8-bit Tech Powered Wikipedia Reader Only $20

[Guest]

Now if only it can play Mario and PacMan...

8-bit Tech Powered Wikipedia Reader Only $20 : Read more

 

[technotrickster]

That looks really cool. Does anyone know what type of 8bit microprocessors it uses? Is it a 6502 by any chance?

 

[chickenhoagie]

c'mon, y not slap Mario in there while ur at it

 

[tacoslave]

[citation][nom]chickenhoagie[/nom]c'mon, y not slap Mario in there while ur at it[/citation]

lawsuit

 

[mindspring]

1. iMario.

2. lawsuit from Apple.

 

[ta152h]

[citation][nom]technotrickster[/nom]That looks really cool. Does anyone know what type of 8bit microprocessors it uses? Is it a 6502 by any chance?[/citation]

The 6502 was a complete piece of crap, so I doubt anyone would use it. It was only used for price, and then, compatibility. I'm not even sure it's still made.

If it's not something new, it's probably a Z80, which was much better, and is still being made. The 6809 and the derivative 6309 were by far the best 8-bit processors ever made, but, they aren't being made anymore.

I'd bet it's a new processor, but, if not, the Z80.

 

[irh_1974]

[citation][nom]technotrickster[/nom]That looks really cool. Does anyone know what type of 8bit microprocessors it uses? Is it a 6502 by any chance?[/citation]
Who cares?
This has an offline version of Wikipedia!
That is cool...

 

[welshmousepk]

this is a brilliant idea, i could even see it taking off as serious piece of tech.

a pocket sized wicktionary? i'd buy that.

 

[Pei-chen]

I can see many developing world's kids got wacked by their parents/siblings by "wasting" valuable electricity and time watching Wikipedia.

Face it, most developing world only have electricity for a few hours a day.

 

[bv90andy]

This is going to leave many ppl in developing worlds with eye strain after attempting to read on TV.

 

[Syndil]

I applaud the effort, but Wikipedia is hardly a reliable information source.

 

[belardo]

[citation][nom]ta152h[/nom]The 6502 was a complete piece of crap, so I doubt anyone would use it. It was only used for price, and then, compatibility. I'm not even sure it's still made.If it's not something new, it's probably a Z80, which was much better, and is still being made. The 6809 and the derivative 6309 were by far the best 8-bit processors ever made, but, they aren't being made anymore.I'd bet it's a new processor, but, if not, the Z80.[/citation]

You're talking about 70's tech man... the 6502 was designed around 1975, many people couldn't afford computers. So many 8bit computers used the 6502: Commodore 8bit, Atari and of course - the Apple II.

Around 1979, a typical APPLE-II setup with a mono-chrome monitor and graphics + a single floppy drive would set you back about $1500. 1984, a Commodore 64 with a 6502 was about $200... for JUST the computer. (Keyboard and 1mhz brains + connectors), $200+ for a floppy drive and $200+ for a 13" POS monitor. $200 for a 1200 modem (ie: 1200 vs 56,000 modem vs todays 20,000,000 Cable/fiber internet).

 

[thekohser]

Anything to get free information about "smotherboxes" and "frenum ladders" to the Third World. Congratulations on getting closer to your mission's fulfillment, Wikimedia Foundation!

 

[flinxsl]

My best guess is that the on-board controller's aren't anything special in order to keep price down. Something along the lines of a PIC16 controller and some kind of DSP