14 Apr
2013
14 Apr
'13
9:57 a.m.
On 04/14/2013 07:22 AM, Jerome H. Fine wrote:
There is more to vintage computing than just software!!
I agree!! Can you describe what is included in "more"?
(a) Extra noise
(b) Extra heat
(c) Total cost is more
(d) Slower CPU
(e) Slower disk I/O
(f) Slower ethernet
(g) Less disk space
(h) Smell, touch and feel of original hardware
I am not suggesting that (h) is better than (a) -> (g), but it would
help if you could explain why. I will accept: "That is just the way
it is!" as the explanation.
It is a matter of what you *like*. I personally like both hardware and
software in the context of vintage computing, but for me, the engineering,
ingenuity, design, and construction found in the hardware is more
interesting. MUCH MUCH more interesting. That is MY view. It's different
But then that
turns on the question - is there even a cheap PDP-11
that can run 2.11BSD? I don't need a speed demon but how small is too
small vs big enough?
Is there any particular reason that real DEC CPUs are important? from yours, AND THAT IS OK.
You speak from the standpoint of someone who only cares about software, and
for whom the hardware is completely irrelevant. And that's 100% fine...it's
what you like, and what you're interested in. However, please acknowledge
that other people like and are interested in DIFFERENT things than you....and
that needs to be ok too. The OP is clearly interested in hardware as well as
software...please do not try to dissuade him from following his interests.
It is not the case that all the ingenuity, all the engineering, all the
thought, all the effort that went into computing in the early years was all
directed toward and poured into software.
-Dave
--
Dave McGuire, AK4HZ
New Kensington, PA