Fun seeing this posted - I'm the creator of the project. While it's meant to be a generic IDE/ATAPI emulator the two main use cases I envisioned for the project are in the area of retro computing: CD-ROM under MS-DOS and Windows 9x, where software-only virtual drive emulation options are lacking or nonexistent, and IDE hard drive emulation on early IDE machines where the drive geometries are fixed.
Since the project has been announced, lots of people have come out of the woodwork with other fun potential use cases, such as CD-ROM replacement in arcade cabinets and the Dreamcast, and hard drive replacement in multitrack recorders and samplers.
How does the PicoIDE compare with the ZuluIDE? Are they direct competitors or are there different use cases?
I've been on the fence about getting a ZuluIDE for a while because of the price and because I don't exactly need one... I'll wait and see how the PicoIDE is priced.
This is really cool. I'm glad people are out there making this stuff even if I'll never have a use for it.
What are the use cases for this? I'm guessing retro computing and possibly very old machines tied to very obsolete hardware that can't be virtualized (e.g. manufacturing controls).
This is most useful for retrocomputing, and that’s gonna be the target demographic.
While it’s true that industrial and manufacturing sometimes have really old hardware, that’s usually less due to them not having newer options and more due to preferring something tried and true (it “just works” for their workflow) or the sheer economics of upgrading; in most of those cases, there’s already a flow for interfacing with newer technology (FTP or USB 1.0/2.0 commonly). So this device wouldn’t offer much benefit, if any.
Tangential question: does anyone know if there's a ~similar device to replace/upgrade a Toshiba T1100's floppy drive?
A friend found a T1100 for me and I'm just trying to think of the best way to boot it. Alternatively... I could get a USB floppy disk drive and a fresh floppy, and write old-school DOS to it, at least to get started?
There is a Gotek floppy emulator hardware, about $50 USD.
A USB floppy drive will be cheaper, maybe $20.
I think the T1100 has standard 34-pin IDC connector, but Plus variant uses 26-pin so the Gotek will need an adapter (and probably doesn't fit cleanly).
Currently, it implements the ATAPI READ SUB-CHANNEL command and fully supports the current position data format code. Other format codes like ISRC and UPC currently return dummy data, but wiring that up would be pretty straightforward. Supporting image formats like CloneCD's .ccd/.img/.sub that store arbitrary subchannel data also seems doable, but would definitely be more work.
but also just went “gee it would be nice to just scroll a menu and select different usb LiveCDs for a lab box” and not constantly switching or losing usb dongles for them
ive done boot loader menus and sooner or later one OS clobbers or screws up the others. so im into the idea of segregating them and using your device to select imgs.
yeah its something i could solve with a PXE environment but then i have external dependencies that change over the years as im moving around and getting different internet providers, home equipment , or using different solutions for dhcp and routing etc. this would work well on an airgapped system even if its been collecting dust on a shelf for a few years
The annoying part of .ccd files is the lack of support in the specifications for DPM data. It was officially used just for some old Karaoke machines and VDJing mixers, but more importantly for retrogaming aficionados, it was used by SecuROM and Starforce copy protections.
Can't think of an open format with support for that, IIRC not even CHD files store them.
This is really cool! I like the attention to detail on the front panel, it's something I'd be proud of showing on a carefully built retro PC. I could see using this over CF to IDE adapters which work well but this is a cleaner solution.
Good luck with your launch, I'll be happy to order one!
Personally I think the half-melted (literally) rough 3D-printed look is rather ugly, and would prefer a stamped steel plate --- like this (floppy emulator): https://lotharek.pl/productdetail.php?id=28
Readit News
Since the project has been announced, lots of people have come out of the woodwork with other fun potential use cases, such as CD-ROM replacement in arcade cabinets and the Dreamcast, and hard drive replacement in multitrack recorders and samplers.
I've been on the fence about getting a ZuluIDE for a while because of the price and because I don't exactly need one... I'll wait and see how the PicoIDE is priced.
rp2040/rp2350 are the best things that raspberry pi ever released. From bitbanging HDMI to 400Msps logic analyzers https://github.com/gusmanb/logicanalyzer?tab=readme-ov-file#...
You know, with couple differential transceivers on a daughterboard you could support everything this https://www.drem.info does :)
Deleted Comment
Dead Comment
What are the use cases for this? I'm guessing retro computing and possibly very old machines tied to very obsolete hardware that can't be virtualized (e.g. manufacturing controls).
While it’s true that industrial and manufacturing sometimes have really old hardware, that’s usually less due to them not having newer options and more due to preferring something tried and true (it “just works” for their workflow) or the sheer economics of upgrading; in most of those cases, there’s already a flow for interfacing with newer technology (FTP or USB 1.0/2.0 commonly). So this device wouldn’t offer much benefit, if any.
A friend found a T1100 for me and I'm just trying to think of the best way to boot it. Alternatively... I could get a USB floppy disk drive and a fresh floppy, and write old-school DOS to it, at least to get started?
Thanks!
A USB floppy drive will be cheaper, maybe $20.
I think the T1100 has standard 34-pin IDC connector, but Plus variant uses 26-pin so the Gotek will need an adapter (and probably doesn't fit cleanly).
https://archive.is/gFVNm (medium post, shows the adapter)
https://github.com/keirf/FlashFloppy/issues/549 (somebody had issue with high 5V rail causing Gotek to not work)
i want one of these for my old 486
but also just went “gee it would be nice to just scroll a menu and select different usb LiveCDs for a lab box” and not constantly switching or losing usb dongles for them
ive done boot loader menus and sooner or later one OS clobbers or screws up the others. so im into the idea of segregating them and using your device to select imgs.
yeah its something i could solve with a PXE environment but then i have external dependencies that change over the years as im moving around and getting different internet providers, home equipment , or using different solutions for dhcp and routing etc. this would work well on an airgapped system even if its been collecting dust on a shelf for a few years
Can't think of an open format with support for that, IIRC not even CHD files store them.
Based on RP2350. Perhaps because RP2350 provides more GPIO pins?
Good luck with your launch, I'll be happy to order one!