newby build reality check

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newby build reality check

Hello. I caught the link to the Apple 1 book on Wired's site. I'm a programmer - have built computers, but not from the 'ground up' - and I've a general interest in all things electronic but little experience at the hardware level. I'm just wondering what the reality is time-wise for building a Replica 1 for a novice such as myself. Thanks.

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Do you have experience in sol

Do you have experience in soldering? In circut assembly? I think you can buy the board fully assembled..

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not yet

Part of my desire to take on this project is to give myself a learning opportunity - which would include soldering & circuit assembly. Buying a fully assembled board would defeat the purpose. I'm planning to read through the Apple 1 replica creation book to get a feel for what's involved, but I thought I'd put it to the experienced first.

take care.

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replica Building

I suggest that you read the book, Apple I Replica Creation before you start this project. The book contains many hints, tips and construction ideas that could be very useful to you (or me). I bought my Replica assembled, but I would love to build one as a project. Well, maybe I won't build one, but only because I already have one.

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thanks for the tip

Yes, this is my intention - to read through the book and see if it's a project I actually wish to take on or if reading alone will sate my curiosity.

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Another newbie wondering

I've been a computer junkie since I was born ('86). I have soldering experience, and have built many (PC Based) systems. However I have never actually truly put together a computer from scratch. This Replica 1 Kit is very fascinating to me. How difficult is it? And how about programming? I used to know my way around QBASIC, but other than that have little experience.

Any Help?

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The book is intended te be ac

The book is intended te be accessible to somebody with a level of experience such as yours. Chapter 4 is a detailed guide to building the eplica I kit. Given your experience, you're probably best off following that chapter as you build. (Once you've learned more, you may want to go back and have your own board fabricated.)

If you've already programmed in QBASIC, you'll be able to wiz through the BASIC chapter. The chapter on assembly will be more challenging, but it is intended for people with no experience programming assembly.

If you run into trouble, you're always welcome to ask for help.

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Building the Replica -- and programming

While I haven't built a Replica, and my construction techniques are, to say the least, rusty, IMHO the Replica Kit would be quite doable for someone with basic electronic skills. Tom's book has a lot of good techniques and hints to help anyone keep their sanity whle building it, and Vince and everyone on this forum seems to be very willing to help anyone with questions. My advise-- go for it!

As for programming, Apple BASIC is fairly simple and if you've used QBASIC you will pick it up easily. I've adapted a floating point BASIC to the Replica which is much closer to QBASIC, if that's what you want to use. The fun of the Replica is that it lets you wear the builder, programmer and user hats all at the same time.

After learning to use the BASIC programming, you might even want to try the real manly task of writing in assembly! Or Fig-Forth!

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