ZX81 denigrated! (was Re: Approaches to projects)

At 16:28 27/11/2004 -0500, you wrote: Aside from keyboard ;-) CPU intensive video design - lose video when program running (or SSLLOOWW mode for ZX81). This also makes it highly dependant on the internal firmware, so that it's tough to adapt other Z80 software systems to run on it. "RF only", and poorly shielded computer make it tough to get decent TV display. Limited internal RAM - and expansion very prone to connector problems/flakiness (practically useless without an external keyboard so that you didn't have to touch the machine while it was running). Slightly odd dialect of BASIC. Never did like the use of single-key "shift" keywords (although this is essential given the keyboard) - also a matter of taste, so this cannot be considered a "fault". But... I still consider the ZX80/81 a rather interesting and innovative design, because it truly was designed to get "something from almost nothing". Most of the items listed above are just the "nature of the beast" - given what it was (the lowest price entry on the block) and to be *VERY* cheap to manufacture. I know guys who did a *LOT* with their ZX80 - they are a capable machine. But, their limitations make them look very poor when compared to other more traditional designs. To appreciate the ZX, you need to keep in mind that it is SUPPOSED to be a very minimal machine. It makes more sense as an alternative to a programmable calculator than as an alternative to a word processing or serious software development machine. The only really bad thing about the ZX is that I think a lot of people bought it expecting more than it had to offer... Regards, Dave -- dave04a (at) Dave Dunfield dunfield (dot) Firmware development services & tools: www.dunfield.com com Vintage computing equipment collector. http://www.parse.com/~ddunfield/museum/index.html