Date   : Wed, 20 Apr 2011 08:13:06 +0100
From   : stuart@... (stuart)
Subject: making replica acorn cards

> I think it depends upon your outlook. There are some who want 
> authenticity, while others would prefer something that is
> fundamentally the same in spirit, if not in exact hardware.

Then let us have both so people can choose.

> Because a reasonably skilled person could consider putting together a 
> memory board. If you're skilled and patient, you might pull off a
> wire-wrap.

Well I am saying if you can solder just send these files (along with
 payment) to a PCB fab house and you will get back a board that will do
the job, and you could then choose what it looks like.

> FPGA? We're looking at a form of programming. Not to mention enhanced 
> complexity in verifying the design. If you miss an address line in a 
> memory card, this could be traced down manually. Inside an FPGA?
> 
> While replacing difficult older components with more modern
> replacements is not necessarily a bad thing, to consider switching to
> programmable logic is - in my opinion - overcomplicating a simple
> problem.

I was just saying that, if you extend the "I can do it in less chips
these days" argument to its logical conclusion you wind up with just
one chip.

> Indeed. Anybody could come and *claim* IPR, but how many could
> *prove* it?
> 
> That said, if a hobbyist makes a clone of a >20 year old design
> pretty much at cost, there is no doubt that any whiff of a legal fee
> will far outweigh anything likely to be recouped. I'd love to read a
> report trying to justify material losses for such an event...

And that is why I am prepared to do this.


-- 
Stuart
Microsoft - products from convicted criminals