6 Oct
2007
6 Oct
'07
2:55 p.m.
Errgh.. I was
*not* talking about anything modern!! :( :( Is not
this a *vintage* computer email group?! I was referring to things
like C=3D PETs, 4040s and other systems from that era! ie stuff you
can test with equipment that does not mortgage your house..
But I don't and wouldn't even /attempt/ to fix anything that old. I have a couple of vintage machines, and I'd like to
keep them running,
but personally, that's more or less enough for me.
I read with great fascination the discussions in this group, but for
me, getting my first computer in 1982 or '83, I'm not really
interested in owning anything before the early-1980s 8-bit home
I think you're really missing out. There was some great stuff done in the
1970's, some machines are not too hard to find, and running one is a real
education (and a great experience).
micros. And since there were many dozens of makes and
I have
absolutely no use for any of them, I confine myself to the few I still
have. In the later '80s, there were a much smaller number of much more
powerful 16- (or 32-) bit machines. I've got one of each of the big
THere were 16, 20, 24, 32, 36 bit machines around _long_ before that!.
ones: a QL, an Amiga, an ST and several Acorns - an
Archimedes and an
A5000 and a RISC-PC.
But you've missed out the interesting stuff.You've mentioned everal 68K
machines, but you don't seem to have any HP9000/200 series stuff, for
example. Or a PERQ 3a
I'd have to agree, yes. But learning to service a
Model T - or, given
my personal predilections as a biker, a Rudge or Douglas or AJS -
would not be much help in running my ZZR1100. The owner's manual says,
I am not convinced of that _at all_. Learning how to repair old cars has
helped a lot with my father's latest thing. For example, although the
automatic trnsmission has some microcontroller to run it, it's got
similar hydraulics (just a simpler valve block with soldenoid valves) and
plaentary geartrains and the Borg-Warners I've already learnt about.
pretty much, check oil, chain tension, brakes and
lights; otherwise,
take it to the dealer. That's what I do.
Yeah, the user guid for said car says much the same thing. So I bought
the workshop manual and follow that...
If I repair my PC badly, I might lose some data. If I repair my bike
badly, I might die. I already have a metal arm, a metal leg and badly
damaged inner ears from a severe bike crash. I don't want another. I
leave it to the pros.
Having seen what some of those 'pros' do, I can't believe I could ever do
a worse jo, and I am not boasting here...
-tony