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0 pointsswiftcoder2y ago0 comments

This sort of thing is not uncommon in the embedded space. Lots of devices basically built on a DSP with a tiny arm core tacked on the handle application logic

0 comments

rbanffy2y ago

> Lots of devices basically built on a DSP

There were many X terminals running off nothing but a Texas 34010, which was a very DSP-like CPU that ended up in a lot of high-end graphics acceleration boards for PCs and Macs (and Unix workstations).

The fact it could boot up an X server is quite extraordinary.

I wonder what the VideoCore looks like to the programmer.

kjs32y ago

The fact it could boot up an X server is quite extraordinary.

Since it was designed explicitly to serve that purpose, I'm not sure why it's 'extraordinary'.

Disclaimer: I spent time at a 34010 X terminal shop.

rbanffy2y ago

> Since it was designed explicitly to serve that purpose,

I never imagined that. Now I'm surprised there were no desktop computers based on it. I knew the Intel 860 and 960 were designed as computers and got some usage as that, but I never knew the 34010 and 34020 were like that.

devmor2y ago

Sidebar but it’s very annoying how it now takes me a moment to think if people are talking about a social media website or an open source graphical server when I see “X” being discussed in a tech context.

brianshaler2y ago

With rare exceptions, the social media website tends to be referred to as "X formerly Twitter" or just "Twitter" for short

rbanffy2y ago

Just call it Twitter. Let's deny Elon the pleasure ;-)

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