Altair - A different perspective

From: Doug Yowza <yowza_at_yowza.com>
Date: Fri Aug 14 15:00:57 1998

On Sat, 15 Aug 1998, Adam Jenkins wrote:

> As to prices, well I come form a number of collecting backgrounds, and
> prices are never increased so much by rarity or actual value, but by
> perceived value. When people started thinking Teddy Bears were worth
> money, the prices lept ahead - but only in the brands which the collectors
> recognised. The Altair is recognised as significant, is relativly
> uncommon, and every article on computer history sings it's praises. You
> could almost guarentee that the prices would go up.

My point is that the Altair's significance has been way overstated. The
PC is now ubiquitous and has had a profound effect on society. So, let's
say you're an alien from another planet (I hope I'm not giving away any
secrets here), and you see these ubiquitous PCs, and you ask to see their
mother.

Bob brings you an Altair 8800 from 1975. I bring you an HP 9830A from
1972. You look at the machines, the dates, and you sit down and use them
both. And then you vaporize Bob :-)

Sure, terminal-based CP/M systems were deployed for several years
concurrently with interactive desktop Apple ][ systems, but so were
mini-computers and other types of machines. The point is that S-100 and
CP/M died because it basically just brought cheap mini-computers to
businesses. That wasn't a revolution, that was just a continuation of the
dominant paradigm of the 60's and 70's. In my opinion, and in my personal
experience, the revolution was due to affordable desktop machines with
memory-mapped displays and hardwired keyboards, and the Altair wasn't a
big contributor to that mindset.

-- Doug
Received on Fri Aug 14 1998 - 15:00:57 BST