30 May
2001
30 May
'01
8:56 p.m.
Gidday Tony
On 31-May-01, you wrote:
>
>
> I've just been reading "Computer: A History of the
> Information Machine", by Martin Campbell-Kelly and WIlliam
> Aspray. It mentions the Altair 8800 (on page 240) and
> describes the front panel:
>
> When loaded, the program would run; but the only evidence
> of its execution was the change in the shifting pattern of
> the neon bulbs on the front.
>
> Neon bulbs? Did the Altair really have neon bulbs on the
> front panel? I would have expected LEDs -- can anyone
> clarify this, please?
The schematic I've just looked at shows LEDs. FWIW
the schematics of a
couple of other S100 front panels also show LEDs for the monitoring
lights.
Neons were not at all common on transistorised (or
IC-based) computers.
Not surprising, since neon needs 90V to light it.
Regards
--
*Patrick Ford Auckland, New Zealand*
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