9 Mar
2023
9 Mar
'23
2:50 p.m.
On Mar 9, 2023, at 5:20 PM, Murray McCullough via cctalk <cctalk(a)classiccmp.org>
wrote:
> A lot has been written about the origins of the
microcomputer. I wrote a
> book on the topic. Many thanks for mentioning Canada. Whether one is
> playing games or doing something else micro-computing is usually associated
> with a microprocessor as CPU. Anything earlier is a minicomputer or
> something else.
On Thu, 9 Mar 2023, Paul Koning via cctalk wrote:
Sure, although that can get fuzzy. A 4004
microcomputer needs multiple
chips. Conversely, I don't think DEC would call an 11/83 a
microcomputer even though it uses a single chip (J-11) CPU. Ditto the
various small VAXen.
ALL attempts at dividing lines will have exceptions.
I remember when there were attempts to draw the lines based on how much
memory each had. But, times change, and my phone is still not a
mainframe.
BIG / BIGGER / BIGGEST
Lose:
screw / screwdriver / scope (or technician)
pick it up / handtruck / forklift and union moving crew
delivery:
trunk of your car / delivery truck / moving vanS
desk / room / building
week's pay / year's pay / financing.
sales clerk / visiting salesman / department presentations
extension cord / dedicated circuit / dedicated pole transformer
sane / eccentric / raving lunatic
SO is:
annoyed / furious / long gone
. . .