Eskimo - 8bit portable

[Curt Vendel]

Well, here's another one to come out of digging into the archives - a portable project called Eskimo is mentioned in this memo from Dave Sovey to Carl Goy. I've spoken numerous times with Dave Sovey as he headed up the 1200XL CPU section, here is the memo:

 

 

 

A T A R I I N T E R O F F I C E M E M O R A N D U M

 

 

 

to: Carl Goy

from: David Sovey

re: Status Report

date: 01-25-84

 

======================================================================

 

 

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

 

 

o Identified problem in 800XL system which resulted 70%

failure of Rockwell SALLY components. Developed and

recommended problem solution of the addition of 9 damping

resistors.

 

o Generated specification for the Expansion Box.

 

o Designed the interface electronics and power supply for the

Expansion Box.

 

o Documented the Expansion Box application card timing

requirements.

 

o Defined block structure of Eskimo (portable computer)

feasibility demonstration model.

 

o Developed memory and control architecture of Eskimo.

 

o Started investigation of LCD display panel and control

options.

 

o Started design process for Eskimo demonstration model.

 

o Purchase requisitions issued for some major subassemblies

of Eskimo.

 

PROBLEMS:

 

o Resignation of digital design engineer will result in

schedule slippage.

 

o Digital design engineer will be leaving for four week LOA

resulting in a very short staff situation.

 

o Low moral in the face of reorganizations and layoffs.

 

o Slow response time of purchasing loop.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GOALS:

 

o Complete detailed design of the major subassemblies of the

Eskimo feasibility model.

 

o Place purchase requisitions for all components required to

build an Eskimo model.

 

o Start assembly of Eskimo model.

 

o Start process of acquisition of a replacement digital

engineer.