New subject: Article about collecting in Antique Trader.#

29 Jun 1999

In a message dated 6/29/99 6:14:14 PM Eastern Daylight Time, Tony Duell 
writes:

...
  This means the history of computing is being
distorted. Truely important 
  machines are being forgotten. Other machines, much less significant, are 
  being remembered. This is not a good thing.

  OK, let me ask a very simple question. I will give below the 
  specification of 2 machines, both from around 1980. The questions are : 
  Which do you think is the more historically important, and which one 
  would fetch a higher price (Oh, and would anyone care to name the 2 
  machines :-))

  OK. Machine A : 

  Processor  : Custom 16/20 bit CPU. Graphics processor. Z80-A for I/O

  RAM : 1Mbyte 

  Storage : 8" floppy disk, 24Mbyte hard disk

  Keyboard : Full QWERTY keyboard, Keytronics 

  Display : Bitmapped display, 768*1024 pixels (portrait monitor)

  Mouse : Sumagraphics Bit Pad 1

  Languages : Pascal, LISP, etc

  Comments : Version of the first commercially-sold graphics workstation

  Machine B : 

  Processor  : Z80A

  RAM : 1Kbyte

  Storage : Sockets to connect optional audio cassette recorder

  Keyboard : QWERTY membrane keyboaard

  Display : Text (22*23 or something like that), block graphics. Disappears 
  when program running

  Mouse : You must be joking

  Languages : 4K ROM containing strange (integer only?) BASIC.

  Comments : Very inexpensive home computer 
Machine B is very obviously a Sinclair ZX80 or ZX81.  Pardon my confusion, 
but are you saying that the ZX80/81 was "much less significant?"  Perhaps I 
misunderstand.

Millions of people worldwide were introduced to computers by these machines 
(and their Timex cousins).  Because of the low price, people bought them to 
see if they "liked computing" -- if not, they could throw them away and only 
be out $100 or so.

On the other hand, many, like myself, found they had a small talent for 
working with computers -- in whatever capacity -- and thus found employment, 
careers, and satisfaction because of their initial experience with 
Timex/Sinclair computers.

...
  I think that if you own a classic computer you should
learn how it works, 
 how to use it, how to repair it, etc. Note, I am _NOT_ saying that you 
 have to be qualified (after all, I'm not). I am not saying that you have 
 to know everything before you start. I am saying, though, that you should 
 want to learn. 
The TS computers' simple but clever architecture encouraged learning all the  
    "how to's" you mention above.

But, perhaps I misunderstood what you were saying . . .

So: what are these two computers?  Which is the most historically important, 
and, in your opinion, which would fetch a higher price?

BTW, I use my Timex/Sinclair computers for some purpose at least five days 
out of seven.

Regards,

Glen Goodwin
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