Mike, any tips or guidelines for running an emulated PDP on a Raspberry Pi ?
Regards, Tarek Hoteit > On Apr 21, 2024, at 08:08, Mike Katz via cctalk <cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote: > > Well my PDP-8 was built in 1974 and is still running (with careful > maintenance). My PiDP-8/I has been up and running continuously with a > Raspberry PI 3B running it for about 5 years now. My PiDP-11 has been up and > running with a PI-4B for more than 4 years continuously. > > Though I agree with your comment that the PDP-8 was built to last (just > ignore the disintegrated foam used between the motherboard and the case or on > the case top) I have PCs that are more than 10 years old that are still > running. > > As for the RP2040 being cheap crap, I beg to differ with you. It is a solid > chip, produced in 10s of millions at least. And, I would bet, a better > quality chip than your Z-80, if due only to improved IC manufacturing > technologies. > > Just because it's old doesn't make it good. I worked on a 32KHz 4 Bit CPU > (about 20 years ago) where the development hardware was very unstable and the > tool chain not a whole lot better. > > Early Microsoft and Lattice C compilers for the PC were buggy as hell. If > you want I can list a few bugs from each of them in another thread. > > One of the biggest features of the Z-80, the extra register set, was rarely > used in open source software in order to maintain compatibility with the 8080. > > Some of the early Z-80 CP/M tools did not work because they were derived from > 8080 tools. After time the tools got better. That is the case with any > piece of software. If it doesn't become obsolete and if maintained it will > get better over time. > > > >> On 4/21/2024 1:09 AM, ben via cctalk wrote: >>> On 2024-04-20 8:33 p.m., Mike Katz via cctalk wrote: >>> For anything more sophisticated than your coffee pot the RP2040 from >>> Raspberry Pie is a fantastic little chip, dual core 133 MHz Cortex M0+ with >>> 8 PIO engines, 264K of RAM, ADC, UART, SPI, I2C all for under a dollar. I >>> designed a fully functional RP2040 with 16 Mb flash for under $2.00. In >>> large enough quantities that's encroaching on 8 bit PIC territory at over >>> 1000 times the memory and CPU power. >> >> I am wishing for a Quality Product, cheap crap is not always better. >> USB comes to mind. >> 256Kb ram is only 32K 64 bit words. Cache memory never works. >> My $5 internet toaster, just exploded after 3 days. >> So what? Just buy the new model that works with windows 12. >> Download a buggy new tool chain. The Z80 tools worked. >> >> >> The PDP8 was built to last. 50+ years and going strong. >> NOT the crappy PI PDP-8 or PDP-10. I give it 2 years max. >> Now a PI style computer with compact FLASH x 2, NO USB >> and 2 MEG ram , real serial and printer ports that will work >> in a noisy industrial setting, would be quite usefull. >> I'd pay even $3 for it. :) >> >> >> >> >
