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Re: cp/m on modern homebrew z80 builds

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Daniel <me@sc1f1dan.com> wrote:
> gmc@metro.cx (Koen Martens) writes:
>> Interesting! I've been pondering getting into RC2014 lately, as part
>> of my exploration of permacomputing.
>>
>> How do you plan to interface the LCD to the system? From what I've
>> gathered, the RC2014 normally uses a serial terminal as its interface,
>> so I'm guessing you'll need to somehow interface keyboard and LCD to
>> the serial port? I'm thinking 'simple microcontroller that drives the
>> LCD and reads keystrokes and acts as a serial terminal to the RC2014'.
>>
>> What are your thoughts?
> 
> I haven't gotten that far yet. The project is on the back burner while I
> finish a previous project that's mid-way. What I learn from this project
> will help with my rc2014 build.
> 
> Of course, I need to get one first and dick around with it.
> 
> There are so many add-on cards to the rig I still need to investigate.

Indeed. I just pulled the trigger and ordered a 'pro' kit, which comes with
the backplane, cpu module, rom module (which includes the ROM code needed
for CP/M), RAM module, RTC module and a CF card module. I got a few extra
modules as well, such as a VGA interface module and wifi module, but I
intend to hook up an LCD and keyboard to it, but haven't really thought
that out yet. I'd like to keep it as simple as possible.

And yeah, I've got plenty of projects to work on as well, we'll see when
and how I get to it :)

> Is the rc2014 open source? I mean, can I get the plans and get a pcb
> manufactured or do I have to order it from the dude? It's a bit pricey.

From what I can see, the schematics for all the modules are available as
PDF files, but I haven't seen any CAD files. It's all very simple and
straight-forward though, so not too much effort to create your own
schematics in your CAD program of choice and create your own gerbers.

The software is all open source though (although I guess CP/M itself
is not).

> What does permacomputing mean?

Well, depends on who you ask I guess. There's a lot that goes into it,
but let me summarise to say that it's about making computing more
sustainable. It's a movement that's fed up with the tech industry's
wasteful strategy of planned obsolence, but also a movement that
considers that the global supply chain on which modern computing
relies might one day go away. 

For me, the RC2014 and similar projects fit in because they use
simple components and create systems that can be understood and
maintained by an individual rather than requiring teams and teams
of people across many huge companies to produce and maintain.

Cheers,

Koen

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cp/m on modern homebrew z80 builds Daniel <me@sc1f1dan.com> - 2026-03-03 12:00 -0800
  Re: cp/m on modern homebrew z80 builds Captain Nemo <Nemo@nowhere.nohow.com> - 2026-03-03 17:42 -0500
    Re: cp/m on modern homebrew z80 builds Daniel <me@sc1f1dan.com> - 2026-03-03 17:30 -0800
  Re: cp/m on modern homebrew z80 builds Patric  <minim@news.invalid> - 2026-03-04 14:00 +0100
    Re: cp/m on modern homebrew z80 builds Daniel <me@sc1f1dan.com> - 2026-03-04 12:44 -0800
      Re: cp/m on modern homebrew z80 builds Captain Nemo <Nemo@nowhere.nohow.com> - 2026-03-05 05:22 -0500
  Re: cp/m on modern homebrew z80 builds John <john@somewhere> - 2026-03-05 04:58 -0600
    Re: cp/m on modern homebrew z80 builds Daniel <me@sc1f1dan.com> - 2026-03-05 17:43 -0800
      Re: cp/m on modern homebrew z80 builds dxf <dxforth@gmail.com> - 2026-03-08 11:37 +1100
      Re: cp/m on modern homebrew z80 builds Eisenbahn <eisenbahn@is.invalid> - 2026-03-08 12:37 +0100
      Re: cp/m on modern homebrew z80 builds gmc@metro.cx (Koen Martens) - 2026-05-08 06:46 +0000
        Re: cp/m on modern homebrew z80 builds Daniel <me@sc1f1dan.com> - 2026-05-08 08:01 -0700
          Re: cp/m on modern homebrew z80 builds gmc@metro.cx (Koen Martens) - 2026-05-08 18:10 +0000
            Re: cp/m on modern homebrew z80 builds yeti <yeti@tilde.institute> - 2026-05-08 20:02 +0042

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