I found a really neat computer the other day. Its made by a company
called Zendex circa 1980. It's an 8085 multi-bus machine. Inside it has
the processor board, a disk controller, an I/O board, and a parallel
interface daughter-board bolted to the back, but which is connected to the
system bus by way of a ribbon cable. The front panel consists of 8
interrupt and one reset switch.
A very unique system, in that I've never seen one or even heard of the
company before, but nothing special. However, the neat thing about this
computer is that the company that makes it is still around and in fact is
right around the corner from where I work! When I first examined the
computer, it had a label with the company's address: 6680 Sierra Ct in
Dublin, California. I went there a couple days ago and they are in almost
the exact same spot (one address over now). The slogan embossed on their
front window reads "International Manufacturer of Microcomputers Since
1979". I went inside, explained who I was and why I was there, and asked
if there was anyone I could speak to about the system to get information
(and hopefully documentation) on it. I was told to call back as everyone
was in a meeting so I'll be bringing the system by today to bug them.
I finally had a chance to open it up last night. One of the neater things
is that the front panel circuit board has imprinted on it "Made in
Dublin". Now, the reason this is quaint is because, although Dublin is
part of the "Bay Area", its not by any means considered a part of the
"Silicon Valley". So "Made in Dublin" I think is a cute little
acknowledgement of the fact that the company was removed from the main
hi-tech bustle of that era. This particular area where I'm at is not
foreign to significant computer companies as Processor Technology (makers
of the Sol-20) made their headquarters just a mile away in Pleasanton,
California. It's nice discovering that makers of classic computers used
to be right in your backyard. It's even nicer when they're still around
so you can go bug them for information.
Sam Alternate e-mail: dastar_at_siconic.com
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Computer Historian, Programmer, Musician, Philosopher, Athlete, Writer, Jackass
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Received on Fri Apr 03 1998 - 11:40:02 BST