What else can I do to help make a new Phoenix Motherboard a Reality?

[techie]

Hi Elwood,
The previous batch of Phoenix Boards were put together for a group of users at the a1k.org (see original thread )

I guess I should clarify that this was NOT an entirely new batch of boards created solely for the people who bought them. These were leftover boards from the original manufacturing of the Phoenix replacement motherboard that the developer had kept and thanks to the efforts of the a1k.org group managed to put together to sell to their members.  

Unfortunately this means that the only boards left now are boards that did not work well enough to sell in the previous batch. However thanks to an email from bigmac we have learned that these boards should be repairable IF there is enough interest from the community to make going to the effort of repairing them worth while (see the original post here)    

I apologize if my use of “new run” has misled anyone to believe I was referring to the manufacture of new blank boards as that was not my intention.


@iamaboringperson

While I would be all for a new production of A1000 cases I highly doubt that such a production could be made financially viable as the number of people interested in purchasing such a product would not likely exceed a few hundred people.

[amigadave]

LoadWB wrote:
Honestly, if there is to be a re-run of the Pheonix, I'd like to see some of the short-comings of the original design overcome.  From what I have read about it, the positioning of the Zorro slot (and possibly the video slot) made it difficult if not impossible to use.

And since we have newer technology available, a clock port, ability to use 72-pin SIMMs for memory, and an IDE interface would be nice while we're at it.  Granted, such a task would undoubtedly increase the price of the unit.

That's not to say that I am not interested in possessing a production of the original design, I'm just shooting for Jupiter :-)  Isn't the Pheonix pretty much the only "Fan Clone" of the Amiga?

I like this idea, but don't think it is feasible from a cost point of view.  I would be willing to work on such a project, but have no experience in the design or manufacture of clone motherboards.  It would be a great group project though.  A better Phoenix board with modern components coupled with the old chips taken from original Amigas or old stock.  I think this is just a dream that will never happen.

[JimS]

techie wrote:
@iamaboringperson
While I would be all for a new production of A1000 cases I highly doubt that such a production could be made financially viable as the number of people interested in purchasing such a product would not likely exceed a few hundred people.

For just a few hundred people, it might make more sense to acrylic cast copies of the A1000 case. Kinda like the low-volume resin models the sci-fi fans have. At least for the front panel of the case.... I suspect the top and bottom could be bent from plexiglas... If someone really wanted to go to all that trouble. :-)

[AJCopland]

How about setting up a donation/fund/reward style system for people to replace the custom chips with fpga style implementations like those at FPGA Arcade?

Then you could have complete systems, all you'd have to buy to get a "new" amiga 1000 would be the roms.

just an idea

Andy

[techie]

Hi AJCopland,
The trouble with starting up a project like that would be that it would essentially be like starting from scratch again (less of course Dennis were involved in some way).  Yes there would probably be some significant advantages in moving away from needing the old hardware but again it just doesn’t seem realistic at this time (to me at least) to start working on a whole new project when we already have one that would accomplish pretty much the same thing sitting in front of us.

I hate to be the bad guy here but what it really all boils down to is this:
We have a project within our grasp; is it everything everyone could ever want? Probably not…but it’s REAL and more importantly it’s something that has been proven can be accomplished. Once it’s done then let’s start talking about taking the next step but for now what we really need to do is show our support for what we have.

Wow, if that didn’t just come off like a PBS sponsorship speech :Razz:  

@amigadave
Yeah I agree it would be cool but I think you hit the nail on the head when you said

“ don’t think it is feasible from a cost point of view”



@JimS
It might be cool little project for some people but personally it sounds like a lot more hassle then finding a broken old 1000 off eBay and using it (Like I’ve already done :-) )

[AJCopland]

Ah i apologise, i misread your original post. You wanted to know what you can do to get an existing project actually built. I thought you mean't what could you do to extend the project itself.

Sorry for that.

Good luck with it though.

Andy

[amiga_3k]

Maybe you could try and get Jens from Individual Computers involved. Maybe he could get Andrew, the Australian guy from Phoenix, to let him produce the PCBs using the Phoenix original layouts. Afterall, Jens has got a Buddah version for the Phoenix in his store. And he has the machines to get it done.

The thing is... right now not a lot of people is willing to take the risk of investing a load of money without getting it back. So... probably another idea is to try and get a couple of dealers to join in as well. Getting a long list of paid-for pre-orders would help as well ;-)

[amigadave]

I have already sent an email to Andrew, but not received any response yet.  I will volunteer to do any additional contacting of prospective dealers and try to increase interest in such a project.  I am also willing to put my money where my mouth is and pre-order, if we can get an agreement from Andrew to work on the project, or someone else to take it over.

The dealers are more likely to get involved if interest is high, so please register on the database that has been set up, so techie will have an accurate number of potential buyers.

Techie, please add a column to the database for people to check if they would be willing to prepay for a Phoenix mb.

[techie]

Hi amiga_3k
Actually that sounds like an interesting idea is anyone pursuing this?


@amigadave
> Techie, please add a column to the database for people to check if they would be willing to prepay for a Phoenix mb.

Okay I'll whip that up asap and have it online by no later than tomorrow. If there is anything else I can do just let me know :-)

[Evillord68]

Do you have contact with Andrew or Apex? We made a Phoenix Revival and i was one of the first. My Board is signed with Nr.3. http://phoenix.a1k.org/index.php?lang=de&id=0x9
I think they are any unassambled or defective boards existing. They must repaired or assambled by Andrew.
I think you must contact Apex, he has the rights to sell. But in the moment they are sold out.

[techie]

@all
Just a quick update to let you all know that the requested change to the database has been made. You may now update your accounts to reflect whether or not you would prepay for a Phoenix Motherboard.

Note: I have also taken this opportunity to add some additional protection against spam bots. If you experience any problems with your account (or with activating a new account) please let me know immediately.  


@Evillord68

Good point. Has anyone checked with aPex at this point?

[techie]

@all

Hey everyone,
Just a small update to let you know that a new news/forum section has been added to the phoenix revival 2 website; it isn’t much at the moment but I can expand on should the need arise.  

Also, I have sent a small note to aPex through his A1K.org email asking if he is willing to be involved in this project, just waiting on a response.

Thanks,
Techie

[stopthegop]

I would be willing to prepay a 50% or more deposit for one of these boards as well.  Either Minimig (should it become an actual product) or the Phoenix.  Or both.  Sign me up.

[techie]

Hi stopthegop,

Thank you for your interest  :-)
Be sure to sign on the Phoenix Revival 2 website to show your support.

Edit: Please Note you must activate your account after registering.  

[McTrinsic]

I have posted a link to the revival-page on both a1k.org and amiga-news.de.

From our first project there were a few people who did not get a board, so there are some interested people left. They might join us here.

Have fun,
McTrinsic

[techie]

Hi McTrinsic,
Great! Thank you very much for the links, it’s much appreciated :-)

Thanks again,
Techie