I'm sure that the problem is that earlier, you had a different
concept of interesting machines. I don't think minis and workstations
were ever very common at hamfests, compared to common micros. I don't
think PCs are bringing an end to classic computing; sooner or later,
all PDPs and VAXen and IMSAIs will be in the hands of collectors.
In the meantime, some interesting machines are still being made.
The AS/400 for example, is a non-micro. The problem, I guess, is that
when the computer market got a life of its own and was no longer
paid for by the government, PHBs didn't see the beauty of an 8-opcode
machine that had been developed for 10 years. And as long as computers
are commercial, we'll see much less of this 'interesting' stuff.
Maybe if Transmeta comes out with something, it will be interesting
10 years from the release. Then again, it might be another WinChip...
>upon pile of motherboards, I/O cards, VGA cards, etc on sale. And very
>few 'interesting' machines.
>
Did Compaq document their machines well?
>
>Actually, I do tend to buy genuine IBM cards, especially if they're
>described in the TechRefs. A lot of them did 'set the standard' for
what
>followed, and although poorly designed certainly have a place in the
>history of computing.
>
>[AT/370]
>
>> Too bad no technical docs were ever available, it would be fun to
port
>> Linux to them.
>
>YEs, I've never managed to trace a TechRef for them, alas...
>
>>
>
>-tony
>
>
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Received on Mon Sep 21 1998 - 19:05:23 BST