Date   : Tue, 19 Apr 2011 14:29:53 +0100 (WET-DST)
From   : BBCMICRO@... (Peter Coghlan)
Subject: making replica acorn cards

> In fact why bother with chips when a modern PC can emulate the whole
> machine.

Because a modern PC can't do the job adequately. My experience is with the BBC
Micro but I'm sure the same applies to the System range.

I can boot a model B in far less time than a modern PC. It's disk controller
can read and write my old disks. The keys on the keyboard are all where they
are supposed to be and I don't have to wonder where particular keys end up on
a modern emulation. The various I/O ports all exist and work as they were
designed to. It makes less noise than a modern PC. When I'm finished, I can
pop out the floppy and just switch it off.

However if it develops a fault, I am more concerned with getting it working
again than making sure it looks exactly like it did when it left the factory.

Back in the '80s, I wished for more memory when I couldn't afford it. Now, I
have no hesitation in plugging a 16K RAM chip into a sideways ROM slot even
though this was never the intention of the designers. I'm all for reliving the
fun but leaving the pain behind.

Regards,
Peter Coghlan.