Date   : Wed, 13 Jan 1993 13:19:24 GMT
From   : "Mik Davis" <davism@...>
Subject: Re: Re:Real time clock, and BBC as a graphics terminal

 >      As for using a BBC as a graphics terminal off an Archimedes
 >      , it probably isn't too bad - except for 2 hickups:-
 >      
 >      1) If you try looking at the output from the WIMP , there
 >      is nothing in the VDU stream about sprites, fonts and the Draw
 >      module.
 >      
 >      2) It would be difficult to run a seperate task - i.e. a seperate
 >      wimp say down the serial port. It wouldn't be TOO difficult
 >      to run simple programs in a task window and force the result
 >      down the serial port.

  This latter is what I was thinking of. Basically running BBC programs but
getting the ARM to do the hard work whilst the beeb handled all the i/o.
  Much the same idea as using a BBC B with a 6502 or Z80 (or 32016) second
processor hung off the tube.
  Youd have to be careful that the arch. didnt filter out any odd characters
which it considered to be unsuitable for a task window (try calling up a task
window and doing a mode change - nothing happens. I dont know at what level this
filtering takes place though.

  Mik

        Mik Davis at Aston University. E-Mail davism@...
A university is what a college becomes when the faculty loses interest
in students.
               -- John Ciardi