Actually, it's not as unusual as you may think. Some folks don't know how to do
anything useful, so they get more advanced degrees instead. I know of several
folks who have multiple PhD's, not that it increases my respect for them, but it
does indicate they've completed a major piece of academic work with a minimum of
supervision.
Dick
----- Original Message -----
From: "Tony Duell" <ard_at_p850ug1.demon.co.uk>
To: <classiccmp_at_classiccmp.org>
Sent: Wednesday, August 22, 2001 7:13 PM
Subject: Re: CBM 8032 SK
> > Back in a past life, I worked on a program (written by a very clever chap
> > with more PhD's than I've had hot dinners) which ran on a HP computer (I
>
> Since it's unusual to have more than 1 Ph.D. I guess it means you like
> cold food :-)
>
> > >> >It may be painful to learn, but it's very satisfying when you breathe
life
> > >
> > >Actually, FWIW, this is the sort of learning that I consider fun...
> >
> > Me too. There's nothing quite like "hands-on" learning, much more
> > interesting than straight lectures or even student lab work.
>
> Yes. As I said a few days ago it's important to have some idea as to what
> you are doing (randomly changing things will help nobody), but you do
> need some real practical experience.
>
> > >> Definitely. And with Z80s (in particular) being so cheap, as well as DRAM
> > >> chips, building ones own becomes quite appealing too. I know a chap who
> > >> already does that sort of thing (although I think he uses older Intel
> > >> processors on the whole); but I like the idea of a 40-pin processor -
it's
> > >> nice and simple.
> > >>
> > >> I haven't a clue how the bus works though....
> > >
> > >Might I recomend the book 'The student manual for the Art of Electronics'
> > >(or some similar title), 2nd edition, by Hayes and Horowitz.
> >
> > You can: Amazon is my friend... It doesn't say which edition it is, but I
> > assume it's the newest one.
>
> The authors are different for the 2 editions (I think the first is
> Horowitz and Robinson, but I am not going to run upstairs to check ;-)
> (yes, I have both editions, and both editions of 'The Art of Electronics
> :-))).
>
> >
> > >The last few
> > >sections get you to build a 68008-based computer from scratch.
> >
> > A QL? :)
>
> No, rather simpler than that. A 68008 + 256 bytes of RAM (IIRC) and a
> hardware frontpanel (hex keyboard, which was supplied to students ready
> made, but there is a schematic in the book) + TTL chips to load the RAM
> independantly of the microprocessor.
>
> > > I can't
> > >remember what chip the first edition used (8085? Z80?). The related book
> > >'The Art of Electronics' is, of course, well worth reading as well...
> >
> > I shall order that too, I think. There's also an "Art of Electronics:
> > Standard Manual", does anyone have any knowledge of that one?
>
> NEver heard of it. I wonder if 'standard' is a misprint for 'student' :-(
>
> It reminds me of the time I ordered the Options and Adapters Technical
> Reference from IBM. I asked them to search for 'Options and Adapters' and
> they told be there was no such manual listed. I thought it might well be
> out of print and unavailable, but as I had the Form Number to hand, I
> asked them to look for that. They told me that such a manual was still
> available (at a rather high price) and that it was the Technical
> Reference Questions and Answers. I ordered it anyway, and needless to say
> it was the Options and Adapters manual.
>
> What seems to have happened is that :
>
> Options and Adapters was abreviated to O&A
>
> O&A was typo'd to Q&A
>
> Q&A was expanded to Questions and Answers
>
> (!)
>
> > Thanks! Any more book recommendations BTW?
>
> Sure... Mick&Brick 'Bit Slice Microprocessor Design' is a classic if
> you're interested in microcoded CPU internals. It's not that easy to
> find, though (well, I don't buy things on the internet, so it might be
> easy to get there, I've never looked).
>
> You also should start collecting data books (or data sheets) on all the
> chips you might be interested in. You'll need them for the CPU, any
> peripheral chips you like, and so on. And of course a TTL databook is
> essential (don't rely on things like the Maplin Catalogue, there are
> plenty of chips not listed in there).
>
> -tony
>
>
Received on Thu Aug 23 2001 - 08:21:45 BST