Here is a varied list of computers (and computer-related things) that were
either famous or infamous for various reasons
First, the infamous ones
Computer with the worst built in hard drive: the ICT hard drive in the early
models of the IBM-AT.
Computer with the worst system architecture: TI-99/4A. (doubly interpreted
BASIC? c'mon TI!)
Computer with the worst keyboard: (tie) Sinclair ZX-81/Timex Sinclair 1000 &
IBM PC Jr.
Computer with the worst pitchman: Bill Cosby. (TI-99/4A)
Computer with the most limitations: Timex Sinclair 1000/Sinclair ZX-81.
Slowest computer: COM-X 35.
Computer with the slowest disk drive: Commodore 64(C).
Heaviest laptop computer: Apple Macintosh Portable.
Most infamous computer by price: Apple Lisa.
And now the famous ones
Computer with the best keyboard: (tie) Commodore 64(C), & TRS-80 Model 12.
Computer with the best speech synthesizer: TI-99/4A.
Most famous "vaporware" computer: Xerox Alto.
Computer with the best sound hardware: (tie) TI-99/4A & Commodore 64(C).
Computer with the coolest pitchman: William Shatner. (VIC-20)
Computer with the coolest case design: TI-99/4A. (The case reminds me of a
Delorean. Remember those?)
Computer with the best introductory commercial: Apple Macintosh. ("On
January 24, Apple will introduce Macintosh. And you will see why 1984 won't
be like "1984"".)
This is all that I can think of. If you can add some more categories or
correct some of the entries, please do so! After all, the above entries are
only based on opinion (namely my own).
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>>Computer with the best speech synthesizer: TI-99/4A.
> Dunno 'bout that... how about the Digitalker as used on some S-100 systems?
You'll note that his definition of "computer" didn't include S-100 systems
(probably because they don't have integral video...). But if we have
to talk about the "best" speech synthesizer of the day, I'd vote for the
original DECtalk (often confused with a VT240 base!) These are still in
continuing commercial use at the far end of those applications where you
dial in to check your bank balance, etc.
--
Tim Shoppa Email: shoppa(a)trailing-edge.com
Trailing Edge Technology WWW: http://www.trailing-edge.com/
7328 Bradley Blvd Voice: 301-767-5917
Bethesda, MD, USA 20817 Fax: 301-767-5927
>Here is a varied list of computers (and computer-related things) that were
>either famous or infamous for various reasons
(Bunch of IBM PC - TI-99/4 - Timex/Sinclair - Apple - Commodore - RS stuff
deleted for brevity).
Replace "computer" with "desktop microcomputer with keyboard and video
display" and I'll agree that your list makes sense. (Though the Alto
doesn't quite fit that category.)
Unfortunately your list completely neglects the non-desktop micros, especially
those without integral video, minis, and mainframes...
Tim.
Hi
I have just got a old Danish build computer from 1979,
it was build by Regne Centralen. I got it including a
RC 722 keyboard and a RC 752 monitor. It`s based on
a Z80a with 64 Kb and two fullsize 5 1/4" floppy drives
build by YE in Japan.
I did not get any discs with it and no one seems to
remember it here in Denmark, so I was hoping that
somehow some of this machines has made it outside
Denmark, so if anyone knows something about this machine
please step foreward.
Regrads Jacob Dahl Pind
In a message dated 12/25/1999 1:25:27 PM Pacific Standard Time,
foxvideo(a)wincom.net writes:
> Now what I would like some of you scientific types to explain to me is how
> folks living in the years 'BC' designated them. They couldn't say "this
> year is 45 BC'" because they didn't know when it was going to happen.
Time is relative. The Egyptians had their own calendar, it would be 5XXX now.
I rather like the Mayan interlocking circles. Their calendar was more
accurate than ours. It is also interesting that it had a start time that
preceded their own culture.
I suspect that for most of humanity that the stars and the night sky has held
a far greater position in ones life than now. We used to live a lot closer to
earth's cycles. The seasons and passing of years generate their own calendar.
We, in Oregon, are going through a long term cycle of heavier rainfall, more
than 18 years long. People seem to forget this is a 'cycle' in the dry years.
I wonder what the native American cultures called "EL Nino"? I am sure it was
a segment of their calendar.
Mediterranean metalsmiths(in Rhodes, 86BC) built a differential geared
calculator for calculating the positions of the sun and moon, with eclipses,
multiple years and more. Here is a URL which may have appeared on this list
before.
http://www.math.utsa.edu/ecz/ak.html
<A HREF="http://www.math.utsa.edu/ecz/ak.html">Gears from the Greeks</A> I
hope this qualifies as "on topic"
Many cultures instituted their own calendars. Western civilization has
instituted the current calendar, mostly for commercial purposes. Since most
people have adopted it, the current calendar would be hard to change. This
is the same problem with the millennium change. I like the British
Observatory's statement. The idea of a year of celebration sounds like a lot
of fun, I hope to do my share.
Paxton
In a message dated 12/24/1999 2:39:45 PM Eastern Standard Time,
ard(a)p850ug1.demon.co.uk writes:
> The new millennium starts on 01/01/2001.
Right on!
Glen
0/0
--- "Zane H. Healy" <healyzh(a)aracnet.com> wrote:
> Allison wrote:
> >You left out the terminals:
> >
> > Vt100 set a standard.
> > Vt220 advanced it.
>
> And the dual input VT420 perfected :^) What can I say, I love VT420's!
>
> Zane
We had dual input with the CiTOH 101e in 1984 (plus a built-in clock on the
setup screen with the model 101). My employer bought those in favor of
DEC terminals because they were only $1700 in 1982-1983. I still have a
cabinet of them (plus the manuals). Great clone terminals.
-ethan
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<First, the infamous ones
<
<Computer with the worst keyboard: (tie) Sinclair ZX-81/Timex Sinclair 1000
<IBM PC Jr.
You forgot the commodore pet... another really baaddd one.
<Computer with the most limitations: Timex Sinclair 1000/Sinclair ZX-81.
Only exceeded by the base cosmac elf, NSC SC/MP and a slew of other SBCs.
<Computer with the best keyboard: (tie) Commodore 64(C), & TRS-80 Model 12.
IBM PC XT, layout is not a favorite of mine but the feel was the best.
<Most famous "vaporware" computer: Xerox Alto.
Nope Check up on World Power Systems... read scam.
You left out the terminals:
Vt100 set a standard.
Vt220 advanced it.
Allison
--- Allison J Parent <allisonp(a)world.std.com> wrote:
> <First, the infamous ones
> <
> <Computer with the worst keyboard: (tie) Sinclair ZX-81/Timex Sinclair 1000
> <IBM PC Jr.
>
> You forgot the commodore pet... another really baaddd one.
Only the original static PET with the built-in tape drive. Later PETs had
adequate keyboards.
> You left out the terminals:
>
> Vt100 set a standard.
> Vt220 advanced it.
Agreed. I've always love the original VT100 keyboard since I first used
one in 1984.
-ethan
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