13 Jun
2009
13 Jun
'09
2:04 p.m.
Dave McGuire wrote:
On Jun 12, 2009, at 9:29 AM, Warren Wolfe wrote:
Well don't get me wrong, I'm not poo-pooing emulators. I use them
all the time. I just don't find them to be a replacement for real
hardware. :)
True enough. They certainly don't WEIGH as much, for instance... <Grin>
Seriously, though, for me, the majority of "the computer experience" was
obtained over a serial line of some sort, except for my VDM-1 card in
the IMSAI 8080. So, an emulator, if it is a good one, does well for
me. That being said, I do collect old hardware, also. It's just much
"harder" for me.
Also, Al had some good points, ESPECIALLY when it comes to mainframish
computers. If you are a lover of, just to pick one, a PDP 11/45
machine, if you pass on your love for the machine to a young person,
that person becomes a serious competitor for EVERY bit of kit you need,
Well,
for "classic OSs". Some of us are actually interested in
the hardware. ;)
Well, sure. The hardware is there, although not progressing,
either. But, the end result and purpose of computer hardware is to
run software. At least we've got THAT going for us. If nothing
else, having a functional equivalent emulator allows one to work out
software for the hardware involved, and do it faster, on a "bigger"
machine, so when the hardware comes up, you can just load it up and
go... Don't expect to make me feel guilty about being more easily
able to enjoy my hobby than you. Won't happen. <Grin> Now, bedtime...
from now on. In other words, non-frustrated hardware
hobbyists are
strictly limited by the number, and cost, of working or repairable
hardware platforms. But, if there is an emulator for the PDP 11/45,
everybody on the planet could become a fan of running the software on an
emulator, one that runs on mass-produced (hence CHEAP and available)
hardware. Software can be copied and shared. Hardware, not so much. I
also note that classic computer buffs who go the software route can have
"machines" with plenty of memory and disk space, and can avoid all the
ongoing expenses, and declining supplies of disk drives which work.
Face it, storage media has a limited lifespan, and eventually every
single bit of classic media will fail.
So, long story short, while I certainly share the fun inherent in the
hardware, it simply MUST be a hobby that dies out, unless one is a
museum curator. Software classic computing could be a steadily growing
field, only needing interest from new people to expand. Do I need to
enumerate the benefits? Shipping a copy of your disk pack to someone in
an e-mail, instead of calling Craters and Freighters, is a huge
advantage, in both time and money. There are lots of similar benefits.
I'm just lucky I am *more* interested in the process of running the
software as I used to do, rather than in climbing into the machines. I
cannot afford much of the latter, in time, money, or space.
Warren