Technology companies do not stop to amaze us with new products in the IT sector. And not always, these new items carry a some kind of the benefits, or an interesting solution. In any case, all these things are some short term toys and live to the next exit of "another killer of iPhone"... There is no magic in them. That magic, which is a subject of nostalgia for generation of 30-40 years old people, trying to find some calm in listening to vinyl records and tapes, 8-bit games and retro video clips.
But it is possible to go much further in this nostalgia, and try to recreate that magic manually.
Recently I found through the Internet some interesting DIY projects based on assembling personal computers, including such stages as soldering, programming in a language such as BASIC (pull out your old textbooks). There are models for building computers such as ZX and other various boards, but most interesting for me is project called Maximite (possibly due to the fact that there is a special case for it and I love finished projects).
Judging by the descriptions of bloggers, if you buy such constructor and know how to use a soldering-iron, you can build yourself a microcomputer within 2 hours! And fans are already being righting software for it(can be downloaded at the developer's site). I even saw the screenshots of "Space Invaders"!
As a result, your computer will be ready to connect peripheral devices based on the SD/FAT, USB, VGA, PS/2 (note that only the PS/2 keyboard connects to this port, a USB keyboard doesn’t suite), timers, RS232, I2C, SPI, PWM, ADC/DAC.
I'll still sit a little bit with the "virtual" soldering device called PD, but if in future it will be kit, which will be accompanied by a soldering-iron, rosin (and skillful hands))), I will definitely buy such a gadget!
SEE ALSO:
♠ Some Thoughts About Computer History
♠ Unikum Main Page Favorite stuff of 30 year old guys: gifts, apps, thoughts, hobbies, music, art, nostalgia
Dontronics stocks DuinoMite, which is very similar to the MaxiMite, with several changes to support Arduino. The DuinoMite uses the PIC32s internal peripherals for UART, SPI etc. and also adds a UEXT connector for another range of add-on peripherals. DuinoMite can also be loaded with the MaxiMite firmware written by the original author, Geoff Graham. http://www.dontronics-shop.com/the-maximite-computer.html
ReplyDeleteHi Don! Thanks for the comment! Your project is interesting too! But where is the case? ;)
DeleteWe are waiting for the cases to be manufactured. They still have to be laser cut. The main thrust was to get the boards out first, then worry about lining up, and fitting the cases.
DeletePlease note, the whole project is only months old.
I will let everyone know when the cases are available here:
http://www.dontronics-shop.com/olimex-duinomite-mega-box-only.html
Don...
Support of arduino - it's great! And I liked that one as well
ReplyDeletehttp://youtu.be/BFTmGZqjCx4
Thanks, heaps of applications published at:
Deletehttp://www.duinomite.com/category/applications/
BASIC Dead? I don't think so. But then these boards can be programmed in "C" as well if you choose to do so.
Don...
It is awesome!!!
DeleteAre there any commertial releases of those DuinoMite apps, for ex Secret Knock Detecting Lock or stairs which light on when you step on them ?
Is it possible to buy such a set for night club or cafe?