____ FRST Computer: batch 4 __________________________________________ | |
So... after daily-driving my batch 3 computers for several months now, | |
I'm ready to commit to making the next batch, with some important | |
refinements and scaling up to a quanitity of 10 machines. This allows | |
me to go ahead and establish a price for these machines and set the | |
expectations for what I hope this batch will represent for FRST:Net | |
development and for who I hope might be interested. | |
As this is truly a limited-edition release, it is intended for the | |
most keen Plan 9/retro/cyberdeck/radio/counter-culture enthusiasts | |
that might stumble into this obscure corner of the Internet. I'm | |
only making ten decks in this batch, so it really is just "for the | |
few of us". I'm hopeful that I might find a handful of folks | |
that are interested enough to work together to explore the path | |
not taken. | |
I'm also hopeful that at least a couple of people take advantage of | |
the "grid computing research kit" option, which is a BOGO deal | |
intended to promote the development of wireless mesh networking | |
using the LoRa modules. For only $222.22 more, you'll get two | |
decks -- one for you, and one for a friend or neighbor. (or two for | |
you, I won't judge) | |
batch 4 Promise: | |
For this "research kit" batch, I promise to deliver a personal | |
CyberDeck experience not too dissimilar from Plan 9. That is, much | |
like Plan 9 is a "research" operating system, consider the Model 3 a | |
"research" personal computer -- a far-out, 90s-inspired, portable | |
packet radio research computer, at that. Be prepared to write some C. | |
Be prepared for a hand-assembled, 3D-printed computer. You may find | |
aspects of it either elegant or homespun. I don't know how durable | |
it really is -- I've been not especially gentle with my batch 3 | |
builds, dragging them all over, and they've held up pretty well so | |
far. How about this for a warranty statement? If anything comes | |
up, I promise to do my reasonable best to make it right -- | |
replacement parts, etc. | |
And as I've mentioned elsewhere, these are also meant to hold up as | |
a piece of techno-art, so expect that, too -- a unique and bespoke | |
quality. To that end, each one will be serial numbered, for | |
whatever that may be worth. | |
I'll be acquiring / testing a few of the "evolved" Model 3 components | |
(kb/touchpad PCB) in the next few weeks, but will wait to place parts | |
orders until all 10 decks are spoken for. There are a few suprises | |
I'm planning, depending on how a couple of the costs break out... | |
Evolved Model 3 deck -- $555.55 | |
----------------------- | |
- 7" (1024x600) Touchscreen LCD w/ integrated Raspberry Pi Zero | |
interface board, HUB, Ethernet, etc. | |
- (improved!) 3D-printed case with magnetic action | |
- Decals/airbrushed detailing | |
- Pi Zero W (can be equipped with non-WiFi/BT model by request) | |
- 36-key QMK keyboard w/ 40mm Cirque touchpad (new, integrated PCB) | |
- (choice of choc keyswitches) | |
- stealth keycaps | |
- 9front on microSD | |
- External USB-C batterie | |
- External Semtech SX1276 (LoRa) module | |
- Carrying case | |
You know, someday there will be a way to reserve a computer with | |
gopher, but just email or call us in the meantime... | |
--- | |
[1] Model Three |