Not to open a huge can of worms.... but...
I always considered a mainframe to basically be a "fully decked out"
minicomputer.
A minicomputer has a core CPU and memory (or racks of memory), then is
"decked out" with data storage (racks of wall-sized tape decks), printers,
pick-your-typewriter input (or two, or three), and maybe cabinets for
serial IO or modem of some sort.
So, sometimes I say mainframe when I really mean minicomputer (generally
because mainframe just sounds cooler than "mini-computer" -- that is,
mainframe clearly conveys the notion of "some big ass computer" whereas
minicomputer just needs more clarification).
What do you guys think? Or is a mainframe one of those giants so large,
you walk inside its CPU?
Or, is it like this...
computer (a whole building, generally at least two story to support ac
ducting and raised floor maintenance -- are these exclusively mainframes?)
minicomputer (a single floor or room of a building or possibly a full
top of a desk - and, these are NOT mainframes?)
microcomputer (half a deck top or smaller, memory and accessories mostly
self contained - doesn't necessarily have to have a microprocessor, but
typically does)
nanocomputer (modern MCU ? like Raspbery Pi)
Also - on "personal computer", it's generally implied "digital electronic
computers" so we don't have to dwell too much on rocks and beads as
computers. Glad we didn't call them "coordinated electron pumpers" :)
-Steve
Ok, I think we have a good narrated composition! It is still
Unlisted since there are a few more things to finalize/decide. But unless
we spot any major flaw in the rendering, this should be wrapped up over the
next day or so. There are a few somewhat subtle easter eggs added.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPrHfUrhjQk
<Domesticating the computer: how the appliance computer came to be - YouTube
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPrHfUrhjQk>>
One question is: should this be set to "Yes it is for kids"? My
understanding is Enabling that prevents Comments being enabled, but I'm not
sure if there is any other benefit. But yes, this is NOT a documentary
and is intended more for a middle/high school audience.
Other decisions are things like final thumbnail and writing up the
Description, credits, etc.
And - recall - this wasn't intended as a "full history of computing", the
focus was on the 1970s. But there is a brief segment towards the end that
honors some pre-1970s work.
Also, this may be the only "history of personal computer" related video
that doesn't mention the word Gates or Wozniak [ that wasn't exactly
intentional! ;) actually the original intent was to avoid any names at all,
it wasn't a biography - but a few do end up mentioned ]
Thanks for all the feedback and criticism - it won't be perfect for
everyone, but I think it is far better than what we started with. My
"technical review team" has included:
Dennis Roberson (SCAMP/IBM 5100 lead engineer)
Dan Bricklin (VisiCalc)
Scott Adams (Adventure and many other games)
Ken Williams (Sierra OnLine)
-Steve
Any interest here before I post them to EPay?
Available for shipping cost from 95549:
IBM RT PC AIX OS Communications Guide 59X7668
IBM RT PC AIX OS Messages Reference 59X9115
IBM RT PC INED 59X7643
These are the classic early slipcase style manuals. They are in
pristine condition. All three are 1985 "First Editions" of the pub.
I received them in an auction lot of of documents and have no need.
Combined weight is ~13lbs.
Steve
Hi all,
I have to repair an PSU of a 11/23 n a BA11 Box with an H9720 Backplane
(with an KDJ-11A) that has run an CNC milling machine until 2 weeks
before now. :-) This is a Fidia machine..never heard about it before.
The problem is that a big 19000µF 40V capacitor in the PSU has failed
and that I think because of that the 2nd of the two Nidec fans has
finally failed.
I'm in the process of cleaning the goo from the PSU-PCB, found a burnt
5A fuse and now I'm checking the Semiconductors...
The problem is here that the Transistors (and diodes) have uncommon
types printed on, an TO220 is named SJE2677, another one is labeled
12652-00 RCA..and so on.
I've found a label with "0H780-B" on the PSU.. H780 PSU?
Where can I get some schematics from that beast? It is a secondary
switcher ist seems.
Regards,
Holm
--
Technik Service u. Handel Tiffe, www.tsht.de, Holm Tiffe,
Goethestrasse 15, 09569 Oederan, USt-Id: DE253710583
info(a)tsht.de Fax +49 37292 709779 Tel +49 37292 709778 Mobil: 0172 8790 741
Friends,
The process of migrating the cctalk and cctech mailing lists to a new
host in Chicago is underway. This evening, I've moved the list mail
handling to the new server, and this message will be the first live
test. Assuming this works, you shouldn't have to change anything to
post to the list.
The green web pages, the old "pipermail" list archives, and web access
to archives of new postings from this point still require a little work,
which I hope to complete in the next day or two. I will eventually
import the old pipermail archives into the new posting archive, but that
may take a little longer.
The new hosting is provided by the Chicago Classic Computing group.
Many thanks to Jay West for hosting the lists for 20 years!
/Dennis Boone
I have the following books free to a good home:
SmallTalk-80: The Language & its Implementation
SmallTalk-80: The Interactive Programming Environment
SmallTalk-80: Bits of History, Words of Advice
Email tpisek at pobox dot com
A friend gave me a DEC VK100 (aka GiGi) recently. It's in really nice
shape, but it is missing the power supply. Before I try to kludge something
up with an ATX supply, I thought I'd ask if anybody knows where I might find
an official replacement.
Thanks,
Bob
I no longer have a use for the following 2 books. Free for the taking.
Solaris Internals: Solaris 10 and Opensolaris
Solaris Performance and tools
Email me at: tpisek at pobox dot com
