25 Dec
1999
25 Dec
'99
2:21 p.m.
Here is a varied list of computers (and computer-related things) that were
either famous or infamous for various reasons
First, the infamous ones
Computer with the worst built in hard drive: the ICT hard drive in the early
models of the IBM-AT.
Computer with the worst system architecture: TI-99/4A. (doubly interpreted
BASIC? c'mon TI!)
Computer with the worst keyboard: (tie) Sinclair ZX-81/Timex Sinclair 1000 &
IBM PC Jr.
Computer with the worst pitchman: Bill Cosby. (TI-99/4A)
Computer with the most limitations: Timex Sinclair 1000/Sinclair ZX-81.
Slowest computer: COM-X 35.
Computer with the slowest disk drive: Commodore 64(C).
Heaviest laptop computer: Apple Macintosh Portable.
Most infamous computer by price: Apple Lisa.
And now the famous ones
Computer with the best keyboard: (tie) Commodore 64(C), & TRS-80 Model 12.
Computer with the best speech synthesizer: TI-99/4A.
Most famous "vaporware" computer: Xerox Alto.
Computer with the best sound hardware: (tie) TI-99/4A & Commodore 64(C).
Computer with the coolest pitchman: William Shatner. (VIC-20)
Computer with the coolest case design: TI-99/4A. (The case reminds me of a
Delorean. Remember those?)
Computer with the best introductory commercial: Apple Macintosh. ("On
January 24, Apple will introduce Macintosh. And you will see why 1984 won't
be like "1984"".)
This is all that I can think of. If you can add some more categories or
correct some of the entries, please do so! After all, the above entries are
only based on opinion (namely my own).
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25 Dec
25 Dec
3:15 p.m.
At 01:21 26-12-1999 GMT, you wrote:
Here is a varied list of computers (and
computer-related things) that were
either famous or infamous for various reasons
First, the infamous ones
<snip>
Computer with the worst keyboard: (tie) Sinclair
ZX-81/Timex Sinclair 1000 &
IBM PC Jr.
Debatable! The 'chiclet' keyboard on the Commodore PET was truly horrendous!
And now the famous ones
Computer with the best keyboard: (tie) Commodore 64(C), & TRS-80 Model 12.
Sorry, can't agree. Far as I'm concerned, NOTHING has yet beat the good
ole' 101-key IBM PS/2 'clicker' for its sheer durability and fantastic
tactile/audible feedback.
Computer with the best speech synthesizer: TI-99/4A.
Dunno 'bout that... how about the Digitalker as used on some S-100 systems?
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Bruce Lane, Owner and head honcho, Blue Feather Technologies
http://www.bluefeathertech.com // E-mail: kyrrin(a)bluefeathertech.com
Amateur Radio: WD6EOS since Dec. '77
"Our science can only describe an object, event, or living thing in our
own human terms. It cannot, in any way, define any of them..."
3:27 p.m.
Computer with
the best keyboard: (tie) Commodore 64(C), & TRS-80 Model 12.
Sorry, can't agree. Far as I'm concerned, NOTHING has yet beat the good
ole' 101-key IBM PS/2 'clicker' for its sheer durability and fantastic
tactile/audible feedback. 
5:06 p.m.
I ran a survey on a couple of the mac lists I am on, and to my surprize no
clear winner emerged. Somebody liked every single model the best. The
extended II is what I am typing on right now, and in "most" cases I like it
about the best.
Typically to test a keyboard I use it myself for a few days, so I have
tried a LOT of different keyboards. This includes PC keyboards since my
Starmax (mac clone) can use PC or mac keyboards and mice, both at the same
time in fact.
I may not know what the best keyboard is, but I do know the sure path to
insanity, a real expensive keyboard, ie Apple Adjustable ergonomic thing
that sells used for about $50, that has one slightly flakey key that you
think maybe using for a couple days may sort out.
4:34 p.m.
On Sun, 26 Dec 1999, David Vohs wrote:
And now the famous ones
Computer with the best keyboard: (tie) Commodore 64(C), & TRS-80 Model 12.
Ever
used a TRS-80 model 100? I think it has to make the best keyboard
list somewhere.. at least for a laptop.
Computer with the best sound hardware: (tie) TI-99/4A
& Commodore 64(C).
*cough* Amiga? Its built-in sound hardware blew everything (including the
C64) out of the water, at least in my oppinion. Hell, I still listen to
MEDs on mine and am impressed ;)
Kevin
6:38 p.m.
Most famous "vaporware" computer: Xerox
Alto.
I must vigorously disagree with this one. The Xerox Alto was only
offered to paying customers years after it was developed, and I've heard
no reports of unreasonably delivery schedules. In fact, until recently
I was of the impression that it had never been offered for sale at all,
but apparently it was offered to very select customers, such as Atlantic
Richfield and the US Congress.
It's only vaporware if the manufacturer offers/advertises it but does not
actually have it available for sale.
If you want to nominate a Xerox computer system for the category of
longest schedule slip, it would be the Star, which was several years late
but eventually did ship using the Xerox 8010 (Dandelion) hardware.
26 Dec
26 Dec
5:58 a.m.
On Sun, 26 Dec 1999, David Vohs wrote:
Computer with the worst keyboard: (tie) Sinclair
ZX-81/Timex Sinclair 1000 &
IBM PC Jr.
Wouldn't you rank the Atari 400 somewhere in here?
Computer with the worst pitchman: Bill Cosby.
(TI-99/4A)
Again, Atari. Remember all those Alan Alda commercials in the 80's?
Aaron
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