Date   : Mon, 05 Apr 2010 10:32:37 -0500
From   : jules.richardson99@... (Jules Richardson)
Subject: "open" beeb bits...

Interesting points about John's[1] TUBE ULA... which prompts me to ask: what 
beeb bits could do with modern, "open" counterparts?

The TUBE ULA's obviously one - same with the video ULA. Maybe the 1770 and 
8271, too (although perhaps re-implementations of those already exist, given 
that they weren't exclusive to Acorn?).

I'm just thinking, it'd be nice if beebs were still around and usable in 50 
years' time - but whilst replacements for many of the parts will likely be 
possible because they're simple and/or well-understood, there are perhaps a 
few bits that would benefit from being "openly" reverse-engineered and documented.

[1] personally I've no problem with John designing a new TUBE ULA and not 
making it generally available - but I do think that the beeb community *needs* 
an "open" ULA design within the next few years (I've certainly got more beeb 
things that use the ULAs than I have functioning ULA chips)

cheers

Jules