This looks like a really fun project and an excellent way to learn about computers. This kit allows you to build a Z80 computer -- you get to go from hardware to writing programs. And the cost negligable -- seems like you can buy the kit for $70 from here.
In college, as a CS student, we took a bunch of computer architecture courses. We learned about logic gates and flip flops. But none of it seemed particularly relevant because it was all on paper. We were drawing circuits. I had the thought then, and I still have it now, that if we had just gone into a lab and made some stuff blink, or built a kit like the above, the course would have been a 1000 times for valuable.
So, mark my words. If I ever have to teach a computer hardware course, we're building a kit like the above.
You guys didn't go in the lab? You got screwed :-) I had the same class, COSC 365 - Digital Logic and Computer Design. We actually built the gates and tested them using a breadboard, a DC power supply, some ICs, and a PC with a parallel port connector. I actually still have my syllabus, lab manual, lab worksheets, and tests from the class.
ReplyDeleteHeck yeah, we got screwed.
ReplyDeleteI think this was the result of the CS department trying to be as seperate as possible from the engineering department. Anything non-theoretical was looked at with a bit of negativity.
The only problem was, drawing logic gates is nearly as educational as using them in the wild.