embedded 80's computers / was Re: Mall directory computers

[Brent Hilpert]

On 2016-Jul-31, at 12:12 AM, Kevin Parker wrote:
> Just spotted this Brad clearing up email after a 4 week break. I can't answer your question but it reminded me of something that
> other list users may be able to help with or it might just be of interest.
> 
> Quite some time ago a friend of mine bought a travel agent in a shopping mall, did a refit of the shop and then later went bust.
> Fortunately before the refit and going bust he gave me his old shop display which was run on a modified Commodore.
> 
> I haven't opened it up or powered it up but if anyone knows what this is I'd be grateful. I've posted some photos:
> 
> http://koken.advancedimaging.com.au/index.php?/albums/shop-mall-commodore-64/
> 
> Kevin Parker

> -----Original Message-----
> From: cctalk [mailto:cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Brad H
> Sent: Thursday, 14 July 2016 12:25
> To: 'General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts' <cctalk at classiccmp.org>
> Subject: Mall directory computers
> 
> Been wondering about this for a while.   Just one of those odd childhood
> memories.
> 
> When I was a kid growing up in Oakville, Ontario, I remember Oakville Mall getting one of those very early mall directory computers.
> This would have been like, 1982-84, somewhere thereabouts.  From what I remember, they had kind of CGA-sh graphics and a chiclet
> 'keyboard' you used to browse the directory.  I'm wondering, were they just PCs, most likely?  Or some kind of custom job?



A local town here has a large mechanical horse out front of city hall, built in the 80's and (originally) controlled by a C64.
	http://roadsideattractions.ca/beast.html
	http://wikimapia.org/872100/The-Beast

Somewhere around 15 years ago it had problems and 'no one' could be found to maintain the C64 (as I recall the newspaper article).
The C64 has apparently been replaced.