Fwd: Monrobot XI details

From: FThomas470(a)aol.com Date: Mon Jun 23, 2003 9:41:17 AM US/Eastern To: dbetz(a)xlisper.mv.com Subject: Monrobot XI details This is in response to the great interest we've received regarding the Monorobt XI computers that we have and for which we would like to find a good home . For disposal, currently we have 6 complete computers plus 1 that has been partly cannabilized for parts. Each unit consists of a main processing unit which is about the size of an office desk and weighs about 500 lbs. It contains all of the electronics and the memory drum which has 1000 bytes of 32 bits each. It has 3 input and 3 output ports. The circuitry consists of about a hundred unpluggable pc boards containing readily available discrete components, primarily ordinary transistors of several types. On the top of the unit is the control panel or console. It has 8 lighted push-buttons, switches, and indicator lights. A side desk or return can be attached to main unit in several ways. It holds the I/O typerwriter and contains a Friden paper tape punch unit and a tape reader in slide-out drawers. Four units have the original I/O typewriter, which is the IBM model A with a Soroban translating mechanism added to it's bottom. It plugged directly into the main processor. The other I/O typewriters are IBM Selectrics and have an interface unit. These don't use the standard ASCII code but use IBM's Manifest character set. It's caps only and was designed for use with forms and invoices. Otherwise, the Selectrics are standard in every way. In addition, we have three Monroe magnetic card readers for the above. These used magnetic cards the size of the standard IBM punched card and had 96 addressable 32 bit registers. The most important fact is that we have a complete set of manuals for the above. There are detailed technical manuals on the design and operation of these units and the various components, as well as service and repair information. We also have manuals for many diagnostic and utility programs as well as customer installation manuals. We have instruction and program manuals for various applications, such as general accounting, various business programs, Fortran and a programming language with compiler. The above printed matter consists of roughly 2000 sheets (1000 double-side) in loose-leaf form. We have estimates for making copies that vary from 4 to 6 cents per side, which would be about $100 per set. All of the above units were in working condition when they were stored away about 14 years ago and none seem to have been damaged in the interim. However, in most units, the slides for the tape punches and readers have been removed at some time in the past. These are standard hardware and should be easy to replace. We have not turned any of them on because the bearings of the high speed magnetic drum are delicate. If the lubrication used is solidified or oxidized in any way, the bearings could easily be damaged, which could be a problem. Before use, they should be cleaned and reoiled with very high quality oil, which is not difficult to do. The original specs called for synthetic (or real) porpoise oil, whatever that is. We are offering them for sale and would like to know what the interested parties feel they would be worth. We don't wish to start a bidding war of any kind, but want only to establish a price for these remarkable, historic machines that would fair and reasonable to all. Finally, these units are being offered AS IS, and whoever wishes to have one or more of them will have to be responsible for the shipping, which we would help arrange. If you are interested or wish to have more information, please email us at thomasduplex(a)aol.com.