23 Aug
2006
23 Aug
'06
7:31 a.m.
I love the comment about a warning sign for the computer :)! I have a perverted
sense of humor, and that fits right in :).
I've had a number of requests for scans of the Simon manual, but the problem is
one of copyrights. A number of years ago, someone got copies of the articles
from the Babbage Institute but with the restriction
they couldn't distribute it.
I've never pursued that, but I am certainly
aware of it. I've got the original
Radio-Electronics issues, the subsequent reprint and scans of the reprint. I
have a better scanner now, and they need to be rescanned. Also FWIW, the
Radio-Electronics magazines have color illustrations where they are in B&W for
the reprint. Not much of a problem except the color makes it MUCH easier to
follow, since some of the signals being discussed in the text are highlighted in
red, and are not as obvious in the reprint.
The next question then is what would it be worth to provide a working unit
similar to the original (would need to use more modern relays, and the stepper
could be a problem)? Making a simple electronic paper tape reader wouldn't be
hard as there are a number of plans for a manual "pull the tape through by
hand"
designs to read the tape. I would think a PIC would make for a very simple and
cheap design. Personally, I like the idea of seeing a hand wired chassis with
laced wiring, but it certainly would take some time. What about a PC board with
all of the grunt wiring done and laid out for a current relay? What would be the
price point at which it might sell?
Thanks!
> I'm curious what the group thinks about
offering a kit for
> the Simon Computer that would include a schematic, parts
> list, and perhaps construction instructions. For those of you
**********
I probably wouldn't go for the kit (only because I've already got enough
projects to take me beyond the year 2050) but I'd sure like copies of
the articles. Any chance of seeing a .pdf version anywhere?
Thanks.
Jack
**********
I think the idea has merit BUT I think it would be
better to offer
the schematic, parts list, and perhaps construction instructions /
copy of the articles.
That way, the cost would be substantially lower. I'm interested in
the design, but doubt I would ever have time to build one.
**********
The computer uses paper tape. The reader and punch for
the
paper tape could be a mechanical problem. Also you need a
big warning sticker -- This is a demo computer -- Do not
attempt to download music or computer porn ---
Rob
23 Aug
23 Aug
12:22 p.m.
From: "Marvin Johnston" <marvin at rain.org>
I love the comment about a warning sign for the computer :)! I have a
perverted
sense of humor, and that fits right in :).
I've had a number of requests for scans of the Simon manual, but the
problem
is
one of copyrights. A number of years ago, someone got
copies of the
articles
from the Babbage Institute but with the restriction
they couldn't
distribute it.
I've never pursued that, but I am certainly aware
of it. I've got the
original
Radio-Electronics issues, the subsequent reprint and
scans of the reprint.
I
have a better scanner now, and they need to be
rescanned. Also FWIW, the
Radio-Electronics magazines have color illustrations where they are in B&W
for
the reprint. Not much of a problem except the color
makes it MUCH easier
to
follow, since some of the signals being discussed in
the text are
highlighted in
red, and are not as obvious in the reprint.
The next question then is what would it be worth to provide a working unit
similar to the original (would need to use more modern relays, and the
stepper
could be a problem)? Making a simple electronic paper
tape reader wouldn't
be
hard as there are a number of plans for a manual
"pull the tape through by
hand"
designs to read the tape. I would think a PIC would
make for a very simple
and
cheap design. Personally, I like the idea of seeing a
hand wired chassis
with
laced wiring, but it certainly would take some time.
What about a PC board
with
all of the grunt wiring done and laid out for a
current relay? What would
be the
price point at which it might sell?
I've got a scan of the articles, and most of the parts, including a (Creed)
tape reader. I was planning on building mine to run from 50V, as telephone
relays and steppers for 50V are still relatively common over here (and I
have a large box full ready.....). The only difficult part to find was the
tape reader (5 unit, solenoid stepped), and it does need to be stepped by
the machine, as it forms the main storage (effectively ROM). An alternative
would be a simple basic program on a PC, interfacing through the parallel
port, or a PIC. Bear in mind that you need to be able to punch tapes to
program the machine, so for program development, a PC interface is a better
idea (I only have telegraph type 5 unit punches, so I have to provide a
serial signal at 45.45 or 50 Baud to operate the punch - if anyone in the UK
has a 5 unit solenoid type punch that they don't want.....)
the machine is fairly simple, and anyone with patience and basic
metalworking skills should be able to build one from scratch, however, be
warned, the machine was published as an experimental design, and you will
need to fill in one or two gaps in the articles.
Jim.
4:42 p.m.
idea (I only have telegraph type 5 unit punches, so I
have to provide a
serial signal at 45.45 or 50 Baud to operate the punch - if anyone in the UK
has a 5 unit solenoid type punch that they don't want.....)
FWIW, most 8 level punches can use 5 level tape if you adjust the guides.
Sometimes the guides have pre-set positions for various widths of tape,
and the 5-level one is there.
Certainly my BRPE and Facit 4070s can do it.
-tony
6696
days inactive
6696
days old
2 comments
3 participants
participants (3)
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ard＠p850ug1.demon.co.uk -
jim＠g1jbg.co.uk -
marvin＠rain.org