codazoda

I just built a retro OS for ESP32’s so that I can write BASIC programs and plop them on microcontrollers. My first ESP32 was a wrist watch. My second is a distraction free writer.

It’s good fun building for retro-like machines.

I’ve built a retro operating system and programming environment for ESP32 microcontrollers called BASIC32.

I took it to 39% complete, as a language, over 8-weeks. Then, I spent just 50 minutes describing all the missing parts and it finished the language in 1-shot. I didn’t think it would work. It did.

I used Opus 5.5 on a $20 plan and I didn’t even hit my limits.

In that first chapter, however, he discusses his relief. Even after realizing how horrific what he just did is.

As someone else said, there is no chapter 2.

My own guess is that it was a response to some type of long-term abuse.

I can't even find a mailing list to sign up for. But I'd read the rest of this.

I’ve been building a retro computer BASIC operating system for microcontrollers.

My first project is a watch made from an ESP32-S3 with an AMOLED made by Waveshare.

A traveling clock could make a really interesting second project and, because it could plug in, a slightly less challenging one.

I agree on "fits in my head". I haven't used C++ but I used to love ANSI C. I had a reference manual for it that was something like 30 pages and basically covered the entire language. There's something magical about the compact size of regular C.

Mine got an update with service recently. It now nags me about my opt out every time I start it. Luckily, I don’t have to dismiss it manually, it goes away on its own. Before the update, however, I was never reminded it was disabled.

30 years ago a teacher told me of an art student applying to a school. The student included two art pieces for the submission but was meant to provide three. A note suggested that they look at the stamp for the third submission. It was a hand drawn counterfeit that was good enough to get it delivered.

Or so the story goes.

I have been building BASIC32, a ROM BASIC like the ones I grew up with.

The first one runs on an ESP32 that I plan to use as a watch. The software works, I just need to finish the 3D printed case.

The second runs on an RP2350 connected to my living room TV via an HDMI cord.

I have so much appreciation for these old machines I grew up with.

    BASIC32
    
    Ready.

I'm no fan of GitHub add-ons and I agree with the premise here but...

I can think of one other possibility. It's easier to write in a wiki via the browser. I can open that on my phone and edit docs. I can open it in my browser and edit docs.

On desktop it's a tiny bit more to pull the repo and open it in your editor (and you might already be there) but that tiny bit can be enough to stop you from writing documentation. For me, writing documentation must be totally painless so that I'll actually do it.

Why am I not a fan of the add-ons like PR's, wiki's, discussions, projects, and issues? Because they each introduce vendor lock-in to varying degrees.