19 Jul
2007
19 Jul
'07
8:20 a.m.
Subject: Re: 1966 Mag: Build NE-2 Neon Bulb Computer - scan available
From: ard at p850ug1.demon.co.uk (Tony Duell)
Date: Wed, 18 Jul 2007 23:54:18 +0100 (BST)
To: cctalk at classiccmp.org
> <rant>
> I'll make this vintage computer-oriented. How many people still own
> a working dishwasher/clothes washer with an integral computer that
> was manufactured over 10 years ago? When I first saw a dishwasher
Maytag washer dryer pair, still in use and working fine.
> with computerized control, my reaction was
"What a damned fool thing
> to do--put a computer in the absolutely worst (hot water, caustics,
> steam) environment possible. Now you can't buy them any other way.
Automotive is considerably worse. Hot, humid, large temperature changes,
power system that runs from 6V worst case to 18V with transients higher
and it must work for 5years to be considered passably reliable.
You can see the manufacturer's point. A custom chip
is a lot cheaper to
make than a cam-and-contacts timer. They can put the magic words
cam and contacts have a well known failure mech, wear. Solution build
it more robust, the counter to that is cost.
'computer', 'microprocessor',.
'digital', etc on the panel. And it's
harder to repair if it fails (if a mechanical timer fails, you can fix
it, if the microprocessor fails, you have to buy a new PCB from the
manufacturers, if they don't want to sell you one, you're stuffed).
Most vendors want their product to work because if it doesn't there
are plenty of competitors with something to offer.
Allison