HN Theater @HNTheaterMonth

⬐ renewedrebecca

https://www.thebyteattic.com/2021/09/engineering-for-purpose...

⬐ G3rn0ti

> So performance was their goal, right? Well, if so, then why use a 65C02 CPU

Because it makes the computer as compatible as possible with Commodore software back in its day. Ports become simpler.

If you watched the video, you would have seen they changed the design considerably and came up with a basic that is compatible with VIC-20, C64 and similar machines. So you can run most Basic programs without changes. He also ported his modern Commodore game „Attack of the Petscii Robots“ to the X16 because he did not have to write its source from scratch.

⬐ asddubs

I thought the point about being able to just put the rest of the system on the fpga was interesting. especially in light of his plans to potentially get an asic (which i also seriously doubt will happen for a niche product like this). I guess if your board is just an fpga and support circuitry, it won't feel very retro and cool, but if that's the long term trajectory, they could have probably reduced costs a lot by just doing that to begin with

⬐ DerekL

Dupe: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=33170826

⬐ G3rn0ti

The 8-Bit Guy demonstrates an all new integrated computer system being a spiritual successor of the famous Commodore 8-bit home computers of the 80s.

⬐ PaulHoule

I really like the system he uses to access video RAM which is simple, decouples the video from the main RAM (which is a serious weakness of real 8-bit machines because it hurts non-video performance directly as well as limiting the clock speed) but is also high performance (if you are blasting out a block of data to the video you can just blast out the bytes to a memory mapped location and the address pointer counts up automatically.)

⬐ muziq

This was standard on the PC-Engine, and I think the majority of VDC type display controllers of the time.. Personally, I’d take a bank switching scheme whereby CPU reads come from RAM as standard and CPU writes go to graphics memory.. Even as simple as 1 bit mapping of writes to either CPU RAM or VDC RAM would suffice well.. Though more complex is possible..

⬐ slater

maybe he's published the usual non-apology apology, but for more context on the guy:

https://www.vice.com/en/article/889zga/8-bit-guy-ibm-7496-ex...

⬐ kgwxd

I'm quite glad to see this is the least controversial dirt I've ever seen be used to attempt to smear someone. He didn't "non-apology apology", he didn't apologize at all, and I don't think he should have. I'm VERY much for tighter gun control but the open-carry debate isn't worth entirely dismissing someone over, and I'm usually ready to dismiss someone at the smallest red flag regardless if they're someone I otherwise like.

⬐ woofcat

I'm confused on how his position on open carry or whatever has anything to do with a hobbyist computer. Care to elaborate?

⬐ rasz

I think it was more about uploading video where he laughs how hilarious it is to scare people while open carrying in a supermarket.

⬐ xmonkee

I doesn't. But OTOH, seeing this twerpy mega-nerd carry a giant rifle on his back to look like a badass is so fucking hilarious. I think I understand the gun-nuts a bit better now. Maybe learn to walk straight and do a push-up or two and you won't feel the need to overcompensate.

⬐ Stamp01

Regardless of his political views, you can learn everything you need to know about the man by watching any one of his fan mail videos. I've never in my life seen anyone act so annoyed and put out from receiving free stuff.

⬐ motogpjimbo

This is one of the weakest smears I've ever seen attempted on this site.

⬐ AndroidKitKat

For those without context, the Command X16 is a passion project by The 8-Bit Guy to build a modernized Commodore 8-bit computer.

⬐ orionblastar

8mhz 65C02 CPU. Commodore BASIC. Vera sound and gfx co-processor. It is not a C64 clone, it is evolution of the Commodore 8-bit line.