[deadsy]

I'd been curious about this one since it was released in the early 80's. I wrote an emulation in python to satisfy my curiosity. (https://github.com/deadsy/py_z80) My general conclusion was that the hardware wasn't good enough (monochrome competing with the ZX Spectrum's color) and that Forth didn't offer enough advantages over BASIC to warrant significant usage. It's an interesting design though, and it's good to see how they built their Forth system in an 8K ROM.

[boomlinde]

I actually came across your project the other week, looking for a python Z80 emulator. Commendable work, though I have yet to try it, since you had already covered my intended use of it by making an Ace emulator.

I read some interview with the guys that designed the machine, and their stubbornness in not going for color video and pushing for forth kind of mirrors some of the sentiments about forth programmers shared here. They were definitely primarily engineers with little regard for the benefits of being conventional, which I can appreciate.