Xerox Alto on eBay

[Josh Dersch]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: cctalk [mailto:cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Mike Ross
> Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2016 11:54 AM
> To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts
> Subject: RE: Xerox Alto on eBay
> 
> On Apr 14, 2016 1:34 PM, "Josh Dersch"
> <JoshD at livingcomputermuseum.org>
> wrote:
> 
> > So we copy disk images to/from the PDP-11/44 over 3Mbit Ethernet to
> > the
> Alto :).
> >
> > - Josh
> >
> 
> Quite a hack! So you copy in real time as it were? Direct from packs on a
> running Alto to packs on a running 11? Would it be practical to hack it further
> to capture the data to an image file so anyone with an 11 / RK combo could
> write packs?

No, I copy from an image file on the 2.11BSD filesystem on the 11 to a disk pack on the Alto -- the Alto's disk controller and Diablo drive do all the actual formatting/writing.  The RK11 controllers have a completely different format from the Alto.

> 
> I have 6085s and Stars;  I'd love an Alto to round out the collection - but not at
> $40k! Crazy prices these days; I've never paid more than a couple of grand for
> anything - and usually a lot less.

Me too, but I think I'll  just have to dream about it.  I've been working on a project though...

- Josh


> 
> Mike