newbie building a scratch-built computer

[William Blair]

Joe,

If your goal is primarily to build a classic, "retro" computer, the Micro-KIM or Replica 1 kits
(Apple 1 clone) would be a good choices.  However, I see your mention of a desire to learn some
machine language coding. In that case, it might be wise to learn something that has modern
applications, like coding for microcontrollers.  There are a huge number of trainers, kits and
development boards for those and, because they are current technology, a large number of books and
other information about them.  As a big plus, any coding experience you'd get would have value on
a resume.  

The 8051 has always been a very popular and much-used microcontroller, but I'm not sure if it's
still the most popular.  The Atmel AVR series, especially their Mega devices, seem to be getting a
lot of attention.  Among the large number of board choices for that series, there's a little $20
demo board (not a kit) based upon a Mega device called the AVR Butterfly.  It has an LCD display,
light sensor and thermistor.  You could build things around it since it isn't a kit:

http://www.avrfreaks.net/index.php?module=FreaksTools&func=viewItem&item_id=462

There are a whole series of other AVR-based boards to choose from and the total number of
microcontroller trainers, evaluation and development boards available based upon other
microcontroller series is huge.

Bill


       
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