186 (was: CompuGraphics Question)

From: Peter Pachla <peter.pachla_at_vectrex.freeserve.co.uk>
Date: Sun Aug 8 19:32:32 1999

Hi Tony,

>....(read : most microcomputers...) get stuck behind stuff I'm
>working on. Which means to get to the Nimbus I'll have to climb
>over a couple of VAXen, a Zilog S8000, a Sun, etc...

Heh, heh, I know the problem well.... ;-)


>....I think you can learn as much from a Beeb or an Apple ][ as
>from a PC. If not more.

Personally I'd say more.

A few years ago I decided to get a formal qualification in electronics (I've
been a hobbyist since '77). As part of the course we had to learn the proper
techniques for fault finding digital systems....we were taught these using
microProfessors and similar 6502 based boards (I forget their name....hex
keypad, couple of VIAs, LED readout etc).

"Primitive" systems like these (and Apples and Beebs) I think are far better
animals on which to learn the inner workings of computers, far too much is
hidden away inside the VLSIs our PCs are made from these days. :-(


  TTFN - Pete.

--
Hardware & Software Engineer. Sound Engineer.
Collector of Arcade Machines, Games Consoles & Obsolete Computers (esp DEC)
peter.pachla_at_virgin.net                   |
peter.pachla_at_vectrex.freeserve.co.uk      |
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--
Received on Sun Aug 08 1999 - 19:32:32 BST

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