Early Adopters Beware!

[christo930]

I didn't realize they had totally different instruction sets and registers and what not.

That's because it didn't have totally different instruction sets and registers, that is a complete fabrication...


I thought that sounded really dumb. So what is the real deal? Is it what I thought initially, the lack of cache on the second processor and (I heard) the lack on an MMU on the second processor? I had always thought that an MMU is what allowed virtual memory and if that is the case (and that's the only thing it does), then what's the point on a gp2x? I guess it must do more than that (I guess I should stop being lazy and look it up).

Edit: Alright, I looked it up at wiki and it seems like VM, cache control, memory protection and bus arbitration are it's primary functions. What's bus arbitration? I am assuming that Memory protection would be similar to virtual mode (like v86 mode on an i386 architecture).

So really, what is the limititation of the chipset that so few pieces of software are written to utilize it? Is it that so many programs that would actually need it are ported from single processor platforms (like the pc)? Is it that emulation doesn't lend itself well to multi-threaded applications? This subject has been brought up before but I don't remember any real specific answers. Maybe you could clue me in?

Chris

 

[Orkie]

Mostly it is that nobody could think of much to do with it .

 

[cosurgi]

I simply put my bet that problems will be in software and they can be fixed with a firmware upgrade.

OTOH if there will be problems with hardware I can always send it back to get it fixed. But even with this possibility I'll be reluctant to - I mean - only if the problem is really serious. I don't want to cause any problems for Pandora team, they did a lot for us and I'm the last one who wants to cause them any financial problems on upstart. If hardware problem will be less serious I will send my Pandora back for repair after they become millionaires from selling the second batch

 

[neogramps]

Years ago, I bought my N64 on launch day for about £250-ish; a few months later the price was slashed and my friend asked, "did i feel stupid for buying it early and wasting all that money?"

No, because I got to have it 3 months earlier.

Tomorrow I'm buying Stalker: Clear Sky, fully aware that it will be buggy and unbalanced, but happy in the knowledge that the developers and the mod community will eventually make it much better.

I've always applied the same logic to gadgets/games; I'm willing to put up with minor bugs and fixable firmware for the chance to get the Pandora now. From what I've read on the forums, I'm confident any bugs will be ironed out fairly sharpish.

 

[Kyo]

I'm sure there will be issues, but I'm too excited to care.
Excellent and succinct summary

The best thing about being an early adaptor is being able to be part of the enthusiasm of a community. Everybody wants the product to be a success and contributes. Also you learn most in the beginning period of building the software stack. You even might learn some coding yourself.
Absolutely agree.

I want to be one of the Pandora pioneers, experiencing the fun first hand rather than just reading about it jealously here.
I cannot really contemplate having to be a spectator on this!

The above three quotes pretty much sum up my view.

Not sure if I posted in this thread already or not, but +1

 

[stormyandcold]

I've been coming back ever so often to have a look at progress

Hopefully I'll be able to pre-order from the first batch.

I trust craig et al more than "other" companies. Fact they're real people you can talk to really helps in my decision to get a Pandora. These guys have invested a lot of time and money into this project and since it's backed by hardware from Texas Instruments (a trusted name for us musicians who use external breakout box soundcard gear with their usb/firewire) I have full confidence in the Pandora.

The cost (£200) is extremely reasonable for a device that pretty much has all the things you'll need.

Even if the hardware only lasted a year I still think it's a bargain.

I'm under no illusion what this machine is for; for me it's primary use will be for emulation (any street fighter games, snes, neo geo, ps1) and porn music on the go (just like my old gp2x). Maybe even could be used as a cheap audio recording device? (it has a mic).

Potential is huge for the Pandora and for that reason I'll definately be getting one!

 

[gaterooze]

I'm also tempted to see about porting my engine to SDL and OpenGL ES 2.0 (it's Allegro and OpenGL 1.4 at the moment but doesn't use any fancy features) so that I can see about porting Exolon DX and Wizball to it.

Awesome.

 

[ljones]

I'm aware of the old "never buy the first version of anything" mantra, but just this once I'm going to make an exception for the pandora. It's a community based open source device which ticks almost all my boxes - open source+linux+gpl etc, as far away from windows as possible, tiny, has a keyboard, good for games and emulation, touch screen, wifi, etc. If the pandora was some corporate thing with windows, I wouldn't even be here. Wouldn't intrest me in the slightest. 0% chance of me buying one.

I Agree with the above poster - the pandora's price of £199 is pretty good considering what you'll get with it. I too have a lot of confidence in pandora, that is what we will get will be in a fit state for sale, working and not half ready and broken (having said that I do hope pandora sells its 3000, though I seriously doubt it will sell 3000 in a few days or weeks; 2-3 months is more realistic IHMO).

However I'm wandering off topic. Most of the time I've not usually bought the first of very much either hardware or software. And why? Well because normally "the first" is ultra expensive! Just think how much the first x86-64 systems were or even the first 486s!

ljones

 

[DynaMight]

Depends when it gets released, not sure if I'll pre-order but if it gets released before xmas then I may get one as a present.

I am not expecting it to be flawless, I hope the hardware is generally ok with no major issues, I never had any major issues with my First Edition GP2X but I never use headphones and the stick never bothered me all that much, although it was much better with the updated pad.

Software wise, I expect more bugs/issues but thats fine, it can be fixed and I have no doubts it'll be constantly worked on, hopefully bug fixes first, more features later. Software can go hand in hand with the hardware, if theres some big problem with the hardware this could effect the software side of things.

 

[stormyandcold]

If past systems (e.g gp2x) are anything to go by then 1 possible advantage of being an early adopter is higher over-clocking

Higher than what?

Batch 2 and 3

 

[craigix]

Thanks for all the support everyone, we will make sure we take care of you pioneers really well.

We will post some great videos this month before the preorders, the videos will cover the remaining mysteries of the Pandora setup

 

[TaG]

Thanks for all the support everyone, we will make sure we take care of you pioneers really well.

We will post some great videos this month before the preorders, the videos will cover the remaining mysteries of the Pandora setup

Both of those comments are really great to hear Craig. This is going to be a fun ride.

 

[ashdjones]

Thanks for all the support everyone, we will make sure we take care of you pioneers really well.

We will post some great videos this month before the preorders, the videos will cover the remaining mysteries of the Pandora setup

Wahey!

 

[Joshwaan2k]

Great to hear CraigX

 

[fade]

I ordered a Gp2x as soon as they became available an i've never really regretted it. I'm quite happy to get in on the ground floor with the Pandora too, i think ironing out any early issues is part of the fun!

 

[ashdjones]

I want the new videos showing off the Pandora to be like this:

http://www.angstrom-distribution.org/texas...%A5ngstr%C3%B6m

Cheesey, naff and retro but that guy has a really reassuring voice. And a jazz soundtrack!

 

[Fishbong]

Even though the 1st batch of the Pandora might have some flaws, i trust craig&co will do better than GPH. And i don't think the 1st edition GP2X i still use was that bad.

 

[Loon]

Thanks for all the support everyone, we will make sure we take care of you pioneers really well.

We will post some great videos this month before the preorders, the videos will cover the remaining mysteries of the Pandora setup

You're welcome Craig, can't wait to see the videos.

Don't think I've ever been a pioneer before, sounds a lot more exciting than an 'early adopter'.

 

[Kyo]

Hooray! Pictures in animated form with sound!