RetroRGB.com recently conducted a comprehensive Q&A interview with Ian Scott, known in the retrocomputing community as "polpo," the visionary creator behind the PicoGUS and PicoIDE projects. Scott has emerged as a pivotal figure in the vintage Personal Computer market, developing innovative solutions that leverage the compact and cost-effective Raspberry Pi Pico microcontroller. His creations, the PicoGUS and the forthcoming PicoIDE, are designed to combat the escalating scarcity and prohibitive costs associated with original vintage hardware, offering accessible and affordable alternatives to enthusiasts worldwide. The PicoGUS meticulously recreates the functionality of the revered Gravis Ultrasound ISA soundcard, while the PicoIDE serves as a versatile Optical Disc Drive Emulator (ODE) and hard disk replacement. Both initiatives underscore a commitment to preserving the integrity of retro computing experiences while making them attainable for a broader audience.

The Genesis of Innovation: Ian Scott’s Journey into Retro Computing

Ian Scott’s immersion in the world of computing began at an exceptionally young age, an experience he vividly recalls from his kindergarten days with an Apple II. This initial encounter ignited a lifelong fascination, where the simple act of typing on a keyboard yielded interactive results, captivating his imagination. Without a home computer, Scott dedicated countless hours to school computer labs and friends’ houses, nurturing his burgeoning interest. This curiosity soon evolved into an obsession with computer programming, spurred by an Usborne book from the local library. The acquisition of a PC clone featuring a 286 CPU and EGA graphics marked a significant milestone, providing him with a personal platform to explore the burgeoning digital landscape.

His journey deepened with the advent of advanced PC audio. The transformative experience of hearing the game Wing Commander with a Sound Blaster card propelled him into the intricate world of sound cards and computer music composition. This path led him to the Demoscene and tracker music culture, eventually culminating in his discovery of the Gravis Ultrasound (GUS), a cult-favorite PC sound card of the 1990s. The GUS, renowned for its advanced wavetable synthesis, offered a richer, more nuanced soundscape compared to the prevalent FM synthesis of Sound Blaster cards, making it a prized possession for audiophiles and gamers seeking superior audio fidelity. Scott’s deep appreciation for his GUS card ensured its preservation, knowing it held a unique place in computing history.

Decades later, around 2020-2021, a wave of nostalgia prompted Scott to revisit his passion. Like many others during this period, he began collecting parts to build an early Pentium-era PC, intending to rehouse his long-stored Gravis Ultrasound. This endeavor rapidly snowballed into a full-fledged retrocomputing hobby. His interests expanded beyond DOS-era PCs, encompassing other iconic systems he had always desired, such as the Commodore Amiga, various Macintoshes, and even Silicon Graphics workstations. While considering himself a retrocomputing generalist with an affinity for machines over 25 years old, Scott’s heart remains firmly rooted in the DOS PC era, the platform of his formative years.

Educational and Professional Foundations for Hardware Development

Scott attributes his unique ability to tackle complex hardware development to a cumulative wealth of diverse experiences. Holding a computer engineering degree provided a foundational understanding, though his initial hardware development was primarily hobbyist in nature, not delving into the intricate depths required for product creation. As his retrocomputing hobby intensified, he found himself undertaking increasingly sophisticated hardware repairs to revive vintage machines, compelling him to relearn and master the architectural nuances of these systems. This practical engagement led to designing smaller, purpose-built hardware projects, such as an RGB output adapter for his Sony HB-101 MSX computer or an LED multiplexer for an Amiga 1200’s hard drive activity.

The leap in complexity to projects like PicoGUS drew heavily on his academic coursework and a detailed recall of sound card architectures and the ISA bus from his teenage years. Crucially, his professional career as a software engineer for hardware-producing startups exposed him to the entire product lifecycle. Working closely with experts in PCB layout, firmware development, packaging design, parts sourcing, production line management, and sheet metal design furnished him with a holistic perspective. These seemingly disparate "tidbits of knowledge" coalesced, providing not just the confidence to embark on hardware product creation but also to imbue his designs with an extra layer of polish and functionality. The ability to consult former colleagues for advice and encouragement further fortified his development process.

PicoGUS: Recreating a Sonic Legend for Modern Retro Systems

The inception of PicoGUS was sparked by a prevalent issue in the retrocomputing community: the prohibitive cost and scarcity of original Gravis Ultrasound cards. Retro streamers on Twitch frequently lamented the inability to justify the market price, which often runs into hundreds of dollars on platforms like eBay. Scott conceived an ingenious solution: leveraging the robust GUS emulation found in DOSBox and porting it to a powerful, yet affordable, microcontroller. His initial experiments involved a Raspberry Pi 3 combined with a rudimentary bus interface board, successfully validating the concept of emulating the GUS and potentially other sound cards, at a fraction of the cost of an original.

The pivotal shift to the Raspberry Pi Pico was a direct response to the global parts shortage induced by the COVID-19 pandemic. While full Raspberry Pi boards became exceedingly difficult and expensive for hobbyists to acquire, the Pico boards, based on the RP2040 microcontroller, remained plentiful and exceptionally affordable. This availability and low cost presented a compelling alternative. Despite initial skepticism regarding the Pico’s processing power, Scott was intrigued by a suggestion on the Vogons forum (a hub for vintage PC enthusiasts) that the Pico’s unique PIO (Programmable Input/Output) state machines and external PSRAM might be capable of GUS emulation. His rapid progress in getting the Pico to interface with the ISA bus and achieve functional GUS emulation within weeks quickly dispelled his doubts, opening the door for broader sound card and peripheral support.

After nearly four years, the PicoGUS project continues to evolve. While focusing on the PicoIDE, Scott recently returned to PicoGUS development to finalize Sound Blaster 16 (SB16) support, a feature initiated years prior. The SB16 utilizes the Yamaha OPL3 FM synthesis chip, and a significant breakthrough occurred when a collaborator discovered that DOSBox’s original OPL3 emulation was performant enough to run on the PicoGUS’s RP2040 microcontroller. This integration ensures that PicoGUS now comprehensively addresses the sound card requirements for PCs spanning roughly 1990 to 2000.

Future enhancements for PicoGUS include integrating community contributions for improved joystick support, featuring interactive button remapping. Scott also harbors aspirations to add support for extremely rare sound cards such as the AdLib Gold and the Mindscape Music Board. Recent code optimizations have significantly freed up CPU time and memory, potentially allowing the PicoGUS to emulate multiple peripherals simultaneously without needing to switch modes, further enhancing its versatility and capabilities. This ongoing development ensures that PicoGUS remains at the forefront of accessible vintage audio recreation.

PicoIDE: A Solution for Aging Storage Infrastructure

The PicoIDE project addresses another critical challenge in retrocomputing: the increasing unreliability and scarcity of vintage IDE hard drives and ATAPI optical drives. As these components become increasingly difficult to source and prone to failure, they pose a significant barrier to maintaining and operating real vintage PCs. PicoIDE, designed to fit into a standard 3.5-inch drive bay, offers an elegant solution by emulating IDE hard drives and ATAPI optical discs using images stored on a microSD card.

The inspiration for PicoIDE emerged from inquiries within the community regarding PicoGUS’s potential to emulate IDE or ATAPI drives. While the ISA bus and IDE interface share some architectural similarities, the RP2040 microcontroller of the Raspberry Pi Pico lacked the raw processing power to handle comprehensive IDE emulation independently. However, the release of the Raspberry Pi RP2350, featuring more powerful CPU cores and an increased number of GPIO pins, changed the equation. Scott’s calculations confirmed that the RP2350 possessed the necessary capabilities to make IDE/ATAPI emulation a reality.

As a "test run," Scott integrated CD-ROM support into PicoIDE, which crystallized his vision for a "dream drive emulator." Existing IDE emulation devices often lacked certain features or ideal form factors. PicoIDE distinguishes itself by fitting neatly into a 3.5-inch bay, akin to popular Gotek floppy emulators. The deluxe version boasts a crisp 1.3-inch OLED screen and high-quality silicone buttons for intuitive navigation and status display. Crucially, a WiFi interface enables convenient control over loaded drive images, firmware upgrades, and even direct uploading of new images. Scott, with his background in computer audio, considered support for Red Book CD audio a mandatory feature, ensuring authentic sound experiences for vintage games and applications that relied on audio CDs. Encased in a finely injection-molded ABS plastic case, available in classic "computer beige" or black, PicoIDE combines functionality with an aesthetically pleasing, era-appropriate design.

The concept of a combined Gotek Floppy and PicoIDE device, a modern homage to the dual 5.25/3.5-inch Epson floppy drives of yesteryear, is a point of community interest that Scott acknowledges. Several enthusiasts are already exploring ways to integrate PicoIDE and Gotek functionality into a single unit, utilizing a shared OLED display and control buttons. Following the successful fulfillment of the PicoIDE Crowd Supply campaign, Scott plans to release the hardware and firmware designs under open-source licenses. This move is expected to foster a vibrant ecosystem of community-driven hardware spin-offs, mirroring the innovative adaptations seen with the open-source PicoGUS project, further extending the device’s utility and reach.

The Development Ethos: Balancing Innovation and Life

The demanding nature of developing such intricate hardware projects alongside a full-time day job and family obligations presents a significant challenge. Scott candidly admits the difficulty of balancing these commitments, often necessitating late nights dedicated to development. His ability to function effectively on limited sleep underscores the profound passion driving his work. The overwhelming positive response from the retrocomputing community to both PicoGUS and PicoIDE serves as a powerful motivator, validating the sacrifices and making the arduous development journey eminently worthwhile. This deep engagement with the community fuels his continued dedication and pursuit of excellence in retro hardware solutions.

Broader Impact and Future Horizons

Ian Scott’s projects have a profound impact on the vintage computing scene, primarily by democratizing access to historically significant hardware that has become prohibitively expensive or rare. By offering affordable, modern recreations and emulators, he lowers the barrier to entry for new enthusiasts and allows veterans to experience their cherished systems without depleting their budgets. The open-source nature of his designs also fosters a collaborative environment, enabling the community to contribute, adapt, and innovate upon his foundational work, ensuring the longevity and evolution of these solutions. This model exemplifies how modern technology can effectively preserve and enhance vintage computing experiences.

Looking ahead, Scott remains deeply engaged with his current focus on delivering PicoIDE to its backers. However, his mind is already contemplating a "next generation" PicoGUS sound card. This ambitious successor would aim for full-featured CODEC support for audio input, a crucial addition for advanced applications, and expanded support for multiple IRQ and DMA channels, pushing the boundaries of ISA bus emulation. Beyond the PC ecosystem, Scott has also delved into platforms with cult followings, such as the Sharp X68000, which is known for its high-priced peripherals. He envisions creating a Pico-powered card for this platform, offering capabilities like MIDI, expanded memory, and network connectivity, addressing another niche market within retrocomputing. Despite the intensive commitment required for these endeavors, Scott’s intrinsic drive for innovation suggests that taking a break from development is unlikely, promising a continuous stream of groundbreaking projects for the vintage computing community.

Ian Scott, through his PicoGUS and PicoIDE projects, has not only provided practical solutions to the challenges of vintage hardware scarcity but has also inspired a new wave of innovation within the retrocomputing community. His dedication to affordability, accessibility, and open-source collaboration positions him as a key figure in preserving and enhancing the rich legacy of classic computing.

External Resources

polpo’s Website: https://polpo.org/
polpo’s PicoGUS: https://picogus.com/
polpo’s PicoIDE: https://picoide.com/