20 May
2018
20 May
'18
3:04 p.m.
While? in the warehouse I ran across this strange modernistic? Data General ...odd?
computer?
I do not remember buying it!? ?Ed#
?
?
"https://www.smythretail.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/DG10_1-300x227.jpg"
take the quotes away and put in browser see photo
?
?
There are? 2 only I find on net... correct me? if there are more please especially? if
there are manual links... the only? ?one physically? is? one at? chm that? is not as?
wide. ( maybe no hard drive or less i/o options?)
Any other? sites? with info?? 1981 and? multi? user? micro... cool!?
?
link to smyth retail site that? ?used these?
?
https://www.smythretail.com/our-team/smyth-history-a-tradition-in-automatio…
?
link to photo only
?
"https://www.smythretail.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/DG10_1-300x227.jpg"
take the quotes away and put in browser see photo
4:13 p.m.
On 05/20/2018 03:04 PM, Ed Sharpe via cctalk wrote:
While? in the warehouse I ran across this strange
modernistic? Data General ...odd? computer?
I do not remember buying it!? ?Ed#
?
?
"https://www.smythretail.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/DG10_1-300x227.jpg"
take the quotes away and p
It might be a good idea to check with Bruce Ray (Wild Hare Computer
Systems). He's a font of knowledge on all things DG.
--Chuck
4:29 p.m.
many many? thanks? Chuck!? I have sent? him email? and a webmail? from his? site.
?
again!? fantastic? thanks? ?for your? help!
?
Ed#
?
?
In a message dated 5/20/2018 4:14:06 PM US Mountain Standard Time, cctalk at
classiccmp.org writes:
?
While? in the warehouse I ran across this strange
modernistic? Data General ...odd? computer?
I do not remember buying it!? ?Ed#
?
?
"https://www.smythretail.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/DG10_1-300x227.jpg"
take the quotes away and p
It might be a good idea to check with Bruce Ray (Wild Hare Computer
Systems). He's a font of knowledge on all things DG.
--Chuck
5:16 p.m.
G'day Ed -
That picture was taken from our web site - specifically a photo of a
Data General Desktop Generation Model 10 beside a (1983) newsletter
announcing the DG/10's introduction. The computer system was announced
in 1983 in DG's effort to blunt the effect of the "microcomputer
revolution" on Data General's proprietary systems' sales. It was based
on a 16-bit microEclipse processor contained in a small, modular,
consumer-oriented (desktop) form factor that ran DG operating systems
and software. However, one version also contained an Intel 8086
co-processor that could run newfangled MS-DOS software, thereby
targeting the pesky, soon-to-die microcomputer market. ;-)
The system was designed around modules that could be plugged together
which simplified system configuration and expansion. It was very
reliable (except for some of the OEM disk drives used) but disk and tape
operations were very slow due to its serial I/O data bus design.
The Desktop Generation series was very popular with many DG users and
OEMs worldwide but was overshadowed by the factors that affected the
traditional minicomputer manufacturers in the mid-1980s.
And "yes", information does exist for these systems. Do you have
pictures of your system?
Bruce
-----
Bruce Ray
Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc.
Boulder, Colorado USA
bkr at WildHareComputers.com
...preserving the Data General legacy: www.NovasAreForever.org
On 5/20/2018 5:29 PM, Ed Sharpe via cctalk wrote:
In a message dated 5/20/2018 4:14:06 PM US Mountain Standard Time, cctalk at
classiccmp.org writes:
> While? in the warehouse I ran across this strange modernistic? Data General ...odd?
computer
> I do not remember buying it!? ?Ed#
>
>
>
"https://www.smythretail.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/DG10_1-300x227.jpg"
>
5:32 p.m.
New subject: we also have a 19 inch blue,rack eliplise also... need the et head terminal
Bruce... we also have a 19 inch blue,rack eliplise also in smecc museum ... need the et
head terminal.. it has,a funny small portrait format tape dive....half inch but not fell
size
Sent from AOL Mobile Mail
On Sunday, May 20, 2018 Bruce Ray via cctalk <cctalk at classiccmp.org> wrote:
G'day Ed -
That picture was taken from our web site - specifically a photo of a
Data General Desktop Generation Model 10 beside a (1983) newsletter
announcing the DG/10's introduction. The computer system was announced
in 1983 in DG's effort to blunt the effect of the "microcomputer
revolution" on Data General's proprietary systems' sales. It was based
on a 16-bit microEclipse processor contained in a small, modular,
consumer-oriented (desktop) form factor that ran DG operating systems
and software. However, one version also contained an Intel 8086
co-processor that could run newfangled MS-DOS software, thereby
targeting the pesky, soon-to-die microcomputer market. ;-)
The system was designed around modules that could be plugged together
which simplified system configuration and expansion. It was very
reliable (except for some of the OEM disk drives used) but disk and tape
operations were very slow due to its serial I/O data bus design.
The Desktop Generation series was very popular with many DG users and
OEMs worldwide but was overshadowed by the factors that affected the
traditional minicomputer manufacturers in the mid-1980s.
And "yes", information does exist for these systems. Do you have
pictures of your system?
Bruce
-----
Bruce Ray
Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc.
Boulder, Colorado USA
bkr at WildHareComputers.com
...preserving the Data General legacy: www.NovasAreForever.org
On 5/20/2018 5:29 PM, Ed Sharpe via cctalk wrote:
In a message dated 5/20/2018 4:14:06 PM US Mountain Standard Time, cctalk at
classiccmp.org writes:
> While? in the warehouse I ran across this strange modernistic? Data General ...odd?
computer
> I do not remember buying it!? ?Ed#
>
>
>
"https://www.smythretail.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/DG10_1-300x227.jpg"
>
5:37 p.m.
On May 20, 2018, at 5:16 PM, Bruce Ray via cctalk <cctalk at classiccmp.org> wrote:
G'day Ed -
That picture was taken from our web site - specifically a photo of a Data General Desktop
Generation Model 10 beside a (1983) newsletter announcing the DG/10's introduction.
The computer system was announced in 1983 in DG's effort to blunt the effect of the
"microcomputer revolution" on Data General's proprietary systems' sales.
It was based on a 16-bit microEclipse processor contained in a small, modular,
consumer-oriented (desktop) form factor that ran DG operating systems and software.
However, one version also contained an Intel 8086 co-processor that could run newfangled
MS-DOS software, thereby targeting the pesky, soon-to-die microcomputer market. ;-)
The system was designed around modules that could be plugged together which simplified
system configuration and expansion. It was very reliable (except for some of the OEM disk
drives used) but disk and tape operations were very slow due to its serial I/O data bus
design.
The Desktop Generation series was very popular with many DG users and OEMs worldwide but
was overshadowed by the factors that affected the traditional minicomputer manufacturers
in the mid-1980s.
And "yes", information does exist for these systems. Do you have pictures of
your system?
Bruce
It sounds like a fascinating hardware design, and pretty much one I?ve long dreamed of.
It?s interesting to know that DG made such a system. Are any manuals for it online?
Zane
21 May
21 May
12:22 p.m.
G'day Zane -
I have placed Desktop Generation information for you at:
www.NovasAreForever.org/tmp/014-000751-00__The_Desktop_Generation__1983-Jul…
-----
Bruce Ray
Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc.
Boulder, Colorado USA
bkr at WildHareComputers.com
...preserving the Data General legacy: www.NovasAreForever.org
-----
Bruce Ray
Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc.
Boulder, Colorado USA
bkr at WildHareComputers.com
...preserving the Data General legacy: www.NovasAreForever.org
On 5/20/2018 6:37 PM, Zane Healy via cctalk wrote:
On May 20, 2018, at 5:16 PM, Bruce Ray via cctalk
<cctalk at classiccmp.org> wrote:
G'day Ed -
That picture was taken from our web site - specifically a photo of a Data General Desktop
Generation Model 10 beside a (1983) newsletter announcing the DG/10's introduction.
The computer system was announced in 1983 in DG's effort to blunt the effect of the
"microcomputer revolution" on Data General's proprietary systems' sales.
It was based on a 16-bit microEclipse processor contained in a small, modular,
consumer-oriented (desktop) form factor that ran DG operating systems and software.
However, one version also contained an Intel 8086 co-processor that could run newfangled
MS-DOS software, thereby targeting the pesky, soon-to-die microcomputer market. ;-)
The system was designed around modules that could be plugged together which simplified
system configuration and expansion. It was very reliable (except for some of the OEM disk
drives used) but disk and tape operations were very slow due to its serial I/O data bus
design.
The Desktop Generation series was very popular with many DG users and OEMs worldwide but
was overshadowed by the factors that affected the traditional minicomputer manufacturers
in the mid-1980s.
And "yes", information does exist for these systems. Do you have pictures of
your system?
Bruce
It sounds like a fascinating hardware design, and pretty much one I?ve long dreamed of.
It?s interesting to know that DG made such a system. Are any manuals for it online?
Zane
12:38 p.m.
EXCELLENT? MANUAL!
ED#
?
In a message dated 5/21/2018 12:22:40 PM US Mountain Standard Time, cctalk at
classiccmp.org writes:
?
G'day Zane -
I have placed Desktop Generation information for you at:
www.NovasAreForever.org/tmp/014-000751-00__The_Desktop_Generation__1983-Jul…
-----
Bruce Ray
Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc.
Boulder, Colorado USA
bkr at WildHareComputers.com
...preserving the Data General legacy: www.NovasAreForever.org
-----
Bruce Ray
Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc.
Boulder, Colorado USA
bkr at WildHareComputers.com
...preserving the Data General legacy: www.NovasAreForever.org
On 5/20/2018 6:37 PM, Zane Healy via cctalk wrote:
On May 20, 2018, at 5:16 PM, Bruce Ray via cctalk
<cctalk at classiccmp.org> wrote:
G'day Ed -
That picture was taken from our web site - specifically a photo of a Data General Desktop
Generation Model 10 beside a (1983) newsletter announcing the DG/10's introduction.
The computer system was announced in 1983 in DG's effort to blunt the effect of the
"microcomputer revolution" on Data General's proprietary systems' sales.
It was based on a 16-bit microEclipse processor contained in a small, modular,
consumer-oriented (desktop) form factor that ran DG operating systems and software.
However, one version also contained an Intel 8086 co-processor that could run newfangled
MS-DOS software, thereby targeting the pesky, soon-to-die microcomputer market. ;-)
The system was designed around modules that could be plugged together which simplified
system configuration and expansion. It was very reliable (except for some of the OEM disk
drives used) but disk and tape operations were very slow due to its serial I/O data bus
design.
The Desktop Generation series was very popular with many DG users and OEMs worldwide but
was overshadowed by the factors that affected the traditional minicomputer manufacturers
in the mid-1980s.
And "yes", information does exist for these systems. Do you have pictures of
your system?
Bruce
It sounds like a fascinating hardware design, and pretty much one I?ve long dreamed of.
It?s interesting to know that DG made such a system. Are any manuals for it online?
Zane
5:36 p.m.
Thank you Bruce, I took quick look through, and will need to go back and read up on the
hardware bits, Chapter 4 looks like it goes into the stuff I?m curious about. I?m
normally a software guy, but this is one case, where the hardware is of more interest.
Thanks,
Zane
On May 21, 2018, at 12:22 PM, Bruce Ray <Bruce at
Wild-Hare.com> wrote:
G'day Zane -
I have placed Desktop Generation information for you at:
www.NovasAreForever.org/tmp/014-000751-00__The_Desktop_Generation__1983-Jul…
-----
Bruce Ray
Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc.
Boulder, Colorado USA
bkr at WildHareComputers.com
...preserving the Data General legacy: www.NovasAreForever.org
-----
Bruce Ray
Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc.
Boulder, Colorado USA
bkr at WildHareComputers.com
...preserving the Data General legacy: www.NovasAreForever.org
On 5/20/2018 6:37 PM, Zane Healy via cctalk wrote:
> On May 20, 2018, at 5:16 PM, Bruce Ray via cctalk <cctalk at classiccmp.org>
wrote:
>>
>> G'day Ed -
>>
>> That picture was taken from our web site - specifically a photo of a Data General
Desktop Generation Model 10 beside a (1983) newsletter announcing the DG/10's
introduction. The computer system was announced in 1983 in DG's effort to blunt the
effect of the "microcomputer revolution" on Data General's proprietary
systems' sales. It was based on a 16-bit microEclipse processor contained in a small,
modular, consumer-oriented (desktop) form factor that ran DG operating systems and
software. However, one version also contained an Intel 8086 co-processor that could run
newfangled MS-DOS software, thereby targeting the pesky, soon-to-die microcomputer market.
;-)
>>
>> The system was designed around modules that could be plugged together which
simplified system configuration and expansion. It was very reliable (except for some of
the OEM disk drives used) but disk and tape operations were very slow due to its serial
I/O data bus design.
>>
>> The Desktop Generation series was very popular with many DG users and OEMs
worldwide but was overshadowed by the factors that affected the traditional minicomputer
manufacturers in the mid-1980s.
>>
>> And "yes", information does exist for these systems. Do you have
pictures of your system?
>>
>>
>> Bruce
> It sounds like a fascinating hardware design, and pretty much one I?ve long dreamed
of. It?s interesting to know that DG made such a system. Are any manuals for it online?
> Zane
6:59 p.m.
G'day Zane -
Like every other computer system created, the Desktop Generation has its
own set of quirks and wonders. It was an interesting evolutionary
repackage of the microEclipse processor, but I never saw a customer or
user site actually using the Model 10's MS-DOS "compatibility feature".
The hardware consisted of modular metal frame chassis with snap-on
plastic covers. While great for manufacturing and cost control, the
delicate plastic cover retaining tabs were always breaking and the
covers would pull away from the chassis or just fall off. Only an
annoying cosmetic problem until you find that a "dead man's switch"
interlock was maintained by the power supply chassis front cover. Yes,
the power supply would always be cut off whenever the plastic cover
shifted, vibrated or fell off the chassis. Which happened often. (The
cheapest solution was the unintended, creative use of a ball point pen
combined with nerd engineering.)
Many OEMS delivered DG/RDOS- or AOS-based applications written in ICOBOL
or Business BASIC (i.e. NAPA). These were good systems for OEMs who had
previously developed software for DG - providing their application was
not disk-bound. DG eventually was forced to design and sell a parallel
I/O bus option to help improve disk performance... to the confusion of
customers previously told of the benefits of a serial I/O bus design.
The system was followed by the DG/500, which had a similar hardware
functional microEclipse-based design but enclosed in a then-familiar IBM
PC AT (desktop) form factor. This was the final unsuccessful attempt to
defend the low-end 16-bit Eclipse line from the PC onslaught.
-----
Bruce Ray
Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc.
Boulder, Colorado USA
bkr at WildHareComputers.com
...preserving the Data General legacy: www.NovasAreForever.org
On 5/21/2018 6:36 PM, Zane Healy wrote:
Thank you Bruce, I took quick look through, and will
need to go back and read up on the hardware bits, Chapter 4 looks like it goes into the
stuff I?m curious about. I?m normally a software guy, but this is one case, where the
hardware is of more interest.
Thanks,
Zane
On May 21, 2018, at 12:22 PM, Bruce Ray <Bruce
at Wild-Hare.com> wrote:
G'day Zane -
I have placed Desktop Generation information for you at:
www.NovasAreForever.org/tmp/014-000751-00__The_Desktop_Generation__1983-Jul…
-----
Bruce Ray
Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc.
Boulder, Colorado USA
bkr at WildHareComputers.com
...preserving the Data General legacy: www.NovasAreForever.org
-----
Bruce Ray
Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc.
Boulder, Colorado USA
bkr at WildHareComputers.com
...preserving the Data General legacy: www.NovasAreForever.org
On 5/20/2018 6:37 PM, Zane Healy via cctalk wrote:
> On May 20, 2018, at 5:16 PM, Bruce Ray via cctalk <cctalk at classiccmp.org>
wrote:
>>
>> G'day Ed -
>>
>> That picture was taken from our web site - specifically a photo of a Data General
Desktop Generation Model 10 beside a (1983) newsletter announcing the DG/10's
introduction. The computer system was announced in 1983 in DG's effort to blunt the
effect of the "microcomputer revolution" on Data General's proprietary
systems' sales. It was based on a 16-bit microEclipse processor contained in a small,
modular, consumer-oriented (desktop) form factor that ran DG operating systems and
software. However, one version also contained an Intel 8086 co-processor that could run
newfangled MS-DOS software, thereby targeting the pesky, soon-to-die microcomputer market.
;-)
>>
>> The system was designed around modules that could be plugged together which
simplified system configuration and expansion. It was very reliable (except for some of
the OEM disk drives used) but disk and tape operations were very slow due to its serial
I/O data bus design.
>>
>> The Desktop Generation series was very popular with many DG users and OEMs
worldwide but was overshadowed by the factors that affected the traditional minicomputer
manufacturers in the mid-1980s.
>>
>> And "yes", information does exist for these systems. Do you have
pictures of your system?
>>
>>
>> Bruce
> It sounds like a fascinating hardware design, and pretty much one I?ve long dreamed
of. It?s interesting to know that DG made such a system. Are any manuals for it online?
> Zane
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