[Coco] Utility of large MPI (was: Re: ROM Cart registers)

[S Klammer]

On Feb 2, 2016 7:14 PM, "RETRO Innovations" <go4retro at go4retro.com> wrote:
>
> On 2/2/2016 5:59 PM, S Klammer wrote:
>>
>> Jim, to add to your "thinking out loud"...
>>
>> - a parallel port might be useful only if it merely is able to take the
>> bit-banger or, at worst, the RS232 data to minimize software changes.
>
> So, Coco printers were serial, correct?

Yes.  Most Coco printers used the bit-banger; however, like others, serial
to parallel adapters were available.

>
>> - USB.  Programmable drivers on the same SD card if the CocoSDC is also
>> there.  Keyboards, mice, serial converters, wifi, bluetooth, etc. could
>> potentially all be available.  The cart would manage the "dirty" work.
>
> Understood.
>
>> - Using the "menu" program idea could permit many options to the user,
such
>> as storing default RGB/Composite, 32/40/80, boot to NitrOS9, Drivewire,
>> ECB, SECB, etc
>> - oh, there is so much more... maybe later if there is still interest :)
>>
>> Are you sure you couldn't use some CF cards for the Glenside? :)
>
> Well, sure.  I've alreayd made an IDE/CF design for the Commodore, so the
glenside IDE/CF is not a huge deal.  But, it seems like folks might more
want a Glenside IDE emulated SD card solution.  Maybe I am wrong there.  CF
is trivial to add to an IDE design.

It would be great if it was a single SD card (in FAT/FAT32) to serve all
those functions, but having an IDE connector (and perhaps a CF socket)
would likely be useful to some... for that matter, a floppy socket or
card-edge to the Coco floppy might be useful addition to the CocoSDC.

I can see comms to 'new' functions with a byte to select the device, one
for the function and another for the data.  A fourth byte could be for
special functions, set to zero at reset/start up, and would be set to say
FFFF to execute the above command, which would then be reset to zero upon
completion.

Shain (see you next time at TPUG ;) )

>
> jim
>
>>
>> Shain
>>
>
>
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