30 May
2001
30 May
'01
4:05 a.m.
I've just been reading "Computer: A History of the
Information Machine", by Martin Campbell-Kelly and WIlliam
Aspray. It mentions the Altair 8800 (on page 240) and
describes the front panel:
When loaded, the program would run; but the only evidence
of its execution was the change in the shifting pattern of
the neon bulbs on the front.
Neon bulbs? Did the Altair really have neon bulbs on the
front panel? I would have expected LEDs -- can anyone
clarify this, please?
--
John Honniball
Email: John.Honniball(a)uwe.ac.uk
University of the West of England
30 May
30 May
4:02 a.m.
On Wed, 30 May 2001, John Honniball wrote:
I've just been reading "Computer: A History
of the
Information Machine", by Martin Campbell-Kelly and WIlliam
Aspray. It mentions the Altair 8800 (on page 240) and
describes the front panel:
When loaded, the program would run; but the only evidence
of its execution was the change in the shifting pattern of
the neon bulbs on the front.
Neon bulbs? Did the Altair really have neon bulbs on the
front panel? I would have expected LEDs -- can anyone
clarify this, please?
No.
"Computer" was one of the most (if not THE most) poorly researched books
on computer history I've ever read. It contained numerous factual errors,
such as the one above.
The authors obviously didn't take the time to do any fact checking or
proof-reading. Because of this, their book could be considered unreliable
drivel. I certainly wouldn't use it as the basis for any research.
Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer Festival
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Man of Intrigue and Danger http://www.vintage.org
10:13 a.m.
You could certainly use it to line your birdcage (if you have one, of
course).
Peace... Sridhar
On Wed, 30 May 2001, Sellam Ismail wrote:
No.
"Computer" was one of the most (if not THE most) poorly researched books
on computer history I've ever read. It contained numerous factual errors,
such as the one above.
The authors obviously didn't take the time to do any fact checking or
proof-reading. Because of this, their book could be considered unreliable
drivel. I certainly wouldn't use it as the basis for any research.
Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer Festival
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Man of Intrigue and Danger http://www.vintage.org
12:57 p.m.
New subject: OT & obscure humour; Re: Altair 8800 front panel lamps
Vance Dereksen wrote:
You could certainly use it to line your birdcage (if you have one, of
course).
The budgie would object. It is used to more factual and accurate reading
material.*
(*I'm referring to an add for New Scientist magazine where the canary
down the mine in it's bird cage is sitting with a gas mask on. The cage
floor is lined with new scientist magazine - well I did warn you that it
was obscure {:-).
P.S. I'm thoroughly enjoying the "older" humour on this list.
--
Terry Collins {:-)}}} Ph(02) 4627 2186 Fax(02) 4628 7861
email: terryc(a)woa.com.au www: http://www.woa.com.au
WOA Computer Services <lan/wan, linux/unix, novell>
"People without trees are like fish without clean water"
31 May
31 May
5:36 a.m.
New subject: OT & obscure humour; Re: Altair 8800 front panel lamps
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30 May
30 May
3:04 p.m.
Wait, now if this book is so bad, then I HAVE to see it! I mean there is value
in something that is the example of what to avoid; and if not then at least for
some entertainment value. Kind of reminds me of reading books that "support"
the lone-nut theory WRT the JFK assassination.
Eric
Vance Dereksen wrote:
You could certainly use it to line your birdcage (if
you have one, of
course).
Peace... Sridhar
On Wed, 30 May 2001, Sellam Ismail wrote:
> No.
>
> "Computer" was one of the most (if not THE most) poorly researched books
> on computer history I've ever read. It contained numerous factual errors,
> such as the one above.
>
> The authors obviously didn't take the time to do any fact checking or
> proof-reading. Because of this, their book could be considered unreliable
> drivel. I certainly wouldn't use it as the basis for any research.
>
> Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer Festival
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> International Man of Intrigue and Danger http://www.vintage.org
>
31 May
31 May
12:49 p.m.
Eric Chomko skrev:
Wait, now if this book is so bad, then I HAVE to see
it! I mean there is
value in something that is the example of what to avoid; and if not then at
least for some entertainment value. Kind of reminds me of reading books that
"support" the lone-nut theory WRT the JFK assassination.
Actually, I'd wholeheartedly recommend that book. It's really interesting and
written in a compelling way. It doesn't really shy away from computer terms as
popular books often might.
--
En ligne avec Thor 2.6a.
Haben Sie schon mal einen Wegweiser gesehen, der selbst den Weg geht, den er
weist?
--- Ludwig XV (K?nig von Frankreich, 1710-1774)
1 Jun
1 Jun
3:29 a.m.
On 1 Jun 2001, Iggy Drougge wrote:
Actually, I'd wholeheartedly recommend that book.
It's really
interesting and written in a compelling way. It doesn't really shy
away from computer terms as popular books often might.
Iggy, why am I not surprised you would like this book?
Really, it's a poorly researched book. If you want to read good fiction,
get a copy of Huckleberry Finn. If you want a good book on computer
history with factual information, there are plenty of others to choose
from.
I recommend:
Fire in the Valley (Freiberger/Swaine)
Hackers (Levy)
The Naked Computer (Rochester/Gantz)
Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer Festival
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Man of Intrigue and Danger http://www.vintage.org
4:55 a.m.
Sellam Ismail wrote:
I recommend:
Fire in the Valley (Freiberger/Swaine)
Hackers (Levy)
The Naked Computer (Rochester/Gantz)
I found Fire in the Valley on ABE at
http://dogbert.abebooks.com/abe/BookSearch for $6.00 plus postage. A most
interesting book! Some of these books are getting a bit harder to find on
the streets.
5:05 a.m.
On Fri, 01 Jun 2001 09:55:15 -0700 Marvin <marvin(a)rain.org>
wrote:
Sellam Ismail wrote:
Don't forget that there's a second edition of Fire In The
Valley, which was published in the last couple of years. I
lent my first edition to someone, and lost touch with them.
I now have a second edition, which includes a chapter on
the Web and the "browser wars", as well as some mention of
newer companies such as Sun Microsystems.
And I found a copy of "Hackers" at a charity shop (thrift
store) just a few weeks ago.
BTW, thanks for sorting out the "neon bulbs" issue. Seems
I was right to doubt the text there!
--
John Honniball
Email: John.Honniball(a)uwe.ac.uk
University of the West of England
I recommend:
Fire in the Valley (Freiberger/Swaine)
Hackers (Levy)
The Naked Computer (Rochester/Gantz)
I found Fire in the Valley on ABE at
http://dogbert.abebooks.com/abe/BookSearch for $6.00 plus postage. A most
interesting book! Some of these books are getting a bit harder to find on
the streets.
12:20 p.m.
Sellam Ismail skrev:
On 1 Jun 2001, Iggy Drougge wrote:
> Actually, I'd wholeheartedly recommend that
book. It's really
> interesting and written in a compelling way. It doesn't really shy
> away from computer terms as popular books often might.
Iggy, why am I not surprised you would like this book?
I don't know, because you hold me in particularly low esteem?
Really, it's a poorly researched book. If you want
to read good fiction,
get a copy of Huckleberry Finn. If you want a good book on computer
history with factual information, there are plenty of others to choose
from.
I recommend:
Fire in the Valley (Freiberger/Swaine)
Hackers (Levy)
The Naked Computer (Rochester/Gantz)
But are they fun? After all, that's what counts. ;-)
--
En ligne avec Thor 2.6a.
About 15 years ago(in 1984), I played many time HYDLIDE like monkey's self-
acting! HaHaHa!! Here in Nippon(Japan), many many MSX Freak played HYDLIDE
1/2/3 on MSX1/2. Perhaps, also you like HYDLIDE series!!!
K. Ikeda, MSX-Print
30 May
30 May
5:45 a.m.
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8:56 p.m.
Gidday Tony
On 31-May-01, you wrote:
>
>
> I've just been reading "Computer: A History of the
> Information Machine", by Martin Campbell-Kelly and WIlliam
> Aspray. It mentions the Altair 8800 (on page 240) and
> describes the front panel:
>
> When loaded, the program would run; but the only evidence
> of its execution was the change in the shifting pattern of
> the neon bulbs on the front.
>
> Neon bulbs? Did the Altair really have neon bulbs on the
> front panel? I would have expected LEDs -- can anyone
> clarify this, please?
The schematic I've just looked at shows LEDs. FWIW
the schematics of a
couple of other S100 front panels also show LEDs for the monitoring
lights.
Neons were not at all common on transistorised (or
IC-based) computers.
Not surprising, since neon needs 90V to light it.
Regards
--
*Patrick Ford Auckland, New Zealand*
*/#icq#/ 51642681*
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12 comments
9 participants
participants (9)
-
ard＠p850ug1.demon.co.uk -
chomko＠greenbelt.com -
foo＠siconic.com -
John.Honniball＠uwe.ac.uk -
marvin＠rain.org -
optimus＠canit.se -
padf＠ihug.co.nz -
terryc＠woa.com.au -
vance＠ikickass.org