Foxi Project

[-=Fox=-]

Updated 8-9-10 : Added Dupes and Pic

I started building this system a while ago, but I never got to actually sharing it with anyone. It's an on going project that I intend to "never" finish. So I'll be working on it on and off. This will serve to motivate me a bit.

Also, just a note, if any builds a better system. It's Ok, I'm doing this for me so I can learn more on how to do the CPU/GPU stuffs ^_^.

What is it?

It's a Menu-Based System (Not quite an OS) that runs very simple programs using VERY simple methods.

It contains:

- Menu Based User Interface
Read the Menu Push the button

- Help Menus (READ them)
Help Menu for some of the programs!

Basic Programs

- Writing
This Includes Saving and Retrieving Written Documents via Page Numbers.

- Page Browser
Read multiple pages saved by the writing program via Page number and arrow Keys!

- Data Moving Utility
Move data 8K at a time from any HS memory location to another HS memory location. From Ram to CPU, CPU to Ram, Ram to Ram, and to HS Devices. You just have to know what the memory location is up to 9MBs!

- Data Finder
Not sure where you put the data on that darn external Ram Chip? Now you can find it easily!

Peripherals!

- Foxi Modem using the new SDRP Protocol!
- More to come!

Can I add My Program to it?

You can! As I mentioned it's a VERY simple system. A Menu only needs to be edited as well as a corresponding Key Press and then call your entire program is if it was a routine!

Just be sure that you have a way to Exit your Program via a Key Press so that the Main Menu can be rendered and other programs can be executed.

If you would like your program included into this system, just let me know and I can pop it in there for you, full credits will be given of course. ^_^

What needs to be done to it?

- The Main program needs to be cleaned up (bad labels), it's a bit messy. (DONE)
- Simple Templates for adding programs. (Will Be In FoxCI)
- Add "Alien Code" Execution Program so that it can execute code loaded on other media or CPUs. (Will Be In FoxCI)
- Communication Interface to a WSR compatible Device (DONE)
- Communication programs (Chat(done), E-mail (coming!)

WTF? Release the Code Damnit!

When I got the communications Module for it working, then I will. I want it to be a "full service" system before I release the full code. That will give me time to fix bugs and Comment the HELL out of it so that ANYONE can understand what it's doing and why.


Here is:
Foxi Hardware, Chat program and the modem, working as well



And the Dupes!

Foxi Setup
foxi setup v6.txt

This is the hardware and a copy of the current version of Foxi, I rushed it a bit so its missing a couple of programs that I will be adding this week to it.

Foxi Modem
foxi modem v2.txt

Here it is! The modem, I'll be updating the post later on for how to use this High Speed peripheral, using the CPU and the E2 (maybe), as both can use this device!

Recieve Code: 27 lines
Transmit Code: 33 lines


Highspeed Memory interface for CPU/E2 information!

Recieve Buffer [Cell 3]:
Send Buffer [Cell 2051]:

Both Buffers are 2KBs in size.

Recieve Flag (Output/Input) [Cell: 4227]
This cell well tell you when your getting data and when you have data to read.
1 = Received Data
2 = Receiving Data

WARNING:
When your done receiving data you will need to reset the flag by writing a 0 to the cell. The modem will NOT receive or transmit data if the Receive Flag is not reset.

Send Flag (Input/Output) [Cell: 4228]
Give this a 1 to Transmit the data, It should read a 2 when Transmission is in progress.
The SDRP CPU will reset this to 0 when the transmission is complete.

Data Received Counter (Output)[Cell: 4230]
Tells you how much data has been received.
Note:
There is a slight "maybe" bug (but not really...?) this Counter is NOT reset at the end of receiving the transmission, this may or may not be a problem, you CAN however reset this counter to 0 if you need to.

Data Counter, amount of data is Sent (Output)[Cell: 4233]
This cell will tell you how much data is Sent so far.
Note:
This counter IS reset at the end of transmission. I'm not sure if this is a good or a bad thing, let me know!

Size of Data to be SENT (0-59 = 60 Bytes) Default 64 (Input)[Cell: 4234]
This is the Data Amount that is being Sent, give this a value equivalent to the amount of data your sending.
Note:
The send and receive buffers are only 2KBs in size, if you need to send more than 2KBs... let me know so I can shake your hand. However... IF I modify the buffers, it will change the Cell numbers of access, I'll have to adjust this post for it AND all programs that use the Foxi modem will have to be updated... it will break programs IF I change the buffers. (But I probably won't change them)

Experimental (untested modification, do at your own risk!)
Store Auto Generated Local Address here [Cell: 4235]
Store Remote Address here [Cell: 4236]

The SDRP CPU on the modem will automatically generate an address and transmit it to the remote modem during setup (which is about a second). It SHOULD be possible to change the addresses to suit your needs. Valid Addresses are from 11,000,000 - 11,999,999.

The Foxi Modem will ONLY pay attention to data that is addressed to itself and the Terminate packet.

Note:
The addresses are generated and transmitted during setup, the Modem will NOT be ready until it has a valid address to send the data to. If your modifying the addresses do it AFTER the initial setup, or the system might fail.


Foxi Chat Stand Alone
foxi chat v1b.txt

The Foxi Chat program isn't integrated into Foxi YET! So I've got a copy of it on the Foxi Hardware so that you can play with Chat program, its got one odd bug that I figured out how to fix, that will also be fixed in the next version which should come out this week!

Other than that. Have fun with it!

[-=Fox=-]

There ya go, finally got off my ass and posted the file and a pic of the setup. It's very minimal and utilitarian, but it's useful. So have fun with it and test it and tell me what you like or don't like.

[Officer Tibbles]

FINALLY!

I remember playing around with this like 4 months ago.


Did you get the RAM Card writing done?

[McLovin]

:O nice job Fox! Cant wait for the final release . Here are some cookies.

[Schilcote]

Little suggestion: Instead of having programs have to be added to the main code, can't you just have memory modules hooked up with a data plug and then just JMP to their memory address? That way, anybody could just write their program, save it onto a memory chip, and then plug it in to this system, and run it. That's how game consoles work by the way, the CPU just JMPs to the starting address of the cartrige, and indeed computers do it too, BIOS JMPs to the boot sector of the HD, which JMPs to the OS executable.

[-=Fox=-]

Yeah I've been really lazy releasing this thing... mainly cause well... I need a break from wire, but now I'm back!

Officer Tibbles, Yes and the Page Viewer now works properly! Browse saved pages with Arrow Keys!

Also Schilcote I've acquired the necessary knowledge to do exactly that. External Code Execution is just around the corner Expect it to pop up in the Utilities section. So in the future, if you write a program, you'll be able to pop it in the Slot and run the program from the menu system. But you'll need an exit routine to return control back to the main CPU so other programs can be run.

I'm uploading a new dupe made with the latest version of wire, so if you downloaded the old one, grab the new one, its a little more compact and has the latest version of the code.

[adadr]

nice also thanks for your CPU tutorial I finally learned it that way

[-=Fox=-]

Gah!

External code Execution is driving me nuts... I'll have to wait and figure it out... the code is right... but something isn't...

On another note I've been working on data transmission code so stay tuned!

[-=Fox=-]

I'm still working on this project a bit here and there. I got a data finder utility on there. I've been trying to diagnose why my external code execution fails... so far no luck...

In other news I've been messing with building a CD-ROM drive of my own, not as complex as BPs, but it should work for simple stuff.

I'll get an updated dupe later.

[McLovin]

I'm still working on this project a bit here and there. I got a data finder utility on there. I've been trying to diagnose why my external code execution fails... so far no luck...

In other news I've been messing with building a CD-ROM drive of my own, not as complex as BPs, but it should work for simple stuff.

Awesome keep us up to date! ^_^