homemade computer for fun and experience... - test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

4 Apr 1999

Well, maybe it's donator's remorse, but I gave away my VT100's and 220's
a
long time ago.  I never had any strong feelings about ANSI terminals, having
lived without them for so long.

What I would use is one of the simple display terminal routines available in
the public domain.  There are plenty of them which emulate ANSI terminals if
that's what's wanted.  Just an ADM-3A or HAZELTINE-1500-equivalent function
set would be adequate.

Building in enhancements over what was done back when the computer was new
would not be my goal.  I'm always into exploiting the fact that these
machines were once, and, hence, can still be, useful.

I'd emphasize that the computers we use today, fast and fancy though they
may be, don't really process text in a word processing vein much better than
they could 20 years ago.  Likewise, if it rolled out the payroll in
accordance with both laws and schedules, it would probably still do that
today.

Dick
-----Original Message-----
From: Allison J Parent &lt;allisonp(a)world.std.com&gt;
To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
&lt;classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu&gt;
Date: Sunday, April 04, 1999 5:27 PM
Subject: Re: homemade computer for fun and experience...

...
 <Admittedly, many folks seem to believe that a
computer must have
<a video generator to be a "computer".

Retrorevisionist PCism.  Though a VC8E is a definate computer thing.

< My CP/M experience started with
<Model 33 Teletypes and blinkenlights front panels, so perhaps I'm the odd m
...
 <out here.

Same here.  It's seems silly for me to recreate the logic and programming
of my vt100 when I have a vt100 that works better than any I could put
together.   There is advantages to useing a PC keyboard and monitor as they
already take space on my desk but then again I can provide a serial port
and use the PC for a terminal.

Allison