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Amiga News and Community Announcements => Amiga News and Community Announcements => Announcements and Press Releases => Topic started by: Dennis on July 25, 2007, 04:40:26 AM

Title: Minimig sources released
Post by: Dennis on July 25, 2007, 04:40:26 AM
The Minimig sources have been released.

You can find them at http://home.hetnet.nl/~weeren001 (http://home.hetnet.nl/~weeren001). For the time being this will be the official homepage of the Minimig. Take a look and have fun!
Title: Re: Minimig sources released
Post by: Ranchu on July 25, 2007, 05:05:21 AM
Fantastic!!!  Now hopefully the community will contribute to this project!
Title: Re: Minimig sources released
Post by: Amiduffer on July 25, 2007, 06:21:08 AM
Congratulations! A very nice looking website and very informative. Dennis is wicked good!
Title: Re: Minimig sources released
Post by: countzero on July 25, 2007, 07:21:38 AM
many thanks !
Title: Re: Minimig sources released
Post by: Zac67 on July 25, 2007, 07:22:26 AM
Woot! Thanks so much, Dennis - looks awesome! :-o
Title: Re: Minimig sources released
Post by: SilverSurf on July 25, 2007, 07:44:22 AM
Nice work Dennis!

Good to see a homebrew project come to fruition.
Title: Re: Minimig sources released
Post by: InTheSand on July 25, 2007, 08:29:06 AM
Yahooooooo! Fantastic!!! :-)

Thanks Dennis!
Title: Re: Minimig sources released
Post by: Colin_Camper on July 25, 2007, 09:45:59 AM
Brilliant!

Excellent stuff!

Thanks Dennis!  :lotsacoffee:
Title: Re: Minimig sources released
Post by: skurk on July 25, 2007, 09:56:58 AM
Best. News. Ever.

Releasing the Minimig sources under the GPL is probably the best thing anyone could've done for the Amiga community.  Many thanks from the lot of us.

Soooo... who wants to build these babies and make a few bucks?  I want one!
Title: Re: Minimig sources released
Post by: ajlwalker on July 25, 2007, 11:44:25 AM
A big thank you from me!

A fantastic achievement!
Title: Re: Minimig sources released
Post by: Xenepp on July 25, 2007, 12:18:24 PM
I have a guy in China who fabricates my PCBs for me so I can do a run of boards if there's enough interest.

I'll need to know what the general consensus is on PCB layout though. Does everyone want it as-is or in a slightly diffrent configuration (port locations etc). I'll need to translate the gerber into Eagle anyway so before I start I'll see what you guys think.

I can solder the parts here or the user can do that if they want, there will be a significant price difference obviously. The only thing I can't do is program the chips etc, though from what I have read, it seems the FPGA is programmed from flash, correct?

Just so we're clear, I'll only be charging for fabrication costs, labour and parts. Minimig is free so I'll not be looking to make a profit.

Let me know folks.

Joel
Title: Re: Minimig sources released
Post by: Methanoid on July 25, 2007, 12:59:49 PM
Xenepp, I'd be interested to know the likely cost of an assembled Minimig in £ (or $ or €).

As to layout... well if the ports weren't soldered with sockets but pins with supplied standard PC leads (like 10 pin lead for mouse etc) then we could route the ports to wherever we wanted. I'd prefer mine at the back of a case.

And let me be the FIRST of MANY to ask (no, not for AGA) but.. "could the 68000 be replaced with a 14 or 28mhz 68000 or something like an 020??"
Title: Re: Minimig sources released
Post by: Xenepp on July 25, 2007, 01:13:38 PM
Pin headers are good idea, like you say it'd allow flexability in placment if casing it up. Anyone else feel this way?

Regarding the CPU, I'd suggest not "upgrading" it. There are subtle diffrences with the 8mhz and 14mhz CPUs and would probably require alteration in FPGA program. You can try it but I'd say there'd be a great deal of unexpected results. It may not even boot. This is from what I have read anyway.

I can't really give a fixed price until I have sent the layout to my guy, but I'd expect a preassembled board to cost about £40 and the kit (PCB + parts to solder yourself) about £20.

Joel
Title: Re: Minimig sources released
Post by: ShawnDude on July 25, 2007, 01:31:28 PM
Xenepp,

I would like one. Probally fully assembled. Can you give an estimate on the cost of this?

Shawn
Title: Re: Minimig sources released
Post by: Methanoid on July 25, 2007, 02:04:00 PM
Xenepp, at that price count me in.

Here's another idea...

At the same time as making the connectors mobile (ribbon attached), if you could change the shape of the board (from 120mm square) to say 88mm by 165mm (or a bit longer) then it would have the same sort of area but be able to be squeezed into anywhere a 3.5in HD could go. All those pretty external USB drive cases could be refitted as Minimigs. There is just about enough space to fit two 9-pin joystick ports, a DB15 VGA port, 2 PS2 connectors and a 5v in socket on a re-worked back panel.

Just an idea ;)
Title: Re: Minimig sources released
Post by: skurk on July 25, 2007, 02:13:04 PM
Xenepp: I want one, too.  Do you have a (very) rough estimate on the price?

Edit: nevermind, saw your reply now.  Count me in.
Title: Re: Minimig sources released
Post by: EvilGuy on July 25, 2007, 02:19:07 PM
Xenepp (http://www.amiga.org/userinfo.php?uid=15646) wrote:
I can't really give a fixed price until I have sent the layout to my guy, but I'd expect a preassembled board to cost about £40 and the kit (PCB + parts to solder yourself) about £20.

Count me in for pre-assembled board! If the deal is a goer, then PM with paypal or such details :-)
Title: Re: Minimig sources released
Post by: Xenepp on July 25, 2007, 02:19:23 PM
The estimate is very rough, once I've got the design over to my guy we'll have a much better idea.

Once I know how the majority it voting regarding design I'll get to work.

Joel
Title: Re: Minimig sources released
Post by: Methanoid on July 25, 2007, 02:22:33 PM
Well if U want to know what people think then list some options somewhere (forums?) and ask for people to give straightforward Yes/No answers.

eg

Do you want fixed connectors (yes/no)
Do you want ribbon connectors (yes/no)
Do you want re-sized board (yes/no)
Do you want a blue PCB (yes/no)

just examples.. personally a purple PCB!! hehehe
Title: Re: Minimig sources released
Post by: madsjm on July 25, 2007, 02:23:21 PM
Count me in for a pre-assembled board, no matter the price.
Title: Re: Minimig sources released
Post by: Xenepp on July 25, 2007, 02:42:22 PM
Good idea, I'll start a new thread I guess so it doesn't bog this one down.

Joel
Title: Re: Minimig sources released
Post by: Tripitaka on July 25, 2007, 02:48:57 PM
I've got a psp screen from a dead (landed in a glass of milk) psp. I'm sure I can find a suitable keyboard so perhaps I might go for a minimig/screen +KB etc. and put the whole thing into a nice case styled to look like a copy of the Necronomicon. Why? just for fun I guess.
...and WELL DONE DENNIS, you deserve the praise.
Title: Re: Minimig sources released
Post by: Xenepp on July 25, 2007, 02:57:16 PM
Any more questions regarding the PCB fabrication should go here:
http://www.amiga.org/forums/showthread.php?t=30516
Joel
Title: Re: Minimig sources released
Post by: beakster2 on July 25, 2007, 04:08:03 PM
Congratulations.  Creating this is an amazing achievement! :):):)

I do wonder though... maybe GPL wasn't the best way to license it.  If companies were allowed to make profit from it, then they would be mass produced and we could buy them cheaper?  Just a thought.
Title: Re: Minimig sources released
Post by: Piru on July 25, 2007, 06:23:28 PM
@beakster2
Quote
maybe GPL wasn't the best way to license it. If companies were allowed to make profit from it, then they would be mass produced and we could buy them cheaper?

And what exactly in GPL prohibits making profit?

Wikipedia: GPL - common misconceptions (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gpl#Common_misconceptions)
Title: Re: Minimig sources released
Post by: jkonstan on July 25, 2007, 07:04:04 PM
Great work !
Thanks Dennis!

 :-)
Title: Re: Minimig sources released
Post by: bloodmoney on July 25, 2007, 10:35:42 PM
Amiga, only Dennis makes it possible !!!
 :-o
 :banana:  :banana:  :banana:  :bow:  :bow:
Title: Re: Minimig sources released
Post by: Jiffy on July 26, 2007, 08:22:40 AM
This is só... so... w00t!  :-)

/me wants one!
Title: Re: Minimig sources released
Post by: Giana on July 26, 2007, 01:10:30 PM
Whatever the price is, I want one pre assembled !! Will pay cash.
vteyssier@wanadoo.fr
Title: Re: Minimig sources released
Post by: dammy on July 26, 2007, 11:22:36 PM
Well, if you have some extra cash, these two bounties could use some to spur on a developer to free us all from The Name.

ROM Phase I (http://thenostromo.com/teamaros2/?number=23)
ROM Phase II (http://thenostromo.com/teamaros2/?number=24)

Dammy
TeamAROS (http://www.teamaros.org)
Title: Re: Minimig sources released
Post by: sknight on July 27, 2007, 02:01:15 AM
Thank you so much Dennis!!!!

 :bow:
Title: Re: Minimig sources released
Post by: Darth_X on July 27, 2007, 04:39:23 AM
@Piru

Just wait until someone request MorphOS source code be released under GPL. Maybe you will give a different answer? ;-)
Title: Re: Minimig sources released
Post by: Piru on July 27, 2007, 12:20:05 PM
@Darth_X
Quote
Just wait until someone request MorphOS source code be released under GPL.

Ambient is GPL with exception for non-GPL linking (workbench/icon/wbstart libraries).

Some fonts are GPL, with font embedding exception.

Quote
Maybe you will give a different answer? ;-)

No, not really. :-)
Title: Re: Minimig sources released
Post by: freqmax on July 27, 2007, 09:30:15 PM
I have created a Minimig wiki:
http://www.opencircuits.com/Minimig_Project

My hope is that it will help people to accumulate knowledge in this matter such that one doesn't have to read long.. threads to find information.
Especially now that there are several.

No login required, works almost like wikipedia.
Title: Re: Minimig sources released
Post by: AJCopland on July 29, 2007, 11:31:18 AM
I go on holiday for one week and its the week that this all comes true! AWESOME! :-D

Well done Dennis!

Andy
Title: Re: Minimig sources released
Post by: Nusim on July 30, 2007, 08:34:30 PM
We have a small run of original (Minimig ver. 1.0) bare PCBs.

The only change is the silk screen just to identify the source for quality control.

I stress that these are suitable only for the serious electronics dudes, experimenters and people interested in 1st wave prototypes. They will involve smd work and so are not for the faint hearted!

We are expecting them in next week. As soon as they arrive we will post a link to a paypal shopping cart.

Pricing will be;

£11 - Shipped U.K.
£13 - Shipped Europe (Airmail)
£15 - Shipped USA (Airmail)

We will also try to source the original ST memory and make those available as well.

Any profit will be donated to the TeamAros Kickstart II (http://thenostromo.com/teamaros2/?number=24) bounty! :-)
Title: Re: Minimig sources released
Post by: mongo on July 31, 2007, 02:48:32 AM
Quote
The only change is the silk screen just to identify the source for quality control.


Fixing the bug on the board probably would have been a good idea.
Title: Re: Minimig sources released
Post by: ottomobiehl on August 01, 2007, 05:31:28 AM
This is definitely awesome news and a shot to the arm the community could really use.

Thanks Dennis.
Title: Re: Minimig sources released
Post by: denli on August 04, 2007, 10:43:35 AM
Quote
then it would have the same sort of area but be able to be squeezed into anywhere a 3.5in HD could go

I'll second that.  :-)

And put me up for an order when it's time to go.
Title: Re: Minimig sources released
Post by: JosephC on August 05, 2007, 07:12:26 PM
I need one that is Amiga compatible.
That means a PAR: for connecting my 4 player adapter.  And software switchable NTSC/PAL like a real Amiga.  And it needs a hard drive so I can run Deluxe Paint 5.