Hi folks.
The computer encyclopedia seems to have survived the weekend and
is ready for new entries. So far six machines have been
cataloged. Here's your chance to show off what you know about
your obscure machines (and help justify all the work that went
into this thing).
Go to the CCL site (http://weber.u.washington.edu/~bcw/ccl.html)
and click on the Classic Computer Encyclopedia. Then just go to
Add a computer. Or just browse around and see what you think.
Bill Whitson
ClassicCmp "owner"
bcw(a)u.washington.edu bill(a)booster.u.washington.edu
Hi,
Simply, I am looking for URL's of collectors who document their
collection on the Web. For some time I have had page on my Web site that
lists other classic computer collectors who have web pages that
document their collection. I am now in the process of revamping my
collection web site and I would like to improve the list of the
collectors web pages I have. The URL for this new page is:
http://staff.motiv.co.uk/~kevan/collection/other_collectors.html
If you have a web page that documents your collection and I haven't
already got it then please drop me a note and I will add it to the list.
Regards
--
Kevan Heydon
Old Computer Collector: <URL:http://staff.motiv.co.uk/~kevan/>
>What about machines built at prototypes only (PERQ 2T4, PERQ3A,
Tiger?
>Tandy Deluxe Coco, etc). Some of those are very difficult to
find.
Don't forget the Atari 1400, 1450xld, etc, which exists as
prototypes only.
Absolutely. It never fails to amaze me that some 1980's home
micros
(particularly Sinclar ZX80's, ZX81's, etc and Commodore 64's)
still fetch
quite high prices second-hand, while I am often _given_
minicomputer
equipment.
It's a memory/nostalgia thing. When I was a young boy, I got
access to a bunch of early micros (Ohio Scientific, Exidy Sorcerer, Kim
-1, etc). Now I'm older and want own things from my youth. ;-)
-Matt Pritchard
At 05:54 PM 3/21/97 -0500, you wrote:
> Uncommon - the less popular machines of an era. Usually
> have to hunt around, but persistence pays off.
> Color computers, Coleco Adams and what not
> fall into this catagory (IMHO).
>
> Common - Fairly easy to find. Apple ][s, Amigas would be
> here (again IMHO).
Ummm... my intention here is not to flame, but Tandy Color Computers are
*much* more abundant than you realize, mainly because (and I've learned
this thru observation and personal experience) that one usually notices the
most what one owns or has owned.
<TANGENT>
Dumb kid: "What the heck kinda car is that... it looks funny."
Grandpa: "Son, that's a '47 Pontiac (or Mercury, or... insert personal
favorite here) with a xxx V-8 engine & bla, bla, bla. I used to have one of
those in my heyday, when I was a ..........."
[[a week passes, same car]]
Dumb kid: "What the heck kinda car is that... it looks funny....."
</TANGENT>
My point is there was an immense production of the Color Computer (there
must... I own 3 myself) and in my little town of 14,000, I can name people
who still own and use them, but the last Amiga I saw in this town was
almost 10 years ago. Mind you, I'm not saying they're not around... I'm
saying I don't see/take note of them, because I prefer Color Computers...
You have a good suggestion, but I think that instead of just an arbitrary
listing of who notices what or what might never be seen in a particular
region (Amigas in Sault Ste. Marie, Color Computers in the Ukraine, ad
nauseum...) that it should be based on actual production statistics when
available.
I can give you one bit of information: The Tandy Color Computer line was in
production longer than any other 8-bit (and some 16-bit) home computer.
Anywho, that's my $0.00000002 (that's all it's worth), FWIW, which ain't much.
Thanks for the bandwidth,
Roger "Merch" Merchberger
Roger Merchberger | Everyone complained to me to change my .sig,
Programmer, NorthernWay | but no-one could recommend something better.
zmerch(a)northernway.net | So you'll have to put up with this *junk*
| until I find some new wisdom to share.
Hello,
I have decided to sell my Tandy Model 100. It comes complete with both
the owner's manual and service manual, a soft vinyl case, modem/phone
cable and cassette cable. Works great!
Since I didn't know what to ask, I went ahead and listed it on
AuctionWeb. Here's the link to bid and get more info, see picture, etc:
http://www.ebay.com/aw-cgi/item.cgi?item=lvp42398
Thanks and any questions, please feel free to ask.
Greg
--
http://www.calpoly.edu/~gmast
______________ NOTICE ___________________
My email will be down from 3/25 to 3/29.
The system may not be receiving mail.
If you send a message I won't be able to
reply until 3/30. If you don't receive a
reply, please resend after 3/29.
Thanks, Greg
_________________________________________
Due to popular demand digesting has been enabled. Furthermore,
it has been changed since this morning from weekly to daily
distribution. Digests will be sent at 23:59 each day.
Bill Whitson
ClassicCmp "owner"
bcw(a)u.washington.edu bill(a)booster.u.washington.edu
ClassicCmp Regular Posting
Mailing Lists and How to Talk to the List Robot
This message is posted with frequency proportional to
subscription rate (or monthly).
Mailing List Basics
A mailing list is a simple device which takes an e-mail and
redistributes it to a group of people. People can add and
remove themselves from the distribution list by Subscribing
and Unsubscribing. When you send a message to the list, it
is first examined by the robot for key words that tell it
to process an automatic funtion (like help, subscribe,
unsubscribe, etc). If the message does not contain a keyword
it is sent to the distribution list.
How to Talk to the Robot
There are a few List Processor commands that you might want to
use. To send a command to the list processor, write a message
to listproc(a)u.washington.edu. In the body of the message (not
the subject line, that is) write one of the following commands.
Then send the message.
SET CLASSICCMP MAIL ACK
Tells the robot to send you a copy of messages you
write to the list. This is the default.
SET CLASSICCMP MAIL NOACK
Tells the robot NOT to send you a copy of messages
you write to the list. I don't recommend this.
SET CLASSICCMP MAIL DIGEST
Tells the robot to send you a digest of messages
rather than each as it is posted. With this option
you will get a weekly bundle of messages and keep
a nice, tidy in-box.
SUBSCRIBE CLASSICCMP Your.Address
Subscribes you to the list.
UNSUBSCRIBE CLASSICCMP Your.Address
Removes you from the list.
That's the basics. If you need to know more just drop me
a line at bcw(a)u.washington.edu.
Bill Whitson
ClassicCmp "owner"
bcw(a)u.washington.edu bill(a)booster.u.washington.edu
In the few days this group has been going, I have been taken down memory lane
over and over again!
I would like to propose that we begin documenting all the great classic
computers of the past. I suggest it be a SIMPLE compilation such as:
Name/Model
Manufacturer
Date released/stopped
RAM/ROM included
Languages included
Ports included
Peripherals offerred
etc.
Of course the exact categories need to be decided by discussion on this mail
list.
And somebody would need to tabulate the info (then publish the list monthly).
Finally, an "expert" committee for those items "in dispute"!
Well ... what do you think?
John Hamilton
hamijohn(a)aol.com
"Old computers never die, they just fade away bit by bit!"
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Newsgroups: comp.os.cpm
>From: gee(a)linda.teleport.com (Chuck Gee)
Date: 21 Mar 1997 10:48:15 -0800
Organization: Teleport - Portland's Public Access (503) 220-1016
S100 cards for sale. Make offer.
=================================
This is my second posting of this ad. The first time around, about
1/2 of the cards found new homes. Since these are the leftovers, I
am willing to consider any reasonable offer.
Most have no documentation, but have been removed from working
systems (mostly from a BBS I once ran).
If you live in the Northwest, these are located in Corvallis, Oregon,
and you can get to them any weekday. Otherwise, UPS ground prefered.
quantity part# mfg. desc.
======== ===== ==== =====
3 INTERFACER 3 GODBOUT/COMPUPRO 8 CHANNEL SERIAL 1/O
(1 interfacer 3 technical manual included)
----------------------------------------------------------------
1 PWA.05-00060 MOUNTAIN COMPUTER 100,000 DAY CLOCK
----------------------------------------------------------------
4 RAM 21 GODBOUT ELECTRONICS 64K X 16 RAM CARD
----------------------------------------------------------------
1 CPU 86/87 GODBOUT 8086-1 CPU CARD
----------------------------------------------------------------
2 SYSTEM SUPPORT 1 COMPUPRO I/O, CLOCK,MATH, INT, ETC..
----------------------------------------------------------------
1 UFDC-1 COMPU/TIME FLOPPY DISK CONTROLLER
----------------------------------------------------------------
5 SCP400B,C SEATTLE COMPUTER MULTIPORT SERIAL CARD
----------------------------------------------------------------
1 Suntronics Co., inc CLOCK/CALENDAR
================================================================
I also have the following manuals that I will send off for the
price of shipping, or will include with some/all of the above
cards.
Digital Research CP/M-86 Operating System User's Guide
--
Digital Research Concurrent CP/M User's Guide/Utilities Guide
--
Gifford Computer Systems Multiuser Concurrent DOS User's Manual
(includes a pile of 8" diskettes)
=================================================================
6 assorted S-100 motherboards
=================================================================
A "pile" of 14 assorted S100 cards that have never been used by
me and are untested. I picked them up (used) for future use, but
never got around to firing them up. Their condition is unknown,
and I'd like to sell them as one batch. They've been sitting in my
warehouse for 15 years, and are pretty dusty.
=================================================================
Please contact me at gee(a)teleport.com if interested in any of the above.
Thanks...
==========================================================================
For an Online, Interactive Science-Fiction Adventure, please point your
browser to: http://www.teleport.com/~gee/oiin.html
==========================================================================
--
gee(a)teleport.com
Hope someone can use this - before it gets chucked that is 8-)
BC
I'm not totally sure yet another ad hoc list is in our best
interests. There are some Web sites dedicated to Classic Computers
that list some/most of the old sets and what went with them
(peripherals, memory, etc.). If you feel that a seperate list is
still a good idea, BMG, but I'd like to see a list of "history" Web
sites and how good you think they are. Some, like Rich Polivka's
page, are dedicated to a single machine (our trusty TI). I imagine
other machines have something similar.
--
**********************************************
* David Ormand *** Southwest 99ers *
* dlormand(a)aztec.asu.edu *** Tucson, Arizona *
**************************** TMS9900 Lives! *
Y'know, every once in a while you shoot out a message and
immediatly realize you just did something embarrasing. And
there's not a damn thing you can do ;).
I just said to thank Dan Tucker for the html work on the
comp list. And within seconds of pressing send remembered
that actually it's a shared mailbox and the guy I've been
chatting with for that last few days is, in fact - Brett
Crapser. So, everybody say "Thanks, Brett!" And I'll go
bury my head in the sand :x
Bill Whitson
ClassicCmp "owner"
bcw(a)u.washington.edu bill(a)booster.u.washington.edu
Would anyone like to have (ie, for FREE) a Compaq Model III?
It's one of those newfangled 286s, but it does have a cool fold-out LCD
screen. The 5 1/2 floppy works but the hard drive is doubtful.
If you're interested e-mail me to figure out how to get it to you.
Brian
bboys(a)mcja.com
-----Original Message-----
From: mhop [SMTP:mhop@snip.net]
Sent: Friday, March 21, 1997 8:21 AM
To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
Subject: Atari 800xe ?
>> Common European Computer (esp. Germany):
>>
>> Atari 800XE (common in eastern europe)
>>
>
> Really? There was the 800, 800lx, and the 130xe. I think I heard of a
> 600ex game system, but I never heard of an 800ex. What are its specs?
I have a 800XE new in the box for ex. east germany. It looks like a 130XE but
has only 64kB. If you are interested in further details I can check the instuction booklet.
Anyone interested in 800XEs? I can try to get hold of some ...
>> Laser 50, Laser 2000, Sinlair QL,
> ^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^
>
> Now THESE machines interest me. Why? Because I am the proud owner of a
> Laser 3000 from Video Technologies Ltd. Are the 50 and the 2000 from
> the same company? The only other machines from them that I've heard of
> are the VZ200 and the Laser 128 (I think they were?).
are you sure the VZ200 is from Video Technologies? I have one new in box with 16kB RAM but there is
no reference to Video Technologies on the case.
I have four LASER 500 with LASER Tapes. Anyone heard of these?
> There are a lot of very common (in Europe) European machines I'd like to
> get my hands on, perhaps someone should set up an intercontinental
> computer trade route. :)
VERY GOOD IDEA - I got some of my computers from the US ...
If anyone is interested in trading (Computer and Video-Games):
http://hal.do.isst.fhg.de/~walgen/Museum/Gallery/Gallery.html
I also have a small flea-market for old computer at
http://hal.do.isst.fhg.de/~walgen/Museum/HCM.html
Furthermore it could be interesting to make a list of common european
computers that are possibly rare in the US. Here a first try - please
make comments on the rarity of these computers in the US:
Common European Computer (esp. Germany):
Atari 800XE (common in eastern europe)
Commodore C-116
Commodore C-16
Commodore VC-20 (has not VIC-20 as label)
Philips VG 8010, VG8020, NMS8280 (all MSX)
Philips G7000 (Video games)
Schneider CPC 464, CPC 664, CPC6128, Joyce PCW 8256
Sharp MZ-700, MZ-800
Sinclair QL
Sony HitBit HB-75D (MSX)
Triumph Adler Alphatronic TA
Robotron KC85/3 (from ex. east germany - Z-80 clone)
Common European Computer (esp. France):
Matra Alice, Alice 90
Thomson TO7, TO7-70
Thomson MO5, TO8, TO8D
Common European Computer (esp. Netherlands):
MSX Computer. esp. Philips
> Common European Computer (esp. Germany):
>
> Atari 800XE (common in eastern europe)
>
Really? There was the 800, 800lx, and the 130xe. I think I heard of a
600ex game system, but I never heard of an 800ex. What are its specs?
mhop(a)snip.net
On 20-Mar-97, classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu wrote:
>There were many "Speech Synthesizer" modules released. Most of them had to
>do with entertainment packages, but there also many for education as well.
> Education packages included the Scott, Foresman series were the computer
>would say the numbers and letters to children, and for entertainment, there
>was Alpiner, Parsec, M*A*S*H, Star Trek, Microsurgeon, and many, many others.
Actually, I was referring to the modules that were to plug into the Speech
Synthesizer itself, beneath the flip-top. Numerous references mention them,
and though on my Synthesizer, there isn't a connector in it for the module, I
was wondering if maybe some early examples were shipped with one. Even the
Speech Synthesizer manual mentions the cartridges.
>There are more than 373 words to choose from. In fact, with the Terminal
>Emulator II cartridge, you have unlimited "text-to-speech" capability.
> Literally anything you type in can be spoken. Sometimes you would have to
>make the the pronunciation spellings different in order for this to work, but
>mostly, it was fine. Extended BASIC was the only cartridge that limited
>"text-to-speech", but even then TI later released a "text-to-speech" diskette
>which would allow the user to type in anything (much like the Terminal
>Emulator II, and Speech Editor).
I got the 373 word limit from the Synthesizer manual, though I've not
counted up the words in the list it shows. I plan on playing with TE-II once
I recieive the RS232 board for my PEBox. It'd be interesting having it speak
the ascii data as it came across!
>I just picked up a Speech Editor cartridge for $20 from someone who was
>selling it along with other old TI stuff. Expect to pay this, or more for it
>- as it is rare. I just got it, and I can't even use it because I don't have
>the manual.
That's fine with me...BTW, here's another question regarding the GROM
cartridges. When did Atari begin making the arcade game cartridges for the
TI-99/4A? Most people admit that TI didn't allow much 3rd party software to
be produced initially, yet here is one of their competitors writing programs
for it. I have the Donkey Kong and Pac Man cartridges, and they are both
dated 1983.
Jeff jeffh(a)eleventh.com
--
---------------------------------------------------------------------
// Amiga: The computer for the creative mind...since 1985!
// -------------------------------------------------------
\// True 32bit pre-emptive multitasking GUI, plug&play hardware,
\/ stereo sound, and 4096 color video modes since day #1
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Collector of classic home computers:
Amiga 1000, Atari 800, Atari 800XL, Atari Mega-ST/2, Commodore
C-128, Commodore Plus/4, Commodore VIC-20, Kaypro 2X, Mattel
Aquarius, Osbourne Executive, Sinclair ZX-81, TI-99/4A, Timex-
Sinclair 1000, TRS-80 Color Computer-3, and a TRS-80 Model 4.
Plus Atari SuperPong and Atari 2600VCS game consoles.
In a message dated 97-03-16 18:18:32 EST, Bryan Nicalek writes:
> The TI-99/2 was never actually produced. Only pre-production units were
ever
> made. This was after the TI-99/4A, back in 1983. A whole line of
> peripherals were planned to be offered, including the new HEX-BUS
interface.
> The 99/2 was black and white only, 40 columns, and limited but a very
> portable computer. Only rare photos have ever been seen.
The 99/2 did make it out the door - I bought one in a MSP Target. The hex
bus peripherals also were produced, and worked with the CC40 (handheld from
TI).
John Hamilton
hamijohn(a)aol.com
"Old computers never die, they just fade away bit by bit!"
> My nephew owns an Atari 800XL computer, and I was wondering if anyone
> knows of any source for basic programs he could type in and learn from.
> I think the basic programs should be short and easy for a 7th grader to
> learn from. Thanks for any help. I will be writing up a mastermind program
> for him and maybe a tic-tac-toe game for him. Anyone have ideas for other
> games that can be written in BASIC and are easy to understand and short?
> Thanks in advance.
Used book stores. They often have old computer books lying around which
they'll sell to you for a couple dollars, and it shouldn't be too hard to
find books of basic games. Heck, I have a book of 33 games designed for
PET, Apple ][, or TRS-80 BASIC that I could send to you, if you want.
They're pretty, uh, basic, but taking them apart isn't a bad way to learn
BASIC.
I really should sleep more,
--
Ben Coakley coakley(a)ac.grin.edu
530 User anonymous access denied.
http://www.math.grin.edu/~coakley for fiction, etc.
In a message dated 97-03-20 13:55:54 EST jimw(a)agora.rdrop.com (James Willing)
wrote:
> I guess my base fear here is that if we actually managed to get the
> media's attention, a few major stories like this might drive the equipment
> costs to high (note I said COSTS, not VALUE) that only deep pocketed
> people with no real interest in the equipment other than its percieved
> 'value' would be able to afford to obtain it!
Well said. Publicity is not always a good thing.
imw(a)agora.rdrop.com (James Willing) also wrote:
Me, I'm doing new board layouts and am planning to reconstruct a 'Mark-8'
or two... Anyone else interested in a board set?
I might be, post some details.
Lou
Captain Napalm sez:
>It was thus said that the Great Christopher Heer once stated:
>> Wow. 72 pin? Are you certain? In any case, ISTR older Zeniths taking proprietary
>> memory.
> Yup. Without any SIMMS, the system just sits there producing vast amounts
>of nothing quite fast. With memory installed, I get the bad CMOS error,
>then vast amounts of nothing quite fast.
Well that's pretty ironclad. I doubt you're having a memory problem.
>> > Then the screen goes blank and the system just sits there, fans spinning.
>> How long? I mean, how long have you let it wait? If it's mis-configured on the
>> hard disk, it could take simply ages to time out.
> Oh, two minutes maybe. Nothing very long.
Let it go longer. Sweartagod I've seen PC's take 15 minutes to error out. Also, if
there's a hard disk controller installed, yank it. It may make it time out faster.
And as someone else mentioned, Zenith was fond of using Ctrl-Alt-Ins as the keystroke
combination to get into setup. Give that a go.
--
Christopher D. Heer ORACLE Corporation
Network Engineer III 203 N. La Salle Avenue #2000
Work: (312) 704-1676 Chicago, IL 60601
Fax: (312) 726-4635
Email: cheer(a)us.oracle.com Visualize Whirled Peas
Captain Napalm sez:
> At an auction this past Saturday, I picked up a Zenith Z386-20 (okay, it
>might, just might, be 10 years old). It looks to be a decent system, and
>today is the first day I've been able to play around with it, as I had to
>scrape up some 72-pin SIMMS for memory.
Wow. 72 pin? Are you certain? In any case, ISTR older Zeniths taking proprietary
memory.
> Upon turning the unit on, I get (if I recall - it doesn't stay very long
>on the screen):
> Bad CMOS configuration blah blah yada yada
> Then the screen goes blank and the system just sits there, fans spinning.
How long? I mean, how long have you let it wait? If it's mis-configured on the
hard disk, it could take simply ages to time out.
> I have some questions about the unit I figure I'd through out here before
>going to alt.folklore.computers.
> 1. It doesn't seem to even look at the keyboard. Do Zeniths use
> a proprietary keyboard, or is the POST routine not getting past
> the bad CMOS?
Zeniths were, ISTR, slightly touchy about keyboards, but they didn't have to be
proprietary. Odds are something else is hanging it.
> 2. The computer itself has a daughter board that contains the
> ROMs, a SmartBattery (DALLAS - DS1260-100 / 9816 / 3V
> Lithium battery), an Intel 8742 (Universal Peripheral Interface
> 8-bit Slave uController) and other neat features (the 8 LEDs
> are a nice touch). The Smart battery can be removed, but I'm
> wondering if it's a common item and is easily replaced.
Depends on how you define "common" and "easily," but yeah, you should be able to
find it and replace it. They last a long time, though; I'd resolve the config
issue before replacing it.
--
Christopher D. Heer ORACLE Corporation
Network Engineer III 203 N. La Salle Avenue #2000
Work: (312) 704-1676 Chicago, IL 60601
Fax: (312) 726-4635
Email: cheer(a)us.oracle.com Visualize Whirled Peas
