Both prototypes that I have built worked without any HW problem (of course there were SW problems now and then). On the first one, I ran The Great Escape (in its self-running mode) continuous for almost a week. This gives confidence.

SELLING KITS

I could now soon start with selling kits.  If you are interested, let me know in the comments or in a private message.

The price of the kit will be around 100 Euro (USD 110) (Shipping costs not included). You will need to have some experience in building electronic kits.
- You buy the bare pcb from me, for 30 Euro. I will make instructions and a detailed list of parts.
- You buy all parts from an electronic parts supplier, like Mouser or Digikey. Cost around 65 Euro, free shipping at several suppliers.
- An enclosure is not yet included. But the pcb is designed to fit in a Hammond RM2055S enclosure.

Selling complete Isetta's might come later.

What more do you need

You need several other things, that you might have lying around:
1. A universal programmer to program the three flash chips with microcode. Or the Isetta programmer pcb.
2. A Raspberry Pi (RPi), for transferring files to the 32MB on-board storage of Isetta
3. A 5 volt power supply with USB-B plug
4. A monitor (CRT or LCD) with VGA connection, with cable and 15-pin connector
5. A PS/2 keyboard
6. A PS/2 mouse (not needed for all applications)
7. A micro-SD memory card (might be needed by some applications)
8. A speaker with amplifier, with 3.5mm (stereo) plug. For sound.

Programming the microcode

You can use a regular, universal programmer to program the microcode in the three flash chips (PLCC44 case). (I have not done that myself yet, I use the RPi). But, it is very likely that new microcode versions will appear, so you have to use sockets on the pcb to be able to reprogram them. Sockets can be unreliable, however.

You can also use the special Isetta programmer pcb (that I will sell you for 10 Euro). It needs 11 TTL chips, and connects the Isetta to the Raspberry Pi. The Raspberry Pi can now program the microcode flash chips while they are soldered on the board. The programmer pcb also allows the RPi to send files to the on-board storage, and allows low-level testing and single-stepping the Isetta. The low-level testing is VERY useful if you soldered your own Isetta.

The RPi also needs a monitor (HDMI connection), USB keyboard, and power supply.

Note that, as soon as the microcode is programmed and files are transferred, Isetta can work fully stand-alone without needing the RPi or the programmer pcb. In the future, Isetta should be able to fetch files from the micro-SD card, or through its WiFi connection.

If you only need file transfer, you can connect the RPi with 4 wires to Isetta, without needing the programmer pcb.

Future plans

- Make a good description of the available I/O instructions
- Provide more microcode support for writing to the screen
- Implement a nice sound generator
- Support micro-SD card and WiFi
- Have an editor/assembler on Isetta
- Add applications
- Have a nice operating system

I could use help ! But you'll first need the hardware...

What did I do since the last log ?

- Write text to the new 640x400 screen
- Implement the RST #38 interrupt (interrupt mode 1) at each video frame. Can be enabled/disabled with EI, DI instructions.
- Made a mouse driver in microcode. An I/O instruction can now read messages from the mouse.
- Completed several changes that were needed due to HW changes on the new pcb
- Created an output instruction to do bankswitching

END OF THE YEAR

Best wishes for the new year ! That you and your loved ones all be happy and healthy !