BBC Micro everybody had one!!
-----Original Message-----
From: cctech-bounces at classiccmp.org
[mailto:cctech-bounces at classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Jules Richardson
Sent: 01 November 2006 10:44
To: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts
Subject: Re: 1983 Micro prices (was Re: The Origins of DOS)
Chris M wrote:
>>> What this implies is that the PC was several years
>> delayed in UK.
>>
>> No, this implies I was quoting from a magazine.
>
> I've heard stuph to the effect that there wasn't alot of Big Blue
> stuph in the UK, at least not in the early days.
Not on the desktop - I think there were a fair few 'server' class
systems around though. But yes, my understanding is that the PC just
didn't take off in the UK like it did in the USA (and elsewhere?).
Remember that the UK had a massive amount of choice when it came to
general desktop machines - quite probably more so than the USA did. UK
society at the time was very much "squeeze every last possible drop out
of what you had", whilst the impression I've got of the US was that
people were far more willing to upgrade systems reasonably frequently to
whatever the latest thing available was.
> Research Machines was a big name though, and common.
In education, yes. Not so much for home or business use, though. What
timeframe are we talking - say 1982 to 1985 or so?
The education market was split primarily between Research Machines and
Acorn, with a few others picking up the scraps.
The home computer market was amazingly diverse, but frequent names were
Sinclair, Acorn and Commodore.
The corporate world of desktops was similarly diverse (with the likes of
CP/M crates, Commodore, Apple, and IBM all featuring) - but there were
also a huge number of business people making use of the same machines
that were found in the home. Often these people were talented enough to
write their own bespoke software to manage their business, but there was
a healthy market in 'business' software written for these machines too.
A while back I came up with a list of early-80s UK computer
manufacturers (in order to see how much space we'd need for a
UK-specific room at the museum).
It ended up being pretty massive...
> I still want the blooming Nimbus
Good grief, why? They're pretty nasty. If you want something from RML,
go for a 380Z or a 480Z - those are 'real' computers; the 380Z has that
lovely rugged 'military' feel to it with all the fun of a modular system
(albeit without a rigid backplane :-) whilst the 480Z is a great example
of good design, both hardware and packaging.
cheers
Jules
Way back in July 1999, someone wrote thus:
>>> Byte Magazine first used the term "laptop" in reference to a production
computer, after viewing the Epson HX-20 at a trade show in November 1981.
<<<
The original post is here:
http://classiccmp.org/pipermail/cctalk/1999-July/130419.html .... but it's
not true! Recently I looked through all the Byte issues from that time
period and found the reference in question, which was in the Feb. 1982
issue. In the issue's main editorial, on page 14, Chris Morgan referred to
"...an intriguing prototype of the Epson HX-20 personal computer... The
beginning of a new trend to what I call 'briefcase' computers:
battery-operated machines that combine portability with powerful computer
features. It's the sort of design that will appeal to people on the move."
Byte's earliest use of "laptop" that I could find wasn't until the Jan. 1984
issue, in an article called "Portables--1984 and Beyond" by Dave Winer. I
contacted Dave and he said he heard the term from Ester Dyson, but Ester
said she doesn't recall saying it. She did say that "luggable" was her
term, referring to the suitcase-sized computers. Byte did write about "lap"
computers a couple of times in 1983, but not "laptops" per se.
I'm bringing this up now because I have seen a few recent web references
which cite the 1999 post as fact.
Can anyone show me (not just say they remember) a pre-Jan. 1984 reference to
the word "laptop" in the context of portable computers?
I searched on Lexis-Nexus but the results were flawed. Apparently someone
tagged all the pre-1984 references to "mobile" and "portable" computers with
the word "laptop" which may be logical for most searchers but doesn't help
me at all.
- Evan
right...so whos in charge of that dept?
--- cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org <Watzman at neo.rr.com>
wrote:
> Re: "Indeed, a series of DACs would be needed to
convert the T2K TTL to
> analog for modern monitors but it doesn't solve the
scanning frequency."
>
> The level issue is easily solved with just a couple
of resistors.
>
> The real problem is the scan rates.
>
>
>
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Re: "Indeed, a series of DACs would be needed to convert the T2K TTL to
analog for modern monitors but it doesn't solve the scanning frequency."
The level issue is easily solved with just a couple of resistors.
The real problem is the scan rates.
no problemo. At least the Tandy 2000 variety.
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--------------Original Message:
From: Roger Merchberger <zmerch-cctalk at 30below.com>
Subject: Re: New monitors on old machines
>my X10 setup won't work thru the ol' knob-n-tube (already tested
>that) installed in my house -- depending on which circuit's going thru
>which fuse. However, I've been slowly rewireing the place where I can -
>specifically so I can use the X10 modules I have.
I doubt that the knob-n-tube is the problem; have run X10 stuff 100%
reliably in my ancient 3-story knob & tube house for a decade (except
for the occasional module failure).
The RF stuff is another story however...
Have you tried the .1 uf phase coupling cap (or the "official" phase
coupler)?
>> 2) train your dog how to work a light switch
>He died a few months ago. :-(
Sorry to hear it; so did my cat... :-(
>> 3) switch with delay
>Hadn't thought of that... might have to check the lighting shops here to
>see what they have in stock...
While you're there, look for a wall switch with IR sensor & delay; sounds
perfect for your app, although you might have trouble finding one that'll work
in your 3-way setup (if you'd still need it).
>7) Three way switch at the other enough of the hall.
>It's already on a three-way switch with the bottom of the stairs... do they
>make 4-way switches?
Yes, but that'd require additional wiring.
>And everyone forgot #8: Win a home remodeling contest so I can get $100,000
>so I can afford to pay someone *else* to gut & redo the house in an
>expedient manner. ;-)
Can't beat that!
m