Reference POLL for developers (Hardware & Potential Users)

[Omega-TI]

This poll is designed to give software developers an idea of 'the market' of potential users. Rightfully so, some programmers do not feel like 'wasting their time' writing for hardware that has a 'limited base of users', unless they of course have an interest themselves.

 

So please, take this poll, whether you own any, or even none of the items listed. You'll be doing them, and possibly yourself a great service. Also, feel free to make any comments and or suggestions on what you might like to see developed using any of the contemporary hardware listed. Who knows, it might be a brilliant idea that no one else has thoughf yet, and it might become 'the next big thing'.

 

Thank you,

-- Ω --

 

 

[atrax27407]

What about a system with a 9938/9958?

[Omega-TI]

What about a system with a 9938/9958?

Sorry, this poll is for hardware that the majority have a reasonable chance of obtaining, as in currently produced.

[FDOS]

I've already made suggestions for FG99 enhancements, but recent comments by Ralphb suggest it will be a long time coming or not at all. Fortunately, the UberGROM can do the job along with a minimum of 256K AMS/SAMS for both my software development projects; TI Basic Plus (TIB+) and X4th99. However your poll does not include the UberGROM, but I do think it qualifies to be included. What say you?

[Omega-TI]

 

However your poll does not include the UberGROM, but I do think it qualifies to be included. What say you?

 

Damn, you're right. I screwed up! I'll go I changed it now, but I'm afraid the results will be tainted. I hope early voters chime in if they own one, or more,

Edited May 18, 2018 by --- Ω ---

[matthew180]

@atrax27407, how do you envision a 9938-based 99/4A system? Meaning, where would the new VDP physically go? To replace the 9918A with a 9938 requires motherboard modifications that most people are not able to do, so something like the TIM board is not an option IMO.

[atrax27407]

I'm sure that a new 80-column card (i.e., 9938/9958} system is somewhere in Jim Fetzner's queue. By ignoring 9938/9958 systems, you have also eliminated Geneves from consideration as well as the emulators that support (at the present) limited 80-column support.

[FDOS]

 

Damn, you're right. I screwed up! I'll go I changed it now, but I'm afraid the results will be tainted. I hope early voters chime in if they own one, or more,

 

I don't own one yet, but I'm waiting on a response from Ksarul. So, hopefully soon.

[Asmusr]

There was a recent poll about 9938/9958 cards:

 

http://atariage.com/forums/topic/278107-what-do-you-have-evpc-or-avpc/?hl=%2Bevpc&do=findComment&comment=4015588

 

Those results are probably still valid.

[Opry99er]

The poll will not allow one to go back and enter a vote for UberGROM

[Omega-TI]

The poll will not allow one to go back and enter a vote for UberGROM

 

Yeah, I know that sux, just list how many of them you own, anyone reading will able to figure out the popularity.

For the record, my number is 8.

[Opry99er]

I own one in the form of XB2.7

[matthew180]

@atrax27407, my question still stands unanswered. How would you add a new VDP like the 9938 to the 99/4A?

[ti99iuc]

about TIPI it could be interesting but at the moment i have to waiting the tiny-PEB from Erik Piehl because it could be better for my use.
F18A i already have one but probably i will need another instead

[atrax27407]

Since the code is available, as we discussed some years ago at a Chicago TI Faire, you could create an F38A as an upgrade for the F18A. I know the late great Gazoo and I have posed questions to you about an upgrade to the F18A. Tursi and I have also had conversations about adding a full implementation of the v9938 to Classic99 as well instead of the current partial implementation. Again, the emulation code is out there. I have little doubt that there will be 80-column devices produced in the future that take advantage of the capabilities of 9938/9958 based systems (Jim Fetzner is a possible source) since the schematics for the Dijit AVPC and other advanced cards are available and there seems to be an adequate supply of the chips from Chinese and other sources.

 

You could use TELCO as an example and have program modules for an application that use the enhanced VDP space (ex. 27 program modules can reside in VDP with a Dijit AVPC card.

[Opry99er]

Wasn't there an OPA product that did just this? Allow an internal VDP upgrade?

 

***Edit***

 

Ah, I see Matthew already mentioned the TIM.

Edited May 18, 2018 by Opry99er

[RickyDean]

Wasn't there an OPA product that did just this? Allow an internal VDP upgrade?

 

***Edit***

 

Ah, I see Matthew already mentioned the TIM.

Yep, got one.. uses a 9958.

[jonecool]

When you're talking "SAMs Card", I assume you're not talking about the SAM's Retail Wholesaler. Sorry, late to the game but what is a SAMs card and what do it do

[Opry99er]

Super AMS card. Adds up to 1MB of addressable RAM (replacement for the 32k) to your TI System. It is an expansion card that goes in your P Box.

[matthew180]

Since the code is available, as we discussed some years ago at a Chicago TI Faire, you could create an F38A as an upgrade for the F18A. I know the late great Gazoo and I have posed questions to you about an upgrade to the F18A. Tursi and I have also had conversations about adding a full implementation of the v9938 to Classic99 as well instead of the current partial implementation. Again, the emulation code is out there. I have little doubt that there will be 80-column devices produced in the future that take advantage of the capabilities of 9938/9958 based systems (Jim Fetzner is a possible source) since the schematics for the Dijit AVPC and other advanced cards are available and there seems to be an adequate supply of the chips from Chinese and other sources.

 

You could use TELCO as an example and have program modules for an application that use the enhanced VDP space (ex. 27 program modules can reside in VDP with a Dijit AVPC card.

 

Physically, how would such a device plug into the 99/4A? I'm still looking for an answer to the hard technical problem that is being avoided here. To connect a 9938 you need extra physical pins connected to the VDP that do not exist for the 9918A. It is not a "plug-in" solution. If it is done as an expansion of some sort (instead of replacing the 9918A in the console), then there is no software support.

 

Sadly the biggest use of the 9938 was the extra VRAM to supplement the system memory, and IMO the AMS is a better memory expansion solution for the 99/4A. The second biggest use was the 80-columns, which the F18A can do. I have yet to see any 99/4A software that uses the graphical enhancements that the 9938 provides, especially when compared to a system that did use the 9938's features like the MSX2.

 

If anyone can come up with a way to provide a 9938-style VDP to the 99/4A in a way that non-hardware-hacker users can install and use, I am open to hearing the technical details on exactly how it can be done. I'm not really interested in vague discussions or hand waving. Show me something seriously technically viable, and I will seriously consider it.

[marc.hull]

Since the code is available, as we discussed some years ago at a Chicago TI Faire, you could create an F38A as an upgrade for the F18A. I know the late great Gazoo and I have posed questions to you about an upgrade to the F18A. Tursi and I have also had conversations about adding a full implementation of the v9938 to Classic99 as well instead of the current partial implementation. Again, the emulation code is out there. I have little doubt that there will be 80-column devices produced in the future that take advantage of the capabilities of 9938/9958 based systems (Jim Fetzner is a possible source) since the schematics for the Dijit AVPC and other advanced cards are available and there seems to be an adequate supply of the chips from Chinese and other sources.

 

You could use TELCO as an example and have program modules for an application that use the enhanced VDP space (ex. 27 program modules can reside in VDP with a Dijit AVPC card.

 

I am pretty sure what Matt is saying is that you cannot plug in a 38 or 58 into an 18 socket and have it work. Even if you made an adapter that connected all the lines correctly you would still be missing signals that don't exist at the 18 socket. The TIM worked around this with several flyers to various board points and a PAL. Matt, I guess, doesn't like this approach which is fine so...

 

Maybe the next approach would be to try to get ahold of Gary Bowser and see if you can get the PAL equations for the TIM board and go from there. I suggest trying the Canadian penal system. I suspect that is where he has resided since the DR signed off on extradition but that is speculation so no guarantees.

 

Or... if someone has a TIM card and is willing to do a little documentation and investigation then perhaps an alternative could be made. I'd pitch in a bad idea or two.

[atrax27407]

Michael Becker did a clone of the TIM (I have one). Someone should have info on it (probably Jim Fetzner or maybe Harald Glaab of SNUG). I would also direct your attention to the docs for the AVPC card (on WHTECH).

[Opry99er]

**post removed due to redundancy**

Edited May 19, 2018 by Opry99er

[marc.hull]

Well MB's clone is probably a more realistic get than the TIM. I know Richard has a relationship with him so perhaps that is a good starting point ?

 

I am aware of the various add on cards for the 38 & 58. They are good solutions and easier to implement on the front side but require bulky back side solutions.

 

I read (many times) your various posts on adding 38,58 support for the F18a. Good idea. Matt is not interested though. It's a shame because the only VDP we have that truely needs VGA support are the 38 & 58's.

[fabrice montupet]

@ --Ω-- Interesting poll. However, to make to link to the question that leads to make this poll, you forgot to insert a very important question "Do you own 4 or all of these devices".
because in the current state of things, you'll never know if there is an interest for a software developer to write a software using all of the devices (even 3 or 4 of them) in a same time. And that was your initial question.