26 Jun
2007
26 Jun
'07
1:20 p.m.
On 6/26/07, Patrick Finnegan <pat at computer-refuge.org> wrote:
I'd say that if it can't play games (graphical
or at least a multi-line
text display), then it's not what I'd call a *home* computer.
You could do that on an Apple 2, TRS-80, C64/VIC20/PET, IBM PC, etc.
But not an AIM-65, a KIM-1 or a SYM-1, supporting, in my mind, your assertion.
All of those items have their place in 1970s computing, but I can't
see calling them "home computers". Being able to see multiple lines
of text, I think, is an essential element. A TTY would enable you to
preserve ephemeral output, but at the time, they were well over $1500
new, and more of a minicomputer or S-100-box peripheral, IMO (yes, I
know you _could_ hang an ASR-33 off of a KIM-1, but in practice, how
common was it?)
-ethan