January 2018 - Oberon - mailman3.inf.ethz.ch

FPGA - Screen.Mod
by Tomas Kral 26 Oct '18

26 Oct '18

Hi, EDIT (1) I am looking for `Screen.Mod' module (mainly its `Screen.Grub' command) hinted in PO2013 pictures. I have completed early version of `Bitmaps.Mod' supporting basic set of raster operations. I wish to share pictures and code. As we may not post attachments to the forum, I could expose to GitHub, there is also `WikiBook' run by Lyall E. Please advise. Many thanks. -- Tomas Kral <thomas.kral(a)email.cz>

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FPGA Oberon - Definition Module Tool
by thomas.kral＠email.cz 08 Oct '18

08 Oct '18

Hi, I am thinking of a simple tool that could extract definition info from *.Mod and produce respective *.Def file. Definition files can be quickly looked at, to remind a programmer of the interface *.Mod modules export. While on Linux one could use grep $ grep PROCEDURE\ * *.Mod.txt to obtain info at least about procedures, but how about exported types and variables? I am looking for a recommended way how to simply code such a tool, is it a good idea to use `ORP' parser somehow for the task? I prefer to code it simple, does not have to be perfect, but should carry the idea. Tomas

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WIP: Project Oberon / ARM Linux
by Peter Matthias 23 Mar '18

23 Mar '18

Hi all, an untested public version of PO/L is available at http://oberon.wikidot.com Regards, Peter

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Software Tracking Project
by Aubrey McIntosh 31 Jan '18

31 Jan '18

I have an idea that I want to implement to track software usage. I am very sure that I can implement this in V4. From what I have read, Component Pascal conserves a lot of its V4 legacy, and I suspect it would be almost as easy, from my present level of knowledge, to implement my idea in CP. I am filled with the optimism of a new project, and I think I will be able to publish this work. I think, on the one hand, that I can make the case that V4 is a really excellent design, and my idea is appropriately placed in the system, when I can bring it off with only a few lines of code changes. On the other hand, V4 is almost 30 years old, and there is an argument to be made to do all further development in CP. I made a Google form to record responses. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfKmI9ZM0iaQDIY0_wmntMCZszmWscC9-f… -- Aubrey McIntosh, Ph.D. 1502 Devon Circle Austin TX 78723 (512) 348-7401

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Re (2): Software Tracking Project
by peter＠easthope.ca 31 Jan '18

31 Jan '18

Wojciech, From: "Skulski, Wojciech" <skulski(a)pas.rochester.edu> Date: Wed, 31 Jan 2018 02:01:28 +0000 > In my opinion, the benefit would be to mend the rift which somehow > developed over the years between the two systems. Aim to incorporate the best of S3 and V4 into V5? Regards, ... Peter E. -- 123456789 123456789 123456789 123456789 123456789 123456789 123456789 Tel: +1 360 639 0202 Pender Is.: +1 250 629 3757 http://easthope.ca/Peter.html Bcc: peter at easthope. ca https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Medical_Suction_Machines https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Oberon

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Linux Timeline - was: Re (2): Software Tracking Project
by Treutwein Bernhard 31 Jan '18

31 Jan '18

> Never mind. Instead of using Wikimedia you can go directly to the source and > click on one of the images there: > > http://futurist.se/gldt/ A more current version is here: https://github.com/FabioLolix/LinuxTimeline/releases

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Android
by Aubrey McIntosh 28 Jan '18

28 Jan '18

I bought a Logitech MX Ergo Plus trackball mouse at Fry's. This connect via WiFi or Bluetooth. -- Aubrey McIntosh, Ph.D. 1502 Devon Circle Austin TX 78723 (512) 348-7401

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Re (2): Android
by peter＠easthope.ca 28 Jan '18

28 Jan '18

> ... the next step is to see if a bluetooth keyboard will > also connect to the phone, and then to raise the question of moving S4 to > the Android. The BT keyboard of a Kensington case for iPad works. A $5 BT mouse purchased via eBay works. S3 works on IBochs and on "IBochs PC Emulator". But Android has many artificial constraints. Subversions allow external parties to collect data. Oberon or A2 on Android should be possible. Appealing, but is it worth the trouble? Pessimism not intended. Regards, ... Lyall E. -- 123456789 123456789 123456789 123456789 123456789 123456789 123456789 Tel: +1 360 639 0202 Pender Is.: +1 250 629 3757 http://easthope.ca/Peter.html Bcc: peter at easthope. ca https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Medical_Suction_Machines https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Oberon

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Re: [Oberon] Updated RiskFive FOM schematics
by John R. Strohm 17 Jan '18

17 Jan '18

This is one of those places where naming names, of the good guys AND the bad (and clearly delineating who is in which list) would be a service to the community. --- skulski(a)pas.rochester.edu wrote: From: "Skulski, Wojciech" <skulski(a)pas.rochester.edu> To: ETH Oberon and related systems <oberon(a)lists.inf.ethz.ch> Subject: Re: [Oberon] Updated RiskFive FOM schematics Date: Wed, 17 Jan 2018 02:07:30 +0000 Paul Reed wrote: > On the other hand, I've watched with interest and admiration as what is > now called the "maker" community grapples with the unavailability of > through-hole parts. They even have great success hand-soldering ball-grid > array chips these days. Maybe the way forward is to use SMD, but design > for hand-re-workability wherever possible. I assembled most of my prototypes by hand, including QFN parts with 0.5 mm spacing and a ground pad hidden under the chip. An interesting exercise was soldering power nano modules whose pads are entirely under the chip (part number LMZ10500SIL, take a look at the data sheet). Another interesting exercise was AD9650, which is a QFN part costing about $150 a piece. With time and practice I became pretty good at this kind of assembly, though reworking 0201 parts gives me goosebumps. If you ever looked at these then you will know what I mean. I would never assemble a BGA myself. I witnessed a couple horror stories in the university lab equipped with professional tools, but without proper infrastructure. After watching the failures I know where to stop tinkering and when to turn to professional services. Some reflow processes require nitrogen gas flow, for example. I would not try this at home using a toaster oven. I would not try BGAs with a chinese reflow oven, which I have used for the QFN assembly. It is a fine device which I used more than once. But one has to know where to stop. I have had my share of disappointments with some American assembly houses, including one from Silicon Valley whose name I do not even want to mention. I have had a horrific experience with the original manufacturer of the BeagleBone. They went bankrupt soon after they screwed up my boards. RiskFive boards will be assembled professionally. I have had good experience with chinese companies. Their work is reasonably priced and they are very professional. There are number of fine companies out there who focus on short runs. I have had good experience with these. I will use their services again. W. -- Oberon(a)lists.inf.ethz.ch mailing list for ETH Oberon and related systems https://lists.inf.ethz.ch/mailman/listinfo/oberon

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Re: [Oberon] Updated RiskFive FOM schematics
by peter＠easthope.ca 17 Jan '18

17 Jan '18

Hello Wojciech, > I added a pin connector for plugging in the NRF24L01 wireless module > into the FPGA On Module (FOM). The updated schematics is available on > the Schematics page on RiskFive.com. The schematics is posted for > review. Thanks. These days, my first concerns with any new electronic machine is reliability and repairability. Too many gadgets are built with poor quality, barely in spec. components, surface mounted. After a few years a board fails. There is no straigthforward way to identify the failed component. Replacing a surface mount component is tedious and error prone. Replacing a many-pin device just to find whether it is faulty is too time consuming. Conclusion: a board with components mounted in sockets and through hole soldered would have much more appeal than fragile components surface mounted. Perhaps simply not feasible in our world and I should forget modern electronics. No offense intended. Just an frank comment. Best Regards ... Peter E. -- 123456789 123456789 123456789 123456789 123456789 123456789 123456789 Tel: +1 360 639 0202 Pender Is.: +1 250 629 3757 http://easthope.ca/Peter.html Bcc: peter at easthope. ca

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