Russ/Alice Blakeman wrote:
>
> Tony Duell wrote:
>
> > The pinout of the PC cassette connector is the same as that on a TRS-80,
> > and the same cable works. My guess is this is not a coincidence - IBM
> > probably intended PC owners to go to the local Tandy/Radio Shack and buy a
> > cassette recorder and cable.
>
> Or maybe it was a standard interface for the time, like RS-232 is supposed to
> be....
No, it wasn't a standard at any time. Apple, Commode, Atari cassette
systems were totally different. Since the TRS-80 cassette interface
was the most reliable around at the time, IBM adapted it for their
system along with the DIN pinout -- I think they actually paid Tandy
for the permission though I don't recall specifics.
RS-232 _is_ a standard. The DB-25 connector is part of it. IBM DB-9
serial connectors are _not_ RS-232 whatever anybody says.
--
Ward Griffiths
They say that politics makes strange bedfellows.
Of course, the main reason they cuddle up is to screw somebody else.
Michael Flynn, _Rogue Star_
Received on Fri May 22 1998 - 23:06:20 BST