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by papaver-somnamb 688 days ago
For a quintessential CP/M experience, run it on an S-100 -based system [0] with either an Intel 8080 or Zilog Z80 CPU and some expansion cards that complete the system. Probably at least light I/O (incl. keyboard), disk storage, and graphics.

A tremendously great thing about these systems is that within a mere few years, 1 person can learn and understand the system in its totality, everything from basic electronics, circuit boards, power supply, through digital logic and components, OS and system, and up to user apps. There was a vibrant community of people making and contributing to these ecosystems, with complete systems, individual cards, upgrades and improvements, software, magazines, trade shows, and meets. Today we can recognize that as a nascent incarnation of the FOSS / commercial spectrum.

To me, it says something beautiful about the human spirit and condition. And how we are inexorably destined as a technological species. Perhaps all life capable of it is. OK I'm off to re-watch The Expanse now.

[0] http://cpmarchives.classiccmp.org/cpm/mirrors/www.s100comput...

3 comments

There's certainly no shortage of affordable hardware that can run CP/M 2.x, running 3.x requires RAM paging which is a pain, but still doable.

If you go to https://www.tindie.com/ and search for "CPM" you'll find a bunch of kits for various systems. Some based on the RC2014 and other standalone and unique.

I adore my Kaypro II (such a simple and well-designed system!), but the software for CP/M is generally quite boring. Business, productivity-- all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Sure, there's ADVENT and a Gorillas-type game, but it lacks the playful vibrancy of the stuff people made back when micros were curiosities with potential. CP/M made them useful, and useful things have to go to the office and make money.
Oh but those Kaypro 10 phosphors were delicious and slow to fade, and so kelly-green. The most boring things I did on it seemed so incredibly hackey.
Xalte natet wit duting to, beratna!

("Stay groovy with your 'puter, brother" — unfortunately the extant lang belta vocabulary doesn't, without significant circumlocution, cover "run light without overbyte")