Future Collectables

Ok you asked for it <grin> The Altair sales team was invited to give a demo of the then new 8800. They all showed up complete with a model 33 tty machine which was to read the paper tape for loading the Altair. The paper tape was loaded and the tty clanked along for about 4 to 5 minutes and finally stopped with the altair system loaded. They gave their dog and pony show and then asked for comments. From the back of the room my friend (the designer of the first digital group computer) said he would like to make a brief demo. He carried his equipment up front (under one arm ) and placed it on the table. The digital group system was loaded by means of an audio tape recorder. The loading time aprox 10 seconds. The computer then was able to run all of the basic routines written at that time. Well, the Altair guys were a bit unhappy. I know its shortcommings just like many of