Author Topic: [OTZ80] Poll results! (Hardware)  (Read 17897 times)

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Offline DJ Omnimaga

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Re: [OTZ80] Poll results! (Hardware)
« Reply #15 on: November 19, 2010, 08:38:58 pm »
I think it was due to lack of MicroUSB support, but OTCalc project kinda died now that everyone is busy with school and things probably evolved a bit. I could be wrong about the reason why it was not included, but if I remember, there were many people against the idea of using MicroUSB.

Let me find the topic.

EDIT: Actually the reason why is stated in this post it seems:

The other option we have is microUSB but I'm not sure if you can have microUSB be a host like you can with Mini-A USB ports.

Edit: A quick Wikipedia check says that MicroUSB can indeed be a host but cables that would allow such use are much harder to find.

We have to keep in mind that rarer usually means more expensive, and outside United States usually means even more expensive, because companies in USA thinks the rest of the world doesn't exist.

EDIT: Poll topic: http://ourl.ca/6716

(Note, this discussion occured almost 6 months ago)
« Last Edit: November 19, 2010, 08:44:29 pm by DJ Omnimaga »

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Re: [OTZ80] Poll results! (Hardware)
« Reply #16 on: November 19, 2010, 08:49:56 pm »
Well, I think we like to stick to old habits for one thing and it doesn't make much difference from what I can see. I really want to see this project work, personally. I am actually going to research some LCD's now...

Edit:Oh, hey, waddaya know? DJ answered the question before me and with an actual supported reason :D

Offline AngelFish

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Re: [OTZ80] Poll results! (Hardware)
« Reply #17 on: November 19, 2010, 08:58:02 pm »
it basically suggests we should redo the screen and backlight polls. why? because the chances of us finding exactly what we want is very slim. i tried to find a 192 x 128 backlit 4 bit grayscale LCD, and google returned a ton of links to Omnimaga and Cemetech talking about some OTZ80 calculator. i'm suggesting we should redo the poll. instead of having hardware features to vote on, we should have the actual LCD's to vote on. that way, when we come to a consensus on what to buy, we already know where to find it. if you're against this idea, i have a challenge for you. try to find the 192 x 128 16 level grayscale with a backlight LCD that we want. if you can't find it, my case in point. if you can, that's wonderful, and we can move on.

This would actually be a case where Google wouldn't be a good tool to use. Many manufacturers, particularly those in foreign countries, do not have their full catalogs available through Google's search algorithms. You generally need to contact manufacturers and get actual specs before you can get an idea about the availability of such a product.
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Re: [OTZ80] Poll results! (Hardware)
« Reply #18 on: November 19, 2010, 08:58:38 pm »
Sad to see this has died. 

« Last Edit: November 19, 2010, 09:03:11 pm by ASHBAD_ALVIN »

Offline AngelFish

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Re: [OTZ80] Poll results! (Hardware)
« Reply #19 on: November 19, 2010, 09:02:52 pm »
 ???
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Re: [OTZ80] Poll results! (Hardware)
« Reply #20 on: November 19, 2010, 09:03:37 pm »
sorry I accidentally put in that link :P  I meant for it in my sig, pressed ctrl+v too early

Offline calcforth

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Re: [OTZ80] Poll results! (Hardware)
« Reply #21 on: November 19, 2010, 09:04:10 pm »
I think it was due to lack of MicroUSB support, but OTCalc project kinda died now that everyone is busy with school and things probably evolved a bit. I could be wrong about the reason why it was not included, but if I remember, there were many people against the idea of using MicroUSB.
Well, the main reason was probably the fact that MicroUSB cables are so hard to find. Well, situation is different now - and it'll be even more different two years from now.

We have to keep in mind that rarer usually means more expensive, and outside United States usually means even more expensive, because companies in USA thinks the rest of the world doesn't exist.
Well, the Mini-A to Mini-B is not all that easy to find either. And prices are quite comparable.

EDIT: Poll topic: http://ourl.ca/6716

(Note, this discussion occured almost 6 months ago)
I see... Well, the hardware projects are much slower then software. Typical time from the idea to implementation is 3-4 years - if anything is produced at all. Perhaps closer to the release it'll be more clear if miniUSB is still viable choice.

Well, I think we like to stick to old habits for one thing and it doesn't make much difference from what I can see.
The difference is literally 2 times. Mini USB is certified for 5000 cycles of insertion and removal, microUSB is certified for 10'000. And this is not just numbers: microUSB is really more robust (that's why phone manufacturers chosen it in first place).

Offline DJ Omnimaga

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Re: [OTZ80] Poll results! (Hardware)
« Reply #22 on: November 19, 2010, 09:08:56 pm »
it basically suggests we should redo the screen and backlight polls. why? because the chances of us finding exactly what we want is very slim. i tried to find a 192 x 128 backlit 4 bit grayscale LCD, and google returned a ton of links to Omnimaga and Cemetech talking about some OTZ80 calculator. i'm suggesting we should redo the poll. instead of having hardware features to vote on, we should have the actual LCD's to vote on. that way, when we come to a consensus on what to buy, we already know where to find it. if you're against this idea, i have a challenge for you. try to find the 192 x 128 16 level grayscale with a backlight LCD that we want. if you can't find it, my case in point. if you can, that's wonderful, and we can move on.

This would actually be a case where Google wouldn't be a good tool to use. Many manufacturers, particularly those in foreign countries, do not have their full catalogs available through Google's search algorithms. You generally need to contact manufacturers and get actual specs before you can get an idea about the availability of such a product.
Plus, notice how some stuff got weird resolutions anyway. The Prizm got a 384x216 resolution screen.

Sad to see this has died.  
It is not officially dead. It is just dormant because the two main person working on planning this are extremly busy keeping their school grades high and other life stuff. OTCalc will most likely resume in June or July 2011.

Quote
I think it was due to lack of MicroUSB support, but OTCalc project kinda died now that everyone is busy with school and things probably evolved a bit. I could be wrong about the reason why it was not included, but if I remember, there were many people against the idea of using MicroUSB.
Well, the main reason was probably the fact that MicroUSB cables are so hard to find. Well, situation is different now - and it'll be even more different two years from now.

We have to keep in mind that rarer usually means more expensive, and outside United States usually means even more expensive, because companies in USA thinks the rest of the world doesn't exist.
Well, the Mini-A to Mini-B is not all that easy to find either. And prices are quite comparable.

EDIT: Poll topic: http://ourl.ca/6716

(Note, this discussion occured almost 6 months ago)
I see... Well, the hardware projects are much slower then software. Typical time from the idea to implementation is 3-4 years - if anything is produced at all. Perhaps closer to the release it'll be more clear if miniUSB is still viable choice.

Well, I think we like to stick to old habits for one thing and it doesn't make much difference from what I can see.
The difference is literally 2 times. Mini USB is certified for 5000 cycles of insertion and removal, microUSB is certified for 10'000. And this is not just numbers: microUSB is really more robust (that's why phone manufacturers chosen it in first place).
Yeah i guess that due to the time it will take to complete this project will most likely allow us to switch to some different USB and stuff in the end.

Fortunately, both main developers are in USA. If I developed this, I would end up paying prices that are 2 years out of date or not even be able to find some stuff. Example: where I live, the TI-84+ arrived on store shelves in 2006, even though the calc came out in 2004. The TI-Nspire arrived somewhere in 2008, even though it came out in 2007.
« Last Edit: November 19, 2010, 09:10:15 pm by DJ Omnimaga »

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Re: [OTZ80] Poll results! (Hardware)
« Reply #23 on: November 19, 2010, 09:12:21 pm »
Have we looked at Gameboys like the GBC, GBA, or GBA SP? If we could use some of the features there, that would be pretty cool...

Offline alberthrocks

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Re: [OTZ80] Poll results! (Hardware)
« Reply #24 on: November 19, 2010, 09:57:07 pm »
Wow... nice necropost. :P

As DJ said, it will come back in full force next summer, and we'll probably have more people on the ride, especially for HW development. :) The software part of this project though is being developed - KnightOS, but on the TI calcs first.

If you have any software/hardware experience, keep them alive and bring them next summer! :)
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Offline DJ Omnimaga

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Re: [OTZ80] Poll results! (Hardware)
« Reply #25 on: November 19, 2010, 10:05:46 pm »
Yeah true a bunch of them joined around this Summer/Fall as activity was rising. Hopefully they'll still be around next Summer. :)

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Re: [OTZ80] Poll results! (Hardware)
« Reply #26 on: November 19, 2010, 10:25:20 pm »
@Xeda:
Well, we've suggested: (not sure which got voted in or out)
Color Screen
Backlight
.....
Not sure what else the GBC and gba bring to technology :P sound is not going to have an integrated speaker, maybe through the link port, one of the voted-on things.

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Re: [OTZ80] Poll results! (Hardware)
« Reply #27 on: November 19, 2010, 11:48:55 pm »
Yeah, as alberthrocks said, this isn't dead. I'll look into microUSB, though.

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Re: [OTZ80] Poll results! (Hardware)
« Reply #28 on: November 20, 2010, 12:06:28 am »
Yeah, as alberthrocks said, this isn't dead. I'll look into microUSB, though.
As for microUSB, I'm not sure I want to write KnightOS variant for a microUSB calculator.  Not a lot of people have microUSB cables, and signifigantly less have male microUSB<->female USB cables, and I feel that it would provide a bad user experience and reflect poorly on my skills as an OS developer.

Offline calcforth

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Re: [OTZ80] Poll results! (Hardware)
« Reply #29 on: November 20, 2010, 12:29:38 am »
As for microUSB, I'm not sure I want to write KnightOS variant for a microUSB calculator. Not a lot of people have microUSB cables, and signifigantly less have male microUSB<->female USB cables, and I feel that it would provide a bad user experience and reflect poorly on my skills as an OS developer.
Well, the "microUSB revolution" started at the beginning of the year and average replacement time is 18 months (somewhat longer in US because if 2-year contract). By the time we can realistically expect something mass-produced they will be more common then miniUSB cables. That's the point.

What you designing today you'll have on sale few years down the road - this rule it true for both large companies and hobbyst projects alike. That's why Pandora started taking pre-orders on September 30, 2008 and shipped on May 21, 2010. Note: by the middle of 2008 they had not only bunch of specs, but some actual prototypes - it took this long to actually mass-produce things! OTcalc is slightly less ambitious, but the difference is not material.