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A project log for 8-bit Workbench ED: hands-on with number systems

Explore the computer byte with this educational easy-to-solder kit. Toggle in 8 bits and see their decimal, hex or octal value. With game!

nijssenNijssen 08/05/2026 at 08:260 Comments

Got some questions about this lately, for those who want to run their own code on this board or make adaptations. For example to create support for other number systems or to write your own game.

The C-code that runs on the PIC16F570 will be open sourced. It needs some cleaning and documentation first, then it will be made available as a MPLAB X IDE project containing the C-code. 

All boards provided in the kit will be flashed already to the latest firmware.

Those who want to experiment further can re-flash it using the
ICSP header on the board. Make sure to break the two solder jumpers (JP4 & JP5) before doing so. It can be flashed by USB using a PICKit 3 programmer for example, see the image below.

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