https://www.thebyteattic.com/p/agon.html
Here's the Forth for it, which can replace its initially built-in BBC BASIC: https://github.com/lennart-benschop/agon-forth
(…and here's CP/M 2.2 for the machine: https://github.com/nihirash/Agon-CPM2.2 )

On Saturday, August 19, 2023 at 2:40:03 PM UTC-4, Zbig wrote:
> https://www.thebyteattic.com/p/agon.html
> Here's the Forth for it, which can replace its initially built-in BBC BASIC: https://github.com/lennart-benschop/agon-forth
> (…and here's CP/M 2.2 for the machine: https://github.com/nihirash/Agon-CPM2.2 )

What is it?

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Rick C.

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> What is it?

A new, compact retrocomputer. More details here:
https://www.thebyteattic.com/p/agon.html

On Saturday, August 19, 2023 at 3:18:05 PM UTC-4, Zbig wrote:
> > What is it?
>
> A new, compact retrocomputer. More details here:
> https://www.thebyteattic.com/p/agon.html

Yes, I saw that. I'm not sure what it is useful for. It seems to have no async serial ports, but does have a Z80 CPU. I would like to see something like this, but with hardware serial ports.

What is the intended market? Is there one?

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Rick C.

+ Get 1,000 miles of free Supercharging
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On 20/08/2023 4:40 am, Zbig wrote:
> https://www.thebyteattic.com/p/agon.html
> Here's the Forth for it, which can replace its initially built-in BBC BASIC: https://github.com/lennart-benschop/agon-forth
> (…and here's CP/M 2.2 for the machine: https://github.com/nihirash/Agon-CPM2.2 )

It appears BBC BASIC comes via $40 microSD card bundled with CP/M.
My impression is the only thing built-in is the MOS operating system.

> Yes, I saw that. I'm not sure what it is useful for. It seems to have no async serial ports, but does have a Z80 CPU. I would like to see something like this, but with hardware serial ports.

“As a microcomputer,” the Byte Attic blog explains, “Agon is a standalone device that
requires no host PC: it puts out its own video (VGA), audio (2 identical mono channels),
accepts a PS/2 keyboard and has its own mass-storage in the form of a µSD card.
As a microcontroller, it has a control port featuring SPI, I2C, twenty or more distinct
GPIO lines (including lines for serial communication), a system clock output, as well
as power (3.3V and 5V) and ground rails.”

> What is the intended market? Is there one?

Mainly retrocomputer enthusiasts, electronics hobbyists, radioamateurs etc.

> > https://www.thebyteattic.com/p/agon.html
> > Here's the Forth for it, which can replace its initially built-in BBC BASIC: https://github.com/lennart-benschop/agon-forth
> > (…and here's CP/M 2.2 for the machine: https://github.com/nihirash/Agon-CPM2.2 )
> It appears BBC BASIC comes via $40 microSD card bundled with CP/M.
> My impression is the only thing built-in is the MOS operating system.

From what I see also at least VDP probably must be flashed (see „Update steps”):
https://github.com/breakintoprogram/agon-docs/wiki/Updating-Firmware#update-steps

In article <c9cd4f4d-beb4-4a3c-a335-19b3ad89fe7an@googlegroups.com>,
Zbig <zbigniew2011@gmail.com> wrote:
>https://www.thebyteattic.com/p/agon.html
>Here's the Forth for it, which can replace its initially built-in BBC
>BASIC: https://github.com/lennart-benschop/agon-forth
>(…and here's CP/M 2.2 for the machine:
>https://github.com/nihirash/Agon-CPM2.2 )

I made a figForth version that was an improvement over the original
figForth. Anyhow the original figForth should run under CPM2.2.

Groetjes Albert
--
Don't praise the day before the evening. One swallow doesn't make spring.
You must not say "hey" before you have crossed the bridge. Don't sell the
hide of the bear until you shot it. Better one bird in the hand than ten in
the air. First gain is a cat spinning. - the Wise from Antrim -

> I made a figForth version that was an improvement over the original
> figForth. Anyhow the original figForth should run under CPM2.2.

Maybe it could be expanded to make it ADL-mode „native” 24-bit
Forth for that machine?

On 20/08/2023 6:33 pm, Zbig wrote:
>>> https://www.thebyteattic.com/p/agon.html
>>> Here's the Forth for it, which can replace its initially built-in BBC BASIC: https://github.com/lennart-benschop/agon-forth
>>> (…and here's CP/M 2.2 for the machine: https://github.com/nihirash/Agon-CPM2.2 )
>> It appears BBC BASIC comes via $40 microSD card bundled with CP/M.
>> My impression is the only thing built-in is the MOS operating system.
>
> From what I see also at least VDP probably must be flashed (see „Update steps”):
> https://github.com/breakintoprogram/agon-docs/wiki/Updating-Firmware#update-steps

Looking further that $40 microSD card appears to be a bit of entrepreneurship
by the local vendor. Agon manual indicates BASIC and MOS are free for the
downloading. Updating the firmwares is probably the main issue (and finding
room for another monitor, keyboard).

> Looking further that $40 microSD card appears to be a bit of entrepreneurship
> by the local vendor. Agon manual indicates BASIC and MOS are free for the
> downloading. Updating the firmwares is probably the main issue (and finding
> room for another monitor, keyboard).

Yes, the files one may need are here: https://github.com/TheByteAttic/AgonLight

Also found an instructable and link to newest versions of the files:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuWkkTwPQKU

On Sunday, August 20, 2023 at 4:26:24 AM UTC-4, Zbig wrote:
> > Yes, I saw that. I'm not sure what it is useful for. It seems to have no async serial ports, but does have a Z80 CPU. I would like to see something like this, but with hardware serial ports.
> “As a microcomputer,” the Byte Attic blog explains, “Agon is a standalone device that
> requires no host PC: it puts out its own video (VGA), audio (2 identical mono channels),
> accepts a PS/2 keyboard and has its own mass-storage in the form of a µSD card.
> As a microcontroller, it has a control port featuring SPI, I2C, twenty or more distinct
> GPIO lines (including lines for serial communication), a system clock output, as well
> as power (3.3V and 5V) and ground rails.”
> > What is the intended market? Is there one?
> Mainly retrocomputer enthusiasts, electronics hobbyists, radioamateurs etc.

The only mention of serial port I/Os I can find are between the Z80 CPU and the ESP32. Is the ESP32 on this board? The hardware manual doesn't mention the UART(s), so I have no idea how to use them. Is there a software user's guide or something to define the programming of this board?

--

Rick C.

-- Get 1,000 miles of free Supercharging
-- Tesla referral code - https://ts.la/richard11209

> The only mention of serial port I/Os I can find are between the Z80 CPU and the ESP32. Is the ESP32 on this board? The hardware manual doesn't mention the UART(s), so I have no idea how to use them. Is there a software user's guide or something to define the programming of this board?

Dear Ricky,

1. „As a microcontroller, Agon light™ has a control port featuring SPI, I2C, 20 distinct GPIOs (including UART lines), a system clock output, as well as power (3.3V and 5V) and ground rails. It also features a separate ACCESS.bus header.”

Noticed „including UART lines”?

You may want also to have a look onto this:
https://github.com/envenomator/agon-hexload
(„The UART1 serial port can be used at the external GPIO serial pins PC0/TxD1, PC1/RxD1 and GND. Connect to external serial interfaces (3.3v), like for example a USB-Serial FTDI adapter” etc.)

2. Regarding software user's manual: you may want to check out closely Agon Light Wiki:
https://github.com/breakintoprogram/agon-docs/wiki

On 21/08/2023 8:21 am, Zbig wrote:
>> The only mention of serial port I/Os I can find are between the Z80 CPU and the ESP32. Is the ESP32 on this board? The hardware manual doesn't mention the UART(s), so I have no idea how to use them. Is there a software user's guide or something to define the programming of this board?
>
> Dear Ricky,
>
> 1. „As a microcontroller, Agon light™ has a control port featuring SPI, I2C, 20 distinct GPIOs (including UART lines), a system clock output, as well as power (3.3V and 5V) and ground rails. It also features a separate ACCESS.bus header.”
>
> Noticed „including UART lines”?
>
> You may want also to have a look onto this:
> https://github.com/envenomator/agon-hexload
> („The UART1 serial port can be used at the external GPIO serial pins PC0/TxD1, PC1/RxD1 and GND. Connect to external serial interfaces (3.3v), like for example a USB-Serial FTDI adapter” etc.)
>
> 2. Regarding software user's manual: you may want to check out closely Agon Light Wiki:
> https://github.com/breakintoprogram/agon-docs/wiki

As I see it, it's a self-contained computer in the style of Sinclair machines
of the late 70's and early 80's. While it has some 'microcontroller' capability
this doesn't appear to be the goal. It's more about operating systems and
running apps on them. As regards CP/M it's going to be a PITA as one will be
dealing with CP/M disk images and currently no easy way of transferring files.
The struggle will be finding enough native programs to run on the machine and
the OS still in a state of flux. No doubt it's good value for money and got
potential. Whether it will be reached is another thing. Forthers above all
should know how these things transpire.

On Sunday, August 20, 2023 at 6:21:11 PM UTC-4, Zbig wrote:
> > The only mention of serial port I/Os I can find are between the Z80 CPU and the ESP32. Is the ESP32 on this board? The hardware manual doesn't mention the UART(s), so I have no idea how to use them. Is there a software user's guide or something to define the programming of this board?
> Dear Ricky,
>
> 1. „As a microcontroller, Agon light™ has a control port featuring SPI, I2C, 20 distinct GPIOs (including UART lines), a system clock output, as well as power (3.3V and 5V) and ground rails. It also features a separate ACCESS.bus header.”
>
> Noticed „including UART lines”?

Yeah, I saw that, but that's not what they call documentation. It also does not address my question about the serial port being used between the Z80 and the ESP32.

> You may want also to have a look onto this:
> https://github.com/envenomator/agon-hexload
> („The UART1 serial port can be used at the external GPIO serial pins PC0/TxD1, PC1/RxD1 and GND. Connect to external serial interfaces (3.3v), like for example a USB-Serial FTDI adapter” etc.)
>
> 2. Regarding software user's manual: you may want to check out closely Agon Light Wiki:
> https://github.com/breakintoprogram/agon-docs/wiki

I'm not interested in hobby gadgets with little useful documentation. You have already said this is mostly for hobbyists. I'm sure many others will enjoy this unit.

--

Rick C.

-+ Get 1,000 miles of free Supercharging
-+ Tesla referral code - https://ts.la/richard11209

I'm sure of that too :)