I havent heard about those folks since 1982. I was just starting to work
at Diablo Systems. We tested Daisy Wheel printers with a Multibus based
system and so we all had Intel MDS system in which to build code on. We
did have one Zendex based system. It held it's own among the crowd. They
all ran Isis from which we built 8085 and 8086 code. We programed the
8085 in assembler and used plm-86 for the 8086.
Ahh the memories (16K if I remember correctly)
George
=========================================================
George L. Rachor george_at_racsys.rt.rain.com
Beaverton, Oregon
http://racsys.rt.rain.com
On Fri, 3 Apr 1998, Sam Ismail wrote:
>
> 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
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Computer Historian, Programmer, Musician, Philosopher, Athlete, Writer, Jackass
>
> Coming Soon...Vintage Computer Festival 2.0
> See http://www.siconic.com/vcf for details!
>
>
>
>
Received on Fri Apr 03 1998 - 11:56:03 BST