Retrocomputing

I have been lusting after a Apple 1 Replica for the past month or so, however, not much time due to my Japanese studies, work and family. Then I started thinking about tiny modern CPU (PIC, AVR, etc) systems that are built with the sole purpose of being a computer to code on, thing Altair, Apple 1, etc. There aren't many requirements, 4-8k memory, small display (single row, 30-some characters, like the one on a TI cc-40), keyboard interface (cheat: and use a usb interface?), simple monitor software and the key component: BASIC. Anyone know of such a setup? Nonetheless, someday I would like to build one: to relive old memories of my youth hacking basic and have a system that I understand completely (Jack Crenshaw mentioned that he loved a system wherein he understood or built all parts, and I couldn't agree more).

Japanese Study Resources

Browsing Coscom's site I noticed that they had current news, weather and even a listing of popular Japanese names (which I use when modifying/constructing sentences). My current endeavor is slowly working through みんなの日本語 (vol 1; currently I have mined 700+ sentences using 468 unique Kanji), and then vol 2. I am planning on finishing this series by the end of 2009. Using Tae Kim's Guide on Japanese grammar to assist me when I have the urge to write/say something that I cannot recall.

After that series I will start on Coscom's excellent series called Kanji Odyssey. I plan to tackle only volume 1 for now since it is loaded and the Coscom site has worksheets. The first volume I have budgeted three months. Following KO, I will start moving into intermediate level works - starting with an old book I found (with audio in mp3 format) entitled "Introduction to Intermediate Japanese: An integrated course" by 水谷信子 (Nobuko Mizutani). Supposedly, the book is derived from Nihongo Journal.