Thomas Cherryhomes
Thomas Cherryhomes | |
|---|---|
| Born | Thomas Cherryhomes |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Software developer |
| Known for | FujiNet project |
Thomas Cherryhomes
Thomas Cherryhomes is an American software developer and retro computing enthusiast, best known for his contributions to the FujiNet project—a hardware and firmware solution designed to enhance vintage computing platforms, particularly the Atari 8-bit family of computers.[1]
Early Involvement in FujiNet
Cherryhomes played a key role in the development of FujiNet, a collaborative open-source project aimed at expanding the connectivity and functionality of classic computing systems. Alongside Joe Honold (also known by his alias Oswald) and Jeff Piepmeier, Cherryhomes contributed extensively to the firmware side of the project.[2]
Contributions
Thomas Cherryhomes was responsible for writing the initial Arduino sketches that formed the basis of FujiNet’s firmware. His work helped establish the project’s core functionality, which included network communications and peripheral emulation. As the project matured, he led the transition from Arduino to more sophisticated development platforms, such as PlatformIO and the ESP-IDF (Espressif IoT Development Framework), enabling broader device support and improved performance.[3]
His efforts helped standardize the firmware architecture and ensured its adaptability across future FujiNet hardware iterations. Cherryhomes also collaborated with other developers to integrate new features and maintain consistent documentation for the community.[4]
FujiNet Team and Legacy
The FujiNet project was characterized by a collaborative ethos. Joe Honold designed the hardware and implemented early features like modem emulation and a MIDIMAZE-compatible mode. Jeff Piepmeier focused on virtual printer emulation and was instrumental in consolidating disparate Arduino sketches into a cohesive codebase, including a successful port of SAM (Software Automatic Mouth), a speech synthesis tool.[5]
Cherryhomes’s firmware leadership contributed significantly to FujiNet’s popularity among retro computing hobbyists, who value the device for its ability to bring modern networking capabilities to vintage systems.[6]