G'day Zane -
Like every other computer system created, the Desktop Generation has its
own set of quirks and wonders. It was an interesting evolutionary
repackage of the microEclipse processor, but I never saw a customer or
user site actually using the Model 10's MS-DOS "compatibility feature".
The hardware consisted of modular metal frame chassis with snap-on
plastic covers. While great for manufacturing and cost control, the
delicate plastic cover retaining tabs were always breaking and the
covers would pull away from the chassis or just fall off. Only an
annoying cosmetic problem until you find that a "dead man's switch"
interlock was maintained by the power supply chassis front cover. Yes,
the power supply would always be cut off whenever the plastic cover
shifted, vibrated or fell off the chassis. Which happened often. (The
cheapest solution was the unintended, creative use of a ball point pen
combined with nerd engineering.)
Many OEMS delivered DG/RDOS- or AOS-based applications written in ICOBOL
or Business BASIC (i.e. NAPA). These were good systems for OEMs who had
previously developed software for DG - providing their application was
not disk-bound. DG eventually was forced to design and sell a parallel
I/O bus option to help improve disk performance... to the confusion of
customers previously told of the benefits of a serial I/O bus design.
The system was followed by the DG/500, which had a similar hardware
functional microEclipse-based design but enclosed in a then-familiar IBM
PC AT (desktop) form factor. This was the final unsuccessful attempt to
defend the low-end 16-bit Eclipse line from the PC onslaught.
-----
Bruce Ray
Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc.
Boulder, Colorado USA
[email protected]
...preserving the Data General legacy: www.NovasAreForever.org
On 5/21/2018 6:36 PM, Zane Healy wrote:
Thank you Bruce, I took quick look through, and will need to go back and read
up on the hardware bits, Chapter 4 looks like it goes into the stuff I’m
curious about. I’m normally a software guy, but this is one case, where the
hardware is of more interest.
Thanks,
Zane
On May 21, 2018, at 12:22 PM, Bruce Ray <[email protected]> wrote:
G'day Zane -
I have placed Desktop Generation information for you at:
www.NovasAreForever.org/tmp/014-000751-00__The_Desktop_Generation__1983-Jul.01.pdf
-----
Bruce Ray
Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc.
Boulder, Colorado USA
[email protected]
...preserving the Data General legacy: www.NovasAreForever.org
-----
Bruce Ray
Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc.
Boulder, Colorado USA
[email protected]
...preserving the Data General legacy: www.NovasAreForever.org
On 5/20/2018 6:37 PM, Zane Healy via cctalk wrote:
On May 20, 2018, at 5:16 PM, Bruce Ray via cctalk <[email protected]> wrote:
G'day Ed -
That picture was taken from our web site - specifically a photo of a Data General Desktop
Generation Model 10 beside a (1983) newsletter announcing the DG/10's introduction. The
computer system was announced in 1983 in DG's effort to blunt the effect of the
"microcomputer revolution" on Data General's proprietary systems' sales. It
was based on a 16-bit microEclipse processor contained in a small, modular,
consumer-oriented (desktop) form factor that ran DG operating systems and software.
However, one version also contained an Intel 8086 co-processor that could run newfangled
MS-DOS software, thereby targeting the pesky, soon-to-die microcomputer market. ;-)
The system was designed around modules that could be plugged together which
simplified system configuration and expansion. It was very reliable (except
for some of the OEM disk drives used) but disk and tape operations were very
slow due to its serial I/O data bus design.
The Desktop Generation series was very popular with many DG users and OEMs
worldwide but was overshadowed by the factors that affected the traditional
minicomputer manufacturers in the mid-1980s.
And "yes", information does exist for these systems. Do you have pictures of
your system?
Bruce
It sounds like a fascinating hardware design, and pretty much one I’ve long
dreamed of. It’s interesting to know that DG made such a system. Are any
manuals for it online?
Zane
