It's true there are lots of VME boards around. There just aren't many
cheap ones.
The connector doesn't define the bus standard being used. TI used a 100-pin
edge connector for some of thir 99xx development systems. Multibus-II and
VME look pretty similar. NuBUS, as Tony pointed out, certainly used the DIN
connector and used a form factor not too different from the ISA.
As I said before, you could use a modified version of whatever bus you
almost like, then call it whatever you like, but not what it specifically
isn't.
Dick
-----Original Message-----
From: CLASSICCMP_at_trailing-edge.com <CLASSICCMP_at_trailing-edge.com>
To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
<classiccmp_at_u.washington.edu>
Date: Monday, July 05, 1999 7:43 AM
Subject: Re: OT: A call to arms (sort of)
>>On Sun, 4 Jul 1999, Richard Erlacher wrote:
>>>If I were using the DIN connectors, I'd get a standard out, read and
>>>understand it, and then use it, calling it VME, its rightful name.
>>>Unfortunately, I'd not be able to get a two-port serial board or a LAN
board
>>>for VME from the local thrift store.
>
>>I don't get it...are you saying that the connector somehow determines the
>>bus? An bus could in theory be compatible with ISA and use some other
>>connector, and still be ISA for the most part.
>
>I suspect that it's just Dick on one of his rants these days. VME
>boards are extremely plentiful these days, as are prototyping boards
>with the connectors.
>
>Of course, there are cases where the same connector was used on two
>different busses. The connector and card size of the Motorola EXORcisor
>system is remarkably similar to the S-100 bus (to the point where I've
>actually mistaken one for the other until I got up close and looked.)
>And the 44-conductor-edge-connector design has been used in so many
>instruments and machines that it is completely "generic".
>
>There are *many* ISA-compatible busses in use in the embedded systems
>world that use "different" connectors. Some of these are proprietary,
>meaning they're only used by one company, others are much more widespread
>(like the PC/104 bus). OK, there are some drive differenences between
>PC/104 and ISA, but that's an "improvement" for the application. See
>http://www.pc104.com/ for a PC/104 FAQ. PC/104 was originated by Ampro,
>a maker of classic computers, so I feel justified in mentioning it here
:-).
>
>--
> Tim Shoppa Email: shoppa_at_trailing-edge.com
> Trailing Edge Technology WWW: http://www.trailing-edge.com/
> 7328 Bradley Blvd Voice: 301-767-5917
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Received on Mon Jul 05 1999 - 11:23:28 BST