12 Aug
2006
12 Aug
'06
1:46 p.m.
You wrote:
Eh. I use emulators frequently, but there's more to classic
computing than software.
Well it depends on your definition of "modern". There are people who
seem to think x86 is "modern"...PDP-8s were still in their heyday when
that train wreck of an architecture was designed!
Huh? I
don't think so, at least not for me. I'm totally in love
with my SBC6120, which is at least a move in that direction. I can
run it 24/7 and just have it available on a serial port which I can
get to when I'm not home, for some OS/8 hacking when I get the itch.
But, you can make the move all the way "in that direction"
and just run an emulator. :> I.e. the appeal is having the actual hardware.
Exactly. :)
And, while PDP's are reasonably
commonplace, having a *tiny* one (imagine a 10x10x10 8/i
sitting on your COFFEE TABLE :> ) would be truly unique.
Absolutely!
The SBC1620 is tiny -- the PCB is 6" x 4
1/4". My problem is
all I got is Pee-cee parts like a power supply and case.
That is the parts that are harder to find here.
I think it's time to take up a collection for you. ;)
That said,
though, it'll never replace my "real" -8 machines. I
have several 8/e and one 8/m system, sadly no others...anybody got
one (8/i, 8/l maybe) that might be up for trade?
Boy that shows our age ... PDP-8's are modern machines still. :) Well at least you know what speed the machine ran at,
with todays
marketing double talk and bloatware who knows what they run at.
Yup. :-(
-Dave
--
Dave McGuire
Cape Coral, FL