Re: [NTLK] Newton Future?

From: smoerk (smoerk_at_gmail.com)
Date: Fri Sep 10 2004 - 12:30:09 PDT


On Thu, 9 Sep 2004 20:40:52 +0100, Edmund Blackadder <edmund_at_helmug.gr> wrote:
 
> My main reason for writing this post is:
>
> The Einstein project.
>
> Not for its technicalities. But for its prospective.
>
> I think the Newton users as a community should make a controlled debate
> (maybe on a new list) about the future of Newton.
>
> With topics like:
>
> -Do we feel that the Newton hardware is aged enough ?

I guess there are people who like the Messagepad as it is and other
who would like to run NewtonOS on different hardware.
 
> -Do we feel that we must find a way to advance in hardware but at the
> same time preserve the NewtonOS?

Paul and Nicolas will do this anyway... :-)

> -What do we feel is the best way? The technically possible one? (Keep
> an open mind on this one....)

I see 3 different solutions:

a) Messagepad emulator that can run the NewtonOS from the ROM.
+ Paul and Nicolas are working on this
- Licensing problems. I guess you have to own a Messagepad to get the
NewtonOS legally.
- Not so easy to extend NewtonOS?

b) A NewtonOS clone from scratch (with binary compatibility)
- Much more work
+ Easier to extend
+ Better performance(?)
+ Available for everyone (no Newton ROM needed)

c) A Newton-like environment
- Newton applications don't run on it (but you can port it)
+ you can port it to any processor architecture.

> -How can we overcome the various legal and technical difficulties?

...

> -What should be the average workload of each solution? Are there enough
> people to make a project roll?

we will see...

> But I do believe strongly that we need to cooperate and communicate
> closely on this issue.
 
Why?

-- 
Oliver T.
-- 
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