On Feb 15, 2010, at 1:26 PM, Richard wrote:
I just
stumbled upon this video of a computer tablet:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPC_w9yYe5M
They show a VAX-11/780 with RP06 and TU70 (I think) and claim its
doing
the graphics. But I'm curious, what terminal and software is used?
Does
anyone have a clue?
Since its 1986, the software is most likely custom.
The terminal *could* be a DEC gigi in which case the graphics are
actually generated and displayed directly by the gigi. If its not a
gigi, its just some VT1xx type terminal. The gigi has a keyboard
layout similar to a VT100, but no dedicated monitor and a deeper
keyboard case, somewhat like an Atari or Commodore PC.
However, the gigi has a single display output[*] that is either in
text
mode or in graphics mode, so I don't think this is a gigi in this
case.
It is more likely that the VAX has a dumb frame buffer in it with the
video cables running out to this monitor.
You never really see a closeup of the terminal or any explanation of
how the image is being displayed, so its hard to say exactly.
It doesn't look like a GIGI. You can see the keyboard in front of
the monitor, and it's pretty clearly a VT100 keyboard. The GIGI's
keyboard looks identical, but its case is much deeper.
The thing that makes me wonder is that I don't see the rest of the
VT100.
I suppose it *could* be a VT125, but with the VT125 chassis on the
floor or something, driving the external monitor. That would account
for the presence of the VT100 keyboard.
-Dave
--
Dave McGuire
Port Charlotte, FL