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[techie]

I agree with tonyyeb; when it comes to these sort of things I really am all Thumbs :-( so getting the board completely assembled is really my only option.
Also, like tonyyeb said collaboration makes a lot of sense for a project such as this so keeping in touch with Crom00 is probably a good idea :-)

[Crom00]

I'm all for working in unison Iluwatar or whoever to get the Mini-MIG out there. Already working with WhiteB to "git it DUN" as we say here in the states.

Right now we're working to get 10 early adopter/ beta boards done. Once those get out into the wild we can get feedback about how the Mini-MIG actually works and intereacts with monitors, software, etc. Once this "research" is complete suggested fixes can be noted and incorporated into future versions.

[Crom00]

I'm from the school of though where if projects like this are to get off the ground we should learn from the experience of past Amiga community endeavors.

THAT MEANS...taking the high road. At the very least we'd be working towards a common goal and sharing ideas and resources. (the exact opposite of what's gone down in the Amiga secne) LOL!

We all know the names and cast of colorful characters...

Remember without Dennis' & Illuwatar's "just do it" attitude we wouldn't be salivating over Mini-MIGS.

[Doobrey]

little wrote:

More RAM is good (and DDR is better :-D ) and even minimig v1.0 has a socket to load a program into the pic18, what is the difference if such program(bios) is loaded(executed) instead into(by) a coldfire? :-?

The PIC has internal flash memory that you upload the new bootstrap code into,the Coldfire doesn't.. it needs to load it from a ROM, hence freqmax's comment about it adding more to the board.

[tonyyeb]

Crom00 wrote:
I'm from the school of though where if projects like this are to get off the ground we should learn from the experience of past Amiga community endeavors.

THAT MEANS...taking the high road. At the very least we'd be working towards a common goal and sharing ideas and resources. (the exact opposite of what's gone down in the Amiga secne) LOL!

We all know the names and cast of colorful characters...

Remember without Dennis' & Illuwatar's "just do it" attitude we wouldn't be salivating over Mini-MIGS.

Here here! Now get those development boards done!!!

[Crom00]

I know, I know... Right now the Crom00/WhiteB v 1. are on the way... They're stuck in the UK due to the Royal Post Strike. A couple of weeks away from getting working units.

[whiteb]

Crom00 wrote:
I'm all for working in unison Iluwatar or whoever to get the Mini-MIG out there. Already working with WhiteB to "git it DUN" as we say here in the states.

Right now we're working to get 10 early adopter/ beta boards done. Once those get out into the wild we can get feedback about how the Mini-MIG actually works and intereacts with monitors, software, etc. Once this "research" is complete suggested fixes can be noted and incorporated into future versions.

Heh, and as I have a habit of saying lately, I just need a group of RETARD postal workers in the UK to "Bloody move their arses".

[tonyyeb]

Keep up the good work guys. Keep us upto date. Any bit of news it great to hear (whether good or bad). Let me know if there is anything i can do to help.

[trip6]

I really would like to see the design proceed in this direction, as I firmly believe Mini-ITX is the way to go (if not just for the case options)... Thank you Crom00 for pursuing the fabrication options on this build as well... I also cannot stress enough how important socketing will be to increase the longevity of the units... Socketing the FPGA would be a luxury but a great one. Socketing all other chips and crystals are impoirtant as well in order to allow for upgradeability\repairability\longevity... Think long term...

[Tomas]

My initial plan was simple - make bare PCB's & sell bare PCB's for a decent price. That requires the buyer to put the parts on the board themselves. But I can start to look around for manufacturing options (at least have the tricky parts mounted by a factory - headers and connectors should be easy for everyone, also leaving it open for options).

I think you would indeed sell alot more if the boards are populated. Most of us here is sadly not very experienced when it comes to electronics and soldering, and thus the boards would be of no usage for us.
I think the best would be to both provide empty boards for those who are experienced and completely boards for the rest of us. I myself am willing to pay extra for the work this requires.

[AJCopland]

There's nothing that any of us in the UK can do to speed this up for you guys is there? The Royal Pain-in-the-ar$e Mail don't generally help you to do much but let us know if we can.

Andy

[little]

The PIC has internal flash memory that you upload the new bootstrap code into,the Coldfire doesn't..

Whether you have to upload it once or execute ir on powerup you still need on board the hardware to install an (EEP)ROM, so the so called extra cost is about installing one (EEP)ROM (and with openfirmware or u-boot it is not even big, bytewise). What is next, nagging about installing a battery for the RTC? >_<

[whiteb]

Tomas wrote:

I think you would indeed sell alot more if the boards are populated. Most of us here is sadly not very experienced when it comes to electronics and soldering, and thus the boards would be of no usage for us.
I think the best would be to both provide empty boards for those who are experienced and completely boards for the rest of us. I myself am willing to pay extra for the work this requires.

Well, I was going to make use of Bulk purchases and do a run, but after xenepp was left with left overs, even after having firm orders, and then some on like a waiting list.

i was planning a run of 25, which would have set me back easily several thousand Australian dollars.. I gave up, not wanting what Xenepp had.

So, here I am, doing a run of three on behalf of Myself, and someone here. Minimal outlay, and easy to shift to recoup costs, if NEEDED (Not wishing it to go that way).

[whiteb]

AJCopland wrote:
There's nothing that any of us in the UK can do to speed this up for you guys is there? The Royal Pain-in-the-ar$e Mail don't generally help you to do much but let us know if we can.

Andy

Find my boards, and fly over here and hand them to me personally , all for several pounds

I just do not like (Unlike Royal mail) to keep people waiting.

[Crom00]

Just so you know a run of 1000 units can easily run into a pretty huge chunk of change. Do the math, if it's already ocsting more than $100 ($200 with labor) alone for pcb and parts only...imagine how much a run with packaging, customs, shipping, legal fees, etc.

Factories require payment upfront too, non negotiable.