10 Mar
2005
10 Mar
'05
10:52 a.m.
The main problem I see with the current crop of PDP-8
clones/replica's
today
is lack of paper tape and other hardware at the time
-- non volatile
memory.
I could get a cpu chip off people on this list but
with out I/O like
paper tape
or a modern replacement the software for the CPU is very limited in what
can run and what can future hold as mechanical devices wear out in time.
I think we need to get mechanial minded people ( also a dying breed) to
help where electrionic/computer stuff does not cover forgotton techology.
I agree that many PDP-8s have the problem that peripherals are unobtainium.
I haven't had too much trouble amassing paper tapes and paper tape equipment
from eBay. (I hope to make a contribution to bitsavers
"real soon".)
I have also done some boards to interface some older PDP-8s to "modern"
(RS-232) peripherals, which allows at least some of the experience to be
preserved. (Though loading paper tape images at high speeds over RS-232 is
qualitatively different than noisy 110 baud TTYs.)
I am also doing an RX01/RX02 interface board (debugging that is the other
project on the "real soon", pile). That would allow you to run OS/8 with
peripherals that are still somewhat available (but "vintage", in that they
were actually used with some of the later PDP-8s).
There are also a few other projects I have been working on to replace all
those missing peripherals.
Sooner or later Epay will stop having old devices like
TTY's and we will
have to a) Hoard them, b) Let them wear out c) Rebuild them d) Forget
about
them.
Take your pick ... I favor c but I don't have the skills.
That's why a community is so useful. (Not everyone should need every
skill.)
Now, if I could get these plastic switch handles to come out the right color
and get the little hinge tabs the right shape (and get my taxes done, etc.
etc.)...
Vince
PS Doesn't seem OT to me.