test-drb April 2001

test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

251 participants
669 discussions

by chomko＠greenbelt.com

Pulled off alt.foklore.computers: Interdata History - From: Will Jennings <XDS_Sigma7(a)hotmail.com> Fri Jun 9 14:42:19 2000 <quote on> Subject: Interdata, Perkin-Elmer, et al. OK, a brief history of Interdata, etc.; Interdata was founded in about 1967 in Oceanport, NJ, and the majority of the funding was put up by the local jockey club because they wanted to grow Oceanport into a more high-tech area. This would later cause them some problems, i.e. I heard a story about how AT&T was going to buy a large quantity of Interdata machines, then looked into the background of the company, saw that the Oceanport Jockey Club was the main stockholder, and cancelled the deal. Afterwards, they redistributed the stock so that say John Doe was a stockholder, and he just *happened* to belong to the jockey club (told to me by a former Interdata employee). Anyway, the Interdata machines use the IBM S/360 instruction set, and most programs written in S/360 assembler will run unmodified on an Interdata, provided that they don't use floating point (S/360 floating point is ODD!), and are not dependent on a certain IBM device being present, i.e. a program that had routines specifically for use with a 7320 in it would not work. The assembler is even called CAL (Common Assembly Language) whereas the S/360 assembler is called BAL (Basic Assembly Language). Interdata also used the weird IBm terms, i.e. SELCH, MUX, IPL, MTM, etc. In fact, on the later machines, the racks are even IBM blue. I could talk about all the Interdata models but I don't want to flood the list, so I'll keep it to their most significant model, the 7/32. The 7/32 was the world's first 32-bit minicomputer, introduced in 1973. The 7/32 is also significant in that it has a cycle of either 750 or 1000ns, depending on the core, and it can have up to one megabyte of memory. Not to mention the fact that it has a full display panel, which is even more impressive with the hexidecimal option. Anyway, Perkin-Elmer bought Interdata in about 1975, and continued to market and develop the products but with the P-E name on them. The first machine that P-E sold without it being a rebadged Interdata was the 3220 (1978), which looks a lot like the 30xx series of machines from IBM. The 3200 series machines are backward compatible with the two Interdata 32 bit machines, the 7/32 and 8/32. In 1979, P-E released the 3210, which is twice as fast as a VAX 11/780, and it fits in a normal size rack instead of a massive unwieldy thing. In 1985, P-E spun off the computer division as Concurrent Computer Corporation, who is still in business (http://www.ccur.com). Concurrent also bought Masscomp in about 1989 or so, and still makes machines based around Masscomp's RTU operating system. All of the Interdata/P- E/Concurrent hardware is specifically designed for real-time applications, and as such, is less well-known then companies like DEC who made general-purpose machines. If anyone is interested, I'll make an Interdate/P-E/Concurrent web page. I personally own 2 Interdata 7/32's, 2 P-E 3203's, a P-E 3205, and 3 P-E 3210's. I wouldn't mind more either... or a Masscomp.. heh Will J (From: Will Jennings <XDS_Sigma7(a)hotmail.com>) <quote off>

23 years, 2 months

SC/MP Elektor Emulator

by Robert_Feldman＠jdedwards.com

http://www.elektor-electronics.co.uk/ -----Original Message----- From: Sipke de Wal [mailto:sipke@wxs.nl] Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2001 4:14 PM To: classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org Subject: Re: SC/MP Elektor Emulator <snip> By the way ....... I know the url of the dutch Elektor site: http://www.elektuur.nl (but don't know if they have versions of their site for other languages ) <snip>

23 years, 2 months

Kim / Commie keypads

by ajp166＠bellatlantic.net

It's in the RSU catalog. It's on the wall in nashua as part of a chassis box. I don't claim any genius but, it still amazes me that I can find something so trivial with zero effort. IF ALL ELSE FAILS TRY THE DIGIKEY OR NEWARK CATALOGS. Sure they are pricy but they do have it. Keypads are still used widely for many applications, where is the difficulty? Allison ------Original Message------ From: "Richard Erlacher" <edick(a)idcomm.com> To: classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org Sent: April 17, 2001 3:37:49 AM GMT Subject: Re: Kim / Commie keypads Well, talking to the folks at Radio Shack, visiting a store, and searching through their catalog (with the aid of the fellow at the store) didn't yield any keypad kits. The part number you posted doesn't fit a Radio Shack part number format according to the guy at RS. That's why I asked for the part number, because, though they have thousands of stores with many employees, they have, collectively, only two grey cells to rub together when it comes to finding something. That's as much as I'm going to do, since (a) I dislike going to Radio Shack (b) I don't have a KIM-1, nor am I likely to get one, and (3) I doubt that Radio Shack will EVER have a keypad that will even with extensive modification be suitable for this application, or, for that matter, anything else of any value, except by the wildest stroke of luck. Dick ----- Original Message ----- From: "ajp166" <ajp166(a)bellatlantic.net> To: <classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org> Sent: Monday, April 16, 2001 5:13 PM Subject: Re: Kim / Commie keypads > From: Richard Erlacher <edick(a)idcomm.com> > > > > >This RS pad must have a catalog number, though, Allison. Since you've > seen it, > >perhaps you could provide the catalog number, as the RS meatheads > wouldn't know > >what a keypad kit was if you asked them. > > > Well while picking up a barrel connector I noticed the Nashua store had > it on > the wall. I think 270-015 is the catalog number. Sheesh, if I do that > might > as well sent it to me for installation and labeling. Is it possible to > read a catalog > these days or has the "go ask the web, thin I don't have to work" > mentality > taken over? > > Allison > >

23 years, 2 months

Kim / Commie keypads

by ajp166＠bellatlantic.net

I didn't miss the point. Rather I choose to ignore the whining and moaning about something that is not rocket science. Given that basic box ( the key pad is removeable!) and a pair of shears I'd be running. Then again I'd be able to find a better match because I'd look rather than grousing about it. Sheesh! Allison ------Original Message------ From: "Richard Erlacher" <edick(a)idcomm.com> To: classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org Sent: April 17, 2001 2:54:34 PM GMT Subject: Re: Kim / Commie keypads You've missed the point, Allison ... There are dimensional requirements that have to be met if the keypad is to fit as a replacement for the KIM-1 keypad. It must physically fit, and it must have the same scanning matrix. Now, I haven't seen the chassis box to which you refer, but I'd bet that RS doesn't sell the keypad by itself, nor do I believe that the keypad is dimensionally suitable. If one is interested in an external keypad, there are LOTS of options, and there's certainly no need to consider the sort of rubbish sold at RS. Dick ----- Original Message ----- From: "ajp me" <ajp166(a)bellatlantic.net> To: <classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org> Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2001 6:48 AM Subject: Re: Kim / Commie keypads > It's in the RSU catalog. > It's on the wall in nashua as part of a chassis box. > > I don't claim any genius but, it still amazes me that I can find something so trivial with zero effort. IF ALL ELSE FAILS TRY THE DIGIKEY OR NEWARK CATALOGS. Sure they are pricy but they do have it. Keypads are still used widely for many applications, > where is the difficulty? > > Allison > > > ------Original Message------ > From: "Richard Erlacher" <edick(a)idcomm.com> > To: classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org > Sent: April 17, 2001 3:37:49 AM GMT > Subject: Re: Kim / Commie keypads > > > Well, talking to the folks at Radio Shack, visiting a store, and searching > through their catalog (with the aid of the fellow at the store) didn't yield any > keypad kits. The part number you posted doesn't fit a Radio Shack part number > format according to the guy at RS. That's why I asked for the part number, > because, though they have thousands of stores with many employees, they have, > collectively, only two grey cells to rub together when it comes to finding > something. That's as much as I'm going to do, since (a) I dislike going to > Radio Shack (b) I don't have a KIM-1, nor am I likely to get one, and (3) I > doubt that Radio Shack will EVER have a keypad that will even with extensive > modification be suitable for this application, or, for that matter, anything > else of any value, except by the wildest stroke of luck. > > Dick > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "ajp166" <ajp166(a)bellatlantic.net> > To: <classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org> > Sent: Monday, April 16, 2001 5:13 PM > Subject: Re: Kim / Commie keypads > > > > From: Richard Erlacher <edick(a)idcomm.com> > > > > > > > >This RS pad must have a catalog number, though, Allison. Since you've > > seen it, > > >perhaps you could provide the catalog number, as the RS meatheads > > wouldn't know > > >what a keypad kit was if you asked them. > > > > > > Well while picking up a barrel connector I noticed the Nashua store had > > it on > > the wall. I think 270-015 is the catalog number. Sheesh, if I do that > > might > > as well sent it to me for installation and labeling. Is it possible to > > read a catalog > > these days or has the "go ask the web, thin I don't have to work" > > mentality > > taken over? > > > > Allison > > > > > > >

23 years, 2 months

DEC support on Compaq

by rhblake＠bigfoot.com

This might interest some of you with DEC equipment, found by someone else on Compaq's site: http://www4.support.compaq.com/support/

23 years, 2 months

Dr. Dobb's from the '80's --- taken., Thanks.

by nerdware＠laidbak.com

Thanks for the replies. First one in got 'em. I have some other old stuff to clear out as I make room for the audio studio here in the basement....if it doesn't sell, I'll throw it up here. Have a bunch of Byte's going way back, plus several Kilobauds and some other stuff. Paul Braun WD9GCO Cygnus Productions nerdware_nospam(a)laidbak.com "A computer without a Microsoft operating system is like a dog without a bunch of bricks tied to its head."

23 years, 2 months

Micropolis drives (was: Micro-Expander disks

by fmc＠reanimators.org

"Fred Cisin (XenoSoft)" <cisin(a)xenosoft.com> wrote: > The early Micropoli that I'm familiar with do not look anything like a > Tandon. They are designed to operate horizontally, but will work on their > sides. The disk goes in through a slot, and then the entire mechanical > carriage is pushed down by pressing down on a small panel in/below the > middle of the slot. Pressing the same panel again permits the carriage > assembly to pop back up and partialy eject the diskette. The "Type I" was > 48tpi SS?, and the "Type II" was 100TPI. This drive is definitely different: it's more like the entire mechanical carriage is pushed down when the door is opened, and rises when the door is closed. Given the date I wonder whether it's a redesign to look like the drives on the IBM PC. Oh, and I was wrong about one thing: there is an optical emittor/sensor and a bit that interrupts it, but it's not directly attached to the door, and it interrupts when the door is open. > How about connecting it in place of a 720K (even on a PC configured for > 720K 3.5") and seeing whether the disks that it formats will interchange > with a Tandon TM100-4, Teac 55F, or Shugart/Matsushita/etc 465? There's a thought. I think I have a Morrow Micro Decision that's been fitted with a 96TPI 5.25" drive (along with a 720K 3.5" and two 48TPI 5.25" drives), I should try to dig that (and its software) out and see if I can exchange media between them. -Frank McConnell

23 years, 2 months

Tektronix 4105 terminal

by chomko＠greenbelt.com

It has a whole mess of EPROMs on the backside of the monitor part. I didn't look close enough to see what type of CPU it has. Anyone know anything about it? Eric

23 years, 2 months

PDP-8/i: SOLD!

by aw288＠osfn.org

The PDP-8/i has been spoken for. Thanks to all that asked. William Donzelli aw288(a)osfn.org

23 years, 2 months

Still looking for a couple of answers to questions for the Heath H-27 floppy controller

by ethan_dicks＠yahoo.com

OK... so I got this H-27 that locks up the Qbus when it is in the grant chain and works ok (except for interrupts) when it is past the end of the granted devices (one or more blank Qbus slots in-between). I've pulled and tested each and every TTL chip, but can't use the auto chip tester on the Nat'l Semi parts. My questions are this: What are the three jumpers for? (E-1 through E-3, between U11 and U12, and U7 and U8) What bus drivers/receivers directly interact with the interrupt grant chain? If I'm lucky, it's U11 and U7 - I have plenty of 8136 chips. What can I substitute for DS8837 and DS8839 chips, if one of them is at fault? __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Auctions - buy the things you want at great prices http://auctions.yahoo.com/

23 years, 2 months

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test-drb April 2001