Picotron Roadmap

// updated: 2025-02-19
    pushed "splore-like" to 0.2.1
    added rough timeline to network features

Picotron 0.0: "Playground" (2022 Q4)

    // Open-access web build for testing (became unavailble at 0.1)
    Architecture       // File system, system events, memory mapping, wm
    GFX Pipeline       // Colour tables, draw state
    API                // Based on Lua 5.4, compatible w/ PICO-8 where possible
    CPU                // Find costs that roughly match slowest hosts
    Audio              // Synthesizer runtime & test carts

Picotron 0.1 (2023 2024-03-14)

    Binary Builds      // Windows, Mac, Linux
    Editors            // Code, Pixels, Maps, Synth Designer, Tracker
    Desktop            // Run window-based programs, file management gui
    Customisation      // Theme editor, wallpapers, screensavers
    File Formats       // Plain-text .p64, Binary .p64.rom, Shareable .p64.png
    HTTP GET           // From local apps and exports only; not BBS carts
    BBS Integration    // Submit carts to a sub-forum, load # directly from bbs
    Sandboxing         // Safe to run untrusted carts without exposing Picotron drive
    HTML Exporter      // .wasm runtime + bundled cartridge, licensed similar to P8
    
Picotron 0.2 (2024 2025-03-14)

    Binary Exporters   // Windows, Mac, Linux  --  includes desktop export
    bbs://             // [in 0.1.1e] Cross-platform bbs access; handles caching / offline access
    Tooltray           // [in 0.1.1e] Install widgets into the tooltray that can run sandboxed

    // UPDATE: being able to browse carts in filenav and to drag-and-drop install has changed 
    // my view on splore; pushed to Q2 to something that is a collection of splore-like features

Picotron 0.2.1 (2025 Q2)

    Raspi 64-bit       
    UDP / TCP sockets  // Ditto, but not supported under web
    Splore-like        // Browse, favourite, search, "install" bbs cartridges
    
Picotron 0.3.* (2025 Q3~Q4)
    
    Websockets         // For exports on all platforms
    Logins             // User can log in with bbs account, apps can read username
    BBS highscores     // Submit scores + extra data while logged in

Picotron 0.?

    // ongoing projects / no ETA

    cart switching      // BBS carts can load & run other BBS carts
    podnet://           // User-wise public storage that can be used by sandboxed apps
    anywhen://          // Fetch files and directory listings from any point in time
    Gui Builder         // Gui card editor and data format integrated with create_gui
    Video Modes         // Support for extra fullscreen video modes
    Libraries           // Standard fonts, instruments, fill patterns, palettes
    Stickers            // A general tagging and bookmarking scheme

    // UPDATE: removed "API Hooks" idea
    // better to just use https reqs for interacting with Steam etc

Picotron 1.0
    
    Runtime / API Freeze
    Extra Bundled Software
    Runtime C src + licensing

    // Runtime licensing is TBD, but the focus will be on allowing cart authors to implement
    // additional platform support or custom features for their own projects.