> Remember it? If it's what I am thinking of, I was doing it a couple of
> weeks ago. You are talking about a 'Coconut', right (explanation of that
> codename also on request - it has _nothing_ to do with the Tandy CoCo).
> Nowadays I do something similar. I create a GROB with the right bit
> patterns, use the SystemRPL 'Get' routine to remove the header, and thus
> create new objects.
Wouldn't it be easier to create the object on something else (like that
PDP-11 sitting in the corner) and then just download it using Kermit?
I built a set of macros for M80 to create Chip-8 code I could download
>from my DECmate, but I never cobbled together a real assembler for the
beast...
Roger Ivie
ivie(a)cc.usu.edu
Why do I play with old computers?
I love collecting oddball stuff, just to consider what people could do...in
what directions the industry could have gone. I play with old software
(Visicalc, Concurrent DOS, and others) and trace their influences on
today's WINtel products...and you know? as clunky as those old programs
are, today's software is a direct descendant of many classic programs.
I'm a trivia freak, and computer trivia's fun. Old computers are great
trivia. (here's a good one for everyone...does anyone remember "synthetic
programming"? Explanation on request.)
I recondition old PC's, because -- then -- it puts an *affordable* PC into
someone's hands. Unused machinery distresses me. Good machinery trashed
makes me really ill. Why do we (USA) throw so much away?
I loved computers from my first programmable calculator (1978...a TI-58). I
lusted after many higher-priced units of the day. I can satisfy my ex-lusts
now for -- sometimes -- a few bucks.
I see the earlier stuff I have on the shelf increasing in value. Hey I'm
not in business for my health!
And...so you watch TV in the evening. Well, I hate TV and don't watch it.
Does that make it bad? I read old issues of Punch Magazine, sci-fi and play
with old machines. We all should have *something* different to do, or else
we'd be alike, and who would I talk to, to keep me interested?
Hi all.
Consider Classiccmp Web/FTP open for your archiving pleasure ;).
The process has been more or less tested out and is ready to go.
Submissions of Software, Documentation, ROM code, whatever are all
OK.
What really remains to be done is to work out standards for file
formats. I'll let those of you who are experts on specific platforms
argue that out. I'll follow whatever ensues and firm up some
guidelines.
To submit something you need to download the form DS-form.txt from
the FTP site (140.142.225.27) and fill it out to the best of your
ability. Follow the instructions at the bottom of the form for uploading.
All the form does is provide evidence (if anyone ever complains) that
I'm not just uploading copyrighted material without a care.
Anyway - if you're itching to archive stuff feel free. Your comments
are welcome and also unavoidable ;)
Bill
----------------------------------------------------
Bill Whitson - Classic Computers ListOp
bill(a)booster.u.washinton.edu or bcw(a)u.washington.edu
http://weber.u.washington.edu/~bcw
Marvin:
I, too, like to have documentation for my various holdings. I have copies of
the service manuals for the Radio Shack Model I, the Commodore PET 4032, the
VIC-20 and (I think) the VIC 1541 floppy drive. I'd like to get copies of the
schematics for the Altair, the IMSAI, and anything related to the System
23/Datamaster. If you need these, I can have copies made.
As far as ROMs are concerned, maybe we can start a "ROM Archive"
database/repository. Members with EPROM programmers could make copies of
known-good ROMS from various machines at the request of other members.
However, there is a major pitfall: version control. Unless someone has an idea
as to which ROM versions go with each hardware revision, there is a risk of
incompatibility. Although, what's the worst that can happen -- it doesn't
work.
As far as Copyright concerns, I don't think that there are any. First, many
of our target companies are out of business. Second, we are not selling these
chips (and the software contained therein) in a commercial sense. Third,
they're being used as a one-for-one replacement for defective firmware. I view
it like a diskette: I own Norton Utilities with a bad disk 1. My friend also
owns Norton Utilities, and he makes me a copy of his disk 1. Both of us have
valid software licenses because we both bought the program. It's like
preservation of matter.
Rich Cini/WUGNET
- MCPS Windows 95/Networking
- ClubWin Charter Member
Date: Tue, 24 Jun 1997 13:56:15 -0700
From: Marvin <marvin(a)rain.org>
To: classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu
Subject: Computer Documentation
Message-ID: <33B0346F.3FFC(a)rain.org>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
One of the things *I* like to have available is the documentation,
particularly schematics, on the things that I have. As such, there are
docs and schematics on quite a bit of stuff here but there are also a
lot of holes. I'm not sure how the copyright laws apply to machines
where the company has ceased to exist, but it would be great to be able
to exchange documentation as needed. Things I have machine schematics
on include:
> What worries me is that in a lot of cases, the older machines are more
> useable than the modern Wintel equivalents. This applies both to a new
> user (somebody who just wants to write 2 page letters does _NOT_ (or
> should not) need a 166MHz Pentium with 16Mbytes of RAM), and to 'hackers'
> who want to understand their machines. It's possible for one person to
> complete understand both the hardware and software of most classic
> computers - something that (IMHO) is not possible with a Wintel box.
Same here. In reality I use my s100 crate, ampro, and sb180 to produce
8048/9 and 8051 code as they really are faster and easier to use. Also
being as I have them interconnected it's easier to blast proms in the
s100 crate. Efficient, very! I've had nearly 20 years to refine the code
and tools! I have the advantage of having source code for those tools so
and long latent bugs are easily squashed. This is not doable on PCs.
I still do my banking/checkbook on the kaypro! Faster than the PC overall.
Allison
Yes, it is.
Kai
> ----------
> From: Stefan Walgenbach
> Reply To: classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu
> Sent: Thursday, June 26, 1997 10:13 AM
> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
> Subject: Help identifying ...
>
> Hi,
>
> today I got a special german (?) computer. It is a "SIEMENS PC100".
> But inside
> there is a board labled "R6500 ADVANCED INTERACTIVE MICROCOMPUTER"
> it is made by "ROCKLWELL" with a small (thermo?) printer a one-line
> display. Is this one of the legendary AIM65-Machines?
>
Im in kansas and have a spare TI994a with powersupply but no RF box.
----------
> From: Stefan Walgenbach <walgen(a)do.isst.fhg.de>
> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
<classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu>
> Subject: RE: MSX, TRS-80, Colour Genie, etc.
> Date: Thursday, June 26, 1997 8:46 AM
>
>
>
> ----------
> From: Cord Coslor[SMTP:coslor@pscosf.peru.edu]
> Reply To: classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu
> Sent: Thursday, June 26, 1997 2:50 PM
> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
> Subject: MSX, TRS-80, Colour Genie, etc.
>
>
> > I am located in central Nebraska, USA, and am looking for the following
to
> > add to my collection. If you have these systems or might be able to get
> > them for me at a reasonable price, PLEASE e-mail me.
> >
> > MSX computer
> > Colour Genie
> > TI 99/4a
>
> I have a Colour Genie and a Sony HitBit HB75 and also a Ti99/4A
> as I live in germany sending the TI99/4A makes no sense but if you
> are interested in the other items drop me a note. I would like to
> swap them on a "I send them to you and pay on my own and you send
> me some other stuff and pay for the shipping". What do you think?
>
> Here my URL for some other stuff I have to trade:
>
> http://192.102.161.122/~walgen/
>
Are those DOS machines, or are those the BTOS/CTOS type I used to run in
the military?
----------
> From: Sam Ismail <dastar(a)crl.com>
> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
<classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu>
> Subject: Re: Convergent Technology Computers
> Date: Wednesday, June 25, 1997 1:31 AM
>
> On Tue, 24 Jun 1997, Commercial Computing Museum wrote:
>
> > And don't forget the Workslate from Convergent. It was the slickest
laptop
> > around in 1984. Small LCD screen but built in voice digitization and
voice
> > mail system! No disk, only min-cassette.
>
> I see one all the time at my local swap meet but always pass it up. I
> found a program micro-cassette at a thrift shop and decided I'm going to
> pick this thing up next swap meet. Sounds real neat.
>
> Sam
>
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---
> Computer Historian, Programmer, Musician, Philosopher, Athlete, Writer,
Jackass
