test-drb

test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

101090 discussions

by Philip.Belben＠pgen.com

>> Runs AIX, based on the Power2 Processor (a PPC varient, or maybe it came >> out before the PPC). > > Very similar, but the PowerPC has much of the good floating point > hardware stripped out. Power2 has very good floating point performance - > probably the best of any microprocessor ever made until very recently. I'll second that. Not too long ago we were looking for a replacement for our RS/6000 models 320 and 375. The only RS/6000 of a sesible size and price with comparable floating point performance was the model 397. Why? It still used a Power2SC processor. All the more modern ones use PPC and it slows, er, shows! (we bought Sun in the end. With luck I'll get the 375 or both 320s. I don't think I'll get all 3 machines :-( ) Philip

26 years, 5 months

Sun 3/60

by ethan_dicks＠yahoo.com

--- LordTyran <a2k(a)one.net> wrote: > You burned your own ROMs? What for? > According to one of the Sun 3/60 pages, different ROMs were installed in various units, depending on what the bootstrap needs were (boot from tape, CD, with framebuffer, without, etc.). I don't have that information handy, but since I was assembling a 3/60 from several parts (CPU, external shoebox with 150Mb SCSI tape, 200Mb SCSI disk, no CD), I wanted to make sure that the ROMs I had would work with my configuration. Starting an intact 3/60 is not that complicated. I'm essentially building one from scratch. -ethan _________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com

26 years, 5 months

chips

by edick＠idcomm.com

There have, in recent years come to be other manufacturers offering the PALCE version of the popular LATTICE GAL's. Cypress is, indeed, among them. As for the feedback, if you use pins 1 or 11 as something other than CLOCK or /OE, as they were used in the 16-series PALs, then the input path from them preempted the feedback from these end macrocells. I wouldn't remember that, except that PALASM slapped my wrist for it a couple of times early in my experience with them, so, like the dog who once pee'd on the electric fence, I remember that. There are other little "gotchas" with the various versions of these parts. Dick -----Original Message----- From: Pete Turnbull <pete(a)dunnington.u-net.com> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Tuesday, June 29, 1999 12:52 AM Subject: Re: chips >On Jun 28, 17:41, Richard Erlacher wrote: >> Subject: Re: chips >> SInce these are electrically eraseable it's of no consequence what the >> previous program was. These parts can be viewed as a relplacement for >the >> entire 16xN series where x=L or R and N ranges from 4 to 8. They can >> effectively emulate/replace 16L8, 16R4, 16R6 and 16R8 with a few >exceptions. >> The macrocells associated with pins 19 and 12 have no feedback path of >their >> own, i.e. it must be via the adjacent macrocell. The data book (these >are >> AMD/Vantis parts) for the Lattice GAL parts will explain it adequately if >> you can't lay hands on an AMD databook. > >They're not necessarily AMD; they could be Cypress parts, or one of a few >other manufacturers. Unfortunately, not all use the same erase or >programming algorithms (Lattice, National Semiconductor, and SGS Thomson > use one algorithm; AMD, Texas, Cypress, Altera and ICT use others). > >Why do you say that pins 12 and 19 have no feedback path of their own? > They do in my data sheets... > >-- > >Pete Peter Turnbull > Dept. of Computer Science > University of York

26 years, 5 months

VAX-BI (was Re: Local bus schedule)

by ethan_dicks＠yahoo.com

--- blstuart(a)bellsouth.net wrote: > In message <199906271535.AA28999(a)world.std.com>, Allison J Parent writes: > >BI is open but, was designed for high speed and multiple processesors. > >The bus requires a chipset to communucate over it and while it was supposed > >ot be widely available it was never widely adopted. > > It was open? I could swear I remember a really big stink in > the DEC press when the BI was introduced. Of course, this > wouldn't be the first time bit-rot affected my historical > claims. It was licensed. I worked for a "third-party vendor" back in those days. We were denied a license in 1984 when we first applied (when it would have done some good) and were granted one in 1989, long after the VAX-BI was relevant. We sold a handful of boards, only part of our prototype batch (compared with hundreds of Q-bus boards and a couple thousand UNIBUS boards). Because DEC never really opened up the licensing program until later (unless you made a board that they didn't care about, then it was easy), the market never really took off for them. Once the VAX-4000 line came out, it was easier and cheaper to buy a couple of 4000's to replace aging 11/7xx and other mid-range VAXen than it was to jump up to a 6xxx or 8700/88xx. We had more UNIBUS->Q-bus upgrade sales than anything->VAXBI. I still have most of that first run of board. If I ever have far too much time on my hands, I'll write some new code for it - 68010 @ 10Mhz, Z8530 SIO, 2Mb RAM, 64kb ROM, DMA interface, timer. I suppose I could turn it into an intellegent PPP interface or make it do Localtalk (with a change in line drivers) -ethan _________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com

26 years, 5 months

IBM 5100 sought

by Anthony.Eros＠COMPAQ.com

<< Apologies if this was posted twice... >> Gang - I know they're highly sought-after, but I'd really love to snag an APL-capable IBM 5100 and thought I'd throw the question open... There's something about those systems I always liked (even though I didn't use one more than a couple of times in high school.) Is there any chance that I might be able to tempt one of you elusive 5100 owners with some combination of the following? > DEC PDP-8/L > Teletype ASR-33 Apple Macintosh Portable (with case) > NeXTstation Turbo Color (minus monitor and sound box) > HP 85 with a variety of ROM drawers > HP 9825A with 8" floppy drive > There'd be some shipping issues, but I'd even be open to parting with an IBM 1130 (missing keyboard, power supply and drum disk.) Any interest? > -- Tony Eros Mid-Atlantic Computer History Museum

26 years, 5 months

Local bus schedule

by allisonp＠world.std.com

<KIM bus - used on the KIM believe it or not also the SYM-1! <The book also includes a few x to S-100 translator designs. KIM to s100 would be useful. <VAX BI - hmm, that nomenclature doesn't look right, but you may < remember this move by DEC to use a non-open bus design BI is open but, was designed for high speed and multiple processesors. The bus requires a chipset to communucate over it and while it was supposed ot be widely available it was never widely adopted. There was also CI (cluster interconnect) for multiple vaxen and storage. Allison

26 years, 5 months

Seeking a ZX80

by Mark.Ambrose＠RebusGroup.Com

I am looking for a Sinclair ZX80, any condition, even spares or repair... Mark

26 years, 5 months

FW: Vintage computers

by jrkeys＠concentric.net

anyone on the list interested in this equipment ? contact the seller direct. -----Original Message----- From: Eric Stechmann [mailto:estechmann@abivest.com] Sent: Monday, June 28, 1999 7:29 AM To: John R. Keys Jr. Cc: estechmann(a)abivest.com Subject: Re: Vintage computers John, Well, here's a list put together last night. Some of these are in a storage unit and I didn't get over there to take inventory. As a result, the list might be incomplete, but should give you an idea: 1 - Amiga 500: w/ 'Insider' (1 MB) add-on. Hard disk & color monitor. Books and software. 2 - Atari 512(?): 1 w/ Hard disk, ext. floppy, 2 or 3 monitors (1 color, as I recall). Books and software. 3 - Zenith(/Heathkit?) Z-89: These machines can run CP/M or MSDOS. Each has both an Intel 8085 and an 8088, I believe. Two are "lowboys" with dual floppies and detached monitors. The other is an "all-in-one" with a hard disk and a floppy. The monitors are monochrome. They came from a business, and have appropriate software (I don't remember just what and it's packed away) Books and software. 1 - Zenith(/Heathkit) Z-19(?): This is an "all-in-one" Z-80 CP/M machine. It has an external dual floppy drive and an external 8-inch floppy. Books and software. 1 - Zenith laptop: This needs a battery. I think this is an 8088 system. It has a hard drive and 3.5" floppy. A couple of Epson printers. Assorted spare and salvaged parts for the various machines. Is there anything of interest to you or others? Eric -- Eric Stechmann Direct: +1 (651) 234-1217 Software Critter Fax: +1 (651) 490-1484 American Biosystems, Inc. E-mail: estechmann(a)abivest.com 20 Yorkton Court URL: www.abivest.com St.Paul MN 55117 The program said "Requires Windows 9* or better" so I bought a Macintosh.

26 years, 5 months

Other list???

by Glenatacme＠aol.com

In a message dated 6/28/99 11:57:18 AM Eastern Daylight Time, Philip.Belben(a)powertech.co.uk writes: > Greetings everyone on both lists: Will some kind denizen of this listserv please enlighten me concerning the other list? Am I missing half the fun??? TIA Glen Goodwin 0/0

26 years, 5 months

chips

by pete＠dunnington.u-net.com

On Jun 28, 17:41, Richard Erlacher wrote: > Subject: Re: chips > SInce these are electrically eraseable it's of no consequence what the > previous program was. These parts can be viewed as a relplacement for the > entire 16xN series where x=L or R and N ranges from 4 to 8. They can > effectively emulate/replace 16L8, 16R4, 16R6 and 16R8 with a few exceptions. > The macrocells associated with pins 19 and 12 have no feedback path of their > own, i.e. it must be via the adjacent macrocell. The data book (these are > AMD/Vantis parts) for the Lattice GAL parts will explain it adequately if > you can't lay hands on an AMD databook. They're not necessarily AMD; they could be Cypress parts, or one of a few other manufacturers. Unfortunately, not all use the same erase or programming algorithms (Lattice, National Semiconductor, and SGS Thomson use one algorithm; AMD, Texas, Cypress, Altera and ICT use others). Why do you say that pins 12 and 19 have no feedback path of their own? They do in my data sheets... -- Pete Peter Turnbull Dept. of Computer Science University of York

26 years, 5 months

VCF Announcement

by dastar＠ncal.verio.com

Note: some of the links referenced are broken at present...under construction and all that. Parallax Inc. and Dr. Dobb's Journal proudly present... The Vintage Computer Festival 3.0 October 2nd & 3rd Santa Clara Convention Center Santa Clara, California www.vintage.org For the third year in a row, the Vintage Computer Festival is back to thrill and amaze you with the history of one of the greatest inventions in all of mankind, the computer! This year: * More great speakers! * More great exhibits! * More great vendors with Cool Stuff to sell! * More fun games and contests, including the Nerd Trivia Challenge! * Tour The Computer Museum History Center! * And of course, FREE STUFF!! In short, plenty of stuff to indulge all your SENSES: HEAR the speakers! SEE vintage computers! TOUCH them too! SMELL their electronics! But please don't TASTE them! "The mission of the Vintage Computer Festival is to promote the preservation of 'obsolete' computers by allowing attendees to experience the people, stories and technologies that embody the remarkable tale of the computer revolution." Register Early and $AVE! Register by June 30 and pay only $15 per person (or $20 per person by September 15). That includes access to the entire event all weekend, including the speakers, the exhibit and the flea market. Kids 17 and under are admitted free, and as always, parking is free too! To pre-register, send a check or money order to: Vintage Computer Festival 4275 Rosewood Drive #29-161 Pleasanton, California 94588 Or visit the VCF website for more information and a handy registration form ready to print (http://www.vintage.org/vcf/register.htm). The Speakers Horst Zuse Horst, the eldest son of early digital computer pioneer Konrad Zuse, will be giving a lecture on his late father's machines and will focus on the computer businesses that Konrad later founded to market his ideas. Jon Titus Who can forget one of the earliest of kit microcomputers, the Mark-8? Jon designed the Mark-8 around Intel's 8008 microprocessor and wrote a construction article which appeared in the July 1974 issue of Radio Electronics. Todd Fischer Todd bought the assets of IMSAI after their bankruptcy and continued to manufacture and sell IMSAI products under the Fischer-Frietas Corporation. Todd consulted with MGM for the movie _War Games_ and, as a treat, will be bringing along for show and tell the actual IMSAI 8080 computer that co-starred in the film. Stan Veit Stan is an early chronicler of the microcomputer revolution, and also a participant. Stan started one of America's first computer stores in New York, and in the process forged relationships with some of today's revered pioneers, including Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, whom he shared a booth with at the first West Coast Computer Faire where the Apple ][ was debuted to the world. Jim Willing Our admired and beloved VCF Celebrity, Jim will wax philosophic on various themes of stupendous relevance. Eugene Kim Eugene is a writer for Dr. Dobb's Journal (a VCF sponsor!) and will be giving a lecture on the history of free software, a very relevant topic considering the free-software movement is in full force in today's computing arena as evidenced by the escalating adoption of GNU/Linux. Curt Vendel Curt is the founder of the Atari Historical Society (check out his great website at http://www.atari-history.com) and has amassed an amazing collection of Atari artifacts and company history, including some one-of-a-kind Atari prototypes. Curt will be bringing along some of these prototypes for show and tell. Roger Sinasohn Roger is an avid collector of early portable computers and will be giving a talk on the history of the Kyocera 85, a.k.a. the Tandy Model 100, a.k.a. the Olivetti M10, a.k.a. the NEC PC-8201A. Doug Salot Doug's research has uncovered what he believes to be the first "personal computer". Forget the Apple ][, the Altair or even the Alto. Doug's pick as first PC goes all the way back to the 1950's. Designed by Edmund Berkeley, an unsung hero of computer history, Doug intends to win Berkeley the prominance and praise that he feels is much deserved by this virtually unknown computer visionary. Plus! Workshops by Parallax on their amazing little BASIC Stamp. Get a preview of this cool little device by visiting their website at http://www.parallaxinc.com. More speakers to be announced soon! Check the VCF website for updates. The Vintage Computer Faire and Exhibition This year, the Vintage Computer Festival exhibit will feature the exhibits of individual collectors, all vying to win first, second or third place in eleven categories, plus the coveted "Best of Show" award. The winner of the "Best of Show" ribbon will also win fabulous prizes. This year, we want YOU to exhibit the pride of your collection. What better way to demonstrate your enthusiasm for your hobby than to be an exhibitor at the Vintage Computer Festival. Exhibitor information can be found on the Vintage Computer Festival website (http://www.vintage.org/vcf/exhibit.htm). The Vintage Computer Flea Market Every year the best deals on vintage computer items can be found at the Vintage Computer Flea Market. Here are only a few of the amazing items sold at last year's flea market: * Apple 1 (no, we're NOT kidding!) * SWTPc 6800 * A rare computer by "the digital group" * Morrow Decision 1 (S-100) * California Computer Systems (S-100) * Apple Lisa 2 * And much, much more!! If you've got old computer stuff that you'd like to sell, there's no better place than the Vintage Computer Flea Market at the Vintage Computer Festival. Please visit our website for rates and regulations (http://www.vintage.org/vcf/vendor.htm). The Nerd Trivia Challenge! Hey trivia fans! Think you got what it takes to survive the Nerd Trivia Challenge? If you qualify, you'll be pitted against two other players in a battle to determine who is the undisputed master of computer history trivia. Answer the most questions correctly and you could walk away with $50 in cash plus some other nifty prizes. Lightweights need not apply, this contest is geared towards the serious computer history enthusiast. For contest rules please visit http://www.vintage.org/vcf/ntc.htm. Tour The Computer Museum History Center! The Computer Museum History Center boasts the largest collection of historic computer artifacts in the world. Their collection includes rare, one-of-a-kind computers and artifacts that date back to the early part of the century and beyond. A tour of the History Center's "Visible Storage" warehouse will be organized on Sunday, October 3. Tickets are limited and so advanced registration is recommended. FYI: The History Center is on the move, and is thrilled to announce plans to build a permanent museum to be dedicated by 2007. You can help the History Center achieve its goal by becoming a member. Information about becoming a member of the History Center can be found at http://www.computer-history.org. Meet Fellow Computer Collectors! The VCF is the premier gathering for collectors of vintage computers. What better way to enjoy your hobby than by meeting other like-minded individuals to share stories and information about your computer collection. Register now! http://www.vintage.org/vcf/register.htm Visit our Sponsors! Without our sponsors, the Vintage Computer Festival could not be a reality. It is our wonderful sponsors that enabled us to bring you the Vintage Computer Festival year after year. Demonstrate your appreciation by visiting them on the web: Parallax, Inc. http://www.parallaxinc.com Parallax manufactures the BASIC Stamp, a versatile microcontroller with a built-in BASIC language that is suitable for most any electronics and computer hobbyist project. Dr. Dobb's Journal http://www.ddj.com Dr. Dobb's Journal is the oldest continually running microcomputer journal, in existence since 1975. It features monthly articles and columns geared towards the computer programming professional. EOF Sellam Alternate e-mail: dastar(a)siconic.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Don't rub the lamp if you don't want the genie to come out. Coming this October 2-3: Vintage Computer Festival 3.0! See http://www.vintage.org/vcf for details! [Last web site update: 05/25/99]

26 years, 5 months

PC's Limited (1986 on topic)

by bill＠chipware.com

I grabbed, out of a pile of various PC clones being trashed, a PC's Limited Turbo PC whose serial number sticker says it was manufactured in Sept. 1986. Could this be one of the machines actually assembled in Mr. Dells college dorm room? Bill

26 years, 5 months

Bliss, $5

by therunk17＠earthlink.net

I'm definately interested in these manuals. The shipping would be to ma zip code 01581 Ron ---------- >From: Mike Ford <mikeford(a)netwiz.net> >To: "Discussion re-collecting of classic computers" <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> >Subject: Bliss, $5 >Date: Mon, Jun 28, 1999, 8:21 AM > > My wife is clearing out some old manuals, first up is a four volume set of > Bliss stuff from DEC. Bliss primer vol 1, 2, and 3, plus some kind of > Digital Bliss reference or something. The whole jolly group, $5 and postage. > > please email me directly, not the whole list. > > > >

26 years, 5 months

Bliss, history

by CLASSICCMP＠trailing-edge.com

>The Bliss books lasted less than 3 minutes. Sorry to those who now lack >Bliss, but you missed it. ;) I'd like to point out that the Bliss compilers, and the documentation, are now in the "freely distributable" category. See ftp://ftp.wku.edu/vms/fileserv/ for "bliss-article-ps.zip" and "bliss-intro.zip" for the documentation. Tim.

26 years, 5 months

New toy..

by a2k＠one.net

Today a friend of mine gave me a TRS-80 Daisywheel printer.. this sucker is HUGE, really heavy, loud, and fairly fast. I got 5 daisy wheels and 23 ribbons (!!). Some seem to be dried up but begin to print darker and darker the longer they're run.. anybody know how I can rejuvinate (sp??) the cartridges? Thanks, Kevin ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "It's you isn't it? THE BASTARD OPERATOR FROM HELL!" "In the flesh, on the phone and in your account..." -- BOFH #3

26 years, 5 months

chips

by edick＠idcomm.com

SInce these are electrically eraseable it's of no consequence what the previous program was. These parts can be viewed as a relplacement for the entire 16xN series where x=L or R and N ranges from 4 to 8. They can effectively emulate/replace 16L8, 16R4, 16R6 and 16R8 with a few exceptions. The macrocells associated with pins 19 and 12 have no feedback path of their own, i.e. it must be via the adjacent macrocell. The data book (these are AMD/Vantis parts) for the Lattice GAL parts will explain it adequately if you can't lay hands on an AMD databook. Dick -----Original Message----- From: Tony Duell <ard(a)p850ug1.demon.co.uk> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Monday, June 28, 1999 5:40 PM Subject: Re: chips >> >> I found some 20 pin DIP chips, 8 chips in a plastic chip tube. I have no >> idea what they are, so i though i'd mention it here. maybe someone can >> use these. >> >> PALCE16V8H-15 >> PC/4 9545ABA L > >They're PALs. The number can be decoded as follows : > >16 - 16 inputs to the 'AND' matrix >V - 'Versatile'. Each output comes from a configurable block that allows >it to be either a normal output or a flip-flop >8 - 8 outputs > >What they are, and if they're useful, depends on whether they've been >programmed, and if so, with what. > >-tony >

26 years, 5 months

chips

by lemay＠cs.umn.edu

I found some 20 pin DIP chips, 8 chips in a plastic chip tube. I have no idea what they are, so i though i'd mention it here. maybe someone can use these. PALCE16V8H-15 PC/4 9545ABA L -Lawrence LeMay

26 years, 5 months

chips

by edick＠idcomm.com

These parts aren't PAL chips FOR a specific application. They're about 10-year-old electrically eraseable and reprogrammable GAL (generic arraly logic) parts, intended to become lower-cost replacements for the bipolar PALs. In the latter purpose they have been quite successful, in that I seldom even see a bipolar part in boards less than 15 years old. The advantage, of course, is that these have a more flexible architecture and variable macrocell design than the original PALs, say, from MMI, had. Of course there are only a few of them that are asynchronous, and those, typically, are just copies of the 20RA10 in more current technology. Dick -----Original Message----- From: Jay West <jlwest(a)tseinc.com> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Monday, June 28, 1999 3:31 PM Subject: Re: chips >I haven't looked up the numbers, but these almost sound like PAL chips for >the Digiboard PC/x boards. There is a 4 port model (PC/4) that is actually a >lobotomized 8 port card. > >Jay West >-----Original Message----- >From: Lawrence LeMay <lemay(a)cs.umn.edu> >To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers ><classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> >Date: Monday, June 28, 1999 4:06 PM >Subject: chips > > >>I found some 20 pin DIP chips, 8 chips in a plastic chip tube. I have no >>idea what they are, so i though i'd mention it here. maybe someone can >>use these. >> >> PALCE16V8H-15 >> PC/4 9545ABA L >> >>-Lawrence LeMay >> >

26 years, 5 months

IBM 5100 sought

by Anthony.Eros＠COMPAQ.com

Gang - I know they're highly sought-after, but I'd really love to snag an APL-capable IBM 5100 and thought I'd throw the question open... There's something about those systems I always liked (even though I didn't use one more than a couple of times in high school.) Is there any chance that I might be able to tempt one of you elusive 5100 owners with some combination of the following? > DEC PDP-8/L > Teletype ASR-33 Apple Macintosh Portable (with case) > NeXTstation Turbo Color (minus monitor and sound box) > HP 85 with a variety of ROM drawers > HP 9825A with 8" floppy drive > There'd be some shipping issues, but I'd even be open to parting with an IBM 1130 (missing keyboard, power supply and drum disk.) Any interest? > -- Tony Eros Mid-Atlantic Computer History Museum

26 years, 5 months

chips

by jlwest＠tseinc.com

I haven't looked up the numbers, but these almost sound like PAL chips for the Digiboard PC/x boards. There is a 4 port model (PC/4) that is actually a lobotomized 8 port card. Jay West -----Original Message----- From: Lawrence LeMay <lemay(a)cs.umn.edu> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Monday, June 28, 1999 4:06 PM Subject: chips >I found some 20 pin DIP chips, 8 chips in a plastic chip tube. I have no >idea what they are, so i though i'd mention it here. maybe someone can >use these. > > PALCE16V8H-15 > PC/4 9545ABA L > >-Lawrence LeMay >

26 years, 5 months

Goo on my Teletype print head

by PB14＠leicester.ac.uk

On 24 Jun 99 at 18:52, Tony Duell wrote: > Yes, it is/was. Not sure if it was really rubber, but it was some > flexible material, and it does go sticking after a number of years. The > problem (beyond clogging the type cylinder) is that if the stud on 180540 > that 180502 goes on to is exposed, it will damage the surface of the type > cylinder. > > I wonder if you could cast one using that stuff that classic car > restorers use to make rubber parts [an aside : Anyone know where to get > that in the UK?]. Making the mould would be fairly easy, I think. A well known brand name is Flexane. Try http://www.frost.co.uk/016frost.html (this is an orphaned frame...) or have a look at the classifieds in Practical Classics. Woolies in East Anglia are always very helpful. I also found a spec sheet at http://www.netherlandrubber.com/adhesive/mainrepr/flexspec.html. Phil ************************************************************** Phil Beesley -- Computer Officer -- Distributed Systems Suppport University of Leicester Tel (0)116 252-2231 E-Mail pb14(a)le.ac.uk

26 years, 5 months

British Science Museum needs a lesson in history

by dastar＠ncal.verio.com

Here's an interesting announcement from the British Science Museum that might interest some of the folks in the UK (Tony, now you can get a job!) OPERATE THE BABY COMPUTER Would you like to work on the rebuilt 'Baby' computer? This rebuild of the original which ran for the first time on 21 June 1948 is on display in the Futures gallery at the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester. The Museum needs help to keep the computer in working order and to demonstrate it to visitors. You should have some experience in and knowledge of electronics. An interest in the history of computing would be desirable. You should also be available once during the week for training and, if possible, at the weekends for demonstrations. You will join the Museum's volunteer programme and will receive training on the computer's operation and maintenance, on its background history and on talking about the computer to Museum visitors. The Museum is the only place where you can have this opportunity to work with the first computer. You will be able to learn from the people who rebuilt the computer and benefit from the experience of explaining it to visitors. If you are interested in helping, please contact Jenny Wetton at the Museum, telephone 0161-832-2244, or email: j.wetton(a)msim.org.uk --- What's funny is the state in the second to last paragraph: "The Museum is the only place where you can have this opportunity to work with the first computer." Konrad Zuse might have a problem with this. Sellam Alternate e-mail: dastar(a)siconic.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Don't rub the lamp if you don't want the genie to come out. Coming this October 2-3: Vintage Computer Festival 3.0! See http://www.vintage.org/vcf for details! [Last web site update: 04/22/99]

26 years, 5 months

BI Bus

by IVIE＠cc.usu.edu

Ack! How could I miss a discussion of the BI bus? I'd better pay a bit more attention when I'm glancing through the subject lines... > It was open for a minimal definition of the word open. > DEC owned the chip set and protocol and would sell you the chip set > if your board was not a competitor to a DEC board. I can vouch for this. The company I used to work for did a couple of VAXBI interface boards: a quad IEEE-488 board and an interface to a custom shared memory. DEC had to be convinced where product was complementary before it gave you the right to buy chips. > A number of outfits purchased the older lowest priced DEC board > available to pull the chips for the BI bus to make disk controllers > and such since DEC wasn't going to let anyone reverse engineer the set > without a major patent fight. There was a memory company that reverse engineered the BI bus, at least enough to build memory cards. Clearpoint, perhaps? I don't recall which. IIRC, they were bought by an I/O company (Emulex, maybe?) primarily to gain access to their reverse-engineered BI chip. > DEC cut it's own throat on this one and the BI bus never took hold. There's also the fact that for the average bus transaction it really wasn't any faster than the UNIBUS. You had to _always_ do octaword transactions to outperform the UNIBUS (at least, the theoretical max of the UNIBUS; and by the time the VAXBI appeared, it was starting to be possible to get the theoretical max out of the UNIBUS. I once did a processor module that did the UNIBUS mapping during the settle(?) (the one that was after the deskew time) time; once that 75ns was up, the processor module knew that the adders had had enough time to map the address and didn't need to add any extra delay for the mapping. The processor module could support a J-11 running full bore while simultaneously outperforming the PDP-11/84 on DMA throughput. And it looked enough like a PDP-11/84 to run RSX-11 out of the box). > who left DEC around the time of the BI bus release... and has NO > proprietary data on 'em. I've still got a couple of copies of the VAXBI manual. Roger Ivie ivie(a)cc.usu.edu

26 years, 5 months

PC's Limited (1986 on topic)

by jeff.kaneko＠juno.com

Actually, my understanding was that at least one of the 1st PC's limited machines were unique: 386PC's design using multiple megabytes of *static* memory to keep up with the *blazing* 386-16 then in use.

26 years, 5 months

Local bus schedule

by ethan_dicks＠yahoo.com

--- James Willing <jimw(a)agora.rdrop.com> wrote: > At 09:25 PM 6/26/99 -0400, Max Eskin wrote: > >Hi, > >I'd like to know about the various famous, complete local bus standards. > >I've heard of: > >ISA > > Posibus and Negibus from the pre-Omnibus PDP-8 series machines... I thought about adding those, but I wasn't sure they qualified as local busses, especially if you have a DW08 bus converter on your machine. -ethan _________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com

26 years, 5 months

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