MC Minimal Computer Reborn

Minimal Computer for Schools

MC COMPUTER REBIRTH

This week, the MC Minimal Computer is reborn. Arising from the ashes of a hard drive crash, the resurrected MC is designed as a school machine and a construction project for Parallax Propeller chip enthusiasts, or anyone interested in building their own simple computer.

The battery driven Minimal Computer, also part of the Big Brain Clan, uses one prop chip and a series of panel toggle switches and LEDs. The MC is the forerunner of the new and upcoming projects: the Shrunken Computer, and the all new Propeller COSMAC Elf II.

MC is designed as a Learning System for schools. It's the tool needed for learning the BINARY language and exploring computer programming. In minimal configs and standby, the MC can of course run for months... approaching a year's time on the internal battery. The front panel has inputs for 3 volts DC using banana jacks. Toggle inputs B0 through B7 are designed for input of binary programs and to regulate SPIN language code. Equivalent LEDs are panel mounted for display readout. Additionally the MC has an Enter/Step pushbutton, a power on/off switch, and AUX toggle.

The MC is very portable and extremely light weight. It school back packs, fits luggage, and has a great all around appearance. It's fun and easy to work with, and it interfaces to PC, Mac or LINUX. MC is built on one solderless breadboard affixed to cabinet floor with sticky tape. The solderless design allows for changes in the minimal configurations, i.e. working with LEDs, ports, control projects, etc. More information will follow.

MC Computer Restoration

MC COMPUTER RESTORATION PROJECT

The MC Computer - Sequence of construction steps

We found the long lost Propeller MC Minimal Computer! It's discovery now makes it one of the foremost Big Brain projects of all time!

Since the advent of the MC Computer, a computer designed for minimal computing, the Big Brain was born and developed in a time span lasting over one year. During this era, several things happened. A hard drive crash destroyed the MC Computer material including the story about MC development, Text Manual, schematics, photos and software with numerous programs. It was like a flesh eating virus and it ate all HD content. Over a half year later, the recovery process continues and emergence of some files has led to the ongoing restoration of the MC Computer. The new knowledge and technology created by the Big Brain will enable more rapid development of the MC.

Original

MC is now another offspring of the Big Brain and is designed with only one Propeller chip. The MC computer is the foundation project that will lead to several more interesting projects, including the Shrunken Computer (SC) and the Propeller Elf II (the Propeller-based emulator of the original retro Netronics Elf II microcomputer from the 1970s).

MC Assembly Parts & Tools

During the temporary demise of the MC (the HW always remained intact, except its one Propeller chip was assimilated by the Big Brain), new projects emerged based based on its design, therefore knowledge exists of the development of these new projects. Also utilizing one Propeller, the two new reincarnations will reside within the Big Brain's offspring family. During the original post, a teaser showed small images of the emerging project, step by step. Stay tuned for more information about the MC Minimal Computer, the SC Shrunken Computer and the New Propeller Elf II.