#corepunk

Hardware test and test fit of the CU-01, Pi Zero W 2 version of the CU (Core Unit) Cyberdeck.

We're Trying to make something I can put out on GitHub that represents an easy, cheap, first build for someone looking to do a little soldering, a little arduino, ect ... and build a Cyberdeck.

Corepunk is a dark fantasy cyberpunk MMORPG set in a vast seamless world that’s shrouded in a fog-of-war.

I want the 2026 I imagined in 1995.

I've been thinking about this a lot, lately, because I keep stepping back to books like 'Chaos & Cyberculture', and back issues of Mondo 2000. I'm in need of the techo-optimism of the mid 90s right now.

The thing is, in some ways we have it. I run Open Source AI on my laptop. I write VR games for fun.

I can have new circuit boards designed and on my bench in a week. 3D printing means enclosures and mechanicals in a matter of hours. Internet hosting can give you a webserver of your own for $6/month to host interactive forums.

I ran a forum in 1995. We hosted Zines that promoted underground gatherings that have, since, gone corporate. Hacking became pen-testing, developers became tech-bros, and money flooded everything. The people who had decided to build a world parallel to the corporate driven political mess were overshadowed.

Tech became an unholy union of 'tech bros' and Billionaire politicians.

AI, instead of being developed by optimistic ponytail wearing nerds in University basements, became a race to burn the worlds resources in a sad attempt to create god.

I don't want to go back to 1995.

I want to fight for the 2026 I imagined.

We have the tech.

Update on my 12-key Cyberdeck.

(Mirror Shades for scale)

The LCD Dock is 80% there. This is designed to be entirely modular. I have wearable displays, a little dock that makes it like a laptop, etc ...

I can pull the 'Core Unit' out and put it in something else.

"The next time I design something, I'll leave extra room for wiring.", I lied to myself the last time I designed something.

Just a few more components to jam into my new handheld computer before I can wire it!

We here at the Coredump know times are tough! With prices rising and corporations writing anti-privacy laws, what's a broke punk to do?

We thought: What's the bare minimum you could build to really learn on, and get something you can play pirated music and games on? Maybe even use a text browser without any javascript, if you're a member of a forum cool enough to support it?

We're working hard to support you!

Pi Zero W, custom keyboard, and modular. Just plug it into whatever wild rig you can peice together!

Paired with video glasses made from a cheap $20 display, you can build now and upgrade as you go!

We must learn to celebrate our failures.

So, after the test fit, I turned on my version of the Core Unit Cyberdeck our makerspace is putting together and realized it had a major flaw. It was designed around a Pi Zero W1, and when I put a Pi Zero W2 in mine, it got too hot, too near the battery, for comfort.

We talked it through and decided a complete redesign was needed.

So, this primer gray version is the product of an all-night re-design effort. I guess I need to get to painting now ...