A Very Deep Dive
At the bottom of IT complexity we still find binary data and simple operations.  Early computers had control panels with switches and lights that showed  what operations were being performed and even provided a way to reach into the processor and flip bits and change things.
The Zorak Interocitor is a retro Z80 microcomputer with an even older style minicomputer control panel. Â Control panels are now the stuff of old sci-fi movies. Â But control panels were real. Â With this machine, we get to go inside the processor and flip the bits and control signals that are no longer visible from our workstations, laptops, and cell phones.
Old School
Back in the day, when things were bigger, DIYers could make their own computers using soldering irons, through hole parts, and tweezers.  The Zorak Interoctitor is built with these older clunkier parts. These are easier to manage than miniaturized, surface mount parts.  So you may want to build an Interocitor for yourself.  You can actually touch bits at this level.
Welcome to Pin 40
Why Pin 40?
I got the retro-computing bug from a Goggle Group called RC2014-Z80 which was started by Spencer Owen who issued a Retro Computing challenge in 2014. The RC-2014 group is an excellent starting place for curious builders who want t learn more about computers. Spencer answered the retro challenge with the RC-2014, an inexpensive, simple system which now has many enthusiasts.
The RC-2014 specifications includes a bus description which has 39 pins. To learn more about why 39 pins, visit the RC-2014 group. Check out Tindie for RC-2014 kits.
The Zorak Interocitor computer has a front panel and a motherboard. The scope of this project goes beyond the original 39 pins of the RC-2014 spec. We need more bus pins (many more) for an Interocitor. Pin 40 is the first step beyond the limits of the original RC-2014 craft.
