I went into Radio Shack to get a soldering iron tip a few weeks ago, only to
find that they've finally started putting industry standard part numbers on
their blister-packed stuff. What a surprise to find not 239-???? but a
package that actually reflected the part number we're used to, e.g. 74LS367
and such.
Maybe that will take the pressure to learn what it is they're selling off
the help.
Dick
----- Original Message -----
From: "Tony Duell" <ard_at_p850ug1.demon.co.uk>
To: <classiccmp_at_classiccmp.org>
Sent: Wednesday, January 24, 2001 1:11 PM
Subject: Re: DD50 SCSI connector
> > Don't forget the classic "Oh no, you can't do that on platform XXX!" or
"What
> > are you going to do with that old junk?".
>
> Thanks for reminding me -- NOT! :-)
>
> Many years ago (this actually comes in the 'classic' timeframe), I
> obtained a Sanders 12/7 printer. For those who don't know this piece of
> engineering, it's a 7 pin dot matrix printer with enough mechanical
> precision that it's worth doing 8 passes of the printhead for some fonts.
> It was a text-only device (no downloadable fonts, no bitmap ability),
> but it was a darn good text printer -- as well as having some letter
> quality fonts, it would justify a paragraph of text internally, and print
> it with both margins straight, and so on (of course the fonts were all
> proportionally spaced...)
>
> This machine came in several versions, but the one I have has an RS232
> interface on it.
>
> I wanted to drive it from my main computer at the time, which was a
> TRS-80 Model 1. Fortunaately, unlike Sellam, I do have an RS232
> interface. So all I needed was a null-modem cable.
>
> I foolishly went into a computer shop to attempt to buy such a cable. I
> took a long the manuals for the printer and the Model 1, just so I could
> be sure what I wanted...
>
> The shop told me that I couldn't use that printer with that computer, and
> then attempted to sell me a printer. Needless to say I didn't buy said
> printer, I went to the electronics shop in the same city and bought a
> couple of DB25 plugs and a length of cable. Didn't take long to solder up
> the right cable -- and yes, the Model 1 can print on a Sanders 12/7. I
> used it for word processing until I managed to get the later version, a
> Sanders 700. That has the same printhead, and same nice features, but
> it's based on a Diablo 630 chassis and is somewhat easier to feed paper
> in. That, in turn, was only retired when I got a laserprinter...
>
>
> >
> > I usually just try to keep a low profile and give out as little
information as
> > possible when buying something from mainstream shops.
>
> Ditto. Which is why I try to buy things by part number only. Pity some
> shops make it difficult for me to do that....
>
> -tony
>
>
Received on Wed Jan 24 2001 - 15:39:55 GMT