18 Jun
2009
18 Jun
'09
11:27 a.m.
Jim Brain wrote:
I agree with you to a point (this is going to be something we all have
different views on, I think). As I've said earlier in this thread, I
regard peripherals as being as interesting as the CPUs in many cases, and
I really don't like people who preserve the CPU but none of the peripherals.
And as you point out, running the peripherals is part of the 'experince',
and I'll not disgaree with that.
On the other hamd, I see nothing wrong with, say, adding an IDE disk to a
PDP8/e. Not as a replacement for the RK05, TU56, etc, but as an extra.
Keep the classic drives running, but there's no reason not to add a
modern trive too.
Yes, I'd use a TU58 emulator to get stuff from the internet onto one of
my '11s, but I'll restore the real TU58 too.
Just because I'm curious:
How do folks feel about those who are interested in extending the life
of vintage machines by integrating them with newer technologies?
That's my interest, allowing both existing and a new class of users to
enjoy a vintage platform by making it easy to utilize the vintage
platform with contemporary ones.
I don't see why new users can't enjoy the same original hardware as
those of use who grew up on this. I disagree with using newer
technologies up to a certain point. Whether you want to restore some
files with a modern disk drive because you might be without enough
equipment or build a new cpu design by mixing in modern components.
I think you get to experience the thoughts and nuances when using
original parts in a computer design created 30/40 yrs ago - as in, how
to test,program,debug,etc the original hardware. What's the point in
restoring vintage equipment of you like to 'circumvent' the original
design by using something which didn't exist for that particular era. As
That's another point. When I make add-ons for my classics, I try to use
components that were arround at thr time. Not necesarily the right data
codes, but I am much more likely to use TTL than an CPLD in making an
add-on for a PDP11.
in the case of using a replacement modern drive to
sustain an existing
system, is reasonable, but it's more fun to find something original
afterwards. It might be expensive for some to buy 8" floppy drives now,
but you can still get 5-1/4" floppy drives inexpensively. The
alternative drive systems using faster drives and GB of storage , I
think, just loses appeal with the aspect of restoring vintage hardware -
I think it shows you have less patience for old hardware.
Agreed. If you want a fast, modern, computer, then buy one :-).
It's so easy to mix in modern components in an IC design - heaven forbid
if people want to gut their transistors machines and install a cards
replaced with 7474 dual FF chips. Using modern technology is the easy
On the other hand, I might well use a 74F74 to replace a 74S74 in a
classic (and document the change, of course). The latter is quite hard to
find nwo, and using the F version will get the machine running.
-tony