo? was Any news on the so called CoCo4 or NextCoCo

[Steve Batson]

I agree with Steve on this. I've followed this thread and others on the 
topic for quite some time. I've commented a few times in the past.

I really do think a good, solid emulator is the best option and here's my 
reasons.

1) Can run and millions of available boxes that most people already have 
and are cheap
2) Can be made "Extensible" so that add-ons can be created for it to 
continaully improve it. Can also be easily and cheaply upgraded without 
constantly spending more on hardware.
3) A card or USB device could allow simple connection to the PC to connect 
to Coco specific devices
4) Can take advantage of PC hardware, memory, storage, etc.
5) Replacement parts are in abundance
6) Emulator will live on much longer than the hardware.
7) Software is much easier to mass produce the hardware and certainly much 
easier and cheaper to distribute.

Yes I know some whant the look and feel of a "Real Coco". Well then get a 
netbook, package it in a coco case with a Coco I/O interface device to hook 
up all the ports too. With the speed and power of today's processors and 
hardware, there's absolutely no reason a well done emulator could not run 
so well you would know it wasn't the real thing. William's Arcade Classics 
that Jeff Vavasour worked on.

I could go on and on. I'll just close this message with this. With the 
disagreements of hardware vs. emulation, the hardware side always seems to 
go to either look and feel of the "Real Coco" or some specialized board or 
CHIP(s) that can be used. The big issue with the hardware is, that 
eventually there won't be anyone with the knowledge of the Coco or the 
desire to keep on creating solutions in terms of products or designs that 
people can do themselves if they have the skills. If someone is dead set on 
designing and building some hardware solution to meet their needs and 
taste, more power to them. There's no reason that there must only be one 
solution. Still, I think Emulation is the best choice for the reasons I 
mentioned and some I'm sure I've missed.

My 2 cents! :)

----------------------------------------

From: "Steve Bjork" <6809er at srbsoftware.com>
Sent: Thursday, November 18, 2010 2:50 PM
To: "CoCoList for Color Computer Enthusiasts" <coco at maltedmedia.com>
Subject: [Coco] Why do a next Gen CoCo? was Any news on the so called CoCo4 
or NextCoCo 

I've been watching everyone speak their minds on what the next gen CoCo 
should be. Pulling in four directions is getting nowhere, as some have 
pointed out.

But you are putting the horse before the buggy, literally.

I don't hear is what you are planing to use this next gen CoCo for? In 
other words, what will use it for when you are done?

Are you trying to build a faster CoCo to run programs on?

Oh, there is some talk about FPGA board approach can run programs about 
10 times faster. Big deal! I can build a Linux box for the price of a 
FPGA board that will run software 1,000's times faster with better 
graphics, sound and the Internet to boot. But the FPGA board has no (or 
little) interface for CoCo hardware. (if I reading the messages right.) 
Nor will it use any modern computer technology directly. Not much of a 
next gen CoCo.

Or are you trying to make modern technology accessible to the casual 
CoCo programmer?

This was one of the main goals of the CoCo4.com project. (Besides 
making a CoCo emulator that could run on cheap modern computers.)

The Super CoCo 4 BASIC was to support the new display graphic modes of a 
modern Digital TV along with better and easy to use sound system. Add 
in an easy to use (and understand) Internet command set (under BASIC) so 
you can use the internet like a hardcore net programmer.

As you can see, the CoCo4.com project was all about unlocking modern 
computer technology in the same the computers did back in the 80's. 
Something that modern computer designers just don't do any more.

All I'm saying is to layout just what you want the new computer to do 
before you put that time and $$$ into it.

Steve Bjork

On 11/18/2010 1:07 PM, jdaggett at gate.net wrote:
> Frank:
>
> This is my observation of where the COCO4 concept is at this point:
>
> The COCO4, what ever it is or will be, is like a person with ropes tied 
to each arm and leg
> with four horses pulling in all different directions. Right now the DE-2 
FPGA board approach
> is winning out and the rest is going to be left behind. Rip to shreads 
and the pieces left for the
> buzzards to pick.
>
> Any other idea or suggestion will probably meet with some resistance and 
really is not totally
> worth persueing. Unless it solves a personal niche, it probably is no 
longer worth persueing.
>
> just my thoughts
> james
>
>
> On 18 Nov 2010 at 9:41, Frank Swygert wrote:
>
>> Still two camps -- hardware (FPGA) and software )streamlined 
emulator/OS
>> combined). I'm of the software camp because it would be easier, 
cheaper,
>> and quicker to accomplish. If you bought all new hardware cost would be
>> comparable, but even an old Pentium 1I computer can be had for a song
>> and would still have the computing power to emulate a CoCo at a
>> relatively high speed -- though there's no reason to go so far as a P1
>> when even P4 machines are relatively cheap now. And most of us have an
>> older board that would be great for this at little to no cost.
>>
>> What I really advocate is both -- do the streamlined emulator with an
>> advanced DECB and use it to develop a higher level Nitros, then put the
>> resulting "machine" in an FPGA hardware configuration. Both would be
>> compatible software wise, but for those who needed/wanted a compact
>> board it could be done. Of course the emulation/OS combo would run
>> easily on something like an ITX or embedded Intel board too.
>>
>> -------------
>> It's the attempt at a "coco4" by Steve b. that's dead. The dream lives
>> on!! :-)
>>
>>
>> On Wed, Nov 17, 2010 at 08:29:28AM -0800, Steve Batson wrote:
>>
>>>> I know many would love to see a CoCo 4 come into existence, but I
>>> thought
>>>> the project was dead. Says it's dead on coco4.com
>>>>
>>>> Is there new info or activity on this, or just more discussion?
>>>>

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