Replica and Emulators(was: Alto II (was Re: PDP-8 prices))

From: Derek Peschel <dpeschel_at_u.washington.edu>
Date: Tue Jan 26 15:32:47 1999

> > > Stop being a nay-sayer and just do it, Derek! That's what college is for.
> > > You could win a Haggle Online Best-of-Show award this year at the VCF with
> > > it!
>
> > You already gave me that incentive about three times, and both of those
> > ideas were FAR easier. Well, building a replica of Zuse's Z-3 may not be
> > easier. But my Apple ][ programming ideas are easier, and bringing my
> > Marchant is MUCH easier. So why should I bother doing the difficult stuff,
> > if the reward is the same? :)
>
> A Z3 replik ? Only functional (al relays, but modern part) or
> an exact copy ? As for the functional replica it's just some
> work and an awfull lot of money for the parts (my guess, some
> 8000 USD), but easyer than most _exact_ emulations of complex

I was thinking of a replica at the circuit-design level. Raul Rojas spoke
at the last VCF about his work, which is why I came up with the idea.

How did you arrive at the sum of $8000? I thought there were 600 relays in
the Z3. I didn't realize relays were so expensive. I was also thinking
that it might be possible to use other parts (for example, telephone parts
like ferreed switches or a small crossbar module). That might require
changing the design.

It's possible. Bear in mind that I've never done any electronics work
before. I mostly have a vague idea in my head. (A few Nixie tubes, a
desktop-sized box, some keys.)

-- Derek
Received on Tue Jan 26 1999 - 15:32:47 GMT