First, build a Zilog peripherals board.  

This would be an ECB card with a Zilog PIO, possibly two, a DART, and a CTC.  This project would bring much needed additional serial and parallel ports to the system including prioritized interrupts.  I believe Rolf has a schematic for a similar device already but it would still need to go through the usual prototype phase.  This is probably the most requested peripheral device in the history of the project so it is a great opportunity to make a huge contribution.  The circuit is straight forward and certainly "doable" by most if not all of the builders.

Second, build a Propeller board.  

There is an example circuit for the Propeller demo board on the parallax.com website already.  That would require minor conversion to the ECB bus and the addition of some type of interface like a local UART or modifications to the Propeller software.  This project would allow the system to utilized off the shelf an VGA monitor, PS/2 keyboard, PS/2 mouse, microphone, speakers, etc.  It would bring independence from terminals and/or PC for interfacing with your SBC and a wealth of multimedia capability.  The Propeller is quite a powerful system in its own right so it would make an incredible addition to the N8VEM family of devices.  Due to a large amount of pre-existing design information already available this project is well within the "doable" range by most if not all builders.

Third, build a SD & CF interface board.  

Certainly a doable project as Juha published a schematic previously.  Adding CF is also previously published as Oscar has a circuit on his N8VEM website.  Futurlec.com has mini circuits on their website which would dramatically simplify this project too.

Fourth, write software so the N8VEM SBC w support FLASH memory read and write instead of the EPROM.  

Some people have had issues with not having an EPROM burner so being able to use of inexpensive FLASH memory would definitely help.  Almost all 32 pin memory chips follow a similar layout except for those pins controlled by the ROM MPCL latch.  Each type of FLASH memory has a programming algorithm to update its contents.  Those programming algorithms could be implemented using CP/M programs directly manipulating the ROM MPCL latch.

All a builder would need is the 27C080/27C801 datasheet, the N8VEM SBC schematic, and the datasheet for the desired FLASH memory and you'd have enough information to implement.  FLASH memory chips are cheap as can be.  I have literally found dozens of them scattered about my workshop from past salvages, broken PCs, etc.  There are "gold scrappers" on eBay who will sell you "waste" ICs for almost nothing since they aren't interested in those ICs.

The FLASH memory programming project would be a great starter project for someone since the actual hardware changes would be minimal. Possibly, you might need to make a shim socket which is easy to do.  I had a lot of interest in this subject a few months ago and there are some threads in the

forum documenting it.  I know for certain that some FLASH memories are nearly "drop in" substitutes for the EPROM.

I am willing to help with builder projects including schematic capture, PCB layout, PCB tracing, and ordering completed units.  The builder would have to demonstrate a working hardware prototype before I will make a PCB manufacturing order though.

Thanks and have a nice day!

Andrew Lynch