Future Collectables

From: brisch_at_uswest.net <(brisch_at_uswest.net)>
Date: Sun Nov 8 17:29:57 1998

Ok you asked for it <grin>
The Altair sales team was invited to give a demo of the then new 8800. They
all showed up complete with a model 33 tty machine which was to read the
paper tape for loading the Altair. The paper tape was loaded and the tty
clanked along for about 4 to 5 minutes and finally stopped with the altair
system loaded.
 They gave their dog and pony show and then asked for comments. From the
back of the room my friend (the designer of the first digital group
computer) said he would like to make a brief demo.
He carried his equipment up front (under one arm ) and placed it on the
table. The digital group system was loaded by means of an audio tape
recorder. The loading time aprox
10 seconds. The computer then was able to run all of the
basic routines written at that time.
Well, the Altair guys were a bit unhappy.

I know its shortcommings just like many of
>> the other early machines. I also can tell some rather amusing stories
>> about this machine.
>
>Please do.
>
>Sellam Alternate e-mail: dastar_at_siconic.com
Received on Sun Nov 08 1998 - 17:29:57 GMT