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Re: Output devices for MuP21


On Mon, 21 Nov 1994, Eddie Matejowsky wrote:

> Yes but can I run it without a monitor? I have no desire to run the p21
> stand alone, yet. The forth I wrote/ported for the transputer, hc11 and hc16
> all use a server I wrote for the p.c., the protocol lets the micro talk to
> the p.c.s vdu,keyboard and disk system. 

I believe this is the first way I will use it also. Especially to access 
my PC/SGI disks from the MuP21 and the PCMCIA disk I'm buyng (NOTEWORTHY 
PCMCIA 105MB HD NWHD105M3 A952995 $285.00 N @ Sparco.com) -- from the 
PC/SGI.

> If I get involved with the p21 I
> will be porting my forth to it. 

Most naturally, everybody likes its version of the wheel best (I'll be 
porting my version too :-)

> The question is should I just start from scratch and not bother
> with the software that come with the kit at all. 

The software will have some necessary functions, especially in the beginning,
when you don't have anything on the MuP21. Later you may safely throw it
away. But it will necessarily contain some useful examples, which may well
save you days. So it will be woth buying, or at least I think so. 

> I was thinking of looking into using a bidirectional
> printer port for linking to the mup21. 

This is the most feasible link, I believe. Even (some) SGIs at work have
parallel ports. 

> I have the p21 forth port earmarked
> as a holiday project, I'm spending 2 weeks on a coral island with no
> buildings on it yet alone power. 

Lucky you! My coral island will be Bulgaria in the middle of a fierce
pre-election preriod. This won't prevent me from using the ski runs, I hope
:-)

> I usually take a notebook p.c. but I
> definitely won't be taking a monitor.

Since I don't have a notebook, and don't think of buying one just for the
project, I'll rely on what's available on-site. 

BTW, if you won't use the video, you may put a slower xtal for the memory
refresh and not kill the MMU with frequent off-page accesses. How slower --
this is a question to Jeff. 

--
Penio Penev <Penev@venezia.Rockefeller.edu> 1-212-327-7423