Omnimaga

Calculator Community => OTcalc => Discontinued => Major Community Projects => [OTcalc] Z80-Software => Topic started by: SirCmpwn on August 07, 2010, 12:02:16 am

Title: KOS - OTz80
Post by: SirCmpwn on August 07, 2010, 12:02:16 am
If we are running KOS on this, then I will lead the software dev team.  We will plan and discuss how the firmware should be modeled to work well with the hardware.  Post here if you want on the team.
All development will be done on the TI version until a viable prototype hits my hands.

Dev Team:
-Drew "Sir Cmpwn" DeVault (Dev Lead)
-Nathaniel "Eeems" van Diepen (Dev)

Testers:
-Raylin
-matthias1992
-MRide
-meishe91
Title: Re: KOS - OTz80
Post by: Eeems on August 07, 2010, 12:27:57 am
Hmm, I might want to be :)
Title: Re: KOS - OTz80
Post by: matthias1992 on August 07, 2010, 07:04:35 am
Count me in as a beta tester. I am familiar with z80 language but not very much skilled with it. I can ask the stupid questions that eventually lead to a significant insight in some matters :). I prefer to take a siderole in this, I am more involved in the hardware stuff.
Title: Re: KOS - OTz80
Post by: Raylin on August 07, 2010, 09:30:04 am
I'll beta test for you too.
I want to contribute something towards this.
Title: Re: KOS - OTz80
Post by: SirCmpwn on August 07, 2010, 10:22:54 am
All three of you have been added.

(I'm also hoping you will test the TI branch of KnightOS, too :P)
Title: Re: KOS - OTz80
Post by: meishe91 on August 07, 2010, 11:13:41 am
I would like to help but not good enough at programming to really be any help. Sorry.
Title: Re: KOS - OTz80
Post by: alberthrocks on August 07, 2010, 11:20:40 am
@meishe91: You could be a tester though! :) No programming experience required. Photos (also videos, if possible) and words are all that is needed to do testing and debugging. ;)

Also, for those testing, keep in mind that you will be testing the TI version of the OS. For OTZ80, you'll need a serious prototype to run it, and we haven't even finished with the external design/buttons yet! (You'll get a prototype if you are available to test it at that stage.)

Anyway, as long as I can: 1) Get a SilverLink from someone (USB to I/O port), or 2) Be able to open up the calc, remove and install a new USB mini B lead, I'm willing to test this OS out! :)
Title: Re: KOS - OTz80
Post by: MRide on August 07, 2010, 11:24:11 am
I don't know anything but BASIC, a little Axe, and some C++, but I can beta test.
Title: Re: KOS - OTz80
Post by: SirCmpwn on August 07, 2010, 11:41:51 am
I added MRide and Meishe91, and I will add alberthrocks if he can get ahold of what he needs.
Title: Re: KOS - OTz80
Post by: fb39ca4 on August 07, 2010, 12:28:55 pm
I don't know that much about z80 asm, but I would gladly test the software.
Title: Re: KOS - OTz80
Post by: souvik1997 on August 07, 2010, 12:37:20 pm
What is OTZ80?

I would be very happy to test the TI branch of KOS, but only after it be comes moderately stable. I don't want to screw up my calc.
Title: Re: KOS - OTz80
Post by: fb39ca4 on August 07, 2010, 12:45:45 pm
If you want to help, you can also use an emulator to test, thus preventing srewing up your calc.
Title: Re: KOS - OTz80
Post by: alberthrocks on August 07, 2010, 12:45:56 pm
OTZ80 is a calc project. This community and Cemetech are attempting to build a new calc to sell on the market. This one will compete against the TI-8x series. :)
Title: Re: KOS - OTz80
Post by: fb39ca4 on August 07, 2010, 12:56:00 pm
I understand that, but if you read the first post, you'll see that development is done on TI calcs until there is a prototype.
Title: Re: KOS - OTz80
Post by: alberthrocks on August 07, 2010, 01:25:07 pm
@fb39ca4: Oh sorry, I was replying to souvik1997. And yes, emulation can be done for testing, although real hardware is best to test field conditions.
Title: Re: KOS - OTz80
Post by: shmibs on August 07, 2010, 01:47:25 pm
it looks like you have plenty of people working on this already, but i would gladly help with anything you need nonetheless. i has an 83+ that's expendable, and money/experience to piece together my own prototype(if someone gives me specs, that is)
Title: Re: KOS - OTz80
Post by: calc84maniac on August 07, 2010, 02:08:33 pm
I'm still not so sure it would be such an easy task to just port KOS to a new hardware platform. I am almost certain that the memory layout will be massively different (24-bit addresses, no page swapping) and all the hardware you are familiar with on the TI will not be the same at all. I think it would work much better to start from scratch with the OS on our new system. Have you looked at the eZ80 documentation? I recommend giving that a read: http://www.zilog.com/docs/um0077.pdf (http://www.zilog.com/docs/um0077.pdf)
Title: Re: KOS - OTz80
Post by: matthias1992 on August 07, 2010, 03:19:35 pm
I'm still not so sure it would be such an easy task to just port KOS to a new hardware platform. I am almost certain that the memory layout will be massively different (24-bit addresses, no page swapping) and all the hardware you are familiar with on the TI will not be the same at all. I think it would work much better to start from scratch with the OS on our new system. Have you looked at the eZ80 documentation? I recommend giving that a read: http://www.zilog.com/docs/um0077.pdf (http://www.zilog.com/docs/um0077.pdf)
Again I agree with you, this thing is NEW and so should everything we make for it be. Now KOS isn't 'old' strictly spoken but indeed you can't port it over with great ease, not to discourage you! I greatly support KOS and I would love to see it on the OTeZ80 but once again I suggest taking KOS for the TI-8x as a reference, not as a template, or worse.
Title: Re: KOS - OTz80
Post by: alberthrocks on August 07, 2010, 03:23:07 pm
I think SirCmpwn and some other developers can just write a new OS for the new calc. If the base is vastly different, then we should just write a new one, but use KnightOS as reference.
Title: Re: KOS - OTz80
Post by: matthias1992 on August 07, 2010, 03:29:00 pm
I think SirCmpwn and some other developers can just write a new OS for the new calc. If the base is vastly different, then we should just write a new one, but use KnightOS as reference.
Exactly! I completely agree. Don't underestimate the effort of writing a OS though! (I don't think you do but your text can be interpreted like that)
Title: Re: KOS - OTz80
Post by: alberthrocks on August 07, 2010, 03:32:40 pm
I think SirCmpwn and some other developers can just write a new OS for the new calc. If the base is vastly different, then we should just write a new one, but use KnightOS as reference.
Exactly! I completely agree. Don't underestimate the effort of writing a OS though! (I don't think you do but your text can be interpreted like that)

Oh no, it's VERY VERY VERY (continues infinitely) hard to design an OS. Remember people, don't design an OS, especially for x86 systems. :P
Title: Re: KOS - OTz80
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on August 07, 2010, 03:33:03 pm
I'm still not so sure it would be such an easy task to just port KOS to a new hardware platform. I am almost certain that the memory layout will be massively different (24-bit addresses, no page swapping) and all the hardware you are familiar with on the TI will not be the same at all. I think it would work much better to start from scratch with the OS on our new system. Have you looked at the eZ80 documentation? I recommend giving that a read: http://www.zilog.com/docs/um0077.pdf (http://www.zilog.com/docs/um0077.pdf)
Also, I would like if the focus was still on the 83+ version of KOS. I would hate if KOS made it to this new calc at the expense of 83+ users who were waiting for a new 3rd party OS. Also he got a contest entry to finish and the contest ends in 1 month.
Title: Re: KOS - OTz80
Post by: Happybobjr on August 07, 2010, 04:08:32 pm
i would love to test for you.

note:
1.i will use an emulator if there is a chance that it will completely destroy my calc.
2. As long as there is no chance of bricking, i will be glad to use my 84+ SE if it is compatible.
Title: Re: KOS - OTz80
Post by: SirCmpwn on August 07, 2010, 04:18:18 pm
I was thinking of starting from scratch and reusing code where applicable.  I never thought that we would port it, especially not with a different kind of screen and all sorts of other factors.  I was going to provide the same KOS experience that people would get on a TI-83+, but optimized and improved for the OTeZ80.
Title: Re: KOS - OTz80
Post by: Mighty Moose on August 07, 2010, 04:22:11 pm
Count me in as well - I'd be happy to do beta testing (when I have the time, that is :P).
note:
1.i will use an emulator if there is a chance that it will completely destroy my calc.
2. As long as there is no chance of bricking, i will be glad to use my 84+ SE if it is compatible.

I don't know how much of a help I would be with actual coding - I'm still kind of, well, beginner-ish at z80.  I am certainly willing to help, though.
Title: Re: KOS - OTz80
Post by: SirCmpwn on August 07, 2010, 04:24:56 pm
For the record, the help I get from coders will probably not be on the kernel.  Me and Eeems are plenty.  Most of the help will come later on, with writing math apps and the like.
Title: Re: KOS - OTz80
Post by: Mighty Moose on August 07, 2010, 04:30:03 pm
Oh, okay, Sir.  My bad - I didn't know.
Title: Re: KOS - OTz80
Post by: SirCmpwn on August 07, 2010, 04:32:13 pm
I'm not accusing anyone, merely pointing out how I would organize it.  Too many people on a kernel can be bad.
Title: Re: KOS - OTz80
Post by: Mighty Moose on August 07, 2010, 04:38:09 pm
good point.  I can stick to beta testing right now.  We'll see what I do in the future.
Title: Re: KOS - OTz80
Post by: Happybobjr on August 07, 2010, 08:34:38 pm
"Those who can't do, Beta test."  quoted from, James Oldiges of Happybobjr Productions.
Title: Re: KOS - OTz80
Post by: souvik1997 on August 07, 2010, 09:40:24 pm
I can test early versions of KOS on an emulator and later versions on real hardware.
Title: Re: KOS - OTz80
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on August 07, 2010, 10:08:51 pm
I agree with Sir. BrandonW once told me that the reason why calc OSes never got completed was usually due to disputes on which features will be included or not. This hindered the development.
Title: Re: KOS - OTz80
Post by: willrandship on August 07, 2010, 10:16:51 pm
I would help test, but I don't think my sis would like me screwing up her calc, and the nspire can't, right?
Title: Re: KOS - OTz80
Post by: _player1537 on August 08, 2010, 05:39:11 pm
I would love to test, and even more so to program for this.  I'll just need to get the tools nessicary.  I do realize the point about too many on the kernal, therefore I will just write apps for it.  I'm probably not the best candidate to work for the kernel >.<
Title: Re: KOS - OTz80
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on August 08, 2010, 06:07:38 pm
Note that this thread is not about the 83+ KnightOS, though. It's about the possible OTz80 version. You would need a copy of the calc prototype and somebody would have to write an emulator.
Title: Re: KOS - OTz80
Post by: yunhua98 on August 08, 2010, 10:17:23 pm
Well, you have a lot of beta testers already, but if you need me...  I'm available.
btw, I can test on real hardware, but only on my TI-84+ BE, it doesn't have any projects on it.  ;)

but how would we test the OT version?  Do we have to build a calc?  I'm no great shakes at hardware.  :P
Title: Re: KOS - OTz80
Post by: SirCmpwn on August 08, 2010, 10:37:24 pm
Yeah, I would probably write an emulator first.
Title: Re: KOS - OTz80
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on August 08, 2010, 11:24:28 pm
It would need to be really accurate, though, although if we keep the same hardware in long terms, it may be easier, especially that we would know what hardware is used. I think now we really need to worry about what will be the final hardware, though.
Title: Re: KOS - OTz80
Post by: quasi_Phthalo on August 15, 2010, 04:48:18 pm
I consider myself an intermediate asm programmer, so after the base of the OS is laid, i can help with the busy-work of writing routines and such
Title: Re: KOS - OTz80
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on August 15, 2010, 05:28:07 pm
Cool ^^

Btw welcome back quasi_Phtalo
Title: Re: KOS - OTz80
Post by: tloz128 on August 15, 2010, 06:56:08 pm
I know I'm kind of late in saying this, but I'd be willing to do beta testing as well :P.