At 16:36 30-04-98 -0700, Jack Peacock <peacock(a)simconv.com> wrote: A taxonomy? Hmmm, that would be an interesting reference for future generations. As to that whole category of computers being left out, it could be approaching the splitting of hairs to detail all examples of "programmable" electronic devices. However, some of the very simple controllers in, e.g., lawn sprinkler timers, etc. could possibly be classified as just programmable logic elements -not really "computers". I can imagine a simple Epson or whatever clock chip and a small programmable array logic (PAL) chip of some low cost type being setup with very simple I/O to act as the "programmable" control in those types of equipment. Or, rather, an application specific integrated circuit or ASIC could be specially designed and fabricated to replace all of this if production quantities are in the many thousands. Still, no microprocessor chip though. As to the line above: >Class = {Mainframe, Mini, Workstation, Micro}, a few should be added such as Industrial Computers which have much human interface usually called "Man-Machine Interface or 'MMI' (types: VMEbus, STDbus, STD32, Multibus, G64, etc.), Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) which are used to run large machines and production lines and often have fixed programs with limited or unlimited MMI (brands: Siemens, Allen-Bradley, Giddings and Lewis, etc.) and Embedded Computers which have little, if any, MMI (like found in automotive emission and engine control systems, home/corporate security systems, vending machines, televisions, CD players and other entertainment electronics, industrial machine controls (not PLCs), etc., etc. We are literally surrounded by this "programmable" stuff and it is growing. --Chris -- -- Christian Fandt, Electronic/Electrical Historian Jamestown, NY USA Member of Antique Wireless Association URL: http://www.ggw.org/freenet/a/awa/