The "FIRST PC" and personal timelines (Was: And what were the 80s

From: Allison J Parent <allisonp_at_world.std.com>
Date: Fri Apr 23 17:47:56 1999

<The issue of "integral part" is different. I didn't mean that the S-100
<machines had no video capability, I mean that it wasn't an integral part o
<the system because you had to install it. A manufacturer (like SOL? I
<think) might install the video for you and sell the result as a package --
<that's an interesting borderline case. But S-100 is clearly different fro

Except that the SOL was sold with a VDM1 as part of the system unless you
bought it bare deliberatly (like you could a PC).

As to definition... the longest standing one most would agree on is PC
was at one time not a brand or machine but, PERSONALLY OWNED and not owned
by a business (or part of one). To that end I really dont care if it had
video or not. The idea of personal ownership of a PC was something rooted
in the late 50s or eraly 60s and gave rise to the LINC and otehr machines
that could be built for believable prices(or at high cost of labor).

it wasn't until IBM called their specific product "The Personal Computer"
that things changed some. However Apple, TANDY, Northstar* and company had
all done their bit to raise the rail and better define what the consumer
wanted out of the box. The revolution was in it's evolution.

Allison
Received on Fri Apr 23 1999 - 17:47:56 BST