3 Oct
1998
3 Oct
'98
12:32 p.m.
I think the number does differ, because
a)There is no practical purpose for building a CPU, just curiosity
b)Parts like 2901s are not as available
c)Kids are rarely going into homebrewing these days
d)The dilution is making it hard to get information
I'm curious why the HPCC would be interested in homebrew? Or is HPCC
a sort of umbrella name for a computer club? At my school, the most
calculator-loving person spends his time making a multitasking GUI OS
for a TI-92, to look like Win95. I guess interests have changed.
Sometimes I think (hope???) that homebrewing is still
very much alive,
it's just diluted by all the PC users out there. I suspect that years
ago, the total number of people who built CPUs from scratch is not that
different from now.
On the other hand, I have presented a number of homebrew projects at
the
HPCC (UK HP calculator user club) meetings and had next
to 0 interest.
So
perhaps I am one of the few remaining.
-tony
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3 Oct
3 Oct
12:51 p.m.
On Sat, 3 Oct 1998, Max Eskin wrote:
I think the number does differ, because
a)There is no practical purpose for building a CPU, just curiosity
Not necessarily. What if you're trying to become the next Intel? You
have to start somewhere.
c)Kids are rarely going into homebrewing these days
I hope to help change this.
d)The dilution is making it hard to get information
We start a little movement, people fall in behind it, it grows, and BAM!,
homebrew is chic again!
Sam Alternate e-mail: dastar(a)siconic.com
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ever onward.
Coming in 1999: Vintage Computer Festival 3.0
See http://www.vintage.org/vcf for details!
[Last web site update: 09/21/98]
1 p.m.
On Sat, 3 Oct 1998, Sam Ismail wrote:
We start a little movement, people fall in behind it,
it grows, and BAM!,
homebrew is chic again!
I doubt it. The homebrew/hobbyist movement had a very compelling driving
force: just about the only way to get your own computer was to built it
yourself. That's no longer true. But there is a pretty strong homebrew
aircraft movement, and it also still makes sense for robotics.
-- Doug
1:12 p.m.
On Sat, 3 Oct 1998, Doug Yowza wrote:
On Sat, 3 Oct 1998, Sam Ismail wrote:
Sheesh. Some people have no vision. ;)
Sam Alternate e-mail: dastar(a)siconic.com
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ever onward.
Coming in 1999: Vintage Computer Festival 3.0
See http://www.vintage.org/vcf for details!
[Last web site update: 09/21/98]
We start a little movement, people fall in behind
it, it grows, and BAM!,
homebrew is chic again!
I doubt it. The homebrew/hobbyist movement had a very compelling driving
force: just about the only way to get your own computer was to built it
yourself. That's no longer true. But there is a pretty strong homebrew
aircraft movement, and it also still makes sense for robotics. 
2:38 p.m.
On Sat, 3 Oct 1998, Doug Yowza wrote:
On Sat, 3 Oct 1998, Sam Ismail wrote:
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Speaking as degreed Enginerd, a home-brewer from childhood, and a
private pilot.... when one's homemade *computer* crashes, one is at
least spared the attention of the NTSB and the EyeWitness News Team...
(Not that low-level windshear and "format C:*.* Y/N?" aren't about
equally as scary.)
Cheers
John
We start a little movement, people fall in behind
it, it grows, and BAM!,
homebrew is chic again!
I doubt it. The homebrew/hobbyist movement had a very compelling driving
force: just about the only way to get your own computer was to built it
yourself. That's no longer true. But there is a pretty strong homebrew
aircraft movement, and it also still makes sense for robotics. 
11:53 p.m.
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4 Oct
4 Oct
4:45 p.m.
On Sun, 4 Oct 1998, Tony Duell wrote:
I built a robot arm from no plans about 9 years ago using simple parts and
sheet metal in a Computer Interfacing course at community college. I
never completed it as time ran out and I didn't have enough electronics
skills to finish the Apple ][ interface board. It was also too top heavy.
Once I get some time (there's that line again) I plan to re-design it and
get it to work, AND control it from my Apple //e.
Sam Alternate e-mail: dastar(a)siconic.com
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ever onward.
Coming in 1999: Vintage Computer Festival 3.0
See http://www.vintage.org/vcf for details!
[Last web site update: 09/21/98]
yourself.
That's no longer true. But there is a pretty strong homebrew
aircraft movement, and it also still makes sense for robotics.
So homebrew a robot. After all, a robot is just a somewhat unusual
computer peripheral, right ;-). You don't need expensive tools to make a
simple robot arm using those servos from radio-controller models. Just
hand tools (hacksaw, drill, screwdrivers, pliers).
3 Oct
3 Oct
11:49 p.m.
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4 Oct
4 Oct
4:42 p.m.
On Sun, 4 Oct 1998, Tony Duell wrote:
What is the 'pratical purpose' in playing
video games? Sure they're an
entertainment. But there is no real point in getting a high score, right?
Building a CPU should be like that. It's entertaining. It's a hobby. And
for me, the feeling I get when it runs its first instruction almost
certainly exceeds any feeling I would get from a video game (OK, so I
don't like games much, but you get the point).
Actually, I think I can relate more to getting a good feeling when
something I'm creating works for the first time. Video games never really
did it for me.
Sam Alternate e-mail: dastar(a)siconic.com
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ever onward.
Coming in 1999: Vintage Computer Festival 3.0
See http://www.vintage.org/vcf for details!
[Last web site update: 09/21/98]
5 Oct
5 Oct
5:31 a.m.
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12:21 p.m.
On 5 Oct 98 at 18:31, Tony Duell wrote:
I tend to feel the upsurge in collecting is related just to this. Getting an
old computer up and running is likely more of a rush to me than the actual
usage of it. I'm likely to turn over a machine I don't especially want in
my collection happily to someone that wants one, for free once I've got it
going even tho I've spent umpteen hours and some $ on it.
ciao larry
lwalker(a)interlog.com
Actually, I
think I can relate more to getting a good feeling when
something I'm creating works for the first time. Video games never really
did it for me.
There is a very nice feeling when something that you've created (no
matter if it's been done before) works for the first time. And it's a
great pity that not many people these days get the chance to feel it.
-tony
6 Oct
6 Oct
5:45 a.m.
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3 Oct
3 Oct
11:28 p.m.
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9575
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12 comments
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