Altair - A different perspective

From: Frank McConnell <fmc_at_reanimators.org>
Date: Sat Aug 15 17:04:32 1998

Marvin <marvin_at_rain.org> wrote:
> There have been several comments so far about higher prices reducing the
> availability of older computers/radios/etc. As a point of discussion,
> what can be done about it? If the intent is to work on and find out how
> things work, I don't see *any* difference between an existing older
> machine, and a new one built from existing schematics. Yes, I do
> realize that some of the electronics are unavailable easily anymore.

That's a darn good question. That's actually the sort of thing that
got me into collecting computers -- I wanted to learn something
practical about hardware. (Did I? No, not really; now I collect
because I'm an addict.)

The fundamental problem with the answer is that most of us are
cheap/spoiled. Me too. We've got used to being able to pick up
hacker toys for cheap. What can you do in the way of a new machine
built from existing schematics for say $50?

(Cue Tim Shoppa to tell us how much it would cost to build an IMSAI
today.)

Well, OK, maybe you don't need all that casework, it just gets in the
way when you want to do serious hardware hacking anyway.

Here's where I end up following this line of thought: hackable
singleboard kits. Personally I'm partial to something like a cross
between a microprocessor trainer or eval kit and the Morrow Micro
Decision (a Z80 with 64KB DRAM, floppy disk controller w/34-pin
connector, couple of serial ports), maybe y'all have other ideas.

-Frank McConnell
Received on Sat Aug 15 1998 - 17:04:32 BST

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