Hi everyone. I don't usually do this, but here is the current issue of
Computer Collector, in its entirety -- read carefully to learn about the
DigiComp 1 v.2.0 kit and, perhaps more interesting to some of you, Vince
Briel's new "AltairPC" kit.
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> WELCOME TO THE COMPUTER COLLECTOR NEWSLETTER
> W:
http://news.computercollector.com E: news at
computercollector.com
> March 11, 2006: News/opinion, tidbits, classifieds
This week's issue:
1. Build a DigiComp; 2. Another new Altair replica; 3. Plasma Pong; 4.
Apple's 30th anniversary; 5. Rockwell thermal printers wanted
Is this issue late from last Monday, or early for next Monday? You decide.
We just know the news has been flowing in like it's high tide lately. Help
us keep up the pace: what interests you in the hobby, what should we write
about, what's your funniest collecting story? Share your scoop at
news at
computercollector.com -- we're interested!
Please tell your friends about our newsletter!
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NEWS & OPINION
Ever feel like putting aside the complicated digital dinosaurs and getting
back to binary basics? If so, the DigiComp kit from Minds-On Toys
(
http://www.mindsontoys.com) might be just what you need, but don't be
surprised if your child is equally fascinated.
The original Digi-Comp 1 was a mechanical, plastic computer made by
Montclair, N.J.-based ESR Inc. starting in the mid-1960s. It sold for just
$6 and now they're on eBay for hundreds. A discussion group formed in 1999
(
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/friendsofdigicomp/) but things turned more
exciting when Minds-On Toys last year began selling its replica kit called
the Digi-Comp 1 v.2.0 for just $55.
Originally the idea for a modern replica was discussed at various times in
the Yahoo group, but the commercial version was the brainchild of Minds-On
(a play on "hands-on") which is owned by Tim Walker. Walker has an
impressive history in computers and education: he studied social psychology
at Harvard, worked as a high school teacher, earned a masters degree in
interactive telecommunications at New York University, studied under Seymour
Papert at the MIT Media Lab (
http://web.media.mit.edu/~papert/), and worked
on Hypercard for a contractor to Apple Computer.
Walker decided to build the replica as part of his ongoing research into the
history of educational toys. His first round of 100 kits quickly sold out,
so now it's in the second run. An interesting experience happened while
building early prototypes out of heavy paper and similar materials -- he
realized how much better it would function out of precision-cut metal --
akin to the experiences of Charles Babbage, whose ideas exceeded his
technical resources. Luckily, Walker has access to modern production
companies, although a large amount of reverse-engineering was required
because he didn't own an original Digi-Comp while designing the replica.
So what can the replica kit actually do? First, it can count from 0 to 101
(seven); if you have patience it can solve math problems and even play
games. There isn't any memory, so you have to assist the machine by keeping
track of values. But that's the point! Digi-Comp is for learning, not
computing. You can literally view every step as it happens, and the 48-page
instruction manual is simple enough for a 10- year-old, yet elegant enough
for a trained programmer. After reading a few pages, it's clear why the
original Digi-Comp was successful.
- Evan Koblentz, editor
---------------------------------------
Speaking of replicas, our inbox tonight contained an exciting message from
Vince Briel, known for his Replica 1 kit version of the Apple 1 computer.
Vince is making an earlier-than-expected announcement of his new replica,
which is a semi-real Altair faceplate for an ordinary PC (not unlike Rich
Cini's Altair32 project which we mentioned two weeks ago.) To read the
details , visit
http://www.brielcomputers.com or see it for yourself at the
Vintage Computer Festival East 3.0 this spring (see the VCF details in our
Tidbits section, below.)
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BOOKS FROM THE CCN STAFF:
> Buy your copy of "Collectible
Microcomputers" directly from author
Michael Nadeau:
http://www.classictechpub.com. This amazing book includes
more than 700 computers with details and pricing.
> Christine Finn's "Artifacts: An
archeologist's year in Silicon Valley" is
the story of the change from
farmlands to high-tech. Buy it directly from
MIT Press at
http://tinyurl.com/6rllz (also see Christine's blog
http://traumwerk.stanford.edu:3455/ChristineFinn/9).
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This week's vintage gaming news from Armchair Arcade, please visit
http://www.armchairarcade.com/aamain/news.php for details:
-- This. Is. Freaking. Awesome! -- Plasma Pong. I just played it and, trust
me, you'll love it:
http://216.120.241.243/~plasmap/
-- Coming soon: version 4 of Apple II Compact Flash:
http://www.armchairarcade.com/aamain/news.php?extend.502 ... Also, the
AppleWin software is now licensed under the GPL (same link)
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TIDBITS
-- The latest update on VCF East 3.0: there are now two live auctions, four
keynote speeches, 14 exhibitors, and just two months to go! We're getting
excited and you should be, too. Visit
http://www.vintage.org for all the
details and frequent updates.
-- Over at CNET
News.com, they're planning a special report for the 30th
anniversary of Apple (
http://tinyurl.com/o2pwl). April 1, 1976 was Day One,
with the founders listed as Woz, Jobs, and Ronald Wayne -- who sold his
stake two weeks later for $800. Anyway, CNET wants to know what you love(d)
about Apple, so we'll do the opposite: tell us your favorite Apple horror
stories. What were the company's biggest blunders, from executive strategies
to customer support? Tell us what you HATE about the Cupertinians. Yes, we
are serious. It'll be fun.
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CLASSIFIEDS
This week's classifieds are sponsored by the Vintage Computer Forum at
http://www.vintage-computer.com/vcforum/.
For sale:
1. Free! IBM PC-2 for cost of shipping:
http://www.vintage-computer.com/vcforum/showthread.php?t=2667
2. Sharp PC5541 portable 286 computer:
http://www.vintage-computer.com/vcforum/showthread.php?t=2666
3. Assembled Briel Replica 1 (New Jersey):
http://www.vintage-computer.com/vcforum/showthread.php?t=2660
4. Commodore magazines and manuals:
http://www.vintage-computer.com/commodore64.shtml
5. Full collection of Electronics Australia magazine:
http://www.vintage-computer.com/magazines.shtml
6. Free! TRS-80 Model I with expansion interface for cost of shipping:
http://www.vintage-computer.com/trs80mod1nk.shtml
Items Wanted:
1. Early PC World magazines:
http://www.vintage-computer.com/vcforum/showthread.php?t=2691
2. Monochrome monitor with RCA jack:
http://www.vintage-computer.com/vcforum/showthread.php?t=2654
3. Thermal printers for Rockwell AIM-65:
http://www.vintage-computer.com/aim65.shtml
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SPONSORED LINKS:
> For more buy/sell/trade opportunities, please
visit the Vintage
Computer Marketplace at
http://www.vintagecomputermarketplace.com.
> VintageTech provides services such as patent
litigation support,
prior art research, vintage computer consulting, movie and
photography
props, media and data conversion, appraisals, and sales brokering.
Visit us:
www.vintagetech.com.
> Special thanks to EvenLink LLC for sponsoring our
domain name and
e-mail hosting. Please visit
http://www.evenlink.com for details.
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HAPPY VINTAGE COMPUTING!