Saturday, January 31, 2015

The Superboard ///

My latest retrocomputing project is building the Superboard /// computer kit by Briel Computers.

It is a replica of the Ohio Scientific Superboard II. The original SuperBoard II was one of the first affordable computers that featured a full keyboard, video output, BASIC in ROM.


At a price of $279 in 1979, it was an amazing bargain at the time when compared to systems like the Apple II that retailed for about $1300. For that you got an assembled board but needed to add a 5 volt power supply, monitor or TV set and RF modulator, and cassette tape for storage.

I owned one that I purchased in 1979 and it was my first computer. With it, I learned BASIC and 6502 machine language programming.

The SuperBoard /// is Vince Briel's replica of the original SuperBoard. It features a 6502 processor, but simplifies the design by replacing a lot of logic chips with a Propeller CPU. It is software compatible with the original system.

It is sold assembled or as a kit. I opted for the kit.



To date I've made three YoutYube videos on the kit, covering unboxing, assembly, and basic operation. They can be found on my YouTube channel.

I also have some files on my github account including a handy Quick reference, the OSI firmware including BASIC, and a port of my JMON monitor program. The Visual Monitor program that I entered a few months ago also works.

Below are some useful web links.

My Stuff:



Ohio Scientific:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ohio_Scientific
http://classiccmp.org/dunfield/osi/index.htm
http://home.cmaaccess.com/~jerrytravis/
http://oldcomputers.net/osi-600.html
http://osi.marks-lab.com/
http://osiweb.org/osiweb/software.html
http://superboard.com.sapo.pt/
http://uk101.sourceforge.net/
http://www.6502.org/
http://www.6502.org/users/sjgray/computer/osi-c4p/
http://www.binarydinosaurs.co.uk/Museum/ohio/index.php
http://www.classic-computers.org.nz/collection/challenger1.htm
http://www.compukit.org/Compukit.org
http://www.cse.dmu.ac.uk/~mward/martin/software/index.html#UK101
http://www.gifford.co.uk/~coredump/uk101.htm
http://www.historyofpersonalcomputing.com/osi-superboard-i-and-ii/
http://www.lysator.liu.se/adventure/machines/OSI.html
http://www.neoncluster.com/projects-osi/osi-cassettes.html
http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=572&st=1
http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=860&st=1
http://www.oldcomputermuseum.com/superboard_2.html
http://www.osiweb.org/
http://www.pagetable.com/?p=43
http://www.pagetable.com/?p=46
http://www.pc-history.org/ohio.htm
http://www.technology.niagarac.on.ca/people/mcsele/OhioScientific.html
http://dabeaz.blogspot.co.uk/2010/08/using-python-to-encode-cassette.html
http://searle.hostei.com/grant/uk101/uk101.html
http://www.slideshare.net/dabeaz/using-python3-to-build-a-cloud-computing-service-for-my-superboard-ii
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pB2t6xG2RzE

Superboard ///:

http://forum.6502.org/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=2487
http://www.brielcomputers.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=1627
http://www.brielcomputers.com/wordpress/?cat=39
http://www.brielcomputers.com/wordpress/?cat=41
http://www.retrothing.com/2014/06/superboard-iii-briel-recreates-another-1970s-microcomputer.html

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Jeff, sorry to bother you but I was curious when you purchased your kit from Briel computers. Vince accepted payment from me well over a year ago and never delivered the product. He won't respond to email.