Upon the date 03:44 PM 5/29/99 -0400, Max Eskin said something like:
>On Sat, 29 May 1999, Sellam Ismail wrote:
>>Yeah, but you're still programming an ENIAC. The interface is just more
>>modern. If you're so indignant you can always build a "knobs and
>>switches" interface to settle your neurosis.
>
>Maybe you don't see what I'm saying (and I don't know any reason for
>insults, either). Let's say you're a radio collector. You want a certain
>old radio, which you would never be able to own. Somebody gives you a
>modern radio with the same circuit layout but the old components have been
>replaced by modern ones. Such a radio could fit on a circuit board 2"
>sq. if done with surface mount. It works the same way. Would you take this
>radio, and say 'hell, if I want, I can add the old-fashioned knobs later'?
>I doubt it. Now, granted, this is the only kind of ENIAC anyone will ever
>be able to own, but I'm dubious about how similar the experience would be
>to running a real ENIAC.
Amen, Max. The only thing one would probably get out of that 'radio' would
be a work-alike thing. Exactly the same for that ENIAC-on-a-chip.
Work-alike, probably, but no where near the same as having either the real
thing or a functional replica with tubes/relays/other fun parts.
Regards, Chris, an old radio collector (or rather, collector of old radios :)
-- --
Christian Fandt, Electronic/Electrical Historian
Jamestown, NY USA cfandt_at_netsync.net
Member of Antique Wireless Association
URL:
http://www.ggw.org/awa
Received on Sat May 29 1999 - 22:00:36 BST