USING classic machines - test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

26 Jun 1997

At 04:07 PM 6/26/97 -0700, you wrote:
...

 What worries me is that in a lot of cases, the
older machines are more
useable than the modern Wintel equivalents. This applies both to a new
user (somebody who just wants to write 2 page letters does _NOT_ (or
should not) need a 166MHz Pentium with 16Mbytes of RAM), and to 'hackers'
who want to understand their machines. It's possible for one person to
complete understand both the hardware and software of most classic
computers - something that (IMHO) is not possible with a Wintel box. 
 Same here.  In reality I use my s100 crate, ampro,
and sb180 to produce
8048/9 and 8051 code as they really are faster and easier to use.  Also
being as I have them interconnected it's easier to blast proms in the
s100 crate.  Efficient, very!  I've had nearly 20 years to refine the code
and tools!  I have the advantage of having source code for those tools so
and long latent bugs are easily squashed.  This is not doable on PCs. 
 I still do my banking/checkbook on the kaypro! 
Faster than the PC
overall. 
For a while there, I was thinking maybe I'm in the wrong group.

I see a LOT of traffic about restoring and collecting old computers,
and the typical member here is one who has a large collection of
different machines, but except for a rare question about boot disks,
there isn't much said about using these machines.  When I turn on my
99/4A or Geneve, it isn't primarily to bask in a nostalgic glow, but
to write something or balance my budget or do some programming.
Certainly the nostalgic glow is there, and it adds a dimension to
the computing experience that peecee devotees cannot understand.  But
it IS my primary workhorse, not just a desk queen.

Don't get me wrong; I love to hear about these old machines, so keep
those messages coming.  But I would like to hear from others out there
who use their obsolete machines (I prefer "non-mainstream machines")
for practical, everyday, household computing uses.

In fact, I'm wondering how widespread my idea is (shared by a
few, apparently) that the smaller, simpler machines really are well
suited for home use, and you don't need a high-end peecee for nearly
everything you want to do.

--
**********************************************
* David Ormand           *** Southwest 99ers *
* dlormand(a)aztec.asu.edu *** Tucson, Arizona *
**************************** TMS9900 Lives!  *

I do use my old machines now and then, but if anyone here has never ran a
modern MAC or PC, they have NO idea what is bieng missed. web pages in full
photo quality color, realistic games, PPP connections, Realaudio etc. I am
not a member of the dark force, I just have a multitude of machines, and I
have EXPERIANCED running them, from an apple ][ +, C=64, IBM XT, and a 586-133.
we must have an open mind about this, as there are some who still  never ran
anything NEW, and pass judgment about how bad a machine is when they have
never used one. 