____ FRST Computer: batch 5 __________________________________________
Our earliest ESP32-based Cyberterminal concept computer is also now
availble for order. If you are interested in a fun, microcontroller-
based personal computing device with a low-power ePaper display and
built-in LoRa radio, and Aether Data Crystal support, read on!
!!! Update: MVP status achievement unlocked: !!!!
0.1 MVP Demo Release now demonstrates all
essential functionality:
- Zephyr foundation, (4.x) with device tree config + drivers tested:
- Waveshare 4.2" ePaper display w/ partial update optimizations
- 80-column / 40-column / 20-column text modes
- Semtech SX1262 module, external antenna
- WS2812-based screen-front-light
- 36-key chocv keyboard (3 easy layers, based on QWERTY base)
- Native 9P Support - via 9P4Z library
- Keyboard <-> Display link is 9P over L2CAP
- Scan for and connect to devices hosting 9P services
(Aether Data Crystals!!)
- namespace management
- 'zrc' shell, inspired by Plan 9's 'rc'
- common unix builtins: ls, cp, cat, echo
- ... 'chat' for LoRa chatting
- ... 'ed' for line editing at its finest
- Direct access to Zephyr debug shell
- UART-based CLI
## TODO:
- PCD-68 Emulator ported to Zephyr
- Custom PCB w/ Mini-Din8 RS422 serial ports, IrDA port
- LocalTalk stack
- Inferno for PCD-68
- PalmOS Emulator
batch 5 Promise:
This concept is still in its earliest stages, so interested parties
should be prepared to get involved and contribute patches. It's all
just a fun solarpunk experiment in minimal, "slow" computing and if
that sounds interesting to you, we'd love to have you join the effort!
The Model Two is meant to be a truly unique, low-power, off-grid
digital communications terminal, capable of full participation in
packet-radio smallnets. The MVP milestone proves this is indeed
achievable -- LoRa is operational and raw 9P access to Aether Data
Crystals is already fun.
The above list of TODOs is a list of ambitious possibilities,
but all of them are feasible (yes, the ESP32 serial port peripherals
support both RS422 and IrDA -- w/ transceivers -- and the rest just
requires the will. ;) This batch exists to invite those that have
that will -- to join me and log some early commits on this crazy
codebase / canvas. We'll tackle these (and more) TODOs together
and paint some happy little trees along the way.
Model Two Cyberterminal -- $444.44
- CPU: 240Mhz Espressif ESP32-S3 w/ 8MB PSRAM
- 4.2" 3-color (Black/White/Red) Waveshare ePaper display
- Magnetically-detachable Model 3 keyboard assembly
- (w/ Cirque trackpad)
- Wireless keyboard operation (nice:nano! + batt/BLE)
- Integrated USB portable power source (10000 mAH)
- Semtech SX1262 LoRa module for off-grid networking w/ other FRST machines
- Bluetooth
To place your order, use our brand-new (personalized!)
GopherCommerce(TM) store:
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DIR [1] Model Two