Xerox Parc

From: Paul Braun <nerdware_at_ctgonline.org>
Date: Sun Nov 10 20:28:22 2002

> nerdware_at_ctgonline.org wrote:
> > Also keep in mind that the majority of the Alto/Star system was
> > developed by the end of 1973.....
>
> No, the *minority* of the Alto system was developed by then. The Alto
> hardware was not operational until March 1973. The early Alto
> software was not very advanced, and did NOT have overlapping windows
> and other such fancy GUI stuff. The software that everyone thinks of
> in connection with the Alto was developed between 1973 and 1980 or so,
> it didn't suddenly spring into existence in 1973.
>
> IIRC, development on the Star didn't start until 1979 or so.
>
Thanks. I was away from reference materials and flying from
memory.

> > and also, they had developed a
> > color laser copier during that time as well.
>
> I'm not sure when color laser copiers appeared, but I'm skeptical
> about it being in the early 1970s.
>
It might not have been a laser copier, but it was definitely a full-
color copier. I saw the copies his son had sent him sometime
around '77 or so, and was under the impression that he had gotten
them a couple of years back. However, that was a long time
ago,and I was just a nerdy kid, unlike today when I'm a nerdy adult.

> The first laser printer prototype (SLOT) was built in 1973, but it was
> NOT color. The first "production" laser printer, Dover, didn't apear
> until 1976, and the first commercially available laser printer was
> introduced in 1977. Color laser printers didn't appear for quite some
> time.
>
>
Just like this post, which I'm sure will take 3 or 4 days to show up
on the list. I'm not sure why the delay.....





Paul Braun WD9GCO
Cygnus Productions
nerdware_nospam_at_laidbak.com

"A computer without a Microsoft operating system is like a dog without a bunch of bricks tied to its head."
Received on Sun Nov 10 2002 - 20:28:22 GMT