27 Nov
2000
27 Nov
'00
10:03 a.m.
From: John Tinker <jtinker(a)coin.org>
Oops. Well it's a basket case as far as computing
goes. I've had it
since about '78 and along the way decided I would sell the boards one
at a time as souvenirs of the arms race. I pulled the boards, but
didn't actually sell any. The gigantic power connecter has been
clipped out, because it was so neat all by itself. I still have it,
but what a mess.
It all can be put back so it's possible though a real task.
Even back when a "fresh" one was a tough to get going.
something like 10k of 12 bit words on the fixed head
harddrive, (the
case of which has a warning label about being made of beryllium and
therefore not to file or scrape it and breath its dust.)
Be is nasty stuff, still intact it's collecters peice. The one I got to
play with was not Be cased.
As you know the card cage is cylindrical, and the frame
is made of
magnesium. I was told that the "stabile platform" -- I guess a
gyroscope and a telescope, that once was inside of it cost a quarter
I've seen one complete, really neat. Also I've seen one run simple
programs.
surface of the earth. In spite of its defunct
condition, it still
looks kind of neat. I always thought it would make a great coffee
table -- with a glass top. Lots of gold plated parts, and every
transistor and diode in the whole thing has its own serial number.
Excellent way to keep it as it's large.
Allison