homemade computer for fun and experience... - test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

4 Apr 1999

Keep in mind, folks, that some of us remember when there simply weren't
computers which we could use.  Back when I was a boy, even the US GOV
couldn't afford a computer capable of what my smallest simplest Windows9x
system is capable.  The fact that I don't use it for pure number-crunching
is a recognition that there are other things equally deserving of the
benefits of advancing technology.  If a picture is worth a thousand words,
then why type them if it's easier to draw the graphic representation.
Moreover, if you have to read my 1000 words (about a page) and then draw
yourself a graphic representation to understand and digest it anyway, why
not stick to the graphic?  A simple graphic can save both ends of a
communication time, effort, and embarassment  from when there's a
miscommunication.

If you tend to use your hands when you're explaining something, you probably
know what I mean.

Dick

-----Original Message-----
From: jpero(a)cgocable.net &lt;jpero(a)cgocable.net&gt;
To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
&lt;classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu&gt;
Date: Sunday, April 04, 1999 5:03 PM
Subject: Re: homemade computer for fun and experience...

...
 Date sent:      Sun, 4 Apr 1999 16:23:49 -0600
Send reply to:  classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu
From:           "Richard Erlacher" &lt;edick(a)idcomm.com&gt;
To:             "Discussion re-collecting of classic computers"
&lt;classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu&gt;
...
 Subject:        Re: homemade computer for fun and
experience...
Originally to:  &lt;classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu&gt;

> Well, I'm inclined to agree with you.  I've long felt that if one needed
> to spend time playing games, what was really needed was another job.
>
> What's happened over the years, however, is that people, having seen what
> a computer CAN do as shown in games, etc, have actually found ways to make
...
 > data easier to interpret, and perhaps to add
meaning and emphasis to a
> presentation, making it more persuasive, if not more informative, by using
...
   the graphical
capabilities of a computer. 
Beauiful point and to point that out, we're still doing it even way
back from stone and clubs days.  Graphics on any media is easier
to understand than stackful of numbers and words even spoken!
Even  when I was in elementery and HS school we generate
numbers and words into graphics respentions or vice vesa.  That
was in CP/M to 386 days but didn't use computers.

>
> As for the terminal vis-a-vie the color graphic display, I find the
> terminal quite limiting.  However, most of the stuff I do is unaffected by
...

Terminal is out because one would have to code so much that you
really made another i/o out of software.  I'm at that mental stage
now.  Better start in hardware then put bit of homebrew s/w in to
get started.

  Today, no one would normally consider a CP/M box
for "useful" and
 essential work.  For mental masturbation, speculation about would could,
 would, or should (note the subjunctive) have been, CP/M works just fine.
 If you have a construction business, or a medical office, there's no
 reason why CP/M can't work today every bit as well as it did back 20 or
 more years ago. However, aside from the notion of operating on an
 "antique" there's no reason to do so.  It does serve to keep one grounded
 in what has changed over the years and what hasn't. 
We're still writing characters/numbers and users are using so
powerful computers *because* it's easier for them to see in
graphics form and graphics items to operate at or in to get basic
functions done besides writing and putting numbers in.  That eat up
more power just to do that.  Crunching numbers and doing massive
moves in graphics, is one thing I accept.  And, decent windowing
that does quickly and low on resources requirements does get job
done bit easier that about it as I know so far.

  Dick

Wizard 