20 Nov
2009
20 Nov
'09
3:54 p.m.
Brent Hilpert wrote:
That link is quite interesting, especially the pictures. From the way
the front panel is laid out, I would assume values are stated in octal
rather than hex. The bits on the panel seem to have a 2-3-3 pattern so
hex FF would be thought of as octal 377. This appears to be true of the
2 address bytes as well. I think this means that for example address
hex FFFF would be represented as 377,377. That would take some real
mental gymnastics to deal with if one was entering a short program or
debugging manually. Maybe you can stay under 000,377 for short programs
and avoid that problem. Not having read any of the docs I don't know if
that is possible.
My old Microdata 820 has a 4-4-4-4 front panel pattern which is rather
easier to deal with I think. Of course you realize this discussion has
me wanting to drag it out of the garage and get it going again. :)
Later,
Charlie C.
A fellow on
the VCForum found a BIT 483. Now that is
at least as rare as the A1. I have a Nicolet 1080 that I only know
of 5 total. There may be more but they are not likely in
another collectors hands without them contacting me or Sellam.
I was going to ask about the BIT 483, but I see you and Chuck are already on
top of it:
http://www.vintage-computer.com/vcforum/showthread.php?p=120353
I love hearing about these little-known machines. Wish there was picture of the
internals. Anybody know what sort of market these things found?, or more about
the company origins/destiny?