slick bits in computers (WAS: VAXen Rule!)

Amazing and cool yes, but a really foolish way to do things from just about any engineering standpoint. Back in the 1700s they actually invented something called the "switch", and often made it into a shape that could be pressed, so one bit of metal touches another. Works amazingly well. Cheap and reliable, too. Of course, back then HP (and Tek, and just about everyone else) could get away with over the top wet dream engineering, with all that Cold War era military business. These days, those same keyboard engineers would be flipping burgers after a week of such nonsense. But then, I must admit that often I like the silly, backwards, all-to-clever designs that make their way into vintage electronics. Makes all those 68Ks and PDP-11s look boring... -- Will