27 Feb
1999
27 Feb
'99
8:22 a.m.
I'm curious, has anyone ever sat down and figured out how best to define a
database that would hold info on all thier Classic Computer documentation.
You know stuff like DEC Fiche, DEC Handbooks, manuals, catalogues,
brouchures, etc.?
Does anyone have any thoughts on what info should be captured? For
example, a randomly selected piece of Fiche yields the following info:
Colour: Brown Bar
Title: Mini Index 83-05
???: Hardware Documentation Library Index, Updateing and User Information
Part Number?: EP-0MINI-IX-05
Copyright: 1983
Fiche 1 of 1
Produced By: Digital
I can see needing a field that is something like machine type that would
be; PDP-11, PDP-8, VAX, Terminal, Printer, Tape Drive, Disk Drive, etc.
Properly defined this database could be used for more than just DEC Doc's,
which is my primary concern at the moment.
Zane
| Zane H. Healy | UNIX Systems Adminstrator |
| healyzh(a)aracnet.com (primary) | Linux Enthusiast |
| healyzh(a)holonet.net (alternate) | Classic Computer Collector |
+----------------------------------+----------------------------+
| Empire of the Petal Throne and Traveller Role Playing, |
| and Zane's Computer Museum. |
| http://www.dragonfire.net/~healyzh/ |
27 Feb
27 Feb
10:51 a.m.
On Sat, 27 Feb 1999, Zane H. Healy wrote:
Does anyone have any thoughts on what info should be
captured? For
I've thought about this a bit, but I've been way slow to implement
anything. Start by taking a look at BibTeX. It gives you most of the
fields you'll want, and there are a bunch of tools out there to deal with
it.
-- Doug
12:46 p.m.
On Sat, 27 Feb 1999, Zane H. Healy wrote:
This is another of the problems I've been pondering with this. I'd prefer
to set it up using FileMaker Pro 2.1 (current is 4) on my PowerMac, but
realize this is probably not the best way to do it.
Zane
| Zane H. Healy | UNIX Systems Adminstrator |
| healyzh(a)aracnet.com (primary) | Linux Enthusiast |
| healyzh(a)holonet.net (alternate) | Classic Computer Collector |
+----------------------------------+----------------------------+
| Empire of the Petal Throne and Traveller Role Playing, |
| and Zane's Computer Museum. |
| http://www.dragonfire.net/~healyzh/ |
Does anyone have any thoughts on what info should
be captured? For
I've thought about this a bit, but I've been way slow to implement
anything. Start by taking a look at BibTeX. It gives you most of the
fields you'll want, and there are a bunch of tools out there to deal with
it. 
12:48 p.m.
How about a database on the web that collectors could visit and use to
record their stuff? Then everyone could query and find out who to talk to
for questions on certains items.
The problem would be coming to consensus on a common data format.
I'll volunteer to host the site and do the DB development if everyone can
agree on how to do it.
Kevin
--
Kevin McQuiggin VE7ZD
mcquiggi(a)sfu.ca
1:05 p.m.
New subject: VEGA: 1st Soviet Electronic Calculator
Due to the rather unique nature of this machine, and it's place in
calculating/computing history, I'm crossposting to the classic computer
list. Whilst not a computer, nor programmable (and therefore not truly
valid subject matter for classic computers), this is the very first
Electronic calculator designed in the Soviet Union. And it's a lot closer
to topic than some recent subjects.
Prior to today, neither picture nor detailed information about this machine
was available. Now, thanks to some great detective work by a friend in
Russia, we have images and details, and even some pictures of the prototypes
from 1962! Sergei tracked down the original designer.
--
VEGA!!
Thanks to the wonderful research of Sergei Frolov, the Museum of Soviet
Calculators now hosts images and information about the Soviet Union's very
first Soviet Electronic Calculator, the VEGA. We even know the names of the
people who designed it! There are some wonderful pictures of the machine
and several PROTOTYPES!
If you're interested in the genesis of early cacluators, visit and see
exactly how they started out in the Soviet Union. Once again, thanks to
Sergei we have some important historical information that may otherwise
never have seen the light of day. As far as I can tell, these pictures have
NEVER BEFORE BEEN SEEN in the West.
Please visit the "what's new" link on the main page, which then links to
the
VEGA page.
The Museum of Soviet Calculators resides at...
http://www.comcen.com.au/~adavie/slide/calculator/soviet.html
Cheers
A
--
adavie(a)mad.scientist.com
visit the Museum of Soviet Calculators at
http://www.comcen.com.au/~adavie/slide/calculator/soviet.html
a Yahoo!, Netscape, Wall Street Journal, Newsweek and New Scientist Cool
Site!?
1:43 p.m.
For documentation, you could start with standard bibliographic
categories and add as any qualifiers you want to specialize it
to computers.
For hardware, I started an inventory database a year or two ago
for my PDP-11 stuff. I have a relational database with several
tables. This is specific to one type of computer, but you could
generalize it without too much trouble.
One table contains all the information in the "PDP-11 Field Guide"
with the DEC Module ID as the key. I have updated this with
corrected information and 3rd party vendor information as I come
across it.
Another table contains the actual modules I have (or had). A
foreign key in this table links to the module type table.
A similar set of tables applies to "components", which is basically
everything except modules. Rather than try to show containment of
modules by components or components by components, the structure of
something bigger than a module is just the sum of all the components
and modules.
Since some of the components and modules are in systems, a final
table describes a system. Altogether, it looks like this (the
dashed lines are the relationships between the tables in the
database):
Modules (Field Guide)
======= Module Type
Serial Number (key) ===========
Module ID -M----------1- Module ID (key)
--M- Name Option ID
/ Source Bus
/ Status Description
Systems / Comment
======= /
Name (key) -1--
Type \ Components
Serial Number \ ========== Component Type
Comment \ Serial Number (key) ==============
\ Component ID -M-------1- Component ID (key)
--M- Name Option ID
Source Bus
Comment Type
Description
This makes it real easy to generate all sort of "reports" on just
selected Types, Modules/Components of selected type, status, etc.,
complete systems--whatever you need.
I plan to have selected subsets of this available online at my
Web site in a month or two. In fact I was thinking of setting up
something like what Kevin suggests, but specialize in just PDP-11
stuff. It would be called QUEUE: Q-bus and Unibus Equipment
Users Exchange. If Kevin beats me to it, ... well that saves me
a lot of trouble!
By the way, the PDP-11 Field Guide has been maintained by Ron Copley,
but I haven't heard from him for months/years. I highly recommend
that the PDP-11 Field Guide be maintained as a table like above to
make it easier to update and use. It's always easy to export the
table to some sort of delimited ASCII file (commas, tabs, etc.) to
make it usable by someone who doesn't want to use a database. Or
to generate a report that reconstructs something real close to the
current listing.
Dave
Kevin McQuiggin wrote:
How about a database on the web that collectors could visit and use to
record their stuff? Then everyone could query and find out who to talk to
for questions on certains items.
The problem would be coming to consensus on a common data format.
I'll volunteer to host the site and do the DB development if everyone can
agree on how to do it.
Kevin
--
Kevin McQuiggin VE7ZD
mcquiggi(a)sfu.ca
1:57 p.m.
How about a database on the web that collectors could
visit and use to
record their stuff? Then everyone could query and find out who to talk to
for questions on certains items.
Early in the days of this list I believe there was something like this.
Zane
| Zane H. Healy | UNIX Systems Adminstrator |
| healyzh(a)aracnet.com (primary) | Linux Enthusiast |
| healyzh(a)holonet.net (alternate) | Classic Computer Collector |
+----------------------------------+----------------------------+
| Empire of the Petal Throne and Traveller Role Playing, |
| and Zane's Computer Museum. |
| http://www.dragonfire.net/~healyzh/ |
28 Feb
28 Feb
2:21 a.m.
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12:45 a.m.
One table contains all the information in the
"PDP-11 Field Guide"
with the DEC Module ID as the key. I have updated this with
corrected information and 3rd party vendor information as I come
across it.
If you have changes, please send them to Ron Copley...
By the way, the PDP-11 Field Guide has been maintained
by Ron Copley,
but I haven't heard from him for months/years. I highly recommend
I've been in contact with him recently because I have been doing a
fair amount of work on it recently, adding information, adding s
second section which is sorted by option name (instead of module
number) and adding documention references. I've been sending all
the work I've been doing to Ron, who has some stuff he has been
doing to it as well. If you have info, please send it to him so
it can be consolidated...
Megan Gentry
Former RT-11 Developer
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
| Megan Gentry, EMT/B, PP-ASEL | Internet (work): gentry!zk3.dec.com |
| Unix Support Engineering Group | (home): mbg!world.std.com |
| Compaq Computer Corporation | addresses need '@' in place of '!' |
| 110 Spitbrook Rd. ZK03-2/T43 | URL: http://world.std.com/~mbg/ |
| Nashua, NH 03062 | "pdp-11 programmer - some assembler |
| (603) 884 1055 | required." - mbg |
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
1:25 a.m.
New subject: Ron's addr. Was: Re: Thoughts on Taking Inventory
Upon the date 09:45 AM 2/28/99 -0500, Megan said something like:
<mention of Ron Copley>
I've been in contact with him recently because I
have been doing a
fair amount of work on it recently, adding information, adding s
second section which is sorted by option name (instead of module
number) and adding documention references. I've been sending all
the work I've been doing to Ron, who has some stuff he has been
doing to it as well. If you have info, please send it to him so
it can be consolidated...
Hi Megan,
Is Ron still at copley1(a)marshall.edu? That's the address I can still find
on the
http://metalab.unc.edu/pub/academic/computer-science/history/pdp-11/hardware
/field-guide.txt. I have a couple of things to ask and add.
Thanks, Chris
-- --
Christian Fandt, Electronic/Electrical Historian
Jamestown, NY USA cfandt(a)netsync.net
Member of Antique Wireless Association
URL: http://www.ggw.org/awa
4:05 a.m.
I did try to communicate with him a while back. I sent him what
I had at the time. He said he would get back to me, but never did.
You really don't need to add a second section sorted by option
name if it's in a table (even a spreadsheet). Just sort on the
column you want. This avoids redundant, and possibly incorrect,
data in the second section.
I'll be happy to help consolidate whatever I have and would like
to get the efforts of everyone else who may have contributions.
Dave
Megan wrote:
One table contains all the information in the
"PDP-11 Field Guide"
with the DEC Module ID as the key. I have updated this with
corrected information and 3rd party vendor information as I come
across it.
If you have changes, please send them to Ron Copley...
By the way, the PDP-11 Field Guide has been
maintained by Ron Copley,
but I haven't heard from him for months/years. I highly recommend
I've been in contact with him recently because I have been doing a
fair amount of work on it recently, adding information, adding s
second section which is sorted by option name (instead of module
number) and adding documention references. I've been sending all
the work I've been doing to Ron, who has some stuff he has been
doing to it as well. If you have info, please send it to him so
it can be consolidated...
Megan Gentry
Former RT-11 Developer
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
| Megan Gentry, EMT/B, PP-ASEL | Internet (work): gentry!zk3.dec.com |
| Unix Support Engineering Group | (home): mbg!world.std.com |
| Compaq Computer Corporation | addresses need '@' in place of '!' |
| 110 Spitbrook Rd. ZK03-2/T43 | URL: http://world.std.com/~mbg/ |
| Nashua, NH 03062 | "pdp-11 programmer - some assembler |
| (603) 884 1055 | required." - mbg |
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
7:49 a.m.
You really don't need to add a second section
sorted by option
name if it's in a table (even a spreadsheet). Just sort on the
column you want. This avoids redundant, and possibly incorrect,
data in the second section.
That assumes one has a machine and machine-readable copy nearby.
I keep a printed form with me... and having a section organized
by option name is quite useful.
Also, lots of module numbers don't have the associated option
names yet (something I'd like to see fleshed out if possible).
I'll be happy to help consolidate whatever I have
and would like
to get the efforts of everyone else who may have contributions.
Ron's already doing it, let's coordinate with him... I understand
he has some info from other sources as well...
Megan Gentry
Former RT-11 Developer
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
| Megan Gentry, EMT/B, PP-ASEL | Internet (work): gentry!zk3.dec.com |
| Unix Support Engineering Group | (home): mbg!world.std.com |
| Compaq Computer Corporation | addresses need '@' in place of '!' |
| 110 Spitbrook Rd. ZK03-2/T43 | URL: http://world.std.com/~mbg/ |
| Nashua, NH 03062 | "pdp-11 programmer - some assembler |
| (603) 884 1055 | required." - mbg |
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
8:07 a.m.
Megan,
You can embody the information in your second section by adding
a "Type" to each module type (communications, memory, etc.).
That's just another column in the table.
Then it's easy to generate printed reports that look just like
what you have. You can customize the report to include anything
or any formatting you like. But it's MUCH easier to maintain
the raw data when it's in a table (or spreadsheet). And then
generate an updated report.
I bet you don't ALWAYS carry the Field Guide around with you!?
Really, ALWAYS?! I DO ALWAYS carry it around with me. It's
in a spreadsheet on my pocket organizer, where I can easily
refer to it when I'm out in the boonies in some junk yard and
stumble across some obscure modules that interest me. (Well,
you probably have the whole Field Guide memorized anyway, so
it may not be as important for you!)
Dave
Megan wrote:
You really don't need to add a second section
sorted by option
name if it's in a table (even a spreadsheet). Just sort on the
column you want. This avoids redundant, and possibly incorrect,
data in the second section.
That assumes one has a machine and machine-readable copy nearby.
I keep a printed form with me... and having a section organized
by option name is quite useful.
Also, lots of module numbers don't have the associated option
names yet (something I'd like to see fleshed out if possible).
I'll be happy to help consolidate whatever I
have and would like
to get the efforts of everyone else who may have contributions.
Ron's already doing it, let's coordinate with him... I understand
he has some info from other sources as well...
Megan Gentry
Former RT-11 Developer
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
| Megan Gentry, EMT/B, PP-ASEL | Internet (work): gentry!zk3.dec.com |
| Unix Support Engineering Group | (home): mbg!world.std.com |
| Compaq Computer Corporation | addresses need '@' in place of '!' |
| 110 Spitbrook Rd. ZK03-2/T43 | URL: http://world.std.com/~mbg/ |
| Nashua, NH 03062 | "pdp-11 programmer - some assembler |
| (603) 884 1055 | required." - mbg |
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
9:05 a.m.
I bet you don't ALWAYS carry the Field Guide around
with you!?
Really, ALWAYS?! I DO ALWAYS carry it around with me. It's
Well, I don't always carry it. I've got a copy printed out that is about
the size of a 3.5" floppy once I trimmed off the excess and folded it in
thirds. Great what you can do when you print on a laser at about 50% :^)
If I could figure out how to put it on my Pilot I would ALWAYS carry it
with me!
BTW, this is the one part of my collection that is inventoried. After
finding out that I already had the controller I was trying to find, I
decided it was necessary.
Zane
| Zane H. Healy | UNIX Systems Adminstrator |
| healyzh(a)aracnet.com (primary) | Linux Enthusiast |
| healyzh(a)holonet.net (alternate) | Classic Computer Collector |
+----------------------------------+----------------------------+
| Empire of the Petal Throne and Traveller Role Playing, |
| and Zane's Computer Museum. |
| http://www.dragonfire.net/~healyzh/ |
9:44 a.m.
At 03:05 PM 2/28/99 -0800, Zane wrote:
BTW, this is the one part of my collection that is
inventoried. After
finding out that I already had the controller I was trying to find, I
decided it was necessary.
I've met several collectors who are acquiring so fast and in such quantity
that large chunks of their collection is effectively unknown to them. Me, I
guess I'm to much of a specialist (PDP-8s until these microvaxes fell into
my lap)
I also thought the idea of an inventory was pretty unlikely for a variety
of reasons, however there is something that would have real tangible value
and this is the ultimate cross reference book.
I've got both the "Pocket Reference" and "PC Pocket Reference"
books and
the latter is great to carry to swaps because you can often find stuff in
it and know with authority what you are looking at.
If we could figure out a way to put together the ultimate database of
things (whether or not people had them) then we'd be on our way toward at
least identifying things. Perhaps encapsulating what a lot of us do "normally".
I imagine a web site and book with the ultimate computer database. The
indexes that would be interesting are:
1) Manufacturer
2) Date
3) Subsystem (rotating storage, linear storage, random access, read only,
communications, cpu, etc)
4) Bus type (Multibus, S-100, Q-bus, OMNIBUS, S-Bus, VME, etc)
5) etc
I'd also have a "shadow" page that showed the outlines of the
"standard"
bus types so that boards could be identified by their outline.
Suitably cross-referenced you'd have something invaluable. Now if we can
get everyone on the internet to contribute one board or system, we'd have
this thing built in about four months :-)
--Chuck
12:19 p.m.
You can embody the information in your second section
by adding
a "Type" to each module type (communications, memory, etc.).
That's just another column in the table.
Thanks, good idea...
Then it's easy to generate printed reports that
look just like
what you have. You can customize the report to include anything
or any formatting you like. But it's MUCH easier to maintain
the raw data when it's in a table (or spreadsheet). And then
generate an updated report.
I think I understand you now... I could simply have the one list
with all modules, with the new 'type' field, and if I want to
complete list, I simply do multiple extracts to one text file
which I print. That way, there is the one list, no duplication
of information (and increase in the chance that one of the two
occurrances will not be up to date).
I bet you don't ALWAYS carry the Field Guide around
with you!?
Really, ALWAYS?! I DO ALWAYS carry it around with me. It's
Actually, yes... in a small, printed form -- takes up 4" x 5"
by about 3/6" thick. I have my EMT protocols book in the same
pocket...
in a spreadsheet on my pocket organizer, where I can
easily
refer to it when I'm out in the boonies in some junk yard and
stumble across some obscure modules that interest me. (Well,
you probably have the whole Field Guide memorized anyway, so
it may not be as important for you!)
I have yet to get a pocket organizer, but I'm seriously thinking
about it...
As for memorizing the list, well... I used to have a very good
memory for at least the pdp-11 Qbus boards. I knew some of the
general UNIBUS boards as well, but I didn't know specific
processor boards for UNIBUS. I used to have a good memory of the
jumpers for Qbus boards, too. But since 1992, I've done *very
little* pdp-11 stuff for work (it still does crop up once in a
while... I'm the last developer to have actually touched the RT-11
V5.6 sources to still work for Digit... er Compaq), and I've not been
able to do as much pdp-11 stuff at home as I'd like...
Megan Gentry
Former RT-11 Developer
(Though I wish it could be
'current' :-)
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
| Megan Gentry, EMT/B, PP-ASEL | Internet (work): gentry!zk3.dec.com |
| Unix Support Engineering Group | (home): mbg!world.std.com |
| Compaq Computer Corporation | addresses need '@' in place of '!' |
| 110 Spitbrook Rd. ZK03-2/T43 | URL: http://world.std.com/~mbg/ |
| Nashua, NH 03062 | "pdp-11 programmer - some assembler |
| (603) 884 1055 | required." - mbg |
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
12:33 p.m.
Well, I don't always carry it. I've got a copy
printed out that is about
the size of a 3.5" floppy once I trimmed off the excess and folded it in
thirds. Great what you can do when you print on a laser at about 50% :^)
Exactly what I do... The laser printer prints 4 pages per page (one
sided), with lines around each page, and with two successive pages
side by side. So I cut at the top, middle and bottom lines, producing
two strips of two pages each. I then fold each strip in half and pile
them up. When they're all done, I even them out and staple. Voila',
a portable field guide.
Megan Gentry
Former RT-11 Developer
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
| Megan Gentry, EMT/B, PP-ASEL | Internet (work): gentry!zk3.dec.com |
| Unix Support Engineering Group | (home): mbg!world.std.com |
| Compaq Computer Corporation | addresses need '@' in place of '!' |
| 110 Spitbrook Rd. ZK03-2/T43 | URL: http://world.std.com/~mbg/ |
| Nashua, NH 03062 | "pdp-11 programmer - some assembler |
| (603) 884 1055 | required." - mbg |
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
12:56 p.m.
I'd also have a "shadow" page that showed
the outlines of the "standard"
bus types so that boards could be identified by their outline.
Kind of line the charts 'plane-spotters' used...
I'll go that one better... I've been thinking of taking pictures (now
that I have a digital camera) of one each of all the qbus boards I
have in my stock, so that people can see what they look like.
I'm hoping someday to have 24/7 net access (Framingham cable isn't
planning on cable net access for at least a year or two... they seem
to be dragging their heels, and with them here, we can't have
MediaOne or anyone else). Anyway, once I do, I plan on making as
much info available as possible (and that I have time to do).
Megan Gentry
Former RT-11 Developer
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
| Megan Gentry, EMT/B, PP-ASEL | Internet (work): gentry!zk3.dec.com |
| Unix Support Engineering Group | (home): mbg!world.std.com |
| Compaq Computer Corporation | addresses need '@' in place of '!' |
| 110 Spitbrook Rd. ZK03-2/T43 | URL: http://world.std.com/~mbg/ |
| Nashua, NH 03062 | "pdp-11 programmer - some assembler |
| (603) 884 1055 | required." - mbg |
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
1:20 p.m.
I'd also
have a "shadow" page that showed the outlines of the "standard"
bus types so that boards could be identified by their outline.
Kind of line the charts 'plane-spotters' used...
I'll go that one better... I've been thinking of taking pictures (now
that I have a digital camera) of one each of all the qbus boards I
have in my stock, so that people can see what they look like.
1 Mar
1 Mar
4:38 a.m.
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28 Feb
28 Feb
2:13 a.m.
New subject: Ron's addr. Was: Re: Thoughts on Taking Inventory
Is Ron still at copley1(a)marshall.edu? That's the
address I can still find
on the
http://metalab.unc.edu/pub/academic/computer-science/history/pdp-11/hardware
/field-guide.txt. I have a couple of things to ask and add.
Yep, he's still there...
If you want to take a look at some of what I've been doing with the
guide (my copy of it... not the 'official' version), you can check it
out at:
http://world.std.com/~mbg/dec_handbooks.txt
(There is also a link to it from my home_systems page)
Megan Gentry
Former RT-11 Developer
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
| Megan Gentry, EMT/B, PP-ASEL | Internet (work): gentry!zk3.dec.com |
| Unix Support Engineering Group | (home): mbg!world.std.com |
| Compaq Computer Corporation | addresses need '@' in place of '!' |
| 110 Spitbrook Rd. ZK03-2/T43 | URL: http://world.std.com/~mbg/ |
| Nashua, NH 03062 | "pdp-11 programmer - some assembler |
| (603) 884 1055 | required." - mbg |
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
3:40 a.m.
New subject: Ron's addr. Was: Re: Thoughts on Taking Inventory
Now that is a COOL list, I gather that if there were newer PDP-11 hardware
books than 1986 that you would have them. I take it I've been looking for
something that doesn't exist.
However, the Field Guide link is: http://world.std.com/~mbg/pdpfg.txt :^)
Zane
| Zane H. Healy | UNIX Systems Adminstrator |
| healyzh(a)aracnet.com (primary) | Linux Enthusiast |
| healyzh(a)holonet.net (alternate) | Classic Computer Collector |
+----------------------------------+----------------------------+
| Empire of the Petal Throne and Traveller Role Playing, |
| and Zane's Computer Museum. |
| http://www.dragonfire.net/~healyzh/ |
4:08 a.m.
New subject: Ron's addr. Was: Re: Thoughts on Taking Inventory
Actually, although he may still respond to the marshall address, I have
him at mailto://number6@ezwv.com.
Dave
Megan wrote:
Is Ron still at copley1(a)marshall.edu? That's
the address I can still find
on the
http://metalab.unc.edu/pub/academic/computer-science/history/pdp-11/hardware
/field-guide.txt. I have a couple of things to ask and add.
Yep, he's still there...
If you want to take a look at some of what I've been doing with the
guide (my copy of it... not the 'official' version), you can check it
out at:
http://world.std.com/~mbg/dec_handbooks.txt
(There is also a link to it from my home_systems page)
Megan Gentry
Former RT-11 Developer
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
| Megan Gentry, EMT/B, PP-ASEL | Internet (work): gentry!zk3.dec.com |
| Unix Support Engineering Group | (home): mbg!world.std.com |
| Compaq Computer Corporation | addresses need '@' in place of '!' |
| 110 Spitbrook Rd. ZK03-2/T43 | URL: http://world.std.com/~mbg/ |
| Nashua, NH 03062 | "pdp-11 programmer - some assembler |
| (603) 884 1055 | required." - mbg |
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
7:03 a.m.
New subject: Ron's addr. Was: Re: Thoughts on Taking Inventory
"Zane H. Healy" <healyzh(a)aracnet.com> wrote:
Now that is a COOL list, I gather that if there were
newer PDP-11
hardware books than 1986 that you would have them. I take it I've been
looking for something that doesn't exist.
Thanks...
I was on an automatic distribution list at one point, but it was
difficult to stay on it (they kept requiring justification, and
it got tedious)... But I tried to get a copy of every book I
saw or heard about. I'm sure I missed lots of them (damn). One
other problem was that I made my collection available (in my office)
as a sort of library for anyone to make use of... sometimes people
didn't return books...
There were, however, the following for pdp-11s after 1986:
1986:
PDP-11 Architecture Handbook 1983-84
Published 1986
Copyright 1983
EB 23657 18/86 12 27/43 20.0
Supermicrosystems Handbook
Features MicroVAX II, MicroVAX I
MicroPDP-11/83, MicroPDP-11/73, MicroPDP-11/23
Published 1986
Copyright 1986
EB 27713 41/86B 08 08/36 75.0
1987:
Realtime Component Products Handbook
Published 1987
Copyright 1985
EB 26078 41/87 07 43 15.0
PDP-11 Systems Handbook
Featuring: MicroPDP-11/83, MicroPDP-11/73
MicroPDP-11/53, PDP-11/84
Published 1987
Copyright 1987
EB 29317 41/87 11 36
However, the Field Guide link is:
http://world.std.com/~mbg/pdpfg.txt :^)
Sorry about that... I guess I figured people would get to it from
the home_systems page... (another shameless plug)... :-) But you're
right...
The whole collection currently takes up about 12 linear feet of
shelf space.
Megan Gentry
Former RT-11 Developer
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
| Megan Gentry, EMT/B, PP-ASEL | Internet (work): gentry!zk3.dec.com |
| Unix Support Engineering Group | (home): mbg!world.std.com |
| Compaq Computer Corporation | addresses need '@' in place of '!' |
| 110 Spitbrook Rd. ZK03-2/T43 | URL: http://world.std.com/~mbg/ |
| Nashua, NH 03062 | "pdp-11 programmer - some assembler |
| (603) 884 1055 | required." - mbg |
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
9:24 a.m.
New subject: Ron's addr. Was: Re: Thoughts on Taking Inventory
1987:
Realtime Component Products Handbook
Published 1987
Copyright 1985
EB 26078 41/87 07 43 15.0
PDP-11 Systems Handbook
Featuring: MicroPDP-11/83, MicroPDP-11/73
MicroPDP-11/53, PDP-11/84
Published 1987
Copyright 1987
EB 29317 41/87 11 36
OK, I have the two from '86, but am curious about these two. Do they
include information on the cards, or are they primarily programming
information? I'm trying to figure out what I need to get information on
the newer cards such as the RQDX3 (it's the one that comes to mind, as I
didn't have the info and had to get it from someone else when I needed it).
Sorry about that... I guess I figured people would get
to it from
the home_systems page... (another shameless plug)... :-) But you're
right...
I checked it out after posting the last message, it's looking a lot better
than the last time I checked it out! Still I can't believe you're
torturing VAXen by forcing them to run UNIX :^)
The whole collection currently takes up about 12 linear
feet of
shelf space.
I wish I had that many! Thankfully I'm making progress, I've got enough
that I can now figure a lot of stuff out for myself without asking stupid
questions all the time.
Zane
| Zane H. Healy | UNIX Systems Adminstrator |
| healyzh(a)aracnet.com (primary) | Linux Enthusiast |
| healyzh(a)holonet.net (alternate) | Classic Computer Collector |
+----------------------------------+----------------------------+
| Empire of the Petal Throne and Traveller Role Playing, |
| and Zane's Computer Museum. |
| http://www.dragonfire.net/~healyzh/ |
12:51 p.m.
New subject: Ron's addr. Was: Re: Thoughts on Taking Inventory
OK, I have the two from '86, but am curious about
these two. Do they
include information on the cards, or are they primarily programming
information? I'm trying to figure out what I need to get information on
the newer cards such as the RQDX3 (it's the one that comes to mind, as I
didn't have the info and had to get it from someone else when I needed
it).
The 85 edition doesn't have the RQDX3, only the RQDX1. But I would
suggest that Handbooks are not the only source of info... there are
also all the -UG (user guide), -TM (technical manual) -RC (reference
card) documents that are available. I do have one for the RQDX3. There
are also manuals in small three-ring binders for uVax systems, and
various qbus -11 systems.
For example, I have one at hand -- "VAXstation II/GPX Hardware
Information". Inside it is labelled "VAXstation II/GPX Owner's
Manual, BA123 enclosure". This has a section on the processor
and memory boards, but also has a section on available options,
RQDX3 being on of them...
AZ-GNGAA-MN
as well as the "VAXstation II/GPX Technical Manual, BA123
Enclosure",
AZ-GNFAA-MN
I checked it out after posting the last message,
it's looking a lot
better than the last time I checked it out! Still I can't believe you're
torturing VAXen by forcing them to run UNIX :^)
Thanks...
I'll have to plead mercy considering my job is unix support. Having
it running at home helps me for my job...
I wish I had that many! Thankfully I'm making
progress, I've got enough
that I can now figure a lot of stuff out for myself without asking stupid
questions all the time.
My next endeavor is to document the reference cards in my collection,
then the actual pdp-11 documentation. Then I'll have to check the
field service fiche I have to see what I have in there... I wish
I had a fiche reader (I guess I could go to the library)...
Megan Gentry
Former RT-11 Developer
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
| Megan Gentry, EMT/B, PP-ASEL | Internet (work): gentry!zk3.dec.com |
| Unix Support Engineering Group | (home): mbg!world.std.com |
| Compaq Computer Corporation | addresses need '@' in place of '!' |
| 110 Spitbrook Rd. ZK03-2/T43 | URL: http://world.std.com/~mbg/ |
| Nashua, NH 03062 | "pdp-11 programmer - some assembler |
| (603) 884 1055 | required." - mbg |
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
1:15 p.m.
New subject: Ron's addr. Was: Re: Thoughts on Taking Inventory
For example, I have one at hand -- "VAXstation
II/GPX Hardware
Information". Inside it is labelled "VAXstation II/GPX Owner's
Manual, BA123 enclosure". This has a section on the processor
and memory boards, but also has a section on available options,
RQDX3 being on of them...
I've got a "VAXstation II Hardware Information" binder, and consider it an
invaluable source of info. For a long time it was my ONLY source of info.
Unfortuantly all I've found is one that came with my VAXstation II/RC.
I'll have to plead mercy considering my job is unix
support. Having
it running at home helps me for my job...
I do the opposite, I'm only running UNIX on a couple of my machines at home
because he helps me keep my <Bwahaha> sanity :^) If I could figure out how
to get OpenVMS to do NAT/IP Masq, one of those would be switched to VMS.
The other is used for general UNIX playing and for work. I can't wait for
news on the new and improved Hobbyist Licenses.
then the actual pdp-11 documentation. Then I'll
have to check the
field service fiche I have to see what I have in there... I wish
I had a fiche reader (I guess I could go to the library)...
That was what brought on the original question of taking inventory. I've
got a general mishmash of fiche that I want to get inventoried so I know
what I've got on fiche. Thankfully I've got access to both fiche and film
readers, but unfortunatly not copiers. I'd recommend finding a nice
portable reader, that way you can have it near the equipment you're working
on.
Zane
| Zane H. Healy | UNIX Systems Adminstrator |
| healyzh(a)aracnet.com (primary) | Linux Enthusiast |
| healyzh(a)holonet.net (alternate) | Classic Computer Collector |
+----------------------------------+----------------------------+
| Empire of the Petal Throne and Traveller Role Playing, |
| and Zane's Computer Museum. |
| http://www.dragonfire.net/~healyzh/ |
9432
days inactive
9434
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26 comments
9 participants
participants (9)
-
adavie＠mad.scientist.com -
ard＠p850ug1.demon.co.uk -
cfandt＠netsync.net -
cmcmanis＠mcmanis.com -
djenner＠halcyon.com -
doug＠blinkenlights.com -
healyzh＠aracnet.com -
mbg＠world.std.com -
mcquiggi＠sfu.ca