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@ -16,7 +16,11 @@ The purpose of this project is to provide I/O for an Apple II series 8 bit compu
7. Supports "RPI" command from BASIC to execute Linux commands from the command prompt or inside BASIC programs: `10 PRINT CHR$(4);"RPI ls -al /"`
## Project Status
So far, this is a project and not a finished product. The current prototype is on the sixth revision and about 30 have been assembled and tested. It is now possible for the Apple II to boot from and write to virtual hard drive images stored on the RPi in any slot (except slot 3), execute Linux commands from Applesoft BASIC and run a bash shell with VT100 emulation. The code has very few tests and is incomplete. Note that currently the firmware assumes an 80 column card is in slot 3 and than you have lowercase support. Most development has been done with an enhanced Apple //e with the card in slot 7. If you have other drive controllers earlier in the boot cycle, you can still boot from the Apple2-IO-RPi. For example, if the card was in slot 4, you could type `PR#4` from the BASIC prompt to boot the card. Note that the Raspberry Pi Zero W (and W 2) consume about 1/4 of all available power to the expansion slots when idle and close to all available power when busy. It is not recommended to have a lot of other cards in the system at the same time. With the sixth revision of the prototype, it is possible to remove the power jumper and run the RPi on an external USB power source. If configured for external power, note that the card's firmware will hang on boot without USB power on as the latch chips are powered by the 3.3V output of the RPi. If you have a problem or idea for enhancement, log an issue [here](https://github.com/tjboldt/Apple2-IO-RPi/issues) or start a [discussion](https://github.com/tjboldt/Apple2-IO-RPi/discussions/categories/general). I recommend starring/watching the project for updates on GitHub. You are welcome to fork the project and submit pull requests which I will review.
So far, this is still a project and not a finished product. The current prototype is on the sixth revision and about 30 of the previous prototypes have been assembled and tested. The sixth prototype has not been tested or assembled yet, just designed although it is functionally equivalent other than a new jumper to select internal/external power.
The card enables the Apple II to boot from and write to virtual hard drive images stored on the RPi in any slot (except slot 3), execute Linux commands from Applesoft BASIC and run a bash shell with VT100 emulation. The code has very few tests and is incomplete. Note that currently the firmware assumes an 80 column card is in slot 3 and than you have lowercase support. Most development has been done with an enhanced Apple //e with the card in slot 7. If you have other drive controllers earlier in the boot cycle, you can still boot from the Apple2-IO-RPi. For example, if the card was in slot 4, you could type `PR#4` from the BASIC prompt to boot the card. Note that the Raspberry Pi Zero W (and W 2) consume 170 - 250 mA and there is only 500 mA available to all expansion slots according to Apple. It is not recommended to have a lot of other cards in the system at the same time. With the sixth revision of the prototype, it is possible to remove the power jumper and run the RPi on an external USB power source. If configured for external power, note that the card's firmware will hang on boot without USB power on as the latch chips are powered by the 3.3V output of the RPi.
If you have a problem or idea for enhancement, log an issue [here](https://github.com/tjboldt/Apple2-IO-RPi/issues) or start a [discussion](https://github.com/tjboldt/Apple2-IO-RPi/discussions/categories/general). I recommend starring/watching the project for updates on GitHub. You are welcome to fork the project and submit pull requests which I will review.
## Roadmap
1. Allow more than two virtual hard drives at a time