The only difference between version 5.0 and 5.1 is the power up screen. The original A1 had alternating “_” and “@” signs with the @ signs flashing. The @ signs actually disappeared during the flash off.

With version 5.0, I had the @ signs flashing between normal and inverse instead of completely disappearing. With version 5.1, this was fixed to have the @ signs disappear during flashing, like on the original Apple 1. I actually had it right on earlier versions, but made a change to dramatically improve initialization time in version 5.0 and created this discrepancy at that time.

I’ve been shipping 5.1 since 4/1/11, and have heard no reports of issues. In fact, other than the flashing @ signs, I haven’t heard of issues with any of the versions, other than someone verifying the memory corruption bug with 4.0, that I previously reported in my blog.

Because the difference is pretty small and does not affect operation in any way, I don’t intend on automatically shipping updated 5.1 PROMS to those who already have 5.0 PROMs. If you have version 5.0 you can request an update or if you have a PROM burner, I can send you an Intel hex file with the new image.

There are still a few people with version 4.0 that I owe an update to – I plan on shipping version 5.1 to you around the end of the month.

The design is frozen and ready for general shipments. I’m now accepting orders and will be shipping the first batch of Brain Boards tomorrow.

Send me an email, for ordering information.

The Brain Board/Wozanium pack web page is up and includes a link to the Beta Manual with has all kinds of information about the implementation. I have a little more to add, including an example downloadable driver that allows a user to control the machine through a super serial card.

I have had some good feedback from the Beta team. Several improvements have been made to the Wozanium firmware and will undergo testing this week. I plan on starting general shipments on 3/21/2011.

Cost for kits will be $59 with free shipping in USA and $10 shipping internationally. I also plan on offering built up units, once I get through any flurry of initial kit orders. Send me an email, if you have any questions.

I have shipped several Beta kits to some Mimeo builders who also have Apple IIs. Once I incorporate any feedback from the Beta Testers, I’ll open up for ordering. Hopefully this will take only a couple of weeks. My own testing of the production board has revealed no bugs.

In some ways, this is the most complex retro-project I have yet attempted. There was a pretty decent blue print for the Apple 1 and Apple II projects. The complexity involved making sure I didn’t overlook any of the content in the blue print and filling in a few blank pages. The Brain Board project involves creating a way to map the blue print from one fairly complex architecture into another. It also involves mapping the software systems along with the hardware systems. With the motherboard projects, the software was a given. A similar project was the PS/2 to ASCII keyboard adapter, but that mapping is much more constrained.

Several folks have suggested I take pre-orders for this project. Though demand on this project is hard to estimate, I think I have enough parts on hand to supply immediate demand and pre-orders are not necessary.

I have decided to classify this kit as a level 1 kit – it is very easy to build. If you can figure out which end of a chip has pin 1 and have a decent soldering iron, you should be able to build it. Here is a list of projects that I have offered with their skill levels.

1) Apple Cassette Interface (stocked), Brain Board (shipping soon)
2) PS/2 keyboard adapter (stocked)
3)
4) Apple 1 (stocked), Apple 2 rev 0 (discontinued)
5) Datanetics keyboard (several PCBs left)

Brain Board

During bring up last night, I had a minor issue with a dead 74LS74 and also found that 3 ohm resistors are not good substitutes for 3K ohm resistors. I’m now past that and am now looking at kicking off Beta testing this week.

Should have them in about a week. I’ll immediately do a quick checkout to make sure they behave like my proto and get Beta started.

If everything goes smoothly I’ll be shipping by end of March.

I’m really excited about this project, it’s really a wicked neat little personality board for your Apple II – kind of like giving it a lobotomy. I’ll be posting more details about the design once I get closer to shipping.

When running Wozanium Pack Firmware on the BrainBoard, here is the system specs.

Microprocessor Clock Frequency: 1.023 MHz – same as the original Apple 1
Effective Cycle Frequency: 1.0205 versus the original’s 0.960 MHz

VIDEO OUTPUT: Composite positive video – same as original
Format: 40 characters/line. 24 lines; with automatic scrolling – same as original
Character Matrix: 5 x 7 – same as original

RAM MEMORY: 16K located at 0x0 – standard configuration with the original had 4k at 0x0 and another 4k at 0xE000. Several original systems were modified with the bank of memory at 0x0 expanded to 16K

BASIC: 4K at location 0xE000 contains Basic in PROM – With the original, BASIC was loaded into the 4K DRAM bank at location 0xE000 using the Apple Casssette Interface (ACI)

APPLE CASSETTE INTERFACE: built in – ACI was an option on the original

see the “mind blowing” first public demo of the “BRAIN BOARD” on my video podcast #24

http://www.willegal.net/feed.xml

From itunes select “subscribe to podcast” and enter this link as the feed.

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