PDP-11/44 boot prompt

From: Buck Savage <hhacker_at_gte.net>
Date: Sun Nov 1 15:48:20 1998

It is interesting that 5150 is also the numerical code attached to the
process by which a person is involutarily committed to a mental ward.

The first personal computer I ever saw was an IBM, though the number
is not now known to me. However, it had a switch on the front which
allowed for either execution of a BASIC interpreter, or execution of an
APL interpreter. It was a little larger than an Osborne 1 but, its
structure
had a lot in common with the Osborne 1, or the Kaypro, etc.

That a person does not have knowledge of a source of a "BIG IRON"
machine, nor the ability to operate it has little to do with the definition
of personal computer.

In the early to mid 70's, I was an operator of 360 and 370 computers, and
believe me, it is perfectly possible for a single operator to keep such
machines in operation.

William R. Buckley


-----Original Message-----
From: Eric Smith <eric_at_brouhaha.com>
To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
<classiccmp_at_u.washington.edu>
Date: Sunday, November 01, 1998 1:30 PM
Subject: Re: PDP-11/44 boot prompt


>"Max Eskin" <maxeskin_at_hotmail.com> wrote:
>> Sorry, I meant home personal computers. PDPs, IMSAIs, various
>> development systems don't count. Satisfied?
>
>Since when is an IMSAI not a personal computer? Surely you're not one of
the
>people that claim that IBM "invented" the Personal Computer with the 5150?
>
>
Received on Sun Nov 01 1998 - 15:48:20 GMT