C64-C128 CP-M Cartridge Interest

[Jim Brain]

On 12/25/2010 8:26 AM, Steven Hirsch wrote:
> On Fri, 24 Dec 2010, Jim Brain wrote:
>
>
>> If true (I'm happy to be wrong), I agree a small board with the 
>> minimal components might be useful to a wide range of people.  But, 
>> it would require someone who can write a BDOS for it.
>
> At the risk of appearing negative, I do not think the world needs 
> another single-board CP/M computer at this moment in time.
That may very well be.  I figured if I developed a cart that could 
function standalone, then I have two chances for usefulness.
>
> In any event, I think it's the BIOS that will be required.  There are 
> plenty of free options for CCP, BDOS and utility suites.
Yes, as others had noted.  I'll not feel bad, as I started my thread 
noting I have a very weak understanding of CP/M.

That said, I think there is a market at least for an open source 
schematic of a minimal CP/M system.  Something that used SD cards, had 2 
UARTS (one for terminal, one for modem/etc.).  People like me could use 
it as the basis for learning the environment without needing to find a 
classic machine, and then not knowing how to prepare floppies for it.  I 
can attest that many more folks are interested in their CBM machines now 
that there are CF and SD (FAT-compatible) drives for them.

Of course, I should point out at this point that I release all of my 
designs as open source, to guard against orphan projects/products with 
no ability to re-use.  Thus, if someone is not a fan of open source, we 
probably won't find much in common on such a project.

Jim