25 Sep
2012
25 Sep
'12
1:44 a.m.
----- Original Message -----
don't get me started on the
'first personal computer'
Date: Sun, 23 Sep 2012 19:55:18 +0100 (BST)
From: ard at p850ug1.demon.co.uk (Tony Duell)
To: cctalk at classiccmp.org
Subject: Re: new member
Message-ID: <m1TFrKu-000J4ZC at p850ug1>
Content-Type: text/plain
<snip>
? I have just subscribed to this mailing list a few day ago
Greeitngs ans welcome to the list. There are many I think. It depends on what you mean by
a GUI. DO you
incldue windowing systems that had a good command line interpretter, but
had some programs that were operated with pointign device (mouse),
pull-down menus, etc? I would, or at least I'd regard them as a close
ancestor.
With that in mind :
I notice you haven't included any of the 'classic' wokstations.
<snip>
they are unofficial on my wish-list, but until a hardware emulation version is made,
i'll wait
For smaller machines, there were several graphicl
front-ennds for MS-DOS.
And Microsoft Windows ran on non-IBM-compatibles. IMHO the HP150 version
of Windows is interesting for that reason.
I know about Dr's Gem and 16bit
Geos, Visi On
There was a graphical frontend for OS-9 (Microware's OS, nothing to do
with the Mac) on the CoCo3 called, IIRC, Multiview.
i'll have to looking to that
? ????* BBC micro (wrote programs using usborne
computer books from the
? 1980 without the hardware)
The Beeb should be very easy to find unless you want soem exotic version,
likw an Acorn Cambridge WOrkstation or an Acorn Business Computer.
? ????* Altair 8800 / IMSAI 8080 reproduction
versions
I'd go for an HP9830. It's easier to find than an original Altair, it
was
the first comptue that was an all-in-one machine that you put on a
desk/bench, plgged into the mains and typed BASIC on. I'ts certainly a
candidate for 'first personal computer.
You don't say where you are in the world (this is an international list),
Australia
<snip>
One final point (for the moment). You seem to be interested in the real
hardware, which is good,
I am in three minds/worlds when it comes to real
hardware:
classic hardware only lasts as long are there are parts to repair them
hardware emulation/remakes[1]: smaller than the classic hardware
software emulations: no physical space need
but do rmemeber it will need repairs from time
to time. Or you might buy a non-working machine. There are plenty of
people here who will help you sort out non-workign hardwre, but
ultimately it's you who have to make the measurements and do the repairs.
that
why I prefer working hardware
-tony
tom
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_computer_remake