Flux

Enjoy that moment, however short it is. 😊

I've been upgrading servers to Debian 13.

"The overall disk usage for trixie is 403,854,660 kB (403 GB), and is made up of 1,463,291,186 lines of code."

1.5 billion lines of code. 🤔

What makes it so good? Easier to move through the train? I've yet to travel on one.

It can be difficult to let your imperfect creations feel the light of public scrutiny, but a project like this only thrives with the thoughts and contributions of many different people. 🙏 [2/2]

Happy #FPGAFriday. The hardware for the next installment of 🏝️ Isle #FPGA Computer is ready; now I'm working on docs, a new blog post, and an update for my sponsors. I'm aiming for a public update next Friday. [1/2]

Drawing from his well-documented history of boundless enthusiasm and internal struggle, Cookie Monster's teachings could form the basis of a surprisingly resonant, if unconventional, spiritual practice. As a religious leader, he would focus on the complex relationship between desire, indulgence, and the ultimate wisdom of knowing when to practice moderation.

I don't use Google search, but thought I would test its AI Overview. I'm a convert! 😉🍪

I chose “colr” for my current project to avoid this problem. 🙃

Notice at Time Circus installation in Turnhout in Belgium next to a copy of the book Landschip.

Serendipity brought us to Time Circus in Turnhout. “Feel free to look into and open everything”

Announcing the table designed exclusively for your Macintosh.

There’s an ad for the MacTable in MacUser Feb ‘86: systemtalk.org/post/macinto...

Why am I not surprised that your bodge wire is lovely and neat. ☺️

With bitmap graphics display working, the next few Isle #FPGA Computer updates will cover:

• 2D drawing engine
• Unicode Text Mode
• RISC-V CPU (existing design)

Once these components are in place, I'll assemble an initial version of the computer.

Lakritz FPGA dev board driving widescreen monitor showing picture of purple and white crocuses. The monitor is running at 1366x768.

Over the weekend I released the next part of Isle #FPGA Computer covering bitmap graphics.

projectf.io/isle/bitmap-...

I've added more docs and tests, but I'm still finding the right approach to the Isle blog and working on diagrams.

Slide from Hot Chips 2025: "2025 TCMM Open Source Hardware Contribution Award: Claire Wolf: In recognition of outstanding contributions to RISC-V — including BitManip, RVFI, and PicoRV32—and to open-source tools like Yosys and IceStorm. [IEEE Computer Society TCMM / Technical Community on Microprocessors and Microcomputers]"

Congratulations @clairexen.bsky.social: #HotChips / IEEE TCMM 2025 Open Source Hardware Contribution Award

Party Fears Two 7” by The Associates

Arwyn on the decks at St Leonards on Sea

Party Fears Two

COPILOT uses AI and can give incorrect responses… the full text of the image is accessible on the linked Microsoft web page.

Some friendly advice from Microsoft on the use of AI in Excel. “Avoid using COPILOT for: Numerical calculations…” support.microsoft.com/en-us/office...

No FPGA for me today 😢, so I'd appreciate hearing about your hardware projects. #FPGAFriday

Just when you thought movement and music had never been combined so perfectly, it hits you with that final line. 👌

Isle Verilog modules include #cocotb tests and reference docs. Writing docs is time consuming but worthwhile. It's hard to learn from existing designs without them. #FPGA

Here's a simple example; it could be better, but it's something to build on: github.com/projf/isle/b...

A coconut sapling on a tropical beach.

Isle 🏝️ is my new #FPGA project.

Isle is a simple, modern computer — an open design that encourages tinkering, experimentation, and doing your own thing. I hope to inspire you to come on a journey with me and build your own computer. projectf.io/isle/fpga-co...

Terminal output showing successful cocotb tests for different screen coordinates, for example: RGB(14 ,8, 17) at (670, 383).

I'm getting to grips with more cocotb tests for Isle #FPGA computer. This new test verifies pixel output end-to-end: address_calc > vram > clut > display. We're not letting any latency issues sneak in. Will be part of chapter 2: bitmaps.

ULX3S FPGA dev board driving a 1024x768 LCD panel.

Part of the Isle #FPGA computer project is explaining my design choices. I hope this is interesting and aids you when working on your own hardware. In the display modes post, I explain why I'm supporting 1366x768, 1024x768, and 1280x720: projectf.io/isle/display...

EPIC Erebus A tiny PCIe DMA tool that's fully customizable with an open toolchain and gateware

For some time @securelyfitz.bsky.social and I have been working on a new hardware security tool. A tiny m.2 WiFi module sized FPGA board allowing the access to the PCIe interface. You can sign up for updates for when the campaign launches, some time next year. #EpicErebus #fpga

This isn’t just about weight, but footprint too. Apple’s smallest is 13”, System76 14”, Lenovo has a 12”, but it’s a tablet with detachable keyboard. MNT Pocket Reform is interesting with its 7” screen.

I’m sad that smaller laptops seem to be a thing of the past. Where are the 10”-12” laptops for writers, travellers, and techies on the move? I want a proper keyboard for writing on, developing on, and SSH. 🤔

Reading through my posts for the first time in a long time, I noticed a mistake. I claimed the IBM System/360 had a zero register, which isn't true! Thankfully, I was on firmer ground with the CDC 6600 designed by Seymour Cray. 🤓

RISC-V Assembler: Arithmetic This series will help you learn and understand 32-bit RISC-V instructions and programming. The first part looks at load immediate, addition, and subtraction. We’ll also cover sign extension and pseudo...

“RISC architecture is going to change everything.”

Have you seen my seven-part Guide to #riscv assembler? No ads or crappy popups. projectf.io/posts/riscv-...

Photograph of Icepi Zero dev board from Crowd Supply website showing components, including Lattice FPGA, SDRAM, and connectors.

Icepi Zero looks like an interesting open-source ECP5 #FPGA dev board. It’s got a decent spec in a small form factor. The only obvious omission is audio out. The big question is, how much will it cost? www.crowdsupply.com/icy-electron...

I'm disappointed you've not posted any updates on the day of #StormFloris.

Verilator LibSDL simulation running on macOS showing a simple white square on a navy blue background.

ULX3S FPGA dev board connected to LCD monitor showing hitomezashi stitch pattern in bright yellow on a blue background.

I don't yet have a complete system to share with you. Getting the design right takes a lot of experimentation; I've hit dead ends several times. I'll gradually introduce components over the coming months. The first part looks at display signals. #FPGA 📺 projectf.io/isle/display...

GitHub - projf/isle: Isle FPGA Computer Isle FPGA Computer. Contribute to projf/isle development by creating an account on GitHub.

Isle targets Machdyne Lakritz, @digilent.bsky.social Nexys Video, Radiona ULX3S, and Verilator/SDL simulation that runs on your PC or Mac.

Designs, docs, and test benches are available under the MIT license: github.com/projf/isle