28 Sep
1998
28 Sep
'98
6:54 a.m.
Hi People.
I don't have a whole lot of time right now to re-cap VCF 2.0 right now
(there's still post-event work to be done) but last week I promised to
post the URL to the site that contains all the data on the Ray Holt
microprocessor chipset and didn't. Sorry about that, but I was running
around like mad trying to get things done and forgot.
Anyway, go to http://www.microcomputerhistory.com and find a ton of
information about this. You can download Ray's original article written
about the set in around 1971 (but which the gubment refused to clear for
publication) that describes the architecture and programming. It's in
Word 8.0 format because it includes graphics. I apologize for this but
we're working on a straight ASCII version so please be patient.
You'll also be able to view the chip masks on line, and there are links to
a bunch of resources.
Ray was interviewed by several press organizations (ZDTV, Public Radio
International to name a few) so if you keep your eyes open you might see
these interviews.
ZDTV will be showing clips from VCF 2.0 in the next few weeks as will
CNET. I'll try to find out the actual schedule when they will run. Also,
"Beyond Computers" on PRI will be airing a segment in the next few weeks
but it will be available as streaming audio off the web.
If the number of interviews Jim Willing was given is any indication, he'll
soon become the spokesman for the nerd generation. You'll probably see
him on both CNET and ZDTV as well as in print and on radio. Let's hope
all this fame doesn't go to this head :)
Be back later with some additional post-event notes.
It was a blast!
Sam Alternate e-mail: dastar(a)siconic.com
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ever onward.
September 26 & 27...Vintage Computer Festival 2.0
See http://www.vintage.org/vcf for details!
[Last web site update: 09/21/98]
28 Sep
28 Sep
1:31 p.m.
New subject: VCF Comments
As usual, the VCF was a lot of fun and a great chance to put faces with many
of the names that appear on this list. Besides the neat collection of older
working computers on display, it seemed like most of the fun took place in
the swap area.
Couple of things there that *I* thought were worth noting. Kai brought some
disk drives for the Bell & Howell Black Apple, and were the first I had
seen. On Sunday, another vendor appeared with one of the Black Apples he
was selling for $200 (didn't sell.) This same vendor brought quite a few
vintage computers that included a Commodore Teachers Pet w/ the calculator
keyboard, an H8 w/ no boards except the motherboard, a Heathkit H100, SWTP
6800, and a variety of other computers of similar vintage. Another vendor
brought a Micromat robot that sold for somewhere around $200 that included
the robot and computers to interface it to. His comment was that this was
mainly a social occasion, and to some extent I have to agree, a social
occasion well worth attending!!! There were quite a few of the people there
from last year, and from everyone I talked to, sales
were good. I wish I
had an extra $1k or so to spend on the stuff I saw there!!!
But there is
always next year to look forward to and to plan on attending!
In the display area, The Computer Museum had a number of things including
the Apple I. When I was talking to Carol Welsh of the Computer Museum, she
indicated that someone had brought an Apple I to the VCF and sold it to
someone else for $2000. At the point that I talked with her, the other
person with her was trying to track down the parties involved.
Someone made the comment that there were two varieties of the Osbourne I,
and I gather that the difference was in the case (not talking about the
Executive, only the Osbourne I.) Anyone have any input on this? When I
checked mine, they were both like the one on display which was supposed to
be the older one but I'm not sure I've ever seen a One that looked any
different.
As with Doug, I didn't get a chance to hear the talks (except Gordon Bell)
and I am looking forward to being able to buy the audio tapes when Sam gets
them finished.
The tour of The Computer Museum at Moffet Field was incredible. The
collection was what they called "Visible Storage" and they had about 2% of
their collection where people could take a look. Generally speaking,
photographing the exhibits is prohibited but they relaxed that policy for
this tour with the stipulation that any photos taken were strictly for
private use.
Well, all for now, and I'm sure the others on this list who attended will
have lots to say!
2:25 a.m.
New subject: Osborne 01's
Marvin wrote:
Someone made the comment that there were two varieties
of the Osbourne I,
and I gather that the difference was in the case (not talking about the
Executive, only the Osbourne I.) Anyone have any input on this? When I
checked mine, they were both like the one on display which was supposed to
be the older one but I'm not sure I've ever seen a One that looked any
different.
BTW: The spelling is Osborne.Here is a picture on Tom Copper's Web site of the
First production of the Osborne 01.
http://www.ncsc.dni.us/fun/user/tcc/cmuseum/osborne.htm
Here is a picture of the 2nd version of the Osborne 01.
http://www.ncsc.dni.us/fun/user/tcc/cmuseum/Osborne2.htm
The original 01 had a rather flimsy case, and was replaced by a more durable
case.
As far as I know the insides were identical..
The 2nd version is Gray & Blue color, and the older one is Tan in color..
I have 2 Osbornes (2nd version) in my collection , One has a Green phosphor
screen, the other White.. These two computers are by far my most favorite..
--Phil
4:52 p.m.
New subject: Osborne 01's
Phil Clayton wrote:
BTW: The spelling is Osborne.Here is a picture on Tom
Copper's Web site of the
First production of the Osborne 01.
Thanks for the spelling correction. I knew it was wrong when I wrote it,
but didn't take the time to find out the correct spelling.
Thanks much for the references!!! Before the VCF, I didn't realize there
were two different versions and it looks like both of mine are the earlier
version. Now to find the later version :).
5:54 a.m.
New subject: Osborne 01's
Phil Clayton wrote:
Thats interesting I have both of the later versions and I'm searching for an earlier
version..
--Phil
BTW: The spelling is Osborne.Here is a picture on
Tom Copper's Web site of the
First production of the Osborne 01.
Thanks much for the references!!! Before the VCF, I didn't realize there
were two different versions and it looks like both of mine are the earlier
version. Now to find the later version :).
2:31 a.m.
New subject: Osborne 01
Sorry the reference I made to Tom Copper's web site is incorrect, it's Tom
Carlsons "Obsolete Computer Museum" that I used the pictures from..
Execellent Web Site Tom, Thanks for your contribution to knowledge of classic
computers..
--Phil
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here is a picture on Tom Copper's Web site of the
First production of the Osborne 01.
http://www.ncsc.dni.us/fun/user/tcc/cmuseum/osborne.htm
Here is a picture of the 2nd version of the Osborne 01.
http://www.ncsc.dni.us/fun/user/tcc/cmuseum/Osborne2.htm
The original 01 had a rather flimsy case, and was replaced by a more durable
case.
As far as I know the insides were identical..
The 2nd version is Gray & Blue color, and the older one is Tan in color..
2 p.m.
New subject: VCF Comments
At 03:31 PM 9/28/98 -0700, Marvin wrote:
As usual, the VCF was a lot of fun and a great chance
to put faces with many
of the names that appear on this list. Besides the neat collection of older
working computers on display, it seemed like most of the fun took place in
the swap area.
Seconded, thirded, etc...!
In the display area, The Computer Museum had a number of things including
the Apple I. When I was talking to Carol Welsh of the Computer Museum, she
indicated that someone had brought an Apple I to the VCF and sold it to
someone else for $2000. At the point that I talked with her, the other
person with her was trying to track down the parties involved.
Now, don't that make all of the people who did not attend REALLY sorry?
Someone made the comment that there were two varieties
of the Osbourne I,
and I gather that the difference was in the case (not talking about the
Executive, only the Osbourne I.) Anyone have any input on this? When I
checked mine, they were both like the one on display which was supposed to
be the older one but I'm not sure I've ever seen a One that looked any
different.
Check my web site. I have both variations. The early one came in the
brown (tan) vacu-form'd case. The later version came in a grey molded case
and usually had the double-density upgrade standard.
The tour of The Computer Museum at Moffet Field was
incredible. The
collection was what they called "Visible Storage" and they had about 2% of
their collection where people could take a look.
Yep! It was most cool. Many thanks to Sam for putting the tour together.
-jim
---
jimw(a)agora.rdrop.com
The Computer Garage - http://www.rdrop.com/~jimw
Computer Garage Fax - (503) 646-0174
9473
days inactive
9473
days old
6 comments
4 participants
participants (4)
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dastar＠ncal.verio.com -
handyman＠sprintmail.com -
jimw＠agora.rdrop.com -
marvin＠rain.org