I found this strange msg. on the BBS too. A new computer from RUSSIA????





Message #21 of 21 on 'Assembler, NL'

Date : 20 Sep 92  15:49:25

From : Carlo Delhez

To   : allen

Subj : 40 MHz MC68040 machine from russia



 * Crossposted in area ASSEMBLER.028, SOLDEER.028





"CONCEPT": POWERFUL & FAST QL CLONE  >>>>  40 MHz MC68040 machine from Russia



Concept Message #1 dated 18th of September 1992





Andrew Lavrov and Anatoly Tishin, both from Russia, are planning to design

and manufacture a very powerful Sinclair QL clone as soon as possible. The

machine they have in mind will not only be able to clone the QL, but should

be capable of cloning any other MC680xx-based computer as well (Atari ST,

Commodore Amiga, Apple MacIntosh etc.) without any change of hardware!

The main features of the machine are still indefinite and open to change,

but currently they are planned as follows:



> Working name: "Concept";

> Original Personal System, not just an upgrade of an existing machine;

> Motorola MC68040 processor;

> Clock frequency around 40 MHz;

> Relocatable ROM and RAM areas via programmable addressing for compatibility

  with existing MC680xx-based computer systems;

> Flexibly programmable peripherial devices (such as keyboard, video, sound,

  diskdrives), based on single-chip microcomputers;

> Programmable addressing of peripherial devices;

> Support of some popular standard operating systems such as UNIX and OS/9;

> Bootstrap process allows to reconfigure system and to continue working

  in a number of computer emulation modes (QL, ST, Amiga, Mac,...);

  the actual number of computers that will be emulated depends on the

  popularity of each different system and on the interest of experts joining

  the project; the first computer to be emulated will be the Sinclair QL;

> No violation of copyrights on existing system ROM software;

> To be built in Russia with imported chips;

> Estimated market price: US $ 1500.



The MC68040 is real 32-bit processor (with 32-bit databus) and has a fast

internal caching memory. It is to be expected that the above system runs

at least 6 times as fast as a QL with Gold Card (>25 times normal QL speed).

This implies - for example - that QL Conqueror would be as fast as a 16 MHz

80386 machine and QL Spectrum emulators would run at least at twice the real

Spectrum speed!



The persons currently involved in the project are:



 1. System Software Programming:    Andrew Lavrov, Tver, Russia;

 2. Main Hardware Expertise:        Anatoly Tishin, Dubna, Russia;

 3. Software & Group Coordination:  Carlo Delhez, Steenbergen, Netherlands.



However, the project is quite complicated, so we are willing to cooperate

with as many users and experts of the various MC680xx systems as possible

in order to have considerable results.

Also companies who wish to cooperate in or contribute to the development

of this innovative and powerful new system are requested to reply.



An association (called "Concept Association") will be organized and it will

be open for all the users, experts and companies who are interested in this

project and are willing to support and take part in the Concept design.



If the above interests you, please do the following:



Computer Experts: if you're willing to cooperate in or contribute to the

    project, send a letter and describe your personal skills (hardware

    knowledge, software experience, specific 680xx system expertise etc.)

    and estimate how much time you can spend for the project (as volunteer).

    If you already have ideas that may be useful, mention them!

    We'll reply as soon as a sufficiently large group of experts in the

    various fields has been gathered and when their suggestions have been

    evaluated by Andrew and Anatoly (the brains of the project!).



Computer Users: please express your interest in this project by sending

    a personal letter to the address below. We really need to know how many

    people are potentially interested in this system! If you add a number of

    International Reply Coupons, we'll keep you posted about the developments

    as well.



Companies: any interest from companies is heartily welcomed. Sponsoring

    and support for future production and distribution will be essential.



All: What do you think about the feasibility of this system? We think that

    it should be able to compete with existing MC680xx computer systems

    thanks to its flexible design. What's your opinion?



Project Correspondence Address:         Carlo Delhez,

                                        Emmastraat 3,

                                        NL-4651 BV Steenbergen,

                                        Netherlands.



You are kindly requested to forward this message to as many QL/ST/Amiga/MAC

Users, User Groups, Magazines and BBSs as possible. The more people we reach

with this info, the more chance there is that this innovative computer system

will actually be realised!

We encourage the readers of BBSs to discuss the feasibility of this system

with each other on the BBS, but we would like to know about it as well. So,

please send resulting ideas or conclusions by 'normal' (non-electronic) mail

to the address above.



--- msgedsq 2.1a

 * Origin: Sinclair Box -= The ZX Spectrum BBS =- (2:285/751)



