Join Alex Neuman on Vida Digital as he interviews Brian P. Cox from FutureVision Research, one of the makers bringing the FujiNet project to life. In this in-depth conversation, Brian shares how his early experiences with the Apple IIe, TRS-80, and Atari 1200XL inspired a lifelong passion for technology and teaching.
They explore how FujiNet connects retro computers—Atari, Apple II/III, Commodore, Tandy CoCo, Coleco ADAM, and upcoming systems like the Intellivision, Atari 2600, and Commodore 64—to Wi-Fi, virtual disks, and even cross-platform online gaming through the TNFS protocol.
Discover what challenges come with reviving decades-old hardware, how 3D-printed parts and ESP32 chips bridge generations, and what’s next on the roadmap for FujiNet, including RS-232 support and future hardware based on the RP2040.
📡 Topics covered include:
• Brian’s background and first computers
• Why FujiNet chose TNFS for file transfer
• Hardware and power challenges across retro platforms
• How FujiNet enables multiplayer gaming between systems
• The role of community makers and volunteers
• Future developments and platform expansions
👉 Learn more at fvResearch.com and join the conversation on the FujiNet Discord.
⏱️ Chapter Indicators
00:00 – Intro & Brian’s early computing background
03:00 – How coding and teaching evolved since the 1980s
04:30 – Discovering FujiNet and joining the maker community
08:40 – Recreating rare connectors and vintage parts
10:15 – Favorite FujiNet versions and platforms
11:40 – Hardware design differences across systems
14:00 – Explaining TNFS and how FujiNet transfers data
18:00 – Cross-platform gaming and inter-system communication
20:15 – Challenges of RS-232 and new hardware bring-ups
24:50 – The community “stone soup” development model
28:00 – Improving user interfaces and game lobbies
30:45 – Collaboration with museums and retro shows
33:45 – Future “FujiNet for Thunderbolt” and emulation
35:05 – FujiNet roadmap and expanding platform support
38:25 – Recommended resources and podcasts
41:00 – How to connect with Brian P. Cox
42:15 – Closing remarks and Discord shout-out