> From: ccm(a)sentex.net (COMMPUTERSEUM/Kevin Stumpf)
> This is a case of two computers and one name.
>
> The Video Brain is also a desktop, CP/M microcomputer built in the earl
> 1980's. It physically resembles an Applied Digital Data Systems ADDS 7
> intelligent terminal with dual 5 1/4" floppies mounted beside the monit
>
> Now you must investigate further and tell us which one it is.
Sure you not confusing the Superbrain, a CP/M machine with the Video
Brain a F8 based game?
Allison
All:
For your enjoyment...
------------------------
Rich Cini/WUGNET
- ClubWin Charter Member (6)
- MCPS Windows 95/Networking
Why We Can't Part With Those Vintage PCs
By G. PASCAL ZACHARY
Staff Reporter of TIIE WALL STREET JOURNAI.
When it comes to her husband's habit of clut-tering their Redmond, Wash., home
with broken and outmoded computer gear, Pam Vavra knows where to draw the
line.
The kitchen.
Last month, Brad, her husband, stuffed a Mason jar with dozens of old memory
chips and put it on a shelf next to similar jars that held fruit. Brad thought
"it looked cool," he says, but she disagreed. "The kitchen is mine," she told
him. "Your chips don't go with the decor."
It would be an exaggeration to say that in kitchens all over America, people
are filling their shelves with old computer gear. But as computers become
nearly as common as toasters, the space devoted to computer junk expands, too.
To be sure, some people have always had a hard time throwing things away.
Didn't everyone's grandmother save string? Like the savers of old, today's
digital packrats can't help themselves. "The reason you can't throw it away
like an old shoe box is pre-cisely because you've established a prior
relationship with it," says Brigitte Jordan, an anthropologist at Xerox Corp.
who studies the relationship between people and things.
As computers become more sophisticated, Ms. Jordan says, human interactions
with them become more in-tense, intimate and memorable, making it harder for
owners to part with their gear. For instance, Jim Kelnhofer, a programmer at
Microsoft Corp., keeps his first computer in plain view in his bedroom. "I
turn it on once or twice a year," he says.
Hanging onto old computer stuff isn't just sentimen-tal, though. Some people
paid so much for their outmoded machines that they can't bear to part with
them for a song. And with computers changing so rapidly-obsoles-cence
typically occurs in three years-many owners com-bat the disorientation of
rapid change by keeping their old stuff nearby.
"My theory is that these folks are so giddy with the pace of change that they
keep this junk around as a trail of intellectual breadcrumbs, leading them
back to their computing origins," says Paul Saffo, director of the Institute
for the Future in Menlo Park, Calif.
That's certainly true of Mr. Vavra, a software programmer who keeps the first
computer he ever owned (a Franklin Ace) in his garage. A year ago, he donated
to Microsoft's museum his Apple Lisa, a precursor to the Macintosh, but he
can't part with an original Apple II, a computer on which he wrote some of his
first programs in the 1970s.
It is even more common for people to surround themselves with old gear at
work. Alan Cooper, a computer consultant in Palo Alto, Calif., keeps a line of
old chips on his desktop computer monitor and a few hundred computer
punchcards -- not used since the 1970s -- in his desk drawer. "That's a
lifetime supply now," says Mr. Cooper, who uses them as bookmarks.
Mr. Cooper occasionally tosses out gear, but not easily. He is still sorry
about his decision five years ago to give away an original Macintosh to a
public school. Whenever he considers tossing out, say, the Hewlett-Packard
calculator he bought in college 25 years ago, he thinks about how much he
misses the Mac. "I don't want to make that mistake again," he says.
While vintage computers provide psychological ballast against the shock of
the new, there are sound economic reasons for retaining obsolete machines:
Many are im-possible to sell or give away. In California alone, an esti-mated
two million PCs are abandoned each year. Many sit in closets or warehouses or
under desks. Others are sold at yard sales, left on the street, or
cannibalized by recyclers for valuable metals.
Most charities, for instance, have firm standards on which computers they
will accept as donations. “We don’t want your junk,” says Helga Luce, a
spokeswoman for Goodwill Industries.
Even perfectly good computers often can't be given away. The Detwiler
Foundation, which donates to schools computers rescued from oblivion, doesn't
take machines that are powered by anything less than Intel's nine-year-old 386
chip. "We're not doing a school a favor by giving them a 286," says Diane
Detwiler, the foundation's executive director, referring to Intel's
15-year-old microprocessor.
Some charities have even tougher standards. Gifts in Kind, an Alexandria,
Va., nonprofit that distributes donated computers, will accept only those
machines whose parts, manuals and maintenance are readily available. The
charity won't accept, for instance, the Macintosh Classic, a venerable
computer that sold in the millions.
Thwarted in their efforts to give away their most ancient machines, some
computer owners try to make the best of a bad situation. Cliff Stoll, a
computer-security expert in Oakland, Calif., came up with a novel answer to
the question, "What do you do with a used computer?" Mr. Stoll, who is a
commentator on the cable channel MSNBC and an author, has turned a one-piece
Macintosh Plus into an aquarium, hollowing out the electronics and filling the
case with water and fish.
As if the aquarium weren't enough, Mr. Stoll turned an old IBM PC into a
litter box for his cat. While the cat became enamored of the box, "I realized
that really isn't a good second life for a computer," he says.
For some fanatics, giving their computers decent storage space is more
fitting. "My reasoning is really very simple," says Marc Weiser, a computer
scientist at Xerox's Palo Alto, Calif., research lab. "Old computers are
worthless to everybody else, so even if they have a dime of value to you its a
dime you wouldn't have otherwise."
Mr. Weiser keeps three old computers in his garage, including one he built in
1975. "Maybe I'll show it to my kids someday. You know, like an heirloom."
Other digital packrats harbor similar delusions. Kimball Brown, a market
researcher in San Jose, Calif., thinks his motley collection of modems,
compact-disk drives, memory chips and entire computers could be worth
something someday. Even if he's wrong, he insists, he can't lose. "I have a
dream that someday I'll open a computer museum," he says.
But there already are computer museums, and they are pretty choosy, too.
Curators want collectible computers to be in pristine condition and perhaps
bear some unique mark, such as a designer's signature.
"What turns out to be valuable, you can't really know," says Gwen Bell,
co-founder of the Computer Museum in Boston. But "if it's not shiny and
polished and isn't part of a big story, it probably isn't worth keeping."
Somebody (I forget who) was asking for information on the Exidy Sorcerer. I've
found the manuals, and will give a little useful info below.
Memory Map :
0-1FFF 8K RAM (standard) - 1F50-1F90 Monitor stack, 1F91-1FFF Monitor workspace.
[Or 0-3FFF 16K RAM, 0-7FFF 32K RAM, with the monitor stuff at the top of that]
C000-DFFF 8K ROM cartridge
[Or D000-DFFF 4K ROM cartridge, A000-DFFF 16K ROM cartridge]
E000-EFFF Monitor ROM
F000-F07F Video Scratchpad
F080-F7FF Video (Screen) RAM
F800-FBFF Ascii PROMs
FC00-FDFF Standard graphics
FE00-FFFF User Graphics
Monitor Commands :
DU <a1> <a2> DUmp memory from <a1> to <a2>
EN <a> ENter hex data to memory starting at <a>. Type / <cr> to get out of this
command
TE <a1> <a2> TEst RAM from <a1> to <a2>.
TE <a1> <a2> C TEst RAM continously.
MO <a1> <a2> <a3> MOve block <a1> - <a2> to address <a3>
MO <a1> <a2> S <count> MOve <count> bytes from <a1> to <a2>
SA <name> <a1> <a2> <unit> SAve block <a1> - <a2> onto cassette <unit> with
file<name>
FI <unit> List FIles on cassette <unit>
LO <name> <unit> <address> LOad file<name> from cassette <unit> at address
<address>. The last 2 arguments are optional
LOG <name> <unit> <address> LOad and Go file<name> as above
GO <a> GO at address (run program)
PP <parameter> Run Program Pack (ROM cartridge). If no paramenter given, do a
warm start, otherwise cold
SE <a>=<b> SEt monitor parameters :
S=XX display delay to XX
T=X Tape rate (0=1200 baud, 1 = 300 baud)
F=XX set file type. D8 == non-auto-execute. Bx = Basic programs
X=XXXX set execution address in tape file header
O=V set output to video
=P Parallel output
=L Centronics Printer
=S Tape output
=XXXX send to address
I=K set input to keyboard
=P Parallel input
=S Tape input
=XXXX read from address
CR CReate Batch file on tape unit 1
LI LIst Batch file
BA run BAtch file
OV End (OVer) of batch file. Returns control to the keyboard
Memory :
There are 2 rows of DRAM chips on the main PCB. Supported configurations are ;
2 rows of 4K chips (8K total)
Front row (only) 16K chips (16K)
2 rows of 16K chips (32K)
There are 2 jumpers at the front edge of the board (column 11). The front jumper
is fitted if there are 2 rows of RAMs in the system. The rear one is fitted for
16K rams, removed for 4K rams.
Pinouts:
Serial interface (RH 25 pin connector)
1 : Shield 1
2 RS232 out
3 RS232 in
4 Ground
5 Aux level output to cassette 1
6,7,8 Ground
9 +12V
10 N/C
11 RS232 in
12 Motor control #1 +
12 Motor control #2 +
14 Shield 2
15 Microphone level output to cassette 1
16 microphone #2
17 Ground
18 Aux 2
19 Ground
20 Earphone input from cassette #1
21 Ear 2
22 N/C
23 RS223 out
24 Motor Control #1 -
25 Motor Control #2 -
Parallel interface (LH 25 pin connector)
1 Ground
2 Output data Accepted
3 Output data Available
4 Output D7
5 Output D6
6 Output D5
7 Output D4
8 Ground
9 Input Data Available
10 Input D0
11 Input D2
12 Input D4
13 Input D6
14 N/C
15 +5V
16 Output D0
17 Output D1
18 Output D2
19 Output D3
20 +5V
21 Input data accepted
22 Input D1
23 Input D3
24 Input D5
25 Input D7
System bus (50 pin edge connector)
1 Reset out
2 Int*
3 wait*
4 Data bus enable (into sorcerer)
5 Busrq*
6 NMI*
7 Buskack*
8 Data Bus Direction (into sorcerer)
9 ROM Enable*
10 Phi1 (clock?)
11 ROM PRE
12 Reset Ack
13 Phi2 (clock out)
14 Up8K
15 Mreq*
16 M1*
17 Rd*
18 iorq*
19 rfsh*
20 wr*
21 A8
22 halt*
23 A10
24 A9
25 A15
26 A11
27 A13
28 A14
29 A0
30 A12
31 A2
32 A1
33 A4
34 A3
35 A6
36 A5
37 D0
38 A7
39 D2
40 D1
41 D4
42 D3
43 D6
44 D5
45 Reset input
46 D7
47 N/C
48 I/O
49 Ground
50 Ground
ROMpack slot
1 A7
2 A6
3 A5
4 A4
5 A3
6 A2
7 A1
8 A0
9 A9
10 A8
11 D0
12 D1
13 D2
14 D3
15 D4
16 D5
17 D6
18 D7
19 A11
20 A10
21 RomDIS
22 A14
23 ROMPRE
24 A12
25 A13
26 +12V
27 -5V
28 N/C
29 +5V
30 Gnd
Centronics printer cable
Sorcerer Printer Signal
1 19-30 Ground
2 10 Ack
4 1 Stb
5 8 D6
6 7 D5
7 6 D4
8 19-30 Ground
16 2 D0
17 3 D1
18 4 D2
19 5 D3
25 11 Busy
9 D7 (Unused - maybe tie to ground - ARD)
Serial cable :
This was a 'hydra' cable with a DB25 to fit the sorcerer, 8 jack/phone plugs
for the cassette recorders and a DB25 serial connector. I'll try to give the
wirelist
Sorcerer Device
RS232 port
2 DB25/2 (TxD)
7 DB25/7 (Ground)
3 DB25/3 (RxD)
8 DB25/8 (Ground)
Tape 1 : (Mic, Aux, Ear 3.5mm (mini) phone plugs, Remote 2.5mm (submini) phone
plug)
15 Mic plug tip
1 Mic plug sleeve
5 Aux plug tip
4 Aux plug sleeve
20 Ear plug tip
19 Ear plug sleeve
24 Remote plug tip
12 Remote plug sleeve
The remote connections are swapped for some recorders
Tape 2 (Notes as above)
16 Mic plug tip
14 Mic plug sleeve
18 Aux plug tip
17 Aux plug sleeve
21 Ear plug tip
6 Ear plug sleeve
25 Remote plug tip
13 Remote plug sleeve
I seem to remeber that something was asked about the PSU. According to my
manual, the PSU was mostly on the main board, and used 3 off 3-terminal
regulators for the +5V, +12V and -5V lines. If these are present, then the
external (to the PCB) part of the PSU is simply a mains transformer giving 16V
C/T and (probably) 16V). But if you don't have these regulators, let me know,
and I'll try to figure out what is going on.
-tony
> ----------
> From: Nick Challoner
> On 1 Jul 97 at 22:45, e.tedeschi wrote:
> > > I would be most interested in hearing peoples' views on where the
> > > Bletchley Park computer (i can't remember its name)
> >
> > Colossus I ?
> Yes! that was it. Thanks Enrico.
>
It was just called Colossus at the time (they ended up building 10 of
them). They're rebuilding one at Bletchley Park.
> Now back to the main question in my
> post: where does this fit in to the timeline of early computers?
>
The following are arguable....
Colossus (1944) was probably the first electronic computer.
ENIAC (1946) was probably the first general-purpose electronic computer,
while Colossus was built strictly to break a German cipher.
Manchester/Harvard Mark 1 (1948) was probably first electronic
stored-program computer.
(ENIAC, though built in '46, was made stored-program in 1948,
complicating matters somewhat)
EDSAC (1949) is sometimes called the first full-scale operational
stored-program computer.
UNIVAC 1 (1952) was probably the first commercial computer.
I haven't been able to find any citations of the first all-solid-state
computer.
Kai
Whilst in a self-induced trance, Ward Griffiths and/or Lisa Rogers happened
to blather:
>On Sun, 29 Jun 1997, Brett wrote:
>That was me. Yes, it might have been _possible_ to build a machine in
>1930, but at that time nobody had made the connection between Babbage's
>ideas and electronics. IIRC, it was John von Neuman who took that fatal
>step, then published it. And then all Hell broke loose, and there is no
>sign of the rift closing within our lifetimes. I _love_ it. With
>respect to the old Chinese curse, we live in interesting times. And we
>have done so since the Harvard Mark I. (Well, there _is_ that rumoured
>German predecessor, but it was never advertised.)
Uh, actually, try October 1939... with the ABC. That's the Atanasoff -
Berry Computer, which is now recognized as the first functional electronic
computer. I posted 2 or 3 URL's for more info on the web, if there's a
searchable archive of this list, check there for my post. If not, I'll look
it up in mine if I still have it.
BTW, you're timeline is still a bit off... IIRC John von Neumann invented
the stored-program concept, didn't he? It was Markus & someone who designed
the first UNIVAC mostly with concepts hijacked from the ABC... methinks it
was in 1972 or so when the U.S. Patent office yanked the patent away from
them and gave it back to Atanasoff & Berry.
Anywho, have fun, y'all!
"Merch"
--
Roger Merchberger | If at first you don't succeed,
Programmer, NorthernWay | nuclear warhead disarmament should *not*
zmerch(a)northernway.net | be your first career choice.
If anyone can help this guy out, please e-mail him (he does not subscribe
AFAIK to the mailimg list.)
Thanks,
Les
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 01 Jul 1997 18:57:12 -0700
From: michael neufeld <mneufeld(a)awinc.com>
To: more(a)camlaw.Rutgers.EDU
Subject: 8088 ROM image
Hello,
Would you happen to have the BIOS for an 8088 IBM PC, XT or compatible?
I would like to build a DOS compatible single board computer, however I
need a BIOS and/or information on it. Any help you could give me would
be appreciated!
Thanks,
Michael Neufeld
mneufeld(a)awinc.com
At 12:06 PM 7/2/97 -0500, you wrote:
>On Wed, 2 Jul 1997, Ken Marshall wrote:
>
>> I was just given a Sony SMC-70 last weekend by a friend of my son's that is
>> moving. The machine has 3.5" single-sided floppy disks, both black & white
>> and RGB video outputs, an RS-232 interface, parallel interface, and a DB-25
>> connector labeled "external drives". It also has a "supercharger" unit
>
>I have an SMC-70 as well; unfortunately, I have neither an OS nor the
>floppy drives for mine. The few pieces of information that I have found
>about this machine are that it was (supposedly) the first mass-produced
>computer to use 3.5 inch floppy disks and that it was used as a part of a
>video editing controller that Sony produced in the early '80s. The
>floppy disk claim does make some sense, since the 3.5 inch format was
>developed by Sony.
>
>A few more interesting things about this machine:
>
>- The power supply is located in the rear portion of the case, which is
>mounted on tracks and movable. Moving the power supply away from the main
>portion of the case reveals a ribbon cable with several 50-pin socket
>connectors. This ribbon cable terminates at the 50-pin Centronics
>connector on the back of the unit. Does anyone have a description of this
>bus? I'm assuming that there were options available that fit into this
>area and extend the length of the unit, somewhat like the options that can
>be connected to the IBM PC Convertible.
>
>- There is a switch on the side of the unit that selects the startup
>device, which can be either ROM or disk. I'm assuming that the boot ROM
>was an optional product. In any case, mine doesn't have a boot ROM.
>
>Does anyone know if the SMC-70 floppy drives are the same as (or
>compatible with) any of the other drives that are made by Sony, such as
>the 400k SSDD drives used in the Macintosh 128k/512k?
>
>If anyone is interested, I can snap a few pictures of the SMC-70 tonight,
>put them on the Web, and post the URL.
>
>--
>Scott Ware s-ware(a)nwu.edu
>
The Sony part numbers listed for the manuals are as follows:
SML7000Z Operating instruction binder.
SML7001Z Sony basic introductory manual& basic user guide.
SML7002Z Basic reference manual
SML7003Z System monitor manual SMC70.
SML7004Z Hardware manual, technical description, SMC70.
I suggest not ordering them retail from Sony as they are listing at
about $ 50.00 ea.in 1986
Cheers
Charlie Fox
At 12:34 AM 7/2/97 -0700, you wrote:
>
>I mentioned previously a discussion I had over dinner of some classic
>systems. One of the systems mentioned was a Sony CP/M machine from the
>very early 80s. Anyone know anything about this system?
>
>
>Sam
>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Computer Historian, Programmer, Musician, Philosopher, Athlete, Writer, Jackass
>
>
Hi, Sam:
In 1983 Sony Video Products Catalog listed a SMC70 microcomputer, and
again in 1986 Japan Video Centre (Toronto) listed a SMC70G "Genlocker"
which was supposed to make a good character generator for video production.
I remember going to see one, but didn't bite because they wanted about six
grand for it, and that is a bit much, even in Canada.
Regards
Charlie Fox
Does anyone know the RX01 floppy sector interleave algorithms for RT-11
and OS/8?
Thanks in advance,
David Betz
--
David Betz
dbetz(a)xlisper.mv.com
DavidBetz(a)aol.com
(603) 472-2389
