Article about collecting in Antique Trader.

From: Glenatacme_at_aol.com <(Glenatacme_at_aol.com)>
Date: Tue Jun 29 23:02:48 1999

In a message dated 6/29/99 6:14:14 PM Eastern Daylight Time, Tony Duell
writes:

> This means the history of computing is being distorted. Truely important
> machines are being forgotten. Other machines, much less significant, are
> being remembered. This is not a good thing.
>
> OK, let me ask a very simple question. I will give below the
> specification of 2 machines, both from around 1980. The questions are :
> Which do you think is the more historically important, and which one
> would fetch a higher price (Oh, and would anyone care to name the 2
> machines :-))
>
> OK. Machine A :
>
> Processor : Custom 16/20 bit CPU. Graphics processor. Z80-A for I/O
>
> RAM : 1Mbyte
>
> Storage : 8" floppy disk, 24Mbyte hard disk
>
> Keyboard : Full QWERTY keyboard, Keytronics
>
> Display : Bitmapped display, 768*1024 pixels (portrait monitor)
>
> Mouse : Sumagraphics Bit Pad 1
>
> Languages : Pascal, LISP, etc
>
> Comments : Version of the first commercially-sold graphics workstation
>
>
> Machine B :
>
> Processor : Z80A
>
> RAM : 1Kbyte
>
> Storage : Sockets to connect optional audio cassette recorder
>
> Keyboard : QWERTY membrane keyboaard
>
> Display : Text (22*23 or something like that), block graphics. Disappears
> when program running
>
> Mouse : You must be joking
>
> Languages : 4K ROM containing strange (integer only?) BASIC.
>
> Comments : Very inexpensive home computer

Machine B is very obviously a Sinclair ZX80 or ZX81. Pardon my confusion,
but are you saying that the ZX80/81 was "much less significant?" Perhaps I
misunderstand.

Millions of people worldwide were introduced to computers by these machines
(and their Timex cousins). Because of the low price, people bought them to
see if they "liked computing" -- if not, they could throw them away and only
be out $100 or so.

On the other hand, many, like myself, found they had a small talent for
working with computers -- in whatever capacity -- and thus found employment,
careers, and satisfaction because of their initial experience with
Timex/Sinclair computers.

> I think that if you own a classic computer you should learn how it works,
> how to use it, how to repair it, etc. Note, I am _NOT_ saying that you
> have to be qualified (after all, I'm not). I am not saying that you have
> to know everything before you start. I am saying, though, that you should
> want to learn.

The TS computers' simple but clever architecture encouraged learning all the
    "how to's" you mention above.

But, perhaps I misunderstood what you were saying . . .

So: what are these two computers? Which is the most historically important,
and, in your opinion, which would fetch a higher price?

BTW, I use my Timex/Sinclair computers for some purpose at least five days
out of seven.

Regards,

Glen Goodwin
0/0
Received on Tue Jun 29 1999 - 23:02:48 BST