Disk Drive Documents - test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

6 Jun 1999

These aren't S-100 card documents, Sam, they're Disk drive documents, and
they're service documents at that.

A positive construct would be a novel thing to see from you, Sam.  You're
against everything, and favor nothing, apparently.  Can you name even one
computer from among the ones you listed that has the capability real, not
putative, in both hardware and software, of getting anything from the web?

Those people who choose to use computers unable to handle graphic displays
always have the option of choosing to use a computer capable of doing so.
If they choose not to, it's no different from you choosing your position.
It's their choice which prevents them from having the benefit of an archive
not compatible with the dozen or two others in their group, while readily
accessible to the tens of millions who don't make that choice.  They can
always go to the local library if they need.  It's like the folks who won't
drive a car, though not as environmentally conscious.  They could ride a
bus.  They really don't have to walk, and you, Sam, you don't have to sit
and curse the darkness.  I invite you to light one candle.  Make a
suggestion that would work.

Dick
-----Original Message-----
From: Sellam Ismail &lt;dastar(a)ncal.verio.com&gt;
To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
&lt;classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu&gt;
Date: Monday, June 07, 1999 12:45 AM
Subject: Re: Disk Drive Documents

...
 On Sun, 6 Jun 1999, Richard Erlacher wrote:

  Let's try to keep this in perspective, Sam. 
When there's a text file
 format which will display the exploded view drawings in these service
 documents on your (Apple ][, Commodore 64, Atari x00, TI 99/4a, TRS-80
 Model x, Heathkit Hx, OSI Challenger x, IMSAI 8080, Altair >8800, etc) 
You're still missing the point.  Some people choose to use computers that
aren't even PC-based.  All they may have availabe is a text-based display
and a couple disk drives.

You're the one who should keep this in prespective.  Since when does all
documentation reuire an exploded diagram?  Why does an S-100 bus card need
an exploded diagram??

  then you may have a valid point.  For that
matter, aside from the last
 three on the list, there's not one likely to need this documentation,
 nor is it likely that anyone unable to afford disk space enough to
 hold a complete PDF file of one of these relatively short documents
 when a 10GB disk drive costs less than $200, will be able to afford
 one of the "antique" devices to which they apply. 
This is a silly argument, but coming from you I'm not surprised.

> Take a look at the "unofficial CP/M web site," whatever the URL is, and
> you'll see the document files offered in several formats, though I'd
> speculate that none of the systems you listed in your comments, "(Apple
][,
...
 > Commodore 64, Atari x00, TI 99/4a, TRS-80 Model x,
Heathkit Hx, OSI
> Challenger x, IMSAI 8080, Altair 8800, etc)" can view any of those files.
>
> Perhaps you can offer a positive construct rather than simply wringing your
...
   hands and
being a naysayer. 
I'm hardly being a naysayer.  I'm advocating that any public archive
should be accessible to as many people as possible.  I'm not forcing you
to follow my suggestions.  I realize that not everyone has a firm grasp on
common sense.

Sellam                                    Alternate e-mail: dastar(a)siconic.com
...

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