Right now (note, check the date of this post to gauge how valid it is when reading (14/august/2011)), your hardware options consist of:
- Use a TA card for the CPU and add accessory circuits to make it function as an EMS.
- Print an untested circuit board from a design with no docs and try to make it work.
Option 1 really isn't that hard, but people seem to think that it is. Option 2 seems less scary, but should be more so.
37 Puma Spin 1 boards were distributed, however only my one ever ran anything, largely because mine arrived 80% assembled and I just finished it and used it. Everyone else just got a cpu or blank board. Reasons for others not getting more done are a combination of poor support from the designer (he got busy...) and laziness and fear. There are a few other designs on the drawing board, none have made it to a physical state, yet, though. One of them is progressing nicely and looking VERY promising for the short to medium term. I've also got a design on the drawing board which will be based on the schematics of the other design which I've helped with/guided, but I'm not pursuing that right now as the other guy (Dan/dvisser/RavAGE) is doing so well.
I
*fully* understand that hardware is the weakest aspect of this project right now, and am working hard to rectify that situation at the moment, along with staying alive and dodging trouble with the immigration people.
With respect to option 1, how difficult/annoying/expensive it is depends on your vehicle. Some are ridiculously easy to setup, and others take more effort. Here is a thread of a guy doing an easy version right now and documenting it pretty well:
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1263
I hope that sheds some light on the matter! :-)
Fred.
PS, I linked this post from the original thread for the next guy!
PPS, welcome to the forum! :-)